A Season of Change

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Can you feel it? There's a change in the air! Fall is just around the corner, and we are very much looking forward to a Change of Season.

It's been a couple of weeks since we've posted anything here on the blog. If you are one of our family followers, you know that 2022 has come with its ups and downs. But God is good, and He has been faithful and gracious to our family through all of the challenges. In the Bible, James opens his letter to the church with these words,

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 ESV.

I don't think I truly understood the significance to these words until this summer. We have faced a number of trials, and time and time, God has shown up and provided over and over again. We determined early on that we were going to trust God no matter what. From Amy's diagnosis of breast cancer to the loss of both of our fathers and our family dog, we kept our eyes and our hearts pointed towards God. And what a difference it has made for us.

In the midst of these 'trials,' we decided to step away from the blog and vlog so we could focus on our family, our work/ministry, and each other. So for most of the summer, we have been laying low recovering, mourning and healing. But it's time for a change.

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For the kids it's a new school year and the opportunity to set some new goals, learn some new things, and grown.

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This is one of our favorite times of the year. Fall. Though the official start of Fall isn't until Thursday, September 22nd, Fall is already in the air. The kids are back to school. Stores are loaded up with fall decor. The weather is beginning to turn a little cooler. Pumpkin spice is in everything and everywhere. Fall is coming!

The change of season is a special time. It brings with it a sense of a fresh start. Like the first day of the new year, the season of Fall offers the opportunity to restart. For the kids it's a new school year and the opportunity to set some new goals, learn some new things, and grown. Asher is a Junior. Breya is in eighth grade. We only have two still in school. That's crazy.

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The trials we face bring seasons of growth. The growth leads to a deeper faith. And that faith produces life

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It's a change of season, and a change that's needed. And, we're looking forward to the change. The changing colors of the leaves, the smell of campfires, s'mores and hot chocolate. Pumpkins, hayrides, corn stalks, candy corn, and apple cider. And let's not forget about the holiday's; Halloween, Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas. Yeah, the change is much needed.

​It's been a tough summer, but as we begin to think about the Fall we're reminded that change is good, even necessary. The Fall colors come, bring to an end the warm days of summer. As the leaves fall, we move into the cold and snowy winter. From winter comes the spring as life returns. It's the life cycle of all things. It's God's purpose and plan. The same is true for us. The trials we face bring seasons of growth. The growth leads to a deeper faith. And that faith produces life. 

We've learned a lot this summer. We've seen God's faithfulness as He met us in our sorrows. We've seen His goodness as friends and family mourned with us. We've been reminded of the hope we have in the Gospel as we said goodbye to our fathers. And we celebrated with joy in knowing that death is not the end.

Bring on the change. The colors. The weather. The holidays. The challenges. James words remind us that even in our difficult seasons, God is working to grow us, strengthen us, and teach us how to rely, depend, trust in Him. It's not about how we work at getting ourselves through the difficulties, but how God walks with us through the challenges.

We've learned a lot. More than we can share in this blog. But we want to share, and share we will. So stay tuned.

We're excited for the Fall. We're excited for the change. We're excited to share what God has been teaching us. And we're excited for what God will lead us through as we look forward to some of our most favorite days.

Stick around friends, we have a lot to share!

- the higham's

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