I know so many people feel this way and quite frankly, I can’t blame them.

Here in the Deep South, autumn means that after the suffocating heat of summer the pressure is released and my lungs are able to breathe in a huge gulp of FRESH, CLEAN, COOL air! No humidity, no heat, no dust and grime…. refreshing doesn’t do justice to the emotions I experience the first real “fall” day we get. 

My soul is refreshed in a way I can’t describe. I see God’s fingerprints in creation so much easier when it’s cool enough for me to actually sit and enjoy His creation! To hear the wind rustling the leaves and watch the sunlight trickle through the trees reminds me of the awesomeness of our Creator in a tangible experience… which reminds my heart.

This year has been so full. So good. So hard. So fun. So so so full.

February brought the inconceivable joy of Lincoln. My precious man child who was born holding his head up, and hasn’t stopped since. At 6 weeks old Lincoln and I braved the trek up to Maryland for a weekend reunion with several of my college friends. A few weeks later he and I journeyed all the way west to Las Vegas for a conference, and three weeks after that flew half-way around the globe to Thailand for time with family. Since mid-June we have been to Atlanta, Charleston, Marlyand again,  Tennessee, and New York. With a few weekends of people coming to us thrown in, it has been full.

Lincoln has grown up so much already. He cut his first two teeth at three months, three weeks and just kept going. Seven teeth by seven months, and the eighth tooth is well on its way. He rolled over early, and started sitting up somewhere around 4 months, crawling by 6 months, and now he pulls up on everything – walking himself around objects and determined that he will get where he wants to go. I love it! I love how much he enjoys exploring. I love how much he enjoys new experiences. I love the joy on his face when he accomplishes his goal. And yet, he has kept my days (and often nights) full. I love it. I absolutely love being his mom. I love (almost) all the territory. And it has made my life extra full.

This year has continued a very full season for Chris and his work as well. We have been so blessed that he has a good job, and yet his job has kept him very busy. With an already full life, it has felt suffocating at times. Its hard to feel like family has to, by reality of time contraints, take a backseat to other pressing needs. His realities of work have kept life full on a daily basis.

We’ve also been intentionally pursuing steps forward in our journey to overseas ministry and wading through options in that realm. So many amazing opportunities, so many wonderful conversations, and so many decisions to make. 

Full isn’t all hard. Full isn’t all bad. Full is full. Peppered throughout the difficult aspects of the “fullness” has been inumerable joys and blessings.

Lincoln himself is a daily reminder of God’s good gits. Traveling so much has given us incredible opportunities to connect in relationships (and enjoy traveling!) Chris’ job has made it possible for me to stay home and raise our son. Taking steps toward the dreams and calling God has burdened us with for so long brings deep contentment in the chaos. Our lives this year have been so incredibly full.

This beautiful fall day is bringing refreshment for my soul in more ways than just the cool breezy air. Lincoln is napping and spending time with Dad (who’s home!) so I can finally get a few minutes to process. We bought tickets this week to visit two ministries we’re looking at for long-term ministry. We’re narrowing down the options and it feels so good! (Both places are near the equator, however, so…. no autumn) Chris (and Lincoln and I) have been gifted with the blessing of some changes in the work arena. With the developments comes the opportunity for an unexpected week of family vacation!!! Just the three of us, a week at the beach, and no other agenda….. there are literally no words. And when we get back work will start to fit into some much more defined parameters.

With autumn the pressure valve is released. The air is crisp, cool, clean, and refreshing. God’s fingerprints are easier to see in the details all around. And, it feels. so. good!