Charis House staff have told me since the beginning that the goal of the House is to run a family. It has been just this month that I've truly felt as if I have become a part of the family and not just the odd American observer. The women at the house currently are living together quite well. We have been working together the past month in a harmony that I hadn't experienced yet at the House. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of and has changed my perception of how much having a source of a family's love, support, and struggles can lead to a real appreciation of family life.

November has typically been a family oriented time for me. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and experiencing it here with my other family was absolutely amazing. Charis House celebrated its 14th year anniversary the weekend of the American thanksgiving. The celebration was a huge, all day event. Preparations had been underway the whole month. I spent a few Saturdays baking treats with the residents. I'm loving that there are lots of children in the House at the moment. However, this does mean that there is always lots of mess and even more energy, especially when baking.

The Saturday of the Charis House Open Day was a gorgeous day in Buxton. I won't say that a perfect blue sky never happens here, but it is a rare occasion. The day consisted of tons of stalls set up in the Dining Room to educate visitors of how big the Charis House ministry is. The Farm stall sold wood work projects, Community Support stall sold Christmas goodies that old resident's had gotten together to make, Charis House Christmas cards were sold, and resident, Beryl, sold her famous homemade Christmas cakes. My job was run the volunteer stall to show how visitors could help at the house for a day or even a year.

Charis House has been chosen as the Lord Mayor's charity of the year. The Lord Mayor of the Peak District had selected Charis House to be the source of all charity money raised during his term. This meant he came to visit on Open Day!!! And visit he did, even wearing his ceremonial outfit! He gave a short speech and then joined with the staff, residents, and visitors to have lunch.

After lunch there was a service of Thanksgiving. It was a time where residents, myself, and one of the directors all helped to share how Charis House had made us thankful. It was a moment were I felt myself seeing God so clearly in each of the faces in my family here. The service was short, but really moving. I'm including a story that one of the women wrote out for me to read at the Thanksgiving service. As with all families, there are always stories. It is really neat that here, a lot are filled with sadness, but that through God's blessings, Charis House can be a source of peace. Her name is Michelle and she came to the House after it was revealed that her abusive partner had not only been physically violent to her, but to one of her children as well.

"Before I came here I was frightened and I felt very alone. I didn't know anybody and I didn't have any idea what Charis House was about. But when I arrived, I walked through the doors and I felt a good, a warm, a happy feeling. I felt a presence. It felt like someone touched my shoulder. I thought 'Am I going loopy?' To me it just felt like God. From that moment I felt like 'You'll be alright now. Every things going to be alright.' I just glowed."

Hearing the stories of Charis House success was inspiring and really helped me to see how big the ministry has been over the fourteen years of operation. God's family includes us all and Charis House has helped me to see this every day. The day finished, of course we are in England, with tea and biscuits. I've posted a link to more pictures if you'd like to take a look. Happy Thanksgiving and Gods blessings over this exciting time of Christmas. Lots and lots of love from Buxton!