Faces of Fall

More beautiful pics by Joe Coker

Joe Coker

After unseasonably hot and dry days of October, it finally is beginning to feel like fall. It is cooler and we are finally getting much needed rain.  We have two neighbors that are moving into their homes this weekend.  The thought may have occurred they are responsible for the rain. Children are excited about fall festivals, costumes and candy.

Photo sent by our friend Marianne. Too cute!

And my favorite "pumpkin" Dan !

It is taking us less time to walk our usual three miles without the scorching heat.  We are enjoying the cooler breeze. Sadly, the wind and rain are developing into leaf and acorn storms.  I don’t mind fall. It is the dreaded dark days of winter barreling towards me that cause me some anxiety.

 

Neighborhood "Tea Party"

So, I will try to embrace these few days of fall.  The sky is beautiful. The colors of the trees are mixed with gold and crimson. The waters of the lake glisten peacefully. We enjoy the humor of our neighbors fall décor on our walks through the neighborhood. Geese are headed to warmer parts unknown.The herds of deer we have unsuccessfully battled all summer to keep from our vegetation graze confidently near our windows at sunset. Little is left to haggle over. They forage for food through sparse greenery and acorns. They too have winter on their minds.

 

Hungry Deer

I am making my list of projects now that cooler weather has arrived. We must hurry to get them done in this small window of weather opportunity.  But perhaps today is not a good day to begin. The list lies still on the counter.  The rain is gently falling. It is too perfect a day not to be lazy. So, I will add to the top of the list and scratch it off, “rest”.  After all, we have a lot of work ahead of us. We must properly prepare.

"Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Festival of In gathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.  Exodus 23:16

For His Good Pleasure

Painting by Artist Joanne Kunath

This week I celebrated another birthday. I have passed through my 63rd year on this earth and embarked on 64. As always, I reflect on how quickly time passes. What have I accomplished? Am I using my brief time on this earth wisely?

Birthday Roses from Dan 

I chose to celebrate my birthday with 80 friends raising funds for a local crisis center. We ate, bid on silent auction items, played games and listened to an awesome speaker. You will notice I mentioned food firstly. This is of course in keeping with the tradition; if we meet we must eat so bring a treat.

Our speaker was our dear friend Brenda Stark Miles. She is an author, Bible teacher, comical storyteller and an awesome friend. She did a great job in sharing the pain of losing her only grandchild to abortion. We pray her words will comfort and heal as He restores her heart.

There is a lot of hard work in putting these events together. Truly it would be easier to write a check if it were just about funding. Just to be clear, funding is imperative. However, the healing message and sharing information about life ministries is the focus of fund raising events.

Many women gave all their hearts and hands in preparing for this event. I am blessed by you. We all admit at times it was frustrating and nerves were frayed. Dan and I laughed together as pondered over how His good pleasures can offend or annoy us. As irritating and frustrating as we can be to each other, God created us with special gifts and personalities to be used for and be enjoyed by Him.

So Lord, remind me in this year 64, to respect and appreciate all things and persons to whom He has created for His pleasure!


Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 4:11

Kids Today!

Recently I find more days I am mad at the world than happy.  The constant bickering and hate mongering amongst us breaks my heart.  A friend said today, "We no longer see each other as fellow human beings." Sadly I find that to be true.

Groups of young people praying at Veterans Memorial

Then there are those moments that make you proud.  Moments that give you hope for the future of our country.  Groups of youth gather huddled together in  hugs and prayers in still reverence to those who have sacrificed for our freedom.  Our faith is renewed when a young person still acknowledges there is honor in military service to our country.

Our grandchild Megan in her ROTC uniform

The next time we start to shake our heads and bemoan what we are to do with kids today----respect would be a great place to start I think!

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