Rest

 Rest.

I'm not really big on the whole "audible voice of God" concept.

Don't get me wrong; I believe God speaks to us through His word. 

It's why we are taught . .. commanded to study the Bible; to live it; to breath it.

But the voice? Not so much.

Until.

A few weeks ago as I was caught in the mad, mad, race of life

Feeling slightly breathless and weary 

With two people down with Covid, gas prices going higher then ever before, and basic living expenses creeping up

I sat down on the couch trying to solve all the problems when I heard a whisper

"Rest"

I kinda looked around thinking one of my guys was playing a trick but there was no one.

My mind started to rework things again - I needed to run back to the store; I needed to clean that or pick up that. 

"Rest"

That second whisper is when I started to listen.  

Took a deep breath and just . .. rested. 

That become my theme for the rest of that day . .. that weekend . .. and now my summer.  

When I feel weary, overwhelmed, beat down. 

Just rest.  

Our summer will be a quiet one.  A summer of slowing down and maybe even being bored. 

We aren't signing up for programs or events. 

We aren't racing here and there and everywhere to find something to do. 

I'm not even planning crafts or activities because, well, my guys are old enough to figure things out on their own! 

Instead we will rest.  We will get rejuvenated and refreshed after a school year that was harder than normal for some reason. 

My guys felt it; I felt it.  So many others and their thoughts and ideas trying to pull us away from what we all enjoy

Just being home.  Together.  And doing what is best for our little family.

Weekly Worship --TAYA - For All My Life (Official Lyric Video)

Our Week at a Glance

 This week my guys had some fun at Worship Camp.  Our friends I babysit were back after over a week off.  My brother and sister-in-law were still in town too! 

On Saturday, Darryl, Joshua and Ken, my brother, got the opportunity to go up in a small airplane at an event here in town.  

Josh got to ride up front.  To say he enjoyed it would be an under statement.  Someday I might get a photo of him in the pilot seat :-) 

Sunday was Father's Day and I didn't take a single picture!  We had an amazing dinner at my mom's to celebrate Darryl and Ken.  Then we played a great game of 5 Crowns! 

The rest of the week went a little like this:

Monday-Friday - Joshua and Nate attended worship camp where they learned more on their instruments/learned a new instrument and worked with their band on their songs for the worship celebration on Friday night. 

Tuesday - We took Darryl and Lynnette to see Top Gun Maverick.  Yes, it is good enough to see twice!  I think it was more intense the 2nd time because I knew what was happening! 

Wednesday - We had dinner at my mom's with Ken and Lynnette and also had to say good bye for now.  They planned to pull out Friday morning and we won't have a chance to see them again.

Thursday - I (Jackie) met a good friend for ice cream.  She is in town from Florida.  Almost three hours later we headed to our homes :-)  We hope to get together one more time before she goes home. 

Friday - The concert.  I highly doubt I will get photos up before this posts so I will share them next week!

Here are some random photos from the week: 

A Facebook group I'm in challenged everyone to take a photo out there window one morning this week and this is what I captured.  I love my willow and how the sun breaks through the leaves each morning.

Weather is weather.  But, this is crazy for June.  We've had so many 90 degree days already.  I think we might melt in July. 

Just a couple random photos from Worship Camp that I grabbed from the Facebook page.  My guys have really enjoyed their week and I'm thankful for the opportunity they have to do something like this. 

Weekly Menu - Where things are "normal"

 This is a pretty "normal" week.  Family has returned home, there is nothing extra going on.  It's just "home".  I'm really working on cooking what is planned AND cooking at home.  As with so many, the prices of things are really forcing us to make choices.  When we could go out to eat for $25.00 before, it now costs $40.00 and that's just fast food!  (Man I sound old).  Anyway, we are trying to reserve the eating out fun for more special occasions or just "once in awhile".  

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - Joshua and Nate have a concert to end their week at day camp and will eat dinner at camp so Darryl and I will grab something before heading out.  

Saturday - We are spending the afternoon with my Father-in-Law

Sunday - Today is a pot luck at church.  I'm not 100% sure what I'm taking yet.  

Monday - Balsamic Pork Tenderloin in the crock pot, crustless zucchini pie, and a salad

Tuesday - Shrimp Scampi tacos with Caesar Salad Slaw

Wednesday - My mom eats with us :-)  Chicken Alfredo, Garlic Bread and Salad

Thursday - Breakfast Enchiladas, Biscuits and Gravy, and asparagus.  

As I'm typing this I'm realizing that next week is the 4th of July!  Summer is flying by! 

What We are Eating - Spaghetti Carbonara

This recipe was an absolute homerun.  We inhaled it and all agreed that it was restaurant worthy and we could probably eat it once a week.  The sauce is made from a little bacon grease (how can you go wrong!!) and chicken broth that simmers until reduced.  The bacon adds just the right amount of saltiness but what makes this recipe is that poached egg.  Have you ever poached an egg?  I have not . . .well until I made this!  It was fun!  Dumping that egg in the just boiling water and watching it spin and wrap around itself!  Then, when you slice into it the butter yolk spills out and the soft white just almost melts into the pasta.  Mix it up so the yolk adds to the sauce and it is just amazing!  Just writing this makes me want to eat it again! 

You can find the recipe at Skinnytaste (of course!) 

Summer Fun = A little more time at home and maybe being bored.

 

I'm taking the summer off!  Well, not really but I'm not planning our summer like I have years past. There are multiple reasons for this not limited to:

• My guys are getting older and don't love my planning so much.  They want to sleep in and play with their friends (in real life and on-line).  One of them actually asked me to put nothing else on the schedule for the summer than what is already there! 
• My mantra this summer is two-fold:  "Stay Home and Spend Nothing" and "Rest" (more on that in a different post a different day)
• I'm tired of planning HA!  

You can check out some past adventures here: 

All of our 2020 adventures are HERE  and all of our 2021 adventures are HERE. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure we will do some things along the way - especially things close to home and things that are easy - just not quite so much planning.  Actually, my guys are attending Worship Camp this week so that will keep them busy! 

Oh, and don't worry, if you know me at all, you know I make lists and goals and plan no matter what which I have done - but it is more for me!  Scrapbooking, organizing, reading, school planning etc.  I'm not planning the kids days quite so much . .. well except for lawn mowing both here and at my moms. 😂

The older I get, the more I enjoy summer . . .well at least until it gets as hot as the surface of the sun day after day after day - then I don't.  These nice days in June when I can have the windows open are great.  I also love the break from school and the fact that we don't have to worry about the  "clock" quite so much each day to accomplish things.  I also love the days of planning.  Once school starts in the fall, it's pretty all consuming so I don't get to plan and accomplish things quite the way I'd like! 

Also, now that we are half way through the year, I'm hoping to get photos uploaded weekly again and share our photos each week so instead of a separate post  with our summer fun as I've done in years past, I'll just share that within out "week of photos" :-) 

Weekly Worship - Ben Fuller - Who I Am (with lyrics)(2022)

I love songs that I can sing easily while washing dishes or driving or well, while doing anything and this one does not disappoint!  Plus, it's got a great message too!