Project 365, Week 40

Autumn will never be my favorite season because it leads us right to winter, but each year it makes a compelling case for itself. Such beauty! I hope to never get over it.

September 29

Made more precious because its now rare, the five of us somehow found a sliver of time to be together, so we headed to the lake.

 

September 30

I went to NY for a PET scan....what a strange test.  I humor the sweet staff who walk me through it and want to make me as comfortable as possible while thinking, I've been at this before you even became a nurse. :)

Back at home, there was a large group gathering for the much anticipated Twenty One Pilots concert. Amy put food together for tailgating and sent some pics. What a fun thing for them to share!

October 1

Welcome, October...a most enchanting month. 

October 2

The boys are fishing like its going out of season.

October 3

For J's birthday, I arranged a ride at her former barn. I left it a surprise which meant she didn't know her 'I'm running late' texts would matter. By the time we, arrived the riding time slot had passed. Still, it was fun to watch her in her element. 

Avery met us for lunch with the little guy she was watching.

October 4

Shaun got a stunning shot of his start to the day.

Aiden and I were at Bible Quiz #1, happy to kick off a new season!

The family met up at the lake for the afternoon. Collectively, we've dealt with some tough things in the last months and this day was a win. We even got Nana in the boat and Shaun's dad in the kayak.

We closed out the day around the campfire making smores and laughing at Uncle Nathan games. 

October 5

Pop and Kiki were back from their cross country trip and had some special deliveries. Often while they're away they find something that makes them think of us or that they know we would like. Its special to be thought of and always nice to get some time with them. They are the kind of people that leave you better than they found you. 

Project 365, Week 39

It's clear to see from the week's collection of pictures that we are enjoying these early fall days at the lake. While we don't have access to the house that is currently rented, we do have the water front and the basement space. Shaun especially does a whole lot of work and a whole lot of fishing and Aiden is right there with him. Making memories!

September 22

Pretty scenes at dawn from the golf course. Every morning Shaun sends me a picture from either the golf course or the lake...weather and injury status, among other factors, are what help determine where he ends up at 6 AM every day.

We spent a couple hours at the lake getting some things done and I noted the first touches of fall were beginning to appear.

Spotted my girl on IG.

September 23

Early the next morning I brought Aiden over to meet up with Shaun, who had gotten an earlier start. I watched Aiden go out and then later I watched as they arrived from their fishing and in between, I sat and witnessed the day quietly unfolding.

I wore my Summit sweatshirt in hopes it would help make Amanda come home sooner.

September 24

Each week Amanda's campus church host's Time Square Church's Worldwide Prayer service. When first asked about sharing her story, Amanda gave a hard 'no', but with some thought and prayer she really felt like she should be obedient to the tug in her heart. And so, in front of many hundreds all around the world, Amanda shared about the work Jesus has done in her heart and life. (video here).

September 25

Beauty that prompts a gasp.

September 26

Amanda came home for the weekend! She was quick to pull out her guitar and show us what she's been learning. It felt right to have her home.

And it warmed my heart that these five chose to be together after youth group. Avery and Jack are great about opening up their home and their spare bedroom gets used regularly for sibling sleepovers.

September 27

This time of year!! What a gift to be alive!

Saturday mornings C4 leads Faith & Football with this crew +/-. Occasionally a picture comes out of it.

And then we spent a good part of the day doing lake things.

September 28

Down the hallway, I could hear the sound of the girls chatting while getting ready before church. Avery had slept in her old room while Jack was busy for the night. All our kids under the roof for the night!!

Originally my dad was going to do the service, but he was still making his way back from WA with his own brother's passing. Since we'd already secured the date and made plans, we made an executive decision that Amanda's one year of Bible school qualified her to lead the memorial service for Nana's late husband, Grandpa John.

We used the chapel in Nana's assisted living place. Amanda lead us in prayer and helped us work through the order of service; many of the kids participated in playing a song or reading a scripture.

Part of the way through the open mic time of sharing, Nana got up to share. After a bit, when she got a little lost with her thoughts, she looked down at the program and saw Psalm 23. It was in there for the kids to say together, so when she started to read it, we had the them join her in the reciting.

Many told stories about Grandpa John and eventually it devolved into sharing his jokes or jokes he would have enjoyed. He had such a great sense of humor and an easy-going manner. He was a bachelor until he was 70, when he married Nana and took all of us on as part of the package.

The service was something that only made sense to our family, and in that way it was just right. Nana was touched and I know Grandpa John have laughed the loudest. 

The assisted living center has a community room that was perfect for our little reception and that opened up to a patio area on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.