Summer is Over

Well, summer is over and it is time to get back in a routine. I only worked three half days a week this summer but somehow I didn't manage to get much done at home either! I am making a note to myself to make a routine for myself in the summer. The most frustrating thing was how hard it was to get my quiet time with the Lord in. During the school year I have to get up at 5:30 in order to have time with the Lord before leaving, but somehow in the summer, even though I leave at least an hour later, I struggled getting that in. But we did manage to get in two camping trips this summer. Ryan was able to go with us once and the second time Carl and Kimberly were able to meet us and spend the night tent camping with us. It was a joy to take Carl's kids camping at the campground that we always enjoyed going as a family when their dad was growing up. Carl was able to show them places where he enjoyed having adventures. Since it was their first time on a mountain it was fun to see their first reactions to looking down from the height of a mountain overlook. Alex especially was excited about that.
Other joys of the summer were sitting on the front porch enjoying the view with my dad. On August 12 we celebrated his first year anniversary living here with us. It has been a blessing to have this opportunity to grow closer to him and to here all his memories--and he has a bunch!
NiNi Camp is always the high point of my summer and this year was no different although it came during a stressful time. Dad was not doing well physically, struggling with a viral infection in his lungs and was two weak to get out of bed most of the two weeks that Carl's children were visiting. I wasn't able to relax and enjoy the grandchildren to the usual extent because of my concern for Dad.
But now it is time to concentrate on the year ahead. I am resolved to get back in God's Word on a daily basis and spend time with Him before all else. Also resolved to get back into household routines, especially spending time in my "zones" each week to keep from getting overwhelmed with things to do. And then there is making the time to exercise and try again to get this weight off, a continual discouragement to me.
I am reminded that God is still sovereign and nothing is out of His control, that He has all wisdom and freely shares it with me if I will just ask and that His love is perfect, even when mine is not.