Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I know it is the day after, but thanksgiving should be a part of our life everyday. Joshua and I are at his parents, and yesterday his siblings, their spouses, and their children were all here for Thanksgiving, and we all had a good time.

I am so thankful for my husband and for the Lord bringing us together. God has provided so much for us, and I know He will continue to watch over us. I am thankful for both of our families and for the fellowship we have when we are together. I am thankful for our church family in California and our close friends in Virginia and California. I am thankful for how the Lord led us to this day, and looking back, it is amazing how He has worked. I am thankful for all of the blessings the Lord has given us, and as our pastor reminded us on Sunday, gratitude should be the attitude of Christians every day for everything, from our wonderful salvation to the spiritual blessings to the Word of God to the fellowship of believers to spiritual and physical provisions.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! We are thankful for you and remember you often!

Yeah!

Joshua is coming back tonight from Virginia! He's been gone for a week, and even though I have kept busy and he's been busy in Virginia, I am so ready to have him home. I'll pick him up in about three hours.

Considering the past week, it has been especially difficult, but I know that the Lord's timing was perfect with Joshua being out in Virginia. Nevertheless, I'm excited that he is almost home.

By the way, we will be out in Virginia for Christmas in 37 days!

Celebrating Tom Shumaker's life...

Since Joshua is already out in Virginia, he will be staying with Mike and Jen Nevarr until Sunday, November 13, so that he can attend the family funeral and the memorial service. Please pray that during the memorial service we can celebrate Tom's love for the Lord and his continual service to the Lord. Also, pray for the unsaved members of the extended family to hear the gospel and receive the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior.

Our friend Tom

When we found out that Tom wasn't doing well, Joshua booked tickets to fly back to Virginia to see him. Tom has been like a grandfather to Joshua, and he has been very special to us. Anyway, Joshua flew out last night, and he arrived in Virginia this morning. Tom knew that Joshua was coming, and he kept asking when he would be there. As it turned out, Tom was holding on to life for Joshua. Joshua got to the nursing home in the early afternoon, and Tom went to be with Jesus just a couple of minutes later. Joshua doesn't know if Tom recognized him, but Tom knew it was ok to go.

We have so many memories of Tom, and we are both blessed to have had him in our lives. He was such a godly man, and he leaves behind a family who loves him as well as everyone else whose life he touched.

I think it is so special that Joshua could be there when he died. I wish I could have been there as well, but I am so thankful that I could spend time with him in October. It will be strange being back in Virginia at Christmas and not seeing Tom, but Tom is completely healthy now and he is with the Lord.