Welcome, Fall. Welcome, Change

Sandwiched between blazing summer and chilly winter, fall is the "cooling off" season. The rain brought CHANGE to us quickly here in Frisco. When I arrived back home from a quick trip to Austin, my home was so chilly that I put the fireplace on. My kids came over and smelled the “pumpkin spice” aroma that is in my air freshener and pumpkin spice coffee was ready to brew. Soon, the leaves will be changing colors. Last month, it changed on the inside of my home. My little fall vignettes are pictured here.

I've always loved decorating my home with seasonal changes. September isn’t too soon for me to decorate my home with harvest and fall decor'. Most of all, I love the heart of gratitude that naturally comes with it. And, wonderful things happen when we are grateful. It not only brings honor to God when we speak of His goodness, but our faith seems to soar to new heights because that attitude of gratitude opens shut doors and brings joy into the open windows of our souls.

With leaves changing colors, changing our home's decor', changing the a/c to heat, changing our summer to fall wardrobe, we know that change is inevitable. It's not only about accepting the changes, but I say triumphantly, “BRING IT ON!” We all experience changes and I’ve found that accepting those changes with gratitude makes the changes bearable. Like the birds I see flying South for the winter, my sweet grandchildren, Braden and Ruth, are changing their “habitats” with their move to Austin on October 24th. Thanks, God! I know You orchestrated that one. Their home in Atlanta sold in less than three days on the market. Ruth’s application for a NICU nursing position in Austin was not only immediately accepted, but she received a substantial pay increase, The first home they saw was perfect and they’ll be moving in without any delay. And, to top it off, Ruth’s “triplet” sister lives within five minutes of their home. Yes, thanks, God! You showed off on this one!

Sometimes “change” is wonderful, and sometimes “change” isn’t so easy. In fact, it can be downright painful. When my husband graduated to heaven, my status changed from "married" to "widow". I've learned that we should expect changes because it's that part of life that we CAN'T change. Change is inevitable, so why not begin to accept the changes with the grace that God gives us, and be thankful that He will carry us through those changes -- to an even better place of destiny and purpose?

Maybe we should begin our change from dissatisfaction and opposition to change, to the willingness to accept change. What if this month of October we started a NEW season of gratitude and thanksgiving? I don't know what tomorrow and its changes will hold for me, but I know I'm sensing God camping out with me in this atmosphere of thanksgiving. Once again, I hear Him saying "Trust Me. I've got this....in every CHANGE of life."

Candy Corn, Peanuts, Pumpkin Spice Coffee and Gratitude

Can you feel it? Whether we’re pulling out our sweaters or still running our air conditioner at full blast, autumn is undeniably here. Hobby Lobby and Michael’s have had their shelves stocked with Fall decorations for months, and now shoppers are setting the Fall atmosphere in their homes with those scarecrows, pumpkins, and décor’.

Fall has definitely arrived -- even here in Austin, TX. As I was sitting on the patio of my children’s home, I couldn't help but notice the flocks of various species of birds flying south. They know winter isn't far behind, but based on the minimal change of foliage color here (note the U.S. map of foliage changes – minimal in South Texas), you wouldn’t begin to think winter was getting close.

Fall is in our hearts as many of us have that decor' all around us and my youngest grandsons and I carved pumpkins and set them outside with all the rest of the Fall outdoor décor. By the way, you must try the delicious combination of candy corn and salted dry roasted peanuts (pictured here) that seem to call my name every time I walk by them.

No doubt, this is my favorite time of the year – the smells, the tastes and the sights. I’ve been enjoying the pumpkin spice coffee for a quiet moment on the patio in the morning. I’ve been seeing many photos of my Facebook friends having fun times at pumpkin patches. I love the apple and pumpkin candles that fill the house with Fall aromas.

What I love the most about this season, is the heart of thanksgiving that just naturally comes. And, great things happen when we offer thanksgiving. It not only brings honor to God when we speak of His goodness, but our faith just seems to rise to new heights because that attitude of gratitude that opens shut doors and brings joy to our hearts and souls!

The changing colors of leaves, birds changing their habitats, and Donna changing hers.....it's all about accepting the inevitable in life. We will all experience many changes. We should expect changes -- it's that part of life that we CAN'T change. Since “change” is inevitable, we might as well accept the changes with the grace that God gives us....and be thankful that He will carry us through those changes -- to an even better place of destiny and purpose.

The secret to gratitude isn’t a matter of willpower — it’s noticing. Looking up from sorting our laundry, or our computer, or our phones, and noticing what’s around us. Whether it's the changing leaves of Fall or the goodness of God in a hard season of life ... there's a path toward gratitude. Maybe that path leads to the brightest light we could ever imagine – and with that LIGHT, comes the light-heartedness of confidence in knowing each season can be our greatest season when we know that He Who made the seasons, is with us through them all.
"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm. 9:1

Out With Fall, In With Christmas

Day 333 of Photo Inspiration -- Out With Fall, In With CHRISTMAS!!
My sweet kids left for home on Friday, but not before my wonderful son, Larry, completed a page-long "Honey Do" list for me.  And, my precious "adopted" girl, Denise Gerrich​ helped me take down my Fall decor', move it up to the attic, and bring down the Christmas.  And if that wasn't enough, she helped me decorate with outdoor lights, trees, and wreaths, as well as my in-home decor'.  There is no question -- I am blessed beyond what I deserve, which is why Thanksgiving and Gratitude top my "Good Attitude" List.  Little photos of Papa reading the Christmas story to the grandkids are all around my house -- sweet reminders of Christmases past.  And, lots of decor' that go way back too.

I’ve been thinking about Christmas for several months now. I didn't decorate to the extreme, like I once did, when the family came to our house for Christmas.  There was a Christmas tree in every bedroom, the house was decked out with lights and enough decor' to open up a Christmas store.  In fact, Christmas decor' took up half of our attic space.

It was our favorite time of the year.  But, again, seasons change in our lives.   I’ll be heading to Texas to celebrate with my Wallace crew, and then onto Seattle to celebrate with the Wuerch crew -- in just a couple of weeks.  I was feeling the peer pressure in my neighborhood when others began putting up their Christmas lights a couple of weeks ago.  But, my humble little displays still shout -- loud and clear...... "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Today, starts the magnificent season of Advent.  When I was preparing for the talks I'll be giving this week, and the neighbors were putting up their lights, MY Advent season had already begun.  I’m already  enraptured by the miraculous Christmas story -- the UNLIKELY turn of events that altered the course of our past, present and future.  What an easy transition -- to go from Thanksgiving to all the joys and beauties of Christmas.

Though the stores were playing Christmas music a couple of weeks ago, and were selling their Christmas wares....months ago,  it only caused me to hone into the beautiful journey that will lead to the most HOLY AND MIRACULOUS DAY – and, it would have been alright if I started way back in July!

After all, it’s more than a season or a day, it’s about a REASON for unspeakable joy, indescribable love, and amazing sacrifice – that the ONE who placed the stars in the sky and Who knows them ALL by name -- chose to come to this earth as a little baby to be with me, understand me, live in this world like me.  HE totally gets me and my frailties, but better yet, He is my all powerful, incomparable, awesome and GREAT, amazing God. I'd say that's plenty reason to be celebrating ALL YEAR ROUND!   Thank you, all you early Christmas decorators, for the reminder to embrace this season ALL YEAR LONG!  Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!