A "Summer-ary"

What a summer we've had, so far. Here are a few "snapshots"...

~ Two little girls sitting in the orange-glow of afternoon, hunting for "jewels" (beads that are faceted and shaped like diamonds) out of a trinket box of beads. Over them, Alison Krauss singing "Jewels"... "Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning, they will shine in their beauty, bright gems for His crown..."

~ After days of riding bikes through Wisconsin, we are in a restaurant called, The Angry Minnow (I completely recommend it) in Hayward; listening to the accomplishments of the various riders. One boy of nine rode 71 miles one day, our boy of nine rode 41 miles one day, our six-year-old rode 15 miles one day on her own bike, and our three-year-old rode 20 miles on a trail-a-bike -- each child honored for their accomplishment. Children and adults all together laughing, talking, enjoying each other.

~ I went to Cub Scout Camp, Akela, with my nine-year-old boy. I was invited. I was amazed that I was invited and we had such fun. There were SO many holy moments that weekend, but the one that stays with me is on the way home, I told my nine-year-old that I felt very honored that he asked me to go and I thanked him for sharing that with me. He looked at me and said, "I was honored that you went with me. Will you go with me next year?"

~ Sitting on the phone with a friend and realizing that God is moving in both our lives in the same way; calling us away from hurtful ways of being. We committed to watching each other's backs, to encourageing each other to press through. I am amazed at God's grace to give companions in the journey.

~ The kids being up at Grandma's and Grandpa's farm, I spent a day literally lying on the couch with the dog. We rested, read, prayed, wrote, listened, rested, slept, ate... it was amazing. He was so happy!

~ Finding, "Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and the West" by Daniel Ladinsky, for sale at the Library. Bought it for a dollar and... my heart is still trying to unpack it personally...

~ My husband getting Fareignheight 9/11 and us watching it until 1 in the morning. My heart is still trying to unpack it personally...

~ Listening to Steve Hanson of Open Door speak about Gulu and what God is doing there with Open Door. My heart is still trying to upack it personally...

These are a few of the moments that I have tasted this summer. It has been, amidst the hard times, very precious.