another year, another streetwalk! i know last year i mentioned that i was a little disappointed in the event compared to previous years, but the organizers this year did an excellent job. i thought the length was just right (3-7 p.m.), and there were plenty of activities going on at different points on the street pretty much the whole time.
we ran into many familiar faces along the way, and it made the streetwalk experience so much more enjoyable that way.
the kids had fun (although...don't ask about the thunderstorm and emma's dramatics that happened while we were at the root for dinner post streetwalk). the parents had fun. it was a good day.
i don't know if you've noticed, but it has been rather quiet around here (there are a few spurts here and there, but nothing consistent. right?). aside from the fact that it's summer and we're spending more time outside rather than holed up inside, i have been busy working on a few projects.
there have been a few birthday projects like this personalized hairband...
custom work (10 monogrammed cuffs) for a soon to be married couple's groomsmen...
a pair of shorts from bed sheets for the dude (because i ran out of clean ones for him to wear)...
and custom work for a very particular little girl which i FINALLY finished after starting it 4 months ago...
i've had a few days free from sewing and embroidery work, which has allowed me to catch up on other things (umm...like updating this poor, neglected blog). but i don't think i can stay away for long. i feel my fingers itching to stitch again.
the heart is an amazing thing. just when you think it's filled to capacity with love, when you think you are loving as much as you possibly can, there's always room for more. so much more to the point of love overflowing...
we have been loving summer, loving the outdoors and loving being in the moment. we have been busy. there's been a lot going on (the good, the bad and the mediocre), and so blogging has sometimes taken a back seat (and believe me, i have so many blog posts written out in my head that i would love to type up).
i feel like i'm living in a dream. i feel exhausted. so tired yet my brain won't turn off to allow for rest, because it's going a mile a minute...
(maybe if i just write it all out...)
...thoughts that consume me of people i love that are experiencing much pain. it is a welcome "burden" to be praying for them daily. even to the point that i can't fall asleep until i have done so.
it's hard to watch things fall apart before your very eyes. seeing devastation that affects me and the people i love. it's hard because you feel like there's nothing you can do. it feels so out of control. it feels hopeless.
a friend of ours offered some very wise words last night that i've been mulling over all day:
"there needs to be brokenness before healing can happen."
when things fall apart, don't make sense or feel out of control all i can do is hold on to the only truth i have: Jesus.
i know he is in control, and all i need to do is trust, even when i have no idea what will happen. now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. at present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him (hebrews 2:8).
i know in all this brokenness he brings us redemption, healing, grace and mercy, because his love for us goes beyond our understanding. for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us, as a father shows compassion on his children, so the lord shows compassion to those who fear him (psalm 103:11-13).
i don't know what the future holds, and i don't know how things will work out. but i have faith that God will work things out. now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (hebrews 11:1).
there is still so much going on. so much to consider. so much to understand. so much to pray for. but despite all that i am thankful that i have hope...
we have been loving summer, loving the outdoors and loving being in the moment. we have been busy. there's been a lot going on (the good, the bad and the mediocre), and so blogging has sometimes taken a back seat (and believe me, i have so many blog posts written out in my head that i would love to type up).
what makes a block party? the food? the music? the activities? the weather? obviously, they can contribute into making any party (not just a block party) fun, but i think PEOPLE are really what makes a party successful.
threats of rain and thunderstorms held off long enough for our street's very first block party. we had such a fantastic time, and loved being able to chat with our neighbors. the kids played hard and made some new friends. the grown ups played hard and made some new friends. and by the end of the night everyone slept quite soundly!
there was a ton of food, many activities and a great turn out. many thanks to the local businesses that donated to the event: buckeye beer engine (yes, you should be jealous of the delicious brewskie i got to sample), rozi's wine house, and lakewood YMCA to name a few.
it was awesome to see community support for the event, and for our street to come together and party! thanks, neighbors!
sharing is caring, but please give credit when using images and content from this blog. feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions: herethereadventuresATgmail.com. thanks, friends!
