Fellowship of Believers

I love being able to connect with people I do not know. This is often on the basis of a shared faith in Jesus, regardless of denominational differences. It has been no exception here in Columbia! I have loved getting to know some of the dear people here through church, Bible study and just living life. To my delight, I was invited to a 50th birthday lunch for a "new" friend Loretta Goddard, along with four other women (pictured: Beth, Georgia, Marissa, Jan, Loretta, Me). It was such a special time hearing a bit about each person and just spending time talking, laughing and of course eating with other ladies. Their depth and love for Jesus and a desire to know him more has really touched me. I look forward to deepening some of these friendships more over the coming months.

Grace became a "published" poet today! One of her poems was selected to be included in a poetry book by second graders from the school district. It was even read aloud at the "Carnival of the Animals" festival. Grace was very excited to be included in this, and received her own copy of the Carnival of the Animals Poetry Anthology in which her poem is included. Here is her "winning" poem:

Fossils

Fossils, fossils, find them in the ground,

make a picture pretty and brown.

Leaves, fish, and dinosaur bones

die as skeletons on the stones.

We woke up to 43 degrees this morning, and I confess to having put on a thick pair of socks and fuzzy bathrobe to walk around the house! The cold here feels colder than Wisconsin, I have been told because of the moisture. The sun did manage to display its fullness this afternoon which led to a beautiful, second half of the day. Grace and I met Beth Edgar and her girls Mei Mei and Liza at the park to soak up some of the warmth. Although it is nearly November, the leaves have barely begun to change color! I think Christmas is going to sneak up on me if I keep sticking to my past ways of watching the calendar through the changing of the seasons!