“Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort that is.” – Louisa May Alcott
Flannel
Garage sale-ing with Janaya and Leanna
Autumn touching the hills
Hiking the Ozark Trail as a family
Far-flung view and sitting Indian style on a rock, breathing it up
A pool of water deep in the forest, mirroring light
The boys climbing and spelunking and shimmying down a tree
Breezes
The pattern of sacred in the profane– eternity in the ordinary
Shige Clark’s poem, “Grateful”
Apples
Watering and harvesting autumn lettuce
Candles
Hot blueberry tea under the stars, the whole family on blankets and reciting homespun poetry (some better than others)
Violining to “How He Loves”
Chili by an open window on a damp, cold Sunday afternoon
Becca’s dairy free pumpkin bread (and how she always takes the inconvenient path of thoughtfulness)
A text from Dad, saying how much he loved my blog post
Trent’s stunning paint job of the fireplace
My Terra 45 North Face pack that Drew and Leanna found at a resale shop in Colorado
Gear piled against the wall, ready for Joel’s and my first backpacking trip
Arcadia Valley
Our favorite site not taken
Joel foraging and hatcheting
Canned soup over the fire
Reading “A Liturgy for Those Who Sleep in Tents” as dark deepened
Night woods
Sounds filling my sleep– the brook and an owl and far-off coyotes
Reading Psalm 110 on a rock above the stream
Socks and Chacos
Calling Dad and Mom
Day hike, starting early
Mina Sauk Falls
Hills blanketed with my favorite muted orange
Kind hikers
The CC trailhead (at long last!)
Keyhole view of blue hills
Ramen
Juniper
Weariness
Home again, lit with candles and smelling of brownies
bethanyjmelton.com 
Oh my, it sounds like you had a wonderful trip! I hope you share some photos on Instagram or you can even text me some😍
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It sounds like you had a lovely October! I absolutely adore this time of year. Seeing all the change reminds me of how God has a purpose for everything. The beauty of fall is amazing to look at. Things that made me happy: Hiking with my family, having time for photography, getting accepted into the National Honor Society, becoming secretary of Student Council, blog post writing, listening to hymns along with Jonathan Park (Christian audio drama), browsing in Target with my Mom and Sister, and reflecting on the year. I cannot believe that the year is almost over and another one will be starting very soon. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has instore next. ❤
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i loved reading this reflection, and i’m happy you shared it!
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I love your monthly ttmmh! They have inspired me to share more of the smaller joys of life on my monthly posts. God has blessed us with so much beauty in the every day.
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how encouraging! 🍂🙌🏽
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“Violining to How He Loves”
I love this, and recommend violining as much and as often as possible. Typing that word makes me smile, though, because my index and middle fingers don’t know when to stop typing and I end up with violininining.
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that’s really happy, thanks friend 🙂🙂
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