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4 fall/winter 2018-2019 I LOVE FALL! To me, it's more than just a season of the year. e air is fresh and crisp, and there is just something about it that excites me; I feel my best during the season. Here are several reasons why fall is a great season. 1. Orange is everywhere. I've loved orange for as long as I can remember; in fact, I had "burnt" orange in my wedding. I loved orange before I knew it was the color for the "Pokes" or the "Texas Longhorns" or before I knew that the preferred color of "our" team was crimson. However, orange is a hot trend for fall, and I love it. 2. It's the most wonderful time of the year…MOSTLY because I know that Christmas is just around the corner. I am already dreaming up projects for Gary to "help" me with for Christmas, and it might involve ONE more Christmas tree. 3. e weather becomes dream-like. Here in Oklahoma, summers are too hot and humid, springtimes are too unpredictable and stormy, and winters are way too cold for my taste. Fall, however, is perfect. Oftentimes I walk outside and think, "is weather could not possibly be more perfect." It's almost as if the perfect mix of sun and clouds and slight chill are combined together to create the best weather ever. In particular, I love feeling the contrast of a warm day with the perfect temperatures and soft breeze of an autumn afternoon. 4. You can curl up and be cozy by a fire. I enjoy a good fireplace fire. ere is just something cozy about curling up in front of a warm hearth. I'm seriously not a fan of cold weather, but when it starts to get chilly, a fire is a great way to turn up the heat. 5. Autumn scents that permeate the air are delightful. e first time you catch a whiff of smoke coming from a neighbor's chimney, you know fall has officially arrived. Fall is filled with distinguishing scents like pumpkin, cinnamon and apples. ey fill my senses with happiness. 6. e changing colors of trees create a tapestry. I love seeing the way nature creates its own fall rainbow of colors. It's beautiful to see the leaves changing, and it's pretty amazing that they do it every year. Such an amazing gift from God. 7. Warm drinks are soothing and can just make you feel warm all over. I've heard many of my friends talking about Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte, and I have seen your Facebook posts and the delight on your face when you finally get that long awaited "seasonal" drink! e anticipation of waiting until fall for them makes them that much more delicious. Personally, I love a cup of hot chocolate or the wassail recipe that my daughter, Shanda, shares with me. YUM! 8. e spirit of change is in the air. In the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3 says, "To everything there is a season." Fall is a season of change. It's a time of transition – time to break out the jackets, coats, boots, scarves, and hats in preparation for the change in season. It is a time to think over the past year and what you've been through, the memories you've made with friends and family, and to look forward to a new and exciting year. It is a season to be thankful and to be surrounded by the people you love. Just like nature's seasons, our lives also have seasons. Seasons in your family, seasons in your marriage, seasons in your career. e articles shared in this GLIFE are representative of some of the seasons in the lives of couples that have so graciously shared part of their journey with you, the reader. Somehow, I believe that God will speak to your heart as you read about their lives. May you find encouragement, whatever season of life you are in. May you know that God loves you deeply and cares deeply about every season and every part of your life. "To everything there is a season." Praying that you are blessed and encouraged. Living and Loving Life! GRATEFUL! ■ Lawton First Assembly Women's Magazine Women's Pastor Debbie Pratt Assistant Bethany Kuehny Art Director Heather Chatterjee Editorial Assistant Sallie Koll Publishing Consultant Laura Clevenger Contributors Debbie Pratt, Sheila Hooker, Don Barnes, Robert Peterson, Angela Haubrick, Janis Lawyer, Jessica Dianne Photography, Laura Clevenger, Michael Lipka, Emerson Eggerichs Advertising Opportunities (580) 536-9325 E-mail: girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org G-Life Magazine Lawton First Assembly of God 2201 N.W. 82nd Street, Lawton, OK 73505 G-Life magazine is published by Lawton First Assembly. It is distributed free of charge throughout Southwest Oklahoma. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission. G-Life magazine is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information we print, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. All photography and letters sent to G-Life magazine will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. For information on where to find G-Life magazine, or how to become a distributor, call (580) 536-9325 or e-mail girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org. Copyright 2017 by Lawton First Assembly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is forbidden. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchaser, user, or patronage. ©Lawton First Assembly 2018 All Rights Reserved Volume 12, Number 2 girlfriends@lawtonfirst.org lawtonfirst.org/girlfriends facebook.com/lfagirlfriends twitter.com/lfagirlfriends Connect With Us welcome