October . . . the month of colorful leaves, all things pumpkin, hearty soups replacing summer salads, chilly air prompting sweater wearing, shortening days, and the sand quickly slipping through the hourglass of the evaporating days of 2025.
It does seem that time is accelerating as the calendar pages stir a breeze as they turn.
It’s one of my favorite months, and this one has been no exception. Our daily five-mile walks allow us to drink in the beauty of the ever-changing landscape, whether in our neighborhood or around a local lake. Though New England holds the distinction of the most glorious fall foliage, Northern Virginia has not disappointed us. Such natural beauty always draws our hearts to Creator God, who wraps us up in His love as we drink in the wonder of the season.
Between our daily walks, we’ve done a lot of counseling, had many sweet moments on the sidelines of Nathan’s football games, had lots of in-person fellowship with many dear friends, and traveled to speak four out of the five weekends of October.
Rob and Gabby Warren, our able administrative assistants (one on payroll, one by marriage :) ), joined us for breakfast one morning, much to our delight.
We had tea with Dave and Ruthie Baratto, my parents’ neighbors in Alexandria. Ruthie was my mother’s best friend, so it feels a bit like having a visit with my sweet Mama when I’m with her. Though Dave is a retired Army General and my dad was a retired Naval Admiral, their “friendly” rivalry only surfaced during the once-a-year Army-Navy football game. They were the best of friends!
October 17–20 we joined 130 couples for the 9th annual Eusebeia Marriage Experience, held in Baltimore, MD. We were honored to be plenary speakers for the 8th year in a row at this very dynamic marriage experience founded and directed by Dr. Harold and Dalia Arnold. It’s become a family reunion of sorts for us, since over the years, we’ve developed deep relationships with many of the attendees. We’re especially thankful for the bond we share with Harold and Dalia, as our hearts are so in sync regarding the importance of building God-honoring marriages.
The three-and-a-half-day experience is full of great teaching, rich fellowship, passionate worship, and very fun social events. It’s a privilege to be a small part of Eusebeia and we always leave refreshed and energized.
Many of you know that our alarm goes off every day at 9:38 at the request of Gabe and Kari, our daughter and son-in-law who are church planting in Oakland, CA. Taken from Matthew 9:38, “The fields are white with harvest but the laborers are few; send the laborers in to the fields”, when they relocated to Oakland in May of 2020, they asked us to pray daily at 9:38 for their work “in the fields” and we have faithfully done it ever since. Since our alarm often goes off while we’re teaching, we pause, explain the alarm and pray. Four years ago at Eusebeia, Theresa was so touched by that practice that she set her alarm for 9:38 and has faithfully prayed for our children and grandchildren and New City Church Oakland ever since. We reunited at registration on opening day and she reassured me she’s still praying daily for them.
We exchanged hugs and tears, so blessed to be bonded by this spiritual rhythm that connects our hearts at such a deep level.
Prayer warrior Theresa prays for Gabe and Kari and New City Church every day at 9:38.
Dr. Harold’s parents, Harold and Dorothy, are fully committed to Eusebeia and it’s one of the highlights every year to spend time with them. Such precious people!
Dressed to ride, “Western Night” brought out the hats and bandanas and we’re standing with two of our favorites from the Wild Wild West: Harold and Dalia.
We happened upon these gangstas: our own Bill and Ann Fredericks, longtime HIM partners and friends, who made their way to Eusebeia last year and climbed right to the top of folks who stand out. :)
We met Justin and Brittany at Eusebeia 2017, early in their marriage, pre-kids, and we’ve loved walking with them through the years.
All too quickly it came to an end and we have next year’s conference penciled in for October 15–18. We’d love to have you join us! It’s a happening, God-honoring experience.
We did slip out an hour early from Eusebeia to watch our favorite little Patriot play ball. Nate is a talented young quarterback, playing his fourth and final season with the Patriots. We were so happy to get to see his game. This weekend his undefeated team with play for the championship.
We love watching Nate play!
The grandchildren have had many days off this fall and we’ve had the joy of spending some of those days with them. Baking, jigsaw puzzling, thrifting, and playing in the field behind our house have filled our times together and each time we’re together, we say, “This is why we moved here.” So thankful for these memory-making moments.
Rachel and her friend June, with a little help from Papa, finish this National Parks jigsaw puzzle.
In a bit of an unusual twist, I spoke for a women’s conference in WA state October 24–26. Our “niche” obviously is speaking together for marriage and family conferences, but every once in a while, I move out of my comfort zone and say yes to an invitation to do something else. Stacey Munsey Taylor has been in my life since 1986, when as a 12-year-old (and eldest of five), she and her siblings, with their newly divorced mom, came to family camp. Over our almost 40-year history, we’ve walked through the thick and thin, the twists and turns, the joys and sorrows of life together. I’ve watched as God has redeemed and blessed this beautiful woman as He captured her heart several decades ago. I was last with her in 2012, when I spoke for another women’s retreat she directed on Oahu, so when her invitation arrived back in January, after prayerfully considering it, I said yes.
And I’m very glad I did.
After overnighting with Stacey and her family in their rural forested home Thursday night, Oct 23, we drove to Cedar Springs Conference Center in Sumas, WA, for the Lake Country Baptist Church annual women’s retreat. The retreat center is nestled on a beautiful piece of property which boasts fastidiously maintained gardens through which one can wander on their asphalt pathways. Though rain fell throughout the weekend, protected by umbrellas, many walks were had.
Stacey and her team so thoughtfully designed the weekend and covered all the bases. Worship, crafts, games, teaching, and small group for discussion filled the time for this intergenerational group of women and the fellowship was palpable. I instantly felt a part of “them” and as Paul and I often say at the end of a conference, “We got more out of this than the attendees did.” I was so grateful for how God met me throughout the weekend.
The highlight for me was reconnecting with Stacey and two of her three sisters. We spent many summers together at camp and it’s deeply encouraging to see the fruit in their lives. All three women said that their summers at family camp were life-changing for them and they are still harvesting from seeds planting in their young lives over three decades ago.
All praise is His!!
Stacey and I took many walks together in the rain, which paused briefly so we could get this photo.
Three of the four Munsey sisters: Erin on the left, Sara on the right, and Stacey next to me. They’re all following Christ and raising their families for Him.
The women at the retreat, from 18 to 85, celebrating our sisterhood in Christ.
An afternoon walk on these beautiful grounds.
Stunning beauty!
The fall leaves were so vibrant.
I returned home on a red-eye Sunday night into Monday, tired but oh so full of joy and thanksgiving. Stacey wrote the following day,
"We just had our retreat review meeting. Everyone felt relaxed and LOVED our speaker and topic. In fact "Encore" loosely describes our feedback . . . "
All praise is His!!
We made a twenty-four hour trip to Boston Oct 31–Nov 1 to tend to a couple of very important things, before returning home basically to do another day of counseling, celebrate Rachel’s upcoming 10th birthday, have an early celebration for my birthday, pack, and take off for 16 days in Kona. I’m writing as we spend 12 hours in the air on the way to a very full two weeks of ministry. Unsurprisingly, we managed to pack quite a bit into a very short time. :)
After getting pedicures together, Rachel and I had a sushi lunch for her 10th birthday celebration.
We also spent a morning together baking heart shaped sugar cookies for her birthday party next weekend.
We also had a delightful evening with Bill and Christy Keating, who were in town visiting their daughter. Dear friends of over three decades, we loved catching up with them.
We’re looking forward to partnering again the next two weeks with Living Stones Church (LSC) in Kailua-Kona. Our schedule is pretty full with counseling, teaching a parenting seminar, speaking to the senior high youth group on relationships, doing a two-night Engagement Matters workshop, preaching at Mokuaikaua Church, and connecting with many who have become dear friends over the years. It’s such a privilege to have this partnership with LSC and we are always both challenged and inspired by time spent with Bill and Pine Barley, who lead this vital church.
This morning we left the fall leaves and harvest decorations behind and will now be enjoying the beauty of Kona as we catch early morning sunrises on our very early morning walks and then later, afternoon sunsets. Blooming plumeria trees and anthuriums, fragrant sea breezes and blue seas, undersea wonders, and crashing waves will declare the glory of God in this crown jewel setting.
We are blessed beyond. We’re often asked if we’re considering retirement, to which we respond, “As long as the invitations keep coming and our health remains good, we’ll keep saddling up, doing what we love doing.”
It is said that if you love your work, you’ll feel like you’ve never worked a day in your life.
We love our work.
All praise is His.
