Good morning! And what a beautiful morning it is….I was just outside a minute ago, enjoying the cold, dewy grass beneath my feet, the morning sunshine on my skin, and the melodious song of birds.

Well, can you believe that tomorrow is the first day of fall!?  This year has gone by faster than I could have ever imagined. Sandals, lemonade, and summer tops are traded for scarves, apple pies, hot tea, and sweaters. Last week we bought lots of apples from a nearby orchard, which I’ve had great fun with baking in the kitchen. Mmm…I love it when our home smells like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

~As for an update on life lately, Mom had a surgery on her hip several weeks ago and she has been recovering from that. She is now able to get around fairly easily with little pain – praise God! Please pray for her continued recovery.
~The guys have been hard at work cutting wood for our furnace this winter. We will be grateful when the cold months hit (and I’ve heard that farmers are predicting an unusually cold and harsh winter this year).
~I have been enjoying my classes, especially physiology. I have a great instructor whose goal is for me to understand and retain key concepts that I’ll use as a nurse instead of temporarily memorizing various facts. In one lab we got to determine our blood types and actually watch blood clot! Microbiology isn’t as much my cup of tea, but much of it is interesting and important information to know.
~I also am finishing up Medical Explorers. My highlight was getting to see a baby being born! It was truly one of the neatest things I’ve ever seen. I almost cried to see the beginning of a new, fresh life. What a privilege!

So now, here is a collection of photos from the past month:

Austin has been hard at work on building a boat. Here’s the finished frame. Creativity at work, folks!

Each month I get to go out with a special friend – Mrs. Pool. We have such fun times together. I am blessed to have her for a friend and mentor.

Leaving for an evening dance with WC. :)

Baking pumpkin and apple pies with two girlies who came to spend the day. They looked adorable in their aprons! It reminded me of times years ago when I was little and young ladies (in a true Titus 2 fashion) taught me various skills, including how to bake.

Okay, yep, we got kinda goofy. What started out as a “light dusting” of flour on our faces ended up in full-fledged face masks. Heeheee.

The guys built this one morning with a friend.

So I think that’s all for now. Today Austin wrote a funny paper for school that he gave me permission to post, which I’ll be doing soon. As a side note, I have been listening to music from an album called Piano and Cello Duet by Brian Crain. It is some of the most beautiful, soft, and gentle music I’ve ever listened to. Be sure to look it up if you enjoy music like that. :)

Until next time, my friends! Thank you for visiting the Bungalow!

His grace is sufficient for every day.…the thought struck me anew as I sat pondering the days ahead. Life is good and so sweet, but I still worry at times. I wonder how I’ll be able to accomplish everything I want to do. I wonder about the years ahead and what they hold for me. The future is uncertain. Life is full of “what if’s.” It’s easy to become doubtful. It is easy to get caught up in what could happen instead of trusting in the goodness of God.

Trust.

It’s a hard thing to do. I am tempted to be anxious, but then I remember that God has numbered my days. He has placed me exactly where I am at now. He directs my very steps in the first place. He hems me in, behind and before. In Christ, He loves me more than I can imagine. Not for a moment will He forsake me.

I love this prayer by Elisabeth Elliot:

Lord, give to me a quiet heart
That does not ask to understand
But confident steps forward
In the darkness guided by Thy hand 

His grace is sufficient for each day. There will be new mercies for tomorrow, so don’t try to conserve today’s grace. May we not lose sight of the goal and may we press on with a quiet heart in the strength that God supplies, living each day to its fullest for the glory of God!

While I was staying with the Armours, Wesley came and joined us for a few days. Then we left and spent a day at the Iowa State Fair before heading home (Wesley’s internship in Iowa ended that week, so it worked out perfectly that we could come home together). We had a fun time bumming around and visiting the photography, art, animals (those huge draft horses are my favorite!), and the agriculture center.

The ice sculptures were some of my favorites:

The butter cow!!!

Yup, the entire thing is carved out of solid butter.

Sharing a funnel cake. YUM!

We matched that day without even meaning to. I love it when that happens! :) The long drive home gave us lots of talk time. It’s so good to have WC home again!

Thus ends the account of my August travels…definitely one of the highlights of my year! I came away with my batteries recharged and ready to start the fall semester. I can hardly belive that I’m 3 weeks into classes already. I am excited to share some more things here on Bungalow of Blessing this month. Thanks for stopping by today!

What are some highlights from your summer?