This past week, I was in Tulsa, OK for the National Missionary Convention.  It was my 10th NMC and my 6th as an exhibitor.  They've become old hat to me...talking with people, connecting them with what God is dong around the world, giving updates to supporters about our field missionaries.  But what never fails to excite me is talking with a college student who is so excited asbout going someplace to serve.  It's awesome to see their passion, their drive, their love for the lost.  It's why I love my job.  I don't often get to do the recruitment side of things nowadays, but I do love it. 

I also got to spend a significant amount of time this convention with a couple who is coming here to the office to work.  I'm very much looking forward to having them here.  The husband will be our creative arts director and his leadership and skill is much in need here.  The wife is a massage therapist and is very talented at what she does.  I'm looking forward to having her here so that I can get regular massages at a discount.  Some of you may know that I have a knot that is roughly the size of a grapefruit in my back at all times.  It sits on my left shoulder blade, or under it, and causes me pretty serious issues.  Sometimes it gets to be the size of a watermelon or cantaloupe.  Other times, it's a tangerine.  Typically, it's a grapefruit size.  In order to get rid of it, I need routine massage therapy, like every other week.  That's pretty pricey and is definitely not in this missionary's budget!  So, having Julie here will allow me to get it taken care of at a fraction of the cost.  What a blessing she will be! 

We flwe in last night and I got home around 10:45 or 11.  It was so nice to walk into my house and crawl into my bed.  I love my bed.  With flannel sheets and my extra thick comforter, it's super cozy.  I slept very soundly last night and that was much needed after a long week last week.  I'm so thankful for a home that is a haven.  I've got 2 more nights here before I head to Indy for Thanksgiving Day, then out to Lincoln, IL for Friday-Sunday.  Enjoy your Monday!

 This weekend, I did a wedding.  Yep, that's right...I am now a wedding planner.  My business is registered with the state of Kentucky, I'm in process on a website, and I've done two weddings under the business name of Sunny Sky.  I do full on wedding planning or day of coordination.  Saturday's wedding was for Erin and Scott and it was a beautiful day.  The ceremony was outside at Cherokee Park on Dog Hill, overlooking a beautiful vista of trees and the steeple from the Presbyterian Seminary.  It was crisp on Saturday here, mid 50s, but gorgeous blue skies.  Really, it was the perfect November weather. 

So, I'm available for booking and can provide references.    If you're getting married and don't have a coordinator, I highly recommend one.  Especially me.  Ha!  Honestly, having someone who can take responsibility for all of the details on the day of your wedding and be there to make sure that things are set up and also solve any crises (I made all of the boutenniers that morning!) that come up is a huge relief.  A wedding planner also acts as a liaison between the reception hall, the cake people, and musicians.  With the wedding outside, it was hard to hear the ceremony going on and the brass quintet didn't really know when to start playing, so my job was to cue them for the unity candle and the recessional.  I also ended up cutting the cake on Saturday.  Just those little things that need done, get done.  Let me know if you're getting married and need someone.  I also am willing to travel as long as my costs to do so are covered.  I can't wait to see how Sunny Sky Events grows and develops over the years to come. 

This morning, I headed to my polling place in what I hoped would be time to vote and get to work on time, or pretty quickly after 9.  I stood in line for 50 min.  I mean, that's about what I stood in line at the last Presidential election, so it wasn't too bad.  The disappointing thing is that my line (A-L) was 10 times longer than the other lines.  My polling place covers two precincts and the other precinct was totally empty of line save 2 or 3 people the entire time I was there.  The M-Z line was very very short as well.  I wish that they would split the alphabet into thirds.  Also, in Kentucky, we had to turn the ballot over and vote on the back.  The people who were in front of my forgot to do that.  I told several people on my way out to not foget the back.  On the back are our judges and non-partisan positions.  Those are important things to vote for! 

I do hope all of you who are eligible to vote did so or are planning to do so today.  Voting is a huge privilege that we have and people who don't vote frustrate me.  Now, we wait and we see what happens.  Lissa is coming over tonight to watch the election results.  Yay!

It's so hard for me to believe that it's already November!  This year has completely flown by.  I feel like it's been a pivotal year for me...so much upheaval and resettling has gone on.  I do appreciate your continued prayers for me.  I feel very much healed and resettled into life as it is.  I've started dating again, which is very scary, but has been good.  It's incredibly casual and I am no where near ready to be someone's girlfriend, let alone in a committed relationship.  But, I'm having fun laughing and meeting new people and enjoying life.  It's been a good experience thus far. 

Emerald Hills is coming along very well.  The electrical panel should be delivered tomorrow and then we'll have electricity and heat in the building in the next week! Woo hoo!  There are still loads of little detail things to be done...painting, staining and clear coating...but it's coming along!  We're on schedule to move in over Christmas and I'm very excited about that.  January will be a very busy month for me, with Launch, then a week in FL to report to supporters, then a week of training in Indy all back-to-back.  Getting moved over Christmas will make life much easier for me. 

I'm looking forward to the holidays!  Walking around in the stores this weekend made me want to decorate for Christmas.  I just love the glow and coziness of it.  One of my favorite things to do is sit on my couch and listen to Christmas music with just the glow of the tree lighting the room.  I love watching it snow and being out in the snow catching flakes on my tongue.  I love the togetherness that comes with Thanksgiving and Christmas, too.  That's probably my favorite part.  I'll get to see a lot of my family at Thanksgiving and am hoping to catch up with friends over Christmas.  It's just a great time of year!

Have a great week.  Oh, and how about them Colts!  WOO HOO!!!