It was a difficult holiday weekend for me and I am glad it's over. For the most part, I disconnected from social media as I could not bear to see pictures of families celebrating the day together. The pictures made my heart ache for mine to be together again. That day won't come for us until mid-2015 with my son deploying before my husband returns home.
There were many tears shed the eve of the 4th of July. Morning came and I took off for peace and solitude at the Morton Arboretum. My heart hurt for what I did not have but God is good ALWAYS. He gave me just what I needed . . . Him.
Before placing myself on the bench in the photo above I clocked in 27 miles on a rented bike. I rode on paved roads that wind though the expansive grounds of the Morton Arboretum and it was glorious.
You could say I collapsed on the bench at the end of my ride because my legs were tired. I lied on that bench for two hours drinking in the sun and began reading A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga. I'm loving every word and may actually finish the book within a weeks time.
The 4th did end with beautiful fireworks. I was grateful my youngest son and his girlfriend were able to join me for the show.
The disconnection from all things social media and blogging was needed. My online presence will continue to be limited throughout July. Please know you are always in my thoughts and prayers . . . all of you are.
How did you celebrate America's birthday and what are you reading? Since some of you may not be from the USA, I made this a two part question. You could also share a favorite moment from your weekend.
If you have a picture to share come by my blog Facebook page and you can share there.
P.s. I'd love for you to check out a special project I had the privilege of being a part of. Click on the image below to be directed to the Summer Edition of IMPACT with Simplicity with Savings.
So glad that you were able to spend time with God and with family over the weekend. I remember those national holidays when my kids were deployed and it is hard!! Being away from them is difficult and I cried every time I heard a patriotic song or saw a flag! :-)
ReplyDeleteI spent July 4th with a friend doing the small town thing in Crossnore...arts and crafts fair, parade, honoring our vets, hot dogs, ice cream and watermelon! It was awesome and hilarious and relaxing all in one. Saturday, I drove to Asheville to meet some old friends for lunch and that was glorious!
I'm currently reading a thriller, I Am Pilgrim, as well as the book of Nehemiah, Miracle Mountain (about the organization I work for) and have just finished No Place to Hide which I plan to review on my blog tomorrow. And in the last week have added at least that many more to my ever-growing list of books to read!
I thankfully avoided the patriotic songs. That would have done me in. :) Sounds like a wonderful weekend, Holly. Did you have mint chocolate chip or chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream? hehe. I have a feeling I will end this week with many more books to add to my reading list. Thanks for sharing, friend. Love you. xoxo
DeleteGod kept you on my heart throughout the weekend, friend. What can I say? I checked in here and there to see if you had posted anything ... and I lifted you back up to Him ...
ReplyDeleteHugs.
I just finished 'Overwhelmed - Work , Love, and Play When No One Has the Time' by Brigid Schulte. Super book ... worthy of a post or two!
Blessings as you begin this week, Beth.
Thank you so much, Linda, for thinking of me over the weekend. I do appreciate your prayers. God's presence was felt and He carried me through. The book sounds interesting. I do hope you tell more in an upcoming post. Blessings to you. xoxo
DeleteHi Beth!
ReplyDelete27 miles! Wow! My legs would have been shaking after that! But it looks like your quiet celebration was so nice. We had an unusual 4th...a nice walk by the river and then the ER with my mom (she's fine) and a fast move to assisted living for her. Not exactly what we had planned, but through it God has been opening my eyes and revealing His plan for us.
I love your pictures! It looks like a beautiful day!
Love, Joan
Oh Joan, did I miss that news on Facebook? So much happens when you step away even if only for a weekend. I am glad your mom is okay and sounds like you were moving in the right direction all along with assisted living. God...He really is amazing how He times things. We will have to catch up on chat soon. Love you. xoxo
DeleteLove your pictures so glad God gave you what you needed...Him!! With a hubby that travels weekly it was nice to have a few moments all together. We needed family time!! And I am reading Emily's Atlas Girl.( Great minds think alike:)) I took a break around this time last summer too and it was amazing! Love you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had some family time, Jenn. I did see some of your pictures from your weekend and it looked delightful and refreshing. I do also want to read Atlas Girl . . . especially since I'm enjoying her other book so much. Thank you for sharing. Love you, friend. xoxo
DeleteI am thankful that God met you there on that bench my friend. He is faithful. We normally spending the 4th at my parents and enjoy BBQ and fireworks. This year was my uncle's 80th birthday so we visited him (no fireworks) and enjoy a Taco Truck and Mariachi band! I am currently reading Hinds Feet on High Places for my blog book study. Love you my friend. Take all the time you need to rest and recoup.
ReplyDeleteHappy 80th to your uncle!! What's a taco truck? Do tell. I look forward to hearing more about the book you are reading through what you share on your blog. Love you. xoxo
DeleteHi Beth! Oh brother, I am like the worst friend on the planet. I thought your quiet weekend was what you wanted. I am so sorry I missed your pain. Yikes, I am so thick. (I am a member at the Arboretum, so let's meet there next time?)
ReplyDeleteI am reading a few books at once. The Return of the Prodigal Son, Love Idol, and Reaching Out. Another blogger reminded me I need to read the Screwtape Letters. Have you ever read that?
Thinking of you,
Ceil
I already sent you an email, but you are not the worst friend on the planet. You are a wonderful friend, Ceil. I know God gave me just the weekend that was needed. I did recently purchase Screwtape Letters. Since two of you have mentioned in the comments I may need to read next. Thanks for sharing. xoxo
DeleteIt was a long weekend wasn't it? I tried not to look too hard at the pics either this weekend. I miss my family, my kids are gone, my hubs had to work, so it was quiet and lonely. I tried not to feel sorry for myself, but it can be hard sometimes. I have WAY too much to be thankful for to sit in a pot of self-pity. You took some AMAZING pics, girl!! Your bike path looks surreal, so glad you found some peace and was able to end your day with your son!
ReplyDeleteAnd read the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis that Ceil was asking you about!! It was so good!
Oh, Alecia. How wonderful it would have been if we could have spent the day together. I feel your heart, friend. When I spent most of Thursday crying I was full aware of the self-pity party I was giving myself. And you are so right . . . way too much to be thankful for. {Hugs} to you. And I do have Screwtape Letters and will need to move it up on my reading list.
DeleteBlessings.
xoxo
Currently I am reading Francine Rivers new book Bridge to Haven
ReplyDeleteWe had some friends from church over for a BBQ to celebrate the 4th. We live thousands of miles from our families, so holidays are usually pretty low key for us. On Saturday we took a 25+ mile bike ride on a local trail....we were pretty tired when we were done, so I know what you must have felt like after your bike ride!
Look at that. Don't you just love long bike rides? My legs may have been tired but I was so refreshed from that time. I've got several books to add to my reading list after going through comments. Thank you for stopping by and for sharing, Jill.
DeleteBlessings,
xoxo
I thought of you this weekend. And I'm glad to see that God brought you some beauty to enJOY. But, might I also take this opportunity to thank you and your family for what you do in support of our country. I never take for granted the sacrifices that you make. Really.
ReplyDeleteOK, now I want to comment on that bike ride! Seriously?! You are an Ironwoman! I'll go bike riding with you if you get one of those little *tent* things that go on the back.
My son and new daughter-in-law came up for the 4th, and we enjoyed our small-town parade, vendors' booths, a pie-eating contest, and a delicious lunch at our local Mexican restaurant. Finished off the day eating hot dogs - which we normally never do - and watched fireworks on TV! NO pyrotechnics up here on the mountain!! It was a fun day.
What am I reading? A mystery novel set in Bavaria in the 1600's. Mysteries are favorites of mine, and summer always means a reading frenzy for me! (I know, I'm weird...)
GOD BLESS!
I love the pictures! I had a wonderful weekend with my sisters. I am reading Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Flemming. She is so inspiring! I want to be like her when I grow up! I also have to tell you the fiction book I just finished - Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers! I absolutely loved the story! Have a great week, Beth!
ReplyDeleteI was praying so hard for you all weekend!! <3 I'm glad God was able to show you His beauty, but I'm sorry for your heartache, missing your Hero.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you have a gorgeous photo of the red-winged blackbird!! Do you know, that is my symbol for "God is here"? Wow. I wrote a post about it. It made me smile SO big to see that picture here.
I just finished reading "A Good-Hearted Man" by Barbara Kaylor, and enjoyed it very much. I am ready to start Hinds Feet in High Places for Barbie's study! So exciting!
My 4th weekend was quiet, as I was too sick to get out. We had a lovely time with family here at home, and I did a virtual fireworks display for our (in)courage group. Fun. :)
Love you, sweet friend!! <3 Heart Hugs, Shelly
Praying for that giant heart of yours.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth! It's nice to meet you! I found you just by surfing around.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to see the fireworks show this year. I am still healing from surgery.
I am reading `Spoken For` (Robin Jones Gunn & Alyssa Joy Bethke)
Sending prayers for you and your family this month. I can't imagine the separation but know that God is faithful and He will meet you where you are. So happy to see you in the Impact magazine - you are in such good company there and very deserved to be there!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth~Left a comment earlier. Not sure if it's in moderation of if I should have copied it, but I'll try to remember most of it. I read both of these posts. One challenged me while the other brought tears to my eyes. The challenge--to find a way that shows my husband how much I cherish him. He's always showing me that. I think I need to read all of the Love Dare challenges you have done--and put them into practice.
ReplyDeleteThe tear~it's so hard making it through life's changes and the separation from our loved ones that sometimes occurs. Making it through this season in life, looking for how God can fill the need in me. After all, He is the only one who can fill my heart with all the love I need. Your beautiful photos at the arboretum capture His love so majestically yet gently. Thank you for your words, Beth.
Blessings and prayers, Janis