908. pumpkin patch graciously provided for community for free
909. technology that enables us to listen to Francis Chan messages and the eagerness amongst my children to sit and listen to him
Francis Chan Sermons
910. Ben's first knitted hat (w/ a little help from me at the beginning and end)
911. long-time friends that fit together like a worn puzzle...guitars....bebe guns...bows...three-wheeler that won't start and determined friends who will push
912. beautiful carpet of leaves in the woods below and above
913. suprising my kids with having the Bakers spend the night...it's been a long time...coloring comics...building campfire and playing out in the woods...sleeping the whole night out in the tree fort for the first time ever!! (I did have pictures of it all, but my camera is dying and corrupted them - NOT something I'm thankful for)
914. friend-marathon-weekend ending with Landon & Colton and husband who took up the slack for me as I began to feel ill
915. the end of Isaiah's fall wooden bat league...taking first place....but more importantly having a Godly coach who not only taught Isaiah a lot about ball, but set the example of how to "let your light shine" in the midst of a game
916. Ben teaching Isaiah how to purl
917. the best part of homeschooling....being able to say, "Today we're not going to worry about Math or English or History. It is a beautiful day and today we're going to go out and enjoy what God has made"....
918. catching a glimpse of a mushroom shaped like a cross...
919. marveling at how soft moss is and how they don't all feel the same.....
920. spying this bright caterpillar....
921. spying a poof-ball and seeing how much poof we could create....
922. catching those moments I wish would never go away....coming over a rise and seeing the three boys sitting like bumps on a log, resting their weary legs....
923. fungus-laiden tree...bumpy and odd...but beautiful....
924. the brilliant colors God makes for our enjoyment....
925. making our leaf banner
926. Nate adding his "scroll" bark to the seasonal table, Jake's flowers, acorns
927. Isaiah taking his first deer - he got a 4 pt buck and because he gutted it, he earned the knife from his dad
928. witnessing in the courtroom, what we already knew in our hearts to be true, Skylar & Troy have found a HOME
929. the memories evoked by an bald man in an knit cap from my childhood
930. being able to help Mom & Dad prepare for winter out at the pond...thankful that they called us and gave us the opportunity
931. little ones dressed as cowboys....just wanting to play at Grandpa & Grandma's...imaginations flying as they play on the big tractor I used to play on as a kid and the old radio box
932.
T.E.C. and how God uses it in the lives of my son, niece & nephew, and family friend...as we hear about their weekend with each other and God, it confirms how important it is that we are parents make wise choices about what our children do and how we choose to "keep ourselves busy"
933. Harrison's re-dedication to the Lord
934. time spent with Jake afterward at Culver's hearing how God has moved in his heart, thankful that he is vunerable before us and shares his heart with us
935. phone call w/ Charis - thankful for her and how she always encourages me to do the hard things for God and thankful that I know she'll be praying for me
936. blustery fall days, even though I know it means that soon the trees will be bare
937. my children and how diligent they are at school (some days)
938. Madeline getting up early like Mom and sitting at the table and doing her BSF...how sweet it is to see your children prioritizing time with God and starting their day off with Him
939. carving pumpkins for the first time in a few years, laughing at Maddie's expression when she feels the gunk inside, marveling that my youngest is now 7 and handles a sharp knife pretty well, the pure silliness of my eldest who is first done and then goofs around with his pumpkin making it talk and us laugh, and the creativity and uniqueness of each final product
940. conviction...having a repentant heart....that God never tires of me or misunderstands me....trusting in His character enough to know that the desert times or lonely times have a good purpose in my life....longing for Him
