life for me

Summer is here in all its glory and I am relishing the sunny days and relaxed schedule. Well, relaxed may not be the right word, but at least my children and I are enjoying a break from the homework and lesson routine, not to mention a later bedtime.

Actually, while some activities have ceased, others have taken their place. Our family is making a move soon and so we have been swamped with sorting and packing. Our house resembles a shipping firm--boxes everywhere. We unloaded some of our loot on our friends and neighbors last week in a yard sale (hey, not all of it was worthless!) And some of it has been relegated to the dump. The rest we are trying to jam into boxes from the hospital, from the grocery store, etc. (thanks to all who are contributing to the Quesenberry Cardboard Drive!) Needless to say, we've been busy. More details on our new location coming later.

Next week is the Heartland Bible Methodist Camp and our family will be occupying our cute little cabin on the grounds. It has been so nice to have our own digs to relax in during camp. And this year, my brother Jim and his wife Audrey and their girls will be visiting our camp for a few days and I am looking forward to spending time with him. Family is so important and I don't get to see mine nearly enough! My kids love camp and are already talking about it -- it's worth all the grimy clothes and inconvenience to give them a connection to friends and an encounter with God. You can't go wrong with a combination like that.

I'm still doing some writing, although it has had to take a backseat right now with all the other things going on. My editor at Wesleyan Publishing is perfecting my manuscript and I'm anxious to see the finished product. I have a couple other book ideas -- a nonfiction and a fiction. Maybe when life settles down, I'll get more done on those. When I read how much time other authors spend tapping the keyboard, I'm discouraged. But God has given me other gifts as well -- my husband, my children, and our ministry together. So, each thing must fit its own niche. He makes all things beautiful in His time, not mine.

By the way, I was privileged to write an endorsement for the Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference. If you're interested, check out www.wesleyan.org/writers.

blog revamp

Life is sometimes too complicated . . . . . .so, I'm taking action.

I have removed my decorating blog and opened my pastor's wives blog to general readers (yes, I know there will be non-pastor's wives reading it, but perhaps it will reach more people this way and it will give our sisters in faith a glimpse into what it's really like living in the parsonage!) If you are a pastor's wife, I especially invite you to take a look: http://www.thepastorswifeconnection.blogspot.com/

I am revamping my writing blog at http://www.valorieq.wordpress.com/ as well.

I will keep open the TLC blog as it is a way to keep a web presence for the magazine. http://www.theladiescompanion.blogspot.com/

When life gets to disproportionate, something has to go. Reminds me of those lava lamps from the '70's. Remember how those huge green blobs would form and just when it looked ridiculously shaped, part of it would break off and bob away? Consider that a visual for my blogging journey--the "blob" is too big--time to break off in manageable portions!

Keep checking this blog for all things VQ -- thoughts, pics, decorating, writing, etc., (but no lava lamps!)

Come to Me, Summer

Come to me, summer, with rays of white gold
the warmth of the sun caressing my skin
the long hours of twilight extending my day.

Come to me, summer, with shades blue and green
like waves of the shore 'neath sparkling white sand,
like stripes on the chair by the barbecue grill.

Come to me, summer, with hours of cool treats,
the cold velvet of ice cream churned on the porch,
the tartness of lemonade at the family picnic.

Come to me, summer, with nature's parade,
blackberries picked with delighted young hands,
the fantasia of fireflies on a sweet night in June.

Come to me, summer, with sounds my ears know,
the symphony of crickets by the front porch swing,
the boom of the fireworks on the 4th of July.

Come to me, summer, with happiness and home,
fresh garden goodness gracing the table,
sweet memories made on a family vacation.

Come to me, summer, with days dipped in light,
with barefoot afternoons and watermelon evenings.
The curtain is rising; your moment has come.

Come to me, summer, I can hear the applause.

--Valorie Quesenberry

Cleveland and the Lake

We spent a family day in Cleveland and enjoyed a

sunny few hours in the city by the lake.

sisters and strings

Last evening was my daughters' 3rd violin recital, and it went very well. I was so proud of them. They have a very capable teacher in Mrs. Lydia Kunselman who has brought them so far in the past 2 years. And the Lord has used some other very special people to make these lessons happen. I am really thankful for the extras God gives us and delighted to see my daughters have an opportunity for such a great musical experience. I am just feeling thankful and happy right now.