“October is crisp days and cool nights, a time to curl up around the dancing flames and sink into a good book.” — John Sinor

What type of book draws you in: A mystery, a romance novel, maybe a western, or an exciting biography? I like a variety, but I mostly land in books of Bible doctrine and devotional in nature so that God’s Word is central. Each time I dive into the pages where truth can be found, I find new strength for the day. With such hard life experiences, I find the Psalms bringing that encouraging message to keep going.  Psalm 118 richly records God’s mighty deeds “classified as a messianic thanksgiving psalm…written with a prophetic anticipation that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Specifically, it looks ahead to the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, his rejection by the nation, his crucifixion on the cross, and his…

Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons. ~Jim Bishop

This picture, a vivid visual of what makes autumn “POP!” was taken at the Farmer’s Market a few years ago. A perfect place to inspect your favorite flavor of apples, scan for those yummy pecans, peruse mounds of beautifully colored Mums and pick the best pumpkins for decorating your porch. But even more rewarding at this time of year with shortened days is to not shorten our time with “seeing and savoring” our Savior. This indeed is where we reap the greatest satisfaction.

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than…

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall –F. Scott Fitzgerald

Memories of trick or treating bring me back to my small, Louisiana hometown where you knew everyone and everyone knew you. You didn’t wonder if it was safe to eat a homemade treat that had been dropped in your bag. One of my favorite treats, besides popcorn balls from the Fishers, were candy apples. Oh! How I loved candy apples! Since becoming an adult I crave caramel apples sprinkled with peanuts! With Halloween approaching, I’m planning what to hand out to all those ghosts and goblins, or batmen and princesses that will flock to our door. Our little neighbor boy has been donning his batman costume for a couple of weeks now, trying it out. Those that know us will certainly get something homemade, maybe even a popcorn ball!

Why am I wearing the witch…

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are OCTOBERS—Anne of Green Gables

October has always been my favorite month – crisp air, leaves raining from the trees, colorful mums, funny scarecrows and large pumpkins. When I was a kid, I looked forward to “trick or treating” in my small town especially at the home of the Fishers where homemade popcorn balls were the treat. Now, I look forward to decorating, eating everything pumpkin, a bonfire and roasting marshmallows with our grands, black cake, watching “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and of course, going to the Fair (previously the Kansas State Fair and currently the NC State Fair). But the real reason I love October certainly has to do with it being my birthday month, not to mention a baby’s birth the day before MY birthday, in 1990.

I also find it a grand time to hunker…