Starting Over

There is something about Fall that makes me feel as if life is just beginning, again. It could be that this is the start of a new year on our college campus, as it is on many others. Maybe it's that all of creation signifies there is a time to change. Trees are changing colors, the air is new, fresh and breezes are becoming cool. For all the reasons above and more, I honestly feel a bit renewed.

One of my (Kelly) favorite verses is Psalms 143:8, as you may have already noticed from the bottom of our blog.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul."

Psalms 143:8

The reason this verse has been close to my heart is because it reminds me that every morning Christ allows me to start over. No matter how terrible my attitude was the day before or how many times I messed up in the past week, I am given a clean slate every morning. "Morning brings word of His unfailing love!" Life cannot get any more hopeful than this. Of course it doesn't make since why the King of creation gives us so many chances, but the fact remains. He does. Christ rejoices in new beginnings and seeing His children renewed in Him.

It is only a simple guess, but I truly believe that this is one blessing of Fall. Christ is reminding us that there is a time to change. Why not choose to make the effort, putting all else behind us and starting fresh? "Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

Fall Is A Comin'

I'd have to say that we had one of the most relaxing weekends that I can ever remember. With the cooler brisk weather coming in and lazy afternoons, it couldn't feel much more like Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

It's sad to say, but I've failed at my attempts to take many pictures lately. I truly missed out of some opportune photo opts considering our stops at a pow wow, kiddie soccer games, campus golf adventure, and croquet in the park. (Speaking of croquet, Brenton didn't even let me finish the first round before he got me out as "poison". It was worth the fun though.) Luckily, I did get catch a few moments from our night in Tulsa last night. We actually found it amusing because every store we stopped at had closed since it was Sunday evening. Thankfully, that didn't stop us from having fun driving around 71st street, while dreaming of bigger cities, traffic and lights!

Soccer Update

The guys won their game tonight 4-2!

One Lobby Finished

So we've started yet another year of working at OWU. The group of freshmen and student leaders are pretty sharp this year. Working with these students and going through training was very enjoyable for the previous reason alone.

Brenton's soccer season has gotten started; the guys tied their game in Dallas this weekend. I'm looking forward to hear how they will do tonight at their game in Kansas. You can follow their season through the OWU home page on our blog. This last weekend we went to Six Flags after the guys' game and had a good time. Many of the international guys had never ridden rollercoasters, so we heard some entertaining stories. In short, Brenton has a fun, solid team this year.

Now that summer has come to an end; I've (Kelly) moved on from decorating to the administrative side of my job. These pictures are of one lobby I redid this summer. I wish I'd have taken pictures of the before; that's what makes the update so fun. My focus with the girls this year is on living "A Life Above Reproach". I gave them my vision in all the hall meetings, weekly with my RAs and am speaking in chapel this Friday on the same subject (all of these with a twist, so they don't bore too easy). Please pray for this Friday if you think of it. I am actually pretty nervous as I am planning exactly what the message will look like.

We are doing well and still miss everyone.