tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25371696931373008172024-03-13T04:38:07.796-05:00Real ThingsBut the real things in life haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful, to make the most of what you have, to be happy with simple pleasures, and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong. Laura Ingalls WilderHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.comBlogger327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-91010400033031184502014-03-04T22:12:00.000-06:002014-03-04T23:02:36.754-06:00WaitingWe're all waiting for something, right?<br />
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For warmer weather. For a night "off". For reconciliation in relationships. For pregnancy. For a new job. For health. For me - marriage.<br />
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As Lent begins, I think about waiting. Much like I think about waiting during Advent. Let's be honest - I think about waiting a lot. I've been waiting for marriage for ten years. That's quite a bit of time to ponder waiting.<br />
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I think about the disciples and what they must have been thinking and feeling while they followed Jesus. They didn't know what He knew, but they were told to follow Him. I think about Mary and the range of emotions she must have been feeling while she waited to deliver her Deliverer. What a strange twist in what she thought her life would look like.<br />
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What was going on in their hearts regarding the unknown aspects of following Jesus? What was happening in their hearts as they waited to see how God's plan would play out?<br />
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A friend emailed me a verse from Isaiah 64 last week. It says "God <i>acts</i> for those who <i>wait</i>". When I first read it, I thought, "Oh good! I've been waiting! So at some point, God will act and give me the desire of my heart!" But as I've gone back to this verse over the last week, it has jumped out to me that God <i>acts</i>. As in, right now - He acts. He HAS acted. He DOES act. He WILL act.<br />
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While I wait. He acts.<br />
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I read <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/when-god-says-wait">this article</a> about waiting yesterday. This portion stood out to me:<br />
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trust in the Lᴏʀᴅ . . .<br />
delight yourself in the Lᴏʀᴅ . . .<br />
commit your way to the Lᴏʀᴅ . . .<br />
be still before the Lᴏʀᴅ.</div>
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This is the character of our waiting — of the life of faith. It is thoroughly active. We are called to trust God. To really trust him. Not just on the sidelines, or in the books, or only in theory. But to trust him out there. We are to trust him and do good, which implies that our faith rolls up its sleeves and digs into this grimy earth. We trust God while the dirt of Adam’s world gets buried beneath our fingernails.</div>
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Active waiting. Not sitting-and-doing-nothing waiting.<br />
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So......what does that look like?<br />
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For me it has meant <i>not</i> waiting - literally. Not waiting until I'm married to cultivate serving and patience and humility in my life. Not waiting until I'm married to buy a house. Not waiting until I'm married to have hard conversations. Not waiting until I'm married to go on vacations.<br />
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And it's also meant waiting - literally. I don't know what the plan is for my life, so....I'm just waiting. And I'm doing the next thing. Do I really want to be in school again? No. I want to be married and home with kids. But that hasn't been in the plan up to this point. The Lord opens doors, and I do the next thing.<br />
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And I trust.<br />
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I'm single because it is for my good. I have relied on God more because of my singleness. I have trusted God more because of my singleness. I have loved God more because of my singleness. That's all for my good. Because God is acting.<br />
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Today is March 4th, and I've seen it stated "march forth" in a few places. I feel like that's in line with active waiting. I can't dwell on the disappointments I face because I'm single. I need to march forth. God is doing work in my life, and I need to trust that.<br />
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Another friend sent me an email with this gem: A relationship is a gift, but it is not THE gift - Jesus is! Whatever you are waiting for is not the gift, even when it feels like it is.<br />
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I have Jesus - the greatest gift. I have access to all of his power. Even while I wait. I pray that I will be married some day, but if I never am, my status as a saved daughter of the King will never change.<br />
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Like the disciples, I don't know what God's plan is. Like Mary, my life does not look like what I thought it would. But that's all in God's plan - just like it was for the disciples and for Mary. My life is full and richly blessed. And there is purpose in the waiting. God is acting on my behalf, and I will actively wait.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-67986162999251323392012-06-11T21:47:00.001-05:002012-06-11T21:47:41.895-05:00Sisterly Birthday DayWow, I am SO delayed (and limited) in my posting....<br />
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Better late than never....especially when it comes to a post about my sister's birthday! We had a GREAT day (I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it as much as she did), so I wanted to make sure to write it down to be properly remembered!<br />
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Beav wanted to spend her birthday with her sisters (literal and figurative) doing some of her favorite things in Rochester. I was so happy with this decision - it had been a LONG time since I had been down there, and I love getting to see more of her community.<br />
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We started off at Perkins for her favorite omelets and then went to the mall.....for what, I can't remember, but we all bought something.....even though I left my wallet in the car specifically so that I couldn't buy anything....FAIL. Then we went over to meet a new friend of Beav's - who is 91! She was the bride in the first wedding that Grandpa officiated. Beav got connected to her through Grandpa and now they hang out. This woman is GREAT, and I was so blessed that I got to meet her and hear stories about my grandparents when they were in their twenties. I can't wait to see her again and play games with her. After that, we went to get pedicures at the GREATEST NAIL SALON EVER. Seriously. I'm considering the drive to Rochester just to get a pedicure there right now. Loved it. Then we watched Hairspray and got ready for dinner. We went to an amazing little restaurant with the absolute best food!! The greatest drinks and the greatest desserts EVER! Again...considering the drive there just to eat! It was a really fun day of doing things that are Beav's favorites that were new to me. What a good birthday!<br />
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I also got to give Beav her present that I had been working on. I really love giving gifts and finding just the perfect thing, but I do get a little bit apprehensive when it is something that they totally have never asked for or indicated they wanted....especially when it is homemade! But this project was so fun to work on.....I combined a few things that I saw on Pinterest and scoured the internet for just the right touches to match Beav's personality. I had to enlist a little help from Dad on the woodwork, and some insight from Mom and Ang on the design, but I think it turned out great! Beav liked it, too! YAY! (don't know how clear the picture will be.....it is nails with string in the shape of MN with a heart in the center of the state (where we grew up)....the lyrics on the bottom are from American Honey by Lady A "she grew up on the side of the road/where the church bells ring and strong love grows/she grew up good/she grew up slow/like American Honey")<br />
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<br />Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-76331883478465255392012-05-31T22:28:00.000-05:002012-05-31T22:28:39.314-05:00Cochabamba. Not a Cartoon.<div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve been home from Bolivia for 50 days. 50 DAYS! Crazy how time flies by….and it’s about time I write a little trip recap.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(The title of the post comes from the woman who checked me in at the airport - she looked at my final destination and said, "Cochabamba?! That sounds like a cartoon!")</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When Bex first said that she was going to Bolivia, I knew right away that I wanted to visit her. I told her as much, and we both started to get excited about the possibility of me actually visiting. There were moments during the year that I thought the trip wouldn't happen due to tight finances, my work schedule, etc, but I am THRILLED with how the Lord worked those things out. A few things motivated me to visit Bex:</span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I MISS HER!<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I LOVE visiting places where people I know are living (or have lived). You get the best insider-tours, the best food, and the most “homey” visit. I loved that about my trip to Lithuania (and other places in the US), and I’m anxious to continue to travel to see friends in their new homes around the world.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I firmly believe in supporting missionaries – financially, but also emotionally. Though I’ve never been a missionary, I can guarantee it has difficult moments. I grew up in a church and home that placed a high priority on supporting missionaries, and I continue to place a high priority on it. My sister wrote a letter (before a recent trip to Asia to see a friend) that sums up (better than I can) why she believes visiting missionaries is important: <i>"</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>We believe that the support of Christian workers serving abroad is a worthy and needful endeavor. We are pursuing this trip in response to John’s encouragement to Gaius to send the brothers (traveling Christian workers) in a manner worthy of God. Here is the full passage: "Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out of the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore, we (me) ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth." 3 John 1:5-8" </i>I want to be a fellow worker for the truth with Bex through prayer, encouragement, and speaking the truth over her. I'm in a stage of life which allows me to encourage her in person. And I don't pretend to be the first person on Bex's list of "people to see from the states", but I think that any familiar face and touch of home would be an encouragement....I just didn't want to be too big of a burden!</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, the details of the trip fell nicely into place for me to visit during a break from her teaching, and Bex is one TERRIFIC host - sending me many emails beforehand about what to expect for weather, what to pack, ideas of what we would be doing, etc. Needless to say, I WAS EXCITED!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Highlights of my trip included:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being with Bex – talking, laughing (mostly at my Spanglish), sharing struggles and encouragements, being goofy, catching up on the lives we've been living on different continents, and relaxing (she has a grueling schedule at school – in addition to learning and speaking a different language – it is EXHASUTING – and since I was visiting her during her spring break, I definitely anticipated wanting to have some dedicated rest time with her).<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seeing Bex use her gifts – she has clearly been called to serve in Bolivia! The Lord has specific tasks that He prepared for her this year and it was a blessing to hear about it and see it first-hand. I was able to visit the school where she teaches and see her classes, as well as watch her pull off a talent show event for easily over 300 guests……it was awesome! Bex has been gifted to organize, draw people together, and direct. I was very, very blessed to see her in action and know that she is exactly where the Lord wants her to be. Seeing her in that environment made it easy for me to picture the busy schedule she's had over the last weeks with directing the school musical and putting on the prom.....like I said, she is using her gifts, and her gifts are needed!<u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seeing Bex in her new home – I loved doing the day-to-day things with Bex. Going grocery shopping, meeting her friends (she had Bolivian friends over for a game night – so much fun!....even though communicating with them was, um, interesting, since I don’t speak Spanish), and going to the market (where we kept running into people Bex knows – so awesome to see that this really is Bex’s new home and community!). Even boiling drinking water and cooking/baking without typical ingredients in the high altitude was great – I loved seeing how Bex has adjusted to her new living conditions and life in the Andes.<u></u><u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being touristy – We visited the Concha (South America’s largest open-air market), shopped for knick-knacks, sang karokee, had a picnic at a park, used lots of public transportation as well as walked for miles, ate traditional Bolivian food (saltenas), visited cute restaurants (Café Paris, the “horse” restaurant, etc), toured an active convent, and much more!<u></u></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Easter – I think Easter Sunday was my favorite day in Cochabamba. The city held a service at the soccer stadium with all of the evangelical churches. Even though I don’t know Spanish, the songs were familiar and I knew the words in English. At one point, they were singing a song in Quechuan (the language of an indigenous ethnic group in Bolivia), much of the crowd was singing along in Spanish, and I was singing in English! It felt like a little taste of Heaven to be praising the Father with many nations on the day when we remember Christ's sacrifice for us all. After church we went home to take a nap and then had a very yummy lunch and great conversation with Ami, Bex’s neighbor. Then we went to the Cristo de la Concordia (the largest statue of Jesus Christ in the world). There was some amazing people watching at the Cristo (….is what I imagine everyone who observed the three of us was thinking), but mostly I loved looking out over the city that I was beginning to love with a dear friend and her new friend. It was an excellent near-ending to my trip.<u></u></span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, as you can see, it was quite the trip……and I haven’t even mentioned being stuck in Bolivia due to airline craziness!! Not the way I wanted to end my trip, but even a few days of unknown return itinerary couldn’t ruin the amazing time I had learning about Cochabamba and spending days with Bex. It felt like only a week had gone by since I had seen her last, even though it had been months and months. I’m thankful for our friendship – that we can pick up where we left off, that we can be honest with each other, and that we can encourage each other in our faith. What a blessing to have had the opportunity to fall in love with Cochabamba! Many thanks to Bex for hosting me!</span></div>
</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-91619222367079592702012-04-03T20:13:00.001-05:002012-05-31T22:29:27.131-05:00Traveling Mercies(I'm writing this from my iPhone in the Miami airport....so I have no idea how the formatting will turn out, but this is a great way for me to kill some time!)<br />
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It is very appropriate that I am writing this post from an airport, because that is where I have spent much of my time in the last month! In fact, in 40 days, I have only slept at home 10 nights (well, that includes the trip I am leaving for now). SO....what have I been up to...?...<br />
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It started with a 'retreat' with my new small group women. 6 of us spent the night out of the city getting to know each other better, eating good food, telling stories, pampering each other (pedicures and massages!), and relaxing. I'm very thankful for a group that has immediately included me and so warmly welcomed me. <br />
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Then I headed to Dallas for work. Work has been nothing short of extremely stressful, and my body started to tell me that by breaking out in about 100 boils on my legs. I am much better now, thanks to a very competent dermatologist, but the process of figuring out what was wrong was no fun. Maybe more on that in another post...<br />
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Anyway, I went straight from Dallas to Indianapolis to meet up with my sister for the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. It. Was. A. Blast!! I was SO happy that the Gophers won their first round game, otherwise I wouldn't have seen them play at all. But even if they hadn't won, it was totally worth it to see tons of fun games, see all the different student sections and bands, eat great food, and enjoy downtown Indy. So glad we went!<br />
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The next weekend I went to Yuma to meet up with the rest of my family and visit Grandpa. Time with him is very special, especially to be there just after he turned 93! A few of my aunts were there, as well as some other friends from Long Prairie, and it was a great few days of trying to de-stress, playing cards, and watching a bunch of basketball!<br />
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The next week I spent some time out of town for work and then headed to Camp for quilt retreat. The weather was AMAZING (we saw a water skier on March 24!) and the company was just as good. I was so productive, but also had a ton of time for really nice conversations with great girls. <br />
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I worked away from home again the next week and then headed to the cities for the weekend. I really was feeling drained from my travels and I was REALLY missing my friends....so much has been going on that I haven't had time to process with some of my good friends. The weekend in the cities was just what I needed - I went to dinner and a Ben Rector concert with my 'brothers' and their wives, spent the night with my former roommate and had a wonderful catch-up session with her and the puppy, went to a sweet baby shower, spent the night in downtown Minneapolis with Bethel girls, finally was back at church, had lunch with some favorites, stopped over to see a friend and her husband and daughter, went on a walk with my bestie from high school, got a hot stone massage, and ate lots of ice cream. Whew! Talk about packing it all in! It was much needed and I cried on the way home because I felt very blessed. And very tired. <br />
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And now I'm on my way to South America. I can't believe I'm actually going! A friend lives there and I'm so excited to see her and see what her life is like! There will most certainly be a post coming about this trip. <br />
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I titled this post Traveling Mercies because I definitely have experienced many mercies during all of this craziness. I've been safe and generally healthy - and even when I wasn't healthy (those stupid boils), I felt that I could understand some things the Lord was teaching me (the need to lessen my stress at work, to slow down and take care of myself, etc). I've been blessed with a bonus that made my traveling possible, and I've connected with many people along the way who have encouraged me and blessed me during our conversations. Right now I'm longing to stay put at home for many, many days in a row....but that's not going to happen anytime soon! Even so, I'm grateful for a season of life with so much flexibility to have so many wonderful experiences.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-779428318569748402012-02-14T17:26:00.008-06:002012-02-14T23:46:15.999-06:00Loving the Life I Didn't ExpectIs there a better day to write a blog about being single than on Valentine's Day?? I think not.<div><br /></div><div>The truth is that a version of this post (and what could be MANY posts) has been floating around in my mind for a LONG TIME. And I decided that if I don't start <i>actually </i>blogging about all my thoughts, they will escape my head never to return again. So, here we go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Though the outline of this post started to solidify a few months ago, my trip to Hawaii really helped it all come together - mostly due to a book I read. More on that later.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am currently dealing with a coin called REALITY. Here are the two sides:</div><div><br /></div><div>Side A: Ten girls are friends in college. Statistics say that ten years from now at least one of them will not be married (I'm not going to look up these statistics, but any breathing person with a brain knows a version of this statistic is true). Fast forward ten years. I have become the girl in the group that didn't get married.</div><div><br /></div><div>Side B: God isn't bound by odds. Just because I'm not married yet doesn't mean I will never be. "Statistics" don't matter much to the Creator of the Universe - He kinda does whatever He wants.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the scale is tipping more toward the side where I won't be married. And even though marriage is what I really, really want......I have to trust - and KNOW - that if I don't get married, that is/was God's best plan for my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Huh. Not being married is God's best plan for my life. Weird. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's the thought that I've been coming to terms with over the last few months. Until recently, I've never even entertained the thought that I wouldn't get married....it was just a matter of when. But now that thought is becoming more real. Up to this point in my life, God's best plan IS that I am NOT married. And I haven't always believed that the life I'm living is His best. I have thought my plan was better. I still think that my plan is better. So, in an effort to trust Him more, I've started to dwell on the truth that God's best plan for my life is that I am not married now......and may never be.</div><div><br /></div><div>That thought makes me want to PUKE, to be honest. BUT it also forces me to look closely at all the blessings I've experienced BECAUSE of my singleness and the unique ways He has gifted me to serve ONLY in my singleness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, people. That was only the preface to this post. Things could get wordy here.......</div><div><br /></div><div>I go back and forth on "accepting" that I may never be married. Some days I feel great about it and think of all the amazing ways I could use my single life to live for God. Other days I just want to lay in bed and dream about how wonderful it would be to be married. </div><div><br /></div><div>One blessing of my single life is travel. I was gearing up for another fun trip to Hawaii with my sisters and I needed to download a free book to my Kindle. I keep a list of books I want to read, so I started plugging in the titles to see what I could download. Of the 30 titles I entered, only ONE of them was available: <i>Revelations of A Single Woman: Loving the Life I Didn't Expect</i> by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Connally</span> Gilliam. SERIOUSLY?!?! I just wanted a good beach-read. I wanted to put my thoughts and convictions about being single on the shelf for a week of VACATION and do whatever I WANTED! But God decided He needed to drive home a few points about singleness to me. So, because I'm cheap and didn't want to waste a free download, I let out a deep sigh and got the book.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's the only book I read during the entire week of vacation (up until the flight home). I usually fly through eight or nine books, but this one had me reading slowly, thinking, digesting, and re-reading many parts. I was challenged and blessed by it. So many things she wrote resonated with me and put into words what I sometimes have a hard time expressing. In case you are interested, here are some parts that stood out to me:</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; ">“For her, however, [my singleness] was a small reminder that, contrary to what she was always tempted to believe, unmet desires are not necessarily divine punishment for a flaw. Sometimes, when we line it all up, life simply is not fair. More important, my friend continued, my unintended singleness made me more approachable, more human. As she experienced it, my disappointment was a chink in the armor of my personality that let more of my heart out and gave others something softer to grab on to.......I still think I could come up with roughly 153 alternative means for accomplishing this same heart-changing end......I knew, and still know, that she was right. My unintended singleness, in addition to giving me some humorous stories that help me entertain or bond with a willing audience, undeniably has changed the contours of my heart. In bringing me into all-too-tender touch with my inner (and outer) dork, for lack of a better term, I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ve</span> grown kinder, and I’m glad for the change........</span>“The question, of course, is how will you suffer? Will you suffer with bitterness or will you suffer prophetically?” O Lord, I don’t like how this sounds. “You see, your generation is experiencing the fallout of a culture profoundly confused about who God is and therefore about what it is to be human and what it is to love. Your relational disappointments and suffering are, sadly, emblematic of the age.”......It is worth considering this question of How then should I live? I’m not talking about asking How then shall I get a man? or How then should I explain my singleness? or even How then should I prepare for life alone? Those questions have some merit, but they are secondary. Rather, I’m talking about asking for your eyes to be opened to see what’s real and then learning how to move forward in reality, even if it’s wading one step at a time through periodic waves of tears.......For today I am called to be single. I cannot say about tomorrow. That is how I want to live: not anxiously asking why but simply looking for what is supposed to be for today........Sometimes I think that one of the primary works God has done in my life is to tenderize and enrich my heart through the “Why <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">aren</span>’t I married?” struggle - the suffering I still hesitate to call by that name for fear of others rolling their eyes. But instead of the disappointment leaving me a cold, bitter, angry wench or a hotly desperate man-eater, it’s wrought a heart more capable of and committed to giving and receiving love. That, in my estimation, is miracle-level material. And though anything might happen tomorrow, that is the work of God I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ve</span> seen today.”</span></blockquote><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span></p><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">[Side note: I like how she uses the phrase "unintended singleness". I had never heard that before.] I do feel that extended singleness has made me more empathetic to other people's struggles that I might not have understood if I wasn't in the midst of a "struggle" that has eye-rolling potential. Does that make sense? My heart has changed, for the better, because I'm single.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">These next thoughts came after a section in the book where she talked about fragmentation: that being single is being free of any formal ties that bind and leaves us with too many options and too many sets of friends that continue to marry or move, leaving us with the need of making, yet again, more friends.....to start the cycle over again. The comparison is that you are trying to quench your relational thirst by drinking out of a thousand Dixie cups when all you want is a deep well. You won't die of dehydration, but you just really want a constant well - someone to live all of life with, not just little sections here and there. She talked a lot about how sometimes your personality can even feel fragmented, and I can relate to that well (which is definitely not unique to single women). Interests in sports, quilting, baking, and half-marathons don't exactly fit together perfectly, but they are all 100% "me". So I find myself bouncing around from friend to friend, interest to interest, Dixie cup to Dixie cup...</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">[In response to the story of the Prodigal Son]: “It’s the Father. It’s the Father. It’s the Father. As I reflected on that story, I slowly began to realize, It’s the Father, stupid. And then it dawned on me - the Father knows that I’m part urban ministry worker, part debutante, and part granola chick, and that a lot of those parts - plus others - don’t fit together. The Father knows that good friends move away. The Father knows that family-free living can leave one too free an agent. The Father knows that committed communities fracture. The Father knows that the people around me are spinning in their crazy circles too. The Father knows that I’m drinking out of too many Dixie cups. The Father knows. But more than just knowing, he cares. That’s the wild part. He has compassion. He’s the one who runs out with a profoundly welcoming heart. He’s the one who gently reminds me of his presence and generosity. It leaves me speechless. Or wanting to cry. Or maybe to sing.”</span></blockquote><p></p></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">I love the phrase "too free an agent". Being single can definitely feel that way, BUT the Father knows! And it's true - it makes me want to cry. Or sing. Or both. When I feel that my friends are moving on to the "next stage" in their lives to something better and leaving me behind....He knows. When I feel that my friends are moving away to live a life of purpose and I'm stuck in what can feel very purpose-less.....He knows. And cares. And pursues. And blesses.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Well, those are plenty of thoughts for one night. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">Also, as I was driving today, on Valentine's Day, I was thinking about how God has been kind to remind me of the many people in my life who love me, even if I don't have a "romantic" love. Just in the last few days I've had an acquaintance at church who went out of her way to compliment something she observed from me on Sunday. Another guy at church encouraged me (in a not-weird way) that I am "a catch". Friends who spent the weekend at our house are thinking of someone to set me up with. A friend from my old small group sent me a very encouraging email today with verses she's been praying for me. A friend who moved to another continent still makes me laugh like no one else can and prays for me. I prayed specifically for a single girl who had a career, owned a home, enjoyed sports, and had other interests in common with me to start coming to our church and God answered my prayer. My sisters and my parents are the BEST BEST BEST.......and I could go on and on.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; ">I certainly am blessed in my singleness. This is a life I didn't expect, but I (am learning to) love it.</div><p></p></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-67025882813593160812012-02-08T20:46:00.003-06:002012-02-08T21:05:23.846-06:00Hawaiian HighlightsI can't believe we have been back from Hawaii for over a week! Things are so BUSY when you get back from vacation. I definitely wanted to write a post about our trip before I start to forget some of my favorite things.<div><br /></div><div>Our trip to <a href="http://www.realthingshb.blogspot.com/2009/02/ive-been-gone.html">Maui in 2009</a> was my favorite vacation ever, so I was really excited to go back and see some of my favorite things, as well as go on new adventures. This trip ended up being quite different from the last time we were on Maui - partly because we stayed quite a distance from where we had been before, and partly because we ended up just RELAXING more, instead of hiking, etc. Which was fine with me - even though I LOVED the hikes we went on last time, it was nice to lay low.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a list of some highlights (in no particular order):</div><div><ol><li>Half Marathon. The second day we were there I ran a half marathon. I have a goal to do a half marathon in every state, so since there was a race going on while we were there, I thought I couldn't pass it up. Is a half marathon exactly what I want to be doing while on vacation? NO WAY. Am I glad I did it? YES! It was a beautiful run along the ocean while watching the whales play and the sun rise. It was well organized and I met some nice runners. The funniest moment was when I was stretching my calf against a speed limit sign and another runner yelled out to me "way to hold up that sign!"</li><li>Hotel. We stayed at the Ritz Carleton which was AMAZING. The pools were immaculate, the staff was overly hospitable, the ocean was beautiful, the food was crazy good. We spent a lot of time by the pool - so much so that toward the end of our stay the pool staff gave us a free cabana (usually around $300/day) for a day - complete with a couch, flat screen TV, music, ceiling fans, etc. The timing couldn't have been better since I had a fever that day and couldn't really be out in the sun. An amazing blessing to enjoy the cabana!</li><li>Food. Staying in a somewhat more touristy part of the island allowed us to try out many new restaurants....which were AWESOME! Personal favorites were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Merimans</span> ("chocolate purse dessert") and The Gazebo (can you say macadamia nut white chocolate chip pancakes with coconut syrup?!?!?!.......we went there twice!)</li><li>Friends. My sister was at a conference, so there were quite a few people we knew at the resort. It was fun to run into people at the pool to chat. We also got to know some friends-of-friends, in one of those "small world" situations, which was super fun. Let alone the fact that our group of six that traveled together was the GREATEST - so many laughs. I did MUCH less reading on this trip than any vacation ever - mostly because I did so much talking around the pool with friends! (but also because the book I was reading took digesting - but that's another post)</li><li>Zip Lining. In the west Maui mountains with a view of the ocean. Amazing. The longest zip line was 1100 feet!</li></ol><div>All in all, it was a great, great, great vacation. It came at the perfect time when things were extremely stressful at work. What a blessing to have fun travel friends and to have the means and ability to see the world!</div></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-58427091261699231652012-01-17T20:29:00.003-06:002012-01-17T20:50:39.331-06:00Blessings and SadnessI spent most of Sunday crying. (I swear I'll try to post some funny and not-so-weepy things here soon, sorry!) Our church has been growing and growing, which means that small groups need to grow and change, as well. I've been in the same small group for almost five years, so I've been sheltered from most of these changes, though I have been sad to see some friends move into different groups as our group became too large. BUT. Now I am the friend who is moving to a new group.<div><br /></div><div>You see, mostly I haven't been moved because I've DUG MY NAILS into the sides of my small group leader's wife and refused to go anywhere else. She is AMAZING. She is humble and honest (two things I am not very good at) and has been an incredible mentor to me over the last five years. She is SO "steady", whereas I'm an emotional roller coaster. As soon as I knew that I was going to be moved, I was really sad, but also excited to get to know a new group of people. But then Sunday rolled around (our final small group meeting) and I was just sad, sad, sad. I started to realize how much I've taken for granted this wonderful mentor I've had and all that she has walked me through - difficult job situations, grieving over close friends moving away, confusing boy situations, moving to Wisconsin, tense relationships with friends....etc, etc, etc. She has wisdom and sound advice in every area and I will so miss turning to her for things like this (not that I never will, but now I have a new small group leader to turn to).</div><div><br /></div><div>Another woman who is also moving to a different small group was also crying on Sunday and shared something along these lines: "It's really good that leaving this group is so hard. It means that we have been so blessed while we've been in this group. If it wasn't hard to leave, that would mean that we don't care." That really resonated with me. Not everyone has such great care and prayer from their church family. So even though it is very sad to leave such a wonderful group, it's only because I've been so blessed by it. AND it's not like I will never see these people again at church, it just won't be on such a consistent level.</div><div><br /></div><div>SO. Even though I'm sad, I know it's because I've been so blessed.</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-4134464918556394182012-01-03T18:20:00.007-06:002012-01-04T17:05:16.384-06:00Resolution-Less Year<div>I've never liked New Year's Eve. Not that I haven't had fun on New Year's Eve, but the older I get, the more I just want to stay tucked in on New Year's Eve (it just makes zero sense to me to get into a tiny dress in the freezing cold to go out on the roads with lots of drunks out and about - not my idea of fun). And this year, especially after surgery and being sick and generally being moody, I was especially not looking forward to the new year. I couldn't really even put my finger on it.......I just wasn't looking forward to 2012. I wasn't even in the mood to make any resolutions......which REALLY isn't like me. I typically love making plans and setting goals, but not this year. I guess I just felt a little bit like I don't have much to look forward to (which isn't actually true). I sometimes feel that nothing in my life is going to change, which feels so monotonous. Especially now that I'm settled in WI, I could very realistically not have any big changes for a LONG time. Like years. And when so many of my friends have so many changes all the time (weddings and babies, in particular) it is just....oy. Monotonous.</div><div></div><br /><div>And then it was Sunday and it was the new year. I felt pretty indifferent about it. And then during the singing at church, one of my pastors shared something - I wish I could remember more of the specifics - but the gist of it was that he had been feeling overwhelmed and hopeless during the week. His wife had some encouragement for him that he shared (and I can't remember right now) and I just felt like everything he was saying really resonated with me. I've been feeling hopeless.......Still single and it didn't work out with a nice guy. Hopeless that I'll ever find someone. Seemingly always sick and dealing with chronic pain in my shoulder. Hopeless that I'll ever get better. Just kinda generally bored with things. And I so appreciated what he shared: that I have no reason to be hopeless because in Christ we have the greatest hope.</div><div></div><br /><div>So I cried through the next two songs (It Is Well and Before the Throne) because I *do* have the greatest hope.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>......whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well with my soul.....</div><div>......Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and has shed His own blood for my soul......</div><div>......when Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see Him there, Who made an end to all my sin.....</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I was so thankful for the reminder that I have a personal Savior who does care about every detail of my life. That there really is nothing to despair about. That being single is NOT the end of the world. Sometimes I just need a kick in the butt to remind me that I have it pretty easy. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is my "lot", like <i>It Is Well</i> says. Though it's not the lot I would have chosen to park in, here I sit. And God ordained it. And He cares about it. I think I'm actually sitting in one of the best-lit and most well-protected lots there is, but I have dreams of a lot where every car is a Lexus and they all have cheery children being perfectly well behaved sitting in their car seats, singing the praises of their beautiful (size 6) mother. That's the lot where I want to be. But my lot is perfectly fine, and I should enjoy it. And I know that I sometimes cry when I sing <i>It Is Well</i> because I feel remorse that I don't always say "whatever my lot, it is well". So, those songs were a wonderful reminder and a balm to my heart on Sunday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then later in the day I saw another great reminder on a friend's Facebook page: he said "In Christ, a new year doesn't equal a clean slate. Our slate is already clean. No Christ, no clean slate, regardless of new year's resolutions".</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'm thankful for a clean slate, whether or not it's a new year. My slate is clean, even though I know that I will feel the need to "have a clean slate" more than once or twice in the coming year. But I'm starting the year resolution-less, other than feeling resolved to appreciate all that I have been given and stop dreaming of the lot with all the beautiful Lexus drivers (as much).</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-76210935862975821592012-01-03T17:52:00.003-06:002012-01-03T18:15:50.496-06:00....and Then Two More Months Went By....Psych! You all thought I was actually going to start blogging after my post two months ago!<br /><br />Why didn't I actually start blogging when I said I was going to (and wanted to)? I seriously have no idea. Well, I have *some* idea, but no real good reason*. I've been just kinda bummed the last two months for no real good reasons* at all, so I guess I didn't really want to start blogging while I was in that mood.<br /><br />*here are the "no real good reasons": I stopped going on dates with a nice guy. We had a good time on the dates we did go on, but we just didn't click. And even though the feeling was mutual, it was a bummer. Just feels like I'm going to be single forever. And then I had a cyst (chilazion) removed from my eyelid, which actually made me more sick and annoyed than I ever thought it would. Took longer to "recover" and be back to feeling normal than I thought it would. And then I got a huge cold for 2-3 weeks. Right through Christmas. And I was so on track with my half marathon training until all of that, so I was annoyed when everything went off track. So basically I'm just selfish and when my plans don't turn out I get crabby and decide not to blog about it all because I don't like to be a bummer about such trivial things when other people have actual sad things going on that are much more important than all of that. Okay.<br /><br />BUT. I will do one more mass-catch-up and then I will get down to actually blogging.<br /><br />NOVEMBER:...Palindrome Day!!, Breaking Free breakfast, Quilt retreat, Gopher basketball games, Alice Hanson funeral, great time in LP for Thanksgiving, Craft show, went to see a bestie in White Christmas, and stopped going on dates with a nice guy<br /><br />DECEMBER:...Pat's Tap with girlfriends, Nutcracker ballet with Eva to see a girl from church (SO great), EYE SURGERY (had a cyst removed), church Christmas party, family weekend in the cities (TOO much fun - Radison downtown, Hell's Kitchen breakfast, movies in bed, mom shopping, Dad and Ang to Gopher game, surprise dinner at The Melting Pot, McDonald's breakfast in bed thanks to Dad, surprising Dad with Les Mis, dinner with the sisters), cookie exchange, BE baby shower, JC 30th bday party, small group coffee, Christmas in LP, annual family game day in Atwater (complete with YARD games, thanks to no snow yet!!), Wild game on NYE, low key NYE dinner with friends.........NEW YEAR!<br /><br />SO. Here we go. For real.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-75469282403512727612012-01-03T17:47:00.003-06:002012-01-04T16:40:49.829-06:002011 by the Numbers<div>States Visited: 8 (CA, KS, MO, TX, FL, IL, PA, IA)</div><div><br /></div><div>Countries Visited: technically 0, but went to a few US territories on our cruise</div><div><br /></div><div>Weddings Attended: 0 (BOO! I LOVE weddings....can't believe I didn't go to a single one this year!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Trips to the Cabin: 5 (pretty slim number, here. Gotta change that in 2012)</div><br />Triathlons: 0<br /><br />5Ks: 1<br /><br />Trips to Green Bay: 2<br /><br />Football Games (in person): 3 professional, 1 college<br /><br />Blog Posts: 9 (lame!)<br /><br />Half Marathons: 1 (Chicago)<br /><br />Funerals: 2 (dear family friends lost both Grandma and Grandpa this year)<br /><br />Books Read: 20 (some of them were listened to)<br /><br />Times Pulled Over: 1 (boo!)<br /><br />Dates: 4<br /><br />Resolutions Kept: 0<br /><br />.....and a lot more babies born to friends, plus one big move to WI!Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-78553629993044039832011-10-31T18:14:00.004-05:002011-10-31T20:17:21.120-05:00Unintentional-Turned-Intentional Blogging HiatusWow. I've been gone for seven months! At first my blogging break was completely unintentional - I was busy (more on that later) and blogging took a back seat. Then the break became so long that I decided to make it an intentional 6-month break. Then that date came and went without me realizing it, so the hiatus continued. I don't assume that anyone still even reads this blog, but I've missed writing. I especially miss that I haven't documented the last months when I look back at the few years worth of documented moments, memories, and lessons that I have on this blog and want to remember.<div><br /></div><div>So. Here we go again. SO much has changed in the last seven months. I haven't been to this site at all in the last seven months, so I had forgotten that my previous post from March 22 was titled "Starting Over". Reading that post tonight was a little crazy for me. I am in such a different place (literally and figuratively) and I felt a wave of total blessing to know all that has changed in a short time. I really have started over in so many ways - new territory, new state, new home, new age (as in number, not religion).......</div><div><br /></div><div>I think (for my own sake when I revisit this blog in the future) I'm going to start with a month-by-month catch up. Thanks to my obsession with Google Calendar, I should be able to recreate the last few months fairly accurately. Then I think I'll follow that up with a few posts reflecting on some of the bigger changes in the last few months.</div><div><br /></div><div>[This is the part of the post you skip because a month-by-month catch up really serves no purpose for anyone but myself. There is nothing insightful that follows, just a list of what has been happening]</div><div><br /></div><div>APRIL: Brother/Sister game night, small group game night, Pinstripes with church friends, TK's Minn. coaches Hall of Fame induction dinner, Matt Wertz concert, trip to LaCrosse to visit AD, trip to PA to start my job search, Beav's bday in Cannon Falls, Family Easter brunch at the Lake Elmo Inn (YUM), trip to Kansas City with BD to visit HW and fam......</div><div><br /></div><div>MAY: Kickball started/basketball ended, bonfire in Belle Plaine with church friends, race in GB with Dad and Beav, cabin/project weekend with Mom and Dad (my first solo painting project completed!), I MOVED (April 15th was the first mention of me switching territories and I was packed and moved to WI on May 23rd), and three days after I moved I went to FL for the Next conference.....</div><div><br /></div><div>JUNE: Four days after I got home from FL I went to CA for a week for work, my new territory started on June 13th (for the first month I drove about 2000 miles a week!). Many people went to my cabin, but I never made it there in June. I got older and had a much more low-key birthday celebration than usual (but very pleasant all the same), went to LP for Prairie Days and a dedication of a garden at Camp Lebanon to my Grandparents, auditioned for a new job (yes, auditioned).........</div><div><br /></div><div>JULY: FINALLY to the cabin, dinner in St Paul to say so long to a dear friend headed out of the country to be a missionary, Saints game with church friends, Chicago trip with SL and my parents to see the Twins and eat amazing food, brother/sister cabin weekend in PR, FINAL audition for new job (which I didn't get, btw), family reunion in Iowa, goodbye dinner for BL, cabin weekend with BD, NK, HW and fam, small group pool party......</div><div><br /></div><div>AUGUST: Bethel friends cabin weekend, movie night with church friends, Twins game with sis, Chicago Half Marathon with BW, Welcome Team meetings, CA for another week for work, straight from CA to PA to meet up with my family on vacation and "enjoy" Hurricane Irene.....</div><div><br /></div><div>SEPTEMBER: Final cabin weekend (SO FUN), GreekFest, Jesse James Days, dinner at Spill the Wine with girlfriends, lots of kickball fun, friends' 30th bday parties.......</div><div><br /></div><div>OCTOBER: trip to KC with the fam for the Vikings game, time with my bestie while she was in town, brother/sister game weekend, Mom and her friends visit WI, Ang's bday dinner at Marx (YUM), a blind date (complete with embarrassing moments), Pampered Chef party (FREE stuff!), Bethel friends slumber party (ten girls!), Vikings/Packers game in the Dome, Dad in the hospital for a week..... </div><div><br /></div><div>Some reflections to follow......</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-25560954217103691002011-03-22T16:07:00.006-05:002011-03-22T20:56:35.252-05:00Starting Over<div>"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43: 18-19</div><div>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div>I feel like I am starting over. Or that I need to start over. When we "spring ahead" with our clocks, I always feel that nature is starting over, and I have a chance for a fresh start, too. And while the weather this week isn't nearly as pleasant as it was last week, the longer hours of daylight and the grass that is showing itself give me hope that a new season is on it's way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of my starting over has to do with "little" things, like the fact that I had finally gotten to the point where my driving record had no tickets on it for five years, and then I went and got a ticket last week. So I'm starting over on working toward a ticketless record. And I had begun to see some improvement in a shoulder injury that has really been bothering me....until I fell on the ice last week and really messed it up. So I'm starting over in my treatment plan with a doctors appointment this Thursday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some of my starting over has to do with "big" things, like my employment. I've honestly been in a "desert" when it comes to my job. I've considered for awhile if I should stick it out or move on. I'm starting a job search, and while I'm also waiting for the dust to settle on a few new developments at work, I'm somewhat convinced I'm being called in a new direction. Which might actually mean I'm being called to a new state. Which is scary and exciting. I'm praying about the timing of these new developments and that my choice would be made crystal clear - and I'd love it if you would join me with prayers of your own.</div><div><br /></div><div>My AP gave me the above verses from Isaiah a while back, and I keep coming back to them. Throughout much of the Old Testament, the Israelites clearly wondered what God was doing, but in these verses He reminds them that He has, does, and will care for them in their literal wilderness and desert, or in figurative wilderness and desert (captivity in Egypt, being under Babylonian rule). He will make a way. He will provide a river. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another note my AP gave me a long time ago (have I mentioned how encouraging my AP is?!?!) was a note from a sermon that said "God is sovereign over every famine". I remember at the time she gave me the note, I was going through a discouraging time as a home owner. It felt like a famine financially. I've been encouraged by the ways God has provided even without me having a renter at the cabin. God is sovereign over every famine. He will make a way. He will provide a river. Sometimes being single feels like a famine. Sometimes work feels like a famine. Sometimes my relationships leave me famished. But God has a purpose for my life and has ordained every step.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm facing some fear in making decisions about work. What if I make the wrong choice? What if nothing good comes along and I'm stuck in the desert? What if I move and don't like it? What if, what if, what if. I was SO encouraged by the words from the song "Completely Done" that we sang on Sunday. Even if my future at work isn't clear, my future in Christ is clear. I don't need to fear failure, because Christ will keep me. I don't need to fear making the wrong choice, because God has already completed my story - he performed a miracle to save me and He will guide and direct me.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I'm starting over. I'm looking for a new thing, all the while holding tight to the "new thing" mentioned in Isaiah that has God has done for me; He saved me to redeem my story, and he cares about every step of it.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(107, 107, 107); line-height: 21px; font-size:14px;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(107, 107, 107); line-height: 21px; font-size:14px;">"Completely Done"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(107, 107, 107); line-height: 21px; font-size:14px;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">What reason have I to doubt<br />Why would I dwell in fear<br />When all I have known is grace<br />My future in Christ is clear</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">My sins have been paid in full<br />There's no condemnation here<br />I live in the good of this<br />My Father has brought me near<br />I'm leaving my fears behind me now</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Chorus<br />The old is gone, the new has come<br />What You complete is completely done<br />We're heirs with Christ, the victory won<br />What You complete is completely done</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">I don't know what lies ahead<br />What if I fail again<br />You are my confidence<br />You'll keep me to the end<br />I'm leaving my fears behind me now</p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(107, 107, 107); line-height: 21px; font-size:14px;"><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">By Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock</em></span></div></blockquote>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-17185917717804823202011-03-07T17:12:00.003-06:002011-03-07T17:43:55.648-06:00What I Learned on the CruiseWhat a great week of vacation! Sun, food, laughing, games, more food, shows, islands, water, more sun, more food, more games, more shows...........all fun. I wish we could have stayed another week!<div><br /></div><div>I didn't remember much about the only other cruise I'd been on (in 5th grade), so there were a few things I learned this time around:</div><div><ol><li>The shower in your cruise stateroom is the most DIFFICULT place to shave your legs.</li><li>You can very quickly get used to having a card that you flash to get free pop. This does not work once you leave the boat, so don't embarrass yourself by trying it at the airport.</li><li>It's stupidly funny to say "well, we're all in the same boat" when you are, in fact, literally on the same boat.</li><li>Cruise staterooms have mirrors everywhere. This makes it amazingly easy to fix the back of your hair. It also makes it depressingly easy to see what you actually look like in your swimsuit from behind (especially after five or six days of non-stop buffet eating).</li><li>The sway of a cruise ship makes everyone walk very clumsily. This is a great way to blend in if you typically are the only person who is stumbling around on dry land.</li><li>I'm still allergic to fruit. I usually tolerate fruit in small amounts here and there. But each night there was a delicious cold fruit soup at dinner, plus other fruit that I mixed in throughout the days, and I got hives on the final night. Good things about the situation: it was the final night, the hives were VERY mild, and I had plenty of Benadryl on hand.</li><li>Fly in the day before you leave. If you miss the boat, you basically miss a good chunk of your vacation. In our case, the earliest you could have caught the boat would have been on Wednesday at St. Thomas. One couple in our group got delayed all day on Sunday to the point where we thought they wouldn't make the ship. They made it by less than five minutes - maybe less than one minute. Lesson learned: fly the day before. (they only made the ship by not even going to baggage claim at all, so they spent the week without luggage!)</li><li>Go with a group. Being on a cruise with 16 people in our group was so fun! We always had people participating in every event that was held on the ship, which made the events fun to watch and cheer for. We held our own little card tournament, and there was always someone to find to grab a bite to eat, lay by the pool, walk on the deck, learn a line dance, shop, etc.</li></ol><div>All in all, it was a WONDERFUL vacation! Unlike any vacation I've ever been on, but so very wonderful!</div></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-83846701408756769592011-02-21T19:00:00.012-06:002011-02-23T20:57:18.724-06:00Blogging Hiatus<div>Haven't been here in awhile. Haven't really had much to say, so I haven't really missed it. I mean - I haven't missed it in a day-to-day-wanting-to-blog kinda way. And I guess I've had things to say, but they are mostly just whiny and full of self-pity, so I haven't said them here. But this past weekend I was stuck in my house for a solid 3+ days, so I caught up on most every single thing in my life, including the 130 "starred" blogs I had in my Reader. Going through them reminded me that I do want to blog, so here I am.</div><div><br /></div><div>So....what's been up? Well, in the immediate sense of the question, another snowstorm has had me on lock down. I started my weekend with a massage on Friday night (thanks to a shoulder injury that gets worse everyday...) and a movie with my roommate. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I had the house to myself to pack for the cruise (FOUR DAYS! FOUR DAYS! FOUR DAYS!), cook and bake (roasted squash, carrots with brown sugar sauce, red pepper and tomato soup, sloppy joes, cookies...), and watch about 4,599 episodes of Bones. Church was cancelled because of the storm, so other than some texting and a few short phone conversations, I was a total introvert and had a chance to work on some things I wouldn't have gotten around to for a long time had I not been snowed in. A much better weekend than <a href="http://realthingshb.blogspot.com/2010/12/there-once-was-blizzard.html">the last time we got dumped on</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as the last month goes, to say work has been difficult would be an understatement. And since so much of my week is devoted to work, there is definitely a spill-over effect into the rest of my life. Last week I finally made it through a day without crying about work, so that was a change from the last 4-6 weeks. I don't know what to do....a job change? A city change? Blerg.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now I can't think of anything else to say. I thought I had so many things to catch up on, but I guess not. Beyond wondering about work and wondering about moving, not much is going on. But that's been plenty.</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, I will add one other thing I've been thinking about that I was reminded of while I went through my "starred" blogs. It has to do with hospitality, which is one of my core values, so it is appropriate. I'll share the text (from Mark Driscoll), and then I'll share my thoughts:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:medium;"><blockquote>Hospitality is not just hanging out with Christians. The word “hospitality” in the Bible literally means to welcome the stranger. Fellowship is when you hang out with all your Christian friends. And that’s great and it’s good and you should. Hospitality is when, in addition to your friends, you invite strangers to hang out with your friends so that they too start to become friends.</blockquote><blockquote>That’s exactly what Jesus is talking about here. Hosting a party, hosting a banquet, hosting a feast, having a generous menu, having a generous guest list. And as we do these things, what we’re showing is something of the character of God, that we can party to the glory of God. We can have a great time and laugh deeply and eat well to the glory of God. And as we do, we’re showing something of the character of our God and something of his heavenly kingdom. </blockquote><blockquote> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><a href="http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2011/02/understanding-hospitality.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">via</span></a></span></blockquote></span></div><div>I really need the reminder about the difference between fellowship and hospitality. I do feel called to be hospitable, but sometimes I feel sad that I'm missing out on the fellowship that I love - especially lately. My favorite people in the world, the people I really want to have fellowship with, are in a much different stage of life. And I'm not just talking about one, two, or three families....I'm talking about my top 20 favorites! And I know the past few months have been harder to have great fellowship because of some new babies, the holidays, etc.........but when I have a night out with my good friends (like I did last weekend), I realize just how much I am really missing that particular kind of fellowship. The kind where so many things just go unspoken because you know each other so well. And the ironic thing is - the people I'm missing often feel like they are missing it, too. (We definitely talked about that while we were away from husbands/babies/homes)</div><div><br /></div><div>Being hospitable is important and I've really tried to invest time there - hanging out with long-lost friends from college, planning events for singles at church, etc. But when I don't really click with new people it feels discouraging. I know new friendships and relationships take time, but sometimes you just want to wear that favorite pair of jeans because they are so comfortable! So I'm keeping my eyes open for what the Lord wants to teach me in this season of new friendships, and I'm keeping my heart open to making some new friends and breaking in a new pair of jeans (both literally and figuratively).</div><div><br /></div><div>Having said that, I'm SO SO SO SO SO SO SO blessed that the people I'm most comfortable with - my sisters - are in the same stage of life as me. As much as I'd like to see all of us get married tomorrow and start popping out cute little babies, I'm so thankful that we have this season to spend together. And I'm thankful we actually enjoy our time together and are such good friends. So, when we pile on a plane at 8am on Sunday morning, I will be one happy camper looking forward to a week of laughing, lounging, and fellowship.</div><div><br /></div><div>AND, because I cleaned out my blogs, I came across a few things I wanted to share - probably more for my sake than anything else.....so that I know where to find these gems in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>First of all - a coffee chart that is much needed on my end of things. Love coffee, can't figure out the nuances.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><a href="http://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/ThePerfectPour.gif" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 68, 187); "><img title="The Perfect Pour" src="http://twentytwowords.com/wp-content/uploads/ThePerfectPour-e1296126672377-634x1111.gif" alt="" width="634" height="1111" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; " /></a></span></div><div><a href="http://twentytwowords.com/2011/01/27/the-perfect-pour-an-express-guide-to-the-confusing-world-of-coffee/">via</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This chart on the Enjoyment of Snow Over Time makes me say "AMEN!" (I think you'll have to click on it to get the full effect....)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="entry-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 650px; padding-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div class="entry-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; max-width: 650px; padding-top: 0.5em; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left; "><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh76T0odXL1t1RpEAyeRkzyLB6Z1lutT_APRaqaN1W3Yh8BDNROLzEbdelGvZZ3EtvlETh3QxMZ8-UE2G-Hz4CUVpLUYwFIPahKnuKCd4fO2RdGmlL5qddo6kRdYx31OkiPqAA76lrOb3a/s1600/enjoymentofsnow.jpg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 68, 187); clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; "><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh76T0odXL1t1RpEAyeRkzyLB6Z1lutT_APRaqaN1W3Yh8BDNROLzEbdelGvZZ3EtvlETh3QxMZ8-UE2G-Hz4CUVpLUYwFIPahKnuKCd4fO2RdGmlL5qddo6kRdYx31OkiPqAA76lrOb3a/s640/enjoymentofsnow.jpg" width="620" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; " /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></div><a href="http://www.tastefullyoffensive.com/2011/02/enjoyment-of-snow-over-time.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">via</span></a></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And because I love grammar and language and talking and etc.........here is a video that I think is awesome.</span></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="item-body" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UbSSQe6vsSw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:medium;">Okay. All caught up. Also, I love that after posting a video about grammar and stating my love of language, I'm going to write a disclaimer that I didn't go back and edit this post. Too tired. Deal with it. </span></div></div></div></div></span></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-38070727220650354002011-01-18T20:52:00.002-06:002011-01-18T21:08:37.156-06:00Big HiccupsYou guys. My Favorite Toddler spent the night at my house on Friday and it was SO MUCH FUN!!! I want to do it again, and again, and again.<br /><br />The plan was to pick him up after work on Friday and head to my cousin’s basketball game about an hour away, but since Minnesota has decided to SNOW EVERY DAY this winter, we changed our plans because of the awful traffic. Instead we headed straight to McDonald’s and had a fun time at the Play Place. Then we went to my house and played on the drums, played piano, played “Ka-chow” (the name of a car from the movie Cars), and played hide-and-seek. In the middle of a game of hide-and-seek/Ka-chow, Favorite Toddler came out of the bathroom (where he had been “hiding”) and said, “I had a BIG hiccup!” <br /><br />In his toddler mind, “big hiccup” = throw up. And it was big. The poor buddy had puke down his shirt, and there was a big pile in the bathroom, as well as a trail down the hall where he had run to tell me about his big hiccup. You may be aware that <a href="http://realthingshb.blogspot.com/2008/09/on-dogsand-gag-reflexes.html">I have the strongest gag reflex in the history of the world</a>, so of course I gagged REALLY hard at the smell. Then I started laughing because I knew that I was going to have the hardest time cleaning it up. I pulled off Favorite Toddler’s shirt and let it soak while he watched me attempt to clean up the mess. Within about three minutes, I threw up ALL over. It was hilarious….especially when Favorite Toddler kept saying “You have big hiccup, too!”<br /><br />It was already a little past his bedtime (shhh…don’t tell his parents), so I was thankful that we hadn’t already gotten into pajamas and that we hadn’t gotten into bed yet, because cleaning up hiccups in bed would have been a NIGHTMARE. Instead, it was about as straightforward as it could have been – on the tile of the bathroom and wood of the hallway. After the mess was cleaned up, we got into our pajamas and settled down with a VeggieTales movie, and fell right asleep. At breakfast the next morning, when asked by my roommate what we had done the night before, Favorite Toddler said “I had a big hiccup, and HB had a big hiccup in the bathroom!”. It was too funny.<br /><br />Sunday morning, I got a call from Favorite Toddler’s mom, who was VERY sick with the flu. I picked up her kids to take them to church (her husband is the pastor, so he was already there with other responsibilities). At church, her husband and I commented that our stomachs both felt a little funny, but didn’t think much of it………<br /><br />Until a few hours later.....when I got BIG HICCUPS for the rest of the day. Seriously. It was SO miserable. It was accompanied by a nasty fever, severe chills, and general WANTING TO JUST SLEEP SO THAT I WOULDN’T FEEL SO DISGUSTING. Ugh. Thank GOODNESS my sister is a doctor – she called in a script of the MIRACLE drug Zofran so that I would stop retching and actually get some sleep. My wonderful friend (who has a three-week-old baby) picked up my meds and some ginger ale for me. And I survived. It actually left about as quickly as it came, and I am feeling almost completely better. Whatever that bug was, it was nasty!<br /><br />I think the best thing I'll take away from this experience is Favorite Toddler's euphemism for being sick. "Big hiccups" is a much more pleasant way of putting it! But I sure hope I don't have any more big hiccups in my near future!!Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-47505524388127346792011-01-12T21:42:00.005-06:002011-01-12T21:55:54.270-06:00Kidney HumorI have a medical history that is somewhat more eventful than most, including severe kidney complications. Because of that, I spent many years in and out of hospitals as a youngster and I have some pretty sweet scars stretching across my mid-section to prove it. My little sister never went under the knife, but we shared many years of taking nightly “kidney” medication and we now share a love for kidney humor.<br /><br />“Kidney humor...."?? Yes, kidney humor. Trust me, there is such a thing. Have you ever seen the picture of me as a toddler in nothing but a diaper and shoes holding a bag of my own urine that is connected to a tube coming out the side of my body? Now <em>that’s</em> funny (probably not so funny to my parents at the time who had one very sick little girl on their hands).<br /><br />My little sister is “my kidney”: should I ever have the need for a transplant, I have appointed her to give me a kidney, and she has (willingly?) accepted. So we make kidney jokes, and we laugh extra hard at the episode of 30 Rock where Jack is going to give his dad a kidney. We've also been known to say "I love you with all of my kidney".<br /><br />And because of all this, my day was made when my sister emailed me the following picture:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561511611701218018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrJ_XON0JAw2bN_EtJEzw_6SMSgTxmHBOQddn_Odq2Z7AT_pNZI3F3l4vihD0Lmtf1XeH64xUUXI-9lewK0lq8OBy2kmUFJ2pwiRE0v2k1RislR_OCv1OnXHpQaFYYpsOF7atKmr4UhMF/s320/HelloKidney.png" border="0" /><br />HA! Greatest kidney humor ever!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tastefullyoffensive.com/2011/01/hello-kidney.html#">via</a>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-37966165891464654982011-01-12T21:35:00.003-06:002011-01-12T21:42:09.102-06:00A New ApproachMy sister shares some <a href="http://lifeandprimenumbers.blogspot.com/2011/01/ill-have-isaiah-with-side-of-carrots.html">incredibly encouraging thoughts</a> on scripture reading. I definitely need encouragement in this area, and she expresses much of what I've thought or felt in a new way. Here is her conclusion:<br /><br /><blockquote>I like the food analogy. There is a time for feasting. There is a time for life-changing, emotional encounters with God's Holy Word. It's like Christmas dinner (which, some would argue, can be a life-changing, emotional experience itself). And when the time comes for such an experience, it should be treasured, celebrated, enjoyed, and valued. But it might not be the norm. And it certainly isn't necessary on a daily basis.<br /><br />Sometimes you just need a piece of toast to hold you over until dinner.<br /><br />The funny thing is that these "forgettable" meals are actually the important ones. They are the life-sustaining ones. You can live without an annual Christmas feast. You can't live without all of your forgettable meals. You would probably only eat on holidays and even then, you wouldn't be able to enjoy it. Your stomach would be so shriveled - so familiar with your starvation-that the feast would sicken you.<br /><br />So, here's to a new approach to Scripture in 2011! May it be a life-sustaining year. And may it prepare me for the feast, should it come.<br /></blockquote>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-6275553026615078532011-01-03T19:22:00.004-06:002011-01-03T19:47:57.393-06:002010: By the Numbers<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; ">States Visited: 6 (HI, WI, TX, CA, LA, IL)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; ">Countries Visited: 3 (Finland, Lithuania, Latvia)<br />Weddings Attended: 5<br />Trips to the Cabin: 12<br />Triathlons: 0<br />5Ks: 3<br />Trips to Green Bay: 2<br />Football Games (in person): 4 (3 pro, 1 college)<br />Blog Posts: 99<br />Half-Marathons: 1</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; ">Funerals: 2 (both of my Grandmas passed away this year)<br />Books Read: 13<br />Times Pulled Over: 0 (WOO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HOO</span>!!)<br />Dates: 1<br />Resolutions Kept: 1 (half-marathon)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); line-height: 22px; ">.....and MANY babies born to good friends!!</span></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-77482255871830976482011-01-03T18:27:00.004-06:002011-01-03T21:48:52.928-06:00New Year, Similar Intentions<div>I had some pretty <a href="http://realthingshb.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-years-intentions.html">simple resolutions</a> as I went into 2010. Read my Bible, run a half-marathon, and possibly complete another Olympic triathlon. My bigger focus in my resolutions/intentions revolved around the <a href="http://realthingshb.blogspot.com/2010/01/thoughts-on-core-values.html">core values</a> that I developed for myself around this time last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm really thankful for the focus that having core values has provided for me over the last year. Because of that, I intend to approach this year with pretty much the same resolutions/intentions (read my Bible, run a half-marathon, possibly complete another Olympic triathlon, and focus on my core values). There are a lot of little things I need to improve on (drink more water, work out more consistently, eat a more balanced diet, etc......), but I always try to implement too many changes all at once and then none of them stick. So.....small, consistent changes are what I'm going for.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do have one BIG goal for 2011........to not use a credit card. This will be a STRETCH goal for me, but I need to make this change. I think that if I can maintain some discipline in this area, it will spill over into other things I desire - less clutter, less materialism, fewer piles of clothes all over.......</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, also.....I'm still single. Which means I'm still waiting. And I know that waiting is not unique to being single, so I thought I would share a quote that I came across that I thought was encouraging.</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote>"To wait is not merely to remain impassive. It is to expect -- to look for with patience, and also with submission. It is to long for, but not impatiently; to look for, but not to fret at the delay; to watch for, but not restlessly; to feel that if he does not come, we will acquiesce, and yet to refuse to let the mind acquiesce in the feeling that he will not come." - Dr. A.B. Davidson, <i>Waiting on God</i> (quoted in <i>The Hidden Life of Prayer</i> by David McIntyre)</blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>So, here's to a great year - one full of love, belief, hospitality, generosity, service, prayer, and joy!</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-77619455938532125162010-12-25T12:51:00.005-06:002010-12-25T13:42:28.370-06:00A Wonderful Christmas<div style="text-align: left;">It's been such a wonderful Christmas! Playing games, laughing, eating, relaxing, opening presents....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahhhhhhh......</span></div><div><br /></div><div>My parents are so generous and are GREAT at giving gifts! I'm so spoiled....gift cards to Caribou, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DSW</span>, and Amazon, money for ski equipment, a board game, a little purse, ear muffs, AND a Twins jersey, Twins sweatshirt, and Twins purse!</div><div><br /></div><div>My older sister spoiled me, too! In addition to <a href="http://realthingshb.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-carol.html">A Christmas Carol</a>, she gave me tickets to Gophers games, a book, a movie, and a gift card!</div><div><br /></div><div>And of course.....the <a href="http://realthingshb.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent.html">Advent basket</a> from my little sister. Yes, I figured out it was from my little sister. I had to keep the secret to myself because there were other people who also got a basket from her that I didn't want to ruin the surprise for.</div><div><br /></div><div>I figured out right away that the gifts were from her. Since I had opened the letter for the first day early, I decided to open the first gift early, too. It was a CD of Christmas songs. The songs were a dead give-away that it was from my sister. I called her and we had the most funny conversation. She was trying to lie to me about the basket, but I was giving her the many, many reasons why I knew it was from her. Also, the lies she told me were exactly the same lies I would have told if I was trying to keep the same secret......we think too much alike for her to fool me! We were laughing so hard!</div><div><br /></div><div>She finally gave in and admitted the basket was from her. She said "well, you must have looked at the final card, too then". I hadn't, but I asked what it said. She told me that on the card that would tell her identity, she just wrote "CHEATER" because she was SO convinced I would sneak ahead! But I didn't need to sneak ahead to figure it out, so the joke is on her!!</div><div><br /></div><div>She also included a reflection each day on a different characteristic of God (wise, loving, gracious, holy, transcendent, judge, merciful, all-sufficient, triune........etc.........). It is so fun to get gifts, but as my sister said in the final letter of her gift, these characteristics will lead us to worship the Father and thank Him for the abundant gifts He has given - most importantly, His Son.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a list of all the gifts she gave me, with some pictures to follow (I know some of you were curious):</div><div><br /></div><div>1 - the basket the gifts came in</div><div>2 - CD</div><div>3 - hand soap</div><div>4 - Hope ornament</div><div>5 - peanuts</div><div>6 - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pashmina</span></div><div>7 - key covers</div><div>8 - hot chocolate</div><div>9 - socks</div><div>10 - magnets</div><div>11 - body wash</div><div>12 - chocolates</div><div>13 - vase</div><div>14 - notepad</div><div>15 - lotion</div><div>16 - candle</div><div>17 - candy</div><div>18 - note cards</div><div>19 - candle holder</div><div>20 - chocolate</div><div>21 - bookmarks</div><div>22 - journal</div><div>23 - sports ornaments</div><div>24 - sparkling juice</div><div>25 - picture/letter</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqER7_15VUL6l4KAQX4JceA0wf25FFBcgKBokN0TFEMYNXokLcuu4_E6nmz8DsgwuAJ-3OMRbHn7Eaqz0bMRkFcpkEf_Gk6vxo8n9qG1c8-ljqnQQvgttaV9bSx4kHpqt7jxwPWALKlRmI/s320/IMG_4766.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703155916456322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">beautiful vase!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKhUnSYjf3zhIFuYiBl6iy66Ax-oHaGAWOTeU7aPpybjFiPst-QHVO8el0Ir37m7xTAPEqTnXthx19dQxUrQ_dIs7jn7vCWNxOw3RJcmyAhA8vu2Fhsgd1WZqRIdZjIs8uQEIFN6-uDsk/s320/IMG_4768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703165975377698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">journal</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnItt4XXIxEmYnMiCTr9fkuYYdEo2i7J8ztrXCT3EK9U5K62gcThjb1NHcEDm5adlNm3DYqLgkj3m6qJMPDTIDY5UrQOoWkXSHfUjTisRhe1HWIdDUDLSz9D5m6Ju26UfbRprlnc3LphV/s320/IMG_4772.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703174858214914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">key covers, magnets, note cards, socks</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpld_beM4ougZVq0xOHt1CTuxudjyDPGrXt7cpbJBxn2qq_Ej5OOvd9rOk_iCE5-ewDU40298vplZPQgJ77ZBl4kOjyVtASdLGQNyE8VEdirtDdvwIIgfoxenovBXtTBlJpi5YHrmc0p6/s320/IMG_4763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703155417846546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">ornaments</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtXDbgqHiACFtCdGm4AyTr8FJr2_TQNTh1AZHUUgNFyMpWSuIicHWxkpf-MMX-DBb3iRK-AiaTvV3f6P2Ia7tVYPG03bCnzypO2XiIssM5GsL9gIX09MfcmKi_Gu6nZ4I9BtUFEdW38d1/s320/IMG_4774.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703589651176962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">bookmarks</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx5MMUgxpFgSfEvGdgSqf1048pqkTSXtpyug4dwRnFNa_9zyuZIATYXlB06H6gaz8huUeHC1xGTk2rxP5NjpnCiizTbCGUumx7QcsRTkfUe3UEuTb5UGT0wT-WUEPGdRtI5Rjo10F6kpa/s320/IMG_4777.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703596174921730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">candle holder, candle, ornament, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pashmina</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpcwiV1bX7BRhBBaohbDWPQm1oiI92A2XS3JhVa32VUvN5sM7ccBV-nZ_yiyR3gXOf8SuAwlPQh4igjqvbftFKiRiFGQzd50s0UQVKX42OxoVU5FBB2WetpnFk35LmhHujMDuPzQ3wwPS/s320/IMG_4753.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703147408185138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">hand soap</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpX40kKjEmvrkonTvb2zRD00mlwGT6CE7MvQD62ipnkKcvfSBSd_2IN4wjn0WIkiRZ0CPsJ3zdjMj3Vr2aUEupDFmhyphenhyphenP26AEHtEKdqHLNrC2T1ugir0PY9CYxAOdUfGZTYO4WnVyN1oa_/s320/IMG_4778.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554703600201610114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 146px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">The final note in the basket</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also wanted to include the final reflection from the gift. It is "Advent Summons" by Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Come forth from the holy place,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet Child,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come from the quiet dark</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where virginal heartbeats</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tick your moments.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Come away from the red music</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of Mary's veins.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come out from the Tower of David</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet Child,</div><div style="text-align: center;">From the House of Gold.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leave your lily-cloister,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leave your holy mansion,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quit your covenant ark.</div><div style="text-align: center;">O Child, be born!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Be born, Sweet Child,</div><div style="text-align: center;">In our unholy hearts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Come to our trembling,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Helpless Child.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come to our littleness,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Child,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be born to us</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who have kept the faltering vigil.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be given, be born,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be ours again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Come forth from your holy haven,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come away from your perfect shrine,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Come to our wind-racked souls</div><div style="text-align: center;">From the flawless tent,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet Child.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Be born, little Child,</div><div style="text-align: center;">In our unholy hearts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Merry Christmas, everyone! I pray your Advent season was filled with reflections on the One who sent His Son to be born in a manger, live a perfect life, die and rise again to save us from our sin! What a gift!!!!</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-7224585633575682812010-12-20T22:10:00.002-06:002010-12-20T22:18:48.245-06:00A Cozy EveningThanks to a rapid snowfall throughout the day, traffic was nightmare-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ish</span> all day....so I was glad to be tucked in all night in my sweats with cozy Christmas lights twinkling, a cup of hot soup, watching the Vikings game.<div><br /></div><div>When I was rescued by my uncle from the blizzard, my aunt had a yummy chicken noodle soup in the crock pot when I arrived at their house. I normally don't like chicken noodle soup because I prefer more thick and creamy soups, but she had doctored it to make it very thick and creamy. I'm glad I was inspired to buy the ingredients last week so I had them on hand when I got home tonight. Here's what she does:</div><div><br /></div><div>Dump in a crock pot: one can of chicken noodle soup (with big noodles), one can of cream of chicken soup, one quart of half and half, two cups of cooked egg noodles, two cups of cooked and chopped chicken, two cups of whatever veggies you like. YUM!</div><div><br /></div><div>My aunt's mom passed away very unexpectedly this past weekend, so it was nice to make her soup tonight and have my thoughts and prayers with them as I did so. </div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-86677273183347398532010-12-18T21:29:00.005-06:002010-12-18T21:38:45.761-06:00Paper Chain Excited<div style="text-align: center;">There's excited, and then there's "paper chain excited"!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As if I wasn't already excited enough about our family cruise in February, my little sister sent me a paper chain to count down the days - complete with cute, cruise-themed paper!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC782f0CGXp5kOS0NZlAy4lj6LtiZPlOc0WgJ3z5F7FVBsdcy5rj8P3rfo3fJfHxb-Q289jpTJY8qEt293_ajkCXDKOwABxHF1aNU05ZYrHfs6sWM4Q2ODd51cH7l8S-auJAE-IzE02oXB/s1600/IMG_4761.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC782f0CGXp5kOS0NZlAy4lj6LtiZPlOc0WgJ3z5F7FVBsdcy5rj8P3rfo3fJfHxb-Q289jpTJY8qEt293_ajkCXDKOwABxHF1aNU05ZYrHfs6sWM4Q2ODd51cH7l8S-auJAE-IzE02oXB/s320/IMG_4761.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552231077049691890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">70 days! We'll be cruising in 70 days!!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lh35zM8mXXZdYxspC58Sc0-rlDKNydZumJ9gb7DF0aTziVYwfjPPOmMJvALObhV-29VB1fRTDPIBXiF781U63bySe_EXppi52Q021XDgAqTMKHBDJrCHnocS89qzDf0LwXCLzbNhT3Tj/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG"></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lh35zM8mXXZdYxspC58Sc0-rlDKNydZumJ9gb7DF0aTziVYwfjPPOmMJvALObhV-29VB1fRTDPIBXiF781U63bySe_EXppi52Q021XDgAqTMKHBDJrCHnocS89qzDf0LwXCLzbNhT3Tj/s320/IMG_4760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552230957590171762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-37633502608655020492010-12-14T13:02:00.005-06:002010-12-14T13:09:48.835-06:00A Christmas CarolFor our Christmas gift this year, my older sister was going to take my younger sister and me to A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie and out for a nice dinner on Sunday night. Unfortunately, thanks to the blizzard, my younger sister was literally snowed in and couldn't make it. So we found a substitute and had a nice night (though we definitely missed little sis)!<div><br /></div><div>We ate at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Masa</span> - my absolute FAVORITE place in Minneapolis. It is a bit expensive, so it's only for special <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occasions</span>, but I seriously crave their crab enchiladas ALL the time! Yum!</div><div><br /></div><div>The show was great, too! I liked the call out they chose from the script for the program:</div><div><blockquote>"Look at us, all gathered here together at this table. let us not dwell on the misfortunes - of which all have some - but rather rejoice upon our present blessings, of which we have many. Let us empty our plates and fill our glasses once again, and with a smiling face and a contented heart say, our life on it, let Christmas be merry and the coming year a happy one."</blockquote></div><div>Sunday was a nice day, thanks to the blessings of family, following a chaotic day for me. I appreciated rest and relaxation, as well as the treat of dinner and a show. A magnificent way to end the weekend and begin more reflection on the Christmas Season!</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-5709208992894054332010-12-13T18:40:00.008-06:002010-12-15T08:44:37.531-06:00There Once Was a Blizzard...So, did you hear there was a blizzard in Minneapolis on Saturday?! Everyone will have a story about where they were and what they did during the blizzard of December 2010, so here’s mine [warning: it's probably a long one...]: (I'm a little embarassed to share it, since it shows pretty poor judgement on my part.....)<br /><br />I’ve been told I have some hermit-like tendencies, so I’m certainly not someone who minds being snowed in for a cozy day at home. It actually sounds a little delightful. Baking, organizing, watching movies, relaxing…….all right up my alley. But my Saturday was anything but delightful….<br /><br />I actually had a very busy Saturday planned. I was going to go to the Gopher game with my sister, head out to see a friend coach his high school basketball team later that afternoon, visit a friend and her new baby, have dinner with friends, and finally get to see my roommate sing with her folk band. I was looking forward to all of those things, but on Friday, as it became more apparent that I wouldn’t be doing any of them, I wasn’t extremely bummed. I actually needed an excuse to stay tucked in all day. I was coming off a week where I had totally over-committed myself and I was exhausted. It was a good exhaustion (since there were almost 50 people who showed up to the church singles Christmas party!!), but nonetheless, an exhaustion.<br /><br />On Saturday, I learned that one small decision can lead you down a path where many other small decisions lead to a big headache. See, I was dog-sitting, so I had an additional element thrown into my snowed-in state. At about 10am I decided that I should shovel a little to keep up with the storm (the home owner had told me she would pay me to shovel in addition to sitting the dogs). I worked (too hard) for just over an hour and then decided that I should run to my own house for a minute to let out the dog there and grab a few things for the duration of the storm. At 11am, the roads were not good, but I was able to get home without an issue. It’s after I got to my house that the problems started....<br /><br />Instead of just letting the dog out and grabbing some more clothes, I put a load of laundry in, wrapped some presents, and got generally distracted. Soon enough it was 2pm and I could see that my car had been plowed into where I had parked. I needed to get back to the dogs I was being paid to watch, so I grabbed a shovel and started to work my car out of it’s spot. Friendly Neighbor came over to help me out, and I was off. Friendly Neighbor also mentioned that I should throw my shovel in my car because I might need it, but I told him that I had made it over here no problem, so it wouldn’t be needed. I made it about one block before I got stuck again. Since I was shovel-less, I got down on my hands and knees (in only sweatpants) and dug around the tires. Red Stocking Hat Man saw me and came over to help dig me out. After just about 10 minutes I was off again. About a block ahead I saw two women working a car out of a spot, so I stopped to help. We worked on her car for about 10 minutes, and as I got back into my car, I realized I was now stuck again. The two women, along with Red Stocking Hat Man, helped me out and I was going again. I was now about two blocks from a snow emergency route that I knew would be clear. If I could just….make…..it…………..NOPE. Stuck again. This time in the middle of an intersection. I was getting a little ticked at myself for waiting so long to leave my house, and I was also getting pretty tired, but I just needed to make it two more blocks. I worked with Man Without Gloves to get my car out, but I was stuck pretty bad. I said that we should work on getting his car unstuck since mine was so bad, so we did that and he was off. By that time we had gathered a crowd that included Friendly Neighbor, Red Stocking Hat Man, and about four others who were determined to get me out of the intersection.<br /><br />As I hopped back in my car to give it gas, Friendly Neighbor realized that my wheels weren’t turning. It was determined that I had overheated the transmission and would need a tow. And this is where I started to get upset.<br /><br />I called Triple A and they put me on a list. I started to think through what I was going to do in the next five hours while I waited for a tow. I was getting cold – the inside of my boots had gotten wet and my feet were feeling that, let alone the fact that my sweatpants were drenched and starting to freeze solid. I waited for about 40 minutes when Triple A called to say that they were not allowed to dispatch any tows in my area due to the dangerous aspects of the storm and that I would need to call 911. Friendly Neighbor had stuck around to make sure I would be okay, and when I told him that news, he said we needed to shut my car off and see if it would cool down enough to get me going. We waited for 30 minutes (most of which I spent praying) and tried again……and my wheels turned!!! We dug me out and with the help of eight men pushing, I was OUT! I drove as quickly as I could to the emergency route and I was in the clear!!!........for now.<br /><br />My next challenge was deciding where to park. Obviously a snow emergency had been declared, so I could only park on the side streets (since I couldn’t even get to the driveway of the house where I was staying). Parking on the streets proved to be an issue as well, since every street was simply a path down the middle with snow banks on either side. I drove as close as I could to the house (about two blocks away) where I saw a group of men with shovels. I got out of my car and (with tears) asked them what I should do with my car. They agreed that the only option was to put it into a snow bank as far to the side as possible, and they graciously offered to put it there for me. They shoveled some and then rammed the car as far to the side of the road as they could.<br /><br />I was feeling delirious. I was so cold. I couldn’t feel my toes, and my legs were getting there, too. As I walked to the house, crying, I could barely lift my legs out of the more-than-knee-deep snow. I fell multiple times and cursed myself for not being in better shape (and for EVER LEAVING THE HOUSE). When I got back to the house, I realized that I had left my phone in my car. Before I got undressed, I decided to head back the car and retrieve the phone, since I needed to contact my family who thought I was still sitting in an intersection in a dead car. I got less than a block from the house when I realized I wouldn't make it to the car, trudging my way through 2-3 feet of drifted snow. I couldn't even get to the street where I could've walked in tire tracks. Back to the house.<br /><br />Thankfully, my mom's number has only one digit that is different from my number, so it is the only phone number I know. I called her to get the number of the phone I was on from her caller ID, as well as to get the number for my sister, who I wanted to ask about how to warm my feet properly. I had a little breakdown while on the phone with my dad. I couldn't even begin to think about how in the world I was going to get my car out of the snow bank, let alone where I was going to park it once it was out (according to the snow emergency rules, I needed to move it to the odd side of the street, but that was also just a snow bank.....).<br /><br />Mom and Dad helped me figure out that my uncle and cousins could come and pull me out of the snow bank in the morning. Then I would retreat to the suburbs with them for the day (where the streets were plowed!). I got up early to assess my car situation and see if I could find help from more friendly people in the streets, but I didn't come across anyone, and my car was VERY drifted in. I did a tiny bit of shoveling around my car, but I really could barely move. I COMPLETELY overdid it on Saturday and my back was in quite a bit of pain. My cousin recruited a friend with an Explorer and the boys and my uncle came into the city to dig me out. I was so stuck in the snow that we needed to use a tow rope. One tire wouldn't spin, but that was just because the snow was so packed around it. We got the tires spinning, navigated our way out of the city, and stopped at Perkins so I could at least buy them breakfast. After breakfast my uncle took me to a tire shop because he noticed they were low on air.<div><br /></div><div>This isn't at ALL how I wanted to spend my snow day, but I'm so grateful for a few things:<br /><br /><ul><li>Since I don't have a garage, my car would have needed to be dug out no matter where I had left it on Saturday. If I would have been at home, I could have moved it to my driveway, but then the boy we pay to snow blow wouldn't have been able to clear that area, and I would have been plowed in by the snow from the alley. If I would have left my car in the driveway where I was dog sitting, I also would have been plowed in.....and that snow was up to my thigh on Sunday morning! I'm thankful that it was relatively straight forward to move it from the snow bank where I ended up, and that I wasn't towed or plowed in.</li><br /><li>I'm so glad my tires started moving again and my car is not in the shop. I can't imagine if I would have actually needed a tow on Saturday.....I think my car would still have been in that intersection on Sunday morning.</li><br /><li>I'm thankful that I wasn't in any fender-benders.</li><br /><li>I'm thankful to the WONDERFUL help from friendly neighbors to dig me out (multiple times) and park my car for the night.</li><br /><li>I'm SO thankful for my uncle, cousins, and their friend who drove all the way from Blaine the morning after a huge storm to help me, and that my uncle drove my car so I didn't have to, and that we got my tires all squared away. Ahhhhh. So relieved. </li><br /><li>I'm grateful for muscle relaxants that helped me sleep last night, and that my back does feel a bit better today (it was SO painful last night....it made me sick to my stomach with how much it hurt).<br /></li></ul><p>I'm sure you also have a story from Saturday - hopefully you didn't make such poor decisions like I did! The morale of the story: listen to the weathermen and get hunkered down sooner than later!!</p></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2537169693137300817.post-59213275881457700772010-12-07T07:40:00.005-06:002010-12-07T07:52:49.849-06:00Weekend Away<div style="text-align: left;">I'll admit that I've had PLENTY of weekends away this fall. It has been great, but it has also felt very busy. Many of the weekends have been jam-packed with activities, so this past weekend at Quilt Retreat was just that: a retreat.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's not much I love more than driving through central Minnesota on a quiet morning after a huge weekend snow storm with just a few flakes floating to the ground while I listen to a great Christmas CD and drink coffee. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Everything was white and beautiful and I was able to reflect on a nice weekend, as well as the entire past year as I drove.</div><div><br /></div><div>The weekend was relaxed - full of food, friends, family, and fellowship. Oh, and quilting. Even my quilting was relaxed. Often I'm rushing to get a project completed because I know I won't break out my sewing machine once I'm home, but this time I just worked on old projects here and there to get them closer to completion (go to <a href="http://realthingshb.blogspot.com/2008/11/weekend-review.html">this post</a> to see pictures of the old quilts - I finally put a binding on the blue one and I put a border on the black/neon one. And I still love the maroon/tan quilt - I've finally put it on my bed for good.....totally doesn't match my room but I don't care). </div><div><br /></div><div>I also learned the EASIEST bag in the world! I went straight to a baby shower on Sunday, so I had made some burp rags, but I also made a bag and put the gifts right in there! I will be doing more of that in the future.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHmzrrwJGaAdEdvW3_HQL7ejAihw6iFPyB0Uh8dmS7R9dPWF3ak_94yfyVS1Nl0gy_i_fkqEbD6pBEHK2mw3r293Z9AmHq_raaMTfHH9TlKTscJMHDJc4YZ0e2ZDjYq0wpWCCwu-C9HYh/s320/IMG_4744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547936714734076130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Look at that cute little elephant poking out!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMnghpJa0HZrSePTtR5iwdDQaREMLVX4BkE0od_8OZWGknu3oiXt9Cn-qctDaouLSOP8aH0uvkhorOHYwKdp11VTHEvN1-liy8nifT8k18HcO7KcXTIG9Twa0pfZwq2Ox6yRKP8BkHOj-/s320/IMG_4745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547936879090502402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I've definitely decided this is the most efficient way to make burp rags - with a fabric (or ribbons) down the middle. Now I just have to wait another 6 weeks to meet the little baby these are for!!</span></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179279287389260867noreply@blogger.com0