Where, Oh Where Did The Summer Go?

Oh where, oh where can it be? I'm starting to get that panicky summer-is-almost-over-and-I'm-not-nearly-ready-for-fall feeling. I mean, fall is nice and everything, and I love the fall colors and the bonfires, but in my head, summer seems way more relaxing and fun. I'm beginning to hear the crickets and buzzy insect sounds that I associate with August and September, and it reminds me of all the things I want to do yet before summer is over. Somehow I suddenly feel the need to fit in more swimming, picnics, and long walks, and want to curl up on the patio with a good book and an icy glass of lemonade. But, school will be starting again soon, so I see school shopping, stricter schedules and homework looming in the future. Ack! We only have a few more weeks of summer and I don't even want to think about it and the colder temperatures are coming and fall means spiders and I hate spiders and pretty soon I'll actually have to set my alarm to get up in the morning so I can get the kids ready for school and the sun is setting way sooner than it did just a few weeks ago and some of the leaves on the trees are changing already and my mums are starting to get big, bright blossoms on them and it seems a bit early for that and I'm definitely not ready to put my summer clothing away yet and.........Whew! Maybe I should just take a deep breath and go out there and do some more fun summer things. Take every day and make the most of it. And oh, yeah - remember that the beginning of fall brings me even closer to Ethiopia. Even closer to my little love(s). And even closer to the Ethiopian court system opening back up so that more referrals can go out! (The courts will soon be closing down for 2 months because during the rainy season, some of the roads become impassable.) So......Ok. Breathe deeply. Relax. And remember that to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.