What Did One Autumn Leaf Say To Another?

. . . I'm Falling For You! 

Sometimes there are days that are just plain beautiful in every sort of way, and I was lucky enough to have today be one of them.  Sundays in general are always special -- they are slower somehow, and float by more gracefully than any of the other days of the week.  Today was spent with my lovely roomate, browsing shops in Old Town Fort Collins.  We sipped coffee and window-shopped while little fall leaves blew through the gentle breeze around us. . . I'd say the morning couldn't have been more pleasant. 

                                    

 

Guess what else? The shops here already have CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS out too!  How exciting is that? I know I need to slow down and enjoy fall, but the thought that Christmas is only about two months away brings me such happiness!  Thanksgiving is always such a comforting time as well, and this year I'll be spending it with the love-of-my-life.  Saying that always blows my mind, I can't believe I've met the man I've been dreaming about since I was a little girl.  Being able to be with him even though I can't be with my family will make the holiday loads happier.  And. . . the food on Thanksgiving is also quite a highlight, don't you think? 

                         

This week, the goals are to eat healthy and pray often.  Why don't y'all try to do it with me?  On a sidenote, I'm going to Trader Joe's tomorrow because I've heard rumours that they have pumpkin pie ice cream ( ! ! ! ) and that's just going to have to be the one exception to this healthy eating thing I've got goin' on. 

Do you ever have moments, randomly throughout your day, where you see God vividly in the creation around you?  As I was driving home this evening, this is what I saw out of my windsheild view: 

      

                               

(and trust me, it was about a million times more stunning in real life).  The way the sun paints everything different shades of gold as it's saying goodnight to the world has got to be one of the most amazing parts of life on earth.  

Well done, CO, well done. 

xoxo, lauren 

       

 

    

    

  

  

Beginnings & Autumn in CO

As many of you know, I recently moved from sunny Southern California to the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  (what...?)  Sometimes it still doesn't hit me as reality and I get this feeling that I'm simply on a long vacation.  Anyhow, it's been quite the whirlwind.  Time flies yet it drags, which is a strange feeling in it of its own.  Having your family 18 hours away isn't the easiest thing either, but I know this move was God's plan for my life.  Think about this for a second: the God and Creator of the entire  u n i v e r s e  holds the blueprints for your entire life in His hands.  Doesn't that just blow your mind?  And really -- could He have picked a more gorgeous place for me to finish my college education in? I think that answer would be a resounding no.

Colorado is such an adventurous state.  It has this quality that makes you want to constantly be outdoors, and if you aren't, you feel almost guilty that you aren't out there enjoying all that beauty right at your fingertips.  Autumn is almost in full swing here in FoCo, and the trees are already turning brilliant shades that I hadn't seen since my life in Oregon.  Fall is crisp and welcoming at the same time, and for me the days fly by.  Watch, I'll blink a couple more times and it'll be Thanksgiving Day already.  Which, by the way, is when this handsome fella is coming down from his snowy Montana town to spend the holiday with me! (and I may or may not be the most excited girl in America because of this...)

I wish that my darling family could be here too, but plane tickets for a family of four plus a furry member really aren't cheap, you know?  The bright side is that we will all be together at The Farm for Christmas, which is always a time full of abounding love and thankfulness.  In the meantime, while waiting around for the dear, dear holidays to arrive, I'll just continue to spend my (little) free time venturing through the ice cream and coffee shops of Fort Collins with this chickadee. 

 I feel that I am  s u c h  a lucky girl to have this family, friends, man, opportunities, town, God, school. . . the list could go on & on.  Sometimes it's hard to be positive amidst change, but know that it is possible.  

I'll leave you with this parting verse - 

Hebrews 13:5 -- "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, 

because God has said, 'never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' " 

Let's think on that this week, shall we?

xoxo, lauren