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It’s only the middle of November, but anyone who has lived in the Corn Belt for any amount of time knows that winter can make an early appearance. Today the breeze had a little bite.. definitely a change from our weather last week.

I have taken a liking to sitting in complete silence when I’m at home. I think it’s mostly because I forget to turn on music, or I’m too lazy to plug in my iPod to the dock.  The crackling sound of a fireplace would complete this moment.

Right now I can see the sunset from my slider window. I love the sunsets in fall and winter. There’s a definite change in the atmosphere, as if everything is crystallized (truthfully it probably is!). I love the pastels and the softness of the colors.. and while I’m not a fan of it getting dark around five pm, I like feeling warm and cozy inside with long pants and long sleeves.

Soon enough it will be snowing, and I’m okay with that. I really don’t share the sentiment of “I’m just not ready for this cold yet!” The earth doesn’t care if you’re ready or not.. it’s a matter of habit when it comes to the seasons. I enjoy every season to its fullest, and then I’m ready for the next.

I have a feeling this winter will be good. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with my family, and Skyping with Aaron. I will love decorating for Christmas with an artificial tree. Since Aaron’s not here to help cut it down, Amelia picked up an artificial one for me at a consignment shop in Eureka. She invited me to stay at her house Christmas Eve. This would have been my first Christmas without waking up to others in the house.. thank the Lord for amazing friends who bring us through.

The greatest light in the middle of winter may be Aaron’s coming home for leave. No official anything yet, no purchased plane ticket, but it’s an idea floating around. But I’m already making plans…

Psalm 103 has really been speaking to me lately.. I just love the promises spelled out for us…
 ¹ Praise the LORD, my soul;
   all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the LORD, my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
   and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
   and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
 ⁶ The LORD works righteousness
   and justice for all the oppressed.
 ⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
   his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
   slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
   nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
   or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
 ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
   they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
   and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
   the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
   and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
   and remember to obey his precepts.
 ¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
   and his kingdom rules over all.
 ²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
   you mighty ones who do his bidding,
   who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
   you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the LORD, all his works
   everywhere in his dominion.
   Praise the LORD, my soul.