Another Season

I love all of the seasons that we have here in Wisconsin. Each of them have things about them that I love. But, Fall is one that I enter into the most reluctantly. I love summer: open windows, swimming pool, camping, not working, (WOOT!) less structure and busyness. I don't even mind mowing the lawn.

But, when the end of August comes, I have a hard time focusing on the things I love about Fall and instead I am mindful of things that are ending. Like, my relaxing coffee and quiet time on the screen porch - but more so, things that involve my relationships with others. It's the time when students that I have had the joy of serving with in our church youth group for 4 years head off to college. They have been a regular part of my life. Each year there are some that are hard to say "Good-bye" to. They will be missed.

This Sunday morning as we were praising God in song, I was mindful of Zach's voice next to me. I became overwhelmed with emotion thinking that this will be the last time in a while that I will have the joy of hearing him. Then, yesterday as I was looking for some pictures I came across a poem that was in a photo album. It's titled, "If I knew..." This one verse caught my eye.

"If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day."

I stood in church taking in the sound of his voice, loving most that he was praising the God he loves. We are so blessed! He, too, is leaving soon. I am so excited for what this semester will hold for him at the Contemporary Music Center on Martha's Vineyard. But, I will certainly miss having him around the house. Maybe it's a good time for me to be heading back to work. I am so mindful that even though both of the boys are a long ways off in miles, our hearts are close and bound together by Christ. We will always be together!

note to self: start getting up earlier
-- remember how beautiful Fall is
-- pray for the new youth group lives yet to be poured into
-- be thankful for God's MANY blessings

In loving memory of my Grandma

Grandma Grace Arnoldi
February 1, 1913 - first breath on earth
August 17, 2007 - first breath in heaven

Time Flies!

WOW!! Has it been a year since I've updated this thing? How do I capture it all in a short time & space. I'll try with some photos. First, Grandma Grace is still with us. She is a precious woman whom I love dearly.
There was Dale and my 30th anniversary, my folks 55th anniversary, and Dale's folks 60th anniversary. What a tremendous blessing to be a part of families who are committed to our God and to each other!!


There have been vacations to Door county with all of us, a trip out East to see Josh and Lauren, a trip to FL to see Mom & Dad and Sharyn along the way. A stop in Grand Rapids on the way back for Zach's recital. Just got back from a week camping near Superior. We have been so blessed. I'll share more in detail later.

Thoughts for now: It rained this morning. I love the rain. Things here are so dry and I listened and watched as I was having my time with God. It's as if I could hear the earth sighing with the relief that the rains brought and I was reminded of the verses from Ps. 42:1-2 "As deer panted for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." I was so thankful for an unhurried time with God, time to be refreshed, to sit in His presence and be filled with the awareness of a God who loves with an "unfailing love". I AM BLESSED.