"I always put my underwear on backwards..." (Eli...who else?!)

Eli on my shoulders (Liliana on the couch and Miriam in the background).

One morning, I realized I had put my slacks on backwards.  At the dinner table, I mentioned it to the children, saying that adults sometimes get things turned around, too...not just kids.  At this, Eli (who just turned 5) exuberantly told us, with that impish, fun-loving grin of his,  "I always put my underwear on backwards...it happens every time!"  I guess that the desire to make Abuelita feel better was more important than being embarrassed himself.  Thanks, Eli!  You made us all laugh, and you did make me feel better!
                                                ********************************


Maybe Eli's perspective should be emulated much more frequently than it is.  Even if we know that sharing something we did wrong or messed up on might make another person feel less discouraged and that someone understands, we're often too embarrassed to admit it!  (Commiserate with the other guy...but don't let on that you've done it, too!)

                                               **********************************
 I love II Corinthians 1:4.  "He {God} comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."  It seems like some of the trials we go through have a special purpose of helping us to understand and sympathize with others...because we've been through the same thing as they.  We know how it hurts...or frustrates...or embarrasses...or makes one feel inadequate....and we know what will probably be the most helpful things to say to them or do for them.  We know how God comforted us...and we can "pass it on".

                           *************************************************

We have spent two lovely weeks in San Antonio with Dan, KC, Noe, Micah and Eli.  For one of those weeks, Debbie and her family were here and we had Thanksgiving,  a "pre-Christmas" and a lot of activities, laughs, fun and love. (Dan's kids were thrilled, since Debbie's girls are their only cousins.  So when "the cousins" arrive, it's a special event!)   Tomorrow we fly northwards, to spend 3 1/2 weeks with Debbie, Steve, Liliana and Miriam in northern Indiana.  (We're trying to pack things as economically as possible...can't get over having to pay for the first checked bag!)
                                                 ***********************************

I hope you all had an awesome Thanksgiving, and rejoice in all the preparations for the celebration of Jesus' coming to Earth as Christmas draws near!