Fun Reads, Blogs, and Thoughts for a Summer Break

I hope each of our summers will include some time simply to rest and recharge.

I know this is hard for parents of young children! After we had 5 kids in 7 years, I quickly learned that vacation did not mean rest but instead running a family camp! John and I had to plan another time for a few days alone to rest! We all do need family time and if married, couple time. In our early years we traded kids with another couple so each of us couples could get away alone for a few days.  Once we had 5 kids, no one wanted to trade with us! 

Wherever you are in this season of life, my prayer for each of us is that we can grab some sabbath time this summer to recharge. My friend Jodie just wrote a great blog on this!

Here are some resources you might enjoy on your “vacation.”

My favorite authors to relax with:

• Jan Karon

• Louis L’Amour

• Diane Mott Davidson

• Peter Mayle

Still my favorite reads:

• The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts

• Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery

For Inspiration:

• How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCaulley

• Timothy Keller by Collin Hansen

For Spiritual Nourishment: 

• Liturgy in the Wilderness by Dan Marotta

• Treasures in the Dark by Katherine Wolf (New release! This is so good as we all go through hard times) My husband John is loving this too!

Here are some of my blogs you might like:

1. Is Resentment or Bitterness Building in Your Marriage? Here’s Help.

2. Raising “Other-Centered” Kids in a “Self-Centered” World

3. How NOT to Raise Entitled Kids: 27 Practical Ideas

4. Raising Your Kids to Leave Well: 6 Things to Consider

5. Do You Ask Your Kids What They Want for Dinner?

6. Ten Questions to Ask When Trying to Discern God’s Will

7. A Prayer for Teachers and Caregivers

8. How to Be a Great Mother-in-Law

My friend Melody and I are getting ready for our 8^th hike this August somewhere in the Pacific Crest/Mt Rainier area. Stay tuned! Here’s my hiking blog from last August!

If you want more ideas, check out my “favs” from last year!

I will be taking several weeks off from blogging to capture some Sabbath moments. My prayer for each of us is that we can find rest and restoration-even in brief spaces- during this summer and that He will flood us with His riches as we spend time in His word.  

“In vain you rise early and stay up late toiling for food to eat–for he grants sleep to those he loves.” (Psalm 127:2)

Father, we need that sleep– your rest, and many of us aren’t too good at making time for it. Please grant each of us your rest this summer.