What I Have Learned This Summer!

I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Learn.” Write for five minutes; unedited.

This summer has been a busy summer for me…busier than usual. But throughout the summer, I have continued to learn so much.

I learned that my heart finds so much peace when I take the time to just be and enjoy God’s creation in the Rocky Mountains.

I learned how amazing it is when 30,000 youth and adults gather in a huge stadium in Detroit and declare God’s promises of peace and justice with the world.

This is only a portion of the Gathering!

I learned how sometimes you just have to get out of the boat…and other times you just have to stay. (Thanks for sharing those words FMF Retreat friends!)

I learned how part of my story will always be sharing my family’s struggle with a mental illness. I learned that part of my story will always be that I am a daughter; a daughter of a woman who daily struggles with a mental illness.

I learned that YOU are my people! I was so blessed to meet three of the Five Minute Friday ladies last weekend while I was in Nashville with my sister. You all are my heart!

I learned that I value spending quality time with my sister. It will be a long time before I forget our trip.

I learned that relationships and friendships go far beyond computer screens. They are found in Twitter handles and Voxer messages. They are found in sharing our stories and hearing those two simple words “Me, too!”

I learned that God continually widens the circle to bring more friends into the friendship circle.

I learned that I am never through learning! Life is always teaching us!

What have you learned this summer my friends?

28 thoughts on “What I Have Learned This Summer!

  1. Tara, we took this word in a similar direction. You've learned some eternal things! I love that you had time with your sister. As I grow older, I'm learning life is uncertain. We never know how many days we'll have with others in our lives.

    And I loved what you said about God continually widening the circle to welcome in new friends. So true! 🙂 I'm loving getting to know the people at FMF.

    I'm your neighbor this week.

    • Jeanne, we did go in similar directions. I loved the time with my sister. I am realizing more and more the importance of spending time with those I love. God does indeed widen the circle of friendship. It truly amazes me!

  2. I've learned that worrying gets me nowhere ;). And the lesson that God's ways are not my ways was reaffirmed…several times. I'm glad you had such an educational summer and just a tad jealous that you got to meet some FMF friends!

  3. Tara,
    you are a blessing! 🙂 Friendship goes beyond computer screens…Amen! Although, I feel so loved that you include me as a friend. I very much hope we'll get our own connection before we go to the great big eternal party!
    And, those Rocky Mountains…yes! I miss them.
    I'm learning just how much God wants me to ignore everything I've ever thought I wanted…and how it's giving me more contentment than I ever imagined.
    ~Tammy
    (linked at sweet 16 this week)

    • 🙂 Yes it really does take getting out of the boat and taking the first step. Since apparently everyone was talking about ME, I feel like I was kind of there too! 🙂

  4. Life is never done teaching us, and neither is God! And I am SOOOOO grateful I got to meet up with you, if only for a little while! What a blessing it was to meet you in person and share a slightly unconventional (but delicious) dinner with you!

  5. tara, you may not have been at the retreat, but you were spoken of fondly:) i felt good that i actually knew who you were when they named your blog. "oh yes, I know her!" i wish i could have met you face to face:) you would have fit right in! thanks for stopping by my little place.

  6. Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing your heart. I've learned a lot this summer about the importance of taking a breather every now and again to refresh and get a new perspective. 🙂 Blessings! Tasha

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