signs of autumn and exciting happenings

Ah, where to begin? 

   Time has been flying by, while autumn has been slowly creeping upon us. 

  Blog posts about autumn have been booming through my reader lately and I've noticed how so many of you have beautiful fall trees in your neighborhood, cooler weather, 

and some of you even have snow! 

  Well, it's still warm (I could even say hot) here, 

though cooler weather passed through

for a couple of days last week

I can hardly wait for the time when I can
don long-sleeves, 
sweaters, 
 & scarves, 
 drink a hot cup of tea without perspiring; :)
AND  take a trip around neighborhoods  
graced with trees 
full in autumn's fiery splendor. 

It won't be long now. 

Some mornings and evenings, the weather is cool enough that it teases my senses reminding me of years past and, encompassing me in nostalgia. 

Though the cold and full bloom of autumn hasn't quite made its way here, 

autumn has come in other ways... 

We have enjoyed
fresh apples from local farms,
and sweet apple cider, 
drinking it either hot or cold.

   A few weeks ago my family and I went to a u-pick apple farm with friends and ended up consuming  forty pounds of apples in the course of one week! 

me and the son of the friends we went apple picking with. isn't he cute?!!

Little pumpkins decorate our dining table and mantle,  

while baked butternut squash with butter and cinnamon remind us of thanksgiving pumpkin pie. 

Mom's autumn spice muffins 
(gluten free-pumpkin-banana-spice-walnuttygoodness muffins) 
that she made last week have become a welcome treat 

In addition to enjoying 
the sights, 
scents, 
tastes, 
 bountiful harvests that comes with fall, 
and experimenting in the kitchen with new ingredients, 

some other exciting things have been happening! 

  God provided a new building for the church I attend and thankfully we are all adjusting well to the newness of it all. The building is a great blessing. I'm just so thankful that the Lord provided for us. He knew what we needed and continues to show His loving care.

  And just recently I prayed that I would be able to be in a Little Women play if it is God's will oh "someday"~

and within a week, God answered my prayer as I found out about a local theater company holding auditions for Little Women! AMAZING!  

My sister Emma, and my brother Corban, and I are planning on auditioning next month! 

All I can say is I am so so so so very superly dupperly excited! Little Women is one of my favorite movies and I also loved reading the book. 

I'm literally so thankful for the way the Lord provides and cares about even the little desires of my life. 

   Also, I got my driver's permit yesterday! 

I admit, I was nervous; but God helped me to pass! 

So so happy. 

If you're going to do your permit test soon, don't stress about it,

 study, pray and do your absolute best. 

You can do it! 

Well, there's a little update for you all. I know I haven't posted in a while. 
I hope you're having a blessed day, friends!

Enjoy your week! 

And remember that God cares about you 

and the desires of your heart, 

even the seemingly little desires. 

Don't forget to give Him thanks. :)

Much love!

~Madi