Christmas only 4 days away!

Hello there...thought we would check in. It has been quite a busy month for us as we have had work Christmas parties, Korean church activities with the kids (our Christmas concert this Sunday!), shopping for family, baking cookies for co-workers and plus working full-time for both of us. Thankfully though, Glen has survived another semester and he did pretty well. He will be taking a Winter course for about a week and then we are headed into our last semester :). An update on baby Thompson: we had our last ultrasound December 13th and he or she is developing well...such a blessing as we know in fact it is God who is creating this little one-all in His hands. We should be at the end of our 1st trimester by Thursday next week (27th). We'll keep you posted! On Sunday, we'll be heading out to Arizona for 7 days. Included are a few recent pics: Shilo's co-worker (to the left), Michael, from New York gave us our first official baby gift (!) and Shilo and Kazumi (below) at Starbucks, who met during this last semester studying a book on being a godly wife. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!

Early Afternoon Tea

Today, I (Shilo) was able to enjoy an afternoon with my old roomates (top pic from left-Karen, myself, Emily, Suelynn & Crystal) at cute new tea place in Santa Clarita called The Tea Gardens. We celebrated Emily's birthday and what a great time catching up on what God was doing in our lives, eating yummified treats and of course laughing away. Each of these women have had a tremendous impact on me and I'm so grateful that I was able tear away from all my class homework to spend time with them. Thanks for a memorable afternoon girlies!

And of course, a post would not be a post without the latest picture of Glen and Daisy-the two cutest in the world :).

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a special one for two reasons: 1. We were able to go home to Arizona (been a few years) and 2. We were able to take the Gravino family with us. And what an enjoyable time! We headed out together early Tuesday morning, went out for homemade Itali-ANO (!) pizza (what else, since the Gravinos' are from Italy) with my family later on that night in downtown Prescott and walked around. On Wednesday, we and the Gravinos' took a 2-hour drive to the beautiful Grand Canyon and ate lunch at a small rustic restaurant. The Grand Canyon is such a majestic place and is such a reminder of how small we are and how BIG God is. We definitely saw the beauty of God's creation all around us!

On Thursday, all of us spent Thanksgiving around the table and each shared what we were thankful for. Glen and I of course had to share about our newest bun in the oven :). Overall, a great relaxing day spent with family, eating yummy food and going for a scenic walk. Alex and I even got to go to a movie with my mom called 'August Rush'. Good movie, we all cried...a good cry though! Anyways, we got back late last night and now it's back to reality :(. In the next few weeks, there are much school things to get done and then there is getting ready for Christmas. We'll check back in soon!

P.S. We had to include a few pics of Daisy. One with her new buddy, Missy, my brother's Beagle (on the left); and one with her new bed that my (Shilo's) parents got her. She loves it!

Treasure from Heaven

"Truly you have formed my inmost being: you knit me in my mother's womb."

Psalm 139:13

On November 8th, Glen and I went in to see the doctor for a post-checkup since the miscarriage and unexpectedly found out that we are indeed pregnant again! To make a long story short, we were quite shocked but are overflowing with JOY at this news. We were able to hear our baby's heartbeat (which we didn't hear before) on the 15th and what sweet music to our ears! If all continues to go well, there will be a new little one added to the Thompson mix by early to mid July :). We have much to be thankful for this season. Happy Thanksgiving all!

"For You, O LORD, have made [us] glad by what You have done, [we] will sing for joy at the works of Your hands." Psalm 92:4

Ghosts & goblins you say? No way!

Glen and I had our first 'Halloween' event at the church which we gladly like to call 'Carnival night with games and costumes". We aren't big Halloween fans, mainly because after searching the roots and meaning behind Halloween there are some strong Satanic themes. So basically since God is not for it, neither are we. However, we did a fun event tonight at the church and about 25 kids showed up! It was a special treat to have us all together eating, playing tons of games and running around in silly costumes. Hope you enjoy the pics of the evening. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve there!

Day in the Life of Glen & Daisy

If you want to see how dorky we can truly be around Daisy we DARE you to watch!!

This little doggy has creeped into our hearts. We love having a her! Hope you all are well whomever still checks in on us now and then :). Enjoy the most recent pics of Sir Glen and the pooch--she follows him everywhere!

ZOE Children's Homes

Hello all,

It's been awhile since we've blogged but I (Shilo) recently went to a fundraising event for a Christian organization called ZOE (means "life") which sets up children's homes in the hub of Thailand where human trafficking has been taking place. I don't know if you most of you know this (because I didn't!) but human trafficking is where they are selling children as sex slaves in Thailand and believe it or not it is spreading to other countries, even to the United States. One story I heard that continues to blow me away is that of a little girl who was sold as a sex slave at the age of 7 years old and had up to 10 partners a day, whom later died of AIDS at 11 years old. Can you even imagine that?! It has broken my heart to hear what evil men/women can do to these innocent little children. Please take a minute to learn more about this growing worldwide crisis and learn how you can help: http://www.zoechildrenshomes.org/

Italian Flava'

Glen & I had Johnny, Alex & little Samuele over yesterday afternoon after church and it was a grand day catching up. We've known the Gravinos' for about two years now and they are from Italy. Glen and Johnny have become good friends throughout seminary (especially now with the challenges of Preaching Lab lately!) It's actually quite funny to see both of them interact, it's almost like a comedy show sometimes. They will be graduating in May 08' (the same time we are) and plan to move back to Rome and eventually Sicily to work full-time at the Master's Institute that was started up by the Master's Seminary. It was pretty cute seeing little Samuele run around with Daisy too. He too cried at first when he saw her, like little Jake did, but then slowly warmed up. I guess Daisy has a way of warming her way into these little hearts eventually. Ciao!

Pluggin' Away

Had to include a pic of the sweet sunflowers Glen bought me yesterday! So yeah...life seems to be back at a normal pace again for us,which has been nice. Looking back on the last few months, hard to believe all that has gone on. For the BRIEF RECAP: we got pregnant, miscarried, had surgery, were surprised with a new puppy 'Daisy', got robbed at our old apartment, started school and moved. Crazy! But through it all, God has shown Himself faithful...don't know what we would have done without Him. On another note, Glen started a Preaching class and so it's been funny hearing him preach all around the house :). And what a blessing for me to not only hear him learn to preach but to see him truly desire to please God. And I, have been loving my new counseling class taught by Mary Somerville. She has been a Pastor's wife for over 30 years so I'm gleaming much from her. I also started meeting with a gal at our church and we are going over a book by Elyse Fitzpatrick called "Helper By Design". A great book for all you wives (and single gals) if you haven't read it yet!

And recently, we had a special visit from my good friend Jen Trzeziak and her boys, Jake & Warren (whom we like to call Woo Woo). Aren't they so cute?! What a treat to have them over and catch up on all the happenings from the remainder of the summer. Jen and her husband are getting ready to interview in Kansas soon for a pastorate position so we are very excited for them!!

The New Humble Abode

Here it is, our new dwellings! We are right in the back of this house (both main & guest house are attached). We have much to be thankful for, so far we have loved it. Hope you enjoy the little picture tour, we'd love for you to come visit us!
Daisy LOVES the new back yard, she runs and runs. There is also a patio. Another cool thing, there are concord grapes growing on the wall to the left. They taste like grape jelly. Hopefully we can plant some flowers soon.

Had to include some photos of the little Daisy girl...she's such a sweet, playful puppy.

Below is the tiny kitchen. One challenge is NO oven, only a small conventional oven. Must mean more stove-top and crock-pot recipes for Shilo! :)Look, two sinks!! Ain't life grand, gotta love the simple things... The front door, living room area:
Daisy lounging like a big bum on our bed. Our bedroom is GINORMOUS, it has to be at least 500 square feet (house=900 sq. feet total). Glen loves it because he can fit all his books and I love it because I have a quiet time area set up next to the window!

Process of Moving...

Friends & family, recently Glen and I were robbed at our apartment so we are in the process of actually moving! There has been a series of events that have led up to our move...it's a long story. The only things that were stolen though were our laptops (all of Glen's seminary work is gone which has been sad), BUT God has been good to us in that we've already had two more laptops provided, one through USAA (military insurance) and one through my (Shilo's) parents. We found a small guest house listed through our church bulletin in the Northridge area and so we will be moving there on September 5th. We will be in touch after then!!

Joni & Friends Tour

This last Friday, I had the privilege of taking a tour of the brand new Joni & Friends International Disability Center which my company did the lighting for and helped donate. It was an amazing experience hearing Joni Eareckson Tada's testimony and how she lives being quadriplegic. There were scripture verses written all throughout the building with a beautiful fountain & chapel in the middle. My friend (& co-worker) Alex and I were also able to get a photo with her. In the second photo, Joni is catching up on her e-mail by using her voice. Her life has touched so many people with disabilities around the world. I saw a neat quote in the building that said, "Lord, help me to live a life that is utterly disproportionate to who I am". It touched me because only God can do that in our lives! May we all strive to live with that in mind. What an encouragement to go there.

Shilo Hits the BIG 3-0

Where's the cane? Where's the walker? No way! She's still a young spring chicken folks! Yep yep, I (Shil0) turned the BIG 3-0 on the 14th. I worked for most of it, but Glen surprised me with beautiful red/white roses & our puppy Daisy at lunch, it was very sweet. Then after work, my dear friends Emily and Crystal came over and brought a homemade spaghetti dinner and a yummy fruit tart! Here are a couple shots of them with the cutest puppy (least in my eyes) in the whole world. Both Emily & Crystal have been friends of mine for a long time. They are such an example to me of Christ's love in friendship. I would not be where I am today without the friendships of these women. Very grateful for them! And did I add that they are single (hint hint). Oh man, they're going to kill me. So all that to say...goodbye 20's and HELLO 30's :).

Glen Turned What?!

The BIG 3-3 on August 7th! He had a pretty mellow day for the most part, thanking the Lord for another year. But I couldn't let him get off that easy! After I got off work, we headed over to the Piles' house and low and behold there was a small surprise party awaiting him. I made him a chocolate/coffee cake and then some of us went to go see the movie 'Borne Ultimatum'--good flick. Here I am with Shannon (oldest) and Beth (youngest). Their dad, Jim, married us and he & his wife gave us pre/post-marital counseling. So grateful for this family. Love you Piles'!! Peace and hairgrease~

New Addition to the Family

Presenting the ONE & ONLY...Miss Daisy Thompson!!! Yes indeed, my (Shilo's) mom and step-dad, Joe, surprised us with a new puppy Beagle :). She is an early birthday present (Glen-the 7th & me-the 14th) and what a sweet precious gift she is already. Daisy is almost 9 weeks old and is social, loving, friendly and acts tough when she wants to. We are so thankful to have her and look forward to taking care of the ups and downs with a new puppy. I have to tell you though, she seems to have the whole potty-trained thing down and obeys pretty quickly. What a smartie! She'll blend right in (heh heh). "Every good and perfect gift comes from above..." -James 1:17