If you asked me at the beginning of the month what the next four weeks would look like, I’m not sure I could accurately predict. From a week at the beach with friends, to Thanksgiving with family, and all the in-between, November flew by.
The day after Halloween seems to mark the beginning of the holiday season with the start of Christmas music everywhere you go and all things Christmas decking the halls of each and every store. We lose sight of Fall and the chance to pause in gratitude for all of our blessings. I pray you created your own season of gratitude before you jumped into the frenzy.
For me, this looks like not getting caught up in the idea of “I have to” when it comes to holiday traditions or gatherings. What does it look like for you?
Let’s walk through our November memories together. What are you loving, learning, and leaning into as we wrap up Fall and head into Winter? Join me for a few of my November snapshots and sweet memories.
In November, I learned …
Again how the gift of friendship looks like life around the table. The chance for communion, conversation, and picking up where we left off. I spent a week with friends at the beach. This is not a usual November activity, but it is one I will remember for always. Click HERE to read more about our sweet time together.
The joy of family is never one to take for granted. Any time the opportunity arises to spend with family, seize it. Family gatherings are God’s way of reminding you what it looked for Jesus to meet with friends, family, and complete strangers. The time is refreshing, perhaps challenging, but a treasure of gratefulness and grace.
How new jobs at libraries can have snow/ice days. They are not just for teachers! 😉
I am loving …
Christy Nockels CD, The Thrill of Hope. The CD first came out in 2016, but it is new to me. Give yourself the gift of some new music to enter into the waiting space with God. This CD is a beautiful compilation of songs meant to prepare and open our hearts to Jesus.
Enjoy this audio version of one of Christy’s songs from the album.
Going to the beach in November. I highly recommend it.
Shelly Miller’s book, Rhythms of Rest: Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World. Shelly’s beautiful words fill me with possibility and assurance that Sabbath rest is not just an idea, but a reality. There are so many words I could share right now, but I have no doubt that you will encounter “just right” quotes here and there in my upcoming posts.
Coffee. You probably knew that, but this is not just any coffee. The name alone makes me happy–Buckeye Candy. Oh happiness!
Reading. For me it is a renewed chance to explore my love of reading. Working at a library provides a lot of inspiration.
Digging into the birth of Jesus and the backstory in the Gospel of Luke. I joined Beth Steffaniak’s Facebook community as we study Chapters 1 and 2 of Luke.
[Tweet “As one month wraps up and another gears up, I look back at what I learned, loved, and leaned into.”]
Finally, I am leaning into …
The chance to not only prepare my home and heart for Christmas, but embrace a true pause in this Advent season. It is my favorite time of year. God recognizes this in me and has gently grown a desire in me to explore and understand it on a deeper level. In my first Advent post this past Sunday I share,
God knows me best. He saw my focus on bigger and better and raised it with His invitation to peace and stillness.
Click HERE to read that post and join me each Sunday for an invitation to slow down during this holiday season.
How surrender blossoms in obedience. As the year comes to a close, I am taking a closer look at the unfolding of my year of surrender. I have a feeling that God’s call for me to surrender will not end on December 31.
What did you learn, love, and lean into this November? Share in the comments.
Blessings as we prepare for all that is coming!
P.S. Did you remember that the linkup now opens at 7:00 AM EST every Tuesday? I am hoping this is a more convenient time for all of you.
Also, I have an Advent series that began this past Sunday and will continue through the Sunday before Christmas.
Finally, this post may contain affiliate links.
Photo by Trifon Yurukov on Unsplash
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Buckeye Candy Coffee? Sounds delish! Looks like a beautiful month for you, Mary. A visit to the beach in November is awesome. I love going in the evenings best.
I love Shelly Miller’s book, “Rhythm of Rest,” and have read it twice. I’m about to read it again because our church has been having a discussion regarding Sabbath and rest.
The coffee is yummy! November was a gift. I was blessed with some amazing memories. I hope you will share more about what you think of Rhythms of Rest as well as the results of your discussions with your church.
What a fun month of quiet, heartfelt celebrations, Mary! Thank you for sharing Christy Nockels with us! She reminds me a bit of Twila Paris – what a voice! I’m going to enjoy having Christy as part of my Christmas this year. Blessings!
Thank you for stopping by. Christy has been one of my favorites for awhile, but discovering this Christmas CD was a gift. Enjoy!
I got your book this week! I’m finishing up a couple of others so I can start it. Looking forward to it.
I’m so glad you received the book. I pray it leads you on a journey to Brave Faith.
I love going to the beach in November. And December. And January…. Never a bad time! 🙂 How fun that you are working at the library. I’ve always thought I would enjoy that too.
I would go to the beach anytime of the year too. Going in November was new for me and so perfect. I could see you working at a library especially with your love of reading. Blessings!
Buckeye candy coffee? Yum! laurensparks.ent
It is yummy! Thanks for stopping by!
I loved having family around me this Thanksgiving–including three unexpected teenage guests who brought loads of laughter to our vacation!
There is nothing like laughter to make a celebration even better. Thanks for sharing!
I always love your monthly musings, Mary. We always have our Thanksgiving family meal together on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year everyone made it, all 33 of us! It fills our hearts with joy to watch our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren together. Ever since I read Lori Schumaker’s Surrendered Hearts last week, the longing in my heart has deepened to live surrendered to God’s plan and perfect timing. Advent blessings and hugs to you!
Thirty-three people around the table. What an amazing celebration. I have seen many people sharing Lori’s new book and it sounds like it is getting favorable reviews. May we all strive to live surrendered to all God calls us to.
Dear Mary,
Thank you for sharing that beautiful song. What precious thoughts, as God calls us to still our hearts to prepare for Him. I am so thankful that He does draw us to lean in closer to Him. May you be blessed as you share such precious words for us here!
That is one of my new favorite songs. I love all of Christy Nockels’ music and was thrilled to find this CD this year. I receive the blessings of Jesus as I work to honor Him in this space.
I love your question: What did you learn, love, and lean into? Such a great way to remember and stop to pause each month. I learned that small steps can lead to big progress, and that sometimes you have to take a plunge of faith (like inviting 8 people to read and write an endorsement for my book!) I loved Thanksgiving with my family, and I’m leaning into what God wants me to learn this week during our MOVE!
I’m excited about your book. I pray it will be a blessing too many. I imagine that you found just the right people to endorse your book. As for moving, I hope it goes smoothly. Are you staying in the states?
November has always been one of my favorite months of the year. It starts with my birthday and ends with a time to remember to be thankful for all of the blessings in my life. This year, I am learning to look at things with hope, remembering to cling to God through challenging times. I’m also learning how to parent again with the sweet addition of our two grandchildren living with us now. The world has been spinning around us but through it all God’s fingerprints have been obvious. I am feeling his tug on my heart as He is encouraging me to find…no MAKE the time to be still and focus on Him.
As for wonderful experiences this month, we spent a week (as a family) with our son, his wife and brand new baby. Thanksgiving had the addition of nieces and cousins and love and laughter! We even enjoyed some snow on Thanksgiving Day!
Yesterday, my daughter and I got out the Christmas decorations and are enjoying transforming our home for the Christmas season!
As for things I’m wanting to do…I want to keep my eyes looking at Jesus, spend time each day before Him, and maybe even open up my blog again.
May this season bring you much joy!
This is so beautiful. Sharing how God is working in your life is such a treasure. Redemption is written everywhere in your words. I am joining you in prayer for your family and for many chances to be still with God. Love and hugs!
I’ve seen the Christmas lights on and Christmas trees up in peoples homes, and wonder too, where did November go? It still seems too soon. Yet, God is always calling us no matter the season, to be and rest, and serve with Him. Thanks for that reminder! And like you, the word I chose to focus on this year I have a feeling will be flowing into next year. And that’s okay!
Christmas is a beautiful time of year with so much hope and joy, but when we lose sight of the other seasons that God created, we lose sight of Him. I am joining you in remembering that God is calling us in every season.
How nice to have snow days! We like to hold off on Christmas, too, until after Thanksgiving, to deliberately hold on to a season of thankfulness.
I imagine the snow day last week was a gift and it won’t happen anytime soon. It sure made me happy. I pray we find gratitude in all our days and seasons.
I like the new time for the link up. I tend to forget those later in the day. I, like you, am a retired teacher, and I tend to get busy!
I just finished reading Quo Vadis, a book written in the nineteenth century about early Christians in Nero’s Rome. My oldest son gave it to me. What a moving book! It’s slow to get started, but I could not put it down once I got going.
I loved your beach picture. Going to the beach in the off-season is meditative, I think. So peaceful and serene. Going with friends makes it even better!
How fun that we are both retired teachers? I love the connection. It sounds like your choice of reading isa little more challenging than mine, but I know that God seems to know what I need to read and when I read it.
We can make any chance to get away a respite if we are intentional. God is teaching what that looks like. Sometimes my time away is just at the local coffee shop. Thank you for sharing and joining in the conversation.
Ahhh, Mary. Your post is a breath of refreshing air. I love how intentional you are in how you are choosing how you spend your days.
Yesterday it hit me that 2018 is beginning to wind down. In some ways, it feels like this year flew by. In others . . . ? The hard season still reminds me of lessons learned and of things I’m still learning.
As for Christmas music, I choose to not get pulled in to all-things-Christmas before Thanksgiving. You’re right. Our culture doesn’t leave space for the stillness autumn tends to bring with it, the slowing down and savoring. I am choosing to do that . . . as much as two teen boys’ schedules allow. I’m glad you spent Thanksgiving with friends.
Hugs, sweet friend!
Thank you for your sweet words. I think as I get older that I have become more intentional in how I spend my time. I wasn’t always like this.
I’m with you in finding it hard to believe that the end of the year is almost here. I pray we all finish well and continue to let God lead us into our next steps.
I like this early hour, Mary! 5pm found me standing at the open freezer door, wondering what to pull out for dinner.
This works better!
;-}
I realize I only did the 5:00 PM time because Jennifer had always done it before me. Mornings are better for me too. Hope to see you often! 🙂
These monthly wrap ups are always fun to read. The Christy Nockels CD has become truly one of my favorites since it came out. As a matter of fact, it was playing as I decorated yesterday 🙂
I love writing the monthly wrap ups. I’m glad to know you enjoy the Christy Nockels video too. I have it on repeat right now.
Really looking forward to your Advent series–and congratulations on your beautiful work with the FB video.
I’m looking forward to more breathing space in the month of December!
Thank you for watching the video. Such a big, brave step for me. I pray we all find breathing space in December and beyond.
My first thought on reading your title was: how did it get to be the end of November already?! It sounds like you’ve had a great month. It’s been a busy month for me too with work, family and friends, which is probably why it has gone so fast. I definitely want to try to slow down a little during Advent to focus on what it’s all about so I’ll need to check out your series.
I know I almost thought I was writing this too soon, but since I only post on Tuesdays for the most part, this was the week to look back at November. I hope you stop by for the Advent series. I can’t get enough of the Advent season.