Fat Squirrel

Well, the leaves are completely down in our yard. Winter is setting in. Rob filled our feeders this week and we have had lots of visitors! A mating pair of Cardinals, blue jays (occassionally), a mating pair of Downy Woodpeckers lives in our tree. Of course, all the sparrows and martins are out as well. And then there's this fat guy!

We just recently added this squirrel feeder because normally the squirrels devour our suets in a day or two. They have left them alone since we installed this. We don't have many squirrels, in fact, I think this is our only one. He likes to taunt Tate. He climbs down as low as he can, just out of Tate's reach and then shakes his tail at him. As soon as Tate lunges the squirrel backs himself up the tree, just out of his reach. It is quite hilarious to watch the two of them. Also Jourdyn's try-outs for basketball are Dec. 1st. Pray for her - she really wants to make the team!

Basketball season

Well, girls basketball is just about to begin! This past Friday Jourdyn began open gyms. She had one friday and then also today. Crystie came over Saturday and helped her with her moves! They had lots of fun! Basketball isn't as popular as volleyball so she has a chance to get on this team. (Top: Jourdyn is white shorts/blue shirt)

On Saturday, we had Aunt Julie, Crystie, Aunt Karen and Uncle Dave over to watch the OSU/UM game. Crystie and Jourdyn decided to take on Dave and Rob in a little two-on-two. The guys felt real old before it was over!


It's the 3rd Monday of the month so it's Daisy Day!!! This evening we talked about being considerate and caring. We have 6 girls now! And boy do they have fun together! Tonight we played "Mother, May I?" for the first time. That one threw them for a loop! But they figured it out!

My Weekend

This past Thursday I flew out to Washington, DC. My final destination was Culpeper, VA. My friend, and classmate, Lonnie pastors a church there. He invited me this past spring to come and preach this fall. So that was my goal this weekend to get up and preach without puking!

Thursday night, Lonnie picked me up at the airport. We met his wife, Jan at Ruby Tuesday's and had a wonderful dinner together. I have built a relationship with Lonnie through our classes and with Jan through facebook. It is amazing how well that relationship can transfer to real life. I felt like I've known them for forever!

I stayed the weekend with Stephanie, their Women's Ministries director. She has a wonderful family. Joe, her husband, who used to be a horse jockey, and has a cool corvette! He's a funny guy! They have a son, Prescott who is 8 years old. He had lots to share with me, including Star Wars facts, video games and just boy stuff!!! Their daughter, Savannah is 5 years old. We played together as well. Just a great family all around! I was so blessed to be able to stay with them.

Friday, Stephanie had planned an afternoon lunch, at which I would share my story with her ladies. That was a small, but great event! Very loving people! I felt as if I was part of the family.

Saturday, we spent the day at Team Day 2 - their district leadership event. The Keynote speaker was Leonard Sweet. He was fantastic! I also got to meet many great women pastors and share with them life and trials and victories! I am so thankful that we planned my trip down around this event! It was awesome!!!

Sunday was the day! I surprising slept well. Because Lonnie had suggested that Stephanie sit down and watch a movie on Saturday night before bed. We rented The Proposal. Very funny movie! But it worked!!! In fact, instead of dreaming about how it would go in the morning, I dreamed about the movie!

I was nervous, but well prayed up! So I can't explain how I did. I don't remember. I was so focused on not messing up that I didn't monitor myself and keep track of it all. They recorded it and it is posted on the internet now if you would like to listen.

http://www.hopecwc.org/sermonplayer.html

Overall, the weekend was fabulous. I couldn't have asked God for a better "first time." I also can't imagine how God at all had time to bless anyone down there, he was too busy blessing me!!!

Jar of Thankfulness

This is our family's "Jar of Thankfulness". Beginning this Monday, we began as a family to sit down each night and on a cardstock leaf, individually write out one thing we are thankful for that day. We then share that thankfulness with each other out loud and then place the leaf in the jar. On Thanksgiving we will empty the jar and revisit each moment of thankfulness!

My friend, Bethany, gave me this idea. The kids are so amazed by it. Nadine and Rowan can't wait to share what they are thankful for. Jourdyn, being 12 is, of course, a little aprehensive to the idea, but she is participating and over the next couple of weeks, I hope to see her grow through this.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Imagination Station

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Well, the failed COSI in downtown Toledo has finally reopened with a new name, Imagination Station. Dad and I took the kids Saturday morning for their first visit to the place. Lucas County residents now pay for the place to be open, so Saturday mornings are free for kids. There were many people there. I will have to go one time during the week to see if it is as busy when you have to pay $6.50 for each kid.

Overall, I was impressed though because at COSI so many displays were busted and didn't work. One water thing broke while we were there and a maintanence guy came out immediately to fix it!

The kids had fun. There were things that we didn't get to do because the lines were too long. But they had a ball playing dress up and playing with all the water stuff. Rowan especially liked the building stuff. We'll be going back often I think! :) On Saturday's when it's free!

Also to answer the question from my last post: I am preaching on I Samuel 3:1-10.

Upcoming Trip

Next weekend, I am flying out to Washington, DC to go preach at a friend's church on Nov. 15th. This will be my first preaching experience and I don't know how to describe it. I feel confident in what the Lord has given me to say and I actually feel pretty confident in being able to get through it. I just completed the sermon this evening. Until this point, I had not been really nervous. Now I feel an anxiousness, I think that is because I have sent it to that pastor and to my pastor to read over.

I also, as I read it to get an idea on how long it would take me to deliver it, had this sense of speaking is definitely part of what I am supposed to be doing. Like a confirmation of that. Let's hope that after delivering it to a congregation I feel the same! :)

Rob will be home with the kids for the weekend that weekend! It's just me flying out. I also get to do a Women's Luncheon. I have to prepare a message for that as well. And then we are going to their district leadership day together on Saturday, which will be great for networking possibilities!

It's all very exciting!!!

Trick or Treating

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