Potpourri

This week has been light; cleaning on Tuesday and then working at home. One of the cafe workers will stay with us this weekend, so it’s been extra motivation to get the guest room neater.

We talked with family some today. Sometimes we forget that we live on the east coast and can’t jump in the car and drive home.

Side note: Isn’t it funny how many homes you can have? There’s the home you grew up in, and the home where you went to school, and (after you get married) the home of your new family and (of course) your own home. And it can get quite confusing in conversation.

Anyway, family are doing well, overall.

We have office furniture! Black. I nearly got a hernia helping Mitch lug it into the office. Maybe I’m exaggerating a little. Not much. But it is pretty and finally we will have all our paper junk organized, hopefully by Christmas. (Some sarcasm used here.)

And this girl cut my hair this afternoon.



Tomorrow, mini family camp begins!

Reflections

I haven't reached the 1000th post, not by a long shot. But I suppose it doesn't really matter. Today I read through old blogs and it was good. Remembering where God has been in the past, reflecting on friendships and growth experiences--it is always a good thing when it encourages you in the present.

Today I also created a new space for Mitch and I, where he can post if he wants to... That would be something new, too. :) No matter if he does or not, though, I wanted to make something for "us" and here's the result: gadventure.wordpress.com.

Take a moment to reflect: where God has led you?

Peace.

Band Camp

On the way home from work today I watched marching band practice. The leaders pushed, the kids responded, and the field was a mass of color and noise flowing into patterns. It inspired me and made me think, “There is hope.” Mostly because I feel we don’t ask enough from today’s youth, don’t give enough either. Sure, we give “freedom” and material goods and individuality, but what about our time? Our dependability? What about teaching kids to live as a team? Band camp gives me hope because I know that when kids are pursued by Christ followers, and when they decide to become true disciples themselves, there will be no stopping the Word of God. God is raising up an army of youth. He will raise us up if we simply take His hand, get to our feet, and start marching, too. Awesome.

TeeterTotter

I haven't blogged in awhile, but not really because I haven't had time. I just don't feel like it.

But you can't live life based on feelings. Even if I don't want to exercise, or clean a bathroom, or experience the sometimes awkwardness of new friendships, there are just some things I need to do.

This epiphany comes when things are new. It's a lesson God teaches me over and over, probably because I haven't ever learned it fully. Just when I congratulate myself on doing "well" something else comes along to remind me that, oh, maybe I could use some more work. Thankfully God doesn't give up.

Do you ever struggle between pride and inadequacy? I was thinking that today as I swept Headquarters' porch. I worry about fitting in here. I worry that I won't make the deep, close friendships I had in academy and college. I wonder if the academy kids who work in the kitchen will ever warm up. Will I warm up? Will I stop disliking this job? Do I have what it takes? Then, after a few sweeps, I actually started feeling puffed up as I watched the dirt fly. Obviously sweeping doesn't take too much--commitment, mostly--but I need that affirmation: I do have what it takes! Then God reminded me that my thoughts were way out of line...unbalanced. I didn't need to swing that far in either direction. First, I do have value--look what Jesus did for me! Second, without Him, I am helpless and hopeless...change my heart, oh God!

So that's where I am at, right now, in a nutshell--working in a beautiful place with Mitch, overwhelmed. Anyway, that's why I haven't felt like blogging. Every time I try to write, the blank space overwhelms me. I don't even know where to start.

But (five paragraphs later!) you can't always go by feelings.

Chili

Every Sabbath we make haystacks for lunch. Yesterday, the beans blew up in my face.

We have horrible can openers, me being one. I can never get a full lid open without leaving spots untouched by the ineffective can opener, which means that the lid remains stuck to the can in several places. I usually have to pry the lid open with my hand, or, if I’m trying to put safety first, a spoon or something. Even then the can’s contents hide inside.

Needless to say, the cans of beans were no exception. I was tugging at a lid with a spoon, hard, when–suddenly–it gave way. Beans took flight.

They splattered my apron and the shirt I was wearing, but I really didn’t notice that until after a quick trip to the bathroom to get beans off my face.