The Last Week of Summer

Earlier in the summer, we traveled here (no electricity, no hot water, about half of the six families slept in the same room, etc.)...

Last week, we traveled here (gated community a few miles from the beach, 4,000 square feet, master suite, swimming pool, billiards, ping pong)...

Quite a contrast, no?  Both were great weeks with family.

This past week gave me some much needed quiet time even amidst 8 adults and 9 children.  While everyone else went the beach each day, I stayed back at the house while Miriam napped.  I took notes on six weeks of math lesson plans (my very least favorite part of homeschooling).  I also had time to read- something I haven't been able to do all summer.  I had peace and quiet for several hours at a time- something else I haven't had all summer.  It was wonderful.

I read Elisabeth Elliot's These Strange Ashes: Is God Still in Charge?, her account of her first year as a missionary in Ecuador (prior to her marriage to Jim, her husband who was later murdered by a member of the very tribe they were trying to reach).

I'm almost finished Frank Peretti's The Wounded Spirit.  This is his story of what life was like as a victim of bullying.  If you are a parent, an educator, if you work with kids or just care about what happens to kids, you really need to read this book.  I will warn you, though.  The first chapter was the hardest chapter I've ever had to read in my life.  I read two pages and closed it.  I didn't think I could endure it.  Get through the first chapter and you'll be okay.

I'm also still reading Revolution in World Missions which we're discussing over on Perspective.  I read this book several years ago, but it is rocking my world all over again.   To say that my insides are churning and in a bit of turmoil would be an understatement.

So, I'm home again and it's our last week of summer.  Jamey starts a new rotation next week and Sam, Sadie and I start school.  Between now and then, I have a fridge and garden full of ripe tomatoes that need to be stewed, soup-ed, and roasted.  I have one last batch of pesto to make.  My sister and her two girls are coming for two days so we can make sauce for her.  Jamey will be harvesting chickens.  There is laundry to be done, bathrooms to be cleaned, a couple last homeschool details to check off my list and meals to be made.

At the end of this crazy week?  Something I have been looking forward to for months.  I am going to see Beth Moore speak!  With adult women!  Overnight!  In another city!  You'll probably hear about it.  Who are we kidding?  You'll definitely hear about it.

What are you doing this week?  Are you still up to your eye balls in produce?  Did you see your kids off to school yet?  Are you in inner spiritual turmoil (the good or bad variety)?

Whatever your week brings, I wish you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  I can always use a heavy dose of the fruit of the Spirit. Pin It