The sights, sounds, and smells of fall are upon us. The smell of cotton defoliant in the air has become comforting to me reassuring me that exciting changes are on the horizon. The leaves have finally started to turn colors and turn loose, as I notice them congregating under my carport and crunching under my feet. The morning air has a damp coolness as opposed to the thick humid heavy air of the summer in the delta. Football is in full swing and homecoming has come and gone. College football fills our Saturdays.  Fall festivals fill our calendars and the county fair promises cotton candy, corn dogs, and candy apples. The boys have hopes of sweet kisses on the farris wheel, as do I ! Nascar continues as the drivers race for the chase. The sounds of the cars blaring through my living room brings me much comfort as I grew up to this sound and although this has become my home, it makes me feel closer to my roots. It's funny when you think back on when and where you grew up, you miss those things, but even if you went back today, they're all gone. Everything is different. Nothing is the same. I do believe that I have reached my prime in life. I certainly hopes it lasts a while. I finally feel in the pit of my soul and know in the depths of my heart that I am exactly where God wants me to be. The path that I had to travel to get here was painfully long and winding, nonetheless worth every moment. Every tear, every sweat drop of blood. The peace that only God can provide is highly underrated and definitely taken for granted. When you are completely content and full of joy with what God has provided you with even when there are things that you want and don't have..... you know you have the peace of God and are in Gods will. I long to give back to God. Even though I realize that no matter what I give, it would never be enough, I wanna give back. I want to honor Him. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 28:11

Until next time,

jo