The Saturday Six

One.

Ready to organize one more thing?? Anyone else have a purse or work bag or school bag that may or may not have taken on a life of its own? My work bag gets so crammed with random papers, and after a while, there's no room for what should actually be inside. I declare this clean-out-your-purse-or-bag week here on the organization challenge!!

Two.

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Thou shall not covet...thou shall not covet...thou shall not covet. BUT I'M HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME not coveting Kari Anne's visit to Magnolia Market. You know - because of my undying affection for the show Fixer Upper?? She got to go to Joanna's shop!!! How much fun would that be!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!

Three.

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Remember a couple of weeks ago, I told you about some friends of mine who were raising money for an outpatient anorexia treatment program? They were married last summer and a couple of months after the wedding, the husband admitted he had an eating disorder and exercise addiction that had spiraled out of control. A local newspaper did a story on them, and I wanted to share it with you , so you could learn a bit more about them than what the previous link I gave you shared!

Four.

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When Lynne was on vacation this past fall, I interviewed Lisa Velthouse about a book she wrote. Lisa is articulate and filled with compassion for the hurting. This week she wrote this post about grief and loss. I feel like SO MANY people I know are immersed in the deepest places of grief right now, so if that's you, I would love for you to read Lisa's post and gather some comfort and hope from her words!

Five.

I don't normally do quotes on my Saturday Six, but I encountered a couple on Twitter this week that were particularly good, so I wanted to share them. The first is from Juli Slattery, and it applies to anyone, single or married, but I want to point it particularly toward those who are single and struggling with purity. "Every sexual choice is also a spiritual choice." Kind of alters the perspective, doesn't it? The second quote is one from Shauna Niequist's brother, though she didn't say his name, so I can't tell you that. He said, "People say, 'You sailed around the world? That's so brave!' You know what's brave? Staying put and making a meaningful life." Love those words.

Six.

Other duties as assigned = interviewing a dog. I've done everything now. :){The link is a video. You won't be sorry you checked it out. I hope, anyway!!}

Share, Day 3

Confession: Share is both the most exhausting week of my year and the most faith-building week of my year. Even before I worked at the station, I loved listening to this week every single year, because I loved the stories. I loved hearing how other people were doing life...just like I was...and how the same songs I heard every day met them in completely different circumstances, and left them forever changed. And I still love those stories. I still love hearing them when I work in the phone room, taking pledges. I love them when I read them on the air. I just love them.

Yesterday was our third day of Share, and it was a long day - bookended by interesting commutes of the icy variety. But all the stuff in the middle was just one beautiful boost after another.

Not sure if you know all the people who work at our station, but this is Ken. He does the midday show {right after Mid-Morning}, and he's also the one I got to share a couple of hours of airtime with today. And this is proof that he can answer phones. :)

I spent a long time praying today about what to share on the air during the 3 slots I had. I've watched, over the last 3 years, as Lynne prepares long and hard for what to share, and I didn't have much time to prepare. I wanted to do it well, and I guess I can't really speak for whether or not that happened, but I know I at least did what I could to offer things that I hoped were helpful and at least a little bit thought-provoking.

And then what happens? Everyone abandons me when food shows up!!

I spent the lunch hour with Ken and Ross...and somewhere in there, Scott was in the studio too, and the three guys decided to be superheroes. I promise this was all their idea.

By the afternoon, when it was my turn to join Scott and Ross, the two of them were a little bit slap-happy, and I had to just swim with all my might to keep up!!

My favorite part was when Ross kept trying to talk, but his words didn't want to string together right, so finally he just said to me, "I don't think I know how to talk anymore. You talk." LOL!!!! How to gracefully transition out of that!

I will tell you what - these guys are all a lot of fun to work with. I'm used to spending my on-air days with Lynne, and she and I do a pretty good job of reading each others' minds and just working through conversation, but learning all these guys has been a fun challenge!! They tease and I give it right back, so I guess it works out okay in the end, right?

Another fun thing yesterday was getting to meet the brand new baby of the WBCL Family. Our Dana, who answers the phones during Mid-Morning, had a baby girl just a few weeks ago, and yesterday was my first time ever to meet her. My WORD she is the tiniest little peanut!

We all had fun meeting her and loving on her a little bit.

I hung out in the phone room the rest of the day, and had a great time in there. And I ate a lot {but not too much - I promise I'm still being careful!!!} of really good food.

If you've got some time today and want an encouragement...I'd love for you to listen to our last day of Share. If you can hear these stories and come away unmoved, then we need to talk! I'm excited. I can't wait to see how God is going to shape up the last day. I am pretty sure I am going to shed a few tears over something!

Share: Day 2

Hey everyone!!! Hope you're having a good week. I'm so thankful to still be feeling well - despite an interesting diet during Share week. :) I am also still waiting on test results, but I'll let you know when I know something.

Yesterday was our second day of Share 2015, and it was a full day!

When I was still at home getting ready yesterday morning, I heard on the radio that Silas was in the house! SILAS!!!!

He is THE cutest. Don't believe me??

CAN YOU EVEN HANDLE THE CUTENESS?????????

He was all ready to take pledges!

I love Silas days. His owner, Diana, is such a sweetheart, and she brings him in every year.

In addition to starting the day with Silas, we also had volunteer Faith's coffee cake {YUM!!!} and another listener's TO-DIE-FOR cinnamon crescent rolls. See, I told you it was an interesting diet week!!

I spent the Mid-Morning hour with Scott and Ken, and CLEARLY I did not get the wardrobe memo. Thanks a lot, boys!

{I do appreciate, though, their kind tolerance of the Bekahrazzi.}

We had Subway for lunch, and Jim Barron worked on honing his skills just in case he needs a side job...

I had the opportunity {and will again for the rest of the week} to spend a couple of extra hours on the air each day to help fill in some of the shifts Lynne would normally have. I'm excited to try something new...but there's a learning curve with this change, so I spent the early part of the afternoon hurrying to learn new things.

I spent the end of the day in the phone room taking pledges on the phone. We had a really exciting end to our day...we hit the million dollar mark!!

So that's my recap of day two. Two more days with miracles tucked inside. I'm sure of it!

Share, Day 1

Well, first of all, THANK YOU for your prayers yesterday! I was beyond thankful that the weather was clear, and I was able to make it to Fort Wayne in a normal commute time...and I got right in and right out with my tests. Still awaiting news of what they may or may not have found, but I'm glad the actual test is behind me. Painless and easy!

After I left the hospital, I headed to work, for the first official day of Share 2015. It's always such a fun time; we have volunteers in and out throughout the week, we have amazing food, and we get to hear such encouraging stories of how God is moving in people's lives. It really is a faith-booster of a week.

For me, the faith boosting started the moment we went on the air yesterday morning. I was en-route to Fort Wayne for my test, and I was kind of nervous. Not about the test itself, but just about being alone and going to a facility I'd not been to before and finding my way and what the results would say....and I had the radio on in my car. For once, I got to put on my listener hat instead of my worker hat, and  it was just such a blessing to hear the prayer offered up at the start of the day and the songs that were so calming and encouraging. A great reminder that THIS is why we do what we do!

I'm not telling you anything here that I don't have permission to say - or that you might not already know if you heard it on air today - but if you didn't know, our Lynne's dad passed away on Sunday morning. She is heartbroken, and I know she'd love your prayers. So we are without her this week and we miss her terribly, though we know she's right where she needs to be. In her absence, I'm sharing the Mid-Morning hour with Ken and Scott this week.

I think Scott may have been listening to the morning guys too much, because he *ahem* picked on me just like they usually do. We're going to have to remedy this. :)

And the rest of the day...I worked in the phone room, taking pledges over the phones!

My friend Dawn was volunteering and grabbed my camera to take pictures of me in action. While I was talking to a listener, I heard Dawn say "HEY! DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH YOUR FACE!!" {Apparently I have a one-track phone face.} So here was my best attempt:

And speaking of Dawn...here she is:

Look who else came to hang out with me in the phone room:

Ah yes! It's Mr. Jim Barron of the morning show! {This was his answer to "say cheese."}

We got to celebrate some milestones throughout the day - including hitting the halfway point of our goal!

Another of my favorite parts of the day was getting to see the family members that dropped by for dinner. It's kind of like a big family reunion!

Three days to go!! Excited for this!

Cyber Monday!

Before I launch into telling you all about Cyber Monday, I have a prayer request for you! I know some of you get up and read really early, so if you're one of those and are so inclined to pray, I am having an ultrasound at 7:30 this morning to see if my issues last week are related to my gallbladder. I'm not really nervous about it, but it would be kind of nice to have an answer of some sort. I'll let you know how it goes!!

Okay, now back to regularly scheduled blogging. :)

I mentioned last week that this is the week we do our fundraising at work. We call it Share, and it's a week that is incredibly faith-boosting and incredibly exhausting. It's fun and it's hard work - and it's always memorable!

I thought maybe you might like to peek behind the scenes, so here you go! Day One! Yesterday was Cyber Monday, which meant we didn't do the whole phone bank thing, but we focused on online giving, which a lot of people prefer to do. It was my first day back at work since the great pain debacle of 2015, and I was happy to be back at my desk!

 My main goal for the day was to knock out as much work as I possibly could, because I had no idea when or if I would be able to get in for the ultrasound I needed...and I had no idea if they DID find something during the test, how quickly it would need to be addressed. So I just wanted to be as caught up as possible.

On Cyber Monday, guests come throughout the day to share the story of how they started listening to WBCL and how the station has impacted their lives. It was so much fun to meet new friends throughout the day, and to hear their stories on the air!

During the Mid-Morning hour, Ken and I got to be on the air together, which was a lot of fun! The only time I ever get to be on the air with him is during Share, and he's just fun to be with. 

Clearly.

I'm much more dignified. Okay, that is a TOTAL lie. But it sounds good, doesn't it???

Another great thing about Cyber Monday is the arrival of the FOOD. Share is some good eatin'. {Oh please oh please, dear tummy, do not prevent me from participating in this goodness this year!!} They always make sure to have plenty of healthy food...

But then....there's the good stuff...........

I'm so excited for this week. Excited to see what God does for us!

Confessions of a House Hunting Addict

Perhaps it's because I haven't left the living room much in the last three days...leaving my TV firmly set on HGTV for hours on end. Perhaps it's because I have a bit of a love affair with the realtor.com app. Perhaps it's because I'm Bekah and I'm just quirky. {But hey. Ryan's quirky too. So at least we're in this together.}

Regardless of the reason, I've looked at a lot of houses in the last few days. It's funny, because Ryan and I have no idea where we're going or what we're doing in the land of homes. So we look a little bit of everywhere...at a little bit of everything...and it's so fun to dream.

So do you want a peek into the crazy mind of Bekah? {If you say no, you should probably stop reading now.}

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The move in ready. Every now and then, I inch the "max budget" part up just a little bit just to see what we could get if we dreamed a little bigger. I love these hunts. I love looking at houses built in recent years with floor plans that are open and appliances that are new. I love jets in bathtubs and walk-in closets and big garages. It takes me about 10 seconds to mentally repaint all the walls and arrange all our furniture in every room. And then I think about the budget....

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The fixer upper. The combo of Chip and Joanna Gaines and the fact that I'm married to Mr. Fix It have made me believe that we would love to buy a house that needs a little love...and love it to death. I look at garish wallpaper and atrocious bathroom tile and think...that's no big deal! We know people who can fix that! And then I imagine what it would be like to buy a fixer upper and make it new and our own - much like we've done with our own house. And then I think about my childhood....

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Country livin'. I grew up in the country and DECLARED I would never be a country girl in my grown-up life. I hated feeling snowed in during the worst of the winter days. I hated knowing I was so far from a fire station or hospital in case of emergency. I hated being 20 minutes from a grocery store when we ran out of ONE THING needed for dinner. But then...you know...I try to peek over a rooftop at my own house to see a sunset that isn't even really anywhere near setting...and I think how nice it would be to live someplace with unobstructed views. And then I get a hankering for a coffee shop...

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City life. I've never lived in the city. Not like a city city. Not like downtown apartment living. Ryan and I have stayed downtown in cities on trips sometimes, and it's fun to walk to restaurants...and it's fun to look out a higher floor window and see life going on. I can tell you right now, I am pretty sure I would never ever love being a city girl. I wouldn't love parking garages and community laundry and hearing people run on floors above me. But there's still something fun about that whole in-the-middle-of-everything life...until I remember the lake...

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Cottage and waves. We SO cannot afford this, but it remains a wonderful dream. Waking up to a water view...even if it's just a little lake. {Who am I kidding? I'd even take a retention pond!!} Can you imagine? Coffee on a deck overlooking a lake? Writing by a lake? Cute little bungalow to fill with beachy colors and seashells? Oh my word. Heaven on earth.  

The stream-of-consciousness of my world actually goes on for days...weeks, even. I'll spare you the more detailed version. I think it will be really interesting to see where we finally end up. I truly have no idea what we'll pick. And probably even once we've settled, I'll still dream, just because it's fun!

So how about you? If you were going to move, what would you pick? No limits - what would be your dream? 

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday we woke up ON MO. Yes! We slept on our new couch all night! :) We're pathetic, but please love us anyway. We had signed up to take breakfast to Sunday School, so it was time to pack the big ole 31 bag and load up the casseroles! After church, we had the pleasure of enjoying lunch at the home of one of the ladies in the church. Ryan helped her move last fall, and she invited us and another church family for lunch. She is a lovely hostess and a GREAT cook. Loved our time! And then after that we watched 2 football games that DID NOT GO WELL. Just sayin'.

* Monday, our pastor and one of our friends from church were our guests on Mid-Morning! It was a joy to have them in-studio with us. I really learn a lot from these guys and appreciate them!! After work, we went to the gym for the first time this year. I was hoping some of the new year's crowd had thinned out. Yeah, apparently so! The place was deserted! After we got home, my parents stopped by to see Mo, and look who warmed up to her Grandpa! {And by "warmed up," I mean she refused to have anything to do with me OR Ryan while he was there.}

* Tuesday, I had an extra fun time at work; I got to do an on-air Cadbury egg taste test. Man, work is rough!! After work, Ryan and I went for a run - outside!! That's not the norm for January! Three miles, baby!! We were kicked back on Mo, later that night, watching Fixer Upper, and I just felt compelled to let you see proof that someone sat on my lap instead of Ryan's! {Granted that was only because his was full of his laptop, but why split hairs??}

* For part of the day on Wednesday, we had the most GORGEOUS snow in Fort Wayne. It was seriously like movie snow. Huge flakes that were stunning and pictures didn't nearly do them justice. I tried to think more about the beauty and less about my pending commute! I came home to find Braeya had left her little piggy toy on Mo, so I guess that means she approves of him. good thing. We are NOT returning him. Ryan and I took it easy...curled up and watched a movie!! 

* You've already read about our chaotic Thursday - when I ended up in the ER with excruciating pain in my stomach. I was so thankful Ryan was able to come home from work to go with me. I was also thankful for all of you who prayed for me that day. Hoping for answers soon! 

* Stayed home from work on Friday - at Lynne's insistence. I was so glad she insisted, because I was wiped out from the hours of unrelenting pain on Thursday. Took many naps!! Braeya sat at the far end of the couch, which I presumed was her version of helping. Later, she did come closer and sit on top of me while I was trying to type. LOL! One of my Sunday School friends, Kathy, stopped by to check on me and to bring me a card and gift. So sweet!

* Ryan was supposed to work on Saturday but ended up not having to go in, which was so great! We had a lazy day at home...I did venture forth to get a haircut and some new nail polish! YAY!!!! We worked on the house, continuing to get it reassembled after introducing Mo into the mix. We got out for a little bit that afternoon...car wash and grocery shopping. Be jealous of our fun! My friend Ronda came over to bring us a meal she'd made so I wouldn't have to cook! Sweet of her! :) I am still feeling better - hoping to keep it that way.

The Saturday Six

One.

Ready to take another step toward organizing/simplifying with me this week? This is one I do NOT want to do. HEAR ME!! I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS. But alas. It's necessary. You know the fridge and freezer? Have any science experiments going on in there? Please tell me you do. I need to know I'm not alone. What if you took a half an hour {or day, depending on the foulness} and cleaned it out. Throw out anything growing greenies, mushy to the touch, or no longer recognizable. No judgment for throwing out entire {non-disposable} dishes. Just clean it OUT.

Two.

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As a girl who continues to struggle with the old ebb and flow of weight {even though I'm thrilled to be mostly holding my own 5 years after weight loss}, I really appreciated this post by Emily Freeman about the freedom found in letting yourself breathe...literally.

Three.

For those of you who may have a guy in your life {any relationship...husband, son, brother, friend, etc.} that makes gift-buying difficult, I'm happy to say that Ryan has really been enjoying The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge, which is a devotional book written by Tony Dungy. My sister gave it to him for Christmas, and it's really the first time I've ever seen him enjoy reading anything! {Other than the Bible.} He finds each day really appropriate for his journey. Even if your guy isn't a sports fanatic, I think the book would be helpful, because Ryan reads snippets to me {and we all KNOW I'm no good with sports} and I find them meaningful too! Just a gift idea!

Four.

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Need a laugh? 80's hairstyles. Right here, baby.

Five.

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I really liked this post from Click It Up a Notch about how to photograph your everyday. Some days are really exciting and my three necessary photos for my shuffle posts are no big deal. But SOME days are a so ordinary and slow - and I loved these reminders of things I can do to take pictures!

Six.

Next week is our annual fundraiser at work. It's called Share, if you're not familiar with us. We raise funds for the whole year in that one week. It's such an exciting time, because we get to hear so many stories of how God has touched people's lives through the message and songs they hear on our station - but it's also an exhausting time because we all work extra hours and the pace is very high. It seems like Satan is clawing at us a bit this year...staff members dealing with illnesses {didn't mean to be part of that group!!!} and losses and much more...and we would so appreciate your prayers for strength in this week to come!  

Our First ER Visit

Sorry my post is late today. I'm writing you from the comfort of Mo, where I've been for quite some time - and plan to be for most of today!

I went to work yesterday morning feeling absolutely fine. Had a whole list of things to do, including our BLT show that Lynne and I do every Thursday. When I arrived at work, I started eating breakfast, just like I do every day, and about 8:15, this {familiar} excruciating pain settled into my stomach.

I struggled with this pain quite a bit back in 2000 right after I graduated from college. A couple of ER visits and some doctor appointments later, they determined I had acid reflux and I needed to watch my citric acid intake. Over the years, I've learned that if I manage my stress well and don't overdo acidic foods, I am okay. I haven't had pain like this in YEARS!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I had a couple minor run-ins with it, but nothing long lasting, so I ignored it. There was no ignoring yesterday. Lynne sent me home immediately, and it was the longest commute EVER. I was in so much pain, my lips and hands went numb. It was awful. I called Ryan to tell him I was sick, and he had a really low patient day, so he was able to come home. I hated it that he had to miss work, but I was so glad he was there with me. I'll admit it: I was scared!

We rested at home for a bit and when Lynne called to check on me, she told me she didn't want to see me again until I had been checked out. Well...I kinda can't NOT go to work, so we packed up and headed out of town to an ER. {I refuse to go to the one here after my last visit turned into a debacle you would not believe.}

I was actually feeling better by the time I got there, but we went on in anyway. SUPER nice people in that ER. They gave me a little bracelet and had me wait on the nurse.

I was so thankful to have Ryan there. He can make the worst place a measure of fun:

The nurse came for me and put me in an exam room, asked some questions, and gave me THE most slimming gown.

{I posted this picture on Facebook and someone asked if I was in the maternity ward. NO!!!! NO NO NO!!!! Although I confess it crossed my mind....am I gonna be one of those people who comes in for random abdominal pain and is told she's in labor? Am I gonna be on that TLC show???} Whew. It didn't happen.

All the people in the ER were super nice. When the guy came in to diagnose me, he said my symptoms were consistent with either an ulcer or my galbladder acting up. {Both were things I had been quasi-tested for back in 2000, but nothing definitive.} He said there was no way to know for sure without either a scope or an ultrasound, but I would need to work my way through a family doctor for those.

Meanwhile, he said he would test me for general stuff just to rule out anything major. You know. Like pregnancy. He didn't say that out loud, but that's what I heard.

First up? Had to drink lots of water for the dreaded pee sample.

Ryan tied up my gown and I went to the bathroom down the hall as instructed. Problem. COULDN'T FIND THE CUPS. This is when a health care husband is handy. I motioned him in and said, "I can't find the cups!" HE handed me this mixing bowl looking thing and said "This is it." SERIOUSLY? At the little clinic I go to now and then, it's literally a Dixie cup size thing. Not a mixing bowl!! Oh good grief.

So with that out of the way, it was time for blood tests. I do not fare well with needles, so I just closed my eyes and willed it done. The lady was AMAZING. She got the vein on the first try and was in and out in no time.

After this part, we waited for what seemed forever. I started to get REALLY nervous that they'd found something and were out there doing rock, paper, scissors to see who had to tell me. {I watched ER and Grey's for a while. I know how that goes. People come in for something tiny and find out they're dying.}

Ryan scooted up next to me and held my hand while we waited. He was so reassuring!

After a bit, they came in and said I passed all the blood tests. Liver and kidneys and pancreas were all good, and they mentioned nothing about a baby. They sent me home with instructions to have a doctor work with me on more conclusive testing options.

Unfortunately, when I got home, the pain got much worse, and from 6 to midnight, I was so sick to my stomach and in ridiculous amounts of pain. I was finally able to sit down and fall asleep, and when I woke up at 2 this morning, the pain was gone.

I'm pretty wiped out from all the pain of yesterday, hence the late blog. And you've already been texting to check on me, so I know you're worried!! Thanks for sending such love my way and for the prayers I know many of you prayed. You all are THE BEST.