Hello, Reader.

Our nation's 250th birthday is just a few days away, and eight members of our family are planning to celebrate the occasion in Washington, DC. I still have a bunch of packing to do, but wanted to pop into your inbox long enough to share a few resources to help make your Independence Day more memorable, no matter where you spend it!

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Pray for the USA - our country needs all the prayer we can get!
• ​50+ Patriotic Quotes - wise words from the founding fathers and others
• ​United We Stand Coloring Page - as good a reminder today as it was 250 years ago
• ​Freedom-Themed Gospel Tracts - it is for freedom that Christ has set us free!
• ​​God Bless America Banner​ - 2 styles of pennant banners to hang in your home
• ​​Independence Day Word Game​ - how fast can you unscramble these 20 themed words?
• ​Good Citizens Coloring Page - I agree 100% with this quote from Daniel Webster

What I'm reading this week:

​Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan My oldest daughter recommended this book to me a couple of months ago. In fact, she was so eager to discuss it with me that, even as she was telling me about it, she pulled out her phone and ordered an extra copy as a gift for me. This short but powerful book explores an unspoken question: Once a person becomes aware of some grave injustice, what -- if any -- personal responsibilty do he bear toward the poor soul being oppressed?

What we're eating this week:

I made this Avocado Black Bean Salad for our family picnic last night, and it got eaten up in a hurry. I followed the recipe on our website exactly, except that I added a can of black-eyed peas and some peeled and diced jicama. Yum!

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 89 ​THE ART OF MAKING MEMORIES​ I recently read a fascinating book called The Art of Making Memories. Although I enjoyed it, it was nothing like what I was expecting when I purchased the title. In this week’s episode, I share my impressions of the book and the cool things it taught me. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I finished the bulk of my goals last week: I ✅ repaired my daughter's chair, ✅ finished a fully basket of mending in my closet, ✅ emptied two boxes in my garage, ✅ wrote a letter of encouragement for a friend's new snail mail club, ✅ kept one set of grandkids overnight, ✅ attended a triple-birthday party for another set of grands, ✅ stitched a dainty little birthday crown, and ✅ hosted a potluck picnic for all the extended family.

I also ✅ recorded 3 (but ❌ not 11) audiobook chapters, ✅ started making a new laundry basket (but ❌ didn't finish before I ran out of rope and had to order more -- still awaiting delivery).

Sadly, I ❌ did NOT grade my grandson's math (he keeps leaving it at home), and my husband and I ❌ did NOT make it to the welcome party for the new residents (here's what we did instead).

Personal goals for this week:

• pack bags & load car
• send new memory passage to kids and grandkids
• edit first 15 chapters of audiobook
• finish crocheting daisy blanket
• stitch "Beloved" banner
• stitch F for Flanders
• make some great family memories on vacation
• redeem accumulated Fetch points for a $50 Amazon gift card (this app lets you snap receipts to earn gift cards... you can sign up for free with my referral link, and we'll both earn a bonus)

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, please let me know. 😊