Post-Thanksgiving Thanks Giving

OK, I really wanted to post something on Thanksgiving Day, but then I just got so busy with working on the kitchen and then hosting family & others for the big meal and then we played games and such and soon the day was done. However, we did give special thanks around our table. I asked each person (at least those around the adult table -- kids had their own table downstairs) to share something they were thankful for as they looked back over this last year, and then the whole table would respond after each one with "Thank-you, God" (or some other similar sentiment). It was pretty cool to hear everyone's thanksgivings and then to give praise to God for these things He had done!

So. . . here are some things I'm thankful for:
My family -- we're all doing well and have been cared for and blessed throughout a year of big change.
My wife! We're still good friends and in love!
My job -- I am enjoying teaching and have been blessed with a wonderful principal and staff and parents and kids.
Our home -- it's consumed a LOT of my time and energy these last few months, but we're blessed to have a nice place to live.
Singing -- I'm enjoying singing with Portland Symphonic Choir and we've been singing a lot this Fall!
Living in Portland/Gresham -- it's been good to be near family and friends again.

I guess I could go on and get more specific, but really I just feel very blessed by God as I look back over this past year. I'm thankful for friends in Texas who supported us and helped carry us through a time of uncertainty and upheaval and for friends here who have welcomed us back to Oregon. I searched out many possible paths for where to work and live, but this is the way that seemed blessed by God. It's not all that I dreamed of, but it is good.

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And a closing note: if you live in the area, you should come hear the Portland Symphonic Choir's "WinterSong" concert on Sunday, Dec. 17. There is a 2:00 and a 7:00 performance and these are in the gorgeous & acoustically wonderful St. Mary's Cathedral in downtown Portland. We will be doing some familiar carols, some other beautiful music of the season, and a special set of Spanish carols. I learned earlier today that I got a solo that I had tried out for too! Let me know if you need tickets. This program will be fun and is probably our most popular of the season.
http://www.pschoir.org/Season2005/Programs.shtml

Nov. 8 Entry

November is rolling right along! We've had huge amounts of rain the last few days in Oregon, but it has lightened up now to just the normal kind of drizzle. I hear the mountains will be getting a bunch of snow the next few days as the freezing level has finally dropped.

My mom and dad got into town tonight and will be around until Monday. Dad is here to help with my kitchen cabinet installation, plus my folks will get to see Hannah in her musical (which opens tomorrow), and then hear me sing with the Portland Symphonic Choir this weekend. Hopefully, we'll get all the upper and lower cabinets installed over the next few days!

My 2nd & 3rd graders are preparing a musical called "The Littlest Christmas Tree" and it's been pretty fun working on the songs and choosing the leads. The performance is on Dec. 5 (wish I had another week or so with them) and I've really got to work to get the staging blocked, costumes & sets ready, and songs choreographed. Still, this is nothing like the busyness of when I taught H.S. choir!

I guess this is enough of an update for now. . . bedtime now.