Thanksgiving 2016

Alisa is becoming a wonderful roll maker!  She made the  crescent rolls and I made the pies.

A pretty table!

Uncle Pastor carving the turkey!  The kiddos and the dogs just hanging out...waiting to eat.

Gathering around the table...

 I am so thankful for the time we can spend reflecting on the faithfulness of God in our lives!  Thankful for Uncle Pastor leading us to thank God in song and directing our hearts to focus on the right thoughts!

Thankful for family...especially when Ted is away!  He was making his way home from Mexico all day!  We made sure to save turkey and pie!!!

Grandma Stille and Auntie Mari made such a pretty table!  We all worked together to make a yummy meal!  Thanksgiving is a meal of traditions!

Velle watched Papa Stille pick the turkey off the bones...she has tasted turkey and was hoping for a nibble or two.  

Sitting around drinking coffee, watching a movie after the football game was over, shooting bb guns, burning wood, and just being together...waiting for Ted to get home!

 Welcoming the traveller to Thanksgiving dinner...saved for him!

 So thankful for Ted's safety in travel.  He always has interesting stories for us when he returns.

The girls had a sleepover at our house...they boys at the other house.

A restful and thankful day!

I needed to hear this song this week!

As I got ready for school on Tuesday morning, this song played on KNVBC.com.  It was just the reminder that I needed to focus on for the day!

My Redeemer Is Faithful and True

Steven Curtis Chapman

As I look back on the road I've travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true. 

My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true. 

My heart rejoices when I read the promise
'There is a place I am preparing for you.'
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face,
'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

A week of blessings

 School has been full of activities as we prepare for all the holiday fun!  Girls helped our Music teacher make cookies to go along with the singing team for the friends at the assisted living home.

 Alisa (mostly) and Ashlynn babysat for two little buddies.  What fun to have little people roaming our house again!

 Allison is home from college for Thanksgiving and made us one of her first stops!

 Puppy snuggles!

 Thanksgiving Feast 2016 is in the books!

 Our students like to dress up for this event.  Everyone looked so nice!

 Choir singing before the meal was served.  I had one of my little boys sit with us because both his parents had to work.  I think he did well!  He received awards for the K5 student who had the best costume in the judges view, and he won the coloring contest!

 We ended the busy week with our Pie and Praise last night.  What a blessing to be reminded  of all that God has done this past year!  Two of my Kinders sang with me..."Father, We Thank Thee."  We  memorized Psalm 100 for the month of November and learned this song.  It was a blessing to me that their parents made an extra effort to come last night!  And then at the end...we sang "God is so Good" and "Thank you, Lord for saving my soul" and you could hear these two little guys belting out the words!  Oh my heart!  What a privilege it is for me to teach these little ones!

 We are looking forward to Ted's return from Mexico on Thanksgiving night.  God is good...even when trips interrupt our desired holiday plans...we are thankful for jobs!

We don't usually hang out on our phones in furniture stores...only when we are couch shopping!  I like this picture...he patiently waits as I look at colors and fabrics.  Thankful for our relationship...and miss him when he is gone!

Taught my class about voting this year!

 It is really exciting when you are 5 years old!  It is really exciting when you are many more years than 5!  Alisa made star sugar cookies for us to eat on our special Red, White, and Blue voting day!

 Mom, see...the scarf you bought me...it was perfect for my patriotic look!  That is a tired look...wow...should have added lipstick before the selfie!

Thankful to live in a land that still allows us the opportunity to vote!  Praying it will be so when my little Kinders get old enough to have a voice!  Praying that the foundation we are laying now...will guide them in the choices they will make in the years ahead.

Looking fine!

When the girls are away...this is how we play!

 We have a fire in the fireplace and try to keep Velle from being a "hot" dog!

 Teddy got to go to the circus with his buddies to celebrate A's birthday.

 Ted and I got to go on a date...shopping for a couch.  Ours is old and falling apart.  "We are losing our stuffing now!"  Do you know how old that couch is?  "Yep, as old as Teddy is!"  It is time then!  So many choices...how will I decide?

Poor Velle...what a rough life she leads when the teenagers are gone and all she has is Dad and Mom!  We like Saturday schedules...and cuddles!

Girls' Day out...

at the mall.  The young girls wanted to shop.  The mature girls wanted to sit and talk...and eat soup from Zoup!  Yum!  Thankful for time with friends...even at the mall.  The girls were happy and enjoyed their time too.

Sharing American family time with a co-worker

 Ted routinely hosts coworkers from Europe and Mexico.  This weekend, we had the opportunity to open our home and share some American activities and food with one of the men.  He got to go paint-balling with the guys on Saturday and then share supper with us.  He accepted the invite for Sunday dinner with us and we had the traditional Thanksgiving meal.  It was fun to talk with him and learn Spanish too.  He is missing his family this week.

Just thankful to open our home and share it with someone this weekend.  Ted has wonderful opportunities to experience other countries.  This weekend we shared an American custom of hospitality.

Velle has a birthday today!

 Velle is one year old today...November 1st!  She loves to chew bones, shoes, and her toys.  She loves to jump.  She hops up on anyone and anything.  She loves to cuddle her humans.  She leaves toys strewn across the room.  She loves evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays when everyone is home.  She likes to play with her friend Molly.  She like to play with her cousin Lollie.  She does not like to have slumber parties with cousin Koda.  She likes to go to school to pick up her kids.  She goes in her cage when she is told...and then gets a treat.  She likes to sleep with Mom and Dad best of all.

We sure enjoy our little fur baby!  She has been a sweet addition to our home.

The "big kids" are always up to something!

 Our three chair fillers are learning all sorts of things every day!  I am thankful for the investment of our teachers in their lives.

 Math and Science classes are more fun when there are hands on activities!

 Corn maze survivors!

 Chatty, giggly girls in chapel partner group.

The ups and downs of the week...

 included lunch out with my K5 teaching buddy, trip to Walmart to purchase fish, and a stop at home to share a thank you gift.  Miss Jenn has taken another teacher aiding job at another school.  We miss her!

 included the news that the house we put an offer in and were waiting to close in 3 weeks...fell through!  Disappointed...but know God had a reason.  We stopped in at the storage unit and got our fall decorations!

included a Harvest Day party on Friday and this chick didn't get her feathers ruffled!  A big thank you to Miss Jenn for loaning me her costume.

included a lesson about the farmer and his pumpkin...he cleaned out the inside slime and pulp and gave the pumpkin a new look!  What a wonderful picture to show children!  God cleans up our heart and His light can then show through us to others.  There are so many grumpy Christians out there...we must shine the light of Jesus and share His love, peace, and joy!

The Kinders loved singing songs in the dark...

"This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine!"  

 A very special treat for me...Little Miss O came back to visit the States with her parents for a month. They asked if she could be enrolled in our school for the month!  She was with me in K3 and now...again in K5.  What a wonderful opportunity to share Jesus with her once again!

After a week of disappointments...

I was once again reminded that God always sends encouragement to balance everything out again!  These last few days are bright with all the colors of fall...and it is beautiful.  A reminder of God's hand in the beauty of His creation and His providence in the changing of the season.
Saturday held restful moments.  Sunday services were refreshing.  Monday was spent laughing with friends and comfort food.  I'm thankful that God is always in control of each situation in life and He is always working things for our good and for His glory!