First Day of Fall (drafted on Sept 23 which was, of course, the first day of fall)!

"I love nature!" says my daugter. "Nothing wins over nature!" to which I replied, "You should tell your grandfather that."

I love nature also. I have loved the rain and the wind today. I have loved how the leaves have been showering down from the black walnut tree that continues to grow big and strong in our neighbours backyard.

I also love my garden small as it may be. I love the abundance of cherry tomatoes, which I've enjoyed (until now!) like candy. Now weeding? Eh, not so much. However, I truly appreciate the results of weeding.

Two thoughts have been running through my mind. The first: my body appears to object to my eating tomatoes thus producing two different symptoms, the one being quite painful inflamation of my arms and hands. So for a while, as I "test" and "listen" to my body, I shall attempt to cease from enjoying tomatoes (which also means the jars upon jars of fresh salsa I've just recently canned). The second: weeding. We don't often enjoy it when God tends to the garden of our hearts. It can hurt when some of those weeds are ripped out, or even when wilting or damaged branches are snipped off! But the result? More fruit, more cherry tomatoes, more... of Him.

Yes, I appreciate the result of weeding and soooo enjoy the greater intimacy I get to enjoy with my Saviour after He does some Spiritual weeding in my heart and life.

I AM the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

I AM the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do noting. John 15:1 and 5

Any thoughts to share?

Felt a little like Christmas...

I've been looking forward to Christmas all year.

Really??

Yes. Really. My whole family will be under my roof this year. I truly cannot wait! In fact, the menu, room arrangements and other details have been planned for months now. Possibly since spring...


So why did it feel like Christmas today? Is it that cold in this neck of the woods already? Not really. It was partly sunny, partly cloudy, a bit windy, a bit cool, a bit warm. Perfect for gym outdoors today! Well, perfect to have gym at all with my mini-alphabet. I've tended to kind of 'skip over' that part of their shool days so far. But today, I decided to set a new schooling trend. I felt good and the kids were so happy they didn't even realize we were doing school! Pretty good considering we had a rather lousy start to a day. Thanks, God!


Back to Christmas... Do you remember those days long, long, long ago that were timeless? Leisurely days filled with enjoyment, fun, adventure! No time constraints or deadlines, no rushing to complete the mornings' activities on time so that lunch can be made before the chidlren realize how starving they are. I could go on and on! Today was different. I have to admit that in the morning I was feeling so out-of-sorts and not sure (or even wanting to) how to get my kids reeled in and focused on school that finally, I simply sat down, bowed my head, and prayed.


"God, you have called me to do this. You know how I feel so inadequate to teach my children. Can you please help me today?"


What does all this have to do with Christams? Not really that it's about Christmas persay, but simply that wonderful feeling of the whole family being under one roof for an entire day and everyone enjoying each other's company. It was a day filled with fun teaching and learning, songs, baking, games, stories, coffee and conversation, home-made Italian Wedding Soup (Cud's version) then topped off with a banana split and "the pajama dance" with the kids. So much fun, so enjoyable, so peaceful and so leisurely!


On the tough days, I will choose to remember God's grace, answered prayer and today.