coffee date {finding community}

You may notice it's been quiet around if you're a regular. Life was busy this week, at least busy for the summer months. Since Sunday, we had dinner with friends one evening, I met up with a girlfriend while my husband was in class, and church commitments another. That is not our typical summer pace.

I'm the kind of girl who likes to come home from work, change into some kind of stretchy/draw string pants and spend a quiet evening in the comfort of my own home, not just one or two nights per week, but most nights of the week. I cherish my down time and need it to recharge. And I'm not about to complain about the evenings I spent away from home this past week, I am simply conscious of why I feel so wiped out. My introverted battery is running low, but it feels good from time well spent with community.

I am so grateful for real-life community, those I met four years ago when I moved to Massachusetts and those I've met along the way. They have taught me a lot and been a life-giving source. After all, I did meet my husband in the first community group I visited when I moved ;-) A few sweet snap shots of my community in the past week:

• I loved indulging in good food and drink with another couple we've been close to for the past two years; it was a sweet time and I know there will be more, but they are moving across the country at the end of the month. 
• I treasure the evening I sat on my dear friend's porch in my former Boston neighborhood, listening to her share her hopes for the future.  
• I am so grateful to be part of a new and growing community in the church that's been our home since December  I don't know know many of the women well, but I look forward to our Wednesday night summer Bible study and I'm sad it's scheduled to end next week.
• I don't take for granted going to a neighbor's house after work for a doggie play date.

I'm also extremely thankful for my on-line community. Most of these friends I have never met in person, but I feel as though I know them from seeing their photos on Instagram, reading their thoughtful words on their blogs and carrying on conversations via Twitter. 

• I am thankful for their encouraging words. In recent weeks, I've received a few handwritten notes from blog friends and it has been so sweet.
• I don't have to feel alone when it comes to my daily pursuit of God's word thanks to the She Reads Truth community that has sprouted this summer.

Did I mention I am grateful for these people in my life? Seriously, they all play important roles and some may only be there for a season, but God uses all seasons to shape us. These communities I am part of spur me on, lift me up, and give me hope in the midst of life's changes and struggles. One day I can be overwhelmed with peace and the next I am plagued by worry, but God's Word is the same. This week, I've been clinging to Proverbs 3:5.

I haven't mentioned it here yet, but this summer we have been fundraising for my husband to begin a paid internship with our church while he is in seminary. We are excited about this opportunity, specifically because it is a church plant. If you want to know more about Brandon's pastoral internship, would consider praying for the ministry or partnering with us financially, email me and I can send you details. We are so excited to see where God leads us!

Happy Friday and thanks for letting me share some real life ;-) Where do you find community?
{I'm linked up with Alissa for a Coffee Date}