Rest and Recovery

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Last Wednesday was a belated birthday dinner for Kristin at Olive Garden!!  Delicious food and great company, as always - I'm very thankful for our friendship! ❤

Friday was a family dinner @ Saltgrass before Jace and Kyndal left for their Disney World trip with Josh and Chandler.  The Miss K had her nails done for the occasion, and I love it!  Praying they have a fun time and come back with lots of good memories. ❤

If ever you need ideas, this post (HERE) has lots of good gift suggestions for people in the hospital (patients and caregivers alike), and most of them would work regardless of what they're recovering from. ❤

Without sharing their personal details, I spent Saturday in Tulsa visiting good friends at the hospital.  Within five minutes of my arrival, I was in a circle of women holding hands and praying out loud together, and I loved that.  Grief and caregiver exhaustion are two things I feel very deeply on behalf of people I love - this has been heavy on my heart consistently since Wednesday, and I want to offer my full support in any way possible.  Praying and believing God for healing, life, recovery, restoration, grace, support, and peace! ❤

After the hospital visit, I met Laura Allison for dinner at Taziki's... it was good to see her and catch up on the Creek County chaos (and all the rest of life). ❤

Sunday was refreshing.  It started with Life.Church At the Movies (Top Gun: Maverick -- highly recommend) then lunch with Mom and Dad... then I took a 3+ hour nap, followed by a quick outdoor walk then La Madeleine DoorDash (yum) and watching The Parent Trap on Disney+.

Right in this moment, for myself and nearly everyone I know, I am feeling this post:

Almost everyone I know (very much including myself) is facing something hard, even if that's just a season of being uncharacteristically busy.  The overwhelm is real.  We are tired and depleted, and we need true rest, along with things that replenish us (time with God, close connection, outdoor walks).  I am going to take the Sabbath rest day more seriously the rest of this summer.

Jesus tells us, "You will know them by their fruit."  When something brings exhaustion, frustration, pressure, despair, or discouragement... it was not from God.  When it brings life, hope, joy, encouragement, and recovery, He is behind it (John 10:10).  "Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest."  I'm praying we all find some genuine rest and recovery -- emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually! ❤

On that note, I'll end this with some Monday Memes before I go to bed, now that it has passed the midnight mark (fairly ironic as I'm posting about rest). 

So many good CS Lewis quotes.  This one goes right along with prioritizing their relationship with God over their relationship with you.

Lol I do love when I beat the estimated time... and I do enjoy these movies, in all their ridiculous glory.

Delicious mashed potatoes. lol

Tuh-ruth.

Chet's favorite Friend. lol

That's all for now.  To each person reading this, God is with you and for you.  When we come to Jesus, His expectations are easier to carry, and the load He gives us is light (Matthew 11:30).  Hope you find rest and joy in Him this week! ❤