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."

Embracing Change

This week the Wallace clan, Denise and myself are engaged in Payton and Alexia’s Speech and Debate competitions. This is my 3rd year to serve as a judge and I love it. I’ve not only watched the growth, physically, in Payton and Alexia (the photos tell the tale), but their growth in their confidence, articulation and knowledge since their start of this season of their lives. I’m embracing the changes that have made them so much better.

My post today is about welcoming change. I’m saying that because what we don’t welcome, we tend to unwelcome, or resist! I’ve come to realize that change can be a beautiful thing. Why is it that some embrace change while others do everything in their power to prevent it? It boils down to perspective.

I've developed a way of positively viewing change in my life. Watching the love of my life pass away was one of the most life-changing times of my life. When he took his last breath, of course I had mixed feelings. I had joy that his suffering was over, but painfully aware that he was no longer here with me. Talk about change. That morning I was married, and that night I was a widow.
I think I've mastered the art of "change", so much so that I can share some of the "change" lessons I've learned to help others with change:

1. Life is About the Cycle of Life -- When we realize the cycle of life is part of our journey of life, we'll embrace every moment we have with each other. Enjoy the good times, and realize the not so good times are just temporary.

2. Wisdom is Earned -- There is no amount of money in the world that would convince me to go back in time. I am so happy to be where I am, and to have the knowledge that I have. I EARNED where I am, and the wisdom I've achieved was through change and experience. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

3. Learn To Let Go -- Some might say, "That's easy for you to say. I don't think I can handle it!" And my response, "Oh, yes you can. God's grace will be with you and you will make the necessary changes. God gave your children, your friends and loved ones to you for a season. Now free them to live in their season. Accept it, and move forward. When a loved one goes HOME, their assignment on earth ends. Their race ended. Our assignment continues. This is OUR race -- we MUST keep running to our finish line.

4. Change Always Leads to Good -- The reality about change is we just may not like it, but, inevitably it leads to something good. I look back at my life and I see a common trend. When something “bad” happened, it always resulted, eventually, in taking us to a better place. The tough times didn't last for us, but we became tough people....and THAT HAS lasted. Today, I'm ONE TOUGH COOKIE!

I promise you.....the ability to go from resisting change to embracing change can happen, but we must let go and surrender “our ways and our plans” to “God’s ways and God’s plans”. Jeremiah 29:11 clearly gives us God’s way “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What an amazing trade off...to be in His ways. That gives me every reason in the world to say God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Embracing Change

Day 73 of Photo Inspirations -- Embracing Change
A lot of trees were there before the CHANGE came for the land to become a shopping and entertainment area.  Yesterday, when I returned home from Texas, just north of my subdivision, this new store, Gander Mtn, having its Grand Opening.  I stopped in to see all the excitement -- the place was overcome with droves of people checking it out.  

Hunting and fishing equipment, archery, boating, running -- you name it, they've got it, at least when it comes to needs for enjoying the great outdoors!  Soon there will be a 12-screen theater, restaurants and retail stores in that area. Things have sure changed around here.

My post today isn't about trees or Gander Mtn.  It's about welcoming change.  Change is a beautiful thing, but often we resist change. Why is it that some folks can easily embrace change while others do everything in their power to prevent it?  It boils down to perspective. We can welcome change or we can resist it and become stagnant, accomplishing nothing -- not moving forward at all.

I've developed a way of positively viewing change in my life.  Watching the love of my life pass away was one of the most life-changing times of my life.  When he took his last breath, of course I had mixed feelings. I had joy that his suffering was over, but painfully aware that he was no longer here with me.   Talk about change.  That morning I was married, and that night I was a widow.

I think I've mastered the art of "change" -- enough so, that I can share some of the  "change" lessons I've learned to perhaps help you with change:
1.  Life is About the Cycle of Life -- When we realize the cycle of life is part of our journey of life, we'll embrace every moment we have with each other.  Enjoy the good times, and realize the not so good times are just temporary.

2. Wisdom Is Earned -- There is no amount of money in the world that would convince me to go back in time. I am so happy to be where I am, and to have the knowledge that I have. I earned where I am, and the wisdom I've achieved was through change and experience.   WOW -- LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

3. Learn To Let Go -- Some might say, "That's easy for you to say.   I don't think I can handle it!"  And my response, "Oh, yes you can.  God's grace will be with you and you will make the necessary changes.   God gave your children, your friends and loved ones to you for a season.  Now free them to live in their season.  Accept it, and move forward.  And when a loved one goes HOME, their assignment on earth ends.  Our assignment continues.  This is OUR race -- we MUST keep running.

4. Change Always Leads To Good -- The reality about change is we just may not like it, but, inevitably it leads to something good.  I look back at my life and I see a common trend. When something “bad” happened, it always culminated in the realization that took us to a better place.  The tough times didn't last for us, but we became tough people....and THAT HAS lasted.  I'm ONE TOUGH COOKIE!

I promise you.....the ability to go from resisting change to embracing change can happen, but maybe not overnight.  And it wasn't overnight that all those trees came down, that buildings and houses and roads were put in.  But today, there are bright lights all around that represent the beauty of the changes.  Now, look at the bright lights of change in your world.  You'll find them -- just be willing to CHANGE!  #Change #LifeIsBeautiful #ToughCookie