Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Share Four Somethings: July 2024

Posted on By jennifer

I am a bit early to this month’s Share Four Somethings link-up, but that is okay.  You can find the rest of it on Jennifer’s blog starting on Saturday.  I think most of you are familiar with it, so I will jump right into a little recap of July.  Yes, July!  It is almost over.  Halfway through this year of 2024.  If I am honest, I won’t be sad to this year come to an end.  But this post is not about all that.  Today, I am simply looking at this month…where I:

loved – seeing my North Carolina friends again.  Spending some time in North Carolina was actually what “I loved” in June’s SFS so this is special.  We don’t usually see each that often…so I am extra “loving” my time with friends this month!  I just blogged about our weekend together on Monday so I won’t do that again here but it was a highlight of the month.  I also really enjoyed time with (more local) friends earlier this month – on the Fourth.  Such a fun evening.  And such good friends!!

A few other things I have been loving this month:  walking every morning (well, except Sundays…everyone needs at least one day “off”!); getting my new houseplants acclimated and, especially, seeing each one of them sprouting new growth (I think they like it here!); evening thunderstorms (to be sure, these are not the grand dog’s favorite but I think they are cool!); salted caramel dark chocolate; summer pedicure colors; our new summer series in Junior Church – Animals in the Bible; and not one single medical appointment.  All month.  It’s about time.

tried to improve – my coffee bar area.  Not that we have an actual coffee bar area but it is the place (area) where we make coffee every morning!  Just used some things I already had and refreshed the shelves and the countertop.  This, of course, led me to refresh or change up the areas from where I moved things.  It definitely ended up being a larger rabbit hole than I anticipated but, in the end, it was fun and I am super pleased with the end result.

accomplished – winning the first three week check-in of the fitness challenge I am doing with my friend.  Sure…counting up points is fun but the real accomplishment is how this challenge is keeping me (well, both of us) focused and determined.  It is because of this fun challenge that I have been walking every morning.  And that I carefully track my food and much more mindful about my food choices, etc.  I’m not going to lie, there have been a couple times when I wanted to throw in the towel.  I even asked her if we could/should end the challenge.  Um, no.  She has kept me going.  And I’m glad.  I really hope, by the time the full nine weeks are finished, most (or all) of these things will simply be habit.  That would be amazing!

noticed – I am easier quitter.  Just a bit of a confession, if I’m honest.  If you would have asked me, I would not have described myself as such and, truthfully, I don’t think I have always been as quick to “call it a wrap” as I am these days.  Is it an age thing?  I’m not sure.  Yes, things that just are not worth my time and/or investment….well, I don’t continue with them as often as I once would.  I can more easily recognize when that is not necessary.  But I can often be too quick with “being done” when I should actually persevere.  See it through.  At least, give it a bit more time and/or effort.  This is something I need to work on.  If I am too quick to quit on more trivial things..well, the attitude easily flows into more important things, and I don’t want that to happen.

Well, now I’ve put that out there.  Anything you need to work on?  Every once in a while, it is a good idea to see where potentially bad habits are forming – or maybe already have.  Sometimes, I think it is easier (in this stage of life) to overlook or be okay with less than the best of habits or ideas.  That’s not a good thing.  And is it just me but do I seem to say or refer to “this stage of life” a lot?  Am I getting old?  Can’t be:)  And moving on –

I hope you are still enjoying summer.  Like I mentioned earlier, we are halfway through the year.  Fall and (gasp) the holidays will be here before we know it.  Hold on to summer for as long as you can!!  Enjoy the sun.  The flowers.  The ice cream.  Even the humidity.  The alternative is not pretty my friends.  I hope you will come back on Monday!!

Share Four Somethings

Comments (15)

  1. Jennifer, I enjoyed reading about all of your four things for the month of July…especially that you were able to spend time with friends more than you normally get to. But the last one…NOTICED…is the one that really grabbed my attention. I have to admit that it has given me much food for thought. I’ve never thought of myself as a quitter…but I am finding that in a couple of areas I’m finding it easier to give in rather than persevering. Thank you so much for being honest…it’s what I love about your blog! Sending hugs.

  2. Lots of things to love this month! While we have had lots of rain and wind I don’t think we’ve had much in the way of thunderstorms…. but I’m okay with that. I used to love a good storm but these last few years they seem to be more and more destructive and not just noisy fun like I used to think of them as. Great job on your fitness challenge! I do so good on the week days but weekends are so much harder. I always blame my husband for that as he loves to suggest yummy things like going out to dinner or ice cream and usually at the last minute when I’m scrambling to rework my weight watchers points.

  3. Yah for no medical appointments. And spending a lot of time with a good friend. And for not throwing in the towel but remaining steadfast with your fitness challenge. A good month for you and I enjoyed reading about it :).

  4. It’s always a joy to spend time with good friends and I can tell just how much you enjoyed it.

  5. It sounds like you had a really good July. I’ve been walking a lot more often, but I still need to be more consistent. I’ll walk for several days straight and then won’t do it for several and so on and so on.
    You asked on my blog about the Hodgepodge questions, I couldn’t find your email, but here’s my answer. “The Hodgepodge is fun. Joyce almost always posts the questions on her blog on Tuesday. Then we go and copy them and put them up on our blog on Wednesday. When she posts her answers on Wednesday, she has a link-up at the bottom of that post for us to be able to link up and also see who else has played along. Hope you will join in. If you click on that hodgepodge button at the top (of my blog), it will take you to Joyce’s blog or here’s the link. http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

  6. I just wrote about switching up my exercise routine and eating better. When i do both I feel so much better! It’s simple but I slip so easily.

  7. I’m glad you enjoyed some time with friends this month and that you didn’t have any medical appointments. Well done with the walking and the healthy eating. That’s a great idea to do it with a friend to encourage each other to keep going.

  8. I think being a quitter can be a blessing. I’m someone who struggles to ever let something go. I keep doing things that no longer serve me or my phase of life (hobbies, projects, ministries, books ) and then feel guilty and sometimes look for ways to start doing that very thing again! I keep trying to add things without letting go of anything. You make a good point that it’s good to persevere, but it’s also healthy to leave things behind that no longer serve us or aren’t healthy for us.

  9. I have found that as I age I am more particular about what I choose to spend my time on. There is less of it left so it isn’t that I quit easier it’s just that I choose to spend less time on things that are not benefiting me. Your photo makes me long for a rainy day. It rained all of June here but hasn’t really rained much since then.

  11. What a wonderful recap of July! I loved reading about all the things you’ve been enjoying this month, from reconnecting with friends to your exciting new houseplants and summer pedicure colors. Your positive energy is truly contagious. Congrats on the fitness challenge success—it’s inspiring to see how it’s keeping you motivated and on track! Your reflections on quitting versus persevering were also really thought-provoking; it’s great that you’re taking the time to evaluate and improve. Here’s to a fantastic end of summer and a smooth transition into the rest of the year. Looking forward to your next post!

  12. How wonderful that you were able to spend that time with friends! I always look forward to my visits back to MD to spend time with family, but also to reconnect with my friends. I like that you have a friendly challenge to help you establish healthier patterns – what agreat idea! Hope you have a great August!

    1. Our little challenge has been helpful in a lot of ways, for sure. It has also been a bit stressful. We both agreed we will not be sorry when it is over – lol!!

  13. Jen, how special you got to spend time with friends. I’m happy to hear your new house plants are getting on well, mine are doing well too. You know what’s funny? I was trying to improve my coffee bar area space too. Yay, for winning the first three week check-in of the fitness challenge! Woo Hoo!
    Visiting today from S4S
    Sending have a great August wishes your way.

    1. It was nice to when that first check in of the challenge. The second three weeks, I did not do as well. Sigh. Ah well….glad you stopped by, Paula!

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