Travelling through Alberta and Saskatchewan, we saw huge combines devouring the golden fields as the farmers gathered in their harvest. Everywhere we went we heard the honking of geese flying in formation overhead. We saw snow geese looking like a covering of snow on the blue, blue waters of the numerous lakes and sloughs. The skies were amazing with ladders of clouds descending to the horizon. Mornings demanded a warm jacket and a hot drink.Now that we are back home, it is evident that Fall has taken up residence here as well. My plants on the patio look have lost their brightness and look cold. Our maple trees are distributing their curled up leaves all over the lawn and I need a jacket and, more often than not, an umbrella to walk from the house to the office. the forcast this week is pretty gloomy - rain, rain and, oh yes, more rain.
We were in Edmonton for the Oil Sands trade show. Trade shows are alot of work - deciding which units to display, what configuration the booth should take, what graphics and signage are needed and which brochures to bring.
Then everything has to be packed into crates and bins and loaded on to our trailer. Setting up the booth takes the better part of a day and taking it down when it is over, takes almost as much time. However we feel it is well worth the effort because of the contacts we make. Ultimately we really only need to sell one system to make a trade show pay. This trade show resulted in better contacts than usual so we are very pleased.After packing everything up and reloading the trailer, Harv and I headed further east to Dave and Chris' to see them and the grandboys. The house they bought is small and very old and in need of some TLC. But they have already made it into their home and are working hard to improve it even more. The boys are thriving!
They love the freedom of living in a small town. They can ride their bikes around the block without Mom or Dad accompanying them and every destination in town is within walking or bike riding distance. Daddy rides his bike to work and is home for lunch everyday and Mommy and Kyle can walk Evan to school. There's a library, the church, a grocery store, a gas station, 
hardware store, insurance office - everything they need all within a few blocks. Harv and I played with the boys and helped out with a few projects while we were there and then after going to school with Evan to see his classroom on Monday morning we headed home.Now it's time to get back into the swing of things. Care Group, Ladies Bible Study, office work, entertaining, yard work and the like. Summer's over and it's time to get oraganized and back into a semblance of routine.
I'm praying that I can also return to a regular time of Bible study and prayer. Why is it so difficult to maintain momentum in this area? My prayer is that I would once again experience that intense desire and passion for time alone with Him. If I were to graph this area of my life, there would be so many peaks and valleys. I don't understand it - the benefits and joys that come with a daily quiet time are huge - so why is it so difficult to maintain? I am ever grateful to God for His love, and forbearance with me - my God is so faithful even when I'm not!
Praise His Name!
