What I Learned in February

First of all, Happy Leap Year!!! And a happy birthday to all you extra-young leap year babies who age much more slowly than the rest of us. :)

I had fun writing a post last month about what I learned in January, so I'm doing it again for February, and I'm linking up with Emily Freeman's series on this subject. So if you like learning, check out her link list for more ideas!!

1. A lot can change in a week.

{photo credit: My mother-in-law, Nita}

I think our biggest lessons this month have come in the process of walking in faith: purchasing a new home and putting our current home on the market. And when I wrote you my neat and tidy "what I learned in January" list a month ago, I had no idea we would be placing an offer on a home we'd just walked through. Seriously no idea. And within a week, we were working like crazy to pursue our new home. I cling to this as we pray for someone to have similar feelings toward our present home. If it changed in a week for us, it could do the same for someone else, right?


2. The post office kiosk is not working.

Back in December, our post office {and maybe ALL post offices} started using a lobby kiosk to allow anyone just buying stamps with credit cards or checks to bypass the long line, get their stamps and leave. I thought it was brilliant in the height of Christmas card season. But they still have it, and earlier this month, I stood THIRTEENTH in line behind people mailing packages. The kiosk worker stood there staring at us while we waited and waited and waited - because none of us qualified for the kiosk line. Finally, right about the time I got to the front, she closed the kiosk and opened a regular station. I appreciated it, but I wished it would have happened about twelve people sooner! I think maybe the kiosk only works at Christmas.


3. Being strong is no joke.

I just completed my third round of the 21 Day Fix, and this particular round seemed to be more laden with temptations than any others. Part of that was because I really "lived" more normally during this round. I didn't barricade myself inside my home nearly as much. I went out with friends. I hosted parties. I went places. And that meant I had more temptations to face. Saying no was NOT EASY, but I was proud of myself for choosing strength. I think I'm learning more about myself and my heart than I anticipated as I walk this road.


4. Roses matter to me.

Over Valentine's Day, I read a lot of social media posts from women who said they didn't care about getting roses, because they're so overpriced on Valentine's Day {TRUTH!!!} and it was a waste. While I agree that the price gouging is ridiculous, I realized this year that roses really matter to me. Ryan was a sweetheart and bought me a dozen {a few days early to beat the gouge}. It was okay that they were early, because I appreciate frugality, but I am not one of the girls who can be okay without them. And that is permissible. I waited 34 years to have a Valentine, and my romantic girlie-heart wants the flowers. Ryan Shaffer, bless you for indulging me and showing love this way.


5. Nothing makes me happier than my moving planner.

Okay maybe SOME things make me happier, but still. This planner has been a joy in the moving process. It's helping me keep so many things organized, and I look forward to playing with it every. single. day. {Cat in photo is actually as happy about the move as she appears.}

6. Lifelong friends are a gift.

While packing last week, I found a photo from my college years that just made me smile. These three girls were God-ordained friendships in my life, and I am still friends with them now. Even though we don't live close and rarely get the privilege of an in-person visit, I love being part of their lives, their prayers, and and their stories. And this is just an example. I still have my best friend from fifth grade on, my closest friends from high school, and more. While some friendships, I know, are intended only for a season, I am grateful God allows some to run a lifelong course.

7. Sometimes you need a TRUE day of rest.

It's been a busy season for us, and for Ryan particularly. Two full months of not a single free weekend asked a lot of him physically and emotionally, and we made the decision that yesterday we would take a true day of rest. We slept until our eyes popped open. We watched church online and prayed together. We rested and napped. We read, I scrapbooked, we watched TV. We never left our jammies, and by the end of the day, our bodies felt so refreshed. We need that more often than we give it to ourselves, I think. God gave us a day of rest in every week, but I fear we just turn it into a day of alternative activity. A true day of rest...oh yes please.