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/

April Showers

Just a brief update on today:  I had my first nanny interview and it went well.  I have another interview with a different family tomorrow- pray that the right job will come through, even if that means it is something else!

Just got back from the Mars Hill State of the Union- enjoyed a good potluck though unfortunately Josh and I got tricked into eating a small portion of a Jack in the Box burger-ehh.  We got to hear stories from the start of Mars Hill Rainier Valley and how they continue to grow and change. 

Thankful for: Josh having work off today so he was able to ride with me to the interview- it was my first time driving on the crazy interstate here in WA.

Please pray for the meal ministry I am taking on with youth group.  There is a lot more to it than I was expecting of important details to figure out and nail down!

Well time to pass off the laptop to Mr. Shelton- sleep well J

truth

Happy Sunday fellow readers!  Church was pretty great today.  The worship team likes to take well-known songs and add their own hip-hop twist.  For example, this morning we sang “How Great Thou Art” (with a cool funky beat) and in the middle of the song the pastor got up and rapped some words of truth.  We were discussing this with the couple from our community group last week how rap is pretty amazing.   It can fit so much biblical truth in such a short amount of time that it makes it very powerful! 

Pastor Mark spoke on the Letter to Ephesus and how they lacked in loving.  This hit home for me because the Ephesians were faithful servants- they read their bible, tithed, served…did all the things a “good” Christian should do, but still lacked love.  It is so easy to get caught up in everything that you miss the basics.  My prayer and hope is that I am reformed into a greater person of love out here.  I need to be humbled and reminded that I am not better or favored more than anyone else because God does NOT show favoritism…truth!   

I had the great time chatting with my dear friend Brittany this afternoon.  I miss hanging out, making a meal and sitting on the couch discussing our lives over a good cup of tea.  Our conversations always challenge me to think deeper and to be REAL about living a life of faith.  I am grateful for she is friend who sharpens me. 

Thankful for: good friends (even in they’re miles away) and technology to connect me to them!

This week brings 2 nanny interviews and well who knows what else!  I hope you all are well, have a good start to your week and rest easy! J

the parks

Well I must say it was hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that it was Saturday.  Josh had the day off yesterday but worked today so it just kept messing with my mind, especially when I would look out my window and see so many people out during the day. 

I did have a typical lazy Saturday around the apartment.  I was able to do some more fun watercolor- surprisingly I am liking the bookmark size paper- gives me a good challenge on figuring out how to crop my subject of choice.

Once Josh got home we ate dinner and headed out to the Olympic Sculpture Park.  The last time we were there was on our honeymoon.  It is called Olympic because it looks out at the Olympic Mountain Range- sorry Olympic fans it has nothing to do with the games!  We also headed back out to Kerry Park, which has the great view of downtown.  Though we realized how “deceiving” that particular view could be for those who have never visited Seattle.  From the view at Kerry Park- the Space Needle is the tallest “building” of the downtown skyline, when it actually is significantly shorter than the rest of the buildings- just a little tid-bit for yeah!

Thankful for: getting out of the apartment for a while J

Tomorrow brings church and another youth group meeting.  I am going to be taking charge of the meal aspect of youth group on Tuesday nights- I am excited to be helping out by doing something I love- cooking! 

Speaking of cooking I need to figure out a good side dish to bring to the church “State of the Union Address” on Monday evening.  They are having a church wide potluck and I still need to figure out my dish.  Any suggestions for something easy, cheap and doesn’t have to stay warm?!?!?

Well enjoy some pics from our adventure of the evening- I’m off to bed, g’night!

Needle, Calder, Train

one of the coolest pictures my rockin' husband has ever taken- mad skillz

the beginning of Josh's series of photos...we brought the tri-pod and each took a series of photos moving around to different spots...will have to figure out how to best display them!

the end of my series of photos

near Kerry Park- its located in a REALLY nice neighborhood

  

Your Challenge...

I felt like a normal human being today.  Staying in your apartment for long periods of time with no one to talk to can start to mess with your mind!  Josh insisted today that I make the Target run by myself and after much resistance I finally agreed.  Its not that Target is in a rough area or difficult to find I just have been more hesitant to do things on my own being in a new area.  But I have to say I am thankful he had me do that because like I said I felt like a normal human being. 

After lunch Josh and I both headed out to a nearby area called “Columbia City”.  It has a cute main street that has a similar feel to Grand Ave back home.  It has lots of cute shops, and places to eat while keeping that historic feel.  Our top priority in going there was to check out the potential hair salon.  Well let me tell you folks this salon is located in the back of a children’s toyshop!  Now I am not talking about a Toys-R-us here, but a classy fun shop with toys you wouldn’t find in any big name store.  Its called “Columbia City Cuts” and from what we could tell seems pretty legit.  I still am going to have to think about it for a little bit before I make any commitments! J    

This area is definitely a place we would bring people who come to visit.  We also stopped in one of the restaurants hoping to grab a menu.  We chatted with the host letting him know we were new to the area and just checking things out.  He was kind enough to give us a coupon to come back and get a free pizza- sweet free date night!

We also had the chance to hang out with our ladies on Skype- Amy and Tara.  We miss hanging out with them, but it was good to chat “in person” and catch up!

Oh I almost forgot!  I have a challenge for all my readers…

For art supplies I mainly brought my watercolors because they are easiest to transport and least messy of what I have.  I have a stack of “bookmark” sized watercolor paper my sister graciously cut up for me before we left.  I am the type of artist who needs something to look at- and what I like to gather images from best are magazines.  But I do not have access to a lot of magazines that I can cut into/ones that actually have interesting images.

 

So the CHALLENGE:  find me some interesting images in a magazine, cut it out, send it my way and I (most likely) will do a watercolor of it on a ”bookmark” and send it back to you.

Now I am not a fan of landscapes…I am thinking more images with 1 or 2 objects/animals/thing. 

This is a challenge for me as well because:

1. It will force me to try subject choices I didn’t pick

2. The bookmarks are small, I usually prefer to do art on large surfaces…this will help me fine tune my skills

3. I am not great at giving my art away- I usually keep what I make.

So no promises on when you will get something back- I hope to have a full time job sooner than later, but I do want to make time for ART!

Thankful for:  Josh not working today and getting to spend more time with him and the delicious burgers he grilled for dinner…yum

Well friends enjoy your weekend and stay warm- I hear there is a chance of snow, oh no!   Happy dreaming :P

Document9

So what is it about having some sort of a commitment in the middle of the day that paralyzes your morning?  Like when you start work at 1pm or meeting a friend for coffee at 2pm that makes you feel like you can’t do anything until you go to that particular thing.   That kind of describes my morning.  I was waiting for a call to chat with a family about a nanny position and while I did actually get things done this morning- I think I just get so focused on not wanting to miss the call I forget I can function enough to do other things.  

The call went well and I am happy to be feeling confident about the nanny pursuit.  It is crazy how many nanny jobs there are out there- but finding the right one is the key J

I was able to watercolor a little bit again today- but I am not finished with it yet!

Josh and I were able to enjoy Idol and Grey’s in the media room on the super comfortable red leather couch.  Don’t worry, I already have the room reserved for the Grey’s finale on May 17^th! 

Tomorrow Josh has the day off- YEAH YEAH YEAH! So we are going to run some errands, which will be good to get out of this apartment for a while.  We are possibly going to check out a place for me to get my hair cut- seriously this is a BIG DEAL.  Reason being- I have never had my hair cut by anyone else except my mom!   I was asking a gal in our community group where she gets her hair cut and she told me of a place that does a nice job for a reasonable $40.  AHHHHHHh reasonable?!?!?!?  I told her I am used to paying my stylist with a hug!  Part of me just wants to wait until June when my mom and dad come out- but I know I would go bonkers with that long of hair- ugh. 

Thankful: a good youth novel, currently reading the second book in “The Mysterious Benedict Society” series…it’s a good one

Alright folks I believe that is all for now so enjoy your last day of the work week! Night J

Balance.

To start my blog today I would like to ask for prayer for Josh.  He has always gotten really bad canker sores- ones that last forever and have a powerful punch.  Lately, he has been getting them consistently and they are very painful.  Please pray for healing and that they wouldn’t come back!

The latest update on my job search is that I am now actively pursuing nanny positions.  People have suggested it along the way and it is starting to make more sense on that it is something I should pursue.  I love kids, I love art, I love crafts, I love to cook, I enjoy being domestic- ahh duh….be a nanny!  There are a few possibilities so we shall see J

The weather did a good long down pour of rain today- even with a few flashes of lightening and a couple claps of thunder!  I was telling my dad how interesting it is to watch the clouds roll in from the distance.  One moment you see the rain from a far and the next its coming straight down.  It’s kind of funny because before in our apartment in the AV when I was at the kitchen sink I would look at a picture of Seattle we got on our honeymoon.  Now when I stand at the kitchen sink I look AT Seattle.  The colors are awesome, the trees are unique, but the clouds top them all.  They ebb and flow so much you would think there is always something brewing- but they usually drift off and form something new.

We ended the evening with our new favorite- Idol.  We have been going down to the Hart on Wednesday evenings in hopes that the TV will be on Idol.  So far it has been successful and the same few residents are always there J Seriously, everyone left on the show are just so good- it makes it much more exciting/nerve racking. 

Today for “Jesus Calling” it had another good insight:

“Make me your focal point as you move through this day.  Just as a spinning ballerina (or tap dancer!) must keep returning her eyes to a given point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me”

I am not sure when it started but Josh has always talked about having a sense of balance with everything in life.  So when I read this today I automatically thought of him and how true to is to have good balance.  I love the imagery the author paired with it- though from my dancing experience I disliked “spotting” I still seemed to get dizzy J

It just makes you think- what are you focusing on that is making you dizzy? 

Thankful for: quality time with the Lord, seeing some of the TODAY show, and chatting with my parents

Sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite! Chomp chomp J