It seems that I am gathering the moments later all the time!
Even so, today, eight days into September, is the day for looking back because:
- Today is our last official day of summer vacation (back to homeschool on Monday!), so I will take a look back before moving on.
- My gathering the moments posts serve as my own memory-refreshers! I can't tell you how many times I have searched them to remember when this or that happened. (I am disppointed when I have missed gathering some months.)
- When I gather the moments, I always see how God has guided and provided, whether the month has been "good" (from my perspective, that is) or whether it has been full of challenges or sadness or difficulty . . . and it moves my heart to gratitude.
Remember how I told you we were squeezing summer?
We continued to do so!
Typically, I don't schedule a lot of "extras" in August because it is a full month already. But after all of the detours and difficulties of June and July, I determined to say "yes" to any opportunity and squeeze it all in. Yes, it was somewhat exhausting, but oh-so-good!
Six birthdays, four anniversaries, two water parks, two trips to the beach, coffee with a friend, lunch with another friend, dinner with more friends, a ladies' birthday lunch, another birthday lunch with family, and a few birthday parties (including a rescheduled party for one of the July birthday girls) . . . there were many moments to gather!
I have to insert something here. See that guy in the picture below, the one who is flying down that water slide?! That guy is my hubby who had a blast at his company's Associates' Day! At the beginning of the day, I said, "Pace yourself, old man." 😉
No need to have said that. He did it all and still got up and went to work the next morning.
No need to have said that. He did it all and still got up and went to work the next morning.
Clearly, I am the one who is old. (See me in the middle photo of the collage?)
Also in August . . .
Bekah took on a new piano student. Both of the girls got new hairdos. Peter lost his first tooth. Alaine made her first cake to bring to a family gathering. Grands came for a visit. We bought a new hammock, not for afternoon naps, but for the grands to play on. We watched Paul as he listened to an airplane and then a train as we sat on the sun porch. (Oh, those expressions!)
Truly, life is made up of moments . . . one at a time . . . one after the other.
As I gather my moments today, I am aware of others who are suffering. I am aware of how much life can change, even in a moment. I am aware of the brevity of life . . . of our fragile state.
And that is all the more reason to tend the moments. To choose wisely. To choose people. To spend the moments we are given with eternity in mind.
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
Psalm 90:12
I love your gatherings of moments.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful memories have been made! I laughed at your comment about Ron! 😊
Thanks, Deanna! Ron is certainly an energetic 61-year-old! :D
DeleteA heartwarming gathering of moments! So fun seeing the photos and fun times :)
ReplyDeleteWe were blessed with a wonderful month! Thanks for stopping by, Lorraine!
DeleteSo true! Choose people - I love that!
ReplyDeleteI tend to be such a homebody. I have to make a conscious choice to choose people rather than stay in my cozy little cocoon. :)
DeleteLook at Ron go! I am impressed. So glad that you made the conscious decision to fill August with good times...family, friends, food, fellowship, the beach!
ReplyDeleteRon is impressive! He makes me look like I am standing still. (Oh wait. Maybe because I AM standing still.) ;)
DeleteIt was a good month!
Beautiful moments with great thoughts to go along with them. I'm with you in the center of that collage! May God guide us through the good the bad and the ugly all the days of our lives. So glad he's at the helm.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Ellen!
DeleteHaha! We'd sit by the pool side and chat, wouldn't we? :)
Wonderful glimpse into your August filled with family and friends and good moments. It seems so far from the devastation on our minds now--but the Lord gives abundantly in good times and then there's the hard, and our job is only to trust and be grateful for what He has given. Happy first day of school! You've been at this a long time!
ReplyDeleteThe devastation is never far from our thoughts these days. One feels so small and powerless when such storms come. It is a realization of just how little is truly in our control! And so we can only continue to offer our moments to Him.
DeleteThanks for the good wishes for our little school! We are beginning our (really my) 27th year of homeschooling. Only two more to go . . .
Hello sister Cheryl. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am so blessed to visit your profile on the blogger and the blog post. The post is so colorful with all your children and grand children. Visiting your post with the pictures of a godly family has been a spirit lifting and a very encouraging experience. I am truly blessed and feel privileged and honored to get connected with you and your family and also know you and your family with your husband Ron and your children Kristin, Ryan, Kati and Bekah and grand children. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 38 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have your young children come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God willing I will be visiting United States in the month of May 2018 and will be so glad to stop by your place and meet you and your family. It will be a joy to spend time with you all knowing you and Ron personally. I know it is not easy to trust the people who get connected through Internet but trusting the Lord for genuine connection is what is needed. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends.
ReplyDeleteBrother Diwakar, it is so nice of you to stop by my little blog and introduce yourself. Thank you for your kind words. It is good to hear of your faithful ministry (38 years!) in Mumbai and we will be sure to pray for your work!
DeleteGood for you for choosing people and making the most of August.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like great times filled with loved ones and friends. I sometimes forget to make the most of everyday,so this was a great reminder.
I needed the reminder to
Sally, I need the reminder sometimes myself! I can content myself with being at home and puttering around the house, but I have to choose to reach out (or bring others in) and connect.
DeleteWhat a wonderful collection of "moments"! Made me think of the words to an old song, "Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise...."
ReplyDeleteGlad you took the time to document these to look back on--with praise to the Father ♥
I love that hymn, Rebecca!
DeleteIt's always so enjoyable to be able to share in your moments from month to month. It certainly was packed full and no doubt many memories were made! Like you, I also rely on my blog as a timeline when I can't remember when something happened. Sometimes when I look back I find myself say "Really? It was that long ago??" :D
ReplyDeleteOh, I am glad to know that more people jog their memories with their own blogs! :D
DeleteThis is so beautiful, Cheryl, precious and endearing moments in which you have gathered and placed into your treasure chest of life! You are so right, things can change in a moment , and we must tend to those moments! Thank you for sharing, you truly are blessed with such a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteThinking and praying with you for all those who are suffering today!
Blessings,
Sue
Thanks so much, Sue! I know that you and I are both blessed in that "treasure chest of life"!
DeleteI always sooo love your gathering the moments posts and this was no exception. I ALWAYS find them comforting, encouraging, inspirational, and precious. Your thoughts on it all are soo true as well. Everything can and has changed at times in the blink of an eye, and yet it does give us all the more reason to tend to our moments at hand, treasure the blessings and gifts we've received, celebrate, enjoy, and be oh soo grateful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie! It is always good when we're moved to be grateful!
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