Happy Thankgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving...a couple days late! Just wanted to post a few pictures from the past few weeks. Mom and Dad came up last weekend, and we had a wonderful time hanging out together. My mom-in-law decided I should bring the pies, so while my mom was up she helped me make crusts for the first time. Thanks, Aunt Connie, for the recipes. Thanks, Mom, for helping...couldn't have done it without you! I consider my first "adult" pie making experience a success. They tasted good and looked good too. Although, I have trouble "pinching" the sides to make the pies look pretty. But that doesn't really affect the taste, now does it? I'll have to practice. The latter pictures are of our little gathering with Ryan's family.

Favorite Moment

Just have to give a shout out to my wonderful hubbie tonight... My favorite moment of any day is when he picks up his guitar and plays little dittys. Love it! Anything from the Eagles to Chris Tomlin. Did I mention this my favorite part of any day? It doesn't happen very often so I have to cherish it. I love my man!!!! (He also did laundry, cooked dinner, and straightened the apt. today--I am blessed!)

And, I caught the very end of the pseudo-serenade on video!

Let there be pictures...finally!

As is the case with most moves, there's that one thing that you know you packed but just can't find. We had a few of those this time: one being one of Ryan's new workshirts, which we found this morning stuffed in his suit bag, and the other was our box of digital camera cords. Ryan found that yesterday! Yay! Now I can give this blog an update and share pictures. We love our new place! Hung our "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" clock and some pictures today. It's a home, not just a place to live. Praise the Lord!

the happy couple! a place of our own!

getting settled...looks even better now!

gotta love the large walk-in closet!

old toilet...

new toilet....ah, the joy of a stable toilet! :) who would have ever known??

prayers

Last year at this time Ryan and I only had part-time jobs and were searching and waiting on the Lord for provision. Of course, He came through, giving us blessing after blessing. However, Ryan is in retail and I'm still in retail 1/2 time. Now again this year we find ourselves searching for God's direction. Ryan is chopping at the bit to do what he has been called to do and use His God given gifts, and while I've been able to do this for the past year, I'm also ready to work full-time (and I don't think my current position is going to expand).

Please add us to your prayers. We knew getting into ministry that positions wouldn't be as easy to come by, especially since we don't have a "mother hen" telling us where to go, so we need your prayers. Thank you!

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

~1 Chronicles 16

I should call this my once a month blog...

I never really have been a writer....that must be the reason I haven't posted in such a long time. However, the lack of things to do here at work today gives me a chance to get some words up...

What I have been doing is reading some books! I haven't read novels in years, and I'm totally captured by the "Mitford Series." Breezed through Out to Canaan, the fourth book, just last week! I started the series in July and will maybe be done by Christmas?? Thinking about attempting the famous Orange Marmalade Cake once I get into our new kitchen...

Oh, yes, I haven't mentioned on here that Ryan and I are moving!!!!!!! We can't wait! We join the ranks of all my other blogger friends that have moved recently or are getting the boxes packed. This won't be a big move for us...just down to an apartment complex in Inver Grove Heights. Our landlord and neighbors in the house now are just a pain and it's time to go. The space has had its good points but we've never really felt like our current place was home. Maybe we can create that feeling soon! October 15!

I'm also taking an interest in nutrition lately! Have been listening to a great radio show "Dishing Up Nutrition" which is available online: http://www.weightandwellness.com/dun_radio.html
The move means new nutrition in our home, also! (Maybe I won't be making the Orange Marmalade Cake :( ) Check it out!

Summer!

Ryan and I have enjoyed some fun things this summer! Here are some pics:

Plants! This pic of the herb garden was taken at the beginning of the summer, now the basil is reaching to the sky. We've had some tasty dishes with our herbs and are enjoying our tomatoes now too. Mmmm...fresh tomato, olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper.

Family! This was taken when the fam + Johanna (Ross' lovely girlfriend) came up for the 4th.

Canada! In the middle of July we took a trip to Toronto for a family wedding. Took a side trip to Niagra Falls for a day. What beauty! The rest of the time was really spent partying. Had fun dressing up too.

Another wedding! Best wishes to Cliff and Naomi who were married July 26th. Had the pleasure of enjoying the festivities! Cliff is the next to youngest grandkids on the Pickrell side...one more to go. Loved playing with my second cousins and Sarah and Nicole too! (Nicole...pics will be sent tomorrow!)

Anniversary! One year down... couldn't be happier! Our bakery gave us a fresh cake to celebrate with, made just like our wedding cake top.

Happy Summer so far!

Powerful Sermon

Pastor Per at Community of Hope, where Ryan and I go to church, had a powerful sermon on Sunday. I invite you to listen if you have a spare moment. Listen or watch here... If you watch, you'll be able to see his visual connection.

It's based on Matthew 8:18-22. It's confusing passage where Jesus tells a man to leave the dead to bury their own dead. I've always been puzzled by this side of Jesus but Per had a helpful perspective. The Holy Spirit cleared the muddied waters.