Midwest Memories

Mr. Fleece & I went to Missouri earlier this month. Perhaps not a popular destination for most, my family has been vacationing here for years. Both my parents were raised on midwest farms & we've returned to my Papa's Farm (maternal grandfather's property) pretty much every year, summer after summer, with several Christmas vacations mixed in as well.

These trips filled my childhood & I experienced the best of the best: climbing in the barn, digging up potatoes from the garden, making up a frisbee golf course, swimming in the pond, shooting off fireworks in the field, grilling hotdogs on the sand rocks, taking walks up and down the lane, hiking the creek, painting rocks (yes, painting rocks), hiking in the woods, swinging on the front porch swing, playing games at the kitchen table, watching Judge Judy & Jeopardy on daytime TV, eating Central Dairy ice cream, & so much more.

Life at the farmhouse epitomizes summertime to me, so after a hectic start to 2016, I was excited to return to this familiar place to relax, recharge, & unwind. I was able to soak up time with my parents, uncles & aunts, and my last living grandparent, Framma. This trip was significant in the fact that it showed me I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm living in a big city, with a big girl job, and doing life with a big-hearted husband. Realizing this shift in my life, & reflecting on how I myself have changed was hard but good.

I know I can't just wish away my adulthood troubles, anxieties, or stresses. The 40+ hour work week is real. Life responsibilities are real. While I may daydream of escaping them (#sabbatical2017), I know the more realistic option is to face them head-on, make a list, pray regularly, set boundaries, do the chores, & trust Jesus with the results.    

Constantly growing up,

SJW

Life Wright Now | May

Warm nights. Seattle sun. Happy dog. Hammock lounging. Yummy BBQ. Coffee dates. Planning trips. Garden plants. Monopoly Deal. More bookmarks. Yard Sales. Walking commute. Baby shower. Phone calls. Beach sunsets. It's been a good start to summer : ) Here's some more happenings from the past month -

Watching: The Big Short is a solid movie. Although the characters do a great job describing the housing market crisis & economic crash, I still paused the film every few minutes to state to Mr. Fleece in my own words what was going on. It's a pretty incredible & eye-opening account of what went down pre-2008! Similarly, we watched Concussion starring Will Smith. I guess we were really feeling the exposé theme - as each movie sheds light on some powerful decision makers & outcomes in this country. I'm convinced that football is not the safest sport.

Eating: Molly Moon's is great (particularly when they have cinnamon or snickerdoodle available) but honestly, Cupcake Royale is where it's at! Mr. Fleece & I love their Bananza flavor & the Red Velvet Cupcake Ice Cream comes in a close second. We went to the Queen Anne location for Mr. Fleece's birthday & may have been seen playing Chinese Checkers here on at least one other occasion. Birthdays are meant for ice cream.

Reading:Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer with the famous quote What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. I am realizing how little I know, think, & meditate on who and how God is. I've been convicted that I think of God in human terms and underestimate how wonderful, holy, & perfect He is.

Here are some other eye-opening & heart-diving thoughts:

We must break ourselves of the habit of thinking of the Creator as we think of His creatures. 

Origin is a word that can apply only to things created.  

We can never know who or what we are till we know at least something of what God is. 

At attribute, then, is not a part of God. It is how God is....Love, for instance, is not something God has and which may grow or diminish or cease to be. His love is the way God is, and when He loves He is simply being Himself. 

Listening: Hummed Low by Odessa. My coworker KV got me hooked on this song! The harmonious voices paired with the rhythmic instrumentation = yay!

Looking forward to vacation,

SJW