THANKSGIVING WEEKEND - THURSDAY

Daniel and I spent our last Thanksgiving in the States (for a while) in Ruston this past weekend. It was different without Jenny and Brian and Meredith - they stayed in Baton Rouge. It was also different because my cousins went to their in-laws on Thanksgiving Day. So, instead of having a full day of Thanksgiving festivities on Thursday, we spread it out over the weekend this year. Daniel and I enjoyed a day to ourselved in Fort Worth on Wednesday and began our trip to Ruston on Thanksgiving morning. We stopped in Tyler for lunch, and almost found nowhere to eat! McDonald's, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, Pizza Inn, Subway...were ALL closed. Of course I thought, "Great! I'm glad they get to be with their families for Thankgiving!" But I was also hungry! So, Burger King came to our rescue!!!

We had dinner Thursday evening at Mamaw and Papaw's and as usual, the food was TO DIE FOR!! My Mamaw is an AMAZING cook!

Anyhow, I have so much to be thankful for. Each time we go to Ruston now, I am reminded over and over how blessed I am to be part of such a loving, funny, supportive, and thoughtful family! It's really a joy to spend time at home with everyone. And it's so nice that almost everyone is in the same town.

Oh...and I was reminded to mention that another highlight of the weekend was running into our Fort Worth neighbors, Michael and Meg!

SATURDAY

Saturday Daniel and I rode the four-wheeler through the woods and over the meadow from our house to Granny's and back! Fun times on the 4-wheeler.


That night we brought boxes down from the attic, unboxed Christmas decorations, and started putting them on the tree at Mom and Dad's. It's a tradition our family started a few years ago - decorating for Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving. We missed Jenny and Brian, but they couldn't come up since Meredith was only 2 1/2 weeks old.

SUNDAY

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my Granny's on Sunday. It was different, not celebrating at lunch on Thursday like we usually do. But, honestly, it was MUCH nicer not to be so stuffed the entire day on Thursday. This way, we got to spread out the turkey and dressing. Daniel rang the bell to tell everyone it was time for Thanksgiving lunch! Here's the crew! After some GREAT turkey and dressing, we all went outside for some fun in Granny's backyard. My cousins invited Rayshun over for Thanksgiving. I'm so glad they did. He's just been put up for adoption this past week. Pretty rough times for him right now. So...if you're looking to love on a sweet 14 year old boy...here's an opportunity! This is our sweet little 2nd cousin, Annie. She'll be 2 next week! It was this infamous backyard where I fell through the trampoline 7 years ago and cracked and compressed my back because my sister, 2 cousins, and I were all jumping on the trampoline at one time - ON THANKSGIVING AFTERNOON! The afternoon ended with Daniel challenging Granny to a football toss! It's so fun to see him love on my family and fit in so well!

from Tanzania

It was at a Watermark concert at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA, in 1999 that I began sponsoring a little boy named William Peter. He was 5 years old at the time. We've corresponded through letters for about 7 years now. I wrote him after Daniel and I got married and told him I am now married. I also told him about the Somalis that I teach English to. He wrote back in response to my letter to him and thought it was too precious not to post. Oh, how with this letter he's stolen my heart even that much more!! Here's what he says:

"I was happy to hear that you are married to Daniel. I pray for a good life to you filled with blessings in the name of Jesus. I was also happy to know about Somaliland, but what makes me unhappy is to hear that in Somaliland they do not know about Jesus. Let's unite together and pray for them so that they can know Jesus...May the heavenly Father bless you and you are welcome to Tanzania."

Precious. Isn't it???!?!?!!!

...we meet...

We are in Baton Rouge - got here yesterday. Came to meet little Meredith! Wow... she's beautiful. She's got a little dimple to the right of her mouth. Super cute. I've held her some, but the house was crowded with mamaw, papaw, mom, dad, Daniel, and me yesterday - all wanting a turn with the new little one! I had a sweet time with her yesterday, rocking her, praying over her, asking that she would honor her mommy and her daddy, honor her God. That she would have a deep passion for the Lord and that He would put within her a heart for the nations. That somehow, through the miles that will separate us from her, that she would know her Uncle Danny and Aunt Kim and that the Lord would give us a sweet relationship with her. Sweet time with her! She's sleeping really well through the night already. Jenny is having to wake her up to nurse. What a BLESSING not to have a crying little one all night long. Rather, a peaceful little sleeper. We're having a good time. Too short. Headed to College Station tonight on our way to a church-planting conference in Waco on Monday.

Auntie Kim

I'm an aunt as of 3:30 this afternoon. My little niece's name is Meredith Marie. She was 5 pounds, 5 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long....and did I say the most GORGEOUS baby I've ever seen?!?!?