Sunday Sentiments

 

Fall has finally arrived in our part of the state. I had just about given up on seeing any kind of color this year, but though it feels about half a month late, it's finally showing up. Yesterday I took some pictures for friends, and I wanted to uproot one of the trees and bring it back for the WillowBridge yard. It was STUNNING. So vibrant!

I'm still working my way through the Creation study I started a few weeks ago, and it's making me appreciate in newer, deeper ways just how magnificent God is for all He thought to do and to make - from absolutely nothing.

We had our party for our tenant on Friday night, and we did the best we could to create something beautiful and memorable for her. And then...the ganache didn't drip the way it should. And the streamers that took me over an hour to hang fell down in front of our eyes literally ten minutes before the party started. (I actually cried over that one. All that hard work!!!) 

My kind of creation is so different from God's kind of creation. (Obviously, I know.) But one of the things I've been learning as I study is that very difference. Humans can only craft. We can only make something out of materials before us - and hope for the best. God created everything from absolutely nothing. He created the materials and then the creations themselves. His creations are all good. They didn't fall down before the party even started. They didn't fail to work the way they should.

If Creation had been up to me, it would be a pretty sad display. But how magnificent His work is! I don't know why it takes me until fall each year to remember that in fresh ways.

My thoughts are few today...it has been a creativity-sapping kind of week around here. But in the absence of my own creativity, I urge you to look outside and find God's beauty showing off all around you! Appreciate it a little extra today!

The Saturday Six

 

One.

I confess I have never really looked into how to make your own pumpkin puree. (I know...I don't currently have time. But maybe someday?) Have any of you ever tried it? I think this blogger makes it sound extremely possible!!

Two.

I always love seeing the ideas that RV renovators come up with for their overhauls. I particularly like this one for two reasons. One...it's a Class C, which is not often the model of RV chosen for an overhaul. (Usually people overhaul fifth wheels or another travel trailer.) Secondly...I love the color scheme! It's not typical, but I do love it! 

Three.

If I've seen this list before, I have forgotten it. (And that's possible!) But I loved seeing all these pretty little towns. I've been to a handful. I'd like to see the rest. Why am I such a Hallmarky-small-town kind of girl?? 

Four.

You know I'm a big fan of people writing their stories to keep for future generations. Here's a great short tutorial for getting down some of the bare basics. If you don't love to write but want to make sure your family has the general idea of your life, this would be a great outline!

Five.

I don't know if it's getting colder where you live or not...but if you're entering the season where you're starting to spend more time inside, it might not be the worst idea in the world to start decluttering! I know it always makes me feel so much better to get rid of excess. Need some ideas? How about these! (I feel like we're doing pretty well on this list, but there were a few that stepped on my toes!)

Six.

Check out this home from Good Bones that is on the market again! I love Good Bones and always love seeing their work being shared again!

Celebrations

Explaining the work we do is, I've decided, nigh unto impossible. Nothing about it is normal. Nothing about it is predictable. Very little about it ever repeats itself. I totally understand why it's hard to comprehend.

But today I want to explain to you the great joy we are feeling as we celebrate the successes of one of our tenants.

I've actually come to really loathe the word "success" because working in this job has pushed me to redefine how I imagine success. I used to think of success in very stereotypical world definitions, like having money in the bank, a good job to your name, a nice car, a nice house...basically anything attached to achievement and security. 

A foster mom I met while working here told me she had to learn that success means obedience. Her success as a foster mom didn't hinge on the measured outcomes of her foster kids. Her success hinged on whether or not she was obedient to the Lord when He nudged her to foster. If she followed His promptings and gave it everything she had, she was successful. I will never forget that conversation.

Most of our tenants haven't grown up in environments where they've learned about money management. Most only know how to spend and aren't fond of saving. So if success is having money in the bank, we probably won't have much success here. 

Most of our tenants don't have career dreams in the way you and I might have been raised. They hope to find a job. A full time job. A job that they might keep for more than a year. So if success is climbing the corporate ladder, we probably won't have much success here.

Most of our tenants don't have a car, because they don't have a driver's license or even a permit. And even if they do study for and pass the permit test (as some have!), they're stuck, because they don't have anyone to help them get the driving hours they need. They aren't on anyone's insurance. No one wants to take a risk on a wrecked car. (Honestly...would you?) So if success is owning a nice car, we are a long way from successful around here.

Most of our tenants have never lived in a house (unless they came from foster care). Many have lived in some scary apartments, couch surfed, or lived in a car that barely ran. They're more familiar with residential programs and facilities than houses. So if success is having a nice house, we probably won't have much success here. 

But this weekend we have a tenant moving out in the best kind of way. She's not quitting. She's not being asked to leave. She's graduating, so to speak. She is leaving this transitional place for her own place.

* She has made a community for herself, which is one of the things we hope for ALL our tenants. She has a dozen or more people rallying around her as she leaves, helping her carry her boxes and clean her new place. She had multiple loads of furniture donated to fill her new place. Watching these people sign up for time slots to help her and watching them arrive with smiles, snacks, and gifts was such a beautiful thing. Of course their sacrifice is to be commended, but she's been the one introducing herself and getting to know people for the last many months, and we call that a success.

* She has learned so many life skills that you and I take for granted. She has established good habits for herself to replace habits that weren't healthy. Things that we used to have to remind her to do or question her about later...just happen now. She's found a rhythm and routine in areas that for a while, we thought she might not ever conquer, and we call that a success.

* She's chosen to be involved at church and has not only made friendships there, but she's started serving in ways that fit her so well. She's learned to make a way for herself in that place, where previously she leaned on us, and we call that a success.

* She's learned to speak up for herself and be bold for the things she wants to pursue. It's true that in this population of young people, adults have spoken over them and for them so long that many don't know how to advocate for themselves. She's learned how to do it and has actually become quite good at it - and we call that a success.

Does she do everything perfectly? No. (But then - do you and I do everything perfectly? No.) She still has weaknesses that need strengthening and areas to improve. But again. So do I.

Tonight we will celebrate her, and I am thrilled. I have had so much fun planning her little party because it feels like a win for all of us. To see her heading out on her own, having achieved so much in the last few months, is a gift we all appreciate. 

And I encourage you to look at those around you with new vision. Maybe some people in your life are achieving a significant success that you're not even seeing, because it doesn't look like your definition of success. Pause to take a look at what a massive victory it is for them - and celebrate them! 

To Warm the Heart

 I don't cry nearly as much or as easily as I used to. Maybe I finally ran low on tears? I'm not sure. I would definitely still classify myself as a sap, but I don't do this daily anymore:

Source

(Ahhh...it's been too long since I watched Miss Congeniality. I need to pull that one back out for a movie night!)

Anyway. Earlier this week as I scrolled through social media, this video popped up on my feed. Apparently it's about three years old, but I don't remember seeing it before. Have you seen it?

It's footage of a high school baseball game in which the pitcher won the game for his team (sending them to state) - but he won by striking out his friend, who was at bat for the opposing team.

The video shows the final strike and all the winning teammates leaping onto the field to celebrate. But before they even get there, the pitcher goes straight to his friend and hugs him for a long time before walking him off the field. 

Then, and only then, did he go celebrate the win with his teammates.

While I don't dislike baseball, I'd hardly call myself a fan. But when I saw that video, I sat on our couch and had a little Cheryl Frasier-level meltdown. 

Isn't it just nice to be reminded sometimes that there is goodness to be found sprinkled among the hard things we see and hear in this world? 

I think the thing that impacted me most is that the pitcher didn't even hesitate. He wasn't even torn between celebrating and comforting. His heart went straight to his friend. When someone is that quick to do the noble thing, you know that goodness is deep within them.

I hope to always be that eager to comfort someone when it is within my power to do so. I hope I am not so eager to celebrate my own wins that I miss the hurting around me and fail to tend to them.

These are the lessons I learn from old baseball videos that pop up on social media. These are the things that warm my heart today. 

Currently...

 Remember how I'm always late to the party on some of these running blog ideas? Today I'm early! I'm borrowing Anne's ideas for November's Currently series and answering them today. It's almost November, so it counts, right?

So without further ado, currently I'm...

* ...appreciating...

Ryan! I bet you could have guessed that, right? But I'm extra appreciating him! The last six months here at work have been particularly challenging, as I've shared in other posts. Our team transitions, our tenant transitions, and even the changes we are making to our processes have been next level challenging. It has been hard to keep my head in the game at times, and I so very much appreciate Ryan's kindness, compassion, and listening ear. We always tell each other as a joke that we couldn't do this job without the other, because in truth, we really really can't! It's a couples job! But that aside, I could not do this without him, nor would I want to. He is my rock every single day and he really is the very best coworker!

...getting...

a little worried that I don't have a theme picked out for our Christmas card and letter this year! I usually have 3/4 of the letter written by this time, and this year I just can't come up with a theme idea! I even spent time on Pinterest over our last time off, trying to come up with something clever. Maybe 2021 isn't the year of the clever themes??

...making...

plans to celebrate one of our tenants who is transitioning to life as an independent adult. The last few months, she has really worked hard to learn new things and achieve long standing goals, and we are so so so so proud of her. When tenants leave here in a planned and prepared fashion, we love having a community night to celebrate them as a WillowBridge community, and planning her party has been extra fun. 

...sharing...

a couple of days off with Ryan! We were able to set aside one of them for a full Sabbath day of rest, and it was such a delight. We had time for extra Bible study, conversation, and both physical and mental rest. It was just so wonderful! Braeya was also excited for extra time to hang out with us! 

...wearing...

sweaters and sweatshirts!! Yes, I'm known for being warm-blooded and therefore often wear short sleeves, but I do love the part of fall when cardigans and sweatshirts come back to my world! So comfy!

A Return to Simple

 I think Instagram must surely tire of trying to recommend accounts to me, because my interests are all over the place on accounts I follow. Hair people, big families, moms of multiples, Bible teachers, cute puppies, coffee shops, boutiques, curriculum, people I know, people I don't...there truly isn't a rhyme or reason. 

But recently I've enjoyed following a few accounts of people who feel called to a much simpler way of life. I love their accounts because I love the breath my heart takes when I land on their sweet simple lifestyles.

One of those accounts is @kellyhavensohio (if you want to follow along too) and I wanted to quote part of her post for yesterday. It stopped me in my tracks and make me think...hard!

Kelly was preparing for her husband's 30th birthday, and her goal was to prepare, as Scripture admonishes, with "the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit."

She said, in part, "As I pressed maple leaves for a garland, made a pumpkin cheesecake, and bound pages for a family book, I worked only as fast as a gentle and quiet spirit allowed, for that is how I wanted to adorn the house."

She caught my attention with the maple leaf garland, and I knew I wanted to come back to that, but I also stopped to think about how many times I have rushed around madly, trying to make something so perfect for Ryan, but I did NONE of it with a gentle and quiet spirit. I wasn't able to enjoy, because I was stressing over finding perfection.

I kept reading: "Then the day came. I heard the slow, strong steps in the upstairs hall. I was a little nervous. There was no chalkboard, no balloons, no pile of presents yet. The leaf garland was in pieces on the ironing board. Measuring bowls and spoons coated the table. I really wanted to make him feel loved. Was a hug and a cup of piping hot spiced cider enough?...I ran into his arms. Oh, yes! His eyes said it all. It absolutely was." 

She shared more about their day together and then concluded with this: "When I asked him what his favorite part of the day was, he said, 'Ohhhhh I loved it all. But what I loved most was seeing my wife so happy.'"

I may be (rightly) accused of being the lover of celebration around here. When we had a little party for WillowBridge (as in the building) when it turned two years old, one of our tenants walked in, saw the streamers and signs and said, "I can tell Bekah has been here." I love it that people know I love to celebrate, but I also know I need to remember how to find beauty in the simplest of celebrations. 

Leaf garlands, homemade desserts, and hours of conversations. That's as delightful as something so much more elaborate!

So grateful for that post...so I thought Id share it with you, in case you need to be reminded that simple can be sweetest!

And That's a Wrap for 2021!

I have a few more pictures from the last day of our camping trip last week. Can you handle them? ;) 

This trip already feels so long ago! The end of last week was so very busy at work, and it just occurred to me that I don't think I've had time to sit and read blogs for about three days. I'll get there! But it was just a week ago today that we headed out on this final trip of 2021, and these pictures are from our last day.

The last day was the chilliest (not to be confused with COLD) of the days, and I could not wake up!! Ryan went out to start the breakfast fire, and I finally dragged myself out of the camper to sit by the fire and sip coffee.

Why, yes! I am rockin' the Comfy! It was PERFECT for this. Also - Ryan and I skipped all forms of officially getting ready on this trip. I don't think I ever pulled the flat iron out of the cabinet, and he didn't shave his head, either. (That never happens!) So we were looking pretty bedraggled by this day, but it's all just in the looks. Our hearts were happy! 

We wanted to squeeze in one more hike before we left, so we suited up in layers (in case we needed to shed some as the day warmed up) and headed out on a three and a half mile closing hike. It was just so very pretty out there.

We had the trails all to ourselves, and it was just so very delightfully serene!!

When the hike was over, it was time to tear down the campsite and head home. My thoughts on that:

Is it too early to start planning the first trip of 2022??

Sunday Sentiments

 

I've told you a few times recently about the Bible study I've been doing on Creation and the good things I've been learning - and in some cases, relearning - along the way.

Our time at the campground earlier this week gave me the perfect opportunity to absorb some of what I'd been learning in a brand new way, and I was so thankful.

I took extra time to sit outside and just look at the sky. We had beautiful weather the whole time, and I slid back in my little folding camp chair to rest my neck on the back and just look at the sky. Blue sky. White clouds. HUGE birds soaring with flocks of little birds hurrying through now and then.

The trees were just starting to turn, but leaves would flutter to the ground now and then, and I watched the ones still on the trees rustled in the breeze. There was a tree not far from our campsite that had a fascinating trunk, and I sat for the longest time just staring at it. 

When we took walks through the woods, I kept watching for little animals scurrying by here and there, and I tried to appreciate even more their unique qualities. My favorite was when Ryan caught a glimpse of a deer running in the woods and called my attention to it just before it disappeared. My least favorite was the DOUBLE DOSE of snake sightings I had. I'm still shivering and Ryan's still laughing. I still argue a bit with God about the necessity of snakes. ;)

I also marveled at how all the plants and trees just do their own thing out there in the woods like that. Dead ones crash down and decompose. New ones spring up wherever they land, and it's all beautiful in its meshed-together way. 

I sat by the water for the longest time and watched the gentle waves washing over what's left of the closed beach. (Also: hundreds of walnuts on that beach!)

So many colors. So many textures. So much beauty in one little place. Grass and trees and ravines and creeks and lakes and squirrels and birds and leaves and flowers and...you get the point.

I don't know how long it's been since I really took time to sit back and appreciate all the beauty of the world around me. It was good for me to spend some time savoring the magnificence of all God has done.

Have you tried it recently? If not, I think fall's the perfect time to start!

The Saturday Six

 

One.

I shared some gift ideas with you earlier this week...some of the best investments we feel like we've made in the past year's purchases. But I also found this gift guide on another blog this week. I think window shopping is fun, so even if you're not buying...it's fun to look! 

Two.

I may be sharing this one as much for myself as for anyone else, but I'm totally intrigued by these drawer dividers! I was just thinking this week that I wish we had something better than dollar store tubs to serve as dividers out in Abby, where our drawer needs are rather random in terms of width and length. This might have to go on our wish list!!

Three.

I have shared this one a few times before, but I guess it's that time of year again! The Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt is underway, and if you stop by all the sites, you can enter to win giveaways. (Plus you can learn fun things along the way!) Here is the link to the first stop on the hunt if you want to play along. It's open until midnight tomorrow night!

Four.

You know how much mosquitoes love me, right?? Lynnette sent me this Bug Bite Thing...have you heard of them? It's a suction tool that helps mosquito bites not become so irritated. I wanted to believe it would work, but I was afraid it wouldn't. We took it with us when we went camping this weekend, and though I didn't get devoured like I had on our last trip, I did get a few bites - and it really helped! I was so impressed!

Five.

I confess I found this link while reading over at Callie's blog, so I will give her credit for it. This is a DARLING home tour! Thanks for sharing it, Callie, so I could share it too!! 

Six.

I started this post with a gift idea list and I'll close with one, too! This one is gifts for nature lovers/outdoor enthusiasts. Some fun ideas on here!