Fall is in the Air!

The weather this weekend was gorgeous!!! Saturday I went cycling with a group from church around DC - we rode 11.5 miles, and stopped at many buildings and memorials to learn about them and how significant they are in our history. We also saw a anti-war rally, which turned into riots apparrently later in the day (I heard it on the news...). Afterwards, I went to the bike shop to have my handlebars raised, and on the way home I ended up driving over a bump and my bike, which was on the rack on the back of my car, somehow got messed up. Just the back tire was actually the problem, and so today after church, I went back to the bike shop to have it fixed. Turns out my rim was bent so bad, I had to get a new one. Oh well. While I was there, I decided to buy a new rack, one that holds three bikes and also is a lot more sturdy than the one I had which was unstable on the back of my car. I'm glad I took my bike in this afternoon, because I was then able to go out riding, I rode 6.5 miles. Not too far, but it was getting dark! In the short time I rode today, I saw 8 deer, 2 cottontails, and a cardinal. God's creatures are so amazing!

Our pastor is finally back at church. Last Sunday, I played in the Orchestra, so I got to hear him 4 times (well 3 times since I left early in the last service). Today he started a new series on the Attritubes of God, and spoke about God's eternality. I loved the analagy he used in that God is the guy in the blimp that can see an entire parade happening from start to finish, whereas we are just the spectators, seeing only what is in front of us at the present time. This really got me thinking today.....we sometimes strain so hard to see what is coming around the corner, that we miss what is right in front of us. The the crazy thing is that if would just focus on what is right in front of us, we would enjoy it so much more. Plus, everything down the street and around the corner in the parade is still going to make it our way, in due time. The biggest takeaway from today's message was simply a renewed hope in what is to come in my life...things I'm looking greatly forward too.

Last Monday and Tuesday was the Women's Conference for work. It was a blast being on the Planning Committee -- but it was hard work. I definitely have a sense of pride about the work that was done to accomplish all that was required to make the conference a success. It was also nice to meet the committee members from the other Sectors of my company, and to meet some of our top executives (not that they will remember me). I was so tired later this past week -- Thursday I fell asleep at 8:30 and Friday I was in bed by 11:00 (yes I'm admitting that!) Of course, I also had to get up early for the bike ride Saturday morning.

I fly home on Thursday for my cousin Karen's wedding, which is on Saturday....I'm super excited. I don't have too much planned, although I will have two days (Friday and Monday) to spend time with some friends. I'm looking forward to every minute!!!!

I think that's it for now -- I need my rest so I can go to work and go cycling tomorrow -- it's going to be a cool day -- the high is only 70 degrees!!