July’s Joy has me celebrating with Heather Gerwing at Share Four Somethings in 2022. Share Four Somethings has four categories for our reflection: something loved, something gleaned, something braved (or saved), and something achieved.
July’s Joy – Something Loved
July 4th is my youngest daughter’s favorite holiday, so she was in charge of the weekend’s menu and celebrations. We had two children visit us from out-of-town and it was a joy to spend time with them.
We visited an orchard and brought home lots of fresh peaches which we thoroughly enjoyed with our meals and at snack time.
My husband grilled beef patties and chicken. I sliced the watermelon and cantaloupe. My son made bread rolls. And my daughter made deviled eggs, a peach pie and a blueberry pie. All were delicious!
My daughter and I went to the city’s fireworks display which was even more brilliant this year because of a passing rainstorm which blackened the sky and illuminated the fireworks more than usual.
Overall, it was a marvelous weekend of delicious food, great family conversations, and lots of laughter. We are so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in our great country. May God bless America!
July’s Joy – Something Gleaned
My husband and I attended United Rescue Alliance CERT Training. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. We learned practical skills for helping first responders in a disaster, such as a tornado.
The training did bring a level of confidence in several rudimentary first aid procedures which I am thankful I learned. However, it also made me realize how much I don’t know, so I’m motivated to do more training. My next step is to be certified in CPR.
July’s Joy – Something Braved
July had me tackling my closet. I had several stacks of books, a couple of small pictures, and several cloth file organizers all neatly stacked on the floor of my closet, but they were making it difficult to reach my clothes. And I was ready to have my closet floor clear again! So, I braved “the closet” task.
I gave away two stacks of books, and I found space on the bookshelves for the other two stacks of books. Hooray! That cleared a significant amount of closet floor space!
I arranged all the little pictures on my bookshelf, and now I can enjoy their beauty.
Dealing with the three cloth file organizers was my final task. It wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. I can’t believe it has taken me six months to address this issue as I am a huge organizer. Somehow, with a December wedding and Christmas, I put everything that didn’t have a “home” on the floor of my closet, and it just multiplied from there even after these two major events ended. Yes, two of the cloth organizers were leftover wedding items. But at last, the closet ‘stack of stuff’ has been dealt a fatal blow and all is well with my closet floor. Hallelujah!
July’s Joy – Something Achieved
I confess, I’m not a shopper. As a result, my clothes were beginning to show signs of wear, and I desperately needed to shop. Which is hard to do when you are NOT a shopper! Yesterday, I branched out of my comfort zone and ordered several tops from an online store. Hopefully, I achieved my goal for a few nice tops that are cute and comfortable! Here’s to a shopper achievement moment in time!
The Lord Bless You
Thank you for joining me in Share Four Somethings for July’s Joy. I look forward to hearing all that you have loved, gleaned, braved (or saved), and achieved this month – either in your post or in the comments below.
My prayer is for the Lord to bless you in your journey through life.
“Now to Him Who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP
Recommendations:
How to Find God – Strength with Dignity
How to Stand Amazed in God’s Presence – Strength with Dignity
References:
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
I’m linking up with the Share Four Somethings community through the linkup found here: HeatherGerwing.com #sharefoursomethings
12 thoughts on “July’s Joy”
Good for you on the clean up. I’m slowly doing this with all the kids stuff….trying to keep it out of landfill. It’s a lot of work. And I’m jealous of the fresh peaches. How delicious!! #ShareFourSomethings
Cleaning up an area takes mental, emotional and physical strength, Lydia! Persevere with your children’s things and you’ll be glad you did. The fresh peaches were delicious, but frozen peaches are very close, so you can still enjoy them. 🙂
Lisa, your July 4th celebration sounds lovely! I love gatherings where we all contribute and enjoy together! I enjoyed fireworks for the first time in many years!
Congratulations on the CERT training, we receive alot of those types of training (and CPR) at hospice and I think it is very valuable.
Congratulations on tackling your closet and ordering some clothes! I absolutely HATE shopping, and my clothes are in need of updating too-online shopping is hit or miss for me, mostly miss…hope you have better luck!
Aw a fellow non-shopper! I’m glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t like to shop! I’m sure you have great training at the hospice, Donna, and you’re right, all the training is valuable. I’m glad you were able to enjoy the fireworks this year!
Lisa, it sounds like a great month!! Cleaning things out is awful but it is always great when it is finished!!! 4th of July sounds like it was a lot of fun. I hope you have another great month!
Deep cleaning can be challenging, Cindy, but you’re so right – it’s worth it! July 4th was a great time for our family, and I’m rejoicing with your family in your July travels.
Hooray for a clean closet AND cute new clothes hanging in it!!:) I enjoyed your look at July…and, yes, you July Fourth celebration sounds lovely. And yummy!! Fresh peaches AND blueberry pie!!:)
I’m enjoying my closet floor, Jennifer, and I’m amazed it took me so long to tackle the project, but sometimes that’s just how it is! The peaches were delicious! And the blueberry pie is her specialty though we rarely have the treat.
Congrats on getting some cleaning done. I always enjoy organizing and tidying up my bookshelves.
Thanks, Megan! I am an administrative and organizing guru, but my closet became the staging place for everything that didn’t have a “home” and eventually that became a project in itself.
I have quickly discovered how my closet (this is my first ever walk-in) has quickly become a hiding spot for many things!!
It’s amazing how we use our closets as a staging area, Heather!