Christmas with Ryan's Family, Part 1

While you're reading about our first Christmas celebration from 2015, we also have a Merry Christmas podcast for you! Some stories, some fun, and by request, a throwback to toddler Bekah and her recitation of Luke 2:

 Click here to listen

Ryan has about 4000 Christmas celebrations on his side of the family. Okay, so that's a slight exaggeration, but when you're used to one gathering per year, marrying into his family does add quite a lot of merriment!

Sunday was our first Christmas for the year, and we celebrated with Ryan's mom and Allen, his two sisters, and one of his brothers. Allen and Nita live in the most stunning log cabin in the woods. So picturesque for gatherings such as this:

 The tradition {as you may have heard on last week's podcast} is to eat breakfast at this Christmas celebration, regardless of the time of day. So everyone pitched in and we had biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, smoky links, pancakes with Allen's maple syrup, cheesy potatoes, all kinds of appetizers, fruit, sweet bread, coffee, eggnog {no thanks!} and more!

The food was delicious.I had little samplings of almost everything. My first treats in three weeks! :)

After dinner, we cleared a spot by the tree and Allen read Luke 2:

And then it was a free-for-all with the presents. We don't have little ones on my side of the family, so it's always fun to see these kiddos rip into their gifts!

{I have a billion more photos but I try to make sure I don't post too many of the non-social-media loving crowd.}

But I can't resist showing you our newest nephew. We don't get to see him very often and I think this was only third time in his life we'd held him. He's a sweetie!!

What a fun Christmas! :) Great way to kick off the week of celebrations!

The Thing about Pictures

Tis the season to take lots and lots of pictures, right? {I mean that's just every day for me, but for those a little less obsessed, this tends to be the time of year when we take more than even usual.

And this is also the season when they tell you {they being all the bloggers and TV people} how to take the best pictures and capture the memories without blur, without poor lighting, without missing the moment...on and on it goes.

It can stress a person just to think about it!

While I'm as eager as the next person to get a good picture, I think there's also a good point to remembering that not every photo has to be award-winning to be worth keeping.

You might remember that a couple of weeks ago, Ryan and I went to our brother-in-law's 40th birthday party. Johnny's wife, who is Ryan's sister, had put together a 20 minute video full of pictures of Johnny's life - from his childhood forward.

And for those twenty minutes, all the guests stopped and did this:

We watched as the many hairstyles of Johnny crossed the screen. We laughed at the silly ones, made fun of outfits, cracked up at faces, and took moments to remember the people he loved who weren't there in person that day, but whose lives haven't been forgotten.

After the video, Ryan talked to Johnny about what a great gift Lori had given him in that, and Johnny said this, which struck me right in the heart: "Thank goodness for pictures. I'd forgotten some of that stuff. It was so good to see it."

It struck me because I'd spent the entire evening fighting with my camera in the low lighting of the party room, waiting for the disco ball lights to cross people's faces so they didn't look like they had red-eye all over when I snapped pictures. It had been a rough photography night. And I did delete a BUNCH of pictures.

But there were some I kept even though they weren't perfect, because Johnny's words stuck with me. Pictures that weren't even CLOSE to perfect. Pictures that will never win an award. Pictures that aren't clear and would provide photography teachers with a dozen "don't do this" teachable moments.

But yet at the same time, pictures that preserve a moment and after all...that's the point of pictures. Pictures that I tried to edit and clean up the best I could, and then I handed the over imperfect memories because I hope in twenty years, Johnny can look back at a new video and be reminded of moments he had forgotten, but moments that aren't lost after all.

So here we are, headed into Christmas, and I hope you'll get your camera {or your phone} out and commemorate. And I hope you won't stress over the pictures that aren't perfect. I hope you'll see the beauty in the memories.

The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday morning we woke up on Mo to this view of Braeya curled up on the ottoman by the tree. So cute! I felt TERRIBLE when I woke up but powered through, got ready, and made it exactly five minutes at church before coming right back home to go to bed. I slept for three hours while Ryan went to a training lunch for small group leaders. I wrote the leader's manual, so they shouted out to him in my absence. I felt much better as the day went on, and we rested the entire day! {At dinner that night, Ryan turned his back on his plate for a minute and Braeya ate his bread and butter so he had to start over!}

* Monday, one of Ryan's patients gave him a "rhinos rule" gift - which I thought was a fabulous idea. His patients are the best! And many bring in treats, making it fun for him to try to be good with his eating. {It would be impossible for me!!} But you know what was possible for me? Visiting with my parents at Wendy's that afternoon and ONLY drinking an unsweetened tea. No burgers. No fries. No nuggets. No Coke. Something of a miracle.

* I spent some time scrapbooking on Tuesday - I'm trying to get caught up so I don't end the year SO behind. I did my nails {part one - added glitter polish later} and that night we got to just sit and REST, which was heavenly. I noticed Braeya has started sleeping in some of our workout poses. {She actually comes in to watch us work out every day. HA!}

* Wednesday morning I had the chance to visit one of my friend's kiddo's Christmas program at school. Always entertaining! Braeya decided that afternoon that she felt QUITE left out of our monogram-under-the-tree setup since she didn't have one, so she dumped her toy pig right into the mix. And look what we watched for fun that night! ELF!!!! Ryan loves that movie. {I like it but he lovvvvvvvvves it.}

* Thursday morning I spent most of the morning working on goals for 2016 - creative, fun, and yet exhausting work. And I'm not done yet! I made a different veggie blend for dinner and decided I hated it. No beans should be the color of about half what you see in this picture. So that's off the list. And then that night, we watched Four Christmases - because we discovered we do not own Christmas Vacation like we thought we did!

* Friday we got the tiniest flurry of snow - hardly enough to photograph, but I tried, since it's probably all we'll see before Christmas anyway! {And I am not complaining about that!} I did a photo shoot for a friend that afternoon and then we had date night on Friday night. It was a wonderful night out that included a stop at Starbucks. Starbucks and sparkly nails! :)

 * Yesterday was one HEAVENLY day at home for both of us. We got to sleep in and have breakfast together and then Ryan launched into what turned INTO a full day's project to mount the TV to the wall. Nothing ever goes smoothly in Shafferland when it comes to projects, does it? Braeya and I hung out and had fun while he worked, and we pitched in now and then with some assistance of our own. {And when I say "we" - I do NOT mean Braeya, of course.}

The Saturday Six

One.

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Christmas is a week away!! Can you believe it? You may or may not be ready when it comes to shopping and wrapping and food prep, but the real question is - are you ready for the heart reflection of what Christmas represents? I adored this post by Kathy Howard that outlines specific reasons why Jesus came to earth. {This list pulls from quotes from Jesus Himself declaring why He came.} Hope you find it helpful for your heart as you prepare!

Two. 

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You know I love all things that make memories, right? :) While this is not a tradition that Ryan and I have {exactly}, I love this idea! Make a "capsule" ornament from each year that captures something you love, whether you are on your own, you're a couple, or a family with kids. It's a fun little project and a great memory to have every year as you decorate your tree! You can make one now before you put all your decorations away and then have it ready to go for next year!

Three.

My friend Erica sent me this adorable video this week. This little girl is PASSIONATE about her story-telling, and while a couple of her facts may not be recorded in Scripture, you can't deny she's got a good foundation and a healthy dose of creativity!

Four.

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I don't have kids to write this letter to, but this is the kind of letter Ryan and I would want to write to anyone who might be watching our marriage from a distance. This is how we hope to live.  

Five.

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You know, from seeing the Shafferland Shuffle each week, that I'm pretty passionate about daily photo taking. I just love documenting everything - even the mundane - for posterity. Found this post about some great reasons to document every day, and a link to a site where you can turn your photos into videos. Pretty fun!


Six.

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I love a timeless book. It's actually one of my big hang-ups about a lot of non-fiction published right now. There are so many references to current culture that in ten years, anyone sitting down to read will say "Oh this book is so 2015." I love finding a book that has truth embedded in it so deeply that you have no idea if it was written today or 100 years ago.

And that's why I wanted to read Delighting God by A.W. Tozer. I've read Tozer's work before and his quotes are everywhere, because so much of what he said is concise and quotable - and truth. This book, compiled and edited by James L. Snyder just released, but it's filled with material from sermons Tozer preached throughout his ministry. {He died in 1963, if you're not familiar with him.}

This book is very different from ones I normally read, and it took me about two weeks to read it. It's not hard to read, because Snyder worked to make the language a bit more modern than perhaps Tozer would have used in his early 1900 writing and speaking, but the content is quite deep and to be fully appreciated, it can't be read quickly. I wanted to take my time, immerse myself in the chapters, underline, mentally chew on the words, and then share my thoughts with you.

If you're looking for a fluffy, feel-good inspirational read, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for something to challenge and convict your walk with the Lord, read this. Tozer was burdened for the church at large and how he perceived that it was becoming lukewarm. He believed people were trying to bring God down to their level and make Him more manageable in their minds rather than challenging themselves to pursue deeper levels of holiness.

Here are just a few of the gut-punching {in a good way} quotes I underlined as I read:

* What the Holy Spirit does not reveal to us is not worth knowing.

* If we are going to make any kind of progress, we need to understand what we have really lost. 

* It is hard to get people to think, but it is harder still to get them to thirst.

* When the church of Christ inhales the Holy Spirit, she must exhale everything contrary to Him.

There were many more lines I underlined, and many I journaled about as well. This book made me squirm, and I think that's one of its best qualities. Tozer is right. While he lived in a world that was laced with a lot more legalism and a lot less grace than the one we live in today, I think his heart was in the right place {meaning he really did ache to pursue holiness over legalism}. I think many of us, even those of us who like to believe we are doing well, are in danger of being lazy and we need to be shaped up.


That's actually the analogy I thought of when I read it. Ryan and I have been working out intensely lately, and while we both would have told you beforehand that we were in decent shape, we're learning we had muscles that had grown quite lazy. Our workouts have been stretching them and hurting us - but in the long run, accomplishing good. This book is your workout to help you see the areas of life where you've been lazy and spiritually out of shape. Reading it will stretch and maybe even hurt, but at the same time, the thoughts and challenges within will push you toward holiness.

There are some parts of this book that are repetitious {possibly because it was pulled from sermons rather than being crafted by Tozer as a book from start to finish}, and there are parts that feel legalistic when you read them. When I got to those parts, I had to think carefully about Tozer's intent and how he urged people to work out their salvation. If you have a bent toward legalism in your life, you'll want to watch that carefully as you read, because his practices can push you back toward that rather quickly. 

Those things aside, I would highly recommend reading the book, slowly, thoughtfully, prayerfully...and asking the Lord to grow and shape you through the words and convictions of Tozer. Especially if you read this at the start of a new year, I believe you'll find yourself thinking in new ways and convicted to pursue the Lord in pure, passionate ways.

* Thanks, Bethany House, for sending a copy of the book my way in exchange for an honest review. *

Adorenaments

Oh. My. Word.  People.

I've never really wanted this blog to become focused on reviews and giveaways and such, because it's really more of a place to come and hang out, read stories, and hopefully be encouraged. But every now and then, I fall in love with something so much that I have to spend a day telling you about it, because I can't get over how wonderful it is. And today is just such a day.

Have you heard of Family Life? It's Dennis and Barbara Rainey's ministry, and over the years they have done some tremendous things to help strengthen families and marriages - and you know how we love that here in Shafferland!

But I did not know until very recently that Barbara has crafted a line of home decor that is brilliant. Brilliant because it's beautiful and brilliant because it enables you to decorate your home with things that declare your faith. And while Ryan and I are definitely in a season of paring down our stuff, I'm all about filling my home with things that have a purpose beyond just being pretty.

Among the many items in Barbara's collection, you'll find some Christmas ornaments. Now. Let's stop for a moment and remember how insanely over-the-top I tend to be when it comes to Christmas ornaments. Remember how there's usually a themed tree in every room of the house? Yeah. Over the top.

But - true story - I've been convicted in the last couple of years that while we have "the story of us" tree {with ornaments we've collected in our travels}, the "s'more" tree with all my s'more ornaments, the Colts tree with Ryan's Colts ornaments, blue and gold tree with our wedding color ornaments...you get the idea...we've never had a tree that is a Jesus-themed tree.

Uhhhhh that's not good. If we can make room for Colts and s'mores, we definitely need to have a tree for Jesus. I looked at ideas for making a Jesse tree {look it up on Pinterest if you're not familiar}, and I found an idea for hand-making ornaments with the names of Jesus, and I did love that idea. And then I found out about Adorenaments. These are the ornaments I wanted, and I didn't know they existed. I'm not kidding.

Let me give you some quick facts about these ornaments:

* The first set is called His Christmas Names and includes seven bronze metallic ornaments, each containing one Name of Jesus we usually hear around Christmastime. It comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking about each Name and what it means.

* The second set is called His Royal Names and includes seven Names of Jesus associated with His royalty, and etched into a unique silver crown. It also comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking about each Name and its significance.

* The third set is called His Savior Names and includes seven unique historic crosses, each bearing the a Name of Jesus associated with His role as our Savior. It comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking not only about the Names, but also the significance of each cross.

* The newest set is called His Name Among the Nations, and it includes five metal ornaments with the Name of Jesus printed in five languages: Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic and Mandarin.

I was excited about these ornaments just by reading about them, and I had grand visions already forming in my head about a tree for next year that was a Jesus tree. And then I received the Savior Names set in the mail and was 100% blown away by the beauty of these ornaments. They were much bigger {I do love me an ornament with some presence} than I expected and the quality is outstanding. {FYI, the ornaments are almost as big as my hand. They're big. Wonderfully big.} These are not cheap little things that are going to fall apart or break the minute the cat visits the tree. {Not that we've ever experienced such a mishap here in our humble abode.}

These are quality. I tell you that because you know if you clicked on the links that they have a bit of cost to them. But I come to you as the biggest cheapskate on the planet to tell you I would {and will} spend the money out of pocket to buy the other sets because these are stunning. They are timeless and classy {and classic!} and no matter how many thousands of color schemes I go through in my lifetime, these ornaments will always fit in.

They're not trendy or whimsical. They're...well, timeless is the best word for them.

The booklet that came with the set was wonderful. It wasn't academic and lofty. It was very conversational and easy to understand, so if you have kids at home that you want to teach in a new way about the Names and qualities of Jesus, these ornaments with this book would be a great way to go about that.

And here's the other great thing: these ornaments are not confined to Christmas. You could present them in frames or on stands and use them throughout the year in small groups or Sunday School classes...at Easter or anytime, really. I mean there's not a time of year when studying the Name of Jesus is out of style. And if you are in charge of any kind of decorations for your church, PICK THESE. Lovely.

In case you can't tell, I am really excited to know about these ornaments and to stock up on the other sets so next year we can have a whole tree dedicated to the Reason we even celebrate Christmas: Jesus.

BONUS exciting news. I have a set to give away!! Family Life sent me a set for myself {thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you}, and they sent a bonus set for me to give away. It's the same set I have - His Savior Names, and it's all boxed up so lovely, with the book included. I know Christmas is in ONE WEEK, so you're probably set for this year, but it will make a fine start for next year, or for Easter or for every day!

If you want to enter the drawing for the set of Adorenaments, just leave a comment about your favorite Christmas ANYTHING - and I'll put your name in the hat! I'll draw tomorrow night {12/19/15} - so make sure you comment before then! {Just because of postage costs, the drawing is open for US residents only - I'm so sorry!!}

Homemade Granola

I haven't done a recipe for you in a LONG TIME! Largely because I haven't cooked a normal meal in a LONG TIME! But today, as you kick back and snack on your holiday treats, I bring you the healthy stuff. :)

I adore granola. Granola bars, granola bites, granola cereal, just plain granola...yes please! And when Lynne taught me to like yogurt, she did so through a delightful parfait bathed in fresh fruit and heaps of granola. I struggle to eat yogurt without granola because it gets to be too creepy a texture for me. I need the crunch and the interruption of granola to get through the yogurt.

But I'm also cheap, and granola is expensive. Ryan and I were buying a bag every week to the tune of five or more dollars, and I couldn't justify it anymore! Plus when I accidentally looked at the nutrition information one day, I realized not all granola is healthy! A lot of it tastes so good because it is loaded with sugar.

So....I set out to make my own in hopes that I could find something that was good and yet a little more cost effective and a little less pricey. I found this post, which offered a "build your own" granola bar, and I liked that. I liked being able to swap in and out the things I like, and changing up the taste as needed!

Below is the recipe I used, with the options listed, and my choice for each one in bold.

Homemade Granola

4 cups oats 
1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon (pumpkin pie spice, cloves, or whatever spice you love)
1 cup raw walnuts (pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)
1 cup slivered almonds (coconut, more oats, another nut or seed choice)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (other dried fruit choice)
1 pinch of salt
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (canola oil or butter)
1/4 cup maple syrup (honey, brown sugar, agave or other sweetener)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (other flavored extract)

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Combine the three wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients; mix well. Spread out on large cookie sheet {with sides} and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Stir and store in airtight container.

A Few Tips:

* I won't lie: if you don't have this stuff on hand, it can be kind of pricey to get all the ingredients to start. Nuts and coconut oil are not cheap. But if you have some of it on hand already, buying some more won't be too bad, and most of my bags of ingredients lasted long enough to make two batches at least. Some made more.

* The raw walnuts and the slivered almonds were among the cheaper raw nuts at the store. {I love salt as much as the next girl but they say to use raw ones for a healthier option.} I LOVE pecans in granola but could not afford them the day we were making our purchases.

* I HATE RAISINS - and most dried fruit, actually. It kind of freaks me out. So I got an all-natural version of dried cranberries, and they were pretty good! You have to be careful with dried fruit too, because some of THOSE are covered in sugar as well, making them taste delicious but defeating your get-healthy purposes.

* I used cinnamon because it's my favorite, but if I were making this in the fall, I would think pumpkin pie spice would be just heavenly.

* I melted some coconut oil for our granola, because I bought a jar of it to use in some of my other DIY projects, and because I know it's good for you. A jar really does last for a while, so it makes the price tag worth it, in my opinion.

* I used maple syrup in ours because honey seemed too messy to deal with and my father-in-law makes his own maple syrup, so I get it for free!

* This granola recipe isn't super crunchy like what you buy in the store. The original post said if you add more of the fat {butter or oil}, it will get crunchier, but it will also add calories. So pick your poison!

* We really like this granola and it makes the house smell delicious when it bakes!

Weekend Dates

I know, I know. It's Wednesday and I'm just now getting around to talking about the weekend! I just like to keep you guessing. :)

Ryan and I had a couple fun dates this weekend! I had him ALL to myself this weekend, which is one of my favorite things, because I'm selfish that way.

Friday night, we thought we'd go see the lights in our park here in Marion, because it was CRAZY warm, and we could walk the whole thing. We walked it in light coats, no gloves, and no hats, actually. It was the perfect night for it. We did get Starbucks before we went so we could enjoy that while we walked...maybe that kept us a little warmer.

Now that I see this picture, I see that Ryan sneaked his hat on at some point and I didn't even pay attention. Well don't I look like a liar now!

It was such a fun night. Leisurely and wonderful.

Saturday we had the whole day together again, and we went to Indianapolis to meet up with our former neighbors who just bought their first home down there. It is a lovely home, and their housewarming was combined with a birthday party for their daughter who is ONE!

And then we hit the big city for some more SHOPPING! In short sleeves!

It was Christmas shopping, round 2 - since our Christmases are about to begin. We interrupted it a few times for some fun.

And before we came home, we had dinner at Applebees! A shout out to the {grown-up} burper at the table next to us!

Thanks, Ryan, for a fun weekend! I loved our adventures!

Christmas Card 2015

Before I show you our Christmas card from this year, I wanted to tell you that our newest podcast is up! This week we're talking Christmas traditions and wrestling...and no, the two are not related. Click below the picture to hear...hope you enjoy this one!

 Click here to listen

I love mail.

And it's possible that during the Christmas season, I practically meet the mailman AT the door to see what treasures he brought that day, because Christmas card season has arrived!!!!

I know a lot of people have given up the card-sending because it's so expensive, but we still like to send them. We can't send to EVERYONE, though, so I thought I would share the card here for you to see! :) It's a Merry Christmas to you from us!

The front of our card. {Click to enlarge}

...and the back!

Since our anniversary is so close to Christmas, we use the card-sending moment to document each season of our marriage, and our letter matches it. Here's this year's letter, if you want to see it!

No matter what comes our way...with you, I am home.

            And that sums up our third complete season of Shafferland, which we just celebrated on December 2. Actually, the 3rd season began away from home, in Chicago, where we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. We did all the Chicago-ey things of visiting the SkyDeck at Willis tower, walking the Magnificent Mile, visiting the Bean, strolling through Lincoln Park Zoo, visiting IKEA for the first time, and having a romantic anniversary dinner at the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building. And then we came home. 

            At that time, we actually still owned two homes, but on December 11th of last year, 141 days after we agreed to the offer placed on the house, Ryan's Greentown home finally sold, leaving us as one-home owners and greatly rejoicing in this change! It was the perfect way to end a calendar year and begin a marriage year.

            We spent a little extra time in our home in the early part of this year, because in January, I ended up in the emergency room and after a long month of tests, waiting, and  stunning medical miscommunications, I had surgery to remove the gallbladder that has apparently been the culprit of my 15 years of intermittent abdominal pain. I took two weeks of gallternity leave, and Ryan took excellent care of me as I recovered and got back to whatever normal is for me. 

            We continued the adventure we began in 2014 {though we didn't get very far on it this year} of visiting all 92 counties in the state of Indiana. We trudged through snow to visit Huntington County, went home to Howard County, ventured north to Steuben County, and squeezed in a trip to Madison County later in the year...returning to the same state park where we made our relationship official three years ago. We also packed in one last tour right before our 3rd anniversary, crossing Allen County off the list, too! We still have almost 80 counties to go in this adventure, so maybe in the year to come, we can pick up the pace a bit!

            Day trips to counties weren't our only adventures away from home this year. In May, we took our annual birthday trip and drove to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a long weekend away. We drove around in the mountains, hiked 5 miles round trip to a picturesque waterfall, went shopping, had the lovely caricature from the back of our Christmas card made, visited an aquarium, and had all sorts of fun. And then in October, we took our first long vacation since our cruise two years ago. In eight days, we saw seven states and two countries, when we visited Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg, the Cape Henry Lighthouse, Furnace Hills Coffee Roasters, Letchworth State Park, and Niagara Falls. Braeya wasn't too happy with us when we finally came home from that trip. She made us pay for a while.

            As you know, for the first 2 1/2 years of our marriage, we've been double commuters. While we both loved our jobs so much, we were weary of four collective hours on the road each day, pouring our paychecks into our gas tanks, and coming home each night utterly exhausted. Once we only owned one home, we had more freedom to make changes, so our HUGE life change this year was my resignation from WBCL. It was difficult to turn in a resignation letter to a place that so changed the trajectory of my life and also held memories of the beginning of our life as the Shaffers, but we knew we were walking in obedience by making this change. After three months of preparing to leave and training a new producer, I left the station at the end of June, and both of us were eager to see what God had next for our little Shaffer home.

            Actually, our home itself has undergone more change this year. In January, we brought home a new couch, which we named Mo. It converts to a queen size bed and we spent a lot of happy weekends curled up on Mo, resting from busy weeks. {It also came in handy for that gallternity leave and recovery!} We redecorated our master bedroom, relieving Ryan from a three-shades-of-purple sanctuary and transforming it into a beach paradise, minus the beach, of course. And we had a new heating and air system installed, rounding out the changes - hopefully for a long time - on this home of ours.

            We put our house on the market this summer, hoping to move closer to Kokomo and Ryan's work, but so far, God seems to be indicating that our place is here in Marion, and we're learning {to be fair, I'm learning} to be content with our calling for this time. 

            This 3rd season of Shafferland brought so much more with it: a surprise 60th birthday party for Ryan's mom, some speaking engagements for me {one of them was to 350 women - eeek!}, monthiversary celebrations on the second day of each month, venturing into the world of essential oils, photography gigs, hosting game nights and family get-togethers, a new nephew, visits from family, training for a half marathon {that turned into a 5K}, taking a gun safety class and visiting a shooting range, holding our first ever rummage sale, jury duty {that was Ryan's week of fun - he was even elected foreman!} and many other adventures.

            It's definitely been a full year. We're grateful, as we look back to one year ago, that things are so different today. Though going down to one income has been an adjustment, we're grateful for the calmness we've begun to know, having me home each day and able to be a homemaker and pursue writing. {I finished a new book manuscript already, so I'm excited to see where that journey takes us.} Ryan is still driving back and forth to his PTA job in Kokomo and has added a side home health care job to try out that atmosphere and see how it compares to working full time in a hospital. We're excited to begin our fourth season of life together, to begin recording and sharing a podcast about life {we actually already have three episodes under our belt!}, to serve God together in our church, and to wait for His further direction on what He wants from us as a couple.

            A busy, fulfilling year. A year of change. But a year that has made us realize that no matter where we are, no matter what chaos upends us, when we're together, we're home.

Pausing to Reflect

I thought I'd stop the Christmas rush for a day, because this weekend marked a significant moment in Shafferland.

One year ago:

If you've been reading here at the old blogaroo for at least that long, you know what a long, excruciating ordeal it was to sell the house that Ryan owned before we got married. We owned it for a full two years after we got married, and in that time, we spent a year waiting on a family who promised to buy it and then didn't...and then we had to clean it all up again and start over. A new family came who desperately wanted the house and placed an offer, and it took 141 long, ridiculous days of hoop-jumping and paperwork and delays that according to our Realtor, never should have happened.

We were exhausted. Our buyers were exhausted. Our Realtor was exhausted. And no doubt you were exhausted because every now and then I had to vent about it here and you had to read.

But just a year ago, we handed over the keys and walked away from this house that had been both a blessing and a burden.

We drive by it now and then, and it seems like the new family has settled in well and is really enjoying the chance to call it home. We are thrilled for them - and not just because they relieved us from owning two homes. We know this was a blessing they needed in their lives, and we're happy they have it.

But looking at that picture again, and remembering life as two-home owners caused me to sit for a moment and think about all the beauty that came from that house sale. Not just the financial relief of no longer owning two homes. Not just the time-relief of no longer maintaining two properties. {Although...certainly both of those!!!!} The chance to breathe. The chance to dare to imagine a life with freedom in it. The chance to imagine a life where we didn't have to work so hard to keep up with a surplus house.

It was because of this sale that I was able to leave work and stay home. And while leaving work was hard, there has been a peace settle over our life and our marriage because I'm able to focus on home.

Because this house sold...I don't have to dread this winter {which, granted, so far has been filled with warmer days than we had this SUMMER!} because I don't have to commute in any forthcoming snow.

Because this house sold...I finished a book manuscript.

Because this house sold...I was able to say yes to some speaking engagements in 2016, and hopefully I can say yes to more!

Because this house sold...I was able to begin the process of cleaning out this home of ours, to simplify, to downsize, to make life easier.

Because this house sold...I've been able to take on tasks for Ryan so his evenings and weekends are easier and he can rest.

Because this house sold...we are free to be ready for whatever God has next.

This day that happened a year ago was the first domino in a line of beautiful happenings for us. I'm grateful for it. I don't take it for granted. I haven't forgotten the immense weight that fell from us when we drove away from signing paperwork that night, knowing we were just ONE home owners.

The waiting to get to that point was long and arduous and filled with moments that were not our finest. {Usually more on my end than Ryan's. He's far more patient than I.} We cried over that house and got angry over that house and prayed over that house and read Scripture over that house...and finally handed over that house.

And today, we celebrate the beauty that has come in the freedom.