Summer from school was only about 6 weeks long – so the boys, they slept in, went swimming a few times – and hung out with their friends in the neighborhood. Lots of laughter – about 5 p.m. every afternoon – mayhem, really, between the birds back-yard socializing, the cat tormenting the birds -and the boys playing raucously with friends across the street. It is a beautiful thing – the sound of that laughter.
It was a homey summer. It was a refreshing time, for the boys, that is.
For me, it was the first summer working full-time. It was full of weddings, showers and celebrations. It was full of Saturday Morning dates to the farmer’s market. It was a watering time for all the seed planting and transplanting.
![fall scents for your home](http://www.livingbetter50.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Our-Aroma-Opium-Oil-Banner-2.jpg")
“God’s kingdom is like a pine nut that a farmer plants. It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows into a huge pine tree, and eagles build nests in it.” (Matthew 13:31-32)
- A squirrel chewing away at branches for its nest – providing a moment of respite from chaos.
- A trio of dove calls – from two sons and my husband
- red tomatoes from my garden
- Festivals – music, people, food, crafts on a Friday night – everyone needs festival moments
- Watching the homeschool children perform Appalachian songs of faith boldly
- Rain storms with nothing but thunder
- fresh rain in the morning
- the coolness after the storm, reminding me that God brings seasons of refreshing after turbulent storms
- Hearing a song from last year, a song prayed over my son – and rejoicing at answered prayers
- My blue cotton quilt – complete and home
- The self-discipline to knit a few rows – because I will be disappointed later if I do not
- Friends in the blogahood, responding to a prayer request
- God coaching me to live one day at a time, one step at a time – like those days when there are a gazillion things on my schedule – getting all the boys to all the places and everything inbetween and after – and trusting Him it will walk itself out one step at a time.
- Post-it-note reminders for prayer needs
- The repeated message that I see in art, in words, in a chorus: Grow where you are planted – God letting me know that where I am right now is where I need to be.
Originally posted on Blue Cotton Memory.
