~as we remember to stick together~

     Mike and I are well into our sixth month of life in north central Texas and both of us agree on one thing.  It sure seems like we've been here for a whole lot longer than that.  Time flies when you are living life, especially when you are living it in the state of Texas.

     So much has changed for us since we arrived on the 28th day of May.  As the heat of a relentless summer gave way to the Indian summer days of autumn here, we began to notice subtle changes in the world around us.  One of those changes was noticed while we took Sally the dog for her usual twice a day walk down the road a piece to the south of us.

     All summer long the beautiful wildflowers grew and we marveled at the many different kinds there were to see as we headed south for our evening walk.  Beautiful ones of all types of colors and shapes dotted the landscape of the ditches to the east and west sides of the road.  Great batches of sunflowers spread up and out and the sight of them put me in mind of my old home back in Kansas.  At first it made me a little sad to see them and to remember in my heart all of my friends and family back there but as time went on, I recognized them for the gifts that they truly were.  It made for some gorgeous photos throughout the summer and served as markers in our memories for what we could expect next summer along the way.

     Last night as we walked, we noticed that the flowers were all gone and even the green grass that covered the ditches had now turned to a striking shade of reddish brown.  It seemed to complement the color of Sally's fur as she dashed down through the ditches finding her favorite place to stop along her walk.  It was a sure sign that fall has definitely set in and it won't be long until winter follows right behind.  The skies were gloomy but just like in Colorado when the snow was ready to fall, Mike and his faithful companion walked regardless of the weather.  They are loyal friends.

      Nature's landscape surrounding us here on the plains of Wichita County, Texas is surely changing.  The trees' colors have slowly begun to return to their natural hues and many of the leaves have already begun to fall.  Our porch, once almost covered with lovely flowers, is now nearly barren of them.  The only things that remain are the autumn chrysanthemums that still look nice, especially after cutting the old dead blossoms off and allowing the new ones to shoot forth.  It seems strange to live in a place where dear Mother Nature allows for a bit longer of a growing season.

     Even though so much has changed for us in the time that we have been here, one thing remains for certain.  Mike and I still believe that we were brought to the great plains of Texas for a reason and slowly but surely it seems as though that very reason is being shown to us each and every day.  To say it has been easy here would not be true.  In many ways it has been quite difficult.  Yet here we are and by God's grace, we have been protected and well provided for here in this new place that we call "home".

     We really have absolutely "zero" idea about what lies ahead for us.  Only the good Lord above knows that.  Sometimes it's a little scary just putting everything into His hands but we do it.  We are following the plan that Mike and I made before we even left the Western Slopes of the great Rocky Mountains.

     We just hold hands a little tighter and remember to stick together.

     You'd think it was the middle of summer from the looks of the green in this photo.  November 5, 2015 has been a great day to be alive in.