Many New Beginnings

Today, I was hired on the spot at the only local Mediterranean restaurant in town. Pretty incredible actually, since I am in love with their food, and have been praying for a position there. I must say it's a lot more classy than the bowling alley, a completely different ball-game. I start tomorrow! 


The owner is a very professional and serious business man. He comes from Syria and is committed to serving only the freshest and most excellent food that he can produce (since he is also the chef). I happen to love this. If you haven't noticed, my recent affinity for food is now leading me down a very delicious line of profession. I hope to not only fall in love with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine even more, but to actually learn to cook it should the opportunity present itself.


So while I sit here poring over my homework (the menu) I find myself salivating in anticipation of my first shift. While I am nervous, I am very excited to be a part of such a fine restaurant. I like promoting local businesses, as well as promoting the renovation and reviving of our somewhat dilapidated downtown. I think this kind of atmosphere is exactly what we need around here. A little international flavor... oh, and better coffee. 


I am extremely blessed. The blessings just keep piling up this week, and I am in awe of how God takes care of me. My heart sings it's way down this new adventure. I never knew I could enjoy this town so much...

A very good Friday

So, last Friday, Jesse proposed. Yes, it's true, I am getting married!

It was a very spontaneous proposal, and very joyous. He had the ring hidden in his glovebox, and then when I was bopping around the car, he asked me to check in there as I was preparing to throw out a few things. And Voila! There was the ring, shiny, and staring at me. In my shock, I was convinced that I found it on accident (which had been my fear all along) and exclaimed, "Are you serious?!". Which probably is considered an inappropriate response to a marriage proposal. In my shock, I barely heard him say the words, "Will you marry me?" About the time it registered that he was seriously I immediately responded with a Yes.

A little comical, a little shocking, a lot of wonderful.

He did good. :)

Stay tuned for the rest of our adventures in engagement-land. 

Oh yeah, the wedding date is another Friday. August 6, 2010.

Orange Spongecake.

So, I am completely enamored with this old Italian family recipe-book that I have. When I was in high school, my graphic design class was hired to produce it. It was my job, so I managed to print myself a copy, and boy, am I sure glad! It's been a source of recent happiness (for all members of the family, not just me!)

My latest baking endeavor was this scrumptious orange spongecake. It was nearly a domestic fail, as it kept wanting to spill over into the oven. ugh. Yet I managed to salvage it, and it was a big hit and Monday night family dinner at Jesse's. I find myself at a disadvantage with this cookbook for a few reasons.

     1. There are no pictures which tell me what it supposed to look like.
     2. Sometimes they forget to tell you which pan to use.
     3. I don't personally know Aunt Aggie, so I can't call her up for help with her recipe.

I find myself improvising and experimenting, but so far it has worked out. It's quite the adventure.

Oh, and I am in love with my new colorful cookery. They make me so happy to be domestic.

START THE REVOLUTION

I want to start a revolution to bring back classy. I mean, seriously, when did trashy replace classy? It became acceptable and expected for girls to abandon all sense of moral code, attached with all kinds of gimmicks and tricks to make themselves more desirable. When, in actuality it has become just that, a gimmick.

So, lets unite to bring back some pride to womanhood. To bring back value to those homemaking skills that are seemingly disappearing. Honestly, does anyone know how to can vegetables, throw a dinner party, hem a skirt, or even cook dinner for that matter?

I've been thinking a lot about this since I've been home. I want to learn how to be a wonderful woman. No gimmicks, no tricks, but true, pure and lovely. I've been finding myself lost in the grocery store, poring over delicious cookbooks, and delighting in my brand-new apron! It's something I never expected out of myself, but an adventure nonetheless.

Out of the mouths of babes.

I read something very profound recently. Spoken by a child. She put it very simply.

If you love God, you will be happy.

Where's your happiness coming from?

... It's been a long time.

After much deliberation and prayer, I've returned to the city of my birth. I left much unfinished when I dashed away a few years ago. There are so many lessons knocking on my door, as if to say, "Learn me now?" 


After recovering from the initial, "What have I done?" shock, I've settled right back in. There's nothing like walking in your front door, smelling that homey scent and hugging your very proud mother. It's been a rewarding experience. 


So far, I've returned to work at the Bowling Alley (small-town, I know). I have had surprisingly good conversations with my coworkers, and I really know that this is where God wants me. As hard as it is, I am learning more about the heart of God for people in this job. I'm learning to serve, and I get to literally feel God's heart for the lost, and speak hope into the lives of people that are convinced that God hates them. It's war.


I have returned also to the church that I grew up in. It has gone through a major overhaul in the past 2 years, and it is a new place, where the passion of Christ is beginning to flow freely, and believers are seeing the undeniable hand of God. Plus, on Tuesday nights, they are having a class on the history of the Bible, which is like my very own piece of Bible College that I miss so dearly. 


I am also currently dating my best friend of 6 years, Jesse Wisener. Old news, but good news. We are experiencing the joy of God, and fellowship daily with the Lord in ways that are new and sometimes mind-boggling. I am watching as this is growing both my character and my trust in the Lord, leading me towards His heart. 


My dear Readers, I probably miss you, as you are all spread around the world. It satisfies my heart knowing that we share a future and a hope of eternal fellowship, for you are all so uniquely amazing. May God richly bless your day. 

Lest we forget...

Today was a good day. Happy Kelsey's Birthday everyone! It was my roommates Birthday today, so to celebrate we went to Köln today, to see the 5 Christmas Markets that are there. So I played tourguide/translator as best as I could and led a delighted group of girls around the city that was originally an old Roman Colony. We saw many beautiful things, humongous Christmas trees, ate a massive amount of German goodies and had great fellowship.

This is something everyone should experience at least once.

While we enjoyed the magical experience, the Starbucks, and all the other shiny things there was an impactful end to our night. We were ready to leave a little early, so I found a train that left before we had planned. Coming up the stairs to our platform, I looked left to see if the train was coming, and it was. There was one major problem, an older man had fallen on the tracks. Why, we don't know, but we can only speculate that he tripped or slid or fell. The train was slamming on its' brakes, and three men were on the tracks, picking him up and hoisting him over to a few other men. He looked unconscious. Limp, with a gash about 6 inches long and four inches wide on his head. His head must have broken his fall. They were successful in getting him up and the train was able to stop in plenty of time. Thank God. And for a few breathless moments, all we could say was, "Jesus". Our immediate reaction was to pray, and while we couldn't think of what to pray, and were in a state of shock, we watched and prayed while this man's grown son cradled him in his arms, crying and asking for medical help. People ran for the first aid kit and paramedics. After we began praying, the man began regaining consciousness and moving. To our extreme relief. His head would not stop gushing. By the time we were boarding our train, his head was bandaged and the paramedics had set him up and were taking him for medical attention. We were all pretty shaken and continued praying for him and his family.

It stirred us, and we had a wonderful time of fellowship afterward, trading stories of how good God has been to us all. I love hearing those special testimonies of how God has provided, saved, comforted, healed and protected his people. I don't think 2 hours has ever gone so quickly in my life. We were united, by the blood of Jesus and the testimony of a God who is very involved in our lives. I feel like I needed today, to hear those stories, and to reflect on all those times God has intervened in a special way.

Let us praise him, Lest we forget Him. For he is amazing, and no one can compare to our great God. I love him. I hope you do too.