Fall is in the air!

Tomorrow will be September 1st! Woohoo! Not only do we have a vacation to Maine coming up in a few weeks, but it's also time to decorate for autumn- my favorite time of year!

Since the last time I posted, hubby and I weathered Irene- which wasn't really a big deal where I live. We had a lot of rain, some wind and spent some quality time at the local mall since we couldn't be outside. Benton, a town about 20 miles north of us, had a lot more wind damage. I believe there are quite a few folks who still don't have power up that way. Still, everyone is safe and with the exception of some trees, everyone weathered the storm safely. I hope that you rode the storm out comfortably, too.

My husband put in for a 1st shift position. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am at the prospect of being on the same shift again. For the past 4 years, we've worked opposite shifts. Basically, he leaves the house an hour and a half before I get home, and he comes home about an hour after I've gone to bed. We see each other Friday nights (if I am able to stay up late enough!) and on the weekends. I am thankful for the time we do spend together- but I wish that we could be a "real family" and I could cook for him, see him daily, etc.

Do you ever feel like you didn't learn something well enough the first time, and now you're sort of scrambling to make up for those lost years? I took Home Economics from 7th grade to 12th grade. I got high scores. I actually won the Home Economics award my senior year. However, I sort of feel like I could have done better and learned more. I found a Home Ec course online for teen girls...I'm considering ordering it. lol Silly right? I mean, clearly I've got enough down to get by. The house is relatively clean, I meal plan, I cook, etc. Still...I feel like I could use a refresher course. I never really learned how to properly clean the house from top to bottom. I typically just do things as I notice they need to be done. Bah, I digress. I'm sure me listing a list of things I'm not great at housekeeping-wise makes for a riveting read.

So, at any rate, back to fall. I am planning on cleaning the house 1 room at a time and putting up decorations in each as I go. I believe we have 2 totes of Fall/Thanksgiving decorations down cellar, so I'll start with the living room and keep on going till I'm done! Do you like to change your decorations for the seasons? I must admit, I'm not always as enthusiastic about it. Sometimes it seems like a hassle, but once the decorations are up and my home feels cheery and cozy, I'm always glad I took the trouble to put everything up.

Have you any plans for the long holiday weekend? I believe my husband will be forced to work on Saturday, but Sunday and Monday should be free! Woohoo! Two blissful days with my fella!


Picture this- a man is at the beach with his son. He decides after awhile that the rest of his family is hungry and summons his son Sam to come to the car with him to grab the family cooler so everyone can have lunch. He walks ahead and Sam, who is about 9, plods along behind him. He can hear Sam behind him, his shoes crunching very softly. He stops for a moment since his son has slowed down and seems to be examining something in the sand. Sam looks up and notices his dad, then stands up and continues on.

Halfway to the car, dad looks back again. Sam isn't there. He looks across the beach- no little boy. He looks for someone who could be disguising a boy and is sneaking him away- no one. He calls Sam's name...then louder...then louder yet. No response. He begins to panic. He walks back down to his family. He's not there. At that moment in time, everything that is in this man- all his resources, everything he has learned is focused and honed in on 1 thing. His missing little boy. No amount of money is too much to try and find him. His life is about the search. Nothing else matters. Getting back Sam is the most important thing in the world to him.

God knows exactly how he feels...because God feels exactly the same way for all of His children. God is actively pursuing everyone who hasn't found him...who has turned away from Him. God is frantic. He wants them back SO badly. He's doing His very best to find them. To find you. He wants YOU. He is frantic with worry to find you. Do you know Him? Have you felt Him looking for you in your life? Consider this a little nudge...say a prayer. Just say Hello. Are you angry at God? Tell Him about it. It's okay. He can take it. Honest. Just talk to Him.

Some people say they don't know how to pray...if you can talk to other people, to a pet, or just to yourself, you can surely talk to God. It can be as informal or as formal as you like. Pray for wisdom. Pray that you are doing the right things in your life. Pray for God to help you make good decisions. Tell Him thank you. (If you think you've got nothing to be thankful for, don't be silly. If you have the ability to read this, a place to live, food to eat...etc. You've either got a computer or you have access to one somewhere...I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.) Tell Him you are scared, worried, sad, happy or whatever. Just talk to Him!

He is looking for you. Take that step and get to know Him. Please.

Have a good night everyone.

Bless you all!

Mandy