So many blessings!

Yesterday my husband gave me a very special gift. He kept the 4 older kids and let me go with a lady from church for the day. She had an appointment in Saskatoon and said that after that we could do Christmas shopping, etc... I started off the trip by tripping over a sled buried in the snow, dropping the diaper bag and falling ever so "ungracefully" on the ground. I'm actually still laughing about it. Snow makes a great cushion and there's no soreness. My friend was laughing too once she confirmed that I was okay:).

Addie was super good on the trip. She slept most of the way there and back and even took a nap in the middle when we were having lunch. It gave us a great opportunity to talk and talk and talk. So many subjects, so many stories. It was spiritually refreshing, physically refreshing because I had Addie to carry, but not 4 others to keep an eye on. I'll admit that there were times that I missed the others, but I knew that they were in very capable hands and having a great time. We were able to get all the gifts that I needed, except one. We probably would have gotten that too, but somehow my eyes didn't see it when I was looking at my list.

We had delicious food at a diner, enjoyed getting to know a Chinese couple in the Once Upon A Child store and visited with them for quite awhile while I was waiting for my friend to get back from her appt. They are Christians, have one little girl and they've only lived here for 2 years.

I was hoping to call some friends of ours that live in Saskatoon and had taken some gifts to give them. My friend wanted to make one more stop at Michaels before we went to lunch and you'll never guess who walked up to me when we were in the check out. Yes, it was our friends! What are the chances of that? In Kindersley the chances are higher, but in the city that practically never happens. Maybe because we only go about two times a year:), but I'm giving the credit to the Lord for working that out. He's sooooo amazing!

I got to go to Costco, which is always a fun experience. I don't always buy much, but there were some really good sales on fruit, so I picked up a couple kinds to make jam with. The jam business is still booming-Praise the Lord. I have about 3 batches to deliver this afternoon and I should have at least 2 more to make and deliver next week.

Today is Scott's day off. He is attending a rural pastor's meeting and I'm praying that he has a wonderful time. That he comes back refreshed and encouraged for the busy month ahead.

Happy Thursday Everyone!!!

Memorable

I'm writing this down because I doubt that my memory will retain it forever. Yesterday was one of those days that started off a bit wonky, but ended up being one of the best days ever!

1st Scott came downstairs to tell me that one lady had returned and brought 2 other ladies with her. The interesting thing is that I had met both of them in the last couple months. It was a great surprise and even better was the fact that they really seemed to appreciate the preaching and fellowship. Praying for more opportunities to be a blessing to them in the days to come.

Secondly, Garrison was taking his turn to watch Addie downstairs for main service. She's in training to sit upstairs, but due to a couple loud sessions she needs to get through at least 3 church practices in a row without losing it to be able to sit upstairs with us again. I asked Caleb if he wanted to be the usher and he excitedly agreed. He went up at just the right time and was quiet through the prayer. Went to the first aisle, collected the offering, then turned around and started to go back to Scott. It took 3 tries to get all the way to the back, but he didn't drop the offering plate and I think the feeling of being a helper for the Lord was worth taking the extra time for:).

Thirdly, Kiersten started singing along with the hymns. Elyssia has gotten quite good at reading and singing at the same time, but Kiersten usually stares at the rest of us while we sing. Yesterday she was singing the chorus to "Victory In Jesus". She did great, but I noticed that she was saying, "He shot me and he bought me". It was hard to keep singing while suppressing my laughter:).

Fourthly;) Caleb requested "Amazing Grace" in the evening service. He sang along quite well and at the end he raised his hand and said, "Daddy, I sang lots of the words!" I love it when the kids get to the age where they're able to sing the hymns from memory.

When we got home last night I was carrying Addie to the house and Kiersten was right behind me. All of the sudden I hear her crying. I turn around to find that she slipped on the ice and had slid under the front bumper of the car. Yes, the vehicle was turned off. We both started laughing and she kept declaring, "I slipped on the ice"!

Happy Monday!!!!

It's beginning...

To look a lot like Christmas! Not the everywhere we go yet, but around here. The kids decorated the tree yesterday and it was the first time that I didn't have to help. They enjoyed looking through and finding each of their own first ornaments and we've just about outgrown the little tree that sits on top of the piano. I'm not ready for a full sized one yet. I know it just means more work for me, so we'll make do with this one for the next year or so.

This pic was at the start of the decorating. Will save the fully decorated pic of another post;).

Our first batch of Christmas cookies. There was enough sugar cookie dough for each of the 4 oldest to help decorate a full sheet of cookies. I think the most enjoyable part for them was eating the cookies:)

Hi!

Reach a little higher Kiersten!

I think this ornament is a little big to hang on the tree;).


Off to have a wonderful weekend!