Celebration Part 2

This is the time of year that is busiest for me at work. I often work longer hours and that's tough when it's that last few weeks before the kids start back to school. However, I took a 1/2 day on Wednesday afternoon to spend with my son. He graduated in May as the Valedictorian at his high school, but he was not notified of a celebration at the Governor's Mansion and we missed it. When I found out about the event, I contacted a person that I knew was involved and asked what happened. They said other students were also unable to attend and the Governor had offered to have them visit the state capitol and have a photo with him. Hence the reason I took off one afternoon during my busiest time of the year.

We had a quick lunch and headed to Atlanta. We walked through Liberty Plaza and saw a replica of the Liberty Bell - very cool. Next we explored the Capitol, seeing the rotunda and the portraits of past Governors. Finally, he got his 5 minutes with Governor Kemp. When Gov. Kemp saw me taking a photo, he invited me to have a picture with him and my son. :)

As we left, we came upon a memorial to Georgians who fought and died during the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries. It was beautiful and I really enjoyed experiencing that with my son. Overall it was a fantastic day that I got to celebrate with my first born.

Proverbs 23:24-25 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice. 

No Anxious Mind

We all need rest. We all need those occasional escapes from our every day lives. We all should take a vacation. It renews the body, spirit and mind - if you successfully remove the stress you normally feel. That's always my goal on vacation, but it's not always easy when your kids are young. This year my 13 year old and I planned a trip to the beach.

I recalled that in previous years, I was almost always her entertainment committee. "Mom, let's go to the beach. Mom, let's go to the pool. Mom, let's..." My goal was to avoid that again by having one of her friends go with us. It was a risk no doubt, however, I told her to ask her 'lowest maintenance friend'. After explaining what I meant, she declared her BFF to be that person. Fortunately, she was correct. They were both easy going, pleasant, willing to help out, and truly good travel partners.

As for me, it gave the chance to really relax, enjoy the sun, read a couple books and not care about the time or needing to expend energy making sure someone else had fun. I think it was the most relaxed I've been in years. :)

Luke 12:29-30 And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 

Liberty

We celebrated America's Independence Day this week across the land. Some people watched fireworks, some enjoyed a day at the lake, some had cookouts, and some had to work. I was fortunate to have a few days away from the office, for which I was ever so grateful. I had my ideal day. I spent the morning reading a book while drinking my Hawaiian coffee. I grilled out for the first time in years, which I hope to do more often now. When the sun set, I was in the swing on my back porch watching neighbors send some fireworks into the air.

As I look back on the day and week, I am very thankful to live in the US. I am thankful for the liberty we enjoy, for those who gave us our freedom and those who help us keep that freedom. I am not imprisoned or enslaved. I am given the liberty to choose the kind of day wanted to experience. I am also given the ability to choose true liberty.

II Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.