92 County Tour: Howard

Yesterday I showed you the personal side of our Howard County tour...and today I'm bringing you the rest of our fun day!

First, the official county tour chalkboard photo:

We were standing on the porch of a really old log cabin at the Howard County Fairgrounds. The fair is held in Greentown each year, and it's one of our favorite things. Over the years, a number of small historic log cabins have been relocated to the fairgrounds - and together, they're called Pioneer Village.

Here's another one!

 There's also a little church out there - and a few years ago, my friend Ronda's nephew got married right there outside that church!

The most recent addition is the relocation and restoration of this historic round barn. There have been several wedding receptions here, and actually, Ryan and I contemplated using this as our reception site, but since our reception was in March, we figured the lack of heating might cause some issues. We still think this is such a gorgeous building, though.

After we left Greentown, we headed to Kokomo, which is where Ryan works.

We went to Highland Park, which is a lovely place in the city. I actually had some of my senior pictures taken next to this very bridge!

This bridge {the Vermont Covered Bridge} was originally constructed in 1875 in the town of Vermont, about 5 miles east of Kokomo. After surviving floods, arson, and other issues, it needed to be replaced in its original location with a higher, wider bridge. In 1957, it was moved into the park!

I do love a covered bridge.

Also in the park are a couple of other cool things. We stopped by to visit them, but my pictures aren't that great, because they're completely enclosed and I was getting a HORRIBLE glare off the glass.

First up: The Sycamore Stump:

This tree was in the west end of the county and stood over 100 feet tall before a storm knocked it down and the stump was hollowed out. In 1916, it was moved to the park, and was measured at 57 feet in circumference. They also counted the tree to be over 800 years old at that time. That is one huge tree!

Also in the park is Old Ben:

He was a steer who, when he died at the age of 8 in 1910, weighed 4720 pounds. {I wanted my picture next to him. He made me feel better!!}

After our park visit, we headed to the Treasure Mart...this really cool place Ryan wanted to take me:

He found a tandem bike right away:

Me? I was just shopping:

Another of Ryan's finds in the Treasure Mart: a mattress he sewed when he worked at Holder Mattress. He recognized his own work:

We made a couple more stops by some of Kokomo's main attractions. We went by the Sieberling Mansion, which you can also tour for a small fee, but we didn't do the tour. Still...isn't this a COOL house?

And it's not a trip to Kokomo unless you make your way past the giant praying mantis. Don't ask. We don't know. But it does have its own Facebook page.

We caught a quick lunch at Louie's Coney Island. We first went there in our very first month of marriage - on our way to pick up our first Christmas tree. It was one of Ryan's favorite places, and he wanted to introduce me. Not quite a year after that, a tornado ripped through Kokomo and destroyed Louie's. They rebuilt, though, and this was our first time back:

And our last stop for the day? The coffee shop, of course!!

We chose Big Ben Coffee, which was in a little strip mall.

It was just darling inside - all set up with tiny little living rooms - so cozy.

We were kind of warm, so we opted for frappes - and they were gone in no time!

So that was our day! Thanks, Howard County, for being great hosts....for our whole lives!

92 County Tour: Howard {The Personal Side}

This past Saturday, Ryan and I knocked another county off our see-every-county-in-Indiana tour. I'd initially planned a different county for this month, but we had an errand we needed to run in Kokomo, where Ryan works, and we hadn't yet done the county where Kokomo lies, so we decided to just make it our official Howard County day!!

I have two posts for this one, because this county tour took a bit of a different spin for us. We were both born in Howard County and we grew up there...and until he married me, Ryan lived there. So today I'm going to tell you the personal side of it, and then tomorrow I'll hit the normal side of it!

We started out the day by having breakfast at the Home Town Family Restaurant, with our friend, Randy.

Randy used to rent an apartment from Ryan, when he lived in his old house, and they've been friends forever. It had been a really long time since we got to hang out with Randy, so it was a fun couple of hours of catching up and talking about life and the future!

After breakfast, we did a quick return to our roots...starting with the elementary school we both attended:

The school has undergone a number of additions and updates since we went there, but this sign was right there when we walked these very halls! {And for those of you who didn't know, my mom was a teacher's aide in first grade from the time I went into second grade until after I graduated from college, and she actually had Ryan in her class!}

We also stopped by our old high school...we both graduated from here:

Ryan, if you didn't know, was a wrestler in high school. He won sectionals his junior year, so his picture is still on a wall outside the gym. We were able to get inside the school to see it {thank you, Saturday sports practices!!}...so here you go! The Ryan I knew in high school!

I insisted on a new picture of Ryan now with Ryan then:

Also in the school, we found the plaque for an award started by the local ministerial alliance back in 1993 in my Dad's name. It's given to a senior who exhibits Christian character in a high school setting:

After we left Greentown, we headed to Kokomo, and there we found a really important spot in our lives: the hospital where we were both born!

So there it is!! The Shaffer side of our Howard County tour! Tomorrow I'll be back with the rest of the fun we had on Saturday!

Winter Jam 2015

I worked Winter Jam again this year; my third year in a row to work this event. The first year I worked, it was on a Sunday in January, and the crowd was so crazy big that they ended up turning hundreds of people away. People had waited in the freezing cold for hours and then couldn't get in. It was a heartbreaker! Beginning last year, they moved the event to a Thursday night in March, and the crowds were a lot more manageable, it seemed.

The bad part about a weeknight event is that Ryan can't come to those. By the time he gets off work and makes it to Fort Wayne {almost a 2 hour drive}, it's so late, and then we have two cars up there...and it's just a lot of time and gas wasted on a work night. But THIS year, we had a special blessing in that our friends Mike and Angie drove up from our area after Ryan got off work, so he caught a ride up with them and then was able to drive home with me. HUGE blessing!! I'd worked all day and we didn't get home until close to midnight, so I was just so glad to have him with me!

Not surprisingly, I took over 300 photos that night, so I hope you have a lot of time! JUST KIDDING! I'm just picking a few of my faves to show you:

For some reason, I didn't get a picture of Ken, who also worked with us that night, but here are my work buds: Dana and Ron. Apparently it was my first time with a camera and I didn't know where to look. LOL!!!

I had never heard of the group Veridia before, but I did get this pretty great picture of the drummer and his hair!

Two years ago at Winter Jam, I saw Blanca for the first time, when she was part of Group 1 Crew. This year she was there as a solo artist. I really like her voice and enjoyed hearing her on her own!

Newsong hosts Winter Jam, and every year, they do Arise, My Love. And every year, I cry. I love that song so very much. And I think now that Winter Jam falls right before Easter for us...it is even more significant.

It was my first time to hear Building 429 in person:

Family Force 5 - brought their trampolines! Work out AND sing: it's how you get it all done while on the road!

I love this one: the fan was feeling the love!

Blanca came out to sing with Building 429 as well!

Jeremy Camp was my favorite of the night. I really, really appreciate him and I love his music. 

I've seen her in concert several times before, but Francesca Battistelli was part of Winter Jam this year. And she brought bubbles!!!

The final act of the night was Skillet. So funny...my friend Faith came and brought her kids specifically to SEE Skillet. I only made it through one song before I had to leave, because the crazy strobe lights were making me sick. I think I may be a little too southern gospel to fully appreciate the pyro/strobe light world. But Skillet definitely has talent - and I know the crowd was crazy happy to see them!

 It was a full house - and so encouraging to see so many people from so many generations worshiping together!

My very handsome date...so happy to see him:

And here we are with our friends Mike and Angie - who brought him up to Fort Wayne:

And one of my favorite parts of intermission...seeing my friends! I got to meet new friends and see old friends, like Elisa {we forgot a picture!!!} and Faith and her kids!

All in all, a very fun night - and a very LATE night! :) Winter Jam 2015 in the books!

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday morning, Ryan and I got to church a little early, and settled in to drink our coffee before the service started. I thought our sanctuary looked so beautiful, all set up for Lent, and I needed the sermon Pastor Steve preached that morning! We spent the majority of the afternoon talking and dreaming about our future, and it was such a pretty day that we had to get out for a walk. We made our way to some picnic tables and prayed for a while, and just appreciated the chance to have a great day together!

* Monday, my co-worker Jeri came to work with a picture of a reindeer that her son drew for me. He told her it was for "her friend that had to go to the doctor." Isn't that sweet? I hung it right up on my white board. That afternoon, my stomach felt crazy sick, and I was scared I was getting the unrelenting flu bug floating around right now. Lynne let me come home an hour early and I rested for a while. Eventually felt a little better. So weird! I was excited to find the first little sign of a flower in our yard, and Ryan and I did go for a walk that night in the gorgeous sunset.

* Tuesday was St. Patrick's Day, and while we struggled to truly wake up that morning, we had our brains about us enough to remember to wear green - right down to the matching coffee cup, baby!! And Ryan even got a green donut at work. He said it looked questionable, but tasted great! I had my 6 month checkup at the dentist...the next in the lineup of my 2 year mouth rehab program. It was a LONG visit, but I got a good report, and I was happy for that. And in other good reports, I actually got to RUN at the gym that night. 2.5 miles in 30 minutes. I'm pleased with that for 3 weeks post-surgery!

* Wednesday was a long day that wasn't a lot of fun for either of us. We had such good intentions of going to the gym after work, but we were so exhausted, we collapsed on the couch and elected to go to Culver's instead. I so appreciated our impromptu date and the giggles we got to enjoy over a burger and some ice cream.

* Thursday was a l.o.n.g. but fun day! Ryan and I worked all day like normal - but that night was Winter Jam in Fort Wayne! Ryan caught a ride up to Fort Wayne with our friends Mike and Angie, and we got to enjoy the concert together while I worked. And it was so nice to have him there for my late night drive home. We rolled in around midnight and fell straight into bed! 

* Friday was the first day of spring, and of course, Indiana responded with a snowfall. Ohhhhh goodness. It wasn't much and melted off quickly, but still. SPRING!!!!! Ryan and I were exhausted from the long day/short night, so we were excited for an at home pizza/TV night. I stopped by the gas station to get cokes for us, and I ran into my friend Liza's mom there...and she surprised me by buying our cokes! Sometimes the littlest things are the biggest heart boosts!!!!! So thankful for a night at home with my favorite guy!

* Yesterday we did a county date! So much warmer than a month ago when we did our last one! Yesterday we did Howard County, which is actually the county where we grew up. I can't wait to tell you more about it! We got to revisit some places from our past...have breakfast with one of our friends...do a little shopping...and of course, COFFEE!!!!!!!!!! Such a fun day. And so pretty out!!

The Saturday Six

 ** Update:** I fixed the broken link in item six. Sorry for having the wrong one in there!!

One.
Last weekend, Ryan and I did some spring cleaning around our house. A lot of it boiled down to really getting rid of the winter décor and pulling out the spring stuff...and cleaning up all the clutter that had accumulated during my gallternity leave. But while doing all the cleaning you can see, I discovered some DREADFULLY messy drawers in nearly every room. So I say, this week, pick ONE ROOM and clean out the drawers in that room. Weed out, simplify, organize, and don't do it by throwing all the stuff in another drawer! {I'm talking to YOU, Bekah Shaffer!}

Two.

Source

My friend Don sent me this link this week, knowing of the love Ryan and I have for our visit-every-county-in-Indiana trips. We have nothing on this couple, though. They're working on every county IN THE NATION, and to boot...all traveled in the same vehicle. Hats off to you, Riehls!!

Three.

Source

And while we're talking about travel...I saw this link on Facebook this week. Castles in Ohio??? That sounds fun to visit!!

Four.

Source

Impressed by the integrity of this IWU runner. {First of all impressed that he was in command of how many laps he had! I lose my mind when I run, but then again, I'm not a real runner.} THEN impressed that he did the right thing, even though it cost him.

Five.

Source

LOVE this post by KariAnne Wood about a gorgeous table her brother made for her from scrap wood. Not only is the tabletop a masterpiece, but her anaology to her own life is captivating. Well said, KariAnne.

Six.

Source

My sister sent me this helpful post about the best shopping tips at IKEA. I confess I was not aware of the wonders of their daycare, mostly because I don't have kids, but I agree with her other points! {And I believe the answer to number ten is ALWAYS yes.} And now this really makes me want to go back to IKEA.

Because Somewhere, Life Has Stopped

Lynne and I always have a quick meeting on Thursday mornings before our BLT show...just to make sure we're aware of the plan for that day and know how the show should flow. At the conclusion of yesterday's morning, I took an extra minute to catch her up on life in my heart, as several things were swirling within it that made me the tiniest bit teary-eyed.

I ended my story by saying "And to top it all off, this family I've been praying for...lost their little boy to cancer today." I'd read the news while scrolling through Facebook yesterday morning, and some of you have seen that same news for this family. You've been praying, too. And your heart is doing the tug of war between joy for Rusty getting to see Jesus and the ache for his family left here to figure out life without him.

As we sat in sadness for this little boy neither of us had ever met, but the understanding of sorts of the deep grief his parents are wading right now, Lynne said, "It's hard, isn't it? When your life stops and no one else's does? And you want to shout to everyone to STOP...because life isn't right...but no one sees it because their lives are okay right now."

It's true.

I've talked before on this blog about Kara Tippetts, who is just a couple years older than I am and also about to meet Jesus in person. She has a host of people in her present-life and her online-life who love her and have been encouraged by her brave fight, and yesterday...oh my WORD...the beauty of the post written by her friend Mickey. The post to all her friends who know what's coming...the call to rally their souls and prepare to celebrate her journey to Heaven while learning to mourn a world without her. It's gorgeous writing about heart-wrenching pieces of life that we all must learn how to face, regardless of how hard we fight against it.

I know it won't be long before I get up and scroll through Facebook and read about Kara's journey Home, just like I read about Rusty's.

And I'll know there's a whole group of people whose lives have halted for a time. Halted while they wait for their breath to catch and as they cautiously step one foot ahead of the other and wait for a chance to learn how to move forward in a world without Kara.

I remember a post I wrote back in 2007, after my sister lost her home in a tornado...and how life halted for me in that excruciating weekend. I felt guilty for doing the mundane chores, because I knew a whole town wished they had mundane chores to do instead of the insurmountable task of starting over.

I remember when my friends lost their little 6 month old baby girl, and how for MONTHS after her death, I wanted to shout at everyone in my path, STOP LAUGHING! STOP CELEBRATING! LIFE IS NOT OKAY! I could not reconcile why she was not here with us anymore, and I didn't want anyone else to know joy until life made sense again, and I doubted it ever would.

It's hard when life stops. And it seems to stop so often for so many reasons.

I don't say all of this to depress you on a Friday {though I fear I may have already done just that}...but I say it in hopes that as you scamper through your life at 100 miles an hour {and we all do it}...you'll pause to see whose lives may have stopped.

Who has halted while waiting for her mom's test results to come through?

Who has halted while absorbing the death of a dream?

Who has halted while hearing his services are no longer needed in this company?

Who has halted after hearing this marriage is over?

We all have them. In truth, we probably know someone in each of those categories right now. And some of them might be carrying that pain as silently as possible.

But if you should happen to know...would you halt beside them for a moment? Would you understand that for this day, they need your grace? And maybe something tangible? Something to ease the physical burden that represents their hurting hearts?

Somewhere, life has stopped. It's stopped for someone you know. What if you stopped beside them?