It’s Friday night.  Hubby is reclining in his favorite chair, and I am cozy on the coach with my laptop.  We had sausage ravioli for dinner, and the work week is behind us.

The rain poured down earlier tonight — I don’t mind the thunderstorm when I am safe at home in my jammies.  But, when the storm hits fast and furious as I am trying to reach a destination, I quickly grow weary of the journey.

I am so thankful that God is my shelter from the storm.  Aren’t you?  It’s rained a lot here in the last year, but God has carried us through.

On Fridays, I put together a list of what God is teaching me in hopes that I will never forget His mercy.   Emily inspired me to do this — and this week, she is hosting a link up and encouraging us to share what we’ve learned in July.  So, today’s post will be a review of 6 lessons I shared earlier this month combined with 4 new insights from this week.

Here in no particular order are 10 things I learned in July:

1.  I was overjoyed this month to discover Statigram (Instagram Online)

2.  I am passionate about creating memories and establishing family traditions.  I loved this great idea by Julie in her post for Do Not Depart:  Family Vacation Faith Journal

3.  “There is a fine line between confiding and venting.”  Ashleigh from Ungrind shares much wisdom in her Guest Post for Start Marriage Right.  The title of her post, “The Fix-It Man and His Wife,” grabbed me because it could easily be the title for my memoir.  Her husband and mine sound like twins.

Side Note:  Start Marriage Right is a great web site for singles, engaged couples, and both newly wedded and veteran married folk.  I am honored to be a regular contributor.  Head on over here to check out my posts.

4.  Tip to the Married Gals who are Twitter Chicks:  Follow Kat Lee for daily prayer prompt tweets for your husband like this one:

“Prayer for your husband: Past “God, renew his mind. Replace yesterdays regrets with today’s faith.” Eph 4:23-24 Rev 21:5 #hellomornings “

5. “Procrastination is a slippery little bugger.”  — This is a tough lesson that I keep having to re-learn because I am a sssllloowww learner.  Ali at Embrace the Struggle reminded me it’s not worth it in this post.

6.  This month I celebrated my 4th wedding anniversary.  My marriage is not invincible.  I can’t grow complacent.  I need to keep fighting for “us.”  Here is Family Life Today’s list of 8 Lies that Destroy Marriage. 

7.  This week, Jessie at The Vanderbilt Wife shared a story that reminded me that I need to really “see people” —

“I want all my encounters to be like this:

to treat people like God sees them,

as absolutely precious in every way.

It doesn’t matter who it is or how they see me.

To God, you are amazing.”

8.  Nadine at A Secondary Heartbeat introduced me to a lovely concept:  “the second day” (which she calls “grace in action”).  I don’t know about you, but I could use a little grace and a fresh start on a tough day.

9.  Ali at The Art in Life wrote a great post that challenged me to “delight in choosing to love” my husband every day.

10.  Miracles still happen today.  I loved this amazing story by Stephanie over at (in) courage.  It filled this “wannabe momma’s” heart with hope.

Q4U:  What did you learn this month?

Thanks for stopping by! I would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

I am joining Jessie and Emily this week in a little linky love.

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Photo Credit: Pawel Kornacki