Monday morning was a gloomy, cold, rainy day. So what better way to counteract the Monday blues? Wear pink! Abby, Megan and I all showed up to work looking like triplets. I guess its true when they say, "Great minds run on the same track!"

Thanksgiving 2006 - Mom, Grace, Jon, Sara Patrick, Joy, and I all drove down to Yuma, AZ to celebrate Thanksgiving at Donna & Greg's. The food was great... although I do have to admit that the ham was great but I missed not having turkey! What a wonderful time we had spending time together. Alyssa and Joshua are growing so fast and are a joy and so fun to spend time with. We stayed until Saturday afternoon. I am thankful for the time we could all spent together as a family. I taught little Alyssa how to crochet. Gave Joshua piggy back rides and made endless funny faces at the camera! Helped decorate their tree and shared great moments talking, eating, drinking, eating... eating... ! The day ended with a beautiful sunset. As I reflect about the many many things this year that I am so thankful for it seems almost like an endless list. God has been so good and has brought so many people into my life this year! I have made many new friends this year who have touched my life and heart in a very special way! I would like to share a part of an email my friend Desiree sent me this Thanksgiving. It really sums up alot of what I feel... "I'm thankful for the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in our all volunteer military who have made it possible for us to gather this Thanksgiving Day without fear of religious or political persecution. Admiral Nimitz said of the Marines who fought on Iwo Jima during WWII: "Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue." We live in a society that perpetuates selfishness but you won't find that kind attitude on the battlefield these days. We continue to breed heroes, the kind who would lay down their lives for the sake of others. I've been there, I've seen it, I'm humbled by it. This Thanksgiving, please take some time to pray for those who are serving overseas, as well as for the families they've left behind." Thanksgiving 2006 has come and gone but my heart is still brimming with thanks for all of the wonderful friends, family and blessings the Lord has given me.

You can see all the pictures from Thanksgiving here: http://chiarapics.spaces.live.com

Fall colors... are something that I have not ever experienced. There are really none here in California and certainly none in Colombia growing up. Today at Sunset Beach I did see some amazing fall colors. I'd like to think of this as California fall colors... beautiful shades of gold and orange... Have I ever mentioned that I love sunsets?

A few months ago I was visiting with a friend when this song came on the radio. I am a pretty new listener to country music but I think what I like the most are the stories they tell. This one just touched my heart... In the grand scheme of things when I think I know what's best I need to remind myself that God is almighty and sees the big picture...

"Unanswered Prayers" sung by Garth Brooks

Just the other night at a hometown football game

My wife and I ran into my old high school flame

And as I introduced them the past came back to me

And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be

She was the one that I'd wanted for all times

And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine

And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then

I'd never ask for anything again

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams

And I could tell that time had changed me

In her eyes too it seemed

We tried to talk about the old days

There wasn't much we could recall

I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all

And as she walked away and I looked at my wife

And then and there I thanked the good Lord For the gifts in my life

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Please remember to say thanks to our veterans and keep all of our men and women who are serving in your prayers!

Remember to vote! It is an honor, privilege and duty that we should exercise.

I took this picture early this morning. It was so clear you could see the downtown LA buildings.

A prayer found in the official Marine Corps Field Devotional Book, p. 17.

It is called "My Morning Offering" ... O God, for another day, for another morning, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve You, I am truly grateful. Do...this day free me: from all fears of the future, from all anxiety about tomorrow, from all bitterness towards anyone, from all cowardice in the face of danger, from all laziness in the face of work, from all failure before opportunity, from all weakness when Your power is at hand. But fill me with Love that knows no barrier, with Sympathy that reaches all, with Courage that cannot be shaken, with Faith strong enough for the darkness, with Strength sufficient for my tasks, with Loyalty to Your Kingdom's goal, with Wisdom to meet life's complexities, with Power to lift me to you. Be with me for another day, and use me as You will. Amen.

Dinner at Adam's Last night Adam invited Grace, Jon and I over for Korean BBQ at his place. Mmm...everything was so good! We had mung bean pancakes, spicy tofu, sprouts, lettuce, mustard greens and sesame leaves to make wraps. He BBQed the beef strips, mushrooms, onions, fresh garlic. Then we topped off the wraps with a delicious red sauce. It was great to try so many interesting new flavors... everything was very good.

Over dinner we all reminiced over all our world travels. Grace & Jon brought almond biscotti and a very special dessert wine they purchase in Italy, that topped it all off perfectly. Ever dipped your biscotti into your wine? You should try it!