And just like that, we are almost at the end of another month. October has been full and, as usual, quite beautiful. Looking back, it was a fairly “typical” October but each month holds its own special memories. Trying to put some of this month’s highlights down to memory, I thought I would try another Little Letters look at October (it has been almost a year since I last did one of these)! Nothing fancy but just to remember…..
Dear autumn leaves – thank you for doing your thing. Again. Each year I am awed and impressed by your color and the ease with which you transition into a new season. Not only is your color beautiful but your crunch in the grass while we walk the dog in the morning is one of my favorites. You make me feel like a kid again. Well, almost. Sometimes I find myself bemoaning the change of season. Complaining, if the truth be told. Thanks for reminding me each season serves a purpose and has its own beauty!
Dear Junior Church kiddos – thank for making my Sunday mornings so much fun. I love our time together. The way you challenge me and all the ways you make me laugh. We had such a fun morning yesterday with our fall fun morning. Bowling is even more fun with a pumpkin! And all of you did such a good job singing for our church family as well. Your enthusiasm for singing is exciting!!
Dear Hobby Lobby – I don’t know how you do it but, apparently, the “fresh scent of Hobby Lobby” is a real thing. Yesterday, in Junior Church, I gave each of the kiddos a goodie bag for their take-home candy. Goodie bags that I had purchased at one of your stores. One of the girls (she is five!) opened her bag, inhaled deeply and asked, “Did you get this at Hobby Lobby?” “Um, yes..,” I said. “Why?” Swooning (as any dramatic five year old would), she said, “It smells just like Hobby Lobby!!” Well, okay then. Perhaps, dear Hobby Lobby, you should make a candle.
Dear Pastor and Holly – thank you for your faithfulness and service to our church family. We hope you both know how much everything you do is appreciated…during Appreciation month and every month!
Dear recipe creators – I so appreciate all the delicious, fall-inspired recipes that you have been putting out lately. The YouTube videos and the Pinterest ideas are both keeping me inspired and filling up my “to be tried” file in the cabinet. Even the tried and true favorites (think pumpkin soup) seem to have fresh tweaks and spins to them. I am impressed. And hungry:)
Dear Fitbit – as much as I appreciate your encouragement to “get moving,” sometimes your hourly notifications can be…well, annoying. I have not been meeting my goal as often as I should these days. I get that. But do you have to just keep reminding me!?!?
Dear Occoquan – it was so nice to visit you last weekend but such a shame to see so many of our cute stores no longer in business. We have not been there in awhile but we were still somewhat surprised to see the decline. I hope you can revitalize somehow. I have to say we did enjoy our lunch – at a place called The Spot. The food was yummy. Our patio table was lovely. However, a delivery fee included on a bill was a turnoff – to be sure. Delivery to our table?!? If not taxes, fees for everything these days. Good grief.
Dear flu bug – please flee. Go far away. You are not welcome here. You nailed my husband – thanks for nothing – but the rest of us are still healthy. So, hit the road. And we don’t plan to see you again all winter. We will fight you to the end.
Dear Bible study friends – thank you for showing up every week. For digging in the word together. And for challenging me each week during the discussion questions. I come home every week with a new insight and thoughts to consider throughout the week. I am so grateful for each one of you!
Dear Joyce – our sweet senior friend. We know you are in your last days and so close to Heaven. We know you are ready and even eager to get there, but we will miss you. Thank you for a beautiful testimony and showing us an example of a life well lived. I pray God gives you just the grace you need in these last days and hours.
Dear evening sun – I miss you when you leave so early each night. I wish you could stay around longer every day. But, just as with Miss Joyce and her days here on earth, those things are not for me to determine. Life is continually moving. Go through days and nights. Months and seasons. Beginnings and ends. And God is in full control of all of it. Yesterday, in Junior Church, we were talking briefly about the seasons and I mentioned this verse found in Genesis 8:22 – While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. This was God’s promise. Given to Noah when he left the ark and He has been in control – and keeping that promise – ever since. Isn’t that exciting?? It sure was for me.
I hope you are embracing the beauty – and truth – about the seasons as well. The fingerprints of God are everywhere this time of year! Have a wonderful week ahead. I hope you will visit again on Thursday!!
What a fun format for looking at a month in retrospect. I enjoyed reading your little letters! Happy new week to you!
Thanks, Ellen!! Hope you have a good week as well:)
Enjoyed reading this! October here was very pretty and the weather was amazing as well- no complaints. Sounds like your October was pretty dandy! Enjoy your week :).
That was simply beautiful – touching. You captured the essence of October with each letter! Perhaps you should write a book?
Hello dear Jennifer. I stopped by too early yesterday to find your post but wanted to check in again today. I am so glad that I did. I love this format that you have used! You have such a gift for writing…I hope you realize that. The thing that I love about your blog is that it’s a relaxing place to visit because you create this space of calm and peace.
I enjoyed each entry to Dear, but I especially loved the little five-year-old girl in your Junior church. I guess we know where her mama shops on a regular basis. 🙂 So cute!
Have a wonderful week, Jennifer. See you on Thursday!
What a beautiful blog post with all those letters of thankfulness and love ( apart from Mr Flu Bug!! and maybe fitbit )
I really enjoyed reading today and for the many things I am grateful for too.
Blessings to you this week x
This is a delightful read Jennifer. I am grateful for many blessings in my life, I am grateful for you. Thank you so much!
I would say that little 5 year old has made a few rounds through Hobby Lobby 🙂 And yes, my Fitbit is as rude as yours! Sometimes telling me that I need to “step it up.” I usually make an ugly face at him when he does that. 😉
what a sweet way to write a blog post! I loved it 🙂
Great gratitude post in a fun to read format. So glad your littles at church and your pastor and his wife bring you so much joy. I will have to pay more attention to how Hobby Lobby smells next time I pop in. Out of the mouth of babes, huh? Last year, my granddaughters picked out a Bath and Body Works fragrance they said smells like me and my house…guess what it is called? Moonlit Graveyard!! Ha!!