The kids wrapped up their final day of school today. Summer officially begins at this moment. I wondered if it was ever going to get here. This Winter was relentless and long. With the Summer comes the pressure to seize it and squeeze out every last drop of Summer-fun out of it!

My wife and I are trying to put together some Summer goals... like a bucket list of things we want to seize this Summer. We will never be able to top last Summer. Last Summer was my sabbatical and we had an amazing family trip out West.

Some ideas so far...

• Camping
• Big neighborhood party
• Baseball games (Minor League and Major League)
• Lots of beach nights
• Trip to Chicago
• Trip to Mackinaw Island
• Michigan's Adventure
• Build a fort
• Play lots of whiffle ball

Anyways, should be good. Summer is often a time of personal and spiritual renewal for me as well. My desire is to learn to "abide" with Jesus in increasing ways this Summer. Jesus says in John 15:5 that if we remain/abide/live in Him and He remains/abides/lives in us, we will bear much fruit. But, apart from Him we can do nothing. So, I desire to grow in abiding and connecting to Jesus this Summer.

I like to do this through walking while praying, listening, reading Scripture, and being in nature. 

So, I suppose no one is reading this (since I stopped this blog a while back) but if you stumble across it - I hope you have an outstanding Summer (unless you are in the Southern Hemisphere).  :)