Monday, January 30, 2012

New Things!

Ah, meeting new people, doing new things, eating new foods, writing new posts, wearing new clothes, listening to new weird radio stations, going to new churches, getting new freckles, sitting in new coffee shops, making new friends... oh wait, haven't done that one yet. 
By now I have figured out that I like change. But, I have also realized that I like these changes to be a little bit more controlled and in some-what smaller doses. I love how the Lord works and I love how He puts us in situations where we can grow in our dependence on Him. I am learning that for sure. A wise woman once gave me a card and on the back she wrote,  
"He (Jesus) is all you need when He's all you have, and 
He's all you need when you have everything you could want." 

Now obviously God knows I need some physical and emotional needs met by things here on earth (ie: food, hugs, coffee, warm fuzzy blankets, friends etc.) but the point is that when I am at my worst I am in great need of Him and when I am all filled up to overflowing from things here on earth,I am still in great need of my Savior. 
I might be a little scattered and random today, but I have a lot to get out of this little brain of mine. 
Today Sean got an interview at a coffee shop right by our house. That was a huge answer to prayer! I hope he gets it because you all know how much I love coffee :) Oh, and we need the income too! 
I also got to talk on the phone with a dear friend for an hour on the phone! It was probably the highlight of my day... maybe even week. I have come to know very deeply the need I have for close friendships. Where you can be totally yourself and share things that you wouldn't with just anyone, and it is reciprocated. I am so blessed to have so many good friends like this. 
In the kitchen
Sean, enjoying lunch! 
Oooh! I just made chicken tacos and yummy salad! It was pretty amazing! I love being in such a tiny space because everything I do seems like such a huge task to organize. These are some of my thoughts while cooking: "Should I chop up the chicken here... (move the plate one inch over)... no here is much better, that way if I have to turn on the water I won't touch the plate where the chicken is." Or "I wonder how far I can scoot this bowl over the edge before it falls off." Or "How the heck am I going to get this food onto a plate! I wish I had three arm. One to hold the pan while I scoop with another and hold the plate with another." There is literally room on counter for one plate and maybe a mug, or small bowl! So fun! I am really enjoying being able to use my creativity on such productive things. Normally I have to go by a canvas or get out my craft bin (which I left in Portland) to be innovative. Now all I need to hear is "I'm gettin' kinda hungry. What's for lunch?" and the creative juices begin flowing from my very fingertips. Oh the little things in life :) 
I also got to talk with my very awesomely pregnant-with-twin-boys sister Amber Dawn. She is always such a breath of fresh air to talk with and understands more than anyone how exciting the adventure I'm on is. Since we grew up moving all over, never being in place for too long, we both have this great desire and pull toward things that are a little crazy and adventuresome. She's great. 
Well, I guess the theme for today is to remember how much the Lord is in control and how much relying on Him is part of my everyday and that I have dear and sweet people all around me who love me and mostly love God. I'm thankful! 
Now off to get ready to go out with our landlord and lordess :) They invited us to come to their church tonight for a marriage series! So fun! I love marriage. Seriously though, I wouldn't love it as much if I didn't know Jesus or wasn't married to Sean! Again, I am thankful!
What are you thankful for today? 




Sunday, January 29, 2012

Little Tiny Kitchen

This was the first time I used the stove top and our new rice cooker! This is literally the only counter space I have. And behind the rice cooker is the sink, kitchen and bathroom (they share jobs). It's so tiny and cute and I love it! Not having an oven makes cooking interesting, totally do-able, just interesting. If anyone as any good soup or rice dish recipes that require cheap and few ingredients, I'd love to hear 'em. Thanks! ;)

First


So, here it is: my first blog. Oh how I’ve despised the thought of keeping up with a blog, being obligated somehow (by ALL the people I’m sure that will be reading this) to it and to feel guilty as soon as I miss a few weeks of writing. I love writing. Mostly for the sake of getting all my thoughts out on “paper” and being able to look back and see what has happened in more detail. My memory is not that good anymore. I blame my genes. So here I will be able to record all the happenings in the lives of my amazing husband and myself so that someday we can look back and say “wow! So glad we’re through that.” But seriously we are so excited about this adventure down in sunny southern California and are learning each day more of what it means to be a real Jesus follower.
Today was Sunday. We went to church for the first time since down here. It was weird. Not weird in the sense you might think. The service was actually quite normal, the people friendly, the worship Spirit filled and the pastor funny and yet serious. It was weird because it was the first time in a very long time that I didn’t know anyone. I knew Sean, but no one else. We walked in and got our seats. I went to the ladies room (I have a cold and have to blow my nose every three minutes). I saw a girl in there who was also blowing her nose. Normally I would have made some sort of silly comment like, “looks like we both have snotty noses” or “haha, you too?” but no. I just smiled and continued trying to make sure I left no remnants in my nasal passageways. Then quickly left the room thinking to myself “I really should have said something, right?” Ha! This is what it will be like until I meet people. I’m not really a shy person but I guess my childhood shyness still abides in me somewhere.
Since we got here we have done a few fun things:
Gone job hunting (three times), grocery shopping (with our awesome $50 a week budget), went for a couple jogs, hiked up at Santa Rosa Plateau, talked with our landlords and their kids, made breakfast, lunch and dinner a total of ten times so far (if you were counting we have been here since Tuesday night and all the other meals we ate out ;), church today, and watched about a dozen episodes of the Office.
It’s been quite uneventful. Every day Sean and I look at each other and say, “we need jobs.” I don’t think I’ve ever been so bored in my life. Not to be ungrateful, I am just really excited for school to start. Then I will probably think, how did I not appreciate all that free time. Truth is, I like to be busy. Rest is great, but too much of it is a pain.
I miss my friends. This one (pretty girl with me below) in particular. I know it seems like I’m complaining a lot. My next post will be all about how much I’m enjoying the amazing sunshine here and how thankful I am for the opportunity to go back to school and further more to do all of this with my best friend in the whole world! I really do love my life! This season will just be different, and different in a great way! I hope that I make friends soon. And I hope that they get my weird humor. I hate it when people think I’m serious when I’m joking. Ha! K, I guess I will write again soon. All you lovely people out there have a great day! ;)