Goals Update: July

It's the last day of July...which means we're one step closer to Autumn.  It's been rather warm...that is to say- bloody hot- in Louisville lately, and I am very ready for cooler temperatures.  Since it's been so stifling here, I literally just want to sit motionless inside my nice air-conditioned home; I know- I'm spoiled.  Nonetheless, here is an update on my goals:

Become a faithful member of the 5 am club. Well, I got up a around 5 a few times last week...one time because I was recruited to take Jess and her family to the airport super early.  But I'm working on it.  Truly, I am.

Memorize 52 verses. Fail...I might just focus on the James goal from here on out.

Memorize (the first half) of the book of James.  We're working on verses five-eight right now.

Continue in the SWI program.  Classes start next month, and I am way excited!  Several of my SWI Mafia are in either in one or both of my classes.  We're also going to try to get together a little bit before classes each week so we can see each other even if we're not in the same class.

Read through the Bible.  Fail.  I don't even know where I should be in this endeavor.

Continue to think through our family traditions. I've been thinking a lot about food lately and what dishes I want to make sure my children get to try.  I learned how to make falafels this week, and I would really like for my family to eat a multi-cultural meal on a regular basis.  This, my friends, will definitely require some advanced planning.

Communicate with our family (and friends) more.  I've been pretty good about emailing people, but other than that...it is really hard to keep the lines of communication open when you don't live in the same city or state (or even country for that matter) as some of your family and friends.  Several of my friends here are very encouraging about keeping up with friends from previous years, however.

Build up our emergency fund. Again, we're focusing on the car payments right now.

Make a huge dent in our car loan.  We made two extra payments this month and are happy with how things are going.  We will have to start saving for Isaac's spring tuition soon, but we're still hopeful we can pay the car off at the end of the year or in the early months of next year.

Cut our grocery bill. Well...I refused to go grocery shopping this month because we had so much food in the house that I just hadn't made yet.  So I guess we did all right this month...but now I have to go grocery shopping...and I hate it.oh.so.much.

Develop a consistent and workable cleaning schedule. Our place is a disaster zone right now (well, only certain areas) because we rearranged some furniture and are cleaning out and getting rid of some un-needed stuff (more to come on that whole process later).  But I am working on organzing some areas a little better and hope that will help.  Once Isaac starts back to class in a few weeks, he won't be able to help out as much as he does...and trust me, he does a lot.

Read 30 books. Hello, everyone, I finished Bleak House!  I also finished three other books.  Reviews coming soon!

Scrapbook. It's too hot to drag out all of my scrapbooking supplies, but I am still working on organizing our online albums, so partial credit, please.

Continue blogging. I was an even worse blogger than last month!  And I must apologize profusely because I was a wretched blog-commenter.  I really am going to try to be better at this in August!

There you have it folks...hopefully I'll be a bit more consistent in certain areas next month!

You Know How Obsessive I Am...

...with BBC and their fantastic productions. I saw a preview of the new series Sherlock and couldn't wait to see it. The first episode aired on Sunday in the UK, and two more episodes will follow in the next few weeks. Yes, that's right. They only shot three episodes, but apparently the series is creating such a buzz that BBC is interested in commissioning more stories.

The good news is that BBC signed a deal with WGBH Boston to air this witty series in the States on Masterpiece Theater beginning in mid-October. The even better news is that a very lovely person uploaded the first episode to YouTube (because not all of us are able to watch the shows on BBC's iplayer, now are we?) and I was able to watch it in its entirety.  See for yourself some of what I got to enjoy:

Things I Must Accomplish

I woke up today and formulated a list of three things which must be accomplished this week:

1. Finish Bleak House.  The four-month journey has to end soon, friends. 

2. Clean out the refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.  Really, I have no idea what is in there anymore.

3. Convince Isaac to take me to Sweden.  No explanation needed.

Our Anniversary Tradition

We don't necessarily like to give gifts to each other for our anniversary; we aren't going to be on an episode of Hoarders any time soon (which, incidentally, I have never seen nor care to see), but we definitely do not need to accumulate any more stuff. When we were getting ready to celebrate our first anniversary, we decided not to buy each other gifts, but to experience something together.  We wanted to go on this sweet road trip from mid-Missouri to Niagara Falls...but that was shot down in late spring when gas prices kept climbing and peaked at over four dollars a gallon. That was a bit steep for a multi-day road trip.

So instead, we drove to the sleepy little town of Rocheport, Missouri- about twenty minutes away- rented a tandem bike, and biked along the Missouri River together. We had both always wanted to try tandem biking, and let me tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks, but it is way fun.  I think every newlywed should be required to attempt tandem biking becase you definitely need to communicate well for the event to be successful.

We were getting ready to pick up and head east to Kentucky for seminary shortly after our second anniversary, so before we moved, we headed west for a bit and ventured out to Colorado. Isaac had actually never been to Colorado, and I hadn't been back in a long time, so it was the perfect mini-vacation. And just in case you want to know: I think mountains are the most perfect landscape created by God.

This year, one of Isaac's college buddies got married a few days before our anniversary, and the wedding was in Washington, DC. Since we were already out there, we decided to drive up to Philadelphia for a day. We had actually never been there, and being the large dork that I am, I really wanted to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. And we did, my friends, we did. We also ate a Philly Cheesesteak, sat in the same pew George Washington, John Adams, and Lafayette all sat in while at Christ Church, took pictures at the LOVE sign (which I don't want to disappoint anyone, but it is much smaller than I was expecting), and completed the Rocky Run on the steps of the Museum of Art.  I also sprained my ankle pretty badly as we were walking back to the car, but hey, all in a day's memories...



So...what should we do or where should we go for our fourth anniversary next year? Remember we're seminarians so unless you are offering to pay for an extravagant experience in Europe or Australia (or heck, anywhere in the world for that matter), please don't tempt us...

Get Dawn Joy on Cake Boss!!!

This post is simply a shameless plug for an old college friend.  I met Dawn our freshman year, and the only word to accurately describe her is 'bubbly'.  A few years back, she started cake decorating- just as a hobby, but it quickly turned into her passion and her career.  Now, she's taking another step and is auditioning for TLC's Cake Boss!  Check out her awesome video below:



Good luck Dawn!

A Missouri Wedding

A few weeks ago, the three amigos (i.e. Jen, Isaac, and myself) took a short road trip out to Missouri for the wedding of Emily, affectionately known as 'E. Scott' (because sometimes, there are just too many Emilys to not be differentiated by last name), to her groom Eric.  Emily asked Jen and me to be candle lighters for the ceremony, and of course we took that as an excuse to spend a ridiculous amount of hours shopping for black dresses and cracking jokes about how many different ways we could burn down the church while performing our duty.  We did not, in fact, burn down the church (although it was touch-and-go when our fancy-schmancy candle-lighters went out as we walked down the aisle and then again when we were dropping small flames onto the carpet beneath us, but those stories are for a different time).

Here are some lovely images from the day (and please forgive my obsession with my godson, who is obviously the most precious child alive):

How I Love Thee, BBC

I know I said I was going to lay off the vidoe clips for a while, but really- this advertisement for BBC America is simply hilarious.  Isaac and I get to watch it on some of our newer BBC DVDs...and no, we never skip the advertisement because we love it that much.

The Heart Mender

I haven't been able to review a book for Thomas Nelson in quite some time, and I am most thrilled to tell you about this book by Andy Andrews.  Previously released under the title of Island of Saints, the novel did not get much attention and saw little sales.  However, with a second round of good publicity and a new title, Andrews' story of forgiveness and understanding has been well-received, as it most definitely deserves.

The Heart Mender is the story of a bitter young widow and a German officer serving aboard one of the infamous U-boats.  When Helen Mason discovers Josef Landermann washed ashore in a small town on the northern Gulf Coast, her first reaction is one of anger, bitterness, and confusion.  Josef, seriously injured, wears the uniform of the men who killed her husband.  Helen is content to leave Josef on the shore, but somehow she decides to help Josef.  The story that unfolds is one of forgiveness and redemption.

I was hooked by this book from the beginning, and if I am completely honest, I read it in one sitting.  One of the most intriguing things about this book is the setting; the author apparently lives in Orange Beach, Alabama- just a short stone's throw away from my own dear hometown of Pensacola, Florida.  In the first few chapters of the book, Andrews details his discovery of a small tin container buried in his yard.  The contents of the container are even more intriguing, and he goes on a quest for answers.  In so doing, he writes about visiting nearby towns as he interviews older people who might have some answers to the historical mystery.  He mentions towns I am sure no one except those people from Flora-Bama have ever known: Lillian, Robertsdale, Foley.  These aren't exactly booming metropolises, people.

The ending is perhaps the best part of the book...but I won't ruin the surprise for you.  You'll just have to read it yourself!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

July's Focus: Howard and Jannie with NAIM

Choosing Howard and Jannie as our family's focus of the month in July seemed to be a natural choice again this year.  I'm simply going to repost what I wrote about Howard and Jannie last July:

This month, we've chosen our friends Howard and Jannie, whom we affectionately call the "Canadian Johnsons". We met Howard and Jannie while on our honeymoon in Canada; we were staying in a cabin in British Columbia, and they were spending the night at the lodge owned by the same couple. Each night, the owners of Griffin Lake Lodge (which we highly, highly recommend- amazing scenery, awesome food, and wonderful people) have a campfire near the lake. Guests are free to come and go, and our first night there, we decided to join the other individuals sitting around the fire.

We somehow began a conversation with Howard (originally from the States) and Jannie (originally from the Netherlands). Howard and Jannie work with NAIM (North America Indigenous Ministries), serving in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. It is amazing how the Lord reminds and affirms you of His plan for your life (even on your honeymoon); since we want to move overseas to serve the nations, it was encouraging to meet a couple who have been involved in the same mission for years. We admire the work to which they have so dedicated themselves, and the conversation by the campfire is one Isaac and I will never forget.

Howard and Jannie also write a blog that they update occasionally; feel free to check it out and drop them a note. In conversing with them and reading their email updates and blog posts, we know that working with the First Nations can be rather difficult; change is slow to come, as the people do not open up easily; with so many missionaries coming and going, forming deep relationships on either side is often difficult. Howard and Jannie's family, however, is beginning to form long-lasting relationships with the people they serve. They have been in Salmon Arm long enough to adjust their Canadian immigration status and purchase a house; all of these events have made the people of Salmon Arm realize Howard and Jannie are staying for more than just a season and have since truly begun to open up to their family. Please pray the Light of Christ would shine on the people near Salmon Arm, BC; pray for Howard and Jannie's family to have strength and endurance; pray for life-altering relationships to form and grow. Also, Howard and Janie are continually raising support to continue in their work, so I'm sure any donations would be appreciated.  

Over the past year, Jannie has been fighting cancer.  She underwent chemotherapy that involved a good deal of travel; she is currently finished with the chemo, but is still on a treatment plan.  We beg of you to pray for healing for her.  Again, any donations to the family would be much appreciated; every little bit helps.  We can't afford to give much, but we give of what we have as we are commanded.

On a much lighter note, today is Canada Day (the day when Canada became a nation; did you know they weren't a nation until 1867).  So to Howard and Jannie and to everyone else who loves and appreciates Canada- happy Canada Day!!!