Welcome back, friend.
I hope you had a restful Memorial Day weekend. So grateful for the sacrifices and bravery of those we’ve lost in service to our nation.
Thank you to all our servicemen and women. May God richly bless you and your families. ♥
I wanted to let you know that next week I’m beginning a more relaxed blogging schedule for the summer.
Our household is in a season of change, and I want to savor these last moments before our new-normal begs its way in. Between family, She Speaks, prayer & planning, and some larger-scale writing projects, I suspect summer will be a memory all too soon.
No Worries! The Chasing Community linkup and I will still be here every Thursday all summer long.
Since many of you rely on the weekly email post for the linkup, next week I’ll begin sending a weekly linkup reminder to all who linkup here. Please know that when you share your words here, they are prayed over.
May your ministry of words find community here—may they rise up and redeem, restore, encourage, and be difference-making words of life. I’m so thankful for the blessing of serving alongside you.
So, what about you? What are your summer plans? 
Yippee Skippee! It’s #ChasingCommunity monthly giveaway time! Woohoo!
Our sweet winner this week is: Lesley from Life in a Spacious Place. Congratulations, Leslie. So thankful you’re a part of our Chasing Community family. Please let me know whether you prefer the journal or the mug and I’ll get it right out to you. 
And, Guess what?! Be sure to join us all summer long because, in celebration of summer, we’ll have 2 winners each month during June, July and August! Yay!
<a href="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/chasing-community/"><img src="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Linkup-button.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250" /></a>
It’s a casual, pony-tail & sandals environment around here, but a few important reminders:
- Please remember to visit and leave some encouragement for other friends who’ve linked-up today — this is the heart of community & your words of support could be just the thing another friend needs to hear today.
- Please only share like-minded posts of spiritual encouragement and insight.
- Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)
- By linking up & leaving your email address, you agree to receive #ChasingCommunity updates.
Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.
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Brenda,
Sounds like you have big plans for the summer and savoring moments is key!! I wish I could say that I have big plans, but recuperating is my biggest goal this summer. I’m really looking forward to She Speaks with you though I will still be clunking around in my fashionable boot. We are still pulling out and enjoying meals you provided. Thanks so much for your sweet and caring heart! Always look forward to your link-up!
Blessings,
Bev xoxo
Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Third Time’s The Charm
I hate to hear about your setback, Bev, but hopefully everything’s going well now. Continued prayers for your full recovery. She Speaks here we come! 😀 ((xoxo))
Brenda,
I salute for honoring REST. The Father would have us to join in His rest and you’ve accepted the invitation. Last night was the first time I didn’t have a jam packed calendar and it was GREAT! I’m looking forward to it again.
Yay for clear calendars, Tyra. Thank you for the encouragement to embrace the small life for a little while. Blessed by your words. ((hug))
Wonderful! Enjoy your summer, Brenda.
Thanks for your faithfulness here. I do appreciate it.
Many Heart Blessings to you
Ifeoma Samuel recently posted…For The Mom Who Feels She Is Missing Out On Life!
Hope you have a wonderful summer, too, friend. ((xoxo))
I too have a different schedule for the summer, which I wrote about in my post this week 😉 so completely understand, support, and encourage you! I’m excited for you and She Speaks and larger writing plans-would love to hear what God has in store for you. I’m not attending this year for various reasons, but will pray over you and God’s plan for your words. Thanks for all you do for all of us, Brenda, I pray your summer is restful and productive in all the ways God has for you!
Jill recently posted…Joyful Listening
Excited for your summer schedule too, friend. Thank you for your support and encouragement. You bless. ((xoxo))
I’m still in shock that summer has arrived, but am working toward a more relaxed blogging life as well.
This weekend it’s all about the wedding! So thankful for time with family and friends to celebrate the gift of my son and his new wife!
MIchele Morin recently posted…10 Questions that Foster Thriving Friendships
So glad you’re able to have a more relaxed schedule this summer too, friend. Congrats on the wedding! Loved the sweet instagram pic. ((xoxo))
Brenda,
Summer always means times of spiritual and soul refreshing at our church camp. There’s always great services and life-giving time with friends. We own a place there and love the refuelling each summer brings. Braeside Camp in Paris, Ontario is the place of haven for me.
May you experience the same refreshing for your spirit and soul this summer!
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Sherry Stahl recently posted…You’ve Got to Run at The Enemy
Sherry, what a lovely picture of summer rest. Sounds idyllic. I hope it’s another great experience for you at the camp. Summer blessings to you, friend. ((hug))
Blessings upon your summer plans, Brenda! I hope they aren’t as big a change as we are experiencing…. Lesley is just going to love her gift from you!! I know I do! Thanks for being such a gracious host! XO
Oh no, no where near as big of a change as you’re experiencing. I’ve been praying for you. We’ve moved many times and none of them were easy. I pray that this summer finds you settling in well and finding fellowship in your new area. So glad you’re loving the writing journal! Yay. 🙂 ((xoxo))
Praying over your time at She Speaks, your writing projects and your family today, friend. I hope you have an amazing summer filled with all sorts of unexpected blessings from Him. xoxo
Abby McDonald recently posted…To the One Who Loves a Wayward Soul
Thank you, Abby for your prayers. They bless my heart. Prayers of blessing over your summer as well, friend. ((xoxo))
Praying for you to have a wonderful summer and that you are able to savor those special times. As a “older-woman,” I can say they go all too fast. It will be a hectic summer for me, too. I volunteered to take 2 of my grandchildren to a children’s musical-drama camp every day for a month. I’ll be looking for a quiet place to write while they’re preparing to put on a musical presentation for their parents and others. I know I’ll get some special time with them after it’s over each day. Another grandchild is getting married next month and another graduating this week. Lots of changes! Blessings to you and your family as you head off into summer!
Donna Reidland recently posted…“The Slippery Slope” June 1
Donna, what a gift you are to your grandchildren. I love that you’re so involved and I can only imagine how much of a legacy you’re leaving in your family. Hope it’s a beautiful summer for you, friend. ((hug))
I love the fact that you pray over your linkup buddies. Thank you so much. 🙂
Kelli LaFram recently posted…Quietly Through Your Bible in June :: Plus #QuietlyThroughThursday Link-up
Kelli, it’s been great connecting with you. Thank you for being such a sweet presence here. ((Hug))
Your so beautiful, my friend. What a fun, busy summer you have ahead of you. I’m glad you are slowing it up to enjoy those precious moments that seem to just pass us by if we don’t slow down enough to notice. Thanks for all you do:)
Thank you for your sweet encouragement, my friend. You bless my heart. ((xoxo))
Hi Brenda, enjoy your easy breezy summer rest and have fun with your family. I am doing the same. I hope we can link up at SheSpeaks. ?❤️
Yay! We *must* meet up at She Speaks! So excited you’re going, Michele. Can’t wait to meet! 🙂 ((xoxo))
What a lovely surprise to see my name here! Thanks, Brenda! I hope you have a lovely summer.
Lesley recently posted…May Reflections
Congratulations, Lesley! Hope you love the mug. Thank you for being such a sweet part of our community here. ((xoxo))
Yep, here and there creatives are beginning their seasonal break from the dailyness of our self-imposed schedules.
I’ve never looked back and regretted taking a break from blogging. But there have been times when I waited a bit too long and I lost my vigor …
Linda Stoll recently posted…Just Plain Fun * May Edition
Thank you for these validating words, Linda. My heart needs to remember I’m not alone. Hope you have a wonderful summer, friend. ((hug))
Your linkup is one of my absolute favorites! Have a wonderful summer, friend! (Is it really JUNE 1st??)
KellyRBaker recently posted…Biblical Declarations to Squash Feeling Overwhelmed
Kelly, what a sweet gift of encouragement — thank you. It’s a blessing to have you here sharing your heart in this space, my friend. Love reading your insightful posts. Hope you have a wonderful summer. ((hug))
Brenda – Enjoy your time this summer! It sounds like you still have some big projects. I wish I was going to She Speaks so I could meet you. This year I have a wedding to attend.
Maree Dee recently posted…Do You Struggle To Connect With Others?
I wish you were able to go to She Speaks too, Maree. Maybe another year we’ll be able to catch each other there. Hope you have a wonderful summer, friend. ((hug))
Brenda- So glad you’re able to cut back and enjoy the summer, I’m doing the same 🙂
I hope you get lots of quality time in with your family!
Lots of baseball will be happening here:) We also have a trip to California planned!
Julie recently posted…The Best Ways to Live your Christian Life Well
Julie, so glad you’re able to cut back some this summer, too. Yay for summer schedules! Lucky Ducky — I’ve never been to CA before; sounds wonderful! Have a blessed summer vacation, friend. ((hug))
My plan involves work so I won’t bore you with it. 😛
Enjoy your summer and thanks for another linkup!