I just updated my version

Today was a ho-hum day. I did some cooking, got most of Jon's Christmas shopping done online, and wrote some Christmas cards.

It's been a relaxing weekend, so I am grateful for that.

but this is my best recent picture

yes, yes it is 

i finally have some good pictures

i said there were a lot of geese. this was a particularly busy morning. this is part of our view from the porch. 

thanksgiving!

hi all,

Last weekend I went to see my brother Tom and his wonderful family in Cincinatti. It was just lovely. Thanksgiving is a time where Jon and I will travel down to my parents' area of the woods and see some extended family that we only see about once a year. My brothers have not made it to this occasion the last few years as they now live farther away. I think seeing Tom and Kristi though really helped me feel like I was not missing out on this contact. There are some wonderful members of the extended family that we have had a chance to get to know more these past few years as well.

This year I am thankful for many things, mostly my family and especially new friends. It's been an emotional week for me, but it has been somewhat cleansing.

kati, thanks for the message.

jane, thanks for the letter (from July!)

love,
me

sunday

Thanks to those with the exhortation about my work situation. It's been good to have the weekend away to just settle myself down.

Mom and I had a good time yesterday.

Jon and I have had a really nice day together. I'm so thankful for our relationship because even though things get crazy in other parts of my life, it's nice to always have him to listen and not be nearly as dramatic as I am about my life. I'm working on an essay for our church prayer letter, so when I get that done, I'll probably post it.

I'm so grateful for all of my friends.

thanks!

a verse

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified...

This verse has meant a lot to me lately. Today I got repremanded by a fellow Christian at work for my political views on some subjects. I understand us disagreeing on points and in fact expect it in most situations. I just hate it when people question whether or not I am really a Christian based on these more minor (in my estimation) viewpoints.

And my salvation was called into question today. This is one area you absolutely don't want to mess with me.

This has been very hard. I don't feel inadequate, I just feel sad that we, as Christians could think of one another in this way. I'm just praying a lot about it. I feel a lot of anger and frustration about this situation and I just didn't see it coming at all. I thought we were just having a nice conversation and out of nowhere I was just told without question that I was absolutely wrong. There was no more discussion at this point.

I used to always say that I was a Christian but I don't really like them. Since the time that this was my montra, I have met MANY Christians that I did in fact really love (present company included I'm sure). But I just feel like I'm back in high school youth group where I never fit all over again. I was so taken aback by all of it that I couldn't respond at all, but maybe that was best in the end.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified...

In other news Jon and I are doing well. He had a team building event today with all of his employees at Camp Manitoqua. This camp is run by our pastor's wife and staffed by many people at our church. He said it went really well.

My job is going well. It looks like I'm getting promoted soon, so that's exciting.

Our move has been so good for us. Mom is coming up all day tomorrow, so that should be fun.

Peace...please be kind to one another.

it came to my attention

that i had my settings set on this to only allow members to post. i have changed that. sorry for any inconvenience...especially to kati.

it's cold here. off to work!