Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Transcripts and Edits and Newsletters...Oh My!

I should be used to the summer pile up by now, but somehow, it always takes me by surprise. I can't seem to erase the romantic notion that once school is over every year, and summer is here, my work load will ease. Riiiight. Dream on, Dee. I think I can blame my die-hard idea of summer "freedom" on those halcyon days of youth when the end of school signaled total kid irresponsibility.

Every summer has its own stack of "must dos" and mine this year include edits to my book, The Miting, pulling out old grade cards to create those all-important transcripts as my son nears the end of his homeschool career, and making sure I gather the materials needed to have a newsletter ready by its deadline. Somehow, I thought I'd have more time.

But never mind. I can still enjoy my summer. I can take time to sit on the back porch swing and watch the fireflies rise from their cool hiding places as dusk falls. I can mosey out to the little garden and pick some onions or pull a few weeds and encourage the tomatoes to turn red. I can spy on the hummingbirds from my front window as they steal nectar from the sweet flowers nodding in their beds. And I can still feel a twinge of excitement when I hear the ice cream truck's song from far off. Summer is still here! Work has not stolen all my time...yet. Happy summer!


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

My Little Garden is Growing!

My tiny garden is growing! We've been having hot weather here in Ohio and that has spurred the tomato plant growth. I already have a few green onions to pull and the peppers are looking nice and strong. It's amazing what the right combination of elements can do for a garden. No wedding needs done yet, so I'm at the perfect place: not too much work and lots of results.

Now, if only I could get to that place in my life! I know God must sometimes wonder when I'm going to settle in and let Him shine in my soul...water my seeds with kindness and His word...and show some results from having just the right elements nourishing my spirit. It doesn't take much, but it does take a little consistent time. I have to let my soul rest, be nourished and warmed before I have the strength to help others. I pray I make the time to let the Master Gardner work in my life today!

I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places—
firm muscles, strong bones.
You'll be like a well-watered garden,
a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You'll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again.
The Message, Isaiah 58:11-12