Perfect Summer Days

Yesterday was a nice day spent with a friend and her daughter. First, we went blueberry picking at Berry Patch farms in Woodstock. We picked until we were very sweaty and the little one asked for water. Our bucket had 3/4 of a pound, which I think is pretty good for a three year old. Next, we went to my friends for lunch and then off to the pool. The Bird loved my friend's neighborhood pool. It had a kiddie pool with fountains and I was actually able to sit on a lounge chair and chat with my friend while thumbing through a magazine. The pool usually wears me out having to be on high alert and I usually just end up staying in the water with her the whole time. Thunder roared in the distance and ran us out of the pool late afternoon. It was a great escape for us, since I knew The Bird was only going to leave her friend and the pool kicking and screaming. My productivity from a couple of weeks ago paid off when I was able to open the freezer and retrieve a bag of bolognese sauce (made from a Pioneer Woman recipe), boil some spaghetti, pop some bread in the oven and bam, dinner was on the table. The Bird was so hungry (even though we had eaten all day off and on) and pratically shoveled her spaghetti down and gobbled up the bread (after licking it first). We still weren't finished and went to swimming lessons. The Bird is now a minnow and quite happy about her newly acquired skills. When we got home, she ate a bowl of corn flakes and after reading three library books fell asleep. The last words I heard from her were" I love you, my mommy" and she was out.

Yesterday was the kind of summer day you want to have and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The friend I was with is fairly new. We shared an office last year at school and have so much in common. I had already had my quiet time this morning and was feeling very motivated and reflective this morning. After breakfast, I did one more email check and had another Crosswalk that I usually don't get (I get Encouragement for Today & Girlfriends in God) called Crosswalk Women. Time allowed me to read it and a passage the author wrote about her journey to write a book really touched me.

"I've discovered the Holy Spirit as my Teacher. I've spent the last 3 plus years watching as He has led every step of my writing journey. I've felt Him stir my heart as words pour onto a page and can catalog His tutorage--how He's led me to just the right person at the right time to learn what I was ready to learn. He never sent new information before I could receive it. But, He always gave it just in time. Only God can do that." (Paula Moldenhauer at http://www.soulscents.us/)
(I'm not writing a book. As you can see, I am not even a very good writer. I'm too careless and hate to proof and edit, but if I get bogged down in that I won't even bother to write.)

What this meant to me was how I was not ready for some things last year and now I see so many things changing. It is like I did not get the things I was needing or wanting until God knew I was ready to receive it. I am thanking the Lord today for continuing to encourage and show me how he is working in my life.

(I wanted to post a picture of the bird picking blueberries, but T-Bone made off with my camera this morning. Here is a pic of the sauce I made a couple of weeks ago. Yes, you should make it too.)

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.