Thanksgiving

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family.  This past year has been so full.  It was a year ago this week that I left camp.  When I reflect on all that God has done this past year, I'm overwhelmed with thanks.

Here's a bit of a recap:

• God directed me to leave the camp ministry....difficult, but part of His plan.
• God gave me a wonderful three months of rest and time with my family.
• God provided me with a job before I even started looking.
• God led me to buy my first house....all by myself.....I was scared out of my mind.  It has truly become a home.
• God led me to a wonderful church family where He is allowing me to serve Him.
• Last, but certainly not least, God brought a wonderful man into my life.....see previous post if you missed it. :)

This past year has been such a growing time for me. He has truly blessed me and I'm thankful for all He has done.  I can't wait to see what this next year holds.

Here are few pictures of our family celebration this year.

Donna, Me, & Mom

Mom, Me & Dad

Scott, Autumn, Jamie & Ethan - time to load up on the yummy dinner

Ethan and Me - I love the look on his face.  He's such a ham.

Donna & Uncle Smiley (just gave him that nickname this week)

We also celebrated Christmas with Scott and his family since we won't get to see them.  Below are the gifts I gave the kids.  I love them, but I'm sure their parents might not like the idea of them playing with their food.  What can I say....I'm a great aunt. :)

Introductions

I would like to introduce all my faithful readers to someone very, very special.

This is Jeff.

Oh, you want more details? I suppose...If I must.  Jeff and I met on eHarmony and have been dating online and over the phone for almost three months now.  We met face-to-face this weekend and made it official.

I feel very blessed that God has put this man into my life.  You can pray for him.  He gets to meet the parents over New Year's.  :)  I have no doubt he'll pass with flying colors.

Can't Smile Without You

I saw this video today and it made me smile.  Hope you enjoy it too.

A Mighty Fortress

A Mighty Fortress is one of my favorite hymns.  A friends posted this arrangement on her Facebook and I thought I'd share it with you.  Read the words below as you listen.  In fact, sing along.  What an amazing God we have!!!

A Mighty Fortress Is our God
by Martin Luthur

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing;

our helper he amid the flood

of mortal ills prevaling.

For still our ancient foe

doth seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side,

the man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth, his name,

from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed

his truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo, his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,

no thanks to them, abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours,

thru him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever.

Vacation Weekend

This weekend was spent with some of the most wonderful friends on the face of this planet.  These are the friends that you may only get together with once a year, but it feels like you were never apart.  These are the friends that know your most embarrassing moments and love you anyway. These are the friends that know your struggles and prayed with you through every one.  These are the friends that make you laugh till you snort. (I may or may not have done this.)  These are the friends that you miss the rest of the year and wish you lived closer.

We were missing two from our little college group...Bekah (in Japan) and Becky (had family obligations).  We missed you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We met in Galena, IL this year.  It's a beautiful, quaint town.  We did some shopping, some eating, some pool time and lots and lots of laughing.  I'm very blessed.

Me, Roxi and Mary Ann

Modeling some hats.......really, we're just goofs

Isn't that hat adorable on her?

Wrestling masks....I'm pretty intimidating, huh?

I think Mary Ann looks pretty scary

Roxi always has a smile on her face

We just can't seem to follow the rules.  This is U.S. Grant's home.  Wish we could have taken the tour.

  

We were on the phone with Bekah, so wouldn't totally miss out on our weekend. 

Here's a view of this beautiful little town

This is the not-so-pleasant part of our trip.  Someone banged up Roxi's car in the hotel parking lot.  They did leave a note and hopefully take care of the damage.

Weekend Vacation Part 2
Galena is only an hour away from my brother and his family and my aunt & uncle.  I couldn't be that close and not go see them, so I headed over there on Saturday afternoon and came back home on Sunday.  It was wonderful to hug my niece and nephew again and see how big they are getting.  It seems like only yesterday I was holding those little bundles in my arms.  I had a great visit with all of them.  My sister-in-law, Jamie, reads my blog, so this is my shout out to her.  Love you, Jamie!!!! (Scott too!  And Donna and Rog.....can't leave out anybody.)

Here's our goofy shot.  It's much better than the good one....it shows our personalities.

Ethan's Birthday is Nov. 14, and I gave him is gift early. This was his reaction...I think he liked it! :)

It was a great weekend packed full of wonderful people.  I'm very blessed with a wonderful family and fabulous friends.

House Guests

I've been keeping busy with house guests recently.  I've had some normal two-legged kind, but also some of the four-legged variety.

Drew and Mandy's daughter had surgery last week on Monday, so I kept their dog, Jersey, for a few days.  She's such a sweet dog. She was a bit scared of my laminate floors though, so I had to try to accommodate her a bit.

T

This week, I have the Betz's dog, Lucy.  They are on vacation and going to the camp conference.  You may remember from way back in older posts that she was actually my dog at one time...for a week.  Yep, that's right.  I'm thankful that the Betz Family adopted her and I still get to see her and watch her from time to time.  She's such a sweetie too.