How is your summer? Did you get away or did you enjoy a staycation? I've enjoyed two nights in the Wye valley and two nights on the north Norfolk coast with dear friends; but still, I've missed those long lazy summer holiday times of soaking in hot sun and doing very little. In some ways, I'm already looking back with regret and longing for what summer could have been. And I want to enjoy the last hurrah of summer!

Read on for some special ways to make the most of the last hurrah of summer, make the most of the third of the year still ahead of us and enjoy some very special offers at the end of this email.

Hasn't it been a strange summer for us all? I know many have been left with feelings of anxiety and stress in these challenging times and as a society our default position is to react to the situations as being bad - an emotional response. And that can be as exhausting as the situations themselves.

So we're tired and worried, and summer is already ending (certainly here in the south west of England, the fields are harvested and being ploughed and the leaves are turning and beginning to fall and the blackberries are luscious). What happened to summer, we ask ourselves. Where did this year go?

It’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of life and how life is right now. Although, honestly?

Life is often not what we expect,

doesn't go as planned,

goes on fast-forward most of the time.

So I want to encourage us - you and me both - to let go of our regrets, the what-might-have-beens, the if-onlys - and actually look forward with some anticipation. Yes, really!

This, THIS is how to enjoy the last hurrah of summer!

It's time to let go of the regrets and look forward! We've a whole third of the year ahead of us, we can reset our minds to anticipation and delight - and GRATITUDE!

Instead of looking back and wishing summer had been different, CHOOSE to look forward to the joy of autumn colours, bountiful harvests, log fires, twinkly lights and candles in the gloaming, long evenings to read by a fire.

Instead of wallowing in regret, I need to tell myself (to decide, to choose) to look forward so that I don't squash or miss the joys that lie ahead!

And how to make the next third of the year a good one? What would that look like for you?

Taking more time for rest and actually scheduling that in.
Consciously inviting God to go with you throughout the day
Enjoying some longer session with God, perhaps in Lectio Divina or Imaginative Prayer

What would help you look forward eagerly to what lies ahead?

Another way to enjoy the last Hurrah of Summer: A SALE!

There's a summer sale on books over on my website, just until the end of August, so order now.

Click here to order. OR here to read a little more about some of the books.

I think you'll be surprise and delighted to see some of what's on sale - not just my own two books Walking Back to Happiness, and Women By Design (some pre-loved/pre-read copies of that one) but some others too.

Hurry up and order as there are limited copies on some of the offers.

Something else to look forward to - THE SPICE RETREAT

I'm currently in the middle of leading the online SPICE RETREAT, a 5 week retreat looking at becoming the YOU God intended. A group of 20 of us are enjoying a live one hour retreat on Sunday evenings, plus weekly journals and resources and online discussions; and with optional one-on-one sessions afterwards. It's proving to be a very special time for many.

"Another wonderful session with much to take away and dwell on, thank you ❤️" - Louise

"Thanks so much, Penelope, for that deeply refreshing meditation. Bless you. xx" -Vicky

*(not the most flattering photos but give you an impression!)*

If you missed this Retreat, it will be available again soon, and you can email me to reserve your spot and make sure you get the info as soon as it is launched. There will be a limited number of places so pre-booking is now open.

And ANOTHER LOVELY RETREAT to look forward to:

THE ADVENT RETREAT

Advent begins on Sunday November 29th. Four weeks to anticipate and prepare for the birth of Emmanuel: God with us.

Let's do an Advent Online retreat together! I'll send you full details very soon, and I'm excited that we can do this online together and spend some special time preparing ourselves to know the truth of God With Us.

As with the SPICE Retreat (you know that stands for Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Creative, Emotional, right?) the online sessions will be available to be watched at any time so that wherever you are in the world you can be part of it. We currently have people from Australia, France, USA and UK. Do join me for the Advent Retreat in December!

And remember to email me if you'd like to pre-book for the SPICE RETREAT next time.

Don't forget to plan your exciting things to look forward to!

And pop over to the books sale
And let me know if you'd like to do the next Spice Retreat.

May the Lord take you by the hand and lead you along the path

of God’s love and Christ’s endurance

(2 Thess 3:5 Msg)

Penelope