Reflections on a full summer

 

"How was your summer?" is a question I keep hearing from others. And depending on the situation and person and time, my answer may be slightly different. 

The good: 

• Even before my summer began, my dad entered eternity and is now in the arms of Christ. He passed into eternity on June 5th around 6:30 pm. He was surrounded by family and friends at his passing. 
• On June 17th, I flew from Basel, Switzerland to Asheville, NC where I spent Sunday morning (18th) with my Feed and Seed church family. This church family has been so warm and welcoming everytime I come to visit!!
• From June 17th to the 20th, I was so incredibly blessed with time at Ridgecrest Conference Center where I spent time in God's Word, prayer, working on a summer Elizabeth (Woman of the Bible) study from Erin Davis, reading timely scripture from a book titled "Goodbye For Now" (given to me by a dear friend), sipping amazing British Breakfast tea from the The Cloud Coffee shop that is on campus, and running and hiking in a cool, rainy climate.
• My cousin, Lori drove 2 hours from Tennessee three separate times to spend time with me! Once with her daughter, Melody. We explored the Art District of Asheville, wandered downtown in and out of unique shops, found a delicious burger restaurant and had fun conversations. My cousin Clay and his wife, Roxanne also drove up from Tennessee to come and visit. 
• My friend, LuLu and my aunt Joanie stayed up late to come and pick me up from the Minneapolis airport on June 20th as my flight was re-routed. I think they were more awake than I was! 
• Similar to last year, time to spend in sweet conversations at the visitation and after the memorial service at the luncheon was so incredible! Connecting with family and friends, sharing memories of my dad, recounting stories of his heart for Christ and for others to know Christ, taking comfort in so many who were and are praying for my family during this time. 
• Spending time with family! Oh, this was so sweet! Having dinner together with family after the visitation (dear friends of Nathan and Jen made us a meal), chatting and walking with my cousin Kayla and her daughter, spending time with cousin John along with Daniel, Josh, Joanie in the car on the way to the Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls and back, eating dinner at Red Robin with family, writing thank-you's again at Nathan and Jen's house, going to Dempsey's restaurant twice while I was in Wtn, hanging out with my sister-in-law, Jen watching "Is it Cake" while we did not eat cake, hearing Nathan's laughter, working together to clean out our parents house, spending time with Josh on a short road trip to a very small town in Minnesota and just being with family, talking, crying and laughing. 
• Spending time with my friend, Sarah and some of her friends while stocking shelves with fireworks. Josh met me out there and he hung out with us as well. 
• Worshipping with The Bridge on one Sunday and Watertown Christian Church on another Sunday. Several dear families from the Bridge Church were apart of the church I grew up in. 
• My mom's phone was at the house and I was able to get a SIM card that worked with my mom's phone! Just in time for Colorado!
• Dear friends, Rick and LuLu sharing their home and bring me back to the airport. 
• Dear friends in Colorado, Arlyn and Judy picking me up and bringing me back to the airport. 
• A family from Faith Church loaning me a car for 2 and a half weeks.
• My former roommate and close friend, Lisa opening her home to me while I was in Colorado.
• Eating dill pickles!!
• Meeting up with as many supporters as possible while in Fort Collins. I loved meeting over tea and coffee, meeting up at different restaurants (especially Red Robin), sharing burdens and joys, praying for each other and sharing about the last 2 years at BFA.
• Going on a hike up Deer Mountain with Dick and Carole and getting up to 10,000 feet! 
• Going on a hike with my brother, Daniel up to Grey's and Torry's (both 14,000 feet) to get in 2 more 14ers, then having dinner at Tommy Knockers in Idaho Springs. More fabulous burgers! 
• Sharing about my ministry at Faith Church and Discovery Fellowship Church on two different Sundays. Having people come and share interest in what I am doing at BFA as they hear about the mission and vision of the school.
• God has provided new supporters while I was in the US!
• My times in God's Word to keep me grounded throughout my summer. 
• Such good conversations with supporters! Thank you! 
• Time with family in Dallas with back-to-school shopping, sweet conversations with my cousins, Jenny, Mindy and Sarah, getting to visit their mom, Betty who loves flowers, spending time with David and Mindy's kiddos, eating amazing food together, having some TexMex, a nice dinner out with Mindy and Sarah (the steak was amazing!), pool time!, and I am sure there is more that I could think up.
• Time with my friend, Jeanine. We went out for dinner and recounted harrowing stories of our youth! ;)

The Hard: 

• My dad is no longer here to communicate with on this side of heaven. I would WhatsApp with him by messenging him often and calling him at least once a week. I am so thankful that we had our time and conversations. 
• The time it takes to travel internationally is always long and jet lag can be a struggle. It was also hard to leave my kitty for a whole summer.
• The SIM card that I had ordered was not working and I spent about 4 hours total (different times) on the phone with the company. While in Asheville, I looked up directions on Google Maps and wrote little notes on little paper and took these with me so I would know where to go.
• I accidentilly sliced off the very tip top of my left pointer finger while making dinner for my youngest brother, Josh and myself. On the positive side, he had a huge first aid kit (totally prepared), our neighbor has a nursing background and gave advice and a friend of my parents who is an RN helped me bandage my finger the next day.
• Time with my family was really sweet and it was hard to leave.
• Some of my family and supporters shared some hard stories that I will continue to pray over. 
• Running in Dallas was similar to running in a warm oven which made it hard.

The Ultimate Good:

• God is sovereign and is still in control. 
• Even though I am surprised by events and experiences in my life, God knew beforehand and allowed the hard things to happen because He is a good God! I can't see the full picture of what God is doing but I can choose to trust Him.
• I can choose to respond to the good and the hard with faith and trust in my Saviour that He will work everything out according to His good will and ultimate glory.
• "Yours O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all." 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
• "remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'" Isaiah 26:9-10
• "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:11-12

Below are some captured photo memories from this past summer...

This is me along with Lori and her daughter, Melody. Lori's husband, Mike is my mom's first cousin and they live in Tennessee.

These are flowers that were blooming outside of my parent's house.

My favorite pickles!

Hiking with my brother, Daniel. This was taken at the top of Grey's mountain.

Having dinner with friends in Fort Collins.

Having a goofy moment with my friend, Jeanine who lives outside of Dallas. We both grew up in Watertown.