work and wedding

Not to worry, it's not my wedding; it's my friends', Jon and Claire. They are two of my dearest, and they are getting married this Sunday. And even though I've barely been involved with the fittings, ironings, organizings, cookings and bustlings about, I have caught the greater vision of this event, and it is lovely. I'm not entirely uninvolved: some friends and I are playing music for the prelude and service, which I find to be a true honor. The whole atmosphere of this wedding has a lot to do with Claire and Jon's family of friends.

Also quite present in my summer life is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh in the series. It's been fun to read something so enchanting and exciting. I had forgotten that reading could be easy. Today is a lovely day. Like the beach in September, at the end of the season when there aren't many tourists and you spend your days biking over the strangely flat landscape. Lancaster is wind and sun. I watched some kids today, as I have been and will all summer. We went to two parks, Square One Coffee, and the library.

Friends, I've been so busy. It has been fun, my spirits are up, and I feel extravagantly blessed by all I've encountered this summer; but, I haven't really relaxed much because I've been on the run. For me, relaxing is a challenge. I guess I haven't solidly learned the difference between being idle and being restful- so I just avoid both. I thrive on tasks and schedules, especially full ones. Memorial Day was a bit different- with my family, at my grandparents' house in South Jersey, we swam in the river and laid in the sun. We played Scattergories, my four siblings and I, and laughed ridiculously hard at (with?) each other. There have been moments of fun like this; but mostly work. Perhaps the trickiest part, like I said, is that I love, love, love this busyness. I can't get enough of it. So: I'd deeply appreciate prayers that I'd take resting seriously and have the patience to try it- and that the Lord would show what that looks like for me.

Some photos I stole off my sister's flickr.

this is Hudock's, a custard/ice cream stand on the road in my grandparent's town. there I ate dessert with my little brother, the older sisters, and their husbands.

this is earlier that day, at Claire's house. she invited some friends for lunch. eliza said she never takes photos of animals and babies because they turn out boring to anyone except their families. however, this one is pretty good and I trust you ladies not to scoff at the Battles' dog, who, after 12 years, I have finally become fond of. (YES!)

I love you all. It's been a huge privilege to read what's been said so far. I have been encouraged and emboldened to follow the Lord, knowing that we are all in that same pursuit.

Thank you so much, friends!

hannah b.