The trailer has been put to bed for the winter (yes, already), the neighbourhood is looking more autumn like, the schools are buzzing again and at work everyone is back from vacation and the calendar is full for the coming months. It’s hard to believe that the ninth month of 2016 is upon us.

We’ve had a good summer. A record hot summer says the weatherman and one of the driest on record. My tomato plants did not fare well during our absence.

So it’s back to routine. I have to say I love the routine – I like seeing the full calendar in front of us and the various events and projects on the horizon. Are you one of those people too? Or do you prefer the open schedule with lots of options and time to choose? Personality types abound and we all cope and thrive in different settings. 

I know Jason is anxious to get on with his grad studies – he discovered he not only loves learning but he’s good at it.Susan is looking forward to having Rachel is school and seeing how she starts her learning experience. Now she’ll be able to concentrate on the twins a bit more during the day. Amanda is enjoying her maternity leave with full days of now two little ones always looking for fun and food. Phil is commuting again – and is back in the world of EMS. He’s juggling the demands of all this too!

Family life is complex and challenging. It doesn’t appear from the perspective of being a grandfather to be getting easier!

So as September rolls along we pray for all our family. For our parents, our children, our grandchildren, our nieces and nephews, our siblings, that God’s blessing and leading will rest on them all.