Lisa Notes: A day in November

A day in November

Outside my window...color, color, color (loving the trees)

I am thinking...about forming my 2012 spiritual resolutions

I am wondering...if the resolution that keeps popping in my head is really from God (I’m fighting it; it’s too hard)

I am resolving...to fulfill my 2011 resolution by depending on God for my 2012 resolutions

I am thankful...for His strength in my weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9 (even though I fight against that sometimes too. Pride—yuck)

In the learning rooms...this year is the easiest yet (and last) in my 17 years of homeschooling

In the kitchen...all clean, thanks to a sweet husband who washed dishes so I could start a movie with Jenna (H.P #3 before I start reading H.P # 4 in the car on Saturday)

I am going...to the Coleman/Lauderdale family reunion on Saturday in Toccopola, Mississippi! Ever heard of it? It’s in Pontotoc county. Does that help? ;-)

I am looking forward to...seeing relatives I haven’t seen in a long time, including my cousin Brenda who I’ve gotten to know this past year through blogging (isn’t God wonderful among the details?)

I am eating...Reese’s since we had ZERO trick-or-treaters, if you don’t count Jenna ringing the doorbell when she came home from ballet (she dressed like a cow)

I am wearing...my typical winter attire: sweat pants, long-sleeve turtleneck with a t-shirt on top, socks and tennis shoes (I hate being cold)

I am reading...The Faith of Leap. I’m pleasantly surprised by its depth so far, much deeper than another book I’m reading, Going Deep. Go figure.

I am appreciating...my new laptop and its speed and new shortcuts

I am realizing...this may be our first Christmas without Morgan home on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning

I am hoping...I won’t be a whiner about that. Or a guilt-tripper.

I am studying...the fruit of the Spirit with our small group and with Do Not Depart

I am enjoying...thoroughly enjoying!, messages back and forth in her broken English and my Google Translate Spanish with my friend Gloria in El Salvador. I feel super blessed every time she writes me.

Around the house...an updated photo and drawing from Jose! He’s the cutie we’re sponsoring through World Vision in El Salvador

I am praying...about the displaced people from the floods that have ravaged Central America

I am discovering...how much God blessed me with that week in El Salvador. A year ago I couldn’t have located it on a map, and now it’s personal and special, home to people I love.

One of my favorite things...cranking up the electric blanket before I crawl in bed, starting tonight

A few plans...a day trip to Nashville with Kay to see Wicked (thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Townsley)

A picture to share...my Sunday night Bible study group. I love these brothers and sisters!

* * *

To visit more November daybooks,
the simple woman's daybook
...where every day is a blank page

Past Daybooks

Comments (17)

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juanita · 710 weeks ago

I enjoyed reading your daybook. I look forward to reading more of your blog.

Blessings
My recent post November Daybook

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

Thanks, Juanita. I enjoyed reading yours too. There's just something affirming about reading of other people's ordinary days too
My recent post A day in November

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Rebecca · 710 weeks ago

I'm so impressed that you're thinking of 2012 resolutions. I haven't thought that far ahead.

I've lived in Mississippi most of my life and have never heard of Toccopola, but I do know where Pontotoc County is. Hope you have a great time with your family.
My recent post In His Word Friday - November 4, 2011

2 replies · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

Toccopola is a VERY small town. My mother grew up there, and my father grew up a few miles down the road in Springville (you've probably not heard of that either?). So in my growing up years, we'd make the trip to Mississippi about every 6 weeks or so (which was pretty frequent, looking back on it) to visit my grandparents there.

Even though they have all passed on, I'm still looking forward to driving by their houses again tomorrow and remembering the "good ol' days."

Almost all my Mississippi trips were to north Mississippi so that's the only part I'm most familiar with. Hope you enjoy your piece of the state. :-)
My recent post A day in November

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Jennifer@GDWJ · 710 weeks ago

Rebecca, I had that same thought, too, but wow, ... 2012 is almost here. It's sneaking up on us...

Fun post, Lisa. I like your winter attire. We could be winter twins. :)
My recent post How to Show, Not Tell

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barbarah 65p · 710 weeks ago

We had no trick-or-treaters, either, and altogether too much candy! I've put it out of sight to hopefully keep it from coming so much to mind.

I love family reunions, It's been ages since any branch of the family had one. Have fun!

That first Christmas when one of the kids isn't there is hard. Survivable, but hard.
My recent post Friday’s Fave Five

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

Well, we had already eaten up much of our candy, so it's probably a good thing we didn't have trick-or-treaters. ha. And I only bought one bag to start off with. In years past, we've often been gone trick-or-treating ourselves with our girls, so we weren't home. But not many kids come through our neighborhood.
My recent post A day in November

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Julie · 710 weeks ago

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your heart!! I am feeling many on your list also...so I am identifying today. specially a biggie - the holiday gatherings and who will or will not be with us this time. :-( Ah...life it is achangin'.... we had quite a few trickortreaters but still had leftovers so I have nibbled on chocolate too. :-o...NO!!!!!!! I heard on the radio we were supposed to drop the entire bowl of candy into what we considered our last visitor before we shut the door and turned out the lights...(sigh - NOW they tell me) :-) Have fun at the reunion Lisa, and thanks for posting. hugs!
My recent post Thankful Thursday

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

Yeah, Julie, I think I'm going to miss out on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I probably didn't handle that conversation very well when I was given the news. I need to call my daughter today to follow up. I told her I'd accept whatever they decided, but asked that they just don't forget us. :-) She assured me they wouldn't.

I'm guessing your Marine won't get to make it home for the holidays? :-( I'm sorry, Julie, for all the sacrifices involved with that, but I'm so appreciative of our guys and girls willing to serve (and their parents!). Have a blessed weekend.
My recent post A day in November

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floyd · 710 weeks ago

What happened to trick or treaters? We didn't get one either. Although I like you, should be thanking God for another year of trick or treating with my youngest. Her last minute plans with friends fell through so she asked me if I wanted to go with her. What a blessing. I didn't think I'd get another one.

Good stuff, except the part with your husband doing dishes.... Just kidding, I too now take my turn. Never thought that would happen either. God does perform miracles!
My recent post BREAKING THE RULES

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Lynn Severance · 710 weeks ago

"Wicked", the musical? If so, you will LOVE it.
Truly - if you put on your spiritual ears, it is the story of the battle between Michael and Lucifer.
If you can listen to the music beforehand, do. I LOVE this musical and its message but also the creativity of how they took the story of the Wizard of Oz and did this prequel.
I understand the book from which it was taken is very dark. The play, however, ends in triumph.
I will really look forward to your take on this - if indeed I am right about your attending the theater!

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

Yes, the musical, Lynn. I'm so excited to hear this. You're the second person now who has told me to listen to the music beforehand. I better get with it! ha. My niece told me she read one of the books and thought it was dark too, but she'd heard the musical was great.

So I'll let you know what I think after Sunday. :-)
My recent post A day in November

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Jean · 710 weeks ago

Loved Wicked so enjoy yourself. I really liked reading your list. You reminded to begin to think of 2012 spiritual goals. Too often I rush through them in late December. Will begin praying and pondering now. Thanks!
My recent post Thoughts On Being an Ordinary Pencil

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tinuviel · 710 weeks ago

We had a moderate number of trick-or-treaters, but Allen still took most of the candy to work the next day. Next year I'll let them stick both hands in the bowl.

My favorites were two princess fairies. I exclaimed over how beautiful they looked, and as soon as they turned to leave, one of them looked up, beaming, at her mom, and said, "Did you hear that, Momma? She said I was beautiful!" It made my night to know how happy that one tiny thing made her.

The picture of your Bible study group is a taste of heaven. I adore how multigenerational and multicultural the group is. A wonderful thing.

Enjoy your weekend with family, and may God grant travel mercies.

My recent post Whose Burden?

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

I love this: "I'll let them stick both hands in the bowl." Do you think that's what God does with us when we approach the throne of grace? I think so. :-)

I smiled reading about the little girl glowing under your comment. Our words are so much more powerful than we usually give them credit for, either for good or bad. So glad your words touched her heart in that way.
My recent post Grace in the details

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Brenda Maddox · 710 weeks ago

Just seeing this Lisa.
I so enjoyed meeting you personally yesterday. I wish we had more sit down time. It is funny that the characteristic I remember most about your Mom and Dad was their smiles and I would say that is the first thought that I would have to describe you and your family. And also your Daddy's prayers. He had a way of praying that stands out in my mind. I really think God gives us little nuggets of memories like yesterday to remind us of what lies ahead.
Maybe we need a meet halfway lunch one day with the cousins. We could get Rita to plan it.

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 710 weeks ago

Brenda,
I thoroughly enjoyed it too! But yes, I also wished we had had more time to just sit and talk. I appreciate you sharing that about Mama and Daddy. I love hearing memories like that so I can tuck them away into my own memory.

I was a little anxious that it might be a sad day, knowing how much my parents loved these reunions, but I really felt more happy than sad because of getting to see everyone. I regret that I hadn't been coming to them myself more often.

I would love to do a halfway lunch one day! I think I saw Rita raise her hand to plan it. :-)