Summertime...

Summertime... 

"Summer was our best season; it was sleeping on the back

  screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse;

          summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand 

colors in a parched landscape."

                                                   -Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird 

We just came back from ten glorious days at Diamond Lake, surrounded by family and hot days and warm nights. Splashing water and time to hold the baby of the family. Casual meals and sleeping in. Playing Pictionary and having long, catch-up talks.

I love the pace of summer, mostly because it is such a huge contrast to the rest of the year. I love taking the time to let in all of God's love and grace. I love taking the time to read books that suck me in and turn me around and challenges my thinking. My grandchildren always like to ask me, especially at the end of a vacation, "How many books did you read this time, Nana?" And my answer this vacation was "Five amazing books, sweetie." These were books that I heard about and loved to read (or re-read in some cases). Books that made me think and 

books that helped me better understand love and loss, especially the 

loss of a child. Here are a few of those titles:

and Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering by Kate Merrick

 colors of goodbye: A Memoir of holding on, letting go, and reclaiming joy in the wake of loss

by September Vaudrey

bittersweet: thoughts on change, grace, and learning the hard way by Shauna Nyquist

HALLELUJAH ANYWAY: Rediscovering Mercy by Anne Lamott

Goliath MUST Fall: Winning the Battle Against our Giants by Louie Giglio

All of these stories talk about faith in hard times, finding peace in times of unbelievable hardship and loss, and trusting God in the very worst moments of our lives.

I not only read books for me, I also read books to my dear, sweet grand baby, Annora Grace. Two of her new favorites are:

Bears on Wheels (with sound effects for the wheels) :) and 

God Bless You and Goodnight!

This time away was also a chance to sit by the water and pray, to thank God for so many blessings and to ask Him to heal those I love who are struggling with health issues, especially my dear friend and soul sis, Vicky Westra.

It was a time to look out at gorgeous sunsets and hold Bert's hand.

It was a time to watch the 4th of July fireworks as they reflected on the lake. It was a time to sleep in and sip coffee and have early morning chats.

I am so grateful to God for this time away, a time of refreshment

and renewal!

I hope that you, too, are having a blessed summer! 

Enjoy these pictures of our special time!!

God Bless!

Much love, Linda