How ironic that the follow-up to my last post is asking summer where it went. It certainly feels more like May today than July.

The truth is, in addition to the wacky weather, a handful of events have made this summer feel truly bizarre. Some pretty fierce battles have landed in my lap, especially in the past month, and it's only by the grace of God and an amazing support system that I'm still going fairly strong. I'm in the middle of a summer Bible study called Me, Myself, and Lies, and it has been super helpful! When I was in the midst of a strong worry session last week, my lesson for the day was about focusing on what is instead of on the what if's. It was exactly what I needed.

Through all of the struggles, I have seen God working in my life. Dave and I have gotten closer. I've been able to see my parents 3 weeks in a row, which hasn't happened since our wedding last year. My dependence on God has grown exponentially, and while there's still a ways to go, I feel closer to Him than I have in a loooong time. And we've seen Him answer prayers, give strength in times of weakness, and bring comfort in times of sadness.

My hope is that, years from now, I'll be able to look at the summer of 2009 and say, "Yeah, that summer was one of the toughest times in my life, but now I can see how God was working His good through it."

I didn't set out to have a relaxing weekend, but that's exactly what I had these last two days, and I really couldn't be more grateful.

Friday night, I attended our small group solo because Dave wasn't feeling good. Ever since I left my amazing college small group, I've been a bit intimidated by going to a small group by myself (never mind that I've been going to small groups solo for the 4 years between college and marriage), but I had nothing to worry about on Friday night. Our group is very welcoming, and I'm enjoying getting to know the other members.

Because Dave was unable to go into work on Friday, he worked a few hours on Saturday, but we allowed time to sleep in and go to McDonald's for breakfast before he went to work. While Dave was at church, I ran to the library to pick up Peculiar Treasures, the latest from Robin Jones Gunn (the author of my all-time favorite Christy Miller series). This book picks up the story of Christy Miller's best friend Katie. It may be meant for junior highers, but I'm enjoying it. Dave woke me up from an impromptu nap around 2, so I drove back to church to pick him up before we headed to Portillo's for lunch, to the cleaners, and then back to the library so Dave could pick out some books for himself. (I tell you, we are such bookworms!) The rest of the night, I slowly but surely worked on my ironing pile (I still have a few pieces left) and happily put our summer comforter on the bed. After seeing our navy blue duvet cover all winter, I'm really enjoying the turquoise, khaki, and cream comforter now gracing our bed. It feels like summer has arrived!

Today was busy, just like every Sunday is, but we managed to have two successful kids services and a JBQ meeting afterward. When we left church at 2, I realized we'd been there for more than 6 hours! No wonder I sometimes feel like I'm working a second job. It's just a part of being a pastor's wife. We rewarded our hard work with a drive and lunch at a restaurant we've been wanting to check out for a while. We returned home around 4 and relaxed. I watched a sermon from Crosspoint Church in Nashville and miraculously didn't fall asleep during it. Haha! After a few hours, we treated ourselves (again) to Dairy Queen. Yum! Now, I'm procrastinating my final ironing work by blogging.

I'm really glad we had a slower weekend. After the last post, I'd say it was much needed.

The wind did its best to lift me up from the bench and carry me back into the building where I've spent 8 hours for 5 days every week during the very long winter we've had in Chicago. My clunky purple necklace flew like a wind sock as strands of my hair escaped from their ponytail and fluttered in the breeze. I glanced down every few minutes to make sure my bright-pink water bottle was still standing upright.

Today was the first day of the year without even a hint of chill in the air. The strong winds weren't strong enough to push the temperature to a level that would give me goosebumps (something that happens often to this almost-always shivering girl). I'd quickly eaten my lunch inside before venturing outdoors to enjoy the sun and my loaned copy of Dandelion Wine. It was the perfect setting to celebrate the first summerlike day of 2009, and there was no way I was going to let that blasted wind send me right back inside.

After almost 30 full minutes of soaking in the rays and beginning the adventure of reading my book, I was sent inside by the maintenance man spreading fertilizer on the plants around my bench. I decided I'd rather miss a couple extra minutes of sun than be covered in that, so I let the wind push me back into the confines of my office.

Now, with just over an hour to go, I'm eagerly anticipating breaking free from these four walls, getting in my car, rolling down the windows, and letting the music blast as I drive home on this perfect spring day.

Now, before you go and think I just skipped out on work today without permission, I will let you know that my boss knows and approves of my plans for today. Still, it feels like I'm playing hooky since I'm not sick and it's the middle of the week.

Life has been busy. Most, if not all, of the busyness has been filled with good things, but I still kept running, running, running. Even the past three-day weekend was nonstop. With an unexpected and long-awaited break in my work schedule, I decided today would be a great time to stay at home, relax, and do absolutely nothing.

Of course, as I was lying in bed this morning trying to sleep past 8, my mind was compiling a list of tasks that needed to be done: wash Dave's clothes, organize the linen closet, buy more stamps, work on the bridal shower I'm hosting this Friday. (Can you tell I have little experience in taking time off?) To ensure I relax, the painters are here to paint our building's common areas, so if I really wanted to get out to conquer the laundry or do some shopping, I'd risk getting paint splattered on me or our clothes. In a weird way, I'm grateful to be held prisoner in my own apartment today. It's forced me to finally relax.