Snow

There is still three weeks of Autumn left and it snowed here! I was happy to see the snow the day before Thanksgiving, it was light and fluffy-looking as it floated down past my window. I was even more happy to see though that it wasn't sticking. I'm not a fan of the snow... at all. Weird that I would pick such a freezing-cold-winter-having country to reside in, huh? Yeah, must have not really thought this one through. Well it snowed Friday and Saturday as well. And it stuck... and it hasn't melted. The temperature stays between 0 and -5 most of the time. I'm complaining I know, but what I'm trying to get at is the exact opposite. If I were in Portland right now I would be miserable. I would hate it. Like I said, I don't like snow, but for some odd reason, I've never been more excited about it. I feel ill-prepared- not the right shoes, or outerwear, but that can be fixed. This morning on the way to work, we go through a couple of patches of nature on the bus- which now looks like grandmother nature took her sift and topped us off with some powdered sugar- but it was beautiful and peaceful looking. Like all the critters are sleeping in a warm place, even the trees-sleeping, dreaming of Arizona. Sounds silly, but nature seems so fragile and delicate right now. Well, except the pigeons- those birds are tough (I saw a few in walking through the snow yesterday)! It's weird, but the cold is comforting to me. I'm enjoying myself.

Díkůvzdání

I've been away from my family on Thanksgiving before, at Kelsey's house. The last two years were spent with the Pearce Family. I like it there, but there's nothing like my momma's cooking! I like being home and helping my mom with everything, from baking to cleaning the nice dishes to cooking and cutting and stirring. It's nice; my mom and me verses the hungry, anticipating stomachs of the world. Her kitchen is small, but there's always room for one more cook.

For some reason, when I was a kid, I was infatuated with tradition. Not old tradition, but traditions that I would make up. From about nine years old, everything I did during the holidays has been repeated. I've made the same things, worn the appropriate attire, read the same books, watched the same movies and so forth. Can I just point out that growing up is not all it's cracked up to be? Growing up means different traditions, splitting holidays between families maybe not even being able to be there. Not being able to fulfill my duty to making cheese cake every fourth Thursday of November.

I thought being away for Thanksgiving wouldn't be so bad, but waking up this morning proved to be different. I heard Kelsey say something about wanting to watch football with his Grandpa Bob. I pictured them sitting on the couch talking about the season, how terrible the Cowboys are doing and I wanted to be there too. I wanted a hug and a kiss on the cheek from Grandpa Bob. And then I wanted to be home. To see my mom and dad. To hug and kiss them. Don't get me wrong, I love being here and I'm pretty excited about my first Thanksgiving (with no help from mom). The ECF (English Christian Fellowship-a group of international students) are coming over to celebrate with us. Everyone will bring pictures of their families and we will get to brag and tell stories about them and most importantly we will get to pray for them, for you. Bitter-sweet has never been such a perfect word.

Last night as Kelsey and I were lying in bed, I asked him, "Do you think that anyone will invite us over for Christmas?" He said yes. I hope he's right. If there's anything I've learned about myself is that being alone, is never a good thing. Which of course got me thinking about all the people I am grateful to have in my life. I have a lot. More than deserved. But my God is so great and merciful and loving.

I am thankful for (in no particular order)...
>My family, both sides: Crowell and Pearce
>My friends, especially Becca and Maryellen
>My husband
>ECF
>The ability to read
>Mercy
>Love
>Forgiveness
>Salvation
>Childhood
>Tradition
>Tomatoes
>Oranges
>The robot dance
>Kelsey's jokes
>Hector and Major Eloisa
>Soft blankets
>Mint flavored things
>The ability to Pretend and use my imagination
>Forts and camp outs
>Communication

The list could go on forever, possibly too long already. What are you thankful for?

Everyday a lady by the name of Donka comes into the corps to volunteerby cleaning. After she is through cleaning, she uses the corps' guitar to practice and teach herself. On Sunday she blessed us with a song she'sbeen practicing (Captain Malach is assisting her on drums)...