Good Day!

 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive your inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." ~Colossians 3:23-24

This verse is printed and taped to the bottom of my computer monitor at work. It's been there so long that it's just become part of the landscape of my desk, and never catches my eye. Today God gave me the gift of noticing it.

I've not been sleeping well; whatever the reason, my nights have been patchy and wakeful, my mind too loud to let me rest well. I could let that drag me downward today (oh, it would be so easy...I am tired) or I could rejoice in these words. 

These days are temporary. My body and brain will wither away. I can rest in knowing that the physical exhaustion I may feel is such a little thing in light of eternity. These trials are for these short years on earth.

 And yet I have been commanded, while I am still on this earth, to work, to find joy in the doing of these things-- to devote my actions to the Lord. 

There is a hefty stack of library orders on my desk, waiting to be fulfilled. There are parents to call, shelves to rearrange, boxes to move and people to help. 

I have a little cup of coffee in front of me, and the verse from Colossians is fresh in my eyes and mind. Thank you, Lord, for the riches of this day!

Gallery of July, 2025

 I cannot comprehend that we are in August already! It is once again time for a month of photos. I did not take very many pictures this month; we were quite busy and I have been enjoying having few ties to my phone lately. But I did capture some lovely tidbits; here are my snippets from July!

^^^This is from Independence Day, at the Highfill house. We have: Riley, me, Tyler, Juliana, Luke and Chloe!

^^^We recently hung a dartboard in the apartment, and Bennett hit a bullseye (it was one of his first throws, I think. Whatever.)

^^^My handsome Mr. Branson, doing what he loves at his workbench. The way his mind works and so easily understands the complexities of a clock movement will never stop astounding me.

^^^One Sunday, I made cherry almond milkshakes (with my milkshake blender that my parents gave me for my 21st birthday! It was an especially thoughtful gift because I had been saying I missed making milkshakes, working at Woolworth's Diner when I was 17.) Anyway, these did not disappoint; they were quite light and refreshing, just sweet enough-- and cherry + almond is just a beautiful combination.

^^^Yet another of Bennett. He's a teenager now, you guys-- this little dork is thirteen. Not yet taller than me, but he is getting there. He makes me stand next to him every time I see him, just to see if he grew any. I'll let you know when he actually passes me up.

^^^Lastly, a little craft I did this month. I took an old jar lid, painted it pink, arranged beads inside of it, glued them in, and attached a magnet to the back. It is now on my fridge and looks quite cheerful against the black surface.

The end! I know it's halfway through August; this tiny post shouldn't have taken this long, but August happens to be the busiest and most mind-whirling month out of the whole year (back-to-school season at work) and my home life has also been quite busy. I've not been able to carve out much time for writing, which I am definitely feeling-- but this is where God has placed me, and I'm grateful for any time at all!

I do have multiple posts I am working on; no telling when I will actually finish and post them. Until then, my friends!