The One with the 10 Week Whirlwind

Wondering where I've been this summer? Me too. It's been a busy one, but I'm hoping it's going to...

....nope. Not even gonna say it. I don't want to jinx myself. ;) 

It all started in May. 

the 17th-19th, we were in Michigan for my brother-in-law's high school graduation party.  

the 24th-26th, Kevin and I headed to Sandusky for our anniversary camping/Tigers' game/Cedar Point trip. 

June 1st and 2nd, we went an hour south to the annual Bible Quizzing conference campout. 

the 9th was the Strawberry Festival weekend, including my 5k race. 

the 16th was the community Book Brigade, my dad arrived for an overnight visit, and I hosted my first ever piano studio recital. 

June 24th we had a youth group pool party, and 

June 25th-July 2nd we were out on the west coast for Bible Quiz Finals in Seattle. 

July 5th and 6th, I helped a friend put on her super huge garage sale, and on the 7th, Kevin's aunt and uncle (and family) from Indiana arrived and we shared dinner and dessert together. 

the 9th-13th, we were busy busy busy working at our church VBS from 8-12 every morning (plus squeezing in a student soccer game, 2 board meetings--Kevin, and having 7 teen girls over for an afternoon.) 

July 15th, I babysat our wonderful friends' 4 children, so the adults could take their parents out to a 50th anniversary celebration dinner. 

the 17th I started my summer session of piano lessons, and at noon we left on a 7 hour (turned 9 hour) drive to Michigan for Family Camp. 

After 9 hours in an 97 degree (or hotter) car with no air conditioning (I kept a surprisingly good attitude for most of the trip--*ahem* considering the circumstances), we set up camp at 9pm and fell into bed. We spent the next 3 days enjoying time with family and friends, recounting stories of our transition to New York, and working with the teen program. 

This morning at 7am, we piled everything back into our little Civic for another 9 hour drive home. This time, however, the weather was wonderfully pleasant, and we squeezed in a shopping/sampling/lunch stop Sam's Club on the way home. 

We've got a few more important events on the docket for the next month, but I just wanted to officially congratulate us on successfully getting through the 10 weeks of crazy/awesome/business. 

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How's your summer been? Are you busier than ever or enjoying the break in routine?

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The One with the Age Dilemma

With my birthday just around the corner, I have been thinking about "age" a lot lately. Or maybe it's just on my mind because it seems to be on everyone else's mind.*

*please note--Before I get up on my little soapbox, I would like you all to know I'm not actually mad at anyone who's ever said anything about my age. I, too, enjoy knowing how old people are and comparing life experiences. If you have ever happened to say something to me along the lines of which I'm about to write, please please please don't take offense. I still love you. I'm just trying to work out this little predicament I seem to be in. You are welcome to share your thoughts with me at the end. :)

I am young. I am well aware of this.
I look very young. I am well aware of this.



me. kindergarten.


Most of my life I've dealt with people guessing my age wrong by years and years. Decades even. Almost weekly, I see the genuine shock on someone's face when they hear I'm *almost* 26. "Oh my gosh, you look 16!" Yes, I know. I look 16. At a recent youth conference, my husband was sporting his "My Wife Rocks" tshirt and chatting with a vendor, when all of sudden the woman stopped and said, "Oh my gosh, you guys are MARRIED? How old are you? You don't look any more than 16!"
"She's 25 and I'm 24," Kevin said.

When I was actually 17 years old and my sister was just 13, I distinctly remember hearing, "Are you twins?" (by the way, we don't look anything alike...) and "I'm sorry, but which one of you is older." *sigh*


me. actually 17. senior picture.

I have a baby face. And I completely understand the benefits to this. Or, at least the most obvious benefit--when I'm 40, I'll look 30, right? Or when I'm 65 I might only look 55? Sure, that would be cool. All I can say is, it had better turn out that way, or I'm gonna have a bone to pick with someone. (JK, Lord, jk.)


me in the middle. 4 months ago.

Looks aside, I realize that *almost* 26 is still young. But is there anything wrong with being 26? I'm mean, I'm pretty sure most everyone who's older than me was, at some point, 26 years old. Right? So why is my age such an issue?

It's hard being "young." I have been an "old soul" for years and years. When I was in elementary school, I remember preferring to sit with my mom and her "lady friends" rather than playing with the kids. But I knew I wasn't really welcome at the adult table back then.

But here I am, an adult. Seven years from living at home with mom and dad. Three years out of college. Three years into a lifelong marriage. Paying gas bills, water bills, car repair bills. Maintaining excellent credit. Building my own business. I lead worship. I confidently speak in front of large congregations. I lead women's small groups. I understand what copays are and what a deductible is and how to sign up for car insurance. But yet, some days, I feel like I'm still in some awkward puberty stage, where I don't really belong with the "kids" and I don't really belong with the "adults."

I know this isn't true. I present myself in a manner that asks for mutual respect from other adults. I talk like an adult. I understand adult conversation.

So why do I feel this way?

Maybe it's because my age almost always seems to be an issue. I want to be taken seriously, even though I don't have the extra decades of life experiences. I would love for everyone to listen to me and watch my life without ever thinking, "Aww, what a nice young lady" or "Isn't that adorable? Melanie acting all grown up?" I know I'm as old as some of your children, and I'm sure that makes it kind of weird for you to see me as a friend. But my mom treats me like an equal now. She respects my opinion. She doesn't look down on me. She talks to me as she does her closest friends.

That's all I ask.

I try to remember Paul's encouragement to Timothy. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

I'll always be younger than someone right? So I'm just beginning to wonder, "When will I really treated be a grown up?"

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Does anyone understand what I'm talking about? Do you have any thoughts or suggestions for me (and my attitude) about my age? 




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The One with the Preferences

Confession:

I am territorial. 

I don't get mean and catty about it, but I am definitely particular about my areas. 

Examples include the following:

my desk at work. 

(though I got over that one. 

Just needed time to get comfortable at all of the desks.)

my pew at church. 

(though that's more out of habit than anything. 

but please don't try to steal it.)

my shower at camp.

(it took me quite some time to find the shower perfect for my liking. 

but I found it.

and I love it. 

and this morning--my last morning at camp--someone was using MY shower.

I know, can you believe it?!)

I'm not sure why I'm all territorial like some sort of wild animal.

But I guess it says I'm loyal. 

I'm a creature of habit. 

I like predictability. 

And comfort.  

It's kind of embarrassing admitting such trivial selfishness to you all. 

But it's a freeing experience as well. 

Assuming the whole world doesn't start mocking me over this. 

I have sensitive feelings, you know. 

The One with What She's Learned This Summer

::It's okay to say "no." In fact, it's even healthy. I don't have to do everything in order to know I'm loved, appreciated, or valued.

::It's okay to admit when I'm tired and weary and need a break. Who knew I just couldn't do it all?

::Carving quality husband-wife time into my day is so important to our relationship. 

::Quality does not necessarily mean quantity. 

::Though, for me, quantity time is pretty high on my love language list. 

::Taking special notice of the extra efforts my husband makes to show me how much he loves me even when our schedules are busy equals a contented wife who is confident of her husband's love. (Rather than brushing past those little random love acts and demanding more.)  

::I really love our teens. I miss them when I'm only around them one night a week as opposed to the normal 3 or 4. 

::I have been increasingly convinced that we have followed God's call into this full time ministry.

::God provides. Always. 

::I can run 6 miles. No problem. I might just shoot for the half marathon. 

::Having to wander to the bathhouse in the middle the night is not my idea of a good time. Heck, I don't like walking down my carpeted hall at home let alone down a campground road. 

::I'm not 19 anymore.  Though I may look it, my life's stage is already far removed from the college life.

::I get annoyed and frustrated too easily.

::I really miss my bed. and my shower. and my back porch. and my kitchen. and...

::Living in an 18 foot camper for 3 months proves how few possessions life really requires. 

::Reading is an amazing use of time. Now if only I can keep my eyes from shutting so quickly.    

::Spending some serious (as in intimately intense) time with God each morning equals amazing results. I have been learning what it means to "be joyful always."