Fall.

It's back!!




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

What a perfect way to start this fall. With this album that is breaking ground and awakening my heart again.



www.gungormusic.com
*************************************************************************

I also recommend listening to that album in order, all the way through, while driving through the mountains of Colorado (or anywhere beautiful and natural and peaceful) to seek the changing leaves.

Our autumn drives every year serve to recenter me. When everything else feels like it's swirling around me, driving in the mountains and seeing how the seasons change with my best friend and love, I feel centered in my soul again.

Youth.

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity"- 1 Timothy 4:12

This is an encouragement to me. I / we have been blessed (especially lately) with much responsibility. In jobs, in church, in life... I'm feeling the weight of it. I am completely overwhelmed by it.

And be it my own tainted opinion (that cares too much what others think of me) or be it the truth, I feel that everyone is looking down on us because we are young.

So I will cling to the Word of God and trust that we are in this amazing season for a reason.

What have I been up to lately?

What have I been up to lately, you ask?

For the past few months, I have felt uninspired to write here. It started when I wanted to share all the stories of my precious children at work, but then they suddenly moved out. It was such a loss, so heartbreaking, that I couldn't find myself inspired to write anymore. I miss those kids so much that they still bring tears to my eyes, even now, three months later. Those four (from Ghana) had sneaked their way into my heart and they're still there. I pray desperately for them, and catch snippets of their lives from the school they still attend. But I so wish they were still at Champa, learning and growing and smiling and talking again.

And now my other family of four children has left us. And I worked so hard on those kids, and they were so hard. So, so hard. So frustrating. But I had made a break through, and now they're gone. The oldest, with his shy smile and long limbs, who finally trusted me... Gone. And I didn't get to say goodbye. Maybe I'll run into them at the school, but I know that all I can really do is pray desperately for them.

{There are so many precious children stuck in my heart. Most of them left Champa abruptly and without warning, so I never got to say goodbye. I worry about those children so much sometimes... They're scattered all over the city and maybe the country, and I'll never see them again.}

So here we are. With the three babes (who are easy and precious and we laugh a lot) and a new family, with older children. So I will earn their trust and understand what makes them tick. They are so precious and crazy and I can't wait to know them. I can't wait until the trust has been established and we're buddies!

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

That's all for now... Lots more to share, but not enough time or energy to share it.

God.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent and praiseworthy - think about such things" Philippians 4:6-8

It is so hard to give yourself over completely to God. Such a terrifying concept... for me, at least. But He's trustworthy and He always comes through. This verse has been something that I'm clinging to these days - it's printed above my desk at work.

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


I'm so thrilled that this weekend is three days of freedom. Sleeping in, baking, farmer's markets... Who knows. I'm thrilled. Last weekend was amazing and busy and full of love and laughter - Mom was here!

I'm so thankful for my job and the things I learn and witness there. I get the opportunity to take seminars (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) and go to tea at the Brown Palace! So great.

September is here and I have never looked more forward to fall. Our great fall trip (that hopefully hasn't been ruined by Hurricane Irene) is coming up next month and I love fall in Denver. I'm anticipating long walks to and in the park, crunching leaves underfoot. Crisp air and my much-beloved scarves!