Summer roundup!
A collection of (mostly free/less than $15) things giving me life this summer
Last week I was shocked to see the sun setting before 9pm and found myself panicking, “What happened to summer?!” So I have decided it’s time for a summer round-up!!
Here are some things giving me life this summer:
The Psalms / Morning / Evening prayer
For the past couple of weeks I have been loving my book of Short Christian Prayer, which has 4-8 minutes of Psalms, readings, and intentions for daily morning and evening prayer. When I’m super busy / a lot is going on, it’s my favorite way to pray because it reminds me of God’s faithfulness and presence. Last week I had a few challenging days at work, and it was so consoling to be reminded that God never changes — that David and others for thousands of years prayed the words of the Psalms for peace, encouragement, and courage. Psalm 119 and 139 have been especially good recently.
It took me about 17 weeks to finish this 12-week workbook, and I can confidently say it changed my life. I loved the challenge to write Morning Pages, four pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts, at the top of every day. I loved the Artist dates. Most of all I loved the reminder that when we create, it’s not from our own strength — it’s God moving through us, we just need to get out of the way. There were a few times during this experience where I felt just that! I cannot recommend it more to everyone. (Also… it’s $10 right now on Amazon so what do you have to lose?)
Wallpaper
I put up this gorgeous wallpaper this week and it makes me giddy to peek into my bathroom and see it. A great reminder that I love my home and making it warm, inviting, and beautiful.
De-alcoholized sparkling wine
This find from Trader Joe’s has been a perfect summer treat! I have enjoyed it so much. I want to try it with Lyre’s NA Spritz — will report back!
Background acoustic worship
I put this on in background or while I’m getting ready or on a walk. It’s so good and the exact vibes we need right now.
My mesh shoes
Look I know these are controversial, and I respect that. However, all the hot girls in NYC are wearing them so I get to wear them. I’m obsessed.
Honorable mentions: Emma M. Lion (free on Kindle unlimited), The Count of Monte Cristo PBS series, Matcha lattes (unexpected), and reading in Dupont Circle.
What are you loving this summer?! Reply or comment to let me know!
In Christ,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
Full rainbow
I saw this full rainbow on my flight home last week, and it was a joy; we flew right alongside it for almost 10 minutes. Beautiful, joyful, good.
Psalm 139
God did an exceptionally abundantly good thing for me last week, but it was also painful. A mentor of mine called it a “severe mercy,” and it truly was. In the midst of knowing “God is so good and taking care of me” and “ouch” I find no greater solace than in the words of the Psalms:
O Lord, you search me, and you know me,
you know my resting and my rising,
you discern my purpose from afar…
Behind and before you beseige me,
your hand ever laid upon me.
Too wonderful for me, this knowledge,
too high, beyond my reach…
Your eyes saw me unformed;
in your book all are written down;
my days were shaped, before one came to be.
O search me, God, and know my heart.
O test me and know my thoughts.
See that I follow not the wrong path
and lead me in the path of life eternal.
The Odyssey
I really liked the parts where they were on the boat in the ocean and everything was pretty good, which accounted for about eight minutes of the film. There were probably 25 minutes of the film that my eyes were closed, which was substantially more than I was promised. Overall, I liked it. Odysseus made a lot of bad decisions, but for some reason, the gods still loved him. So I guess that’s a nice message to us that God loves us even when we do dumb things.
Prayer intentions
For Mary on her birthday!!
For Monique and Marchel who just got engaged!!
For a special intention