Dedicated: 10 fun things...

Here's a quick update on what's been going on around the Reid house!

1. It's FALL! The leaves are turning colors. The air has a chill in it and it's fabulous!

2. I went to Homewood's Open House last weekend - all of the stores stay open late, have snacks and wine to promote their business - and at one store I won this platter as a door prize! I got some great ideas for Christmas presents too! Now I just need to go back and actually start my Christmas shopping.

3. I've started running again - ran 5 miles this morning. I had kinda stopped because 1. I've been busy and 2. when I did have time, I was being lazy and didn't go. But I pulled out my shoes, and since the weather has cooled off, it's been great to be outside and run!

4. The pastor of our church, Dr. David Platt, wrote this book, Radical, and I just started reading it. It's really good! I've also been listening to a lot of his previous sermons on Itunes, and have really enjoyed those. If you have a long car ride coming up, check out "The Church at Brookhills" on Itunes podcasts.

5. This is that funky time when it's cool enough that you don't need the air on, but not cool enough to need the heat. So we've turned off the air and the heat, and opened the windows, which is great. However, in the evenings it can get a little chilly, so I've pulled out two of my favorite quilts. The first one, which I snuggle up with on the couch, was a high school graduation gift from my friend, her mom knitted it for me!! So warm! The second one, which is on our bed at nights, I bought in Bolivia when I spent a summer there with my college roommate. It's made with Alpaca fur, and in case you don't know anything about Alpaca fur - there is nothing warmer! Seriously - it keeps you REALLY warm!

6. I start each day with a hot cup of tea and my quiet time reading. These are my favorite teas right now!

7. My parents got me a Zero Water for my birthday - and I LOVE it! It's amazing! I still try to drink my eight glasses of water every day, and it's great to have fresh, cold water in my fridge. Add a slice of lemon and lime, a packet of Stevia, and voila - homemade lemon-limeade. And look at the cool spout on the back too!

8. If you haven't heard of Pinterest, or have heard of it and have yet to join - let me tell you something - it's addicting and will transform your life! LOVE IT! Here are some pictures of some recipes that I WILL be trying soon!!

eggs cooked in bell pepper slices - so pretty

chocolate and candy covered pretzels

chubby hubby bars

grilled veggie and hummus tart

pear galette with black berries

9. Our church's mission and goal is "We glorify God by making disciples of all nations". They place a big emphasis on missions and outreach, which I love and totally support. A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Platt showed a video from the International Justice Mission, which "is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression." After bring stunned by what I saw, I started looking into global outreach and church persecutions on our church's website. That led me to Open Doors, another organization that sends out missionaries to oppressed countries to stand along side the Christians that are there. On their website I learned about One With Them and the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - which is November 13, 2011. While I now try to devout some time each day to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution for their belief in Jesus Christ and our God, I invite you to join with me on the 13th to really spend time in prayer for them. God hears our prayers, and these brothers and sisters need them.