The J-J Months

June and July...they are different sorts of months...right in the middle of sometimes crazy and sometimes lazy summer days. I was blessed to go to Mackinac Island with my daughter's class the first few days of June. It was a lovely trip that included a ferry ride to the island, tour of a deer park, two fort tours, a buggy tour of the island, shopping and a trip through the Soo Locks.

After a family reunion in Kentucky, my family (minus the two that don't live at home) took a detour and visited the Creation Museum. The Planetarium show was everyone's favorite, except for me. I get motion sickness, so I just relaxed in the chairs and listened. But the displays were great, including the gardens and petting zoo.

Also in June, I rented a cabin on the campground where my daughter was attending church camp. It was a great opportunity to be near her and watch her from afar at times. She sang in a group and with the choir in evening service, and I popped in each night to listen. I also had a lot of free time that I put to good use in prayer, reading and giving a new book a final edit.

I'm really excited about "Insight on Ministry from a Christmas Tree Farm," and was so thankful for this alone time to finish the  manuscript. Before I left home for the campground I had set up an appointment at Gusty Farms, a Christmas Tree farm nearby. I toured the grounds and asked the Lord to speak to me from what I saw, and He did! I received the end of the book, and I can't wait to share it with you...hopefully in October.

Mid July I had a fantasticalistic time with the girls at First Apostolic Church in Toledo. We did two teaching sessions on "The Girl in the Dress" with a lunch break in between. I love the looks on their faces when I present this very practical teaching on modesty. Hey...we've got to be real and we've got to be relevant. If not, I might as well stay home and scrapbook.

The last weekend of the month, I was happy to attend the Michigan District Ladies Retreat. So nice to just marinate in the presence of the Lord and hear the good Word of the Lord from the speakers. Of course hanging with all my girlfriends was a big bonus, and I did have Affirming Faith resources available in a display area.

There's much more, but those are the highlights of the J-J Months. One day left and we're in to August and the beginning of a new school year and a relatively calm travel month to prepare for a heavy Fall conference schedule. I hope I will connect with some of you at the events listed in the column at right.

Blessings to you, and thank you for taking time to stop by the blog.

Also in July, I was asked to fill the position of the Michigan State Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer. After prayer and consulting with my husband and pastor, I agreed to accept the position. The transition has been made, but there's a lot still to put into motion. I look forward to being at the annual Leadership Summit in Colorado Springs in October for an official commissioning service with Mrs. Shirley Dobson.