So today has been the first day in what seems like a long time to go at a relaxed pace - no schedule commitment, no guests to host, just doing things at a pace that I want to work at. So I slept in a bit, washed some dishes, made some scones for breakfast, hung out with the girls as they each got up, mixed up some bread, listened to music, talked more with the girls, played a little volleyball. I'm looking forward to a bike ride, picking things in the garden, watching Em's scrimmage. Maybe I'll work at the tomatoes that are covering the table from the last two days, maybe it'll wait until tomorrow. Anya is with a friend, Kate and Em are outside reading/writing and Monika is at Sauder Village. So now it's just me with the silence and the smell of freshly baked whole wheat flax bread.
What a gift to just enjoy the silence. I remember longing for the silence of the mornings when milking cows when I was working full-time. This past winter I fought that silence, longing for something meaningful to engage in. This summer I have fully enjoyed the gift to be home with the girls but I realize that I was gone a lot these past six weeks, I have offered to help with a variety of projects on top of keeping up (well not really, but attempting to) with the garden. I recognize that when the busy times come it's so easy to lose focus and not be aware of God's presence. So I'm trying to take some deep breaths and listen again, to be attentive to God's voice and remind myself that I do not walk this journey alone.
"When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Isreal, will never forsake them. I will open up rivers for them on high plateaus, I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. In the deserts they will find pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the dry, parched ground. I will plant trees--cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine--on barren land. Everyone will see this miracle and understand that it is the Lord, the Holy One of Isreal, who did it." Isaiah 41:17-20
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
20 YEARS
So Jeff and I celebrated our 20th anniversary this past week. Months back we toyed with the idea to do something far away like St. John's Island or something like that, but to be honest for the past six months trying to get myself to think ahead and plan seemed impossible. We would often talk about what we would want to do together on Monday's during Jeff's day off but as it got closer the more we settled on going to Traverse City in Michigan. This was a town we had hoped to get to on our bike trip in Michigan three years ago, but chose an alternate route due to weather. We decided to book a hotel room for the first night and then just wing it from there.
So this was the week to celebrate. We left on Wednesday morning right on time, heading north. We enjoyed some good conversation, a little shopping and lunch on the way. We found Traverse City to be a neat area with lots of shopping, cafes, beachfront - all very touristy though. In the evening we decided to take a drive up the Old Mission Penisula to see the sunset from that side. We drove past lots of big homes on the Bay and a lot of orchards. The next morning we both sat out by the water doing some reading and enjoying the calm of the morning. From here we had no set direction. I had really wanted to see some of the Lelanau Penisula and I knew that there was a bike trail heading north, so my dear husband so graciously parked and got the bikes ready for the ride. It was a nice trail to ride on but eventually it wasn't paved and we decided to not keep going so we turned back around and finished the tour in the vehicle. Again, we enjoyed a little cafe in Suttons Bay and some good views of the Bay on the east side and then Lake Michigan on the west side. We had decided to not return to Traverse City that night and to find something on the coast to again see a good sunset. We took a little break in the afternoon to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes, doing some hiking and sightseeing. By 5:00 we arrived at Frankfort and decided to stay the night there. This was our favorite location. A small town, a walk to everything - shops, food, beach. We got some pizza and ate it along the harbor with the boats and swans to watch. We headed then towards the beach area and walked out a pier to the lighthouse and then found our way to another less traveled pier to watch the sunset.
The next morning I went out exploring on my own while Jeff did some reading. I rode bike to the next town, Elberta, and then found a great bike trail that was at points along a river. That was a highlight for me, discovering a new area, a great morning ride and some quiet and beautiful sights. We found this area to be so refreshing. We had a recommendation to visit a few places that turned out to be our favorites - Trick Dog cafe, drinking an Italian soda, iced green tea and an apricot scone; Gwen Frostic studio - a place that was so inspiring seeing her artwork of nature, the layout of the building-embracing the natural setting it was in and enjoying reading a bit about her life and some of her books; then took a canoe ride on the river for a couple of hours - listening to the birds and enjoying the time in nature (we didn't see any signs of people until right at the end).
So while we enjoyed our time together discovering new things it was a good reminder to me of how important it is to spend time together. That it really goes beyond just being together - I think we all know how to co-exist and keep things functioning on the day to day. What I wasn't prepared for was the mix of emotions that would come up for me throughout the week.
Recently at a seminar on marriage at the Pittsburgh convention a few points resonated with me this week, such as, "intimacy exposes things in myself (good & bad) that we need to face" and we need to "be willing to feel the hard emotions". One would think that on an anniversary trip that it would be all happy and exciting. It was those emotions but it was also sad and lonely at times. Why are relationships so challenging and rewarding? Why is being real so emotional and yet draw you closer? I just read a book talking about finding your passion and purpose in life. On the journey one needs to go through a preparing, planting, growth and then harvest stage. On this journey you need to press through the trials to reach the harvesting stage and for many it's easier to get out and never experience the true joy. Same is true in relationships. It is about being vulnerable, being respectful, honoring the other, willingness to let go of some things (fears) and choosing to stay facing each other along the way.
While most of my "stuff" this week was my own personal stuff I am grateful for a husband who I never question whether he will choose to stay, whether he will love, honor and respect me. And that is what keeps this marriage thriving, not just surviving. For each day I am grateful, for each year I am amazed that the love keeps growing deeper and I look forward to all that is to come! I love you Jeff!!
So this was the week to celebrate. We left on Wednesday morning right on time, heading north. We enjoyed some good conversation, a little shopping and lunch on the way. We found Traverse City to be a neat area with lots of shopping, cafes, beachfront - all very touristy though. In the evening we decided to take a drive up the Old Mission Penisula to see the sunset from that side. We drove past lots of big homes on the Bay and a lot of orchards. The next morning we both sat out by the water doing some reading and enjoying the calm of the morning. From here we had no set direction. I had really wanted to see some of the Lelanau Penisula and I knew that there was a bike trail heading north, so my dear husband so graciously parked and got the bikes ready for the ride. It was a nice trail to ride on but eventually it wasn't paved and we decided to not keep going so we turned back around and finished the tour in the vehicle. Again, we enjoyed a little cafe in Suttons Bay and some good views of the Bay on the east side and then Lake Michigan on the west side. We had decided to not return to Traverse City that night and to find something on the coast to again see a good sunset. We took a little break in the afternoon to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes, doing some hiking and sightseeing. By 5:00 we arrived at Frankfort and decided to stay the night there. This was our favorite location. A small town, a walk to everything - shops, food, beach. We got some pizza and ate it along the harbor with the boats and swans to watch. We headed then towards the beach area and walked out a pier to the lighthouse and then found our way to another less traveled pier to watch the sunset.
The next morning I went out exploring on my own while Jeff did some reading. I rode bike to the next town, Elberta, and then found a great bike trail that was at points along a river. That was a highlight for me, discovering a new area, a great morning ride and some quiet and beautiful sights. We found this area to be so refreshing. We had a recommendation to visit a few places that turned out to be our favorites - Trick Dog cafe, drinking an Italian soda, iced green tea and an apricot scone; Gwen Frostic studio - a place that was so inspiring seeing her artwork of nature, the layout of the building-embracing the natural setting it was in and enjoying reading a bit about her life and some of her books; then took a canoe ride on the river for a couple of hours - listening to the birds and enjoying the time in nature (we didn't see any signs of people until right at the end).
So while we enjoyed our time together discovering new things it was a good reminder to me of how important it is to spend time together. That it really goes beyond just being together - I think we all know how to co-exist and keep things functioning on the day to day. What I wasn't prepared for was the mix of emotions that would come up for me throughout the week.
Recently at a seminar on marriage at the Pittsburgh convention a few points resonated with me this week, such as, "intimacy exposes things in myself (good & bad) that we need to face" and we need to "be willing to feel the hard emotions". One would think that on an anniversary trip that it would be all happy and exciting. It was those emotions but it was also sad and lonely at times. Why are relationships so challenging and rewarding? Why is being real so emotional and yet draw you closer? I just read a book talking about finding your passion and purpose in life. On the journey one needs to go through a preparing, planting, growth and then harvest stage. On this journey you need to press through the trials to reach the harvesting stage and for many it's easier to get out and never experience the true joy. Same is true in relationships. It is about being vulnerable, being respectful, honoring the other, willingness to let go of some things (fears) and choosing to stay facing each other along the way.
While most of my "stuff" this week was my own personal stuff I am grateful for a husband who I never question whether he will choose to stay, whether he will love, honor and respect me. And that is what keeps this marriage thriving, not just surviving. For each day I am grateful, for each year I am amazed that the love keeps growing deeper and I look forward to all that is to come! I love you Jeff!!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Finally
So I have finally decided to just take the time to write. It's 97 degrees outside and I thought that just maybe it would be good to stay inside for a while. The week has been filled with lots of work in the garden, flower beds, making food, playing vb (Jeff finished the poles so we could put up the net), and now getting ready to be gone for the next week.
I'm not sure why I haven't been drawn to the computer and this blog, but I was so excited when I got home from the garden this morning with all the lettuce and new carrots, I couldn't resist getting out the camera. Thus, the prompting for the new post. I hope to take 16 bags of buttercrunch lettuce & arugula to church tomorrow for everyone to enjoy, along with some freshly picked carrots. What a treat!
One of the things that we have been grappling with recently is whether to try and find a little extra land so that Jeff can bring his cow & calf here or to try and find a way to get our two acres here to work for us. While I have appreciated the opportunity to have a garden within biking distance it would be really nice to have something more here. The challenge is that all of our land is out to the front of our house and we haven't felt that turning the front yard into a garden or pasture would be the best, but we also wrestle with mowing so much. So we continue to think through what might work here. Hopefully in the future we will be able to find a way to have chickens and goats again, even if it's small scale. It will also be my desire to create more garden spaces here. This week I happened upon a website "Grow Pittsburgh". I found myself exploring other links and came across a site that showed how there are now some Panera Bread locations that have a donation site where food is placed on a counter with only a donation box, so that people can pay what they can/want. It mentioned that some people will give more and others less. Some may not have the cash, but donate some time to help in the back with some work. Regardless it doesn't matter what one can give, it's meant to provide food for all people. That is my dream. To offer food to everyone, with no expectation of cost. So maybe, just maybe you will someday see in our front yard a garden where the harvested food is set out on a stand with only a donation box. And, that there will be friends made, when someone decides to pull a few weeds in exchange for the fresh food.  | |||||||
| Lettuce and carrots!! |
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
A Good Day
It has been a good day. Probably one of the best spring days yet. The sun shone all day. There was little wind. I worked in the gardens and got dirt in my fingernails. I went for a bike ride. I enjoyed seeing the blooming trees (finally). I had lunch with my husband and the staff at church. Anya had a friend over. Watched Emily's softball game. And ended it with our first campfire of the season!!
Took pictures with Kate. That is what I will call a good day.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Buckets and bonding
So it all started around 5:00 am when the thunderstorm woke us up. Soon we hear the jingle of Jessie's collar come down the hallway and into our room. Jessie is not a fan of storms. The other night we couldn't keep her in the kitchen so Anya took her bean bag out to the kitchen to sleep with her there.
It wasn't long til the girls were up, a bit scared and then the electricity went off. Soon an alarm begins to go off in the basement. We knew right away it was the alarm to let us know the water in the sump well had gotten too high. So the hauling began. After some hustle to find headlamps and buckets, the bailing began. It took us a bit to organize the troops, but after finding candles and towels we developed a system to haul the buckets full of water to the bathroom shower and dumped it down the drain. Jeff took a break to call the power company and found out that the power should be back by 7:30. Let's just say that wasn't quite the answer everyone was hoping for.
We had known that the sump pump had been working quite a bit with all of this rain, so it was a constant dipping of water just to keep the water from overflowing into the basement. Once we got into the routine, each of the girls took breaks to sleep for spurts. Unfortunately each of them have a day full of tests today.
Once it got light out we switched to hauling the water outside. It was soon after 7:30 then that the electric was back on. There was a great shout of gratefulness to have this luxury of power again. It does remind me of how many countries there are that lose power on a daily basis. It is something that we take so for granted.
We also struggled with how much water we were just throwing out. We thought of Haiti and Japan that could so benefit from all that water. Why is it that what others so desperately need, we often will just throw away without ever thinking twice about it.
So there were a lot of wet clothes and towels, sore fingers and backs, but each one helped out so much and we couldn't have done it without everyone's help. So let's just say that Jeff has already made the call to get a battery back-up. Hopefully this will be a one-time bonding, memory making experience.
It wasn't long til the girls were up, a bit scared and then the electricity went off. Soon an alarm begins to go off in the basement. We knew right away it was the alarm to let us know the water in the sump well had gotten too high. So the hauling began. After some hustle to find headlamps and buckets, the bailing began. It took us a bit to organize the troops, but after finding candles and towels we developed a system to haul the buckets full of water to the bathroom shower and dumped it down the drain. Jeff took a break to call the power company and found out that the power should be back by 7:30. Let's just say that wasn't quite the answer everyone was hoping for.
We had known that the sump pump had been working quite a bit with all of this rain, so it was a constant dipping of water just to keep the water from overflowing into the basement. Once we got into the routine, each of the girls took breaks to sleep for spurts. Unfortunately each of them have a day full of tests today.
Once it got light out we switched to hauling the water outside. It was soon after 7:30 then that the electric was back on. There was a great shout of gratefulness to have this luxury of power again. It does remind me of how many countries there are that lose power on a daily basis. It is something that we take so for granted.
We also struggled with how much water we were just throwing out. We thought of Haiti and Japan that could so benefit from all that water. Why is it that what others so desperately need, we often will just throw away without ever thinking twice about it.
So there were a lot of wet clothes and towels, sore fingers and backs, but each one helped out so much and we couldn't have done it without everyone's help. So let's just say that Jeff has already made the call to get a battery back-up. Hopefully this will be a one-time bonding, memory making experience.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sun, Soil, Seeds
I suppose it's a bit dangerous to get this girl outside when the sun is shining and there is fertile soil with rows already made and seeds purchased to be planted. Jeff and I have been working to prepare some garden plots at our place in preparation for the veggies, strawberries, asparagus, raspberries and black raspberry plants. I have also this week been at the Wyse garden plot that I am also planting in. It's the biggest garden area I have ever had access to :) While I am thoroughly enjoying it now, I"m sure at some point this summer I will wonder why I felt the need to plant so many pea seeds, etc. Let's just say that one double row wasn't quite enough space for 1# of peas. And I have another 1# of another variety and 5#'s of snow peas (I've planted maybe 1/3 of the bag at this point). I also planted 22# of potatoes today along with some spinach, lettuce, carrots and beets.
I started all of this planting on Tuesday and finished up today. Good thing because it's calling for rain for the next while. I still have some greensand to put on our home garden and do another tilling (hopefully tonight yet). Typically I'd probably be overwhelmed by this amount of garden, but for this year, it's exactly what I need. We have never gotten enough peas to last us long into the winter, so hopefully this year we will be supplied along with other people.
The other thing that the sun, soil and seeds did for me today was spurred some thoughts that I'm sure have been ruminating in my head for awhile and for some reason today God wanted them to re-emerge. We'll see if they take root and grow. They were strong enough that when I got home I started writing them down. This is some of the list that got started.
Garden Thoughts - 3/31/11
1. I'm finding myself eager to learn again - to grow (maybe it's time to really think about more school)
2. I'm needing/wanting to earn some income (maybe an assistantship at a university)
3. I know Jeff really wants to do some farming again - How can I support that? (now and in the future?)
4. I love to be outside and in a garden (ie. having summers off)
5. I do enjoy an academic setting/schedule
6. I am committed to and believe in the Mennonite church & schools
7. I enjoy leadership - developing leaders and seeing them succeed
8. Asking myself - what interests should I hone in on? What am I passionate about? Where do I see myself in the future?
So I've been asking myself what are things that I am interested in? Here is my list so far. For those of you who know me and want to suggest some other things that you know me to have passion/interest/gifts in at some point, feel free to comment.
Student development/leadership, staff/team development, education, 1st year experiences, mentoring/1-1 counseling, Mennonite schools, restorative justice, coaching, gardening/sustainability, retention in schools/jobs, experiential learning, balance & boundaries/personal care, healthy relationships/marriages...
So I don't know if these thoughts are directing me to some research ideas, but I have wondered again now if I should look into going on in schooling...not sure, still testing the waters. If there are any suggestions anyone wants to send my way, I'd love to hear what thoughts have come to your mind. Thanks.
I started all of this planting on Tuesday and finished up today. Good thing because it's calling for rain for the next while. I still have some greensand to put on our home garden and do another tilling (hopefully tonight yet). Typically I'd probably be overwhelmed by this amount of garden, but for this year, it's exactly what I need. We have never gotten enough peas to last us long into the winter, so hopefully this year we will be supplied along with other people.
The other thing that the sun, soil and seeds did for me today was spurred some thoughts that I'm sure have been ruminating in my head for awhile and for some reason today God wanted them to re-emerge. We'll see if they take root and grow. They were strong enough that when I got home I started writing them down. This is some of the list that got started.
Garden Thoughts - 3/31/11
1. I'm finding myself eager to learn again - to grow (maybe it's time to really think about more school)
2. I'm needing/wanting to earn some income (maybe an assistantship at a university)
3. I know Jeff really wants to do some farming again - How can I support that? (now and in the future?)
4. I love to be outside and in a garden (ie. having summers off)
5. I do enjoy an academic setting/schedule
6. I am committed to and believe in the Mennonite church & schools
7. I enjoy leadership - developing leaders and seeing them succeed
8. Asking myself - what interests should I hone in on? What am I passionate about? Where do I see myself in the future?
So I've been asking myself what are things that I am interested in? Here is my list so far. For those of you who know me and want to suggest some other things that you know me to have passion/interest/gifts in at some point, feel free to comment.
Student development/leadership, staff/team development, education, 1st year experiences, mentoring/1-1 counseling, Mennonite schools, restorative justice, coaching, gardening/sustainability, retention in schools/jobs, experiential learning, balance & boundaries/personal care, healthy relationships/marriages...
So I don't know if these thoughts are directing me to some research ideas, but I have wondered again now if I should look into going on in schooling...not sure, still testing the waters. If there are any suggestions anyone wants to send my way, I'd love to hear what thoughts have come to your mind. Thanks.
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