In the United States, the month of November recognizes the significance of adoption. When a family reaches out to provide foster care for a deserving child, this is one of life’s most unselfish, blessed tasks. As in the case of our family, this story opens life’s new chapter for our granddaughters, both adopted into our family.
From Philippians 4:5-6: “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
People who inspire others are those who see invisible bridges at the end of dead-end streets.
From Jeremiah 29:11: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”
Imagination is the only key to the future. Without it none exists–with it all things are possible.
We were raising our standard of living a the expense of our standard of character.
Ida Tarbell (1857-1944) was an American writer and investigative journalist. She was one of the leading muckrakers during the progressive era during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
From Philippians 1:20: “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Taking a peek from the kitchen window, an eager three-year old girl watches her Dad and older brother working in the backyard. With the final, late autumn rush of fallen leaves completed, they are raking up the annual harvest.
Bursting with excitement, Lydia enjoys the pile of colorful leaves growing wider and deeper. She asks her Mom, “May I go out in the backyard to play?”
In the meantime, Dad and brother have moved to the front yard to clean up the few remaining leaves hiding under some bushes. The enormous leaf pile is waiting for a little princess to share her imagination.
With permission granted, Mom makes sure her precious daughter is wearing a jacket. There is a subtle crispness to the autumn afternoon’s air. The jacket’s collage of color will make a pretty complement to the orange, red, yellow, and rust colors of the leaves.
Dashing out the back door, Lydia sprints as fast as her three-year old legs will allow. Upon reaching the mountain of leaves, she dives right into the middle. Quickly, she begins swimming, and her helicopter arms swish the leaves away.
Sitting in her newly formed crater, she feels like a captain of a ship. Surrounded by a protective ring of color, she looks to be quite in charge.
Suddenly, she is joined by her older sister. Now Lydia can enjoy her autumn paradise even more. The two girls, several years apart in age, create their own universe in the backyard.
Swimming and thrashing about, the leaves begin to scatter. What could make this even more fun?
Mom arrives with her answer, as she jumps right into the middle of the playful scene. Now the trio of ladies has fully taken over the once mountainous pile of leaves. With each animated action, the depth of the pile shrinks as it scatters wider and wider.
Eventually the laughter and fun invite Dad and brother. As they approach the backyard to see what’s up, they stop and smile. True, their hard work has been strewn about, but family fun like this only comes along once a year.
They both join in with the others. Leaves are being thrown in the air, and bits and pieces cling to hair and clothes. In the middle of it all, smiles an innocent-looking three-year old. Her precious expression says it all, “Can we do this tomorrow?”
Big Sky Buckeye 