What I Have Learned in June

A blog I follow

chattingatthesky.com

has asked for bloggers who are interested

to post what they have learned in June.

Anything.

Trivial.

Technology.

Spiritual.

Whatever.

In light of my last few days,

I decided to give this a try.

7 THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IN JUNE:

1. I have learned that God's plans are better than our plans--

even when we don't understand them. 

After a year of planning a trip to Alaska with my parents that we were to leave for TOMORROW, my dad had to cancel it 2 days ago due to poor health. 

Out of the blue poor health. 

Nothing serious but pain enough that a long flight 

and lots of driving and hiking 

would've made even worse. 

My dad graciously asked us to go without him. 

But this was HIS Bucket List trip and going without him felt wrong. 

Actually, it was my grandfather's Bucket List trip that my parents had booked with my grandparents 

as a celebration of his remission from cancer. 

But the cancer came back before they could make it to Alaska. 

My dad promised to take the trip one day for my grandfather.

12 years went by. 

We were going to leave TOMORROW. 

When I texted my brothers the news, Kyle replied:

"What is it with Alaska? 

It seems like maybe our family is not meant to visit…"

So it does. 

But I am learning that God may or may not reveal the WHY of this trip cancellation 

(this side of heaven anyway) 

but we are all experiencing His peace. 

Every. Single. One of us.

My Dad.

My Mom.

My 14-year-old 

AND the "almost 11-year-old" 

who were so stinkin' excited about the plane ride that they couldn't stand it. 

Let alone the whale watching and dog sledding that was also planned.

My husband 

who SO NEEDS THE BREAK FROM WORK RIGHT NOW.

And me. 

Really. 

Not just in words or actions but deep down in my soul PEACE. 

Thank you, Jesus, we know this is your provision.

2.  I learned that I love spontaneity. And so does my family.

Since the phone call that Alaska was cancelled and before I could really even wrap my brain around the question of, 

"Now what?"

my mom was asking for dates of when we could "throw together" a late summer Fripp Island vacation that would include more of the extended family.

Dad booked the beach house today.

Then Monte declared that he had next week off and he was

for the love of Pete

not going to go into the office

so he booked us a little getaway at a state park lodge on a lake a few hours away.

We couldn't be more thrilled with the 

spontaneous last minuteness of it all.

And now the suitcases that were out

the new toiletries that were purchased

don't have to be put away unused.

3. I learned that my anticipation of stress is always far worse than the actual stress.

I made it through two graduations in one day back-to-back with somewhat of an overlap thanks to the help of dear friends. 

And I was fine.

4. I learned that I am WAY TOO CHEAP to have a personal shopper.

I am not sure what I expected but when I read that Emily of Chattingatthesky.com signed up for Stitch Fix and they sent 5 items of clothing to her door that she could either keep or send back

this hate-to-shop gal said,

"Where do I sign up?"

But alas, the cheapest of the items was a $48 tank top.

Cute as it was,

IT WAS A $48 TANK TOP.

The skirt was darling but $88.

I must've forgotten to click on the "usually shops at thrift stores" button on the questionnaire.

I sent all 5 items back.

Lesson learned.

5. I learned that my husband and I, once committed, can treat watching a television series on Apple TV or NetFlix like it is our job.

Not that I am completely proud of that or anything.

We watched all 3 seasons of Downton Abbey last winter in 2 1/2 weeks.

LOVED IT!

Now we are on season 3 of Mad Men.

Don't love it the same way.

I do like the way they show the creative side of the advertising world

since I used to think being a copywriter was my dream job.

But am I crazy to think that AT LEAST ONE OF THESE HORRIBLY FLAWED CHARACTERS WILL GROW SOME MORALS??!!

But I am naively hopeful for this era of time that I always thought was 

happier, 

more simple 

somehow easier.

But I think I am learning what the networks think will get the best ratings.

[SIGH]

6. I learned that you should not take a probiotic without doing a bit of research and/or talking to your doctor first.

Without going into too much detail,

this was disruptive to the normal "ways" of Monte and I.

That is all I will say.

Took about 3-4 days to get straightened back out once we stopped taking it 

(which we took daily for 2 weeks).

Don't fix what isn't broken.

Just saying…

7. I learned that I shouldn't do a plank naked before I hop into the shower.

Actually I learned this before June but it warrants repeating.

Just don't.

Enough said.