The taste of August

August tastes like:

-fresh, sweet corn

-plump, juicy blueberries

-pie made with gathered wild berries

-nectarines, peaches, plums

-new potatoes

-chilled wine outside

-fragrant basil picked from my patio

-unhurried morning coffee

-tomatoes!!!

Pace

Today's prompt asks what is my pace this season and how do I feel about it.

My pace is slow. Leisurely. And I love it. Summer holidays is definitely one of the advantages of teaching and I make no apologies. I have very little on my schedule that requires alarm clocks and that's just the way I like it. Waking up and enjoying my coffee with all the time in the world makes my day.

I was worried, however, when I went away with my friend recently. We had travelled together before, but not as a tourist thing where we booked hotels and had itineraries etc. I wondered how we'd travel together. You just never know what kind of tourist someone will be until you're somewhere being touristy. Would she want an agenda that maximized all the possible sights? Would she want to get an early start so we could see as much as possible? Would our schedule be chock full and exhausting? Fortunately, our pace was perfect. We did things every day, but we were never rushed or having to wake up at the crack of dawn. In fact, we were both quite happy one evening when it rained and we "had" to stay in. It was lovely to not have to go anywhere. I should've known that it would all work beautifully, but you just never know....

Observe

I'm starting a new blogging challenge for the month of August. Each day (assuming I stick with it) I'll get a prompt telling me what to write about. Since I love writing but am often stuck for ideas, I'm happy to be given a word or idea and then seeing where that takes me.

So, today's word is "observe". I have a few thoughts about this. First of all, I think observation is a lost art. To really stop and notice things and people around you. Do you know how many people feel invisible because those around them aren't observant and are instead completely focused on self? Seeing people matters. Seeing nature matters. It's one of the things I really try to drill into my students, especially when we're outside. What do you see? Hear? Smell? What fills you with wonder? 

I think deeply connected to observation is quiet. If you're babbling a mile a minute, you can't possibly be very observant. You're missing out. I read somewhere that if you're talking, you're sharing what you already know. But if you're listening, you're learning. Of course this exposes my deep introverted way of thinking, but it doesn't mean I'm wrong.

As to what I've been observing lately on a personal level, it is the extravagant lavishness of God's creation. I was recently on vacation on the east coast and now as I write, I'm at our cabin in Hope. The variety in creation amazes me. God could've created one kind of tree and one kind of flower. Instead He created hundreds of varieties in various shades and colours and for no other purpose than for His glory and for us to enjoy. He is extravagant in His abundant provision for us. Going back to the creation story in Genesis, you can notice many references to "all"...That was the original plan, that we'd live in perfect harmony with God and all of creation and that we'd have all we could ever need. The fact that this is not our present reality is not part of the plan. But, we live with the assurance that He is making ALL things new. Meanwhile, even in the brokenness, there is much beauty and goodness to observe, if you open your eyes (and maybe occasionally shut your mouth...lol)

10 questions

 I love getting prompts from other writers that make me think. This week, one of them commented that July 2nd is the exact middle of the year and called for an evaluation/reflection on how the year is going through a series of questions. So, here are my answers:

How do you really feel?

Exhausted. Happy. Excited.

What is going well?

Bible study. My job (which of course just went on summer break, but still). 

What needs to change?

My eating habits. How I spend time with my kids. How much I shop.

What will pass?

The rainy weather. My vacation-I better enjoy every moment.

What brings you peace?

God. Church. Music.

What has been a win?

sports (resuming) for the kids. 

Who needs some attention?

Pentti-he's been away for two weeks

Who are your guideposts?

Pentti and Serene

What is the *one* thing that must get done?

Cleaning of the top floor, especially the laundry

What does finishing well really mean?

investing in relationships that really matter to me

reading more books

continuing with Bible study

Saying Nice Things

Why do some people never seem to be able to give compliments? I know that some people are especially gifted in encouraging others, but surely this is a skill that all people should develop whether it comes to them naturally or not. And if there's any group that should be known as the most encouraging, surely that should be Christians? And yet... there seems to be very little encouragement. 

I am sure there are lots of reasons people keep their compliments to themselves. I know some people don't encourage because they worry it'll lead to pride. But will it really? People are so discouraged right now that I feel like a kind word could go a long way to just making it through another day.

I know there are some people who don't give compliments because they don't want to gush and they think carefully about their words. But if someone is actually deserving of a compliment, why hold back? A sincere compliment is not gushing. Besides, is it possible that withholding encouragement is actually worse than gushing?

Last summer someone suggested to me that I might have the gift of words of encouragement. I found this laughable. Me? I've always thought encouraging types were warm and fuzzy and full of words. But then I started to reflect on how many people I had sent notes to during the pandemic. How many pastors I had sent positive feedback when they had preached an especially inspiring message. There are multiple times when I have given encouragement and gotten feedback about how it was exactly what they needed that day. What if I had just thought it but not said it out loud? What if I had withheld my encouragement and the person who so desperately needed it had become discouraged instead?

In my classroom this year, I started to give out "happy mail". Whenever I noticed a student improve or try hard or show unexpected kindness, I gave them positive reinforcement by giving them a happy mail in front of the class. I was amazed at how popular this was and how much the students looked forward to seeing who would get one. Parents told me how their child kept their happy mail on the fridge and how proud they were. It cost me very little time and effort and yet to my students, it was a big deal.

So, I am going to make it a point to be an encourager. There is more than enough toxic negativity in the world. If I can temporarily make someone's day through a kind word, then I will do it. 

12 things

Here is a list in random order of the things that are saving my life right now: 

-church

-coffee

-my best friend

-my grade 1 students

-my colleagues

-tulips

-music

-cherry blossoms

-my prayer app

-Bible study

-Acorn tv

-Hello fresh

Resurrection Sunday

Today was a beautiful day for so, so many reasons, but the greatest of them was going to church and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Last Easter, we were not allowed to gather, but today we were, and with no restrictions. I have blogged many times in the past about my church and why I love it so. But today, I will let the picture below do most of the talking. The blonde with her hands raised in praise and worship....that's me. I didn't know someone would take a picture of that moment, but I am glad they did. It captures my total lack of inhibitions and awareness of those around me as I worship the one true God who sent His Son to die the death that I deserved for my sins. I feel free at church, uninhibited and accepted and that is a truly beautiful thing.