The happenings of November

What did November bring? Well, it brought our family car new tires. Then the very next day the transmission died while I was out with three teen girls with the under the bridge ministry. Made for a fun car ride! Anyways - it would have been easy to say goodbye to the dumb car if we hadnt payed 900 dollars the day before on the thing! We put a transmission in the car the week before Thanksgiving. The same week brought a hair cut to Erin (given by her four year old brother Conor) She brought the scissors to him and asked him to cut her hair... he said why not?! James had to take a trip to Georgia the same week, where someone backed into him and put a hole in the borrowed car he was driving. Friends of ours allowed us to borrow their car to visit James' family for Thanksgiving in Indy. Family gatherings are a sweet and precious time. James got to see his grandma on his mom's side and his grandma and grandpa on his dad's side. Special memories. We thought about cancelling our trip because of all the unexpected bills but we are very glad we got to visit with James' family.
We also got to visit people from our previous church and got to attend a Sunday service. It was a precious time! Hugging the older people brought a tear to my eye because some of their friends have passed away since we have been gone. What a blessing to hug Betty Hough, Aurand and Woods :)I was so proud of the teenagers and how much they have grown in the Lord. It was great to see David leading the music time and wonderful to hear of how well Ashley Bliss is doing and to hear of Brett's engagement. It was a shot in the arm to see teens as adults and know you had a small part in helping them be where they are today. We had a lovely visit with so many. We drove by our old house and it looked like she was away for the weekend. Yes, I would have knocked on the door and invited myself in :) you know that country song 'the house that built me'? i would sing that to her - ok, i wouldnt go that far but i would def knock on the door! :)
The week of thanksgiving brought special guests to our house. His Little Feet ministry had four of their orphan boys stay with us and two chaperones. Having them in my house kept me very thankful for all God has given me. In Christ I am very rich. In Christ, I am a part of the family of God. One of the chaperones is from Ethiopia and grew up in an orpahange. He told me he scribbled out the word 'complain' from his english dictionary. He said we have no reason to complain. So true!
I read the book 'Made to Crave' during the month of November. Very good book and it applies to all of us! Food may not be your issue but we all go to other things at times (most times) instead of crying out to God.
That was my November. It was a full month and it came with a few downs... but the thing I love about downs is the sweet fellowship with God. For some reason, downs help me focus on what it's all about.