*contented sigh*

1 Corinthians 15:57

busy busy!

So...it's the crazy time of the year...Bug works insane hours....Eye is just insane ;-)

it's also getting chilly out there...so...

I made butternut squash bisque and cornmeal muffins with chipotle lime butter :)

Bug liked it.

...and in the spirit of de-cluttering...

yeah...that's right. I built this cabinet.

brrrrr!!

I am so completely not ready for cold weather to hit! I mean seriously! Last night Bug and Eye went to dinner at a local place....the news was on one of the TVs droning in the background and I caught sight of that dreadful white four letter word....my jaw dropped and I whipped around to look out the window....instead it was raining. I turned back to the TV to figure out where the dreaded stuff was falling....and .....
Yesterday marked three years since the "October Surprise" storm that crippled the city for a few days....they were remembering.... *PHEW*

We revisited a church this past Sunday....and the pastor made an incredibly wonderful point...
"Fear causes us to rewrite history." In that moment, I was not thinking about how God provided for me and kept me warm and safe and fed...I was thinking about the terror that hit when I realized the city was essentially brought to its knees. I didn't think about how it didn't last for long and the power came back and life went on....I thought about the bad and the scary.

Pastor's message was about the Israelites....God brought them through and out of so much...but still, their faith was so fragile. So after the tenth plague, God brought them out of Egypt. And instead of the straight path that led them past the Philistine's, God led them down to the Red Sea. Where they were backed into a corner because Pharaoh decided he wanted his slaves back. God? what are you doing?? Well...God knew that the Israelite's faith was so fragile, they would rewrite history upon seeing the Philistines...they wouldn't see God's provision and remember that He delivered them....they'd see the battle and remember only that the Egyptians provided them with homes.....so God moved them...
...and what about trapping them by the sea? Simple. God needed the Israelites to see that He would provide. Not only did they cross on dry land...God destroyed their captors before the Israelites' very eyes....I take this to mean God was saying "look, I delivered you. I destroyed them in front of you so that you won't lie awake at night thinking you hear chariots coming to enslave you."

Isn't it amazing the lengths God will go to for His people? And here I am stressing about where we'll live and how we're going to move appliances. HA! Silly little Eye.

whoa....

October already? yes....I know...I'm a bad girl and I've been neglecting our blog....how on earth will you know what's going on with us unless I update? yeah....sorry about that. I have a sneaking suspicion I'll get better about that if we ever do get online at home...and it will be much easier to post pics....but alas, I digress....

Things are pretty good in our corner of the world...both working, crazy days, but it's ok because it means we are still blessed with employment.

N & B celebrate their first anniversary on Sunday - amazing how quickly it passes!

Bug traded the old car for a newer car and ooh is it fun!! It's a wonderful 4-wheeled blessing, and I am breathing a big sigh of relief because it will be much more dependable when the white-stuff-that-shall-not-be-named shows up.

I'm waiting to hear back from deaf services to see if I can get into the current pre-interpreter training program or if I have to wait for the next one. I am so excited to finally be doing this! It's such a wonderful thing to be able to bridge a gap...one that can be so frustrating. I get so mad when someone acts as if it's the hearing-impaired person's fault that they can't hear. There is a huge need for interpreters right now, so I am thrilled to finally get going and serve in that way. Then there's the whole feeling like I am finally doing something I've been called to for a while thing...that does help in the excitement...ya know...just a little....

Some know we are looking for a new church home...that has been a challenging road....we're praying for guidance and taking this opportunity to really strip down why we go to church, what the church is supposed to do and what are we to do as a part of the body.

I started reading a new book called The Forgotten God...so far it's hit me between the eyes every other paragraph...it's about remembering to include the Holy Spirit...it talked about how just because a church has a large membership roll, doesn't mean it's doing as God intended....you can put together a great band, a motivational speaker and some hip activities....people will flock...people like to have their ears tickled, we like to hear the Psalms where David talks about God's blessings. We like to read the sweet story of Ruth....we skip over the scary part in Esther and look at the romantic part of her being chosen and rags to riches.....why would we ever want to look at the challenging parts that say I need to change my whole life if I want to live for God? I mean really....I can go to church on Sunday, sing my songs, read my verse....go home and get back to my life...

but then am I really living a life abundantly?

hmm...the brain becomes challenged. as does the soul.....and hopefully, the conscience is still tender enough to be pricked.

I recently talked with a friend about letting go of distractions...the ones that eat our time, creep in and try to attack our marriages, make us think that the distraction is an important piece of our day...when it is really just eating up our free time and keeping us from doing the things that matter...It's amazing what God can do in your life when you actually acknowledge and push away a distraction and put the focus back on him.

well....there's a ramble for the day....
sorry for the delay....and I'll try to be better :)

Oh, how the years go by...

Ok...so maybe it's only one year and maybe it's still a couple of days away...but
wow.

This Sunday marks one year since Bug and Eye got married....one year ago today, I slept in, got up and went to a local salon where a great friend gave me a mani/pedi....I spent the rest of the day dealing with the last minute things and trying not to ruin my nails...the next day Mom, JBrother, K Sister, H, Sister and maid of honor came....we did nail appointments and got wonderful sangwiches from Marco's...Jbrother carried my purse through Target, telling me that his job that day was to keep me laughing and not allow me to stress over the details....hail storm started, enough to dent my car and went away....off we go to the church....the whole veil thing happened....wow....amazing how clear one remembers...and then Saturday came....

and I became Mrs. Bug!

Bug,
I love you more than anything, you are my best friend, the love of my life, my confidant, and I could not have asked for a better husband. You get me and all my crazy....the way we share thoughts and of course the laughter that doesn't seem to end...
You are a blessing to me, a wonderful leader and a great man of God and I am honored that you picked me.
I am yours forever,
Eye.

Feelin' Hot Hot HOT...

so...what do you do in the heat of August when it's way too hot to cook, no one feels like hot take out and the hubby doesn't like cold cuts and cottage cheese?

You make gazpacho!!

but...uh....one little gazpacho making tip....

cut the tomatoes....not the hand....yeah...

So....serated knives cut tomatoes quite well. They also do a number on a hand....

whoops.....but it closed up nicely with the butterfly...granted...deep enough where I probably should have gotten a stitch....but......I needed to wash the knife and finish making dinner and then um, teach the ferret to yodel and um........

Thank God for butterfly bandages!!!!

ooh...good words

Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 NLT

We had a busy, exhausting but enjoyable weekend...we traveled several hours for Bug's family reunion - it was wonderful! But now we're back to reality with day long meetings in cities not too close....and the alarm goes off way to early and I'm finding myself to be very drained....wondering how I'm going to get through the entire day without collapsing....and then I get to work, flip my calendar to today and see that encouragement, take a deep breath...and relax, feel the peace and move on.

Hope.

hope –noun 1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
5. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
–verb (used with object)
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
–verb (used without object)
8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in).—Idiom
10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition

Hope.
It's a word we use a lot. I hope it doesn't rain. I hope we have ice cream. I hope these shoes fit.

what about There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 (NIV).
Well that's cool.
what does it mean?

It means that when I put my hope in God, when I dare to let go of the reins, stop insisting I have to be in control and let God be ...well...GOD.....I can relax. I can rest easy knowing I'm not suddenly going to be dropped. Yes, I'm a worrisome paranoid woman. But....he sees much further down the road than I do and knows exactly where I need to turn and when I need to speed up, slow down or simply stop and rest in his arms.

And that, my friends, is a reason to take a deep breath and sit back. Relax. and stop trying to figure out what the picture on the grand quilt is. To be content to work my piece and know it's just a piece of a much grander plan. Hope - promise in a future, something to look forward to...

I know the plans I have for you ... Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11

I love those reminders...

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us -- whatever we ask -- we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV

So even though I'm stressing the answer....he heard me....I don't have to repeat myself a hundred times....it's time to be quiet and listen....I know what I asked is within His will, I know what his word says about this...and I know He heard me....
........so I gotta say I'm convinced that's why I feel enveloped in peace today.
I pray this reminder reminds you of the blanket of peace you have too....

have a great weekend.

Claiming this today...

Whose Report Shall You Believe
(Becky Fender)
Whose report will you believe?
We shall believe the report of the Lord (repeat 3 times)
His report says I am healed
His report says I am filled
His report says I am free
His report says victory

We get many reports. We get good reports, bad reports, report cards, reports on good behavior, reports on our cars, our health, our food....there are many reports. There are reports that make us jump for joy. There are reports that make us crawl under the bed with a favorite teddy bear and cry for days...there are reports that make us cringe....reports that make us angry....but ...what about the report that says "ok. this is bad. it's a rough situation, BUT there is hope. There is peace. There is joy."
I like that one...sign me up!

I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:4-5

coupla pics to start your week....

We had a quiet Independence Day celebration....spent the day together, caught some fireworks in an overcrowded park....

it was quite sunny....but we enjoyed our outing :-D

Weekend was ok too...we're getting our new fridge on Saturday so I needed to start cleaning out the freezer....

so I made quadruple berry cobbler....which we enjoyed while watching a movie.

July already?

wow....this year is just flying! At this point last year, we were tying up the loose ends of wedding preparations, getting excited for our wedding, N brother's wedding and J friend's wedding....hard to believe it's been nearly a year!

It's a rainy and dreary week here....which of course always puts me in a pensive mood. I'd love nothing more than to go home, curl up with a book (re-reading Piercing the Darkness for the billionth time), a cup of something warm (dusted off the espresso machine Monday night...) and my favorite fleece blanket...let the storm rage outside and enjoy the peace inside. Which of course...makes me think.

You've all heard one of my favorite quotes (and I really wish I knew who said it!) Sometimes God quiets the storm...and sometimes God lets the storm rage and quiets the child. How true - and how often do we miss that He is actually calming us? We are inside of our houses, safe and warm, staring at the rain blowing sideways, jumping when the thunder booms.....focusing all on the storm rather than enjoying the beauty in it and knowing that God's got it all....

Did she just say beauty of the storm? Yep. I did. James 2 -4 (message version) tells us to Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
when? Did that say when I endure trials of many kinds? But I thought once I became a Christian all that stuff went away and God supplies all my needs and I get to just live on a cloud full of joy....
well...God does supply all of our needs...but we must weather those storms....we must press through and endure the refinement....and when we do....it's amazing what God does. We can step back and see the beauty of the storm -- remember the smooth beautiful stone made so by the waves? The pearl....sand made beautiful by being eaten? The coal pressed but not crushed....pressure from all sides....becomes a diamond...

My prayer today is that we press on....take hold of the promises, and learn to enjoy the beauty in the storm.
I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted, not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. I am blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure for His joy's gonna be my strength....though the sorrows may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning! (Trading My Sorrows)

"Wait."

"Wait."
Oh how we hate to hear that word. And not just the three year old that really really really wants you to watch him spin in a circle until he falls down.

A two minute wait for a cheeseburger at our favorite fast food place? Preposterous! Although...it should probably scare us when the burger is on the tray before we've finished ordering....
and even when the "wait" is for our benefit....like because he knows he just took that pan out of the oven...but all I see is "ooh! cinnamon buns!" I'm going to burn my hand, my mouth and probably my chest as I spit out the lava hot bite....
Wait.
Because if I don't give in to instant gratification and wait a week those really cute shoes will be 40% off and I won't blow my budget.
Wait.
Because if I shut up and listen to God's timing I may not miss out on that blessing he has in store for me.
Wait.
Can't. Too anxious.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God Phil. 4:6
Wait.
But....I need it now.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19

Wait.
Ok...so maybe it's that I want it now...and maybe my heart is breaking a little bit and maybe I'm frustrated that my timing rarely matches God's....and maybe...just maybe....well...*sigh*

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:21-31

Boy, God really does have an answer for everything doesn't he?

Musings for a Monday

It was a good weekend.

Friday we had a quiet dinner and watched some TV and headed to bed early....Saturday we got up, hit the gym (grrr buff burley Eye!), walked the Art Festival, spent some quiet time together at home and then went out for a nice dinner....home and early to bed....

Sunday was pretty good, church (poor Bug broke a string during worship....but it was easily rememdied and the worship leader asked for testimony so he could have a chance to change it - it was a good time), then we did a little shopping, grabbed some lunch and headed home. We did our weekly "deep clean" of the place and vegged for a bit....then he did some study and I did some Zelda playing and then of course it was time to make the dinner...veggie fajitas. Amazing what you can do with few calories and lots of veggies to create a yummy yet diet friendly dinner...

and then came dessert....

which is actually pretty diet friendly as well.....fat free angel food cake, jell-o, fat free yogurt, fresh strawberry slices (no sugar on them!)...the only bad part was the homemade whipped cream....but I didn't eat enough of that to say so :-D

So back to Monday....the start of a new week.....Drove to work seeking God's grace and peace for the week and started to think about this song and it came on the radio...so of course I had to sit and listen :-D

and of course it got me thinking....if His grace is enough, why do I stress and worry so much? If you stop and think about it...God's owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He created the heart in my chest (and healed it!) - why can't I get my pea-brain to remember He's got the daily stresses under control too?

No doubt about it! God is good -- good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, mised seeing his goodness. I was looking the other way....I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. Pasalm 73:1-3, 23-24 Message Translation

Have a blessed day!

ah...that message!

Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you.... That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. Mark 11:22-24 (Message Translation)

Hmm. Now there's some food for thought. I don't think it's really any secret that we've had a lot of things weighing heavy on our minds lately - and it hasn't really changed. And in Bible study last night I was reminded that God still doesn't change. Yes, I've always known it ...and yes, I'm crying, and trying my best not to tear my hair out. Sure, I've eaten more than a few chocolate cupcakes and bowls of ice cream and curled up with my favorite fleece blanket on the couch and had my husband rub my feet....but those things...while they may make me smile for a little while...they are all temporary fixes....now God...he's got some bigger fixes...and while I freely admit I'm not so good with the patience aspect....his bigger fixes....they are much better than overdoses of sugar and an extra long visit to the gym.

I've said it before...and I'm sure I'll say it again...it's amazing what can happen when one steps out of God's way and into his will.....
I'll close with a quote my husband shared with me years ago.
Take the first step. And then God will take the second step. And by the time the third step rolls around....you'll realize it was God who took the first step. [author unknown]

Update Time!

So....because we still haven't purchased the laptop we planned to...and because we haven't set up the desktop because there's no room...I have no pics to accompany this post because I took them on the digital cam and not my phone...sorry!!!! So I guess you'll have to use your imagination until I remedy the picture situation....

We're good...still loving being married and still on cloud 9.
So...we got a tent. a big one. and sleeping bags...and a lantern, a cooler and some great thoughts!
Mom gave us a camp stove for Christmas and a gift card to go get more camping stuff...so we finally went and did it....and have decided rather than spend a fortune on a hotel and meals for one weekend...we're going to go camping for our anniversary. We're pretty excited and can hardly believe it's already been 9.5 months. We were talking the other day on their anniversary and remembering singing five years ago and dreaming of our own wedding day....*sigh* happy stuff!!!

Baby LJ is doing great - he's getting so big already!! and he loves to play Zelda with Aunt Eye ;-) He's a smiley little baby and thinks it's just hilarious when Uncle J says "Chicken." He also loves Uncle Bug because Uncle Bug will always pick LJ up as soon as he sees him.

My R cousin got married this past weekend - what a beautiful event. She got married outside in the midst of pink flowers and under a tree....she was stunning! Her new husband is a good guy and I'm very happy because he will take very good care of her.

N brother is working in the mountains for the summer - great opportunity for him but he misses his wife...keep them in prayer please - for safety for N and comfort for both!

J bro is doing well as well....he's got a dump truck and a tree removal job which he loves. Got to hang with him at the wedding...he looked fabulous in a band t-shirt with a tie!

H sister is doing good and loves motherhood.

Parents are good too....
and there's your update!!

oh yeah...so that's where I type

I'm sorry...I've been neglectful of the blog...
things are pretty good...we're still very much enjoying newlywedness....this married stuff is awesome...and it blows me away that it's still novel even after just about 8 months.
We're finding our rhythm with work and home and church and have a wonderful Bible study group...we are learning a lot which is always a good thing.
We're both getting over being sick and looking forward to seeing most of the fam next weekend...squeeze on the new baby and hug the other newlyweds in the fam :-)
so....that's a boring post.
but at least now you know we're still alive :-)

It's rather exciting to meet a celebrity...

no...I didn't have a baby....

But my sister did...

my newest nephew, L.J. born 2.17.09, at 8:08 a.m., 7 pounds, 3 ounces, 20 inches long and everyone's doing well :-)

all together now...AWWWWW!

My husband came home from work this morning with these in hand....

Yup. He made me smile. On a Monday. Before the consumption of coffee.

The man's got skills :-)

And I am grinning ear to ear and feeling extra loved today.

Baby it's cold outside.

So it's a good thing we have a warm bed....and a lovely quilt made by a woman very very very special to us.....
yeah, that's about as close to a ww as I can get...

2009....

wow. where does the time go?
I suppose I could use this post to pass along my reflections of the past year...the highs, the lows....and what I resolve to do this year....
but instead....
I'm going to be realistic and say I'm going to try. I'm going to try to make each day more magical and happy and whatnot and I'm going to try to not be disappointed when things don't work out like I'd really rather they do :-)

We had a wonderful "First" holiday season together....no....no pics....yet anyway...K needs to email me....

Hung out with all three sides of the fam and had a wonderful time doing so...
AND I got to hug her.

so yeah, I'd say quite successful :-)

We wish all of you a happy, peaceful and refreshing new year.