Recently my in-laws were visiting from out of state. Along with all of their luggage and gear, my father-in-law brought 7-8 boxes of old photo albums that needed to be sorted. His own mother had recently transitioned out of her home, and he was spearheading the slow removal of a lifetime of her possessions. His goal during their 6 day visit was to sort through and take out all of the pictures from every photo album. I watched him literally spend hours sitting in our lazy boy in the living room sorting through each album.

It’s the end of the month again-how did that happen so fast? You’ve been coordinating a mission trip for the last few weeks, meeting one-on-one with college students for discipleship, and helping run a youth program. A LOT has happened, and you are reflecting on all of the amazing things God has done. Then it hits you, it’s time to do a ministry newsletter. It’s going to take forever to cover all of this.

It’s a sunny afternoon in July, and I am sitting in my favorite spot of our house-our front porch. It’s nap time for my little girl and these few fleeting hours are when I get a chance to meet with the Lord, collect my thoughts, and get a little work in. As a backdrop to doing dishes, folding laundry, training for a half marathon and a myriad of other daily activities, I’ve been listening to Ruth Haley Barton’s Sacred Rhythms.

Over the course of the last year, I have been reflecting on Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”