What I do all day long

Change is in the air. Lately, the mornings have been cool with a little breeziness. It has been just what I needed. It reminds me that this segment of my life will NOT go on forever. It has been very lonely around here - I fill in where I can. And I have probably grown much closer to my mother-in-law and my family than I would have if I were living on my own. But, it's still not fun. God created me to be my husband's helpmate. It's hard to feel like I'm "helping" much when I never see him.

I vow to make the most of this season of our lives, though. It has been a very good time of drawing close to my Savior! And I have been involved in a food bank ministry of sorts. Our church is searching for a new place to meet while the school we lease gets renovated - this means that I can't dive in fully, yet. But, once we know what we're doing, perhaps this passion of mine will take off. Wednesday was the last day I could glean from the Kirkland Farmer's Market, bringing fresh fruits and veggies to the church office on Thursday morning. That has benefitted many people and it's a huge blessing to see God work in that way - produce that could have easily been thrown away. God speaks through satisfied bellies.

On a totally different note, I picked up an old Bible that I brought to PCC (Pensacola Christian College) with me in '06. Inside, I had scribbled a few quotes from one of the men who would speak on Sundays (a required church - no, I could not go into the community to choose a church).

1) "MySpace - You should hang a sign saying, 'Dirt for Sale', because that's what it is."
2) "Television is a sewage pipe from hell right in your own living room."
3) We choose to hang out with lousy friends and listen to garbage music - it's a choice."

In case you hadn't noticed, I don't really agree with anything he said. I'm not such a huge TV fan, but not because I believe it's a sewage pipe STRAIGHT FROM HELL. It just doesn't have much shininess to me. I'd rather be exercising, cooking, or in community. Just in case you were wondering what in the HECK I do all day long, as one of my patients asked me when I told them I don't watch TV. Shocking, I know.

Love

Listening to Coffee with the Coaches on 820AM KGNW - My darling friend, Suzette Parker is a gem and such a smart lady! I love her!

Missing my husband, who's across the state from me. Can't wait to see him next weekend!

I'm thinking about relationships - the give and take. On the radio show this morning, an email that was read said "People who are 'fixers' are just natural encouragers, and they actually have the obligation to help those less fortunate." Suzette and Laurie responded with giggles, as though they had heard this many times before. It brought to mind a situation that went on for years (and has just recently been somewhat resolved, I think), in which someone who offered their advice to us would not relent, continually making this topic a big deal, even after the action had already been taken. The unwillingness of the other party to apologize for their part in the struggle, despite our laying down our pride and apologizing many times (from what I can tell, a very genuine apology on Cameron's part, and certainly genuine on mine) has caused very deep hurt. Much greater hurt than if the struggle would have ended as soon as the action had been taken. I have also found with my friends and loved ones that continuing to disprove of their actions after the fact has no good effects.

Let me clarify: I may not agree with the decisions my friends/family have made, but regardless, I must continue to love them and serve them. I may not want to serve in a way that encourages them to continue making poor decisions (defined as those that adversely affect their life, such as being in an abusive relationship or choosing alcohol/drugs to fill a void), so in that light, my 'service' is more limited. However, I am still called to show Christ's love, which He demonstrated to the least of these.

Galatians 5:13-14 , "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" That last statement, the 2nd greatest commandment, is the most frequently quoted Old Testament text (Leviticus 19:18) in the New Testament. That says volumes. Furthermore, I am 'fulfilling' the Mosaic Law by loving my neighbor. May I remember this in the following week.

Travels

Well, surprise (to me, too)! We just arrived back home from the most exciting trip of my life! My sweet husband took me on the trip we've been dreaming of for years. It was such a blessing, as I had already taken time off work, but we initially didn't see how we could afford the $10,000 we estimated it would cost. So, we had planned on a 2-week 'stay-cation' (which can be good, too) to spend some well-needed time together to refresh our marriage. Cameron's extended absence has been quite taxing emotionally for both of us. However, at the last minute, we found the cruise tickets we had been eyeing for about 25% of the initial cost. So, we booked, bought plane tickets, started packing, and went on a lovely adventure. The last evening shift I worked, I practically fell down the stairs on my way home - I was SO excited!

Here are a few snapshots of our trip:

The Colosseum at night
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Courtyard at Musei Vaticani
Saint Peter's Basilica
Papal Guard
Sistine Chapel
Acropolis
Our dinner table on the cruise: Me, Cameron, Cindy, Chris, Sabrina, and Geoff
Saint John's church and burial site
Grand Theater at Ephesus
Reading Ephesians in Ephesus
The house of the virgin Mary
Inside the courtyard of Sultan's Palace, Istanbul
Rhodes (where I first swam in the Mediterranean)
Istanbul - Topkapki (the Sultan's Palace)
Inside Topkapi
The Blue Mosque
Inside Hagia Sophia

Community

Can I tell you about our community? In most cases, we live at least 30-40 minutes drive from any of these people, but we are as close as ever in spirit. Twice a week, Cameron and I get the pleasure of sharing their company. Corporately, on Sundays, we meet at Rose Hill Junior High School in Kirkland for service at 10AM. It is early, for me (a night owl by career, not choice), but so delightful!

On Wednesdays, we meet as a small group at our friend, Liz's house in Woodinville. There are usually 10-15 of us. We chat for awhile, talking about our lives and our needs. We lift each other up in prayer. Then we talk about whichever book we have been reading throughout the week (right now, Francis Chan's 'Crazy Love'). We always end with good food and lots more talking. This group of people is incredible! I am constantly amazed at the fervor they have for life, serving others, and honoring our great God! I leave every Wednesday night with a new fire in my heart (Cameron can attest to this - while he's been at school, he hasn't had much of a support group in Cheney and I sometimes exhaust him with my energy over the phone).

Our pastor, Dave, just told us that approximately 40% of the student population at the school where we meet will be on reduced or free lunches this upcoming schoolyear. Because of that, we are trying to collect money for some grocery gift cards for these families. This spurred a thought in my mind - why can't we directly provide the food and meet some of these people? I always prefer to see where my money is going. So, I hopped online and found an organic farm in Puyallup, Mother Earth Farm (http://www.efoodnet.org/Page11.aspx), which supplies food banks and hungry families with fresh produce. It also provides educational opportunities for schoolchildren in the planting season. I am hoping to serve there soon, harvesting some of the late summer crop. Maybe this will even turn into an opportunity to bring food back for the people in my local community. If anyone is interested in serving with me, please comment or contact me. Serving together is such a great way to get to know one another!

Freedom

Of all the things to post about, here I go on the ONE thing I do not want to share with anyone.

I hate change.

That's not the news - that's just the disclaimer.

We are not ready to buy a house.

That may not strike you as awful, terrible news. But, for me, it broke my heart. We have been planning this for awhile, going to the bank to talk with the loan officer, meeting mortgage brokers and asking questions. Finally, we agreed to meet with the real estate agent our loan officer recommended. Over waters at Starbucks (not drinking coffee makes us pretty boring), Cameron got a chance to "read" him. We gleaned so much information from him, scheduled a tour of the Woodinville/Monroe area, and went out on our journey a few days later. We toured 4 properties, one of which I fell in love with. I'm pretty sure it was close to Cameron's dream place, as well.

Let me describe it for you: simple rambler painted robin's egg blue (ah, heaven) with covered porch (finished porch with recessed lighting, I might add). There was a separate 2-car garage converted into a shop, a well room with storage, a chicken coop/storage shed, AND a separate studio/office with built-in cabinets (no bathroom, though). The house was simple, beautiful, and fairly light (a huge necessity for us). But, the kicker was the property. Gorgeous, rolling hills - 3 acres of them. Perfect, open farm property. And a pasture for the goats we will someday have.

I tell you, I dream of the day when I can cuddle in the grass with my kids and my animals all snuggled around me. I can't wait to pick up warm eggs from the chicken coop and watch my goats eat the weeds around my lush garden (of course it will have to be fenced in).

Once again, though, I made an idol of something not to be worshiped. Someday, a house will be right for us. When it is, we will feel peace about it. Cameron did not feel that. And, let me tell you, it was H-A-R-D for me to follow him this time.

I love being married. It is a huge blessing. And it is rarely this difficult, but I made a decision to make Cameron my leader. He is my spiritual authority. I have to learn to trust him in making decisions. And you know what? Choosing to honor his request for me to stop looking for and blabbering about houses has been a huge relief. I had no idea how obsessed I had been. It was like a noose around my neck. Allowing him to lead is freeing. And, when that someday comes, it will be great, because we will have chosen it together.

Crazy lady

I need some BALANCE!

I'm sure we all feel this way at some point. A few weeks ago, I asked myself what I had accomplished in the past few months. Honestly, I could not think of much. A few things came to mind that I wanted to try: 1) Starting my own business, sewing reusable sandwich bags (need a brand name!!!); 2) Getting a 2nd job somewhere I enjoyed and could get a discount (Pacific Fabrics); or 3) Volunteering my time to an organization I wanted to invest in.

After talking these over with Cameron, he suggested either the bags or volunteering. I've been working on a few bags, steadily, but building a business seems to take time, and I'm not quite ready to start my Etsy store, yet. There is a lovely lady, Pat Masters, who essentially runs our church office in Kirkland. She was more than happy to put me to work when I asked her if I could help. So, my days are starting to fill up with visits to the office to print bulletins, nametags, and work on the website calendar. It's nearly mindless work, which is a nice change from the place that shall remain nameless. I like the idea of showing up in cute clothes to type on a computer and take a few phone calls, then leaving with my head still attached to my body and my hair in order.

Needless to say, I add things to my own plate. I'm happy volunteering; that is the last thing I'm complaining about. It truly makes me happy. It's just one example of how I can turn from having nothing to do in the morning, to having every single day on my calendar filled in completely. I literally have about an hour to myself every day, and that means rushing around to get my workout/shower bag ready, nutritious lunch and dinner packed, and scrubs/Danskos/badge thrown in the back of the Subaru. I'm living out of that vehicle - I love our car, but it's getting a bit annoying.

Makes me dream of sometime next year, when I envision things changing quite a bit. Every day is "just one more day - you can do it!"

Summer Days

I got my fill of beautiful summer. And it's only July. Oh, yes!

We decided to pack it up and go backpacking last week. A lovely nurse at work agreed to work one of my days, so I could spend an extra with my hubby. We drove South to Vancouver, but it was raining. Very hard. Not wishing to slug our equipment up a hill on our backs 5 miles and camp in a puddle, we kept driving. And driving. And... we drove to Napa Valley. We had 2 lovely days

• exploring the little towns along Highway 29,
• eating fresh herb bread, soppressata, pecorino cheese, and delicious caesar salad at a vineyard,
• Cameron bought me a beautiful little black summer dress,
• we had a fancy Italian dinner complete with a bottle of red wine (mmmm),
• I crossed off 'mud bath' from my bucket list (yep - clay, peat moss, and hot mineral water - watch out for those 'hot spots'!),
• Cameron mud-bathed with me,
• we had a very pleasant night's sleep in Calistoga, CA,
• and we woke up to the hot SUN and lounged by the pool reading our Bibles.

I did NOT want to leave! On the other hand, I had a very handsome man ushering me to a good-looking vehicle, offering to drive me 15 hours over the mountains and through the Redwoods back home-sweet-home. And we enjoyed our leftovers from lunch (yes, I do love picnics, especially with bread and cheese).

All completely spontaneous. I LOVE my husband!