Cool Day in PA

It's an overcast day and the wind is blowing. The thermometer says 62 degrees, but it feels much cooler than that. The geese have been flying overhead the past several weeks. I guess they feel it is time to make that trek south where there are warmer temperatures.

I welcome the cooler temperatures and the leaves turning to soft hues of brilliant color. I long await the first snowfall. Lately I have been in the mood for things like hot apple cider, apple crisp, lighting a nice smelling candle and curling up with a good book. I have been starting to think about something to write as well. I still have not decided if I want to work on something fiction or nonfiction. I enjoy reading and writing both of those genres.

This time of year also makes me think of working on crafts. It's been quite a while since I have done a knitting project. I also enjoy cross-stitch as well, but it is something that my eyes struggle with seeing. I soon will take the time to look for a pattern and yarn and get started.

Then there is the house that is desperately awaiting cleaning. I don't know how my 'piles' have reproduced so quickly. You think they were related to rabbits or something. That's another thing on the "To Do" list that needs to be accomplished.

In a few weeks I will be starting to lead a Bible study on the book of Acts. That too is needing my attention. I look forward to sharing in fellowship with other ladies. I pray that God uses the time together in a mighty way. I also desire to do some studying on my own as well. I have several different areas I would like to research.

Even though the house is a wreck at the moment, I look forward to being able to focus on it this weekend, as well as some fun activities too. It's been a good day. I have gotten a lot of paperwork accomplished, and feel that I am on the road to getting better organized. In a little while I plan to go for a brisk walk for my health. That's another area I am trying to do a better job of managing.

So many things that vie for our attention. Today is a day where I'm not feeling overwhelmed, but anxious to get started on the journey. I guess that is part of what it says in scripture about being a Proverbs 31 woman. Each day may I strive to be more like one! :)

Time to Rest

This past weekend our youngest son attended a training which allowed my husband and I to have some alone time, which does not happen real often. We opted to be intentional about spending time together and focusing on our relationship. We actually went away for the weekend. The place we stayed did not have a radio or television. It was a quiet refuge. We were able to rest and also talk about the direction we want to be heading in the next few months.

I have been talking to my oldest son lately about the importance of balance - time to do work, rest, exercise and just have some fun too. We need a proper balance of all of those. It's easy to advise and not always as easy to do. I'm realizing that I need to take my own advice as well. Right now my body is weary so the time to rest sounds refreshing.

Each day we need to have a proper balance. If we become too focused in one area and neglect others, that isn't good either. I guess each day we need to pray and seek God's wisdom for our day and ask Him to help us to properly balance things.

How are you doing with balancing?

Signs of Fall

Hay bales in the field,
Leaves changing their colors,
Geese flying overhead,
Cool nights.

Pumpkins, mums and gourds,
Cut corn fields,
Raking leaves,
Cool days.

Hope you are having a great beginning of Fall!

Getting Back on the Exercise Horse

I have known for a while that I need to get back into regularly exercising. I had a year where I was very faithful with exercising at least five times a week for 30-45 minutes. Then last year hit with a lot of stress - my son was in a car accident, had a sports injury, my husband had a severe ski accident, I was in an accident, etc. All right you get the picture. How easy it is to come up with excuses of why we can't exercise. I have learned the hard way that when I face stress like I have this past year I tend to eat, not exercise, which has caused me to gain weight.

I finally have decided to do something about it. Today was my first day to actually exercise. I took a vigorous 30 minute walk. I was tired by the time I finished, but I felt good. A girl friend called while I was walking so she got to hear me be tired and out of breath while walking and trying to talk to her on my cell phone. I also had time to commune with God on a more intimate level as I was walking and enjoying my surroundings. I have missed that special time with the Lord while I walked. In some ways I felt like I was getting reacquainted with my best friend.

I also am trying to do a better job of watching what I eat and how much I eat. Ouch! That's a hard one. But I prayed that God would be in charge of all areas of my life, even my eating habits. So today so far I have been doing pretty well with cutting back the calories. I find myself feeling hungry, but also that my body does fine when I don't always give in to its demands. I'll keep you updated on my progress.

"Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 2 Corinthians 9:26-27

Sweet Fellowship

Today our church had our annual picnic. It was a beautiful day for it. Bright sunny skies with temperatures in the 60's/70's. A typical Fall day even though Fall doesn't officially start until Tuesday. I almost debated not going to the picnic since I still haven't been feeling the greatest. My husband convinced me to at least go for the lunch part of the picnic, so I did.

I am glad that I went. It was nice to be able to fellowship with other believers by breaking bread together. Even though I didn't feel the greatest, I was blessed by the opportunity to be around others who love the Lord. In our society we have to make a point of taking time to fellowship with others. In New Testament times it seems that it was a priority for the Church. When was the last time that you made a point of getting together with other Christians?

Blessings of Friendship

I recently read on a blog that was encouraging its readers to random acts of kindness. That was the day I planned to do something special with my youngest son to cheer him up since he was missing his brother. My plans were changed when we were in a car accident instead.

I happened to think of this since I have been blessed this week. Even though I have been sick since Monday afternoon I haven't really had to cook this week. On Sunday evening my husband made omelets for us. Monday night he again took over meal preparation for me. Tuesday I put pizza in the oven, so no work there. On Wednesday he brought home a meal for us. Yesterday a friend made a meal and brought it for us. It's enough to feed us for two more times. Tonight another friend offered to bring us a pizza.

So I have had many acts of kindness given to me this week. My dear husband brought me a palm plant because he was thinking of me. He knows how much I love to see the palm trees when we go south. It also is a reminder of my son that is going to college in Florida.

I praise God for people that care about me. I look forward to when I am feeling completely better and can bless others as well. Is there anybody that you can bless today?

A Call For Ideas

The week will soon be coming to an end and I still am not feeling up to par yet. Today is a quiet day since my husband and youngest son are working. There are so many things that need to be done around the home, but I find I have no energy to do anything.

In less than two weeks I will need to have another article submitted for my column in the Home School Enrichment magazine. I don't know if it's because I'm sick or what, but I have no clue of what to write about this time. My column gives unit study ideas. So I am enlisting help from fellow home schoolers. Do you have any particular topic that you would like to see a unit study written about? This article will appear in their January/February issue.

So could you help me out and give me some ideas for an article? When I have it finished, I will gladly send it to you. If you don't have a blog you can do an anonymous comment. I look forward to hearing some ideas!

Thank you!

Rough Week

It's been a rough week since we have gotten home from Florida to take our oldest son for his first year of college. Since then, I have been in a car accident, working with an issue with the local school district and am now sick. I'm at the point of saying, "All right Lord, I have had more than I can handle!" But praise God that when I turn my life over to Him, the things that I face are His to handle.

I am thankful today that my strength comes from the Lord, especially since I have very little strength of my own today. I am thankful that He always is here. What are you facing today that seems like an overwhelming obstacle? Take it to Jesus and trust that He will help and guide you!

A New Normal

It's been a week now since our oldest son has left for college. I find that we are learning new routines with being a family of three instead of four. The 'firsts' have been hard at times. The first time we go somewhere that all of us normally go to, and our oldest is missing, etc. But I find that we are all learning to adjust as well. We miss him, but also know he is where God desires for him to be.

I can't help but think about the years ahead in the very near future when my youngest will also be leaving the nest. My husband and I will again have to adjust. With three years remaining until that time, I pray that we will faithfully continue the course that is set before us. May we not waver, but remain steadfast.

Doing laundry today was a little easier. Last week my oldest son still had some items in the laundry that needed to be clean. It was difficult going into his room to put the laundry away and realize that it would be over three months before I see him again and have him home.

One thing my youngest son and I have been doing has been to start playing Christmas music. I usually start listening to it in the fall, but this year as we listen, it is a reminder that my son will be home then.

On a different note, I have been enjoying reading Cindy Woodsmall's new book entitled The Hope of Refuge. It has been interesting because it mentions the town where I live. If you get the opportunity, pick up a copy to enjoy.

Well with things semi back to normal, I hope to be more faithful with blog entries. Happy day to you all! :)

Never a Dull Moment

We arrived home from Florida Tuesday evening after taking my oldest for his first year of college. I must admit that it was different walking into the house the first time without him. It has been an adjustment for all of us. My youngest son particularly is having a hard time with his big brother being gone. It is new for all of us.

Yesterday I was on my way taking my youngest son to a dentist appointment here in town when we got rear-ended by a huge dump truck. I was looking in the rear view mirror of the little Ford escort that I was driving and could see the grill of the truck quickly coming towards me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Interesting feeling!

Praise God my son and I were uninjured. I have short legs and have to sit pretty close to the steering wheel, so I praise God that the air bag didn't go off or I probably would have been severely hurt. I just am having pain in my neck, and pray that will soon go away.

If anything I have learned over the past six months with my husband's ski accident and now my car accident is that we don't always know the 'why' when things happen to us. But we rely on the truth that we serve a God that we can trust, even when things seem difficult. So I continue to cling to that truth.

We'll Soon Be On Our Way

Well here we are - our last day at home before heading to Florida to take my oldest son to college. We will leave this afternoon when my husband gets home from work. It is hard to believe that we are entering a new era in our lives.

The van is mostly packed and ready to go. There still are some last minute things to pack, food to prepare, etc. I have been wracking my brain, trying to make sure we have remembered to pack everything that he will need this next school year. We won't see him again until Christmas break when he is home for five weeks. Then it will be back to Florida until mid May.

I feel ready to let him go, but sad as well. Of my two sons, this is the one that is very similar to me. I feel like I will be saying farewell to a friend as well.

Please pray for us as we head to Florida and then back home again. We will be gone for about a week.