Exciting and Exhausting Summer

Psalm 116:1-2
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Too much to do in a short amount of time, life changes I didn’t expect, and some I did made this an exciting and exhausting summer. In May, the college I work for initiated renovations on the library I work in. In June, our daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Meanwhile at the library, the staff and I withdrew books, moved DVDs which required a lot of computer work on my part, and updated the periodicals. These are all time consuming above my normal work load and continued through Aug. 22. In July, I spent a week with Sara, Eli and baby Ella Cate. My Jeep went in the shop three times. And Tim and I started the process of purchasing a new home. We closed August 21 and moved yesterday, August 23. With every spare moment we sorted, tossed, packed and donated as much stuff as time allowed. (My advice-purge on an ongoing basis) We still have work to do— most of it falls on Tim because I go in for total knee replacement surgery on Thursday, Aug. 28. And that’s just a quick overview.

Why am I sharing this? To give glory to God. With every step, we prayed. Many times when I felt stressed, I held our new grandbaby, and peace washed over me and sustained me. At work, God gave me wisdom to figure out some complicated processes and a great group of coworkers to share the burden. God led us to an amazing financial officer who helped us navigate the loan process. And he led us to a new home that is perfect for us. He provided an excellent group of family members to move us and several folks who helped us along the way. The weather on moving day was cooler than it was supposed to be, plus no rain. Best of all, we moved in before the surgery. Like David in the Psalm, I love the Lord. He heard our cries and he answered. I cannot praise God enough for his loving care.

A Fan of God

Psalm 104:33-34
I will sing to the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    as I rejoice in the Lord.

My co-workers and I traveled to Chicago for the American Library Conference.  As we rode along Michigan Avenue, a sea of red swayed on the bridge crossing into Grant Park. The Chicago Blackhawks hockey team won the Stanley Cup. Twenty thousand plus fans gathered to celebrate with the players. They waved flags, carried balloons and cheered. Later in the day, we saw the fans all over the city. They supported their beloved team.

On Sunday morning, I like meeting with others who love God. I join my brothers and sisters in song, listen to God’s word preached and meditate on the sacrifice Christ made for me. You could say that church brings God’s fans together to celebrate. Not just a win, but an eternal victory. I like rooting for the Cincinnati Reds as much as the Blackhawk fans enjoy cheering on the hockey team. But, I love praising God and thanking him for Jesus, even more.