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| Roseate Spoonbill (right) -- photo from my camera while on an airboat tour in Central Florida. The bird's beak is rounded, like a spoon! |
Weather
Today my format is inspired by Linda at Just Simply Linda. She and I live in the same town, as well as Diane. Other relatively close-by blogging friend, Pam is a little over an hour to the northeast, and Terri D is 2 hours due south.
I know some of you follow their blogs. All of us are "glowing" (perspiring) in the heat. Please forgive us when we make comments on the weather. It is a little over the top with no relief in sight until --- October?
Reading
If you are familiar with author Sarah Young and her book, Jesus Calling (which I read a portion of daily), I am reading (and enjoying) a biography written by her brother, Sarah Young's Journey to Jesus.
Eating
Yesterday I asked Gary what he wanted for supper, which is typically light, with lunch as our biggest meal of the day. I suggested beef quesadillas (we each get half of a tortilla, so it is, indeed, a less-heavy meal). He thought about it and then asked for a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich.
If I do say so myself, this was perfect: a hot meal but not too much.
The Past Few Days
In spite of the many times I've extolled the pleasures of afternoons on our lanai, this week we decided to donate the furniture and get new pieces that are more comfortable. Here is the old; I'll show you the new after it's delivered one day this next week.
Feeling
I have been feeling more upbeat as perplexities about [stuff] are either clearing in my mind and/or acceptance has grown stronger. I've learned that partnered with "acceptance" needs to be "adapt." When we decide to accept something, we often need to also determine how we will adapt (or live with) whatever it is we are accepting.
Celebrating
In addition to the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, we have been in a season of family birthdays. We both have large families (11 grandchildren on my side, and Gary is expecting his 4th GREAT grandchild this summer). Since April there have been more birthdays than I have fingers and toes to count.
Making Me Laugh
While I don't have a cartoon to share at this very moment, here is advice I take seriously:
Thankful
Right now the clouds have thickened up, the wind is blowing stronger through the pines outside our windows, the sound of thunder is like bowling balls in the sky, and the temperature has dropped to 88 degrees. Yes, I am thankful for this respite, brief, as it will probably be.
Beyond that, there is so very much for which to be thankful and I try to dwell on that when discouragement tries to steal my peace. It really is true that what we allow our thoughts to dwell on affects our mood and behavior.
We are told in the Bible to not worry about anything and to pray about everything. (see Philippians 4:6-7)
Holy Scripture also tells us that when we trust (wholly rely upon) the Lord, He gives us perfect peace.
(see Isaiah 26:3)
For I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded
that He is able
to keep what I have committed to Him
until that Day.
II Timothy 1:12
Until next time, grace and peace.
Barbara
12 comments:
Thanks for the shout out, just to let you know, at nearly 5 the sky has darkened and turned windy here in southwest Ocala with thunder. Hopefully we get some rain soon. Grilled cheese sounds good, we stopped at Capt. Ds and bought food home. I hope you have a lovely evening, say hi to Gary,
I've always said that I'm far too much of a wimp to live in the south. That being said, we just had a very hot and humid week last week, a respite this week, but they tell us that next week will be near 100 degrees. Yikes!
I hope that rain gives you a little cooling that lasts a bit.
Yes, lighter meals in this weather is a good thing.
I enjoyed Jesus Calling.
I faint if the humidity hits 22%. That was the one issue that always "hit me" as a child on those car trips to Tennessee to see my grandparents. It was the humidity. I'm just more comfortable in a dry climate, like where I'm at now or the desert. I love that rainy photo . For me that reminds me of our rainy season in the fall and winter. I'm already looking forward to that.
Can't wait to see your new furniture!
Oh yes, I love those scripture passages. And I loved this post. Grilled ham and cheese is a winner for dinner here quite often. And yesterday we got quite the thunderstorm with lightning AND HAIL! That was pretty scary, but thankfully no damage done.We just had another thunderstorm blow through a few minutes ago. If it keeps this up, maybe Still Waters Pond will start to be a pond again instead of a spot of desert in our back yard. I love your "old" lanai furniture...so pretty! I hope the new will be really comfy. Someone will enjoy your "old" stuff I am certain. I wish we had a screened in back porch where I could keep things nicer, but yesterday's storm totally drenched everything on the porch even though it is under shelter. It was quite a blow-up! Have a lovely rest of your weekend. God is in control, always!!!
Thanks sweet friend for mentioning me. I am so happy to be getting to know you even better. I'm excited about your new furniture. I need to update some of mine too. Take care! Stay cool! Oh, and the Roseate Spoonbill is my MOST favorite bird in Florida! I haven't seen one in a long time. Sweet hugs from across the way, Diane
I'm watching a World Cup game live in Miami and the players are being challenged with the heat! Our A/C went out on Friday evening and now we are trying to keep our cool until we can get a serviceman out next week, hopefully. Can't call for an appointment until Monday morning. It's hot in the house, 82 degrees. We usually keep the house at 71. That storm makes me think you have humidity, too. I hope you get some reprieve. Love seeing the Spoonbill.
Barbara, I'm a firm believer in the power of laughter to heal and to promote health is our bodies and minds. I have a treasured print entitled "Jesus Laughing," and indeed, He is in the most hearty and engaging of ways. It is so dear to me for so many reasons. Enjoy each day in spite of the humidity, my friend!
Thank you for an up-lifting and encouraging post. Very rare these days on social media. Many thanx.
It was ham and cheese toast here too yesterday. Laughter is good because it releases dolphins inside us which is good also.
God bless.
Now, I have a hankering for a grilled cheese. I know we have bread, but I think we are out of cheese. I hope you weren't impacted from Saturday's storms, Barbara. Laughter is definitely good medicine. Happy Sunday!
Ahh! I am in England and it has been hot here over the last month or so and I know it's even hotter with you so I can sympathise!
A grilled ham and cheese sandwich sounds perfect! Enjoy your new furniture!
How wonderful to have all of those birthdays to celebrate! Congrats about the new great grandchild which is coming!
Gosh, now I want a grilled cheese and ham sandwich! I think it will be on the menu for tomorrow! Thanks for that!! Yes, I am ready to be done with this heat and humidity. The heat I can handle, but the humidity is killer. I agree with you about laughter. It makes everything better!! Love you, my friend! xo
It is very true what when you say what we think about impacts our mood. I love the verse in Philippians that reminds us to think of 'whatever is true, right, noble, lovely, admirable...think on these things. It definitely helps shift our focus. Have a great day Barbara!
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