Summer

The summer sure does go by quickly.  I'm so thankful for a job in the school district.  Having a couple of months off during the summer, but knowing there is another busy schedule coming just around the corner, definitely enhances my appreciation of leisure time.   I like to be busy, but I also like to "putter".   I like to be with people, but I also need some time to myself, and I crave time with family (which is a challenge now that Woody and I are at least a long day's drive from any of our family).  I am very thankful for summer puttering and summer visiting. 

So far we have enjoyed time with my mom, time with some dear California friends, time with our kids (and grandkids) in Oregon, time with Heidi and Brady (and Sandi Patti - the dog) as they came through town on their road trip to Oregon, time working in the yard, and plenty of time puttering.  I actually just looked up the word puttering in the dictionary.  It means "to occupy oneself aimlessly, as in wasting time".  I feel like I should look for a different word now, because I believe that my time has been spent productively, and productive puttering would seem to be an oxymoron.  Oh well.  I am still going to give myself permission to continue puttering this summer.

Another blessing is that as I was struggling today with the technology of downloading pictures from my camera to my computer (should be a simple task I know), I found a file of pictures on my computer that I hadn't seen for a long time.  One thing about missing Sara is that it is such a gift to randomly come upon a picture of her, or something of hers that sparks a memory.  It's the same with special songs, funny stories, or little things I see that I know she'd like. I hope and pray I have those sparks in a constant and consistent way for the rest of my life here on this earth.  We are going to celebrate Sara's birthday in Oregon with all of the kids this year, and we will embrace all those memories as we wish we could be embracing her. 

A picture from Sara's senior year in high school

                                   

Time with Wyatt & Ellery

                                   

Time with my amazing mom

Being creative in our backyard

351.  The Happy Book - a gift from a much-loved friend

352.  Antique stores

353.  Browsing

354.  Summer rain

355.  Yard art

356.  Flowers

357.  Good books 

358.  New songs

359.  Air conditioning

360.  A comfortable home

361.  Salted caramel coffee ice cream cake

362.  Road trips

363.  The funny things children say

364.  Being honest with yourself

365.  So many daily blessings that I never want to take for granted

366.  Time to be quiet

367.  God's never-failing love, patience, & forgiveness  

368.  Learning to yield

369.  Creative outlets - like crocheting pirate beards - Pirate musical coming the end of July!                    

My goal is to number at least 1,000 gifts and blessings.  I haven't gone back and read through the first three hundred, but I'm fairly certain there are many repeats.  That's okay.  When I get to 1,000 I'll be interested to go back and see which blessings are listed over and over again.  Most of all I want to keep cultivating a thankful heart.  Not holding on to things of this world, but keeping my eyes on God, the One who provides, and finding joy in Him.