Friday Fun: June Randoms

 

At the end of 2025, Callie wrote this post as a structured roundup to the year. I loved it so much that I earmarked it to revisit at the end of THIS year, but I actually decided to use it as a springboard for a monthly recap. I have written posts with this theme each month so far this year, and I’m back again for June!

Best Personal Adventure: I didn’t actually feel like I had many personal adventures this month. (Are napping and taking walks not adventuresome enough??) But toward the end of the month, I did get to spend some time preparing for upcoming teaching and speaking events, and that is always an adventure – a welcomed one. I had a lot of fun dreaming up ideas and starting to craft outlines. Ryan may not consider that an adventure, since it doesn’t require a waiver, but I count it for sure!

Best Adventure Together: I don’t know that we had any grand adventures together this month either, but we did have a blast going to Ryan’s nephew’s t-ball game. It was absolutely hilarious from start to finish. If you’ve never watched t-ball, you are missing out. Kids are the BEST.

Best Milestone: I finished reading the Old Testament this month, and while it’s not the first time I’ve done that, it felt like a beautiful milestone. I truly believe the completion of any intentional study of God’s Word is a milestone!

Best Faith Grower: I issued a summer Bible reading challenge to our church, and for my part of the challenge, I’ve been studying Job! Beth Moore has been releasing video teachings about Job throughout this month, and I have learned so much from those. I’m also enjoying studying it on my own – with commentaries! I’ll be continuing this through July and August as well, so I have much learning yet to come!

Best Lesson Learned: I wouldn’t say this was a new lesson, but perhaps relearning is as important as learning the first time. I had a pretty delightful opportunity presented to me this month, and I spent hours in prayer and conversation, wrestling with it and searching my own heart. In the end I knew the answer needed to be no, and I felt such peace about it, but I was reminded that even when the answer is no, the sheer journey of wrestling in prayer with God can be beautiful and encouraging to the soul! And it was for me.

Best Purchase: I’ve had a Fitbit for over 10 years, but the company required moving to a Google account to continue using it, and I didn’t wish to do that. So I bought a pedometer watch and love it. It looks better on my wrist than the Fitbit, doesn’t track all the extra things that I don’t want or need tracked, and I love it that my wrist doesn’t feel a notification every time I get a text. Stepping “back in time” away from constant connection has been a real gift.

Best Habit Created: I told you a while ago that I purchased a rebounder (mini trampoline) at our church’s garage sale. I started experimenting with it right away, found some YouTube videos to follow, and I knew I would enjoy it. But this month I made a commitment to rebound for at least ten minutes every single day – in addition to the other exercise I do. (Workout videos, walks, push ups…) This was a great habit to start, and I really look forward to continuing it and seeing how I strengthen over time.

Best New Recipe: This month felt filled with eating out (vacation) and tried-and-true recipes more than new recipes, but I do remember that we particularly loved these two recipes together:  Air Fryer Shrimp and Greek Orzo Salad. We’ll be making them again!

Best Tradition: As I shared with you a few days ago, we had a couple of busloads of Swiss Village residents come over for pontoon rides one afternoon. Ryan pitched this idea to the Activities director the first summer we had the pontoon, and it’s become quite the beloved outing for the residents. We’ll probably do it again before the summer ends, and it is just a blessing to see the joy on their faces when they come for the rides. They love the cruises, but they also love hanging out on the patio and talking!

Best Little Luxury:  This is such a first world thing, but I’m picking water that does not have to boiled for my answer to this question. For the second time this year, we were on the water line near a water main break and had to boil our water for several days. I’m so glad to be back to just…using water.

Best Date:  We didn’t have any extraordinary dates this month, but we did go to a wedding, and I loved that. I love weddings (because I love love!) and I enjoy reminiscing about our own wedding day as I experience the traditional wedding elements in the ceremonies. Ryan and I had fun being together and supporting our friends, so it was a good day.

Best Answer to Prayer: Ryan has been doing the job of 2-3 people for the last year and a half, and he has rocked it, but he’s also tired. I am so thankful that this month they brought in a new employee to take over part of what he had been doing so he can focus more completely on other parts of his job. She is so much fun, a go-getter, a great personality, and she has brought relief to his days. I am thankful for her!