Merci in November

Life in the Booth household is always crazy, hectic and fun when all seven of us are back under the same roof. With me living at home for a few more weeks and my sisters back from college, Thanksgiving break was great – we even managed a family photo WITH the dogs!

This is my first time home for Thanksgiving in two years. My first year, I spent it across the ocean, living in France. (Side note: France does not sell Turkeys. We bought rotisserie chicken instead to feed to our 29 guests). My team and I hosted a feast for our new friends and explained the meaning of the American holiday. It was a great foundational event that allowed us to get to know our neighbors and some of the locals, on more of a relational level.

Thanksgiving in France 2010

Last year, I spent Thanksgiving in Orlando. I specifically chose to stay because I had randomly met (God’s divine plan) my UK friend, Meena a couple weeks prior. She and I had talked about many things, including American culture. I thought Hello, what other country celebrates AMERICAN Thanksgiving (Keyword: American… I know Canada has a Canadian thanksgiving – a bit different)? Invite Meena to celebrate with you! Which as we all now know, was somewhat of a pivotal point in Meena’s life as she met Bryn and other Christians during our Thanksgiving party!

This year, I was nice to be back home, celebrating with extended family, playing games, watching movies, and doing some Black Friday shopping with my siblings… (Though, I did feel a bit guilty going to Target at 10 pm on Thanksgiving night….) Traditions are still lots of fun.

Waiting in line at Target

Living at home in Michigan this fall, I’ve realized I have much to be thankful for: being home for Thanksgiving, my growing family, having cool hair and knowing how to do it, my new car, the ability to vote, a nice camera to take family pictures, freedom, watching football, meeting friends like Meena and seeing a change in her life, my support team, the use of all five senses, traveling for my job,  and great friends, among many other things. God is so good and always faithful. #Iamthankful

Seasons

I can wait. But, at the same time… I can’t. But I will cause I kind of have to. But I want to because I should as it keeps me focused. (Man, that rambles like Paul’s difficult-to-follow-writings in Romans 7:14-20.)

I’ve been learning I need to enjoy the season of life I am in. Currently, that means living back at home, with my parents and younger brothers (no longer little), in the cool -Michigan - fall, with limited community, relying on the Lord to provide financially through the giving of others. Sometimes, my sisters are home on the weekends, which is awesome. It’s not my ideal world, but for this season, I want to enjoy it cause God knows it’s good for me.

When it comes to times of the year, autumn is my favorite season.  I could take pictures all day long of the changing beauty. Fall is something I don’t really get to experience in Florida. Last year, a friend and her kids (Bethany Montgomery!) mailed me some fall leaves. It made my week when I got that letter! This fall, I am thankful that God has me here in Michigan to experience it.

Three times this week, I got to spend time with my cute niece Addison. She is starting to walk on her own, pointing to everything thing and asking, “What’s that?”.  She impresses me each time with the amount of sign language she knows! Remember when you were a baby? How frustrating it was to communicate but you couldn’t speak yet? (Yeah, me either… but!) Being on this side of the communication wall, it is so cool to communicate with her as she uses the motion of her hands… at age 16 months! She even creates sentences out of them – “Please” “More” “Milk”. 

It makes me think of that movie Baby Genius. The babies eventually “cross over” to adult communication abilities. I wonder if, to some extent, that biologically really happens (and maybe that’s a dumb and obvious fact I just don’t know)… Either way, I love watching this season of her life unfold as she learns to communicate.

Also while being at home, I’m meeting up with lots of supporters, family and friends. It’s great to catch up on life and reconnect with people who I don’t get to see on a regular basis. Especially as I will be moving 22 hours away to work in Orlando. This is a season that I want to learn to appreciate and be thankful for – reflecting on all the people who make it possible for me to be a missionary.

Seasons come and go. It’s good to enjoy where you are and what God is teaching you in that time. It is also important to remember that He is faithful through out all seasons and stages of life. Praise Him for that!

“8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6: 8-10

Fall

Fall here in Orlando is very different than the traditional Falls of Michigan I have grown up with. In fact, it's more like August weather daily - with the addition to daily showers at 4:30 p.m. When flying home last weekend (I was in on of my closest friends wedding) I took this picture:

Cool huh?

Anyways, recently, I have found myself "grieving" a little for the "normal" falls I have grown accustom to. The reds, oranges, yellows and browns of the changing leaves;

a glass of cold apple cider and a spice donut after a day of picking apples at Erwin's Orchard;

raking and jumping into the big piles of crunchy, fallen leaves;

even going to a football game or 10.

I hope you appreciate these things even more just for my sake! :)