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Categories What's on Your Nightstand?

Nightstand (April 2013)

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At long last (after 4 months), I have a library card AND a nightstand! My new nightstand, with a basket for books on the bottom shelf, arrived at the end of March. I got my card to the Wichita Public Libraries and checked out my first twelve books from that glorious institution on the fifth of this month. I am back in the reading business!

My Nightstand

My New Nightstand

This month, I read:

  • Acts of the Apostles by Luke
    I’m really enjoying my new Bible reading plan, which has me reading one book at a time first from the Old Testament and then from the New Testament. This last month, I spent time in Acts, which has been pretty powerful. I love seeing the Holy Spirit working through the apostles advancing the gospel despite harsh opposition.
  • Compost by Ken Thompson
    Did you know that it’s almost impossible for a home compost pile to reach the 135-165 degrees most composting resources recommend? Yep. That’s right, according to this informative little book. Thompson takes a look at what of modern composting advice actually realistic for a home composter and gives information and how-tos to make a successful home compost heap. I’m pretty excited to finally have my own compost pile at last–and Thompson’s book gave me the freedom from guilt over not wanting to turn it. Hooray!
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
    Daniel owns the Hunger Games Trilogy and enjoyed them when he read them sometime last year. I enjoyed this book, but spent a great deal of time once it was done wondering why all the participants in the games chose to play along. Why didn’t they choose to all band together and NOT kill one another? Why didn’t they just say, “If we’re all going to die, why not die honorably?” Would that not have been the ultimate defiance? Would that not have bolstered the spirits of those watching? Why not resist by refusing to kill? Anyhow, this turned out to be not only an entertaining, but a thought-provoking read.
  • The Layman’s Bible Commentary: Acts of the Apostles by Albert C. Winn
    To be honest, I didn’t read the entirety of this little volume. I read maybe five or six chapters worth in conjunction with my Bible reading plan’s reading of Acts. I’m not a huge fan of commentaries, but every so often, it’s nice to pick one up and see what new insights one can glean. In this case, the commentary is straightforward, giving a bit of historical context but primarily restating and clarifying the text itself. The commentator doesn’t always draw applications from the Scripture–except when it comes to the Jewish/Gentile question, where the author sees clear parallels with the racial prejudice and discrimination of the 1950s (the commentary was published in 1960). For someone new to Scripture, this Layman’s Bible Commentary would likely be a useful companion. For a believer with more Bible study under their belt, this is less likely to be helpful.
  • Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings
    Spurned by her Mexican family and friend for becoming a Christian, the widowed Maria moves with her widowed mother-in-law back to Texas, where the two hope to make a living on the family farm. Unfortunately, on returning to the farm, they discover that their renters have skedaddled, leaving $168 of unpaid taxes–taxes Maria and Louise must pay within just a few months or they’ll lose the farm. Does this story sound familiar? It should. This was a fun twist on the story of Ruth and Naomi–one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Like most Christian romances, it wasn’t particularly weighty–but sometimes a nice light read is exactly what the doctor orders. This one hit the spot.

Books in Progress

Books in Progress

Currently in progress:

  • Ortho Books’ Complete guide to vegetables, fruits & herbs
  • The Contraception Guidebook: Options, Risks, and Answers for Christian Couples by William Cutrer
  • Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes
  • A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage
  • Let’s Play Doctor: the Instant Guide to Walking, Talking, and Probing like a Real M.D. by Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg
  • Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Recipes for Two by Beth Hensperger
  • Sidetracked Home Executives: From Pigpen to Paradise by Pam Young and Peggy Jones
  • Writing Thank You Notes: Finding the Perfect Words by Gabrielle Goodwin

Up next

Up next…

Don’t forget to drop by 5 Minutes 4 Books to see what others are reading this month!

What's on Your Nightstand?

Categories Following Christ

The Discipline of the Gospel

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On our flight home from our honeymoon, I started reading Barbara Hughes’ The Disciplines of a Godly Woman. The first discipline Hughes discusses is the discipline of the gospel.

It’s an interesting idea–that the gospel can be a discipline, that we can discipline ourselves to live out of the gospel.

But more than an interesting idea, it’s a frustrating idea.

How can I discipline myself in the gospel? It’s not like reading the Bible or going to church. It’s not something I can schedule into my day or week.

Or can I?

I tried an experiment. I set a reminder on my phone.

“Remember the Gospel,” it says.

The task pops up one hour after I last marked it complete, so about every hour during my waking hours, I am reminded of the gospel.

But is this effective?

Does this really help me remember the gospel? Does it help me remember more than just the word “Gospel” but the reality that the word represents?

I gave myself limits.

I couldn’t clear the reminder, couldn’t say I’d completed the task, until I’d actually thought about the gospel–about the reality of the gospel.

It’s become almost a game, thinking of new aspects of the gospel to contemplate.

One hour, I recite a verse about the gospel.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (I Timothy 1:15 ESV)

Another hour, I reflect on what the gospel accomplished.

Redemption. Adoption. Justification.

Yet another hour, I try to paraphrase the gospel as I might share it with an unbeliever.

We are all sinners, deserving God’s wrath and incapable of paying our sin-debt. But God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus, who bore God’s wrath in our place, dying on a cross so we wouldn’t have to die for our sins. Now He offers salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus’ name.

These are just scratching the surface of the gospel.

I ask myself what the gospel displays about God’s character.

Holiness. Grace. Justice. Love. Sovereignty over death.

I ask myself what the practical implications of the gospel are to my work life.

Forgiven, I must forgive. Loved despite my filthiness, I must love my clients despite their occasional crassness. Having received mercy, I must extend mercy.

As I review the ways I have been reminding myself of the gospel, I think of some more to use in the upcoming hours.

What are some stories in Scripture that exhibit the gospel? Who can I pray for who needs the gospel? What are wrong views of the gospel and what is the truth that exposes them? In what ways should the gospel influence my thoughts, my words, my actions, my writing?

Hour by hour, I discipline myself in the gospel.

How do you discipline yourself in the gospel?

Categories Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday: Home and Garden

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Thankful Thursday bannerDaniel wanted to know if I wanted to plant a garden this year. He mentioned that he had some interest in raised beds. I jumped on his suggestion.

A raised bed garden is pretty much my dream garden.

Once Daniel heard this, he gave me my instructions: Figure out what I wanted, what I wanted to plant, what we needed to do. I dutifully entered a task on my to-do list “Figure out garden”.

He asked me every couple of days whether I’d thought about it, researched it, decided what I wanted. I confessed again and again that I hadn’t. I was too busy at work, too busy at home. I had my name change to take care of, taxes to do, a home to keep in order. I didn’t have time to think about it.

Until a couple of weeks ago.

This week I’m thankful…

…for an impromptu garden day
Once I’d figured out my plan for the garden, I confessed to Daniel that I kinda wanted to get started right away (knowing that to start already was rather an impulsive decision). Daniel’s response was perfect, though: “Why don’t you then?” I grabbed my hedge clippers, a rake, and a spade and started preparing the back yard. I raked out old leaves, ripped up weeds, trimmed back errant trees, set the boundaries for my new compost pile, and began removing sod for the place where my new raised bed vegetable garden would sit.

…for cozy gardening chats
My mentor happens to be a gardener herself, and we had a wonderful time discussing gardening techniques and what my plans were for our backyard. Bev gave a recommendation for how to get great compost in town–and offered me the use of her family’s pickup for hauling it.

…for help with concrete blocks
Daniel and I got our first set of blocks (for building the raised bed enclosure) with his car, loading it down with a couple of dozen. We hadn’t really prepared in advance that time–and ended up scratching up our hands while rearranging the blocks and leaving concrete dust all over Daniel’s car. When I went back for a second (smaller) load, I was more prepared with work gloves–but I ended up barely needing them, since a kind gentleman saw me loading the first block into my trunk and jumped in to help me load the rest.

…for new stuff for our home
We received quite a few gift cards for our wedding–and now that we’re settled in somewhat, I’ve got a better handle on what things we still need. So we’ve been making our way through the cards, purchasing nightstands (woohoo!), shower curtains and rod, miscellaneous kitchen utensils, and whatnot. We were making do just fine before, but it’s awfully nice to have those extra nice touches.

…for help around the home
When we were reading Rocking the Roles in premarital counseling, Daniel underlined something about how the servant-leader is conscious of his wife’s workload and does what is necessary to keep her physical and mental stress at a healthy level. Daniel has taken that seriously, being conscious of my stress level and asking what he can do to help out. While I haven’t been willing to surrender laundry or cooking to him on a regular basis (I can’t have him interrupting my routines, after all), I have very much appreciated his help with dishes. Just yesterday, he told me that maybe I shouldn’t do dishes on my lunch break. That way, he said, the dishes in the drainer would be dry when he comes home from work so he can empty it and do dishes then–and I would have some time to myself on my lunch break.

…for another room clean
I went into stove-jobbing mode last night and whipped my way through the room we intend to use as a spare room. When I entered the room, it was haphazardly packed with (a mix of empty and full) boxes, camping gear, clothing, books, and trash. When I left, it contained two made up twin beds, a wall full of (mostly sorted) books, and an (almost) clean floor. There are still a couple of boxes of miscellaneous junk that need to be sorted through, but the room is getting close to being habitable.

I’ve dreamed about owning a home for years. A year ago, I was visiting with a banker for preapproval of a home mortgage. Little did I know that only a year later, I’d be settling into my new home, which I own with my husband. Little did I know that I’d be preparing a garden with my husband.

God has been very gracious in giving me so many of my heart’s desires (both big and small.)

Like the woman in Spurgeon’s story, I find myself crying again and again…

“What? All this, and Christ beside?”

Thank You, Thank You, Lord.

Categories Recap

Recap (4/13/2013)

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Articles on the Gosnell trials:

If you haven’t read or heard about the abortionist (obstetrician/murderer) Kermit Gosnell, it’s unfortunate, but not surprising. The mainstream media has been surprisingly silent in their (lack of) coverage of the mass murderer currently on trial in Pennsylvania. Here are some articles I’ve read over the past few weeks that give a brief review of what’s going on.

Quotes from this week’s readings:

  • On distracted driving:

    A study by the Erie Insurance company of the roughly 6,500 fatal accidents that occurred in 2010 and 2011 which involved distracted driving found that it wasn’t cell phones at texting that were mostly to blame, but simple daydreaming.

    I can definitely identify with this. Cell phones and texting are certainly dangers for me while driving, but simply having my mind wander is just as (if not more) dangerous.

  • Charles Darwin on losing attention for art:

    “My mind seems to have become a kind of machine for grinding general laws out of large collections of facts, but why this should have caused the atrophy of that part of the brain alone, on which the higher tastes depend, I cannot conceive….if I had to live my life again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week; for perhaps the parts of my brain now atrophied would thus have been kept active through use.”

    I believe I may have to do this.

Books added to my TBR list:

  • Damascus Countdown by Joel Rosenburg (reviewed by Monica at Lover of Books)
    This book sounds like a Christian version of one of my favorite types of movies–action movies where the protagonist (spy, soldier, or superhero) is on a countdown to save the free world from some clear threat. I don’t read a lot of books like that, but maybe I should start. In fact, I intend to start. With this. Hopefully soon.

  • The Duck Commander Family by Willie and Korie Robertson (reviewed by Jennifer at 5M4B)
    I haven’t watched “Duck Dynasty”. I still want to read this book. Just like I haven’t watched 27 Kids and Counting (or whatever the Duggar family show is) but have read the Duggars’ books. Call it morbid curiosity if you will, but I enjoy reading (or at least skimming) books spun off of reality tv shows. Besides, the Wichita Public Library has it–why NOT read it?

  • The Longevity Project by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin (read about in a US News article)
    Basically, I love reading theories about what makes some people live longer. This book sounds like it might be relatively scientific–and might have some rather surprising results (could outlook have a greater impact on longevity than, say, eating?)

  • Nowhere but Home by Liza Palmer (reviewed by Jennifer of 5M4B)
    She’s a chef who cooks last meals for prisoners on death row. I’m sold.

Categories My Beloved Daniel

We could get married…

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This is the next installment in a rather long series about how Daniel and I met–and have become engaged. Click on the “Our Story” tag for context.

“Maybe we should stop talking about getting married,” he said.

He explained that he thought maybe talking about, praying about getting married was making it harder.

I must have misunderstood exactly what he was getting at, presuming that he meant talking about getting married was making it harder for us to discern the will of God. I went off on a tangent.

“What do you think when people tell you that God has told them something?” I asked.

Daniel gave his thoughts, only partially understanding what I was trying to ask (but, then again, it’s not like my meaning was clear or obviously related to the topic at hand.)

I described how I’d asked God if I would marry Daniel–and how God’s response had been, “I know; and when I want you to know, I’ll tell Daniel.”

Daniel listened patiently and responded: “I think I do know.”

He went on to explain his real concern, his present concern. The earliest he could conceive of us getting married was next summer. Was talking about marriage all the time making it harder to wait for the day when getting married could be a reality?

My answer was convoluted. My mind was in a whirl. I’m not sure how I got there, but at one point I mentioned that it was better to marry than to burn. But, at last, Daniel interrupted my ramblings with a more pointed question.

Could I think of any time that we could get married earlier?

I ticked off the options in my head–and said them out loud.

It was October. Christmas break was too soon–there’s no way we could plan a wedding that quickly. And then, well…What time is there between Christmas break and summer?

“When’s your Spring Break?” I asked.

Daniel looked it up, let me know. We discussed if it would be possible to get married the third weekend in March.

Somewhere amidst the conversation, we went from “We could get married over Spring Break” to “We’re getting married over Spring Break.”

We talked way too late into the night, and the conversation ended with an assignment for me. I was to look at rings online, send Daniel some pictures of the sort I liked so he could get ideas.

What was already a late night of conversation turned into an even later night for me as I explored ring pictures online, ecstatic that I was actually going to marry my beloved–SOON!

Categories Homemaking

Wichita is NOT the promised land

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When the pastor of my childhood church learned that I would be moving to Wichita, he gave me a knowing smile.

“Moving to the Promised Land,” he declared.

He, being a native of the greater Wichita area, would say such a thing.

I was a little surprised when our pastor in Wichita used the same phraseology to describe Wichita.

“Why does everybody call Wichita the Promised Land?” I asked him.

He had no good answer–and really wasn’t aware that anyone besides himself referred to the town thus.

Nevertheless, I have definitively decided that both pastors are wrong. Wichita is NOT the Promised Land.

The Promised Land, you see, is a land flowing with milk and honey. Groceries should be easy to come by in such a place.

Wichita is no such place.

Wichita has three grocery stores: Dillons, Wal-Mart Marketplace, and ALDI. No problems there, necessarily. After all, I come most recently from Columbus, where we had Hy-Vee, Super Saver, and Walmart. I got along just fine there.

But Wichita is more than 15 times bigger than Columbus. Yet while I could easily find everything on my list in just one of Columbus’s stores (I frequented the Super Saver), I have to visit three different stores in Wichita and still go home without my list being fulfilled.

Last night, after I was forced to return home without potted ginger, coconut milk, red curry paste, and molasses, I declared to my husband that sometimes I think I hate this town.

It’s probably an over-reaction. I know it’s an over-reaction. But food is a pretty important part of my life–and the process of procuring food in Wichita, KS is enough to make me pull out my hair.

Really, I was spoiled growing up.

I grew up going to SuperSaver in Lincoln. My closest SuperSaver just happened to be the SuperSaver just south of the majority of Lincoln’s ethnic population. It catered to the needs of the masses.

There, I could find Omega Eggs (researchers from UNL developed the process of enriching eggs with Omega-3s by adjusting the chicken’s diets). There, I could buy a whole range of Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese ingredients. There, I had ready access to R.U.Nuts bulk foods, perfect for making my own trail mixes.

Here?

I can get Omega eggs at the Dillons on West and Central (but not at 21st and Amidon). I can buy Mexican ingredients at the Dillons on 21st and Amidon. Rumor has it there’s an Asian market somewhere where I can find my curry paste. And I can get bulk nuts and candy (but not fruit) at the Nifty Nut House.

But molasses?

I haven’t figured out where to find that yet.

Wichita is NOT the Promised Land.

To be fair, Wichita does have some advantages as food goes. Braums has the tastiest milk ever (I’m actually drinking milk on occasion these days, and I definitely enjoy what’s left in my cereal bowl). The Spice Merchant has fantastic coffee, tea, and buy-by-the-ounce spices. But I still pine for the one-stop-shopping convenience of my used-to-be-local Super Saver.

Categories Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday: New Family Members

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Thankful Thursday bannerIt was the Thursday between our wedding and our honeymoon, my second day back at work. I’d woken up on the wrong side of the bed, felt rushed, started from home late, was scheduled for a training, and got lost on my way to training.

It was also my 28th birthday.

I was about to cry as I stopped at a stoplight and remembered the card tucked into my bag.

“For Rebekah Garcia,” it read. “Open on March 14.”

I opened the envelope to find a sweet card from my in-laws, wishing me a happy birthday and welcoming me again into the family.

I was no longer about to cry. I was crying, but now in thankfulness instead of frustration.

I am so blessed by multiple recent additions to my family.

This week I’m thankful…

…for the kindness of my mother-in-law
I’m going to guess that Paula was responsible for that birthday card that met me at just the right time. She was also probably responsible for the Easter card Daniel and I received right before Easter. And I know for sure that she is responsible for the periodic e-mailed and Facebook messaged notes of encouragement I get every couple of weeks.

…for the thoughtfulness of my sister-in-law
When I asked Daniel about his day a few days ago, he mentioned that his sister had called to let him know that there was a sale coming up that would be a perfect opportunity for my parents to buy a new mattress at (if they were still interested in buying a new one.) That my sister-in-law should not only think of me, but would remember me asking her advice about mattresses for my parents… She is a gem.

…for a new niece
The Little Miss now has a Little Sis. That’s right. My brother and sister-in-law (the ones who surprised me by showing up for my wedding) had their second little girl on Easter Sunday. I haven’t had a chance to see Little Sis in person, but the photos (and occasional videos) on Facebook have been precious. Little Miss is apparently thrilled to give Little Sis kisses–and I know my parents are thrilled to be up in Wisconsin with the newly expanded family.

…for news about a soon-expected nephew
Apparently Japan doesn’t carry gender-neutral baby clothes, so not finding out wasn’t really an option for John and Kaytee. But, to preserve something of a surprise, they had the ultrasound technician write the baby’s sex down and seal it in an envelope. John and Kaytee then gave that envelope to their neighbor, who was throwing them a shower. The neighbor let all their friends know what baby would be so that friends could purchase things appropriately. So John and Kaytee just found out at their shower last week that they’re having a BOY!

…for making an outlaw an in-law
Timothy has been dating Joanna (our sister-in-law Debbie’s sister) for three years now–and last night, he gave her a ring. Joanna and I have been friends for years and I’m thrilled that I can soon call her sister as well!

The addition of Joanna to the family is also particularly welcome to us girls, who are delighted to be keeping the lead we gained when John married Kaytee. When Timothy and Joanna are married, it will be nine girls to only seven boys. (Boo-ya!)

Daniel insists this means that when we have children we should have boys (of course.)

But whether sisters or brothers, mothers or fathers, nieces or nephews, I am so thankful for the family that God has given me–and that He continues to expand.

Categories Reflections

Get Thee a Wife

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Benedick, for years one to mock the married state, now only moments into his own marriage experiences a sudden about face. He counsels his Prince, Don Pedro with these words:

“…Prince,
thou art sad; get thee a wife, get thee a wife:
there is no staff more reverend than one tipped with horn.”

~From Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing”

Here Shakespeare memorializes the plague that has apparently been striking the newly married for centuries: the sudden desire to see all their friends married as they are.

While I was never one to hold Benedick’s original view of marriage, I am just as quick to rush into his second view.

It started at my wedding, when one single friend told me of how another single friend was chatting up yet another single friend. The first told me that the third had refused to give the second her phone number (despite the first’s insistence.)

Oh, wouldn’t I love to see my friends happily married? I thought.

The sense only grew when the second single friend asked about the third single friend before we departed the reception hall.

Having experienced a whole hour or two of wedded bliss, I was determined that all my single friends should experience the same.

As I handed irises to each of the single ladies attending my wedding, thanking them for standing with me as single women. As I tried to affirm them where they are at right now, I inwardly prayed, “And if it’s Your will, send them husbands.”

Now, a month married, I look around the table at my Happy Food friends, many of whom are happily married. Then I see the single men and I send up that same prayer, “If it’s Your will, send them wives.”

My phone beeps and an alert reminds me to pray for different family members and friends. I begin with specific requests–but all too often my prayers for my single family and friends turns to marriage. “Lord, if it’s Your will, send her a husband. Lord, if it’s Your will, send him a wife.”

Why is marriage so on my mind? Why do I pray this for my single friends? Why do I, now that I am married, so quickly desire that all my friends be married too?

There are a number of reasons.

First, this isn’t entirely different than my pre-marriage prayers. Even as a single woman, I frequently prayed that my single friends would find spouses. I know that most of my single friends desire to be married–and I desire that their desires for a spouse be fulfilled. So I pray that God would send them spouses.

Second, I want them to experience what I have. I enjoy being married. I love Daniel. I love being married to him. I am deliriously happy. I want my friends to experience that same happiness. Oh, I know that one can enjoy being single, that one can be deliriously happy as a single person. And I want them to be happy whether married or single. But I have tasted the joy of marriage, and I want them to be able to experience the same.

And finally, I want them to see God’s grace as I have.

For the past while, I’ve been calling Daniel my EOG.

Evidence of Grace.

There are plenty of clear evidences of God’s grace strewn throughout our days. Sunrises, rainfall, heartbeats, new babies. All pictures of unmerited favor.

But today, as I think of God’s grace, the clearest picture that arises is that of my husband. That Daniel loves me, cherishes me, takes care of me is a gift from God, one that I do not deserve.

He is evidence of God’s grace.

And if a spouse can be an EOG to another, I want that to be so. I want my friends to wonder at the completely undeserved grace of God; I want them to receive something they do not deserve. I want them to marvel at how God could grant them a spouse, to thank Him for His incredible grace.

So I pray, “Get them spouses, Lord.”

Categories Recap

Recap (4/8/2013)

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Quotes from this week’s readings:

  • From Barry York’s “Two Adams Met in Me”:

    “The first Adam brought me sweat and tears;
    The Second sweat blood to take away my fears.
    Yes, two Adams have met in me.
    The first is dead and dying
    Agonizingly;
    The Other is giving me life
    Everlastingly.”

    Barry York’s entire poem is a reflection on a line from John Donne’s “Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness”, which is also worth reading.

  • Tim Challies on Humble Orthodoxy:

    “Thus the solution to arrogant orthodoxy is not less orthodoxy, but more. The more we know of God, the more we love and trust him, the more humble we will be before him.”

  • Tim Keller on the Wrath of God:

    “Because if there is no wrath by God on sin, and there is no such thing as Hell, not only does that actually make what happened to Jesus inexplicable…but…it trivializes what He’s done…. “

    HT: Vitamin Z

Books added to my TBR list:

  • All You Could Ask For by Mike Greenberg (reviewed by Michelle at 5 Minutes 4 Books)
    Three strong female protagonists at wildly different places in life. I like this sort of thing–and my new public library has a copy!

  • Bananas in my Ears by Michael Rosen (reviewed by Carrie, Reading to Know)
    I enjoy silly children’s poetry, so I figure I might like this!

  • The Maid and the Queen by Nancy Goldstone (reviewed by Carrie, Reading to Know):

    “Nancy Goldstone is a fantastic story teller. She lays out historical timelines, ancestry of kings, events and places in such a way that paint a landscape for you to place Joan into. Goldstone is not dryly reciting facts but bringing in all manner of interesting side plots and relationships to tell you why it is that Joan was so remarkable and what it is that she managed to accomplish. The Maid and the Queentruly reads like a novel rather than a history book and I eagerly kept turning pages waiting to see what would happen next.”

  • The Victory Club by Robin Lee Hatcher (reviewed by Barbara H, Stray Thoughts)
    If Barbara H’s recommendation isn’t enough, it’s Christian fiction set in World War II that’s NOT A ROMANCE. I definitely need to try it.

Recipes Tried:

  • Bourbon Molasses Chicken (from Once a Month Mom)
    Daniel saw this in my feed reader and said it looked good. Since I have both bourbon and molasses, I figured I might as well make it for him. We enjoyed some this last week and I made extra for the freezer. Daniel liked this recipe well enough that he suggested that I try the sauce on meatloaf–which I’ll be making for the Happy Food crowd this next Tuesday. Wish me luck!

  • Lemon Daffodil Cake (from Taste of Home)
    Daniel and I threw a Seder (Passover meal) the Saturday before Easter and I needed a dessert to serve. Of course, it being Passover, I couldn’t serve anything leavened–which meant a sponge cake was a perfect option. I leafed through my brand new Taste of Home Baking Book (Thank you HJ and Kris!) and found this yummy looking cake. The end result did not disappoint. Everyone was delighted with this light and lemony cake. And…best part of all? I only had two egg yolks left over, which Daniel and I easily added to our breakfast eggs the next morning. (My least favorite part of angel food cakes is figuring out what to do with all the yolks left over at the end.)
Categories Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday: Marriage

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Thankful Thursday bannerHow’s married life?

It’s the question that’s apparently burning in everyone’s mind. Or at least, it’s the question that everyone is asking us.

It’s also the question I’m never exactly sure how to answer.

Because, really, it isn’t that much different than life before we were married.

Except in a couple of ways.

First, we took almost two weeks worth of honeymoon–which meant that we experienced the normal break in routine that vacations cause.

But the second and most significant difference is that I don’t go home at night.

Which is pretty significant, if you think about it.

This week I’m thankful…

…for an early wedding
Yes, we planned an early wedding for entirely selfish reasons. And you know what? I’m awfully glad we did. I think every couple should. You’re going to be exhausted enough on your wedding night–don’t compound the issue by not even getting to your hotel before midnight.

…for a quick move
When we realized that it was, um, snowing in our hotel room, Daniel gave the front desk a call. They had us transferred to a new room within a half hour, enabling us to complete our little getaway without a hitch.

…for getting through packing
Packing for our honeymoon was stressful. We had three days in Wichita between our little getaway and our honeymoon. We worked and when I got home, I did laundry from our wedding week. Laundry was still drying on the line in the basement until Friday, which meant we didn’t get to packing for the honeymoon until Friday night. We selected clothing and arranged it into our suitcases. We rearranged. We sat on the suitcases. We rearranged some more. I cried. It took forever. But in the end, we got it done and got to bed with four hours to sleep before we had to leave for the airport.

…for afternoon naps
Daniel had explored a number of options to keep us busy in Charleston–but we didn’t set anything in stone. We wanted to have plenty of flexibility. I definitely appreciated that when we came back from the beach on Sunday. I was exhausted, so we took a nap. I also appreciated it on Monday when we returned from a walking tour of Old Charleston. Once again, I was exhausted–and we took a nap. I’m so thankful for Daniel’s willingness to bear with my tiredness and let me nap several afternoons during our honeymoon.

…for rambles with my best friend
When you go to a place like Charleston, people want to know what you saw, what you did, what you ate. But my favorite part of our honeymoon had little to do with Charleston. My favorite moments of our honeymoon were walking through the I’on Swamp Interpretive Trail, up the Avenue of the Oaks at the Boone Hall Plantation, and through Fort Moultrie. I loved these times, not because of the places (although they were neat enough), but because I was walking with and talking with and laughing with my best friend.

…for settling into routines
Routines are pretty important to me. They’re important for my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nevertheless, the nature of my move, of my living situation, and of wedding planning meant that I haven’t had routines in place since the beginning of the year. These last couple of weeks at home have been wonderful, settling back into those routines that keep me sane.

…for God’s mercies, new every morning
Daniel and I continue to be sinners. Now, we’re sinners who live together. Living with Daniel exposes my heart, it magnifies the sin in me, like a long unexamined gem now put beneath a microscope. I have become acutely aware of my selfishness, my pride, my self-righteousness. Marriage exposes my sinfulness. But inasmuch as my sin is magnified, God is magnified still more. For God’s mercy greets both Daniel and I each morning. God’s mercy teaches us to love one another. God’s mercy enables us to talk through difficulties, to hold our tongues from criticism, to turn to Him when we’re hurt.

God has been gracious in giving us each other–and He is merciful in keeping us through the first few weeks of this lifelong journey that is marriage.