Thanksgiving Weekend

This past weekend was amazing.

For Thanksgiving my family got together as usual. It was my parents and the boys and myself and the Clark's as always. Also, my dear friends, Megan, John and Madeline joined us for a couple of hours. We had dinner at the Clark's house and went bowling later in the evening. It was so much fun!!! First, I loved having Megan, John and Madeline (the Snowkin's) join us. They have become very close friends of mine and they are from Wisconsin, so I wanted to be sure they had some family here to celebrate with. We really enjoyed them and I think my mom really enjoyed Madeline- she is definitely feeling ready for some grandkids! :) Hopefully Madeline will hold her over for awhile. Haha. At dinner, it was just us and the Clark's as the Snowkin's wanted to go home and spend some intimate family time together, and Chris and Erin were up in Washington with Erin's family. Chris and Erin joined us soon after dinner and we all headed to the bowling alley. Even though I bowled absolutely horrible, it was an absolute blast! We had the place to ourselves and a couple of other families joined us. We filled about 5 lanes of healthy family fun and competition!!!

Me, Megan and Madeline :) Madeline helped us prepare packages for the homeless of Portland on her very first Thanksgiving. How is that for a giving heart? ;)

Whitney, Jordan and me at the bowling alley.

Auntie Linda and Mom

Chris and Erin. So cute.

Chris, me Jordan and Whit. I think this was all of our favorite Thanksgivings!!!

On Friday, my mom and Auntie Linda had a surprise day planned for Whitney and I. Usually the four of us spend a couple of days in Seattle between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this year we just didn't have the time. I have to say, this day was just as much fun as Seattle! Whit and I are so very blessed to have such sweet and thoughtful mothers. First we took a quick trip to Target. Next we went to Bob's Redmill in Milwaukie. We had breakfast there and then they let us do some shopping. It was great because they have tons of baking products for gluten-free baking and it's really expensive, so it was nice for my mom to treat me so I can do some holiday baking that won't make me sick! Then we visited another bakery nearby and headed downtown. When we got downtown we took out the neat little packages we prepared on Thanksgiving. Auntie Linda came up with the brilliant idea to buy several pairs of thick winter socks and stuff them with snacks and toiletry items to hand out to the homeless people in downtown Portland. So we took them around that day. It was awesome!!! People were truly thankful and blessed and as we began to run out of them we longed for more! Since we enjoyed it so much and it is such a simple way to bless others' we decided to make a much bigger "batch" in December when Whitney is in town again and hand them out, but bring the whole family next time. I am so excited for that! Next we of course, went to get pedicures. This has always been one of our favorite past times to do together. The beauty bar we went to was in Tigard. It was really hip and trendy and they gave us these nifty little neck warmers, foot massages, and a complitmentary glass of wine. Now that's what I call a great pedicure!!! ;)

The 4 of us in front of Bob's Redmill

Mom and I next to some random statues downtown.

Whit and I waiting for our pedicures.

Waiting for my nails to dry and very pleased.

After pedicures we went to Jordan's quarter-final football game against Grant. It was a great game and we won 33-0. GO CRUSADERS!!! This week we will be playing West Salem in the semi-final game at PGE Park on Friday @ 5pm. By the way, many of our family friends have come out to support Jordan and we are humbled at how many people have been there. Thanks so much!

Mom and I always take a proud photo after a win! :)

The rest of the weekend was great as well. I got to spend some time with friends, and Sunday was another family day ending with church and hanging out with Chris' girlfriend, Erin. She is a true blessing!

Fall Joy!

I just have to take a few minutes to brag today.

My brothers are all amazing. This fall I made a commitment to myself that I would make them my priority. Meaning, being at football games and serving with them respectively. My weekends have largely been devoted to supporting them and I am so blessed by this decision!

Let's begin from the youngest, Jason. This boy is a little (getting bigger) firecracker to say the least!!! He has such a sweet, tender heart, but also very much a mind of his own. He is always trying to keep his busy little mind occupied and bless his heart, he really tries to stay out of trouble but sometimes his 12 year old impulsivity and curiosity sure does get the best of him at times! He is a challenge but a dear one! He played football this fall for Sunset Youth, and he played fabulously! His team only allowed TWO touchdowns to be scored on them ALL season! And Jason, excelled in both offense and defense. I am so proud to watch him mature and be able to really listen and learn from his coaches this year. It has been a delight to see his excitement for games and practices. Here are some photos:

Jason turned 12 last weekend... I baked him a Red Velvet cake/cupcakes and even though it didn't look great, he was thrilled. :)

His team won the championships!

All the little guys cheering with their trophy.

There he is; #3. I cannot believe how big he is getting! He will be taller than me by the end of the year!

Precious!!!

Now for Jordan. He turned the big 1-7 in September! He is now a junior at Jesuit High School and I am so proud of him. He is making wise choices, keeping his grades up and working his tail off in football. It is certainly paying off! Now about keeping those girls away... *wink, wink*

Watching him this year has been bittersweet. I am watching him quickly blossom into a man and I am constantly reminded that in just a year he will be making a decision about which college to go to and moving away. It makes me sad, but I know he will do very well. It is so hard for me to watch my dear brothers get so old! Here are some photos from his season:

The handsome younger ones at Jason's birthday... look at Jordan's litle smirk. He cracks me up!

Mom and I, with a few other mom's fed 45 Jesuit players a pre-game meal! Crazy! It went well though.

Warm-ups before a game early in the season.

Blurry warm-ups from last week's playoff game in Medford.

S. Medford Game

I always try to get shots of him without his helmet. :)

So, Jordan's team is now in the quarterfinals and they play Grant High School this Friday night. I can't wait!!!

Mom and I at the playoff game last week! Go Crusaders!!!

Then there's Christopher. I have really enjoyed serving at Sunday Night @ 6 Service with him, and sometimes Erin is there, which is nice. It has been fun to spend time with the two of them. It is very important to me to get closer to Erin. I feel like we have had some good times recently. What an answered prayer! :)

Also, I couldn't be more proud of him and his new position as the College-Age Pastor at Beaverton Foursquare Church. He is pouring his life and heart out to this ministry and I am excited to see him grow through this!

Chris with Mom and I, cheering for the Crusaders!

Silly us!

Love it!

Chris and Erin.

Erin and I happened to both bring our knitting projects over to my parents' house last weekend. Fun!

Dad, Me and Erin at Jason's birthday. Cute lil group.

That's all for now. I just thought I would share some of the joyous parts of this fall. Of course, I must add that it has been fun as usual to be at the games with my parents and enjoy time with them. We took a 6 hour (each way) trip on the bus with other parents to South Medford last weekend and it was actually a really good time!

My gorgeous mama snuggled up to my dad on the bus while he makes business phone calls. Cuties.

Home for the Holidays...

Bittersweet news: I just emailed Bethel to let them know I cannot make it for the Holidays. It is simply not wise for me financially. I am somewhat disappointed, but of course grateful for my family and spending it with them as usual!

Thanks so much for the prayers, everyone! More news to come.

HIGH HOPES!!

Ok, so I only have a minute but here is a quick update:

Yesterday I was pondering China with the Lord... checking my calendar and thinking about how little PTO I have especially after being sick. Then it dawned on me; work is closing for Christmas and New Year's for a week and a half straight! I of course love spending the holidays with my family, but what a joy and delight it would be to spend it serving at Bethel!?! Right?? SO, I got some pastoral advice, which said to move forward, then I emailed Bethel, and they gave me the big "thumbs up." Now it is up to my Father in heaven. If He somehow provides the airfare, then I get to celebrate Christmas and begin the New Year in China, at Bethel! WHOA!!!

Please pray, send happy thoughts... whatever you feel lead to do. I am hoping BIG!

Fear Not...

I have to say, my tender heart has been burdened. I have been struck with anxiety while reading the news lately. This past year and even week, has been full of horrific stories of violence within places where we naturally assume safety such as home and the workplace. The recent shootings within families, and intruders at work... ugh, they sadden me deeply and I have been pondering how I can possibly feel safe anywhere I go. This morning I am feeling more hopeful as the Lord reminds me of His divine protection over my life. I am still wrestling inside about why these things happen, but in the end I must rest, knowing my life is in His hands. There is nothing I can do to be safe but trust Him and walk in the freedom He has given me. This passage in Isaiah comes to mind as he reminds me of the freedom that I, specifically have found in Him:

"I took you from the ends of the earth,

from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, 'You are my servant';

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

All who rage against you

will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

will be as nothing and perish.

Though you search for your enemies,

you will not find them.

Those who wage war against you

will be as nothing at all.

For I am the LORD, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you. "

Isaiah 41:10-13

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

1 Peter 3:13-15

Why do I put my hope in Him???
He loves me, He's my Father, my Protector, my Shield, my Grace, my Stregnth, my Savior.

 

"In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because He first loved us."

1 John 4:17-19