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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

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A Fresh Vision from God for Your Summer (and Mine)

by Susan Alexander Yates

Life is crazy.

Demands, expectations, options, responsibilities. There are so many things we ought to do, need to do. So many folks to please, too many deadlines to meet. Sleep deprivation, a feeling of failure, perhaps boredom, even loneliness.

But life is good.

Occasionally, we may find ourselves just trying to get through.

Sometimes that’s all we can do.

However, we don’t want to make just getting through the norm. God has so much more for us.

The apostle Paul says it this way:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians3:20-21)

What is your vision for your summer? Ask God to give you one. He knows you even better than you know yourself. He loves you more than you can imagine.

We just might need a fresh vision from God.

At the beginning of summer, I often ask God to show me several things He wants to do in my life and then I begin to pray for these things. This summer I am asking God for three things: a pure heart, a praising heart, and a peaceful heart. I can’t do this in my own life. I need Him to do it within me. Simply having a vision makes me expectant and alert to Him. I can’t wait to see what He will do.

What is your vision for your summer? Ask Him to give you one. He knows you even better than you know yourself. (Psalm 139) He loves you more than you can imagine. And He wants to bless you.

A plan for my summer

My husband John has just stepped aside after 40 years as the senior pastor of our church. So, we are taking a sabbatical. I’m going to take a break from blogging for the summer. We will travel, rest, and spend time with our kids and grandkids. Maybe I’ll get to read some of those books piled up on my bedside table. I anticipate God’s developing a new heart within me.

I’ll be back with some new blogs after Labor Day!  (And I’m still doing some speaking this year, so please reach out if you’re interested.)

Meanwhile, you will still receive a “One Word” in your email every Tuesday. And, of course, all the archived blogs are available with advice for you on parenting, marriage, faith, and family.

In fact, here are 9 of my favorite blog posts from 3 categories.  If you missed them previously, I hope you’ll check them out!

Spiritual growth

  • Warning: The Danger of Equating Feelings with Truth
  • My Third Big Hike: The Pacific Crest Trail — Mt. Ranier
  • Two Dangerous Phrases

Marriage

  • Turning Conflict in Marriage into a ‘Good Fit’
  • The Slippery Slope of an Affair
  • I Can Be a Picky Wife

Parenting

  • 10 Hot Tips for Disciplining Toddlers
  • Encouragement for a Guilt Ridden Mother
  • Raising “Other-Centered” Kids in a “Self-Centered” World

May God bless you and give you a fresh vision and some rest in your summer.

Fondly, Susan

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Character, Faith, Family, Parenting
June 5, 2019 · 4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Susu Scott says

    June 12, 2019 at 4:30 am

    Hey Susan,
    Greetings from Cambridge,England. I’ve been thinking of you recently and thanking God for your ministry. I’ve been rereading ‘Raising Kids with Character That Lasts’ and finding it SO helpful. During a recent holiday in Scotland we did a series of family bible studies based on the chapter on courage. Then yesterday I had an unplanned chat with Sheila (now 13!) about integrity and used the Statue of Liberty illustration from that chapter. So, thank you! I hope you and John have a super sabbatical as you look forward to the next chapter of Life. With love from, Susu Cook Scott

    Reply
  2. Ellen Krease says

    June 10, 2019 at 11:48 am

    Dear Susan,
    This just recalled for me a song I love, Be Thou My Vision.
    I pray you and John enjoy a much deserved rest this summer.
    Retirement is great!
    Much more time for family and fun!
    Love, Ellen

    Reply
  3. Jennifer Glade says

    June 6, 2019 at 7:51 am

    Fun to see a pic! Have a great trip Susan! Love, All the Glades

    Reply
    • susan yates says

      June 19, 2019 at 2:58 pm

      Hey Jennifer! Thanks for all you have done for us! Hope to see you at the farm. Love you tons!

      Reply

Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

Read more…

Recent Posts

  • Let Me Tell You About Family Camp: Crazy, Wonderful, Fun & Incredibly LOUD
  • How to Support Your Husband (Whether He’s a Pastor or Not!)
  • My 7th Big Hike (and 4 Metaphors for Your Spiritual Life)
  • A few good reads…and a summer break.
  • We Need the Comfort of Being Fully Known. Where Do We Find It?

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More of our Family Camp fun from Labor Day weekend More of our Family Camp fun from Labor Day weekend. Such a joy! ⁣
⁣
Be sure to check out the blog for more details and pics. (Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog)⁣
⁣
* Poppy (John) is always happy to get help with the horses and the kids love them.⁣
* There's always a competition of some kind going on! Volleyball, a hula hoop contest, a ping-pong tournament. ⁣
* The "ice cream gutter" is a cherished annual tradition!⁣
* Lots of hanging out, and even some quiet moments, but not a lot of sleep. ⁣
⁣
If you want to host a camp or family event of your own, check out my book Cousin Camp for all kinds of ideas. (Link in bio.)⁣
⁣
#christianmom #christianfamily #grandparent #cousincamp #familycamp
One Word: Mystery One Verse: “To them God ch One Word: 
Mystery 
 
One Verse:
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
 
One Thought:
You are a God of mystery. It’s a glorious mystery. I can’t explain you even though sometimes I want to. Your mystery is part of what makes you so much greater than man. Thank you that you, with all of your glorious mystery, have chosen to dwell in me.
John and I are in Colorado for a week’s vacation John and I are in Colorado for a week’s vacation, still celebrating 54 years of marriage! We had a fun dinner, sharing about folks who have been role models-mentors for us in ministry and family life over these years. It sparked a fun discussion and thankful memories!
We're so grateful we got to host another Family Ca We're so grateful we got to host another Family Camp over Labor Day weekend!⁣
⁣
Here's a peek behind the scenes. I'm sharing all the details (and more pics!) over on the blog, check it out. (Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog)⁣
⁣
1 - We had 33 of us this year!⁣
2 - So much prep and shopping. But I never clean before they come because I learned that's futile. 😜⁣
3 - Lots of cousin bonding.⁣
4 - My daughter-in-law @christenbyates, who's a professional artist, set up an art station this year and the kids loved it.⁣
5 - Cousins with their camp journals. (I keep the journals at my house and they get to write in them every year.)⁣
6 - John led a short teaching time every day, this year on Psalm 139.⁣
7 - Meals are crazy when you're cooking for 33 people!⁣
8 - There are shoes everywhere. 😂 ⁣
9 - The kids actually did dinner cleanup this year, without any prompting! ⁣
10 - A few of our guys.💙⁣
⁣
#christianfamily #cousincamp #familycamp #christianmom #grandparent
One Word: Shows One Verse: “But God shows hi One Word:  Shows
 
One Verse:

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
 
One Thought:

If you, God Almighty, would send your son to die for me in my own wickedness, then how much more will you show me how to make the decision I need to make.
Cousin love at Family Camp! These are 2 of our you Cousin love at Family Camp! These are 2 of our youngest grands. (We have 21!)

Catch the blog later this week for details and more pics.
This photo of me and John is from our trip to Isra This photo of me and John is from our trip to Israel last fall. When we first got married, I didn't know what being a pastor's wife would entail. Now after more than 50 years of marriage I understand a little better (although I can always learn more!).⁣
⁣
I'm sharing an interview over on my blog with @thegospelcoalition's Front Row Seat series on Supporting Our Husbands.⁣
⁣
We discussed how pastors’ wives can support and encourage their husbands in ministry, marriage, and life. But so much of this applies to any marriage, whether your husband is a pastor or not.⁣
⁣
Check it out -- link in bio, or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog⁣
⁣
You might want to share it with your pastor's wife -- it will encourage her!⁣
⁣
@kristen_wetherell  @kario312⁣
⁣
#christianwife  #pastorswife  #christianmarriage
One Word: Founder One Verse: “...let us run One Word:  Founder
 
One Verse:

“...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12: 1-2
 
One Thought:

You are the author of my faith. You began it, Father. It is yours. I ask you to be perfecting it. Thank you that even this isn't up to me. My part is to fix my eyes on you and let you do your work within me.
This is how we feel right now -- we finished our A This is how we feel right now -- we finished our Annual Family Camp yesterday!

4 days with 33 kids and grands; 19 teens sleeping on floors and outside, 44 bags of trash, 15 gallons of ice cream, 67 dirty towels, 135 ping pong games, 90 individual miles hiking on the AT, gleaning from Psalm 139, 532 tickles and hugs, and 2 exhausted grandparents--who are deliriously grateful!

More pics coming soon.

* numbers are estimates 😆

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

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