It's been one of the best Novembers that I can remember in a long time.  Though it's typically one of the hardest months of the year for me in Amsterdam, this year I was really able to enjoy it in all its glory:  warm drinks in brown cafes, oliebollen from the streetside vendors, holiday celebrations with friends (see above photo), putting on my warm winter coat to protect myself against the cold winds... I know it's just little stuff.  But it all came together to make a great month.

I will confess that the last week of the month has been the most difficult:  some inevitable pangs of homesickness on Thanksgiving Day when observing the Facebook statuses of friends and family back in the United States,  the hassles and costs of a stolen bakfiets, and three children now suffering from persistent fever, coughing, and congestion (which I've been told are some of the hallmarks of H1N1)... But even in the midst of these trials, I've been able to find joy.

Thanks to any of you who might have been praying for me throughout the month.  It's meant a lot.