September

It is September first.  Repeat to self: it is September first.  This makes me happy on multiple levels.  

It means that since August is over my college doula course is DONE (more on that in a minute).  

It means that 100+ degree days are (hopefully) behind us Wisconsinites; which also means I can work or play outside and not sweat five bucket loads.  (Yes, this makes me very happy.  I am such a northerner.)  

It means fall colors, caramel apples, pumpkin pie, hoodies, and fall decor will appear very soonly.  

It means annual family hikes through the Kettle Moraine.  

It means hot cocoa and hot coffee and hot cider and hot tea will soon be drinkable without the lovely side effect of sweating profusely.

And this September, it means that a trip to Illinois to see my bestie and a trip to Michigan to see my bestie cousin are coming up very, very soon and that makes me very, very happy.

I'm laughing at myself and the fact that July first I wrote a post stating that summer barely  beat all other seasons as my favorite. Now that it's September first (and after experiencing hugely hot & humid weeks) I would say fall is definitely my favorite. Moral of the story?  I love the variety of seasons Wisconsin has.  I love them all.  But after the heat of summer, I'm going to go with fall as my favorite.  Stay tuned though.  I'm a female.  I may change my mind. Again.  (Have I ever mentioned how much I love Christmas time?  No?   I'll spare you.  Until December.)

(Warning: Long-windedness below.  I'm typing this more for myself than anyone else.)

The above quote is in on the wisdom board of my Pinterest account.  It makes me think of the three and half year journey of my doula certification training.  Plan A was to get the college course done in the "normal" ten-month time frame.  Humanly speaking at the time, that would definitely have been my first choice.

God had other things in mind.  He taught me a ton about Himself and a ton about myself.  He taught me that even if Plan A (or B, C, D, E, F, G...) doesn't work, it's because His plan is bigger, better, and more beautiful.  The day I sent out the last of my assignments (just this past Monday, the 29th-they were due the 31st) I read Psalm 138:8.

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; 

Your mercy oh Lord endures forever; 

Do not forsake the work of Your hands.

God had so much more to perfect in my life than I could have imagined.  He had more mercies to show me than I can fathom.  He had more ways of showing that He will NEVER forsake me than I can ever thank Him enough for.

Such a tremendous amount of the past few years has been far out of my control.  There are so many things I've had to trust Him on that I don't always understand.  He has allowed things I would have never dreamed of.  He has taught me more about what faith really means in daily life.  He has taught me about His amazing grace and that, when I am weakest, He is strongest.  2 Corinthians 12:9 is one of my favorite verses.

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly willI rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Another huge thing He has done through all of this, is show me my own shortcomings and sin.  He taught me about procrastination and overcoming it.   He showed me numerous other areas in my life that needed attention, that to this day need HIS grace daily.  The bumpy roads of life are His tool to make us more like Him.  I wouldn't trade the lessons of the past few years for anything and I pray I won't forget them.

I can't write about my doula journey without just stating how absolutely amazing the gift of life is in the form of newborns and how miraculous it is that God designed women's bodies to work the way that they do.  The honor and privilege of being a part of such precious moments is something I hope I never, ever get over.   Psalm 139:13-18 are some of my favorite verses in Scripture, especially since beginning my doula studies/work.

For Your formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned form,

When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake I am still with You.

Finally, this journey has shown me how absolutely blessed I am with amazing family and friends.  It is so humbling and absolutely blows me away.  I wish I could somehow fully express my love & gratitude to each one.  

To sum up all this wordiness into three words, I just have to say:

God is faithful.

P.S.

I have a profound statement about happiness in life to close out these ramblings.  It's profound and deep folks, and perfect for these last summer days.  Enjoy.