There is....(.by Roy Lessin for DaySpring)

For every hectic work day there is a quiet rest...

For every painful experience there is a healing touch...

For every negative feeling there is an abiding joy...


For every disappointment there is a certain hope...                              

For every turbulent storm there is a sure foundation...

For every doubting thought there is a calm assurance...

For every hurtful action there is a forgiving love.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

-Roy Lessin, DaySpring co-founder and writer

This is what is getting me through this week.  It's been LONG, it's been HOT, but it's also been filled to the brim with memories of my daddy telling me jokes, sweet pictures of my grandbaby, and the most tender and uplifting letter from my Gracie.  So, while I've had disappointment aplenty, hurtful actions against me, turbulent storms within, doubting thoughts and this horrid heat, God has provided me with HOPE...I really need to remember that!

Mama said.....

Today I'm feeling a little blue.  Sad of heart.  Hurt.  I often wonder if I'm just too sensitive.  I can rationalize that I have so very many blessings and so much to be thankful for, and I am. Despite that rationalization, I'm deflated, empty.....spent.  I feel like my values are being questioned and my beliefs challenged.   It's really all quite exhausting.....Mama said there'd be days like this!  What she didn't say was how to make them go away.....


‎"When what you care about the most is pleasing Me, you won't care what other people think. When you believe that I always love you, you can rise above peer pressure. And when you trust that I am always with you, you will have the courage to stand up for what is right," -Jesus Calling for Kids.

"In this moment I'm choosing to be self-controlled and alert. Your actions are begging me to yell and lose control. But, I realize I have an enemy and that enemy is not you. The devil is prowling and roaring and looking to devour me through my own lack of control right now. But, I am God's girl. That's right. I am. So, I am going to humbly and quietly let God have His way in me right now. And when I do this, God will lift me and my frayed nerves up from this situation and fill me with a much better reaction than what I can give you right now. So, give me just a few minutes and then we'll calmly talk about this.

You KNOW it's summer when....

It's too hot to cook!  I've been creative with meals this week in this triple digit heat.  I heard one news story about a reporter who actually baked cookies in his car. Something light and cool like the tomato, cucumber, mozzarella salad above hits the spot.

Reading is your preferred activity, and even IT can cause you to break a sweat!

You don't see your kids EYES for days because the sun's too bright

Storm clouds gather in a matter of minutes

and a MONSOON ensues

and, the only green thing on your porch is your lovingly tended tomato plant with the fruits
of your labors!

I'm surely ready for some crisp fall weather!!!

Keeping Calm.....

get it here!

....and summering on!  I've now burned up the second week of my summer break.  There was July 4th last weekend with all of it's festivities,  a cookout at Mom & Dad's with Gracie, David and Thomas, rained out fireworks, and David leaving for California early (I mean 5AM early) to fly back....Gracie worked, I cleaned, online classes continue for Thomas.  I did get a few books read.  I'm loving the Laura Child's series about Tea Shop mysteries. It's light, it's predictable, and the plus....it has recipes.

new summer reads for moi!

NEW Columbia Jacket with zip out lining for $12

Little Bee's soft snow suit

Yesterday found Gracie and I at Goodwill...three of them in fact along with a side trip to Salvation Army.  You know the economy is tough when even the thrift stores have raised prices, and noticeably so...Our persarverance paid off!  Gracie got things to complete her bedroom as well as bathroom.  We got so many deals! I got a baby blue Columbia winter coat in pristine condition for $12!!  Retail, over $100, and I was able to find Little Bee the softest pink "snow suit" for this winter. I especially like that it doesn't have defined legs to contend with...a fussy, wiggly baby and a 3 inch leg hole shouldn't exist in the same area!  This one is more like a saque with an opening for the car seat.  I think it will do nicely...and for less than $5...makes me smile:) Gracie scored DOWN bedding for her bed at a steal, so despite being tired, it was a productive day and we got to spend time together.  We finished off the day with pancakes from Cracker Barrel..as the old song goes..."it is well with my soul"  I don't know what "it" is, but Cracker Barrel has captured something that everyone seems to desire.  It's comfort food and childhood all rolled into one....love it!  I'll be back later to post about keeping calm as it seems I've got the "summering on" part down pat!

Today.....

Is the 4th full day of my summer break.

It's hot, extremely hot, but it is summer after all..

I made a wonderful spinach, ricotta quiche and took it for brunch with Dan & Jackie...seriously, it's the most simple, yet delicious recipe I think I own.  It's a home run every time

I am cooking a big pot of curly kale and collards fresh from the garden..

I am wondering what it is that make some people tick...

I talked to my nearly 80 year old daddy for a good long spell...he is so much a gift to me!

I prayed for some situations near and dear to my heart. Situations that I am powerless to do anything about....

I am taking Thomas for his gym workout for class....

I am making good progress on the bib I'm making for Miss Ellie.....

I miss my friend Beth.....

I am thinking about getting some of my school stuff out and organized...it's still sitting in boxes and bags in my trunk......

I'm thinking about downsizing and what to give/offer to others......

I am missing this girl....I am NOT missing Newton the pig...he makes his presence known....frequently!

I am......THANKFUL!

Uncanny?

Belief....

source

I found this print in my web browsing this morning, I book marked it , and I've returned to it several times.  I love it!  I find it inspiring, and in such an uncanny way, it ties into the "God wants you to Know" app I have on facebook which for today read....

On this day, God wants you to know

... that today is a big day for you. Yes, today. Keep your eyes open for a message. It might come in a shape of a bird flying overhead, or a graffiti on a wall, or a phrase said by a passerby, or... Whatever shape it has, this message has been trying to reach you for years, and today is finally the day. Keep your senses open.

Maybe it's really not so uncanny after all....

Oh my....

There are not many things that I really like about summer.  I find the heat and humidity horrible, not crazy about it being daylight until 9 PM.  There are however, some things that I do find appealing, in fact,  I LOVE THEM!

Take dinner tonight for example....fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, fresh green beans, cabbage and corn on the cob...what could be better?  I LOVED it!

And thunderstorms...nothing like sitting on the porch and watching a thunderstorm roll in...I LOVE it!

Lightning bugs are fun,

And being OFF for two months during the summer is pretty nice too, but Oh MY, was dinner good! DId I explain that I really LOVED it!!?