November | Or How I Survived the Feeling Tsunami in October

Hello, dearest readers,

Yes, I am alive.

I know it seems like I have fallen from the face of the universe and I imagine how difficult it must be for you to go for days without hearing from me -- those long days without reading something fran-tastic (fantastic + frannie = fran-tastic. ;) must be as difficult as trying to properly clip your toenails when the clipper's handle keeps slipping off ... you all have experienced that haven't you? It's excruciatingly annoying.

. . .

Yes, I am alive.

I've just been oh-so stumped at what to write. Our home is beginning to feel more and more like home -- so much scope for the diy imagination. Of course there was my melt down over the hot-glue gunned, burlap banners but I think that is a story for a different day.

When I haven't been busy at home diy-ing, baking, enjoying a (wonderful, five day!) visit with family, or substituting for a music teacher (fun!) I have been babysitting a two year-old named Calvin who loves to play cell phone, dance and try to eat paint.

October was a very good month full of answered prayers, memory making, Gilmore Girl watching, and married bliss. There were also days, d a y s, when I struggled with
f e e l i n g s. Feelings were out of control, out of balance, and out of the will of God; ugly feelings like loneliness, fear, and anxiety. I even found myself looking for hormonal excuses and eventually asked my beloved, "What's wrong with me!?" The dear, wonderful man answered in his gentle, good way, "I don't know. Why don't you try to find out. Look deeply." Within minutes I had my answer: I had let some unfounded fears nibble away at my peace and security and I was looking for something, anything, to fill that. So today has been spent in looking at the Christ who loves me so much and in repenting at the lack of faith and trust I have in His goodness.

He is so good.

And I am so blessed.

So, without further ado, I am ready to start my November with a bang. Here are my five goals and five favorites for November:

Goals

 

:: Study the three books of John and keep up with my devotional reading

 

:: Finish our Christmas list

 

:: Practice, every day, the awareness of the presence of Jesus Christ in my heart, home, and marriage

 

:: Pray to know God's will for my attending college, online classes, finishing my teaching degree and, while waiting, to begin the process of contacting schools for the upcoming spring semester

 

:: Practice hospitality at least twice this month (hard for this new, introverted gal!)

 

Favorites

 

:: Pandora's Christmas stations. I am so enjoying holiday selections from the Mannheim Steamroller station and Steven Curtis Chapman station.

 

:: Diana Hagee's Submission and How I Conquered It -- a fun, challenging, encouraging reminder of God's will for us wives and how we can live it out

 

:: Homemade crescent rolls ... yum!

 

:: Pumpkin candles and pumpkin lattes ... 'tis the season for these favorites of mine

 

:: I Will Carry You by Angie Smith ... a must read, faith-building story about a Christian's couple's pregnancy journey and the "sacred dance of grief and joy" God gently leads them through. Such a blessing to me!

 

and

just one more 

:: All your sins have not wounded My Heart as painfully as your present lack of trust does — that after so many efforts of My love and mercy, you should still doubt My goodness.

 -Diary of St. Faustina, 1486 (shared by our friend Miss Emily :)

 

Dearies, I'd love to hear about your November plans and favorites.

 

With love!