I know I comment way too often on how fast time passes–but, wow, August sure went by in a blur.

Regular readers know I spent about three weeks in atrial flutter and then three days in atrial fibrillation, resulting in a cardioversion in the ER when my cardiologist didn’t have a cardioversion slot open for another two and a half weeks. I’m not at full capacity when my heart is beating too fast and out of rhythm, so that time involved a lot of resting and support from my wonderful family.

The latter half of the month was much happier, though. My oldest son came in from RI on August 13th and just left on the 24th. My youngest took a few days off as well, so we had lots of enjoyable family time together. My oldest son and I both celebrated birthdays during that time, and the guys had a few days’ camping trip with swimming, kayaking, fishing, and food.

Jason and Mittu celebrated their sixteenth anniversary this month. Timothy started sixth grade and a newly-formed Sunday School class for middle schoolers. He’s growing up way too fast!

Creating

This was for Jason and Mittu’s anniversary. The Cricut machine did all the heavy lifting, including the words:

This was for a baby shower, also done by the Cricut:

And this was for Jeremy’s birthday. He likes foxes, and I found this design looking through fox images on the Cricut. The “Happy Birthday” is a sticker.

Reading

Since last time, I have finished (titles link to my reviews):

• Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by Mark Howell, not reviewed. I gleaned a few nuggets from it, but it was not my favorite commentary.
• Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate, audiobook. The last and best of her Shores of Moses Lake series. A college student majoring in film gets a prime opportunity working on a reality show based on a community that disappeared in the 1860s. But there are some surprising parallels between the two timelines.
• Where We Belong by Lynn Austin, audiobook. Two Victorian women defy convention by traveling extensively, even by camel in Egypt. They find a codex of the gospels in an old monastery. Based on a true story.

I’m currently reading:

• 1 and 2 Timothy for You by Phillip Jensen.
• Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart: What Art Teaches Us About the Wonder and Struggle of Being Alive by Russ Ramsey
• North! or Be Eaten, the second in the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. I should be done with this now, but I keep picking up other things instead. I enjoy it while reading it but I’m not driven to keep going.
• A Face Illumined by Edward Payson Roe
• The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M. White
• The Bitter End Birding Society, audiobook, hot off the press by Amanda Cox

Blogging

Besides the weekly Friday Fave Fives, Saturday Laudable Linkage, and book reviews, I’ve posted these since last time:

• Do You Need a Fresh Word from the Lord? “We don’t need something new and fresh from God. What He has given us is more than sufficient for our spiritual needs. Why doesn’t it always feel that way?”
• What I Learned from a Traumatic Illness. “I’ve been jotting down several things I have learned through this experience, and I thought I’d share them with you. I know many of you are going through physical trials or have in the past. Though our details might vary, I hope you’ll find camaraderie and encouragement here.”
• When People Are Late to Church. “We just don’t know what it takes for some people to get to church. While we don’t want to have a casual attitude about arriving at church (or anywhere else) on time, we shouldn’t have an overly judgmental attitude, either.”
• Is Your Testimony Dramatic? “Such exciting accounts can make some of us feel our testimonies are a little lacking. But consider what salvation is: a new birth. . . . Every birth is a miracle to those involved. Parents greet their newborns with love and joy no matter what details led to the baby’s arrival.” Similarly, Jesus said, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Writing

Not much besides the blog. But our writing critique group just started up again after a few weeks’ hiatus, and my submission is due in a few weeks.

Looking ahead to September, we plan to enjoy Labor Day with the family, Jesse’s birthday later in the month, and a 50th anniversary with friends . . . and hopefully more fall-like weather.

Do you have any highlights from August?

(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)