It's been a LONG 5 months since I've had any amount of time to work on the Blog and expand the website in order for it to reach more of you, my dear readers, and I figured that as summer is 1 month away from drawing to a close - I would take some time to reconnect with you all.
So, with that said, this won't be the typical blog post that I usually put out but hopefully, it will resonate with you just the same.
Have you ever gone through a period of time where it has felt as though everything has happened and yet nothing at all - at the same time?
I experienced this recently as I was going through all of the pictures I have taken over the course of the summer. As I scrolled, I was instantly able to recall what I was feeling as the pictures were taken or remember the events surrounding them as if it was yesterday and a decade ago all wrapped into one.
And you know what they say, right? That whole thing about how a picture is worth a thousand words?
I think I agree with that.
On May 14th, I had friends help me move out of my dorm room at Gordon College and into the place I've been staying in this summer. It took us a few hours, and by the end of it, we were very hungry and sweaty but satisfied with the job well done.
Since then, it has been a non-stop whirlwind of adventures! Just what summers are for, right?
Once I settled into the apartment, I started a grocery list of ingredients I wanted for meal planning and such because when you're in college... let's just say there aren't very many opportunities to cook fresh. I think so far, one of my favorite meals that I made was the Flashover Subs, and my favorite side dish was definitely the Easy Peasy Pico de Gallo (without Jalapenos!!).
Now that Mom and my sister have been here for a while, I tend to cook less by myself and more when we're making a family meal together. Each person has to chip in, right?
A couple of weeks ago, my mom took me out for my first arcade experience and she introduced me to her favorite game - Skee Ball!
Of course, she beat me. But we laughed the entire night, probably embarrassed everyone in the room with us, and it was so worth it to make memories with her like that.
A few days after tearing it up at the arcade, we all went to the 4th of July parade in Randolph with some friends. It was oddly nostalgic to feel the humid air as we planted our camp chairs on the sidewalk, set down our things, and got settled into the little space we made for ourselves.
It had been at least 3 if not 4 years since I'd watched the parade and while the pandemic had put a damper on some present, it was still so good to hear the cheers in celebration of our freedom as a nation. It struck me how since I've been stateside for college, I get so easily tempted to take this same freedom we just celebrated for granted. So much was sacrificed for the United States of America that we all live in today, and seeing people rally together again for the first time in a long time was such a bittersweet reminder of how far we still have to go.
Not only are the people in certain parts of the world who need physical liberation from their circumstances, but there are also so many hearts in need of spiritual liberation. Hearts that have yet to know who Jesus is, and to know what it feels like to be radically changed by his unconditional love.
Friends, whether we've met or not, you're reading and engaging with this blog post for a reason. I might not know what that reason is, but I do know the God who is the only answer you'll ever need and he wants you to know him too.
This is your reminder that you are loved as you are. No matter what your summer has been like up until this point, I pray that you leave feeling filled, encouraged, and thirsty for more of who our great God is.
-- ANNOUNCEMENTS --
1. It's been a year in the making and we are still working on our series called On Interviewing Christian Creatives. I've gotten in touch with the last few interviewees for the series and I'm awaiting responses. If all goes well, I hope to wrap up the series before the end of the year.
2. Submissions are always welcome for the "Dear Grace" column! Whether it is a question you've just been dying to ask me or a testimony you'd like to share with our readers, I'd be happy to connect with you.
I'm reachable through the comments section here on the website, the blog's Facebook page, and most private messaging platforms, as well as email.
3. I am always looking for guest writers who are interested in submitting pieces to the blog. If that's you or someone you know, please reach out!
Commitment opportunities vary from a one-time submission, once-a-month submissions, or every other week if you have an idea for a series.
As always, thank you for all the kind comments and your engagement with the content I put out. It is encouraging to hear how many of you have been touched by something here on the blog, and I'm profoundly grateful that this blog is doing all that I set out for it to do.
And special thanks for being partners in the ministry with me and helping me ensure that the gospel of Jesus Christ can touch as many hearts as possible! Your prayers for me as the author are so coveted. I'm blessed to have such an interactive group of readers as you and I could not continue what I do without you!
Happy Summer, from my home to yours!
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