Party Time

I have been to 3 parties this week. The last party prior to this was probably...uh, I don't recall. The first one was at my house on Thursday to introduce some natural supplements that I have been using and wanted to share. It was a lot of fun to hear my house filled with laughter!

The next two were celebrations on Saturday. One was for the accomplishments of a new friend. It was a surprise party, orchestrated by her husband. He took her on a trip out of town while we gathered at their house. They actually hid our cars in a chicken house so she wouldn't know we were there until she got inside the house. It was crazy fun!

Lastly, we had a family reunion of my Dad's cousins. It was so great seeing everyone and sitting around talking for a few hours. We were especially thankful to be together with the man who hosts the event at his house. He had been critically injured three weeks ago, but was determined to keep the party going! He's healing and will remain in a neck brace throughout the summer, but he was smiling and enjoying the day.

Three parties - old friends, new friends and family. It doesn't get much better than that!

Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

Wings

My son wants to be a pilot. He's 16 and just returned from a 7-day flight camp at Johnson Flight Academy in Mattoon, IL. To say he was happy would be an understatement. But it wasn't all fun and games. There were written tests, ground flight school and high winds keeping them grounded for several afternoons.

Although the middle of the week consisted of monotonous practice (said he did about 50 touch-and-gos), he flew all he could (10.3 hrs) and did multiple pre-solo flights. Those were flights unassisted by the instructor, with no directions at all. He was in total control and earned his wings from the Civil Air Patrol! It was so good to have him back home, but you could see the excitement dancing in his eyes. It won't be long until he's up in the air again.

I've been asked if it makes me nervous. No, I'm excited that he has found a passion that may become his career. I'll trust God to keep directing his path and providing the protection he needs, because he will never really fly alone.

Psalm 17:18 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

Frustration and Relief

I was back at work this week and I could definitely tell I had been away. It typically takes a few hours just to sort through emails before I can actually work. We had orientation for new students, which only added to the chaos of the week. I've been working on some things for fall and was slowly but surely getting them on track. I encountered a couple of problems that were going to delay the launch, so for the sake of accuracy I asked for more time. The answer was no.

I had been in a good mood, but it quickly turned sour. I had planned to take off Friday, but that was no longer feasible. Instead, I worked Friday and Saturday. I feel like I got several days worth of work done in just that one day. No emails, interruptions or noise. I was exhausted when I left, but felt accomplished because I will meet my deadline after a bit of clean-up on Monday. 

A couple of good things came from my frustration. I was upset enough to want to work the extra day; I no longer have this enormous weight on my shoulders; and I get to take off at least one day next week. :)

Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.

An Almost Vacation

It was conference week for me, but this time I took my 11-year-old and mom. We were at Callaway Gardens for 3 days. While I attended meetings, they would take the car and go exploring. I joined them once for an excursion to the butterfly house and the chapel, but they were able to break away to the swimming pool, various restaurants and even some historical sites. My mom took the child to Warm Springs and the Little White House (against her will) and amazingly, she actually enjoyed her history lessons about FDR. :)

It was the 50th Anniversary celebration for GASFAA, so there were lots of activities planned. My daughter joined me for bingo, a funny photo booth and we had our caricatures done. It was a very busy but fun week.

Honestly, if I had another day there, I would have loved to take a bike and explore the many trails and history of Callaway. The grounds were beautiful and even in the rain you could feel His majesty surrounding you.

Psalm 145:5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.