Birthday Fun!

Yesterday I told you about my early birthday dinner at the food truck. Today I want to tell you about my actual birthday!

Back when we sat down with Tim and Justine to figure out all our days off for the spring months, I was the only one of the four of us who didn't get my birthday off. Tim and Justine were in a wedding this past weekend, so they obviously had to take the day, which meant I couldn't. I was super sad about it, but I understood. However...when they ended up leaving at the end of April, we had to revamp all our days off for the month of May. In the revamping, it worked out that I could take my birthday, and it was such a gift. 

Another thing that was such a gift was Abby's return! We had to take her into the shop for a little work before summer travels, and she ended up being gone TWO WEEKS! I had started to panic that she'd been RV-napped. But that very morning, they called to say she was done, and I could have cried. And I did hug her.

Anyway. Remember Ryan's birthday? Cold, soggy, rainy mess? Mine was the exact opposite of that. So he was able to plan an outdoor activity for us! We slept in a little bit that morning and then went to visit Eagle Marsh, which is a nature preserve on the south side of Fort Wayne. 

It's such a strange place, because it's an 831 acre preserve - literally in the city. One side of it almost borders one of the biggest hospitals in Fort Wayne and another side borders the interstate. But it's so big and serene and wonderful! 

We started out at the floating trails, which both of us thought were going to be way more expansive than they were. Nevertheless, they were a thing we'd not seen before:

There are 14 miles of trails, but we could only do about half of them. One of the main ones we could have done was closed, and some others were a bit too wet for us. (The maps actually tell you what kind of shoes you need to wear for each trail. We had on our tall hiking shoes, but for some you really needed proper water boots.) Even so, we saw some beautiful things, and Ryan was super excited to use his bug and plant identifying app. We learned about that app last summer when we were hiking in Not-Hocking-Hills-State-Park and encountered a family learning together through the app. They told us about the app and he downloaded it. 

We were heading into a wooded area when...YOU GUYS!!!!! We saw a deer!! I about lost my ever loving mind. I am so ridiculous about deer. I love them so so much. More than anyone should. I was absolutely giddy and declared this another perfect gift for the day. 

She ran through the woods and into this little field for a snack, but she stayed for several minutes. I tried not to squeal and just took a bunch of pictures.

And then we got back on the path. :) 

Check out how close we were to the interstate! :) 

Ryan somehow saw this miniscule turtle and we had to get some pictures of him. He was so cute!

(He's not touching him there...I just had him put his finger next to him to show how tiny the turtle was!

And then, you guys!!!! I saw another deer! Or maybe it was the same one again and she just followed us to another part of the park. I don't know. I don't even care. I lost my mind AGAIN!!!!

Here's a video of me whispering to her. (I'm hopeless.)

And just a couple more shots from the end of the day:

Why yes, that is a train behind me. :) 

And on the way home? Free coffee!

Had the best kind of day!! :) 

Early Birthday Surprise!

You all were so sweet to celebrate with me last week as I turned another year older! (And hopefully wiser. But I won't presume...)

I wanted to tell you today about my early surprise! Ryan wanted to take me out to dinner, and he knows I'm big on celebrating ON THE DAY, but he said he needed to take me the night before, because the place he wanted to take me wasn't open on Friday.

I have to tell you - that seemed weird to me! What place in the middle of the big city wouldn't be open on Friday??

He went on to say we needed to go after six, because they weren't open until then. 

Wait. They're not open on Fridays and they're not open UNTIL dinner on Thursday? Even weirder.

To be honest, on Thursday morning, we weren't sure this birthday dinner was going to happen at all. We're still flying solo at work, and the way the day was going, we weren't sure we should leave for the evening. I tried so hard NOT to get my hopes up, but I confess I would have been super disappointed if we couldn't have gone. 

We left about 5:30, and as we drove toward a very obscure corner of Fort Wayne, I couldn't keep my guesses in any longer. I asked if I'd ever been to eat at this place before, and he said yes. I was confident I'd never eaten anywhere near where we were going. I kept asking questions and trying to figure it out, and about two miles from our destination, I GUESSED IT!

A food truck!!

Some of you might remember back in 2017, when we did our alphabetical dates, our "T" date was here in Fort Wayne. We visited a tiny house showcase at Parkview field and went to a food truck festival just down the road. While there, we fell in love with a truck called "Who Cut the Cheese?" So Ryan looked up their schedule and found that they were going to be with some other food trucks at a location on the edge of town. 

It was the perfect night. Absolutely PERFECT. The weather was gorgeous, which is something we haven't been able to say much lately. Sunny, warm, not too windy...perfect. 

We arrived shortly after it started, so it wasn't full at all. (More people were rolling in about the time we left.) 

We decided to spit a "Three Little Pigs" sandwich, which is a grilled cheese with pulled pork, bacon, and black forest ham, and we got some cheese curds on the side! 

We found a little corner of the yard with no one around and had a picnic for two overlooking a sweet little pond and gazebo with a sunset happening right behind it. 

After we were done eating, we went over to Biggby Coffee and got a little treat for dessert:

It was a perfect evening, and I'm so glad we got to enjoy it! Thanks, Ryan, for the perfect dinner surprise! 

Sunday Sentiments

 

I have to pause to talk about the gift of Friday's blog post. 

I think for all (or nearly all, anyway) the time we've been married, Ryan has asked to write the blog post for my birthdays. I gladly let him and try to get him to pop in even more often with his wit and wisdom, but he firmly declares he isn't a writer. (And when I typed that sentence, I wrote "he isn't a riter," so I think we all know that even I am not a great one sometimes. Ha!)

He started two or three weeks ago on that birthday post and spent so many hours working on it that I wondered what in the WORLD he was concocting. 

I did not expect the beauty I found. 

He asked me to read it the night before to make sure everything sounded and looked okay, but he did not tell me to bring along a box of tissues. I started reading and when I realized he not only based it off my talk, but that he had gathered a bouquet of words for me, I started crying. 

Let me be quick to say that I do not feel at all deserving of the kind comments shared that day, but every single one of them poured into my heart in the most beautiful way. 

I'm probably not unusual in being the sort of person who more easily sees her own flaws than strengths. To hear words of encouragement that point to the ways God is using this flawed and broken vessel was the greatest gift.

Today I'd love to encourage you to do for others what this group of friends did for me. Is there someone in your life who has encouraged you? Tell him. Tell her. Is there someone whose everyday life teaches you how to live your own life? Mention it out loud. Is there someone who has impacted you without realizing it? Call attention to what happened!

We're all muddling through a life that can sometimes be pretty rough. We see the things we did wrong. We hear the words we wish we would have swallowed. We miss the good things. 

Let's lift each other up this week. Let's draw attention to the goodness others have poured into our lives. You  might never know just how much someone needs a boost, and you might be just the person to offer it. 

Thanks again, Ryan, for the beautiful post. Thank you for collecting words to share. My bouquet is full and beautiful. I'm grateful and encouraged!

Now go and encourage someone this week! 

The Saturday Six

 

You guyssssssssssssssssssss!!!! Yesterday's blog!!!! I sobbed all the way through it. Thank you to all of you who contributed and left comments and sent texts and emails and the whole bit. I felt so incredibly loved. THANK YOU!!!!!! So much to tell you about the birthday...next week! :) But for today...

One.

I have to confess that I'm not completely on board with some of the current decorating trends. Don't misunderstand: I don't hate them. But I don't feel all giddy inside over some of the current things I see on blogs and Instagram. But I adored most everything in THIS room. 

Two.

Fifteen ways to combine pie and ice cream. I'm IN!!!!! Warning: Don't read this when you're hungry! 

Three.

We love our little Abby and think she is just the perfect size. She's older, so they don't make that model anymore, but I found this recent post showing small current models of RVs. There are some DARLING ones in this list! 

Four.

I never thought too much about how to properly pack a cooler so everything would stay cold, dry, and fresh! Great advice in here! 

Five.

I feel like little plants and flowers make great gifts. They don't have to break the bank, and they keep on giving (provided the recipient can keep them alive, of course.) This post gives some awfully cute ways to dress up the gift with just some paper! 

Six.

I still haven't had a hot chocolate bomb, but now they have COFFEE bombs??? Okay that's it. I need both. 

It's Bekah's Birthday!!

Today is a very important day here in Shafferland.  I'm told a national holiday.  I'm just guessing you figured it out from the title and graphic :).  Yep, Bekah's birthday has rolled around again!  So those of you that have been around here very long know that the bald one in the family gets the keyboard today.  If you're unaware, the bald one is Ryan.  I told Bekah that since I only write one day a year I have to fit everything into it (it's not always a lot, but today it is).  You may have to read this one in shifts.  So pull up a seat, grab another large cup of coffee (or two) and settle in for a great Friday.    

As you all know, we have taken on a new way of life in the last year.  We now serve together, working with young adults who have aged out of the foster system.  When we tell people that, we usually get a loving response and are thanked for our work, but they normally look at us with much confusion because they have no idea what we actually do.  It's a way of life that is hard to explain, and in many ways, it just has to be lived.  Many times people have this beautiful picture in their head that we live life together as if living in the Garden of Eden and everything is perfect.  I don't want to misrepresent anything.  It is a beautiful picture, but there are many cracks.  These young adults have lived lives that  have been hard, traumatic, unhealthy, and poverty laden.  They come from broken homes and a lot of times have fallen through the cracks or have been deemed unlovable and not wanted.  

So that is where we come in.  We get to begin a relationship with them, encourage them, support them, walk beside them and live out the love of Jesus in front of them everyday.  But we can't and don't do it alone.  Just like Jesus sent out the disciples two by two, He allows us to work together.  Even more than that He has given us a team, a village and community to be able to do this with.  It is a privilege to have the opportunity to do this work.  But it is also hard, emotionally & mentally exhausting and sometimes just plain messy.  

So as I was thinking and praying about what to write for the birthday girl today the Lord impressed on my heart a different approach this year.  Bekah has a talk she does that talks about giving a flower to those people in your life that you love.  With that flower she explains the importance of telling the people in your life how much they mean to you and thanking them for all they have done, because so many times we wait and then don't end up saying it until we get to their funeral.  The work we do is something we feel God has called us to do.  We know that God's calling in our lives is not always convenient, but it is necessary.  That is not only a reminder for the two of us, but for everyone.  In the midst of the hard, ugly, and broken there is reward.  Sometimes that reward feels like it is just knowing that you are where God has called you to be and that is okay.  Today I want to give Bekah a bouquet of flowers, but I can't do it alone.  I needed a community.  So, very carefully, I reached out to long time friends, new friends and friends that are there just when she needs them.  I couldn't get to everyone, but I did as many as I sneakily could.  I apologize if I didn't get to you, but you are welcome (and encouraged) to leave a comment for her and share your thoughts!  

Bekah has poured into so many over the years and even more since being at WillowBridge.  I'm being completely honest when I say there are days when she has literally done all she can with every ounce of her being.  She has loved and continues to love our tenants so well and has given them tough love when needed most.  She will tell you she hasn't been perfect and has made mistakes but just like anything else in life you learn, pray, grow and strive to do better.  The Lord has used her gifts in countless ways and pulled out of her gifts she didn't even know she had.  I'm so proud of her and look forward to what He has as we continue to journey through life!

Bekah, my love, being the Lover of words that you are, here is a Bouquet of Words for you to bask in today and any time you need a lift!      

Happiest of birthdays to my dear sweet/cousin/friend!  You are the greatest cheerleader, always delighting in other's successes.  You let Christ guide everything you do and your light for Him shines brightly because of it.  I admire you & Ryan's relationship and know you both use your collective gifts in so many blessed ways.  Sending you the biggest, tightest hug with wishes for an amazing year ahead.  I love you.  - April

Beautiful
Eyes to behold beauty in God's creation
Kindhearted
Adores her husband - so awesomely!
Honors Jesus through her love and actions
Happy happy birthday to a beautiful lady...beautiful in so many ways!! 💖  - Joyce    

I have known Bekah pretty much my entire life, in fact I'm pretty sure she is the longest friendship I've ever had.  So, for that alone she should qualify for sainthood for putting up with me all these years, Ha!  I truly cherish my friendship with you, Bekah, I know if I ever need anything I can always count on you to be there for me no matter what you have going on and to me that's true friendship.  So when thinking of ways to describe you, the best word for me is loyal.  You're always on my side, always checking in, and taking time out of what you're doing to make sure your friend is doing OK.  You have been doing this for as long as we've been friends...number of years don't need to be put out there.  We have made lifelong memories from grade school through high school, to our adult years and our infamous game nights.  I'm so excited to see what new memories come next in the years to come.  Happy birthday, Bekah you are loved by so many.  Enjoy your day.  I'm truly blessed to have you in my life.  Thanks for being my friend!  - Pat

What a joy it is to celebrate you today!  We have always been impressed by your creativity in everything you plan and do.  We share with you our love for coffee and Phoebe!  There is never a dull moment when you are around.  You love God and love others so well!  Your friendship has been a blessing to us.  We thank the Lord for you and pray that He will fill your days with His goodness, joy and hope!  Happy birthday!  Love and blessings!  - David and Sheila

Among the many, many, MANY things I love about you, you continually bless my heart and encourage me by the way you choose joy - circumstances not with standing.  What a beautiful picture of a life yielded in Christ!!                                                                             - Hazel 

There are so many reasons to love our dear Bekah!  You find fun in the ordinary and are not ashamed to celebrate it, bringing joy wherever you go.  You are authentic, honest and not afraid to laugh at yourself, creating a safe space for others to let down their walls.  You are intentional and passionate in everything you choose to pursue, most of all in the way you seek after God, inspiring myself and others to pursue God and use the gifts He has given with an equal fervor.  You are a dependable prayer warrior, carrying my burdens to the Father when I am too weak to carry them alone.  You love BIG, demonstrating the never-ending love of our God.  You are the best kind of friend I could ever ask for, a true kindred spirit, and I thank God for the blessing you have been in my life!  - Julie

What I love about my friend Bekah... 1.)  You invest in your relationships. You make what matters to others, matter to you.  2.)  You're a prayer warrior.  Without a doubt you are one of the first people I reach out to for prayer.  3.)  We get each others quirks.  Actually, we share a lot of the same ones. 😉      - Kari

Bekah, you bring life everywhere you go!!  I have only a handful of people I could talk to for hours and you, most certainly, are one of them!!  Thank you for being such a bright spot in my day!!  Love you bunches!  - Abagail

Bekah, your love for God and others is so evident in the way you live your life to the fullest!  I am beyond blessed to have you in my life!  I pray that you will enjoy the very HAPPY BIRTHDAY that you deserve!                                                                       - Shari

Happy Birthday, Bekah!  When I think of you, encourager, inspiration, prayer partner and friend immediately come to my mind.  You are awesome!                                                                     - Odie

Bekah, I love your positivity, openness, faith and outlook on what life can be as it is infectious and receivable.  Not only are these the things that make you your own but it is also what allows Ryan to be his own with you.  Because of who and how you are, you and Ryan can enjoy each other and have a love and respect for one another.  You keep each other grounded even if I do shake my head at you sometimes.  LOL!  - Shawn   

Bekah, you are the perfect fit into our Gateway Family and WillowBridge team.  I did not expect to develop such a fun friendship with you, but I am so thankful for your transparency and the many laughs we have shared.  - Love, Cordin    

Bekah, I love your complete trust in our Lord God.  Despite ruts in your life's road, despite changes in your detailed plans, despite the closing of carefully researched options in your life, you have your feet planted on God's path and your heart is seeking His truth and guidance.  You are a human reflection of God's grace and love and joy.  I love your big smile and the twinkle in your eyes!!  Oh and one more thing...I admire and applaud your ability to celebrate the big and little milestones of life.  - Lois

Happy birthday, dear Bekah!  You spark smiles and laughter with every memory and every conversation.  May this next year be filled with much hope, and even more joy!  - Liz

Dear Bekah, I love your creativity and your sense of humor!  You are a kindred spirt, and I treasure our inside jokes and the way we can reconnect instantly, even when many weeks or months have passed.  I wish you the happiest of birthdays and continued blessings from the Lord.  - Love, Jenny

Dear Bekah, Happy Birthday! I haven't been reading your blog for long, so I don't know you real well, but when I read your blog I always come away encouraged and inspired in my walk with Christ. One of the things that especially stands out to me is your desire to glorify God in everything you do! May this be a wonderful year for you of drawing closer to Him!  - Love, Heidi

Bekah I am so blessed that God put you in my life while I was at the West Campus and the friendship we have made.  God is using you and Ryan to mentor people to become amazing people.  You inspire everyone in your life, praise God.  Love and miss you both!  - Cindy E.

Bekah, I always enjoyed your sense of humor after getting to know you at church.  Then through social media I learned that you and Ryan did a podcast.  Being an over-the-road trucker I need things to listen to while driving.  No matter what kind of day I was having, hearing the stories and devotional always brought (and still brings, even though you're not making new episodes anymore) joy and peace of mind.  It was (and is) a wonderful reminder that God is always in control, and we can always count on His word to guide us through life.  Happy Birthday, Bekah!  - Adam

Dear, Dear Bekah, I'm incredibly thankful for your humor, your ability to laugh your way through life, your spiritual depth, your heart of love for others, your fervent prayers and your sincere friendship.  You bring so much joy to my life (and many others)!  Love you - and Happy Birthday!!!  - Jamie 

Working in ministry is so beautiful but can also be challenging as well!  On top of that, add in a pandemic, raising a baby and trying to figure out how to do life with so many transitions.  I felt so isolated in everything I did and grieved a loving and supporting friendship.  I was so thankful when God sent you, Bekah, our way to WillowBridge last summer!  Your fun personality helped so much to make hard days so much lighter.  You learned to love our baby girl (and of course you are our daughter's favorite person ever) so much and we have learned to love you like family.  We are so thankful God has blessed our lives with your sweet (and sometimes sassy, which I love) soul.  - Justine 

Bekah, you have shaped my life in countless ways, and have been an inspiration in my Christian walk.  You genuinely care about and wholeheartedly love people.  You are a great listener but are brave enough to deliver the truth.  You are so smart, kind, accepting, talented, loved, hilarious and irreplaceable.  I'm honored to be called your friend.  I wish you the happiest of birthdays!! - Amanda

Bekah! I don't have many friends from my college days, but I am so glad you are one of them!  Thanks for the time spent with me, at work and out of work.  Sorry I corrupted you and we got pulled over :).  Frog and I appreciate the hospitality you and Ryan show on our yearly visits (you turned your home into a legit hotel for our children!).  I am glad to have a fellow grammar-lover in you.  No one else understands what makes me cringe like you do.  Keep sending me all the pictures!  I hope this birthday is amazing for you!  - Jenna    

Happy Birthday, Bekah!  As my longest-running friendship, you've been there with me through everything--since story hour!  I'm so grateful for your sincere and devoted friendship, your encouragement in the tough times, your willingness to share in even the tiniest of triumphs and laugh at life's absurdities.  You are so much to so many, and I hope your birthday brings many reminders of how much you are loved! 💜                                                                          - Amber

Bekah, you have been my best friend for over 30 years.  Your ability to commit to something and follow through with it has always been an inspiration.  Despite a natural tendency towards fear, you have chosen to overcome it, to put your faith in the One who casts out fear and to live a life full of dreams and wonder.  Happy Birthday!                                                                          - Lynnette

Dear Bekah, Happy Birthday!  One of the things I love about you is that you are not a complainer - you use every circumstance and every hardship to ask the Lord to help you grow in Him!  I think that is beautiful.  Psalm 144:12That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace: 13That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 14That our oxen may be strong and labour; that there be no complaining in our streets: 15Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.  You are indeed polished and beautiful spiritually, may this be the beginning of a happy (blessed) year for you!                                                                                      - Love, Holly

In trying to keep up with Bekah's creativity in all she does...

Here are 5 things I love about you, My Birthday Friend...
B - beautiful wife...You are a precious example of wifehood and of loving your husband unconditionally. Your relationship is a constant reminder of what a gift marriage is and how powerful of a team a husband and wife can be. 

E - excellent writer...This one is rather obvious, but seriously...I don't think there is hardly anything you've written that I haven't thought "she is so good with words" or that I haven't chuckled from your humor or that I haven't gleaned from. You are a truly gifted writer, and the most awesome part is that you are using your gift for God's kingdom in all you do. Your writing blesses your marriage, the church, your friends, your family, and many who you will never know. Keep writing!!!!!!!!!!

K - kindred spirit...I just love all of our shared loves...coffee, recipes, hospitality, wordiness, themes, homeschool curriculum, exercise (is this a love!?!), celebrations, creativity, treats!!!, good books, scrapbooking. Did I mention coffee??!!??!! It's been a joy to be able to share many of these in various ways over the years! Some very special memories indeed.

A - always celebrating...Ok, so I love this about you and think of you often when I come up with another reason for my family to celebrate something (the day we moved, the day we bought a house, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! :) :) :)). Celebrating, I think, helps to keep us focused on the Giver of all good things and helps us to remember God's goodness again and again. I love that your celebrating usually involves a cupcake or coffee...I mean, is there any other way!?!

H - homemaker...I admire SO MUCH that you and Ryan have made this calling a priority in your lives. Thank you for being an example to so many in loving this part of your God-given role and in fulfilling it intentionally. 

Hope your day is as special as you are, Dear Friend. Happy Birthday!!  - Olivia    

Bekah, you inspire me everyday with your intentional love for Ryan and commitment to your marriage.  You put 110% (or more) into anything you do.  The staff and tenants at WillowBridge are blessed to have you!                                                                               - Heather

I worked with Bekah at IWU and it was an instant friendship!  Bekah you are very thoughtful and really funny!  You always make time for others!  You are creative, a great cook, hospitable and love the Lord!  So glad God brought us together!!   - Blessings, Rachel  

Bekah, I admire your fearless compassion and commitment to doing what is right even when it is hard.  You have a tender heart, a strong mind and a poets soul.  Watching you love God and love people in unique and tangible ways is a reminder of what the REAL work of Jesus requires.  You live authentically and are constantly pointing us all to Him.  For this and so much more, I am very thankful to call you a sister, friend and colleague.  Happy birthday Bekah, Onward and Upward... - Rob

Bekah, when I first met you, I immediately felt a special connection.  You are such an inspiration to anyone you come in contact with.  I love your sense of humor, humility and deep love you have for God and others.  Happy birthday sweet friend.  - Cindy L.   

Let's celebrate another year of Bekah!  From your infectious laughter to your faithful and prayerful spirit, you are one of the most genuine friends a girl could ever have.  I am thankful to call you one of my dearest friends!  - Marie

My sweet Bekah, you bring laughter and thoughtfulness into all your encounters.  Thank you for bringing these blessings into my life!  You are loved and celebrated on your birthday, and always.   - Lynne

Bekah, life with you is even better than I had even imagined!  It has been a joy and has made me smile so big to see the wonderful words from people whose lives you have impacted recently and over the years as they continuously came in while writing this post.  I'm so incredibly grateful to God that He brought us together to serve and enjoy marriage in a way that glorifies Him.  It truly is a gift!  Life with you is never dull or boring; you keep me laughing, crying and amazed with so much, I cherish every moment.  Marriage and life with you reminds me of words from Song of Solomon 3:4, "I have found the one my soul loves".  These words completely encompass my feelings for you.  Thank you so much for saying yes to life with me!  

Happy Birthday my sweet love.  May your day be filled with the kind of joy that is only known through our most gracious and loving Lord, whom I'm sure created you with a smile :).
                                                 Love you more, - Ryan       

      

Another Year

Today marks my final day of matching Ryan in age. (For another 50 weeks, anyway.) 

I remember when I turned 30, and I didn't have a crisis about it at all. I loved it! I loved all the celebration that accompanied it and feeling a little grown up. Then 31 arrived and brought the crisis with it. Thirty-one was SUCH a letdown after a milestone the year before. And then 32 came and I was in the middle of a breakup, which was no fun.

It was no surprise to me that 40 was fun, because...well...you remember the Beauty and the Beast party! How could that NOT be fun!?! And then 41 rolled around and we had just come home from the Caribbean, where we celebrated Ryan's 40th! So no crisis there! (Unless you count the waterfalls.) And then 42 came and we were in the middle of a pandemic, so Ryan threw the best ever party for two at our house. I loved it.

Saying I'm about to be 43 sounds very strange to me, but I'm not dreading it. I'm spending the day with Ryan, so I'm pretty excited, actually! 

When we had that little Anne-of-Green-Gables party for two last year, neither of us had any idea how life changing the year to come would be. No clue at all. 

My heart is overwhelmed with all that God has entrusted to me in this year of my life. I'm not equipped for this work in a way that makes sense to my mind, but I am equipped in the way that He offers strength each day as it's needed. 

The year 42 has been the year of dreams realized in most peculiar ways. 

My dream of working with Ryan? Came true. Never in a bazillion years would I have guessed it would come true in this way, but it has come true, and I love it as much as I thought I would. On these hard days when we're trucking along as the solo couple, I am so grateful to do this with him. I couldn't do this with anyone else. He works hard, shoulders his portion of the load, champions me as I shoulder mine, and together we are thankful to be together in this work.

My dream of working in full time ministry? Came true. Again, I never would have guessed it would look like this, but it has. Earlier this week I wrote an essay for Rob to share with the board members at Gateway, and I read it out loud to Ryan before I sent it. Boy, was that a mistake. The out loud part, I mean. Both of us were crying (and not lightly) from about page .5 forward. We weren't crying because I'm that great (or bad) of a writer, but rather because this work means that much to us. With each word I read, we relived the moments and realized the gift we have in this work we do.

My dream of owning an RV? Came true. It could only come true because we sold a house, which obviously I had no idea we'd be doing, but oh goodness. We love our sweet Abby! (Funny story: she's in the shop right now having a couple of things fixed, and the shop had to relocate her to an offsite building with a larger bay. She was gone for over a week and we had driven everywhere trying to find her. I was convinced she'd been RV-napped. Then just a couple of days ago, we drove by a parking lot and saw her sitting right there. I screamed, "ABBY!!!! I MISS YOU!!!!!" And then I said, to Ryan, "Is it weird that I'm talking to our RV?" He's a smart man. He said no. ;) But we do love Miss Abby, and we are still not sure how to believe she's ours. 

My dream of living in an apartment? Oh wait. Maybe that wasn't a dream. But it's true that we don't mind apartment life! It's not as quiet as life in our own place, but we love this apartment. We love the memories we've made here and I am pretty sure we are now ruined entirely for a commute. Through the front door is the best commute ever.

I'm grateful for this year, even as strange as it was. 

Thank You, Lord, for taking a chance on me with this year and this life. I hope I've represented You well. Thank You for reframing my vision and helping me see more of what You see. (And there's so much more of that growth yet to be done, I know!) 

I'm Not Hopping Back to the 90s.

Let's just state the obvious up front, okay? I am not a fashion statement. Never have been, never will be...and I'm just fine with it. 

I'm in the middle of growing out my bangs, and they're in the helloooooooooooooooooo, awkward stage. The color has needed refreshed for a while now. I own ONE pair of jeans right now, because you're not allowed to try on anywhere and I cannot leave the store without trying on. I'm a mess. 

But I'm not as much of a mess as I was in the 90s.

Bless. 

But I gotta tell you - I've been seeing some of these 90s/early 2000s fashion trends that are coming back, and I can't be here for it. I just can't. They didn't work for me the first time around and I can't try again. At least for most of them. 

* Slip dresses. Now to be fair - I think slip dresses are super cute. But they don't work on me. See the final picture above for an idea of why. I was in a version of a slip dress the first time someone ever touched my food-baby stomach and congratulated me on blossoming. This girl needs a defined waist. Even if she doesn't always have one. 

* Tie dye. My aversion to tie dye has more to do with the fact that I once (BRIEFLY) dated a guy who was all about tie dye at all times. Ryan enjoys teasing me about this every time we encounter tie dye, so you can see why wearing it would be a problem. Having said that, I do think making a tie dye shirt would be fun. I feel like I did that once in a Vacation Bible School a hundred years ago. Perhaps it's time to try again.

* Scrunchies. I just can't with the scrunchies. Perhaps this is just too much of a revisiting of junior high. I was a scrunchie girl all the way. And the big bows and barrettes. (See middle photo above.) I've been watching Josie Balka (formerly Josie Bates from Bringing Up Bates) introduce adorable barrettes in her shop, but I can't even get on board with that yet. I am confident I'll feel good about this right about the time the trend sails right back out the door.

* Oversized blazers. I can't with that, either. Also see the middle picture above. I actually did buy one blazer at the Goodwill a few months ago, so I have it when I need something business-y, but it's pretty tailored and had NO shoulder pads. I can't go back to shoulder pads. I don't need to add bulk. ANYWHERE.

* Headscarves and bandanas. I never wore these before, but I am intrigued by headbands that are more like hair wraps. Especially since I'm growing out the bangs...

* Fanny packs. Again. I don't need to add bulk. Anywhere. I won't be rejoining the fanny pack world. I did have a fanny pack in the 90s. It was neon. It was the neonist, fanniest pack EVER. I don't miss it. 

* High waisted jeans. These look awful on me. AWFUL. Even if I liked them, they don't like me. If, when I go buy more jeans to add to my wardrobe, I can only find high waisted pants, I will be forced to find a fanny pack to cover it all up. 

* Overalls. They hate me as much as the high waisted jeans. They put bulk in all the wrong places on me, though I do find them to be awfully cute on other people!

So that's where I am with 90s fashion. I might just have to wear jammies for the rest of my life. High waisted, tie dye jammies. ;) 

New Bibles

 Ryan and I purchased new Bibles this week. I've written about Bibles before, so bits and pieces of this may not be new, but I'll share anyway.

My parents always made sure I had a Bible of my own when I was growing up. A real Bible - not a Bible storybook. (I mean...I had those too, but when I went to church on Sunday, I carried a real, full Bible.) But I was in high school when I got my first study Bible, and I loved it. I still have it. It has a dusty rose cover, which was so very 90s and so very Bekah. I highlighted and underlined and added sticky notes and wrote in the margins and learned truths I still know today from living in the pages of that Bible. It was a Life Application Bible, which is one of the only study Bibles I've ever found that you can purchase in multiple versions. It's also one I recommend to anyone wanting to learn how to apply what they're reading in Scripture. 

A few years later, when I was in college, I felt it was time to get a new Bible, because I was in a new season of life, learning new lessons, and I wanted a new space to learn. I'd taken a New Testament class that required the NIV Study Bible for the official text, and cheapie Bekah purchased a paperback copy of it to get through the semester. But it turned out that I enjoyed the study notes, so my parents gave me a proper, leather-bound, name-stamped copy for Christmas shortly thereafter and I used and loved that Bible for many years, too.

Along the way, I've purchased and used several study Bibles in several versions. I've used the Archaeological Study Bible, the NET, the Key Word Study Bible, the Jesus Bible and more. I've learned so much from each of them. And last year, shortly before we moved to our new town, job, and life, we both got new Bibles for a new season. Mine was a cultural background Bible, filled with study notes about the lifestyles, customs, and beliefs of the world in which the Bible was originally written. Super helpful for understanding context!

But I told Ryan a few weeks ago that I was ready for a new season again. Maybe it's because everything is changing here where we are and I needed a new space to take notes and learn. I'm not sure. But we both decided to get new Bibles to carry us into this next chapter of WillowBridge life. 

(In case you're wondering, we keep all our study Bibles and do reference them even when we're not using them on a daily basis. We have our own little library of commentary notes from the collection of them added together! I love using them when I write, because I learn different little snippets from each one.)

But this time I found something I've never seen before, and I'm excited to have it. It's called the "Interleaved" Bible. For every one page of Scripture, there is a complete blank page beside it for notetaking. (Or journaling or art or whatever strikes your fancy. Notetaking strikes my fancy.) No more cramming sermon notes in the margin. I can write to my heart's content just out to the side and have note upon note upon note of what I've learned!

It arrived last Friday, and I just sat forever, thumbing through the pages and inhaling the fresh page and new leather smell. 

Of course I'm kind of scared to take the first note. That first stroke of the pen sets the tone for everything, right? But I can't wait to fill those pages and be able to flip back through it again and see what God has taught me in the season that for right now - is still ahead of me. 

I will warn you, if you're looking this up for yourself, the font is tiny! I have great vision, but our church is dimly lit on Sunday mornings, and I found myself squinting a little! But I'll take the tiny font in exchange for those big, beautiful blank pages!

Here's to a beautiful season of learning!! 

Ice Cream Sundae Date!

This past Saturday, on the Saturday Six, I shared about fun random-acts-of-kindness gifts you could give to those in your life if you're looking for some creative ideas.

The whole theme of the post was inspired by a gift we received in the mail last week that boosted our souls so much. Let me give you a little background about it.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from someone I've never met (and I will keep the details vague because I didn't ask if it was okay to spill the story). She said she's read the blog along the way and shared a bit of her own story with me. She asked if she could have our address so she could send some mail, and of course I never turn down mail! 

I sure never expected the mail we received! WOWSA!

It wasn't just a letter. An entire BOX arrived for us! 

We found a sweet note inside, where our new friend said she felt prompted by the Lord to be an encourager, and she wanted to do something to encourage us. She said she loved reading about our dates and decision to spend intentional time together - including our monthiversaries. 

She told us to keep letting our light shine as we worked with our tenants and shared the Gospel.

And then...that beautiful gift. 

It was a "just add ice cream" date in a box. 

Look at all the goodness! Coffee. Hot fudge. Caramel. Candies. Nuts. YUM.

This arrived as we wrapped up our first week of solo work. It arrived as we wrapped up a long, long (for us) stretch of working between days off. 

We haven't had time to get away for dates. Dates are confined to home more often than not right now. Time together is treasured and precious as we gear up for the next day of work. 

Don't you know that we got ourselves to the store to add our ice cream...immediately!

(Excuse our glazed looks. See above about long stretches and solo work. LOL!) 

This was so perfect. It was so much fun to create our own sundaes, before curling up for a night of rest. (Because the day off did arrive!)

For us, the words of encouragement, knowing we were thought of and loved, AND the fun date were the trifecta of perfectly timed joy. 

Thank you, friend, for listening to the Lord's prompt and encouraging us. We are so grateful!

Sunday Sentiments

Today is Mother's Day, and I stare at this day with fresh perspective this year.

I was born on Mother's Day 43 years ago, though this year my birthday doesn't align with Mother's Day. I am grateful for my mom and all she has done throughout these 43 years to raise me and support me well. I appreciate all she intentionally and unintentionally taught me in the 18 years I lived at home with her. And in the 25 years (WHAT??) since I moved out of the house, I appreciate all she has done to continue to support me and care for me well. 

After all, when we got that 1 a.m. phone call back in February saying that Allen had died, she was the first person I called. Let's face it: there aren't too many people you can call in the middle of the night. But moms aren't exempt from those calls. (And she answered!) 

When Ryan and I married, I gained two more moms, in his mom and step-mom. Both of them welcomed me as a bonus daughter, and I was so grateful.

Ryan's mom loved me well and I am so thankful for the good and fun times we enjoyed together when her health allowed her to go out and do things. We loved playing with our cameras and enjoying beautiful things together. And for as desperately hard as it was to care for her (because I'm not good at being a nurse) while she lived with us after her surgery and in her final days, I'm crazy thankful that we had those weeks and months together to say all the things and make all the memories. 

 I don't know that I have a single picture of just me with Ryan's step-mom, so hopefully this group shot from my 40th birthday party will suffice. Lynn is so sweet. We used to go out for coffee together now and then when we lived in the same town. She'll text me words of encouragement, and I'm so thankful for her and the investment she makes in us. 

And now here I am, 43 years past my appearance on Mother's Day, and the day has new meaning for me this year. Ryan and I don't have children, but our job, which has come to us since this same day last year, has changed everything about how we see parenting.

To be clear, we aren't the parents of the young adults in our building. That's not what our job means and it's not what we strive to be for our tenants. 

But as Christ-followers, we cannot live in close proximity with these people without growing to love them deeply and caring profoundly about their lives. 

Some of them choose to see us as parents. We don't force that on them, but some of them have chosen to place us in that role in their hearts. They come to us with all the same problems, joys, sorrows, questions, confusions, and excitement that we have always taken to our parents. They think of us as family, and while we never expect it, we are honored and humbled when it does happen. 

I love them fiercely, just as I know my mom loves me. I've cried over them. I've cried with them. I've rejoiced at their victories. I've done all I know to do to help them feel seen, known, and loved. 

For those of you reading today who are mothers, I would guess you heard the word mama for the first time from the mouth of baby. The first time I heard it was from someone all grown up, but it was no less profound and sacred to my heart.

Our "kids" will come and go, and we know that. Some of them will probably want to be part of our lives forever and others will need the space and freedom to move on to new chapters that don't include us. We support whichever path is best for them. But while they are here with us, we commit to investing to the fullest. Even when it's confusing or hard. 

Today I celebrate the mothers who made an impact on me: my own mother, my moms-in-law, and those whose lives I observed even though they may not have realized it. Today I celebrate the young adults who have seen me as a mother-figure in their lives this past year. I haven't always (ever?) known what I'm doing, but I hope they know I'm praying and advocating for them with every fiber of my being. 

And today I celebrate all of you who are mothers in any way. In every way. 

Happy Mother's Day.