I was having trouble focusing. I was worn out, feeling desperate. So last weekend I booked a hotel room and took myself on a retreat to the town of Winchester, VA, about an hour from here. I explored local thrift stores, watched some movies, and tried some small local restaurants (this Peruvian chicken place was the absolute best).

I needed quiet. I needed rest. I needed to hear from the Lord. Does anyone else have a hard time admitting, or even discerning, what they need at times?

I brought a notebook and wrote down some areas of my life and asked God to show me anything I needed to hear in these areas. They included these areas: physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, business, parenting, marriage, friendship, ministry, church.

I walked away with a few things in mind moving forward. They include checking in with a professional counselor a few times a year and finding ways to continue learning and growing in Scripture.

You know what I didn’t hear from God when I slowed down? I didn’t hear condemnation or driving anxiety. Instead, I felt God’s compassion and mercy for me. I felt God’s help and hope.

On Sunday morning, I walked through the Mount Hebron Cemetary. It was warm, but cool in the shade as I wandered and read the headstones. I find it interesting to read the snippets of the legacies people leave behind, the things they wanted the living to ponder.

Something about pondering the brevity of life is encouraging to me. It brings perspective to things like parenting and marriage that can feel intensely difficult in the moment.

I was encouraged by the weekend. God is faithful, has been faithful, will be faithful.

Here are a few pictures from the last few months:

MAY AND APRIL IN PICTURES

I painted some new hymns and will be ordering the prints soon!

On a somber note, I’m heartbroken over the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. I send my kids to public school and had to tell them about what happened. I hate it so much.

If appreciate these voices speaking out against gun violence and FOR creating a culture of care, reconciliation, and human dignity:

• Sandy Hook Promise: a foundation formed by parents of children murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. They do school programs that aim to build healthy school cultures and prevent violence. They also advocate for common sense gun policies.
  
• Shane Claiborne is a Christian activist who wrote a book called Beating Guns: Hope for People who are Weary of Violence*, which I hope to read soon.
  
• I also appreciated this article from David French: “Pass and Enforce Red Flag Laws. Now.”

I’ve contacted my representatives and senators about the measures I think should be taken. 💔

And just like that, it’s June and summer here in the States! I hope that you are well and encouraged today in the love our great God and Savior has for you.

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all good things