The Changing Season

The sweetgum trees in our yard are gradually entering their Autumn transformation, an exciting process that never fails to enchant me. 

That's why I love this time of the year! It's intriguing to observe how the unique locations of each tree influence the timing and vibrancy of their color changes. Imagine the monotony of waking up one day to a uniform explosion of color—then a few weeks later, finding them stripped bare, all at once. That would be sooooo dull! 

In my yard, however, it seems my sweetgums embark on their seasonal shift later than my neighbors' trees, creating a delightful sense of anticipation. As the gentle breeze stirs the leaves, variations in temperature, sunlight, and shade weave a complex tapestry, affecting each tree's timing. Each subtle nuance in their environment plays a crucial role, harmonizing to produce their stunning autumn display, one tree at a time.

My husband and I are planning to put up a few Thanksgiving decorations soon after his afternoon nap. It's too late in the game to put out my extensive array of Thanksgiving decorations this year. I’m excited to at least sprinkle a little harvest spirit around our small home. However, in the back of my mind, I’m already aware that before I know it, I’ll be packing everything away to make way for Christmas.

I plan to rummage through the boxes of holiday treasures, and I’ve decided to set aside a larger box specifically for items that I no longer wish to keep. Living in a small 1300-square-foot home means that space is at a premium, and the clutter that can accumulate can truly drive me cray cray! It feels overwhelming at times, and I’ve come to realize that less is indeed more. 

Just like the vibrant trees transforming around me with the changing seasons, I find myself undergoing a change as well. I crave intentionality. I envision a few thoughtfully placed pieces that evoke the warmth of the season without overwhelming my space. I could keep some cherished items and rotate them annually creating a fresh look each year. Now, the challenge will be to follow through with this purging process and truly embrace a more streamlined approach to my seasonal decorating. I've been working up to this big moment for the last couple of years. 

Let's see if I can actually make it happen!

As the trees shed their leaves for new growth in the spring, we can let go of what no longer serves us and embrace whatever changes are ahead. 

Until next time -

Debby

What I am learning about myself these days...

It's Thursday afternoon - the sun is starting to dip low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow through my window. I find myself sitting at my desk, fingers tapping away on the keyboard as I let my thoughts flow freely. I'll go back and refine my words later, but for now, I'm just letting my thoughts pour out onto the screen.

I wouldn't have believed it, if someone had told me last year that I would be actively participating in a huge ministry dedicated to supporting and empowering other women. "No, not me, God. I can't do that!" 

When really, I was saying:

God, I don't trust you

God, I won't do that

God, I know better than you

I realize now that I have been closing myself off to my own spiritual development. I have always been cautious and reluctant to step out of my comfort zone and place my complete trust in the Lord. But God has known me from the very beginning and has been intricately involved in forming and shaping me, until my time. 

Earlier this year and part of last year, I sensed a stirring within me that propelled me to make some changes, although I couldn't fully comprehend it at the time. I closed one blog and started a new blog from scratch - I knew I might lose some followers. We also made the decision to leave a church that didn't have a strong focus on supporting Israel and the Jewish people. Eventually, I found a new church that welcomed us, and I felt at home there. I got involved in a 9-week course on Jewish ministry and was later invited to join the Tikfah team. Tikfah, (which means "Hope" in Hebrew) is a ministry that organizes volunteers to serve and support the Jewish community within our area. It's been a rewarding experience being a part of this team. There are only a handful in my area. And then BSF. 

source: freedesignfile - starder

I am learning that I should never confine myself to a narrow Christian mindset. I need to break out of my comfort zone and be open to new experiences and opportunities to do God's work. I shouldn't limit myself to ministering just to my family, as that can be a way of avoiding broader responsibilities. Instead, I need to fully trust in God's plan and take those bold, uncomfortable steps forward, knowing that He will support me. (and He has) 

It's essential for me to always examine my level of trust in God and my love for people.

There is a hurting world out there - if not us, then who? 

Starting Over - New Blog

I'm planning to start posting on this platform starting Thursday, August 1. I'm hopeful that this new chapter will be free of the troubles I experienced with my previous blog, From My House.

After struggling with the WordPress blog for two weeks, I've come to the decision to let it go. It was beyond my abilities, and the stress it caused was not worth it.