🌼 Here’s a short but honest gathering of what I’ve been thinking about this last month. As always, thank you for reading and being a part of my online community.
Feeling the value in noticing our thoughts, recording our experiences, and the impact our stories have on one another. I’m reading a couple of wonderful books. One is a memoir written from the author’s perspective when she was just 11 years old. She is about to learn the meaning behind her father’s legs having “permanently fallen asleep,” and her writing is equal parts poignant and funny. The second is a biography of a well-known Christian author and missionary. It’s wild to read small portions of the latter’s authentic journal entries, to see her life recorded in real-time increments and how, simply put, human she was.
Bookmarking two Mediterranean meals. One is a Greek orzo salad (fresh mint! lemon juice!), and the other is a Garlic Chicken dish with asparagus and lemon.
At Venice Beach with Maxwell when he was about 15 months old (current age: 12 yo)
Thinking back to my early motherhood days, when it was just me, Max, and Natalie. Every week, we met up with three of my mama friends and their children. We packed up diapers and snacks and fun things to drink; beach towels and a change of clothes, for everyone. We saved stories from the last few days so we’d have plenty to talk about, and we gathered at Venice Beach for the entire afternoon. Those days are so precious, so pivotal for my transformation into a mother of five. I couldn’t have imagined then what I’d come to experience and know as a woman and mother. I couldn’t have imagined making it through some of the tough days motherhood would so naturally, so quietly bring, without those friendships to lean on.
Noticing some of Natalie’s favorite books were my favorite books when I was her age: The Secret Garden, Little Women, and anything by Beverly Cleary. Seems like every week we have a new stack of library holds ready for pickup. I noticed one of her friends is reading The Saddle Club. OH, the memories! ;) Brings me right back to my love for boxed book sets!
Smelling a lot of flowers inside our home. My kids, and Zack!, have been bringing me wild bouquets. Just this week, I had three scattered throughout the main floor of our home. I am blessed by their thoughtfulness.
Loving having an extra family member in our house for much of the month. It’s fun to have my nephew around. A couple of days ago, after he had been with us for a good week, I said, “So, is this what you imagined our home to be like?” He laughed and said, “Yup!”
Wondering how long our newest batch of markers will last. My kids have been on a long-running kick with coloring. Colored pencils and markers are their medium of choice, and printing coloring free pages off this site has been their weekly request. They color in the early morning while the house is still sleepy, and as a reprieve from the afternoon heat. It’s fun to see them create together and find a little quiet within our large family. Do your kids like to color?
Enjoying the phrase, “the kitchen is closed until our next meal.” Followed by, “which is in like one hour.” And then, “I do believe you can make it one more hour.”
Wishing for a tall glass of lemon water.
Reading the book of Acts with my Bible study girls. We discuss three chapters once a week. Oh goodness, I am so very grateful for this group of Saints. Three years ago, we gathered for our first Bible study (Remember Your Joy: A Bible Study of Salvation Stories in the Old Testament by Courtney Doctor and Melissa Kruger; absolutely fantastic!). We’ve covered 11 studies since starting in July ’22 :) and the personal growth has been inspiring and humbling!
Cooking a lot of our favorites right now: tacos, Swedish meatballs, sourdough pizza, grilling brats and burgers, sausage and pasta with a homemade creamy garlic sauce. What are you cooking?
Making sourdough bread! I haven’t been making too much this summer, but I’ve got four loaves in the works right now.
Singing a melody of thanksgiving over the healthy delivery of my friend’s newborn baby boy :)
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I agree, those two biographies were so intriguing to ponder! Assuming I am thinking of the same woman. :)
Yes, my children love to color free printable pages. They’ve been enjoying how-to-draw books from the library, too.
No sourdough baking during the summer. BUT I will heat up the oven to bake zucchini breads, cakes, or muffins. :)
I’m going to check out the Remember Your Joy study!
Hi lady! Thanks for sharing so many thoughts with me :)
Are we thinking of Elisabeth Elliot? It sounds like you read them? If so, thoughts?
Hey Maggie!
Yep, Elisabeth Elliot! I appreciated the author’s ability to share candidly, yet carefully, about EVERY aspect of Elizabeth’s life. It’s important to remember that our role models are not perfect. They need Jesus every day, just like me, and every other human.
I resonated with many of Elizabeth’s convictions that were counter-cultural. Specifically, the idea that evangelism and discipleship are not usually glamorous, and her way of thinking that, “If I have two options in front of me, I should choose the one that seems harder for me, because it will develop more spiritual growth.” That was my paraphrase. I’m still chewing on that idea. I like it, but I also don’t know that it’s true 100% of the time. I was deeply saddened by the details of her 3rd marriage. It is perplexing to me that such a strong-willed woman would bend to peer pressure, or what others thought she should do.
What were your thoughts?
I feel similarly about your paraphrased quote :) We should bring all things to the LORD and see what He has for us. I also greatly valued the author’s perspective to tell the truth in love. What a powerful thread she wove throughout the biography. I felt some of Elisabeth’s turmoil as she aged and wrestled with what to do with her personal life and career. There were many times I laughed out loud over things she did or said. I greatly enjoyed the 2-book set.
What are you reading currently?
Hi Maggie! I am currently slow-reading Hinds Feet in High Places, and gobbling up Daughters of Palestine. (I love memoirs!)
My friend JUST gave me Hinds Feet to read — can’t wait to dig in! :)