Go. Be. Do.

"If we were on the top of that mountain right now, we'd be in a cloud." me to Ryan, AK '09 Saw a show on Alaska "giants" tonight...Denali, sled dogs, mushing, bear, moose, bear eating moose...you name it, it was mentioned. This, on top of seeing updates from Traci and Heidi about the beloved frontier, only made me long to be there more...especially in the winter. Maybe one day... Until then, I remember and I smile. God is good and gracious. He gave me Alaska two times...and I am so thankful. If I never step foot there again, my heart will be happy with the memories.

"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come." Psalm 71:18 As Thanksgiving approaches, I can't help but thank God for my Grandma and Grandpa Miller. I realize that my life is blessed and enriched by having them in my life...and for such a long time, too. Growing up with the farm as a second home was awesome. I might not have thought that all the time then, but now looking back I wouldn't change a thing. Grandpa always let us help with the chores and gather the eggs. My first experience driving was in his truck out by the pond while he was in the back picking up hay bales...or at least trying to as I jerked him around. Many a summer day was spent in the fields watching Grandpa and Uncle Mike work...and helping drive the tractor occasionally. A smile comes easily thinking on these times. Grandpa was always ready for an afternoon of fishing, too, if the day's work allowed. ...

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:3-9

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss Missing someone has to be the worst feeling to experience. Over the past several months, I've had to say goodbye to some pretty special people in my life. I would rather not have any more practice at saying goodbye, if you don't mind, please. There are two sides to goodbye...the one leaving and the one being left. I started thinking about this more the other day when I realized I've been saying goodbye more this past year than I like...and then further realized it's harder because I'm the one being left. Most of my adult life it's been reversed...I'm the one leaving after a time here or there. Being the one leaving, there's almost always something to look forward to ahead of you. No matter how much it hurts to leave those behind, there's an unknown awaiting that brings excitement. Being the one left, brings a void...and it seems unfillable. Normal isn't normal anymore. So...

Yes, my friends, it is time again for raking of leaves into piles for the sole purpose of jumping into them and scattering them hither to yonder all the while doing it. Gotta love it! And love it we do. In the three seasons of fall that we've lived here this day is looked forward to with great anticipation...and today was a perfect fall day for our annual leaf pile jump-a-thon. Our previous yard had no trees...it is quite a different story now. Trees, trees, and more trees who are more than willing to shed their leaves for our pleasure. I've been amazed since moving to GA that the trees down here are not like those in the Northern states. These are just plain stubborn and refuse to drop their leaves around the same time. We know fall is coming when the leaves of one certain tree turn red and proceed to all fall off before any others even think of changing color. It's hilarious to hear the boys refer to "the naked tree". Other trees don't ever lose their brown,...