The amazing aura of Autumn!

Yes...It has finally arrived! A morning walk in the neighborhood confirmed the fact that our Texas weather finally made the transition from the hot, humid summer to the cooler, breezy autumn air. I love this season...Truly my favorite season of the year.

I sit here this morning contemplating the end of 2005 and how much activity is in store for me these next several weeks. Tomorrow I leave for a four-day business trip to Southern California. I've prepared a solid presentation for some very high-maintenance sales employees in the Company. Fortunately my boss will be with me to "scrape me off the floor" if I get chewed up and spit out! The purpose of the trip is to do some serious networking and "partnering" if you will. We recently had some organizational changes in the Company which resulted in my office absorbing all customer contacts from the West...Truly a HUGE undertaking. We are experiencing some "growing" pains to say the least!

In three short weeks (November 1st) John and I leave for three nights, four days in CanCun. Son, Johnny Greenfield, is marrying on the beachfront. More than 100 family and friends will be in attendance. It's been a gala planning affair for the future Jessica Rowell-Greenfield. And I must say, all the flora and flair of an upscale wedding extravaganza is on the horizon. She has spared no detail! It should be one of the most unusual, unique weddings I've ever attended.

On November 13th I'll be traveling to Portland, Oregon on another business trip. After meetings at the Verizon office on the 14th of November, my boss and I will travel to Seattle for a repeat performance in the Everett, WA office. John will fly to Seattle on the 17th, and we'll spend my birthday weekend with daughter/step-daughter, Caroline. On Sunday afternoon, we fly from Seattle to San Francisco. We'll see the newly married Dr. and Mrs. Johnny Greenfield for a day before traveling to Santa Rosa to spend Thanksgiving with my sisters and my mother.

Christmas will find me with no more time off...At all! But...I may manage to escape early from the office from time to time, and do some shopping. I'm hoping as many family will be in the area as possible. I know that Rachel and Mike may have to spend a white Christmas in Philadelphia. I know that grieves the hearts of may...Mine included! BUT...God is good, and knows best, and some of the most precious Christmas memories I have are as a newlywed, spending my first holiday with my own new identity. Karen and Dave will be in Grapevine, and Sarah will hopefully be here, too. We'll make the best of a smaller celebration.

On New Year's Eve, John and I will attend the Grapevine Runway Theatre's Gala Celebration! It's a catered dinner, mystery theatre, dancing, midnight champagne toast, and breakfast buffet. I've never done anything like this before; should be a nice change and a delightful time! I'm hoping we'll meet some new people from the community.

January will arrive, and then the wedding countdown will be here! March 11th wedding day for Karen and Dave will be upon us before we can blink an eye. She has been the "planning queen" to say the least, and has done a great job of pulling together this lovely celebration. More to come on that...By the way, Karen and Dave are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Crate and Barrel.

I'm deeply involved in reading some serious Christian titles involving relationships and marriage. The author is Leslie Vernick. I would covet your prayers for me as I search my soul for some answers to my personal struggles. I also covet your prayers for wisdom as to where we should regularly attend church. I really want active involvement coupled with meaningful pulpit teaching. I seem to find one or the other, but not both. This is so important to me! While I miss the strong teaching of Skip Ryan, I find no personal fulfillment in relationships at PCPC. On the other hand, I find friendship and love at the Bedford OPC church, but not an impacting teaching ministry. Thanks for praying.

Enjoy your week...Make it a blessing! An excerpt from Leslie Vernick's book, "How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong"....

..."Oswald Chambers tells us...'The test of a man's religious life and character is not what he does in the exceptional moments of life, but what he does in the ordinary times, when there is nothing tremendous or exciting going on.'...I would add that the test also comes when other people in our life sin against, hurt or disappoint us. Then who we are and what we are made of is more apparent, not only to others but also to ourselves. This is the perfect time to yield to God's refining process so that we might not just endure our hardship but grow from and through it. John Calvin encourages us by reminding us 'that they may not become too complacent or delighted in married life, he (God) makes them distressed by the shortcomings of their partners.'"