What I Learned in May

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 Yes, I know it is not the last day of the month, but two things caused me to post my "What I learned" a day early. First, I don't plan on learning anything today, so I should be safe. (TOTALLY KIDDING!) Secondly, yesterday was a super busy day, and I didn't get a chance to write  a post just for this day. So without further ado, here are the things I learned in May!

1. My body rebels against a detox/cleanse.

And don't we all, I'm sure, in some way? Isn't that kind of the point of a cleanse or detox? To shock your system back to health and life? But seriously, I learned that my body freaks out in unhealthy ways. Not sleeping at all and feeling like I'm hallucinating? Not worth it to me. I think I'll just be more conscious in my eating choices. It works better for me.

2. Ryan and I still hate being apart.

We were told the longer we were married, the more we would "get over" the need to be together all the time. Hasn't. Happened. Yet. Ryan was gone all day for the Saturday and Sunday of one weekend, and the following weekend, we were apart all evening Friday and most of Sunday afternoon. We decided that's too much. We love being together, and we don't apologize for it!

3. In busy seasons, we rely on color-coded itineraries.

We had a couple of stretches this month that were too busy. TOO busy. The kind of busy where you have to schedule in bathroom breaks if you really want them. So I resorted to creating color coded documents that outlined our every waking hour and told us what we needed to accomplish and who was in charge of it. We couldn't live like that every day, but when we have to, we must have organization.  

4. I love, love, love, having our garage finished for entertaining.

Truly one of the best decisions we made (even though it nearly cost us our sanity when it was in process) was to finish off the garage so it could be used as an additional living space. Hosting Mommapalooza 4.0 out there was so freeing!  Everyone felt a lot more comfortable with the extra space!

5. The Ninja has revolutionized our coffee grinding experience.

Ryan gave me a Ninja system for my birthday, which was THE most perfect gift. I haven't had a lot of time to play with it yet (hello, busy May!) but we used it to grind our coffee right after we opened the box, and my GOODNESS. What used to take 15 minutes to complete took about a minute and a half. No. Way.

6. Ryan and I make a great team at events.

I love being in a partnership with Ryan, and I love having him accompany me to events. It makes me so happy! But my visit to IWU was the first time he stood up front and helped me with a presentation. It went seamlessly. We had rehearsed several times, but I was so excited to see how well it went in real time. I am thankful beyond words for a husband who doesn't just support the work I'm called to do, but he crawls into it with me and takes an active role.

7. I love writing curriculum.

Back in the day, I wanted to be a teacher, but I elected not to pursue it once I saw how the education field was changing (even 20 years ago). This month I wrote some curriculum for a workshop I'm leading this summer, and I adored every moment of that work. Ryan would come home to find me in the same spot I'd been in when he left for work, and I was a TERRIBLE wife on those days, but it fed my soul in amazing ways to write for teaching purposes!

And that's been May in a nutshell! Here's to learning even more in June! 

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday, we were waking up for our last morning in Michigan. Sigh of sadness for the end of vacations! We enjoyed a beautiful and peaceful hike through a state park and onto the shore of Lake Michigan before driving back home. (In the warm sun, of course, which showed up for the first time in days.) Still had a great vacation and it was good to be home!

* Monday was get-back-to-normal day. Ryan returned to work, I did a bunch of laundry and unpacked, Braeya wavered between being glad to see us and punishing us with much crying, and the best part of all? OUR ROSES BLOOMED!!!! They are so pretty!

* Tuesday morning I met Ryan's brother and his wife and kids out at the park to do a photo shoot for one of the kiddos. It was a really fun morning, and the colors in the pictures really popped because it was just a little bit overcast! Because I'd been busy all day with pictures and writing, Ryan suggested we use a gift card and go out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. No problem! :) On the way home, we saw more good news: Starbucks is being rebuilt! YESSSSSSSSS!

* Wednesday was blah and yucky, but it cracked me up that I had to wait for ducks to cross the road while I was out running errands. (They were NOT in a hurry.) I picked up a fresh stock of kiddo supplies since I had the fab five for a little while that evening. Coloring books, crayons, games, puzzles - and this one kind of disturbing box that encourages "learning with Pooh." I try to stay poo-free in my learning, thankyouverymuch.

* Ryan had a carry-in at his work on Thursday, so I made cheesy potatoes and this photo is the last I saw of them. That dish was nearly licked CLEAN! I spent the entire day writing, and it was amazing. I was in the same spot when Ryan came home from work that I'd been in when he left for work! AND I got a new toy! Stand to hold my notes while I rehearse my talks. No more using the back of the recliner!

* Friday was the last day of school! I'm not sure who was more excited: my kiddo that I take or me! I decided it was a good stop-for-a-latte-reward day, so I did! (Took one to Ryan too since he filled in for me once when I was sick.) Speaking of Ryan: I LOVE IT when I see him reading a book. Makes me so happy! He started reading my brother-in-law's book this week, and I just had to get a picture. :) And Friday night we actually got a whole night at home together, just the two of us, with nothing to do.

* Ryan had to work a long day yesterday, so I did more writing and Pinteresting while he was gone. I had to record a promo video for a workshop this summer, so that was a fun little adventure. He took me out to eat AGAIN (thank you, gift cards!!) which was a real treat. Although I have to say, the restaurant and I have different takes on medium well. Yikes! And after that? A quick stop at Lowe's for Ryan's favorite thing: holiday price checks for appliances!

The Shafferland Shuffle

I feel like you don't need a shuffle this week, because you've been shuffling through my week ALL week! But watch that stop me from subjecting you to a shuffle anyway! HA!

* So about a million years ago was one week ago today: Mother's Day and my birthday! It really does feel like forever ago! We hosted Mommapalooza 4.0, we celebrated my birthday, AND we had Phoebe all day. It was one delightful and busy day!

* I kept right on celebrating my birthday on Monday, because I still had my free Starbucks drink coming to me. I got the S'mores drink for a treat, and it was delish. Monday was also the start of the speak-four-places-in-four-days tour! Ryan went with me to Fairfield Christian Church, and we had a great time with the ladies there. (And my Mom showed up to surprise me!)

* Tuesday morning, I went to a women's Bible study at Lakeview Wesleyan church to speak with them. They were so warm and kind! Know what else was warm and kind? My coffee and trip to Cato that followed it! I do miss Cato. Ryan and I needed some down time that night, so we went on a nice sunset walk. It was so lovely!

* Wednesday was our big day! Ryan took a vacation day to accompany me to Indiana Wesleyan, where I spoke at the first ever Staff Council retreat! So thankful that went well (at least I think it did, anyway!) and also so thankful that Ryan went with me! It helped so much to have him there! After we were done with that, we did our date inspired by the letter I. Still haven't had a chance to tell you about that! Next week. :)

* Ryan also took Thursday off work, just to get a much-deserved break, and he elected to come with me to my final speaking engagement of the week - at Point Isabel United Methodist Church. Great way to end the week! (Also, please THOROUGHLY enjoy how the stained glass behind me looks like bunny ears on me. I crack up every time I see these pictures!) We got to spend the rest of the day together and it was so nice!

* Because our week had not been eventful enough, we took a little road trip on Friday! We had been looking forward to our little getaway to southern Michigan, but apparently our luck with Michigan returned again, and on May 19th, it was in the low 40's and we were in hats and sweatshirts, trying to enjoy the beach! But you know the Shaffers...we'll make the best of it, even if it's not ideal weather! :)

 * Yesterday was another cold and rainy day, but we didn't let that stop us from having some fun together! Many adventures to tell you about next week, but let's just say the day included (but was not limited to) the following: much coffee, a pie tasting, naps, and SHOPPING!!!

Speaking at Indiana Wesleyan

Remember how I told you I spoke four times in four days this week? Wednesday marked the third day and the biggest crowd! In fact, as soon as I agreed to speak, I asked Ryan if he would mind taking the day off work and coming with me, because I needed him! (He said yes without much arm-twisting.)

It was actually really exciting to receive this invitation, partly because it's always encouraging to get invited back to your alma mater, right? And I was excited, too, because this was a different setting than most places I speak. I don't often get to address a more academic setting! But the school planned their first ever staff council retreat, which I think is an amazing event to offer. (It was for the hourly staff and took place right there on campus. Two speakers, door prizes, and a catered lunch. What a great investment in employees!)

They asked if I would speak on the topic of balancing life, work, and family, so I worked for several weeks to put together something I hoped would give them some new perspectives on all those life areas! And since Ryan went with me, I asked if he would also help me. We worked together to practice this talk so we could be coordinated and as seamless as possible in our delivery!

 Fiesta theme!! It was so colorful! (Fun fact: This retreat was held in the same rooms as our wedding reception!)

Guzzling water pre-speaking.

I had prayed so hard over this day, and I sure don't know how everyone else felt about it, but I know with everything in my soul that I gave it my very best and while I know there's always room to improve and grow as a speaker, I know I couldn't have done anything more leading up to that day.

Here are some photos other people took (on Ryan's phone and their own cameras) while I spoke and Ryan helped:

 My mom saw this next picture and asked if he was getting blessed. LOL!! Not really! He was demonstrating how Moses held up his hands during the battle with the Amalekites.

After I finished speaking, we had lunch, and it's possible I sort of circulated during that time to try to catch up with friends! Here are a few:

 (My best friend's mom, Janice.)

 (My dear Ronda, who has been such a good friend for so many years now.)

(Cheri is married to the pastor of the first church I attended as a grown-up. If you've read the Be Still book, she's the one I talked to at the beginning to share what the Lord had put on my heart about fasting. She is such an encouraging lady!!)

After lunch, this amazing lady named Joan McManus Bardsley spoke. Interesting and random fact for you. Joan is twice widowed, and her second husband, Harold, had also previously been married before the two of them wed. His first wife was the teacher in the classroom where my mom worked for many years!

Anyway, Joan used to be a kindergarten teacher herself and just has the most delightful personality and manner of presentation!

After I heard her speak, I started to feel a lot less confident about my own! She was so funny and carefree in what she shared, and I felt mine had been too stiff! But then she told me after it was all over that she felt like she couldn't follow me because I had been so well-prepared. Isn't it funny how we're so critical of our own selves? Bottom line: we had very different approaches, but we both brought the messages the Lord gave us, and when it was over, I had a new friend named Joan! :)

Thank you, Ryan, for giving up a vacation day to come with me and help me on this event. It was better because you were there!!

Sharing with the Ladies of Fairfield Christian and Lakeview Wesleyan

Oh my dear people.

This week has been an interesting one. I've spoken four times in four days. (Don't confuse talking, which I actually never stop doing with speaking, which requires organization and professionalism.

Ryan and I knew, going into this week, that it was going to be absolute insanity. We immersed ourselves in Thieves oils and Halls Defense and vitamins and everything else, but wouldn't you just know it, when Monday arrived, Ryan felt sick, and I had to call out for extra prayers, because the whole thing just reeked of Satan's stupid schemes. He did feel better as the day went on, thankfully, but I didn't know that until I'd already had about a two hour panic attack that he wouldn't be able to go with me to my first event of the week.

So Monday night we actually got to stay here in town for my event! I spoke at Fairfield Christian Church for a women's dinner they held at the church.

On the way, we had to pick up a prop I needed for another talk later in the week, so we had to take the truck. This is what it looks like when you take a lot of stuff in a little truck:

As you can see, Ryan was feeling better and was able to come with me! I was so thankful, because I needed him there!

That evening, I shared a talk called "Stone Altars," and they had worked the whole theme of their decor around that!

I even had a little corner for my books!

Know what else I had that night? A surprise guest!

True story: my mom had never heard me speak, other than at her church! The lady who reached out to invite me to come and speak happens to know my parents, so she surprised me by inviting Mom! It was good to have her there!

(There were a handful of other people I knew, including one of my high school classmates and her mom!)

Ryan was so kind to take some pictures for me while I spoke. He was kind to take one of himself, too! LOL!

LOVED that little room! It was so cute! And I loved all the stone props they used for decorating!

Here's a fun thing, too! A woman came up to me after the night was over and said "I'm not sure if you remember me, but..." and for some reason, I immediately could see it in her face! She was my student teacher in Kindergarten! I asked for a picture with her, and she agreed. When I posted it to Facebook, one of my high school classmates was so kind to dig through our old yearbooks (ours are buried in storage) to find our pictures from back in 1983! Check this out!!

She was so kind and encouraging, and I appreciated her! :)

By the time we got home that night, I was exhausted to the point of feeling sick, but we had to rehearse a talk for later in the week, so we were up late.

And then Tuesday morning, I had to get up and on the road as soon as I took my kiddo to school, so I could speak to the ladies Bible study at Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion! Ryan had to work, so he wasn't able to go with me (boo!) but I had fun with this group. There were probably 25 or so in attendance, and they were so kind to me.

After I spoke, they all passed around a microphone to share prayer requests and praises, and so many offered kind words to me about what I shared with them. (My talk that day was called Pouring In, Pouring Out. I've done it several times before and it's one of my favorites.)

Since Ryan wasn't there to man the camera, I have no photos from speaking, but here's the church and my car selfie when I was done!

When I left there, I had to get some coffee, because I had a raging headache, and that just happened to put me across the street from my beloved Cato. It seemed rude, really, not to stop in and shop, since I was right there. Know what I mean?

It was a good and productive trip. You'll see more of the outcome tomorrow. LOL!

And so went the first two events of the week! I'm so grateful for God's grace and strength. I always rely on Him heavily when I speak, and He was so faithful!