Slowing Down

Over the last couple of weeks God has really opened my eyes to my desperate need to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n. I've always been someone who is looking for the next step. I make plans constantly and am always daydreaming about what life will be like in a couple of weeks, months, years. But lately, God has given me these amazing opportunities, in the most random of situations (driving home from church; outside with the dog; etc.) to realize how happy Andy and I are here in Cedar Falls. After two and a half years of homesickness and longing to get back home, it's actually feeling a lot like home here in Iowa. I couldn't be more thankful and am blessed that God would grant me this peace. It feels nice to be content.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

First Go at Organic

In an effort to be healthier and after some research on going organic on a budget, Andy and I (okay, I have...Andy's just along for the ride) have decided to try to begin introducing some organic stuff into our lives (thanks, Liz, for the inspiration!). We don't have the income to go 100% organic but we're making a conscious effort to put better things into our bodies.

In my research on going organic, this document from the Environmental Working Group has helped us to create our priorities regarding which foods to definitely get organic and which foods not to worry much about. I also appreciated this blog post because it gave a list of the top things to buy organic. Armed with my information, I headed to the Farmer's Market yesterday morning to check out the produce and talk with the family that sells organic meat and eggs a few Saturdays a month there. (Before I go on, I should clarify the word "organic". I'm less concerned with making sure that things are USDA certified organic and more concerned that the products are simply grown or produced without the use of pesticides, herbicides, and hormones.) Unfortunately, that family was all out of ground beef for the season, and eggs that day, but did direct me to Hansen's Outlet, which is just a few blocks from our apartment and sells all kinds of great food! There I got ground beef, eggs, and cheese. The man working was so thoughtful and helpful and really took the time to explain a lot of stuff to me. Hansen's is famous around here for their milk, and the man working said that they go through as many as 300 gallons a day! After going to Hansen's I made my way to HyVee, our local grocery store to check out their organic section (it's nice that organic is becoming so much more trendy...it makes finding quality food less impossible) and found milk (the most delicious milk I've ever had) and some yummy produce for reasonable prices. Once I got home, I showed Andy all my delicious finds and he thought I had gone crazy. I turned many of my ingredients into a delicious beef, cheddar, and potato pie that I found in the latest issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray . It was so fun to make and I was really excited that the majority of the ingredients were organic. In Andy's words....we've created a monster!

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

St. Louis Weekend!

Last weekend Andy and I met our great friends, Lacy and Jason in St. Louis for a wonderful weekend! Andy and I headed down on Friday and stayed in Chesterfield, MO, right outside of St. Louis. Then, Saturday morning we headed into the city to meet the Bolings and go to a Cardinals Game. Andy hadn't been to the new Busch Stadium, so it was so great getting to experience that with him. Also, Lacy and Jason have a beautiful 10 month old daughter and she was too cute for words and so fun to have around for the weekend. The game was at noon, which gave us time to wander around town that evening. We checked out the arch (although we didn't go inside...) and had a fun evening just catching up in our hotel. Then on Sunday, we headed to the St. Louis Zoo before coming home to C.F. Overall, we couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

Hilarious video...

Hilarious and Ridiculous Video!

When you have time, get ready for a laugh and follow the link above!! One of my colleagues made this and sent it to all of my co-workers!

Bring on the fall weather!

Oooooh how desperately I want fall to be here! Well, according to the calendar, fall IS here, but the weather is up and down. I love the changing of the seasons because it always feels like a fresh beginning. Of course, fall is by far my favorite season, as I love jeans and hoodies, so I'm especially anxious for the weather to turn more fall-like. Tonight I went on a walk with Spike and thought to myself "it's an absolutely perfect last afternoon". I wish every day was just like this day! If someone knows of a place where it is perpetually fall, please let me know. I'm thinking 60 degrees, beautiful leaves, blue skies, puffy white clouds. Let me know if you have a place in mind!

Last week Andy and I and headed down to Kentucky for Andy's friend's wedding. I headed over to Frankfort on Thursday and stayed until Saturday morning. I had a chance to spend time with Aubrei, Mom, and Trent and it was so fantastic! I miss everyone so much :-(.

Next week, Andy and I are going to St. Louis to see our friends Lacy and Jason, and their daughter Madelyn. We haven't seen them since last Christmas, so it will be so good to see them again! And, we get to go to a baseball game, so of course Andy is very excited (and I am too!)!

I'm currently reading a few really good books. At this actual moment, I'm listening to the audiobook Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm also reading his new book Outliers as a part of professional development for work. Both books are really interesting and are refreshing in the ways they're making me think! I'm also really enjoying our women's ministry Bible study book Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone, as it's seriously challenging me to reveal the idols I have in my own life. After making a list in my journal this evening, I realize that I have MANY! Luckily, God is working on my heart to give me strength to remove these idols from my life. The work is going to be slow, but it's going to be oh so good!

God also continues to work on my heart in terms of allowing me to place my burdens on him and know that he will provide for all of our needs. While I have a tendency to worry about everything imaginable, I've been blessed lately in such ways that I'm truly amazed. While Andy and I may be dealing with a heavier burden than we'd like, in the last few days I've been feeling more at peace than I have in months. I was even able to praise God tonight for EVERYTHING that has happened, as I know that it's all part of his divine plan. It was a huge moment for me, as I realized more than I ever have before that God is so powerful. Praise Him!

I also praise God for simply being able to write this blog, as I know that some of my friends and family who read it don't understand how much I've changed over the last few years, with the last year being the most significant. Sometimes it's difficult for me to actually write so openly about praising God and including Scripture on my posts, because I'm terrified of what some of my closest friends will think. But, I keep going, because I feel compelled by God to do so. I desperately want everything I say and everything I do go to the glory of God. It's not always an easy road, but it feels good to be traveling down this path.

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 12:9

5K Madness

Andy and I did a 5K along with many of our friends this Saturday! It's the second year I've completed the race and the first year for Andy! We both walked it and had a fabulous time. I had planned to run the race but came down with two ear infections on Thursday evening. For fear of tumbling over or just passing out, I opted out of the running option. That left me with a great chance to complete the race with another rookie 5Ker, my great friend Amanda. It was a lovely way to start the weekend.

Andy's doing well at the Cedar Falls Arby's, although that store presents some issues that doesn't always make for a great work environment. Luckily for Andy, he's doing really great and is enjoying the work (for the most part...).

We're heading home later this week for Andy's best friend's wedding. We're both excited to see family, especially since I haven't been to Andy's hometown since last Christmas! I also get to spend time with my mom, stepdad, and sister, so I'm REALLY looking forward to the trip.

I'm beginning a women's Bible study this week over the book Idols of the Heart. I'm really looking forward to that twelve week study and the chance to connect with women of Cedar Heights Baptist Church! Andy and I continue to get involved with our church and we're delighted to see God growing us in such great ways! We also recently joined the Hospitality Ministry and are still teaching 7th and 8th grade Sunday School. We're also getting ready to start another year of Acts 2:42 home groups, where we meet twice a month with other members in homes to pray for and encourage one another. When I look back at all we're doing, it's truly amazing to me; I wouldn't have guessed in a million years that we would ever be so involved in a church. But, it's really helping us to not only grow in our faith but form friendships outside of work, which is nice and refreshing, given the tendency residence life has to isolate folks.

Overall, life is good.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

Time...where does it go?!

I can't believe it's been since July that I've posted! Nothing too exciting has happened, but it's a little freaky to think that more than a month has passed without me even noticing! Okay...I've noticed, but wow.

RLC and RA training went well and this weekend is opening weekend! We have nearly all of our students in already and classes begin Monday. It's nice to have the building buzzing again! This has definitely been the best year as far as my attitude and excitement and I'm really looking forward to a great year!

Andy's doing wonderfully as well. He's getting ready to complete the last week of training in Evansdale and then moves to "his" store in Cedar Falls in two weeks. Monday he begins classes for what will be his LAST YEAR! I couldn't be more excited for him! It's been a really long road and I'm so proud of him for sticking with it. I'm going to be overwhelmed when he walks across the stage in May :-).

As I look back at the preparations I made for opening and the joy I experienced as I went through training (yes, you heard right; I said "joy" and training in the same sentence) I have to attribute it to God's amazing grace. Throughout the last several weeks I've prayed for strength, wisdom, comfort, patience, and confidence. And God granted me every single thing I requested. I just couldn't help but take a minute to praise Him for allowing me such blessings!

And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us: and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. 1 John 5:14 & 15