Thanks for the Memories, Phoebe!

First up today...a giant HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Dad! I saw a picture of him with a giant ice cream cake yesterday, so I have a feeling this is going to be a very good day! :) I'm sorry I'm not there to help with that. 

Speaking of yesterday...Phoebe went home yesterday. There is great sadness in our building. Our tenants loved her so much, and they are beside themselves that she has gone back home.

We had a lot of people ask us why in the world we had her for so long! Phoebe's mom had to be gone for a period of time to be with family, and her dad knew Phoebe would not be able to handle being alone for so many hours each day while he worked. They came to us a while ago and asked if it would be possible for us to help them by watching her. We weren't sure how that would look in this job, but we really wanted to help, so we said yes. 

For the most part, it was easier to watch her than I imagined it might be. Working out of home definitely helped with that. We did have to find sitters for her a couple of times, but between Sean and Sarah and then our friends Wayne and Shari, we were able to make it work! 

Phoebe loved it here in Grabill. She learned the town pretty quickly knew the walking paths we take. She was fascinated by Graber the Groundhog, who lives in our backyard, and she nearly took our arms off a couple of times trying to get to him. Graber learned he can move faster than he thought with a dog barreling down - dragging a person behind! (Remember Marmaduke? I felt for his people after a couple of Phoebe's chases!) 

She loved being part of team meetings and office work. She became quite a comfort to our tenants, who all asked if they could just keep her forever. And she learned that if she barked at Rob, he'd just bark back. She gave up on that fairly quickly. 

Here are some of our favorite moments with Miss Pheebs. It was a joy to have her stay, but we know she's probably super happy to be back home and reunited with all her people!

Sunday Sentiments

 

I had a whole different post written and decided it wasn't right, so I'm scrapping it and starting over. 

Today I just want to say how thankful I am for Ryan and the work he does here at WillowBridge. We've been here for fifteen months now. (I first wrote fifteen years. Ha! Not quite.) I thought we had figured out our rhythm of work right around the year mark, and in many ways, we actually did.

But as the atmosphere of our building changes with staff and tenant changes, so do the needs of our job. And in the last few weeks, we've been changing up the way we do our daily work. We've been trying to figure out how each of us can do the pieces and parts that fit our own individual giftings the best, and it's been refreshing!

Ryan has pitched in to help out with extra things both in the work realm and our home so that I can spend extra time developing some new processes for WillowBridge. I've spent hours behind the computer writing new procedures and timeline ideas. I've been trying to write new pieces of documentation so that if anything ever happened to us and someone had to step in to do our jobs, they'd know how to do it. 

In order for me to have the time I need to think through the ideas and get them on paper, Ryan has willingly picked up extra tasks that I would have done. It has meant so much to me. So much.

Yesterday I saw a note I wrote him after we first came here, and I'd scribbled Life living AND working with you is THE BEST. I still think that. The work can be challenging and the hours can be long, but my favorite thing of all is still getting to do every single day alongside him. From morning to night we are a team - at home and at work - and it's the biggest blessing.

This week we've been a team in watching a toddler, a dog, a cat, a building of tenants, a whole lot of orientation, and a whole lot of looking for volunteers. We've juggled transportation, potty walks, changing diapers, litter boxes, taking notes, and so much more.

I know working with a spouse isn't everyone's dream, and that's okay! But I do hope that whatever teams you're part of in your daily life are a blessing to you. I hope the people who help you juggle your days and your tasks bring you joy. Let's ALL remember to say thanks to those who make our days easier. 

Thanks, Ryan, for being that teammate for me. Thanks for taking on extra tasks to make it possible for me to take on extra tasks. You are amazing at what you do. Our tenants are fortunate to have you - and I am, too!

The Saturday Six

 

One.

To start out this week, I wanted to share this post that my good friend Jamie Bennett wrote on her blog a few days ago. If you're working through feelings of disappointment and the grief that comes with it, take a look at her words!

Two.

My friend Odie sent me the link to this post this week, and it was so thought-provoking for me! Take a few minutes to read, and give some thought to how you might be able to help in ministries around you!

Three.

I made this taco chili from Dashing Dish this week, and it was SO GOOD and so filling! Ryan liked it too, which makes it an extra win! 

Four.

THIS website has been my favorite internet discovery this week. An entire site devoted to A-Frame houses for sale. (Insert dreamy sigh here.)

Five.

Two of my favorite things in a new song release this week: a Gaither song, anthem style. Nice job on "Just Sing," Collingsworth Family!

Six.

I was reading this article this week about a house for sale that is built partially underground. These houses always remind me of Little House on the Prairie and the stories of the sod house. I love natural light so much and am not sure I'd love an underground house because of the lack of windows. But living in what is essentially a full time storm shelter? Tempting! What about you? Could you live underground?

10 on the 8th

I've seen some of Natasha's "10 on the 10th" posts - and of course you know I NEVER post on the correct day. But this month the 10th falls on Sunday and I'll be all sentimental that day, so I'm doing "10 on the 8th." 

Here's the link where I got the just-for-fun questions listed below! This month's theme is about dressing up, so all the questions have to do with that.

1. When do you most often dress up?

I feel like I haven't really dressed up regularly for about ten years - since I worked at IWU! One of my favorite things about working at WBCL was that I could wear jeans almost every day if I wanted to. And then I worked at home for several years, so I really dressed down! We do have a dress code here at WillowBridge, but it's fairly casual as long as we are staying within the building and not meeting with anyone other than our tenants. So anymore, I pretty much only dress up if I'm speaking or representing WillowBridge at an event. I did buy a new dress for the Gateway Woods auction this summer, because I didn't have anything that was appropriate for the day, and that dress is like wearing jammies. I do love it.

2. What does a dress up outfit look like? What makes you feel fancy and dressed up?

I am really not a fashion trend-setter, so definitely don't take advice from me on this one! But to me, a dress-up outfit is an actual dress. And while I personally love dresses that do feel like jammies, I look better in ones that are completely uncomfortable. (Belts and defined cuts and such.) I feel fancy and dressed up when I have on heels, full jewelry, and makeup - including lipstick. I almost NEVER wear lipstick anymore, so I almost NEVER feel fancy and dressed up. The above photo was taken five years ago when Ryan and I attended a benefit dinner, and it is one of the last times I felt truly fancy and dressed up. 

3. Share a time when you felt especially dressed up and pretty.

Whoopsie! Just did that! :) I think I loved that night so much because I also really loved my hair color in that season! Highlights just the way I wanted them, a borrowed dress that was way fancier than anything I owned...oh yes! But let me pick another favorite for you here. This was from our last cruise (for Ryan's 40th birthday) and we actually had this picture made into a canvas for our home. It is one of my favorite pictures of us. 

4. What does getting dressed for the day mean to you?

This is funny to me, because it actually means getting dressed FOR THE DAY. I absolutely LOATHE changing my clothes. I hate everything about it. So if I have a meeting at 4 in the afternoon that I have to be in a dress for, I will wear a dress the entire day. Likewise, I rarely change my clothes after church on Sundays (unless I go the extra mile in being dressy). Whatever I put on in the morning is IT for the day. So in this season of my life, I get up, think about what is happening that day, and choose my clothes accordingly. If we're just hanging around WillowBridge all day, I typically wear a nice shirt and pair of jeans. (I do wear more dresses or skirts in the summer because we can't wear shorts when we're on duty, and my broken thermostat can't handle full jeans in Indiana summers.) 

5. Do you wear makeup every day? If so, what cosmetics do you wear? Do you do anything different for special or dress up occasions?

I do wear at least SOME makeup every day. I always wear concealer and foundation, because...43. I also always wear eyeliner and mascara because I look sick without them. (Anytime I skip them, I always get questions about whether or not I feel okay.) If we're off duty and not going anywhere, or if I'm having an I-don't-care day, I skip the full eyeshadow routine and the blush. And I almost never wear lipstick or lip gloss anymore, because (1) I want Ryan to kiss me and (2) I hate wiping it off the coffee cups. 

I have been trying to go cleaner with my makeup and have switched my skin care and about half my makeup to Mineral Fusion. I love it and am looking forward to switching the rest of the way over. 

When Ryan and I go out or we have work meetings or church or any other special occasion, I do try to spend a little extra time on looking cute! 

6. What is your skin care regimen? What issues do you address with your routine and choice of products?

I'm pretty simple! I use Mineral Fusion's cleanser, moisturizer, and eye makeup remover, and that's it! I don't do a ton of scrubs and serums and everything else. When I would I possibly have time? My main goal is to try to keep my skin healthy and as young-looking as possible without being ridiculous in spending. 

7. Do you wear heels? A slip? Foundation garments like Spanx or, heaven forbid, a girdle?

Alrightie! From the top! Heels? Rarely. I ADORE how they look and HATE how they feel. I actually only own one actual pair of heels. I have a couple of kitten heel shoes, but only one real high heel (and "high" is relative). Ryan and I are also near the same height, so I don't like to wear anything too tall. With heels though...how can something make me feel so pretty and so miserable all at once? 

Slip? I own one. I try not to buy skirts that require it. I try to buy clothes that are thick enough to not need a slip - or that come lined. I hate messing with slips. Grew up wearing them and HATE THEM.

Foundation garments? Nah. I own every bit of the muffin top. I did try to borrow Spanx once (like a decade ago) for an event, and you guys, it was the funniest thing You know when you put those things on, all that fluff has to go SOMEWHERE!!! It doesn't evaporate! So I ended up looking like the most disproportionate and deformed person with fluff poking out in random places around the Spanx. It was so ridiculous and hilarious that I almost couldn't get out of them for all the laughing. So I just go as I am.

8. For dress up occasions, do you prefer costume jewelry or better jewelry? What is your go-to piece of jewelry? Describe any vintage or heirloom pieces you have.

I am a costume jewelry girl all the way. Outside of my wedding ring, I am not a girl who needs or wants all the gold and diamonds and fancy, expensive pieces. I fear I would just lose them and panic about it! But I do love a big chunky pieces of jewelry for sure! 

I rarely wear it around work, but when I am on my own time, I love huge necklaces and pretty much ONLY wear earrings that are huge and dangly. (I do wear earrings every day.)

I also have a very small, inexpensive, but meaningful necklace that I do wear every day at work. It has three tiny clay pendants on it: one has an R, one has a B and one has a heart. I got it from MudLove a few years ago and it just makes me happy. It represents my love with Ryan, and if I can't/choose not to wear big statement pieces, I won't go without my necklace! (You can see it in the picture above.)

9. Do you have pierced ears? If so, what age were your ears pierced?

I do have double pierced ears. The story of my piercings are legendary, and if you've not read it before, you can catch it here. I was 22ish when I got my first hole(s) in my ears, and I got my second set of holes in the summer of 2012. That's it for me. I'm traumatized enough by those! 

10. Did you dress up for Halloween as a child? As an adult? Describe a favorite costume you or your children wore for Halloween. Will you be giving out candy this year?

I did dress up for Halloween as a child! Our church had a party called Friendly Beggars. Kids would come to the church dressed up in their Halloween costumes, and we would all divide up in small groups. Church people would volunteer to drive a group of kids around to the homes of other people in the church, and we would trick-or-treat there. Each home agreed to provide candy for every child in that car and a check for missions. After trick-or-treating, everyone would meet back at the church to turn in our mission donation money and have a little party with treats and such. It was really fun! 

My mom was super creative with my costumes and I think her most challenging year was also her best idea. I'd broken my leg and was in a cast. So she wrapped up my arm in an Ace bandage and put it in a sling, gave me a crutch for my broken leg (I was off crutches by that point and just walking on the cast), and gave me a few extra lipstick wounds. I carried a sign that said, "You should see the other guy." 

(In reality the "other guy" was a bike that didn't even get a scratch.) 

We don't really live in a place that makes it conducive to handing out candy...so nope! Not this year! 

Hey that was fun! Thanks for reading along! :) 

It's a Full House!

We've had quite the full week here in Shafferland! 

There's work, of course. I don't need to explain the busyness of that to you. 

And then there was the engagementversary.

And Phoebe.

So we thought to ourselves...why not add one more to the mix?

And so we moved in a toddler for a couple of days. I mentioned it in passing when I told you about our engagementversary, because that's when she arrived. 

Her mom and dad, who were our coworkers when we first came to WillowBridge, were headed to the hospital to welcome Baby #2, and we were the stopping point until an aunt could come and pick her up! Though she's spent tons of time with us in all the many months we worked with her parents, this was the first time she'd ever stayed with us overnight, and she was a champ! 

They brought her over right before bedtime and promised us she was good and worn out from playing hard all day. They were right, because she slept twelve glorious hours!

The full day she was with us was actually not a work day for us, and that was probably good, because in the months she's been away from us, she's grown into quite the active toddler. We stayed hopping all day long to keep her and Phoebe occupied!

A few morning snuggles...

Ryan made us pancakes for breakfast!!

She was trying to teach Phoebe the finer points of the toy...

And then it was time to eat!

Annnnnd back to playing.

This is a funny one. She got to the toilet paper before I could catch her, so we had a few lost squares. I sent this picture to her mom (who was in labor) and said, "She found the TP." I did not know that her dad had the phone at that time and apparently he busted out laughing at the picture, which his wife thought was directed at her contraction. Whoopsie!! I told him I was sorry I got him in labor-trouble. 

We went for a walk...

(She thought she was pretty big stuff helping to walk the dog! We hung onto the leash with her except for this picture.)

She napped well, had lunch, and then we did more playing!

We ended up taking a second walk later in the day and she was in bed by 7 p.m. Slept THIRTEEN HOURS!!!! I was so impressed!

Her aunt picked her up yesterday morning, but we did get to play a bit as the work day began. (And she attended our team meeting, which reminded us so much of the days of yore!)

Also...can we pause to appreciate that I achieved crooked pigtails? My first time ever! 

So that's how we made it through almost two days with a cat, dog, AND toddler, and everyone thrived! 

Appreciating Creation

My new Bible study finally arrived (woo hoo!!) and I have been camped out in Genesis 1 ever since. I always enjoy studying passages I know so well, because I know no matter how often I read them, I can find new treasures hidden within. Anytime I delve into a new study, I'm always asking God to help me see familiar words with fresh vision. He always does, and this time is no exception.

This time, as I read slowly through each day of Creation, I paused to consider my own encounters with nature that absolutely blew my mind.

(Side note: this is one of the reasons I'd love to take a year and travel around the United States. There are so many wonders I haven't seen with my own eyes that I'd love to witness in person. The Grand Canyon. All the majestic mountains of the west. Endless sand dunes. Deserts. The Redwoods. The Pacific Ocean...and so much more.)

But as I studied, I thought back to 2012 (right before Ryan and I started dating, actually!) when I went on a road trip to the Biltmore. I went to meet Lynnette for her birthday, but I drove there and back alone, and it was my first time ever to wind through the Smoky Mountains and see all those endless acres of trees! 

That trip was so pivotal for me anyway. It was a giant act of bravery for me to take off all by myself, in a rented car, and travel across miles I'd never seen before, trusting my GPS to get me where I needed to go! But bravery aside, I will never ever forget the moment this cornfields-for-life girl saw that grand change of scenery!! It was all brand new for me, and it conjured up such praise and worship in my soul...that God would think to create something as magnificent as this!!

A few years later, in 2017, Ryan and I drove back through these same mountains in December, on our way home from our Friendtastic Fifth Anniversary Trip, and this time the trees were buried beneath the most picturesque snow. That same worship-saturated feeling fell over me again as we wound our way between mountains of snow-covered trees!

My birthday in 2010 was the first time I ever saw the ocean in person. I was struggling so deeply in my soul during that season, and Lynnette invited me to spend my birthday with her (and Mark!) in Virginia Beach. I was terrible company, but I went anyway, and they were so kind to put up with my struggling self. The morning of my birthday, Lynnette drove me to the beach and I got my first ever glimpse of the ocean (yes, at age 32). 

I will never forget that moment either. I stood with my toes buried in the sand and water rushing over my ankles. I could see water at every turn, and the lyrics to this hymn played over and over in my mind:

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made

Were every stalk on earth a quill

And every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry

Nor could the scroll contain the whole

Though stretched from sky to sky

Oh love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure - 

The saints' and angels' song.

I'm a lake girl, for sure, but the magnificence of the ocean is something I hope I always remember.

And of course, you know my adoration for sunsets, and even though these are much more common for me, they remind me of God's creative beauty on display, day after day...everywhere. What a perfect gift it was for me to be married at sunset! The evening was the first day...of our life together.

And even though there is so much more of the country I'd love to explore, I am so grateful for the many beautiful pieces of creation I have been able to see with my own eyes and the worship that has taken place as I behold the wonder and beauty!

I am a grateful girl. I am grateful for what God has made, and grateful for how much of it I've seen in person. I continue to pray for Him to teach me to appreciate all He has done and to never lose the wonder of it all. And I will continue to pray for the chance to see even more of the awe-inspiring beauty He has made!