November Happenings

Well, it has been a while since I posted some family pictures.  The month of November actually holds four Turner birthdays, so I am a bit behind on my writing.

Our first November birthday is big brother Ben's, but unfortunately his kind of snuck up on us, and I didn't take any pictures...

But I had another opportunity for Sarah's and Hannah's party. We decorated with pink and purple for the occasion of turning 4 and 6!!

Big smiles while singing "Happy Birthday"...

And since one of us is 500+ miles away, we utilized technology while opening the presents.  Here we are talking with Kathy and showing her all the presents via FaceTime.  It was so good to see her again!

The very next weekend we celebrated Samuel's 1st birthday.  And we decorated with red and blue rather than pink and purple. ;)

We actually had our first snowfall for the winter that Saturday!  November 21 was a cold and damp day.

Here's the cute birthday boy.  I just love that smile!

He had to have lots of "help" opening his presents, and there were, of course, several little hands eager to jump in and accomplish the task!

For some other November news, our church finally has its new sign!  This process has taken an entire year as we had to first go before the zoning board with a petition.  Once we can do some landscaping this coming spring, it will look very nice.

For our church's Thanksgiving lunch last Sunday, I made Pumpkin Pie Cake.  It not only turned out really pretty, it also tasted good!

In the midst to some challenging days, it was encouraging for a friend to drop by with a surprise Thanksgiving floral arrangement to grace our table for the holiday.  It was such a beautiful gift from the Lord.

It's hard to believe the end of November is here and December with all its festivities is just around the corner.  Kathy flies home on December 12, Rachael graduates December 19, and her open house is December 30.  Not to mention the kid's musical recital, Dad's birthday, Christmas, New Year's, etc.  I'm really looking forward to being together as a family again and rejoicing in an important milestone for a special person who has worked very hard for many years.  So be looking for more pictures and updates!

1863 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our beneficent Father, who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to him that, for such singular deliverances and blessings; they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.

-President Abraham Lincoln

We wish you and your family a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 107:1

Plymouth Plantation

Massachusetts

Wisdom's Words

What is impossible with God?

Not that which is difficult to his power,

but that which is contrary to his nature.

-Ambrose - 

First Place!

Wel, I'm taking it upon myself to spread the news since the winner is 500+ miles away and buried under a pile of books and papers...

Kathy won FIRST PLACE in the RP Witness Creative Arts contest for the Psalms composition division!  Many don't know that she is talented in composing music, her undergraduate being in music.  Before she left for school this summer, she pulled out a piece she had composed many years ago and rather hastily re-worked it a bit before sending it off to Pittsburgh.  We all forgot about it - until a letter arrived in the mail a couple of weeks ago with the exciting news.  And the piece was published in the denominational magazine this week.  What a surprise!!!

Eagle Creek Park

This past Saturday, I took an out-of-state friend to a local park on the westside of town to enjoy the beauty of the afternoon.  I myself had never been to Eagle Creek Park before, so it was a fun adventure for both of us!

As we hiked through the woods and around Eagle Creek Reservoir with my camera in hand, I couldn't help but think that if we had come just a few weeks earlier, I would have been able to capture the splendid colors of Indiana's fall.   But even though the leaves were almost off all the trees, I still enjoyed snapping a few pictures of our surroundings.

Even with all the brown, there was a little color...

Before embarking on our hike, we didn't fully put two-and two-together what a 6.75 mile trail would be like, especially how long it would last!  But yes, we walked the full 6.75 miles (and then some).  It was a lot of fun, but towards the last half hour of our trek, we did begin to wonder if we chose a trail that would never end! :)

Eagle Creek Park is definitely on my list to visit next fall.  Anyone want to join me next time? ;)

2016 Women's Statehouse Day

The 2016 legislative session is just around the corner, and we are already making plans for hosting several events at the Indiana Statehouse.  I am excited to help promote our second Women's Statehouse Day on Thursday, February 4, 2016.  This is a golden opportunity for women to come and hear how they can pray for their leaders.  We are honored to have Secretary of State Connie Lawson address our group.  You won't want to miss this exciting day! 

Registration for the event is now open at www.capitolcom.org/women.  I hope you can join me there!

Wisdom's Words

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan.

-John Bunyan-