Last days of summer 2021

And somehow, here we are again. On the last official day of summer break (not counting the weekend). Normally, I'd be in my classroom today, taking advantage of a quiet day to start setting things up before the building fills up with lots of noise and people. But not this year. The break was too short to give up a single day.

Normally, I'd be in panic mode all week, making sure I finished every project, squeezed in every doctor appointment, cleaned out every closet and pantry, etc. Not this year. With the last "normal" four weeks of summer now spread out into extra breaks through the year, I had to change my whole mindset of summer break.

It was just that. A much needed break. A time to rest, recharge, and refuel. To do things I enjoy. To give my mind a chance to unravel and declutter. A time to heal physically and address any health concerns I may have pushed to the side during a stressful year of survival (like getting my eyes checked--glasses coming soon!). A time to catch up with friends. A time to spend with the people I love without feeling so frazzled and pressed for time. 

Today I spent one last long morning on my bike, riding the nature trail, thanking God for all the gifts around me that He brought to my attention this summer. I found a quiet spot beside the still water of a pond to just sit and breathe in God's goodness, to surrender this next school year to Him, asking for wisdom to handle whatever the year brings, trusting that He's in control of all the details. 

And as frazzled, physically depleted, and angry as the last school year left me, these last six weeks helped immensely in refilling my tank and uplifting my spirit. I'm ready to head back to work on Monday morning with a renewed enthusiasm and sense of purpose. This is my mission field, and God has equipped me for the task ahead and prepared me for the people He's going to put on my path. Students, families, and coworkers alike. 

Here are a few last pics of summer that I want to have here to remember.

Celebrating July 20--Colombian Independence Day (eating Mazamorra Paisa at a local Colombian restaurant) and 13 years since the day we met Juan David.

July 5, my dad's 75th birthday! I made him 75 little muffins to munch on for awhile.

July 4th with my boys

My very patriotic, loves his country, son

Having a full day off together occasionally to enjoy a different kind of date

Several bowling outtings as a family or just two of us.

Joining my parents for lunch on Father's Day

Celebrating Juan's 8th year as our son (has it really only been 8 years????)

Hanging out with David. 

He worked hard at a new full-time job all summer, so I had to focus on quality time whenever I could, rather than quantity time like last summer. Plus I had to share him with his new girlfriend (who I adore). I loved that he worked so close to home so that I got to see him when he came home for his lunch breaks. And that we almost always went to church together on Saturday nights.

An unexpected gift from my sister-in-law that I got to watch her make for me on a laser machine she uses for her new business, Abby Kate Designs. Such a sweet gesture that touched my heart. 

A good motto for the year ahead, too. 

Summer "study" and "work" time

I just can't imagine summer without my Bible study peeps. But when I realized I missed the opportunity to teach a study at church, I had to find another way to still get one going. So I texted a couple friends to see if they wanted to join me on my front porch to do a study together, and they said yes! I didn't want to have to deal with any kind of technology, plus I only had six weeks to squeeze it in, so I went to the Love God Greatly website to find a study we could fit into that time frame. I've led several Love God Greatly studies, and I love the format. Simple, solid Scripture, and you can take it to whatever level you need. Basically, you get out of the study what you put into it. But what I love about this format are the "ah-ha" moments when you discover something new in the verse that you never noticed before. 

So when I found a new study called Friendship, I knew God gave me the perfect study after a year and a half of separation and social distancing. A study we all needed and a time of fellowship we all craved.

Every Monday morning at 9:00, I met with 3-5 friends out on my front porch and just talked about what the Bible has to say about our need and purpose for deep, authentic biblical friendships. God gives us friends for our safety, productivity, comfort, pleasure, and provision. My biggest take away from the study was how much we need each other and how much our love for each other within the body of Christ is actually one of our most powerful witnessing tools to a watching world. God created us to constantly give to and receive from our friends. Sometimes we focus too much on the giving or the receiving, but we should always be pouring ourselves out while letting someone else pour into us. We always have something to give just as much as we always have something we need to willingly receive.  

I cherished every Monday morning, which usually lasted until at least lunch time and then extended into lunch out together on several occasions. I grew closer to each of those five friends and felt blessed to find out how much we all have in common. Wishing I'd gotten a picture of all six of us together!

This was one of the verses we spent quite a bit of time discussing. 

Besides Bible study, I also took advantage of some alone time to do some reading for pleasure, something I sadly don't have much time for during the school year, especially the last school year. 

A friend who is also sending her youngest off to college this year ordered this book the same time I did, and it could not have ministered to me at a better time as I watch my 19 year old now live with one foot in and one foot out, knowing he's home for the summer but that this isn't home during the year. I read through it and immediately passed it on to another close friend about to send her daughter off to college. I guess I'll have to order another one for myself so I can do the journaling parts. 

Nothing like a cloudy day to sit in the hammock and soak up words on a page. I highly recommend this book!

A little nostalgic reading of a novel that took place in my hometown in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

And then a little writing time on a project that's grown in my heart for the last four years. The first (simple) draft of what could some day be my third book to turn my series into a trilogy. If I ever want to publish it, I'd have to go back and do quite a bit of revising, elaborating, and fleshing out of the story, (plus obtain permission from the main people I included), but for the first time in four years, I finally wrote out the backbone of our journey to Laura in story form. The format changed, though. Rather than start each chapter with my own poetry, I wanted to use Biblical poetry, so I based it on Psalm 23. 

Book 1--Unexpected Tears. Published. Book 2--Patiently waiting.  Published. 

Book 3--Boldly Praying. Maybe someday? 

It felt good to finally write it all out.

 

Summer mornings 2021

It's been a short summer, and after the insanity of the last school year, all I wanted was a chance to rest, heal, and recharge. We didn't plan a single trip or vacation, and though I will admit to feeling a little jealous of everyone's beach pictures, I can't say I even wanted to deal with the stress or hassle of preparing for a trip or leaving the comfort of home. But that's not to say I didn't get any miles under my belt. Nearly every morning I got up and hopped on my bike or took a long walk. I never thought I could ever be an exercise before coffee kind of girl until I experienced the beauty and serenity of a sunrise ride on my bike (and because if I started too late, I couldn't take the Texas heat). So far, I've ridden 300 miles in the last six weeks, and I hope to ride at least another 50 more before I go back to work in a week. I hope to still take a short morning walk before starting each day, at least while the sunlight and weather cooperate with my schedule, but you can be sure I'll be hitting my bike for a sunset ride as many evenings as I can. 

 Captivated by that baby bird who hadn't yet learned to fly.