Over the weekend I drove up to Michigan to attend the annual fall party held in the Gingerich's barn. What fun! Cloaked in three layers of clothing on top, as well as a winter coat, gloves, scarf, and two layers on bottom, I braved the cold with about a hundred others. Dennis did a fab job cooking four turkeys in coals burried in the ground, and the ladies brought in some outstanding dishes to go along with the meat. The Curtises had a gourmet coffee bar set up toward the back of the barn. Someone else was frying donuts and had a table spread with toppings for the fresh, hot dainties. Don had strung little white lights all around the barn, which glowed beautifully as we chatted merrily on hay bales lined along all of the barn walls. Later Don took a couple of groups on a hay ride. Oh, I forgot to mention the delicious fresh-made cider from apples that Don gets every year from Michigan State University's agricultural program. So good! Unfortunately, I left my camera in the car and didn't feel like walking the distance through the piercing cold back to the car to get it - so there are no pictorial recordings of the event.

One of the best things I am involved in this fall is ladies' Bible study at a church only a mile from home. About twenty-five of us gather for 1-1/2 hours every Wednesday evening to share what the Lord has taught us from our study "The Power of a Woman's Words." The study itself has been incredible, as well as getting acquainted with other ladies.

I love the way the study is set up so we don't just hang with people we already know. During the first week, each of us was given a sheet of paper and were told to fill in our contact info as well as answer three relatively easy questions. Then we exchanged them with someone we did not know. The two of us chatted for a bit and then introduced each other to the large group when we all got back together. The two people who shared with each other that first week were assigned as buddies for the entire length of the class and were told to call each other throughout the week and do things together. Additionally, each week we write a prayer request on an index card when we arrive at the meeting. The cards are put into a basket and then distributed at the end of the class by one of the leaders. Each week I've met with a different person for prayer and a short time of chatting at the end of the study time.

Tonight I plan to head out to a coffee shop to get away from distractions at home and finish up my assignment for tomorrow night. :)

After an absence from xanga for a few weeks, I'm having to reacquaint myself with the site and what it is I'm supposed to do here. Ah, yes. Write something that sounds somewhat intelligent, I believe. Sigh. That seems so hard to do these days, but here goes for a good attempt...

Summer has been lived to the fullest, with much gusto. If only we could hit rewind just so we could have a few more months of the warm, sunny, let's-go-to-the-pool weather! Oh well. I'll just live with the memory that it has been.

So what exactly did the summer hold?

• Right at the top of the list - lots of memories made with good friends. I'd list, but then I'd accidently leave a golden memory out and someone would feel bad. Friends are definitely the highlight of any time of the year, though.
• Then, I've tried some new things this summer, which has markedly taken me out of my comfort zone, but has helped me grow. I won't mention those individually either. Just trust me on that one. :)
• I've attended some different churches this summer. There's comfort in the familiar, for sure, but the exposure to different preaching styles, musical talent, and challenges from others walking with the Lord has been refreshing - particularly as I've met some wonderful people close to home.
• Reading - I've read at least one book per month throughout the summer. The current read is "The Winner's Manual" by Jim Tressel, head football coach at The OSU. I haven't been converted to become a Buckeyes fan, but I have been challenged to identify my purpose, set some goals in several areas, and look to strengthen character. Two outstanding items in the book that immediately come to mind are TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More (which I see applies to me at work and at home) and, "It's one thing to say, 'Yeah, thanks, I'm grateful and fortunate,' but it's something else entirely to live gratefully." The question was asked, "How can I live gratefully today?" That's exciting to answer each day.

The fall holds some question marks, but the summer has boosted my enthusiasm to meet those questions and find God's will in the answers. I know of a couple of faithful readers whom I will be contacting with more information regarding some of these things. Thanks for your continual prayers. More than anything, I need them now. :)

I'm doing deep breathing exercises now so I can gear up for a high-speed week ahead. Saturday launches me to southern Indiana to visit and comfort grieving friends. Sunday afternoon I'll attend a funeral. Sunday night and Monday morning I have airport runs (imagine that!) back in Indy. Then it's off to camp in southern Indiana with the missionaries until Friday noon. My car will make its way quickly back up to Indy to drop off passengers, pick up more, unload and reload the trunk, and head out for a wedding in Iowa. Saturday will be given to wedding and who knows what else (sleep?). Sunday we'll be driving again - back to Indy. Oh yeah, and somehow between weekend 1 and weekend 2, I need to perform a feat of superhumans powers - like wash bedding and remake guest bed while I'm getting dizzy zooming in and out of Indy. Or maybe I should go buy another set of sheets so I have a spare.

I love my life.