The Good Tidings Newspaper - Summer
I just got THE GOOD TIDINGS newspaper delivered to my front door. I had seen it on Katie Hughes story and immediately subscribed. This is exactly up my alley — “a publication where hope fills the headlines and faith meets the front page” … I could imagine that it was filled with nostalgic summer traditions, hopeful and encouraging articles, and inspiring stories.
I got a Fresca out of the fridge and ran upstairs sitting cross legged on the floor with the newspaper spread out on the low round coffee table in front of me. I had to leave my bedroom, which is definitely a retreat, but where things lately have felt like a to do list. Upstairs in the loft feels like a new setting to have a revelatory experience. As I slowly exhale stress and inhale joy, I begin. And then the writers find words that can express my every thought… “We created this newspaper with the hope that it would feel a little like a letter from a friend… Something beautiful you could carry outside with you with a patchwork quilt and a glass of lemonade. Something to read slowly on a porch swing or beside an open window while the house is till quiet, the birds welcoming the morning with song.” I almost cried. Yes, that’s exactly right.
It then talked about a longing and wish for gathering and gratitude, creativity and rest, with tiny reminders that joy does not have to be extravagant to bring contentment. : )
“Embrace the late nights and slow mornings”, the article says. Chris and Matt are gone on their HXP adventure in Tanzania and I’m home by myself for two and a half weeks. A fully intentional solitary staycation where I can exhale, focus on hobbies that bring me joy and peace, and quiet my racing brain. Embrace the late nights and slow mornings is exactly what I’m doing.
My Summer Bucket List
. slow down . listen to my ‘down the well’ podcast and study the arc of womanhood: maiden, mother, matriarch . read patriarchal blessings of my grandmother and great grandmothers and study their life stories . catch up with dear friends . play mahjong . watercolor . listen to emma m. lions volume 8 . attend a farmers market . ebike in midway . do a summer journaling activity . edit europe pictures . blog all the fantastic family events from the first half of the year . watch ‘the other bennett sister’ . watch ‘seeking persephone’ . plan katie’s baby shower and buy cute baby boy and girl outfits . eat gelato . get Swig refreshers instead of soda . chat with my girls on the phone . facetime little graham . online board games with ryan . lie on a blanket and stare at the sky with chris . eat girl dinners . record my thoughts in my prayer journal . hike and walk with friends . swim in the pool and lay out in the sun . listen to niall horan . go to the temple . text friends .
Spiritual Rhythms
“Summer spirituality looks different. Give yourself permission to adjust.” I sat and cried reading this article. Just so beautifully written.
“The Father must know that soft rhythms heal because the ocean is not the only place I have felt this healing. I feel it when I return to the scriptures, over and over again. When I sink down on my knees, day after day. When I walk into the temple, and cross the threshold, time after time.” “Could consistency be part of God’s design for providing healing for a soul?” For me it’s also feeling the Spirit in Sacrament meeting, having deep talks with a friend and feeling my heart break for her story, connecting to ancestors, putting my kids names in the temple, and journaling my gratitude.
“Creating spiritual rhythms might feel hard. How it happens might look different for all of us. But one thing never changes: finding a way to approach spirituality will change a soul. When earth makes room for heaven, ordinary catches fire. We stretch and relax info familiar rhythms that calm a soul. Bring peace. Healing comes. When we stand there, at the break between earth and heaven, our faith sinks deeper.” Summer spirituality looks different. Rhythms often soften. Prayer walks might find space. Scriptures might come a verse at a time. Give yourself permission to adjust your rhythms to each season. Adjust your rules. Take the time to find your holy ground. It’s summer. Take your shoes off”.
This season I’ve been led to an inspired study of my mother, grandmothers and great grandmothers. Stories, characteristics, pictures and patriarchal blessings. Who are these women… the elect ladies who love and watch over me from afar? What a beautiful study of Matriarchy. What are the characteristics of a good Matriarch? How do I honor these woman and step into this role with grace and humility?
26 Whimsical Things About Summer had me pondering my own warm childhood memories. Nostalgia begged to come flowing out… in the form of a questionnaire? My own list of ABC’s? How about a poster of quickly written childhood summer memories and another of mother summer memories and then another of summer today. And now let’s print out pages and take it camping for anyone to join! I can hardly wait.
At our Walton camping trip we worked on a Walton Summer ABC list which inspired this finalized version:
Acakattanuva seal hunts with Grandpa - Big bubbles on the beach - Camping in the old trailer in Banff and the Olympic Penninsula - Dashing down the slip ‘n Slide at Grandma’s house - Eating so many of Amy’s s’mores bars - Forced family pictures everywhere we go - Girl cousins making up and singing cute songs at the end of each trip - Houseboating at Shasta with Dan’s surf boat - Ice Cream and Grandma’s Homemade Pies (Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb) - Joking and laughing around the campfire - Keeping up to date with everybody in the family - Lion Hunts with Grandpa - Making memories - Never ending games at the Midway Lodge - Oh Heck! - Picnics at South Fork - Questions with Grandpa - Riding bikes on the sea wall in Vancouver - Skiing, swimming and sailing at Shuswap Lake - Tasting Tillamook Ice cream at the factory on the Oregon Coast - Usually having a good time - Via Ferrata fun in Telluride, Colorado - Wall Lake hiking and cliff jumping - Xtreme dam building - Yapping all night in the teen tents - Zion National Park outings and river hikes
One of the fun ideas I had from reading this little summer newspaper was to remember and journal about my childhood summer. I brought ‘childhood summer’ pages on our walton camping trip and my siblings joined in thinking up their own memories. It was so fun to reminisce together.
Living Love
Simply knowing how and when to show up. Notice people. Pay attention. See a need and respond. Don’t make service complicated.
Service is not saved for seasons when life feels calm or easy. It happens in the middle of full schedules, family responsibilities, and ordinary days.
Service does not require moret ime, more money, or a perfect schedule. It begins with noticing one, person, meeting one need, and inviting those around you to be part of it.
Serive isn’t loud or impressive. It’s daily, often unseen, and deeply meaningful. It happens at eye level, in ordinary moments, with open hearts.
Moments of service this summer - I don’t want to list them but I have felt the teeter totter of small impressions to reach out to people and the love of people reaching out to me. What a beautiful place to live. Living Love.
The Unexpected Joys of Parenting Outdoors - by Carly Walton!!!
During our Walton Girls Trip, Carly told me she was writing an article for the new GOOD NEWS BRAND publication and I was thrilled for her. She’s one of the most amazing women I know and I’m so grateful to be her sister. The article was adorable. “I don’t think getting outside has made us perfect parents. but I do think it has made us slower, more connected, more curious, and more grateful. And maybe that’s one of the unexpected joys of parenting outdoors, realizing that all the effort it takes to get outside is completely worth it. To me, that feels like a gift.” I’m feeling the same about our upcoming camping trip. So much work to pack and show up — but it’s going to be SO WORTH IT.