running running running

I captioned the above picture, "Me Time".

By the time I had adjusted my book and my favorite candy just so, taken a picture, readjusted the book, taken a few more pictures, uploaded to Instagram, played with a filter, posted to Instagram and Facebook... both children were begging for attention.  Nap time - "Me Time" - was over.  Already.  Before I had a chance to indulge in some sugar and fiction.  I felt that irony then, and find it more amusing now.  It's not even a great picture.

That was nearly two months ago.

Now, with a two month old and an almost two year old, I feel like I'm constantly CONSTANTLY constantly running.  Running behind Daphne trying to grab the remote from her before she screws up all our settings (which has happened twice, and takes almost an hour to reconfigure).  Running over to Charles in his bouncy seat, who has had an enormous diaper blow out that has - impressively - gotten into his hair (that happened this morning, no lie).  Running to take a sock from Bilbo before he bolts under the bed to rip it to shreds (happens all the time, and frankly I've quite given up on chasing him on this one).

I truly think this season of my life is a perpetual enactment of the chicken-fox-grain puzzle.  You know the one.  I think we learned it in 7th grade math class.  You have to get all three items across the river in one small boat without the chicken being eaten by the fox, or the grain being eaten by the chicken.  Naturally, you can't take them all over at once, so you've gotta make a few well-planned trips.  That's my life.  Keeping Daph away from the baby.  Keeping Bilbo from growling at Daphne near his food.  Keeping everyone occupied and relatively content while I manage to get just one thing done off my list for the day.  It's a puzzle.  It's like a really complex and exhausting riddle.  That lasts all day, and never ever ends.

So, when I finally get a chance to sit down and have a moment (just a moment!) to myself when both of the children are napping, and Bilbo is quietly laying at my feet... why on earth would I waste those minutes taking a picture of what I'd like to be enjoying?

this is home.

This is something I swore would never happen.  Literally.  I told Kevin I'd never never everrrrr live in Delaware.

And yet, here we are.

How... did this happen?

Oh dear, God knew better.

The first of May marks the fourth month that we've resided in Delaware, the "Small Wonder".  (That, I think, is a better nickname than "First State".  Better as in more amusing.)  And since day one, we have felt nothing but love and welcome and joy and warmth and support at our being here.  

Naturally, being near Kevin's family has been an enormous blessing.  Thank God for free childcare whenever we want or need.  Just three days ago, Christine took Daphne for the afternoon simply so I could nap.  What a blessed relief!

More surprising than the benefits of living near family, though, has been the gift of our church.  Already.  Four months in Delaware, but really only three months at Calvary, and I almost cannot believe the way we were welcomed.  It's like, "Oh!  This is how a church welcomes, invites, encourages, incorporates, functions...."  

What a beautiful thing to see God's people love one another!  And what a breath of fresh air to be so taken care of by a body of believers.  This has been such a time of healing for Kevin and me, to see that community is not lacking here!  I can truly buy into this!  I've already met people that I would consider 'good friends'.  And that's a big deal.

We have the privilege of living in a house provided for us by the church, and it's no exaggeration to say that it's the perfect situation for us.  Kev and I have been able to have people over meals, students over for movies, and friends over for coffee in a way we weren't (or our space wasn't) always capable of in the past.  I have had so much fun dreaming and decorating and hosting and chasing Daphne around the rooms!  Sometimes Kevin and I are just sitting at our dinner table and we look at each other and say, "I cannot believe we live here." 

I think that, even though our situation in Colorado was full of good memories and good people who truly loved us, we have had a lot to heal from, especially in our view of church.  I cannot imagine a better place for Kevin and I to reconnect and grow and heal, and for our children to be raised up and be taken care of than here at Calvary Wesleyan.  Certainly, this place is made up of as many fallen people as any other place we've been, but we believe in the vision and the leadership and the community and the God who has brought us here.  Brought us home.

everything has changed: or, i have plenty to be thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving from the Trivits family!

I know it's typically at the end of the year that we reflect and "see how far we've come" and all that, but it seems all too appropriate to express thanks on the day that's set aside specially for giving thanks.  We have been so very blessed this year - in some crazy and unexpected ways.

It has been monnnnnths since I've posted, and that's because I was in the midst of transitions.  A lot of 'em.  And I've been processing through them.  Mostly to myself.  Or, mostly to Kevin.

Some of these transitions you probably know about.  Like being me being pregnant.  It was a textbook pregnancy (barring that hiccup of PUPPs at the end that seemed to signal my imminent labor).  But in the span of those nine months, Kevin and I have moved twice; had a total of three roommates, a slew of visitors; had issues with finances tax-related, tire-related, rent-related; had changes in our work situations, good and bad; had highs and extreme lows in ministry; and have strained to keep our marriage a priority throughout it all.  Bear in mind, all this with my overload of hormones and a natural bent toward deep introversion.  

I stopped singing.  I stopped reading.  I stopped journaling. I stopped trying.  I watched Friends for hours upon hours.  I cleaned like I was certifiable.  I sulked and whimpered and lamented the state of things.  I tried to buck up.  I tried to power through.  I tried to submit to God's will, which clearly all of these transitions were.  I tried to be transparent with Kevin and my close friends.  I tried to be an understanding, gracious, loving person.  But I just wasn't… feeling it.  During this time of huge transition, in this regard, nothing changed.  I had a bad attitude, secretly or not-so-secretly, for nine months.  

Then, a week before our precious miracle, Daphne Rose, was born, I realized that none of this was me.  None of this was mine.  Not my house(s), not my time, not my money, not my job, not my ministry, not my friendships, not my space, and not my will.  These are things that are given to me; I'm a sort of steward not owner of these gifts, responsible for using them for others not selfishly hoarding them till I see fit.  Nothing is mine.  

And for this, I am grateful.  It takes all the pressure off, doesn't it?  When I don't have to question how I "use my resources"?  It's answered for me.  Use them for others.  God gives me permission to bend over backward for people: it's not just something I'm allowed to do when I'm on the clock at Starbucks, where customer service is actually everything.  I'm allowed to serve others without reservation, without expectation of return, and without thought for my personal convenience, or even happiness.  

This newfound understanding was the pièce de résistance to my nesting.  This home is prepared, as much as it can be, for the arrival of our daughter.  And by home, I - of course - mean myself.  If I'm not willing to sacrifice all for this child, what am I doing with this life?  Who am I?

So, I am overwhelmingly grateful.

I'm grateful for the transitions.

I'm grateful for the hardships.

I'm grateful for a husband who stands up to me, prods me, but doesn't take my feelings for granted.

I'm grateful for a healthy, beautiful, precious baby girl (I can't get enough of her! Thanks for letting me plaster your newsfeeds with so many pictures)!

I'm grateful for learning experiences: roommates, financial decisions, and communication with friends.

I'm grateful for supportive family members and friends who in turn encourage and admonish me.

I'm grateful for times to reflect, evaluate, redirect, and move forward.

Now, as I look toward the end of the year, Kevin and I are settling down in our home sans roommate, avec baby.  After nine months of transition, we are landing somewhere.  Settling down.  And we are receiving blessing upon blessing with the understanding that it's all for the purpose of giving it away.

 And now, another picture of my adorable little pink princess.  Just for fun.  :)

baby triv

Baby Trivits!

Due Nov 18!

(Lord willing!)

As you may or may not have seen or heard, Kevin and I are expecting!  We are incredibly excited and are absolutely overjoyed/overwhelmed that God would bless and trust us with this enormous responsibility.  

I realize a blog post is neither necessary nor consequential to many/most/all of you... but I wanted to give a heads up as to what you can expect from me, an expectant mother (oh, wow).  Or maybe, rather, what you can not expect.

Please do not expect me to post:

Tummy pictures... (monthly, or ever - yuck! I'm doing you a favor.)

Ultrasound pictures... (although I know my mom already posted one... I'll let that one slide... haha)

Any gratuitous statuses about cravings, morning sickness, and babies babies babies... (one of my goals for this year was to cut down on "public" complaining/whining, and I know no one cares that all I really want to eat is apple sauce and oatmeal.)

Don't get me wrong, I realize that it is good and healthy and appropriate and exciting to gush your newfound joy over being pregnant and the thought of having a child in the near future.  But seeing friend after pregnant friend plastering their news (and, may I say, rather personal and private business) all over facebook while until very recently, Kevin and I had struggled with the fact that we - seemingly - were not able to have a baby... it's actually rather hurtful.  I know I still have plenty of friends in that stage (waiting to conceive), and those who are struggling through/with infertility.  I want to be so very, very sensitive to that.  

It's ironic that two weeks ago, I was in the process of writing a blog about our inability to conceive, addressing those of you who rather indiscreetly and carelessly (however unintentionally) "gloat" over your blessed news... and the day after, I discovered I was pregnant.  So, while that blog will not be posted, I hope that the spirit of it is clearly established.

Basically, I don't want to be an annoying pregnant girl who rubs it in the faces of all I'm friends with.  I don't want to clog up a newsfeed.  I don't want to cause anyone to despair because I'm in a different situation than they are. 

But, all that being said, PLEASE:  Congratulate us!  Pray for us!  Rejoice with us!  But... do it in person.  Or send me a text or email or handwritten card!  Let's be more personal with all this personal stuff.  

Soli Deo Gloria!

abiding at advent

'Tis the season.  

Advent.

The coming of our Lord.

The great miracle of Incarnation.

The monumental shift of history.

And how do we celebrate?

By waiting.

Hoping.

Preparing.

We look forward in anticipation, certainly,

but these actions are hardly exciting - or even active, for that matter.

Not what you might expect for an event so huge we're still talking about it millennia after the fact.

Celebration, this season, is mere attitude, perspective, or inward reflection and preparation?

And yet, no amount of active striving will make Christmas come any sooner.

I feel this way sometimes.  

No, rather often.

That my life is just a waiting game.

It's all about to change, 

truly, everything is about to change.

The coming year will hold great things.

But I'm in-between.

I'm here, the important and monumental life-changing-points are out there.

Out there, beyond my control.

I can use no 'exciting' or 'active' verbs to get myself closer.

No striving will make it happen sooner.

It's a waiting game.

Hoping.

Preparing.

But what if this next big thing is just like the last big thing?

I reach it (finally), 

adjust, get comfortable with the change, 

and then I'm in-between again.

It's like the slight let-down after Christmas. 

All the presents are unwrapped, and there are no more surprises.

Ah, well - 365 days till next Christmas.

Maybe what I'm trying to process is the idea that maybe Advent is trying to teach me something else.

A different lesson altogether than just waiting, hoping and preparing.

Maybe the lesson I'm learning is to abide.

That because of (and in spite of) my hopes, even when the end is in sight,

it is possible to live in a state of perpetual contentment, and active progress.

This is my own type of preparation.  

Continuing, progressing through time in a particular condition or attitude.

At this moment, 

I could very easily launch into a trite tirade on how we should live as if every day is Christmas.  

That's not what I want, though, really.

I can't live every moment as if it's a mountain-top experience, 

a monumental change in history.

How exhausting.

I just want to be ready for those moments, 

while still loving and living the life that I have.

Make the most of the in-betweens.

The periods of waiting.

Celebrate Advent.

our precious bilbo

Our precious: Bilbo 

So, Kevin and I have been wanting a puppy for a rather long time.  

It's sort of impossible to live in Colorado and not own or want to own a dog; it's even more impossible to work at the Idaho Springs Starbucks, surrounded by only the most avid of dog-lovers.  

Dogs are expensive.  Especially, we've found, corgis.  Especially corgis that aren't mixed with something else, particularly chihuahua.  We wanted a corgi.  It's become a practice of mine, when I've absolutely exhausted my typical online demands (a la Facebook, Failblog, news sites, etc), I'll look up corgis up for sale or adoption in the Denver area.  Friday, I found an interesting ad.  There was a litter of Pembroke Welsh Corgis (aka the type the Queen prefers) almost three hours away from us, but the price was right.  Kev gave the lady a call, who said she had only one male left.  We braved Friday evening traffic, stopped to get Chick-fil-A, and made it to the place just after the sun had set.  Needless to say, although the breeder didn't have papers for him (because when she bought the father, that breeder didn't get through the necessary paperwork, or something), we fell in love with this little guy and brought him home.  Well, first, we went to the hospital, because our best friends were having their baby.  Funny timing, we know.

Anyway.  We love him.  Bilbo has one of the best personalities I've seen in a dog: he's playful, but quiet.  He rarely whines, and I've heard him bark (almost whispered, like he's not sure he wants to commit to it) maybe twice?  He knows to use the bathroom outside (except when he was so excited yesterday at church - sorry about that, again, guys).  He is perfectly content rolling around on the floor by himself, chasing his tail or the rope toy we bought him.  He jumps on me when I sing (delightedly, we think), and he wrestles with Kevin like a champ. 

He's just the best.  

a little over a month from now....

...my best friend is getting married.

And I get to stand and testify to her love for him and their love for Christ.

one year

On this day last year, Kevin and I arrived in Colorado.

2011

2012

summertime: once a week

It takes a bit of effort to "have" summer, 

dates, 

relaxing days.

Groupon: 

DaVinci Machines at the Denver Pavilions

Conclusion: 

Renaissance man does not fail to impress

Then:

Street fair

Chalk art

Starbucks

Wannabe city (silly Denver) and wandering

Shepherd's pie for dinner, and fried chicken

Friends' home

Encouragement and laughter

Coffee

Kev having a blast.

I got a new purse!

People's Fair; gorgeous day

today i woke up and decided not to be afraid

Today, I woke up
 and decided not to be afraid.

I looked myself in the mirror and said,
"Dear, what shall you accomplish today?"

My reflection spoke back, smiling,
"What would you attempt if you knew you would not fail?"

I fled the flat,
skipped down the stairs, hands not holding the rail,
and beamed into the sunshine.

The world did not bow to me,
but I was filled
with purpose,
with joy,
and with an unquenchable desire to be.

reflections upon a mattress

A Learning Experience.

_

Made me feel like a fish out of water.

24 songs in two months?

More hours spent practicing than in my senior year of high school.

Awful/awkward time signatures. (5/4??!!)

Awful/awkward key signatures. (G♭??!!)

Always tired; no life.

Having to get over my pride.

Threats of carpal tunnel.

Having to be okay with only playing melody or RH in many songs.

Not getting to work with the students as much as I'd've liked.

Living on Spaghetti O's and frozen pizza.  Seriously.

+

Challenged me to push the limits of my ability.

Pressured me to excel.

Reintroduced me to my second love, piano.

Reminded me of the thrill of performing.

Let me contribute to theatre, albeit in the background.

Acquainted me with some awesome individuals and educators from the community.

Expanded my social circle.

Caused me to think and act outside myself, and my box. 

Networking/foot-in-the-door.

Reminded me that I do love teaching, and love teaching secondary ed.

Taught me to count measures.

Taught me 5/4 time.

Taught me glissandi.

Taught me to think of piano as a part of a whole.

Taught me to listen.

a tale of two hamlets

Forgive the corniness of the title.  It gave me great joy.

So, long story short: Petco killed our Hamlet.

Long story long:

We hadn't had him a week, most days he slept and shook, then, he was freaking out: 

flipping all over his cage and biting himself.

We realized he didn't have any fur left on his front legs, and his mouth wouldn't close.

He seriously looked possessed.

After trying to treat him ourselves with a homemade remedy for mites (it wasn't mites),

we took him back to Petco, where they bought him back and sent him to the vet.

...FOUR WEEKS LATER...

I get a phone call (yesterday) telling me he's finished his last round of meds and is ready to be picked up!

JOY OF JOYS!

Today, Kev and I drive down (~30 miles away) to pick up our Ham.

We enter the store.

We approach a salesperson.

We tell her we're here for our hamster.

She rolls her eyes, and begrudgingly speaks to us.

"Yeah, he didn't make it."

...

Wait - what?

Apparently he had died yesterday.  After the phone call was made.

We didn't get any sort of call telling us the poor little guy "didn't make it."

Now, I'm confused.  

When we had him admitted, the salesperson said it was because we purchased the wrong bedding and it was choking him; the salesperson was supposed to have told us which bedding to use.

...

I'm still really wanting a hamster, though, so we head home (quite upset), 

and stop at a PetSmart on the way.

Their selection of hamsters was pleasing, and we picked out a replacement Hamlet.

This one is active: running all around his cage and in his wheel and drinking water and doing the whole circulation again.

We ask the salesperson what type of bedding to use; he points it out to us; it's the same thing we used for Hamlet I, which supposedly had KILLED HIM.

As we go through the paperwork with the salesperson, 

he explains that all of their animals are "vet assured".

...

Conclusion: 

Petco sold us a defective, already sick hamster.

That, or he found out he would have to come home to us and decided to end it.

Rest in peace, Hamlet I.

All hail and long live Hamlet II!

Goals for 2012

Is it that time already?  

Here are the things I'd like to accomplish in 2012.
  

Some of them were not quite finished (or started...shhh) in 2011, so they've rolled over onto this list.  I also figure that 18 is much more manageable than 30.  

At 6 mos. I'll check back and let you know how I'm doing!

1) Learn German (my friend Faith and I have a pact to learn it together - hopefully this coming summer!)

2) Read through the complete works of Shakespeare.

3) Go hiking/camping on a mountain with Kevin.

4) See sunrise on said mountain.

5) Use the paint supplies I have acquired.

6) Use the Pilates DVD and mat I bought myself for Christmas.

7) Write a letter to a friend a week.

8) Journal weekly.

9) Read through the collected works of Milton.

10) Read through the collected works of Lewis.

11) Read through The Making of a Sonnet, and attempt one a month.

12) Work harder than absolutely necessary.

13) Develop relationships with the girls in the youth group at church.

14) Sing out.

15) Develop better posture.
16) Finish the application process and become a certified teacher in the state of Colorado.
17) Learn more about pre-K education.
18) Collect and read as many of my childhood-favorite books as I possibly can!

I think that's a decent enough list.  We'll see how this goes!  What are YOU going to do with 2012?

Fourteen/Fifteen

HAPPY DECEMBER 14-15!

Life's crazy.

I'm thankful for funny encounters.  They just add a little something extra to a run-of-the-mill day.  

Yesterday, I was greeted at a luncheon by a lady I had met only once before.  Just a week before, actually.  She grabbed 'hold of me, hugged me tight, and said how good it was to see me and how long it had been.  Then she realized I was not who she thought I was.  I told her that I appreciated the hug anyway.  :)

Kevin, too, had a fun little run-in at the luncheon.  He had just gone up to the beverage table to get us a couple of coffees, when a lady grabbed his arm and asked (as he said, with crazy eyes): "Did you know they have chocolate tea?"  He replied that, no, he did not.  She just nodded (still with the crazy eyes) and walked away.

Today, at work as I handed a fairly regular customer (venti mocha) his change, he looked at me bashfully (read: awkwardly) and said, "I'm just curious... would you be interested in going out sometime?"  Oy.  I wear my rings at work.  I purposefully hold the window open in such a way that the sun can shine off the diamond.  All things considered, I think I handled it rather well - thanked him, told him I'm married, and then sidled out of view.  Awkward.  But funny.  Poor guy.  Apparently, he had asked out one of the other baristas earlier that summer and she, too, had turned him down.  Ouch.

And now for something completely different!

I'm thankful for opportunities.  I had an awesome theological/Gospel conversation with a coworker today.  Just joking around, he claimed to be goodness incarnate.  I said, "That's blasphemy!"  Which launched us into a rather intense discussion of what "goodness" is, original sin, who Jesus is, His deity v. humanity, the holiness of God, what it means that God cannot look on sin, why it is important for us to believe in Jesus' act of redemption on the cross and what actually took place there.  Seriously.  Who gets opportunities like this?  Who takes advantage of them?  While this guy and I are prone to disagreement and (heated) discussion, I appreciate his mind and the way he thinks about things.  I also sense his curiosity, hand-in-hand with a disillusionment with religion.  I hope to have more opportunities of this nature.  Pray for me! 

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15

Ten

HAPPY DECEMBER TEN!

Sorry the above picture is sort of creepy, I just thought it interesting enough to use!

Today, I'm thankful for marriage.  Kev and I just got home from the beautiful and touching wedding of two of our newest dear friends.  We had the honor of being usher and guestbook attendant (guess which did which!) and observing the beginning of a fun, adventurous, arduous, thrilling journey.  Although it's still nineteen days till our one year anniversary, Kevin and I couldn't wait to watch the video of our wedding.  What an exciting and perfect day that was. 

The thing I'm thankful for, though, is that marriage is not a one-day event.  It's a lifetime.  It's a journey, a process.  Kevin and I get to walk side-by-side through life, experiencing and working through everything together.  We complete - perfect - one another in that process.  And what a beautiful picture of our relationship to Christ:

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:22-27

Nine

HAPPY DECEMBER NINE!

I'm thankful for friends - old and new.  Last night, I attended a (new) friend's bachelorette party, and met some more new friends.  Good times had by all:  great food, great conversation, small world and big world stories, awkward situations, sketchy locales, a freezing walk, and a lot of laughter.  I feel so very blessed to find myself surrounded by such fun and interesting people!  

I also feel blessed by (random) messages and cards from old friends.  I feel like reminiscing.  A lot.  I feel nostalgic for four years back - if that's possible - and I cherish the relationships that can span hundreds of miles.  

I am loved, and I feel that.  

Six

HAPPY DECEMBER SIX!

(Just think of this as one of those days you forgot to eat the chocolate on its exact day in your advent calendar.  It happens!)

I am thankful that attitude is a choice.  Today (well, yesterday) was full of... inconvenience.  I was irritated.  Things just didn't seem to go right.  I wasn't having what, classically, you would call a "good day".  But you know what?  Attitude is a choice: not dependent on your circumstances.  I do not need to be 'manipulated' by seemingly inconvenient situations; I can have control of my emotions. 

I like little sayings like the ones below.  They can help to make a bad day better.

To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy... is to set our own conditions to the events of each day.  To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them.  --Ralph Waldo Emerson.

An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered.  An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered.   --GK Chesterton.  

Love to faults is always blind, always is to joy inclined.  Lawless, winged, and unconfined, and breaks all chains from every mind.  --Shakespeare. 

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  --Romans 8:28.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  --2 Corinthians 12:7-9.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  --1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. 

abraham and sarah

Lately, I've been struck with the realization that Kevin and I are called to be Abraham and Sarah.  Let me explain.

Earlier this year, not long after we got married, we knew we were meant to move across the country from Philly, PA to the Denver area, Colorado.  Away from everything: PBU and DE life, friends, family... every support system I had known for the past four years, and Kevin... his whole life.

Kevin felt a call to study Scripture and ministry at Denver Seminary.  We searched for jobs and apartments.  We looked and prayed for plans to fall into place.  Ultimately, though, we knew that regardless of our "plans" working out via internet searches, phone calls and emails, Kevin and I would be moving.  It came to the point (before Kevin received the joyous letter from Denver Sem) that we felt we needed to move whether or not he was accepted for the fall semester.  Such was the feeling - the call - that we both had toward our future in Colorado.

So, a week after graduating from Philadelphia Biblical, Kev and I packed up our box of an apartment, loaded all of our earthly possessions into a moving van, and drove 30+ hours west.  Jobs were uncertain, though Kevin had an "in" from his previous job on the east coast.  We still had no idea what our apartment really looked like, other than the pictures we had seen online - which we hoped were not fabricated or dishonest.

We arrived at Idaho Springs, saw our [gorgeous!] apartment, applied for jobs, found a church, made some friends, and settled down with life.  Truly.  That's about how fast it all happened, too.

It has just been incredible to see the way that the Lord has seen fit to bless us.  He called us out in faith, and now He delights in rewarding us for our obedience.  It is not a huge stretch to compare Colorado to the Promised Land... but I think there's truth in the analogy that God let us know He had/has enormous and amazing things in store for us, calling us to leave our comfortable support systems and the life that we had known to pursue what He had - whatever that might be - out in the wild blue yonder of the Rockies.

I see Kevin as an Abraham figure, anyway.  I see him as one appointed by God to be His ambassador in a foreign, unfamiliar land.  I think God sees him that way, too.  Since we've settled here, Kevin's heart is for seminary and for further education in Biblical studies... but his desire is for practical ministry in the local church.  That much is clear.  We arrived at FBCE at the moment the associate pastor was looking for an intern - a role he asked Kevin to fulfill maybe three weeks after we had begun attending the church.  Once in that position, and after a summer of awesome ministry with the youth group and the rest of the church body, the associate pastor has received and answered a call to lead a church in Kentucky.  Kevin is in prime position to assume several of those responsibilities.

Don't you see?  It's all just a little too perfect.  Too perfect to be coincidence, anyway.  Of course, this is how we see God work.  I see Him blessing our obedience in moving out here, and our continued obedience in submitting our will to His in His plan for our life.

I see myself as Sarah.  I see myself as one appointed to stand next to my Abraham in support.  Not questioning his leadership, but faithfully serving next to him.  I also put my trust in the Lord that He will be faithful in providing us with the family that we so desire.  (And, any of you who know me well understand my Sarah- (or Hannah-) like desire for children, though Kevin and I are still young.) But, in His timing.

This is one of the numerous reasons why I love the Old Testament narratives of God's people.  I love seeing the way God works, how people respond to Him, and how He blesses.  How can we but rejoice in His word?  How can we but obey and heed His call?  How can we but trust in Him?

I humbly ask for your prayers as we continue to settle into life here.  I ask that especially through this holiday season we will be the image-bearers of Christ and ambassadors of the Lord in a dark and unbelieving world.

Genesis 18:19

"For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household 

after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, 

so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."

Psalm 37: 3-6

Trust in the LORD, and do good;

dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him, and he will act.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

and your justice as the noonday.

i was imagining today

I was imagining today that I'm a grandma, telling the grandkids the story of me and Kev.

We met

became friends

he protected me

I asked him out

we had a great time

I had a conversation with God

our paths didn't cross

I dated someone

he hung out with other people

a semester passed

some prayers

(and heartbreak)

we remet

we were blessed under a chuppah

we went out for coffee

we watched LotR

a first kiss

he called my daddy

we dated exclusively

I lost some friends

he lost some friends

he asked me to the spring formal

we looked awesome

a picture was taken

a look was exchanged

he knew

I knew

the semester ended

I flew to a summer in Texas

we got to talk to one another for an hour every Saturday night

that's it

he flew down for less than 24 hours

we sent letters, otherwise

we grew

back to PBU

we grew

Christmas break

talked on the phone

decided marriage needed to/could happen

he got the ring from my daddy

asked me, under the chuppah

one awful summer apart

we grew

more heartache

tears

a semester of guidance, counseling and further friendship

we got married

the most perfect day

lived in a one-room box for five months

graduated

up and moved to Colorado

settled in there

lived 

and loved

and enjoyed God and one another

forever and ever after.

srsly?

Kevin and I are trying our hand at selling some extra furniture on Craigslist. Pretty simple. Take some pictures, put ‘em up online, wait to hear from some people, sell sell sell. Apparently, some people don’t get the concept. Or, maybe they just set out to make our lives a little more confusing today. Take a look at the incompetence ridiculousness “interest” of the lady who contacted us about the dresser we’re selling.

This is a bit how it went: —Kev and I are in bold, the lady is in italics.

MONDAY

(Email) 8:19 PM
I would like to purchase this dresser. I have cash and a truck on Wednesday. I will purchase. Please call or text if I don’t answer I work in day. (###)###-####.

(text) 10:09 PM
I’m the person selling the dresser on craigslist. Wed is good. What time would you like to pick it up?

(text from here on out) 10:36
Afternoon. And is there anything wrong with it like tracks being off? It is the dark espresso with modern handles right.

10:38
It’s $100 only right?

10:50
There’s nothing wrong with the tracks. Yes on the dark and modern handles. Yes only 100. There is a small crack on the side but it’s not big. Very sturdy piece.

10:50
Ok b there n Wednesday. Please note I have might be late just Bcos I’m not sure of schedule but I will be there…with cash and I have truck.

10:52
K. Can u send me another pic….how tall is it.

10:53
It’s about five ft. I can’t send one right now. I’ll try and remember to do that for you tomorrow.

10:54
Oh that’s a good size… Cool. I’ll see u Wednesday.

10:54
Great.

TUESDAY


6:54 PM
Ok so what is ur address….

8:02
[Address] It’s a very small street, and we are the only apartment on the street. so call me when you turn onto it.

8:36
Any idea what time?

10:20
Hopefully morning around 11 12

WEDNESDAY

5:57 AM
Good morning. Is there anything I should know about the beautiful dresser before I get there….I do look forward to the morning trip and…

6:23 AM
Pretty straightforward. It’s big and solid with a small crack on the one side. That’s the only setback I could find.

1:00 PM
I’m sorry.

1:01
Are you no longer interested?

1:02
I don’t want it cracked. Sorry mg husband made the final call..sorry…

1:03
No problem.

1:28
My huSband asks would u drop the price.

1:45
We are entertaining best offers. There is another person interested. I’ll let you know if it falls through and we can work something out.

7:14
Do you have a price in mind for the dresser?

7:16
Please tell me. Just let me know.

7:17
Sixty?

7:18
Can u send another picture

7:19
I will when I get back to my place.

7:32
K. That will b good. Send me pic I can com n get tonight.

8:38
The puncture is about three inches total. Here’s a picture. It’s just on the side of the dresser. [picture’s pretty dark, but you can see the crack]

8:40
I am sorry its all black. I can’t see

8:42
[New pic, with a flashlight over the cracked area]

8:43
Put light to it. Please.

8:44
I just held a flashlight up to it. Did it not turn out ok?
[resent pic, lighting up the cracked area]

8:45
No. Sweetie that’s a big might spread…sorry.

8:49
You can’t tell from the picture, but it’s actually not a structural problem. It’s a thick piece so it won’t spread, but it’s fine if you’re not interested.

8:50
It is in the back right

8:58
No, the side.

8:59
My hubbies said no. He would tale it it were on the back. Thank you.