A Summer's Day

We've had several days where we were able to turn off the AC, open the windows and let the breezes bring in fresh air and still keep the house cool.  Temps have risen a bit now, but we can still open up in the mornings and just use the AC in the afternoon and evenings.

A new slice quilt challenge has started. I had some time this week to actually sew (no showings of the house yet this week) and was able to get mine done.  Only showing a snippet of it as some who are doing it follow my blog. It was really fun to do and I'm so pleased with the results.

Our youngest son has had a lot of challenges in his life to deal with. His has not been an easy life, but he has learned and grown through all of it.  He is facing another hurdle, one he is taking on head-on. He is getting some counseling/therapy and discovering that he is bipolar and OCD. They are looking at other possible challenges as well. It will be great to do the things needed to get these under control. He will be so much happier, as will those around him. I'm so proud of him accepting this and doing what needs to be done, instead of denying it and figuring it is everyone else who has problems. He is an amazing young man.

My sister's liver biopsy results were very encouraging. With diet, exercise, etc. the problem can actually be turned around!

It has been quite a week with the shootings in Colorado, the heat continuing to burn up the parched land in many areas, fires in other areas, rain and storms and flooding, the Olympics beginning and all the security needed in hopes of keeping everyone safe there, a missionary in Congo getting the news she has breast cancer.  In all of these things we are not alone. God has not left us nor has he forsaken us. He is here for us. Here to encourage and guide us. Here, just waiting for us to rely on Him. I love the response from an interview with a youth pastor about "why would God let this shooting happen?".  He said that God loves us so much that he gives us free will, He allows us to make choices. Without that we would just be robots. This is love.  As a parent I can relate to that.  We teach and guide our children, hoping that they will make wise choices in their life. As we all know, wrong choices do get made. We are not perfect. What is important is to learn from those wrong choices and grow and grow closer to God.

The birds are singing, the sun is shining, it's a beautiful day in God's creation.