This is how you do warm and cozy...

In the left corner, we have milk chocolate and dark chocolate hot cocoa mix, peppermint sticks, and marshmallows.  The milk was being warmed up on the stove and whip cream stayed chilled in the fridge.  Then there are chocolate covered peppermint creme sticks (tastes like Peppermint Patties), Pumpkin Spice chocolate covered pretzels, Harvest mix caramel popcorn, Cappuccino caramel popcorn and Chocolate wafer sticks.

I made little paper cones for them to fill up with the goodies.  So fun!

 S'mores cake pops!  These turned out so good. Chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting for the cake balls, dipped in chocolate (melts) and rolled in crushed graham cracker.  

 Stephanie can make herself comfortable anywhere. =)

 Naomi loved getting in the festive mood.

 Some of the ladies and girls relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  I see you Danielle! ;)

Marco and Luca enjoyed their time together. He goes back to Germany soon, so I am so glad they are getting a chance to play and catch up. =)

Lots of churches either re-arrange their schedule or cancel their mid-week service because of Thanksgiving and lots of families are already out of town for the holiday.
We decided to have a get-together at our home for whoever could still come.
I am so glad we did. It was such a nice time that we had.  We ate, fellowshipped and then spent some time listening to my husband (Pastor Marco) talk about giving thanks in all things - in any circumstance.  It was short and to the point.  We also shared prayer requests and then prayed over them right then.
I am so thankful for our small church and for my friends.  They are like my family and each person has a special place in our hearts.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends!! God bless you!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
18 In every thing give thanks: 
for this is the will of God 
in Christ Jesus concerning you.

March Photo A Day: Day Eight|Window

Today's prompt was WINDOW. I took this picture at our church. I love how the light shines into these windows on Sunday morning. I was really hoping to take a picture of some of the stained glass windows depicting St. Michael slaying a dragon, but it was too dark. 

This photo was taken with my Android Revolution.  Edited using Picnik

Today, I am grateful for...

12 - I am grateful for great coffee and seasonal flavored creamers to make my cup of joe even more decadent.  I enjoy a good coffee any time of the day or evening.  I especially enjoy good company while I sip said coffee.  This weekend has been especially nice because my dear friend Erin is here and she makes sure that there is always fresh coffee in the pot.  She picked up this great coffee and these amazing flavored creamers. Yum!

13 - I am grateful for our church and for the people that make up our church.  We have been pastoring this church for 5 years now and I can truly say that I am excited to see what God holds for us in the future.  We are at a new location and we are starting new ministries within the church.  I am very close to my family, but we all live miles and miles apart.  The church family has become my family here.  I am humbled by their love for us and inspired by their love for God.  Thank you Lord for putting each of them in our lives.

14 - I am grateful that my sister, Esther, decided to send my daughter some Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes that Abby had outgrown.  We love hand-me-downs, but these were especially nice 'cause they were like NEW! Naomi has been wanting a pair for a while, but they are a bit pricey!  She wore them to school the very next day.  Thank you Esther for thinking of her - they are perfect!!

Today, I am grateful for...

9 - My washer and dryer.  Yup. These items are something we take for granted until one of them breaks!  I will never forget a mission trip we took to Mexico.  There was a young boy, about 12 years old, washing his clothes in a large outdoor sink with a giant bar of soap.  I saw him struggling to squeeze out the water from a pair of jeans.  He very patiently scrubbed, rinsed and wrung out each item of clothing.  I tried to imagine doing that for six people and just could not even think of it.  I am so thankful for our modern conveniences!

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10 - I am thankful for our new English ministry at our church.  We have started with having Thursday night prayer and Bible study, but will be kicking off with our first English only Sunday service on December 4th.  I'm excited to see what the Lord will do!

11-  Today I am thankful for two things.  I am thankful first for all of our service men and women, past and present, that sacrifice their time, their comfort, and their lives so that we may enjoy the freedoms of this great country.  I am thankful to come from a long line of men and women that have shown courage and served this country well.

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I am also SO very thankful for my daughter Taryn.  We call her T-rex thanks to my little guy who gave her that nickname a while back.  Taryn is one of those kids that is always enthusiastic and positive.  She loves life and is not afraid of a challenge.  She's had to deal with difficult days sometimes with her severe asthma and allergies, but she's never let it slow her down.  She does well at school and is such a help at home and church.  Love you T-Rex!!