Been Awhile!!!

Hello, Friends and Family!

Yep, it's been a little while since I last posted, so thought I should fix that!

We're in the middle of a gorgeous fall here in Northern California!! I was beginning to wonder after a few weeks of way high temperatures, but there's definitely a little chill in the air now, at least till noon or so. Last evening when we got home from church we could smell one of my favorite smells... somebody lit up their fireplace, gotta love the smell of burning wood!

Fall always puts me in the mood to bake, must be the change in seasons and preparing for a cozy winter with yummy holiday food!! Made a cheesecake this morning, per Rea's request. (A girl after my own heart!) Boy do my girls love to bake with me.... It makes me smile that this will be a tradition in my own family as it was with my own mom - some of my most favorite memories are of baking with my mom and sister and grandmothers, and swapping recipes!

The kids are all enjoying school and have "settled in". The girls' teachers say, "They are such natural students! They just love school!!" And then there's Ma-lak, who is...... a BOY. I've decided that must be it. He doesn't HATE school, he actually loves it, but he just would rather goof off than sit still and do math problems.... He's there for the social aspect!! My social BOY-terfly... :)

We are anxiously awaiting David coming home for Thanksgiving!! Miss that guy... It will be a quick 4 days for him because he goes right back for finals, but the little ones have the ENTIRE week of Thanksgiving off, which is really cool this year. David's waiting on responses from a couple universities in Washington DC - he plans to transfer to law school there in the spring to continue his studies, so lots of neat changes coming this year!! As of right now I will be going with him to move him out, just pinning down some dates and figuring out schedules! Busy busy! Can't wait!

I'm still running and working on preparing for a couple 10K's in the next month. I feel myself getting stronger, but my motivation sure does come and go! Lately I'm asking myself why I enlisted the help of my ex-military man husband to be my personal trainer... Ugh. :) (Thanks, Honey!!!! You're my biggest encourager!!)

My dad has continued to get stronger each day and is recuperating well from his hospitalization last month. He's attending cardiac rehab, and doing pretty good with the healthy diet Mom's enforcing!! He's also officially retired, so he's now a "professional tinker-er"!! Mom is having a routine hernia surgery on November 19th, so we covet your continued prayers for them both as they recover.

God has continued to bless us tremendously as we minister to and work with Generacion Josue (Joshua Generation)in San Jose. What an amazing body of believers! We are so encouraged by their faith and hunger to know Him more and make Him known! Please continue to pray for this congregation as they transition and move forward into all that God has called them to be, as well as safety for us as we travel the four hour round trip, 3-4 times a month!!

Praise report: there was no strike at my hospital earlier this month, which was a real possibility for awhile. Contract negotiations between the nurses' union and the hospital administration are always a very touchy time every 2 years, and it's been something sorta hard to get used to since I moved to California! So grateful for representatives who "go to bat for us" but hate all the politics that are bound to go along with it... There are lots of changes to our new contract which will no doubt affect our work environment, but as always, my gratitude for the wonderful job God has provided me with prevails over all else!

I pray you are all healthy and well and flourishing in the abundant, extravagant love of our Father! How can we pray for you!?!?