Catching My Breath After a Beautifully Full Season

This week has been full of super special moments as we wrapped up two major parts of our busy church season—River Moms and Awana.

It’s always bittersweet when these programs come to an end for the year, but I’m walking into summer feeling so thankful for a little slower season.

Wednesday morning was our final River Moms gathering, and my heart is overflowing.

What a blessing it’s been to serve as the mentor mom for this group of incredible young moms.

We spent the year going through Identity Theft, a powerful book that reminded us who we truly are in Christ—chosen, loved, redeemed, and secure.

To wrap up the season, we enjoyed the sweetest day together.

We got crafty (those handmade necklaces, magnets, and keychains were seriously adorable!), worshipped, reflected on all God has been teaching us, laughed through a fun book exchange game, and shared a beautiful lunch.

Our table leaders went above and beyond—every table looked so special and inviting.

I’m especially grateful for the women at my table who’ve become so dear to me, and for Andrea, my co-leader—thank you for your constant encouragement and wisdom this year.

I already can’t wait to be back with everyone in the fall.

Until then, I’m praying for a restful, joy-filled summer for all of us.

We also wrapped up our Awana year with a joyful night of celebration!

It was such a blessing to see the kids recognized for all their hard work memorizing Scripture and growing in their faith.

Watching their confidence and love for the Lord grow over the year has been so special.

A huge shoutout to our amazing team of Awana volunteers—you’ve made such an eternal impact.

Week after week, you showed up with patience and love, helping each child learn God’s Word and understand His truth.

We seriously couldn’t have done it without you!

Now that our spring season of ministry has come to a close, I’m looking forward to a bit of a slower pace for summer—more family time, rest, and maybe even catching up on a few things I’ve put off (like tackling my reading list or organizing that one closet).

I’m so grateful for these opportunities to serve, grow, and do life with such wonderful people.

If you’ve been part of this season with me in any way—thank you. You’ve blessed me more than you know.

Weekly Wins

Favorite Find

What I’m Watching/Reading/Listening to:

One of the things I love about the summer season is the slower rhythm it brings.

With college classes, River Moms and Awana wrapped up for the year, I’m leaning into the extra margin in my days—and finally making time for something that’s been patiently waiting for me: this beautiful stack of books.

These titles have been quietly calling my name, and I’m so excited to dig into each one.

Some are completely new to me, some I’ve read before but want to read again and some I’ve started but haven’t finished.

Some are deep and theological, others more practical and encouraging—but all of them have been on my “someday” list for far too long.

Here’s what’s on my summer reading stack:

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt Growing Together by Melissa Kruger Should Christians Support Israel? by Myers Knowing God by J.I. Packer Trusting in the Names of God by Catherine Martin Adorned by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson

Of course, I also have a list of “just for fun” books too, but I’m waiting to share those in another blog post in the next few weeks.

I’m not putting pressure on myself to finish them all, but I’m creating space to slow down, soak in some truth, and grow deeper in my faith—and maybe even share a few takeaways along the way.

If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And if you’re starting your own summer reading list, drop your must-reads below. Let’s keep each other inspired!