We (Papa and I, Grandma Joan) enjoyed having Lynnette, Adam, Rich and Anne and all seven grandchildren over for a TACO LUNCH today. We ate on the patio. See the kids and Grandma Joan sitting at the kid-sized table?

Lesia, Luke, Kirsten, and Sam relaxed on the hammock while Annika and Max played the hammock-strings like a “harp.” Then all the children went with Adam and Papa for a golf-cart ride and run beside the cart.

Adam and the girls made brownies for our desert and the boys brought ice cream, chocolate syrup and chocolate chip cookies. Then all the men helped clean up. We had a fun day.

It’s Friday! Hope you have a great weekend.

I wanted to let all my Arizona friends know about this upcoming Relief of Imperfection opportunity coming on Saturday, October 4 in San Manuel, AZ southeast of Chandler. It’s a One-Day Retreat sponsored by Tri-Community Churches. It’s FREE–and you’re invited. It’s at the First Baptist Church San Manuel. Call Jan at 520-490-1998 for info and to register.

Enjoy meaningful alone time, fun interactive chats, poignant story-telling, and biblical insights, as well as give-aways throughout the relief-producing day on October 4 at First Baptist Church San Manuel, AZ at the corner of First Avenue and Nickols in San Manuel. For info and registration about this free retreat, call Jan at 520-490-1998.

The retreat is a reader’s digest version of my new book, The Relief of Imperfection. Trying-too-hard-to-make-it-all-just-right (yes, it’s a type of perfectionism!) has many faces, includes all personality styles, and cuts across cultural lines. It has to do with unreasonable expectations–how we belittle ourselves and others for having human (we translate that word as weak) thoughts and emotions, inconsistent faith or less-than-excellent plans, accomplishments, families, bodies or dreams. Yet we who sometimes get worn-out “trying too hard” can learn the exciting adventure of learning to relax and realize that everything doesn’t need to be so difficult and that some things can actually be easy, fun and smile-able. What a relief!

I’ve love to see you there.

It’s been a while since I posted a blog. So, where have I been? Writing a new book and welcoming a new granddaughter.

The new book, a devotional titled It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life:Daily Encouragement for Women Who Strive Too Hard to Make It Just Right is due to hit your local bookstore shelves around Mother’s Day 2009. It is great companion book to my recently released book,The Relief of Imperfection.

The best part about this past summer? Calissa Jolie Rasmussen, our seventh grandchild and number four granddaughter, was born to our daughter Lynnette and her husband Adam. She’s a precious addition to their family of four sisters.

Here’s a few pictures of Calissa soon after she arrived on July 28, 2008.

• Nine year-old big sister, Annika, holds and admires her new baby sister.
• Alissa’s entire family including Daddy Adam, Mommy Lynnette, 9 year-old sister Annika, five year-old Kirsten, 4 year-old Lesia and Baby Calissa.
• Papa and Grandma Joan with 6 hour-old Calissa Jolie.

Thank you, God.

More from Joan later.

Relief blessings to you today!