The Summer of 7 :: The Plan

I told you about this Summer of 7 thing I’m doing – I’m taking 7 weeks and looking straight in the face of selfishness, excess and ungratefulness.  I’m asking God to show me a different way.  A way that seeks Him first, a way that sees the needs of others, a way that realizes the abundance I have, a way that stretches beyond my little self and my little world. 

My heart says, “Yes, exactly this!” to these words in Jen Hatmaker’s book…

“7 will be an exercise in simplicity with one goal: to create space for God’s kingdom to break through.” (7, pg. 4)

I’m pleading with myself to get-the-heck-out-of-the-way and allow God – that is it, just allow Him.  Allow Him to speak, allow Him to work, allow Him to be seen, allow Him to change me.

The Summer of 7 :: Plan
(this is just my schedule, if you are joining in (which I so hope you are) you create a schedule for you) 

June 1- 7 :: Stress – I will be making God my GO-TO.  I will read His word before I read anything else.  I will talk to Him first.  I will stop and pray throughout my day.  I will diligently set my mind and thoughts on Him.

June 8 – 14 :: Food – I will eat just 7 foods

June 15 – 21 :: Possessions – I will give away at least 7 items a day for 7 days

June 22 – 28 :: Clothes – I will wear just 7 articles of clothing

June 29 – July 5 :: Media – This one makes my heart palpitate – so I’ll give you the scoop later

July 6 – 12 :: Spending – I will do no spending for 7 days.  (Um, I’m almost in a full blown panic attack right now so can we just talk more about this later too?)

July 13 – 19 :: Self – The book doesn’t do this particular area; instead they do Waste.  But, I’ll be spending 7 days focusing on and giving to others.  7 acts of service – each day will involve some act of kindness.

If you are joining in The Summer of 7 go ahead and link up your schedule below.

The Summer of 7

 

Have you read the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker?

If not, you so should.  If you have, well you should read it again.  I’m on my second time through and this book has messed with me in the best sort of way. 

There’s a little something going on this summer that I’m equally scared of and excited for.  I’m joining with some other bloggers, and anyone else who wants to, for The Summer of 7 project.

We’ll spend 7 weeks ridding our heart and lives of excess.  This project is based on, inspired by, Jen Hatmaker’s book – but here’s the deal, you decide on your own guidelines.  Because following rules and doing exactly what someone else did?  Well, it kinda defeats the purpose.  We’re going for heart change here. 

These seven weeks aren’t about following rules; there all about taking a real good look at my life and heart and making changes in order to help others.  It’s about loosening my grip on stuff and grabbing hold of the One who holds it all.  It’s about less self and more love.  It is all about removing the excess.

We’ll take seven weeks (you decide your own dates) and concentrate on one area of excess each week.  I know, I know, Jen Hatmaker did a whole month!  Baby steps, people, baby steps – we’ll just be doing a week.

Seven weeks; Seven areas of excess – food, stress, possessions, clothes, spending, media, self

I’m joining with these bloggers as we spend the summer tackling areas of excess:

Katrina from the Poorganic Life – go here for more details
Kay from Kay’s Counseling Blog
Steph from Only Here, Only Now
Melissa from MelissaJenna.com
Amy from Permission to Peruse
Alene from Positively Alene 
Rachel from Occassional Boredom 
Amy from Amy in Wanderland

And we’d love to have you join us!  There will be link-ups and lots of great discussion.

I’m kicking off my Summer of 7 on Friday with the area of Stress.  I’ll be back real soon to give you the low down on my seven summer weeks of 7.  But for now, will you consider joining us?

What Happens When the Kids Grow Up

I’ve been married for just about 22 years now.  And all those years ago when I became a Mrs. I not only committed to my man but I also committed to two adorable young girls.  On that May day in the year 1990 I became a wife and a stepmom.

side note:  I don’t really care for the term stepmom; it conjures up images of a wicked woman with a furrowed brow who never wears a smile (you know like Cinderella’s evil stepmother).  And stepmoms don’t have to be evil – at least I tried not to be.

So here we are all these years later and those little girls have grown into beautiful young women.  They are kind and generous and they follow hard after God.  I’m truly thankful to be a part of their family.

We have four kids.  It goes girl, girl, boy, girl.  They are all grown up now.  Our youngest is 19.  But having grown up kids isn’t all bad – cause you know what comes with grown up kids?  More kids. 

Three years ago our son gave us life’s most fun title – Grandparents.  It all started with the birth of an adorable little boy and ever  since it has been a yearly occurrence.  First, our son had a boy.   Then, about a year later, our daughter had a boy.  Then, about another year later, our son had a girl. 

And then, just last week…

our daughter gave birth to this precious girl.

That is right, we have four grandchildren.  I know you are probably thinking, “what?!?! you don’t seem old enough to be a grandma!”.  I know, I know, I can hardly believe it myself! 

And even though being called grandma makes me feel really old, it is one of my most favorite parts of life right now.

Five Minute Friday :: Real

Today I’m happily linking up with The Gypsy Mama for Five Minute Friday. 
The rules are simple, write for just 5 minutes on the prompt she gives. 
Here we go.  Ready?  Begin.
:::

REAL

Twenty-four years ago today my daddy died.

It is hard to believe it has been that long.

I’ve spent time remembering today. I remember my dad behind the backstop cheering me on. I picture him there on the sidelines of the soccer field.  

And I remember that time we went to Taco Bell together when I was in high school.

I can’t decide if I should smile or cry when I tell my kids about my dad.  I know he would have loved to cheer them on too.  And my kids, they would have loved him too.  I just know it.

I hate the fact that I have lived more of my life without him than I did with him. But time does that—it continues to march on. I’m grasping for it, trying my best to make it stop. It refuses. It doesn’t consider feelings.

The hurt that still lingers after all these years, it’s real.  But the memories—they bring real joy too.

:::
The End.

My Girl, The Weather & Is Content Really King?

I realize it has been weeks since my last post and the dilemma is do I acknowledge that and give you my excuses or do I just write and pretend like I haven’t been missing around here?  Not acknowledging my absence doesn’t feel quite right.  But the truth is I have no real reason, and no excuses either, for neglecting this space.

It isn’t that I haven’t thought about it.  I have.  I’ve missed it even.  I may have one million and seven draft posts written or maybe it is just three – I’m not exactly sure.  But nothing has felt right.  “They” say content is king.  And that hangs me up.  All. The. Time. 

Should my writing always be something valuable before I hit the publish button?  If that is true then there is a good chance the publish button will seldom be clicked.  There is a lot of pressure there to write something worthwhile. 

I guess the pressure mostly comes from myself (and them, whoever “they” are).  Sometimes (a lot of time really) I just kinda freeze up and walk away without typing a single word.

Can I just tell you a few things?  And can we just go into knowing that what I have to say may not be of much importance?  Can we just be friends?  Cause friends talk about the frivolous stuff too.     

And since we are friends, here’s a couple things I’d like to tell you about…

It has been several weeks since my daughter had surgery on that leg of hers.  Recovery is going well but oh is she eager to be walking again.  She is making the most of it though - her pinterest boards have basically blown up and she has been learning to crochet.  The crochet thing is something she is doing together with her grandma.  She is enjoying hanging out with her grandma.  And I’ve got my fingers crossed in hopes that some crocheted dish cloths will make it my way in the near future.

I have been so enjoying the sunshine lately.  It wasn’t long ago I was begging for brighter days and I’m so thankful they have arrived.  We have had a lovely mix of sunshine and warmth and rain and storms and plenty of wind too.  Last week we had a couple really warm days with nights like this…

photo credit

These pictures weren’t taken by me, but they are pictures of my storm.  They were taken by a local guy.  Pretty cool, huh? 

photo credit

Tell me friends, how have you been?