Closed Doors, Open Windows

Welcome to my "Open Window"...a place of hope, encouragement, and adventure as we journey down the road from "Closed Doors" to the new opportunities God places in our pathway. I hope you will take the time to go back and follow the trail of mixed blessings and fears, failures and triumphs from the past and side-trips in the present. Perhaps it will conjure up some of your own special memories, and be an invitation for you to share with others. I look forward to spending this time with you!

Friday, November 1, 2024

It's November!

Time for the Calendar Roll Call! John Sloane's Country Seasons is up first above and below:

Don't you just love those wild turkeys in the corn field? I think that's a corn field, with the corn shucks all stacked up like that. It doesn't look like hay, so I'm thinking corn. Anyone who is more agrarian than I am may know better...But I love the picture either way! Those turkeys just don't know how popular they will be this month! Gobble Gobble Gobble! Fly away quick!!

Next in line is the Thomas Kincade calendar for November...I love this painting...do you see the deer in the field next to the stream? Reminds me of where we just came from last week in the mountains, although our mountains weren't quite that rocky or steep, but it sure was beautiful!

And yes, I love this verse...no matter what we do or say, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give Him thanks and praise...and leave the outcome to Him.

That's how I felt last night as I handed out our Halloween treats with the little Scripture "prayer cards" inside the bag. I committed them to the Lord and prayed that whoever received them would be blessed and drawn closer to the Lord by seeing His Word.

Each baggie had a prayer card and at least 5 pieces of a variety of candies. I know I passed out about 60 of them! The children may not have understood them, but I hope the parents will read the verse to the child and think about what it says. We can certainly pray that way. The rest is left up to God.

Aren't they adorable?

These two children were the first two of our trick or treaters! Aren't they sweet? We had many more, and a lot of older kids this year, like middle school age. Lots of parents too.

One sweet little girl of about 3-4 years old just came up close to me and looked into my face and then she reached out and hugged me! I was so overcome by that. I pray she saw Jesus in my face. That is what I was hoping for.

We didn't go all out with decorations...just this funny scarecrow and the wooden pumpkin and ghost...

And Mr. Jack O Lantern was smiling at everyone:

Oh, and Lily Grace, with her dog Bailey the Wonder Dog, was dressed up as a Hippie Rock Star...

And they had a really good time entertaining the kiddos...

As it got darker, the outdoor lights came on and the house and yard were aglow with a welcoming light.

One teenage boy, as he was actually thanking me for the candy, said, "Oh, your house looks awesome!"

I was flabbergasted! I know many people do much more elaborate displays and spooky themes, and ours was just simple stuff. But he turned back around as he was walking away to thank me and tell me that! Reminds me of the story of the Ten Lepers whom Jesus healed, and as they went away only one returned to thank Jesus...(Luke 17:11-19). Now, I'm not saying that no one else thanked me during the evening, because actually many did. Especially the little children...they turned back and waved and said "thank you", and one little one said "Be safe!" Apparently she had heard that spoken to her several times and thought it was something important to tell me! I loved it. Reminds me again of another Bible Story, found in Matthew 19:13-15, where Jesus blesses little children:

"13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there."

Please don't misunderstand me, because I am not trying to equate Halloween Trick or Treating with Jesus blessing the little children, except that again, we are Christ's ambassadors to the world. We are the Light of Christ here on earth. If our intention is to bless the children and show them love, and we are committing our works to the glory of God, then yes, we are to be as "Christ" to them...and let God take care of the rest of it. We are planting seeds of Christ's love by faith. I am still praying for them today.

I guess I kind of got side-tracked there. Moving right along and back to the calendars for November:

This one certainly reminds me of where we just were on our vacation in the mountains of North Georgia! So beautiful!!

Happy Teapot Calendar! I love this photo with the fire in the fireplace, delicious cookies ready to be eaten, an open book, fresh flowers, and a very lovely teapot and cup of tea...what a cozy and comforting setting...I could certainly appreciate that, couldn't you?

Apparently the teapot is made by Royal Doulton, and this tells more about it:

Here's a quote from Jane Austin, for all you Jane Austin Fans:

Now, this Susan Branch calendar comes up with some "interesting" pictures, to say the least. LOL. This is so funny...but I'm not sure if I am going to like looking at that poor naked turkey body for the whole month of November! LOL. It makes me think of what my mother said once, that she hated to handle a whole plucked turkey or chicken because they reminded her too much of a baby! So...now I can't unsee that and may have to cover up this picture. LOL.

I do like this quote below, however, and I think it actually comes from a Christmas song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...", but I can see where it also applies to Thanksgiving...where we have "faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us, once more..."

November is a big month: We turn our clocks back this weekend, We must VOTE on Tuesday if you haven't already (we have!), There's Veteran's Day on the 11th, which also happens to be Benton and Rose's anniversary! Then there's Thanksgiving on the 28th! Really late this year! I may have to start my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving this year! LOL.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, do you already know where you will spend it? Are you hosting or traveling elsewhere? We really haven't made any definite plans yet. I'm waiting to hear what all the rest of the family is doing...whether they want to come here or have us go there, but we really aren't crazy about traveling on Thanksgiving (or Christmas either), so we shall see what develops. The main thing is, wherever we go, we need to make sure that it is a day of Thanks-giving. Not just a lot of turkey and dressing and good food and pies, but a day to celebrate the blessings that God has given us, and to share that joy and blessing with others, whether it be family or friends, or maybe even strangers that you don't know that well yet...Share the love, share the hope, share the joy, and give thanks to God with a grateful heart!