The Shafferland Shuffle

Happy Sunday, Friends! Whether the week has been sunny or gloomy in the weather department, we sure hope all of you had a good week in your hearts! Here's a peek at what we have been up to!

* Last Sunday we visited another church and really enjoyed it. We continued our streak of still not hearing a lead pastor preach (haven't heard a single one yet!) but we definitely heard a great sermon! We were on duty that day, but it was a very low-key day, and we got to enjoy another great sunset during our walk that evening. (We had no idea we wouldn't see too many of those this week!) That night, Ryan also learned how to use the WillowBridge laminator! It may revolutionize my life that we have one of those IN THE HOUSE!!

* Monday was Labor Day, but it was a work day for us. Since it was a holiday, we went all fancy and Ryan treated me to a white chocolate caramel latte. It's the first time he's put on his barista hat since we moved, and I'm happy to report he hasn't lost any of his skills! I made Muddy Buddy cookies, and Ryan grilled burgers and brats, so we could have a little cook-in with our co-workers. (It rained, or it would have been a cook-out.) We had dinner together in our apartment and had a team meeting while we ate. And that's how you work a holiday!

* Tuesday was the first day of our weekend, and we celebrated Mom's birthday by having lunch with her and Dad at Eugenia's restaurant down in Wabash. On our way home, we stopped at the BMV, and that's a whole separate story. I think God had mercy on my heart, because on the way back home, He sent a GORGEOUS rainbow. That night we went to a class at a church, where we learned about the Sabbath Meal from the pages of Scripture. I'll have to tell you more about that later!

* Wednesday was the second day of our weekend, and Ryan's step-dad came to visit us. We spent the late morning and early afternoon kayaking together and having long conversations with him while we paddled our way through the water. We were able to show him where we live and work, and we all went out for lunch and a walking tour of town before he went back home. It was good to see him!

* Thursday morning I met up with another fellow Gateway Woods employee down at the coffee shop, and this time I tried the cinnamon caramel latte. It was excellent - as was my conversation with my new friend and fellow co-worker!! Ryan did a plasma donation that day, and it ended up taking quite a bit longer than he anticipated. Apparently it's very popular right now!  When he got home, I made sloppy joes and made sure he got some food in him so he didn't get weak!

* Friday was September 11th, and we discovered this beautiful huge flag flying down at the fire station that morning. There was a perfect breeze, and it was billowing so beautifully. Look what we found when we went grocery shopping that afternoon!!! Bikes are back in stock, it seems! Grabill had a mini-festival this weekend, and we found out one of our tenants had never had an elephant ear, so we got one for all of us to share. (She ended up hating it, so we had to eat the whole thing ourselves!) We got to spend some extra time with her in the evening, and that was fun!

* Yesterday morning we got up early to do some inventory in a recently vacated apartment. Ryan and Tim worked on the air conditioning in the WillowBridge car (a project that will be continued on another day), and at the end of the day, we enjoyed the Right Now Media Marriage Night along with the other couples on staff with us. (It was a virtual marriage conference, basically.) We learned some good things!

And that's been our week!