Belonging

Can you handle one more story from the weekend?

This past Saturday night, after our day at the Back to School Bash, we met up with our small group. 

Ryan and I love small groups. We led one fairly early on in our marriage - when we attended church in Marion, just down the road from where we lived. Our house was small, but we welcomed as many as we could squeeze into our little living room and thoroughly enjoyed fellowship and Bible study together.

Then we moved away to Kokomo and first led a small group made up of Ryan's coworkers. We met at his boss's house and learned together. It was a sweet group that we miss! Once we got involved in a church there, we led small groups through them, and by the time we left Kokomo, we were actually the leaders of the small group ministry as a whole. We thought we would be there for a long time to grow and expand that ministry, but God had other plans for us.

We sorely missed small group fellowship while we were at WillowBridge. We didn't feel like we could commit to a group since if we were on duty, we couldn't guarantee that we could actually be there. But toward the end of our time there, a sweet friend from our church asked us to be part of her small group. She said she totally understood if we had to cancel last minute, but if we could make it, she wanted us there. That group loved us so well, and even though we were only part of it for a few weeks before we moved, it was just what we needed.

So we moved here, and our friends invited us to be part of their small group. They said they understood if we weren't ready yet, or if we needed some space from groups in general, but we would be welcomed if we wanted to go. I think the first time we went was something like a week after we moved. It was familiar and comfortable because our friends were there, but I was also nervous to start over with new people in a new place.

But this group has welcomed us so completely. Everyone in the group is in ministry, so they all understand the push and pull of the ministry lifestyle. They've made a place for us, and we are so very thankful.

We went Saturday night, and we learned that one of the guys in our group had just graduated with his Master's degree, so we celebrated him! I made an apple crisp, one of our friends' kids made homemade confetti from crepe paper and tossed it in the air when the graduated arrived. We sat around the table and shared stories and food, and the then the guys gathered to play Ticket to Ride and the girls hung out telling stories in the living room. 

I was suprised, when I got home that night, that I wasn't just flat-out exhausted. We'd had a full day of work on Friday, including two hours in a sweltering bus, we'd had the back to school bash (which Ryan also helped tear down), and I thought I'd be exhausted by bedtime. But, in fact, I felt energized! Spending an evening with friends was just what I needed. 

The next morning, our church had an outdoor service (around a BEAUTIFUL pond) and received new members and baptized a dozen people! 

I know church membership is something that is very critical to some and not as important to others. I thought I would explain what it means to us; it's okay if it means something different to you!

What holds eternal value is whether or not we are part of God's Church...having received Jesus as our Savior. We made that decision a long time ago, and we know we belong to Him! Our decision to be part of any local congregation is more of our statement to that particular church that we are committed to attending regularly, serving alongside others, and offering our financial support. We know that unless God moves us, we plan to be in this area for a long, long time (or forever!) so we were ready to take that outward-sign step and join this congregation.

The service was a beautiful time of worship and particularly meaningful to us as we promised to support this church. 

The weekend felt like belonging, and we were so grateful. 

Back to School Bash

 

When it rains, it pours, it seems, on weekend events for us! As I told you about yesterday, we volunteered with Stuff the Bus on Friday afternoon last week, and then on Saturday morning, we did another work-related event!

Our church (for the past eleven years) has had a free clothing boutique. The story of how the boutique came to be is actually really faith-boosting and inspiring. I'll have to ask my friend Julie if we can share that on here, because I think you would enjoy it. The boutique is open one Saturday morning a month, and local families in need are encouraged to shop and take what they need - no more and no less. Once a year, they have a big back to school bash, where they not only have the clothing as usual, but they also give away prizes, have crafts and games, offer brand new free backpacks and school supplies, give free haircuts to kids, and more! 

This year, my friend Julie (who runs the entire operation) invited Ryan and I to have a booth for Love INC at the event, because the families who attend are the very families we serve, and she thought this might help us get to know some of them better. We were so excited to be part of it, and we decided to put together a photo booth. Seemed more fun to have something to offer, rather than just standing there handing out brochures and business cards. 

Last week, Ryan and I went over to the church to assemble the backdrop for the photo booth. I got this idea from Pinterest, and I think it turned out SO CUTE!!! It took us a couple of hours to put it together, but we had a lot of fun talking while we worked. (Fun fact: the plywood we used for the back was actually left by the builders when we moved into our house, so it was free! All we had to buy were the paper plates and the tape. And we got all the paper plates at the Dollar Tree, so it was fairly cost effective.)

Here are some pictures from assembly day:

Saturday morning, we carried the backdrop outside and propped it up on the side of the church. We also had a table with some props...we got these from Amazon. They were all back-to-school related! 

Isn't it so colorful and fun? We received a lot of compliments on it! One mom stopped and said, "I just want a picture of the backdrop so I can make one sometime." OKAY!! :) 

Ryan and I had some fun with it:

And here I am with Julie!

Julie said we served over 300 people that day, and it was a record-breaking year. It was a really big blessing for us to get to be part of it, and we loved it. 

At the end of the event, right before the prize drawings, Ryan was able to speak a little bit about the work of Love INC. There were a couple of other ministries there too, and they also shared. 

And before we went home, we shared a snow cone!!

Photo bomb by Jonathan!

We were super thankful the weather held for the morning, since there were some questionable forecasts leading up to the day. And we were thankful for a chance to serve the community! 

Stuff the Bus

Thank you for your sweet notes to us yesterday! We appreciated them! Tracy, you are right...we came here on blind faith, not being sure what God had for us, but trusting His lead. There are some things we still feel like we don't know regarding our eventual future involvement here, but we are confident this is the area where He wants us. (And we hope He wants us here a long, long time.) 

Today I wanted to show you a bit more of our adventures from this past Friday! One of Ryan's big goals for himself in his new work is to try to make as many community connections as he can. I am SO impressed with how well he has already done with this. I've overheard some conversations at some of the events we've been to recently and am amazed at how much he already knows about area resources and what they do. And not just resources...but people, too! 

As part of his quest to make connections, meet people, and be part of community outreach at large, he signed us up to volunteer a couple of hours at Stuff the Bus in Decatur.

I did not do my own research very well on this, and for a long time, I thought Stuff the Bus was about collecting school supplies. (It made sense in my head that you would stuff a bus with school supplies.) But it was actually a food/paper product/hygiene product drive

Our shift was from 1-3 on Friday afternoon, and our Friday was hotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt and sunny. The good news was that we were inside the bus, so we didn't have to worry about sunburns. The bad news was that we were inside the bus, and it was hotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt. (DID I mention the heat?) 

We asked what we should do, and they said a fairly large donation had come in that morning, and it needed to be sorted. Food pantries were coming that evening to collect their share of the donations, and if things were already sorted, it would help the division of food be equal. 

So we spent our entire two hours on that hot, sticky bus, sorting food. 

And Ryan wanted to pretend to drive the bus, of course. :) 

And one more picture for the road:

We used a lot of sanitizer after that adventure - until we could get home to shower. If you smelled something questionable on Friday afternoon, it was probably us! 

It was a good way to be involved in our new community. Ryan is much more of a natural at this than I am, but I am glad he's teaching me to be better! 

Sunday Sentiments

 

We have had a full weekend already - and it's not even over yet. But it's been full in all the best ways. I haven't had a chance yet to sift through my pictures, so stay tuned for those, but in the meantime...I have a few thoughts from the fullness and goodness of the days.

Friday afternoon, Ryan and I volunteered (representing Love INC) at Stuff the Bus. Contrary to what I first thought when I heard about it, it's not a school supply drive, but rather a food/supply drive. We arrived at the bus for our afternoon shift and found out we were going to be spending the afternoon ON an actual school bus, sorting donations into like items.

Speaking of liking...you learn you must really like each other when you can spend two full hours on a sunny, 88-degree day sorting canned goods and more while squished in a school bus. That aisle is a LOT narrower when you're an adult than it was in childhood. But we felt good about getting to put our organizational skills to use and hope the people who came for the shift following ours found everything sorted to their liking!

Yesterday morning, we headed to our church to volunteer (representing Love INC) at the Back 2 School Bash. I can't wait to show you more of what this looked like from the pictures I took, but I have to say it was a great honor to be part of it. 

We put together a photo booth and set it up for kids (and adults!) to take pictures during the festivities. Even though we were there representing work, it was also at our church, so it was the first time we've served at a big event with our church, and that was very meaningful for us. It was fun to get to take some pictures with new-to-us friends and feel like we had a place to fit in and serve alongside them. 

And then last night, we had our small group. One of the guys in the group just graduated with his Master's Degree, and we had a little celebration for him. He was completely surprised to find the night was a mini-party for him, and that was a lot of fun for all of us! The guys played a board game and the girls told stories...and we left with full cups. 

Today we will become members at our new church, and we are excited to make that commitment official on paper.

It has been a good and full weekend. We've been able to serve our community, serve alongside our church, and enjoy the encouragement of friendship. 

Being part of a community like this is something that hasn't always been part of our lives, so we don't take it for granted. My heart is thankful today. 

The Saturday Six

 

Today's post is inspired by fun things I found on Pinterest this week. Totally random, but they caught my eye!

One.

This one is not as much about the outfits themselves as it is about the challenge. (The post is also a few years old, so keep that in mind.) The blogger chose outfits from Pinterest and recreated them via thrifted finds. I think I'd have to go back into Fort Wayne to find thrift stores that would offer enough selection to try this, but I love the idea of the challenge!! It would be SO FUN to see how much money I could save on some of the outfit ideas I have! 

Two.

This past week marked the start of school back in our home county, and this coming week marks the start of school in our new home area. Since many of our friends have school-age kids, we've been seeing all the back-to-school pictures and enjoying all the stories. With the return to school (or work, for us) there is the need for lunch ideas!! I loved this cheat sheet for mixing and matching your own Bento Box meal. I love it that these don't require a ton of heating or prep work and are still filling and tasty! 

Three.

Ahhhh the English language and its many impossibilities in pronunciation. I found this poem and learned that indeed, there were a small handful of words I did not know. It also confirmed that the only rule is...there are no rules! Also - this is impossible to read quickly (out loud). 

Four.

Waiting can be so unbelievably hard. I would venture to guess that all of us are waiting on at least one thing in some are of life. If that's you, I want to share this beautiful little article I stumbled across this week. There are ways to be purposeful and faith-filled in the waiting! I know I needed to hear these words, so maybe you do, too! 

Five.

This shirt (which comes in multiple colors) is simple and sweet. I like it. 

Six.

Our camping life this summer has been halted by a mixture of tending the yard, high gas prices, and busy weekends. But we aren't done camping just because we had one rough season! I found these ideas to store away for later: foods to take camping that don't need refrigeration! 

What Ryan Did Right

 I had a conversation the other day with a single friend of mine. She's navigating the dating world right now and never fails to have a host of stories for me about her adventures. Her attitude is positive and bright, but I can tell she's tired.

She's tired because she didn't think she would still be navigating the dating world at her age. She's tired because what seems like common sense to her (and to me, too!) apparently does not to the guys. She's tired because her heart has already been through so much and she's rightfully wary of putting it through more. 

As Ryan and I enter a full decade together, I have spent time thinking back over our dating days and some of the things he did exceptionally well. I wanted to write about them today for those of you who might have young men in your life who need encouragement as they pursue relationships! I want to be clear that I don't think some of these fall into a right-or-wrong category, but I do think some of these practices can go a long way in settling a girl's heart if she's walked a long road of singleness! 

1. Ryan purposefully asked me out on dates.

I've shared before that in my previous relationships - which were not abundant, but there were a few - it was very rare for the guy to actually ask me out. Whether it was a first or subsequent date, we normally mutually decided we would go out to eat or go do something. Ryan knew that, and he knew there was a part of my heart that wanted to be asked. Specifically, purposefully asked. And so he did! He called me up on the phone and asked me to go on a date with him. And he has done it many times since. He still sometimes asks me out, old-school style. It makes me feel chosen, loved, and appreciated. I know I am all those things, but the extra boost of it is a blessing. (Side note: Ryan told me, after I said yes to that first date, that even though he knew I would say yes, he was still nervous to call and ask. I think that's why some guys don't ask. It's a risk!)

2. He planned things that showed he put effort into the relationship.

Not only did he ask me out on that first date, he planned the entire date from start to finish. (And it was a full day!) And he has planned many dates since then - both throughout our dating days and into our marriage. Some of my very favorite dates we've ever been on were ones he planned. I appreciate the way he puts thought and effort into every plan. From the idea, to the reservations (if necessary), to the surprise element he almost always puts into the day, I really appreciate it. I love planning dates too, but it's a really fun experience for me when he takes charge of the planning and I get to simply enjoy the adventure!

3. He was completely honest about his feelings from the beginning.

I felt like every guy I had ever liked (whether or not we officially went on a date) was a giant mystery for the entire time of my crush. It was a game, and I never knew how to work the strategy. Did they like me? No? A little? A lot? Do they want me to call them? Do they want to call me? If I don't call, will they be brave enough to call? Is this too much? Is this not enough? WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!?!? That was my dating experience until Ryan. He told me from the very beginning that he had feelings for me, and he would continue to pursue me unless God told him to stop. That took SO MUCH PRESSURE off the relationship. I could just enjoy everything we did and said without second-guessing what it might secretly mean. This, again, was a risk. But he did it. And it was completely comforting to me, especially after some of the hurts I had experienced. (Note: even though things went positively in this realm, Ryan's honesty meant I also knew I would know if his feelings were changing. I didn't want that to happen, of course, but it was comforting to know he wouldn't hide it if it did happen.)

4. He made talking a priority.

Now, if you know Ryan, you know he makes talking a priority every day with everyone! He just likes to talk! He also likes to listen. I know there are some guys who don't really enjoy either one - and the same is true for some girls. But in our early relationship days, we talked for hourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs. We talked on the phone, we talked in person, we talked over text...we never stopped talking. I really appreciated that, too, because it allowed me to get to know him so much better. We already knew each other before we started dating, so there were many things I already knew. But there were also a ton of stories that were brand new to me, and I loved hearing them. I appreciated the emphasis on conversation. And I still do. We still talk on the phone...and over text...and in person. (I actually generally hate talking on the phone, but I can talk to him forever without minding it.) 

5. He made space for me. For us.

I had dated guys before who wanted to spend time with me...until it meant introducing me to their families, friends, or other sections of their world. That was hard for my heart! Ryan made space right away. I knew I was welcome with him no matter where he was. If there was a family event, I was there. His boss hosted a dinner one Friday night for all the people in their department, just so Ryan could introduce me to his coworkers. He wanted to meet all of my extended family and coworkers. He showed up at my bridal shower, just so he could meet friends and family he hadn't seen yet. Once we started dating, we were an us everywhere, and that meant so much to me. We're still an us in that way. There are very, very few things in life we don't do together. We prefer to share all the things. I know not everyone does, but we like it, and it's actually really comforting to me to know he welcomes and wants me in every part of his life. 

It's not an exhaustive list of everything he did well, but it's what I would encourage a guy to do if he asked me for dating advice. For those of you waiting (and tired), I know I can't offer you magical answers, but I can offer you a hug and the encouragement to keep on in the journey! Much love to you today!

116 Months

 A couple of days ago, we celebrated our 116th monthiversary. Ryan had a work breakfast, so we started the day by being apart - ha! 

We had a great talk during his lunch hour. I love it on the days when he goes for a walk at lunch and calls me so we can talk for a while. And this was just such a day!

After he came home, we headed out to the River Greenway for a walk. It was so pretty out! (And for those who are worried, the pavement was not too hot for Lexi, and we took water for everyone and took frequent hydration breaks.)

The river is more of a shade of murky than blue, but it's water, so we don't care.

After our walk, we wanted to have a picnic, but we were ready for air conditioning by then, so we opted for an INDOOR picnic. :) 

Ryan grilled brats and we watched our favorite game shows while we ate. 

It was a fun day, and we enjoyed reminiscing!

Closing in on 120 months and the double digits in years! 

Nothing is Something

 

In my slow crawl through Genesis, I am finishing up the account of when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. I happen to think he made a good choice...since her name was Rebekah. :)

But yesterday, as I did my commentary study, I hovered over the part that talked specifically about when the caravan (with Rebekah) arrived back in Canaan where Isaac lived. The verses says that Isaac had gone out into the field toward evening to meditate, and that was when he saw the caravan coming back, carrying his bride-to-be.

The commentator spent some time talking about Isaac's decision to go out into the field to meditate (or pray) and the great value in that for believers.

He talked about how imperative it is for us to carve out time in our days to be alone, to pray, to talk with the Lord, and to cease from the endless busyness.

Gulp.

As Ryan and I have been figuring out our new rhythm with work and church and life, we have had some great conversations about how days should look and how to find a balance between work and rest.

I told him just yesterday that it's too bad our western culture tends to place shame and guilt on time spent in rest or quietness. 

We are really great about carving time out for rest, and then in last-minute rushes, people ask for our help on something and we cast aside our reset time. On the calendar, that time looks like free time, not like an appointment to rest. 

We must get better at this. We must learn to protect that rest time as the important time it truly is. 

Rest does not equal lazy.

Nothing really is something.

Here's the truth I'm preaching to myself as much as (or more than) to any of you:

When I go away on vacation, I do not feel guilty about time spent sitting in rest or in conversation with the Lord. I'm not home. I am not available. I don't feel bad about that time of soul respite.

When I'm home (which is much more often than I'm on vacation), I feel absolutely guilty about time spent sitting in rest or conversation with the Lord - because I see all that needs to be done, and for some reason, I feel like there's a prize for getting it done in the next half hour. I feel guilty for telling someone no or for not answering my phone because I'm home and therefore I should be available. 

It's okay to not be available to the masses.

It's okay to sit alone.

It's okay to do nothing, because it's really something valuable.

This is what we're learning. We are far from proficient at it.

But if you're like the two of us, and you need a little permission to sit alone with the Lord and not be online...not answer the phone...not go to the door...and just BE...then here is your permission.

Nothing really is something. And I am determined to learn to honor it. 

Random

 

Today is our 116th monthiversary, and I want to pause to honor that! Ryan, thank you for this life you have crafted with me. I thoroughly, fully, and truly enjoy every single day lived by your side. Even when life itself is maddening, it is a joy to be maddened alongside you. :) When life is delightful, it is a joy to be delighted alongside you. You are fun, you are thoughtful, you are a man of God and a man of your word, and you teach me so much every single day. 

Thank you for choosing me. Every monthiversary is a chance to marvel at what God has done, and I'm glad I have my 116th chance to do that today. I love you!

And speaking of Ryan...we had a fun weekend together!

Friday night, my parents came to visit! This is the second time they've been able to come see us at our new home, and we had a lot of fun with them! When they came to our house the first time (Mother's Day), we were able to show them around the house itself. This time we showed them our community! We did a driving tour to take them to Love INC and let them see where we work...past our church, so they could see the outside of the building...past the place where Abby the RV lives, so they could see her home...and past a few friends' houses too, so they could learn more about where we spend our days. And then we went out for dinner! 

I thought you might like to see a few pictures from that night. Lexi went with us on the driving tour, so she's in the picture at Love INC. You'll noticed she's snuggled up to her favorite Grandpa. Those two are crazy about each other. I'm not sure which one loves the other more. It's adorable. Anyway, we did not take Lexi along for dinner - ha!

Saturday morning was chores-around-the-house time, and then that afternoon, we went to Lynnette's parents' 50th anniversary open house. Congratulations, Bob and Janice, on your 600th monthiversary! That is such a blessing. :)

And thennnnnnn, since we were right down the road, we finally got our Ivanhoe's date! You may or may not remember how dearly I love their strawberry shortcake, and I had not had one (to my recollection) in four years. We tried to go earlier this summer, but our date was scheduled for the day the carbon monoxide detector malfunctioned in our house, and the FIRE DEPARTMENT showed up. We were too afraid to leave town after that (until the detector was replaced) because if it happened again and they had to come while we were gone...we just couldn't do it. 

So I finally got it, and I savored every single bite. It was pretty much my main meal for the day, and that isn't something I'd recommend on the regular, but for a splurge - oh yes, please!!!

Ryan got a German chocolate cake sundae, and he said it was delicious. He also ate a full meal AND his sundae AND started digesting while I was still savoring my shortcake. LOL!!!

After we left Ivanhoe's, we stopped by our friends' house (Hi, Michele!!!!) to see some of the renovation work they've been doing. It's BEAUITUFL. I am so happy for them! And it was really fun to just sit and catch up with them for a while.

Sunday, we were the Scripture readers at church. I was so grateful there were no 38 letter names to pronounce in our assigned passage. LOL! It was our first time to do that at this church, and we really enjoyed it.

And then Sunday night, we helped the beginning of the setup for the Back to School Bash at church this weekend. We were able to meet some new people as we served, and that was a lot of fun. (Hi Becky! I met your daughter!) 

It was a full, fun, and faith-boosting weekend. I was grateful for all of it.

And also. I might need a nap. 

Goals for August 2022

Good morning, friends, and welcome to a brand new month! August is here, and I am welcoming it with a new list of goals I hope to accomplish before the end of the month arrives! 

1. Write a week of devotional readings.

I mentioned this on the blog last week, but one of the things I had to lay aside during my time at WillowBridge was any kind of in-depth writing, because I did not have the time to lock myself away for hours on end to research and get lost in writing. A couple of weeks ago, I accepted a writing assignment for the Wesleyan Church, and the week of readings I was given to write is due later this month. So for sure, heading my list of goals is to not only write those, but write them well. This type of writing takes a lot of precision, and I haven't done that for a while! 

2. Prepare for a women's retreat this fall.

I am speaking (in September) at a women's retreat, and though they have chosen to use a theme I've spoken from before - several times, actually - I need to polish it up and go back over the material to make sure I'm extra familiar with it. I haven't done this particular retreat in a few years, so I'm sure some of the sections could stand an updating of stories. I'm really excited for the weekend, though!

3. Take another stab at finding a workout plan that works for me.

I've talked about this quite a bit in recent posts, but I'm still on the hunt for a workout plan that fits my needs and makes me excited to actually do it. Ryan is helping me think through my needs - and of course, he is much smarter about all things exercise than I am, so I value his input and suggestions! I'm hoping to have a better report in this area for you at the end of August than I did at the end of July.

4. Do some list-making with Ryan.

Ryan and I have had a ton of conversations lately about our dreams for the work at Love INC and also just for our own future. We don't have any immediate decisions that need to be made in either realm, but we are at a point where making some lists to define our dreams and desires - as well as to see some pros and cons in print - would be really helpful. I want to spend some time this month working more specifically on those things. 

5. Continue decorating at Love INC.

I started decorating Ryan's office last month, and I am already so happy with how it looks. But it needs more work, as do some of the other areas in the office. Delightfully, my sister did some thrift store/garage sale shopping for us over the summer, and she is bringing the stash with her when she comes to visit this month. I am so excited to use some of the things she found to make the place look cozier and even more inviting. (It's not bad now, but I like more homestyle warmth.)

6. Pray some bold prayers.

Part of this goes along with #4 above and part of this is just for my own faith's sake. I tend to heavily hedge my prayers - for reasons I don't entirely understand. Perhaps part of it is that I am not sure I trust God enough to do big things. Perhaps part of it is that big things scare me. But I want to work on being bold and brave. I'm terrified about it, but I think it could be a really good thing, too.