Gretchen Louise

The Delights of Autumn

We keep saying fall is here, but then comes another taste of Indian summer.But I think this time, the cooler weather is here to stay.Hints of autumn are everywhere we look.The leaves scatter themselves all over the ground, running from the wind.Wood smoke drifts from chimneys.Homemade signs advertise “Pumpkins forSale.”It is autumn, my favorite time…

Books

Of Children’s Books

“Do you have children?” We looked from each other, to the stack of children’s books on the counter, and back again, blushing. It was the fourth day of our honeymoon. And we had just spent several pleasant hours perusing Jackson Hole Book Trader, Inc. in Jackson, Wyoming. We had exercised self-restraint until we came to the children’s section. And then…

The Family of God

“Do you have old people at your church?” It was kind of a strange question to ask as I called through the churches in the phone directory, but after I had asked about their theology and church government, it was my next question. Growing up in a little church in a little town with people…

Company and Kittens

We had our first official company in our little pink house this last weekend—my dad, mom, little sister and brother came up for the weekend.I still remembered how to make enough enchiladas for more than two, and we fit all six of us around our yellow diner-style table.It is so delightful to serve dinner guests…

Blog

Mondays

It’s Monday. My favorite day of the week. It’s our quiet day at home. And with no irrigation water to change, we can even sleep in. Doughnuts for breakfast. A book on tape—Shane by Jack Schaefer. Brunch of eggs, sausage, and heart-shaped biscuits with leftover garlic gravy. The breakfast dishes takes twice as long with my…

Blog

From the pink house

I’m sitting here at my husband’s desk, with a cup of fresh black coffee in hand, watching the sun rise.Through the windowpanes, I see the tree—our tree—that we planted our first month home.The little red maple will match my hair this autumn, but right now it seems to be trying to look taller than it…

From Room 923

July 22, 2006 Dear ones, Our wedding thank you notes are not even half done, and I find myself with a much bigger thank you to write.Thank you for your prayers! I cannot begin to tell you what it has meant to know we are being held up in prayer by so many.I don’t know…

The story of my ring

I can’t show anyone my beautiful ring without telling the story of how God provided it…When Merritt visited over New Year’s, we talked seriously to my parents about getting married sooner than later. There was no question that we were meant for each other, it was just the timing. And, a big factor in the…

Counting the hours

Embrace the gift of time Promising forever Knowing that this moment Might be all we ever find -Tim McGraw, “All We Ever Find” I’ve been giving a week-by-week count-down ’til my wedding ever since we were engaged. Now that we’re in the lower part of the 7’s times table, it’s easier to give a day-by-day….

Thankful Tears…

I don’t know how many people stopped me in the church hallway today to ask, “Are you excited?” “How many days?” “How are the wedding plans coming?”I answered with an excited smile, “Yes, I’m very excited! Just 4 weeks, 6 days! And everything is going along so well.” It must been Wilma, our prayer warrior…

The End.

The End.