Hello my dear readers! (Yes, that applies to you whether or not we know each other yet ;)). It has been a long time, and I’m sorry. The last post I wrote at the beginning of spring, and now we are embraced in Summer’s long, sun drenched days.

I have not vanished off the face of the earth however, and I am here with an update. Firstly, it has been over a year since I began Apple Blossoms. It’s been a year!! I want to quickly say THANK YOU to my readers, whether you’ve been with me from the beginning or just recently stumbled into my blog- thank you, thank you for the support, the comments, the encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to read my words. I appreciate it so, so much. I am praising the Lord for His faithfulness during this blogging attempt, and I am looking with hope to the future.

You heard that right, Apple Blossoms is not going to fade away into extinction after all. Lord willing, I will find my feet again, and we shall see where God takes this blog then. Life with the Lord certainly is an adventure, isn’t it?

How are you readers? No, you don’t have to answer, but you are certainly welcome to. I hope that your summer has been a real true summer so far, with moments of laughter and joy and simple delights. And if not, I pray that the fireflies will remind you that light shines in the darkness, and each sunset will gently whisper a promise of hope. Morning is coming, dear ones. ❤ Hang in there, God is faithful, and His mercy is new every single morning.

So, the update. Due to the kind and thoughtful feedback I got on the two posts I wrote about chronic illness, I thought I should give y’all a short health update. The long and short of it (is that a saying? I feel like it is… but now I’m not so sure) is that I am doing a whole lot better than I was a couple months ago. Of course, tisn’t perfect, but I know it won’t be until Jesus returns. I’m beyond thankful to have been able to finish the school year (praise the Lord for a break from brain fog!) and to be getting back into dancing. I’m slowly climbing back up, and I’ll keep taking it one day at a time in the grace of God. Whatever ups and downs come, we know who holds us up, even through days and nights of doubt.

Summer Favorites So Far

(This part of the post was inspired by my friend Heaven’s recent post June Favorites (wordpress.com)– shout out to her blog, it’s awesome!)

Gandalf once said that it is “the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” (J. R. R. Tolkein, The Hobbit). And I’ve been treasuring the small moments this Summer. Last year I posted my Summer Bucket List, this year I want to remember and treasure a few of the little things that God’s blessed me with.

My Family: My little sis making pancakes with me this morning, pouring over adorable felting\sewing books in the store with my mum, getting to see my older sister on the weekends ❤ and my dad’s sense of humor that is very similar to my own.

Chasing Fireflies: Up until two summers ago, I had never seen fireflies. They are magical. Light, bravely shining in the darkness, they exist simply to light up the dusk, and I love them.

Music: I have discovered two new artists this Summer, and two songs especially reached out and took my hand: Shadows of the Dawn by The Gray Havens and I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assad.

(131) Shadows of the Dawn – YouTube

(131) I Shall Not Want – Audrey Assad – YouTube

Tiny Watercolor Paintings: I’ve been dabbling in watercolors again, and I have found my new passion- beware everyone, this girl is packing up her art supplies and moving to Italy (or some other European country that is supposed to help you along as an artist… *cough* ahem moving on). Just joking, I’m not going anywhere, nor do I intend to pursue art as a career, however I have been loving playing around with little watercolor squares.

Books: Of course I can’t make a list of favorites without including books. I have yet to find any really spectacular books this Summer, but I did quite enjoy Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool and (of course) loved re-reading\finishing The Fellowship of the Ring.

The National Bible Bee and The Young Writer’s Workshop. Bible Bee is just about my favorite thing ever, the study this Summer has been so good. I’ve also been very blessed by The Young Writer’s Workshop and the amazing people there. (Check out the links for more info).

Le Random: I roasted a marshmallow and ate it on Sunday. To a normal passerby that may sound mediocre. But to one acquainted with Josie’s marshmallow eating habits of the past year will know that this was no small event. I haven’t eaten a roasted marshmallow in years, guys is was amazing. Perfectly golden, caught between two graham crackers… It’s the little things, y’all. What’s one small thing that made you happy this summer? Drop it in the comments!

A Beautiful Verse I Stumbled Across:

I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them.

Psalm 17:6-7

One thing that keeps popping up as a theme for me recently is grace. But more on that soon. 😉

That’s if for today, friends. Keep hanging on! And know that you are held.