Christmas lights... A few years ago when Grace moved to Fullerton she discovered a street where the neighbors hang some pretty unique Christmas lights every year. They make globes with colored lights and hang them randomly from the tall eucalyptus trees that line the street. The picture does not do it any justice (and my battery was dying so I only got one shot). But if you get a chance to see these unique lights in person it is worth it! If you are driving east on Chapman Ave. turn left onto Yale Street .... and enjoy!

Friday was a wonderful time of celebration as we all gathered to celebrate Abby & Michael's graduation. It has been a long hard road but the Lord is faithful. Abby's parents (TN), Michael's mom (FL), friends and professors were all part of this wonderful get together. Later we went out to have dinner. It was a great time of fellowship.

Christmas Cookie Exchange 2006

more pics here:

http://chiarapics.spaces.live.com/

Baking cookies... This morning after seeing an amazingly beautiful sunrise & getting up early to go for my 2 mile jog I went over to Abby & Michael's place for a "Baking Day". Abby and I spent most of the day cooking and baking coconut macaroons, chocolate peanut butter whoopi pies, sugar cookies, and a birthday cake. It was so fun to do this together while chatting and listening to Christmas music on the radio. I love baking!!

BBW Christmas Luncheon - Paula was the speaker at today's luncheon. I am so blessed to work with such a great group of ladies!

Sometimes God sends special people into our lives to bless us along the way. One of these dear people is Ruth Hoorn. I met Ruth a little over a year ago at a ladies tea at church. We happened to sit at the same table... well I guess it didn't just "happen". God put Ruth in my life to pray for me. Everytime I see her she lets me know she is praying for me (and asks if I have met a nice boy!). I saw her again yesterday morning at our Christmas tea. During the tea she shared about her life growing up in Germany and what traditions they celebrated during Christmas. She has had a difficult year with her invalid husband and has recently recovered from hip surgery. Through it all she was thankful of God's faithfulness. What an encouragement to me... It was so nice to talk to her and know that she is still praying for me.

The "udderly moolicious" birthday party for Naomi! A fun time was had by all as we celebrated with delicious "black cows", cow patties, brownies and black and white M&M's.