BLESSINGS

It has been a busy month of October for me and my family.  We lost a very dear, close friend and my Mom has been having health problems.  The hardest part was that these two things overlapped on us.  Anyway, we will miss our friend, Catherine.  She was one of the most faithful of my friends.  She knew that no matter what transpired on earth, God would make it right.  She was wanting to go home to be with her Lord ever since her husband, Walt, left eight years ago.  Walt and Catherine were two of the most loving, family oriented people I knew.  They were the salt of the earth, always fun to be around, always joyful and filled with love for God, each other, their family, friends and all they were in contact with.  We've missed Walt for these past eight years and it is so comforting to know they are back together and with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And I'm happy to report that my Mom is doing well.  After a week of doctors visits, procedures and a two day hospital stay, she is resting at home and feeling so much better.  Thank you, God.

This is such a beautiful time of year here in Central Kentucky.  The colors of the trees, the horse farms and the beautiful backdrop of the Fall sky create vistas begging to be captured, whether in my mind or a photographer's lens.  Many times during my drives around Paris and Georgetown, I'm so tempted to just pull over and take it all in.  Every time I get to walk I'm just wishing that I had the ability to keep this season from marching on and keep it here until Spring.  Oh well.

I have been enjoying the football these past weeks, but I'm afraid most of the teams that I follow have been having really tough times.  I plan to continue cheering for UK and pray for these young men, especially that there are no more injuries.  After many of the NFL teams I like got beat this past week, it was good to see the second half of the Bronco's game last night as Peyton Manning pulled off his greatest comeback ever.  I actually went to bed once they got within three, cause I figured he had it all figured out and they were headed for a comeback win.  It was fun to turn on Sportscenter this morning and see that he did just what I had anticipated last night.  It's fun to see former UK players Jacob Tamme and Wesley Woodyard experiencing something that awesome.

I'm continuing to follow my UpperRoom readings each morning.  They always give me something encouraging and inspirational to help get me through the occasional rough day.  We are also nearing the end of our Beth Moore Bible Study at church.  The Psalms of the Ascent ( Psalm 120-134 ) are an awesome place to go for the opportunity to grow closer to our God.

And because it is such a beautiful Fall morning, I need to get my act together today for some fall cleaning in addition to a country walk.  I hope you are able to enjoy your day as well.  Stay safe and take care.  luv, Susan

FALL AND FOOTBALL

October is here!!  It is now okay to put out your pumpkins, ghosts and Halloween decorations.  I have a problem with jumping the gun on holidays, especially Halloween.  Can't we just enjoy September for it's own merit.  It is the beginning of Fall and school, harvesting and apple picking.  Do we really have to pass all of that by and start displaying witches and giant spider's webs on our front porches?  I know many say that Halloween is their favorite holiday, so they get a little carried away.  I have to admit, it's not my favorite, even though I've enjoyed my fair share of trick or treating, costumes and Halloween parties.  I think we've gone way too far with the dark aspect of the holiday.  It used to be cute and lighthearted. Today, there are way too many exploitations of the evil associated with the day referred to as all hallowed's eve.  My first real awareness of this was when we took our small children to what I thought was a "fun celebration" called Boo at the Zoo in Evansville's well known zoo.  After filing by cages filled with chain saw killings and maniacal scenes of gore and vile, I immediately realized, this was no place for me or my young children.  Don't be fooled by the glorification of the dark things of this world.  Halloween can still be fun and carefree, make thoughtful decisions about how you celebrate this season.

If you weren't in attendance at the latest UK football game, you missed one of the most exciting first halves of a David taking on Goliath examples ever.  It was a really wild time watching these mostly young freshman take on a very experienced and highly rated Gamecock team.  After our defense put on an amazing first defensive three and out possession, we were hopeful that this game might not be so terrible after all.  However,after we lost our very talented and capable starting quarterback, Maxwell Smith, on our second offensive play of the game, I thought we were in for a bloodbath of a one sided game.  It was stunning and totally exhilarating to be part of the experience when our true freshman quarterback came into the game.  Jalen Whitlow was able to lead our team to the most amazing first half ever and we went into the halftime with a lead over the sixth ranked team in the nation.  Wow, it was awesome.I don't have a lot to say about the second half, but I'm looking forward to more of the first half performance this coming Saturday as the Wildcats take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Commonwealth Stadium at noon.

I've been so blessed to be back in Central Kentucky.  It's wonderful to be able to see my family and hometown friends on a regular basis.  This coming Friday night I'll be going to see Paris take on Frankfort at Blanton Collier Field.  I don't expect to see a repeat of the 1973 game between the district foes, when Paris won by a field goal kick and eventually went on to win the Class A State Championship, but I do look forward to seeing more friends and former classmates cheering on the Orange and Black.

I hope you're enjoying the glorious season of Fall while it's here.  I'm not ready to even think of what's yet to come.  Please don't jump ahead to the next season without truly experiencing this one.  Take care and stay safe.  luv, Susan