Ladona Webb is Christ Lutheran Church’s Seminary Intern for 2008-2009. She is a student at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH.

For Ladona’s monthly letter to the congregation, continue reading!

I love to walk in the morning and listen to the sounds of God’s creation as it stirs to life at the dawn of a new day. One bird greets me with its morning song. (At least I like to think it’s the same bird each morning). I marvel at the subtle changes of light as the sun peeks through the trees that are now beginning to lose their vibrancy of color. One afternoon last week, I walked through the neighborhood surrounding Christ Lutheran Church. I found myself walking down an alley (I love to see into backyards—where people really live) and noted the few gardens left unattended now that the harvest is complete. I give thanks to God for the beauty of the summer, the lush grass, the shade tree, for the many fragrances of flowers and their beauty, and the bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables. I also give thanks for the beauty of autumn, the time of year when nature sings its last alleluia! to God in vivid colors. Autumn is a time of transition and anticipation.

November is a month of thanksgiving. November catches me somewhat off-guard, and I begin reflecting on the first ten months of the year. I begin by wondering, first of all, how the previous months went so quickly; secondly, giving thanks for the opportunities for work and play; and especially, for all the people who have touched my life. I begin to look forward to the remaining two months of the year with all the parties and celebrations.

These past few weeks, I have found myself humming a tune, Canticle of the Turning, from ELW page 723. This song has a catchy Irish tune and the words are based on the Magnificat. Jesus ushers in the kingdom of heaven, "and the world is about to turn." With autumn, we begin to anticipate the season of Advent, the season of the church year when we prepare and wait for the coming of Christ. We look for the ways in which Jesus enters our lives and turns our world upside down.

In our Evening Prayer, we sing, "...my soul rejoices in God my Savior." November is indeed a time of year to reflect and give thanks, but it is also the time to look ahead with anticipation for all the unexpected gifts that God has in store for us.

May God bless us to be a blessing to others!

Intern Ladona