I looked up, and it was June. Not just June, but the actual middle of June. And here I am, wondering what happened to May.
This happens every year. Because we have four birthdays in a four week span, May glides by. Or at least, that’s what I assume causes my May-nesia every spring. It could really be any number of things. Tying up the loose ends of school. College kids coming home. Extracurriculars winding down. Our winter/spring training season coming to a close.
May saw the garden being planted, and the fruit trees come into flower. It saw our very first strawberries of the year, and the hay fields bursting into a streak of growth we had yet to witness in our time on the farm.
It saw the first chance to hang clothes on the line, and the first lightning bugs emerging just as dusk settled. We continued our weekly open door community dinners, and were excited to spend those still-cool evenings with friends.
It saw a new rhythm in school, as we shifted out of our co-op mode and into our summer bearings. I started planning for the fall (more on that later this week). And everyone got to claim their “new” grade. Or something close to it. For the life of me, I still can’t remember if I told Birdie she was going to be in third or fourth grade this fall.
May brought Jude’s shedding the skin of “little guy” and fully claiming the mantle of “kid.” Of course, he’s been ready for this for months, but you know my eyes can only see him as a baby. I’ve been making strides in that area, though, and holding him accountable for more. For his part, there seems to be some relief at being set free from the burden of being held back. I know this in my head… but getting my heart to agree is something altogether different.
Christopher and Jack had a wildly successful training trip to Nepal in May. Although brief (right around two weeks total), the target area far in the western edge of the country was so hungry for the Word that it drew 30 additional students outside of those planned. Leaders have requested additional, annual trainings as well. Since this is an area removed from the epicenter of Christianity in Kathmandu, we’re especially excited to see the doors opening there.
And now it’s June. The summer itself doesn’t promise too much in the way of lazy days. But what it does portend is a different rhythm, one that will find me at home more often than not and one that places a decided emphasis on the embassy of Christ that is our home. I guess I should open my eyes a little wider before summer begins to slip from my fingers. I have a feeling this one is going to go fast.