Life, Lately - Entry No. 6 { October Recap }

Pumpkins galore, sharing my testimony, market prep, and a lesson from Esther

Life, Lately.

Documenting big and little moments of my life in a monthly recap to look back on when I need joy and the reminder that I do actually do things and have things going on, because sometimes I get that BIG overwhelming feeling of “what am I doing with my life! I never do anything!”

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Friends, it’s been a while! It’s been a busy season for me this Fall, in a really good way. Unfortunately, this newsletter took a backseat in October, but it’s good to be posting again! I did not do as many “autumnal” things as I would have liked, but there’s still time! I cannot believe it is already November, though!! Ahhhh time flies and I am not ready for Fall to be over.

Here’s my October recap!

1. Pumpkin Patch

One of my favorite things in October was visiting Hoffman Farms and their pumpkin patch! They had yummy food and drinks at their farm store, cute decor, and just the whole place was adorable. Their pumpkin pie shake and mini cinnamon sugar-dusted donuts were scrumptious. Definitely a treat! It was a gorgeous day.

I was also there to check out a friend’s booth for the Mountainside Fall Market. She was selling the devotional she wrote! Check it out HERE :)

2. Women’s Weekend At My Church

Every year, I look forward to the women’s retreat at my church. It’s a special weekend filled with beautiful worship, warm fellowship, delicious meals, and thought-provoking talks & discussions.

The last few years I have hosted one of the activities. One year, I taught faux calligraphy and last year I taught a watercolor class. Both were so much fun to do and just a great experience overall. A decade ago I would not have thought myself capable of doing something like that, but now apparently I’m good at teaching?! God is so good!

THIS year, however, I was asked to share my testimony in front of nearly 300 women. I had never spoken in front of that many people. I hated and DREADED speech class in college (and I was terrible at it, too). But I knew I could do it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

It also just felt like something God wanted me to be obedient to, especially when I heard the theme for the weekend was delighting in God. Joy and delight, or lack thereof, have been something I’ve struggled with a lot and this year I had been asking God to give me HIS joy. He has been answering that prayer.

Anyway, I shared a 10 minute testimony and emotions ran high. I think a lot of people were impacted by it. And despite my hands getting sweaty, I did really well! I think I will post that testimony here on Substack at some point.

3. Pumpkin-flavored Game Night

I had a few friends over to play board games on a Friday night and it was a lot of fun. Everyone had to bring something pumpkin-flavored, sweet or savory. It was super simple and super casual, but many laughs and pumpkin sweets were had!

Unfortunately, I didn’t take a lot of pictures that night so this was the best one!

4. Making Prints and Stickers for the Holiday Bazaar

Confession: I have no idea what I’m doing! I am learning as I go through a lot of YouTube videos. Mostly trial and error. But the process has been fun! I have all my art prints and thank you cards printed, just need to cut them to size (by hand) and package them.

I also am working on the illustrations for my greeting cards and I have to tweak the colors on my sticker designs before printing and cutting them with my Cricut. Two weeks left! It’s coming along! Check out their event flyer below if you’re in the area and would like to come! 👇🏼

5. New Autumn Drinks

You probably know by now that I LOVE coffee and matcha, especially with fall flavors. I tried a matcha with pumpkin cream cold foam and it did not disappoint. At home, I made a keto salted maple cream iced latte and it was sooo good! (I used maple flavored coffee from Trader Joe’s, too.)

6. A Lesson from the Book of Esther

A friend and I have been reading the book of Esther, then discussing it together once a week. Esther is really interesting because it’s the only book in the Bible that does not mention God at all. So, my friend and I will talk about the ways we see God’s hand in the events and lives of the people mentioned in the book.

One thing that struck me was Mordecai saying to Esther, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)

What sticks out is this:

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place

God, in His great power and absolute sovereignty, did not NEED Esther to accomplish His will of bringing deliverance to the Jews. God can do anything, with or without us. But He invites us to participate in His plans as a grace and mercy to us. We GET to be used by God to bring about His will on earth. It is for our benefit and blessing. Though not for our glory. The glory always belongs only to God.

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