I love November, a month to reflect, look back and be thankful!

November is a beautiful month. There are typically still a few leaves hanging on to remind us of fall and the beauty of autumn. But here in Michigan we usually see the first of our snow! It's also a month that begins that wonderful "holiday" time of year. For me it has always been a month of thanksgiving. Not just for the purpose of the holiday but because it is a month full of celebrations and reflections. So for this November I wanted to share a few of my favorite things. (cue Julie Andrews from the Sound of Music.)



 Kent. I love November because I love Kent. We get to celebrate our anniversary. It's also a time of year when I get to see him a little bit more. Tonight we made the family watch the video of our wedding. (It was a first time event, perhaps not making the annual tradition list.) It was entertaining on a variety of levels. While I was reminiscing about the lovely words of the songs that were being sung, Trent was singing in an opera voice mocking our selections. At one point Justin quipped with way too much sarcasm for an 8-year old. "Is anyone else crying,  yet?" The girls all tried on my dress. That provided enough giggles for all.

 Harvest. I love November because we usually finish harvesting all that we've planted on the farm, some years the harvest doesn't cover the expenses of the sowing. But through all the years that I've been blessed to be a part of springtime and harvest. God has provided and we are still able to come to November and call our year complete. This year after planting about 2400 acres of crops, tonight we have 25 acres of corn to be harvested and 10 acres of carrots. The finish is in site and it feels great!!

 Snow.  I love November because usually we see the first snow during this month. I get so excited for the first snow, I can't help myself. I attribute this to a wonderful childhood. My parents were experts at celebrating and enjoying life. So even though I know I will wonder in January how many more cold, snowy days there are to endure. In November it's a beautiful thing. This year the mad scramble for coats, mittens and sleds occured last Friday. It's hard not to be filled with joy when the whole house feels as if God has delivered the most magnificent surprise EVER!!

 Pumpkin. I love November because I love pumpkin. It's always a delight to try new things and old stand bys. The month is just ripe for using big cans of pumpkin for lots of delicious treats to enjoy and sample. This year our current new favorite is Pumpkin Caramel Cinnamon Rolls . You should try them.

Pumpkin Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

 Hunting. I love November because I love the excitement at our house surrounding "the hunt". It's not really my thing, I've tried, it's just not. But I do have enough boys to see what it does to some avid souls. I am in awe of the things one would sacrifice for "the hunt". For example, sleep. At our house usually we need to rise around 4:30 on the first morning, just so we can go to breakfast and be in our blind in plenty of time for daybreak. Other than birthing a child, I can't think of any good reason to get up at 4:30, by choice. But it is certainly a celebration and holiday time during the week of "the hunt"! Even if boys are not old enough to hunt, they get to participate in all the extra activities and sit with either their dad, big brother or grandpa and watch how this rite of passage is done.



 Thanksgiving Day. I love November because I love the celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Lots of food, lots of family, lots of football. I love reflecting on those things in my life that I am thankful for.

 As I reflect on 2011, there were some major events that cause me to be thankful. In January Isaiah got a new thumb. That was a big deal. With the medical advancements of today, Isaiah's doctor was able to take his index finger and place it in a thumb position. He's thrilled, we are too. He can snap now and he is so proud to show off his new thumb to anyone who will look.

In March we received the diagnosis that Isaiah had Fanconi Anemia. We suspected this was what he had. I don't think it was random that the day we found out about the diagnosis was Nate's 21st birthday and Hope's 11th birthday. A great day for us, a celebration. I remember thinking, God will you let Isaiah reach 21 years. Where will he be when he turns 11, and God...21. Can you give us 21 years with him. It was a day filled with tears, more than I expected. Here is a portion of a journal entry on that day.

Yesterday after many tests, attempts at tests and prayers, we received an official diagnosis for Isaiah. Fanconi Anemia. This is the foe we expected but were not certain we were facing. The news wasn’t necessarily shocking, but it definitely brought into clarity the mountain that stands before us. I was struck by a couple of things. First, this is a mountain, but my God is the same. As I was so eloquently reminded in the wisdom of my now 21 year old son, Nate, God was not surprised by yesterday’s news. In fact, it doesn’t change the purpose He has for Isaiah’s life. He has had and will accomplish this purpose. We were designed by a Creator for a specific purpose. Each one of us. Thanks Nate! I needed that reminder.

So as I reflect on those things to be thankful for God has granted peace and I know with certainty that God chose Isaiah for our family. He has taught us so much through an amazing, 4-year old Korean boy. I am once again amazed at how God uses his little children to teach his bigger children all they need to know about reliance on Him. I am thankful.

I Corinthians 1:27-31

 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,  so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

So as I reflect on this November and all that I am grateful for. Let me say this, above all I am thankful for a God who sees me, knows me, hears me and above all of that, and in spite of all of that LOVES me. Through this journey he has set me on, He continues to reveal more and more of His love to me through the little surprises along the way.

Chris Tomlin's song is a great reminder to me of the mighty things our God has done, and that there is nothing He cannot do. There is none like Him!! So because I know He is a healer, He is greater, He is stronger. There is nothing that can stand against us!! Amen!!

I love November!!

"Our God"

Water you turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind there's no one like you none like You!
Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
What could stand against.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
Then what could stand against.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!