A Memorable NC Thanksgiving!

The Tombrella family was blessed to be able to spend our Thanksgiving holiday with our precious friends, the Childers! We made the 5 hour trek (thanks to traffic) to Wilson, NC where Jeanna and Justin now live. We had a wonderful time all being together and watching our little ones play together. Jeanna and I had a great time preparing the Thanksgiving feast together on Thursday! It was a delicious meal and a lot of fun enjoying it together with them! Jeanna is expecting their second child in just a couple of weeks, but she didn't miss a beat in the preparations of the meal, or in having energy enough to do all the activities. We shopped together a little of Friday (our favorite pasttime to do together!), took the kiddos to Chucky Cheese on Saturday for lunch, and got to just hang out a lot together. She also allowed me to help in her Christmas decorating which is always something I look forward to at my own home each year, but am not really doing in MD this year.

Thank you Jeanna and Justin, for a very fun and memorable time over the Thanksgiving holiday! You guys mean so much to us and we are truly thankful for you and your friendship! God has used you in many ways in our lives and he has blessed us through you more than you know! We love you guys!

Family Photo Disaster...I mean...Shoot!

Well our plan to get a family photo taken for Christmas was quite an adventure... as you can imagine. Two, two year old little boys, in a park, with a pond, and lots of leaves just does not equal a perfect family photograph! I am now officially convinced that those family pictures you see in professional portrait studios must be enhanced...especially if small children are in them and they appear to be looking AT the camera AND smiling! Absolutely an impossible task in our lives right now...but we had fun...I think! ;)

Here are just a few of our "moments" caught on film...thought you might enjoy seeing them! And yes, after what sounded like a million snaps of the camera, we did manage to capture one or two pictures that will achieve our goal of a family photo suitable for Christmas gifts! You'll have to wait 'til Christmas to see those though! :)

And thanks for your patience with us Jess! You are the best for taking time out to take the pictures for us!

Almost good enough...Sam is looking for a rock, as usual! :)

Rob thought a picture of the boys tossing leaves on us would be cute....
didn't quite work out though.

Fun idea, but limbs in the way and Joel hating life...not a good mix.

And yet look at Sam...almost "angelic" looking isn't he....so cute!

Throwing leaves yet again...

36 Years...

No, it's not my birthday...I'm not that old yet! Today is my parents 36th wedding anniversary! 36 years ago they said "I do", for better or worse, and, by God's grace, they meant it! Their marriage is a true example of God's grace and faithfulness. They have depended on him for all things and he has helped them! I have wonderful childhood memories of my parents outwardly expressing their love for each other with lots of hugs, kisses, apologies, weekends away, nights out, and meaningful gifts. It truly was, and still is, an example of what a godly marriage should look like. They both sacraficially loved each other as my mom helped my dad, and my dad led my mom and our family.

Thank you Mom and Dad, for exemplifying Ephesians 5, setting an example as to what a marriage should look like, and loving the Savior! I am so blessed to be your daughter!

And thank you, Lord, for my parents and for blessing them with 36 wonderful years of marriage! Continue to be glorified in their lives and marriage, and bless them with many more years together! All praise and glory to you!

Late Night Reflections on the Gospel

This week I have been trying to start each day thinking on and soaking in the gospel. Last Saturday at our monthly PC Wives meeting, Julie Purswell shared on spiritual disciplines. It was excellent! Very encouraging, inspiring, and challenging! She shared that often times in the past, her struggles have stemmed from being to self-focused, and not gospel-focused. The gospel should always leave us with hope! She even gave all the ladies a copy of A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent! Then, the very next day, Jeff Purswell, her husband and dean of the PC, spoke at church on 1Cor. 15:1-11 (v.3,4) "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures..." He did an excellent job in reminding us that the gospel is: essential, unchanging, and transforming! My heart was freshly awakened to the power of the gospel and its necessity in my life everyday!

Then one day this week I read in Valley of Vision a reminder, once again, of the gospel. This puritans words have truly become the cry of my heart as well.

Grant me to hear thy voice assuring me:

that by thy stripes I am healed,

that thou wast bruised for my iniquities,

that thou hast been made sin for me

that I might be righteous in thee,

that all my grievous sins, my manifold sins,

are all forgiven,

buried in the ocean of thy concealing blood.

I am guilty, but pardoned,

lost, but saved,

wandering, but found,

sinning, but cleansed.

Keep me always clinging to the cross.

My "trials" in light of the cross, don't look like much, and remind me that if the One who lives inside me can conquer sin and death, he can most certainly handle any and all of my situations.

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (2Cor. 9:15).

"...yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me." 1Cor. 15:10b)

GOOD NEWS!

Colby has been found! Holly called Animal Control and they had a dog that fit his description...after acquiring his shot records from the vet, she headed there to pick him up! We are very grateful that he was found and that Holly and Aaron cared enough to go the extra mile to help bring him home! Now we pray that he stays put (at least until we return!) and that his seizures stop. For now though, we are just praising the Lord for the recovery of our sweet "Colby-dog"! :)

Sad News

Today we found out from our friends that our beloved pet of 5 years, Colby, is missing. :( After a good cry, I calmed down enough for Rob to tell me what they think might have happened. In the past year Colby has experienced seizures off and on and so he may have had one and run away in his confused state. Holly (our dear friend who, along with her husband Aaron, is renting our house and taking care of Colby in Texas) heard some strange noises last night in the back yard...almost like someone was back there. They have no evidence that there was, but it really scared Holly. Colby never really barked which he always does when he hears something or someone unknown to him comes in the yard. Needless to say, we really just don't know what happened to him. Please pray for his quick and safe return. He has always been a sweet and gentle dog that we truly love and have missed. "Come home Colby!"

A Spiderman Halloween!

Yesterday was Halloween (in case you didn't know...ha-ha), and instead of taking the boys trick-or-treating, we opted for the indoor "Harvest Party" at Covenant Life Church! It was a lot of fun for the boys! They got to play games and get candy! Sam started out a bit hesitant, but by the second or third game, he was totally into it! Joel jumped right into the fun without a second thought! They both just loved wearing their costumes and seeing the other kids in their costumes! "Wook at that Mommy!", was the phrase of the evening! Wish you all could have been here to share in the fun with us!

Two little Spidermen racing to the car!

So excited to get in the van and go to church for the candy!

Ring toss....didn't get any on this attempt at the game, but candy was still rewarded!

Eager Spiderman!

It's not a ramp to walk on Joel, ROLL the balls!

All my boys!

Tic-Tac-Toe TOSS..not throw. Gotta love little boys! :)

Sam was serious about his turn...he actually did really well at it!