A few goals for July

How is it July already?  Not sure how it happened, but we are three days in and it's time to set some goals.  Here goes!

* Post in this blog as often as possible

* Post in my Christmas blog every day if at all possible

* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones

* Continue reading through the One-Year Chronological Bible

*  Continue with the book Fix Your Focus for my Sunday Scripture series

* Continue studying and preparing for my ladies' Sunday School class 

* Continue through the wonderful Daily Grace Co. study of Habakkuk, Even If (this is intended to be a 3-week study; it has taken me months since I only work on it on Saturdays)

* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items

* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family

* Keep up with Flylady's zones of the week

* Have friends over at our camp for the Fourth of July 

* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able

* Help out with vacation Bible school at church

* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating

* Take a few days in Maine with friends

* Continue meeting with my young friend R. for discipleship

* Spend quality time at our little camp; plan some staycation time

* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home

* Drink enough water each day

* Spend time with family visiting from out of state

* Continue with the habit of getting outdoors for the morning light

* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week

HEALTHY HABITS FOR JULY:  Drink more water/get more sleep/exercise daily/intermittent fasting/limit carbs/get morning light

And that is more than enough to keep me out of trouble this month!

A red, white and blue Hodgepodge

  

July is here!  And it's also time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond. Joyce writes the questions, bloggers provide the answers!  Here we go ...

 1. What does freedom mean to you? 

 Borrowing my answer to a similar question from 2017:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."  (Romans 8:1-2)

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"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  (John 8:36)

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"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)

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 That is true freedom, but I also appreciate the following definitions:

2. How will you celebrate Independence Day this year? If you live outside the USA answer this question as it relates to your own country's patriotic holiday, wherever that may land on the calendar. 

We usually have a church picnic on this day, but this year we're waiting until fall for that.  My hubby is part of a group that waves flags every Saturday morning and they are participating in a parade in the morning.  In the afternoon, we plan to have friends over for  a visit and an early supper at our cottage.

3. This or that...red, white, or blue? Stars or stripes? Watermelon, home made ice cream, or blueberry pie? How do you feel about fireworks?  

Blue.
Stripes.
Homemade Ice cream.

I like fireworks a lot but at this point I especially enjoy the backyard fireworks displays some people do.  Much nicer than fighting crowds to see fireworks that are often not as good.

The above was from a backyard fireworks display a few years ago.

4. What have you purchased recently that made you excited? 

The ingredients to make some homemade tallow balm. 

5. I'm thankful to live in America (or fill in whatever country you call home) because____________.

Many reasons but maybe especially because of the Four Freedoms that Norman Rockwell depicted in his famous series of paintings: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, freedom from fear.  These are blessings that Rockwell presented in uniquely American ways.  

Beautiful graphic from Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had lunch today at such a sweet little cafe!  Hoping to blog or at least write an Instagram post about it.  Everything homemade, great portions, excellent prices.  

And there's the Hodgepodge for this week!