Next Door

She invited us to church .....AND gave me a hug.

We met our new neighbor tonight! Yes.....she invited us to her house of worship.....embraced me....and called me Honey. Truly a woman after my own heart-right next door. I have big plans for our relationship. Waving while on the lawn mower, watching her house while she is away, baking things for her, having her over for tea or dinner, and having nice conversations in our driveways. This is the first time in our married life that we have a neighbor who's dwelling isn't attached to ours. We actually live in a real house now - with a real yard - and real neighbors. What joy.

Thank you, Lord.

Pots and Pans

Recently, my husband surprised me with a new set of pots and pans. They are the shiny kind with copper around the bottom. I feel so chef-like when I use them.

While I'm more than thrilled with my new cooking toys - I'm even more blessed by how I got them. My husband got to pick out a free gift for some points he had accumulated through a work program. He had been eyeing this really nice circular saw - when he noticed the pots and pans set. Because he is so thoughtful - he opted to forgo the manly circular saw and chose the shiny pots and pans set - for me. Is that not the sweetest thing ever? He is totally reaping the benefits though...tonight I made brats with green peppers and onions in my new skillet.

Just call me Giada.

Parenting Quote

I enjoy reading parenting books. Some of them are junk, some are thought-provoking, and some are amazingly helpful. One of my favs is The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartain. I want to share a quote with you from her:

" I also learned that I didn't have to be a perfect parent. I just had to be a praying one."

What a great reminder. If you are a parent - let it encourage you.

Relocating

We are smack-dab in the middle of a move. Whether I'm moving across state lines or simply moving across town - it is always hectic. I have to-do lists coming out of my ears, boxes scattered throughout our apartment, and very bare walls. Thanks to those awesome 'Magic Erasers' there aren't even any crayon marks on the walls anymore. While every move can be a little stressful - this one is different. We are in the process of buying our very first home! I don't think the knots in my tummy will actually go away until I am holding those shiny house keys in the palm of my hand. Having faith that everything will work out, I am so exited to get into an actual house! A home - with a driveway to plow, a yard to mow, and walls that I can actually paint! My husband is chomping at the bit to get into our new place, as well. It is situated on the outskirts of a small community consisting of mostly farm land. He has lived in the big city for too long now - and is already making plans for some crops, a few animals, and a workshop. He is a true testament to the old saying "You can't find your soul on the sidewalk." I love him for it.

While relocating, movers come and pack your entire material lives on a semi-truck. Every time it makes me feel so small. As I was cleaning out things today, I began thinking about how humbling a big move can be. Sifting through your belongings you begin to realize just how much junk you own. Things you don't need - never really did. Here in America - we have such an over-abundance of THINGS. I heard about a book a while ago that discussed the amount of material goods Americans own - compared to people of other countries. The writers went around the world and asked families to bring everything they owned out of their homes and place it in their front yard (if they had one.) It was astounding how much more STUFF Americans accumulate - things we thought we needed but only really wanted. And yet, in our very own country - there are still people who don't have enough to eat. Ironic, isn't it? It makes me feel so convicted.

I am pumped about this move. We will be living MUCH closer to some of our most treasured friends, close enough to attend Buckeye games, yet out of the city enough to see the stars at night. (Assuming of course - this whole darn home buying process is successful. I'm trusting it will be.) I'm so thankful.

I better get back to my to-do lists.

I Dare You....

So all of us experience times of drought and wondering. Times where we either find ourselves looking back and wanting to do things over. Times where our lives currently seem stale, unimportant, and without purpose. Even times where we look to the future with fear and wonder what direction to go in. Sometimes, it can be pretty overwhelming.

I had been having one of those days, when a certain song came on the radio. I have heard this song a zillion times, but it had never really ministered to me the way it did today. Switchfoot has this song called, "Dare You To Move." It spoke volumes to my heart today. Here are a few of the lyrics that shook me up:

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself
Where you gonna go
Where you gonna go
Salvation is here

I dare you to move.....

This is what I heard: Just move, Kate. Just DO SOMETHING. Act on it. Pick yourself up and use what you have been given. Stop whining. Stop worrying. Just move about the world. Cause others to move. You are worthwhile...now make your time here worthwhile. Tend to whom and what needs tending. No matter how small, MOVE and DO.

Ya know, God can use anything and anyone. Let's allow him to.

I dare you :)

I Took the Ipod Off

It wasn't a choice, I was forced. All streched out and ready to run, I pushed the play button and nothing happened. After tirelessly trying to get the thing to work, I regretfully decided to run without it. As I started out, I missed my music. I have been jogging and working out with my tunes for over a decade now. I felt like I had lost my running buddy. Without my very loud motivation blasting in my ears, I could hear myself breathing. I could hear my shoes on the pavement, and my pony tail flopping around. Those were not the only sounds I heard though. I was in for a surprise....

As I ran along, I heard birds - tons of them. I heard the huge trees around our apartment complex blowing in the wind. I heard the hoofs of dear....11 of them...(yes I said 11 - I counted!) climbing the rocky hills down the road. I heard friendly dog barks and neighbors saying hello. Usually, when I'm running and I encounter another person they just smile and wave - because they see I have headphones on. But this time, I was able to exchange a greeting. I heard kids playing, water running in a creek, and cars driving by. (It hadn't dawned on my music filled brain before that not being able to hear approaching vehicles is a safety no-no.) Wow. I had been missing out on a lot of nature's "noises".

But it doesn't stop there. My mind was clearer - more open - more receptive. Even....pure. My form was actually better because I wasn't stopping every 2 minutes to mess with my ipod. I traded the sounds of steel guitars and drum solos for the rejuvinating song of the wild. I could pray and actually get a response. I could think about something other than lyrics. I felt refreshed, free. All while trotting down the road in my Nike's.

That reminds me....A couple of months ago my computer died. It was long over due and I'm surprised it didn't happen before it did. Since I stay home with my son, inbetween reading books, meal time, cleaning, and playing - I frequented the computer chair. And since we were in a new city with no friends - the internet was my tie to the outside world. Until, I got that black computer screen staring back at me, that is. Oh yes, I was frustrated for a few days, but again, I was in for some good stuff. Literally, not having a computer at my fingertips all day long - changed my life. I spend more time with Jace. I read, write, and clean more (kindof!). I do more Bible studies and I pray more often.

A blessing in disguise. Hmmm. There seems to be a theme here, doesn't there? Strip a girl of her music and her internet and you get a humbled lady more in tune to God than she ever thought possible. A lady that, even though she doubts and questions - can see the handy work of a Creator taking distractions away - and replacing them with none other than.....Himself! And I'll take Him over technology any day :)

Quotes

I LOVE quotes. If anybody reading this ever has any good ones - send them my way. Here are a few I ran across today:

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Plato

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have." - Margaret Mead

"A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to become unraveled."

"Do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

"Power is the ability to do good things for others." - Brooke Astor