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Tag Archives: summer

Dream Big, Hope for More, and Don’t Settle

7 / 30 / 21

We just got back from an epic family vacation: twelve states later, there we were in our Honda CRV with a bike rack, seven year old son, five toads, one turtle, one dog, and our marriage intact. If that does not inspire a hallelujah, I am not sure what would. We saw Maine, Cape Cod, D.C., and Virginia. Most of all, we saw each other without the obligations of a daily grind or schedule or chores. 

Seventeen months after the lockdown started, I wonder if you’ve been able to have a good rest too. And what’s more: How are your hearts? After a year of Corona plus societal upheaval and more…is your marriage alright? How are the kids? As moms, are we finally coming up for air or simply surviving? Summer is when I allow myself to breathe as a working mom; I know other moms breathe more in fall, but I think it’s so important to take these breaths whenever they come. In July, I am able to slow down and savor moments with my son. I reflect with a cold drink, my toes in the sand, and a book in my hand: a good beach read, to be specific. (Must be fiction and not too complex. Full stop.)

In deeper news, connections with church and true-blue friends seem better than pre-Covid times.  I can’t help but feel that this is all part of God’s plan. He had to take us down to the basics to build us back stronger. If we allowed it, He was pruning us during the past year and a half.  Looking back, I soldiered through the Spring-Fall of 2020, but Winter really pruned me hard. Has this been the same for you?  

In January 2021, I could not settle on a resolution or even a word to carry into the new year, but our pastor helped the congregation and in turn, me, as she laid out business-card-sized “star words” (think North Star guiding the 3 kings). My word was EXAMINE. And boy, did I need to examine myself. I dug deeper into the pieces where the Psalmist cried,  “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” I needed hope that God had blessings and room for me, even when I could not predict the outcomes.

Have you ever heard the wives tale of grabbing the brass rings on a carousel? While on a short ferry ride over to Martha’s Vineyard, we got to visit the “Flying Horses” (oldest carousel in the USA). Usually there was just one brass ring in old-timey carousels, and the child who grabbed it would get a prize such as a free ride or a stuffed animal. This one was different… If you rode a horse on the inner circle, you could grab for rings each time the carousel passed and collect them on a special metal spike coming out of each horse’s mane.  I went into the ride with Holden Caulfield vibes from Catcher in the Rye… but then noticed that everyone was collecting rings not to keep but to give to a girl with special needs on the carousel. Yes, they enjoyed grabbing the rings, but they also felt great giving them to someone who might benefit from them more. Are you catching this metaphor? 

There was more joy in the journey around the bend and grabbing the ring itself than what happened next…in the end, all the rings end up in the return chute and only one person gets the free ride, but everyone…everyone…had the chance to ride that inner circle and grab those rings. Such hope is free to everyone, if you choose to hold on to faith as tight as a horse’s reins. 

What’s more: God is faithful, even still. Whether or not we get the “prize” at the end of whatever carousel we might be on right now: work stuff, child rearing, romance, weight loss, you name it… He is for us. He has been there to hear my cries and dry my tears. Like Proverbs 4, God has been helping me, guiding me, almost audibly reminding me: “Make your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.”

As moms, we have to pour out our love even when we feel empty; even when our faith is small and our hope seems scarce; even when we want to look away, down, or just a different direction than straight ahead. But for those of us who have been called to His purpose, take heart and remember Romans 8:28…“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”  

While we turn the corner into the second half of 2021 and summer gives way to fall, let us pray: 

Lord, please show us how to best examine ourselves & cleanse our souls so we can grab onto hope. Help us remain as faithful as You are to us.  Help us pour out love with eyes as clear and bright as a kid on a carousel. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Love, 

Jo

Soaking in the Truth 

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.” (Psalm 139:5, NIV)
  • “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV) 
  • “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6, NIV) 
  • “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.  Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously.  Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.  Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.  Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27, NIV)
  • “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

Music to inspire you:

  • Bluebird by Miranda Lambert 
  • Goodness of God by Jenn Johnson 
  • Believe for It by Cece Winans 

Living Out the Truth 

Ideas to try… Practically speaking, here are my best tips. 

  • Just add water this summer: 
    • Put on your bathing suit, remove your cover up, and get in the water with your kids, your spouse, or even on your own. 
    • Have a good cry and let everyone in your life do the same. 
    • Drink water during the day and enjoy a fun beverage in the evening too! Maybe that’s beer or wine or a nice cup of tea, but it is all needed in my humble opinion.  
  • Dream big, hope for more, and do not settle. I do not think we hear that enough. It’s okay to grab the brass rings. 
  • Sunshine Crate – send some love to someone else – it is contagious! Plus, you are supporting small businesses!

Resources to come alongside you:

  • Beth Moore’s Chasing Vines 
  • Free! Life Inventory from Jennie Allen’s July 2021 IF: Table Topic 
  • Is it weird for me to suggest a TV series? Call the Midwife is life-changing. 

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. 

In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

 

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Finding Your Summer Rhythm

6 / 15 / 206 / 15 / 20

Michelle
Michelle

That was such a crazy two and half months of crisis-schooling. I still am trying to process all of it!

Michelle
Virginia

It was! I’m still catching my breath too. 

Michelle
Michelle

I honestly have never felt led to homeschool and then all of the sudden I was forced into it. ? Ready or not!

Michelle
Virginia

I know. In the beginning I felt like I was about to fall off of a balance beam. The funny video Anna made really showed what a stressful, weird, overwhelming time it was for kids and parents. It made me feel less alone.

Michelle
Michelle

For sure. I kinda felt like my life got hijacked if I’m honest. I had to let go of all of the things I wanted to do and realize I was suddenly a “homeschool” teacher.

Michelle
Virginia

Oh, I hear you. I was used to a routine that centered around my agenda. It was hard to let go of that at first. 

Michelle
Michelle

You’re so right. The funny thing is that now that school is done and summer is finally here, I have been thinking about adding a few parts of our schooling at home into our summer routine. Is that crazy?! ?

Michelle
Virginia

Well, if it was still April, I would say, yup, you’re crazy! It is weird going 90 MPH and now immediately down to 0. I feel like I’m always thinking, “Am I forgetting something?”

Michelle
Michelle

Haha.  I agree! Although it was so much every day, I did like the structure the school schedule gave us.  I’ve been thinking about how to add a little of that in without being too much. I still want the flexibility of summer.

Michelle
Virginia

Yes! Have you seen any ideas out there?

Michelle
Michelle

I read about something right before school was out that caught my attention. It talked about creating a basket of things to do with your kids — kinda like a morning meeting of sorts.

Michelle
Virginia

That’s cool. We are our freshest in the morning, after my coffee, of course. ?

Michelle
Michelle

Yes, coffee is definitely needed first so I can wrap my head around the day! I’ve been trying some stuff out from this basket idea with my girls the past couple of weeks and so far it’s been working pretty well.

Michelle
Virginia

What have you been doing?

Michelle
Michelle

Well, I should preface this because I haven’t been too strict about it all. I mostly want to connect with my girls and also grow in the process.

Michelle
Virginia

Agreed. The last thing we need is pressure and stress.

Michelle
Michelle

Yes, so that is how I came up with these ABC verse cards that we don’t use as much as I’d like. I decided that they would be an easy way to discuss a verse with my girls when we “meet” for our basket time.  I may change it up with other devotionals I put in the basket but this at least feels like a manageable start for now.

Michelle
Virginia

I think that also helps us get into a facilitator role versus dictator-homeschooling-mom mode. Might be a nice change for everyone. ?

Michelle
Michelle

Very true!! I also have been wanting to incorporate a read-aloud book because I haven’t been great at this in the past. I pulled out my old Ramona and Beezus book the other day to read to my girls. I’ll be honest, we haven’t even read a whole chapter yet but it’s in the basket when we get to it.

Michelle
Virginia

V: Congratulations, you’re normal. ? Take a breather!

Michelle
Michelle

Ha! Last thing I want to tackle with our basket time is for my girls to do an activity for math and language. They can pick whatever activity they want as long as they do something that checks the math and reading box. ?

Michelle
Virginia

I think that’s doable. While also remembering, we’re the boss of the basket. If it’s looking like one of “those” days, skip it . No mom guilt allowed here, especially when the sun is out and they’re getting along with their siblings. ?

Michelle
Michelle

Exactly. We skipped the first three days last week! No guilt in doing it each day but I like the idea of a rhythm of connecting together and building our brains and hearts.

Michelle
Virginia

Connecting together – exactly!  At summer’s end I most want to see that I made a stronger bond with each of my kids. That doesn’t happen automatically; I am easily swept into the busyness of chores. To be honest, sometimes I would rather do chores. There’s so much to do and I feel interrupted if I “have to” attend a fake tea party in the basement. Hence, the need for being intentional, because it doesn’t come naturally.  

Michelle
Michelle

I hear ya. I kinda think part of it is that the chores give us a bit of satisfaction with completing them- whereas sometimes playing babies for the 100th time isn’t as rewarding…even if we know in our hearts that time is more important than dishes. ?

Michelle
Virginia

Thanks for the empathy – it’s not pretty to admit.

Michelle
Michelle

Yes, but the honesty is what frees us from the mom guilt of not being enough. Speaking of mom guilt…

Michelle
Virginia

Yeah?

Michelle
Michelle

I’m thinking if I told some moms friends about this  morning basket idea, they would think I was way  over the top. ?

Michelle
Virginia

Ha. Well, the name is intimidating. It reminds me of my teaching days and the struggle of keeping 25 first graders in a quiet circle! Yikes… But isn’t this idea is much more low-key though?

Michelle
Michelle

Definitely. I’m just trying to find something that works for me and my girls and gives us somewhat of a balance of structure and connection. This may not work for everyone but maybe you could tweak it to work for you?

Michelle
Virginia

I think that’s something all moms can agree on. We want what’s best for our families. Whether that’s a morning basket or a nighttime tickle session or a weekly family movie night, it’s about building memories that add up to a stronger relationship. No one regrets that.

Michelle
Michelle

Yes and amen to that!

 

Michelle

Soaking in the Truth

 

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “Whatever you do, work at it with all your  heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)
  • “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  (Psalm 90:12, NIV)

Music to inspire you:

  • “Slow Down” by Nichole Nordeman
  • “Becoming Me” by Matthew West feat. Lulu West 
  • “I Get To Be the One” by JJ Heller

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

  • Summer Checklist by Fresh Mommy Blog
  • Summer Schedule by The Happy Flammily
  • Morning Basket Printable by The Littles and Me

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

  • Summer is Coming: New Routines, Renewed Attitudes
  • Summer Strong: Finding Balance

Living Out the Truth 

Ideas to try:

  • What does your family need? More structure? Less structure? Do what your family needs and not what someone else suggests. ?
  • What I currently have in my morning basket for my almost kindergartener and second grader: ABC verse cards, sight word cards, dominos, math games, math flash cards, weather chart, and dry erase ABC pages. We haven’t used all of these but they’re here as options. ~Michelle
  • For my morning basket, I am using some workbooks. My preschooler is working on phonics and my first grader is practicing some writing (because that was our biggest struggle in the spring) and some math practice. It’s mainly review and each child gets my undivided attention which also allows for some bonding. Win-win. (Each child’s work is only about 20 minutes total because that’s what momma thinks they need. I know friends who are doing more and that’s just fine for them.) ~Virginia

Treasured Products we love: 

  • ABC Cards 
  • Ramona Quimby Books 
  • Summer Bridge Books – if you’re looking for something like that! 

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

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