First Baby Shower

The ladies at work surprised me yesterday. I walked in to ladies carrying food and thought that they had forgotten to tell me that they were having a Thanksgiving party. They then confessed it was shower for me. I was clueless. So when the counter was caught up, I got to open presents and eat all sorts of good stuff. Thanks everyone and Tony have no fear we did work yesterday.

Early Thanksgiving

I must start this post with the fact that I am a forgetful photographer. I had intended to take pictures this weekend and even brought the camera. Did I take any pictures? No.

It was even without pictures a good weekend. We arrived at Perry's Dad and Mom's at about 5PM and got to play basketball with Jonathan. Perry's mom had out done herself and had a huge meal ready for us. Perry's grandma and grandpa also helped us eat. The next morning we got to take it easy and headed out for Thanksgiving dinner/lunch at his Aunt Tracy's. The food was great with lasagna as the main course. Good eats and good visiting ensued. We then went out to the farm and helped grandpa load some wood for the wood stove. Perry also got in a card game which was good. Sunday morning it was hard to say good bye but we headed out. I must note Perry's mom helped me find a spice I have been looking for desperately. Of places the Food Lion in Salisbury had it. I had even checked a Food Lion in Virginia Beach and they didn't have it. Three cheers for mom Barbee - I will be able to try some more Latin dishes.

Note: Virginia is the longest state ever.

Operation Christmas Child

One of things that Perry and I do every year is make Operation Christmas Child Boxes. Our church and youth group also get involved. We go to the store and each person has an allotted amount of money and the boxes are wrapped. Everyone wants Perry's shoeboxes because they are big; and we usually get to make a couple extra cause the stuff may not fit in one box. As our personal experience on the mission field proves a little bounce ball or color book can be big excitement. But Ben who is 6 years old ask what happens to "my" box. So here is a little about what happens to "my" box.

It is taken to someplace close like a church or a business and dropped off. In this case it is a church. Here they check in the boxes.They are put in larger boxes with other Christmas boxes. Harley is putting yours in to the box.

Then it goes into a tractor trailer. Last year they had this truck full with 3 layers of boxes they would like it to be four high this year. It is sent to places like North Carolina and Colorado. They sorted them and people figure out what places need them most. Sometimes it is close by like in Honduras or Guatemala. Other times it is far away like Africa which would take flying in a plane all day to get there or a couple weeks in a boat.

Then they arrive for the people to use and enjoy. This little girl is from Honduras and a friend of mine (Andrea) delivered it. The little girl was so excited and my friend got to tell her and other children about Jesus. So Ben this is what happens to your box.

New Aaron pics

Let it Snow

This is our first snow that stuck, which was Friday. Early this week we had some flurries but nothing that stuck to the ground. I always enjoy the first snow. It is the weather that is neither snow or rain that is hard. This picture is from on the way to work on Snake Spring Road for those that know the area. It was sticking to the roads even when I came home from work that night. It is all gone but I look forward to more.

Waiting

I am not ready to call this verse my life verse. It happens to be my mother's. It does however hold great meaning for me at this point in my life. I read it to my campers this summer and told them that I was learning a lesson about waiting. And I have.

Isaiah 40:31
31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

The thing I have remembered and held on to is the part of the verse on those who wait on the Lord. I consider the fact that it does not say how long the waiting will be. My wait is the perfect length in God's eyes and I must trust that it is. I must trust that He will renew my strength. Not only my strength in moving but my strength in waiting. The waiting in some cases is harder. But then comes the promise. It may begin as walking maybe even plodding but we will run and even fly. His timing is prefect and when we wait for His timing we will fly to places yet unseen.