Happy Thanksgiving Eve

I just love this time of year ... until Friday. With the blink of an eye the world goes from a lovely autumn to a commercial Christmas. My pumpkin and turkey decorations must be put away for the next holiday that is looming right around the corner.

Now don't get me wrong, I like Christmas as much as the next person. I don't, however, like the commercialism, the malls, the grumpy people spending way too much money on junk, the equally as grumpy people having to go to party after party because they have to keep up with the Jones ... the list goes on and on.

What I do like is waking up each day ready for the adventure that is homeschooling, parenting, wife-ing, homemaking and following. Being able to take each day one step at a time and enjoying the ride. Finding peace in the mundane tasks of housekeeping and not freaking out when everything just doesn't get done. Listening to the old classic Christmas carols and laughing about all those years when I made the girls memorize the verses (we did Patriotic songs too!). Smiling about the wonderful memories I have with my family and looking forward to the future memory making times. Knowing that a God big enough to put this whole deal together humbled himself to become a baby just for me. Doesn't get much better than that!

So on this cold and blustery Thanksgiving Eve, I am content to enjoy my blessings and look forward to tomorrow's good food, family, conversation and memory making with peace in my heart because of the One to whom we give thanks.

Reunion

Oh the joys of Facebook! I have just reconnected with an old friend and spent the last couple of days reading her blog and Facebook pages and just having a blast! You see, this friend is someone who has known Jimmy and I for the past 24+ years. We were neighbors when we lived in Tulsa and she (Ann) and her husband (Jon) were schoolmates of Jimmy's. We've kept up through their missionary newsletters over the years and have never ceased to pray for them as the Lord brought them to our minds. We have even had them to Oxford about 8 years ago to speak in our church. These are very, very special folks; the kind you know will always be there even if you don't talk on a regular basis.

I am so greatful to have found Ann on Facebook and to be able to jot her a note whenever I want to say hi! And to be able to keep up with her seven kids (the oldest who is now a college graduate and a Marine Corps officer!) I can't tell you what a gift technology can be! If you have some extra time and want to be introduced to two of the most genuinely wonderful people you will ever want to know check out their websites ...

http://www.harvestreport.net/missionminded.htm
http://www.harvestreport.net/harvesthomepage.htm

Their love for lost people and their lives of sacrifice will inspire you. Be prepared to be changed forever if you visit the above sites!

Enjoy getting to know my friend Ann, her vision for the lost and her steadfast belief that Jesus makes the difference.

Wednesday Update

Great week so far. Nothing outstanding or stupendous ... just the normality of life that we so often take for granted.

Friends and family are throwing Katy's first bridal shower this weekend so we are all preparing for the festivities. I'm turning into the "mystery shopper" for some of our out of town guests, so I get to have fun of doing that! (I hate shopping, but somehow buying stuff for my daughter's apartment makes it much, much better!) Katy will have two more showers the weekend after Thanksgiving, so a busy time is upon us.

Last night was Joy's first JV basketball game of the season. She has come so far from the timid little girl several years ago that thought playing basketball might be fun! I am still amazed at the discipline she shows in not only practicing, but in running, eating correctly and doing the things she knows will help her become a better player. I often joke with she and Camryn that I can see them in 20 years being homeschool moms coaching their children's basketball teams. (Truly, its no joke. I can really see them doing that... they both have a love of the game and a love of children. Will be fun to watch!) Back to our present reality ... the JVG team played so well! It was amazing to see them come together as a team against a formidable foe and while they didn't win on the scoreboard, they won in experience. They took away a wealth of experiences (both good and bad) and will be the better for it next time. And big kudos to Coach Kyle for playing even the younger girls who make up our developmental team!

Cold weather is upon us here in the great state of NC! Snow flurries yesterday and miserably cold temps this morning (and the rest of the week they say). Miserably cold is defined as anything under 40 (at least to me). This morning it was 25 so that qualifies in my book! I think we might be in for one of those winters! Oh well, lots of coats, warm clothing and oil in the tank while we hunker down til spring.

Must close for now. Doggies need to be walked and laundry started for the day. Blessings to all on this fine November day!

Thankful is an understatement

WOW! What a weekend. On top of the normal busy stuff we always find to do, Saturday morning Jimmy and I helped Pam and Larry unload the remainder of their moving truck. Didn't take too long. We spent more time catching up with them and eating yummy homemade chili than we did actually moving stuff around. Laura was there and it was good to get to see her again. I'm not crazy about these youngin's growing up and getting lives of their own! Oh well, enough about my problems with change.

Anyway, before the weekend was over, God had blessed Katy and Russ (not only with their first apartment) but ...

1 beautiful love seat
1 beautiful chair to match said love seat
4 very nice pillows to match the above
1 cute little kitchen table
3 lamps
1 television set
1 small storage cabinet
a big box of glasses and such
an ironing board
and a washer and dryer!

Friends and family have called this weekend with "leftover" furniture and appliances that they were so generous to give to them. I never cease to be amazed at God's faithfulness and His timing!

I am truly thankful this Thanksgiving season for so very many things. Not the least of which is His care and concern for my children and their futures!!

Praise be to God!

Veteran's Day

To all the veterans that have served or are presently serving ... thank you. And especially to those veterans that have just returned from our current wars ... you are in our thoughts and our prayers. Only God can heal the memories and the trauma. My hope is in a big God and His big mercy.

Blessings to you all.

General Stuff

Thought I'd try my hand at blogging again. No promises on adding things in a timely manner, but I'll see how it goes.

Lots of things going on around the place this fall. We are in the throws of wedding planning and basketball games start next week (after many months of practice). That's on top of the normal daily routines we all enjoy.

Jimmy just returned from his annual pilgrimage to West Virginia. He had a great time and I'm sure will be blogging on all his adventures for some time to come. Today, in the mail, he received his first book to review for Thomas Nelson Publishers ... a chronological Bible. I got to open the package and boy does it look cool. Can't wait to get my grubbies on it; but alas, I'm not the one writing the review so I'll have to wait a bit.

Jimmy and I took a walk this morning and the fall colors are still amazing! This has been one of the most beautiful falls I can remember. I just love the colored leaves!!!

Well enough of my return to blogging ramblings. There are many things left on my "To Do" list and I just received a call from the Board of Elections that they need me to help them on Wednesday with a recount deal they always do after each election. Hopefully it won't take all day, but we'll see. You never know!

Until my next burst of blogging, have a blessed day and enjoy the autumn wherever God has placed you!