Why summer mattered
Summer passed by so quickly. At times I had poetic thoughts or beautiful ways that I could describe things bouncing around in my head and I thought perhaps I would share these on my blog, but I didn't. What do you need to know about my summer?
Well I spent many days working at Yoder's Meat and Cheese Company, cashiering or packaging things at work. I worked on the 5th grade math curriculum for my school here in Honduras in my free time. But to be honest, although these things are important, this wasn't really what mattered.
What mattered was sitting outside in my yard and eating fresh garden vegetables and grilled steak, chicken, and pork chops while enjoying the company of my family. I lazed around a few times in my hammock and I breathed in the fresh air and smell of the beautiful green grass. I ran outside and went on bike rides. I sat around a campfire with my family. I made up lawn games with my brother and did morning kickboxing with my sister law and mom. I looked at fireworks and sang hymns.
What mattered was spending time with people who have known me forever. Spending time with my Buttonhood girls is its own special category. We were able to just be together with no agenda, except to enjoy ourselves and eat ice cream at some point. It's amazing to see how different our lives are and how much we have changed, yet God keeps the blessing of our friendship intact.
What mattered was visiting friends in far away places and having friends come near. We drove to Cedarpoint, talking, laughing, listening to new music, and watching new youtube videos. We talked about memories and played ridiculous travel games. We laughed and caught up with stories. We dreamed together about all the things that our lives could still be and where God might just take us. We made up stories and took walks. I cooked with friends and talked until all hours of the night. I played games and ate ice cream far too many times. I drank coffee and talked about life, love, God, and his goodness. I played Mario Party until my thumb was sore.
What mattered was spending time at my church and getting to know or reknow those whom I rarely see. I loved being a part of a new group and just hanging out. I loved feeling like there was a place that I could fit.
Now returning to Honduras, I decorated my room yesterday. It's full of pictures and memories. It is plastered with verses and notes of encouragements. While my summer was short, I look around me and I feel blessed. I know where I come from. I am loved and blessed beyond belief to have so many who care for me. Yet beyond that, I know that I have arrived at yet another place where people care about me. There are many here that I have known for only a short time, yet they give me their love. It feels so great to be back even when it was difficult to leave all that behind. God is already blessing me through meeting new people that he has brought here. I know that I will grow to love them too.
As I reflected on all of this this morning, God truly reminded me and showed me what he wants this year to be about. Often, I feel that God gives me a specific word to reflect on. That word for me is OVERFLOW. God has already blessed me in abundance and he will continue to do beyond all that I can ask or imagine. Better yet he wants to overflow into my life so that I can overflow his love into others. So that is my prayer, that he would overflow into me, and I into others. I pray that this year would be overflowing with love, hope, thanksgiving, praise, understanding, and joy.
Well I spent many days working at Yoder's Meat and Cheese Company, cashiering or packaging things at work. I worked on the 5th grade math curriculum for my school here in Honduras in my free time. But to be honest, although these things are important, this wasn't really what mattered.
What mattered was sitting outside in my yard and eating fresh garden vegetables and grilled steak, chicken, and pork chops while enjoying the company of my family. I lazed around a few times in my hammock and I breathed in the fresh air and smell of the beautiful green grass. I ran outside and went on bike rides. I sat around a campfire with my family. I made up lawn games with my brother and did morning kickboxing with my sister law and mom. I looked at fireworks and sang hymns.
What mattered was spending time with people who have known me forever. Spending time with my Buttonhood girls is its own special category. We were able to just be together with no agenda, except to enjoy ourselves and eat ice cream at some point. It's amazing to see how different our lives are and how much we have changed, yet God keeps the blessing of our friendship intact.
What mattered was visiting friends in far away places and having friends come near. We drove to Cedarpoint, talking, laughing, listening to new music, and watching new youtube videos. We talked about memories and played ridiculous travel games. We laughed and caught up with stories. We dreamed together about all the things that our lives could still be and where God might just take us. We made up stories and took walks. I cooked with friends and talked until all hours of the night. I played games and ate ice cream far too many times. I drank coffee and talked about life, love, God, and his goodness. I played Mario Party until my thumb was sore.
What mattered was spending time at my church and getting to know or reknow those whom I rarely see. I loved being a part of a new group and just hanging out. I loved feeling like there was a place that I could fit.
Now returning to Honduras, I decorated my room yesterday. It's full of pictures and memories. It is plastered with verses and notes of encouragements. While my summer was short, I look around me and I feel blessed. I know where I come from. I am loved and blessed beyond belief to have so many who care for me. Yet beyond that, I know that I have arrived at yet another place where people care about me. There are many here that I have known for only a short time, yet they give me their love. It feels so great to be back even when it was difficult to leave all that behind. God is already blessing me through meeting new people that he has brought here. I know that I will grow to love them too.
As I reflected on all of this this morning, God truly reminded me and showed me what he wants this year to be about. Often, I feel that God gives me a specific word to reflect on. That word for me is OVERFLOW. God has already blessed me in abundance and he will continue to do beyond all that I can ask or imagine. Better yet he wants to overflow into my life so that I can overflow his love into others. So that is my prayer, that he would overflow into me, and I into others. I pray that this year would be overflowing with love, hope, thanksgiving, praise, understanding, and joy.
beautiful, jennifer. and i love that you have another word from the Lord: overflow! i feel honored that we, the buttonhood, got a special category ;) so glad we got to spend time together!
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