Planning a Party

Exactly a year ago, when we decided to change churches, it was a difficult, tear-filled decision. We were leaving behind a church family that we loved. But, we also knew, clearly, that God's direction was for us to leave. So, in my head (you know, Man plans, God laughs), I said, "I am not going to get involved. I am not going to open myself up to get hurt again. I need time to heal."

A year later, I still don't know why exactly God did what He did at our old church or why He allowed it to fall apart. But, what I do know...we are involved, we have made new friends, we have found our groove in this church family, and I have gotten involved as ladies ministry coordinator for our Sunday School class. And, I also know I AM HOSTING A HOLIDAY KICK OFF TEA FOR OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL LADIES IN TWO WEEKS! That is 14 days people. 14 very short days. And, the to do list keeps getting longer instead of getting shorter and, the menu, well let's just say that is growing as well.

I did absolutely nothing in the decorating department, this weekend, except go to Hobby Lobby and get two new trees for our forest (two of them half-lite last year and gave up the ghost when we plugged them in yesterday), made a final decision on my dining room centerpiece, and bought supplies for that. And, my commentary to all of that is - I think Hobby Lobby should institute a policy that if you are a Hobby Lobby novice, you are not allowed to be in HL without a trained guide during the holiday season (November 1- December 23). If you have ever looked at www.peopleofwalmart.com...stayed tuned...I am going to create www.peopleofhobbylobby.com and it isn't going to be pretty.

The main push this weekend was to complete my contribution to the Cookie/Treat Exchange part of the event. I went with www.Bakerella.com's cowboy cookie mix jars and, as of tonight, there are 31 of them almost completed. I will take a picture of them tomorrow and get it posted. They look neat and will go over well. The checkout lady at Wal-Mart wanted one, after I had to explain myself and my reasons for buying 15 bags of M&M's, four extra large bags of chocolate chips, flour, sugar, brown sugar, etc.

This week starts the effort to put away Halloween/fall decorations, start sorting Christmas decorations, and prep for Operation Christmas Decoration next weekend. My kids have already asked when their trees are going up.

The downside of this, according to Jackson, is "we aren't going to forget to celebrate Thanksgiving are we?" The upside is we are going to have all of Christmas decorating done and most of the Christmas shopping completed by Thanksgiving. Rock on..I can then sit back, with my feet up, drink eggnog and enjoy the lights during the month of December.

It is going to be a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to it. We are going to have good food, fun and fellowship. A year ago, I didn't really see that I would ever find that again. God is good.