When we got to Jill's, we unpacked the car and then jumped into the car to go pick up Claire at school. Claire wanted us to see her room and her desk!
Adam brought Sophia home from cello lessons and picked up Claire to take her to ballet practice. This is a busy family! Hannah came home for just a bit before heading back to the school for her program "Night of Silence".
After supper, Jill, Allen and I went to the Worship Circle. Worship leaders from 5 various churches lead people in the community once a month in singing and worship. And Sophie is a part of it, playing cello and singing with the group! Anyone in the community can come and sing.
This is a small taste of it.
Wish we could have stayed longer, but Hannah's Night of Silence was starting so we headed there. Adam's parents and grandmother were also there. A pretty spectacular program!
It involves the symphony, jazz groups and the various choirs. Our hearts were filled with JOY!
The next day, Claire had the "Ice Cafe" open for orders.
We went to the Arts Center for the Festival of Trees.
Various trees with different themes were auctioned off.
Cookies were decorated.
The Cardinal Singers sang. LOVE!
We took a carriage ride!
Claire even got to have the reins for awhile! Such joy!
We all went out to eat at a new place for us.
Joy and laughter!
In the evening, Claire had her ballet program.
It was in an old theatre.
LOVE it!!
Adam took this photo. He has portrait mode on his new phone.
She brings JOY!
Early the next morning, Allen and I left to head home. Al had to go to work on Monday. We went through a drive-through for some breakfast. So did a successful hunter.
I texted Jill that I hoped in the midst of all the craziness and hustle and bustle, that she would find JOY.
Shortly after that, we passed a house that had this sign in front of it.
Then we listened to Adam's sermon on-line.
He spoke about joy.
(see Sophia on cello?)
We listened to our church on-line.
The children had their Christmas program (How I hated missing it!!)
followed by Jack's sermon - you guessed it, also on JOY!
God trying to tell me something?
We passed a house that had a train in their back yard, complete with a caboose! I bet those people who did it find lots of joy in it! Entertaining their grandkids perhaps and having parties there!
We had to get back home all in one day, but some time when not pressed for time, I HAVE to go up that hill and take a look-see at these homes with such wonderful architecture!!
South of Des Moines, it began icing up.
But joyfully, things did not get slick and we made it home in the fastest time we have ever done this road trip. 11 1/2 hours! Yay!
That evening, I was reading and my bookmark had Psalm 16:11 on it:
"...You will fill me with JOY in Your presence..."
I mentioned to some people that I sometimes will take a verse and emphasize one word and repeat emphasizing another word, and so forth...
YOU will fill me with joy in Your presence.
You WILL fill me with joy in Your presence. (a promise)
You will FILL me with joy in Your presence.
You will fill ME with joy in Your presence.
You will fill me WITH JOY in Your presence.
You will fill me with joy IN YOUR PRESENCE!!
Time with the Lord is the key to JOY! Circumstances can go awry, so keep your eye on Him. Keep your hand in His.
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