A Quiet Wood

A Quiet Wood

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Fallish

Fall came back today. I think it took a bit of vacation and got summer to cover for it for about a week, but today it was back and working hard. (Does that seem like a lot of "its" in one sentence? It does to me. Wait, there it is again...and again. *sigh*) Anyway, I kind of missed fall, and I'm glad it's back...overcast skies, rain, cold, the whole shebang.

You know what else I love that's back? A full day without hearing any sort election coverage. I missed those days, and now they're back. (Excuse me while I wipe a tear of gratitude.) I pray that, no matter how we feel about who won or lost, we will behave like true followers of Jesus and students of the Word. May we honor, obey, and pray for those in authority over us. May our spirits stay sweet and our words gracious. (Enough said.)

Many things have happened in my life since last I blogged. I shall quickly enumerate a few of them for you.

I made a trip to PA to see my aunt and uncle. They always make me feel loved and a bit spoiled. (Lovely.) Of course, I didn't pull the camera out to get any shots of them...just their yard. But it was early fall, and I was overwhelmed by changing color. It must have gone to my head.



I love these trees. You just gotta love trees with faces.


Like I said, I think it went to my head.


I also made a little fall display for my office. My uncle picked out the appropriate pumpkin and gourds for me (following orders from his wife). I think he did a pretty good job!


I also went to a hayride and pretty much did everything but that. There is something lovely about a big fire, cold night, hot dogs, marshmallows, s'mores (in which the chocolate never melts properly), lukewarm "hot" chocolate, hats with pompoms, and crazy kids. It's a pretty great combination! Here are some of my flock.






This is the one where I'm a disembodied head. (That's actually convenient at times.)


So...it has been busy. Right now I'm teaching Biology for almost 2 weeks while the regular teacher is away. I'm really enjoying myself...except for the prep work. However, I find that it's actually the grunt work that makes the experience of teaching a truly enjoyable one. Without it I'm ill prepared, nervous and basically a mess. However, when I put in the time beforehand, I have a blast explaining how stuff works and examining the handiwork of our Creator. Hmmmm. Think there might be a lesson in here somewhere?

This weekend I'm in the office. I just came back from late night in the gym, and sometimes it takes a while for me to settle in for the night. Thus, the blog. Speaking of the office, there's grunt work to be done in there as well if I want to have the kind of rapport I need to have with my girls. Starting to see a pattern here?

I believe that in our spiritual lives there's grunt work as well. Sometimes we complete our spiritual disciplines simply because they are just that - disciplines. Sometimes we do right just because it's right. Am I saying that there is no joy in the spiritual disciplines? OF COURSE NOT! However, if I did only what I felt like doing, there are days I wouldn't take the time to forge through that difficult scripture passage or scribble my scattered thoughts down on paper. But, as with Biology, prep work yields rewards. I may not see them right away, but as I daily do right I form a pattern of living. I begin to watch the Word transform my life, and I enjoy the abundant life God promises.

"For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Gal. 6:8-9 NASB

Keep up the good work!!

17 comments:

Kimberly said...

OK...i'll keep up the good work!

Happy you got to be w/Kathy...truly a great place and great people.

You are cracking me up w/that pom-pom hat....But, under that hat lies alot of wisdom so i guess it's allowable!:)

Anonymous said...

Hey...watch it! I like my pompom hat! =)

Anita Marie said...

Excellent post. Excellent reminders. Excellent trees with faces. A bit Lord of Ringish.

Sarah Cook said...

Hey, friend... glad to see a new post... looks like you have been having fun. I am sitting in Ron's hospital room right now while he sleeps and periodically wakes up just to ask... "Who are you writing now?" Outside his window is a statue of a woman and the name of it is HOPE! I think that is pretty cool. He has a lovely view. I think some of your girls are staying at my house this weekend to watch Faithy and Charity. Thanks for loaning them... hope that my kids don't wear them out too much!

Anonymous said...

Sarah, I'll probably put this on your blog as well, but I'm still praying for you guys every day. I let at least one of my girls know how much I appreciated her helping you guys this weekend. Please know you are loved!!

Charity said...

Sonja,

Hearing you loud and clear on the 'grunt work'~ small children seem to bring a lot of that with them. I know how you love Kathrynisms~ this week she called me a "lily bemong the thorns" ;o) Hope you have a fabulous Sunday worshipping the King!

Brenda said...

That's good - liked the grunt work lesson.

lauralavon said...

When I saw Sonja had a 1 post on my Google Reader, I said, "Yay! Sonja's back!"
So good to have a post from you again.
I love the picture of the swing surrounded by the beauty of fall. Enjoyed all of the pics!

Mary Ellen said...

Do they still call that Indian Summer when it does that? I remember reading about that as a child in the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and my first year living in NY after growing up here, I thought it was pretty cool when I heard the weather person use that term. Thanks to childhood reading I actually knew what it was!

During those 8 years in NY I about drove the two boys I was a nanny for nuts pointing out the beauty of the Fall leaves every single year...and sometimes day after day. I didn't want them to take it for granted and to really appreciate it - every Fall during those 8 years I was just in awe of it. So this Florida girl who lived in the North for a few years completely understands your fascination with those leaves!

I was reading kind of fast and at first I thought you said you were teaching "Blogology"...now there's a class you could teach without any preparation, just use your own blog as an example! Always a pleasure to read them, when you do them that is...hint, hint...

Anonymous said...

You're right, Mary. It is Indian Summer. It's nice, but it does really mess with the mind! I do think fall is probably my favorite season.

Susanna said...

Enjoyed your blog, as usual. I can empathize with one of the above comments regarding grunt work and small children! (Especially when two of them are twins and are only 7 weeks old!)
Keep wearing the pom pom hat--it's great! You look very cute in it.
:-)

TKB said...

I really appreciate the thoughts this prompted...I needed to hear it, thanks! And I too am a fan of the pom pom hat! :)

Kimberly said...

I think you know I was not "puttin down" your hat....regardless, it's cracking me up a little!:) You look gorgeous in it, my dear!!:)Truly stylin....

kayla said...

Happy with overcast, gloomy weather? What happened to my FL friend?
Now I know what to get Kimberly for Christmas. She seems intrigued with your pom pom hat.

Julia said...

The problem with pom-pom hats is that at some point they always give one a "cone head" look. Other than that though, they are lovely.

Also, Wrap your premade s'more in tin foil and then put it in the fire. Everything melts properly, it also is lovely.

Amen to grunt work. You really can't enjoy anything properly if you don't first employ some discipline.

Cindy said...

I love the pic of the disembodied head :) But then, you pretty much look cute whatever you do. Most of the time, you even have really good hair days ;) (think traveling with Hope...)

As always, enjoyed your post. I know I need to call you. I'm terrible. A lazy slob of a friend. I shall find some sackcloth and ashes and maybe that will make me feel better :) I love you anyway...even if I'm bad about staying in touch. I'll try to do better. Really I will. Maybe I should even come see you. When the Christmas program craziness is over, of course! Lol...

That Girl In Switzerland said...

J'aime le chapeau avec des pompons! You're so wise, Ms. V. I love reading your blog!