Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Goodbye, July!…and Grace and Truth Link Up

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I still have a vacation with my best friend’s family to look forward to.  Otherwise, I might feel like our summer is practically over.  I can’t believe how quickly my kids will return to academia.  So before it gets away from me, I’m thinking back on our July.

 

A wedding in Austin, Texas kicked off the festivities.  A dear friend married off her last kiddo at a beautiful resort with a scrumptious dinner and fun DJ.  I enjoyed getting all dressed up with the hubs.  It’s been a while.  The next morning we stopped at a hole in the wall donut shop on our way back home.  We met Vanilla Ice there.  And no, we did not stop, collaborate, or listen!  We also saw this homespun motorcycle  (below) at a gas station.

You can’t make this stuff up!

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On Independence Day, we went to church with Chuck’s brother and family to witness my niece’s baptism.  Then spent the afternoon eating and visiting.  No fireworks or cookouts, but I got to stay in air conditioned comfort the entire time.  That’s how this avid indoorsman prefers to celebrate.

 

Shelby went to her 2nd summer camp while her sister stayed with my parents and served in their church for the week.  So proud of Allie giving away 3 weeks of her summer (between my parents’ church and ours) to serve children and tell them about Jesus.

 

While the kids were away, the adults did a lazy version of play.  We treated ourselves to a couples massage and two trips to the movie theater.  We saw 12 Mighty Orphans and Black Widow – both of which we really enjoyed!  The biggest splurge of all?  We ate every meal out.  I didn’t cook or do dishes one single time.

 

For my Shelby girl’s 21st birthday, we took her and a few of her fans to a Texas Ranger baseball game.  The Rangers aren’t any good, but I still enjoyed my first visit to their new indoor ballpark.  It was 72 degrees the entire time.  (See above avid indoorsman comment).

 

As a newly coerced (I mean recruited) member of the school choir booster board, we got invited to meet Allie’s soon-to-be new choir director at one of my fave Mexican restaurants.  As much as I resisted volunteering in this way, I think I may enjoy it after all.  Kudos to all of you parents that jump at the chance to bless your local school.

 

The last big hoorah of July was a little camping trip with my husband’s side of the family.  The campsite had swimming, a water park, petting zoo, crafts and a fire truck ride for the kids and grandkids.  And plenty of Texas heat.

 

With an empty house for several days, we watched quite a bit of TV.  Mike Tyson:  The Knockout documentary series was more interesting than I imagined as was the movie The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise.  The Summer of Soul (…or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) and The Legacy of Black Wall Street immersed us in two very different time periods of black American history.  We revisited some old favorites with Back in Scrubs:  Reunion Road Trip (I loved that quirky show.) and Field of Dreams:  25 Years Later -which is already a few years old.  Golden:  The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts fed our anticipation for the summer Olympics and we restarted season one of The Chosen.  Not sure why we abandoned it the first time, as we are now firmly into season 2.

 

I read The Masterpiece by one of my faves – Francine Rivers and Home Fire:  A Novel by Kamila Shamsie.  I can’t remember where the recommendation for the later came from, but I would recommend the former.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

As a voracious reader, Linda Stoll gave me a lot to think about with What’s Your Bookish Life Looking Like?  She stated that our reading life is a vital component of who we are ANd who we hope to be.  I have honestly never given my reading choices that much thought before.  But this year more than ever, I have been very intentional.  I feel the needs to do some reading and studying on a topic that’s very hard for me.  I know it’s important, but because it’s so emotionally hard, I intersperse it with books that are just for fun.  My mental health demands it.  Read Linda’s post and see what you learn about yourself.

 

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1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

 

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We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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It Must Have Been the End of July

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Teach us to number our days,
     that we may gain a heart of wisdom.Psalm 90:12 NIV

 

How is another month already drawing to a close?  Before you know it, the kids will be back in school.  (Shhh.  I whispered that last sentence as not to accidentally cast my youngest into the pit of despair.)   I started the month off by gettin’ my hair did.  If you don’t think that’s blog worthy, then your beauty operator (oh I’m giggling at myself now.  That’s what my grandmother used to call herself back in the day.) isn’t as good as mine.  I shouldn’t brag – or maybe I should.  She’s the talented one.  Not me.  And I am so fortunate that she is also a sister in Christ and a fabulous friend.  So appointments are anointed girl time.  I look AND feel good afterward.

 

The same day (a day of appointments)I had to start a brand new professional relationship.  A doctor I have been with for 16 years moved out of state.  She delivered Allie, she operated on me and Shelby, she went through breast cancer the same time I did and gave me the good advice.  Sigh.  Sad to see her go, but I’m starting over with one of her partners and praying for a fruitful association.

 

My little family celebrated our country’s independence with my in-laws.  My husband’s parents have a great house and property on a lake where the kids enjoyed skiing and tubing.  We ate good food, had great conversations with Chuck’s brothers and wives and played games.  The best part, though, is the fireworks show over the lake.  We can sit on the back deck or even in recliners in the air conditioned living room and watch the spectacle.  No heat, no crowds, no crazy drunks.  Just the show.  God Bless America.

 

Spider-Man:  Far From Home and Toy Story 4 drew us into the theater.  I give two thumbs up to both.  Or certify them fresh or whatever.  At home we watched A Little Bit of Heaven with Kate Hudson.  I had never heard of it. Probably because it has a few really cheesy scenes of an imagined heaven.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen this done well in a movie.  But it made me laugh and in the end bawl like my heart was broken.  So I guess it’s not all bad.

 

Our oldest baby Shelby turned 19.  My parents, sisters and their families came to celebrate with her and a Minnie Mouse cake.  I’m not sure how she has blessed this earth for that long already, but we don’t take it for granted.  Every time I hear of another child losing their battle with Dravet Syndrome I’m thankful for each and every day we get with her joy and laughter.

 

As a couple, Chuck and I are usually pretty socially lame, but we had 2 double dates this month.  Two!  And from one of them came this nugget:  “When your teenager comes home, always be happy to see them.”  You may be thinking that sounds simple and maybe even – duh.  But it was such a good word that I needed.  My friend also told me about complaining of  her teen’s attitude to another friend once who said to her, “Oh.  I didn’t know she was pregnant.”  My friend said, “Say what?”  The reply – “I didn’t know your girl was hooked on drugs.”  The point?  So your teenager has an attitude?  Whose doesn’t.  There are bigger fish you could be frying.  So I can be happy to see my girl.  Attitude or not.

 

I’m so thankful for new friends and growing friendships and wisdom and laughter and sharing. 

Community in Christ is where it’s at.

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It’s not always easy to come by and have time for.  So I’m eternally grateful.

 

I am currently reading free kindle books of funny memes because that is the extent of my current mental capacity.  My husband has worked a lot.  And I have worked a little for pay and a lot as volunteer uber and family activity coordinator (come quickly school year, come quickly).  Chuck is getting some intensive training right now for his new job and Allie is fully immersed into tryouts for high school volleyball.  May we all survive both and find ways to glorify God along the way.  Love you, thank you, and pray August treats you well.

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