Contentment in Disappointment

I have been looking forward to this weekend for a long time; possibly since mid summer. Every Fall my dad and mom come for a visit. It's normally in October, but this year we had to push it back to November due to a busy month in October for my parents. So, I waited all through September and into the beautiful Fall days of October waiting for the second weekend of November to roll around. I had made changes around the house, bought their favorite biscotti and cereal, planned to have coffee mugs they would enjoy and activities that would suit my vacationing folks. I was so excited. This would be the first time for my parents to come and see the University and there are always people I want them to meet at church and work. They were supposed to arrive today. Monday my dad called to tell me they weren't coming. Due to circumstances that only God could have put into place, they decided that this was not the time for them to come. It hit me harder and sadder than I expected. It's so special to have your parents come to your house - it's your turn to take care of them. And I have really missed my parents since we have moved. I was the last one living at home for 4 years before I was married. In those 4 years we became such good friends. Long dinners and going for coffee on afternoons I didn't have to work - conversations I have missed. Another reason I was looking forward to them coming - couldn't wait to spend some time with my friends like we do each Fall. I had planned for coffee, breakfast, explore a historical site, and find a great restaurant and celebrate their birthdays on Saturday evening. All things that are not happening this weekend.

It's just one more way we learn to trust the Lord. It's one thing to be content when circumstances fall into place as we had planned and hoped and another to be content when we don't understand why the good things we have hoped and planned for don't come together. The important thing is that we can trust and find contentment in our Sovereign Lord. He knows what is best and He only gives us what is best.

'For the Lord our God is a SUN and SHIELD, He gives GRACE and GLORY. No good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly. Blessed is the man who trusts in HIM."

Did you get your sticker today?

At 5:30 AM this morning (after doing laudry until midnight the night before) John and I donned our sweatshirts, warm-up pants, tennis shoes and umbrellas to stand in line with over 200 other people to get a sticker...and we did...after a two hour wait in the pouring rain...and it was cold! (and one of my first thoughts at 5:30 in the morning as I was struggling to sleepily pull on my shoes was, 'At least this is blog-worthy':)) I was so tired and cold, but I was also excited to experience this part of my American history on Election Day. I was pleased to see so many of my fellow Americans taking advantage of our privilege to cast our vote in the election. And the demographic of those voting was so broad - different ages (we saw a mom with three children under the age of 4 standing in line and behind her was an elderly man), different ethnicity and I'm sure if we would have discussed it - many different political views. After months of disagreement and debates leading up to Election Day, I thought it was oddly pleasant that I felt a comradery with the other folks I stood in line with this morning. And I was also reminded that God has already chosen and He has not left His throne nor has He been caught off guard by the outcome of today's election.
My office suite mate and I decided today should be a holiday. What with the kids out of school and all the free food and the freedom to vote? Sounds like a holiday to me!

Happy Birthday, Krista!

Happy Birthday to our one year old niece Krista! It's so hard to believe it's been a year already since we welcomed her to our world. And now we are waiting for our third niece to arrive...any day now - we are so excited for Megan to arrive.
I have a confession. Sadly, I did not realize it had been Krista's birthday until today. Part of it is because she's so new - but also, they are just so far away. It really made me sad when I realized this (I won't elaborate on this point because it will make my mama-in-law and Karis cry - but you know my heart is with you). But it also strengthened my resolve to keep close contact with Dan and Karis even though our continents are so far apart. It was neat to see their family pic in Africa...made me very happy to see they have made it and they are doing what the Lord has for them! So, I took a few pictures from Dan's FB for you all to enjoy...these were my favorites!

Hooray!!!

Yea for my husband, John, who just finished a hard few weeks of school. So now, he can be home and help me with the dishes again...didn't realize how much he did until he didn't have time to do anything other than research John Bunyan and Counseling.
Way to go, Babe!! He sent me flowers at the office today just because he's missed me in the midst of the late nights and studying...red, yellow, and orange Gerber Daisies. I'm so proud of him and his hard work.

Circle of Friends

Last week my sisters and I joined together (all of us together at the same time that is) to enjoy our 2nd Sister's Weekend. What a weekend! It included lots of traveling, lots of coffee, lots of laughing, and lots of talking. I think I learned something new about each of my sisters that weekend. I remember when we were young and lived at home all together we all promised we would never drift a part. It's funny how life does that to you...without you even knowing it's taking place. It was such a reconnecting weekend. It was, in a word, Priceless. I mean it. All the traveling and the shortness of the trip was of no consequence. It was worth it to be with each of them and be able to put my arms around them and kiss them and cry with them about situations and laugh about others. How does it happen? How do we drift from the people we share parents with? I'm not sure of the answer. I would like to know how to keep it from happening. And I think all of my sisters and I have the same sentiment...keeping our relationships close takes work and priority. And I always think...I can make friends now, but someday when I'm old and friends have drifted apart after years, I'll still have my sisters.

Unfortunately....

The Miracle Grow advice came a little late for my sweet ivy which I unceremoniously disposed of on Tuesday...on to the next plant!

My Green Thumb is Waning....

I know - not such a pretty picture to pull up of my ivy that is dying off. I bought these the same day that I found out I had gotten my new job - kind of a celebration - you know, a new phase in my life, a new plant to grow and thrive...only no one told the plant - well, I tried to, but John laughs at me when I talk to my plants (even though I tell him the co2 from my breath is good for them). Anyhow - my ivy is dying and I want to have beautiful ivy! When I bought these plants they said - 'easy to grow'. Not sure if I'm missing something. I'm hoping someone can help me out on this one. First - are they already dead? Should I just gracefully dispose of them? Second - if they are not dead, what else can I try? I have tried keeping them moist, not keeping them too moist, keeping them in full light, keeping them in moderate light...Comments and suggestions are welcome!!