Update time. It's been almost a week since my last post . . . that is my last successful post. I actually had a pretty decent little thing written up, which ended up lost in the blogosphere. I didn't even try to republish . . . few things are as disheartening to me as lost words.

O.k., where to start? Ummm, Thanksgiving. Yep, it was good. All day long with family and friends.

Ummm, how about Advent? We held our first little candle lighting gathering in our home on Sunday evening. We talked about the history of the Advent wreath and how it plugs into the story of God through the ages. We lit the first candle and prayed. I was not successful in getting word circulated through the neighborhood early enough, so we ended up with only one couple plus Michelle and I, and Matt and Marge. No worries, though. We had a good time. I'm thinking we'll have some more folks this Sunday.

Sunday was also the 7th anniversary of my marriage to Michelle. We spent the day together doing lots of things - mostly insignificant tasks that needed to be done. The day before we had spent a couple of hours driving to see some friends, so we had a lot of time to talk and catch up. The past several weeks have challenged our marriage in some new and unexpected ways. But these are the things that are making us a better couple - more patient, more understanding, more giving.

I'm feeling more and more of a sense of home when I drive up and down Main Street in Ramona. I've lived here almost three years now, but I've only just begun to feel like this is where I'm supposed to be. I sat in a local coffee shop reading and people watching this morning. I found myself wanting to become a regular there and get to know people. Next week I may go to the barber shop and get a haircut, just to hang out for a while.