August Is Flying — and I’d Like to File a Complaint!

Here we are in mid-August, when the temperatures still say July, the stores are already whispering Christmas, and I’m standing in the middle yelling, “WAIT! I’m not finished with summer yet!”

Why does January last approximately eleven months, but August lasts about nine minutes? I have serious issues with how fast this month is moving!

First, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who sent heartfelt birthday greetings, cards, messages, and books. You made this “senior saint” feel incredibly special. I’m still learning to graciously receive all that love and attention. Truthfully, I find it much easier to celebrate someone else than to be the one being celebrated.

We had a wonderful time celebrating our Annie’s 40th birthday, and once again I was reminded: See? THIS I can do! Celebrate somebody else? Bring on the cake, balloons, speeches, and confetti. Celebrate me? Suddenly I’m looking for an emergency exit.

Years ago, a pastor reprimanded me about that. He said, “If you can’t accept praise and adulation, you need to take a serious look at how God feels about you.”

Ouch. But he was right.

Sometimes what we call humility can be our inability to receive love. God doesn’t ask us to worship ourselves, but He certainly doesn’t ask us to constantly diminish what He created, either. I’m still working on that one. Apparently, at 71, there’s still homework.
 

Been There, Dolly That

We also made a visit to the Dolly Parton Tennessean Truck Stop. And, well... we went. We saw. We bought nothing. We left.

It was pretty much a “been there; done that” experience for us. But hey, now we can say we’ve been there! Sometimes the memory is worth more than the souvenir—and considerably cheaper.

Time to Find My Singing Voice!

The big news is that we’re getting ready to hit the road again! We’ll be at America’s Keswick for Young at Heart beginning August 30, followed by the Labor Day Weekend Conference.

And here’s the slightly terrifying part: It’s been THREE MONTHS since I’ve sung!

So rehearsals are definitely in order this week. If you hear strange noises coming from Middle Tennessee, don’t call wildlife control. It’s probably just me finding my upper register. We are genuinely excited to get back to Keswick, see so many dear friends, worship together, laugh together, and get back to doing what God has called us to do. And I'm grateful to say I'm doing well after a summer of mishaps, health issues, and fifty doctor visits!
 

And thank you to everyone who has passed along information about Jeff’s summer special for creating custom performance tracks for singers and musicians. He’s been busy arranging, orchestrating, and producing—and I love hearing the creativity coming out of that studio room. You still have time to get your project going!

And Yes... Christmas Is Coming!

We’re also beginning to plan another series of Christmas concerts this year featuring music from last year’s album, Wish Book Dream.

If your church, ministry, group, or organization would enjoy a fun, festive night of Christmas music, laughter, memories, and ministry, contact us! We’d love to talk about bringing Wish Book Dream your way.

So apparently August may be flying by, but there’s plenty waiting on the other side of it. I’m grateful. I’m rehearsing. I’m learning to receive the love people give me. And I’m trying very hard not to be offended that Hobby Lobby has Christmas decorations up before I’ve finished my summer watermelon.

Keep laughing, keep believing, and for goodness’ sake—somebody slow August down!

Much love,
Sue (and Jeff!)