reflection

After a busy holiday season, Christmas break has finally provided some time for rest and reflection.

 

My emotions have been all over the map for the last couple weeks. Most recently, I've been filled with joy as we celebrated our Savior's birth with family and friends. Yet even in these days of happy rejoicing, here and there my heart remembers all those who are grieving during this holiday season -- those close to home and far away, family, friends or those I've never met. Regardless, my heart has been with them, along with my prayers.

 

I couldn't help but think especially of those families in Newtown, Connecticut. Ever since I heard the news of the devastating tragedy they faced on that unforgettable Friday, I've had a hard time not thinking about it. Being an elementary school teacher myself, this tragedy had even greater impact for me than previous public shootings.

 

I was relieved not to hear about the devastation at Sandy Hook Elementary School until after my own school day was finished. I saw a few parents upset when picking up their kids that day and I wondered why. Had I known the reason, I think I would've been equally emotional with my students. When I did hear the news from a colleague shortly after school, I was shocked. My mind flooded with questions, the main one being: "Who could do such a thing, and WHY?" I wanted to learn more but decided that watching the news was not a good option for me. I am a very visual person and images stay in my mind long after I've seen them. I didn't want to fill my mind with images of the terror that happened that day. I was already imagining it, and so disturbed just thinking of the elementary school students and staff who bore witness to it all.

 

Though I did listen to the NPR radio coverage on my way home that day, and had to try hard to hold back my tears. Over the next couple days, I kept thinking of those parents who couldn't tuck their children in that night, or those students shaking in their hiding places, or the teachers and staff who did everything they could think of to comfort and protect the students they loved so much. I also thought of the first responders who had no choice but to be strong, even when they too probably wanted to close their eyes and cry.

 

By Sunday morning, I decided I should turn on the TV to honor those whose lives were lost by seeing their names and faces on the screen. In each face, it was hard not to see my own students shining eyes or smiles, or those of my colleagues. To me, it was a grim reminder that this tragedy could've happened anywhere, at any school.

 

That night, I also tuned in to the Interfaith Prayer Service that was held in Newtown in honor of the victims. I joined in with my own prayers, that somehow God would bring good out of such a bad situation, and that he would comfort the families of those beloved 26 and the entire Newtown community.

 

Perhaps watching the news that day was not the wisest decision for me though. Sunday night, I laid awake in bed for hours. Thoughts and emotions ran wild in my mind --- sadness for those affected, fear for the safety of my own school, dread for the conversation I would have with my class the next day, and one looming question:

 

As a teacher, what would I do in that situation?

 

I have the utmost respect for those teachers and administrators who gave their lives to save others. I can only hope that I would do the same for my precious 7-8 year olds if I were ever in the position to do so. I'm sure God would give me strength and wisdom in times of danger, and I trust Him to protect us. Yet, that night as I laid awake, I couldn't help but form a plan. I felt there had to be something I could do, even something small, that would make my students (and myself) feel the slightest bit more secure at school. I decided to keep my classroom door locked from that point on, but propped open with a wooden block door stopper, so students and teachers can still go in and out easily even if the door is closed. This way, in the event of an emergency, I wouldn't have to go to my desk, get my keys, then run to the opposite side of the room, go into the hallway, and lock the door from the outside. Instead, just one kick of the door stopper will allow me to close and lock the door quickly. I'm also grateful to have a bathroom in my classroom this year, where I could hide all the little ones and guard it with my life. I pray I never have to.

 

It was different walking into school that following Monday morning. Though I know it is still a secure place to be, it felt less safe and sacred than it did the week before. We met as a staff to discuss how to talk about the tragedy with our students in an age appropriate way. I was worried that my 2nd graders would be talking about it together before I could even address it with the class. But amazingly (a total God moment!), they knew better than to bring it up as "playground conversation." When we met for devotions as a class, I told them something sad happened at a school in CT --- that some students and teachers were hurt and we needed to pray for them and their families. I asked them to raise their hands if they already heard about this sad story and talked about it with their parents. The majority of them raised their hands. We spent some time in prayer, and I closed by telling them they could write me a note during the day if they wanted to tell me what they knew or ask questions about what happened. A few took me up on the offer, wanting to fill me in on what they learned from their parents, but most had already moved on and were now more concerned with which book to read or what to play at recess. Only one student's question was hard for me to answer:

 

"My mom says it will never happen to me. Is that true, Mrs. Beverly?"

 

Oh, if only I could say, "Yes. Definitely. It will never happen to you." But how, in this sinful world, could I make such a promise? I quickly came up with an alternative answer. I assured this student that our school is a safe place to be, and that teachers will do anything to protect their students. I reminded her that incidents like the one in Sandy Hook Elementary School don't happen often, and that there are millions of students who go to school around the world every day and go home unharmed. And thankfully, since I work in a Christian school, I could leave her with one more important truth. While I can't promise her that evil will never invade our school, I can promise that God is watching over us and will NEVER leave us. With that, this sweet girl skipped back to her desk and resumed her reading.

 

Funny how what I told her was exactly what I needed to hear too. 

 

After Monday, each day at school got a little easier as we all adjusted back to routine. Little by little, I was able to pull my mind away from Friday's tragedy and refocus on my students. Even during Wednesday's lock down drill, the kids were not fearful, knowing that the drills we practice are just another thing we do to stay safe at school.

 

While I initially dreaded talking to my students after this tragedy, I can now say that being with them was the best way to remind myself that we cannot live in fear. We can take precautions, but ultimately our strength and trust can only come from God alone.

 

My prayer for the Newtown community is that they will also be able to find strength in God through this incredibly difficult time.

a gift to ourselves

Just 9 years ago, my 17th birthday was just around the corner and my dad was helping me decide on my first car. When he asked what I wanted, I had many important specifications in mind ... "Hmm..., a pretty color, 4 wheels, and a CD player." My dad had a good laugh (and quite a different experience with my two brothers that followed). But, it sure did make the car buying process a lot easier! The first used car my dad found for me to take a look at was a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. I took it for a test drive in the dealership parking lot and decided it was a winner! It was previously owned by an older gentleman who only put about 36,000 miles on it and had taken great care of the vehicle, inside and out. For that reason, my brothers referred to the car as a "Grandpa car," but I loved it and that's all that mattered.

That car was so good to me. Until recently, I rarely had any problems with it. I took the car with me everywhere -- Delaware, Boston, Washington DC, back and forth to Michigan too many times to count! One Spring Break, four of us piled in and took turns driving it all the way down to Florida! I'll admit that I had my fair share of minor accidents,  bumping into snow banks or parked cars (oops!). A deer hit me once and left some damage (yes, I believe the deer hit me, not the other way around -- it came out of nowhere!). But aside from my own mistakes, the old Alero was faithful to the end. As our only vehicle for quite some time, my husband and I put a lot of stock in that car!

So it was bittersweet for me when we realized the life of the Alero was coming to an end. We had racked up over 117,000 miles and the wear was starting to show. For the past couple years, more and more things started to go wrong and we realized we were spending more money on repair bills over the course of a year than we would on a new car payment. The time had finally come to start looking for a new car.

After months of research (thanks to my hubby for that!) and a few test drives, we decided to purchase a 2013 Subaru Impreza hatchback. After selling the Alero on Craigs List, we were all set to order our Subaru. We picked up the new ride last week and we absolutely love it. Merry Christmas to us! We hope this car treats us as well as the old Alero!

merry christmas to all!

It doesn't seem too long ago that I was still living at what I will always refer to as "home" with my parents and two younger brothers, and would wake up on Christmas morning to my youngest brother's knocking on the bedroom door ... and then knocking on the bathroom door ... "Why do you need to brush your teeth? Why do you need to wash your face? It's Christmas! Come and see the presents!"

Funny how things have changed ... this morning I was the one to wake up at 6:15 AM and not able to fall back to sleep knowing it was Christmas morning! By 7:00, we were out the door with gifts in hand, heading to my parents' house. We arrived to find that youngest brother was still in bed! Now 16, and could sleep until noon, I was quick to knock on his door! 

As usual, we read the Christmas story, opened stockings and gifts, and had breakfast together ... all before 10 AM! For our family, Christmas excitement cannot be contained -- no matter your age!

how is it December already?

I guess my absence here over the past several weeks gives you a glimpse into the state of my life lately ... busy, busy, busy! Always somewhere to be or something to be doing. (A bit different from a post not too long ago... can you tell I had to say good bye to my student teacher recently?!) I hope it's just "that time of the year!" 

Yes, it's true ... the holidays are upon us! How did that happen? Let's back up just a bit.

November snuck up on us after the wrath of Hurricane Sandy in late October. While our personal effects were minimal, by the first days of November it was clear that many others needed our help. Though school was cancelled through November 2, our days were filled! Friends and family were in and out of our home to escape the cold. We volunteered time at our church, which partnered with local organizations and municipalities to provide meals for two nearby shelters. My husband's working hours went through the roof as he tried to meet the needs of those in our community who were struggling as a result of the storm. Yet in the midst of the chaos, it was amazing to see how God worked in and through us (and so many others) to share His love with people in need.

But, once we were able to settle back in to routine again, November brought some great times:

1. A successful a.j.e.less designs open house party! This year brought our highest sales and best attendance yet! We decided that 10% of our sales from the night would be donated to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

2. A night out on the town! We thought that the student teachers should get to see NYC in its full glory, so we took the ferry into Midtown at dusk, stopped for a bite to eat, and went to see a Broadway show! It was definitely not your typical Thursday night (and a little harder getting up that following Friday morning)!

3. Supper Six. This great idea sparked at my church a few months ago -- families signed up to gather for a meal with 2 other families that they did not know very well. Each family agreed to meet once a month, taking turns hosting dinner in their home. The hope was to build community in the body of Christ. We were assigned to host first, so I broke out all the dinner plates (actually had to borrow some from our downstairs neighbors) and set the table for 10.  It was tight, but we made it work! We bought enough wine and bread to go around, baked two different lasagnas, and asked each of the other two families to bring salad or dessert. I admit I had some butterflies in my stomach as I waited for 6:00 to roll around that Sunday (we are not at the top of the most outgoing list!), but the 10 of us had a wonderful dinner together! It was great to get to know others from our church family that much better. It's amazing how much closer you feel after just one meal. I was worried that their kids may feel out of place, but they each brought their own additions to the conversation. We look forward to our upcoming dinners with these new church friends!

4. The second grade students were responsible for presenting the Thanksgiving chapel at our school. It's always a bit stressful putting the program together (you can only imagine practicing with 30 7-8 year olds), but the end result always turns out adorable, even if mistakes are made. My favorite part of this year's program was a slideshow of pictures drawn by the second grade students about what they are thankful for. I promise I didn't even make him write this! :)

5. Of course, the Thanksgiving break was also a highlight of the month! We spent the holiday with my family this year. It was a small and quiet gathering, but relaxing. All in my family were very thankful that my youngest brother's recent knee surgery was a success and that his recovery is quickly progressing! But of course, the list of things to give thanks for is long ... more to come about that soon! (I hope not to wait so long before posting again!)

life on hold

In the day to day of routine life, it always seems to me that life is on fast forward. It always seems that there is more to do and not enough time to accomplish it all. Yet, when a storm forces us all to slow down for a few days -- or a whole week, it seems we have nothing to do! We so quickly become bored when the lights go out.

Thankfully there was just a brief time in our house when the power was out. That was the worst of it for us -- some howling winds that made the house shake, and a half hour without power. We were so fortunate, and glad to hear that our friends and family were as well (though some are still without power). My heart hurts for so many in the surrounding areas who did not fare so well and lost so much more than power. It is heartbreaking to watch the news and see the devastation around New Jersey and New York City. 

I came across Psalm 107 in my devotions today. I found it fitting and uplifting - hope you do too. I know that God can bring good out of this awful situation, and I know that He will.

Psalm 107:1-9, 14, 29-31

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story-

those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

those he gathered from the lands,

from east and west, from north and south.

"Some wandered in desert wastelands,

finding no way to a city where they could settle.

They were hungry and thirsty, 

and their lives ebbed away.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and he delivered them from their distress.

He led them by a straight way

to a city where they could settle.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

for he satisfies the thirsty

and fills the hungry with good things.

"He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,

and broke away their chains.

"He stilled the storm to a whisper,

the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for mankind."

these are a few of my favorite things

... about this fall!

1. The leaves changing colors. A few weekends ago, we drove 4 hours up to Syracuse to visit friends and it was the perfect time of year to do so ... the roads were lined with trees and I was content to pass the time simply by enjoying the amazing colors around us! We also enjoyed a leisurely hike last Sunday, which gave me chance to capture these beautiful fall colors with my camera.

2. Fall foods. Being a dessert person, I love this time of year for its apple crisp, homemade apple sauce, pumpkin muffins, and various pies (though pumpkin is my favorite!) I have also become a fan of the Keurig machine at school since the PTO has kindly provided apple cider K-cups for us non-coffee drinkers. Good thing I don't anticipate putting my bathing suit on any time soon!

3. Fall decorations. I love driving through neighborhoods to see front entryways graced with mums and pumpkins. (But I could do without the disgusting Halloween displays!) Though I don't have many autumn decorations of my own, I have become obsessed with lighting my new pumpkin spice candle every night!

4. Having a student teacher. What a difference it makes to have an extra set of hands in the classroom at all times! I don't know what I am going to do without her come December. I am enjoying it while I can! The last few weeks have been especially nice because she has been taking on more and more responsibilities in the classroom, which means less planning and grading for me! I've enjoyed the opportunities to work with students in smaller groups while she is teaching, as well as plan ahead for upcoming events like field trips and our 2nd grade Thanksgiving chapel. 

5. Resting on the Sabbath. As a teacher, it has always been difficult to truly set aside a full day each week to rest ... until now. Thanks to the help of a student teacher, I've been able to get my necessary work done on Saturdays, along with grocery shopping and laundry, so that I can enjoy and focus on God on Sundays. I've used recent Sunday afternoons as opportunities to do things I love that I wouldn't normally have as much time for -- craft projects, visiting with friends, walks with loved ones, being outside. The best part is that my husband (now that he is no longer in grad school) can also now relax on Sundays, so we've enjoyed our Sabbaths together. It is a wonderful feeling not to dread Sundays as a day of preparing for the school week ahead, and to sleep well on Sunday nights having relaxed during the day! I am going to try my very best to stick to this pattern even after my student teacher is finished with her semester.

6. Seeing God's provision. God provided the perfect non-profit ministry job for my husband in late August, and it has been so rewarding to see how happy he is working in this position. Like any new job, this one can be overwhelming at times, but overall I can tell that he is enjoying his day to day activities and feels that God has placed him here for a reason. It has been especially gratifying to see how (in just 2 months on the job) God has provided for the ministry in times of need. Right when we start to worry that the food pantry shelves are looking sparse, or that the monthly bills won't be paid on time, God provides through generous donors. I love coming home to hear my husband's work stories about God's miraculous provision, and it is a continual reminder that God provides for us at home too.

Though I am a summer-lover through and through, this fall has definitely had its perks! Giving thanks for it all ...

soon to be mommy!

We are in Syracuse for the long weekend, enjoying time with great friends who are soon to be parents for the first time! Of course I had to take advantage of this opportunity to take some beautiful fall maternity photos. It's hard to believe that the next time we visit, their baby boy will be here! 

the whole gospel

Here's a post I've been mulling over for a while ... finally ready to publish!

One book I made time for this summer was Richard Stearns' The Hole in our Gospel. It has been out for a while ... I had been meaning to read it for years. But, the book never took priority until recently, and after reading just the first few pages, you quickly discover why. It's not an easy book to read! It's written to make you feel uncomfortable with the way things are, and motivates you to do something about it! 

Stearns' essential message summed up in a sentence is this: The gospel -- God's good news! -- is not simply something we believe; it is to be lived out.

After all, if we were starving, sick, lonely, or treated unjustly, would we want to hear the "good news" from people who are blind to our physical needs? Doubtful. But if those same people reached out with their actions and helped to meet our daily needs, we might care to listen.

Stearns writes, "We are the carriers of the gospel - the good news that was meant to change the world. Belief is not enough. Worship is not enough. Personal morality is not enough. And Christian community is not enough. God has always demanded more. When we committed ourselves to following Christ, we also committed to living our lives in such a way that a watching world would catch a glimpse of God's character - His love, justice, and mercy - through our words, actions, and behavior. ... He called us go out, to proclaim the "good news" - to be the "good news" - and to change the world. Living out our faith privately was never meant to be an option" (page 3).

The author goes on to write about how God transformed his heart (and his life) to do just that. His journey is an incredible story, and when combined with shocking realities about our broken world - one filled with heartache, disease, poverty, and injustice - you can't help but be moved. Especially when we acknowledge that Jesus was the perfect example of how to share the good news of the gospel. Jesus sought out the people who were overlooked by everyone else -- the lowly fisherman, the tax collectors, the sick, the poor, the lame, the orphans and widows, and so many more on the outskirts of their society. Why should we not do the same?

This book was especially poignant for me because of where I live. I can walk 10 minutes in one direction and find myself in a quiet neighborhood, surrounded by large, beautiful homes with panoramic views, flower-lined yards, and three car garages. Or, I can walk 10 minutes in the opposite direction and find myself in an extremely urban area where the homes are overcrowded and falling apart, the streets are noisy, and trails of garbage and graffiti grab your attention. What a stark contrast between the rich and poor.

Then there's me. Living in the middle - wishing I could "even it all out." Dreaming of how supposedly simple it would be to take from the wealthy and give to those in need. But of course, I know it's not that easy. I can only do the part of one person -- and encourage others to do the same.

While reading this book, I also came upon a blog post from a favorite author of mine, Ann Voskamp. She recommended several ways we can help change the world (click here for the full post). Here were a few of my favorites:

1. Pray for those in need. I was reminded of how often I ask God for my own needs and for the desires of those I interact with regularly. Yet I so easily forget to pray for those around the world (or in my own neighborhood) whose needs are far greater than my own. I may not know their names or situations, but God does. Reading this book also prompted me to fast more often (maybe one meal a week or one day a month?). I know that fasting would not only remind me what it is like to be hungry, but also to pray for those who are truly hungry all the time.

2. Make it a goal to tithe 10% (or more). Now that my husband and I are both working and seeing larger figures each month, it has become more difficult to continue giving God's portion away. But we have seen first hand how God provides when we give generously, and we trust He will keep doing so!

3. Give wisely. It is important to us that the organizations we give to use our gifts in the most effective ways. It is worth the research to make sure that our money is used to have the largest possible impact.

4. Be near the poor. It is much harder to remember those in need when we do not see their needs. Now that my husband is working in a local nonprofit organization, we believe it is essential for us to live in the community where we can interact with his clients.

5. Sponsor a child. I am considering doing this with my class this year. My husband and I would provide the financial support, but my students could help us pray for the child and encourage him/her with drawings and letters.

6. Buy wisely. Wear justice by shopping from stores that do not exploit their workers. There are a few stores that we haven't shopped in for a few years now, after discovering some ugly truths about their business. Check out the Better World Handbook or the Better World Shopping Guide for tips on where to shop.

I highly recommend The Hole in Our Gospel. It was heart-wrenching, but also a great reminder that we should not just believe in the Word, but DO what it says, even when it's not easy.

the beginnings of fall

I know it's fall when...

1. I want to do nothing but sit on the couch in my pajamas on Friday night after a first busy week back-to-school. 

2. I spend a large chunk of my Saturday lesson planning for the next week.

3. I wake up to a chill in the air, but the day warms to a perfect temperature of mid-70's with no humidity - a great day for apple picking! It will feel even more like fall when I bake a delicious apple crisp!

more of Lake George

celebrating in NYC

Last week, we planned a spontaneous overnight trip into New York City to celebrate my husband's new job! Thanks to Living Social we found a great hotel deal, which included a few free drinks at the hotel bar and a free breakfast buffet the next morning! We also enjoyed dining on the town with a certificate from Restaurant.com. We spent the next day on the Hudson River taking a City Sights cruise to see all of New York's highlights from the perspective of the water! It was a great way to spend time together before we both go back to work! 

can't get enough of her!

As promised, I had a mini photo shoot with my niece during our vacation in Lake George. I love the results, hope you do too! 

More Lake George photos to come!

answered prayers

Dear friends,

I cannot thank you enough for your support and prayers! The reason I was so anxious a few days back was because my husband had an important interview for a job he really wanted. After a summer of waiting on God's perfect timing, he has been very ready for the right job to come along. It was especially nerve-wracking because he felt God calling him to this position, which would have made it even more devastating if he did not get the job.

Thankfully that was not the case! I am happy to report that (starting next week) my husband will be the Executive Director at a local ministry that benefits people in need within our community. This could not be a more perfect fit for him! He has a huge heart for  social justice, but especially for people who are often overlooked or have a hard time "getting by." He has also learned a lot about community development and the needs of our specific area. Though it is a big job (huge, actually) and will require a lot of learning, I know he will do an amazing job! I am so proud of his hard work in getting to this new phase of our lives.

God is good! We are so incredibly grateful.

my favorite color is green

My mom may be shocked to read that since I detested every green vegetable for most of my life, but now I love just about everything green! What I most love about the color green is that it is an "earthy" tone - a color that often shows itself in nature.

For these reasons, it should not surprise you that my husband and I also strive to "be green" in many ways. Though it is not always easy to put the environment above our own convenience, it has become more natural for me over the last few years. I thought I would share some of the ways that we strive to minimize our carbon footprint - not because I want to say "look what we do," but because I hope it may inspire you to "go green" in ways that you may not have thought of before. That's what it took for me - other people to simply say, "Have you thought of doing it this way?" Some of my suggestions are so simple - definitely not new or unique ideas, but perhaps they will be new to you.

• Using a clothes line - I know it sounds silly and small in the grand scheme of buying a house, but I was thrilled to find out that our home came with a clothes line! I love not having to use the dryer as often, especially for those clothes that you don't want to shrink! As long as the weather cooperates, I use our clothes line on a weekly basis from spring through fall.

• Eating vegetarian - When my husband (then boyfriend) first told me he was going to become a vegetarian about 5 years ago, I must admit that I wasn't thrilled. But now he has rubbed off on me! We don't buy or eat any meat in our home. Not only does this benefit the environment (and the animals!), but it also helps with our grocery budget. I do enjoy chicken or a burger once in a while when we eat with others or go out for a bite. Though I must say I don't miss eating meat as much as I once thought I would! There are so many delicious, healthy, and easy vegetarian options that I was unaware of!

• Composting - Since we eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, we decided recently to save on waste and start a compost. We bought a compost tumbler and some starter mix, simply added some water, brown yard waste, and of course our table scraps, and nature does the rest! We turn the tumbler every few days and add water as necessary to keep the compost at the right temperature. We hope to use our composted soil in our own garden someday! 

• Growing a "mini garden" - For as much as I love the color green, I can't say I have a "green thumb." But I received such a sweet and practical gift from a student at the end of the school year - a mini garden for the kitchen - that I became determined to keep the plants alive! So far, so good! Right in our own home, we are growing basil, oregano, and sage. Unfortunately, we used all of the cilantro and it did not grow back. Even still, I love that we can pull off some fresh herbs while cooking and enjoy them as we want to! 

• Going "paperless" - I am proud to say that since we've been married, we have not purchased paper plates or paper napkins! We stick to our dishes and cloth napkins for all meals throughout the day. As long as the napkins don't get too dirty, we use them for several meals and then toss them in the hamper to be washed with our towels. Though we do use paper towels for cleaning, we try to use them sparingly. This is another great way to save at the grocery store - those paper products can add up after a while! 

• Lighting our home with CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs - Yes, these bulbs are more expensive but they last so long! We've been married for over 2 years and we have not needed to replace any of our CFL bulbs yet.

• Saying good-bye to plastic snack bags - As a teacher, I pack my lunch for school every day. My husband was doing the same as a grad student in the city. We were flying through plastic snack bags, even if we reused them a few times. What a great surprise to find "Lunch Skins" in our Christmas stockings from my parents! These reusable sandwich/snack bags are perfect for taking food on the go. During the school year, we use them on a daily basis! In fact, we use them several days in a row and then simply hand wash them or put them on the top rack of the dishwasher for a good cleaning. I love that they come in so many fun colors and patterns! 

• Shopping with grocery and produce bags - I am happy to see that many people are "going green" in this way - canvas totes are everywhere! My husband bought 6 reusable bags from the grocery store during our college years, and they are still holding up great! We use them all the time for grocery shopping or just packing to go somewhere. More recently, I realized that even by bringing my own grocery bags to the store, I was still using a lot of plastic bags in the produce section. A quick google search later and I discovered reusable plastic produce bags! I used them for the first time today and loved the drawstring close - no apples falling into the cart this time! I also loved that the cashier rang me up as having 12 reusable bags (6 canvas bags and 6  produce bags). For each bag, the store gives a 5 cent discount. I know it's not much, but 60 cents off every grocery bill will add up by the end of the year, right?! 

• Making it work with one car - Though there are times when it is inconvenient to only have one car, most of the time, it is a huge blessing. We have only one car to repair, one gas tank to fill, and one car to pay insurance on. Plus, having just one car forces us to think of other ways of getting around when we need to. My husband used public transportation to commute into the city for his grad school program, and rides his bike to local places whenever possible. We also walk in our neighborhood a lot - most often to church since it is a quick 5 minute stroll. I love that we live in a community where places are close together and we can manage to get by with just one car.

Though it may seem like a long list, I realize that we have a ways to go in our efforts to protect the environment. But the way I look at it, every little bit helps!

a day to pray

I could really go for a snack right now.

It would be so easy to reach into the cabinet or refrigerator for something (anything!) to eat at the moment, but I've made the decision to fast for the bulk of today and am trying hard to stick to that choice! 

There were a variety of reasons for this decision (perhaps a topic for another post), but the main reason is that I want to spend the day in frequent prayer. I know that going about my day as usual would make it difficult to remember to talk with God (after all, that's what happens every other day). I have a lot on my mind today and figured the best way to remind myself to pray about it all was to go without food. This way, every time I feel hungry, I remember to open my mouth - not to eat, but to pray. For a routine 3-meals-a-day-and-a-few-snacks kind of girl, let's just say I've already spent a lot of time in prayer!

Will you join me in prayer? More of "what's on my mind" to come... For now, it's between me and God.

sweet summertime

How is it August already? When school comes to an end, I always have many ideas and projects in mind for the upcoming weeks of vacation. In mid-June, summer stretches ahead ... a 10 week break from routine! From that perspective, it seems I have all the time in the world to relax, while still accomplishing those goals that get set aside during the school year.


I am happy to say that some of these summer projects have been completed! For one, I have always wanted to create a space in our home for crafting - a place to store my many supplies in an organized way, as well as a large, but out-of-the-way table for working on projects. Most importantly, I wanted a space that was solely used for crafting, so that I could make a mess and not have to clean it up if I wasn't quite finished. Thankfully, my husband (having now completed the student phase of his life, at least for now) agreed to share what has been his "study" so that I could have a place to do what I love. After just a few stops (a plastic shelving unit and 6 foot long folding table from Lowes, and some decorative storage boxes from Michaels), we had everything I needed to make my goal become a reality. We spent the rest of that afternoon rearranging the room to make space for the new purchases. To top it off, a friend painted a desk chair for me to sit on while crafting. Our second bedroom now has two names - he continues to call it the "study," but I call it the "craft room!" This new space has already been put to good use many times and my craft table is currently covered in both finished projects and those still "in the works."


More to come in future posts about other summer goals that have been achieved! But of course I had other grand ideas in place for the summer that didn't have very grand results. Though 10 weeks sounds like a long time in June, somehow I find things to do every day and then it is August when it is time to think about school again! Though I've had some valid attempts over the last several weeks in these areas, the following goals are still works in progress:


Get caught up in my scrapbooks.
Exercise 3 times a week.
Be faithful with daily devotions.
Read more for pleasure.
Practice with my camera - take pictures, edit them, blog them.


You might be thinking - "You're not working, what's keeping you from doing all of the above?" In the past, I have worked for my dad's business in the summers doing simple data entry, filing, or other odd jobs even if it was just a few mornings a week. But this year, I decided I was sick of it. I didn't want to work this summer.  It's true, I tell people all the time that I'm not working this summer. But the more I think about it, I work all the time. It just doesn't feel like work because I'm doing things I love! In fact, I essentially have 3 jobs this summer!


1. I am working for a photographer a few hours a week - helping with design projects, database management, and more. I always look forward to the time we spend together because I always learn a lot and have a chance to express my creative side! Though I'm making money, it doesn't feel like work!


2. The craft business I run with my friends on the side has been booming this summer! We are working hard toward launching our own website, complete with a new look and logo. Our goal is that people will be able to order from us online in the near future! But even without online ordering this summer, our sales have been constant. When we complete one order, another one comes up. (Thank goodness for the craft room!) Thankfully, no matter how much crafting I do, it is never enough. It is so much fun to design projects for others that you know they are going to cherish.


3. My final summer job is one that most people don't expect. From September to June, I'm a teacher, but in the summer months, I'm a student. I like to take advantage of the time off from school to learn more about becoming a better teacher. This summer, I completed a 3 day course on my school's campus, as well as an online course relating to the new common core standards. I've also made it my goal to read 2 books for credit. 


Don't let me fool you -- this summer has by no means been all work and no play! I have enjoyed many relaxing days at my family's lake house, as well as weekend getaways with family and friends. All of this is just to say that though summer time is oh-so-sweet, it always goes too fast!

together again

You know you have great friends when you can go a whole year without seeing each other, but then pick up right where you left off when you are finally together again. 

I love that when I booked a flight to Chicago just a couple months ago, it coincidentally worked out that a friend from Arizona would just happen to be in the area at the same time! I also love that when friends from Michigan, Indiana, and even those spending the summer in Kansas found out I was coming to Chicago, they all made every effort to be there at the same time. It worked out perfectly that I could spend quality time with all of my closest college friends in one weekend.

We spent one day downtown enjoying the "Taste of Chicago." What could be better than some of Chicago's best restaurants setting up booths and selling taste portions of their most popular meals? Lots of things looked good, and we didn't have to choose just one! We enjoyed lots of different treats - each to our own liking. Though it was a dripping hot day, we found a shady place to eat and relax together.

The rest of our weekend was spent simply enjoying each other's company and catching up after too much time apart! Pedicures, girly drinks, sunshine, and late night conversations were a great combination!