The Sunrise Club

So, my adventurous husband has started a new weekly ritual--the Sunrise Club. On Friday mornings, whoever wants to meet us (mostly a group of senior boys) drives to the lake and we watch the sunrise. This morning, we didn't get to see much of one! The clouds were covering the sun's entry point. Now, don't get me wrong, I like clouds. I actually think sunrises and sunsets are made much more interesting and beautiful when clouds are in the picture. The clouds have a way of magnifying and changing color, and of throwing the sun's light to unexpected places. But when there are too many clouds, well, they just pretty much steal the show. Although, I know the sun is there, I don't have much evidence.

Naturally, my mind goes to all the spiritual connections and how "clouds" in our lives make God's work in them all the more beautiful--we see Him working in the storm and they throw His "light" (hope, truth, grace) in unexpected places. Then there are days when the clouds are so overpowering, we just can't even see His light at all. There are several people on my prayer list right now who are in some pretty cloudy days. I know God brings good out of bad... I know He is hope in the darkness... I know He is present even if He can't be seen. But, I guess my prayers for them changed a little bit today... Although the clouds are present, I pray there's enough of a clearing today for them to see the Son... I pray they see magnified colors... in unexpected places... and as a result, are able to carry on with hope another day.

Maybe next Friday, we'll see some sun?

Happy Anniversary to Me!

October is here and I made a little pumpkin witch to go on my swing. Don't you love my swing? That's what Chris gave me for my birthday. I want to sit on the swing and drink tea with my sweet husband. Today marks one year of being married. I can't believe a whole year has passed! That weekend was so fun, I wish I could relive it all today. We are blessed to have so many friends and loved ones who celebrated with us on 10.4.2008 and who have walked the past 365 days by our side... what an adventure! In the past year, we both graduated and finally finished school... we are expecting our first child... Chris got a teaching job... we celebrated the birth of a new nephew... and I turned 30! I can't wait to see what this next year holds for us. I look forward to the adventure of parenting with Crustopher Glenn by my side. I love him! Here are pics of our cake from a year ago--it was nasty! And I took pics of Chris with sweet Paisley. What a family!

October and Christmas

Today is October 1. For me, it begins a season of celebrating many gifts in this life. I celebrate the cooler temperatures and the changing of leaves. I celebrate one year of marriage to my best friend. I celebrate with thanksgiving alongside family and friends. And I celebrate the birth of my Savior. Many think I'm strange and are probably annoyed that I start playing Christmas music on October 1. However, I believe it is a critical part of my celebrating. You see, the birth of Christ changed everything. Forever. And in order to live, and to live fully, I must turn my attention to that event for more than just a few weeks.

We find ourselves in many different situations this Fall. Some of us are grieving. Grieving the loss of family or of friends. Some are captured by financial fears and wonder what tomorrow will bring? Some are celebrating the birth of children and the start of new beginnings. While others are frozen by depression and heaviness of heart. Some of us are walking closely with our Savior while others are in the dark night of the soul. We each have a reality that is ours this season and they differ from person to person. But, we also share a common reality. The reality that God became man and is with us. He is with the grieving hearts and the financially unsure. He is with the new parents and with those who are depressed. He is with those walking closely and those who feel so very far away. Christ's presence changes our situation because with Christ there is hope. There is love. There is healing.

As I begin listening to my Christmas music today, I do so to remind myself that Emmanuel is with me. May you be reminded today that God is with you too.

Merry October.