17. God’s sweet provision for us through His people

18. Fun fellowship with my sisters in Christ

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19. Luke is part of a loving family ~ praying for the orphan today.

20. Safety and freedom to worship and spread the gospel openly ~ praying for the persecuted church today.

21. The faithfulness of my brothers and sisters as they proclaim the Gospel and glory of Christ through suffering

 

Luke taught himself how to climb up onto our chairs this week. I think he learned it from one of his little friends. Anyway, this is what happened the day he learned to climb up them.

DSCN4396Look! Mama, I’m in the chair!

DSCN4397And, I can stand up!

DSCN4399And look! I can get on the table!

Now, he knows he’s not allowed on the table (I think), but he has discovered that if he pushes the chair up against something else, like the couch, he can climb into the chair and then onto the couch, which he can’t climb onto yet.

This is what he did yesterday:

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My little guy had to push this chair all the way into our room, and then he used it to climb up on our bed. He was very proud of himself.

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I love that happy, excited little face! It is such a blessing to be able to watch him learn and develop, and be so glad in discovering new things. I enjoy celebrating what he learns, even when he has to be told that climbing on the table is not the way to use his new skill.

 


Luke had his first chance to play with a balloon this weekend. He was given one at our family fun night to Chili’s (thanks, Mom and Dad). He’ s been afraid of them before, but had a wonderful time playing with the green balloon. It was so funny, because at first, he couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t stay on the ground like a ball. It so enjoy seeing the fun and gladness he gets out of such simple things.

I love Thanksgiving! I like taking time to be thoughtfully thankful and to notice and remember all the good things my heavenly Father gives.

This year, we’re starting a new tradition, and I’m really excited about it. We’re going to be writing in a Thanksgiving journal. We’re planning to take time together and individually to write out our thankfulness to God over this month. I’m also inviting each person that comes into our home to write their thanks. I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to use this year after year, and learn to see the continual graciousness of our God.

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Here are a few other ideas to use in making Thanksgiving celebrations honoring to Christ, the One who gives us all things!

What are y’all doing to center your Thanksgiving celebrations around the God that gives every good and perfect gift?

11. Family fun night in the midst of busy papers

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12. Sweet conversations around a campfire

13. Little ones to love on Sunday morning

14. Mocha and pumpkin bread with family

15. A generous church family

16. Watching my son laugh on a trampoline for the first time

6. Feeling better after a couple days of have-to-stay-in-bed sick

7. Tents in the living room

Living Room Tent

8. Beautiful, sunny, cool weather, a gift from a loving Creator

9. and the time to enjoy it with my son
Stick

10. Funny faces

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I am so thankful for this man! Although he has a large paper due this week, Bret took time to build a pillow pile and wrestle with Luke.

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After all this fun, though, I’m most thankful that Bret finished up play time with this:

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I love this! What a great daddy to teach his son about the Heavenly Father, to point his little eyes to Him, by daily, hourly, living in obedience before him, reading the Word to him, and praying with him. I am so blessed!

1. My handsome guys togther

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2. Good girl time this morning

3. A lovely day,

4. A wonderful family walk after weeks of paper-writing

5. A little man that loves to sing with me

Who knew a paper sack could provide so much entertainment? Last night, Luke filled up a paper bag with some treasures: my fuzzy socks, his snack, a book, and a tupperware lid. He then proceeded to carry this bag around, periodically taking things out and putting stuff in, for a long time. It was hilarious to watch how much fun he had, and how proud he was.

DSCN4320 by you.Look at my bag, Mom!

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This is his new face, and I think its hilarious. I love watching him learn and discover new ideas and abilities.

I checked out The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith from the library, after hearing several people talking about it.  I guess I’m a little behind the times, since there are about 10 books in the series now. I very much enjoyed this book, and 2 of the sequels.

The series is set in Botswana, Africa, and made me “homesick.” I haven’t lived in Africa for 7 years now, and never in that part of the continent, but McCall’s descriptions show that he loves and understands Africa’s people and landscape. And he made me miss it.  

The stories are quite enjoyable. These books are definitely easy reading, but are clean, amusing, and just good fun. They center around a lady detective, and involve her personal and professional life as she begins her career. I recommend these books if you’re wanting some fun reading, with the added bonus of a flavor of Africa.

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