Rainy Days and Mondays

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.
What I've got they used to call the blues
Nothin' is really wrong
Feelin' like I don't belong
Walkin' around
Some kind of lonely clown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.
Funny but it seems I always wind up here with you
Nice to know somebody loves me
Funny but it seems that it's the only thing to do
Run and find the one who loves me.
What I feel has come and gone before
No need to talk it out
We know what it's all about
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.


These are the words to an old song done by the Carpenters. Now I don't know about the rainy days - because it never rains in Hanover. But Mondays definitely get me down. Craig left this morning as he usually does every week. I usually feel at loose ends, a little off center on Mondays. Doing my devotions helps some, as does the knowledge that by the time Tuesday comes I feel level again, better able to have direction to my day, less blue. So for today I'll hang onto the One who is always with me, always loves me: "What a friend I have in Jesus." And I'll look forward to Tuesday.

PS- My daughter comes home in 14 days. I can't wait!

A Great Wedding

Today Craig and I went to the wedding of a friend of Jeff. Jason and Brielle were married outdoors in one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever attended. They got married at Brielle's house. Her pastor officiated, and I could tell what a big heart he has - for both God and Brielle. He said some great things about being married. I hope that the ceremony was taped because I'm sure Jason and Brielle won't really remember what he said. Both Jason and Brielle wrote their own vows. I had tears running down my cheeks after I heard them. But the most touching moment of all was when Brielle washed Jason's feet. She had prerecorded a tape that they played while she was washing his feet and on it she explained why she wanted to do this at her wedding. Just weeks after they got engaged they went on a mission trip to Mississippi. While they were there they participated in a foot washing ceremony and she said that it changed their lives. So she decided to wash Jason's feet to show everyone that she is committed to serving him and loving him and taking care of him for the rest of their lives. It was a wonderful wedding. (Even more so because Brenton read the scripture for the ceremony, Jeff was an usher, and we got to show off our grandchildren and play with them after the ceremony!)
May God richly bless your marriage and your life together, Jason and Brielle!

Back from vacation

I am finally back home, and I am glad to say that it feels good to be home. I spent most of the month of July up at our cabin. Craig and I had a week up there together over July 4th. Then he went back to work and I came home one day a week to check on the mail, cut the grass, and pay bills before heading back up north. Craig was able to bring the truck up there almost every weekend so that I did not have to meet him at home. I ended the month by having my girlfriend, Michelle, come up for a couple of days. We spent our time talking, going out on the lake, talking some more, reading, going out for ice cream, and talking. It was a great time.
It was a good month. Craig and I enjoyed working around the cabin together. We spent time out on the lake, and made many meals together on our Weber grill. We had Brenton and Steph and the grandkids up one weekend and we enjoyed sharing our love of the cabin with them. Aaron came up for a night, and Jeff stopped over one weekend too. We had fun playing cribbage and ladder golf with Aaron. When I was up there by myself I worked hard on Carrie's scrapbook (which I should have had done a month ago). I made some cards. I stained the outside of the cabin and our picnic house with the help of my mother-in-law. I did some painting inside the cabin too. I read several good books, including The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks and In An Instant by Lee & Bob Woodruff. My mother-in-law lives up there and she had me over for several meals. After we ate we'd watch the MN Twins on tv.I did some growing this month. I learned that I can be up there by myself and do okay. I learned that I needed to lean on the Lord when I felt lonely. And I learned that I do better when I have a routine to follow or tasks to be done. It was hardest when I didn't have specific plans. I learned that I can't fix my kids' problems now that they are adults- all I can do is pray for them and realize that God loves them even more than I do so He will be with them through their trials. I learned to pray instead of worry. Finally, I learned to be thankful for each day and to try to enjoy it.
I woke up at the cabin last Thursday and said to myself, "It's time to go home." I packed the car, said goodbye to the cabin, and came home.
So now I am looking forward to going back to work on August 1. I have had a good vacation, and I feel rested and re-energized. I am so thankful that God has given me: a job where I get time offin the summer, a beautiful cabin up north, and a wonderful family to share it with.