The first picture shows Plymouth Harbor still mostly untouched. This is where the Spanish Armada fought to try and take control over England. But the Lord has preserved English soil as He has American soil.
The second picture shows the pub still standing where the Mayflower was moored on the Thames River, London, before sailing around to Plymouth on the most southwesterly point of England. Inside this 500 year old pub are very old, original (?) pages from the ship's log. In London, everything is old so it could very well be the real thing! The pub can be seen better from the Thames as buildings have grown up around it. Behind and within an arms throw from the pub is St. Mary's Church where the Mayflower captain that sailed the Pilgrims is buried. His name was Christopher Jones. He died when he returned from Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621.
Here we are at The Mayflower Steps, Plymouth, England, where my husband's ancestor, Richard Warren, sailed off to America in 1620. The Mayflower was 90 feet long and 25 feet wide at the widest point. There were 104 passengers and crew on board for just about 3 months! No private facilities. Babies were born and others died on board. It was a very difficult life and they were "thankfully" very courageous to take the elements head on.

We are so fortunate to have central heating, warm beds and kitchens to cook fresh food.

Another Thanksgiving story to share is about Squanto...the Indian who saved the Pilgrims that first winter. Just think how cold and uncomfortable it is staying outside for a long period of time during a snowstorm...And remember the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in winter, having begun their voyage in September. Newly arrived in a strange land, can you imagine their surprise to find a very differently dressed human speaking your own language?

Squanto had been kidnapped during his youth by sailors who wanted to keep him as a slave. He was taken to Europe and eventually purchased by an Englishman who took him back to England and in the course of time, taught him the language. He was sometime thereafter set free to return to America. The Lord truly raises up others to help us in times we aren't even aware of. Another thing to truly be thankful for at this season of the year.

I am grateful for our heritage, the traditions of our forefathers and for our freedoms. My mother, Grandma Zeze, taught me early in my life about history, and the love of my country and family histories by taking my brother and I to visit all these wonderful places. So it's no wonder that I love going with my husband to share new places never before experienced, while we are here.