Church Outside

The new order in our state is that indoor locations can only operate at 25 percent capacity, which means our church service had to be held outside, as well as continued online.  In the sweltering mid-90 degree weather with beads of sweat soaking my face, I sat there reveling in how thankful I am that we can still worship.  Our church has done a phenomenal job making sure that the services would still be available to us.  I loved being able to sit on my living room couch in my pajamas with a cup of coffee in hand while we streamed the services each week but now I'm glad we can meet face to face with our church family again.

The reason I haven't been up in arms panicky through these last few months is because I have faith in believing that through it all God has a plan and a purpose.  He didn't create the virus but he has plans on helping us through it and will meet us at the other side of it.  Hopefully by then we can become better, more grateful people appreciating all that we have been given on this earth.  I really do believe that as a world, as well as a nation, we needed a wake up call.

Enjoy life, we don't know when it will be our last day.

Just A Little Update on Life Right Now

I've been wanting to write in here but I just don't know what to say aside from anything that would sound like a total downer.  It's the life we are living right now.  In the midst of a pandemic, tons of violence, history being erased, and the uneasy feeling of what to do about school in the fall, etc.  It's all too overwhelming.  I am so thankful for my faith because that's the only thing that's keeping my head above water.

I have been watching recordings of the superintendent's Zoom staff meetings and I am keeping an open mind and kindness in my heart knowing that this is new territory for everyone - staff, teachers, parents.  We are all overwhelmed with decisions on what will be best and how to go about reopening schools safely.  Today I heard the governor say that it's possible he'll toss aside the idea of allowing schools to reopen for in person in the fall, and I'm expecting it.  So, we're at an unknown right now and I'm doing my best to just take it one day at a time.  It will work out.  It has to.  This is a serious virus but I do feel the government is using it for their political motives and it's sad.  I am staying alert and listening to all that's going on around me and it fills me with anxiety until I remember that there is only One in total control over everything and I'm leaning on Him throughout it all.

"In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world" -- John 16:33

I've been filling my time with housework, time with the kids, and writing my book.  Ugh, this manuscript will be the death of me.  I'm still working through the first draft and have reached over 26,000 words.  I have goals set and I'm hoping to reach them by the end of this month.  My favorite part about fictional writing is that it transforms me into another life and as I'm typing away the real world around me fades away.  That is why, as a child, I wrote a lot.

The other day as I was sitting at the desk with my laptop in front of me, typing away at my story, my husband handed me a piece of his Dove chocolate.  I opened it and these were the words inside.  So, I keep this by my laptop as I continue to write.

Sometimes I feel like writing a book is silly and not worth it.  If anything, it's simply just therapeutic for me so if nothing comes from this and if I don't get it published at least it gave me something to focus on.  But as I'm typing I have already thought about how I can write the sequel to it.  I also have other book ideas.  Wherever God leads me I will go.

I have a personal Instagram page but decided to start another one, that will be kept open to the public, which will give me a place to share my writing journey.  You can follow me on Instagram at: dawnmariewrites if you're interested.  I haven't shared that information with anyone yet.

Well, I'm going to head off here and hopefully write at least 1,000 more words in my book and then get through the endless mess of housework that needs done all while keeping two kids entertained.  Hubby has been back to work at the office.

C'est la vie as the French say!

Parents Visit And Baseball

My parents decided to come over on Independence Day and after four months it was great to see them again.  We stayed outside in the front yard and kept our distance as best as we could, hung out, chatted, watched hubby set off some of the small ground fireworks and by evening there were huge fireworks all around us.  Because of Covid a lot of places weren't holding any firework shows and, well, now fireworks are legal to purchase (but not legal to set off in neighborhoods but people didn't care).  It was cool to see.  With so much going on right now I'm grateful to still have our freedom, even if it feels a little different right now. 

Then we saw my parents again a few days later when they came to watch my son's baseball game.  They came sporting the baseball team's shirts and hats and watched their grandson with pride. 

My dad has been doing a phenomenal job taking care of my mother but the thought of her getting this virus is scary.  Those two looked so happy to finally get out of the house and among people.  So, so glad. 

My son always did well when the coach was pitching to him but once he moved to kid pitch he seemed to have trouble hitting the ball.  Being a small kid means his strike zone is small so he usually gets walked anyway.  He had a hit in that game that was so amazing and made us all happy.  He thought he could make it to second but changed his mind knowing that they would get him out so he rushed back to first, and it brought in 2 RBIs. 

I'm not sure if that video will work for viewing but if it does excuse our cheering.  That hit came to us as quite a shock. He's doing so well this year. 

The next day he was asked to fill in on the middle school team, which is the team he'll be on next year.  The team lost but he did well.  He was the smallest on the team and it shocked them all to see how far he could throw.  Then yesterday we went to the game, my parents arrived also, and then they delayed as a storm was coming in.  We made it to our cars as the rain started pouring down and then it was decided to not have the game.  The field was too soaked. 

The summer days have been hot but it's nice to be out. 

Happy Homemaker Monday - 6/29/20

Good morning and happy Monday!!!!  Joining Sandra at Happy Homemaker Monday again.  Here we go ...

♥♥The Weather♥♥
Hello summer!  I'll add the temps here but the forecast keeps changing day to day

Monday - Sunny, 90
Tuesday - Sunny, 88
Wednesday - Showers, 86
Thursday - Showers, 90
Friday - Showers, 92
Saturday -  Showers, 86
Sunday - Partly Cloudy, 84


♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥
I'm okay, the dermatologist gave me a cream for my face and I've been breaking out like crazy.  Ugh!    


♥♥On my mind♥♥
I'm feeling bummed that my dad canceled coming over for a 4th of July bbq.  We haven't seen my parents since March.  Because of my mom's health my dad has been wanting to keep her home so she doesn't get exposed to the virus.  If she gets the virus it can kill her.  I understand that but it's sad.  He keeps planning to see us "next month" and then changes it.  I don't feel that this virus will ever go away and now he's thinking about waiting until there's a vaccine, and who knows when that will be, and I am not confident in trusting the vaccine.  I've already decided I will not be getting it.  I'm sure my dad will require me to in order to see my mom, but I will most likely not and that puts me in a tough position.  I've definitely come to change my mind on how I had felt about all of this virus stuff.  I now see how important it really was to close school and businesses.  I wear my face mask when I go out and attempt to keep myself distant from people.  It frustrates me when I hear people talk about what an "inconvenience" it is that they have to give up their rights to help save others.  Very sad.  I've also been trying to figure out what to do with my kids come fall.  The school is planning on giving parents the choice of going in person or online learning.  I just don't know what to do.

In regards to what's been going on in the nation, I realize too, just how important all of it is but I'm so mentally exhausted from it all and decided I needed a break.  A break from social media, from the news, and from thinking about it.  There are things going on in my personal life that are exhausting me too … so I've been pouring my extra time into reading and writing.

In the words of Sebastian from The Little Mermaid "The human world, it's a mess!"  

♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥
A bowl of honeynut cheerios and a cup of coffee.  I'm actually on my second cup now.    


♥♥On my reading pile♥♥
Forgiven by Karen Kingsbury 



♥♥On my tv♥♥
Last night I was browsing channels and came across some old episodes of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  I used to love watching that show with my husband and my kids were getting into it too.  
Right now my son is playing a video game with his friend Lucas (and Lucas is at his house), thankful for technology that allows my kids to still play with their friends when they can't be with them.  Lucas moved across the state last month.         


♥♥On the menu this week♥♥
Pasta for tonight.  Quick and easy meal because we have to eat fast and then run to my son's baseball game.  My husband is working so as soon as he gets home there isn't much time to sit.  

I need to run to the grocery store today so I can plan the rest of the week.  *I don't know why the font keeps changing and no matter what I do it doesn't fix.  


♥♥From the camera♥♥
Yesterday our church held a retirement parade for our pastor.  He's served at the church for 31 years.  I came to this church over 18 years ago and I can say it's the best church I've ever been too and this pastor has truly inspired me and touched me with all of his messages I have heard.  He started with the church of about 65 people and it's now over 1,000.

  

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥
It's a mess, so don't come over.  The kids have their stuff everywhere, the floors can used a sweeping and I have piles of laundry on the floor ready to take their turn in the washer.  


♥♥Chore I'm not looking forward to today, or this week♥♥
Lawn mowing in the HEAT!!!  


♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥
Read my book and write.  I've been writing a book and I'm happy with how it's going.  As a busy mom it's been a slow moving process but it's getting done.                           

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥
Our nation
This virus
Personal issues with myself, my family, and friends
The President/The governor of my state