We are Thankful

My last post was more of a venting for me! But here I am, alive to blog again.  That's not to say that there aren't more close calls to report from here, but been there, and I will wait for awhile before going back to that topic. Just assume we need prayer everyday when we drive over here. :)

Thanksgiving was wonderful.  We had our dear friends from Abu Dhabi come and stay with us. The Kenneys who moved to Oman a year before we came to Doha, and the Gardebleds who are in the process of moving to Saudi. It has been ages since we were all together. There were many years when we celebrated every Thanksgiving together and other holidays, too!
 Barry moved to Saudi several months ago and they have been working to get Pattie's residence permit to enable her to join him there. They were especially thankful this holiday as her permit has come thru and she will be joining him on Dec. 15!  We are all excited for them. I'm sure they will have fun stories to share and I hear the driving is worse over there. Enough said. :)  (Barry was with us for Thanksgiving but I only had one picture and it wasn't a good one, so I am not putting it here. Sorry, Barry. )

After Thanksgiving I turned around and flew to Abu Dhabi for a kitchen shower for my soon to be daughter in law,Talitha.   It was a very quick trip but so worth it.  In the short 36 hours I was there I had great time with Russell, great time with Talitha's family, and saw very special friends...ON top of  a great shower hosted by Pattie. (She is my hero.  That woman is the energizer bunny..artist extraordinaire, , preparing for a major move ...and hosting a great shower!)

Thankful for these friends and many others all over the world who have blessed and continue to be such a blessing in our lives.

 Everyone was very generous at the Shower and Russell and Talitha received wonderful gifts.  Something that touched me deeply was her excitement over the Calvary Baptist Church cookbook I included with our gift. I love how she values family, and history and that part of Russell that she has yet to really meet.  This summer they hope to get to Kansas to hang out with the Kansas Gang.  I remember my first summer there.  I'm very excited they are planning a visit.

We just hit one year since Mom Hildebrand passed away.  I wish Talitha could have met her. I know Mom would have loved her.  But still, we have so much to be thankful for... and we are so happy for Russell.  Lots going on between now                                                                                       and Jan. 16!