I love this blurry image because my October was just that – A BLUR!
October is one of my favorite months. I suppose it’s because I was born on the 14th or perhaps because I like all things fall. This month has been a whirlwind with Write 31 Days and a very intense time of reading and writing the series “31 Days in the Gospel of John – Exploring 31 Profiles of Christ” – the book will soon be released! I’ll definitely let you know.
This What I Learned exercise has been extremely helpful to me to assess each month as the calendar page is turned – to evaluate where my time is spent and to evaluate where my treasure is going! I want my treasures to be stored up in heavenly places for all of eternity. So, let’s see what I learned, what I did, in the beautiful autumn month of October!
One. Being Home Alone has its perks. Hubs went off working and shooting guns for 12 whole days. Shooting guns translates into competitive black powder shooting where people dress up like Confederates and Yankees and live in campers for five days at “the fort.” Wanna go? No thanks, I’ll stay home. Not my cuppa tea but I do like to be here and not have to cook or do laundry every other day – mind you, I like my husband but time off is healthy, right?
Two. Hurricanes from 900 miles away still bring trepidation and the urgency to pray. This one was a doozie too. Our state of NC on the coast is still a mess. People left homeless, businesses still shut, roads still blocked. Please pray for Eastern NC.
Three. Weekends with family are never unwelcome! My daughter, daughter-in-love, and two grands came to the mountains for a sleep-over. It was rainy, windy and perfect. We had a great time. Simon, the only guy beside Sam the dog, hung in like a champ. We were all browsing through a multi-level antique store on Saturday morning and we heard guitar strumming only to find he had picked up some strings in one of the booths and was entertaining the sales clerks! What a guy! Hannah, home for fall break, looked fab-u-lous!
Four. Fall arrived suddenly. Things were green – then brilliantly gold and red!
Five. Unplanned road trips are the best! Hubs and I took off for St. Parris, Ohio the morning of the 14th – my birthday! On the way we made a short little side trip just east of Cincinnati and I got to meet Natalie of MessyMom.com – she is a delight. We spent the night in Piqua, Ohio, and headed home the next morning. We took a diagonal route through Ohio and never once drove on an Interstate. In Portsmouth Ohio we crossed the great Ohio River and we arrived home Saturday night! One of the things we saw on the trip in Eastern Kentucky was a union strike – hadn’t seen one of those in ages – and, finally, on this trip we realized we are drivers and not stoppers!
Six. Facebook is an awesome Prayer Group! My former husband, or as my friend Tammy Mashburn says, my “was-band” had open heart surgery on the 13th – and wow! when I put out a call for prayer? There were at least 43 people willing to pray and reach out. Thank you. Update: he is home recuperating and doing well.
Seven. The Nester put on quite a fall extravaganza on the 22nd – NEST FEST! Our tickets were purchased months ago and my daughter and I were so excited about attending as we both follow her blog, read her book and like her style. My daughter, Marni, and grandson, Simon, went to South Florida to tend to my wasband and she had to miss it. Hannah came home from Liberty that weekend so she and I could go! The Lord gave us the perfect day to travel to Midland NC. It was glorious! And, what a festival – perfect in every way. The now famous “white barn” was the site of the writers hall of fame! Shelly Miller, Emily Freeman, Edie Rudder Wadsworth, Logan Lane Wolfram, Lisa Whittle, Timothy Willard and Myquillyn Smith aka The Nester – all there signing books and greeting the people. We had a wonderful day. Took a little side trip to IKEA, which is always FUN!
Eight. Hubs and I traveled to Conway SC for the sixth annual cousins’ gathering of his clan! Another perfect day – cousin Barry called it a “Chamber of Commerce” day! We had an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and fabulous food.
Nine. October 27th marks the anniversary of my mother’s home-going. Hard to believe it’s been four years – does it get easier? Not really, but the grief softens and the memories sweeten!
Ten. Discipline: Read | Pray | Move still going strong. The year-long, chronological read-thru of the Bible has me in the New Testament and I’m still loving The Message. I’m still “moving” Monday through Friday with my T-Tapp Basic Workout Plus. And, I’m still praying, without ceasing, never saying amen!
How was YOUR month of October? Please, do tell!
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I always enjoy reading these sort of posts which summarize a month. I always intend to do one and don’t 🙂 October seems to have been a busy month for you. How you fit it all in is truly the question! And how wonderful that you are turning the 31 Days into a book! I shall be on the lookout!
Joanne, October is maybe my favorite month, at least favorite of the fall months! I knew Write 31 was going to eat me alive if I didn’t properly plan so I pre-wrote about six posts and doing that was the catalyst of staying on top of it – even affording a couple weekends of no writing time. It worked!
Sounds like such a fun time. I love the way you love life. xoxo
Kristin, best compliment ever!
So much fun to read this, Susan! I hear you about the respite we get when our husband is gone a day or two. I spent so many months apart from mine during the first three years of marriage that I still don’t like too many days of being apart. Glad you got to Ohio. Next time come north just a bit farther and we can get together and I can show you some fun places.
Pam, you never know where our route will take us!!!
Susan such a nice post to read – every word of it. Sometimes I zoom through, but this one caught my attention all the way through.
First – Happy Birthday month. We celebrate all month – right?
Second – Fall doesn’t want to come to Texas. We are still in the 80s but they say rain is coming this evening and temps in the 70s. Trees and grass look like Spring here.
Third – You are right – our Moms- it doesn’t get easier, but the memories are sweeter. My mom has been gone 4 years this Valentine’s week. I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately- not sure why.
Fourth – the #write31 days challenge was hard for me. I still have several more to finish up this week. YEP, I’m behind, I overcommitted with so many other things, but not giving up and know God has me where I need to be today taking care of grands yesterday and today, and we took a trip with our son and DIL.
Again this was a great monthly wrap-up.
Debbie, I love your contentment, “God has me where I need to be today…” Amen, sister.
So enjoying your “stuff”. Keep it up Sestra.
There’s a lot! Sestra.
Bumping into you, Susan, has been one of the unexpected perks of this blogging life.
Another best.compliment.ever. #2 of the day!!!
I love this, Susan! What a great idea—to reflect back on a month and all that you’ve learned, done, and are grateful for!
Sarah, Emily Freeman does a “What I Learned” post quarterly but I find in this season of my life it’s more “what I did” oh yes, I’m still learning for sure – but I like to look back through my journal and see what I did. Keeps me content!
What a great month! I am still laughing about was-band lol.
I know, right? I cracked up when Tammy used that term.
Wow! Your October WAS “full”…………….wonderful things. You deserve all things wonderful.
Love,
Kathy
Not sure I deserve it but I sure am grateful for it!!!
October is my favorite month in the year, but mine was a bit harsh and painful this year with my bout of shingles starting the end of September and still continuing in PHN to this day. However, I think I’m out of the woods, but it certainly tinged my favorite month this year. Btw, you share a B-day with my lovely and sweet MIL, Susan. I bet you are as sweet as she is.
It seems that you’ve learned a whole lot this October. I’m glad you’ve had a break from all that laundry and cooking that a hubs requires, though I’m sure it’s sweet to have him back! Sounds like you made time to do a day trip as well with him. Dates and getaways are always important for the marriage agenda. You go, girl! Will definitely pray for those hurricane-battered folks in your state. Can’t imagine! Hugs to you, my friend!
Beth I do hope you are on the mend! Thanks for visiting and those essential prayers.
Love your insights and laughed through out your posts. Thankful for you!
Ah…laughter – good medicine!
Susan, this was a fun read. You always make your posts interesting. 🙂 Good for you continuing the T-Tapp every weekday. I’ve got to get back into it soon!
Have a great rest of the week. Many blessings to you! xo
Gayl, thank you friend. Hope your birthday was wonderful AND INTERESTING!
A blur is a pretty accurate description of October. You certainly accomplished a lot in it. I have enjoyed October despite the fulness of life right now. It is spring here but has been a much colder and wetter one this year.
Jodi, I’m glad I did as much as I did or the whole month would have been writing!!!
Your October was jam packed! You learned a lot too!
Tara, everything gets packed into weekends – my weekdays are pretty boring!
You certainly accomplished much this past October. Busy with sharing the word of God n making time to enjoy your birthday month with family n friends. I enjoyed “sharing your ride.” We enjoyed day trips, puzzles on the porch watching the golfers come n go. Attended a few Ladies lunches and much needed therapy on my chronic bursitis hip n low back issues kept me busy too. Thanks again for an inspiring look at the Gospels. My own mother passed 7 years ago n October and I still find myself saying, ” I need to ask Mom about that!” I was very close to my father too and miss his “happy go lucky” attitude. He attended church every day 7 days a week to light a candle n pray for his family for 25 years after the loss of a grandson he vowed to make ten mins each day to kneel n pray at his church. Here comes November so “gobble-gobble” everyone!
Merry, I know so many who have lost a parent in the month of October. You know I remember your dad very, very well. What a great man he was and could fix anything!!!
Wow, what a busy October you had! Belated happy birthday! Glad your husband is doing better. I am loving fall weather!
Thanks, Barbara!
Hi Susan-So happy I finally found time to stop by-your October whizzing by sounds familiar as mine did too! Trying to be still and present at least for a few moments each day was a treat I’m still trying to do in never stop November! Thanks for letting us in on your journey!
Jill, I “think” our November is quite a bit less busy!!!
Wow! Sounds like a great month of memories!
#Faith’NFriends
Julie
Julie – a real journey!
Sounds like you had quite an October Susan. Every day is such a blessing from God. May we continue to live each day for Him and thank Him for His goodness. Have a fantastic weekend and may God continue to bless you and yours.
Horace, thank you very much.
Wonderful wrap-up for October, Susan!
I’m trying not to be a wee bit envious about the Nest-Fest and seeing all my favorite writers! Maybe next year …
However, I did get to go to NC in October. Totally gorgeous!
What? And you didn’t contact me? 😉