This June was sunshine and thunderstorms and wildflowers and good books.✨
And mosquitoes. Lots of mosquitoes.
When he bares his teeth,
C.S. Lewis
Winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane,
We shall have spring again.
Things worth remembering
- the start of the local farmers market
- flower shopping with a brother
- kayaking with the same brother in the rain
- wandering through a newly-discovered cemetery
- savoring slow mornings on vacation
- reading on the dock
- sand volleyball and Crossnet
- Facetiming a dear friend
- hayrides with cousins
- wild costumes and Uno in the rain
- late night cousin chats
- scrounging wildflowers from the ditches
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…”
Revelation 2:4-5a
What I’ve been reading
Morning and Evening – Charles Spurgeon
Jesus says, “take freely.” He wants no payment or preparation. He seeks no recommendation from our virtuous emotions.
I think this is the best daily devotional I’ve had yet. <3
A Light in the Window – Jan Karon
“What don’t you love?” he asked, looking at her intently.
She gazed back at him. “Oh, soggy mittens, chocolate without nuts, a man who can’t find it in himself to hold your hand when it’s sticking right out there in plain view.”
He took her hand that was resting on the table. “What else?” he said.
I finished this one on our family vacation, and it was a delight. I’m so glad there are so many more books set in Mitford!
The Colors of Rain – Abigail Hayven
Her life was pretty normal, but normal through rose-colored glasses. Normal with abstract colors thrown in. Normal in an intentionally romanticized way.
This book is a masterpiece. Both the pacing and narration are absolutely brilliant, and Rain is one of those characters who deserves to go down in literary history with the likes of Anne Shirley and Jo March.
Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson
When you’re brave enough to show your scars to others, you declare that both your celebrations and your sufferings belong to the Lord. In doing so, you steward them both well.
Yes, I’m STILL reading this book! XD It’s still good.
(I’ve also been beta reading a short story that will be published in this anthology!)
psalm 131:1-2
LORD, my heart is not haughty,
nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with his mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
From the journal
It is His strength within me. His love. His heart. His mind.
It was glorious this evening, and beauty is pulsing stronger on the horizon. God, You are so good to carry Your weak ones and give them hope’s whispers in unexpected places.
Let me not long for the cup You have not given.
What stood out to you from this June?
Oh! Just a note…I’ll be sending out a newsletter with some writing updates in a week or so here that you might not want to miss. You can click here to join my mailing list if you haven’t yet.
Stay the course!✨
<3 Laurel
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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