Celebrations

Our November has been full of celebrations.  To start with, the kids celebrated the 50th day of school by dressing up like someone from the 50's.  Following that, Cale turned 7 and we decided to throw two parties!  (What a lucky boy!)  We had a party with his classmates at church and a family party at home.  It is astounding to  think of how much he has changed since he was 1 1/2 and heading off to Indo...  He is full of adventure with an amazing heart for Jesus.  He soaks up all of the Bible stories, and truths.  Right now we are reading through Judges and he is excited about  the stories about Samson.  We are so thankful for him!

The next week we were blessed enough to have the family over for Thanksgiving!  I love having everyone together, to see how much they have all changed and grown, and to get caught up on all of the family happenings. I took a picture of the tables before everyone came, and then after.  Quite a difference a few people can make! The weather was beautiful and we were able to run off all the turkey we consumed.  Notice exactly who is jumping on the trampoline... Auntie Carol!!  Such a kid at heart! 

This week we have another event to celebrate-Garth's birthday...I think he is turning 30, no wait 40, no that doesn't sound right...50...no, oh well.  You will just have to ask him!

     Happy Celebrations!!

GOD

Garth and I are back from our week of meetings.  It was a fantastic time of training, and togetherness.  I am thankful for the chance to sit under so many and glean from their wisdom while together we searched the Word.  We focused on  how to better minister to people where they are at, how to hear their story, and how to process things through.  We so quickly want to "fix" before we even hear the whole story, but that is not always the best option.  

It felt incredible strange to travel without the kids.  They were so jealous!  We have come to realize that there certainly is a love of travel in all of us now.  We are always antsy to go somewhere!

My parents did an amazing job watching the kids while we were gone.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

The training was in Florida!!!  It was stupendous to feel the sun, but it was so much colder there than I thought.  One night some of the locals came in and prepared a low country boil for us.  That was a first!   I also found a horseshoe crab on the beach.  Garth would NOT let me bring it home!  ( I just wanted to show the kids!)

While we were driving one day we noticed an airplane in the sky writing something.  G-O-D.  I was so excited to see the word God in the sky.  A few moments later I noticed it was still writing...L-O-V-E-S.  WOW!  How cool is that?  I figured it would write Y-O-U next.  So I watched in anticipation as we were driving farther from it.  However, my exuberant smile quickly went away when I noticed it was starting to spell B-A-R...that was all I could see as we drove away.  I can only assume that since it was the day before election that the rest of the words were probably for someone's political preference.   I was bummed!  What an opportunity lost.  I wanted an eraser to take it back to when it just said GOD across that glorious blue sky,  That one word speaks volumes, doesn't it?  God is enough.  That was one of the things we studied this week.  When will I get to the place where I realize that God is enough?  His name written on my heart is enough.  His love demonstrated on the cross is enough.  My exhausted efforts to try to fill my voids, and fix my problems are completely unnecessary because God, my God, is completely

enough for me.

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Update

This morning I received a phone call from the specialist that I was supposed to see on the 15 th saying that he had a cancellation and could see me today.  How often does that happen?  It was an encouraging appointment.  Because the nodules are less than 10mm he isn't going to biopsy or remove them.  He looked at a few other things and wants me to come in for check ups to see how everything is progressing.  The enlarged thyroid is not going to be treated at this time, and we did find out that the nodules are benign!
He is hoping that the issues will resolve themselves, otherwise he will devise a treatment plan.
Thanks for your prayers.
Rachel

Bucks and Bucks

The other morning Sophie woke up to find a buck in our yard right outside the window.  I came out a few minutes later, but it was gone.  I LOVE having wildlife in our backyard so I was bummed that I missed it.  

Yesterday when Garth and I were out for our morning walk on the property of Yerkes' Observatory we saw a buck right by us just eating away.  He looked up but was not concerned that we were there.  He proceeded to come closer and then walk away.  It was SUPER cool!!  Missed the first buck sighting, but got the second.  Thanks God!

Speaking of bucks...THANK YOU to the anonymous donor who sent us some bucks in the mail.  That was super fantastic.  It was the exact amount we needed to pay for parking for our family outing on Saturday!!!!  Yahoo!

Love

Rachel

  

Medical

There is some medical stuff going on with me that I need to tell you about.  At my last check up one of the things they noticed was that my thyroid was quite enlarged.  After an ultrasound on it, they also noticed two growths or nodules growing there as well.  So I have been asked to see a specialist.  I will let you know when I hear more.
Saturday Garth and I are supposed to leave for a week long conference in Florida.  It is a care givers conference designed to teach us how to best minister to or help people at all different levels of grief, trauma, or difficulty.  I wish all of this thyroid stuff could be taken care of before we go, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.
My parents will be watching our four kids the whole time we are gone.  Please pray for them, for the kids and for wisdom for the doctor's in dealing with my situation.
Thanks.