It is what it is

I've been thinking lately about the phrase "it is what it is."  As a younger woman I tended to be idealistic, believing that if I did "x," then I would, most assuredly end up with results "y."

Predictably, it hasn't always worked out that way.

As our children have grown up, they have had to choose for themselves to follow the Lord and walk obediently with Him.  They have, of course, made some mistakes (just as I have, and continue to do!)

but we have the total delight of watching them work out their own walk with the Lord and experience for themselves the satisfaction of being a part of His big plan as they choose obedience.

Abbie teaching 5 Day Clubs with CEF this summer.

This summer has been extra hot (currently 11 days in a row above 97 and 9 of those 11 days above 100!) and extra dry as well,

Rather than complaining, I have chosen to get out and run or ride my bike at 5:30 in the morning. I get to see the best sunrises!

The extra hot weather has driven us indoors more than I like,

but the extra down time has encouraged some of my younger readers to really take off and tackle some chapter books on their own... *love* seeing that!

Drought conditions and the aforementioned hot weather has cooked my garden,

but my zinnias, sunflowers and swiss chard are still hanging in there, so we are enjoying lots of fresh flowers around the house and delighting in finding new ways to cook the swiss chard!

My heart was "acting up" last weekend.  I was super-bummed to have 4 VTach episodes....  I really can't even begin to tell you how very, very disappointed I was.  I was becoming more and more confident that the ablation I had done last April had been more successful than originally thought and I wasn't going to have any additional problems with my heart.

But (with my cardiologist and Tom's ok) I have continued to (prayerfully) work towards my goal of competing in my first half IronMan competition this September.  *So* grateful to be able to report that all has been fine the past 5 days, with no heart issues whatsoever.  I *will* figure this out~ I actually think that my problems last weekend may have been related to a virus that the children and I were battling.  I see my cardiologist this coming Thursday and will  be able to consult with him further on this.

I guess that I have become more convinced than ever that life is bound to be punctuated by disagreeable circumstances, some which we cause by poor choices or outright sin, and many that are simply the result of living in a fallen world.  When rudely confronted by these bumps in the road, I can choose to let them totally derail me, or I can choose to trust that God is still in control and joyfully "do what I can do" right then.

Oh!  Before I forget, the kindle version of the book Indescribable is available for free here!  What's not to love about free and about having additional reminders of God's goodness and omnipotent care for us?

Hope that you are delighting in your summer as well, embracing it all, and seeing God faithful,