Variety of topics

Halloween came and went. We left the lights on and had some candy ready for any trick-or-treaters. This was our first time in this house (we weren't home last year), and we didn't know what to expect. We had some of Sam's friends stop by in fun costumes, and ended up with 2 groups of about 25-30 kids each coming by as well. Unfortunately only about 4 or 5 brave souls were in these groups, willing to wear costumes as they asked for candy. The other 40 just walked up in their street clothes, stuck out their backpacks, and said thanks as they left. A majority of the "kids" were probably in jr. high or high school. I think next year we will post a sign on our door saying "candy for costumes only", because something about it all just didn't seem right.

Our neighbors are very gracious. Once again, we borrowed their tiller as we spent 2 days overhauling our yard/garden. We tilled up two large areas of the yard, trying to start over with new grass seed in places that were filled with weeds. We also tilled up the garden (and expanded it to about 20' x 20'), completing our successful first year of gardening. Looking back we enjoyed carrots, tomatoes, snap beans, zucchini...and have plans to make it much better next year now that our feet are wet.

This weekend is the Blood:Water Mission board retreat. Though I'm not on the board of directors, I'll be around for much of the time to speak on all that has been going on as well as help with things. I can't wait to see these friends all in one room and share this brief time together...if only we could do it more often. Praise be to God for giving us all that we need and giving us such a beautiful longing for what we can't yet have, but will be restored one day!

I've been reading the new spy-thriller by favorite author Vince Flynn, Consent to Kill. And I'm done with this post so that I can hopefully finish it tonight!