Movies have been made about it. books written. conversations spent over how much more we'd get done if only we could stop time for a bit.
But in the middle of this *unseasonably cool* summer days, I very well may have figured out the formula.
For yesterday, I could have sworn time stood still, even if for just a moment or two.
Step One:
Take one front porch aptly decorated with enough seating room for me and oldest daughters.
Step Two:
Take advantage of cool breezes and summer rain, filling those seats with the cutest little girls you ever did see, disheveled hair and all.
Step Three: Sit back, making sure you are nice and comfy. Note: comfortable part is a must.
Step Four:
Grab a blanket to help ward off the chilly, rainy air (love it!)
Step Five:
Hire a caterer (this one happens to be the self-appointed, pro-bono kind. running back and forth to the kitchen, sneaking graham crackers to smuggle to her sisters...See behind her back?)
Step Six: Combine all the above steps and enjoy (her blanket only lasted for 2.1 seconds, as another undercover trek to the kitchen was in order)
And you have a recipe for conversations that would never have happened otherwise.
During our Summer Porch Times, the girls have randomly asked how to hear the Voice of God....what it felt like to have a baby and how they were feeling about having children themselves...what my first impressions of them as babies were....what they want to be when they grow up...
The list of topics is endless. all sparked from my daughter's hearts as they've had a moment of relaxation and rest with me.
I admit, as I sat on the front porch yesterday, listening to my girls naturally share their heart, I wanted so much to freeze that moment.
But then I realized, these are the moments that are frozen in time.
making for lasting memories. building unshakable, necessary foundations of trust for the coming teen years. and creating a lasting, deep relationship between family that can never be taken.
Even long after the rain stops, the chairs are empty, and the graham crackers have all been
