The truth is, I love the computer. I love blogging. I love reading blogs. I love building computers (even if it’s a bit of work!)
But for all the joy I receive through computers, it can’t compare to the pleasures of when the computer’s off.
This week I’m thankful for…
…sewing with the girls
It’s been months since we last met to sew, but it was wonderful to see Grace’s doll dress come together, Taylor’s real-live dress come together, Little Miss Menter’s quilt finally get finished. I’ve missed our busy chatter side-by-side at our sewing machines.
…Highland Park Writer’s Collective concert
I’ve been waiting for it practically forever. Waiting for the day when I could invite my dad to a concert by one of his favorite groups. Waiting for the day when I could go to a concert by some of my favorite people. And the day finally arrived. Highland Park Writers’ Collective finally came to “Live at 38th Street Coffee”. (You can listen to some of their awesome music on their Facebook page)
…yardwork
The lawn mowed, the hedges trimmed, the driveway edged, the flower beds dug up and the bulbs separated. I got blisters and sunburns and achy muscles and allergies–but I also had a wonderful time in the sun and the shade and the dirt.
…conversations around the dinner table
Sunday afternoon dinners at the House of Dreams are becoming somewhat of a regular thing–and I absolutely love it. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of, having a home that’s open and enjoyed. And I love our Sunday afternoon crowd.
…reading books
I don’t read a lot of books straight through anymore–I’ve grown accustomed to reading a chapter each of a dozen books at any given time. But in the last few days, I’ve read a few novels straight through (or almost so)–and I’ve enjoyed it quite a bit!
…preparing for Sunday School
I’ll be teaching this year–and now that my co-teacher has been moved to another class, I’ll be teaching by myself. I’m super pumped to be taking a class of 2nd and 3rd graders through the whole Bible in the next nine months. (We’ll be racing along “Route 66”–for the 66 books of the Bible, get it?) I’m majorly excited.
…friendship, study, accountability
Dinner and conversation with Beth. Digging into Hebrews with the girls. Staying way too late talking. Laying on Ruth’s bed, talking while Ruth sorted her laundry. I love these friendships.
I’m thankful for all the things God does in and through and for me…when the computer’s off.
I’m with you totally. LOVE the computer (obviously. And sometimes too much.) But being off and away from the computer is a huge set of rewards and blessings as well.
We’ve been having all of the trees in our yard taken down and have been spending our evenings out clearing land and it’s AWESOME! I’m tired, sore and sweaty but there’s a glorious sense of togetherness and accomplishment in it. Off the computer. Outside. In real life fellowship.
I’ve been offline more than I’ve been on this past month and despite a (really stupid) sense of obligation and guilt over neglecting my poor blog I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Does my blog have a future? I don’t know. Does it even matter? No, not when there’s life going on outside of the computer, those sorts of blessings that you’ve enumerated here. Though I have to say that yardwork doesn’t necessarily fall into the blessing category… ;)