I couldn't begin to list all the things that I'm grateful for, Linda I believe tried, but I'm not even going to. However this year more than ever I have many things to be thankful for. For the first Thanksgiving ever I have this pretty, amazing and loving husband. Also, being so very far from home I have learned the hard way just how close I was to my family, and how very hard it is to be away from them.

Ok, so what did you do and what did you find yourself most thankful for. Hurry now, everyone post, then I'll tell you what we've been up to since last Wednesday!

So what exactly makes a home a home? I refer to almost any place that I feel comfortable in as home. I go home to Alabama to my parents. We go home to anyone's house at Zion's Rest. I go home to Gary's parents upon occasion. Yes, I am slowing referring to Florida as home. Gary and I talk about heading home to our apartment.

So when did this place become home? Was it when we put up the paint that we weren't suppose to? Or when we finally got all of the furniture in and situated? I was referring to it as home before we were married and I was living here, so what made it home and when did that happen?

Gary and I feel we have been blessed to have such a beautiful, nice little apartment, and it is our home, however, it's also not our home. Ultimately it's still an apartment that we never get any closer to owning. Since I'm now doing so database work for a realtor, Gary has liberated me to keep an eye open for anything under $125,000. Not that we have any money saved, but that would be a steal in Florida. Well, I've found a few places and know Amanda and Eric have decided to sell their house. It's on family land surrounded by family, in fact it's more than an acre which is a really big deal in Florida. It's a little more than we were wanting to spend, but it might be swingable. Anyway, the whole point here is that we would like to have a house, cause you kinda need that before you go for kids (not that we are planning to have any soon), and we are praying about it and would appreciate it if you would too!

(I'm cleaning off the table after dinner while Gary is polishing off his last biscuit.)

Me: "Oh honey, you might want to take a look at this. My student loan people want their money back."

Gary B: "Ok."

(He starts to read and all of a sudden burst into laughter.)

Gary B: "Congratulations! You now have to work for a living for the rest of your life!"

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So I got a letter from the student loan people today, and no joke it says in big, bold, 20 point font Congratulations! Then underneath that it says at I have the exciting and important responsiblity to repay my student loans. No joke in those words.

Maybe I should start looking for another few classes to take, huh?

Gary has a cousin who is expecting a baby- Jay and Amber Ferrell. There have been a few markers for Down's Syndrome, and I know that they would crave your prayers in the matter, and for strength for them. If you want to know more of the details, check out the link under friends that says, "Life with the Ferrell's." I won't try to explain it all here, when you could understand Amber far better.

Also, for all the prayers offered up for Amanda, Gary's sister, we are very grateful. She is slowly recovering, and hopefully will continue to get better and better. The PB grapevine is wonderful.

November 4, 2006, I received a message from a Gary on myspace. He had posted a meeting that his church was having in November on the Primitive Baptist Friends Group Page. I had replied in the group comments that I liked the preacher that he would be hearing. On November 4, I received my first personal email from him and I replied.

“Well you are more than welcome to come to Florida it would be great. Oh I forgot to introduce myself. I am Gary C********* I am a member of Little Union in Lithia Fl which is about 45 minutes from Tampa. Hey you might know a friend of mine his name is Elder James Allen he just moved up to Alabama to pastor a church in Alabama. He was a member of our church before. I cannot remember the name of the church right now something like Pilgrim's rest maybe. So where in Alabama are you from? I have been to some places like Vestavia, Holly Pond, even the capital when Elder Hunt was Governor there. Well talk to you later.

In Christian Love,

Gary”

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“It's nice to meet you! My name is Danielle M******, and I'm a member of Elgin's Crossroads, in a very obscure place in North Alabama. Elder Randy Dillon is our pastor. I believe I heard Brother James preach earlier this fall at the Mount Zion Association. Pilgrim's Rest may be where he is at, I'm not recalling off hand either. Unfortunately I waited too long to request off at work, and they made the schedule up early so alas, I won't be able to come. I really enjoy Brother Adam. In any event I'll be praying for ya'll's meeting.

dani”

I never would have imagined that a year later we would be happily married and in Florida. The Lord certainly moves in mysterious ways. I thank Him daily for the blessing that Gary is in my life. He is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. He takes so very seriously the commandment that the Lord gives that husbands are to love their wives as Christ did the church. He takes care of me and cares for me in a way no one else ever has. He is simply amazing.

Like all people he has his faults: the way that he lays wet towels on the bed, the floor, or on my wooden chairs even though I tell him everyday to just hang it up; the way that dirty socks always seem to end up on the coffee table next to his drink; the way he hates on the cat. He’s not perfect, but he sure seems close to me. He knows all of my faults in detail and I was very frank. However, he loves me for who I am, not who I’ve been.

The most amazing thing to me is that there was a time in my life that I almost walked away from the church, and if I had of one of the joys I would have missed out on in life is marriage to a good man. I can’t believe sometimes just how stupid I was in the past.

However, he is my husband and no one else in the galaxy can say that! So here’s to you honey and our first year together. I hope that I can spend the rest of my life with you.

I told you that alot had happened since I was last on line. So here are a few pictures from the last month...
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