1000 Thanks, cont.

This is a continuation of an exercise I am doing to encourage me (and hopefully you) to remember my blessings...I know, I'm a little slow on the draw

21. God's Word
22. A previous manager, excellent teacher, now a wonderful friend
23. date night
24. bulk cheese
25. community
26. Michael Kelly Blanchard (singer/songwriter)
27. a specific answer to a specific prayer
28. adorable nieces and nephews
29. my Aunt Paula
30. Holidays with family
31. coupons
32. naps
33. easy communication
34. my iPhone - I know, a total luxury
35. reconnecting with an old friend
36. a new day every morning

37. confidence
38. my cats (choosing thankfulness here)
39. digital cameras
40. kids in bed

41. gracious in-laws

42. a white christmas

43. children's cold medicine

44. a holiday break from routines

45. warm beds

46. the Lord's protection on icy roads

47. opportunities to serve others

48. spiritual family

49. knee high socks

50. online tutorials

51. "Jesus loves me - this I know"

52. that my husband never watches boxing or goes hunting

53. garage sale jeans for the kids

54. the play-doh fun factory

55. my laptop

56. bedtime bible stories

57. a cold cola treat

58. cousins

59. digital cameras

60. generosity

P.S. hope your christmas was merry AND white too!

A little about Evelyn

I wanted to post some updated pictures and of course, the most recent ones I could find are from July! Still, something is better than nothing, so these are of Evelyn somewhere around her first birthday which was August 12th. I do have pictures of that (somewhere).
This one is of Evelyn (left) blowing a kiss. The cutie on the right is our neighbor's girl - whose name I will omit out of respect for their privacy. She is about 4 months older than Evelyn and much more mobile. This is a somewhat rare moment of joy between them, but I'm pretty sure they will one day be fast friends if I can keep her parents around. I sure hope so because it is really nice having another mom so close.

Here are some CURRENT things Evelyn is doing at 15 months:

• Finally crawling up the steps
• Pulling up on her own (these are both very new)
• Saying "hap-py" "shoe" "sock" "up" "down" "please" "cheese" "baby"
• Signing more; please; all done; eat; and drink
• eating her all her lunch and her sisters' too. the other day she ate an entire Arby's Jr. Roast Beef sandwich
• Roaring like a lion - for some reason she thinks that's the sound all animals make
• Singing a lot. She is very musical.
• Playing mommy with her babies
  
• Being generally delightful

I'm so blessed to have her. I have to remind myself to slow down and pay more attention to her sometimes because she is very rarely demanding of it. She and Elisa are starting to entertain each other fairly well which is so nice!

One Thousand Thanks

I've been enjoying Shawna's participation in the 1000 thanks and felt it would be good for me personally to document some of my own blessings. I don't know if there are any rules or guidelines for this, but the concept is pretty simple. I've been encouraged lately to "choose happy" and thankfulness is a key component in that. So, here goes the first installment in no particular order...

1. my "hap-py" baby girl
2. a husband with a servants heart
3. good neighbors
4. my sister, my friend
5. failed plumbing
   
6. the longevity of my grandparents
7. a long, hot shower
8. free bread, milk and eggs!
9. tangled curls
10. Bible Study Fellowship
11. a good relationship with my mother
12. "new" finds from the salvation army
13. a deep freeze (finally!)
14. a job I love
15. a few stolen minutes to myself on the computer
16. appleTV
17. willing babysitters
18. laundry (choosing happiness here!)
19. space heaters
    
20. fall days

Thanks for reading!

Congratulations Shane & Sarah

Congratulations to Shane and Sarah Powell for successfully producing a Powell heir (God bless them). He was born a healthy 6 lbs 10 oz and 19" long on October 26th. It's taken me a while to post this because it took them a while to settle on the name!

Welcome to the family
Tyson Riley Powell!!!

You are Invited

Wondering what we've been up to? For one thing, we are getting ready for the Fall Conference at ETBC on October 24th and 25th with Scott DeGroff of Topeka, KS. We are really excited about the response we seem to be getting, especially with the youth. I'm wondering why I haven't heard from YOU about coming? My house is still open so make plans to get here and you can stay with me! Who needs updated pictures when you can see my adorable offspring in person?

Earlier this summer I wrote about conference memories from my own childhood. I'll bet you have some too. Consider the value of bringing your family to other assembly conferences. Yes, I know traveling with little ones can be daunting. But, sometimes I thinking about it makes it harder than it really is. Family vacations and pleasure trips don't seem to let that get in the way, why should fellowship with the Lord's people?

The hospitality experience of both hosting and visiting conferences is so important for children to really understanding the concept of servitude. Additionally, I think there is no better testimony to the unity of the body than the ability to get together with virtual strangers (and sometimes good friends) and enjoy the Lord in a conference setting.

So come and be encouraged. Oh, and if you don't want to stay with me, I won't be offended. You can contact Marcie and Seth for housing arrangements. And if the fellowship isn't enough to entice you - Adriel and Efren will be cooking for us!

And if you can't come-I don't need excuses. But make a resolution to visit someone else's conference this year. It's encouraging to them too! You'll find me in Topeka, KS in November!