Carving Pumpkins

Sam and I, along with our friends, Sarah and Elliott carved pumpkins today!!! Sarah had never carved a pumpkin before and we thought we should be there for this new experience...The following are our creations:

Elliott helps Sarah start her pumpkin

Elliott, Sarah and Sam, working hard

I was busy taking pictures, 

so it was dark by the time I got finished

Sam's is the one with the moon, mine is the face

Sarah's 1st Pumpkin!!!

Elliott's Creation...yes it's from the Nightmare 

Before Christmas, did I mention Elliott is a 

very talented artist?

Fall is Approaching

I was talking to a friend after church today about our busy lives and we joked about how thankful we are that breathing is an involuntary action. The more I think about how much is going on in my life, I am reminded to breathe. This next year is very full, and as I think about how it is already September, I begin to stress, but am still breathing.

I struggled at the beginning of the summer with grad school and figuring out if that was where I wanted to be. I think about those nights that I cried to Sam because I didn't want to do any more homework and I laugh. I laugh because at the time I saw no end in sight. It was just the beginning and I didn't know where I was headed. I can see now that there is an end and that I will be able to make it through. Now I am trying to figure out how it is already September, how I am 4 weeks into student teaching, how my research paper is almost half way done (in rough draft form) and how I only have 10 months left of grad school! Today I was reminded of the hope I have and the love and confidence of the people around me. 

I am constantly reminded that God does not change and I take another deep breath and hold on. I came across a quote tonight that said Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured. I think I will fall asleep thinking about that.