Fall is well under way. We are enjoying crunching through crisp leaves on leisurely strolls (those are the only kind of walks you take with four small children in tow). We have also taken our yearly trips to the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch. Actually, there were two trips to the pumpkin patch this year. One with Nate's parents, sisters and nephews and one with a group of moms from church. We spend as much time as possible outside. It gets harder once winter coats and snow boots are necessary.
Hannah and Jael are especially aware of the seasons now. They know that winter is next and SNOW! Hannah keeps talking about making snowmen and snow forts and snow balls, etc. She is quickly maturing into a very big help to mommy. She is good at playing with and watching Justus for me. (He is crawling now!!) Hannah is also becoming quite the talented hairdresser. She loves to create...um interesting... do's. One of her specialties is "noodles in a pot", a phrase she coined herself for a unique arrangement using LOTS of barrettes, headbands and other hair accessories. She is always on the lookout for her next victim... I mean volunteer (usually her younger sister and yours truly, even though Enoch is the most willing.) =D She keeps us thinking!
Jael is another willing helper and especially enjoys preparing meals with me. She is usually quick to obey mommy and daddy's requests. Jael is the peacemaker. When siblings are unhappy, she is most often the first to concede. Her personality is very different from her older sister, although she likes to copy almost anything Hannah does or says. They are both funny, but Jael has her own unique style. Basically, she cracks herself up! She loves to laugh and often laughs at her own antics. When conversing with people, she uses her hands a lot and has the craziest expressions. She keeps us laughing!
Enoch talks incessantly about anything and everything, particularly his birthday these days. He tells anyone who will listen that he is "almost 2" and that he will get a vitamin when his birthday comes. (The girls each get a 1/2 vitamin at breakfast and he has been very eager for the day when he can join them in this "treat".) He is a vivacious boy who loves anything that goes! His newest "love" is his skateboard. This summer he watched older boys go by on their skateboards and he would holler, "Mommy, look!". He wears his bike helmet and plays on an old skateboard we found in our garage. I've been surprised at how daring he is on it. He calls this activity "skaping". He keeps us moving!
Justus is crawling all over the place. His style is a mix between an inchworm and an olympic swimmer doing the butterfly stroke. He is no longer content to sit and watch all the action; he would rather jump right into the fray! Something funny is that he is our first baby to really like the vacuum cleaner. He gets very excited when we run it and heads straight for the cord to see if he can chew on it before we notice him. =D
Nate is still working at New Hope Mills, but has had somewhat of a promotion in recent months. He really desired to be part of the office staff in order to use a little more brain power and a little less muscle power! God provided by opening up some part time office work in the purchasing end of things. So now he is ordering supplies and doing some other miscellaneous deskwork as well as managing/working in the warehouse. It is approximately half office and half warehouse for him now... a good blend of brain and brawn.
I am finding myself really savoring this season. I have always enjoyed fall, but it is more than that. The Lord is growing me in the area of rest and trust in my relationship with him. Mothering young children is a mixed blessing of fun and lots of hard work. Galatians 6:9 tells us not to weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap the harvest, if we don't lose heart (paraphrased). Some days I feel more weary than others, but I am encouraged to keep pressing on by the love of God that will not let me go, the Word of God, and the wonderful sisters in Christ that I am blessed to know.
Like everyone else reading this, there are some troubling circumstances in our lives right now. The most significant is that Nate's dear mom, Holly, has metatastized breast cancer. Holly is a godly woman who is an encouragement and testimony for Jesus wherever she goes. Gary, Holly, and two daughters, Olivia and Leah have been in Ireland serving the Lord for the last 5 years. They came home this summer to see family and friends and unexpectedly discovered that Holly's cancer had returned. So now they are living in our area as she receives treatment. God is GOOD and FAITHFUL. That is what Gary and Holly continue to share with everyone who asks a reason for the obvious hope that is in them. We would appreciate your prayers for her and all of the family.
Thanks for reading this lengthy update. God willing, I will post some fall pictures very soon. Love,
Nate, Caryn, Hannah, Jael, Enoch, and Justus