Reflections and Responses

I'd like to share something with you that John and I are enjoying this summer. The coupon found at this link: http://www.concentricshospitality.com/SUMMERSWAG.pdf will give you 50% off of your meal at some awesome Atlanta restaurants (up to $25!). The best part is that it doesn't expire until September, and you can print it out as many times as you want! We have already enjoyed 1/2 price dinners at Two Urban Licks and Taps with this coupon. We highly recommend One Midtown Kitchen too, but we went there before the coupon was published (darn!). We are enjoying trying new places in Atlanta, and this coupon makes it much easier on the wallet! Happy dining! (Photo: Two Urban Licks)

I have been really challenged by a book I’m reading right now. It’s called Loving God with All Your Mind and written by Elizabeth George. I’m only about a fourth of the way through the book, but the first key point is really challenging the way that I think. The author writes about truly understanding and obeying Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” She focuses on the word true , writing about how we are commanded to think about things that are true and real – not things that we wish were true and not things that we fear could become true. She emphasizes the fact that the truth and reality are NOT the past or the future , not worries , and not fantasies that we wish would come true. George writes that we need to focus on reality, what is true in the present. Too often, we focus on what we wish was reali

If you were wondering, the possiblity that prompted my last post about adapting has now happened. I wrote that post anticipating the decision that we were waiting for this week: John's shift assignment at work. He has been working 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. while training, but that was temporary. We knew that this was the week that he would find out his assignment - days or nights. I have been praying to be content no matter what the outcome of this decision, and God has been reminding me how we can adapt and how we are called to give thanks in all circumstances. Today we learned that he will begin working evenings on June 14, going to work around 7 p.m. I am trying to practice what I preached: identifying blessings, being thankful in all things, and thinking positively. He will make more money, he will still only work half of the days of a month, and he will be off every other weekend. I am grateful that he has a job, and that we will still live in the same place. God will help us adapt, as