Thankfulness

Some weeks are ho-hum ordinary weeks where I’m mostly puttering around the house and on our regular activities. And some weeks end up being action-packed with Events. This last week was one such week–but surprisingly ended up being fun and not terribly stressful despite it all.

This week I’m thankful…

…for lunch with my mentor on Thursday
I always enjoy meeting with Bev, but this last week was a special treat. We met at a Chinese place near my work, but got carryout and walked across the street to a picnic table at the park. It was wonderful to sit out in the shade and visit.

…for a game night Thursday evening
A friend from church hosted a game night. Daniel and I went–as did about a dozen other folks, about half of whom I knew. It was neat to meet some more people and to have a night of laughter.

…for late night sewing on Friday
Since Daniel and I were making our nieces’ birthday gifts for their Saturday birthday party and since we didn’t start on said gifts until a week before said party, we ended up sitting on our couch watching Parks and Rec and desperately stuffing, sewing, and design making rather late into the night. But there’s no one I enjoy working alongside so much as my husband–and I was thrilled to work with him this week.

…for a family birthday party on Saturday
We thoroughly enjoyed Miss P and Miss H’s owl-themed birthday party. My sister-in-law Katie definitely knows how to throw a shindig! It was nice to see the family (all of my in-laws except one) and to catch up with Jeremy and Erin (P&H’s uncle and aunt on the other side), who introduced Daniel and I 10 months ago. After the party, most of us went out for barbecue and to look over some houses Daniel’s brother is considering in his house hunt. Altogether, it was a fun day.

…for a Sunday School barbecue on Sunday
Our Sunday School has been going through a time of transition and we’ve been going out the last few weeks. This week, we met at one couple’s house for a potluck. Or at least, it was supposed to just be a potluck–but one of our number brought fresh-cut Cargill steaks (and a meat thermometer!) to share, so we ended up just potlucking the sides and desserts. The boys played yard games (and then nearly broke a tree getting a ball out of it), we all ate, and then we played a rousing game of Balderdash (which I won!) Fun was had by all.

…for an unexpected basement stay on Sunday afternoon
We had just finished our game of Balderdash when the tornado sirens went off. Since the house we were at didn’t have a basement, Daniel and I rushed home, where we checked the news and decided it was worthwhile to take cover. So we snuck downstairs and cuddled in the spare room (as well as we could when I wanted to be under the covers and Daniel not) while watching the tornado’s path on Daniel’s computer. While it apparently didn’t touch down in town, the tornado did pass just a couple of miles east of us (!) Once the excitement had died down (although the warning was still officially in effect), I fell asleep. Our evening activities (another potluck) were cancelled due to the rain covering the streets in the hosting couple’s neighborhood, so I got a nice long nap in.

…for rest on Monday
I got a whopper of a sunburn at Saturday’s birthday party and was coughing up a storm all day at work on Monday–which meant I was exhausted by the time I got home from work. I cleaned a bit, made supper, and almost fell asleep at the dinner table–sparking my husband to send me to bed while he cleaned up the house some more for our guests the next day. That extra rest was very welcome–especially since the next day meant cleaning galore.

…for hosting Happy Food on Tuesday
Our usual Tuesday night hosts are in the process of moving, which meant they needed a volunteer to host the dozen (give or take a half dozen) people who show up weekly. After a bit of consideration, Daniel and I volunteered, knowing that it would mean we’d have to do some cleaning. I needed to get all my dishes done so we’d have counter space for all the food people would be bringing–and we needed to clear the living room to get seating for so many. It was a bit of a rushed cleaning job, but we ended up cleaning up the living areas without putting the “back of the house” into disrepair–so the net was positive. And, as always, we had great fun visiting with the dozen who showed up.

…for dinner with a friend on Wednesday
Shortly after Ben arrived, he told us he’d made a surprising discovery: the house he’d just made an offer on was only a few blocks south of us. If he got the house, we’d be neighbors (I warned him I’d be dropping in unexpectedly :-P) After dinner, we took a walk through the beautiful evening down to the house he’s hoping to own soon. He told us a bit about the improvements he’d like to make and we had an altogether delightful evening. It is such a blessing to have friends like him–and I’m thrilled to imagine him as a neighbor as well.

It was indeed a week packed with events; but even more than events, it was packed with people–and I am so thankful for the people God has put in my life, and for how I have opportunity to enjoy them.

This week seems to be the week for finishing projects, for making progress on projects, for starting projects. It has been remarkably productive (despite the allergies that have me hacking up a lung.)

This week I’m thankful…

…for Daniel’s project turned in
Have I mentioned how relieved I am to have this done and in? With that project done and his final taken in the other class, we now have two more evenings free–and much more time since Daniel won’t have homework again until fall. Yippee!

…for a book read, reviewed, and returned
I didn’t realize when I picked up A Year of Biblical Womanhood that it was only a two week loan period. Once I became aware, I dug into it with gusto–and managed to read, review and return it in just ten days (while trying to help Daniel with his project and keep the house in order–I may be returning to my reading groove.)

…for a crafted gift started during an afternoon with a friend
Ruth ended up being in town this weekend, thanks to schedule changes (she has a crazy insane travel schedule) and we arranged to get together. I brought along the fabric for a gift Daniel and I are making for one of our niece’s birthdays–and managed to get all the cutting done. The only thing better than having the cutting done (I *hate* that step) is having done it while chatting with a good friend.

…for progress made on my ongoing gardening project
I started making raised beds in our backyard for a vegetable garden, what? A month and a half ago? Now, for at least a couple of weeks, the concrete block bed has been sitting there waiting to be filled. This week, I finally had four cubic yards of compost delivered and got busy filling the bed.

…for small steps in settling the office
Since I switched the two bedrooms upstairs, Daniel’s old room (which we’ve designated the office) has been full of boxes and whatever else I didn’t have a place for anywhere. This last week, I’ve been able to make some small steps–finally combining some of our office materials (tape, staples, pens, etc.) into a central place. It’s small, but it is progress.

…for a basement transformation begun
The basement has two partitioned rooms (one which we’re designating as my craft room, another which we’re calling the guest room) and a large unfinished utility space. The utility space is currently filled with wood, tools, my Christmas stuff, an old ceiling fan, and countless other unnamed objects–in addition to the furnace, hot water heater, washer and dryer, and deep freeze. We also have a line hung across one side of the room for drying clothes. Unfortunately, there’s enough junk around that line that long clothes often end up getting dusty/dirty during the process. I’ve had a dream of transforming one barren corner into a laundry area–with a table for folding, my couple of drying racks for delicates that can’t be hung, and a couple of clotheslines placed so there’s little chance of getting things dirty. This week, I started cleaning out that corner, got the table and one drying rack in place, and removed a fixture from the ceiling that would be in the way of my proposed clothesline. Yay!

…for a promise of fulfillment

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

~Philippians 1:6

One day, the long work of sanctification, begun when Christ saved me, will at last be complete. On the day when Christ appears, I shall be like Him, having seen Him as He is.

In this, I have hope to continue on in this walk of sanctification.

This past week has been a stressful one for both Daniel and I. Daniel is nearing the end of his semester–with all the accompanying projects that go along with it. So he’s been busy with an economics project, building a model to predict entrepreneurial activity–and I’ve been…

I’ve been broken, needy, clingy.

I try to give him space to get his work done, but sometimes I forget. And sometimes he sees through my attempts to stay busy, recognizes the tears building inside of me.

And despite his own stress, he tenderly cares for me.

I don’t have an itemized list this week–not everything needs to be shared with the world.

But know this–I am so thankful for the man God has given me as husband.

He sacrifices himself for me. He listens to me. He holds me when I cry. He prays for me. He loves me.

In Daniel, I encounter a taste of the love my Heavenly Bridegroom has for me.

Thank You, Lord, for blessing me with this man, my husband. And thank You, Lord, for being the Perfect Husband after which every imperfect earthly husband is named.

Remember a few months back, when I wrote about how life was hard?

It still is.

It might even be harder.

About a month ago, my body started doing weird things. I cry a half dozen times a day for reasons I don’t understand. Absolutely everything, and nothing, sets me off.

I am volatile, fragile, broken. God is not.

This week I’m thankful…

…for a Omniscient God
I don’t exactly know what’s going on with my body. Neither does my doctor. I don’t know exactly why I’m crying. Neither does Daniel. But God knows.

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”
~Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)

…for for a Sympathetic God
Jesus never dealt with female problems, but He did deal with all the temptations that come along with mine. He was tempted to be selfish, to speak rashly, to be unforgiving. He was tempted to manipulate, to give up, to despair. Yet He withstood all those temptations. And He, as my High Priest, sympathizes with my weakness.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
~Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

…for a Caring God
My temptation can be to worry. To worry about my body, about how my moods are effecting Daniel, about money, about laundry getting done, about the house getting cleaned. Yet I have a God who cares about me, who cares for me, who will clothe me and feed me and house me.

“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
~Matthew 6:28-33 (ESV)

…for a Sovereign God

When circumstances are tough, when I don’t understand, I rest on the knowledge that God is in control. He is the Sovereign Lord of the Universe, the Sovereign Lord of my life. He works all things according to the counsel of His will. And He has already declared the reason for my circumstances, my feelings, my struggles. He has declared that I, who trust in Him, will be to the praise of His glory.

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
~Ephesians 1:11-14 (ESV)

And so I will praise and thank the Sovereign Lord of All, the God who is worthy of all praise and glory. He is working through my difficulties to conform me to His image, that I may be to the praise of His glory.

Amen, do this in me.

Daniel wanted to know if I wanted to plant a garden this year. He mentioned that he had some interest in raised beds. I jumped on his suggestion.

A raised bed garden is pretty much my dream garden.

Once Daniel heard this, he gave me my instructions: Figure out what I wanted, what I wanted to plant, what we needed to do. I dutifully entered a task on my to-do list “Figure out garden”.

He asked me every couple of days whether I’d thought about it, researched it, decided what I wanted. I confessed again and again that I hadn’t. I was too busy at work, too busy at home. I had my name change to take care of, taxes to do, a home to keep in order. I didn’t have time to think about it.

Until a couple of weeks ago.

This week I’m thankful…

…for an impromptu garden day
Once I’d figured out my plan for the garden, I confessed to Daniel that I kinda wanted to get started right away (knowing that to start already was rather an impulsive decision). Daniel’s response was perfect, though: “Why don’t you then?” I grabbed my hedge clippers, a rake, and a spade and started preparing the back yard. I raked out old leaves, ripped up weeds, trimmed back errant trees, set the boundaries for my new compost pile, and began removing sod for the place where my new raised bed vegetable garden would sit.

…for cozy gardening chats
My mentor happens to be a gardener herself, and we had a wonderful time discussing gardening techniques and what my plans were for our backyard. Bev gave a recommendation for how to get great compost in town–and offered me the use of her family’s pickup for hauling it.

…for help with concrete blocks
Daniel and I got our first set of blocks (for building the raised bed enclosure) with his car, loading it down with a couple of dozen. We hadn’t really prepared in advance that time–and ended up scratching up our hands while rearranging the blocks and leaving concrete dust all over Daniel’s car. When I went back for a second (smaller) load, I was more prepared with work gloves–but I ended up barely needing them, since a kind gentleman saw me loading the first block into my trunk and jumped in to help me load the rest.

…for new stuff for our home
We received quite a few gift cards for our wedding–and now that we’re settled in somewhat, I’ve got a better handle on what things we still need. So we’ve been making our way through the cards, purchasing nightstands (woohoo!), shower curtains and rod, miscellaneous kitchen utensils, and whatnot. We were making do just fine before, but it’s awfully nice to have those extra nice touches.

…for help around the home
When we were reading Rocking the Roles in premarital counseling, Daniel underlined something about how the servant-leader is conscious of his wife’s workload and does what is necessary to keep her physical and mental stress at a healthy level. Daniel has taken that seriously, being conscious of my stress level and asking what he can do to help out. While I haven’t been willing to surrender laundry or cooking to him on a regular basis (I can’t have him interrupting my routines, after all), I have very much appreciated his help with dishes. Just yesterday, he told me that maybe I shouldn’t do dishes on my lunch break. That way, he said, the dishes in the drainer would be dry when he comes home from work so he can empty it and do dishes then–and I would have some time to myself on my lunch break.

…for another room clean
I went into stove-jobbing mode last night and whipped my way through the room we intend to use as a spare room. When I entered the room, it was haphazardly packed with (a mix of empty and full) boxes, camping gear, clothing, books, and trash. When I left, it contained two made up twin beds, a wall full of (mostly sorted) books, and an (almost) clean floor. There are still a couple of boxes of miscellaneous junk that need to be sorted through, but the room is getting close to being habitable.

I’ve dreamed about owning a home for years. A year ago, I was visiting with a banker for preapproval of a home mortgage. Little did I know that only a year later, I’d be settling into my new home, which I own with my husband. Little did I know that I’d be preparing a garden with my husband.

God has been very gracious in giving me so many of my heart’s desires (both big and small.)

Like the woman in Spurgeon’s story, I find myself crying again and again…

“What? All this, and Christ beside?”

Thank You, Thank You, Lord.

It was the Thursday between our wedding and our honeymoon, my second day back at work. I’d woken up on the wrong side of the bed, felt rushed, started from home late, was scheduled for a training, and got lost on my way to training.

It was also my 28th birthday.

I was about to cry as I stopped at a stoplight and remembered the card tucked into my bag.

“For Rebekah Garcia,” it read. “Open on March 14.”

I opened the envelope to find a sweet card from my in-laws, wishing me a happy birthday and welcoming me again into the family.

I was no longer about to cry. I was crying, but now in thankfulness instead of frustration.

I am so blessed by multiple recent additions to my family.

This week I’m thankful…

…for the kindness of my mother-in-law
I’m going to guess that Paula was responsible for that birthday card that met me at just the right time. She was also probably responsible for the Easter card Daniel and I received right before Easter. And I know for sure that she is responsible for the periodic e-mailed and Facebook messaged notes of encouragement I get every couple of weeks.

…for the thoughtfulness of my sister-in-law
When I asked Daniel about his day a few days ago, he mentioned that his sister had called to let him know that there was a sale coming up that would be a perfect opportunity for my parents to buy a new mattress at (if they were still interested in buying a new one.) That my sister-in-law should not only think of me, but would remember me asking her advice about mattresses for my parents… She is a gem.

…for a new niece
The Little Miss now has a Little Sis. That’s right. My brother and sister-in-law (the ones who surprised me by showing up for my wedding) had their second little girl on Easter Sunday. I haven’t had a chance to see Little Sis in person, but the photos (and occasional videos) on Facebook have been precious. Little Miss is apparently thrilled to give Little Sis kisses–and I know my parents are thrilled to be up in Wisconsin with the newly expanded family.

…for news about a soon-expected nephew
Apparently Japan doesn’t carry gender-neutral baby clothes, so not finding out wasn’t really an option for John and Kaytee. But, to preserve something of a surprise, they had the ultrasound technician write the baby’s sex down and seal it in an envelope. John and Kaytee then gave that envelope to their neighbor, who was throwing them a shower. The neighbor let all their friends know what baby would be so that friends could purchase things appropriately. So John and Kaytee just found out at their shower last week that they’re having a BOY!

…for making an outlaw an in-law
Timothy has been dating Joanna (our sister-in-law Debbie’s sister) for three years now–and last night, he gave her a ring. Joanna and I have been friends for years and I’m thrilled that I can soon call her sister as well!

The addition of Joanna to the family is also particularly welcome to us girls, who are delighted to be keeping the lead we gained when John married Kaytee. When Timothy and Joanna are married, it will be nine girls to only seven boys. (Boo-ya!)

Daniel insists this means that when we have children we should have boys (of course.)

But whether sisters or brothers, mothers or fathers, nieces or nephews, I am so thankful for the family that God has given me–and that He continues to expand.

How’s married life?

It’s the question that’s apparently burning in everyone’s mind. Or at least, it’s the question that everyone is asking us.

It’s also the question I’m never exactly sure how to answer.

Because, really, it isn’t that much different than life before we were married.

Except in a couple of ways.

First, we took almost two weeks worth of honeymoon–which meant that we experienced the normal break in routine that vacations cause.

But the second and most significant difference is that I don’t go home at night.

Which is pretty significant, if you think about it.

This week I’m thankful…

…for an early wedding
Yes, we planned an early wedding for entirely selfish reasons. And you know what? I’m awfully glad we did. I think every couple should. You’re going to be exhausted enough on your wedding night–don’t compound the issue by not even getting to your hotel before midnight.

…for a quick move
When we realized that it was, um, snowing in our hotel room, Daniel gave the front desk a call. They had us transferred to a new room within a half hour, enabling us to complete our little getaway without a hitch.

…for getting through packing
Packing for our honeymoon was stressful. We had three days in Wichita between our little getaway and our honeymoon. We worked and when I got home, I did laundry from our wedding week. Laundry was still drying on the line in the basement until Friday, which meant we didn’t get to packing for the honeymoon until Friday night. We selected clothing and arranged it into our suitcases. We rearranged. We sat on the suitcases. We rearranged some more. I cried. It took forever. But in the end, we got it done and got to bed with four hours to sleep before we had to leave for the airport.

…for afternoon naps
Daniel had explored a number of options to keep us busy in Charleston–but we didn’t set anything in stone. We wanted to have plenty of flexibility. I definitely appreciated that when we came back from the beach on Sunday. I was exhausted, so we took a nap. I also appreciated it on Monday when we returned from a walking tour of Old Charleston. Once again, I was exhausted–and we took a nap. I’m so thankful for Daniel’s willingness to bear with my tiredness and let me nap several afternoons during our honeymoon.

…for rambles with my best friend
When you go to a place like Charleston, people want to know what you saw, what you did, what you ate. But my favorite part of our honeymoon had little to do with Charleston. My favorite moments of our honeymoon were walking through the I’on Swamp Interpretive Trail, up the Avenue of the Oaks at the Boone Hall Plantation, and through Fort Moultrie. I loved these times, not because of the places (although they were neat enough), but because I was walking with and talking with and laughing with my best friend.

…for settling into routines
Routines are pretty important to me. They’re important for my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nevertheless, the nature of my move, of my living situation, and of wedding planning meant that I haven’t had routines in place since the beginning of the year. These last couple of weeks at home have been wonderful, settling back into those routines that keep me sane.

…for God’s mercies, new every morning
Daniel and I continue to be sinners. Now, we’re sinners who live together. Living with Daniel exposes my heart, it magnifies the sin in me, like a long unexamined gem now put beneath a microscope. I have become acutely aware of my selfishness, my pride, my self-righteousness. Marriage exposes my sinfulness. But inasmuch as my sin is magnified, God is magnified still more. For God’s mercy greets both Daniel and I each morning. God’s mercy teaches us to love one another. God’s mercy enables us to talk through difficulties, to hold our tongues from criticism, to turn to Him when we’re hurt.

God has been gracious in giving us each other–and He is merciful in keeping us through the first few weeks of this lifelong journey that is marriage.

For those of you who don’t know (since I have been rather absent from my blog of late), Daniel Garcia and I were married March 9.

We took a quick getaway to Nebraska City before coming back to Wichita for Daniel’s class and three days of work–then we were off to Charleston for a long and lovely honeymoon.

This week I’m thankful…

…for peace amidst the last-minute details
When we went around the room for prayer requests at Bible Study the Wednesday before the wedding, my sister asked for prayer that she wouldn’t be maid-of-honor-zilla. I was wondering when bridezilla would kick in. She never did. I was relaxed for all but fifteen minutes of those last few days. Multiple people commented that I was the most “chill” bride they’d ever seen. This is God’s grace.

…for my parents’ and sisters’ help
Daniel commented before the wedding that he hadn’t realized how much a bride’s family does. The truth is, few families do as much as mine did prior to a wedding. My dad cleaned the entire church and set up chairs. My mom made Grace’s bridesmaid dresses, arranged the cake and deli trays, altered my dress, made last minute adjustments to the flower girl’s dress, and made the salads and punch for the reception. Anna made her own bridesmaid dress, made the flower arrangements for the reception, and did my nails. Grace helped with making salads for the reception, ran about to pick up last minute items, and made the bows for all the body flowers. I have a wonderful family.

…for a Skype conversation with my brother in Okinawa
I was still in bed the morning of my wedding, reading something on my cell phone, when I got a Facebook message from my brother John. We messaged back and forth a couple of times before he wrote “You wouldn’t happen to be around a computer and willing to waste a few minutes Skyping, would you?” Of course, I would be willing to Skype. It was great to spend some time with my brother on my wedding day, even if he was halfway around the world

…for a terribly happy surprise
I was busy applying my makeup in the fellowship hall of the church I grew up in when I heard gasps from the other side of the curtain, where brunch was set up for family and attendants. I heard what sounded like my brother’s voice and ran to investigate. What I found necessitated the reapplication of my makeup. My brother Daniel, his eight-month-pregnant wife Debbie, and Little Miss Menter were there from Wisconsin for my wedding. Daniel had been sure they couldn’t make it, since he had a work project he needed to get done that Friday–and they’d been unsure anyway with Debbie so far along. But Daniel got done with his project Thursday night, so they made a snap decision to come down to join me for my wedding.

…for precious moments with our parents
We wanted to have some time together before the wedding, so we designated the church nursery as our space for a half an hour before the ceremony started. Daniel and I sat and talked for a while, and then had our parents join us ten or fifteen minutes before the ceremony. We joined hands, the six of us in the center of the nursery, praying for our marriage. It was a sweet time to hear our parents’ hearts on our behalf.

…for God’s faithfulness through our lives
The best part of the day was that at the end of it all, we were married. God has been so gracious to Daniel and I, individually as we walked out our single lives, and together through our dating and engagement. Thus far in our married life, He has proven Himself gracious and faithful.

Which is why, as I raise my thanks today, I raise them with the two hymns we had the congregation sing at our wedding:

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art
…
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

and

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been,Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

If you had learned phonics using “Little Patriots Read”, you would have learned the incredibly valuable little jingle: “C walks with A, O, or U to make the hard C sound.”

I (obviously) learned phonics using the aforementioned curriculum, and have since internalized its truth. I now rarely have trouble distinguishing whether to pronounce a hard C or a soft C.

That said, this week’s thankfulness has little to pull it together–except for the hard C sound.

This week I’m thankful…

…for the companionship of a dear friend
I spoke deceptively in a previous post when I said that I had left everyone (save Daniel) when I moved to Wichita. It just so happened that a good friend of mine from Columbus was transferred to Wichita with her job right about (exactly) the same time I was moving down. Ruth invited herself over for dinner and a movie last Friday–and I’m so glad she did. It was wonderful to spend time with my friend.

…for a nut house and bags of candy
I was lamenting the lack of bulk foods at our local chain of grocery stores, when Daniel informed me that he would take me to the Nifty Nut House. He made good on his promise this weekend. At the nut house, I was overwhelmed with an abundance of bulk nuts and candies (although the dried fruit was already portioned, rather to my disappointment.) I didn’t need any nuts at the time, but I was glad to know of the store and its contents. I was also glad for the new flavors of Jelly Bellies we brought home with us. We’ve been snacking on flavors like “Chili Mango” and “Coldstone Apple Pie a la Mode” throughout the week.

…for new and novel forms of communication
Daniel and I were in the kitchen on Saturday when Daniel asked “What is that?” I went to investigate the noise coming from the living room and laughed out loud when I realized what it was. How quickly I forget (now that I’m not hearing it every day) what Skype’s ringtone sounds like. My tablet was ringing, my parents calling. Before the end of the conversation, I ended up talking with a representative of every branch of my family save one (Mom and Dad and Joshua at home, Anna in Columbus, Daniel in Wisconsin, and John in Okinawa). It was lovely to sit beside Daniel and Skype with my family, flung across the globe.

…for an ongoing cooking war between the men in my family
John started it, posting a picture of Chicken Parmesan on Facebook with a caption likening his self-congratulation of his cooking to our father’s when we were growing up. I don’t know if he issued a challenge or what, but soon self-congratulatory food pictures were flying across my Facebook news feed. John makes his wife pizza; Dad make tomato basil soup for his. John makes Swedish meatballs, Dad smokes ribs. Then Daniel has joined the fray with his own cooking. Timothy and Joshua are not to be outdone and add their own pictures. Soon all our acquaintances are remarking on the Menter men’s cooking thing.

…for finally seeing clients
I spent my first few weeks at WIC in training, reading policies and procedures and learning the Kansas WIC computer system. This week, at long last, I’m seeing clients–first with other professionals and now on my own. It’s so wonderful to be back doing what I love–counseling clients and helping them feed their families well.

…for a (relatively) comfortable couch
I haven’t been sleeping that much lately, for a variety of reasons–but I’m thankful for what sleep I’ve been getting. This past week, a lot of that has been on Daniel’s couch, napping in the early (and late) evening. It’ll be nice when I can sleep in bed (my mom swears that you get a lot more sleep when you’re married than when you’re engaged–and I’m really hoping she’s right), but for now I’m thankful for the sleep that I get, wherever I get it–and for the couch that, more often than not, has been the site of my sleep.

…for accountability along the way
I don’t remember asking for a mentor, but apparently I did–and so Daniel went about following through with our pastor regarding finding me one–and I am so glad he did. Greg asked me a bit about what I was thinking and matched me up with a woman from church. We met for breakfast this last weekend–and I think it’s going to be wonderful. I look forward to learning from her and being held accountable by her as I embark on this totally unfamiliar season of life.

If the creation were the only evidence of God’s goodness, it would be far beyond what I deserve. If the cross were the only evidence of God’s goodness, it would be far beyond my wildest dreams. But God has chosen to lavish blessing on blessing. From C to C, His grace amazes me.

Thank you, thank you Lord.

“A wizard is never late. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”
~Gandalf, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring

I’ve also heard it said that while God is never late, He is rarely early. He provides for our needs as we need them, not quite as we want them. He urges us to pray that He provide our daily bread, rather than a stockpile for the week or month or year.

Whatever the merits or demerits of the above statements, God has certainly come through with the timing of this past week.

This week I’m thankful…

…for pain at just the right time
I first noticed the painful bump on the back of my head Thursday evening. By Friday, it had spread almost down to my neck and was causing me a rather significant headache. It just so happened (!) that Daniel and I were going up to Lincoln for a bridal shower my sister was throwing me. I asked Anna about my pain–and we eventually decided that it was lymph node involvement in a wisdom tooth infection. If the infection hadn’t happened just as I was on my way up to where I’d see Anna, I’d have had to have found a new doctor here in Wichita to treat me during my current uninsured period.

…for having a government job
Having a government job means I received Martin Luther King, Jr Day as a paid holiday despite it only being my third week on the job. This allowed Daniel and I to take a quick trip further north to visit my grandparents. It was wonderful to have an opportunity to introduce Daniel to them during an overnight visit rather than having to make do with just a quick introduction at the wedding.

…for daylight to drive in
I drove (Daniel’s stick) part of the way back from my grandparents’ house so that Daniel could read one of the books we’ve been assigned for premarital counseling. The daylight lasted just until we were nearing Wichita, where I didn’t want to drive anyway. This was perfect timing, since it maximized Daniel’s reading time. I didn’t have to pull him away from his book to drive in town–and I didn’t end up doing any driving in the dark either.

…for illness on Nightstand Tuesday
I got a 24 hour GI bug Tuesday morning–not something I’d generally be thankful for. But, in this case, it afforded me a lovely opportunity to get back into blogging and blog reading with one of my favorite ever blogging carnivals.

The timing of this past week has been just impeccable, allowing me to get done what needed to get done without too many complications.

Thank You, Lord, for these, and so many more unexpected blessings.