Trick or Treat

Last night our neighborhood had Trick or Treat night for the kids. Claire is really getting into dressing up in costume. Here are some pictures from the festivities...

Cinderella (Isabella), Jack-O-Lantern (Claire), and Tinkerbell (Gabi)...



Hitchin' A Ride...



Looking for a treat...



Emily, Gram Gram, and Claire (from a visit earlier in the day)...

Dreary Day

Today was a particularly difficult day for me. It was a battle for joy in many ways. As the psalmist writes, "My soul melts away for sorrow." Though I felt surrounded by darkness at times, God's Word was my comfort and my light. I was reminded that rather than dwelling on what's been lost to me in this life, God would have me "seek first the kingdom of heaven and righteousness." "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." What God took away from me was not eternal, and I am to long for that which is eternal. "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces."

Pumpkin Picking

I love this time of year...the cool weather, the glowing colors of the autumn leaves, the smell of apples, and, of course, picking pumpkins! Claire and I went with Mimi and Pap to Strite's Orchard this past week to pick our pumpkins. Here are a few snapshots of our trip to Strite's...








(Dancing...as usual)

Claire Art

This morning, Claire was feeling creative (as usual) and drew the picture below. She titled it, "A Monkey with Glasses." I am so proud of her work. She takes after her Aunt Stacy and Uncle Seth.