We have been enjoying the fawns again this summer, as we did the year I took this photo.
Psalm 103:1-8 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
First of all, let me apologize for not getting posts up in a timely manner, especially the writing and journaling challenges. I actually thought I had posted the June challenge here as well as at The Home Maker's Corner and on FaceBook, but I couldn't find it here when I looked for it. I think it must have been the post that the internet decided to eat as a snack one night and I was too tired to try to get it together again. I meant to come back later and do the post over, but I forgot. (The story of my life.) I really tried to be more organized this year about posting in all the places that I put up ministry things, but my plan settled into oblivion in May and I haven't managed to get back to it. Yet.
Last year and this year life has been changing in some unexpected ways for us. Last year we started attending a new church after about 16 years at another church. It took some getting used to, and also, being a much smaller church, I feel a bit more connected there. This has been lovely, but also takes up more of my head space and time (in a good way).
We had a major family visit last year in the spring, and then in December my brother who had been in Australia for years moved back to the U.S. Since he's living on our property, that has added another pleasant layer to life this year. He's had difficulty finding employment in this area and he is studying at present to expand his potential, but he helps out a lot, in particular with just being there for my Dad and assisting him in various ways.
This has significantly lightened my load as far as caring for our Dad is concerned. In a weird, but not surprising way, I almost feel like this has triggered a bit of a reaction in me. This isn't uncommon when someone has been keeping up with an important responsibility or necessity for a long period of time and then no longer has to think so much about that thing. I had not realized how much mental energy I (along with my husband) was putting into just checking on my dad daily and making sure he was ok. We also were the ones being there for him when he was having a health struggle. We didn't resent any of it, but it was more tiring to me than we realized at the time.
Last year we were also praying and seeking God's will about the possibility of moving, possibly even to another county where we might serve the Lord in a local church situation. None of the doors clearly opened as far as we could see, but I was working hard on downsizing our possessions with that in view and it rather took over our lives and home. (The downsizing was beneficial, but exhausting.) The outcome of that whole process, though, is that this year we have put our long-delayed plans to build a house on this property into motion. It is a slow process and it has been really tiring. We are in the end stages of completing the house plans at present, and hoping to start the ground breaking soon, if the Lord so wills.
I say all this to give some insight into why the articles and such have diminished or been delayed so much here and at The Home Maker's Corner. It is not the whole reason, there have been health issues (including menopause) among other things as well, but it is doubtless much of the reason. And, by way of disclosure, I'm considering possibly dropping some things. I'm not yet clear on what or when at this point.
After a long period of pondering and talking to the Lord and others, I have started a book project which is taking up more space in my mind. It also has been a real joy to me and revived my interest significantly. I have no date for when the books might be finished as these projects take a lot of slow plodding for me, but the hope is to be able to put out some books in the future that are edifying and devotional for the encouragement of Christian ladies.
So, having said all that...and it was more than I intended to say, here are the June and July journaling and writing challenges. :-)
