Have no fear...

...I'm still alive!

I know you have all been sitting at your computers, anxiously awaiting, nearing desperation, calling out to the universe- "WHY hasn't she posted in over a WEEK??"

You can finally exhale.

I usually find a few minutes to squeeze in a post after lunch, but last week my computer was on the fritz. They debugged it, and when i got back on- no blog access. Such a sad day. Fortunately, all has been mysteriously and conveniently restored.

Nerdball #1 and my pops are coming to visit me at my place of business this afternoon, I can hardly wait! ANDDDD they're picking up the new puppy tomorrow- little Shug Avery. Can't wait to snuggle her up!

And lastly, I'm issuing a challenge:
I've been playing a shocking (unhealthy) amount of Tetris lately here.
My current high score is 127,550 which puts me in the 60th percentile. booyah.
Beat me, and I'll... i don't know...do a dare issued by you.

...that could be dangerous.

Happy tetris-ing.

From what I gather, once a month there is some semblance of a Morgantown housing committee meeting thingy. This morning I was fortunate enough to partake. Bear in mind that although I have now attended one of these meetings, I still have no idea what the committee really does. We talked about one code issue (Japanese to me) and then spent the rest of the time coming up with topics to discuss during the next meeting.
It was a roomful of characters, to be sure. I, the hapless, know-nothing, sit-in-for-the-attorney-who-normally-comes-but-can't-because-she-is-currently-in-Baltimore, sitting uncomfortably amongst them. I had only two allies in the room: Brian, the off-campus housing coordinator who I have been working with for the past 2 months, and the Sunny-Side Up Initiative representative girl who was sitting next to me. (I never met her and still don't know her name, but she was about my age and clearly just as intimidated as I was, so I count her an ally).
The rest of the crowd was a hodge-podge of code enforcers, fire chiefs, and local landlords. No one asked me what i thought about anything, for which I was thankful. I think the only thing I offered up aside from my name was a discreet "Mhmm." When Brian mentioned that we had recently taken a tour of a local apartment complex.

All that chitter chatter aside (as I'm sure reading about the meeting isn't anymore exciting than attending it...) one particular topic caught my attention. The committee was discussing ways to reduce crime, excessive alcohol consumption, and destruction of private and public property during the first few days/weeks of school.
Various suggestions thoughts and ideas were bounced across the table, most landing only on the ears of the one who had spoken them. Though everyone wanted to be heard,no one listened...

"They're just dumb kids- their brains aren't fully developed yet, they're just going to do stupid things."
"Well I think the problem is nobody report's anything anymore!"
"If those damn kids would just listen to us instead of walking right past our information booth, maybe they'd learn a thing or two!"
"Ahhh, we did the same stuff when we were younger..."
"No the problem is, parents aren't doing their job!"

and on and on the finger pointing and circle-talking went. No conclusions. No answers. Just a bunch of adults with a lot of bitterness and an unspoken need to pat one another on the back so that everyone went home feeling like they did their job and whatever was left over wasn't their problem.
All the while I was wracking my brain trying to come up with a solution. Working my way logically through the problem: increased crime/chaos during university move-in...must be a motive, so what is it?...kids want freedom, like the idea of being in control of their lives for the first time...

and then *SMACK!*
like a flash of lightning the reality of it all hit me.
Problems like this will never be fixed, because committees like these will never acknowledge the true source of the problem.
Sin.

What these kids need is love. what they need is true freedom. they're all searching and no one is there offering the real answers. so they drink and party and become reckless. They will continue to do destructive things to occupy their time and energy so that they never have to feel alone, or scared, or confused, or abandoned. As long as no one is there telling them that Christ offers true freedom and real love and real healing-- they will continue to follow the exact same pattern year after year after year.
No walking patrol officers or extra lighting is going to fix this problem. Only Jesus.
It breaks my heart that our society won't recognize this. That we will sit in a board room for 2 hours and say virtually nothing while the answer stands as true as it has for centuries.
So while the committee argues over the language of a housing code, I'll be praying, and I ask that you would too. This fall, 1000's upon 1000's of teenagers are going to college. So few of them know "life and life to the fullest." An so few are there to tell them. Pray for these young adults. College is almost always the time in a person's life where they construct the foundation that the rest of their lives will be built on. Pray that they would build on solid rock. Pray that others would come alongside them and tell them and teach them and LOVE them.
Pray that they would come to know Jesus.

I heart...

weekends that feel like vacations :)

Ol' Shirley looked like this on Friday:

Ok...not quite so bad- but she was smokin'!
The outlook is not so good, we think she might be a gonner-

but we're trying to have the right attitude.

We are not entitled to any vehicles, let alone 2.

Having Ol' Shirl' for a couple months was a blessing,
and i know the Lord will continue to provide :)

...but in the meantime, it looks like J is going to have to learn how to drive my standard Mini!

Aside from our car trouble, we had a lovely weekend!

First, my BFF/sister was waiting for me at my house when we got home. We swam and hung out for the first time in ages well into the evening :)

Then there was the Weirton Greek Festival- yummmmmm!
So glad that I married Greek:) these were some of my faaaaaavorites!

Gyros--of course!

Then some baklava...

followed by some Melomakarona...

and finally, my favorite- koulourakia! i could eat 100 of these in a single sitting. As a matter of fact, i had some for breakfast this morning:)

(a reasonable portion size, no?)

Saturday night, we had dinner and wine with family friends- another wonderful evening.

And on Sunday, my favorite princess had her 6th birthday.

Swimming+hot dogs+ birthday cake= perfect Sunday.

Then, riiight before Jonathan and I left on Sunday night, we picked up Dicarlo's Pizza and had ourselves a FEAST! Sadly, we forget the leftovers in Weirton.

And when we finally made it home on Sunday evening, I got to snuggle up with the most wonderful man in the world and fall

happily

contently

peacefully

asleep.

Thanks Jesus :)

Mopey Day

Remember when you were younger and some meat head called you an ugly-pugly face? After school you came home and cried about it to your mom and she said something like, "Don't worry honey, I think you're beautiful." And you felt a little better because someone was hugging you, but deep down you just wanted meat head to think you were beautiful because moms have to say stuff like that...

That's a little part of how I feel today.

I'm just not feeling very loved.

It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault.

No one even called me an ugly-pugly face.

But you know those days when you just feel like you're on everyone's back burner? Everyone's on someone's back burner some of the time, but occasionally the stars and planets align in such a way that lots of people make you feel little all at the same time.

I'm not trying to be a whiny baby head. I know my husband will cuddle me up tonight and tell me that I mean the world to him and that he loves me more than anything in this universe- and he'll mean it. I'm even going back to Weirton tonight to visit my family and I'm sure they'll love me up too. I am blessed with a constant sphere of love ever-revolving around me-- but in this mopey state, it just makes me kinda wanna say:

"Yeah, but you guys have to."

I try to pep talk myself out of bad moods, but it's like talking to a mirror-Who am I to reason with myself?Usually I just understand where I'm coming from and leave me to my wallowing.

BUT there is a greater Spirit that lives within me who can speak truth to the heart. And this is what He has to say:

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends John 15:13).

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love (John 15:9).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).

If somebody called you an ugly-pugly face to day, or even if they didn't, abide in these truths. Don't let lies and bitterness rule your heart.

Family time :)

Brother and Ray are coming over for dinner tonight!

from left: Widdle Bwudda (Zak), girlfriend (Ray), me, Jonathan

I have always been incredibly close with my family- they are my best friends. Growing up, it was just Zak and I, no other sibs. I cannot even begin to communicate to you how DIFFERENT we are. Nothing about us, aside from our genes, are the same.

I'm a morning person, Zak's a night prowler.
I'm a story teller, Zak is a man of few words.
I'm coordinationally challenged, Zak is athletic.
I like to sing, Zak can't carry a tune in a bucket.
I like to talk things out, Zak likes to wait things out.
I love books, Zak prides himself in never having finished one.
I fall off bicycles, Zak is natural on anything that has wheels.
...Truly, this list could go one forever.

When we were young, we were each other's greastest nemeses. We lived to get under the other one's skin. My childhood was an endless cycle of Zak doing something wrong and me ratting him out--we both usually ended up in trouble.

Nowadays, things are different. College and time and nostalgia do something to a brother and a sister. He looked out for me when I started dating, threatening to kill most guys that came anywhere near me. I started to recognize and appreciate his giving spirit and level-headed advice. When I needed help, he was always the first one there. When I was full of emotion, he would balance me out. Our rivalry morphed into a really spectacular and unique friendship.

So tonight,he and his long time girlfriend Ray (who I love with all my heart!) are coming over for dinner. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time with them, we always do!

Thankful today for wonderful, loving family :)

Everyday when i come home from work at 5:00...

...I have a couple hours to myself before I leave to pick up Jonathan from work at 7. Sometimes I spend these hours playing my piano and singing (my apologies to the people upstairs for the unrequested daily concert...)

Sometimes I watch mindless tv. VH1 or MTV. "You're Cut Off" has been a recent guilty pleasure.

Sometimes I pick up the apartment, do some laundry, make the bed, etc. Now that all our furniture and decor are in place, I take great pride in keeping our apartment clean. Which reminds me, I've been meaning to post some pics of my new home! I'll have to do that soon.

Yesterday, I started getting dinner ready so we could eat as soon as J got home. New recipe, and very very easy:

1)Thaw and tenderize 2 chicken breasts until they are pretty thin

2)Spread cream cheese on each chicken breast

3)Cut up some green peppers and sprinkle it over the cream cheese

4)roll up the chicken, tuck in the sides

5) wrap each breast in 2 pieces of bacon
6) bake on 350-450 until chicken is 165 degrees (all chicken should be this temp!)

goes really well with a side of green beans and a sweet white wine, in my opinion :)

Anyway, while I hope you enjoy this recipe, our dinner wasn't meant to be the focal point of this blog. What I wanted you to know was this: No matter what I do during those couple of hours, I spend every minute counting the seconds till he's back with me. Yesterday I was just soaking in how much I love being a wife, his wife. I mean I love it. I adore my husband and the life we are building together. I love that he feels like home more than a place ever could. I love that he

appreciates every meal I cook,

laughs at every story I tell,

listens to every word I say,

considers every need I have...

I am so blessed.

UnBELIEVably...

the Blackberry has come back to life!!!

Let me just try to communicate how ridiculous this is.

A synopsis of the series of events:

I drop my phone directly in the toilet. *plunk* I reach in and grab it, but before I can take the battery/sim card out, the screen flashes and the phone dies. I'm at work, so I have to leave the phone as is for several hours. On my PRT ride home, I try to put the battery and sim card back in which resulted in more flashing and dying. I get home and check online for what to do. Step one says, "DO NOT under ANY circumstances reinstall the battery until you have put the phone in rice to dry out as it will short and be permanently ruined." arggg.... I now assume there is no hope. When I get home, I bag some rice and toss in my phone just for kicks. After about a day, I reassemble---still dead. Not even a hopeful "flash" this time. I leave the phone in the bag as I cannot bear to toss it just yet.

Then...

TODAY----

THREE DAYS LATER---

For no reason in particular, Jonathan picks up my phone at breakfast this morning, puts it back together...

AND IT TURNS ON AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED!

ok...i'm trying not to get too excited yet...i know water damage can be a slow moving phone disease,but STILL! I have never appreciated this fine little piece of equipment so much!!!

praises :) thank you Jesus.

Poor little blackberry...

I dropped it in the toilet.
and now it can't make calls or take pictures or occupy me on PRT rides.
And then my work computer got a virus today.
Not a good technological day at all.
:(

Souls knit together...

Kaitlin is home.

Kait followed the Lord's leading and left in the fall of 2008 for Venezuela to minister to college students in Maracaibo. She has been faithfully serving there for the past 2 years and is finally home. Few people are fortunate enough to know a friendship like ours. I am so incredibly blessed by her love for the Lord and her presence in my life.

She's finally home and she's coming to visit this weekend--and I can hardly wait!

*a favorite hangout in 2008, the brick wall outside of our apartment :)*

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man's counsel is sweet to his friend."

Proverbs 27:9

*My visit to Venezuela during spring break of 2009- It was the first time we'd seen each other since she left*

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Proverbs 27:17

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."

Philippians 1:3

Preeeeesenting.....

My

first ever

BLOG AWARD :)

( I'm a little bit proud of this, can you tell??)

There are some rules to this award:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award

2. Share seven things about you

3. Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs

4. Let your nominees know about the award!

Here goes...

Gracia, Xie Xie, thank you Penny Ann! This award is just lovely :)

7 things:

1-I recently started shopping at Aldi to cut down on the grocery budget. I use recyclable bags and everything.

2-I don't read Harry Potter or Twilight on principle, but I don't doubt that they are addicting.

3-I tried to get my hair to go blond all weekend with lemon juice and Sun-in with less than satisfactory results. I think I might dye it.

4-I'm left-handed which means 70% of what I hand write ends up smeared.

5-I'm unsuccessful at thrift shopping like some people are unsuccessful at fishing.

6-I am more threatened by my peers than by adults.

7-I look terrible in sunglasses.

And I will be passing this blog award to 15 blogs that i quite like:

Dividing Lilies

Crafting Happiness...My Way

the marvelous flight of cara

One Bright Corner

Life. Celebrated Daily.

Alli B Photography

LUXLUCY

Minster Grace

Distributary: To flow away from the main stream

Tea a *HUG* From The Inside

Living a Life of Love

So Far So Great

Joyful Living

Gussying up the Tuttle

A Little Piece of Heaven

Enjoy :)

Thanks again, have a lovely Tuesday all!

Every weekend should be a 4 day weekend :)

What a GLORIOUS weekend!

Friday afternoon I began the trek home with my husband and brother. I was comfortably squashed in the backseat of Ol' Shirley amidst what we HOPE was the last of the clutter we are taking back to store at my parents' house for now. First stop was the Robinson mall to meet up with blogger friend Cara :) What a blessing that turned out to be! Spending time with her was so refreshing and encouraging. It immediately reminded me of a passage I had recently read in Acts about Pentecost. Acts 2:44 says, "All the believers were together and had everything in common." That's how I felt with Cara- we had an immediate connection with each other because we are sisters in Christ- such a deep and beautiful bond. I'm so looking forward to our next meeting!

This picture of us turned out better than I expected, neither of us had cameras with us (bad bloggers!) so Cara took it with her phone!

Then, from Saturday until Monday, Jonathan and I did precious little more than eat, swim, and work on our tans. My aunt and uncle live right next door to us, our backyards connect. Fortunately for us, they recently put in this beautiful new pool!

Elijah and Riane were working on their cannonballs ALL weekend!

While my aunt and uncle were busy installing a pool, my Dad has been busy building this monstrosity. What began as a simple pit in the backyard has turned in a Parthenon. but it makes for some good eatin'! This weekend we had a lamb and 2 top sirloins- yum!

...I wasn't about to miss that greasy hot deliciousness right off the spit, i dove right in!

After a hardy dinner, it was time for some relaxing...

...and then more play time with the kiddos!


...

Last night we ate some delicious Hibachi (my favorite!) with my parents, brother, and brother's girlfriend- our last big weekend "hoorah", and now it's back to reality, *sigh*
:(
At least I have leftovers!

There was one last little surprise however, our new couches were delivered bright and early this morning! I was almost late for work because I was so excited to get everything situated just right. Jonathan's sisters, (now my sisters as well :) are coming over for a couch warming dinner party tonight. Any suggestions on what I should cook??

Oh, and one last thought- I got my supervising attorney hooked on blogging too! go check Mollie's blog out!

Beautiful Things

Who can know the mind of a 5th Grader?

My tech-savvy 1o-year-old nephew was recently asked a series of social interview question on facebook. Ladies and gentelmen, his responses:

Who has changed your life most this year?
No body.

profound.

If you could bring one person back to life who would it be?
Chris Henry

A former wide receiver for the Bengals who was involved in a string of legal troubles during his professional career, including offenses such as driving under the influence, marijuana possession, assault, and criminal damage. Good choice.

How much would you pay to visit the moon?
10 million

reasonable.

What is your greatest fear?
When the lakers beat the Cavs

unreasonable.


Haha! He makes me laugh. I am so looking forward to heading home with Jonathan this weekend to spend some time with the little man and the rest of the fam. J's Dad and sisters are coming in for the 4th too- hurray for large family gatherings, newly installed swimming pools, and giant chunks of meat roasted in the backyard!

Changing gears...

It is a good thing to be able to feel your own heart changing.

Right after the wedding, Jonathan and I both felt ushered into a time of extreme thankfulness in our lives. We became profoundly aware of God's graciousness, faithfulness, and provision. Not only were we seeing our small obedience to God yield infinite blessing, but we were seeing Him redeem sinful, unpleasant parts of our lives and relationship for His glory and our benefit.

But somehow, in the midst of reveling in His goodness, we forgot to trust Him.
What had begun as, "Thank you Lord, for you are good and your steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 118
Turned into, "Thanks for everything God, we can take it from here. Please just don't mess anything up. Don't spring any surprises on us!"

I realized that while we were genuinely thankful, we were trusting in our own comfort and contentment rather than God's deep love and perfect provision.

Recently we've encountered some situations and circumstances that range from slightly annoying, to truly difficult. Just life. And I have found myself beginning to practice true reliance on Christ. I am finding that with each day, I become less attached to the things I want or that I think are best. Please don't misunderstand me-- I have far from mastered this! So often I am selfish and childish in my desire to do things MY way. But God does answer prayers, and He deeply desires for us to become more like Him. And so it is in His nature to honor a request to become disenchanted with sin, so that we can fall more in love with Him.

It is good to be able to feel your heart changing--- because it means Something Greater than yourself, Something Beautiful is actively loving and moving within you. And there is no greater feeling!