The Perfect Post

After the kind of blogging hiatus I've taken, I've been waiting for time to write that perfect post. The one explaining how amidst the stress and busyness of teaching, pastor's wifing and taking classes that seem to take up ALL of my free time, Rusty and I have found ourselves in a time of joy and celebration unlike any during our married life.

First, Rusty FINISHED his PhD. I have to read that again. It's still hard to process the fact that he's done. I truly cannot express my pride and joy at this accomplishment. Wowsa. Part of the reason I've been waiting to post about this is that I don't have a picture of his super snazzy outfit on my computer. Suffice it to say that he looked super handsome.

Even better (if that's possible!), on October 25, we found out that we're going to be parents! Again, I've been waiting to write that perfect post about this monumentous, life changing news. But that all changed today when we saw Baby Bronco (that's our nickname for him or her) onscreen. It was amazing. Our little baby, who is already distinctly baby shaped has a strong heartbeat and was moving around like crazy. So, this may not be the perfect post. But it IS followed by the perfect picture. :)

Yes, I know, I know, I haven't posted in FOREVER! The only reason, really, is that I've been crazy busy, and haven't really done or thought of anything that exciting to share.

Some of you may know that Rusty and I are facing some unsettling unknowns right now. Some days I feel pretty good about them, and some days I'm a wreck, but my old friend Sara Groves came on Pandora with this song this morning and it really spoke to me, so I thought I'd share...

What I Thought I Wanted

By Sara Groves
Tuxedo in the closet, gold band in a box Two days from the altar she went and called the whole thing off What he thought he wanted, what he got instead Leaves him broken and grateful I passed understanding a long, long time ago And the simple home of systems and answers we all know What I thought I wanted, what I got instead Leaves me broken and somehow peaceful I keep wanting you to be fair But that’s not what you said I want certain answers to these prayers But that’s not what you said When I get to heaven I’m gonna go find Job I want to ask a few hard questions, I want to know what he knows About what it is he wanted and what he got instead How to be broken and faithful What I thought I wanted What I thought I wanted What I thought I wanted What I thought I wanted Staring in the water like Esops foolish dog I can’t help but reflect on what it was I almost lost What it was I wanted, what I got instead Leaves me broken and grateful I’m broken and grateful I want to be broken and grateful I want to be broken, peaceful, faithful, grateful, grateful I want to be broken, peaceful, faithful, grateful, grateful

So...unknown and unsettled is where we find ourselves, but I do recognize that my HOPE (not optimism, as I heard from my husband's sermon a few weeks ago, but HOPE) rests in a faithful God who works all things for our good, so this song is my prayer right now. We are broken in some ways, but STILL grateful and hopefully peaceful and faithful too.

A Study in Balance

Warning: L O N G post ahead...feel free to skip it entirely or to grab a snack before you dive in.

You may have noticed a sparseness in my posting since school began. The reason is that the fullness of our lives makes it hard to keep up, much less take a step back and process all that is happening.

Rusty is leading a thriving ministry at church. Sometimes I just step back and consider all that he is doing with awe. One of the amazing things about being married to a man that you started dating when you were fifteen is the ability to look back and see the incredible ways in which he's grown.

These days, when I hear him preach (which he's doing often in the absence of a senior pastor) with insight and humor, when I see the conviction, love and grace with which he offers pastoral care to families in need, when I see him with the teens we've come to love more than I can describe, I am simply amazed at the journey he's walked and the work God has done in his heart and life. He has truly grown into his ministry, and I am incredibly proud and humbled to be his partner in it.

And if that weren't enough, he's also working crazy hours preparing his dissertation for his defense on November 10. His discipline is truly inspiring. It's hard to believe these years of work and sacrifice are quickly moving to the culminating point, but they are...they really are. God willing on May 13, 2011 he will walk that stage and receive his PhD, and I cannot wait to celebrate.

As for me...life these days is a mix of ministry partnering, teaching 2nd grade, running (sort of), gardening (also sort of), and seminary.

I am truly loving our work at the church. Our teens are great, our church family is loving and supportive, and I am part of a team of folks who've just started a new Young Adult Class. That being said, church activities keep us BUSY. I always enjoy them, but sometimes I have to rally myself to get there!

Teaching so far this year has brought me great joy. There will always be days when I get totally overwhelmed and stressed, but I truly wake up and want to go to work (*almost*) every day. I have a wonderful class of students who are eager to learn, make me laugh, and they all seem to have incredibly helpful parents. My principal is supportive (he came in and cleaned my whiteboard last week), and my colleagues are helpful and friendly.

And then there's seminary...this may be the start of the most humbling journey of my life. I have no doubt this is a road I want and need to walk, but let's just say that I'm not off to a running start. Don't get me wrong, so far every assignment has been done on time, and I've even enjoyed some of them, but they have not all been without tears. I feel like I've got a good grip on "Critical Developments in the History of Christianity" but "Introduction to Christian Languages" is literally Greek to me. I'm just hanging on for the ride, and if any of it sticks, I'll be amazed. I guess that's all I can ask of myself at this point, right?

So yes, life is very busy and full. My house isn't as clean as I'd like it to be and I'm not getting as much couch time as I'd like. It would be easy to go crazy, but to quote Project Runway's Tim Gunn, "It's a make it work moment." Thankfully these moments are infused with the love and grace of a good, good God and a husband who couldn't be more helpful and supportive. A few weeks ago in church, a friend said that life's impossible situations are gifts to see God's strength, faithfulness, and goodness amidst our weakness. My reply is a hearty Amen.

Best Salad Ever

I'm currently at home with a broken toe. But one still has to eat right? Last year I got Vegetarian magazine for Christmas. I'll admit that some of the recipes are from another planet, but every issue has several recipes that I can't wait to try.

This month had a feature on pears, and there was a Roasted Pear and Chevre Salad that looked mouth-wateringly delicious. Now it did call for fig, which I've never tried, but they talk about it a lot on Top Chef, so I figured that it must be good. I almost didn't make it, because it required that I hobble to the kitchen, but I persevered, and oh my goodness, was it worth it!

Here's the recipe, but I made a few changes: First of all, our house is a "no onion zone", so they had to go. Also, I found a Balsamic Fig Vinegarette, so I used it instead of making my own with jam. Finally, we didn't have the lettuces in the recipe, so I just used a spring mix, and it was delicious! And not to brag, but mine looked way better than the picture too. :)

4 - Pears, halved and cored

8 tsp. plus 2 Tbs. fig jam (I used strawberry)

5 oz. soft goat cheese, cut into 8 slices

1 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for drizzling

2 Tbs. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

4 cups watercress or baby arugula (I used baby spinach)

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)

1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place pear halves cup-side up in 2 large baking dishes.

2. Spoon 1 tsp. jam in center of each pear half. Top with goat cheese rounds, and lightly drizzle with oil. Bake pears 30 minutes, or until cheese begins to brown.

3. Whist together remaining 2 Tbs. fig jam, lemon juice, and mustard in bowl. Whist in 1 Tbs. olive oil.

4. Divide watercress among 8 serving plates. Sprinkle with onion and walnuts. Top each with pear half, and drizzle with dressing.

Finally, before you eat this, find a place to sit, because it will knock your socks off!

A Night Away

This year I have totally fallen in love with Sarah Groves' music. Not only does she have a beautiful voice, but she also writes her own songs, and they are thoughtful, soulful, and speak to me in a powerful way.

With that in mind, you can imagine how excited I was to see that she was giving a free concert in Kansas City this weekend! I talked to Rusty, and even though he had to be at church early this morning, teach Sunday School and preach, he was happy to take me and even suggested that we make a mini weekend away out of it. We did, and it was glorious...

We dressed up and had a nice dinner at McCormick and Schmick's to celebrate Rusty submitting his dissertation.
We stayed at a nice hotel on the Plaza and did some window shopping.

We had a lunch at the Classic Cookie, the home of the mini muffin/cookie basket which comes BEFORE your meal!
And of course, we went to the concert.Sarah was everything that I hoped she'd be. Her voice and music were even more beautiful in person, and hearing the stories behind the songs that I love makes them even more special.

Back to School 2010

Journey to Bolivia

Rusty and his World Vision Study Tour teammates are currently en route to La Paz, Bolivia, so I thought it'd be a good time to check out the blog for their trip. The first thing I learned is that Rusty is one of only 2 leaders and Jordan is one of only 9 students that were chosen from hundreds of qualifying applicants across the many denominations who participate in the 30 Hour Famine. I knew it was an honor to go, but wow...

Most of the team met up yesterday in Seattle for some team building, but Rusty was still in Jamaica, so he joined them in the Miami airport this afternoon, and after a several hour delay, they headed south. Unfortunately I won't have a way to talk to Rusty this week, but I'm looking forward to following the journey here. Today's post is from our very own Jordan, which was very exciting.

I'll leave you with this compelling poem I found on the blog...

why do we go?

History is being written.

Not for us.

Or about us.

But by us.

Some say history is a foregone conclusion.

Some go without. Some die. End of story.

This is not one of those stories.

Who decided it’s ok to sit there while hunger kills another 8,000 kids today and tomorrow…and the next day?

Not us.

Someday we’ll tell your children that we were the generation who banished hunger to the history books.

And so our Famine begins.

We go without-so other can eat.

Like all things, progress begins with a single word. And sometime that world is “No”.

No. We will not stand by while children die for lack of food. No. We will not turn away while a billion people wonder when-and if-their next meal will come. No. We will not let apathy have the lat word. Because this is our story. And we’re writing a different ending.

Go into the world and love hungry. That’s what we are told to do.

So off we go to Bolivia. First stop: Miami International Airport. Team Bolivia 2010 is in the air.

I Am Blessed

After 8 years of marriage, I will confess that I am one of those wives who too often overlooks my husband's awesomeness. I was reminded of it this week while I was away, and I can't wait until HE gets home so I can tell him how much I love him. Check it out...

*The night before I left town, Rusty filled my gas tank and programmed my destination into the GPS, so that it would be ready to go when I turned it on the next morning. In fact, any time I leave town, he fills my gas tank and makes sure that I know where I'm going. He also washes and vacuums my car regularly, and takes it to the dealership anytime it needs servicing.

*The day I left, he got me breakfast and coffee "to go" and put a favorite candy bar and sweet note on the steering wheel.

*While I was at Tiffany's, Rusty sent me a sweet and thoughtful card from "somewhere in Jamaica".

*When I came home, he had left the house in perfect order for our housesitter and gotten all the pet things out. He also made sure that the yard was mowed and trimmed and asked someone to take care of it next week while he's away. A few weeks ago, he was SO tired that I offered to mow, and he said, "Honey, if you're mowing, it's cause I'm dead." Now I know that some of you ladies like to mow, but I am not one of them, and our yard is a doozy, so this is something that I can appreciate and he knows it!

Other things to note...

*Rusty gets up early every morning to study, pray, and feed the kitties. When he hears my alarm, he brings me my coffee, perfectly creamed and sugared, in bed.

*After 8 years of marriage, he STILL opens my door every time we get in the car to go somewhere. It makes me feel very proud when strangers notice and comment on how rarely you see that these days.

*A few weeks ago I was cooking and realized that I'd forgotten a key ingredient. Without question or complaint, he hopped in the car to get it from the grocery store. In fact, he does that any time I forget an ingredient.

*Every year that I've taught, Rusty starts the year by helping me move furniture and hang things up and ends the year by helping me clean and take things down. This year he did it 3 weeks early because he knew he'd be out of the country. He also makes sure to come visit and help a few times during the year, so that he can get to know my kids.

I could go on, but the point is that I am incredibly loved and cared for by a wonderful man. Rusty, I love you, and I am blessed beyond measure to share my life with you.

Pure Joy

My heart got a little fuller this week. I had the great joy of traveling to Denver to meet Milo, precious firstborn son of my dear friend Tiffany. I arrived last Saturday when Milo was ten days old and proceeded to fall a little more in love every day. Milo is tiny, warm and cuddly. His little face is so expressive, he does incredible things with his baby fingers and toes, and his head may be the best smell EVER. And of course, watching your soul sister and her husband walk gracefully into new parenthood is pretty special too. I love you, Bakers!

A Milestone

This is the picture of a man who has completed the 228 page rough draft of his dissertation:
And this is the dissertation:
I have seen the discipline, dedication, sweat, tears, and YEARS poured into this work, and I am SO proud, which is why I took him to Coldstone to celebrate.

No, actually I took him to Coldstone to celebrate because he will be gone for the next two weeks taking teens to Jamaica and Bolivia, and this was all the celebration we could squeeze in.

More pride. Love you, babe.

Sushi!!!

Yesterday my sweet husband took me for a sushi date, even though he hates it!!! You would never guess that we have awesome sushi in Bentonville, Arkansas, but we absolutely do. Tiff and I found Sushi King on one of her visits and it's soooo good. You get a free sample when you sit down; yesterday it was crunchy tempura asparagus bathing in amazing sauces. We also had steaming miso soup. For dinner I had my favorite Sam's Roll and Rusty had Teriyaki Chicken. Then, they bring sliced fruit to finish it all off. Amazing.

Strawberry Jam

This week my friend Larissa helped me make jam from the strawberries we picked a few weeks ago. It wasn't hard, but I'm not convinced I could do it on my own yet. I did come home with 12 jars of jam, though, so we're probably set for awhile. Yum!

Mashing the berries

The Pectin

Simmering pectin, sugar, and berries

Sealing the jars in boiling water

Distributing the fruit

A finished jar

A Good Work

Sunday we returned from our trip to Columbus, Ohio. It was a rich, meaningful time, and I am so thankful for it. The trip went smoothly, save a crazy tire tear that turned the girl's van into a massage parlor. Our teen group worked so hard, made wonderful memories, and participated in some incredible work.

We worked with Lower Lights Ministries, which is housed in Bellows Avenue Church of the Nazarene but it's actually a multi-denominational effort to address the needs of the Franklinton community. Franklinton is in the "Bottoms" of Columbus, and its statistics were mind-boggling. I didn't write them down, but they have record lows of inhabitable homes, literacy and graduation rates, and record highs in the areas of teen pregnancy, prostitution, and residents coming out of prison. This ministry started to address the needs of the community and be in solidarity with those who have been forgotten.

Most of the time we staffed the ministry's summer day camp, but in the afternoons we did yard work at Rachel's Houses, a transition program for ladies who are leaving prison. One Rachel House had a lot of fire damage from attempted arson, so we also helped scrub walls, etc. Another day we visited the Lower Lights Christian Health Center, which addresses the medical needs of underserved patients based on a sliding scale. Perhaps my favorite activity (aside from the day camp) was a visit to Franklinton Gardens to water, weed, compost, etc. The gardens help local families access healthy, organic produce by providing gardening space, a produce market, nutrition classes, etc. Grocery stores are leaving inner city neighborhoods, forcing families in poverty to do their shopping at gas stations and drug stores or travel long distances to reach grocery stores in more affluent neighborhoods. This leads to high levels of obesity and other health related issues.

It was such a blessing to be a part of holistic ministry in action and to see what can happen when people use their God-given gifts and passions to respond to a need. I know that this work is not exclusive to Columbus, Ohio, nor does it have to look like what's going on there; I am challenged, as one of our youth sponsors encouraged us, to be aware of the needs in our own community and to step out in "risky love" when I see them.

Friday we took the daycampers to the zoo, and I saw this quote by Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. In fact, that's all that ever has." And on the drive home, I was revisiting Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life by Henri Nouwen, Donald McNeill, and Douglas Morrison, and I read, "Action with and for those who suffer is the concrete expression of the compassionate life and the final criterion of being a Christian. Such acts do not stand beside the moments of prayer and worship but are themselves such moments." (119) My prayer is that this trip will not be the end of such action, prayer, and worship for ourselves or our teens, but rather a beginning of a new chapter of compassionate action.

If you're interested in more info about these ministries or more pictures (we have a ton!), let me know, and I'll let you know where they can be found.

Mission Trip

Tomorrow Rusty and I are leaving to go with a group of our teams to Columbus, Ohio. We will be staffing a day camp for Lower Lights Ministries Monday-Friday, and then we'll spend the weekend in Cincinnati hanging out at King's Island Amusement Park. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we travel and serve alongside our kids in this important ministry.

Ordination Pictures

We finally got the link for the pictures from Rusty's Ordination, and I wanted to share. Here they are...

Since my last post...

Randy and Barbara came for a visit...Rusty was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene...We floated the King's River with the Brians, Parks and Millikens...
We celebrated Father's Day with Randy...and celebrated MY Dad in spirit. :)
I had a Girl's Day Out with Barb...Rusty and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary...and he surprised me with an awesome homemade gift...We took our first trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri...
We harvested broccoli, carrots, peas, beans, and tomatoes from the garden...
Rusty whisked me away on a birthday adventure...We took a hike and saw a waterfall...
We saw a movie, ate tapas and yogurt in Bricktown (Oklahoma City)...
My Dad drove up to surprise me...

Mama sent a carrot cake...
I turned 28...
and celebrated with some friends.
Life is pretty good. :)