Family Photo III

I actually can't remember the order of the photos

so I apologize if this one is out of order.

The clue was "We are enjoying having workout space in the garage,

show us your best muscle man (or woman) pose."

This photo does not show our muscles,

but we did just finish a Christmas Eve Workout.

Family Photo II

Christmas is a wonderful time to relax.

Hubby had 2 days off for the holiday.

We enjoyed some foods that we don't often splurge on.

And we enjoyed some extra treats because of the gifts we were sent.

On the family photo search - 

the clue was Daiya roasted vegetable or Udis uncured pepperoni.

We had ours on Christmas Eve for lunch.

We almost forgot to get a picture before finishing it off! 

And while we didn't get to Togos or No Baloney

(both sandwich shops that offer gluten-free options),

we did go to Burgerville for lunch last weekend

and to Panera for a coffee date.

We enjoyed our burgers and split an order of rosemary fries!

Another mocha no whip

cinnamon spice latte with coconut milk, no whip

And we also made an awesome Beef and Broccoli

complements of some Omaha Steak that arrived in the mail.

Family Photo: Part I

I consider all of my readers to be family,

but please excuse me for a few posts while I share with my family by birth.

I sent them on a little trip to share photos of their Christmas with hubby and me

since we are so far from them.

Clue # 1 should have sent them in search of Donuts at the local bakery of their choice.

So dear family,

Hubby and I hit up our local donut shop last Saturday.

Here is the picture to prove it.

A Vegan/Gluten Free/Dairy Free Gingerbread donut for the Aunt

and a mocha for the Uncle.

Merry Christmas ... He's Coming Again!

Hubby and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

What a blessed time to celebrate the birth of a Savior!

He is Savior of the whole world,

and yet sadly, not everyone will accept Him as Savior.

He is not just a baby in a manger,

He is the Savior of the World.

He came to earth as a man (while still fully God).

He lived a perfect life.

He paid the penalty for my sin (and yours) in His death on the cross.

He did not stay dead (as many leaders of various religions).

He rose again.  He defeated death.
And He offers salvation to all who will accept His free gift!

While I was reading in Revelation yesterday,

I was reminded that while we celebrate His birth today,
He is coming again!

3 times in Revelation 22, it says,

"Behold, I come quickly!"

It is a reminder!

I need to be obeying His Word.
I need to protect and maintain His Word.
I must watch and wait!

It won't be long.now!

Enjoy your celebration of His birth today
and KEEP WATCHING!

The Power of the Pause (or I am not busy, busy, busy)

Have you ever noticed how often the answer to 

"How are you?"

or

"What are you up to?"

is 

"busy, busy, busy"?

Listen for it.

You probably won't have to listen long.

Maybe you will even hear yourself say it.

And maybe the speaker truly is busy.

 I have noticed that when I can't honestly say how busy I have been,

I feel bad - 

isn't that odd?

Why is busy-ness the accepted and expected norm?

At the beginning of December,

we celebrated 6 months in Oregon.
How time has sped by!

Starting over is always difficult for me.

At the beginning it is busy,

it is challenging in a fun way,

there is a house to set up,

there are new stores to learn,

there are new routines to establish,

there is just adventure in the newness of it all

...

but once we are settled,

it is quiet ... very quiet.

I have to find the people who need my ministry.

I may have to invent a new ministry.

I have to find a place in a new church.

I have to establish a new "normal."

And until those connections are made,

it is quiet.

Enter "the powerful 'pause'"

It is not bad to be quiet.

It is not bad to be still.

It is not bad to slow down.

It is not bad to be challenged in new ways.

I have thought much about the times God says to "Be Still" or to "Consider."

Though I often want to complain about the quiet,

God has used that quiet over and over and over again in the past 6 months.

I have been given a gift.

In the quiet,

I have found women online who have challenged me ...

in Bible memory,

in Bible study, 

in witness.

In the quiet,
my dependence on God deepens,
my soul searches harder for truths in my quiet time,
Scriptures stand out in new ways because my needs are more clear.

In the quiet,

I have had more time with my husband each week.

More time to read with each other.

More time to truly listen to each other.
More time for dates and walks.

In the quiet,

I have had to look harder for the outreach

resulting in more focus on the lost around ME

instead of just the ministries already established by my church.
The "pause" led to the tract bags to give out around town.

Giving Fun III

So far, the gifts mentioned on the blog have been for people that we know.

We also have had fun giving gifts to strangers this month.

We made some cute bags that have a tract, a candy cane, 

and one other gift (gum, chapstick, or trail mix).

Since we walk a lot in town,

we give to people that we pass,

we give to folks waiting for buses,

we give to the staff at restaurants and stores who serve us,

we give to bell ringers,

sometimes we even leave them where they may be found later.

True story:

Last Saturday,

we passed a woman on our local bike path.

I handed her a bag that had a chapstick in it.

She first seemed incredulous that I had handed her anything,

then she flipped it over and saw the gift.

Then she teared up and explained that she was going through a hard time.

She had just used the last of her chapstick and here I was giving her a new one.

Then she saw the tract title (True Peace) and explained that she needed that.

She asked for a hug (which we gave her),

we told her that Jesus had led us to her and that He loved her,

and we told her to give her problems to Him.

We don't know if anything will come of it,

but hubby commented that the bag was an example of meeting a physical need

 in order to address a spiritual one.

The gift bags have helped me to be bolder,

and so we are going to change the tract in the new year and hand them out around town all the time!

Giving Fun II

After being in the south for over 10 years,

it has been a shock to be in a more "guarded" area again.

It is very hard to connect with folks.

So we were looking for another opportunity to make connections with our neighbors.

So we thought Christmas was a great opportunity.

Bath and Body Works has had some great sales.

$3 soap combined with a 20% off coupon sure helped.

We "wash" you a Merry Christmas!

Get it?  Huh?

Hubby and his mom helped put the gifts together on the weekend after Christmas.

...and I got to deliver them today.

I am having a really good time.

Giving Fun I

It truly is more blessed to give than to receive ...

and more fun too.

I spent a good chunk of yesterday preparing treats for hubby's coworkers.

Enter 40 pumpkin muffin.

A yummy vegan pumpkin muffin - mostly tastes like gingerbread!

Since he would deliver them first thing in the morning,

he chose a breakfast treat ... one of our favorites.

I found a cute set of cupcake papers with a snowflake pick to add a little festivity.

We included a gospel tract that we wrote a number of years ago

along with the recipe in case someone had questions about ingredients.

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 5

Pedestrians Always Seem to Have the Right of Way

Since we now live within town limits, we definitely do A LOT of walking.

I often walk to town for small "in-between" shopping trips.

We like to walk to lunch every Saturday.

We like to wind down on Sunday night with a stroll 

(especially during this season with the Christmas lights aglow).

It has been a learning experience that people actually stop for pedestrians here.

I suppose that it happens in many busier cities and town,

but it is new to us.

What is odd to us is that if you even approach a road,

on-coming traffic will stop - crosswalk or not!

So we have learned to hold back if we don't want to cause a pile up😀

The town also provides frequent crosswalks in the middle of main roads - 

all you have to do is push a button, lights flash, and traffic stops!

Clean Water

On this Thankful Thursday,

I am so thankful for clean water.

What? you say.

We live in America - clean drinking water is not a problem.

You may be right.

Our water in town here is too clean - 

as in full of bleach that you can taste!

Really - it is like drinking pool water.

While we endured for awhile

making it more palatable by chilling it,

we finally gave in and got a water purification system.

Wow!

What a difference.

Chlorine is gone ...

And I suppose a lot of other things too.

It makes it much easier to get in my 80 ounces of water per day.

I am so thankful for our water filter and the clean water we have to drink.

Christmas Treats

'Tis the Season, right?

Every direction there is a yummy treat.

Every weekend there is a party.

Oh, what is a family to do?

Hubby loves his treats,

but we are seriously trying to do right with the eating.

We are not getting any younger.

I was missing making holiday cookies

when what should pass my way, but a recipe for truffles.

Truffles?

Yes - with no added sugar.

They are sweetened entirely with dates.

Hubby says they are phenomenal.

They look good.

Are you looking for the sweet taste of Christmas without the added sweets?

Even a little health value to your Christmas treats?

Try this one!

Vegan Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bites

MAKES15 to 18 truffles

INGREDIENTS

1 cup pitted Medjool dates

1 1/2 cups raw almonds

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 tablespoon water

1/4 cup unsweetened cacao powder, plus 

1/4 cup crushed candy canes, for sprinkling

INSTRUCTIONS

Soak the dates in a bowl of warm water until they soften up a bit, about 10 minutes.
 Drain the dates and place them in a food processor with the almonds, coconut oil, salt, peppermint extract, water, and cacao powder.
Process for one minute or until the mixture forms up into a ball.

(I used the vitamix and recommend doing the almonds alone first, then adding the rest - 

I was glad for the thermal shut off - the dough gets very thick)

Remove the "dough" from the food processor and form 15 to 18 small round truffles with your hands. 

Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
Remove from the fridge and top each truffle with crushed candy canes.
These can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for several weeks.
(Don't store with the candy cane garnish. Save that touch for right before serving).

Your Account

Not because I desire a gift: 

but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:17

When we were married 17 years ago,

hubby was exhorted to make an effort to praise my efforts at home.

I was leaving the praise of students, of school parents, and of administrators

and some days would seem thankless.

While it is true,

homemaking does not always yield accolades and kudos in abundance,

hubby has faithfully noticed and mentioned the things that he appreciates about my work.

He even mentions when coworkers comment on the things that I am able to do for him.

The other day,

I received a card that mentioned appreciation for ministries that I have had in the past.

It was, of course, nice to hear.

It is nice to see how God can and will use anyone.

As I looked at the things mentioned,

I realized that many of those ministries that I have had would not be possible

without my husband.

I may have been the visible worker, but there was definitely a "support" staff.

Sometimes his hard work funds the ministries (cleaning supplies, bulletin board supplies, mailing costs).

His commitment to allowing me to be a homemaker gives me time for the ministries.

His flexibility and willingness to share my time multiples the efforts.

His encouragement (and sometimes ideas) and motivation keep some ministries on track.

So why mention this?

I don't know who reads this blog.

(Well I know some of you, but definitely not all.)

I don't know how you feel about your place and contribution to this world and particularly God's kingdom.

But sometimes the fruit and the reward are yours because of a supporting role.

You may not receive the accolades.

You may never hear praise or encouragement.

But you have served behind the scenes,

you have given when no one knew,

you have supported a key player,

and fruit is abounding to your account.

Be Encouraged!

Thanksgiving Dinner on the Brain

Well, it is that time of year again.

Last year, I believe that I made a turkey early in the week

and then we had turkey soup on Thanksgiving Day.

The thinking was that I was free for any and all family/friend activities instead of being in the kitchen.

I missed the "tradition" of the day a little though,

so I am back to making a turkey this year.

I picked up my free turkey last Friday.

"Free" with $100 of groceries😀

I think that our menu will include:

Roasted Turkey and Gravy

Stuffing

Roasted Vegetables

Clean Green Bean Casserole or Sauteed Green Beans

Squash

Pumpkin Pie

The turkey can be prepped the day before and then stuck in the oven before the Traditional Turkey Trot.

(our run/walk on Thanksgiving morning to jumpstart the day)

The Stuffing is a fast stove-top type mix.

(This is not the most healthy option, but it is hard to find gluten-free stuffing except at Thanksgiving now that we are not near an Aldi and is my favorite part of the meal)

The roasted vegetables can be cut up and left in water overnight and then thrown in the oven as the turkey comes out.

The casserole can also be done the day before and stuck in the oven as the turkey comes out

or prepped in a smaller dish and stuck in the toaster oven.

Squash can be cooked and mashed ahead of time.

And the pumpkin pie is best chilled so another score for day-before prep.

And of course,

the nighttime will be snacky.

Turkey sandwiches

Tapenade on crackers

Leftover pumpkin pie

At the current time, the feast is only a party of 3,

but I am keeping my ear to the ground to hear if there is anyone who needs a home for the day.

When You See God's Hand Clearly

This week, I am thankful that God allowed us to see His hand so clearly.

He showed us a clear Divine Appointment.

On Sunday, we arrived home from the morning services a lot later than normal.

There was little time before turning around for evening church for our typical stroll around town

or even for walking around the house.

As we left for church,

I asked hubby if we could go for a walk after church.

I had a feeling I needed the fresh air and the exercise to be able to sleep at night.

This is a rarity.

It would mean walking at 8 at night or later,

but Hubby said "ok"

We started our walk and did one neighborhood.

I said we could turn back.

I knew hubby had work in the morning.

He picked another neighborhood.

Then on the way home, we were stopped by a man driving.

He was looking for an address - his address.

In the process of the conversation, 

we realized that he probably had dementia and we needed to help him home.

We walked quickly home (we could see home from where he stopped us).

We got the car and had him follow us to his home.

As he started following us,

his family found him.

They said that they had been searching for an hour.

We never walk on Sunday night.

We walked a little bit extra.

God clearly planned to use us to minister to a family we did not know 

and gave us an opportunity to leave them with the gospel message.

Just A Little Tweak

A homemaker, a keeper at home, a home manager ...

I gladly take those titles.

Last week my "job" required making some adjustments to the schedule.

For years, hubby's schedule started at 4:30 every day with a workout.

Off to work between 7 and 7:15.

Dinner on the table at 5:30.

Bed at 9.

I didn't mind.

I work well with a schedule.

Just let me know the schedule and I will work with it.

But often hubby was frustrated because entertaining or late church responsibilities made the 4:30 appointment very difficult and easy to skip.

Seasonal allergies made breathing (a necessity for workouts) in the morning difficult.

The house is always cold at 4:30 in the morning.

Fast forward to Oregon and we try it again but with earlier work hours and less of a commute.

4:30 workout

7:00 leave for work

4:45 dinner on the table

9:00 bedtime

Should be doable ... EXCEPT

the workout room is cold (VERY cold) that early in the morning.

Our devotion time was being SQUEEZED short and felt rushed because the workouts weren't always a perfect 30 minutes.

The early dinner left us very hungry before bed.

So let's work on managing this.

I wanted to be on the couch for devotions at 5:45.

I wanted breakfast at 6:30.

Hubby wanted a more consistent workout schedule.

So just a little (and what should have been obvious) tweak.

The workout is now AFTER work.

(The new job just requires 8 hours with no required amount of time for lunch

and is only 10 minutes from home).

5:00 rise and shine

5:30 start devotions 

6:30 breakfast

7:00-7:15 leave for work

4:15-4:30 home

4:30 workout

5:00 dinner

9:00 bed

We are just loving the schedule.

Hubby is getting a workout every day, but Sunday.

I have more time in the afternoon to get dinner on the table.

We are not pressured to leave church too quickly because of an early wake-up call.

The workouts are a lot more effective when we are AWAKE!

And we can allow the garage to heat up a little with the warmth of the day.

A Peek Into My Devotions

Psalm 108:1

O God, my heart is fixed;
I will sing and give praise,
even with my glory.

I was challenged by this verse the other day.

Am I steadfast?

Am I double-minded or unstable?

It is easy for me to be swept with emotions, with difficulties.

That is not the woman that I want to be.

I want my gaze and my heart to be solely fixed on my Savior.

How do I praise with "my glory?"

I believe that "my glory" is everything available to me ...

strength, resources, being ...

Everything that I do should bring glory to God,

should point others to Him,

should be done to exalt and praise Him.

And the rest of the chapter gives me so many reasons to praise!

His mercy

His truth

His holiness

His strength

His victory

Soup Weather

While we are not facing snow (yet) as many of you are,

the weather is decidedly cooler.

It is the perfect weather for soup,

and I have been taking advantage of that.

I think that I have planned 1 or 2 soups each week.

We like them because most of them are light enough

to warrant a baked good on the side - tonights was biscuits!

This soup is great to add to your allergy-friendly arsenal.

The only "weird" ingredient is some dairy-free milk and not necessary if you don't have to avoid dairy.

White Bean Potato Soup with Lemon and Dill

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion chopped

4 cups vegetable broth

3 Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cubed

2 garlic cloves minced

2 teaspoons dried dill

15 ounces navy beans rinsed and drained

3/4 cup non-dairy milk or regular milk if you are not vegan

Juice of a half of a lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large saucepan, cook onion in olive oil until tender.
Stir in the broth, potatoes, garlic, and dill.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Stir in the beans.
Blend soup with a hand blender, but not too well, there should still be chunks of potato. 

(I actually just used my potato masher just a little bit).

Add lemon juice and stir, then add non-dairy milk.
Cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until heated through (do not boil).

Grace

I mentioned yesterday that hubby and I will be singing in church again soon.

Singing for the start of Mission's emphasis month.

We are singing a song about God's grace.

The chorus of the song is similar to this quote.

I have thought much about missionaries and their sacrifices in the last few months.

Here I am in a country that speaks my language,

in a home that is not primitive at all and very similar to homes I grew up in,

in a town where I can get familiar foods and drinks, ...

and yet many times, I have felt so alone.

It makes me think of those who are in foreign countries:

strange language,

different housing,

different foods and ways of shopping,

separated from the familiar, ...

but they are doing what God has called them to do.

God has called each of us to something.

Maybe it is the work-a-day world.

Maybe it is a home full of children.

Maybe it is a foreign mission field.

Maybe it is a large ministry in a big city.

Maybe it is a small ministry in a big city.

The task may seem daunting, scary, impossible ...

but His grace is there to help us when we falter, struggle, or just feel weak.

Draw on that grace today!

Simple Asian

Yes, I have been gone for a bit,

not for lack of thinking about writing ...

One week hubby had a bought with the flu 

that left plenty of laundry.

The following week, I decided to food poison myself ...

long story, and one I do not choose to advertise in the blogosphere.

Needless to say, I was out for a little bit,

and had MORE laundry, because at first, we weren't sure if it was food poisoning or flu.

In between that, there are just those days when the new setting and schedule

still leave me a little out of sorts and off of my rhythm.

We have been enjoying the fall temps here.

Trying to gear up for more grey than sun.

And finding a place in our new home church.

Hubby was able to teach on Sunday,

and we will sing together in a few weeks.

Tonight we enjoyed a very simple Asian dish, 

but oh, so good.

 I found it in a Southern Living magazine,

and it is also available online.

Speedy Skillet Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil (I used Olive)

1 pound ground chuck (I used Ground Turkey)

2 large heads broccoli, cut into florets, stems peeled and sliced (about 6 cups) 

2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 1 Tbsp.) 

3 cups cold, cooked long-grain rice (I used hot and just served mixture on top)

1 large red bell pepper, sliced 

3 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce (I used Bragg's Liquid Aminos)

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 

2 teaspoon light brown sugar 

4 scallions, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup) (oops, forgot to add these at the end)

1 teaspoon kosher salt 

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Instructions

Heat oil in a large skillet over high.
Add beef, and press into a thin layer covering bottom of skillet.
Cook, stirring once, until browned, about 6 minutes.
Add broccoli and garlic.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until broccoli begins to soften, about 6 minutes.
Add rice and bell pepper.
Cook, stirring often, until heated through and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes.

Stir together soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and brown sugar in a small bowl.
Pour soy mixture over rice mixture, stirring to combine.

Remove from heat; sprinkle with scallions, salt, and crushed red pepper.

Yummy and quick.

Would be a great use of cold, leftover rice - if that ever happens at your house.

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 4

While not different from my years in NY,

this is a difference from FL, WA, and NC.

We are back in a state where we have to pay for our bottles and cans.

 - 10 cents for each bottle or can -

We have to save them and return them to a Bottle Drop location.

I have returned one load already for $5.10

and need to make another run soon.

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 3

I had forgotten this fun difference from our days in WA,

but butter sticks are different in the West.

They are shorter - squattier.

Same amount of butter per stick,

just different!

Safe Arrival

Another easy Thankful Thursday post.

As of 6:30 this evening,

our reason for being in Oregon arrived.

She survived the trek from Montana to Oregon

and will be getting settled again tomorrow.

God is good.

Safety on busy highways is nothing to take for granted.

We are also thankful to be part of a local church again.

We joined a body of believers in neighboring Corvallis

and will seek to be a blessing there.

The night we joined, I was playing the piano again,

and the song leader was out of town,

so I got to play with my favorite director leading.

The decision of a church to join was not easy,

but God is always faithful and provides for His children.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

 With all my refinishing, 

I never mentioned the products that I used.

Chalk Paint:

Annie Sloane is the key name in chalk paint, but you pay for it.

Rustoleum also had high ratings.

I did read that if you choose to use their white colors,

you need to use a different coating (because it yellows)

I have used this one quart of wiping stain for years and just love it.

It is so easy to use.

No drips,

no funny pooling.

You just wipe on.

Let sit.

Wipe off.

How perfect!

This dark roast is our favorite.

The pre-stain makes any stain go on better.

I go between two products for finishing.

I originally bought the dark paste wax for coating angle iron on our metal furniture.

It keeps it from rusting or getting my clothes rusty.

But I also put it on the grey chalk paint for a more aged look and liked it.

The wipe-on poly is just buffed into the stained wood and is so easy to use as well.

One of my most recent favorites ... more plants.

These were recommended for odor control.

And the "snake plant" is one of those plants that requires very little care (light or water) - 

perfect for the garage.

I repurposed shelves from our NC home for the back,

the holder is a hose clamp,

and I found the eye hooks in a drawer.

The shelves were originally stained with the dark roast,

I covered them with leftover grey chalk paint,

distressed with sandpaper,

and then sealed with the dark finishing wax.

Yes, it is probably odd to decorate a garage,

but it makes me happy -

Who doesn't want to be happy?

Especially while doing a workout!

Documented

Last time I worked on some furniture,

I forgot to take the before pictures.

I did a little better this time.

This is hubby's dresser.

It lives in a walk-in closet, so it was not a necessity,

but I could see us moving and suddenly having a mismatched set in the bedroom.

So it had to be refinished.

Here is the detail that we were removing.

Just some simple wood filling and a good sanding block made it disappear.

Top sanded and stained,

chalk paint on the dresser,

new black knobs.

Tucked in a little corner of the walk-in closet.

I made the mistake of starting this project on a very damp day.

This caused some headaches,

but we are just calling the problems a "distressed" finish.

I tell you, so that you won't make the same mistake.

Cookin' Up Some Cajun

Tonight's Dinner ...

Cajun Succotash over Brown Rice

A little tribute to the south, I guess.

One of the few ways that I find okra palatable.

I probably just don't know how to cook it,

so don't disown me if you love it.

Not a hard recipe,

and the only thing that takes time is the brown rice.

It is also VERY filling which is great when trying to cut calories a bit

or stretch the food budget.

Cajun Succotash over Brown Rice

2 cups brown rice (or whatever rice you like)

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes

2 (15 oz) cans red beans (I used kidney because it is what I had)

1 (16 oz) pkg frozen cut okra

2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)

2 cups corn kernels (frozen, fresh, or canned)

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning

Cook rice per package directions

Combine remaining ingredients in a Dutch oven.

Cover and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Serve succotash over rice.

I think it needs more cajun seasoning and some salt as well.

Some members of the family also like to sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Things That Are Different Are Not The Same 2

Early in our time in OR,

we decided to visit a neighboring town to check out a Walmart Neighborhood Market.

(While we shop Walmart Super Centers all the time, we wondered what the differences were).

We were impressed with the amount of products that they carried in the little store

and even found some items that we had not seen since moving.

As we went to check out,

we were surprised that there were no plastic bags at the U-Scan.

"Wow!  they need to encourage their workers to restock!"

And as we checked out our order,

we were asked how many brown paper bags we wanted to purchase.

We only had one item,

so we just carried it out without a bag.

After doing some research,

we discovered that plastic bags were banned in this little town.

And if you wanted a bag, you had to pay for it!

I am sure that this is not the only town with this law,

but was our first run-in with it.

This is my last grocery run.

Yes, I carry my own reusable bags now.

Though they are not banned in our little town,

the state has legislation to ban them throughout the state.

So I am prepared if/when the law passes.

The bags are also more sturdy when carrying groceries home on foot :)

Things that are different are not the same.

A Little Bit of Chill ... A Better Night's Sleep

I'm sure that fall hasn't quite hit in every location,

but we are thankful for the little bit of chill that has come with fall in the PNW.

We are also thankful to see the grass "green up" again with the more regular rain.

We are especially glad for the cooler temps that allow us to have the windows closed (or nearly closed at night).

The master bedroom (the guest bedroom too) open to a fairly major road.

At least twice in our 4 months here,

we have heard major accidents at 2 in the morning.

One involved someone running a red light and hitting another car (we know because we could hear the driver's discussions after the wreck).

The other involved someone veering off the road and going through the "compound" wall that outlines our cul-de-sac - they missed our backyard by about 4 sections.

With the cooler temps, we can have the windows closed more

which cuts down on the racing noises and the crash noises!

This translates to better sleep!

Strength in Stillness

Recently, I did a workout entitled "Strength in Stillness."

It would have been nice had it been an "infomercial-type" workout that promised that you could build muscle and boost metabolism while sleeping, while sitting on the couch, while doing absolutely nothing.

But we all know that that is not how muscles are built.

But this workout was both a mind and a physical body challenge.

The "stillness" was in holding rather than moving.

Hold at the bottom of a plank.

Hold a squat.

Hold a lunge.

And in the process, stay focused.

Don't let your mind wander!

And despite the fact that it was not high intensity,

it did not promise lots of steps on my Fitbit,

the workout was HARD and I felt the work the next day.

I would not have chosen the workout on my own,

but it was part of a plan that I had committed to.

It was designed to "balance" my training.

My muscles were worked

and my mind was as well.

I wanted to move.

I wanted to "see" motion.

I wanted to get on to the next thing.

And I was reminded of how many times God works to give us "Strength in Stillness."

As I write, I look at a sign on the wall that says "Be Still."

It is so hard to wait.

It is hard to use gifts and abilities in different ways.

It is hard to be content in the present without jumping to the next plan or ministry.

Each time we change location,

there is a stillness that seems strange.

There are fewer demands on time.

There are fewer responsibilities.

(The reset button has been hit and the reboot takes awhile.)

As I did the workout,

I thought of the ways God is working in the stillness.

He is still here.

He is still teaching.

He can still use me.

He is still growing me.

It may not be the style of workout that I gravitate toward,

but it is still useful,

it still produces results.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

A Help Rather Than a Hindrance

It is not a stretch to say that electronic devices can be 

... a distraction,

... a hindrance,

...a downfall,

... a source of JUNK!

But sometimes, they can be a help.

Since our move,

I have found 2 great sources of encouragement.

One is podcasts ...

especially those for homemakers.

I like to listen to podcasts while I clean, while I walk to town, while I prepare dinner, even while doing errands.

No ads, no foul music (at least none that I have come across yet), just encouragement to press on.

It is not always easy to find those with similar goals and desires.
The encouragement from someone else doing what I do is a blessing.

I have been encouraged to work harder,

to use my time better,

to reach farther in my ministry,

to get back to Bible memory.

And speaking of Bible memory.

One podcast even recommended an app that is helping me to stay more focused on my memory work.

I almost skipped the podcast because the topic was on teaching your children to memorize Scripture ...

but I did listen and was convicted of my own need.

I do not support all that these women believe or say,

but they have encouraged my service in the home.

The Thankful Homemaker

A Happy Home

And the scripture program is an app,

but they also have physical books.

And there are even rewards for memorizing!

Scripture Memory Fellowship