Variety Show...Shaffer Style

Every year, Gateway Woods has a variety show...just for fun...for tenants and staff. A few weeks ago, Rob told us we could be part of it if we wanted, and he hoped we would. So we set out to find a routine, and Ryan found an idea that we ended up running with.

Now before I go on, let me tell you a weird Bekah-quirk. I would rather talk to a crowd of 200 people for 45 minutes straight than get up in front of 100 people for three minutes and do something goofy. And yet that is exactly what I had to do! 

We put together a mash-up of songs (none of which are sung by David Phelps), ordered fatheads with the faces of some of the Gateway employees, and did a routine. 

The song Cotton Eyed Joe  may be stuck in my head for the rest of my life. And I finally learned how to form a C in the correct direction during the YMCA. 

We practiced multiple times in our (suddenly tiny) community room in preparation for the big night.

And last night was the night. We drove to Sweetwater (which you'll have heard of if you're from the area) and had our competition on one of the stages there.

Ironically, I sent the following photo to my family prior to the show and said, "If you never hear from me again, this is my cause of death."

I couldn't even eat dinner before we went, y'all. That is pretty serious.

Mercifully, we were the fifth act of the night, so I didn't have too long to be crazy worried. When it was our turn, we came out from backstage and though we couldn't see a single thing that was happening in terms of audience reaction, the laughing and applause told us they must be enjoying it! We came out slowly, introducing a new Gateway person one or two at a time.

Sean and one of our tenants went first, representing one of the teachers and the director of education.

 Then Sarah and I came in. Sarah was one of the assistant houseparents, and I was representing my dear friend Cordin, unsure if I would still HAVE a friend named Cordin when the act was over. 

Then Tim (remember him?) joined us to bed Ed, the director of all of Gateway. (He was in the audience, by the way...with his wife.) 

Then Ryan bounded in as Rob...

...and our last tenant came in as Travon, one of our other coworkers. Ironically we found out the day of the competition that Travon was also a judge. Whoopsie.

Somewhere in the middle, I started feeling incredibly lightheaded and remembered it had been a while since took a breath. Trying to remember all the moves and NOT destroy any of the VERY expensive equipment behind me took all the concentration. Who has time to breathe?

We ended the routine, and I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief...until I got backstage and saw Ryan's face. I asked what was wrong, and he said, "I rolled my ankle."

Apparently, in the middle of stinkin' old Cotton Eyed Joe, he and Sean were jumping all over the stage and Ryan's shoe caught...wasn't tied tight enough, and his ankle rolled. He fell and everything, but I missed it all because, well, you see the size of the head in front of mine.

He finished the routine without hesitating and spent the rest of the show walking outside the room, trying to keep his foot limber. 

By the time we left, he was in way more pain than he would admit out loud, and we headed to the store to buy compression bandages, ankle supports, and a bag of ice. 

Sometime in between entering and exiting Wal-Mart, he stopped being able to walk on it. We tried to go through a drive-thru to get me some dinner, since I had been too nervous to eat before the show. You guys, there was literally a BUS in the McDonald's drive thru. Windows were down and teenagers heads were hanging out, reading the menu. We just went around and on to another McDonald's.

We arrived back at WillowBridge and he had to hop on one foot all the way inside. His poor foot was HUGE when he took his shoe and sock off. And it was already turning black and blue. (I have pictures, but feet pictures freak people out, so I won't post it.) I carried in all the things and tried to get him settled with ice and pillows.

(Yes, we got him more pillows so his leg is supported. This was just the first picture.)

We blew through the first bag of ice fairly immediately (ice baths) so at 11:30, I headed out to the store to buy more. I got inside, found the ten pound bag of ice, checked out, and was headed out the door when the greeter stopped me.

She was so kind and personable, but as I stood there holding this massive FREEZING bag, she said, "So our store manager is leaving to open a store somewhere else. Check out what I'm getting him for a gift!" She proceeded to pull up her Amazon account and read me every word on the mug and explain to me why she chose the wording. 

I kept shifting the bag (which was starting to become slippery) and finally I was able to dash back to the car and home to Ryan.

So the bad news? We didn't win the trophy for best house act. And you know - Ryan either has the worst sprain of his life or has broken his ankle. We aren't sure which yet. And the cat threw up twice while I was at the store. 

The good news? We did win best costume! And Cordin is still speaking to me. (In fact, she wanted to take home her fat head to scare her husband. It worked!) And we're off the next two days. If you need us, you can find us hanging out on the couch, bathing in ice. Okay just Ryan will be doing that part. 

Next year, I vote we do a nice, safe staring contest or something. 

What's Up Thursday!

Guess who is fashionably late (but just by a day!) for What's Up Wednesday? ME!!!!! Ready to have some day-late fun?

1. What we're eating this week.

I'm kind of on a cooking game this week!! So far, we've had a chicken fajita bowl and roasted brussels sprouts, honey garlic shrimp, baked lemon chicken with roasted asparagus, and a layered nacho bake. Up next? Skillet Sausage/Peppers/Rice and some sort of breakfast for dinner!

2. What I'm reminiscing about.

My blog post yesterday has me reminiscing about our wedding. Oh, how I loved that beautiful day! I have loved the almost 9 years of days that have followed, too, but I sure did love that gorgeous wedding day. I am so grateful God wrote every detail just like He did!

3. What I'm loving.

The Olympics! I am generally not a lover of watching sports, but I love the human interest stories of the Olympics. Did anyone else cry when the swimmer from Alaska won gold and her friends got some pole-vault-level height jumping around the gym? I loved it. We are watching as much of it as we're able to see around work! 

4. What we've been up to.

Whew! So much! WillowBridge got brand new siding last week, so Ryan has been cleaning up tons of debris from our landscaping. We've also been prepping to participate in the Gateway Woods variety show, which takes place TONIGHT. You guys, I am about to lose my mind with nerves. Getting up and talking in front of a conference is NOTHING compared to getting up and being goofy in front of teenagers. 

5. What I'm dreading.

Ha! See above?? :) But for real, I'm glad we're not last in the lineup so I can enjoy the show AFTER we are done.

6. What I'm working on.

We are trying to figure out the places we still want to visit before the summer and camping season are over. (And I am also working on NOT thinking about the onset of fall because I'm not ready yet.) We're also working on a potential work-related trip for a few months down the road. I haven't taken a work trip since I was at the station!

7. What I'm excited about.

This Saturday! Ryan is taking me on a surprise date that has been a year and a half in the making. It was supposed to be my birthday gift LAST year - and then we were locked down. And every attempt to reschedule that he made after that kept getting postponed. So this weekend is our weekend! I have no idea where we're going, but I sure am excited about it!

8. What I'm watching/reading.

As I mentioned above, we're watching the Olympics, but we've also been watching The Chosen! We are really late to that party, but we are trying it and enjoying it. Any of you watching it?

9. What I'm listening to.

Been listening to a lot of piano music while I finish my steps each day. I adore a good piano anthem!

10. What I'm wearing.

Dresses on rotation. It is HOT, you guys!! HOT!!!!! I don't have any photos, but I'm appearing in them on the regular!!

11. What I'm doing this weekend.

Well, as I mentioned, I'm going on a surprise date, so I don't know what it entails, but I'm excited! Also this weekend, we plan to grocery shop and get a little rest, and then starting on Sunday, were back to work! 

12. What I'm looking forward to next month.

I'm excited for our next getaway in Abby - to a place we've not been to before. And I'm excited to plan one more stay in Miss Abby in the month of August. I'm also hoping it works out to see my friend Abagail that I used to work with at the church!  I miss her! (Picture taken last year on our last day of working together.)

13. What else is new.

Well. Hair color. :) That's been a welcome change this month! 

Circling Back to Dreams

 Last night I was hunting for something in a journal I used to write in periodically. It was my dreaming journal, and I was looking for something specific in it. Not surprisingly, I got sidetracked and didn't ever find what I originally looked for. But I did find something that sparked my soul, so I'll share it with you today. Maybe it will give you some hope for your own dreams!

Whenever I look at old journals, one of my favorite things to do is look at this same day in an earlier year to see what was happening in my heart. Well, I didn't happen to write in this particular journal on July 27, 2000, but I did write in it on July 22, 2000. 

And on that day, my name twin got married.

Didn't know I had a name twin, did you? 

I did! 

I met her my first week of college. It started when I went to the table in the student center commons to pick up my student ID card. It wasn't there. They asked if I'd had my picture taken for it, and I assured them that (being the consummate rule follower that I am...) I had checked off every single box on my new student orientation list, including having my photo taken for an ID. 

Turns out they gave my card to the wrong person.

Namely...(see what I did there?)...another freshman named Rebecca Freeman.

Indeed. In that great sea of students on campus, there were two freshmen with almost matching names: Rebekah Freelan and Rebecca Freeman. More than once, throughout our four years of school, we got each other's mail and phone calls. We actually became friends because of our easy-to-mix-up names. 

We didn't look a thing alike, mind you. She was petite and adorable with blonde hair and a beautiful voice. She had grown up on the mission field and was new to the States. Ironically, we chose to attend the same church, and I often gave her a ride, since she didn't own a car. 

And in 2000, she married this tall and handsome man who was her perfect match in every way. They were absolutely one of those couples that made total sense to everyone. They both had a deep desire to serve the Lord in full time ministry and were devoted to Him and each other. 

And on their wedding day, I sat in the cloud of witnesses, watching my friend marry her love in this beautifully God-ordained ceremony. 

In my dreaming journal, I wrote, "Theirs is a love based first in You, God." And while I had been boy-crazy and praying for a husband for about fifteen years at that point, there was something about that wedding that created new dreams in my heart and a renewed passion to pray for this very kind of love.

I wrote in my journal that day that I cried at the wedding - out of happiness for my friend and brokenness for myself, because I had no idea how much longer I would have to wait to receive an answer to this prayer.

Reading those words last night reminded me how deep that burden sank for me. It was a difficult thing for me to carry because I longed so deeply. Maybe you've longed deeply for something and know how it can consume you at times.

But the words at the end of my entry brought such joy to my heart as I thought about God's answers, which I now know!

I wrote, "God, I dream of such a love. I dream of walking down the aisle on my wedding day, watching the love of my life smiling at me. I dream of hearing love in his voice, feeling love on his hands and knowing that Your design of true love is the only way."

And then I thought of these moments:

Walking down the aisle that day...twelve and a half years after my dream, and seeing that very smile on his face. (No one got pictures of him as I walked down the aisle, so I've chosen another photo below...)

The moment he turned around at the first look. THIS.

And indeed I did hear love in his voice...in the song he had recorded to sing me down the aisle and in every word of his vows.

And I felt love on his hands as he placed the ring on my finger and held my hand all the way through our ceremony:

Those dreams came true...every one of them and more. I mean, who knew I would get this gorgeous cathedral for a wedding venue??

Dream, my friends. Be honest about your hurts and disappointment, but dream with God. He can do so much more than you can EVER ask or imagine. 

He did for my name twin.

He did for me.

He will for you! 

First Day of School

I'm seeing the posts already. It seems a fair number of my friends are the mothers of littles about to enter kindergarten, and if you can trust what you read on social media, they are not okay. Not a single one of them. I see a lot of crying emojis - and I imagine I will see many more of them. 

My favorite post was the one yesterday where the mom was timing her daughter as she ate her lunch to make sure she knew how to eat a whole meal in the time frame allotted in schools. (I've actually seen this recommended on Pinterest, so I thought it was impressive that she actually did it.) 

But it all made me think back to when I was about to head into kindergarten. I have very little memory of this time. I don't remember being nervous, worried, OR excited, actually. I guess I never asked my mom if she was excited for the break from me or worried to send me off.

It was different back then...a thousand years ago...because we didn't have full day kindergarten. Just half a day, and I was blessed to be placed in the afternoon slot, so I still got to sleep in every morning. (Yes, I was not a morning person even back then.) 

Some fun facts:

* I rode the bus that year, and our bus driver redesigned his route so I didn't have to be the first one on and the last one off every day. He felt that was too much for a five year old. 

* I hated riding the bus and only did it two years. When I became a second grader, my mom started working at school and I just rode with her.

* According to my mom, when I came home from my first day of kindergarten, I told her the teacher taught us everything but the kitchen sink. Trust me: I'm not nearly as brilliant as that statement would lead anyone to believe.

* Ironically, Ryan told me his comment to HIS mom on his first day was "I didn't learn anything today, but I'll see how tomorrow goes." 

Opposites attract, right?

(This picture is not from the first day of school, but it is a nod to kindergarten Bekah.)

Somehow, when first grade rolled around, I managed to learn to get up early and attend school for a full day. And though I never went through timed trials prior to school, I did have time to eat lunch each day. But then again, I rarely have been known to do anything BUT inhale my food.

Here are some things I always loved about the start of school.

* A new outfit! Mom always took me shopping for something new and special to wear on the first day.

* School supplies! I still adore them and squeal with joy when I see them appear in the stores. 

* New lunch box. I didn't carry my lunch all the time, but I did more often in my younger years. I always got a new (metal!) lunchbox with a matching thermos, and I loved them!

* After school trip to the Comet Cone. The Comet Cone was a little ice cream/hamburger place in our town, and we would stop there now and then for ice cream or a Coke after school. The first and last days were always guarantees for that.

* Trapper Keepers showed up on the scene in my third grade year, I think. I hear they're back. That's good. I did love mine.

How about you...did you have any favorite back-to-school traditions??

I'm going to continue enjoying the back-to-school posts from all my friends. Braeya should be in high school right about now, but she hasn't passed preschool yet, so it's not lookin' good. ;) 

Zoo Fun!

One thing you might not know about Fort Wayne if you don't live around here: we have a really nice zoo!! 

My first trip there was a few years ago now:

They still have the petting zoo AND the train, but both of them have been updated a bit! :) 

Ryan had actually never been to this zoo before! After pictures you saw above, I don't think I went back until I worked at the station, and I worked two different events back then! I found a picture of one:

Anyway! Back to last week. 

We had a day off work and a gorgeous day to go. And per social media, it seems like all our friends went to the zoo last week - but most did not go the day we went. Ha! I did run into two people I knew - so hi there, Debbie and Sarah!

We did go with some friends, but I didn't ask about posting pictures, so I'll just pick and choose from the remaining options. We did see some super fun animals, though Ryan is brokenhearted that this zoo no longer has a Honeybadger. It's his favorite animal. (We found a stuffed one in the gift shop, so we did get a photo opp! Whooo!

I literally lost my mind with joy when I saw the penguins. Apparently I love them as much as deer?

We rode the sky lift, which was a HUGE deal for me. I don't leave the ground without full surrounds. Ryan didn't realize until later how much prayer that event took! I took a couple of pictures in the air. I literally just pointed and clicked. I couldn't bear to look. I'm surprised we got anything!

My feet were straight out in front of me on this one because I hadn't relaxed enough to put them down like a normal person. #facepalm.

Hatching, I guess...

The best zoo date!

Picture from the log ride...

We were trying to fit in between the letters and then realized it looked like we didn't like each other. NOT TRUE!!!!!

It was such a fun day. Loved it!!!