Rest.

So, I've been learning a lot the past 2 weeks on the importance of REST. After a FULL/FUN/CHALLENGING/BEAUITFUL/REFINING year of launching ministries--I think I've forgotten how to slowwww down. (And, sometimes I start to feel guilty for slowing down, yikes!) My prayer for the summer is that even though it will be busy that I will :embrace: the little moments to rest/restore.

Here are little -daily- things that help me(& hopefully you)rest/relax:(most of which are under $5)
*Trader Joe's Sparkling LIME Spring water! (.79!) This is a new love of mine. It's a GREAT calorie free complement to any snack, meal. *This has made limiting my Dr. Pepper consumption to 2/week easier:)
*Saturday morning blog reading!
*Last week I got a Library card! I wanna start reading more fiction books this summer...the first one I checked out::: The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks(don't hate)...i'm on page 160 of 390...so far it's pretty average but i am interested in how it will all end. What other books do you think I should check out this summer? I'd LOVE to hear suggestions!
*Playing Skipbo with Bri at Starbucks or Norfolk Ice Cream!
*Walking through our neighborhood with a good friend or a good talk on my Ipod(Louie Giglio,Francis Chan, Piper, Priscilla Shirer...). I need to blog about our neighborhood sometime-it's one of my TOP fav things about living in Norfolk.
*Watching Everybody LOVES Raymond reruns with Bri(&popcorn.)
*Trying new recipes! Cooking=rest to me. My summer goal is to try a new/fun recipe each week. Let me know if you have a good one I should try.
*Today to rest I woke up at 6:15am and cracked the window open so that I could clearly hear the birds singing. I know it sounds crazy but it was actually REALLLLY interesting to hear all the different songs birds sing.
*Curling up with any of the Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection magazines. Especially 100 Decorating Ideas under $100. It only comes out 4 times a year--I get really pumped when there is a new issue!
*Workbooks! Last summer I did the Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed workbook by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur. This summer I am working on the "sequel" to that book, Faithful, Abundant, True. It's by the same 3 women. Love it. Has been a GREAT encouragement in my walk with the Lord.
*There's a dog park in my neighborhood! This dog park is always BUMPIN'! On average there are 15-20 dogs with 15-20 people standing around. I haven't gotten the courage YET but I am hoping to slip in without someone noticing that I am coming in without a dog...when i'm in I can just play with all the dogs(no one will know i'm dogless)..and then somehow I will slip out. This will def help me rest:) ha.