Give Thanks

This is my second favorite time of the year. I love watching the leaves change color, the brisk air demanding warm fuzzy sweatshirts and fall decorations. As I look back through 2008, we are reminded of how much we have to be thankful for. Here are the Top 10 things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for:

1) my relationship with God and the strength to endure all that has crossed my path this year.

2) my incredible husband, who has loved and cared for his family in an awesome way this year.

3) my spunky Rachel and my laid back Aaron. Thank you God that you sent them to my house to live.

4) a future son-in-law that adores my spunky Rachel.

5) our awesome church family that God has blessed us with. Each week it feels more like home!

6) our family and friends spread out all over the country.

7) provisions for our family.

8) that I will be a bit more warmer this winter than last.

9) a business that God continues to bless.

10) computers! How else could I stay in touch with everyone?

Take time today to list what you are thankful for this year. It can sure put things in perspective for you. When all is said and done, relationships are what counts. Make a commitment to strengthen your relationship with God, family, friends and all who cross your path. Happy Thanksgiving!

Tis The Season To Be Thankful For . . . Plumbing

Well, the last couple of days has been interesting. Late Wednesday the kitchen sink clogged up. I headed to church and Kenny & Renee came over afterwards so Kenny could take a look at it. He worked so hard, but just could not reach the clog. So today Warren came over and replaced some pipe and other things, and came to the same conclusion as Kenny. The clog was further than could be reached. So we called in the big guns and they took care of it. In the meantime, I didn't have to cook for a few meals. So, during this season of thanks, count you blessings if you have working plumbing, because it is a pain when you don't. :o)

Today ended with a good thing. My hubby and I went on a date. We went out to eat at Steak and Shake and explored a little bit with our Garmin. Good times, indeed.

Have a Great Day!

It's All About Love

Tonight I attended the Ladies' Bible Study at church. It is a video series by Beth Moore. I really enjoyed the study about love and rejection. At times we need to be reminded of how much God loves us and that He "chose" to love us. We have all experienced rejection in some form or another. The reason rejection hurts so much is because we love so much. We don't really experience rejection unless we love. Regardless of the chance of rejection, we must love with our whole heart. What a tremendous study. I'll be pondering these thoughts the next few days.

Rachel & Mike are coming home tomorrow. Mike will be filling in for Youth Service tomorrow night. He's excited about the opportunity. Rachel asked for vegetable soup so I'll be making that tomorrow. I may even make them a treat or two. I get excited to see them, even if they have been here almost every weekend since we moved here. It's always nice for Momma bear to have all the cubs home.

Aaron is gearing up for black Friday at work. He has to be at work at 5 am. This is a stretch for him, he is preparing mentally for it really early. :o) He is helping out in Youth Service too. He'll be opening the service and praying. He's excited about that too.

We had the Youth over last Sunday night after church. I made nachos, brownies and lemon bars for them to eat. They played Wii and had a blast! Several parents came too. We are so enjoying getting to know "our people."

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving next week. Time to start getting the menu planned.

Normal Routines

So we are almost on a normal schedule. Dwight is working at the church most days and a couple of nights a week, I am making lunch and dinner at home everyday, Aaron is working most days and we've been living here long enough now that I actually took time out from the unpacking to clean house this week. It's been fun for a change. I'm sure I'll tire of that soon, but for now I am so happy to be settled in our new home and back to a normal routine, whatever that is for us.

Our service last Sunday was so good. We are getting to know more and more people. We are loving being a part of First Assembly and the city of Independence.

I'm really looking forward to the holidays. When we began to transition in our job, one of the things I asked of the Lord was that we would be settled in our new place of ministry to enjoy the holiday season. God is faithful! I'm looking forward to decorating our home with Christmas things. I LOVE the outdoor inflatables. So if you're out driving around after Thanksgiving, be sure to swing by the house to see the MANY inflatables I have. I love Christmas and decorating for Christmas.

Have a great weekend!