My Favorite Relaxing, Productive Saturday

Ahhhhhhhh. The Saturday Morning I've been longing for, but hadn't been able to grasp hold of in so many months. 

Sleeping in until my internal clock wakes me up. No alarms. (This meant 7:17am.)

Lazily rolling out of bed, still deciding what the day might hold. 

Opening the curtains to let the dreary daylight shine in. 

Doing 10 minutes of easy yoga stretches just to get the kinks out. 

No working out. (who, me?)

Showering even before my husband wakes. 

Deciding it's a perfect day for canning. Driving to Sheryl's to retrieve my canning supplies at 8:45am. 

Wanting doughnuts for breakfast and giving in (for the first time in at least a year.)

Bringing home peanut crunch and coconut crunch doughnuts.

Cutting each down the middle to share with my husband. 

Enjoying doughnuts, sipping, coffee and playing Settlers together at the breakfast table.

Starting the canning process before 10am. 

Process 16 quarts of tomatoes to yield 6 pints of salsa and 8 pints of marinara. 

Having only one can not seal. 

Pulling a cardigan over my shoulders because suddenly it's Fall. 

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The One with Apples, Sisters, and Lists

Top Ten Really Super Awesome (to me) Things From These Last Few Days

1. getting my first "hey, will you pray for me?" text from one of our new teens.

2. returning to the Eccles family tradition of Sunday evening nachos. (Our nachos = layering your plate with tortilla chips, sprinkling liberally with green pepper, onion, tomatoes, cheese, meat, salsa and sour cream. YUM, right?)

3. reaching yet another milestone in my running career. (Career? really, Mel? That may be an exaggeration.) Sheryl & I had a fantastic run together Monday morning--I ran 3 miles to her house, we headed out for a 3 mile run and tagged 2 extra miles on the end--bringing both of us to thrilling totals of 5 and 8 miles. Yeah, I guess I'm officially a runner now. (I don't know what that means I've been for the last 6 years.)

4. making the last minute decision to drive home to see my sister, Ashley, before she moves to the other side of the world country.

5. having fun reading and laughing and talking with Mom, Dad & Ash.

6. forcing myself to *just* take a walk this morning. I thought it was necessary after my 8 mile run. It's hard for me to slow down though. (hmm, maybe that's why my dad was always telling me to "slow down, Mel" for most of my life.)

7. having somewhat of a "breakthrough" small group meeting on Sunday night with the new group of Senior High girls I'm working with.


8. eating freshly picked apples from the orchard of my youth. (Does that make any sense--"the orchard of my youth"? I mean--the apple orchard that I grew up visiting.)

9. getting a fresh hair cut from my stylist of a sister. It feels so good to have healthy locks again.

10. have I mentioned how awesome it is to spend time with my sister before she moves? Yeah? Cause it is.


  linked up with Oh Amanda's top ten tuesday

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The One with Beans Coming Out My Ears

I have been going a hundred miles per hour in 10 different directions lately--but loving all of it! I'm not usually a fan of this-is-what-I've-been-doing-in-the-last-48-hours type of posts, but this is good stuff that I want to remember and I'm a little impressed at how much I've been accomplishing. tee hee. 

Sunday was busy, busy, but beautiful! We spent the afternoon chatting, laughing, and eating a healthy (thank you!) and delicious lunch with Brian & Karen and their son. It was great fun! They are so easy to be around. You know how it is when you just feel comfortable? Yeah, it's nice. 

After we rode our bikes home (yep, total bonus of small town--almost everything and everyone is a 2-10 minute bike ride away!), I headed back out. This time to Sheryl's for an afternoon of green bean snapping and sweet conversation. You know me and my love of productivity mixed with fun.* The two of us had a great time together, as always, and we both have a freezer full of beans. yum! 

*disclaimer--I also thoroughly enjoying sitting and doing nothing productive other than reading, watching tv or playing games with friends.   

Bible Quizzing and Youth Group filled the rest of the night, and Monday morning I hit the ground running. I had another Etsy Adorkable Bakery order to bake, package and ship, a dozen cookies to send off to my friend Betsy for her birthday, a meal to prepare for a local family needing dinners for a week (potato soup, homemade bread, and cookies), and then an afternoon of canning tomatoes. Sheryl and I are both novice canners, but we managed to get 9 quarts of tomatoes canned. And boy is that a process! We were both super thankful to have each other's company. Chores are always more fun with friends. 

That evening I went home with jars of freshly canned tomatoes and a bag of chopped peppers for the freezer, then headed out to drop off the local family's dinner. They were thrilled--especially with the bread--which made me super happy. I made it home just in time to deliver that batch of Adorkable Bakery cookies and then Kevin and I headed over to the high school volleyball to support one of our teens. (This made me miss our Michaela!) We had a great time and then enjoyed our evening at home together. 

I've been almost as busy today.--filling another Bakery order (coffee speckled chocolate chip cookies and chocolate covered butter toffee--amazing stuff that is!), preparing to add a third student (!) to my piano studio this Wednesday (*cue cheers of excitment*), making chili with some of the leftover tomatoes from Monday, searching for cheaper bakery and shipping boxes online, and balancing our checkbook. Starting the day with a bike ride to Sheryl's followed by a 4 mile run together was the perfect way to start the day. 

And now, having re-read what I just typed, I'm tired all over again. I might just need a nap. 

How have YOU been these last couple days?! 

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The One with His Specific Provision

wow. 

I'm at a loss for words at God's goodness. His provision. His forethought. And His passionate attention shown to the innermost aspects of my life. 

In the months before this big move, across states and into faith, there were many prayers offered. We sought wisdom--where to move, where to live, where to go to school. We asked for financial provision for which we couldn't prepare. And beneath all of the food-on-the-table and roof-over-our-heads requests, we sought a place to belong. That third component of full life--where relationships become as integral as breathing--was a silent prayer, pondered deep in my heart. 

And my God knows me so well. He knows my deepest needs, my heart's longing. 

Something like this should takes years to develop, but God planned differently. He wanted me connected. Sharing lives, shoulders, dreams, and hurts. Supporting another just as I need support. 

I have already made so many wonderful friends here. But today, this afternoon, God gave me a glimpse of His glorious plan for my life in the time I spent with the friend my heart has needed. I am thankful beyond words, excited beyond description. My heart is overflowing, tears of joy stream down my face. 

Thank you, Jesus, for your care, your provision. You are so good to me. 

---

Do you believe life is richer when truly shared by a friend??

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The One with the Huge Savings!

Now that you know I'm a penny pincher, you might have guessed I'm not a big fan of shopping. I love grocery shopping--I really do!--but I've never been anything close to the typical female shopaholic. When I do feel like shopping, I love going it alone--with my goal in mind and no reason to feel like I'm holding others back. I could spend half an hour looking through one sales rack, after all. My mom has always been my favorite shopping mate, most likely because I learned my habits from her. :) 

Yesterday morning, I had a wonderful date with myself and Kohl's. After spending an hour last week purging my dresser of clothes I haven't worn in years, shouldn't wear again, or are around just for sentimental purposes and have a few too many stains. It was a good feeling. (And I'm sure Kevin will appreciate having half of his dresser back. Yeah, it was bad.) What better way to celebrate that multi-pile purge, than to take yourself on a little clothes shopping spree?! 

Armed with a list, a 30% off coupon, and my gift cards, I was totally stoked. I quickly found the tank tops I desperately needed--and they were 50% off! (Seriously, you should have seen what I was wearing before. blech.) For the next hour, I pushed aside hanger after hanger on the 5 racks of 70% and 80% off sale items. I even pursued the shoe section and came up super lucky! New Balance running shoes--one pair!--a size 8!--for $21! woah! 

In the end, with all of my gift cards and discounts, I spent $17 and saved $360! Four beautiful blouses. Running shoes. Two tank tops, a bra, and a belt. I say that was a morning well-spent.  

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The One with the Ache and the Glory

My heart is utterly broken for the loss that our friends' families have been experiencing since last weekend's surprise snow storm. Upon our arrival from our Dare2Share teen conference, we received word that a former SBC co-worker's new bride had been killed in a snowy car accident. Just moments after hearing that devastating news, we were sent to an online newspaper article* depicting a second local accident. Another young woman--this one 37 weeks pregnant with her first child--had had her life taken after a semi truck crashed into the side of the stopped mini van. Though I only knew this couple from one encounter, I know the husband's brother and his wife, as well as his parents quite well. 

Once again. 

Broken. 

Over the last couple days, updates have been posted to facebook and Chad's blog depicting the story of his newly born daughter, Miranda. The baby was delivered after her mother died, leaving her without a heartbeat. The team of doctors and nurses re-started her heart and put the fragile girl on a ventilator. She was also put on a body cooling treatment for the duration of her 3 day life in hopes of stopping the swelling and damage to her brain. 

Last evening, Miranda Evangeline was disconnected from life support

Thousands were praying for this precious baby girl, and reading Chad's unwavering faith in the Almighty God moves me in the very depths of my being. To be stricken with grief. To lose the one who completes you. To be the survivor. To hold your new baby girl all alone. To say goodbye to that precious gift from God so quickly. All the while praising God for his grace and his goodness. Oh, to watch as Chad sets an example of what it means to learn to be content whatever the circumstances.

Chad says, This has been the worst three days of my life, and yet, at the same time, it has been three glorious days, full of shekinah glory.

My heart will keep aching, but my soul will find reason to be thankful--even in the midst of grief and loss. I am praying the same for Chad and Sara's family.

*for a complete listing of the news articles click here.

The One with in Face of Life (and Death)

What am I striving for? Why do I rush into the day, so eager to jump into the predictable routine? 

Exercise. Breakfast. Shower. Tea and email. To Do Lists. Groceries. Meal Planning. Sitting. Talking. Cleaning. Sleeping. 

And why do I run from hardship, pain? From the illnesses, the loss, the arguments, the cancer? These are the evidences of my humanity--that my life is but a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Why do I feel the need to accomplish A, B, and C before death takes me? Why do we pray for more years? To do what? Clean more toilets? Wipe more runny noses? Do more laundry? Work longer hours? Sit in front of the tv? 

What is it that God is calling me to? I am not asking for a glimpse into His plan for my life, but seeking the way in which He is calling me to live my days? Even if tasks are hard or monotonous, painful or exciting--HOW shall I live?

In the first chapter of One Thousand Gifts, Ann walks into the face of her pain, her questions, her anger, her doubt, her sin. And she's dared me to do the same.

But don't worry. Hope is coming. It's in the thanksgiving. (chapter 2).

The challenge of our humanness is to be satisfied with God, and what he gives. How often are we content with what He has placed in our lives? Honestly? Almost never. We are the daughters of Eve through and through as we reject the spirit of thankfulness and beg for that one other piece of fruit.

But, friends, in the midst of the loss, we are being beckoned to acknowledge the ONE who is in control. We should not seek lives free of suffering, free of challenge, free of frustration.

Because only in the darkness can you recognize the Light and truly appreciate its gift and its presence.

When difficulties confront us, we are given the choice to live in resentment or in gratitude. Oh, Melanie. What will you choose? Right now?

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reading One Thousand Gifts as a part of Bloom: (in)courage book club.