New Year

So much is changing right now. I feel as though our entire lives are in constant shifting and I can't keep up with all of it!

I've been trying to get a grasp on my studies, figuring out how many classes and all I need to finish, on top of working on all my studies. Jesse was also recently in a car accident, no injuries, PTL. Unfortunately this means the car is totaled and no more. :( It's a major bummer, but in a way, a blessing. It relieves some of the monthly financial stress, and, get this.... the debt! Jesse and I have been diligently praying that the Lord would move heavily on our finances in the way of debt. We truly believe it is good to "owe no man" and would sincerely like to live a debt-free life. This isn't the way we expected or wanted to really eliminate some of the debt, but we are grateful to be free of it. Now, to make the school debt vamoose and we will really be free! Currently, since I am not working it's fine to be down to one car, it just means I'm cooped up in the house all day. Pray for my sanity! I get a little stir crazy. I plan to start going to work with Jesse one day a week just for a change in scenery. We'll see how it goes.

Also, we are totally stoked to be a part of a new little Christian community that's just formed, called the Flame. I like to think of it as an experiment in revival. We have only a vague understanding of where it's going, we just show up and seek the face of the Lord, and every week He takes it in a new direction. Basically, our desire as a leadership team is to move towards a 24 hour prayer/worship room. Right now it's only a few hours every week, but it's clear that with time and more worship leaders it will expand! It's so exciting to be right at the start of a brand new work of the Spirit in this dry and weary land. One of the major things we have been seeking is the awakening of lost souls and the rekindling of love and desire for the Lord in the believers in the area. Also, the room we currently have faces the back of a newly planted abortion clinic, so there have been meetings and many prayers said for the abolishment of the establishment. I hope to connect with this group soon and see where I can get involved.

Meanwhile, the ladies Bible study has been moving forward in our studies on what it means to be a woman of God. It has so blessed me to prepare a weekly study and I am always so challenged by His word. We've covered an array of topics from work, marriage, resting, priestly ministry and next week we will be talking about our speech.

Dear friends and family, I miss you. I pray the love of Christ is dwelling in you all richly and that you are hearing Him daily. May we lay down our lives to receive the wonderful true Life He has for us.

Ode to Sulfur.

I love how your hair reflects the rosy glow, but I can't stand the smell no mo...
nothing more dost i do dread, then inhaling such fumes until I am dead.


Oh to stroll hand in hand down the river walk path, to kiss your cheek would be lovely, please lift you hazmat mask


From the top floor of St. Ritas hospital i gander,
looking south to the fire and smoke my mind doth wander.


What fumes through yon window seep?
That maketh me heart go to a deep sleep.


With words of wit, we love the flame
That gives to Lima all that fame
And someday when that flame goes BOOM
All that remains, will be the fumes


Breathe deeply, then, that Lima fog
That changes taste, of gruel and nog
Alas, the fires and smoke will pass
When we no longer need the gas.


So tis the end of this great tale,
of gas, of fire and penned by no ale.
Of a lima refinery, in a small little dell.


(This poem was inspired by the stench of the local Refinery, our finest attribute. ha. If any of you have been to my town, you know what we're talking about. So, thanks to John, Connie, Bob and Sheri we know have our own little sonnet. )

CCBC Ohio

Ok, Ok, so CCBC doesn't have a campus in Ohio....

But! This is where school happens. :)

My own little nook to study away the winter. 

I love. love. love. my desk. It was an antique show find from the spring. It used to be a gun-chest,  and before that I believe it was a safari desk. It folds up into a chest and has handles so you can carry it. My husband attached the legs, and voila, instant desk. I pulled all the nasty green carpet off and gave it a fresh coat of paint. Then I attached the cork material to the lid, so now it shows off some of the things that inspire me and warm my heart. 

I am so blessed to get to fill my days with the Word of God. The best way I could think to spend my winter, and my life.

I'm such a nerd.

Confession: I may have been battling some minor depression due to lack of stimulation for my intelligence. Yesterday when things didn't happen with my school I became super sad and brooding. That is how much I enjoy school and learning.

Alas! Today I successfully accessed all my classes, created a calendar with due dates for everything and formulated a game-plan for completion. Then, I began my first Biblical Counseling class and submitted my first week of notes. I'm already dreaming of hours spent at the library and ordering my Commentary. Bahaha. And long walks on the beach walking hand-in-hand with Chuck tracks...... er, just kidding about that last part. (You fellow CCBC'ers know what I'm talking about. )

But seriously, I feel like a successful human being today. Not that my worth is in what I do, but I've just been doing a whole lot of things that were unintelligent. I mean, I haven't learned all that much from deep-cleaning the house... except that I despise dusting. It's not exactly stimulating work, and I'd like to use my brain-cells once in a while.

I'm about to make my way to the mailbox to see if my books (or anything else interesting) has been deposited today. There's nothing like a bit of good news. :)

First

Happy December first everyone!


It appropriately was the first snow!


It was also supposed to be my first day of classes online, but something seems to be amiss. I currently am wracking my brain trying to figure out how to actually listen to the lectures, let alone find a syllabus! Not to mention my books haven't arrived in the mail yet. Weird. Nevertheless, I am still anticipating the moment I actually can begin. Until then, I will have to find things to keep myself busy. sigh.


Ps: Did you ever notice how weird the word first looks when it's written? It looks just wrong, but the little red squiggles haven't shown up, so I know it's right. Thank you, mysterious squiggles. 

Operation Husband's Birthday: Success

I have been plotting a great many surprises for my Husband this year. I decided to take him on an adventure. I changed his name to something decidedly more Pirate-y, drew him a map and made him find his presents. His map (card) was chock-full of all of our favorite pirate-lingo, and led him directly to the antique (treasure) chest we inherited for our wedding.

Here he is, showcasing his loot. You can also see the card and the chest behind and to the left. 

The highlight of the evening was definitely his dueling lego's, a gift that went over very well.

See, he got decapitated by the catapult. That's pretty intense.

Since Jesse doesn't like cake, this year he requested a Chocococoberry pie, an invention inspired by our Yogurtland experiences on our honeymoon in Santa Barbara. Thanks, Inga-Lill for introducing us to the tastiest experience in the land! For those of you who haven't figured it out, Chocococoberry is Chocolate, Coconut, and Blueberry pie. His Mom diligently (and prayerfully) figured out a way to make a scrumptious concoction. Although, she forgot the coconut, she added a cinnamon crisp topping, and it was fantastic! One of the best pies ever! Henceforth, I believe it shall be called Birthday Pie, as it seems to be easier, especially if anyone else marries into the family, they may think we're nuts. 

Anywho, here is a picture of the unpronounceable pies!

I bid yer' farewell! 

Full Steam ahead!

Today is an excellent day! I have just received my acceptance to finish my Theology degree! Online! I am super stoked to get back into studying and learning. I have missed it, even though I've been trying my best to keep up on it. I've somehow managed to read 15 books this year, the 16th in progress. 

Even so, I am excited for another reason, flexibility. Finishing online allows me to make my own schedule and work around other responsibilities and other things I wish to do. Which means, if I need to take a few days off it's no big deal, cause I can make it up at my own pace. I have precisely 4 months to complete each course, and I can complete it earlier if I want to.

So this week I am going to try to get everything sorted and prepared to register for classes, which I think start on December 1st. 

I'm also in the middle of preparing some birthday treats for my husband, whose Birthday is the 18th! I'm pretty excited. It's also going to be our first holiday season together. :) Aw. This is the part where you get all teary-eyed and sentimental. haha. 

I hope you're all having an excellent day too!