Do you experience major weather changes in seasons? I love the seasons in the Midwest: we get a little bit of everything.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!It has officially been fall for a month but the weather has not felt like fall until this past week. Finally, cooler temperatures have arrived allowing us to break out the sweaters and cozy blankets. The temperatures stayed low enough that we could enjoy our Friday night movie tradition, snuggling together and watching a movie while eating pizza for dinner. I grew up watching movies and eating pizza as a family on Friday nights, and I love continuing that tradition with our kids. It’s a great way to end the week.
I love fall – the changing leaves and the beauty God paints around us. It also means a change in routines. Our once slower pace lifestyle becomes very busy and full. Slow mornings that included kids playing and accomplishing projects are no longer the norm. I miss that but I love the cooler weather and the fires in the fireplace.
School
School is beneficial for our children because it teaches them much more than just academic subjects. In school they learn important values like kindness and the ability to make friends. These social skills are essential for their future and help them grow as individuals. Although we appreciate the structure and learning that school provides we also miss the relaxed days of summer and the extra time spent together. Balancing education and family time is important for our children’s overall development and happiness.
Seasons of Life
Life, much like the changing seasons in nature consists of various phases that bring different experiences. Some seasons can last for a long time providing us with stability and comfort. Other seasons may be brief bringing quick changes and new challenges. Each season teaches us valuable lessons and shapes who we are. Embracing these changes helps us grow and appreciate the beauty in our journey.
Garden Life
Our garden is finished. It’s time to wrap up harvesting anything that is left. The first frost warning has been issued, so we picked all the tomatoes have been picked from the plants. We also picked as many peppers as possible, mostly jalapeños, many of which I froze for later use. Next up is wild plum and jalapeño jam; everything is frozen; and just needs to be put assembled.
We were generously given tomatoes from a friend in town. They sit in boxes, waiting to ripen. It’s exciting to watch the colors change as the tomatoes go from green to red, or green; and yellow to a yellow/orange.
It marks the end of a chapter that has brought our family great joy. We have all spent many hours tending to our garden. The kids have helped pick produce and pull weeds. The weeds at some points got out of control, but just like in life, with a little time with God, we can find our way back to the right path. Such as spending time pulling weeds and then using them to lay down between the rows to help prevent new weeds from growing, while also keeping the soil covered and moister in the ground.
Faith
What is important to you? Are there times that you wish were different? In our lives we experience different seasons that serve a purpose. Sometimes we can clearly see why we are going through certain challenges or blessings. Other times we may not understand our role in someone else’s life or how we affect them. This mystery can be confusing but it can also be comforting as it reminds us that we are part of a larger plan. Ultimately while we may not always grasp the reasons behind our experiences we can trust that there is truth and meaning in God’s design.
Psalms 128:2 (NIV)
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
Deuteronomy 10:8 (NIV)
At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord , to stand before the Lord to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name, as they still do today.
Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)
A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
