Let it Snow!

It has been a cold and busy two weeks since Thanksgiving.  Kyle and I went to our first winter market last Saturday from 10-12 in Durham and on our drive home it began to snow!  It was so beautiful coming down over the fields on the farm.  While I stayed inside to enjoy the show from the windows, Kyle went out in search of a forge for his smithy! After taking a blacksmith class in Virginia this past summer he has been wanting to have his own smithy (which to my understanding is basically a blacksmith shop).  We weren't sure if or how it could all come together but God is a good God and His ways are higher than ours and He has provided an anvil for Kyle and now a forge as of last Saturday.  And rather quickly it is all coming together and we are pumped! He will be creating all sorts of things before we know it. Upon his return we enjoyed a large bowl of snow cream and took a walk around the farm in the snow.  On Sunday after worshipping at Antioch church we shared lunch with the Murray's and went on a search for a Christmas tree in their backyard woods.  We found our beauty and Kyle and I enjoyed setting her up and decorating her later that night while listening to Christmas piano music and sipping some hot cocoa. How I love this time of year! It has been so fun having our own tree and celebrating our first Christmas together! This has been my first year celebrating Christmas and not being in school.  It has been so sweet to really get to enjoy celebrating Jesus being born and thinking about His coming to the world and being the light in the darkness. My heart is full of joy and thanks for what He has done and continues to do!

Tutoring at the elementary school every Wednesday and Thursday has been going well.  Initially it was quite a challenge and I didn't know how it was going to go.  I have learned to rely on God and put all confidence and trust in Him and not in my ability as a tutor which has been a struggle and a breakthrough all at the same time. I now have peace as I prepare the lessons, drive to the school and actually instruct the kids.  God's peace is so good and unlike anything else. I pray I will continue to grow in finding my sufficiency and confidence in Jesus and not in my circumstances, my ability, or in how a day unfolds.  Pray for me as I continue to try to love on those kids and help them with their math too!

I have been knitting fingerless gloves for quite some time now and I FINALLY just finished my first pair! My hands are excited to not be left out in the cold anymore! I am looking forward to knitting more gloves and embarking on other knitting adventures.  This week I have been able to play and create with paper and make more cards which has been so good for the creative side of my brain!

One other thing, has anyone seen the movie "The Book of Eli"? Kyle and I watched it recently, warning: it is extremely intense, rated "R", I indeed had to look away during quite a few violent times...BUT if you can handle not letting that stuff get to you, it is awesome! It portrays God's power, sovereignty, grace and love so well! In the movie, the world is ruled by darkness and evil and there appears to be no hope or light, but God is there and He has a plan to bring hope and light to the world and it's through Denzel Washington's character that He does just that.  Which He has already done for us here and now and He does daily! Amen! So good. Merry Christmas to you all! Here are some pictures to enjoy!

With Thankful Hearts

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; 

for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1

Kyle and I were fortunate to be able to spend the entire week of Thanksgiving in Wilmington.  We had some very restful days of sleeping in, movie watching and taking it easy along with sweet time with family and friends.  I was able to spend time with some dear friends, Lauren, Taylor and Liz and I loved catching up with each of them! My friend Liz and I went for a run on some beautiful trails that were covered in crunchy leaves (my favorite) and were delighted as it began to rain near the end of our trek. Kyle and dad were the chefs for Thanksgiving dinner which included: a 22 lb pasture raised turkey from Sunset Farms (where we live and work), gravy, homemade stuffing, some farm sweet potatoes for the sweet potato casserole, farm collards with bacon, mom made her cranberry sauce, "sister shubert" rolls which are a delicious tradition, and pumpkin pie! Kyle and dad worked the night before Thanksgiving to brine the huge turkey in the only thing that would hold it, a large cooler.  I enjoyed helping assist in preparing some of the dishes but mainly took charge of setting the table with linens and gold lenox china and doing other things around the house. The feast was enjoyed by my parents, Christine and Lothar, Morgan, and Kyle and I. 

He just barely fit!

Christine and Lothar

Me and Morgan

This is Daisy, my parents dog who also happens to be crazy...and great!

The day after Thanksgiving Kyle, mom, dad and I went down to Oak Island to stay with my Nana and Craig. We brought leftovers with us and basically had a second Thanksgiving dinner! We had a great time visiting together and staying at their rental house that has a beautiful ocean view.  Nana and I knitted after dinner and we all enjoyed a walk on the beach the next morning. 

Kyle playing golf with a jellyfish

That's three generations right there!

When Joanne and Dean returned from spending Thanksgiving in New Jersey, Kyle and I spent the weekend with them. Joanne and I set up the tree and did different Christmas decorating around the house while the men worked out in the shop doing what men do in the shop. We also celebrated Joanne's birthday which was on the 17th and Kyle and I made her favorite, cheesecake! We had a fun time making the cheesecake and an even better time eating it- it was seriously delicious!

Joanne, Dean and Ginger with the birthday cheesecake!