We gather together

We celebrated Thanksgiving early this year.  I made homemade rolls using "spent grain" from a local brewery.  All of my sisters were in town to celebrate the NEW church blessing last weekend.  I think my parents were very happy everyone could make it!

We sung this beautiful Dutch hymn together many times (reminds me of my grandmother, who passed away, she would play it on the piano):
 
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

 Olivia made me a new bracelet.

 We do not have a special loom, but used toothpicks and forks instead.

Elizabeth (that's my sister, Mary's daughter)and I one morning...  

We have had them at our house for over a week now and are enjoying their company.  My other sister, Andrea, and her 2 little boys flew back to Portland today.  We have all been sick (the stomach bug went through almost everyone) this week, but still had a nice time together.  ♥