Leaves are falling

Nathanael enjoying the pumpkin that CC gave him

The scenery here has been beautiful in the last two weeks! We have enjoyed watching the reds, oranges and yellows appear! We didn't quite expect our first frost so soon, but now the leaves are falling. Snow is in the forecast and we are well aware that winter is on the way! We have already pre-paid more to heat our house this winter than what we paid for all our electric bills in NC last winter, but we are very grateful to the Lord, Ms. Hoover who saw fit to give to the Lord, and the GMBA as we are living rent free in this home. We've started researching snow tires and things to do to winterize our home. Some of my patients have been sharing pictures of their homes in the snow last winter trying to encourage, I think, and not scare me! Of course I wouldn't be so concerned except that I am a HOME health nurse which means I have to DRIVE all day to patient's homes. (Prayer request #1) In the meantime, though, we are enjoying the beautiful views!

Daddy's hike from Saturday

The view from the top of Camel's Hump

(obviously before the morning fog cleared)

Nathanael blending in

The most beautiful tree

which happens to be outside our living room window

I must say however that our family is going to miss the State Fair this year... For all you Carolinians, please go to the fair and eat something fried, some barbecue and hush puppies from the mill and think of us, get a ticket to see Third Day (as the tickets are the cheapest you'll ever find for Third Day, you'll get to worship the whole time and recall that your friends were once there in Dorton Arena worshipping with Third Day the last time they were at the fair), watch a pig race for Nathanael and squeal louder than the pig and visit the petting zoo, but make sure to wash your hands after your visit! :)

In other news, we heard from the Christian Science church this week about their building. They did not select the Green Mountain Baptist Association to be the recipient of the building, but we did come in a close second... The group that did receive the building is serving in St. Johnsbury already and they felt that group was more appropriate for their building. Certainly we were not really thrilled about the outcome in our own eyes, but we prayed that God would be most glorified as a result of this decision. In our Thurs night women's Bible study, we have been studying though 1 Samuel and the life of David. Providentially, a few weeks before this decision we looked at David and his desire to build a temple for God. Although that was a good idea, it was not God's idea. God had something even better planned for David. God was going to build David a house, a lineage from which the Savior of the world would come. God was most glorified according to His plan, not David's. In the same way, we believe that God will be most glorified in the decision not to get the building. This brings us to prayer request #2. Do we ignore St. Johnsbury now and just focus on Waterbury, or do we continue to consider both towns for church plants in the future? We will be spending more time in Waterbury in the near future, exploring the town further. Please join us in praying for these two towns: Waterbury and St. Johnsbury.

Nathanael's model pose

The pregnancy is going well. I passed my glucose tolerance test on Tuesday, all my blood counts were normal, the baby's heart rate was regular and I did gain 5 lbs since my last visit (yes, I am happy about putting on the pounds). We have been very blessed already by friends who have shared with us. I posted earlier about a mission team who brought gifts on their trip. I also went through clothes that a friend from NC, Melody and more that my sister's friend, Ashley, GAVE us for our little girl (we are counting on that "We think it's a girl" from the u/s tech). I thought I would post the picture of the wardrobe our unborn daughter already has so that you can get a little perspective of how really blessed we are! The other photos are pictures of 28 weeks from both pregnancies. We are grateful so much for these friends!!

A small selection of clothes

Nathanael at 28 weeks

Baby sister at 28 weeks

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Colossians 2:13-14