Thanksgiving and Advent

This Thanksgiving was the first Thanksgiving I have spent away from family.   I was in the hospital recovering from my reverse ostomy surgery.   Thankfully, the children spent time at their sister's home with the Rutherfords, and were well taken care of while Rusty and I stayed at the hospital.    Fortunately, Cindy brought in leftovers for Rusty while I continued on a teaspoon of ice per hour that day.   Yet, I was so thankful to be on the other side of this cancer journey and on the way to recovery.   Now, I am home and this is our first "real" full day back in school.     I wanted to share some things we are doing.    For years, we have done "Family Celebrations" which we will continue this year in the evening.  I had thrown the worn out book two years ago thinking I'd pick up before last year to find out it was no longer being sold.   I found some used copies on Amazon or ebay last year and bought a copy for myself and my daughter to use with her family.  We usually do that in the evening before bed times.  Rusty created the whole felt tree and the ornaments when Cindy was young and we have used it over the years.

In the morning devotionals in December I believe we will do Anne Voskamp's Jesse Tree from her site that you can get to here.  I also ran across a site for advent wreath that you could could use by clicking the button below.



Also, we usually learn hymns after Bible time in the morning so of course we will be learning and singing great Christmas hymns in December.

This weekend the little ones and I are going to make a countdown to Christmas craft that I got from Sheri Graham's site "Homeschool Freebie of the Day."   You can see this craft by clicking here. 

We will also work on our speaking or presentation skills by the children taking turns each day reading John Piper's advent book which you can find for yourself here. 

We will also do lots of crafts and baking along with school this month.   We usually make lots of gifts in jars to give away to guests and family.   Praise found a great pinterest idea that I cannot post in case my family reads this and knows what we are up to for simple family gifts that we want to make.  On my calendar today, I plan to write in days to make goodies for our neighbors, our post office workers, and the fire/police station that is less than a mile away.   Otherwise, I may just travel that road of good intentions.  

So, that's what things are looking like in the Tordoff home.  My Aunt Joan, Fran & Mike left back home the beginning of the week after staying a few days to help the children out with the painting projects around the house, and meals while I was recovering.  Thanks again for all the prayers and support.   Looking forward to all the Lord has for us this coming season.   May we all live expectant lives seeking our Savior Jesus, and that our excitement for the things of God reaches far past the Christmas season because He is the God of every season, day, and moment.

"To prepare our hearts for Christmas, 

we must cultivate the spirit of expectancy."
[Handel H. Brown]

Free Free Free.....Thanking Jesus I am Cancer Free

Well, the results are in.   No more cancer!!!   We are so excited and so thankful for all those who supported us on this cancer journey this past year.   I have one more surgery next Wednesday to reverse my ostomy and then regular crazy big family days will be back in order after I heal up and probably after the holidays.   The prayers, gifts of food and money, the love shown to us this past year has been a blessing to me and my family.   I wouldn't suggest getting this ill to find out how much you are loved, but it was a plus when things seemed so dark.  Meanwhile, praying whether to go back to work after the holidays part time or grow my book business to make up for lost income and growing medical bills this past year.   Would appreciate prayers for wisdom.  

Thanking Jesus today for walking this road with us and opening my eyes to the world of cancer.  Hoping to be a support to others as folks have been to me from here on out.   Part of me would like never to enter the doors of the oncologists office again, yet I hope to make it a part of our family's ministry to visit with snacks regularly.  

Cat Scan Thursday....Results pending

Waiting is so hard.  You would think of a year of interruptions (chemo appointments, radiation appointments, more chemo appointments) that I would be more patient.   My cat scan was Thursday and I really wanted the results right then.   Oh well, a few more days and we will hopefully find out I am cancer free!   Woo hoo.  

So what will be different?   Facing death I realized that although I had total peace if I was to meet my Maker there are still many areas in my life I would like to improve.   Improve because it will get me into heaven?   NO!    Jesus already made a way for me by calling me to Himself and me answering "YES Lord!"   But I want to be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, teacher, niece, Christian than I have been.   I want to be a better steward of my time and money.   I want to laugh even more, give more, stress less, work on being more organized while juggling all my responsibilities.   I want to be more like Jesus and leave this world a better place because of His great love for us.   I want to point to Him more and me less by considering my motives in all the things I do.   I want to be more thankful, because I have been given much.  

Stay tuned, I will hopefully posting good news Tuesday.   Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful fall day.    We are LOVING this weather...open windows, fresh breezes, sunny skies, and starry nights.

For All The Blessings Of The Year Hymn

For all the blessings of the year,
For all the friends we hold so dear,
For peace on earth, both far and near,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For life and health, those common things,
Which every day and hour brings,
For home, where our affection clings,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For love of Thine, which never tires,
Which all our better thought inspires,
And warms our lives with heavenly fires,
We thank Thee, Lord.