+ baking. We tried something new this month and enlisted the help of some who stayed for the potluck. We prepped the bags while people ate and then asked them to take some to the gate guards on their way home. The lead chaplain was hoping that this would show the chapel what we do and encourage them to become more involved. Next month, I'd love to visit the hospital staff, but that might be a logistical challenge (although I was told that we have two hospital chaplains in the service). Over 350 cookies, mini cupcakes, muffins, and cakes were donated. I made chocolate chip cookie dough whoopie pies. I forgot to take photos but they were delicious.

+ reading. I recently purchased Annie Downs' Speak Love, which seems like it will be a younger version of Sharon Jaynes' The Power of a Woman's Words. I'm excited about it. I'm also reading Faith Deployed ... Again, which a friend loaned to me, and I'm working through Angie Smith's Mended. Mended is powerful, by the way. At least for me. It's really speaking to my heart right now. ...

+ healing. I don't share much by way of health issues current or past on here, but lately I've been having some health issues. However, in the past year I've noticed a shift in the way I react. After sharing my issues while visiting a classmate, she handed Mended to me and I began to read it as soon as I returned home. So far, I've only made it through two chapters because I was crying and praying so much, but one section spoke to my heart more than the others:

I prayed this verse and poured out my heart to God. He spoke to me and even though He didn't give me the answer I wanted Him to, I felt more at peace than ever. In that moment, I felt as though my relationship with Him grew substantially.

+ crafting. Also, look at our newest DIY project! I fell in love with a similar but better wreath on Etsy but couldn't justify the cost. So, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up some materials. It took me a little over an evening to complete (I was also making the whoopie pies at the same time) and I ended up replacing white burlap with the uniform material. Also, the flags were a lot brighter, so I dyed them with tea.

+ shopping. For the first time in a very long time (actually, maybe ever), two of my friends and I had a girls' day while their husbands watched their children. It was refreshing and relaxing and wonderful. There needs to be more intentional, let's-build-each-other-up time.

miscellany monday

+ "autumn." Even though it's not technically autumn yet, Starbucks is selling pumpkin spice lattes (which makes it autumn in my book). Mornings have been cooler for the past week, so I've been able to turn off the central air and keep the windows open. I can spend my morning devotionals in a rocking chair outside or at the kitchen table with the back door open and a cup of tea. It's the little things that brighten my day.

+ bake. pray. love. The Baking Brigade distributed over 400 cookies, cupcakes, and brownies (and a loaf of banana bread and two lemon pound cakes!) in September. Some people volunteered for the first time--I love seeing new people!--and we made our rounds through two barracks buildings. I am continually blessed by this outreach.

+ five. For the first time in my life, I ran over five miles without stopping. It almost took me an hour and my knees (and calves ... and ankles) were sore by the end, but I ran five miles! Two miles is now my short/fun run and I hope that I'll be able to say that five miles is my short run within a couple of months.

+ breaking bread. Only five adults attended home life group last week so we were able to eat dinner together at the kitchen table instead of spread out in the living room! It was a nice change because the setting was friendlier. I also made a bacon cheeseburger soup for the first time. For not following the recipe, it turned out pretty well. I'm going to make a shoofly pie next week. Also, even though two of my friends are also from the slightly southern east coast (i.e. Virginia), no one has ever had Pennsylvania Dutch pot pie. I'm going to break out that recipe at some point in the future, too. And maybe make some whoopie pies.

miscellany monday

+ 3.21 > 3.1. I recently jogged 3.21 miles, a distance slightly greater than a 5k. It was a relief to know that my body is capable of completing a 5k because I will be running the Mogadishu Mile 5k in October. However, my knees were ridiculously sore/stiff the following day, so I need to learn how to combat that.

+ the d-word. Have you been keeping up with our deployment experience? The series first started as a personal way to quickly record my thoughts (I have a habit of forgetting where I put my journal) prior to the deployment. After I let Alan read the drafts, however, he asked if I would continue writing after he leaves, so the series may become a regular occurrence in the future. I also asked him to add his own thoughts to the posts, if he wanted to. You can read our perspectives in part 1 and part 2. Part 3 will be posted tomorrow!

+ train whistle jamboree. As far as we could tell, the Nolanville Train Whistle Jamboree had nothing to do with a train whistle. In total, it was about half the size of my hometown's fireman's carnival. And that's saying something. There was also a hayride, which didn't seem right in 90+ degree heat with various shades of green all around.

+ apple cider. I want it.

+ miss america. I didn't watch the pageant, but I recently read BuzzFeed's article on the ignorant remarks about Miss America.

+ giving. According to Gawker, the company behind this ad doesn't exactly back the philosophy it's touting, but it's still a pretty inspiring video.

lessons in pseudo-parenthood

On June 14, I became a stepmom. On March 21, I became a (temporary) foster mom.

I feel like I've been everything but just mom.

Part of me yearns to be "just mom." The little things quicken my clock.

These are my favorite Texas flowers so far. After weeks of admiring them from the Jeep, I was able to look at them up close while taking a walk.

Our friends' sweet 18 month old saying, "Hi!" when I came home from class recently (Alan was watching our youngest foster child and babysitting for our friends) and our youngest foster child climbing onto the couch to snuggle with me--not all moments are difficult.

Shopping for baby clothes with my friend--she's expecting again. Meanwhile, I want to stash them away in a hope chest.

Trying to decide if a jogging stroller and diaper pail would be worth the investment--I need an athletic outlet. I wanted to buy them now with the hopes that we will someday have use for them again, but as far as the stroller goes, I realized I could just wake up earlier and exercise at home. And as for the diaper pail, we're down to UnderJams and about one accident a day.

Potty successes. They seriously make my day.

Heating dinosaur chicken nuggets and cutting up hot dogs the way my aunt used to, even though I'm preparing a vegan meal for myself.

Connecting with our oldest foster child.

Praying on the drive to school each morning, turning on K-Love. Hoping the words minister, praying that something sinks in, wondering if my mom thought the same things when we grew up listening to our local Christian radio station.

Constantly reminding that not all bugs need to be killed, and everything in nature needs to be put back exactly where it was found. Thinking of my aunt.

Cooking with a curious onlooker who ties my apron strings. Remembering my grandmother and her apron, and watching countless meals being prepared in her kitchen.

Remembering to be patient when someone is being independent--I don't ever recall my grandfather being impatient with me.

Hearing my speech revert to the colloquial Pennsylvania Dutchisms my grandparents, aunt, mom, and extended family sometimes use--and realizing that I would totally talk to my own children like that.

          "There's more back."
                    "It's all."
                              "Come here, onst."

I want my own opportunity to train and rear and teach and guide.

A friend's mom blessed us by filling up my gas tank. With my weekly gas budget more than double what it normally is, her act of service was a major blessing.

But, through this experience, I have also learned to be content where God has us.

To never again take for granted the time that Alan and I have together as a couple (or the time that I have to myself).

To be grateful that finishing assignments minutes before I leave for class and turning in work that is far from my best will not be a forever thing.

To continue reading as many parenting books as I can find and to ask for advice from as many parents as I meet.

To be grateful for those times when I can be in the car by myself and go to the store by myself.

By myself.

To understand the vague semblance of attention one sometimes pays while in class (or at work), knowing that there are little ones and a spouse waiting at home.

In the midst of this situation, I'm not quite sure what lessons God has in mind for Alan and me to learn. But, I'm learning to trust in His timing and His plan.

  
EDIT: Oh my goodness, it's not even Monday. What was I thinking?

are you sure you don't have to go to the bathroom?

 + your house looks like you have kids. i feel better now. This quote sums up our life pretty well, right now. Without going into much detail, Alan and I became temporary foster parents for the children of a friend (hence the lack of updates). You can imagine what our house looks like.

I recently read and loved this book. Our younger foster child and I spent the morning outside, eating breakfast and playing.

+ how do you wake up so early? Hearing this question from our oldest foster child reminded me of my pre-college school years. I could never understand how my mom, aunt, or grandmother could be so chipper/relentless/creative/annoying while trying to rouse me at 6:30 a.m. Yet, here I am, waking at 5:30 a.m. and having to stop myself from loudly greeting everyone with, "Time to make the doughnuts!" Which my aunt used to say.

A week after we became foster parents, Alan sent me to a local spa for a massage--at the end, the therapist said that I still needed more work. Also, I love Aveda Comforting Tea.

+ mind if i pray? Something else from childhood that I've incorporated into our foster children's lives is morning prayer. My mom used to pray for my sister and me before we walked to the bus stop, or, if she drove us to school, she prayed in the car on the way to school. (Honestly, at the time I didn't really care, as I saw it as just another prayer/something else to make me late--in my mind, because we were almost never late for the bus--but now I appreciate it so much more.) And, since I drop off and pick up our oldest foster child from school every day, I've started praying as we turn onto the street where the school is. I can't remember my mom's prayer verbatim, but I pray for some of the same things--wisdom on tests, making good friends, safety, guidance, and a Godly influence in the lives of friends.

Last month, the Baking Brigade connected with soldiers--some about to deploy and some who had arrived at Ft. Hood just the day before. We used Whisker Graphics' Air Mail Divine Twine.

 + dinosaurs and man. Alan arranged for Mike Riddle to come to Chapel Next and hold a Creation Training Initiative class on Saturday. Mike also taught during Sunday Morning Life Group (about dinosaurs and man), and during the church service (about Genesis and discernment). Having attended a mostly secular college, I never received any apologetics teaching (nor did I ever receive any from my home church--that I recall--which I attended until I moved to Texas last summer), so hearing that dinosaurs only recently (hundreds-ish) became extinct was interesting. I also wish churches would teach more about a Biblical worldview.

 

miscellany monday

+ C painted my nails on Thursday.  I'm currently sporting five different colors in three different patterns.  T asked if he could paint my nails this week.

+ Spending so much time at home has greatly heightened my intolerance for dirtiness.  Blanket forts across the hallway, Nerf darts and dog food are perfectly acceptable (Shooter always levels his food with his nose, so there always seems to be dog food on the kitchen floor three seconds after I sweep it).  But I don't think I've ever cleaned a bathroom twice a week.  Except for that one time, when I was in England.

+ I made sea salted butter and organic banana-peanut butter ice cream on Thursday.

+ Alan took the boys for frozen yogurt after exploring the area on Saturday.

+ Alan and the boys went to the playground across the street and played tag basically all Saturday morning.  And then they played "ninja," a game they learned at Bob's Diner (chapel youth group).

+ We had an incredible time of fellowship at the Soldiers' Hospitality House yesterday.  We finally connected with another couple who married only five days before us (we've been attending the couples' Bible study together, but haven't talked much beyond that).  We have some similar experiences, and hearing their story and how God brought them together was really touching.

+ Afterward, Matt and Yessica came over so Alan could teach Matt how to replace his brakes.  Yessica and I spent three hours chatting.

+ We wrapped up Sunday evening with Alan and C playing hide-and-seek Nerf tag while T made rice with a tadiq/tahdig.