Of Crisp Red Maple Leaves, Hot Tea, and Golden Afternoons.

The crisp cool autumn wind blew in my face as I took my run one morning. The sun rays gleamed through the bare branches of those tall maple trees. Red, yellow and orange leaves covered the sidewalks; crunching with every step I took. I ran, faster and faster, hoping to warm the tips of my fingers. I took a deep breath; ah, fresh air. Today the wind was with me, blowing on my back. Its brisk force pushed me forward as if to encourage me on. I looked up at the neighbors raking and smiled at them as I passed quickly by. I watched the little neighbor girl twirl in the front yard as a huge gust of wind blew the golden leaves off the trees and sent them sailing into the air. They floated down around her in circles as she danced; her brown curls bouncing in her face. I loved watching those tiny little "leaf tornados" form as cars drove down the street. Squirrels scurried across the sidewalk as they heard me approaching. I continued running; each step faster than the one before. Soaring, flying, moving faster than I ever had before; alas I had to stop. I caught my breath as I walked. Why can we not run forever? I walked past the white picket fences and the drooping sunflowers. I walked over the leaf-stained sidewalks. Beautiful. Then I ran again; praying and thanking my Heavenly Father for granting me this beautiful weather. {Even.if.i.did.need.gloves}. I spend my "running moments" with my Savior. I pour out my troubles and cares, my requests and my desires, my thoughts and my ramblings. I praise Him. I pray for Him to be my wisdom and be my strength each day. Verses from my quiet time circle in my head, encouraging me. "Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” {Job 42:1-3}  I ponder the chapters and pages I read. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, "declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts."   {Isaiah 55:8-9} *peace* I give thanks to Him for Octobers, Novembers and autumn weather. Without them, I do believe life would be very dull indeed.

{Autumn.} I love those cold nights when we sit by the fire drinking tea and eating pumpkin bread. I love the cozy feeling I get when the smell of Mom's warm homemade bread streams throughout the whole house on rainy weekday afternoons. I pull the covers higher and snuggle closer to my pillows as the cold morning wakes me up; the pink and red sky creating the backdrop of my morning. My warm feet emerge from the blankets and land on the icy cold floor ready to start the day. I love the leaf piles in the middle of our backyard and the rake leaning against our clean back porch; as if something from an old postcard. I like driving through tall red leafed trees leaning over the roads. All year long the leaves wait {all.boring.green.}, now they have come alive; so beautiful and vibrant dancing in the wind, as if to leap with joy. A bowl of potato soup and crunchy bread, freshly baked gingersnap cookies, fall boots and scarves, leaves in the sidewalk cracks, pumpkins on our front porch, jars of organic pumpkin pie filling; all the simple delights of autumn that make my insides explode with happiness.

I can remember going to the pumpkin patch when I was little and the taste of those scrumptious apple cider donuts. I remember the joys of jumping in leaf piles and the smell of my sweater afterwards. I remember the fun Dad and I used to have as he picked me up and tossed me into the mile high pile. :)

My fall days are busy. {explanation.as.to.why.I.haven’t.updated.} They are filled with life and laughter. Each day is a blessing from God. Each day I wake up excited for what He has. The brisk afternoons I spend baking or cleaning; listening to my mother as she teaches my siblings in the other room. Her voice warms my soul; remembering the days of my schoolwork. A basket of laundry in the family room as the rain plops against the skylights. A good book and a cup of tea in our big cozy arm chair. I love the hours I spend on the piano as the wind and leaves rush by outside. The late afternoon comes quickly and everything that was once brown or dull turns golden just before the sun sinks down. The golden rays stream through my window eliminating my lace curtain. The bare branches suddenly become alive as the sun shines on them from behind.  I think of my dear friend {her.favorite.time.of.day.} and smile. Dinner preparations to begin; soup or chicken, pasta or chili, as long as it’s warm. ;) Half way through my cooking, Dad’s car rumbles in the garage, and the back door opens. His tired, worn-out, cold face appears and suddenly he smiles. Our cozy house seems to melt any stress or grief from his day away. I watch him transform as he walks into the schoolroom to greet Mom. I hear their voices, and Dad sighs, “I love our house.” :) I smiled to myself and finished chopping. *happiness*

"Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places."  {Habakkuk 3:18-19}