friday favorites- september 25th

Happy Friday friends! And happy last Friday of September! Even writing those words seems absolutely impossible. As we have sat outside soaking in the last nights at the cabin and the beauty of the lake, it has really seemed impossible that the summer has been winding down and we welcomed the first day of fall this week. Time truly does fly each day.

This week turned into a bit of an adventure as on Monday as mom was driving the car to some appointments it suddenly died on the highway. We are beyond grateful that she was safe but our car has spent the week at the "car doctor" and we are hoping that we will be able to get it back today...and praying for a very cheap fix.

I hope that these last days and last weekend of September is beautiful time for you friends! I posted the following quote on instagram to welcome fall from one of my favorite authors:

"Go at the Speed of Joy" Isn't that absolutely beautiful? It has hit me deeply.

Summer 2026 has been one of the most tender, healing, and redemptive summers of my entire

life.

A year ago, last week, at the end of Summer 2025 I was in a very different place: in a very unhealthy and toxic work environment where I experienced years of workplace abuse, dealing with a painful personal loss, approaching an event that required grace while being bullied, and constantly crying out to the Lord to work in miraculous ways that I couldn't even begin to fathom could happen. I had no idea that the next 8 months would hold more pain then my heart could imagine as my precious mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer over the holidays, the deaths of three friends, financial stress, and that I would be laid off unexpectedly from my job just days before my mom's radiation treatments would begin.

And then summer 2026 arrived... after all of that trauma and pain it entered in the sweetest most tender way.

This summer has brought us answered prayers, healing for my mom, tears of gratitude, healing stages for many things, laughter that is deep, the blessings of dear friends that have surrounded us and spoken so much life over and into us, and hope and freedom.

If you are in an end of "summer /beginning of fall 2025" situation... I am sending the gentlest of hugs. I hope that this is an encouragement that rescue, relief, recovery, and restoration are in your future.

You are not forgotten...you are seen. These are verses that were lifelines that I clung to- I hope they encourage you today.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

// Isaiah 32:18 //

You are the God who sees me...Have I not even here (in the wilderness) been seen with understanding and compassion?

// Genesis 16:13 //

When the Lord restored the fortunes, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.

// Psalm 126 //

As I mentioned though above, if you have entered fall with a hurting heart, you may find a very personal post that I shared last year on simple reflections on fall if you are hurting tenderly encouraging. You can read it HERE.