4 am shopping

Ok, I didn't stand in line nor did I leave my house. I did however shop online for some Christmas gifts. It was fun and then I took my sleepy self back to bed.

Thanksgiving Blessing

We were delighted to have spent Thanksgiving with our friends and neighbors the Turners. Linda is a wonderful cook and her dressing was too delicious!! We had fried turkey, ham, black eyed peas, and Louisiana dirty rice with yummy lemon pie, pecan pie, and double layered pumpkin cheesecake. After eating so much we lounged around on their patio enjoying the nice weather and the kids & dogs entertaining us. Really a wonderful day.

In the evening, we were blessed by a visit from Krissy. It was so good seeing her. She and her friend Amber were driving back from Thanksgiving in Houston. My prayer is that she will continue to seek the Lord for guidance in her life. She is 17 and no longer living at home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

1Thessalonians 5:17-18 "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Happy Birthday Granddaddy!!

Happy Birthday Dad!! Hope you have a great birthday and Thanksgiving!!
Love,
Christie, Albert, Christian, Ethan, Kara

Bathroom construction

Organic Farm find

The Hernandez' are recycling and buying organic. We were led this direction a little over 2 years ago. Since then we attempt to find as many fresh, local, pesticide free items as possible. Jubilee Organics which is a co-op that distributes pre-ordered items each Tuesday (orders must me emailed by midnight on Thursdays) at the Oklahoma Community Center in Magnolia (down FM 2978). We also shop at HEB in Indian Springs for our cereals and other dry goods. Grass fed beef is a great alternative we are looking into currently. The Jubilee co-op is now carrying grass fed beef from Yonder Way Farm in Brenham. Their website is www.yonderwayfarm.com. You can also contact the organic co-op jogang10@gmail.com. I bought some ground beef and a roast so I'll let you know how they are.

Santa's nice list

Check out Christian, Ethan and Kara's video with Santa. Click each one for each child.
http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/10585-cdah4aloha/
http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/10589-cdah4aloha/
http://family.go.com/santas-list/video/10776-cdah4aloha/

Their cousins, Seth and Tate, sent us their videos and they loved seeing them. That prompted me to make them each one too.

Tree decorating

The Kids are so excited this year about Christmas. They could not wait to get the tree up.

Back 2 Basics Ministry

The Kids and I were blessed to be apart of the monthly CPS birthday celebration held this month at the Vineyard Church on Kuyendahl Rd. It is an awesome time to praise the Lord and give hope to those hurting teenagers who are in the care of CPS. The boys and girls are between 14-17 years old. We celebrate them with a cupcakes and ice cream. Local businesses provide the meal such as Chickfila, Lupe's Tortillas, etc. Donations provide for teddy bears, pillowcases, blankets for those just entering the foster care system. Barbara, the ministry leader, takes the youth to church activities across North Houston and also to lunch, skating etc to use their gift certificates received for their birthdays. To donate online go to www.B2BMinistry.com. This Christmas we are raising funds for the Christmas gifts or you can drop off donations at the upcoming Skate Party on Rayford Rd. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 between 6-9pm. Gifts needed are MP3 Players, Teddy Bears, Blue/black pillowcases, cozy blankets, Portable DVD & CD players with batteries, Flying helicopter (remote $30), PS2games/Xbox games Rated E for everyone, Christian CD's ex. Lacrae and Christian DVD's/Movies, Fuel magazine for boys $15, Revolve magazine for girls $15, Chapstick/Blistex, Gift cards/Gas cards, Good smelling lotions, perfumre, girly stuff; Axe gift sets, Bibles-teen boys study & True Images for girls; Proactiv: acne medicine; Diaries, coloring books, colors, pencils; gift certificates: restaurants, bowling, clothes.

Dinner with friends

Saturday night we were blessed to have the Shiflet's over for dinner. It was our opportunity to meet Andrew, their adopted son. Six months ago, their family went to Russia to pick up Kathlena and Andrew ages 3 and 5. I met Kathlena at a baby shower for a mutual friend. The have two other children Emily 14 and J. Michael age 10. In 2006, we attended a home group Bible study at their house and received mentoring that has continued even until now. They are the best example I've met of a godly marriage and parenting. They are also lots of fun!! They really encouraged us to continue growing in the Lord and enjoy all the blessings He has given us. David and Albert swapped backyard deer hunting stories for our amusement. We had a great time. Please pray for Andrew and Kathlena as they have eye problems similar to what Ethan went through. We even share the same eye doctor!

Let's play games and eat Halloween candy

The kids have enjoyed the game they made using egg cartons in their Explorer class. It's called Mancala and it uses beans. They are really enjoying the class each Thursday and look forward to attending.

Nascar and Halloween

The Centilli's just got back from Fort Worth and a Nascar race. They left before Happy Halloween but celebrated on the road. They also combined ministry with their trip by serving with a SBC outreach ministry that serves the race there. They had a wonderful time.

Ant Killer

If you have fire ant mounds in your yard, Kara has found a way to eradicate them for good. This afternoon we were sitting out enjoying the lovely day when Kara spotted a new mound. She ran inside the house, up the stairs and back down again. She said she was gonna "kill those ants". In her hand was an enormous black and red plastic ant that Ethan had given her. She took it to the mound and said that the plastic ant was going to scare those ants to death! It was hilarious!! I had her reenact it for me so I could get it on tape.

Our friends the Green's Halloween costumes

Creative Charlene at her best. They are too cute as Sun, Moon, and Stars.

Devotion

In Jeremiah 31:2 the Lord reminds the Israelites and us that we can all find "grace in the wilderness" just as the people who Moses led out of Egypt towards the Promised land found. Are you in a wilderness right now? I know the place well. Although the wilderness is hard, rough terrain, the beauty of it is seen in the cloud by day and the fire by night. The Lord manifest Himself and leads us in these times. He provides protection and direction. A daily time in His Word provides the direction we need. The Holy Spirit, when we yield and surrender to His guidance through prayer, provides us with insight into God's will for us. Being in the center of God's will, is protection. Join me in this prayer today. "Dear Father, I confess my sin of wandering the wilderness. I know you've already provided instruction and protection. Help me to turn from the path I chose and follow You and Your will for me. Help me to open my spiritual eyes to the Promise Land which is Your will for me in Christ Jesus." Amen. If you are struggling with wilderness wandering, find His grace today! If you'd like personal prayer, please post a comment to our blogsite