• Intentional Living

    Lazy Days of Summer

    Reality check!?! Summer is flying by and before we know it school will be starting for many. How has your summer gone so far? If you are like me, it has gone fast and been busy. For most of us, it seems our summer weekends are booked long before summer starts. They are filled with vacations, family reunions, weddings, and more. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” We often think that winter brings an opportunity to slow down as the weather keeps us indoors. However, summer is the season to engage in slowing down as well. We can spend…

  • Intentional Living

    Faith on the Road

    For most of us, summer brings the opportunity to get in the car and take a trip or two. Whether it is a long-distance trek or a few days here and there, traveling interrupts our routines. Most of the time that is a wanted and much-needed interruption. However, interrupting our devotional and church-going routine is a different matter entirely. Psalm 139:7 says, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I feel from your presence?” Great news! God is a fabulous traveler and goes wherever we go and whenever we go. Our only job is to remain intentional about worshipping, praising, and being in communication with God. How…

  • Intentional Living

    The Lost Art of Backyard Camping

    This month our theme has been Simplicity in the Sun but we don’t want to forget the magic of the night! Camping is an amazing time to spend with family enjoying the outdoors. There is time for exploration and relaxation. A person can spend time fishing, hiking and so much more. The setting sun brings the sound of a crackling fire and ooey, gooey smores. The stars twinkle and we occasionally have the magic of a lighting bug to see. However, we most often now think of camping in an RV travel trailer that costs as much as a small house. It comes with all the bells and whistles and…

  • Intentional Living

    Weekend Plans: Another Family Reunion Picnic?

    Summers go so fast. I know for my family most weekends are planned long before summer even starts. With that being said, I wouldn’t miss any of it! I love all the mini-trips, the summer activities on the lake, and all the time spent with family. We currently have been on a string of extended family get-togethers. Growing up I looked at these extended family picnics as excruciating and painful. I knew no one but my siblings or immediate aunts and uncles at these events. My grandma preached about how important it was to connect with these people and was surprised I couldn’t recognize everyone.  As I have gotten older,…

  • Intentional Living

    Kid-Styled Picnics

    It’s summertime and what a fun way to celebrate summer other than with a picnic. If you have kids, picnics are always fun. For kids, picnics can be simple. It can be as simple as juice, fruit, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It is the time that we give our children during these picnics that they enjoy the most.   We have a great tree in our yard where my girls and I have laid out a blanket and enjoyed a picnic but there are also other great spots for these kid-styled picnics as well. My girls and I have also had picnics on our trampoline. If you have a…