I’m working through some Project 365 pictures that I need to post from the end of August.
January, February, March, April and May are all complete. Yay us!! June is only missing 3, two of which I hope Tim going to write about his time at JH Ranch with David.
July and August are an entirely different story. Yikes. I have quite a few back-dated pictures to post and blogs to write. I’m fairly certain, however, that I have a picture from every single day, so the Project 365 is still intact. It’s the small things we cling to, I find, that keep us sane.
So, bear with me as I publish several posts from the end of August.
Last week I was in a bit of a slump. David was in California with his good friend, Marshall. Tim was getting Daniel settled in at college in Murietta Springs. Rachel and Joshua were back in the busy, engaging activities of life at Union University. Sarah and I had a lovely time being together, but I could NOT motivate myself to do anything. I was tired and apathetic. I didn’t want to DO ANYTHING. Whenever I thought about the coming Fall activities, I just felt dread and weariness. It was odd and a wee bit troubling.
Planning school is inevitable.
“Well, that’s it. I’m done. This couch looks cozy and that stack of magazines has my name on it.”
I didn’t want to think about house projects, fall ministries or co-op classes. I didn’t want to plan our homeschool schedule. I didn’t have a clue about making the most of this fresh year with David and Sarah. The sun was shining, but I felt too blah to enjoy it.
“Mom, are you okay?”
When your daughter hurries to call you after receiving some rather pathetic sounding text messages, you know you’re not doing a very good job of hiding your emotional state. Ha. One of the delights of my life is how my children bless ME. Rachel has the gift of encouragement, and she NEVER lets me fall into negative self-talk or believe the lies that Satan is so good at throwing around.
“Kathy,” a friend texted me, “you have had some BIG changes in your life this month, watching three children go off to college. It’s going to manifest itself in odd and emotional ways.”
“And you’re not a crier,” another sweet friend messaged to say, “so it has to come out other ways.”
Haha. Oh, how my children and my friends and my husband know me so well!
Thankfully after a day or two of pity parties involving shots of espresso (not that different from my regular parties, now that I think about it), I began to feel my old self. It helped when I made a mental list of all that I had done this summer.
Including:
1. A HUGE overhaul of the garage
2. Completely organized, sorted and labeled all of Tim’s tools and hardware
3. Organized the two sheds in the back yard
4. Emptied and helped Tim clean out our shed in the Duckabush (not touched in years!)
5. Worked for a week on my mom’s house in Texas – emptying, organizing, selling things, giving away stuff, etc
6. Decluttered our master bedroom and closet
7. Painted our bedroom, completely moving everything around, and surprising Tim with a new desk and work set-up
8. Hosted 7 families (and LOTS of kids) for a week of camp
9. Worked with Daniel to plant and landscape the front yard
10. Spent time with my niece/nephew and great-nephew, brother-in-law and sister-in-law
11. Welcomed my son’s beautiful fiancee into the home for a whirlwind (too short!) visit
12. Helped Rachel get ready and set off for college
13. Helped Daniel move out of his room – all his stuff sorted, boxed up or given away
14. Helped David move back to his room
15. Helped Sarah move beds around and switch things from Daniel’s room to hers
I realized that I wasn’t broken or incapable of tackling big projects, I had just done a LOT already this summer.
I let my spirit rest just a bit without panicking or fretting. I got an email from one of the amazing kids in my student government class and realized I had a few fresh ideas myself. I sat next to Tim while he spent hours working on our AWANA website and felt the excitement of the coming year. I went to a meeting with the new directors of the AWANA program and saw what fun it was going to be to work with them. I made plans to meet with some women regarding our mentor program.
And ever so sweetly the Lord breathed renewed life into my spirit. It wasn’t dramatic and startling. It was gentle and subtle. And isn’t He like that sometimes.
May the Lord give strength to His people.
May the Lord bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11
I am so thankful for His mercies which are new every morning and refresh and refill my soul.
Project 365 – Day 239 (Aug 27)
Kathy
What a great picture of how the Spirit of the Lord ministers to us! I love this. Thank you for letting us peek through the window into your life and soul and to see there the marvelous works of our God!
O, Kathy, I love you and miss our talks! Thanks for the reminder that God is faithful and for this testament to the hope that He gives even when our emotions are out of whack. Hugs. Praying for a great year for you.
Great job, Mom! You’ve done TONS this summer!
This post ministers to me. I let my spirit rest a bit….that’s just where I find myself. I think it may take longer than I expected….but that’s o.k. We’ve sprinted a marathon and we need to rest….though I appears we may be called back for another lap or two.