Thankful Thursday: Celebrating 20 Years of Blogging!

 

                Twenty years ago today, I trembled as I hit publish on my very first blog post. The idea of submitting words into the world to be read by those I might not know was simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying.

                What if people misinterpreted what I was trying to say? Indeed, they sometimes did.

                What if people were mean to me? Indeed, they sometimes were.

                What if I made new friends this way? Indeed, I sometimes did.

                What if this became a beautiful platform for encouragement? Indeed, I hope it has.

                I was not the same Bekah twenty years ago. Those of you who have been here from the beginning – or nearly so – have watched me grow up in this space. Sure, I was already a legal adult when I arrived, but you have watched me grow up in my heart.

                Back then I was single, a mama to two cats, living in house #1, working in Financial Aid, and I hadn’t even gone on my first grown-up vacation yet.

                You watched me…

                …turn thirty. And forty!

                …say goodbye to Kaegan and Braeya.

                …publish two books.

                …wander through an eclectic mix of jobs: financial aid counselor, radio producer, freelance speaker, church admin, community advocate, grant writer, LifeWise coach, and pastor.

                …survive the breakup I thought would kill me.

                …find the best love story ever and get to live it for the last almost 14 years.

                …live in five different houses.

                …fall in love with lake life and then actually get to live on the lake.

                …go on my first grown-up vacation and then many other travel adventures, too!

                …live through some this-would-only-happen-to-Bekah stories. And by some, of course, I mean many.

                …say goodbye (on earth) to many people who were dear to me and whose lives impacted mine.

                …become a puppy mama.

                …sport a lot of hair colors.

                So many things. Too many to link or picture in full. But here’s what I know on this 20^th year of blogging milestone: God is good and faithful. He has walked with me through far more than I ever could have imagined twenty years ago.

                I hope that in these twenty years, I’ve mellowed about the things that don’t really matter and become ridiculously passionate about the things that do. I hope this space has been more of a help than a hindrance. I hope it has become a place where you come to find encouragement, the occasional funny story, and some inspiration for all parts of your life.

                I hope that you feel like you have a friend on this page – and if so, I thank you for being here and letting me be a friend. I haven’t followed any algorithms or rules for growth and followers, but I am thankful for those of you who show up and those I’ve even gotten to meet in real life!

                At this time, I plan to keep doing what I’m doing. No big, flashy changes lurk around the corner. I appreciate the accountability to write here, and I plan to keep doing that. If the Lord nudges otherwise (whatever “otherwise” might mean) I’ll follow that.

                Happy 20 years of blogging to me! Thanks for being here for my very low-key party today!

Wednesday in the Word: Keep the Words

 

You’ll hear more about this adventure later in the week, but I’m currently on an educational adventure. You might remember that late last summer, I began a master’s level program, with the intent that it would fulfill the educational requirements prior to ordination. In a very long story, the program did not end up being a fit for me. I quickly realized that even though it was designed for those working full-time, I wasn’t going to excel in work OR school if I stuck with this path. So I left the program and decided to instead pursue a certificate program offered by our denomination. I will still go to school, but the requirements aren’t as intense, and I won’t have a master’s when I’m done. I’ll still be able to follow through with ordination, so I am hopeful that this will be a better time fit for me.

                All that said, the orientation for this program is taking place this week, so I’m knee deep in classes and seminars. Yesterday at the start of the day, we had a brief chapel service intended to set the tone for the orientation. We read through several passages of Scripture and were challenged to think about how those passages could help us set the tone for our respective ministries.

                The first passage was Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is probably a familiar one to many: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one…” The version we read from yesterday went on to say “Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.”

                Keep the words.

                Out of all the passages we read in that service, that was the piece that stuck out to me most. In anything I do I ministry, I must keep His Word in my heart. Keep the words so I can write about them. Keep the words so I can speak about them. Keep the words so I can live them. Keep the words so I can encourage others with them. But in all things, keep the words.

                And so I’m striving to do that, not just this week while I’m away and learning, but always. Keep the words.

Tuesday Tales: The Sweetest Concert Date

 

One night as we sat on the couch working on this-or-that on our respective computers, Ryan told me to hold Sunday, July 13^th, on our calendar, because he was planning a special date. Most of you know that Ryan has been a great date planner from the very first date he ever took me on, almost 14 years ago now.

                I like surprises (usually, anyway) and didn’t put any effort into figuring out what he was planning, because I wanted to enjoy the surprise. But a week or two ago, he asked if I’d figured it out yet. No, but that made me want to try! So I started pondering, and poof! It came to me. I realized the date on the calendar was the date that David Phelps had a concert in GAS CITY, of all places. So I asked if that was our mystery date, and indeed, it was.

                Sunday afternoon we hopped in the car and drove down to Marion for dinner at Texas Roadhouse.

                Then we made our way to Gas City for our first visit to their (relatively) new Performing Arts Center. It is really beautiful inside – and much bigger than it looks from the outside!

                Ryan had taken care to get tickets pretty close to the stage – and right on an aisle, so I wouldn’t be all claustrophobic. We ended up chatting with the people behind us and found out we had all sorts of friends and acquaintances in common, from across our many years of churches we’ve attended in various towns. It was fun to make those connections while we waited for the concert to start.

                I’ve seen David in concert many times, and this is one of my favorites. He did some of his new songs from his newest project, but he also did some of his classics and my favorites, including End of the Beginning, No More Night, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, You Are My All in All, and Nessun Dorma. (That song still makes me cry every single time.)

                His pianist for this tour is classically trained, and I decided a pianist and vocalist who are both classically trained are a dynamic combo in a concert.

                I loved every single minute of this concert! What a sweet gift it was for me. I appreciate Ryan’s thoughtfulness in making special memories for me, like this one!

Menu Monday: Nourishing Body and Soul

 

                Happy new week to you, friends! We had a good mix of home cooking and a couple of date night meals this week! Here’s a little inspiration for you as you look ahead to your own meal plan for the week…

Monday: Burrito Bowls

What I Changed: I decided to put everything together, skillet style. So the ground turkey, cauliflower rice, black beans, corn…all of it went into the skillet to cook. Ryan ate his over chips, and I ate mine over fresh lettuce from the garden. So delicious!

Tuesday: Asian Chicken Salad

What We Loved: This made several meals for us! I cooked the chicken in the air fryer and then put together the salad part on the side. I used lettuce from our garden, combined with cabbage from the store. I did not make the dressing but just used the G. Hughes dressings we love – Italian for Ryan and ranch for me.

Wednesday: Chicken and Veggie Skillet Dish

What We Changed: I cooked the chicken for this in the air fryer and did the veggies in the skillet on the stove. We don’t have the veggies for this one in our garden yet, but it was still tasty!

Thursday: Leftover Chicken and Veggie Skillet Dish

What We Loved: I made a fresh round of chicken in the air fryer for the leftover veggies.

Friday: Pizza King Pizza

What We Loved: I mean, it’s Pizza King pizza. Need we say more?? We finished up a gift card for this, and it tasted SO GOOD.

Saturday: Chicken Salad

What We Loved: I’ve made several chicken salad recipes before, but this one was new to me. I loved using cottage cheese and yogurt for the dressing. It added protein and tasted great! I’m typically not one to add grapes to chicken salad, but this time I did, and we loved it.

Sunday: Date Night to Texas Roadhouse

What We Chose: Ryan took me to a concert last night, and before we went, we ate at Texas Roadhouse. I chose the portobello mushroom chicken, and Ryan went with…I believe he called it roadkill? 😉 I didn’t get to eat all mine, because I was too full, but what I had was amazing!  

Sunday Scrapbook: Moments from the Week

 

                This week has been full of plot twists and unexpected moments. This week was packed with so much prayer about so many things, and while many answers remain elusive, I’m thankful for God’s tenderness. Here is a peek at some parts of our week!

                Last Sunday was our last day of the holiday weekend. We decided to squeeze in one last weekend boat ride, and alas, a rainstorm blew up while we were out. We’ve never had to land the boat in high winds. I’m not sure how we did it, but we managed to bring it in! (Bet you wish you had footage of that spectacle, don’t you?)

                I’ve been convicted about spending more purposeful time in prayer at and about the church. I’m reading a book on prayer right now (one I really love) and I decided to spend some time at the altar, reading and praying. It was quiet and beautiful in that space, and I’m so glad I carved out this time.

                I worked from home on Tuesday and someone was VERY happy about that. Bible study, school prep, catching up on all the things I was behind on from conference week…it was one productive day! And I was glad to get to spend it with my favorite sidekick.

                I finished handwriting the book of Mark this week! One whole journal is now filled with Matthew and Mark, and then I started writing out Luke. I’m so glad I have stuck with this and am excited to see what it looks like at the year’s end, when I have all four gospels written out!

                As you saw on my post a couple of days ago, I finally figured out where to put the tandem bike canvas I thrifted back in December. I love how it looks on the Hoosier Cabinet, and I’m glad to have another little corner of the house looking polished!

                Friday was kind of a hard day on several fronts, but you know what makes hard days sweeter? This cute face staring up at me. And Ryan. I am so thankful for his wisdom as we muddle through a whole bunch of things right now.

                Saturday night’s sunset was next-level stunning FOREVER. Usually we see a brilliant sunset and then it changes – sometimes before we can run outside to take a picture. This one stayed and stayed and stayed and was such a gift after a gloomy day.

Saturday Suggestions: Inspirations for Your Weekend

 

Remember last weekend when we had a holiday? I miss that. Ha! This week hasn’t been bad at all, but it’s had some unique plot twists, that’s for sure. My brain feels a little bit like mush. I think a little scrapbooking and some Pinterest surfing might help. If you’re feeling the same, let me get you started today!

KariAnne shared this phone magnifier, and I think it is fascinating. The price isn’t bad at all, and I’m thinking about ordering one to use when I want to show my parents pictures on my phone, but this would make them so much easier for them to see! Do any of you have this (or something similar)?

While I’m not a huge sports fan, I do love a good story about sports. This piece about the student who played The Ohio State mascot for most of her college career was fascinating to me. I would never survive in a mascot suit (unless they are air conditioned, and then sign me up!) but I thought it was so much fun to read about how she kept her identity a secret!

I often share posts on here about fun home tours or design befores and afters, but today I want to share this post Susan wrote. She moved into a new home about two years ago and began a series to show the changes she’s made in that time. The thing I love about this one is that she focuses on things that usually get passed over in a renovation reveal, but they matter and make a big impact, even if they aren’t typically in the spotlight. I share it in case you have some similar things happening at your house and hadn’t considered what a huge change little things like these might make in the overall look and feel of your home!

Our Sunday School class has spent some time talking about Sabbath lately, and I stumbled upon this article one day, which I took to read and talk about in class, and it provided some interesting discussion! In general, in our fast-paced and American culture, I don’t feel like we truly grasp what Sabbath is about, nor do we often engage in it well. I think these words are thought-provoking and helpful!

Maybe it’s because I live on a lake…maybe it’s because I’ve always been a hot-blooded person…maybe it’s because I like feeling like I’m living in jammies. I’m not sure the reason behind it, but I feel like linen clothing is a win. And Audrey wrote a post about what to wear in the summer with black linen pants. I appreciate her tutorial (though to be fair, I do not own black linen pants) because I am never sure what to actually do with comfy, wide-leg pants to keep them from looking sloppy. She has great info in here if you’re exploring the world of ANY color of linen pants!

Once upon a time, Ryan told me that he felt like if you lived at the lake, you should be a painter. (You can see it, right? Out on the patio beside the lake, wearing a straw hat, sipping coffee, painting at your easel?) Our problem is…well…lack of ANY kind of talent. But I guess if you have a paint by number kit you don’t have to worry about the talent part. These are not your childhood paint by number kits. These are fancy, and there are mannnyyyyy designs. I actually had a friend who did one of these and I never would have known it was paint by number. She framed it and hung it in their house, and it was stunning.