Drinking from the firehose of life… or balancing Giant Jenga

Hi friends. (Even if I have never laid eyes on every single one of you, I still feel like we’re friends since you’re reading about the details of my life. So I hope the casual greeting is okay with you.)

This summer has been super crazy packed full.

It’s been filled with gorgeous, beautiful amazing experiences, some of which many may count as once-in-a-lifetime type stuff: Seeing changed lives in Uganda, winery parties at iconic chateaux in Bordeaux, France, meeting inspiring, deep, people from all over the world and listening to their stories, spending my birthday with my family in Africa and watching elephants, giraffes, lions and more with them and then being sung to by 17 brand-new friends, eating an ice cream cone in Paris while in transit between Bordeaux and Uganda, relaxing next to crystal turquoise waters in the Seychelles, reading 6 glorious books, walking through Stockholm at night– but in daylight, daily devotional time that has really been daily, journaling more than I have in forever, celebrating a winery’s 90th anniversary in Sonoma with its kind, generous, down to earth family owners, and now, here I sit in the Finger Lakes of New York, catching up with old friends, soaking up glorious sunsets, delicious wine and even better conversation.

So many experiences have been definitely share-worthy. And yet, I haven’t shared about them all that well. (I even took an internet break for much of my time in Africa. THAT was glorious, too!)

So much is coming at me, I’m doing my best to soak it all in, and my best to balance it in the game of Giant Jenga.

While in Africa, I read Shauna Niequist’s Present over Perfect. At home, I’m now in the middle of a study of the principles in it with the women’s program at my church. And its truth is smacking me where I need to be smacked.

I have filled my life up so full that I can barely even stop to soak in the impact of each thing. I worry I am getting it all out of balance.

Yes, while in the moment, I DO make a point to stop, look, and listen to as much of what God is telling me as I possibly can. I’m so thankful I do that.  I pause conversation for sunsets.

Here’s one from last night:

I invite everyone around to stop and think about the glory around us. I try to express appreciation for those choosing to share their time with me. I savor the glorious bites of exceptional cheeses, flaky and yet still buttery breads, fresh fruits, and even fried chicken I have the privilege to enjoy. I do soak things in as they hit.

But reflection is beautiful, too. And things are happening so fast. I’ve stacked my schedule with so much really good stuff, but I know I am missing the impact of it, even as I soak in the moments. I know at some point I won’t be able to balance it all. Some will have to fall.

I don’t want that to happen.

Also,  I so want to share so much with you here (for you and for me, to be honest), but I keep finding myself off on the next adventure before I have time to write.

I want to share more about Africa with you before I move to the next adventure to share. Quite honestly, there are about 15 trips from the past I would like to share with you. This morning I wanted to write about yesterday, but I feel like I have to cover Africa first. Eeek.

How did things get so fast, so furious? Still fun, but so crazy fast that I don’t even know where to start? Why am I drinking from a firehose– and how can I share best?

I don’t have the answer. But I’m going to do my best to find a way.

I want to find a way to share, and I also want to find a way to s-l-o-w down and savor between bites of life, not just as I am taking each bite. If I don’t, I’m going to get myself too full too fast.

So, please, friends, bear with me as I get my stories out in whatever order and format they materialize.  Bear with me as I figure out that Giant Jenga of life. I want to share. I want you to see what I saw. I want to savor.

Hopefully I’ll figure that out soon, or soonish– or just chronicle as the mood strikes. We’ll just have to see together.

In the meantime, thanks for joining me here on MomsToolbox for the ride, the adventure… even if we are drinking from a firehose together at times.

I truly appreciate you being here.