happenings

There’s something a little cunning about fall. You know. It invites you into all of its warmth and coziness leading you to think there’s time to sit, sip, and catch your breath after that whirlwind of a summer (though fantastic whirlwind it was, [and okay, so maybe there’s beeen a little bit of that sitting and sipping but only because you have to make yourself sit down and remember that you are ultimately a soul and not just a body you’re pushing around to and fro]). 

But our story is not unique and like you, I’m sure, our fall has swept in with lots of good things, pieces of stress pushing us to our max, plenty of joy and more than enough grace.  But still, I’m wondering where in the world are the weeks running off to?  I’ll end this little rant with a condensed (you’ll thank me later), version of some random and not so random highlights.

Basement
Sam is faithfully plugging away at the incredibly complex project that is the finishing of our basement.  He is working so hard and some days are honestly just so discouraging for him in this process.  It would be awesome if you prayed.  Other days are full of gusto, clearly seen accomplishment and plenty of DCtalk music blaring from down the stairs.  The whole project is a puzzle that is quite intimidating and time-consuming but we do see God’s hand of providence along the way and we are trusting and placing our hope in the fact that He knows our needs. 

Addictions
Coffee and Sewing.  This is the longest stretch of time where I’ve not been nursing or pregnant, (that’s right…in case you’ve all been wondering about the latter!). So I’m drinking deeply of the caffeine well and as you might expect am reaping the self-inflicted consquences (read: acne and afternoon slumps), but it in turn is helping aid my second addition.  I’m suddenly the night owl in the house feverishly hovered behind my little Singer as together we make lots of fascintaing things….at least we think so…but we are kind of getting a bit geeky about it lately. 

Birthday
Truman turned 3 and what a turn it has been!  We celebrated by taking him out to a local pizza/ice-cream place and you would have thought it was his life-long dream…..at his age, perhaps it was.  Drums, guitars, music, shoulder rides, Bob & Larry, hummus, M&Ms, watching football/eating peanuts with dad - these are just a few of his favorite things.  We love him so much and daily are seeking God’s wisdom in how to create fertile ground for his tender heart to grow towards our Savior.  I have to be honest, a lot of the tears I shed these days (and they are many if you’ve talked to me lately), are because of him, but it just means my heart is tender too in wanting to be the mom that God wants me to be, and to be a reflection of Him to Truman.  What an indescribable feat, save for Christ working through me.

Garden
Ah, the garden.  Let’s just say the honeymoon phase is over.  I mean, don’t get me wrong…we love to garden….we love the produce, we even love working in the garden…like in June & July.  But man it is a lot of work.  Hard work. Some years are “on-years”, some are “off”...with all of the rain (though awesome as rain is), we got this year, our garden just felt water-logged and sluggish, and thus our overall produce was a reflection of that.  So I guess this was an off year. If you’re considering a garden don’t let that scare you off, but let it just be a reality check.  Anything good is usually hard work, and things that are hard work are worth doing.  All that to say, we’ll be gardening next year for sure, but boy I’m already thinking of things to help us simplify and be more efficient.  The garden needs to work for you in the end really!  ....and maybe right now I have a bitter taste in my mouth because the other day while checking on our pumpkins I turned THREE hollow pumpkins over. Do you know what this means people?  It means for every day I was patiently waiting for the pumpkins to ripen just a bit more…..the deer were eaglerly anticipating their feast as well.  Ugghh.  So, on that note I’ll move on from gardening.

Books
I’m really not a reader.  I have tried to be but have really accepted it’s not my thing.  Last January, however, I was all of a sudden on this “I’ve got to be more well-read” kick and went out and practically snatched up the first book that looked remotely interesting to me.  It was The Road.  Have you read it?  Can we say downer of all downers?  Yes, I know there were some philosophical themes there and the writing was amazing, but it clearly was a poor choice for this non-reader. Anyway, what I’m trying to tell you is that I’ve, for some reason, picked up two books lately that have kind of fallen in my lap.  The first is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kinslover which I’ve read a few pages of and am excited to dig into more, just haven’t carved out the time for it. This is the self-description, “This is the story of a year in which we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew”  - an incredible thought really, (and one I’m no where near ready to entirely emulate!).  The second is Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman.  If you know the tragic story of the Chapmans losing their 5 yr old daughter a few years ago then you know it is a heart-wrenching book.  However Mary Beth actually writes the majority of the book more about her past, her journey as a women in the midst of struggles with depression and life in ministry, and how she eventually could not resist submitting to the hand of God in her life and all that would call her to.  This one has gripped me and I quickly well up with tears each time I open its pages. 

Camp
It’s Retreat and Outdoor Ed season at camp and that means there are lots of middle schoolers around weekly!  Can you remember your days of Outdoor Ed?  I can….the nature walks, the solar system studies, the crispness in the air, the challenge course, the night games!  I didn’t have the chance to attend CFS for Outdoor Ed - ours was through a secular location, so I’m thrilled to see these kids come and know that they are encountering not only creation, but the MAKER of it all as they open their eyes and hearts to it all around them.  What an awesome privilege to be a part of these student’s experience.  Sam is in the midst of winterizing our buildings and also, along with the rest of the maintenance team, is working steadily on the construction of a much-needed building for storing large maintenance vehicles and equipment.  What a gorgeous fall it’s been for this critical outdoor project! 

I think I said this was a condensed verison.  Well…I guess maybe it was.  I hardly said a thing about the kids/hubs,  or anything about my new Bible study, my hair-cutting craziness, the new side of myself as seen in my ‘relaxed’ house, the crazy amounts of pine needles to rake (that apparently leaf rakes were not meant to efficiently rake up), the neighbors I’m hoping to get to know, the little squirts we’re loving on Wednesday nights, and the sweet, dear, faithful friends in our lives.  But, I suppose, like I said, my life is not unique, and you have all of these things filling your lives too.  So, here’s to hoping it doesn’t take me another month to post!  Thanks for reading….now off to my book…or off to rake those needles?!