I HEART FALL!

To me, Fall is the MOST wonderful time of the year... Football (Go Hogs! Go Packers!), Sweatshirts, Chili, Fayetteville, Thanksgiving (Cherry Cheesecake), the Pumpkin Patch at Vanzant Fruit Farms, preparing for the Christmas season, Caramel Apples, Spiced Tea

I have been looking forward to THIS Fall in particular---our first in Green Bay, our first as a married couple, the cooler weather coming on quicker. I could not wait to decorate our home for the "Harvest." And, to top it off, we just spent the day making Chili in the crockpot, watching the Razorbacks, enjoying a Caramel Apple and now, a fire in the fireplace and a cinnamon/apple candle burning. LIFE IS GOOD.

From the song, Every Season by Nichole Nordeman

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

Green Bay Farmers' Market

Every Wednesday from June to October, Broadway Street in Green Bay transforms into an INCREDIBLE Farmers' Market. The streets are lined with vendors selling their wares from cucumbers to kohlrabi, from beef jerky to doggie treats, from honey to freshly baked cake, from earrings to recyclable bags. We had a blast walking up and down Broadway, purchasing cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, sugar snap peas, tomatoes, key lime rum cake and flowers. Before we headed home, we grabbed some food from among the many restaurants represented. It was a wonderful night!
Check out their great website at www.farmersmarketonbroadway.com!

Hear HIS Breath.

Today's service at Green Bay Community Church was all about the word of God. How the Holy Spirit spoke to the prophets and writers of the books of the Bible. How strong and true the word of the Lord was and is. Near the end of the service, the pastor called on the audience to share scripture. It was a powerful time. After each scripture the congregation responded with Hear HIS Breath. One in particular that stood out to me was Psalm 73: 25-26. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. I want to invite you to post the scripture that is on your heart today. The best encouragement and strength for each day is the word of God. Hear HIS Breath.

Saturday In The Park, I think it was the Fourth of July....

One of the wonderful things about living where we do is how close we are to SO many places! The Twin Cities, Upper Michigan, Canada, Milwaukee, Chicago... Did I mention CHICAGO? Matt and I spent the Fourth Of July weekend in Chicago! We headed on down to the Windy City on Friday evening and spent the weekend eating at wonderful places and best of all, cheering on the Cubs at Wrigley Field. I mean, can you get more American than spending the Fourth of July watching America's favorite past time and eating a Chicago Style Hot Dog? I DON'T THINK SO! And, Saturday night, we walked down to Navy Pier and watched the fireworks! It was truly a great weekend.

From the Natural State to America's Dairyland

You know you have officially moved and settled in somewhere when you change you LICENSE PLATE!!!!! In Wisconsin, you get not one but two plates, one for the front and one for the back of your car! We were sad to say goodbye to our Arkansas license plates (especially Matt, as he had an Arkansas Alumni Hog plate), but we will have them again one day and my tags had to be renewed by June 30th! Scratch (the name I affectionately call my car, due to its many scratches) is adjusting well to the change. I have really tried to culture her with her trips to Florida, Colorado, Texas and the like. :) She is enjoying her time in the Dairyland as are we.

Understand Them

Shed a little sunshine into the heart of one, that one is cheered to pass it on, and so My vitalizing joy giving message goes. Be transmitters these days. Love and Laugh. Cheer All. Love All. Always seek to understand others and you cannot fail to love them. See ME in the dull, the uninteresting, the sinful, the critical, the miserable. See ME in the laughter of children and the sweetness of old age, in the courage of youth and the patience of man and womanhood.

This is just a little excerpt from one of my favorite devotions, God Calling. I was inspired and encouraged by the passage above and wanted to pass the blessing on to all of you.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Minnesota Twins

Yesterday, Matt and I traveled to Milwaukee with his parents to see the Milwaukee Brewers play the Minnesota Twins. It was truly a BLAST! Miller Park is incredible and it was fun to see the Brewers in action. I am developing an enjoyment for Major League Baseball and loving it! Go Brewers! Go Prince Fielder! Next stop, Wrigley Field! Gotta root on those Cubbies in honor of Matt and my Dad!
To follow, more in depth posts on our wonderful visits from Erin and Matt, my Mom and Dad and Matt's Mom and Dad!