Welcome, friends!

Thank you for stopping by as we gather thoughts and tastes of Thanksgiving. Today I’m sharing my mom’s pumpkin pie recipe that’s perfect for bringing a little extra sweetness to your holiday table.

Happy Thanksgiving—and happy baking! 🥧🧡

Devotional

Be the Grateful One

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we could make a list a mile long of the blessings we’ve been given—the
ways we’ve experienced God’s kindness on the journey and the people with whom we’ve shared the road.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17, who were cleansed by Jesus as He traveled toward Jerusalem on His way to the cross. Because of the contagious nature of their disease, these ten men had been forced to leave their families, keep their distance from the community, and live a life of isolation unlike anything they had ever known—for the rest of their lives. I imagine they felt alone, ashamed, and without hope. There was no end in sight to their suffering.

I wonder what went through their minds as they tried to sleep at night or wandered aimlessly during the day. Did
they replay memories of life before everything changed? Did they mourn the people they used to be—successful, loved, embraced, known? How many times did they cry out in the darkness, asking the questions every hurting heart has asked: Why me? Why now?

What would these men have given for a second chance?

In the middle of this painful season, they encountered Jesus. Luke tells us they sought Him out and positioned themselves where they knew He would pass. Keeping their distance, they lifted their voices and pleaded, “Master, have pity on us!” And with one instruction—“Go, show yourselves to the priests”—He did. Healing flooded their bodies. They were made clean.

Imagine the joy! Their nightmare was over. Their lives were beginning again. I can picture them shouting, laughing, embracing—celebrating the miracle they had longed for so desperately.

But as the group headed toward the priests, the scene shifts. One man stops. One turns around. One comes back.

Luke writes:

“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan.” (Luke 17:15–16)

Only one.

Why just one?

Perhaps the Samaritan understood something deeper: that healing is not merely physical. The greatest healing
Jesus offers happens within the heart. Jesus confirms this when He says to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” The word used there points not just to physical restoration but to wholeness—body,
soul, and spirit.

This man did not seek Jesus only for what He could do in his circumstances. He returned in awe of what Jesus had done—and would continue to do—in his heart.

What did he come back to do?

To give thanks.

For a healed body, yes.

But even more—for a restored soul.

So what about us today?

In the places where Jesus has given us a second chance, intervened in our story, brought healing, hope, or
redemption—who will we be on the other side?

Will we be the one who
returns in gratitude?

Mom’s Pumpkin Pie

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

 2 eggs

1 Can evaporated milk

¾ cup white sugar

½ tsp salt

¾ tablespoon cinnamon

1½ cups pumpkin puree

½ tsp vanilla

2 unbaked premade, rolled out pie crusts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

At low speed mix two eggs and 1 can of evaporated milk.

In a separate bowl, combine sugar, salt and cinnamon.  Add to the eggs and
milk and continue blend well.

When well blended, add pumpkin and vanilla and pour into unbaked pie crust.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes then lower temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 35 minutes.

Recipe can be doubled to make 2 pies for large gatherings.

Enjoy!