Hello my fine friends! Happy Thanksgiving. To coin the term of a friend of mine, “Autumn makes my soul soar.” And I’m real thankful for that because admittedly, there is not much about 2020 that makes my soul soar.

Its been the year of disappointments, the year of pain, the year of isolation, the year of so much that is hard. But it has not been the year that God isn’t in control, it has not been the year that God forgot about us, it has not been a year devoid of blessings.

We are told to give thanks and friends, we need to rejoice in the good that we still have. We need to celebrate the little bits of light so that we will be able to face the darkness. Here are five things, just five things that I am thankful for right now, and they are all things that no pandemic can take away.

Five “Simple” Things I am Thankful For

1. God is still God and He is still the Author and Perfecter of our salvation; a salvation that is really so much more incredible than we think it is. I know this seems like a simple truth, but it really isn’t. We have hope, a hope so great. That this world is not the end. So far from it. Guys, Jesus is coming back, and someday soon we will “look back and see all the pain had a purpose and (His) plan was worth it all along.” (Truth I’m Standing On by Leanna Crawford). And that is something nothing can ever take away.
2. I am thankful for Fall itself. For the seasons, the beauty God has given us here. Allow me a short tangent about fall? There’s something about the colors. Something about the nip of excitement in the air. About the sense that something glorious is just around the corner. Nature is in its last radiant burst of beauty; a beauty richer and deeper than that of any other season. Fall, (in case you couldn’t tell) is my favorite. My favorite colors, my favorite smells, my favorite activities (school, long brisk walks, cozying up with a book, jumping in leaves, writing…) and of course, my favorite food. Who doesn’t love a Thanksgiving dinner? But, that is beside my point. 😉 Autumn does indeed make my soul soar and now that we are at the very tail end of it, I’m going to hold onto it for as long as I can.
3. We are never alone. I know it might feel like you are alone. Isolated. Maybe you are stuck away from your friends. Maybe you don’t get to see your family. Maybe you didn’t get to go see “your people” the people who give you courage to keep shining. But you are not alone. I had forgotten this myself, that I, a child of the King, a part of the family of God am never alone. I do not have to walk alone. Sure, maybe I don’t have friends physically by my side right now, maybe the path I feel called to take is a lonely path that not many people understand or travel on. But I am not alone. You are not alone. Jesus did not leave us alone as orphans (John 14:18). He promised that He would never leave you, never forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). And He has also given us friendship, and brothers and sisters in Christ, and even when we can’t physically be with them, know friend that they are with you too. Supporting you, loving you, even from what seems a world away.
4. I am thankful for my family: yes the people I spend every hour of the day with and who see more of my faults than anyone else. I am so thankful for my family. I can’t even describe how much I love them.
5. Books. I am thankful for books. Here are three books that I read this autumn that I’m thankful for.

My Autumn Book List

Emily of New Moon by Lucy Maud Montgomery

I just finished this book a few weeks ago, curled up in bed, the lamp shining in my little orb of story as the world slept around me. This book delighted me as all of the other books I have read by Montgomery do also. Its no adventure novel, but rather the story of a girl with a gift for words, hardships and heartache and a shining imagination. Just like in the Anne of Green Gables series, the characters in this Emily book are so real, so unique and so interesting. I did not love this book nearly as much as I loved the Anne books but I still did enjoy it. Beautiful descriptions? Check. Engaging characters? Check. A story to encourage? Check. A main character that you will want to defend and an “antagonist” you will want to yell at?…also Check. 😉 This book, can be a little slow at times, so you have to be in the mood to enjoy the little things and read slow enough to catch the subtle beauty in the writing.

Heartstone by Elle Katherine White

A Pride and Prejudice retelling with… dragons? Yes, it does sound crazy. And yes, it does work. I was very interested and excited when my mum gave me this book. I was very curious too, as to how in the world these two elements mixed. And I was not disappointed. I ended up loving this book. For me, it was the perfect mix of exciting fantasy while keeping the element’s of Jane’s Austin’s story that I love. Brilliant characters, adorable hobgoblins, charming wit and the delightful chivalry and good nature that I love in all the Austin books I have read. There was also a truly delightful twist to some of the characters in this story. If you love Jane Austin and fantasy, I definitely recommend Heartstone.

Content Warning: It is a fantasy, and therefore there are a few bloody battle scenes, and some death so use personal judgement. There is also romance and magical creatures.

Dust by Kara Swanson

“The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale. Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real- since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London… and to a boy who shouldn’t exist. Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and haunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins. “The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan- and herself.” ~ The Back of the Book /synopsis

I give you the “Back of the Book” because I just finished reading this amazing book and I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to help myself from going on a rambling tangent about how much I loved it and how you should all read it. I know this because I just tried and that’s what happened. 🙃 This is much more than just a fairy tale. Its a book about light and darkness, brokenness, scars, beauty and facing yourself. So that once you have faced the darkness inside you can grasp the light.

Note: There is both romance and magic in this one but this is by a Christian author and both are written in a very clean way. Thought I’d mention that for any of you who might be concerned. 😉

And that’s it for today, friends! Keep on dancing in the little pockets of sunlight God gives us in the dark!