Fun in the Sun

It was in fact a nice warm sunny day today.  We ventured out to “Volunteer Park”, the local arboretum (doesn’t have anything on the one back home) and Bruce Lee’s gravestone. 

We enjoyed our local community at CG tonight and it seems the group is ever growing and changing.  It is nice to connect with people on a more personal level so that Sunday morning has familiar faces to say hello to!  My hope is that as the group begins to settle, attendees become more established and deeper relationships can be formed. 

Thankful for: some delicious grilled burgers- yum

oh and I almost forgot something- one month today my parents will be here to visit!!!!!!!! oh man I am SO excited- we can't wait to bring them around Seattle!

Short and sweet and time for bed. 

sculpture in Volunteer Park

City Center

We haven’t been able to say this in a few weeks, but the mountain was out today.  It was B-E-A-utiful- not a cloud in the sky with a perfect temperature. 

After church, I did something I haven’t done in a long time- mixed up some chocolate chip cookie dough.  Here is a helpful tip for you: if you don’t have a mixer, a potato masher works just as well!

As soon as Josh got home from work, we bolted out the door for the light rail.  Our plan was to walk around the City Center.  It is the area that has the space needle, pacific science center, key arena, experience music project and more.  We thought the last stop on the light rail would put us right next to the center- but we were a little off.  Thankfully it was a great day to walk. 

Granted a lot of the attractions in the City Center require money- we enjoyed the afternoon looking around at an area we have been to, but haven’t thoroughly explored.  We did get to see a few “sneak” peeks of the Chihuly Garden opening the end of May.

Our evening has been chill and Josh is especially looking forward to the forecasted 70-degree weather tomorrow.  Since neither of us has work- we hope to get out and play a little bit. 

Thankful for: a fun adventure outside the apartment.

Please pray I hear from nanny families and can really start to sort through all the possibilities.    

Hope you all have a happy Monday!  Sleep well.

Chihuly Glass

Fountain

Angle needed to look up at space needle

Taco, Burrito...

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone!  I hope you had a festive day full of tacos, beans and salsa! 

Well I did it, I finished cutting my hair this morning and I am much more happy with the results. 

a new art form

I had the opportunity to skype with some important women in my life- Roxanne, Lindsay, Tara, Amy and my Mom.  I miss having my friends and family around and it hit me hard today.  I mean really you could live anywhere- but it’s when the people you love and care about that aren’t down the road anymore that makes it extra hard. 

The afternoon did not go as we had hoped- misjudging distance, and time.  Basically trying to do too many things at once- but the evening helped to redeem it. 

We did receive a nice card from my Aunt Laura and Uncle Steve today.  My Aunt Laura is always good about writing a letter with the card- though it sometimes takes a little bit to read her writing J But my favorite line from the letter (well there was a lot but this one stood out):

“Shell- any luck landing a JOB?  I can’t believe nobody recognizes the value of a good ol’ Midwest gal.”

yeah my Aunt Laura is pretty sweet!

Josh and I made our tacos and brought dinner to the sky deck to eat and enjoy.  It was really nice to sit outside and look at the beautiful scenery while eating a taco- yum!    We also were able to hit the hot tub before coming back down. 

We continued our Marvel marathon with the watching of Thor.   Personally, out of the four main avengers- Iron Man and Hulk are my fav.

Thankful for: tacos- mmmm my absolute favorite meal!

Well I am missing all of you a lot.  You can pray for me in making new friends.  It is a task that seems to prove itself difficult for me- especially when I know I have my GOOD friends back home. 

Buenos noches amigos!       

thinking of blog titles can get old

Well I must say there is not too much to say about today.  Josh had the day off again and we continue to take steps to get more settled as residents of Seattle.  Today that included joining a local credit union.  We did our mini-investigation on banks in the area and in the process learned about credit unions.  They are basically a non-profit/co-op bank that seeks to benefit you more than them.  Thankfully it was a fairly easy process to get set up.

We had the opportunity to skype with each of our families, which of course, was nice to see them and catch up.  My mom was able to give me some tips on cutting my hair- so that whole adventure will take place in the morning!

Apparently the Northwest doesn’t understand that matinee movie times are suppose to be cheap- so we unfortunately will not be seeing The Avengers anytime soon.  We decided it would best to get familiar with all the super heroes and rented Captain America.  It was decent- but no Iron Man.

I hopefully will be having another phone conversation about a different nanny position.  So continued prayers on this whole process and finding the best fit are always welcomed and appreciated. 

Thankful for: Skype time with family- even though it makes me miss them more, I value getting the chance to see them.

I hope you all have a festive Cinco de Mayo!! Enjoy some tacos- yum yum!

Time to hit the hay- g’night

  

I am a blogger, not a writer.

I thought I would start today’s blog with an explanation of that I am a blogger, not a writer.  My husband always reads my blog after I post it, and it is then he likes to read me sentences that I clearly wrote too fast.  So to all my faithful readers, I hope your brain auto-corrected my crazy typing that sometimes comes out not quite like I thought!  I think one word, and my fingers type another...go figure.

It was a classic rainy Seattle day.  Woke up to grey skies and the rain has ebbed and flowed all day.  Josh had an early shift this morning so we headed downtown to experience Pioneer Square art walk.  The art walk only happens the first Thursday of every month so we were excited to get the chance to experience it!  We first heard about the art days on our honeymoon- so it’s been a long time coming.  Unfortunately, once we got downtown and were looking for parking we saw that only a few artists’ tents were out…so we opted for free parking and a quick stroll through Pikes Market instead.

The evening was chill; it was nice and matched the weather.  We sadly watched Skylar get voted off idol and wonder if Grey’s will be coming to a close.  Seriously, all of you in the cities if you can get cheap tickets to the Idol tour- I think it would be money well spent on a great night out!  Josh and I have already brought up going to the tour to our CA friends who got us hooked….ha would be fun!     

Thankful for: Seattle rain and again Mysterious Benedict Society…could not put it down today!

Speaking of which I am going to keep this short and sweet- I want to get back to my book!  Nighty night J

park by the market that is usually packed with people- but not when it's raining!

chop, chop!

This morning I woke up, organized the kitchen counter, ate some breakfast, showered and decided it was time to cut my hair.  In the attempts to save some money and getting very annoyed with, my as Josh and I would call it, “fox tail” I chopped it off!  However, I did have Josh help me with cutting the back- the deed is done.  Granted I am not super happy with it- well the back is good, the front not so much.  I need to do a Skype date with my mom and have her guide me through fixing up the front.  So all you get to see is the back for now! J

 We headed over to the Renzelman’s today so Josh and Chris could catch up.  We haven’t seen them in 2 weeks, which seems like a long time.  Like I always say- it was nice to be in their house.  Seriously walking in, giving Sadie a pat hello, hugging Rebecca and saying hey to Chris felt like stopping by home.  We did the usually of Josh going downstairs to with Chris to his office, while Rebecca and I caught up in the kitchen.  Chris even said to me when they came up the stairs, “so does if feel like home walking in?” and it seriously does.  We are so excited for when my parents are out to have them meet our Seattle parents- they’re pretty great!

So it seems the Lord is multiplying for my job situation as families contact me about jobs.  I have some options floating around and I would love prayer on knowing how to pursue the best one!

Praise- Josh as feeling A LOT better today.  Still not 100%, but my Joshy was back for most of the day! J

Thankful for: SERIOUSLY amazing colors always out our window, I need to do some art about THAT and of course our trip to Renz’s

OH and of course we watched Idol with our 2 building neighbors- it is now to the point that on Wednesday night we expect one another to be there! This commercial plays almost every idol- I laugh EVERY time...

I was telling Josh today that it is weird to think that from this point on we are under the year mark of going back to MN.  Granted a year is a long time and things could change of how everything pans out for us- it just puts it into perspective to not miss out on living in Seattle. 

Here is a little something from “Jesus Calling” that I thought was really good- so read it, think about it, pray about it etc…while I hand off the computer and head to bed!

Living in dependence on me is the way to enjoy abundant life.  You are learning to appreciate tough times because they amplify you awareness of my presence.  Tasks that you used to dread are becoming rich opportunities to enjoy my closeness.  When you feel tired you remember that I am your strength; you take pleasure on leaning on me.  I am pleased by your tendency to turn to me more and more frequently, especially when you are alone.

my dinner plate smiley face! ha an omelet, biscuits and Rebecca's strawberry jam- yum!

Bring May Flowers

I received a call early on in the day from the other family I was suppose to have a nanny interview.  Unfortunately, the family canceled the interview because…get this they thought they would love me and that I would be great.  The family has had a nanny for only one year in the past and it was emotionally very tough.  Of course I am understanding and know that having a limited amount of time with someone you will be working very close with can be difficult.  While I am disappointed as well because I was very much hoping to work for this family, life goes on and I trudge forward.   

I spend a good portion of my day sorting through the logistics of the youth group meal.  Man, it is certainly helping me gain appreciation for all that goes into running any type of program or event.  I was feeling very much overwhelmed this morning with the interview being canceled, trying to figure out meal details and wanting to push forward on illustrating the book.  It was in that moment I went back to the Jesus Calling devotion and read it more care; this is what stood out:

“They avoid the present by worrying about the future or longing for a better time and place.  They forget that they are creatures who are subject to the limitations of time and space.  They forget their Creator, who walks with them only in the present.”

Reading this again brought about many different trails of thought.  One led me back to things I have been reading in the bible about God fulfilling our needs of what to drink, eat or wear.  I found it interesting that the accounts I read in the bible about God providing a need that there was something that went with it like, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”  (Matt. 6:33).  I may still not have a job, but if I continue to seek after God, run after His gospel He promises to give me drink, food and clothing. 

Another trail led me to remember that I ONLY exist in the present.  My mind can take me back to my long-term sub job at Oak Ridge, or our apartment in Apple Valley or even a meal at my parents home, but God isn’t reliving that with me.  He exists with me where I exist- the present.  I need to be with God where He is meeting me. 

The final trail I went down was thinking back to a sermon series at RVC given by Robert Morris.  He spoke all about finances but used the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes for his message.  I remember him pointing out that Jesus prayed for the food before it was served.  It was blessed and then supernaturally multiplied to what they needed. 

So after all that I concluded to live in today.  I opened my hands to God and said “here is what I have for this meal ministry and its nothing, there are no funds, no plans, no team, but I pray a blessing over this nothing, I commit to you and ask you to multiply it.”  I opened up my hands again and said “here is what I have to get a job, my background, my experience, who you made me to be, I pray a blessing over it, trust you with it and ask you to multiply it.” 

Now I didn’t trip over a stack of money or have families knocking on my door offering me a job, but I did have peace knowing that I can simply live in today and be present with a God who exists WITH me.  Youth Group went great with the meal, we found the kitchen that opens up huge possibilities and I made great contacts with people who are able and willing to help.  I also took delight in my “job” of illustrating this book and continue to search and reach out to nanny-families.

I am grateful for today.

Thankful for: meeting another Shelly who is a beast with this meal stuff! (Yes that is how she spells her name!)        

As a wife who is saddened to see her husband in so much discomfort and pain- please pray for a supernatural healing with Josh’s mouth- the sores are not subsiding. 

Good night all- go to sleep knowing you only have to live just tomorrow- not a million days at once!  J

OH and my super fresh husband started a blog- his will not be an everyday thing but be sure to check it out because he is a MUCH better writer than myself!  http://eternallyfresh.blogspot.com/