Aound the house ~ books, paper leaves and tree, pumpkins

Outside the window ~ ring necked doves visiting the pinion tree

Looking forward ~  to an out of the ordinary Saturday, karate tournament, historical interp volunteering and music concert

Reading ~ Graceful by Emily Freeman and The Hour that Changes the World, Galatians and Hebrews

Memorizing ~ Psalm 91, II Peter 1

Creative activities ~  a couple of quilts are coming together

A Picture or more ~ Life has been a bit of a blur this week, but in it we’ve been able to capture a few moments of it with the camera.  It is amazing to me, how rich and full this life is.  Beyond measure.

 

Another cream coloured envelope was in today’s mail…this time from Ronald. 

This letter, like the one we recieved from Lesbia a little while back, is on a “MY DREAMS, MIS SUENOS” paper.

Dear Sponsors Benjamin and Michelle,

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I hope that you are well.  I, Ronald Gilberto, let you know that I would like ot go to a lake because I like lakes very much.  I have seen them only by pictures.  I would love to meet you because you pray for me.  I would give many hugs to you.

I would like to be like David Villa someday.  He is a well-known soccer player of the Spain team.  He plays in Barcelona team.  He is a good player.  I admire him much.

I also would like ot play guitar someday.  I like melodies played by guitar in church, when we have special services. 

In June I went on an excursion from the Student Center to a place called Guastatoya.  I had much fun.  I sled on a big toboggan.  It was much fun.

One of my biggest dreams is to be a professional and international chef.  I would like to prepare different kinds of food and that people enjoyed my food.  Please pray for me that I pass my grade.  I love you very much.  Kisses and hugs to you.  God bless you always. 

With love, Ronald Gilberto Quej Xol.

Under the translation there is a great drawing of a El Gran Chef!  Darling!

 

Michelle at Blogging in the Boonies hosts a weekly link up called Thursday’s This and That.

I have a bit of this and that floating around in my mind, this is a good place to tack them down!

outside my window…the weather is mild, the mountain stands nearly bare of the snow that fell a week ago

around the house…papers and books scattered, dishes are all done, normal mild messiness by this time of the week.

to share and support…Looking for that tastey popcorn sold by Boy Scouts this time of year, but don’t have any of them knocking in your neighborhood?  Just click here.  You can snag a bit of popcorn and support my nephew’s council at the same time.

gratitude…2 of my children have group projects due for coop classes.  And we were able to coordinate with each group, to meet at the same park, at the same time on the same day (today)

to read…this weekend I hope to finish reading “Graceful” by Emily Freeman and share my thoughts on this wonderful book.  And pressing on with “The Hour that Changes the World”.

to plan…Thanksgiving dinner invitations went out yesterday.  Although the weather has me a bit fooled, my mind needs to focus and start planning.

excited about…my swagbucks keep climbing closer and closer to that goal…a particular gift card that will lower the cost of a special gift for this Christmas

 

We recieved two letters from Tanzania on “CHEERFUL GREETINGS” stationary.  Wonderful snapshots of smiling children are on the letterhead, so very fun!

The first letter is from Lucia,

Dear Benjamin and Michelle, Praise the Lord.  I , Lucia, greet you.  I am doing well at school, and at the center.  I have learned about body health.

My family is doing well and there is no problem in my community.  There is peace and love.

from your child, Lucia

and from Neema

Dear Benjamin and Michelle Skidemoo.  I, Neema, greet you.  I am doing well at school and at the center.  At the center I learn the word of God.  My lessons are good and I am expecting to pass well.  My friend is doing well.  My family is fine and my community is full of love and peace. 

 From your child, Neema Chacha

This was a fun day!  We also received that day the packet for our newest correspondence child, Leonard in Uganda.

We want to encourage you to keep on writing to your sponsored kids.  Two years after sponsoring Lesbia, we are starting to “get to know her” as she opens up more and more in her letters.  These two letters most recent letters seem to have been written in response to ones that we wrote a few months ago and I am looking forward to getting better acquainted with Neema and Lucia.

linking with Michelle’s Mail Call

This season of life has been fuller, busy than I’ve ever known.  Reading is still happening, but in smaller bites unless there is a sudden spot of time where I can just kick back and settle in for a refreshing time. 

Here are the books I finished in October.  There are others in process, and hopefully I’ll have more completed by the end of November.

Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix, a read for review book ~ my thoughts on this book here

False Intimacy by Dr Harry Schaumburg ~ a book recommended by our pastor.  As I continue to walk out the healing and restoration from the intense abuse inflicted upon me throughout my childhood, God continues layer upon layer to deal with the sin in my heart.  The effects of sin from the actions of others, and my own sin, idolatry and “do it myselfness”.  This book is very difficult to read, but much of what Dr Schaumburg says in addressing the main concern here, is applicable to all sinful hearts.

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine ~ ebook ~ you can read my review here.

If you are interested in joining us, visit Harmony Art Mom here.

Even if the healing never comes is how the song goes.  And I wonder if my faith will hold.  But I keep counting and even more than the daily graces found sprinkled all over this life of mine, it’s the amazing graces of disaster avoided, wounds healed, love continuing despite the struggle that is shoring up my faith.  What am i that God is so mindful of me?

Daily sprinkles of sweet grace #1247-1270

Cookies for a friend
  Mourning dove pairs in the pinion
  Quiet evening alone
  Cozy home
  Children singing
A date made for 3 weeks from now
Beloved home before the plumbing went out
Plumbing splinted and patched to hold until Builder has time off to really fix it
Hugs from my daughters
Coupon bargains
Stocking stuffers!
Shoebox slowly filling
No early labour
creative minds
productive hands
kind words

This afternoon as we pulled in from co-op classes, I pulled up to the mailbox and quickly saw the cream colored envelope.  Without thinking too much “this one’s for Daddy” came out of my mouth.  Now all the mail from Compassion comes to us as Mr and Mrs, but for some reason I didn’t see that today.  Builder is home for a week, and I just knew it had to be for “him.”

This is a very cheerful encouraging letter and I’m excited to read what Builder writes back.

Dear sponsors,

I hope that you are well at home and at work.  I ask that you send me a photo of your family so I can see you.  I let you know that I attend church and the services, also Sunday School.  I tell my classmates about  God’s word.  I like Christian songs and I like to read Bible verses.  My favorite story is about Adam and Eve.  It talks about when they ate the apple and sin in humanity started because they disobeyed God.  My favoirte song is:  Give Him Applause.  I want to know: do you teach at your church?  I would like to know more about you.  I ask that you pray for my mother, for my father and my siblings so God always take care of them.  I say goodby with love, take a lot of care, until the next one. 

Sincerely,

Carlos David.

Carlos drew a wonderful picture of the Iglesia Naza Reno, with 3 smiling people in the foreground.  And did you read it?  Carlos tells his classmates about God’s Word!  A little evangelist we have the priveledge of writing to and encouraging. 

And just so it makes more sense…Builder writes to the young men that we sponsor and correspond with, encouraging them.  I have the priveledge to write to the young ladies.  That’s just how we do it in our home 🙂

Linking with other Mail Call bloggers over at Blogging from the Boonies.

“>

I’m headed down this narrow road
Chosen by the few
And all that I know is
You told me to follow You

I’m taking a risk and leaving it all
Not knowing what I’ll go through
But I’m not alone
As long as I follow You

So when my life’s a leap of faith
I can hear You say

Well done, well done
I’m gonna chase You, Lord
I’m gonna show the world Your love, woah
I’ll run, I’ll run
I’m gonna run this race
To hear You say well done

If people walk with me, talk with me, looking for truth
They’re gonna find out soon
If they’re following me then
They’re gonna follow You

So let my life speak loud and clear
Lord, I wanna hear

I’m so glad that I get to serve You, Lord
You’re the only One I am living for, woah
I’m gonna run straight into Your open arms
I’m gonna follow You with all my heart

Well Done, by Moriah Peters