Reflections

Well, Yesterday I had the honor of preparing dinner for Andrew's family along my my two future sister in-laws! We had a blast! I always amazes me that it takes all day to prepare the meal and we eat it in less than an hour! Oh well, I learned this year that many blessing during the Thanksgiving Day occur in the kitchen. . . I will cook every year:)
This year has been a growing year. . . the Lord has really challenged me and forced me to rely more heavily on Him. Andrew's mom was diagnosed with Cancer earlier this year and this Thanksgiving I was so thankful that she was around. Praise the Lord for doctors and medicine to treat and hopefully cure this terrible disease! She has lived to see her first Grand daughter born. Andrew's brother Nate and his wife Jen had a beautiful baby girl, Riley, this month! She is a beautiful addition to our family.
As families typically go we have had our moments of not getting along, actually for as long as I have been a part of the family there have been issues. This year the Lord took our family and brought new life too it. He has healed old wounds and built new relationships. Sometimes I believe that the Lord uses bad things, such as cancer, to heal and unite a family! Praise the Lord!
I always love Thanksgiving because it is a time to look back on the past year and think about all the things I am thankful for. Here is a quick list:
My fiance and best friend Andrew, my family and my Hulfish family, My closest and dearest friends, My job and the people who work for me and with me, challenges, prayer, good health, Jesus Christ, times of rest, times of being in the valley because it only makes the view from the mountain more beautiful, my weaknesses - they reveal the strengths God, and finally LOVE. I have been insprired lately to LOVE unconditionally! As a christian I know I am supposed to love people, but new insight we revealled to me about LOVE. . . When Christ came He wiped aways the "law" and gave us a new one. . . LOVE.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said to him, " ' You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. " And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "On these two commands hang all the Law and the Prophets."
It is as simple as that - Christ gave us one command-to love! All I must do is love?!?!?! I will tell you that sounds easier than it is, but throughout this year the Lord has challenged me to love others the way He loves us! If I do simply that forgiveness comes, as well as compassion and understanding and patience. Amazing!

Andrew is Home!!!

Well, Andrew came to visit me this morning at work!! I was so excited to see him! He actually snuck up on me in my office and kissed my cheek! It really scared me - I thought some random guy was giving me a kiss. We had talked earlier this morning and he said that he would stop by work after visiting our new niece, Riley. So I wasn't expecting him until around 12:00pm. Anyway, it was really nice surprise!
On the down side - My siblings and I went in together for a camcorder for my parents for Christmas. I ordered it early last week and up-graded the shipping so it would get here by Thanksgiving. Since my sister and Husband are in town we are celebrating Christmas on Thanksgiving. . . anyway, I called to track the camera and they hadn't even shipped it yet!! I was ticked-off! I cancelled the order and ran to Target and bought another one! What a pain, but it will be worth it because now my parents can tape their beautiful grandkids:)
Well, enough from me . . . have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Well, I have heard a lot about this craze called blogging, so I thought I would give it a try!! I thought it might be a great way to keep in touch with the people in my life that I love the most. I may not be great about keeping up with it because my life gets pretty hectic, but I will try!
Andrew is coming home tomorrow for Thanksgiving and I am so excited about that!! I miss him so much when he is in country land (aka Indiana)! I cannot wait to become his wife and be with him all the time! Okay, we will probably need our space, but the thought of not having to drive home at the end of the night or not having to say goodbye anymore, or simply falling asleep on the couch next to him on a Sunday afternoon REALLY excites me!!
My sister Jess and her husband Josh are in NJ with their kids for Thanksgiving! I love it when my whole family is together for the holidays! I am so blessed to have such a close knit family that genuinly loves one another! We might not all be able to live together, but we love to spend time together:)