What does Halloween mean to me? Chili...of course! Our church has an annual Fall Festival, filled with games, candy, space bounces and best of all.. all the chili and hot dogs you can eat.

I signed up to bring a pot tonight, along with nine other chili connoisseurs. I am thinking of my childhood today as I prepare my Mom's "Saturday Afternoon Chili." She would make a pot of her famous concoction and it would simmer on the stove all afternoon, through ballgames on the TV and through leaf raking fiascoes in the yard. Autumn in the South brings all those sounds and smells, tastes and feelings to the foreground.

I am grateful. Thanks, Mom.

To everything there is a time and a purpose for everything under heaven.

Well, last night was a first for me. We actually created a Homecoming Dance, "Movie Magic" in our very own back yard. Unbelievable and way cool. DJ, dance floor, twinkle lights in the trees. It was beautiful.

As a homeschooling family, we have the amazing ability to allow our children to dream big dreams and then do our best to make those dreams come true.

I am grateful and amazed. Hurray for "The Academy!"

Thoughts on My 26th Year as a Mother

Mary's Magnificat: Mary, the most significant mother of us all, spoke these words while the baby Jesus rested in her womb:

^{From the book of Luke:}

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

 ⁴⁷And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

 ⁴⁸For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

 ⁴⁹For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

 ⁵⁰And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

 ⁵¹He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 ⁵²He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

 ⁵³He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

 ⁵⁴He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

 ⁵⁵As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

As I awaken on my 26th year of celebrating Mother's Day as a mom, my heart is filled with gratitude for the mercy and love that the Lord God has spread abroad in my heart and in my life.  One perfect husband (since I'm the perfect wife, of course). Six children, each one so beautifully special and precious have adorned my life and shaped me into the person I am today.  And grace upon grace- an incredible son-in-law and perfect little grandson have been added and I have the promise of a beautiful daughter-in-law in a mere few weeks. They make my heart sing. The Lord's love overwhelms me, my cup does indeed run over!

So...this weekend found part of our family searching out treasures at various estate sales scattered throughout our town.  We are now the proud owners of two antique desks, two French Country chairs and a fun, French Country game table.  Needless to say, we found quite the treasures!

The French Country pieces are now home in our master bedroom.  The room was redecorated in the "let's move everything around to see if I like it better here" method.  Lots of dust and back- ache later....we have a new room. Voila!!

The bedroom really is more beautiful and peaceful.  I napped here this afternoon and then decided to rule my little world from my cozy bed.  I brought my laptop back and rewrote some lesson plans, caught up on some correspondence, even talked on the phone a little.  All in all, this "newness" renew and revived me.  Isn't that interesting? 

It is such a lovely morning.  I love Fall in Alabama, especially the parts I get to see everyday.  The drive to school takes us down a lovely, every changing road filled with gorgeous and awe inspiring vistas.  Today the leaves were of gold and yellow,  red, orange,  and green.  The sun beams and the winds danced through all of the color, making it ever changing.  I am so grateful to be a part of such a beautiful world.  Thank you Lord!

New Life

Life seems to be ever growing, ever expanding.  The summer has flown by with many life-changing adventures.  Istanbul, Toronto, Denver, and the ever lovely Shannon. 

I am a kindergarten teacher now.  How did that happen?  It is like planting a little garden.  New little shoots are beginning to bud, and I am the privileged gardener.  New experiences, new needs, new hopes, new dreams.  Not really.  I have always had the same dream...to live happily ever after...

Love is patient, love is kind.  

I have just "discovered" a new Fernando Ortega song.  "This is the Night (of Your Return)."  I haven't heard it before.  Wait is the word God seems to be whispering into my heart.  Help me wait, dear Lord Jesus. 

The Miracle of "Skype"

I am having so much fun.  My daughter and son in law and I have recently discovered "Skype".  Tonight, he is trying to teach me a little Hebrew.  I am not  catching on very fast. :) We not only get to talk to each other, we get to see each other!  Even when I am having a "bad hair day" or horror or horrors, no lipstick on, we are still so happy to sit and chat, chat,chat.  I miss them very much and this is really helping me connect even though we are  many miles apart.  

She is my first child to move so far from home and I have to say, it is not fun.  I feel that my heart expanded to cover the distance between that far away state and our own.  My world expanded.  It reminds me of that Jabez prayer that was so popular a few years ago.  I remember reading "The Prayer of Jabez" in the Paris airport as my husband and I were flying home after an anniversary trip.  "Lord, expand my boundaries".  Well, He certainly has.  Watch out what you pray for.  

Lord, bless this beautiful couple.  Amen!