On Love and Annoying Questions

It's high summer.  There is so much work happening.  There are many things to think about and juggle.  

Yes, things are coming together.  I'm glad there are six brains planning and working here.  One of those brains helps me remember to pack zip ties on move-in day... because if I don't, I rip my hair out when we get to the Fairgrounds without them...

But those five other brains can ask a lot of questions as their minds work through the logistics of the next week.  

When I'm crossing things off the list and I get asked for the 67th time, "What's for supper?"  

or I hear another "When are we going to do ______________________?"

When we're remembering everything and asking each other if you've done ___________________ yet or if you remembered ____________________ ?

That's where patience and grace come in.  

These are opportunities to exercise Godliness.  In these moments, I've been taking a deep breath and reminding myself to be patient, to be loving.  The children leaning over my shoulder or standing on the other side of the kitchen island are made in the image of God.  

We love because He first loved us.  

When I'm having trouble being loving, it's amazing what happens when I think about the depths of the Father's love for me.  What He sacrificed for me, when I was sinful, annoying, unlovable, and thoroughly ugly inside... He loved me.  

When I think about that, I can choose a loving response when another question is making me a feel more overwhelmed.  

The fruit of that revelation is beautiful, friends. When I choose love, God does something beautiful in my heart.

Almost Time!

HEY!  The Fair is almost here!

I think we're almost ready.

The paperwork is in.  The shirts are ironed.  The animals are getting the best of care.  The menu is planned.  The excitement is building...

Deep breath!

We're getting there.

Up in the Air

Sometimes it's nice to see the big picture.

A friend flew over our house the other day.  It's so beautiful to have the aerial view.  

Something about the big picture puts all the little things back in their place.  

We get so worked up and worried and upset about the little things, but God orchestrates and plans and works on our behalf.  He sees it all and leads and guides.  He is the Great Shepherd of the sheep.  He protects fiercely and guides gently.  

When we get ourselves worked up into a dither, maybe we need to go up 2300 feet and take a deep breath, for He sees and holds it all.

Sharing

A few short years ago, an Amish friend shared some perennials that were taking over her flower beds.  

I love that her generosity has beautified my front flower bed.  The Blossoms and I have thoroughly enjoyed this pink beauty each day... all because someone shared.

Social Media

I don't know what people are so worried about... 

I let the Blossoms have Snapchat.

To the Woods

On a warm summer day, I ventured off into the woods

with a hound and four girls.

Only, they weren't the usual four Blossoms.

These are a few of the Grace Girls - Blossom3's group of preteen friends, in addition to Blossom4 tagging along.

The Grace Girls try to get together every month or so for fellowship and girl stuff.

This time, I "hosted." 

Rather, I loaded them up and took them to the woods.  

We had a charcuterie picnic and explored the site of an old CCC dam.

Sometimes I stood in the water and absorbed the peace that the babbling brook spoke of.  

Sometimes I forged ahead with Miss Bianca.  

Sometimes I watched the raven flying above us.

Sometimes I snapped pictures of Grace Girls jumping off banks into the crystal waters below.

Mostly, I smiled.

Knoebels Grove

 Miss Bianca loves going on adventures.  

Especially when her scarf gets to match the Blossoms!  

In a house full of girls, it's no surprise that the girl hound must match the girlies!

Binney enjoyed riding the train and antique cars.

And napping by the ferris wheel!  

She was a champ all day long while we ate and rode our way all over the park.  

Binney made a splash wherever she went.  She gladly took the pats and attention from anyone and everyone who stopped.  Someone said, "You must be the puppy that everyone's talking about."

I'm just glad it wasn't because she was the puppy that jumped in the flume pool, because she sure tried.  Instead, she settled for a little mid-afternoon slopping in the park's creek.

It was a day of roller coaster fun, flumes, frozen lemonades, and funnel cakes.  

(And, yes, Binney ate pizza, fries, and funnel cakes too!)

On the way home, when I heard the chorus of thanks coming from the back seats of the van, my heart was happy.

Soul-filling Solitude and Scenery

Blossom2 has been walking in the morning with me.  

At about 5:30, Binney wakes us up faster than a rooster on a micro farm!

She's ready to slay the day.  

Before settling onto the porch for our quiet time, Blossom2 and I pulled on our tennis shoes and head out into the morning stillness.

We count deer, breathe deeply, and teach Binney the ways of leash-walking.

I've tried going back to sleep instead of going for a walk, but really, it doesn't seem to be worth it.  I have more energy when I walk in the morning and Binney does better when she runs off energy in the morning.  

And with solitude and scenery like that, it's a soul-filling start to the day.