autumn

It's such a beautiful time of year don't you think? I am so thankful to God for the fall and the crisp weather we have been having in the mornings. I am a runner so the early mornings have been so spectacular for me to run and have my quiet time. I love the whole ambience of God's handiwork. It just blows my mind.

I am also thankful for the work that God is doing in my school year this year. It's been a challenging year with very large classes but you know what? The more I have taken this to God in prayer (pretty much I have tackled it like a prayer warrior), the more I see Him working so mightily! He is just making those large classes be a ministry to me and He is showing me how they truly are enjoyable. If you have ever taught school and have had large, challenging classes then you realize what an answer to prayer this is! I love my students in those classes (as well as the other classes of course) and the relationships that are being built is such a testament to God's hand. I will never understand how He can be so kind and tenderhearted to answer the lowly prayer requests of his children. But He does. And for that I give Him praise.

My children will be home in a few weeks...home from college. I am so thankful that BOTH of them will be home for the FULL week of Thanksgiving. Woo Hoo!!!!! Ben did not get to come home for fall break in October so I am especially happy to see my son again. Having both of them home together is a treasured gift. I always look at families with younger children and I think how fast the years go and I realize that I really covet the times with my two young s. (ha...sounds wierd to call them that!) We get eachother's jokes, understand one another's biases, we finish eachother's thoughts, have similar tastes in music & movies....the list goes on. Family is GREAT!!

Well, it's time for life group. Another BIG praise! If you are not involved in a life group. I highly recommend it. It's been such an awesome blessing in my life. To dig deep in God's word, to share your innermost struggles, thoughts & questions, and to have a true sense of "spiritual family" is just another way that i feel like we grow as Christians. We are starting a study on the Old Testament and believe you me! It's pretty deep & "meaty". I feel like I am back in a seminary class which I attended a few back when Ben & Anna's dad was in seminary in Kansas City.

Well, be blessed and see you soon.