The Saturday Six

One.

I confess to you I feel a little like I'm tooting my own horn here, and please know that is NOT my intent. But I've been writing as a guest blogger for my friend Angela's ministry blog called Broken, Beautiful, BOLD - and since she's been kind enough to give me some writing space on her site, I wanted to give her space on mine to tell you to check it out! Here's the link to the set of posts I've written, but while you're over there, check out the posts by other bloggers {great ladies!} and some of the featured ministries!

Two.

Source

I happened upon this article a few days ago, and I think it holds much truth. Even if you've never had a baby {me either!!} I think you can appreciate the lessons this lessons learned in assisting in a childbirth. My favorite lines are the ones at the very end...powerful truths.

Three.

Source

Calling my fellow book nerds! :) I found this post from the Bethany House blog so intriguing! If you've ever wondered about the process of designing and choosing a book cover, this post gives you some insights on how they do it at their publishing house...and they even show you some of the alternate book covers created for this particular book! Fun read.

Four.

Source

Anyone else chomping at the bit for Fixer Upper, Season 3?  

Five. 

Source

I bumped into this article and couldn't help but share it with you. I don't know Nathan and Jade personally, but I worked with his parents at IWU, so I know them by association. I think it is so beautiful to read about this project they've started and how people are jumping on board. {If I could sew, I would too but since I can't, I'm jumping on board by spreading the word in case any of you feel led to help! I think it is incredible to restore the dignity of these ladies!}
 
Six.

I just finished reading Judith Miller's new novel, The Potter's Lady, and wanted to wrap up today by telling you about it! Though this was my introduction to her writing, the front of the book tells me she has a couple dozen titles to her credit, so if you read this book and like it, you have plenty more to choose from!

I dove right in without checking to see if this book was part of a series, and if so, what number in the series it might be. It is actually the second book in the "Refined by Love" series, and if her pattern of books holds as was listed in the front of this one, there should be one more coming down the pike eventually to complete this as a trilogy. Having said all that, I did not feel the least bit lost as I read, so she did a good job of helping me meet the characters even though I missed out on the first book in the series.

Set in the early 1870's, this book follows the life of an unconventional Irish household living in West Virginia. Rose McKay has just returned home after graduating from design school, and home, for her, is shared with her older brother, his wife, and their adopted daughter, her younger sisters, who happen to be twins, and also her brother's mother-in-law, who has declared herself an honorary and generous grandmother to Rose and the twins, though they do not hold such a blood relation to her.

 The story centers around the effort of Rose and her brother to resurrect a floundering pottery in West Virginia. They purchase it, thanks to the generous investment of "Grandmother," and work feverishly to make changes that will improve the lives of the pottery employees and their families {who heavily resist change} and hopefully cause the pottery to flourish, not just financially, but in reputation as well. No matter what they do, things seem to go inexplicably wrong,, and they end up focusing their efforts on winning a design contest to save the business.

I admit I was about a third of the way into the book before I got swept up in the story line, but once I fell in, I couldn't put it down. Prior to that, my main frustration with the book was the way Rose's brother, sister-in-law, and "Grandmother" all spoke to her. I found myself offended on behalf of the sweet girl for the way they talked to her. Now knowing I didn't read the first book in the series, I wonder if I might have understood that dynamic better if I knew their background, but I didn't. Perhaps, too, part of the demeanor toward her as a young, single woman was just part of the way life worked in the 1800's...I'm not sure.

That aside, I enjoyed the romance, the mystery, the suspense, and the opportunity to learn about an industry I'd never studied or researched. Other than the slow start and the irritation toward the characters {that dissipated when I got pulled into the story}, I found it to be a charming book with sweet love stories and a good faith-based message woven into it.

* Bethany House sent a copy of The Potter's Lady for me to review, and the thoughts above...all mine! *

Learning in Training #6

I'm currently completing my seventh week of training for the Haiti Half {now Haiti 5K}, and this week we're in right now is my worst one to date. It's terrible in EVERY POSSIBLE WAY, and I'll tell you more about that next week.

But today I wanted to tell you about LAST week...week six. I'm proud of myself for pushing through six straight weeks of physical training, because this is SO not my thing. Six straight weeks of eating or writing or sleeping would be very much my thing. Six straight weeks of running? Not so much. I've been at it long enough now to confirm it's probably never going to be a true love of mine, and I am okay with that. I don't have to be in love with every trendy thing that comes along.

Having said that, I'm excited that I'm completing this discipline, I'm excited that I don't hate my body quite as much as I did before I started, and I'm excited that this new season of life has given me time to even consider training for something like this.

When the week began, I had gotten mixed up in my memory of the training calendar, and I thought this was a week when I had to run five, three, five miles, so when we actually set out on the first run of the week and I knew I "only" had four miles in front of me, I thought it was going to be the best run EVER. After all, it was suddenly a mile shorter!

But my entire body felt like lead, and I wondered if my truly horrid diet in preceding days was coming back to haunt me. The weather was pleasant...there was a nice breeze...and I survived the run, even though I was disappointed it wasn't as amazing as I planned. And of course, the next day, I knocked out the best run of the training so far. That is one good thing about bad running days: they're usually followed by really good running days! The third day started well, and about two miles into the thing, my stomach cramped up and I felt SO SICK. I am, as previously stated, NOT a real runner, so running sick is not my gig. I pushed through - but whooooeeeeeeee!!!! And the last day was a great run, but it was deceivingly hot and humid and by the end, I had overheated to the point where my KNEES were sweating. It scared me to be so hot and not be sure if I would get cooled down.

In all the running, I held on to a familiar verse...one you probably know by heart:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

I really concentrated on that underlined phrase. Usually when I say that verse or when I hear others talking about it, the emphasis is on the first part: "I can do all things." But the power is hidden in the second part: through Christ. When my body feels like lead, I can still run through Christ's strength. When my stomach cramps up with half a journey in front of me, I can push forward through Christ's strength. When I worry about making it back home because my body pours sweat and my mind is foggy from heat, I can get there through Christ's strength.

I prayed it for the people of Haiti, too. That when they tried to make their way from home to whatever medical facility they sought, they would be able to get there through Christ's strength, no matter how sick or worried they felt. That the money raised in this race would bring hope to those who benefit from it...who feel depleted by illness and suddenly learn that a solution lies ahead. That through Christ, some runners and non-runners from Indiana supplied some money and prayed some prayers that change their forever.

Through Christ. 

Other posts on this topic:
The Haiti Half
Learning in Training #1
Learning in Training #2
Learning in Training #3
Learning in Training #4
Learning in Training #5

The Ice Cream and Espresso Monthiversary

You know how you can find those handy dandy lists that tell you the traditional gift for each anniversary? Gold, silver, paper, cotton, leather, etc?

Can't find a list for the monthiversaries, so I made my own. 33 months? Ice cream and espresso. :)

Since I wrote the nice blog post for Ryan yesterday, he surprised me with a note on our message board. It's his blog. {hee hee!}

After work, we went for a run, because nothing says I love you like a 3 mile run in 90 degree heat. So before we smelled vile and dripped with sweat, we did our official monthiversary photo:

We ended up having the worst run of our entire 6 week training. The heat got us, and then part of our running route was closed for a race, and we ended up walking the last mile. BOO. But at least we got to be together in our failure.

What cheers up a bad run? ICE CREAM!!!

We had a gift card {from my fabulous WBCL co-workers} to Payne's Frozen Custard, so we hopped in the car and headed that way.

If you're not from around here {or haven't been there}, Payne's is a little custard shop/cafe sort of hidden away, but it's a treasure. It's quirky and organic, but also delicious. We got a table outside and ordered from the menus housed in books:

 {My face is not a reflection of my thoughts on the cute menu. It's just a weird face.}

We each got a James Dean...which was vanilla custard floating in espresso and topped with raspberries. {SERVING OF FRUIT!!!}

Despite a few pesky mosquitoes, we enjoyed our evening on the patio, hidden away in a little garden area, talking about our favorite moments of the past 33 months. We scraped up every last drop of our dessert {which doubled as coffee} and declared the night a winner.

Well. Almost a winner.  Take 2.

And then we came home and dropped the potato scrubber in the garbage disposal, because it's not a Shaffer holiday {or really just DAY} without some sort of ridiculousness.

Never fear. Ryan fished it out. Hero!!!!! {Knight with shining potato-scrubber-rescuer.}

33 Months

Thirty-three months of marriage tends to be dreadfully overlooked on Pinterest. How do you celebrate a milestone that truly is a big deal...but tends to be skipped in favor of things like...thirty-six months, which create a nice, even three years?

Well today marks 33 months of marriage for the Shaffers, and I am celebrating today by sharing 33 of my favorite things about my husband. {Bet you can't wait for our 493rd monthiversary!} These are, of course, in no particular order and in no way reflect a COMPLETE list of everything I love about him.

1. You make me laugh. Sometimes while I'm actually mid-cry. That's talent, my Love.

2. You willingly participate in my need for photo documentation of every day we live. You may not understand it, but you support it, and for that, so much love to you.

3. You are my biggest writing champion. I thought no one could surpass my mother in championing my work. I was blissfully wrong. :)

4. You make up your own words and own them. Pirogi, betrothing, Casa Blanca...the list goes on, and I love the whole thing.

5. You pray for me on hard days. And you pray for me on easy ones too, but knowing I can come to you on the hard days and ask for prayer is a gift.

6. You're mind-blowingly handsome. I wanted to put that first, but at the risk of appearing shallow, I held off until item six.

7. You can cook! I grew up in a home with a Dad whose culinary masterpiece was toast {no judgment, Dad!} so it's sort of a miracle to me to have a husband who can {and will} take over in the kitchen if I'm sick or overwhelmed with something.

8. You encourage me to run even when you are a million times better at it than I am. Thanks for hanging on the path with me even when you've long finished your own workout.

9. You tell me you appreciate me. As I'm still finding my groove as a full-time wife, you make every day feel like an accomplishment by noticing what I do in our home and thanking me for it, even though you don't have to.

10. Your commitment to your job is incredible. Even when days are hard, you're tired, and you're discouraged, you give those patients way more than 100% of your time, attention and effort. I'm sure most of them don't know how fortunate they are to be part of your schedule.

11. You care about all the people. From your co-workers to your family to your friends to people you barely know, you have a tender and compassionate heart, and I love that about you. {I love it more when the random people you stop to help don't turn out to be criminals in disguise like the ones we see on TV.}

12. You've made Shafferland beautiful and more efficient, and I love how you've taken on ownership of this home, even though it wasn't a place we found together.

13. You hold me when I cry, and you don't judge me for it, even though you'd be warranted to do so...often.

14. Your laugh. Oh, how I love your laugh! It shows me your love for life, and that's a beautiful thing.

15. You take everything in stride so well. {Case in point: the day your blue car died vs. the day my car died. I screamed and called the car shop in tears. You calmly got out and pushed. And this is why we're a team.}

16. You call me beautiful and tell me not to roll my eyes when you say it.

17. You gave me the wedding of my dreams even though I didn't think we were "allowed" to do crazy things like drive to Florida and get married on a beach. Every time I see a photo {which is a million times a day, since they're everywhere}, I'm grateful.

18. You love our Braeya girl. Sure, I'm jealous she likes you better, but I can't say as I blame her.

19. You are so organized. I don't think I've ever known another human being as organized as you are, and while I sometimes tease you about it, I also love you for it.

20. You celebrate with me. All the little things. All the monthiversaries and datingversaries and engagementversaries, and anniversaries and new-restaurant-just-opened-let's-go-try-it-versaries...you are up for all of it.

21. You treat me with tenderness and respect, which should be a given, but we both know it isn't that way for too many marriages. I don't take it for granted.

22. You're frugal but not crazy. I appreciate that I can trust you with our resources and that you'll do your very best. I also appreciate that there's not a lockdown on the funds and sometimes a Coffee First shirt gets to be mine.

23. You miss me when you're at work - and you make sure to tell me so. Okay sometimes it's because I text you and say "DO YOU MISS ME YET??" but even if I didn't do that, you'd tell me you miss me and can't wait to come home to me. This girl loves those texts.

24. You care about our future and desperately want God to guide it - just as much as I do. Can't tell you how much comfort that brings me.

25. You encourage me to try hard things - like horseback riding or trying a segway or getting up before 10 a.m.

26. You make me {and us} a priority even in times when I'm sure you have other things clamoring for your attention. You want me to know I'm loved and this marriage matters more than anything.

27. You lead us well, spiritually, across the board. I appreciate all you do to make sure we're in tune with the Lord as a couple.

28. Your stories are the best. I love anything that begins with "LISTEN TO THIS!"

29. You make it easy to trust you - which was something I wasn't sure I could ever do again in my life. That is God at work and you being the uncompromising vessel. Thank you.

30. You aren't afraid of the hard times, and while I, on the other hand, am completely terrified of them, you encourage me to know it will be okay.

31. You make every single day an adventure. I never know what's coming, but I hang onto my hat, because it's going to be entertaining!

32. You make a safe place for my heart to dwell, which is another gift I don't take for granted and one I hope I give back to you every day.

33. You're the best friend and teammate I ever could have dreamed of marrying. Making a list of 33 things was easy. The last 33 months have not always been easy {hello! Life is hard sometimes} but the greatest joy has been living them out with you. Let's do 33 {thousand} more.

New Beginnings

It seems appropriate, on this first day of a new month, to write about the wedding date we enjoyed this weekend!

Back in the day before there was a Shafferland, Ryan belonged to an accountability group with three other guys: Adam, Brad, and Darr. You remember Adam...he was in our wedding. But it was Brad's daughter, Megan, that became a wife over the weekend, and we were excited to attend the wedding. I got to know Megan when we all went to church together for a few years. And while I'm definitely closer in age with her parents, Megan and some of the other {then} teens from that church had a special place in my heart.

Megan emailed me a few months ago, asking for prayer. She didn't offer many details, but I prayed and eventually I learned a bit more of the background...I was actually praying over her relationship with Daniel and whether or not this was the right time to pursue marriage. They're young, but I believe the Lord honors young marriages just as much as He honors "old" ones like mine and Ryan's, so praying for this union is a special privilege.

So Ryan and I wore our best blend of wedding-pretty and hot-day-appropriate attire and headed to a WEDDING!

The ceremony was beautiful {and short!} and the bride and groom - clearly radiant with love, which made me cry, and we won't count how many times.

{Sorry for the grainy photos. We were in the back and I was trying to be respectful and stick with cell photos vs my clicky fancy pants camera. But never fear. It was employed at the reception!}

Their guest book? The fingerprint tree. I had seen these before on Pinterest but haven't attended a wedding that used one until now. SO CUTE!!

The reception was outside, and all the food was cookout food! Burgers and hot dogs, salads and chips - DELICIOUS. And while we were all so grateful it didn't rain {much threat of it in the old forecast}, it was H.O.T. outside, so Ryan did a wardrobe change for the second half of the event.

Isn't the silverware packet adorable? The words by the date stamp say "Best Day Ever" - and a tribute to Megan's library job.  The trees were a motif throughout the entire wedding.

 I just had to. His big mouth cracks me up.

One of the best treats? Seeing Adam and Sara, who drove a LONG way for this day.

Almost the whole accountability group reunited:

Another really big blessing of the evening was the chance to catch up with friends from our old church we never get to see anymore. So many great conversations...we both talked about how much fun we had with them!

Ryan caught up with his high school choir teacher {a GEM of a woman I love just as much as he does, even though I wasn't a choir student} - and I got to sit with the lovely mother of the bride while she ate dinner. YOU MADE THE BLOG, LORI!! And you looked stunning. Thanks for spending time with me!

The rest of the evening was made up of all the stuff you would imagine at a wedding - dances and cake cutting:

And then...the moment we REALLY needed on video. Ryan and I stayed to help clean up after the reception, and he and I each rolled a big round table from the pavilion, UP a gravel driveway {UPHILL, I mean} and across the parking lot to the church. Well. Ryan did. I wrestled and warbled and had to be rescued TWICE. I can ONLY imagine what it looked like from afar. After that, I stuck to cleaning up the little stuff.

{I should also mention that en route, I discovered a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of this table, and I can't handle gum - CANNOT HANDLE IT - so I had to make Ryan switch me tables. LOL!!!}

All in all - a lovely, lovely day in every way. So excited for Daniel and Megan as they begin a whole new chapter of life side by side. Excited to have been a witness to their vows and to enjoy not just a fun date with Ryan, but a fabulous evening with so many friends.