What I Learned in November

Last week, I ate so much turkey, macaroni salad, sweet potatoes, cranberries, apple herbed bread pudding, and pecan pie I swore I’d never eat again.

And I kept my promise–that is, I kept it till later that day when I made room for more pie. Heh.

I hope y’all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to fill up on good family time and good treats. For the time being, I’m looking forward to reading what everyone’s learned this month! Because by reading what you learned this month I learn a few new things myself. Onward to my own contribution!

What I learned in November:

1. The Johnny Cash song “A Boy Named Sue” was written by Shel Silverstein. I had no idea!

2. Hallmark Christmas movies are officially a mother-daughter tradition in my house. My daughter and I are knee-deep in them, and we’ve started a list of what you can count on finding in each one. Here’s just a few facts on that list: All Hallmark Christmas movies feature the main character and her soul mate literally bumping into each other on the street (or in a castle), they all feature a super good lookin’ yet sensitive guy, a Christmas tree farm, a big misunderstanding, a kiss during a snowfall, and a patriarch/matriarch character that was a former big-deal actor or musician. I mean, Sir Roger Moore–a former James Bond–was in this one we watched last week. Cracks me up.

3. I have found a BFF in Cents of Style leggings. My other leggings are either from Target or Marshall’s, and I do like them well enough to wear them. However, I am long waisted, and those leggings hit me in an odd place on my waist and aren’t the most comfortable. But then I discovered Cents of Style leggings, and I bought a pair of their high-waisted ones that actually go to the top of my waist. Hooray for not feeling like I’m getting my circulation cut in half! Also, the pair I bought are fleece-lined and so cozy and comfy. I found my pair here. They are on sale for only $8.95, but I noticed they are out-of-stock on several colors. They do, however, have more colors available in other styles.

4. The more I learn about Charles Lindbergh, the less I like him. This month, I read The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin. It’s a historical fiction book, and as a lover of historical fiction, this book did not disappoint. Written from Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s point-of-view, this book gives deep yet gracious insight into her and Charles Lindbergh’s complex relationship. Before reading this book, I didn’t know too much about the famous couple. I knew Anne was an author in her own right. I knew Charles was the first man to fly across the Atlantic from Long Island to Paris. Other than that, I knew Anne and Charles’ first child was kidnapped and that Charles’ grave is near Hana on Maui. The events detailed in the book are historically accurate (while the people’s emotional truths are imagined), and I was surprised to learn Charles Lindbergh had three secret families in Europe and fathered seven children with the women of those families. Not only that, he was also terribly anti-Sematic. So while he made worthy advancements in aviation, he was not a person of good character.

I also learned that not only was Anne an award-winning author, she was also the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States. She was in a difficult position as Charles’ wife, hounded by the press in a way only Princess Diana could understand. She raised 5 kids and ran a household in a time when Charles was gone more than home. She wasn’t a perfect woman, but she was tender, courageous, and dedicated to her family, and I admire that.

 

5. I get such a kick out of loving on military families. And while I have felt this way before, it’s always fun to re-learn it like I did this month. The day after Veterans Day I posted a blessing for military spouses, and you can either read it or listen to me read it here. Last year I wrote a prayer for military spouses. Feel free to pin or share the blessing, prayer, and the above graphics with the military spouses in your life.

6. Kansas sunsets are stunning. Poor Kansas gets a bit beat up on, and I’m the first to admit that state is mighty long when driving through it. But then we hit the sunset just right like we did when driving to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, and it’s as if Cinderella changed into her stunner of a dress and descended the staircase at the ball. Just glimpsing that sunset covers a multitude of endless miles driven on roads where scenery seems to repeat itself.

7. This phenomenal quote by Tim Keller: “Do you realize that it is only in the gospel of Jesus Christ that you get the verdict before the performance? It is the verdict that leads to the performance.” The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness 

Glory, I hope I never get over it.

That’s all for November, friends. Please share in the comments what you’ve learned! And as always, visit the lovely Emily for more “What I Learned in November” stories.

As the Christmas season approaches, we celebrate the Savior who came to this world as the ultimate change—God with us. His presence changes everything in all the best ways. If you or a loved one would like to see the difficult change in your life in a more hopeful light, this Christmas season is the perfect time to gift yourself or another with a book that will do just that. You can purchase Girl Meets Change on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most anywhere else books are sold. And when you do, you can get a few goodies for FREE. Click here for details.

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