This week went "swimmingly"...

As you might expect, the middle of July was plenty warm.  It was perfect for some swimming.  Anyone who knows me well, will know that I love to swim.  The water, being in the water, being by the water, listening to the water, walking by the water, is my happy place.  It was an incredible blessing for me when Gwen and Tim got a swimming pool.  I have been able to swim more than any other summer.  Now that their kids are older, it is especially fun for me.  This past week, Gwen and Lia were off at the National  Youth Gathering from their church.  Tim was home for this one, so I was just needed during one day to be with the younger three kids.  While the day started off raining and storming, the sun came out in the afternoon and we had a wonderful couple hours in the pool. These kids swim like fish and they spend a lot of time underwater! I managed to snap one picture while they were (mostly) above the water!

During my regular time with Grace and Jimmy, I set up their small "splash pad/pool" in the backyard.  This is the perfect size for Jimmy since you can walk right into it (a wading pool has to be "stepped" into and most times little ones fall or step on the sides and let the water out).  

As you can see, Grace brought over her small slide and it made a perfect splashdown in the small collection of water in the middle of this splash pad.  Needless to say, it provided lots of cooling fun for Grace and even kept Jimmy mostly occupied for over an hour.  I put my feet in the water spray and enjoyed just sitting in a chair, watching them splash around.  

Another way this week went so well, was an unexpected email I received.  During the month of July, I am doing a 31 day intensive focused prayer program.  Part of the program includes spending time each day praying for countries around the world.  I began the program praying for any county that I had a personal connection to.  As I have blogged in the past, I met and befriended a very special Kenyan woman named Lucy in 2004 when I visited Kenya on a Mission Trip.  I lost touch with her somewhere around 2013 when her ministry really expanded.  She is a radio host, founder and leader of a large Ministry, has an orphanage that she founded and oversees.  I have continued to follow her (from the internet) by watching some of the weekly Facebook events that she posts.  Most of the time, they are not in English so I don't understand much of what is said.  But for me, it is so good to see just how far the Lord has taken her and her family.  After just a week of praying for Lucy, I got an exciting email.  Lucy was trying to connect with me and had lost my contact phone number.  We have exchanged emails over the last week and I am certain I will be speaking with her soon.  Isn't prayer amazing?  Jesus can really do seemingly impossible things for us, if we just ask.  So for me, this 31 day prayer program has taken on a whole new feeling.  I am much more connected to my prayers, to Jesus and my faith has grown.  I am believing to see many miracles from this 31 days!  I am sure you will hear more about it in the weeks to come.  

Spending this July swimming, being with the grandkids, helping out my kids, being outside in the sunshine, and concentrating on prayer, has made this a truly wonderful summer.  I have been working on my 2019 scrapbooking.  As of now, I have only printed pictures up to Easter.  It has been sort of bittersweet to actually "see" from the photos, how Ken's illness was progressing.  Hindsight  tells me I should have been more aware, but I also know that we were just praying for his health to settle down.  I am just so thankful for all of the photos I have as well as all of the places and people we visited.  My encouragement to everyone is to stop the busyness and see those friends.  Go to those places on your bucket lists.  Plan those trips, in spite of the gas prices.  Take the time and GO SWIMMING!

Jesus, thank you for the sunshine and the warm weather.  Holy Spirit, remind us that people are more important than things.  Keep our focus on you, Jesus.  Remind us to pray when we lose sight of your plan.  Give us all the ability to have fun.   Remind us to live each moment knowing your provision for us, and your plan for our life.  Thank you Jesus for summer days filled with laughter.  Amen

 

Fourth of July marching by.....share your story!

Doug and Susie invited me to their local Fourth of July parade again this year.  Ken and I came to this parade two years (prior to Covid).  This was my second "solo" year and It was as much fun as always.  This hour long parade provided a LARGE amount of candy for Grace and Jimmy loved the entire thing.  He didn't even flinch when the fire trucks came by.  He was just enthralled with everything passing by. 

We had quite the set up perfect for watching the action.  The "grands" in the back row! We all appreciated the "Freeze Pops" that were passed out - even Jimmy!  It was hot but there was a great breeze.   My favorite part of the entire day was Grace proclaiming "This is the BEST day ever!"  

Holidays are interesting when you have lost your spouse.  Even though it has almost been two years, I was surprised to be missing Ken on this day.  I would not have expected this, but because this was something Ken loved so much, I really felt it. 

 

 2018

2019

The passage of time really is odd.  In some ways it seems like these almost two years have flown by.  But in other ways it has really seemed like a long time.  The thing about grief is that it sneaks up on you.  You know that certain days will be hard but then, out of the blue, the missing hits you.  I am so thankful for my family.  Being with the kids, being included in these activities, really helps. I have been making plans to visit some of Ken's favorite spots. There is always joy when I find that perfect "photo" spot and think, "Ken would love this".  There are so many favorite spots, it will be a busy summer! 

I've just started a new Bible/prayer study that is 31 days of prayer.  While I always journal, it is really good to try something new and have a new direction for my quiet time.  I have also been motivated to begin writing again.  I have been working for years on a book, but it has spent a lot of time "on the back shelf".  I am so thankful for this burst of inspiration and am hopeful that it will continue.  My friend recently gifted me this table decoration.  It has become an inspiration for me. 

I have begun to realize that everyone has a story to tell.  Unfortunately Ken's story was much too short.  He used photography to show his inner thoughts to those around him.  He loved order and beauty.  For a long time, different architecture was his passion.  Bridges, barns, buildings and towers filled his frames.  But as he got more and more unwell physically, he turned to flowers and all living things of nature.  The solid, never changing buildings had sort of dissolved into drab, fallen down barns or ancient ruins which then led him to the growing, colorful, alive plants.  It was as if he was desperately trying to hold on to the life that he knew, deep inside, was being cut short.  So I have taken "Embrace your Story" to heart and begun writing in earnest.  All of us have a story.  A testimony of how God has been with us - even if we didn't think He was.  Our children and grandchildren need to know our stories.  The people around us need to know our story.  The world needs to hear our story.  Take this phrase to heart, Embrace Your Story.  And then share it.

Jesus, you have told us that people will know who you are through our testimony.  Holy Spirit, give us courage and boldness to share the good and the bad times.  Thank you for family and friends. Provide opportunities for us to reach out to those around us.  Open our eyes to the needs of our community, our nation and our world.  Thank you for times of celebration.  Amen