We’ve had a stressful year and a stressful November. All of the following happened in November.
My husband and I are recovering from COVID-19. He was diagnosed November 12. Both of us had symptoms. My symptoms were not as severe as his. Also, my husband ended up with a sinus infection and asthma flare-up. We are thankful our doctor office and health insurance provides online doctor appointments. He was on 3 prescriptions. I’m happy to report he recently retested negative for COVID and can return to work.
I wrote and posted 2 reviews during my sickness. It was very difficult to think, edit, and create book reviews. My brain was not functioning at full capacity. I apologize if those reviews were substandard.
In addition to being sick, our daughter-in-law, Christina, had a mini-stroke; and, the medication she was prescribed caused a severe allergic reaction. At this time Christina is fine. She is back at work. We don’t know what the neurologist will decide to do about another medication.
Our niece, Kim, had 3 brain surgeries to clean an abscess infection from her brain. She still has left side paralysis. She is home and recovering slowly.
My neighbor and best friend is going through stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
Another neighbor had a major stroke.
Another neighbor had double pneumonia and was in the hospital.
And, we are currently church homeless. Our church decided to become a food bank. There is no pastor or other staff at the building.

I am observing Advent on my own. Advent began last Sunday, November 29. Each evening I light a candle (tomorrow will be 2 candles) and read from 3 different Advent books. This only takes a few moments. I’ve kept it simple, but it’s become something I look forward to each evening. The Scriptures are included in the books. Advent ends December 24.
The Advent books:
She Reads Truth, Advent 2020 study. This is apart of a monthly subscription.
Shadow & Light: A Journey into Advent by Tsh Oxenreider
God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

A big thank you to Charity Singleton Craig who mentions this article in her recent, The Wonder Report. She recommends an article at Christianity Today: How To Advent When Nothing Seems Worth Celebrating by Chris Pappalardo.

Each Sunday this month until Christmas I’ll post a Christmas past photograph. I’ve done this before on my blogs-share a bit from my personal life.