Quick thoughts on a July morning

My dear one, 

I am back home, after a good visit with my family in Florida. Though they live far from either coast, we had time the day before my return flight for a brief jaunt to the Gulf Coast. I had dug up some information about a little island with a lighthouse, so we drove out to see it despite an impending storm. There was no one else around - it was so peaceful! I'm sure the island is hopping when the snowbirds are in town, but on our lazy Friday afternoon excursion, the calm was wonderful...

Last night I ventured out alone to a Shakespeare production by some theatrically-gifted colleagues. Very well done, and immensely enjoyable! I found myself seated next to a 9th-grader attending drama camp. She had an outgoing personality and we chatted during intermission. She has already made plans to study physical therapy in college.

I'll be traveling again this coming weekend to see some friends in a neighboring state. They have a country home with a lovely porch and I can't wait to sit in the swing and listen to the peaceful quiet.

What is on your mind these days, dear one? Perhaps, like me, you are planning for the fall. Perhaps you have difficult decisions to make, or hard hours of work to put in, or prayer burdens that weigh you down. May the Lord grant you wisdom, strength, and peace.