Baby Shower!

Before I tell you about the shower, I have to tell you about GETTING to the shower.

My friends Joe and Sarah had a baby shower last Saturday afternoon. I left home 1/2 hour before it started, which was pushing it, for sure, but should have put me there right around the start of the thing.

First I got behind Slowy McSlowerson. (He actually went 25 in a 25. Full three second stops at stop signs.) Then I had to pull over for one of those police-escorted motorcycle brigades. (Can someone PLEASE tell me the purpose of those? I honestly don't know but that's the second one I've had to pull over for in the last two weeks.) Then I got slowed WAY down in a construction zone.

By that time, not only was I late...but my car was overheating again - just like it did on the interstate during my Wisconsin vacation. I had to pull over four times just to make sure I didn't get stranded in the middle of an intersection. I was shaking, crying, having a SERIOUS come-to-Jesus moment, and unable to reach my parents for help. They were at the shower. Their phone was at home. Lovely.

So my grand entrance to the shower (late) was complete with tears.

Dad left to tend to my car, and I proceeded to enjoy the shower.
Joe and I went to high school together, and I met Sarah after they got married and we all went to church together. You might remember Sarah from some of my Craft Hideaway posts. She loves that place!

This is their first baby...and she is one well loved little bundle of joy - already!

Sarah is also the maker of Flour Child Cupcakes - so you can see why this was such a PERFECT gift.

Joe and Sarah are going to be great parents. I have no doubt about it at all.

Faith and I gave her a Bumbo seat. Note: those are impossible to wrap and no one sells gift bags that large (in the greater South Marion area, anyway).

Sarah 'n me. Can't wait to meet little Magdalena!!

Also can't wait for my car to be fixed!

The Tale of the Phone...Conclusion

** Before I start - a very HAPPY birthday to my BFF Lynnette!! Love you, girl! Hope today is filled with much more joy and much less drama than the post you're about to read! **

If you missed yesterday's post, you must go back and read. This will make no sense without it.

I dug out a phone bill, found the number for the company and dialed. I made it through the obstacle course of a menu and was told my call was very important and would be answered in the order it was received.

Someone actually answered immediately, but she was not very clear in her command of the English language. Normally I have a pretty high tolerance for that, but by that time I was exhausted from a busy week, HUNGRY from a lack of dinner, and trying not to panic about the prospect of purchasing a seven hundred dollar phone. Oh. And she called me Mrs. Freelan, too. Not her best move. I (kindly as I could) unloaded the entire story on her - starting with the original faulty phone.

At one point she interrupted my story to tell me my current broken phone was still under warranty and she could send me a replacement free of charge. I did honestly appreciate that and under any other circumstance would have gratefully taken it, but I explained to her I needed the smart phone for my new job.

By the end of my explanation, I was fighting back tears and said in utter desperation, "I just don't know what to do. I mean should I just pay the termination fee and go somewhere that sells a more affordable phone?"

These were the words delivered to me in somewhat broken English, straight off a script card (causing me to inwardly giggle): Because you have threatened to ter-mee-nate your service, I am now authorized to transfer you to a loyalty specialist.

About three more times she told me, Mrs. Freelan, that she was only transferring me because of my threats.

Seriously? I don't believe threatened is the appropriate word here. I questioned whether or not to remain. I threatened no one.

Nevertheless, she put me on hold (while I knew she was telling someone about mad girl, line one). It's not my first dance with mad people. I know how this gig goes. Except I'm usually on the other end of the line.

A truly lovely woman came on the line and said she could help me. She also asked if she could call me by my first name. (I know it was a calming tactic, but at that point anything was preferable to being called Mrs. Freelan.)

I explained the entire story to her and at the end she said, "Well I can see from our records that you have been with us for eleven years, you've never even had a late fee, which is unheard of in our industry, and you've never asked for an exception before."

That's because I pay my bills and I don't believe in asking for exceptions.

She said she was authorized to offer me a smart phone for upgrade price as long as it wasn't any of the 4G phones.

Guess what I'd picked out?

Yep. Good ole 4G.

So she helped me pick a new phone...figured up my bill...the whole nine yards.

I asked if I could go in to the store as early as the next day to get said phone (because by this time it was 20 minutes until the store closed, and I didn't want to be that customer that shows up at closing time for an hour long appointment).

Oh I'm sorry. This has to be shipped to you. I can have it there by Saturday. It will come FedEx and someone will have to sign for it.

Of course. And that would be the day I have to attend baby shower out of town. SPLENDID!!!

I started praying on the spot to be part of Mr. FedEx's early morning route. (Side note. He arrived at 9:49 a.m. and I got up off the floor where I'd slept the entire night to make sure I didn't miss his arrival, should he get there while I was still sleeping.)

I honestly did appreciate her help. She was wonderful and patient. But oh my goodness. After all this, I feared I would be too tired to text when I could! Here's to hoping the smart phone holds up for the entire time it should...

And Now...The Tale of the Phone

I would like to dedicate this post to Christina, because it sounds like something that would happen to her.

I've been with the same cell phone company for eleven years and never had a moment's problem with my plans or any of the phones I've purchased. Until this last time. I upgraded, got a new phone (supposedly a good one) and within six months the touch screen gave up the ghost. Fortunately the phone was still under warranty and they happily shipped me a new one. About six months later - same thing. That time I procrastinated taking it in, and by the time I did, it was on the other side of the warranty. Woops.

I needed a phone, though, so the nice lady in the store told me I could purchase a phone and she'd knock $50 off the price because she could. Okay. I got a low end phone and have been using it since October. About 3 weeks ago, the screen died on that one. Seriously! What is up with these phones?!? I could still make and receive calls but texting was out...picture taking was out...internet was out...and did I mention texting was out? Gasp...for...air.

I went right in to the store and asked the lady when I was eligible for upgrade. June 16th, she said. Maybe earlier if I was lucky but they'd cracked down on that early upgrade thing, so she wouldn't make any promises.

(Side note: I found out during that time frame that it would be most helpful for my new job if I could get a smart phone while upgrading anyway. I'd need it for the work I do there. Sweet! Never had one of those before!)

Two days before upgrade day, I went back in to the store to choose my phone so on upgrade day...I could be in and out and back to texting. The man working that day confirmed the 16th as upgrade day and helped me choose a smart phone.

The moment the realtor left my house on June 16th, I practically sped to the store to get my phone. The lady who first told me of the upgrade day was working again and I plopped down in front of her and told her I was there to upgrade. She looked up my account and said these words:

I'm sorry. Your account isn't eligible for upgrade until June 16th 2012.

wha???????

Of course the concept of an inside voice was lost to her, so all other customers turned to stare at me. I knew my face was ridiculously red, but I maintained as even a voice as possible and said, "Um....but I was told twice that it was today, and my phone doesn't work. What am I supposed to do?"

She had no good answer.

So I continued. "I'm about to start a new job and I need a smart phone for that job. Can I just buy one?"

Again...no inside voice...Sure, but they run between six and seven hundred dollars.

DOLLARS?????? I didn't even pay that much to go to Florida for a week!

I had no idea what to do, so I left the store.

Just for kicks and giggles, I drove across the parking lot to the other cell phone company to see what they could do for me. I didn't really want to go through the hassle of switching companies, but I needed a phone...and desperate times call for desperate measures. Their phones were indeed cheaper - and they'd be happy to switch me but I'd have to pay an early termination fee to cancel my current contract.

Super. That probably cost as much as the phone!

So I decided to drive home and call the company. I did not intend to have an evening of confrontation, but no phone is worth seven hundred dollars...let me tell you that!

The phone call was classic. Do come back tomorrow to be further entertained....

Bekah's Bequeathment Ceremony

I told you that last Tuesday was my last time to present devotions to our office at work. Thought I'd share more of that with you, too.

Normally when I share devotions with the office, I read something that recently stood out to me. Excerpt from a book...piece of my own devotional...section of Scripture...part of a blog...something I wrote...you name it. But since it was my last time to share with this group as a group, I wanted to make sure I said what I hoped they'd embrace.
So I shared part of what I read at the book club last month. I talked to them about how our lives are stories that we live out loud day by day. How the words we hear and read define our stories. How God has an intention for us even if we think nobody wanted us or we don't have worth.

And for fun, I shared with them a list of Bekah-quirks. As you can see, they weren't fighting me on them!

At the end of our time together, I prayed for them. What a great group I've worked with - and I do hope God sends beauty to each of the stories that I've come to know and watch as they've lived them.

And then...time for the bequeathing ceremony!

I wanted to make sure they didn't forget me (HA!) - so I wrote each of them a letter and chose something from my office to pass on to them. They had a lot of fun with this - as did I!

Started out with our AVP. I gave him this book: Who Moved My Cheese? It has to do with embracing change and someone parked it on my desk years ago, hoping I'd learn from it. I think the news of the new job means my cheese has "done been moved." So I bequeathed it to him so he can give it to someone else. Craig, our compliance guy, put a sign on my door earlier this year while I was (blissfully) vacationing in Florida. It says "Pell Training." (He said when I came home, my punishment for leaving would be hours and hours of Pell training.) I won't have to administer Pell Grants in my new job...so I gave that bad boy right back to Craig.

Neil likes to wear a lanyard with his business cards and name tag in it - but the one he wears is NOT an IWU lanyard. As you can imagine, this tampers with my OCD, so when I found a lanyard in my desk that had the school logo on it...I knew it had to be his! (Ten bucks says he continues to wear his original one...)

Greg received my Office magnet that says "Do you want to form an alliance with me?" Greg and I have a ton of funny office stories and I thought that was a pretty perfect gift.

Angel (the one laughing hysterically on the left there...) received my Gaither Vocal Band poster. She may or may not l.o.v.e. Michael English. I walked by her office later that day and saw it sitting right in her line of vision. See, I knew it would be well loved!

And last but not least...had to find something to give our secretary, Lynette. She and I have worked at IWU for almost the same amount of time and we have had a sweet friendship. She and I both adore pictures, so I gave her a framed picture of David Phelps and me. (From 2003. Talk about another hair life!)

So there you go, suite 240. You've been bequeathed. Enjoy. :)

Weekends with Friends

It's a strange thing to know your life is about to change entirely - and yet not have any idea how life is about to change...or when. So while I'm in this transition phase, I'm trying to spend time with as many of my friends as I can, in case I do move quickly.

A week ago now, I had the chance to spend quality time with two good friends, and I wanted to let you peek in at the fun we had!

First...the lovely Jamie Bennett came to visit me. It meant so much to me that she'd drive down from Ft. Wayne to spend some time with me, because she is also in a transition period and I know her time is very precious. But I was going through some tough stuff in my heart, and she came down just to spend time in prayer with me. What a great friend!

We took a break from praying to eat some dinner...

Spaghetti and garlic bread...watermelon and cantaloupe...and lemon cake (which is really just another source of fruit, you know).

What a blessing God gave me in my sweet friend Jamie. I have learned so much from her - and I'm so looking forward to spending all of next month with her as she trains me at WBCL!

Sunday I went to Amber's house after church. We went to Subway for lunch. That's what we usually do when we get together for lunch - and I so love those times with her. We have some great talks!! Amber and I have been friends since Story Hour (preschool) - so it's fun to still have so much in common.

When we were done eating, we went back to her house, and she helped me with a project. It had to do with etching stone. (Amber etches monuments professionally.)

I, on the other hand, am a professional Sharpie user.

I did try the etching tool. The result? FAIL.

So that was my fun with Jamie and Amber. Love these girls and the time I get to spend with them!

It's the Weekly Recap!

* Last Sunday I had lunch with Amber, and then we went back to her house to work on a project. (You'll see it soon - I love it!) We decided to work outside, but we were tired, so we eventually gave up in favor of soaking up the rays. Wish I would have brought my tanning clothes!
* Monday I made the decision to contact a realtor to sell my house. I'd been trying to decide whether I wanted to sell it myself or have help. I decided to know my limitations and enlist the help of a professional! I also continued my rounds of saying goodbye to work friends. This is my dear friend Pat, who works in our Registrar's Office. She's bubbly, full of life, and has loved me and encouraged me for several years now. I'll miss her!
* Tuesday was my last time to do devotions in our office. We have them every week, and we take turns (alphabetically...it does wonders for my OCD). It just so happened that my turn rolled around this week and I offered them my final thoughts. Kind of a bittersweet moment. They were very gracious. I shared some of the same things I shared with the book club in May, and I took a few minutes to pray for them - and that was a wrap!
* Wednesday I had lunch with my co-worker Angie for the last time. We have always loved going to Dairy Queen for lunch...and we wanted to do that one more time before I left! Thanks, Angie, for taking me! And then when I got home from work, my parents came over for "Habitat for Bekah" work. Dad cut down a bunch of trees and weeds growing in the fence row, and Mom and I worked on the kitchen and bathrooms - getting everything all ready for the realtor to see. I REALLY appreciated their help.

* Thursday...ohhhhhh Thursday. The realtor I contacted on Monday came over after work to look over the house. I felt perfectly at ease with her and don't have any hesitations about that decision. It was even kind of exciting to see how the selling process works. (And confirmed that I'm NOT smart enough to do it without help!) After that, I endured a NIGHTMARE of a phone upgrade attempt. That, my friends, is a whole other blog post for another day. But the entire day was capped off with this bit of amazing-ness...(a gift from a student - and not even my student!) Let the record show I only ate half...at a time. * Friday was my last day to work with some of my co-workers, because they'll be taking some time off before my last day. It hasn't quite hit me yet that those goodbyes were THE goodbyes. This is one of the pictures we took Friday. This is our brand new student worker, Serena. I just love her and am so sad I won't get to really get to know her and spend time hanging out with her like I have all our other student workers!
Friday night, Marie came over and we had dinner together, had our Bible study, and then watched Miss Congeniality 2 and ate party mix and Reese's pieces. That was just a fun, relaxing night. I've been going...going...going...so much this week, it was nice to just SIT.


* Saturday morning at 9:49, my doorbell rang and Mr. FedEx delivered my new phone. Words cannot express my joy at being back on the texting grid. 2 weeks without...was 2 weeks too much. Also on Saturday, I went to the lovely Sarah Rife's baby shower. She got so much cute stuff!
Books I'm Reading: As you may have noticed from the book you JUST read about my week, there really wasn't any time TO read this week. The only reading I did was from my two devotional books: Sparkling Gems from the Greek and Jesus Calling.

Favorite God Moment of the Whole Week: I emailed a professor whose class I spoke in every semester just to let her know I'm leaving my job. Within about 2 minutes, she called me to tell me she was sad to see me go - and to tell me she had seen enough of my life to know I can talk about more than financial aid, so she wanted to know if she could keep my name in her list to perhaps come and speak about something else. It was another confirmation to me that I'm doing the right thing - and that God has plans for me that I can't even fathom right now.

Update on Last Week's Goals: I rather quickly made the decision about using a realtor and have taken steps to get that process started. I've done my best to center my mind about writing, but I'm not sure I'm as focused on it as I would have liked to be at this point.

Goals for the Coming Week: I would like to read SOMETHING other than my devo books this week. I'd also like to be able to say I have some good writing under my belt by this time next week. My mind needs a break from the swirling of my world.

Orange Julius

Last week I told you I'd take pictures of the Orange Julius soon. I decided even if I'm here by myself, I'm deserving of good little smoothie-esque drink, so I made a batch just for me!

This recipe is my Mom's, although she says she hasn't made it since my sister's bridal shower over 25 years ago. Oops! She gave it to me when I planned to have some friends over for "breakfast for dinner" a few years ago, because she thought it would be a good little addition to the meal, and she was right!

I can't drink straight orange juice because the citric acid is too high, so this is one way I can enjoy some OJ! This tastes like one of those orange push up ice cream things I used to eat when I was a kid. VERY yummy. And if you use lower fat milk - it's not all that bad for you either!

The Recipe

6 ounces orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
12 ice cubes

In blender, combine everything except the ice cubes. Mix on high until blended, then add ice cubes one at a time until smooth.

I usually use 1% milk. Skim does work fine. I also buy a 12 ounce can of concentrate, use half, and keep the other half for the next time. I also don't have ice cube trays, so I just use whatever amount of ice I want. It probably equals out to 2 1/2-3 cups of bagged ice.
I put in the concentrate first and dump everything else in on top of it. Don't forget the sugar! I did that once and WOW. Important ingredient.

After you blend that, it will be a little bit frothy on top.

Then add the ice a little at a time until it's the thickness you like. (I only made half a recipe for me - the full recipe above will go clear to the top of a blender.)

Pour in your glass, top with whipped cream (hello!!) and enjoy!!

Stepping Out in Faith

* April 29 - Two days after finding out about the job, I submitted my resume to the station.

* May 4 - The station called to schedule an interview with me - set up for May 19th.

* May 11 - Went for a walk on my prayer path and in total exasperation, asked God about three specific things. One of them was about the job. And in literally .005 seconds, my heart had three answers, and the job answer was "If they offer it to you - take it."

* May 19 - Sparkling Gems from the Greek today says, "Don't be surprised if Jesus asks you to do something that seems impossible to your natural mind." Like interviewing for a job an hour from home when gas is $4 a gallon?

I leave this day in Your hands. Walk with me. Keep me safe. Give me words. Open my eyes and keep my mind clear, my Abba. Help me to, as Lois said, shine Your light no matter what happens.

Loved these Mandisa lyrics I awakened to: "'Cause if He started this work in your life, He will be faithful to complete it."

I went to the interview and had absolutely no nerves. I have no idea how I did - I suppose you'd have to ask them - but I felt complete peace and came home satisfied with every word I'd spoken, for better or for worse.

* May 26 - I received a call from the station to schedule a second interview - this one set for June 6th.

* June 5 - I read a devotional by Dayspring's Roy Lessin - that said this:

Let God choose for you, it will be the right decision.
Let God guide you, it will be the right direction.
Let God plan for you, it will be in the right timing.
Let God measure for you, it will be the right portion.
Let God help you, it will be the right care.
Let God instruct you, it will be the right teaching.
Let God prepare you, it will be the right training.
Let God counsel you, it will be the right perspective.
Let God fight for you, it will be the right outcome.
Let God work in you, it will be the right result.

* June 6 - I awakened the day of my interview, read this devotional by Holley Gerth, which left me with goose bumps.

Got in my car...drove to Ft. Wayne...went inside for my interview, and walked out literally 15 minutes later having accepted my new job. I couldn't even believe it. God had worked out every detail - start date, finances, everything. Never once did I have a moment's anxiety about it. Not once.

And I know this is just how it came to be. There's more to come, my friends! More to come!

And in the words of another great Gaither song - The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows.

Writing on Walls

We now resume the story of God's hand in the job change:

I've asked God so many times if there's any way He could bring back writing on walls. I think it was a great method when He did it in the Bible and I've long been sad that He's retired it. Well, He didn't do it even now, but I have to say this was about the closest thing to wall writing I've ever experienced. If you missed the post two days ago, read it before you go on because it shows you my prayers to God about opening the door of the job. Now back to my prayer journal.

April 27, 2011

Kari sent me this email this morning: "Sometimes faith is action. Don't be afraid to start searching for another job...If He does want you to stay where you are, then He will close every opportunity that seems really good and you will know. When you pray about it, pray for exactly the kind of job you want. Be specific. But also be open to a magnitude of jobs (organizations and companies). Look outside of Marion...maybe even the state...start getting your resume and cover letter ready and just start sending it...if you're lucky enough to get an interview, you will know during that interview if the job is really right for you...Don't let the fear of not knowing keep you from trying."

Kari has never been that bold with me - about the job anyway. It surprised me.

That day was long and exhausting. It was a Wednesday, and that night, after I got home from church, I went straight to bed, hoping for extra sleep. But before I went to sleep, I opened my email and found a message from Jamie. It had a subject line that said "The Email I've Been Waiting To Send."

And in that moment, I knew.

I opened it and found a long, long message from Jamie, in which she told me that her job was posted, and as she'd gotten to know me and as she'd learned my heart and my desires for serving the Lord and for ministry, she thought I might be interested in applying for the position. She'd prayed about it and felt urged to let me know it was open - and to encourage me to apply if I was really interested.

I started shaking in bed, because I knew. I knew this was my writing on the wall. My specific, open ended prayer to the Lord had been that if this was what pleased Him...He would prompt someone to say something to me. And He had.

April 28, 2011

I think Isaiah 30:21 is my next verse: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying "This is the way; walk in it." Show me. God, with this job thing, show me. Be unmistakable. And if it is Your desire that I go...work out the details. The housing...the commute...the money. Show me.

I drove on the prayer path and felt nothing but peace. Help me to know.

That day, I emailed Kari to tell her what unfolded after her email to me, and she responded with "Walk through the open door Bekah - walk through."

And immediately this song came to mind. I would love for you to listen to it. It's a GVB song (but please note this was in the pre-David days and I still listen to it!). I cried as I listened. This has become my anthem for this season of my life.

SSMT: Verse 12

I'm taking a one day break from the story of how the job came to be...so I can post my new SSMT verse. I actually thought God had a different verse for me, but as soon as I read this one last night, I knew it was verse for me.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, a people belonging to God,

that you may declare the praises of him

who called you out of darkness

into his wonderful light

1 Peter 2:9

This actually does kind of fit in with the job. I don't feel like what I'm about to enter is "just" a job. It feels like a chance to walk into ministry, which has long been a desire and calling on my heart. And I've struggled with that part.

Jamie and I talked this past weekend and I shared with her my struggles with inadequacy across the board of life...and it plays into the job too. Why would He choose me for this job?

And yet I'm thankful He did. I'm not sure yet I understand all the reasons why but He sees something in me. And through this verse, I see a glimpse of that calling. He chose me to belong to Him...to sing His praises...to share with others how He called me out of the darkness where I used to live and into a new life of light.

What a huge calling - and what a huge responsibility!

No idea how it's going to actually happen. But I commit this verse to memory as I prepare to enter a new chapter of ministry - and I hope to be found faithful!

Stirrings

Much of today's post is going to come to you from my prayer journal. I want you to see this portion of the job-change-journey as it unfolded between my heart and the Lord's Throne.

April 5, 2011

I was reading Only a Breath, and she said, "My prayer is that He would use my life, not to make a name for myself or even so that people will remember my name long after I'm gone. That really doesn't matter at all to me. What matters is that I use the time I am given to be His hands and feet while I'm here."

Which, of course, took me back to the idea that I'd love to be fulfilled in a job that brings purpose to YOU.

Earlier today, I was thinking about the job. A change is always on my mind, but after Chris's comment last week about pushing debt...and Julie's question to me last week about what I'd want TO do...I was just thinking.

I thought about the book I started last night and how the author was the CEO of Lenox China and then was sought out to be the President of World Vision.

And that was when I opened up Facebook and found an email with the subject line of "Job Change?" (Side note - this email had nothing to do with the job I'm taking, but it certainly got me thinking and I believe was part of God's plan.)

Then I opened (In)Courage - "For a very long time, I have dwelt in my comfort zone. I was so comfortable with the usual; I prefer to do things that think I will be able to do...There is so much in us to bless humanity with, but the fear of the unknown would not let us release them. As I began my journey of becoming all that God wants me to be, He led me to a verse: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

April 10, 2011

This was a Sunday, and that evening, Jamie came to my house for dinner. As we sat at my dining room table, eating tacos, she shared her big news with me: she was leaving WBCL to go back to school. (Read the whole story here - love this!)

And I wrote these words:

Honestly, I wondered about THAT job. Am I even allowed to say that? My mind is swirling - probably more than it should be. That ministry tugs at my heart. Help me. Jamie challenged me to pray specific, open-ended prayers...so I will ask You to open the door to a job there if it pleases You. Please, my Jesus. Plant the thoughts in the right minds if it's what You have.

April 13, 2011

My heart quickens when I think about working at WBCL. So I'm here before You...mostly to discuss the job. What DO You have?

Groundwork

I told you my big news this past week - I have a new job! I'm so excited about this adventure and can't wait to share more with you as I make this transition. But to me, part of the absolute BEAUTY of this journey is the background. And over the next couple of days (I first typed "years" - no, no, no!!) I want to share with you the things God has done.

It all started here. Last November, I went to WBCL Radio to be a guest on the November Author! Author! Mid-Morning program. I could have called in like the rest of the guests interviewed that day, but I really wanted the full experience, and Miss Gaytha encouraged me to go, so I went.

As I read that post again today, I couldn't help but notice this line tucked in at the end. Not sure what I was referring to at the time but it gives me goose bumps now: I loved the feedback they gave me, and I loved knowing God was and is at work behind the scenes of even a radio spot!

Clearly I had no idea just how much He was at work.

I was the last guest that day, so I stayed after for a few minutes to talk to Lynne, the host, and Jamie, the producer. I cannot tell you the incredible draw I had toward the friendship of these two women. I really cannot. I left the station that morning wishing I lived closer. Wishing I could be their real-life friend because they seemed kindred spirits.

That evening I got online to email both of them and thank them for their graciousness that day. Jamie beat me to it. She had already written me and in her message, she said she'd never emailed a guest like that before, but she felt a friendship connection with me that day and wondered if I'd be willing to meet up for coffee and strike up a friendship.

And we did just that. After a few weeks of emailing and getting to know one another, we met at Starbucks one afternoon and spent a couple of hours just sharing our stories. And in the months that have followed, we have continued to email regularly, share stories, laughs, God-moments, prayer requests, great ideas, dreams, and all manner of things of which a good friendship is made.

And once a month or so, we meet up in person - for coffee or dinner - or both. She has encouraged my life in ways I cannot put into words. And then came...a God thing.

It's the Weekly Recap!

* Last Sunday was the inaugural use of the fire pit for the season! I was pretty stinkin' proud of myself for getting the fire started...and keeping it going! Loved the impromptu cookout with Ronda and Jonathan too. I have the greatest friends ever.
* Monday I resigned from my job as a financial aid counselor at Indiana Wesleyan and accepted a position with WBCL Radio as the new Mid-Morning producer. You know. All in a day's work. Oh I cannot WAIT to unfold this story for you. I hope it encourages your faith as much as it has mine. God is amazing. And because it's not second-rate news, I also spent the evening hanging out with Faith - I've missed her! We had dinner and went shopping - the perfect end to a great day. (Took this picture when I came home from accepting my new job!)
* Tuesday was filled with the continued enjoyment of sharing my good news and the beginning of figuring out what's next. So much to think about with getting the house ready to sell...trying to figure out what I want to do about a place to live in Ft. Wayne...those sorts of things. So much to consider and absolutely no idea how much time I have to consider it all! :) And in it all, God continued to heap blessings on me...I was so overwhelmed!

* Wednesday was the first day of our registration week. (This is when the incoming freshmen come to campus to schedule their fall classes.) Everyone working with students wears red and black so we can be easily identified. That's two more minutes in bed for me - don't have to pick out an outfit! :) Wednesday was also my sweet friend Tammy's last day at IWU. (She's the one in the middle of the picture.) I'm so excited for her - a brand new life awaits her too! Even though it was her last day, this is one of my first "goodbye" pictures! (L-R: Me, Robyn - who is one of the secretaries in our office, Tammy, Sandee, and Cindy - who all work in the Business Office next door to me!)

* Thursday we had one of the best lunches ever! One of the perks of registration weeks is that the office buys lunch for all of us every day. (That way we can all be there in case it gets busy.) Thursday they ordered in from Brooks Upper Crust pizza. Uh-mazing pizza. I'm usually a pizza is pizza is pizza sort of girl - but I have to admit this is the best I've eaten. Extraordinary amounts of cheese. Extraordinary. * Friday I began the gathering process...gathering information about my house so I can prepare to sell it. So STRANGE to type those words! And Ronda invited me to stop over for some homemade strawberry shortcake. Oh. My. Word. It will be on the blog. It tastes almost like Ivanhoes....

* Saturday was the last day of freshman registration - and my last day to work a weekend at IWU! After I got home from work, Jamie Bennett came to visit - and she spent the evening praying with me. Prayer is her ministry and I had some things God had been urging me to work through. Though she's very busy with her own life transitions right now, Jamie graciously agreed to spend a few hours with me really working through my list of strongholds. What a blessing! Books I'm Reading: Didn't really have much spare time to read this week! Of course I read in Sparkling Gems from the Greek and Jesus Calling. I did read a little bit in The Hole in Our Gospel. And I FINISHED rereading In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day since Olivia and I finished up our study of that book!

Favorite God Moment of the Whole Week: I think that came on Monday when I accepted my new job. The very last part that I was concerned (not even really worried) about was the financial aspect. And God worked that out more beautifully than I could have hoped or imagined. It was an incredible faith boost as I look ahead to other "obstacles" - like selling my home and finding a new place to live.

Update on Last Week's Goals: The big decision I had to make was the job - and I made it and am confident I made the right choice. I finished the registration week and feel good about the connections I made with students and parents, even though I won't be working with them past the end of this month. And I am thrilled with the way God met Jamie and me during our prayer appointment. He is GOOD.

Goals for the Coming Week: With my writing time quickly approaching, I want to begin to center my mind on the things God might want me to write about - so I'm "in the zone" when the time arrives. I also need to make a decision this week about how to market my house...whether I want to try to do that on my own or list it...and if I list it...finding the right realtor. All this is very new to me.

30 Days of You and Me: Day Twenty-One

Today's topic? A recipe.

Well, I post recipes on here all the time, and I don't have a new one ready for you yet. So I'm going to have to modify just a bit.

I was talking to a friend of mine last week and he said, "I just want to know...you post pictures all the time of these great treats...the swirly pancakes and the cookies and everything...and you're getting skinnier. HOW do you do that?" Simple! I give it away!

I love to cook. Love it. But it's true that I have no self-control when dozens of chocolate chip cookies litter my kitchen counters. So I divide them up into bags and give them away. It's the best of both worlds. I get my cooking fix...I enjoy a sampling...and then I get the pleasure of blessing others with some yummy food. (And they can do the workout to get it off their hips!)

So. Of the things I love to make, what are my favorites?

Breakfast
Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
Amish Breakfast Casserole
Orange Julius

(I promise to take pictures of the orange julius next time I make it. I always make it for Pancakes with the Princess and have company here while I do it...and then don't have time to take the pictures!!)

Lunch
Hot Chicken Salad
Broccoli Salad
Almost Caramel Surprise Brownies

Dinner
Baked Spaghetti
Garlic Bread (either frozen cheesy Texas toast or a loaf of garlic bread from the bakery)
Candy Shop Pizza

I'm looking for the perfect chili recipe - so if you have one, send it to me. I know it's not chili weather, but I'm still looking for it.

How about you? Any favorite recipes? If you have a link, send it!

Complete Randomness

There's no good way to tie together the things I'm about to say, so I'll resort to bullet points.

* Blog Cleanup. I'm in a cleaning mood, but frankly I'm too lazy to get up and actually CLEAN, so I'm cleaning up the blog instead. I hate deleting blogs from my blogroll, but some haven't updated in a really really long time, so I'm deleting them. If you were deleted, and you start blogging again, tell me and I'll re-add you! I've also added a few new ones I've started to read - so I don't have to keep hunting them down the long way.

* Herb Gardens. One of my birthday gifts was my very own live parsley plant. I love it. Parsley is very pretty in plant form. Having my own parsley plant has made me want to have a few other herb plants as well. I don't want to get too many because I don't cook with herbs enough to warrant owning one of everything. Plus I really don't know all that much about growing herbs. Or harvesting them. Or anything else. If you're an expert, tell me!

* Writing and Prayers. I'm about to take on a new writing project. I know the general idea God is prompting me to write about, but I don't have a clue how it's going to flesh out on the screen. I also have no idea who needs to hear its message...but for now I'm quite certain I need to hear its message. (You know how they say Sunday School teachers always get more out of their lessons by preparing them than the students ever get by hearing them? Sometimes it's that way with writing, too.) So if you think of it in the coming days, I'm accepting any prayers as I begin this journey.

* Exercise. Strange things are happening in the morphing of Bekah. Lately I've had people ask if I'm losing more weight. No idea. Don't get weighed. (I would get totally hung up on the numbers and fear I'd be ever so likely to subsequently develop an actual eating disorder, so I avoid it all by skipping the scales.) But I will admit to being very surprised when I got the summer clothes out this year and last year's skinny clothes are hanging on me quite loosely. I don't feel like I'm losing more weight. In fact, I feel like I'm eating everything in sight and my workouts aren't aggressive enough to counter that. A friend of mine was in town last week, and he hadn't seen me since Christmas. When he stopped by the house and I opened the door, his first words were "Look at you, Skinny Minnie!" I asked him if he thought I'd lost weight since Christmas and he said, "Uh YES." So apparently I have. I will admit to noticing this weird thing called definition in my upper arms. Must be from that blessed 30 Day Shred workout. And there's the tiniest (TINIEST) hint of one little ab on one side of my stomach. Just one. Tiny. So I think...I think I'm going to buy heavier weights. Try to ramp up the workout a little and see if I can make some more progress.

* God is just good. Wanted to throw that in. He deserves it. :)

8 Cows, 3 Nails

My name is Rebekah and I struggle with low self-esteem.

There. I said it.

We could hash out my childhood and my peers and everything else to get to the bottom of this but trust me - you do not have enough time in your day.

And that's not the point of this post today anyway. Last week I had a discussion with one of my co-workers...a discussion turned friendly argument...in which I tried to explain why I don't think I'm worth too much sometimes, and he tried to explain why I'm wrong.

I struggled to state my part to him and finally remembered this story. I read it years ago and thought immediately this is me. I'm the woman in that story. If you don't have time to read the whole link right now - this is the super quick synopsis: The story is of an islander named Johnny who decided he wanted to get married. Men who wanted to marry would offer the desired woman's father some cows in exchange for her hand in marriage. Five cows was a great price. Johnny chose a rather...unattractive and undesired...woman for his wife. Her father figured he'd be lucky to get one cow for her. Johnny paid eight. When someone saw her after they were married, he was floored that this woman was the one no one would even pay one cow to marry. She was gorgeous and confident. Johnny's point was that if a woman knows she's an 8 cow wife, she'll live an 8 cow life. (The unabridged version is much better. You should read it.)

I've had some 8 cow moments in my life.

Like when my college boyfriend admitted to me that he liked me.

Like when my dream crush from years and years ago kissed me.

Like when Isaac said he wanted to marry me.

Those were moments when the worth others saw in me boosted my worth in my own eyes. And honestly, those moments still boost me. When I feel really bad, I remind myself of those very times.

When I talked to Ronda about this later, she said she didn't know I struggled this deeply - but she also said this, which was so very true and needed. What did God pay for YOU? He thought you were worth a LOT more than 8 cows!

I'm ashamed that there are times when those 3 nails mean less to me than 8 cows. But I'm human. I'm a girl. I want to be an 8 cow wife. Yet right now I know...God wants me to find my worth in those 3 nails.

Hymns

I was raised on hymns. My parents sat in the third pew from the front, organ side, and every Sunday, they took me up there with them. I learned to be seen and not heard in church - and I learned the words to all the hymns.

All four verses.

Sometimes five.

When I was a little girl, the thick red hymnals were too heavy for me to pick up, so Mom found a little paperback songbook in our piano bench at home. It was red, and I declared it my hymnal. I carried it with me every Sunday, and when the song leader invited us to take out our hymnals, I pulled out my tiny red book and sang all four verses - as though those words were in front of my face.

Then I became a teenager.

I hated hymns, organs, slow beats, and everything else I'd been raised on in the world of music. I didn't understand why we sang in King James - about how great Thou art - and I had no clue about what an Ebenezer might be (other than Scrooge) and why in the world we should raise one. Why giveth when you can just plain give and save a syllable?

I wanted to listen to the edgy music. (And by that, I mean Steve Green and Sandi Patty.) And secretly, I did - starting with their hymn albums because it felt less rebellious somehow.

It was actually Bill Gaither and his Homecoming tapings that taught me to love hymns again. Bless Bill for giving those things a beat. I started tapping my toe and remembering that little known fourth verse.

And now - I love them. I love their beautiful old language with greatly underused words. I love their richness. And I won't lie - I still love a good beat and a hymn belted out as an anthem. The louder, the better.

I have one for you that you may or may not know. I wish I could find this one in a good anthem sound. This rendition is acapella, but it's still good. The song is called Day by Day.

This song became precious to me during my desert last summer, because of the line that says The protection of His child and treasure is a charge that on Himself He laid. I loved the reminder that He chose to protect me HIMSELF. No matter what someone else might do to me - He was going to treasure and love me.

Last week, the line I quoted over and over was Help me Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, e'er to take as from a Father's hand - one by one, the days, the moments fleeting, 'til I reach the promised land. What I'm facing right now has been handed to me straight from HIS hand - and it can be trusted. And the sooner I can embrace that - the better.

Some Things are Just God-Flavored

This is a story that is longer than a blog post. So in a few days, I'll give you the full version. Because frankly...God deserves the public praise of the full version.

But I'm too excited to not give you a sneak peek of things to come!

For the last eleven years, I've been working at Indiana Wesleyan as a financial aid counselor. And in one month, I'll be leaving IWU to start a new...well...a new life, really.

I will be the new Mid-Morning producer at WBCL Radio. (You have no idea how strange it feels to type that out!! I have a huge smile on my face.)

This entire change came about in my life right at two months ago, and in that time, I've experienced (truly) the biggest "storm of peace" I've ever known. It's very unBekahlike. But it's completely Godlike.

I can't do much right now other than shake my head and wonder at what God is doing in my world. I can't believe He has seen fit to say yes to this...I can't believe the ways in which He has orchestrated it...and I can't wait to see what He has yet to do in this journey.

Until I can sit down and give proper credit to the story as it unfolded, I'll leave you with just those details and these prayer requests, should you feel led to pray about any of them.

* Selling the house. This new job is a bit of a commute and while it would work for a while, it's not at all something I want to be doing in the winter months. But in order to move, I need to sell my house, which is something that will take some God-intervention. I'm not nervous about it...because I've seen what God has done so far, and I know He can do this with no trouble! But I'd still appreciate prayers.

* Finding a new house. MUCH to think about. Rent? Buy? Apartment? House? Condo? AAHHH!! Definitely need some wisdom on this one.

* Safe travels. Until the housing is worked out, I'll commute, and while I'm not afraid of the drive, it's just a change in my routine.

* Finishing well. I still have a month left at IWU and I want to finish the job well and finish with grace. We're in a very busy season and I don't want to shortchange the students and parents in this time.

* Absorbent brain cells. While I'm very much looking forward to the new job and all it entails, there will be much to learn. I have a month with Jamie, the current producer, and I want to absorb from her all I can. This will be my opportunity for my creative juices to flow and I hope they go nuts!!

Cookout at Bekah's!

This weekend was tough. I had a lot going on in my mind, and I spent much of the weekend in solitude and prayer.

And by last night, I needed people. Bless Ronda and Jonathan's little hearts - they'd had a super busy weekend but made time to come over and have an impromptu cookout with me!

I fired up the fire pit...for the first time in two summers. (Didn't care about cookouts last year.) I had actually never successfully started a fire before. Pretty proud of this!
It was a simple cookout - just hot dogs and watermelon - and, of course, s'mores for dessert! With Jonathan there, I didn't see the need to do my own grilling. He did a fine job of manning the grill.

Ronda - who deserves about a dozen gold medals for putting up with me this weekend. What an encouragement she is!

I broke out the s'mores - and um....caught my marshmallow on fire. WOOPS.

First s'more of the season. YUM. It had two marshmallows and half a chocolate bar. I don't believe in skimping on dessert.

Little messy - but totally worth it.

Had to get Jonathan back for taking a picture of me with s'more guts everywhere.

Time for round two!!

I LOVED having them over and being able to share and laugh - and not think about everything that had consumed me all weekend. What a blessing they are to me. (And it was nice to have a day without rain so we could actually light a fire!!)

It's the Weekly Recap!

* Last Sunday I was still in Illinois visiting my friend Jenna and her family. Spent a lot of time Sunday in the car looking at this little bit of cuteness. Jenna told me last time I visited (which was last October), Adelaide did not care for backseat alone time after I left. So hopefully this week hasn't been too bad as she readjusted to self-entertaining back there.
* Monday I spent a good chunk of the day on the road, driving home from Jenna's. After coming home to my freshly mowed lawn (thanks, Mom and Dad!) I went to Lowe's to burn the gift cards I'd gotten for my birthday. Spent the evening planting flowers! I never did plant anything last year. My heart was too broken to care about anything...especially beautifying the yard. So I was extra thankful to have the desire to do this.
* Tuesday morning I met Olivia for coffee at Starbucks at 7 a.m. Yes, you read that right. I had something on the calendar BEFORE work! She was in town just for the weekend, and since I'd been gone the whole weekend...that's when we could meet. It was a brief time together, but I loved seeing her in person! Jenny and I rescheduled our Monday lunch date (due to the holiday), and we went to Fazolis for lunch. (My friend Judy's grandma calls it "Frazolis." I think I might start calling it that too.) Anyway. They've redecorated. And they now serve food on real dishes with real silverware. You should have seen me staring at these - as though I'd never seen them before:
* Wednesday morning when I left for work, I discovered my rosebush had exploded with blossoms - overnight!
And then I got to work and turned the page of the calendar. (He was singing He's Alive for this one. I remember.)
And then - total highlight of the day...a birthday gift from my best friend! Is this not the best sassy red purse you've ever seen? L.O.V.E.

* Thursday evening was FIX BEKAH night. After the narrow escape from nearly coloring my own hair orange on the last dye job, I went to the salon this time. She cut it, she thinned it, she colored it, and she highlighted it. And after a really long day - not only do I look way too tired for my own good, but I also couldn't capture the color correctly. But here's the attempt!
After that, I scurried over to Starbucks where I met up with a friend of mine, Abby. We've known each other for a while but haven't ever really hung out. It was great to be encouraged by her - and hopefully I sent some encouragement back her way!


* Friday was a great day at work, because Miss Gaytha bought us all Dairy Queen treats in the afternoon! I love surprises like that! I got the darling little mini blizzard - French Silk Pie. Isn't it CUTE??
* Saturday I'd been invited to go to the lake with Ronda. I so wanted to go - but my mind and heart were so overwhelmed with the "muchness" going on in my world right now that I knew I should stay home and try to process...pray...get practical things done. I started out by sleeping until 11 a.m. for the first time since Christmas break, I think. I needed that rest. I spent the rest of the day curled up in the fat chair reading, working on pictures, praying, journaling, and trying to work on trusting my Abba's perfect peace.

Books I'm Reading: I got behind a couple of days but am now caught up in both my devos: Sparkling Gems from the Greek and Jesus Calling. I've fallen so in love with Jesus Calling that I bought a copy for Ronda this week. Figured that was easier than emailing her every day with what I loved in it. Read another chapter in Entrusting Your Dreams to God. FINISHED Writing About Your Life. Excited for what I've learned and excited to apply it to my upcoming writing project.

Favorite God Moment of the Whole Week: This week I was riddled with overwhelming fear about a particular situation. Most lunch hours found me parked by the pond, leaned back in the driver's seat, crying out in prayer. During one such prayer, God whispered to my soul that the situation wasn't at all as I viewed it and gave me its truth instead. Despite that revelation I continued to live in fear - doubting that I'd really heard Him. Friday night I received a text that said right out loud that the situation was exactly as God had whispered to my heart. What affirmation to my faith!

Update on Last Week's Goals: I did indeed clean my bedroom - so lovely to not be tripping over pillows anymore! My scrapbook is caught up, which I'm very excited about (love starting a new month caught up), and those thank you notes are DONE.

Goals for the Coming Week: This week, all my goals are matters of the heart. I have what I'm going to already label as a "divine appointment" this coming weekend to hash out some things in prayer. I want to be open and receptive to whatever work God wants to do in my heart through that time. I also have a decision to make in which I must know the heart of God - so I want to make sure I'm connected entirely. It is also the first summer registration week at work, which means long hours and high tension in the office. I want to approach that time and each family I encounter...with grace and compassion.