Currently Hodgepodging

Good morning & Happy 1st day of July!

 It has been pretty quiet in my world and I have been processing a lot the past few days, but I am joining in today with 2 of my favorites...Hodgepodge and Currently!

 1. What do you love most about your country? 

I love all the freedoms we have.  Just a few of the freedoms that come to mind are being able to worship, drive a car, travel, walk outside,  and access to medical care. I am always thankful to be a US citizen, regardless who is in office.  From my time abroad, I have a deeper appreciation for our country and learned a lot from citizens of other nations. 

2. Your favorite patriotic song? 

I am going to choose America the Beautiful.

I love the references to the beauty of our country, God's grace that has been shown to us and the sacrifice of so many. I do think America is beautiful.  While we aren't as old as places in Europe, we have a beautiful country to explore!  My desire to leave the country is less and less.  However, there are a few more places I would love to see or re-visit.  But, I also want to visit more places in the USA and Canada too. I feel fortunate that I have traveled a lot, but can still name some great places I haven't visited.

3. Red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Something you own besides a US flag with some combination of those colors or decorations as part of its design? 

I love all 3 colors!  I have some USA decor, but haven't pulled it out this year.  I am thankful and celebrating, but this holiday will be bittersweet for us here.  It marks the one year anniversary of the Texas floods.  We are still in touch with the mom of my daughter's dear friend who lost her life in that event.  If you think of them, will you pray for this mom? And pray for all of the other families who lost family members last year on this day too.

Thank you and moving on to the next question...Stripes over stars, but I like both.

My first house was nicknamed Lady Liberty because it essentially was decorated like 4th of July year round! Not excessively, but I did have flag decor throughout my house.  I am sure I have pictures of this somewhere, but this was way before cell phones and before I was married.  I bought my first home when I was 23 and owned it for 4 years.

4. What's one thing you want more of this summer: fun, rest, adventure, connection, quiet, or confidence? Elaborate. 

I would vote for connection.  I miss the connection piece knowing I always have someone to call at anytime, but I will also say, it makes me more dependent on crying out to the Lord when I can't call a friend. It was a lonely weekend without anyone to call about some things, but I am always grateful for the growth I have had being alone and dependent on Him instead of another person. 

I also would love more confidence & who wouldn't want a little more fun?

5. What was your ultimate, go-to summer activity when you were a kid? Do you still do any version of that today? If you answered yes, does participating in this activity as an adult make you feel like a kid?  

I can't help but think of summers at my grandparents house.  We played outside all the time.  They lived on about 100 acres, so there was no shortage of where to play!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sparkling – What is currently “sparkling” in your life?

Gosh, this was a hard one for me.  The only answer I can think of are a few of my Spotify playlists.  They are a mix of Abba, Lisa Marie Presley, Teddy Swims, Taylor Swift, Huey Lewis, Prince and Harry Styles to name a few.

Grilling/Cooking 

I don't do much of either.  I did cook some bacon on Saturday and it turned out perfect! I usually try to cook breakfast on Saturday's, but it is usually just bacon and eggs.

Heating up 

It is warming up to be our hottest week of the summer! Oh my, the air feels oppressive.  However, I was still able to walk to church on Sunday and I still love doing this. I haven't driven to church since Easter!

Using 

With the heat, I am trying to use my indoor walking pad and vibration plate a few times a week for movement.  I need to use it even more, but I just get lazy honestly.  I don't do well walking outside in the heat.  

Celebrating 

My daughter received her actual college diploma in the mail this week and it seemed like a celebration all over again.  I played Pomp and Circumstance on my phone as she opened it :). I am celebrating that my older daughter starts a new position next month with her work. I am celebrating that I am going away on vacation and thinking about some fall trips too.

Hope your week is going well and thanks for reading!