November Musings

November 1st. All Saint's Day. Dia de Los Muertos. A day to reflect on those saints who have gone on before us. Sure, most folks just think of this as the day after Halloween, when children (and a few parents) everywhere suffer from sugar candy hangovers. I'll confess, I'm not a big fan of Halloween. I have a hard time reconciling the innocent "Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin" Halloween of my childhood with the new "Co-opted by so-called adults and the porn industry" Halloween that has become a sign of our culture. In our family, we play it down a lot and keep the focus where it belongs...children and their pursuit of candy. :)



My dear Edwin made it festive last night by lighting a fire and putting out the camp chairs. We had a lot of trick-or-treaters, unlike last year's Swine Flu dud of a Halloween. We gave out all the candy, which is a good thing. (Note to self: kids loved the Fun Dip and Candy Corn the best!)



October was a month of good reading. Here are a few great titles I read last month:

Sandra Byrd's French Twist Series: Let Them Eat Cake, Bon Appetit, and Piece de Resistance. It was a twenty-something series, but I really enjoyed it. A nice protagonist who pursues God and her purpose in life. Keep the chocolate and pastries handy when you read these!

Something Borrowed, Something Bleu by Cricket McCrae. Another great book in her Home Crafting Mysteries series.

Club Sandwich by Lisa Samson. A great story about a woman in the sandwich generation, stuck between juggling the demands of job and family and caring for her ailing mother. A wonderful story filled with faith.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I read this for book club last month, and it is a sad tale about children living with extreme poverty and their eccentric, mentally ill parents. The opening chapter will hook you into this true story. I found myself understanding why Jesus said the poor will always be with us. It is not about money, but a poverty of spirit. Amazing story of survival and hope.




So, a good month for reading usually means a bad month for needle art and crafts. I can only juggle so many hobbies! I have a lot of UFOs to finish, and I need to get started on my son's Christmas stocking. Aack! I said the word...Christmas!

Did you get the big Holiday book from Toys R Us yesterday? Sam is making a list and checking it twice. Can I ask a favor of all of you? The next two months will be a trying time for those working in service industries, especially the employees of retail stores (like me!). I would like to challenge all of you to spend the next two months wearing Christ goggles wherever you go. As my pastor said in yesterday's sermon, look at every person you encounter, and tell yourself that Jesus died for that person. Please, I beg of you, be patient. Be kind. Show mercy. Be gracious, as the Lord is patient and kind and merciful and gracious to you.

Let's make a commitment to walk the walk and talk the talk in our churches, in our homes, in our workplaces, in restaurants, in stores, in schools....yes, wherever we go. Let's go out of our way to find opportunities to show Christ's love to a world that so desperately needs it.

Thank you!

Happy Monday!