1 hour ago
Sunday, December 27, 2015
The Shafferland Shuffle
* Last Sunday was our first Christmas celebration - dinner and a gift exchange with Ryan's mom and Allen and all Ryan's siblings. We had a great night together, feasting on breakfast food and watching kids run around and have fun ripping into their gifts! Last year we had a couple of people missing because of illness, so it was good to have everyone back together this year!
* Monday was a rainy, gloomy day, but I had a surprise that brightened it all up! My RA from my freshman year of college, Karen, was in town to visit her family for Christmas, so she stopped by to see me! She ended up staying to have dinner with us and we talked for about four hours - it just flew by! She brought me a gorgeous flower that so brightened my day. :)
* Tuesday was Nita's birthday, so we all went out to eat at Cracker Barrel to celebrate her. {"We all" means fifteen of us converged upon that dining room at one very long table! She had a wonderful time and the cheesecake we had for her treat was out of this world!!
* Wednesday morning, I had Christmas with one of my blognonymous friends, and Ryan had his carry-in Christmas celebration at work. He got his friend Matt this shirt - which reportedly, Matt loved so much, he may never take it off. LOL. {Sorry, Amanda!!} While all that fun was happening, I was home having a meltdown over my dead computer, but that night, Ryan became the hero of the world when he somehow brought it back to life!!
* Thursday was Christmas Eve, and it was a busy day for us. Ryan had to work, and I did a volunteer project at the church before working on our food contributions for Christmas day. That night, we had Christmas with Ryan's dad's side of the family. We don't get to see them very often, so it was a good and fun evening of storytelling and delicious food {Ryan's grandma cooks the whole shebang and does a great job!} and gift exchanged. Before we came home, we went to a Christmas Eve service at the church where the rest of Ryan's family attends.
* Friday was, of course, Christmas, and we celebrated three times! We had our own Christmas at home together with Braeya JoJo, and then we drove to my parents' house for Christmas with my family. After lunch and gift exchanges and photo booth fun, we packed up and went to Allen's parents' house for our Christmas with that side of the family. Whew! Busy day!
* Yesterday I had all kinds of grand plans, but I knew we were supposed to get rain, so I wanted to take down our porch decorations. Before I knew what was happening, I took down ALL the decorations. I hadn't planned to do that at all, but it's done now!! It actually feels kind of good to have things back in some semblance of order. Lat night, Ryan and I had a date night at home - our first pizza in a month. It was heavenly!
Saturday, December 26, 2015
The Saturday Six
One.
My friend Natasha sent me this video last week {it is on a Facebook page, so I couldn't embed it - or at least I couldn't figure out how. My skills are minimal} - and it is SO GREAT! The woman had a chance to shoot a basketball from half court in hopes of winning half price tuition at her daughter's school the next year...
Two.
I don't think I need to explain to you my delight over EVERYTHING about this adorable hot cocoa bar, do I??
Three.
For my fellow Little House fanatics, I found this post all about the first season of the TV show and it included some fun trivia that I didn't know. {Some of them I had heard, but some were new to me.} TV trivia always fascinates me, so I thought I'd pass it along! :)
Four.
I know we all say we just want to be loved - and I believe we do! - but for some, it takes such courage to ALLOW love into a hurting and/or hardened heart. This post by Bonnie Gray is powerful. And even if you don't struggle to receive love, this is a good read to understand those who do!
Five.
With 2016 lurking just a week away, I thought I'd share this 2016 Bible reading plan. If you're looking for a layout for your reading for next year, this might help!
Six.
I spent another day immersed in the life of a small town this week - and I loved every minute of it. This time my book travels took me back to the 1830's in little Trinity, Pennsylvania, to read about the adventures of a midwife! Having been to four births myself, I was excited to read about the ways and practices of a midwife in that time.
The Midwife's Choice by Delia Parr is the second in a series {based on the "other books" page in the front of the book, I imagine it will be a trilogy} called "At Home in Trinity." I hadn't read the first book but did not feel that I was behind in any way because I picked up with book two.
The book captures the story of widow Martha Cade, the much-loved and respected midwife in the little community of Trinity. While the book does let readers peek into the practices of childbirth in that day, Martha's story is so much bigger than her profession. She's struggling to rebuild a relationship with her runaway teenage daughter, she helps at a bakery run by two sisters who also let Martha live with them, and she is part of a deeply rooted sisterhood community made up of all the women of the town.
While I wouldn't classify the book as suspenseful, particularly, it certainly never lacks for action. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, so putting it down was quite difficult! The author masterfully weaves many storylines together, which is something I so admire since I don't have that kind of writing skill in me.
Because the book was set in such a different period in history, I found it interesting to read how the people in that time handled their relationships and difficult issues, such as infant loss and domestic violence. Those kinds of issues were prevalent then just as they are now, but they were not talked about as openly. It was fascinating to read how they were perceived and dealt with so long ago.
Delia's characters were charming and endearing, and despite the presence of many people in the book, I felt their stories were well told and developed - and I didn't feel confused or frustrated in trying to keep them straight.
In fact, the only thing that did confuse me in reading was keeping Martha's age straight in my head. Though she was in her early 40's, I kept feeling she was much older. Part of that, I'm sure, was her name and the fact that she was a widow, and also her deep level of influence within the community. Plus, her daughter seemed older than 17 years, so that made me think Martha should be more in her 60's than her 40's.
Really enjoyed this read - which was set in winter and brought a bit of cheer to our extraordinarily warm winter without any of the actual hassle of winter itself!
* Thanks, Bethany House, for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. *
My friend Natasha sent me this video last week {it is on a Facebook page, so I couldn't embed it - or at least I couldn't figure out how. My skills are minimal} - and it is SO GREAT! The woman had a chance to shoot a basketball from half court in hopes of winning half price tuition at her daughter's school the next year...
Two.
Three.
Four.
I know we all say we just want to be loved - and I believe we do! - but for some, it takes such courage to ALLOW love into a hurting and/or hardened heart. This post by Bonnie Gray is powerful. And even if you don't struggle to receive love, this is a good read to understand those who do!
Five.
With 2016 lurking just a week away, I thought I'd share this 2016 Bible reading plan. If you're looking for a layout for your reading for next year, this might help!
Six.
The Midwife's Choice by Delia Parr is the second in a series {based on the "other books" page in the front of the book, I imagine it will be a trilogy} called "At Home in Trinity." I hadn't read the first book but did not feel that I was behind in any way because I picked up with book two.
The book captures the story of widow Martha Cade, the much-loved and respected midwife in the little community of Trinity. While the book does let readers peek into the practices of childbirth in that day, Martha's story is so much bigger than her profession. She's struggling to rebuild a relationship with her runaway teenage daughter, she helps at a bakery run by two sisters who also let Martha live with them, and she is part of a deeply rooted sisterhood community made up of all the women of the town.
While I wouldn't classify the book as suspenseful, particularly, it certainly never lacks for action. Every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, so putting it down was quite difficult! The author masterfully weaves many storylines together, which is something I so admire since I don't have that kind of writing skill in me.
Because the book was set in such a different period in history, I found it interesting to read how the people in that time handled their relationships and difficult issues, such as infant loss and domestic violence. Those kinds of issues were prevalent then just as they are now, but they were not talked about as openly. It was fascinating to read how they were perceived and dealt with so long ago.
Delia's characters were charming and endearing, and despite the presence of many people in the book, I felt their stories were well told and developed - and I didn't feel confused or frustrated in trying to keep them straight.
In fact, the only thing that did confuse me in reading was keeping Martha's age straight in my head. Though she was in her early 40's, I kept feeling she was much older. Part of that, I'm sure, was her name and the fact that she was a widow, and also her deep level of influence within the community. Plus, her daughter seemed older than 17 years, so that made me think Martha should be more in her 60's than her 40's.
Really enjoyed this read - which was set in winter and brought a bit of cheer to our extraordinarily warm winter without any of the actual hassle of winter itself!
* Thanks, Bethany House, for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. *
Friday, December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas from Us!
Ahhh it's Christmas Day, and you probably don't even have time to read blogs today, because you are busy with a thousand other things.
But on the off-chance that you did stop by, I wanted to be the first {or the middle or the last} to wish you a Merry Christmas.
As I mentioned yesterday, just because it's Christmas, your life may not feel particularly celebratory or cozy and warm. But even so, today is a day of celebration.
The day we celebrate a New Life that made new life - eternal life - for us possible. The day we celebrate new beginnings, new ways of life made possible by His New Life.
Whether or not there are a stash of gifts under the tree, whether or not you could afford the gifts you wanted to buy, whether or not you receive the present you had your eye on all season, we have all been offered the greatest gift ever given.
Ryan and I are profoundly grateful for each of you who visit here throughout the year. You are a gift to us and I hope in some little way, what you find here is a gift of sorts to you.
We wish you a blessed Christmas day!! Many hugs and much love!
But on the off-chance that you did stop by, I wanted to be the first {or the middle or the last} to wish you a Merry Christmas.
The day we celebrate a New Life that made new life - eternal life - for us possible. The day we celebrate new beginnings, new ways of life made possible by His New Life.
We wish you a blessed Christmas day!! Many hugs and much love!
Thursday, December 24, 2015
When it Doesn't Feel Like Christmas Eve
Before I launch into today's thoughts, I want to wish my niece a very happy birthday!!
This was clearly a couple of years ago...but it was our first picture together! Happy birthday, Cassie!! We love you and hope this day is magnificent!
I've been reading a lot of posts lately - both on blogs and on other forms of social media - that indicate the Christmas spirit seems to be at an all time low this year. {Kind of feels like the movie Elf became real!} I don't know if it's because it's been so unseasonably warm and we're fighting things like floods and tornadoes instead of snow and ice, or if it's because there's just so much hurt and we're afraid to let ourselves celebrate for fear we'll offend a hurting soul...or what. But this year it feels like we're all just going through the motions and struggling to find that heart-miracle.
It's been a rough December in Shafferland, in a first-world-problems kind of way. Ryan and I ripped apart our house right at the same time we decorated for Christmas, so the whole house has been upended all month, between our projects and our decorations. I took the month off from "work" - mostly because the office is buried in the mess that is our projected-land. It's been nice to hang out in the living room and enjoy the lights on the tree and the warmth of the fireplace, but it's been odd to be off the schedule I'd set for myself.
In addition, we started a clean-eating plan this month, so all the treats were missing from our house, and in fact, I didn't even leave the house for three weeks because I couldn't trust myself at any restaurant or coffee shop. Being cooped up and alone made me stir-crazy and quite grumpy.
I'd been looking forward to this week and its many celebrations {and a few treats!!} but it seems like this week brought its own new set of problems.
Hard conversations with friends - the conflict-laden kind that no one ever wants to have but they must exist for issues to be cleared up. Disappointments from people you didn't expect to bring that level of disappointment. Feeling lost in crowds of people you know and love. That was the start of the week.
And then came yesterday. I'd planned to work online at home and then finish some last minute shopping in the afternoon, but the aforementioned tornado warnings forced me to flip my plans. So I got up, ran around town, did my errands, and came home to work. I opened my laptop to a blank screen. The power would come on but nothing would register on the screen.
When the things you do as your work involve blogs and pictures and podcasts and all that - having your laptop mysteriously crash sends you straight into tears. I didn't panic. I was certain it wasn't dead to the core and things could be recovered from its memory even if the machine itself was beyond repair, but having this happen two days before Christmas was just not good. I called a computer shop and was told it couldn't be seen until tomorrow or even Monday, and from there, tears ensued. I cried the entire afternoon, pausing only to sleep so I didn't have to think about the computer for a while. Ryan comforted me as best he could, via text, assuring me it would be okay. I knew it would be okay, but it wouldn't be okay then.
I pulled myself off the couch and forced myself to do something productive, which was when I discovered I'd washed an entire load of clothes with an ink pen. Black ink smeared through the washer, all over my hands, and on our clothes.
I went to the kitchen for a snack and found a spider on the stove.
I went to the couch to sit down and stubbed my toe to a star-seeing degree.
Can I get a do-over?
Pulling out my journal, I told God I knew these problems are minuscule in comparison to what so many face. I know they're first world problems. But for this day, they were also my problems, and they hurt.
So I opened Ryan's computer to do what I could from there, including writing this little thoughtlet to you. I hope if your December has been hard, that God brings you some hope and joy for your heart. If your December has lacked its traditional spirit, I hope God brings a measure of wonder to you.
And I hope the same for our little house.
{And as an update, after Ryan came home and had dinner, he worked on the computer and managed to get it started again. We'll still have to have it looked at, but he got it going enough for me to work on it. HERO!!!!!!}
I've been reading a lot of posts lately - both on blogs and on other forms of social media - that indicate the Christmas spirit seems to be at an all time low this year. {Kind of feels like the movie Elf became real!} I don't know if it's because it's been so unseasonably warm and we're fighting things like floods and tornadoes instead of snow and ice, or if it's because there's just so much hurt and we're afraid to let ourselves celebrate for fear we'll offend a hurting soul...or what. But this year it feels like we're all just going through the motions and struggling to find that heart-miracle.
It's been a rough December in Shafferland, in a first-world-problems kind of way. Ryan and I ripped apart our house right at the same time we decorated for Christmas, so the whole house has been upended all month, between our projects and our decorations. I took the month off from "work" - mostly because the office is buried in the mess that is our projected-land. It's been nice to hang out in the living room and enjoy the lights on the tree and the warmth of the fireplace, but it's been odd to be off the schedule I'd set for myself.
In addition, we started a clean-eating plan this month, so all the treats were missing from our house, and in fact, I didn't even leave the house for three weeks because I couldn't trust myself at any restaurant or coffee shop. Being cooped up and alone made me stir-crazy and quite grumpy.
I'd been looking forward to this week and its many celebrations {and a few treats!!} but it seems like this week brought its own new set of problems.
Hard conversations with friends - the conflict-laden kind that no one ever wants to have but they must exist for issues to be cleared up. Disappointments from people you didn't expect to bring that level of disappointment. Feeling lost in crowds of people you know and love. That was the start of the week.
And then came yesterday. I'd planned to work online at home and then finish some last minute shopping in the afternoon, but the aforementioned tornado warnings forced me to flip my plans. So I got up, ran around town, did my errands, and came home to work. I opened my laptop to a blank screen. The power would come on but nothing would register on the screen.
When the things you do as your work involve blogs and pictures and podcasts and all that - having your laptop mysteriously crash sends you straight into tears. I didn't panic. I was certain it wasn't dead to the core and things could be recovered from its memory even if the machine itself was beyond repair, but having this happen two days before Christmas was just not good. I called a computer shop and was told it couldn't be seen until tomorrow or even Monday, and from there, tears ensued. I cried the entire afternoon, pausing only to sleep so I didn't have to think about the computer for a while. Ryan comforted me as best he could, via text, assuring me it would be okay. I knew it would be okay, but it wouldn't be okay then.
I pulled myself off the couch and forced myself to do something productive, which was when I discovered I'd washed an entire load of clothes with an ink pen. Black ink smeared through the washer, all over my hands, and on our clothes.
I went to the kitchen for a snack and found a spider on the stove.
I went to the couch to sit down and stubbed my toe to a star-seeing degree.
Can I get a do-over?
Pulling out my journal, I told God I knew these problems are minuscule in comparison to what so many face. I know they're first world problems. But for this day, they were also my problems, and they hurt.
So I opened Ryan's computer to do what I could from there, including writing this little thoughtlet to you. I hope if your December has been hard, that God brings you some hope and joy for your heart. If your December has lacked its traditional spirit, I hope God brings a measure of wonder to you.
And I hope the same for our little house.
{And as an update, after Ryan came home and had dinner, he worked on the computer and managed to get it started again. We'll still have to have it looked at, but he got it going enough for me to work on it. HERO!!!!!!}
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Legacy
Simeon is one of my favorite people in the Bible. Took me many years to unearth his story and realize the beauty and the value in his life, but once I did, he was an instant favorite. Simeon {if you haven't uncovered his story yet} was an old man who had received a promise from God that he would not die until he saw the Messiah.
Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple when He was eight days old, and that was the day Simeon met - and held - the Son of God. The day the promise was fulfilled.
When I wrote the chapter on Simeon in my Advent book, I wondered what it would have been like to wait your entire life for the fulfillment of a promise. I wondered if he ever talked about it to others and if, along the way, people rolled their eyes and thought he was crazy. I wondered if he ever started to doubt that he'd heard God correctly. I wondered if, as years crept by, he began to fear he made up the whole thing.
This past Sunday, our pastor preached about Simeon and Anna and the legacy of their lives. He preached about how their faith was strengthened by the lifetime of work they'd seen God accomplish in not only themselves but in those around them.
Pastor Steve shared stories of people in his own life who had invested in him from their senior years and had been able to guide and encourage him out of the wealth of their own faith journey.
And then he reminded all of us that such people still exist. They exist in our own church and in the pews around us.
And then he brought them all to the front of the church.
If you click on that picture to make it bigger, you'll see that stretching as far as our little camera could get, from the left to the right is a row {sometimes two and three people deep} of people 65 and older who have been part of the legacy of this church and of the lives of those of us remaining in our pews.
The picture isn't even as powerful as the moment was in real life. I'm not sure any of us escaped without a tear or two. We stood and thanked them with applause - for their faithfulness in lives that have had many mountains and valleys.
A handful of them read Scripture to us, and we listened while voices that have lived the truth of the words passed them forward to us.
And among that crowd were some I've known since I was old enough to have memories. People who attended the church where I grew up. People who invested in me personally.
Here are two:
June {in the red jacket} and Harold {in the black suit} are friends of my parents, and I've known them my whole life. June taught my Sunday School class when I was little, and she taught me to look up Scripture in the Bible. Harold directed the handbell choir and let this awkward junior high girl join and take a spin at something new.
I'm thankful for them and ALL the seniors God has put in my life along the way, from childhood to now, who have taught me by example how God works in life. And just a couple of days away from Christmas, I recognize the gift each of them are to me. {And Ryan has just as many in his life!}
Maybe this Christmas you can give the gift of a note or a phone call to one of the seniors in your life - someone whose walk with the Lord has encouraged you! Someone who has been faithful in leaving a legacy for you to follow.
Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple when He was eight days old, and that was the day Simeon met - and held - the Son of God. The day the promise was fulfilled.
When I wrote the chapter on Simeon in my Advent book, I wondered what it would have been like to wait your entire life for the fulfillment of a promise. I wondered if he ever talked about it to others and if, along the way, people rolled their eyes and thought he was crazy. I wondered if he ever started to doubt that he'd heard God correctly. I wondered if, as years crept by, he began to fear he made up the whole thing.
This past Sunday, our pastor preached about Simeon and Anna and the legacy of their lives. He preached about how their faith was strengthened by the lifetime of work they'd seen God accomplish in not only themselves but in those around them.
Pastor Steve shared stories of people in his own life who had invested in him from their senior years and had been able to guide and encourage him out of the wealth of their own faith journey.
And then he reminded all of us that such people still exist. They exist in our own church and in the pews around us.
And then he brought them all to the front of the church.
The picture isn't even as powerful as the moment was in real life. I'm not sure any of us escaped without a tear or two. We stood and thanked them with applause - for their faithfulness in lives that have had many mountains and valleys.
A handful of them read Scripture to us, and we listened while voices that have lived the truth of the words passed them forward to us.
Here are two:
I'm thankful for them and ALL the seniors God has put in my life along the way, from childhood to now, who have taught me by example how God works in life. And just a couple of days away from Christmas, I recognize the gift each of them are to me. {And Ryan has just as many in his life!}
Maybe this Christmas you can give the gift of a note or a phone call to one of the seniors in your life - someone whose walk with the Lord has encouraged you! Someone who has been faithful in leaving a legacy for you to follow.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Christmas with Ryan's Family, Part 1
While you're reading about our first Christmas celebration from 2015, we also have a Merry Christmas podcast for you! Some stories, some fun, and by request, a throwback to toddler Bekah and her recitation of Luke 2:
Ryan has about 4000 Christmas celebrations on his side of the family. Okay, so that's a slight exaggeration, but when you're used to one gathering per year, marrying into his family does add quite a lot of merriment!
Sunday was our first Christmas for the year, and we celebrated with Ryan's mom and Allen, his two sisters, and one of his brothers. Allen and Nita live in the most stunning log cabin in the woods. So picturesque for gatherings such as this:
The food was delicious.I had little samplings of almost everything. My first treats in three weeks! :)
After dinner, we cleared a spot by the tree and Allen read Luke 2:
And then it was a free-for-all with the presents. We don't have little ones on my side of the family, so it's always fun to see these kiddos rip into their gifts!
{I have a billion more photos but I try to make sure I don't post too many of the non-social-media loving crowd.}
But I can't resist showing you our newest nephew. We don't get to see him very often and I think this was only third time in his life we'd held him. He's a sweetie!!
What a fun Christmas! :) Great way to kick off the week of celebrations!
Ryan has about 4000 Christmas celebrations on his side of the family. Okay, so that's a slight exaggeration, but when you're used to one gathering per year, marrying into his family does add quite a lot of merriment!
Sunday was our first Christmas for the year, and we celebrated with Ryan's mom and Allen, his two sisters, and one of his brothers. Allen and Nita live in the most stunning log cabin in the woods. So picturesque for gatherings such as this:
The tradition {as you may have heard on last week's podcast} is to eat
breakfast at this Christmas celebration, regardless of the time of day.
So everyone pitched in and we had biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs,
smoky links, pancakes with Allen's maple syrup, cheesy potatoes, all
kinds of appetizers, fruit, sweet bread, coffee, eggnog {no thanks!} and
more!
After dinner, we cleared a spot by the tree and Allen read Luke 2:
But I can't resist showing you our newest nephew. We don't get to see him very often and I think this was only third time in his life we'd held him. He's a sweetie!!
Monday, December 21, 2015
The Thing about Pictures
Tis the season to take lots and lots of pictures, right? {I mean that's just every day for me, but for those a little less obsessed, this tends to be the time of year when we take more than even usual.
And this is also the season when they tell you {they being all the bloggers and TV people} how to take the best pictures and capture the memories without blur, without poor lighting, without missing the moment...on and on it goes.
It can stress a person just to think about it!
While I'm as eager as the next person to get a good picture, I think there's also a good point to remembering that not every photo has to be award-winning to be worth keeping.
You might remember that a couple of weeks ago, Ryan and I went to our brother-in-law's 40th birthday party. Johnny's wife, who is Ryan's sister, had put together a 20 minute video full of pictures of Johnny's life - from his childhood forward.
And for those twenty minutes, all the guests stopped and did this:
We watched as the many hairstyles of Johnny crossed the screen. We laughed at the silly ones, made fun of outfits, cracked up at faces, and took moments to remember the people he loved who weren't there in person that day, but whose lives haven't been forgotten.
After the video, Ryan talked to Johnny about what a great gift Lori had given him in that, and Johnny said this, which struck me right in the heart: "Thank goodness for pictures. I'd forgotten some of that stuff. It was so good to see it."
It struck me because I'd spent the entire evening fighting with my camera in the low lighting of the party room, waiting for the disco ball lights to cross people's faces so they didn't look like they had red-eye all over when I snapped pictures. It had been a rough photography night. And I did delete a BUNCH of pictures.
But there were some I kept even though they weren't perfect, because Johnny's words stuck with me. Pictures that weren't even CLOSE to perfect. Pictures that will never win an award. Pictures that aren't clear and would provide photography teachers with a dozen "don't do this" teachable moments.
But yet at the same time, pictures that preserve a moment and after all...that's the point of pictures. Pictures that I tried to edit and clean up the best I could, and then I handed the over imperfect memories because I hope in twenty years, Johnny can look back at a new video and be reminded of moments he had forgotten, but moments that aren't lost after all.
So here we are, headed into Christmas, and I hope you'll get your camera {or your phone} out and commemorate. And I hope you won't stress over the pictures that aren't perfect. I hope you'll see the beauty in the memories.
And this is also the season when they tell you {they being all the bloggers and TV people} how to take the best pictures and capture the memories without blur, without poor lighting, without missing the moment...on and on it goes.
It can stress a person just to think about it!
While I'm as eager as the next person to get a good picture, I think there's also a good point to remembering that not every photo has to be award-winning to be worth keeping.
You might remember that a couple of weeks ago, Ryan and I went to our brother-in-law's 40th birthday party. Johnny's wife, who is Ryan's sister, had put together a 20 minute video full of pictures of Johnny's life - from his childhood forward.
And for those twenty minutes, all the guests stopped and did this:
After the video, Ryan talked to Johnny about what a great gift Lori had given him in that, and Johnny said this, which struck me right in the heart: "Thank goodness for pictures. I'd forgotten some of that stuff. It was so good to see it."
It struck me because I'd spent the entire evening fighting with my camera in the low lighting of the party room, waiting for the disco ball lights to cross people's faces so they didn't look like they had red-eye all over when I snapped pictures. It had been a rough photography night. And I did delete a BUNCH of pictures.
But there were some I kept even though they weren't perfect, because Johnny's words stuck with me. Pictures that weren't even CLOSE to perfect. Pictures that will never win an award. Pictures that aren't clear and would provide photography teachers with a dozen "don't do this" teachable moments.
But yet at the same time, pictures that preserve a moment and after all...that's the point of pictures. Pictures that I tried to edit and clean up the best I could, and then I handed the over imperfect memories because I hope in twenty years, Johnny can look back at a new video and be reminded of moments he had forgotten, but moments that aren't lost after all.
Sunday, December 20, 2015
The Shafferland Shuffle
* Last Sunday morning we woke up on Mo to this view of Braeya curled up on the ottoman by the tree. So cute! I felt TERRIBLE when I woke up but powered through, got ready, and made it exactly five minutes at church before coming right back home to go to bed. I slept for three hours while Ryan went to a training lunch for small group leaders. I wrote the leader's manual, so they shouted out to him in my absence. I felt much better as the day went on, and we rested the entire day! {At dinner that night, Ryan turned his back on his plate for a minute and Braeya ate his bread and butter so he had to start over!}
* Monday, one of Ryan's patients gave him a "rhinos rule" gift - which I thought was a fabulous idea. His patients are the best! And many bring in treats, making it fun for him to try to be good with his eating. {It would be impossible for me!!} But you know what was possible for me? Visiting with my parents at Wendy's that afternoon and ONLY drinking an unsweetened tea. No burgers. No fries. No nuggets. No Coke. Something of a miracle.
* I spent some time scrapbooking on Tuesday - I'm trying to get caught up so I don't end the year SO behind. I did my nails {part one - added glitter polish later} and that night we got to just sit and REST, which was heavenly. I noticed Braeya has started sleeping in some of our workout poses. {She actually comes in to watch us work out every day. HA!}
* Wednesday morning I had the chance to visit one of my friend's kiddo's Christmas program at school. Always entertaining! Braeya decided that afternoon that she felt QUITE left out of our monogram-under-the-tree setup since she didn't have one, so she dumped her toy pig right into the mix. And look what we watched for fun that night! ELF!!!! Ryan loves that movie. {I like it but he lovvvvvvvvves it.}
* Thursday morning I spent most of the morning working on goals for 2016 - creative, fun, and yet exhausting work. And I'm not done yet! I made a different veggie blend for dinner and decided I hated it. No beans should be the color of about half what you see in this picture. So that's off the list. And then that night, we watched Four Christmases - because we discovered we do not own Christmas Vacation like we thought we did!
* Friday we got the tiniest flurry of snow - hardly enough to photograph, but I tried, since it's probably all we'll see before Christmas anyway! {And I am not complaining about that!} I did a photo shoot for a friend that afternoon and then we had date night on Friday night. It was a wonderful night out that included a stop at Starbucks. Starbucks and sparkly nails! :)
* Yesterday was one HEAVENLY day at home for both of us. We got to sleep in and have breakfast together and then Ryan launched into what turned INTO a full day's project to mount the TV to the wall. Nothing ever goes smoothly in Shafferland when it comes to projects, does it? Braeya and I hung out and had fun while he worked, and we pitched in now and then with some assistance of our own. {And when I say "we" - I do NOT mean Braeya, of course.}
Saturday, December 19, 2015
The Saturday Six
One.
Christmas is a week away!! Can you believe it? You may or may not be ready when it comes to shopping and wrapping and food prep, but the real question is - are you ready for the heart reflection of what Christmas represents? I adored this post by Kathy Howard that outlines specific reasons why Jesus came to earth. {This list pulls from quotes from Jesus Himself declaring why He came.} Hope you find it helpful for your heart as you prepare!
Two.
You know I love all things that make memories, right? :) While this is not a tradition that Ryan and I have {exactly}, I love this idea! Make a "capsule" ornament from each year that captures something you love, whether you are on your own, you're a couple, or a family with kids. It's a fun little project and a great memory to have every year as you decorate your tree! You can make one now before you put all your decorations away and then have it ready to go for next year!
Three.
My friend Erica sent me this adorable video this week. This little girl is PASSIONATE about her story-telling, and while a couple of her facts may not be recorded in Scripture, you can't deny she's got a good foundation and a healthy dose of creativity!
Four.
I don't have kids to write this letter to, but this is the kind of letter Ryan and I would want to write to anyone who might be watching our marriage from a distance. This is how we hope to live.
Five.
You know, from seeing the Shafferland Shuffle each week, that I'm pretty passionate about daily photo taking. I just love documenting everything - even the mundane - for posterity. Found this post about some great reasons to document every day, and a link to a site where you can turn your photos into videos. Pretty fun!
Six.
I love a timeless book. It's actually one of my big hang-ups about a lot of non-fiction published right now. There are so many references to current culture that in ten years, anyone sitting down to read will say "Oh this book is so 2015." I love finding a book that has truth embedded in it so deeply that you have no idea if it was written today or 100 years ago.
And that's why I wanted to read Delighting God by A.W. Tozer. I've read Tozer's work before and his quotes are everywhere, because so much of what he said is concise and quotable - and truth. This book, compiled and edited by James L. Snyder just released, but it's filled with material from sermons Tozer preached throughout his ministry. {He died in 1963, if you're not familiar with him.}
This book is very different from ones I normally read, and it took me about two weeks to read it. It's not hard to read, because Snyder worked to make the language a bit more modern than perhaps Tozer would have used in his early 1900 writing and speaking, but the content is quite deep and to be fully appreciated, it can't be read quickly. I wanted to take my time, immerse myself in the chapters, underline, mentally chew on the words, and then share my thoughts with you.
If you're looking for a fluffy, feel-good inspirational read, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for something to challenge and convict your walk with the Lord, read this. Tozer was burdened for the church at large and how he perceived that it was becoming lukewarm. He believed people were trying to bring God down to their level and make Him more manageable in their minds rather than challenging themselves to pursue deeper levels of holiness.
Here are just a few of the gut-punching {in a good way} quotes I underlined as I read:
* What the Holy Spirit does not reveal to us is not worth knowing.
* If we are going to make any kind of progress, we need to understand what we have really lost.
* It is hard to get people to think, but it is harder still to get them to thirst.
* When the church of Christ inhales the Holy Spirit, she must exhale everything contrary to Him.
There were many more lines I underlined, and many I journaled about as well. This book made me squirm, and I think that's one of its best qualities. Tozer is right. While he lived in a world that was laced with a lot more legalism and a lot less grace than the one we live in today, I think his heart was in the right place {meaning he really did ache to pursue holiness over legalism}. I think many of us, even those of us who like to believe we are doing well, are in danger of being lazy and we need to be shaped up.
That's actually the analogy I thought of when I read it. Ryan and I have been working out intensely lately, and while we both would have told you beforehand that we were in decent shape, we're learning we had muscles that had grown quite lazy. Our workouts have been stretching them and hurting us - but in the long run, accomplishing good. This book is your workout to help you see the areas of life where you've been lazy and spiritually out of shape. Reading it will stretch and maybe even hurt, but at the same time, the thoughts and challenges within will push you toward holiness.
There are some parts of this book that are repetitious {possibly because it was pulled from sermons rather than being crafted by Tozer as a book from start to finish}, and there are parts that feel legalistic when you read them. When I got to those parts, I had to think carefully about Tozer's intent and how he urged people to work out their salvation. If you have a bent toward legalism in your life, you'll want to watch that carefully as you read, because his practices can push you back toward that rather quickly.
Those things aside, I would highly recommend reading the book, slowly, thoughtfully, prayerfully...and asking the Lord to grow and shape you through the words and convictions of Tozer. Especially if you read this at the start of a new year, I believe you'll find yourself thinking in new ways and convicted to pursue the Lord in pure, passionate ways.
* Thanks, Bethany House, for sending a copy of the book my way in exchange for an honest review. *
Two.
Three.
My friend Erica sent me this adorable video this week. This little girl is PASSIONATE about her story-telling, and while a couple of her facts may not be recorded in Scripture, you can't deny she's got a good foundation and a healthy dose of creativity!
Four.
Five.
You know, from seeing the Shafferland Shuffle each week, that I'm pretty passionate about daily photo taking. I just love documenting everything - even the mundane - for posterity. Found this post about some great reasons to document every day, and a link to a site where you can turn your photos into videos. Pretty fun!
Six.
I love a timeless book. It's actually one of my big hang-ups about a lot of non-fiction published right now. There are so many references to current culture that in ten years, anyone sitting down to read will say "Oh this book is so 2015." I love finding a book that has truth embedded in it so deeply that you have no idea if it was written today or 100 years ago.
And that's why I wanted to read Delighting God by A.W. Tozer. I've read Tozer's work before and his quotes are everywhere, because so much of what he said is concise and quotable - and truth. This book, compiled and edited by James L. Snyder just released, but it's filled with material from sermons Tozer preached throughout his ministry. {He died in 1963, if you're not familiar with him.}
This book is very different from ones I normally read, and it took me about two weeks to read it. It's not hard to read, because Snyder worked to make the language a bit more modern than perhaps Tozer would have used in his early 1900 writing and speaking, but the content is quite deep and to be fully appreciated, it can't be read quickly. I wanted to take my time, immerse myself in the chapters, underline, mentally chew on the words, and then share my thoughts with you.
If you're looking for a fluffy, feel-good inspirational read, this is not the book for you. If you're looking for something to challenge and convict your walk with the Lord, read this. Tozer was burdened for the church at large and how he perceived that it was becoming lukewarm. He believed people were trying to bring God down to their level and make Him more manageable in their minds rather than challenging themselves to pursue deeper levels of holiness.
Here are just a few of the gut-punching {in a good way} quotes I underlined as I read:
* What the Holy Spirit does not reveal to us is not worth knowing.
* If we are going to make any kind of progress, we need to understand what we have really lost.
* It is hard to get people to think, but it is harder still to get them to thirst.
* When the church of Christ inhales the Holy Spirit, she must exhale everything contrary to Him.
There were many more lines I underlined, and many I journaled about as well. This book made me squirm, and I think that's one of its best qualities. Tozer is right. While he lived in a world that was laced with a lot more legalism and a lot less grace than the one we live in today, I think his heart was in the right place {meaning he really did ache to pursue holiness over legalism}. I think many of us, even those of us who like to believe we are doing well, are in danger of being lazy and we need to be shaped up.
That's actually the analogy I thought of when I read it. Ryan and I have been working out intensely lately, and while we both would have told you beforehand that we were in decent shape, we're learning we had muscles that had grown quite lazy. Our workouts have been stretching them and hurting us - but in the long run, accomplishing good. This book is your workout to help you see the areas of life where you've been lazy and spiritually out of shape. Reading it will stretch and maybe even hurt, but at the same time, the thoughts and challenges within will push you toward holiness.
There are some parts of this book that are repetitious {possibly because it was pulled from sermons rather than being crafted by Tozer as a book from start to finish}, and there are parts that feel legalistic when you read them. When I got to those parts, I had to think carefully about Tozer's intent and how he urged people to work out their salvation. If you have a bent toward legalism in your life, you'll want to watch that carefully as you read, because his practices can push you back toward that rather quickly.
Those things aside, I would highly recommend reading the book, slowly, thoughtfully, prayerfully...and asking the Lord to grow and shape you through the words and convictions of Tozer. Especially if you read this at the start of a new year, I believe you'll find yourself thinking in new ways and convicted to pursue the Lord in pure, passionate ways.
* Thanks, Bethany House, for sending a copy of the book my way in exchange for an honest review. *
Friday, December 18, 2015
Adorenaments
Oh. My. Word. People.
I've never really wanted this blog to become focused on reviews and giveaways and such, because it's really more of a place to come and hang out, read stories, and hopefully be encouraged. But every now and then, I fall in love with something so much that I have to spend a day telling you about it, because I can't get over how wonderful it is. And today is just such a day.
Have you heard of Family Life? It's Dennis and Barbara Rainey's ministry, and over the years they have done some tremendous things to help strengthen families and marriages - and you know how we love that here in Shafferland!
But I did not know until very recently that Barbara has crafted a line of home decor that is brilliant. Brilliant because it's beautiful and brilliant because it enables you to decorate your home with things that declare your faith. And while Ryan and I are definitely in a season of paring down our stuff, I'm all about filling my home with things that have a purpose beyond just being pretty.
Among the many items in Barbara's collection, you'll find some Christmas ornaments. Now. Let's stop for a moment and remember how insanely over-the-top I tend to be when it comes to Christmas ornaments. Remember how there's usually a themed tree in every room of the house? Yeah. Over the top.
But - true story - I've been convicted in the last couple of years that while we have "the story of us" tree {with ornaments we've collected in our travels}, the "s'more" tree with all my s'more ornaments, the Colts tree with Ryan's Colts ornaments, blue and gold tree with our wedding color ornaments...you get the idea...we've never had a tree that is a Jesus-themed tree.
Uhhhhh that's not good. If we can make room for Colts and s'mores, we definitely need to have a tree for Jesus. I looked at ideas for making a Jesse tree {look it up on Pinterest if you're not familiar}, and I found an idea for hand-making ornaments with the names of Jesus, and I did love that idea. And then I found out about Adorenaments. These are the ornaments I wanted, and I didn't know they existed. I'm not kidding.
Let me give you some quick facts about these ornaments:
* The first set is called His Christmas Names and includes seven bronze metallic ornaments, each containing one Name of Jesus we usually hear around Christmastime. It comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking about each Name and what it means.
* The second set is called His Royal Names and includes seven Names of Jesus associated with His royalty, and etched into a unique silver crown. It also comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking about each Name and its significance.
* The third set is called His Savior Names and includes seven unique historic crosses, each bearing the a Name of Jesus associated with His role as our Savior. It comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking not only about the Names, but also the significance of each cross.
* The newest set is called His Name Among the Nations, and it includes five metal ornaments with the Name of Jesus printed in five languages: Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic and Mandarin.
I was excited about these ornaments just by reading about them, and I had grand visions already forming in my head about a tree for next year that was a Jesus tree. And then I received the Savior Names set in the mail and was 100% blown away by the beauty of these ornaments. They were much bigger {I do love me an ornament with some presence} than I expected and the quality is outstanding. {FYI, the ornaments are almost as big as my hand. They're big. Wonderfully big.} These are not cheap little things that are going to fall apart or break the minute the cat visits the tree. {Not that we've ever experienced such a mishap here in our humble abode.}
These are quality. I tell you that because you know if you clicked on the links that they have a bit of cost to them. But I come to you as the biggest cheapskate on the planet to tell you I would {and will} spend the money out of pocket to buy the other sets because these are stunning. They are timeless and classy {and classic!} and no matter how many thousands of color schemes I go through in my lifetime, these ornaments will always fit in.
They're not trendy or whimsical. They're...well, timeless is the best word for them.
The booklet that came with the set was wonderful. It wasn't academic and lofty. It was very conversational and easy to understand, so if you have kids at home that you want to teach in a new way about the Names and qualities of Jesus, these ornaments with this book would be a great way to go about that.
And here's the other great thing: these ornaments are not confined to Christmas. You could present them in frames or on stands and use them throughout the year in small groups or Sunday School classes...at Easter or anytime, really. I mean there's not a time of year when studying the Name of Jesus is out of style. And if you are in charge of any kind of decorations for your church, PICK THESE. Lovely.
In case you can't tell, I am really excited to know about these ornaments and to stock up on the other sets so next year we can have a whole tree dedicated to the Reason we even celebrate Christmas: Jesus.
BONUS exciting news. I have a set to give away!! Family Life sent me a set for myself {thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you}, and they sent a bonus set for me to give away. It's the same set I have - His Savior Names, and it's all boxed up so lovely, with the book included. I know Christmas is in ONE WEEK, so you're probably set for this year, but it will make a fine start for next year, or for Easter or for every day!
If you want to enter the drawing for the set of Adorenaments, just leave a comment about your favorite Christmas ANYTHING - and I'll put your name in the hat! I'll draw tomorrow night {12/19/15} - so make sure you comment before then! {Just because of postage costs, the drawing is open for US residents only - I'm so sorry!!}
I've never really wanted this blog to become focused on reviews and giveaways and such, because it's really more of a place to come and hang out, read stories, and hopefully be encouraged. But every now and then, I fall in love with something so much that I have to spend a day telling you about it, because I can't get over how wonderful it is. And today is just such a day.
Have you heard of Family Life? It's Dennis and Barbara Rainey's ministry, and over the years they have done some tremendous things to help strengthen families and marriages - and you know how we love that here in Shafferland!
But I did not know until very recently that Barbara has crafted a line of home decor that is brilliant. Brilliant because it's beautiful and brilliant because it enables you to decorate your home with things that declare your faith. And while Ryan and I are definitely in a season of paring down our stuff, I'm all about filling my home with things that have a purpose beyond just being pretty.
Among the many items in Barbara's collection, you'll find some Christmas ornaments. Now. Let's stop for a moment and remember how insanely over-the-top I tend to be when it comes to Christmas ornaments. Remember how there's usually a themed tree in every room of the house? Yeah. Over the top.
But - true story - I've been convicted in the last couple of years that while we have "the story of us" tree {with ornaments we've collected in our travels}, the "s'more" tree with all my s'more ornaments, the Colts tree with Ryan's Colts ornaments, blue and gold tree with our wedding color ornaments...you get the idea...we've never had a tree that is a Jesus-themed tree.
Uhhhhh that's not good. If we can make room for Colts and s'mores, we definitely need to have a tree for Jesus. I looked at ideas for making a Jesse tree {look it up on Pinterest if you're not familiar}, and I found an idea for hand-making ornaments with the names of Jesus, and I did love that idea. And then I found out about Adorenaments. These are the ornaments I wanted, and I didn't know they existed. I'm not kidding.
Let me give you some quick facts about these ornaments:
* The first set is called His Christmas Names and includes seven bronze metallic ornaments, each containing one Name of Jesus we usually hear around Christmastime. It comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking about each Name and what it means.
* The second set is called His Royal Names and includes seven Names of Jesus associated with His royalty, and etched into a unique silver crown. It also comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking about each Name and its significance.
* The third set is called His Savior Names and includes seven unique historic crosses, each bearing the a Name of Jesus associated with His role as our Savior. It comes with a booklet Barbara wrote talking not only about the Names, but also the significance of each cross.
* The newest set is called His Name Among the Nations, and it includes five metal ornaments with the Name of Jesus printed in five languages: Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic and Mandarin.
I was excited about these ornaments just by reading about them, and I had grand visions already forming in my head about a tree for next year that was a Jesus tree. And then I received the Savior Names set in the mail and was 100% blown away by the beauty of these ornaments. They were much bigger {I do love me an ornament with some presence} than I expected and the quality is outstanding. {FYI, the ornaments are almost as big as my hand. They're big. Wonderfully big.} These are not cheap little things that are going to fall apart or break the minute the cat visits the tree. {Not that we've ever experienced such a mishap here in our humble abode.}
BONUS exciting news. I have a set to give away!! Family Life sent me a set for myself {thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you}, and they sent a bonus set for me to give away. It's the same set I have - His Savior Names, and it's all boxed up so lovely, with the book included. I know Christmas is in ONE WEEK, so you're probably set for this year, but it will make a fine start for next year, or for Easter or for every day!
If you want to enter the drawing for the set of Adorenaments, just leave a comment about your favorite Christmas ANYTHING - and I'll put your name in the hat! I'll draw tomorrow night {12/19/15} - so make sure you comment before then! {Just because of postage costs, the drawing is open for US residents only - I'm so sorry!!}
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