10 Things I Learned in October

For months now I've been wanting to link up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky to discuss what we learned in the past month. I have always been one to feel overwhelmed if I don't have time to process and digest. I love how light hearted her list always is, and I loved the idea of doing it for myself. Miraculously, I have a few free minutes - so here goes!

1) Up North they call the Civil War "The War of the Rebellion." 

I had never heard this before! It made me laugh a lot because as a child I got in trouble for calling it "The Civil War" and had to say either "The War Between the States" or the "War of Northern Aggression." It's funny how many cultural differences I still discover living north of the Mason-Dixon. 

2) "Always be killing sin or it will be killing you." - John Owen. 

Ouch. My pastor challenged as many of us as are interested to read through Owen's The Mortification of Sin together this fall. I read about halfway through this book as a freshman in college, but never finished. This time it is tearing me apart and convicting me in ways I didn't know were possible. It's been extremely uncomfortable, but I am incredibly grateful for it as it brings me out of apathy in my walk with the Lord. He is hard to read, but I highly recommend it. 

3) They weren't kidding when they said pregnancy messes with your emotions. 

This month I cried because:  
     A) my sheets were stained blue by some unidentified article of clothing that I apparently   
          slept in
     B) I misunderstood something David said and thought it was mean, when it was really 
          just funny
     C) I did not have a pleasant experience at the grocery store
     D) All of the above

4) Shutterfly has awesome customer service. 

I make a "yearbook" for each year of our marriage. (That is less impressive since I've only been married two years, so don't worry.) I like the idea of having one book of pictures with the highlights. It is way easier to keep up with and way smaller than a bunch of prints in albums. This year, I ordered the wrong size because I was overconfident and didn't measure the one we already had. Fortunately, Shutterfly let me ship it back and they refunded my money so I could order one the right size. Even though it was my fault. Awesome!

5) Getting rid of stuff is incredibly freeing. 

This month I read Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up in one giant gulp. I'm slowly working through all the stuff in my house, and my pile to donate is HUGE. I can't say I'm on board with everything she teaches, but the overall principle that having less stuff and being surrounded only by things that bring you joy makes your life simpler and more peaceful has already proven true in my life. 

6) It's okay to know your limitations and ask for help when you need it. 

This past week, I talked to my boss about going down to 32 hour work weeks. I have really been feeling overwhelmed physically, emotionally, and spiritually by the lack of margin in my life, so I decided to ask. She was more understanding and supportive than I could've imagined. I was embarrassed, because I know that I really do have lots of margin when I compare my life to that of others, or what my own used to look like. When I was talking to one of my best friends about this, she told me she was really proud of me for asking for help, and that it took a lot of courage. Those words were exactly what I needed to hear. I am learning to feel freedom in knowing my own limitations and embracing them - rather than comparing myself to a bunch of "shoulds". 

7) Apparently fall is the new summer when it comes to weddings. 

We have invitations on our fridge for six weddings in October and November alone. I love weddings! Too bad they are all in Alabama and we live in Pennsylvania. 

8) Taking notes in church might not be the best thing for me.

Someone recently shared this article on Facebook and it gave me a lot to think about! I have always said that taking notes helps me concentrate. However, since reading this I have been skipping out on writing down every point. Instead, I've been concentrating more on the overall impact of the sermon and on the sermon as a piece of the overall worship service. It's been beneficial. I may go back to taking notes - but for now, I think I'll leave the pen at home. 

9) The Bush's vacation in Kennebunkport, Maine. 

We stopped here for dinner on our way from Acadia National Park to Merrimack, New Hampshire. This was one of the last legs of our week long New England road trip. It was a wonderful trip, and worth a blog post of it's own. But we'll see about that. In Kennebunkport we got the most expensive take out dinner ever and ate it looking out over the water. It was nice. And swanky. Which is probably why the Bush family vacations there. 

10) Feeling a baby move is simultaneously the most amazing and most bizarre feeling ever. 

If you haven't experienced, imagine how weird it must be to have another human living inside you who randomly decides to karate chop your insides. At the same time, imagine how awesome it is because THERE IS ANOTHER HUMAN LIVING INSIDE YOU! Baby Oli is an active one. He/she definitely likes to go crazy when watching football, and when mom is trying to go to sleep. 

Oliphant Update

I think it's about high time for a good old update. I'm not a big one for Facebook status' unless they are sharing a thought provoking article or asking for travel tips, etc. And I don't have any big news - no home ownership, puppies or babies over here! But I do know that some of you who read this blog may be interested in a little snap shot of what our lives look like these days. And heaven knows I need more than a few sentences to do that!

For starters, we moved! We're no longer Southerners transplanted to the midwest. Now we're hanging out with the sho' 'nough Yankees in the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We live in no man's land. Which pretty much means our address says Elizabethtown but our gas station is in Hershey! We have a lovely place on the bottom floor of a house that was built in the 1800s. But it's been remodeled multiple times since then and is complete with all the mismatched blinds and stark white walls you'd expect in a rental. Just the creepy basement is left. That's the one great improvement over this place from our third story suburbia cookie cutter apartment in Des Moines - the man cave. David can go down there and fix things and take things apart to his hearts content.

Actually, there are many more improvements to this place. One is the mailbox - have I mentioned that mail is one of my very favorite things ever? How nice not to have to put a key in it and to be able to raise the red flag! I also appreciate the porch that is larger than two feet, and the window above the kitchen sink. (Is that worth the trade off for no dishwasher? I'm not sure.) The neighbors and stray cats are pretty fun too.

Other than that, we've really enjoyed living right between Chocolate and the Amish. Hershey is full of touristy commercial chocolate things. And Lancaster County is full of adorable small towns, gorgeous farm landscapes, and plenty of the plain people.

David is working on a project on the site of Hershey Medical Center. His project is going pretty well. He's a champ, and is always willing to go the extra mile. Last week the extra mile included transporting two (full) port-o-potties down Bullfrog Valley Rd. on a forklift. Told you he's a champ. His project manager here is the same one from Des Moines - which is fun since I really enjoy his wife and kids. There are also a couple other wives on this project, which is fun for me.

I am working at Water Street Mission in Lancaster City. I never would've been one to talk about my "heart for urban ministry" etc. But here I am working in the inner city in the second consecutive state! And I can't say that I could dream up a better job if I tried! Water Street is a homeless shelter that has been around for 110 years. We take up an entire block, and can house up to about 250 guests at one time.

I could spend a whole day telling each of you all about the Mission and all I'm learning there. I'm getting to work with some of the most incredible people I've ever met. It is so refreshing and so healing for me, after what I experienced with another non-profit. I've had my preconceptions about homelessness shattered, and I am seeing God work in big ways. I never thought I'd be excited to go to work!

My particular position is Volunteer Coordinator for Programs. There are actually two full time volunteer coordinators at Water Street since we have SO many. I get to work with the volunteers who come on a regular basis and have direct guest interaction. This includes any volunteers who work in children's ministry, the homeless day shelter, the front office, the career center, or residential ministries.

I spend most of my time screening and on boarding new volunteers. Each of my volunteers goes through a preliminary interview, an in-person interview, shadowing, an application, two references, two criminal clearances, and an orientation. When I'm not doing that, I get to do a variety of super fun things. Some of those have included being the "baby" of the family and being told to take a nap by a 4 year old, ironing curtains for 4 hours straight, and writing copy for a newsletter.

In other news, we've found a church we love! It's called Proclamation and is a PCA church plant in nearby Mount Joy. The congregation is welcoming, and the teaching is fantastic. You can listen to the latest sermon series here. We're in a small group, and I teach 4 year old and Kindergardeners the Kid's Catechism.

We're trying to take advantage of all the nearby places to travel! Updates on this to be continued.

Well, I think that about sums up the questions people usually ask.

Spring is Coming

I wrote this post on February 28, 2015. I was a little too self-conscious to share it at the time. But I found it again today and decided that I would put it out there. Praying that sometime small would be a glimpse of grace for one or two of you. 

...

I think God has given us writing as a way to wrestle swirling thoughts. A small peace in the chaos, even though what ends up on the paper is still often chaos. For me at least, there are times when I know it's the only thing that will release and define some of those emotions I feel I cannot contain. Sometimes when I let the words out I feel a little lighter having released them, and other times I am sure I carry them even more completely.

Today is one of those days. I've been thinking a lot about the winter and the spring lately. I've read that Lent is the springtime of the church, and I feel inadequate to celebrate that because my soul has been in the depths of winter lately. This one, and the last, have been long. And not just because they've been the first ones I've experienced above the Mason-Dixon. But that's a story for another day. I've been struggling with how to long for spring when I can only see the snow and feel the biting wind. Today, I think I learned a little bit of that.

I got the phone call this morning and it left me without words. You know the kind. The kind where for the rest of your life you will be able to close your eyes and picture the exact place you were standing. I'm building a photo album of those, and I know many of you are on to your second or third volume.

Sweet Camille, she'll never enjoy another leisurely cup of coffee or crunch the leaves of fall or laugh over dinner with friends. Not here at least. I don't have any reason to believe we won't do those things in eternity. I walked around numb for a while, and then just lay in the bed for a few hours. My mind replayed a roll of memories, like the old fashioned film tapes. Giggling with anticipation and a little stage fright as we waited next to each other in caps and gowns, waiting for our turn to go get those diplomas. The point where we separated on the walk home from class and waved a see you tomorrow. Birthday parties, weddings… The end of the tape though, took me all over the country. I wanted to shut it off but I couldn't. I saw so many people who loved her, those with thousands more memories than me. I imagined flashes of friends curled up on couches and slumped on floors in Memphis, Chattanooga, Oxford, Birmingham, East Asia. I felt foggy.

Eventually I got out of bed and wandered around the house a little. I looked at the kitchen covered in almost every dish I own - remnants of cookie baking with a couple high school girls from my new church. The royal icing has cemented some of the spoons to the counter. I felt useless to comfort, to speak, to understand. So I put into practice what I've come to trust and did the next thing, the daily task. For God promises to meet us there.

I turned on the Auburn RUF CD, wanting to pray for all those faces that I came to know and love in Dudley B6. I didn't really have the words, and I filled up the sink with suds. I longed to just sit in the grief with one in particular who is so dear to me, and I can't even share a hug because of this damn distance. I grabbed the sponge and started to scrub.

Life with trials hard may press me, 

heaven will bring me sweeter rest.

Oh tis not in grief to harm me 

When Thy love is left to me; 

Oh twere not in joy to charm me, 

Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

One by one the familiar hymns washed over me. Each of us sang those week after week. Some weeks we felt the truth of it, others we didn't. I sang many through tears that I desperately hoped no one around me saw.

Heaven's eternal day before thee, 

God's own hand shall guide us there.

Soon shall close thy earthly mission,

Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,

Hope shall change to glad fruition,

Faith to sight and prayer to praise.

It hit me, in a way that I'd never really paid attention to before, how well RUF prepared us for death. I doubt that's something you'll find in the mission statement of many campus ministries. And I don't even know if it was something Richard thought about trying to convey specifically. Knowing him, I'm sure he did. Don't get me wrong, I don't think any measure of preparation can lessen the sting. Something deep inside of us knows that this isn't the way it's supposed to be.

In the solemn hour of dying, 

In the awful judgment day,

May our souls on thee relying,

Find thee still our rock and stay.

By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

By thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.

I'm completely aware that I am speaking from my own experience and friendships here, and that there are probably many similar churches and communities. But I am grateful that I found in RUF a place where the hard questions and the hard struggles were not ignored. The sin that fills with shame was able to be brought into the light and the Gospel of forgiveness was proclaimed week after week. The struggles like this one, that blindside us, were able to be talked about, wondered about. I met broken people. I saw much of their sin, and they saw mine. But we found unity in the truth of the Gospel, in doing the journey together towards that wholeness that we won't yet know on Jordan's stormy banks.

We expect a bright tomorrow, all will be well.

Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well.

On our Father's love relying, 

Jesus every need supplying,

Yes in living or in dying, all must be well

It was in RUF that I first learned that I'm allowed to come to God with my anger, my confusion, my doubt, and my desperation. So many of these hymns that we sang first gave me words to be able to do that. I encountered a God I'd known for a long time, but one I was still often trying to impress. I began to give that up because he already knows. And more than that, he loves me. He loves me so much that he sent his son to suffer and die in my place. Even more than that, he gave me his righteousness, and I am perfect in his eyes.

Underneath me, all around me,

Is the current of thy love

Leading onward, leading homeward

To Thy glorious rest above!

RUF is also where I talked and learned of heaven more than ever before. My eyes were opened to this vision of an eternal city, and I began to see everything we do here on the earth as having an eternal impact. I understood with deeper intensity the meaning of the phrase "Behold, I am making all things new." (Rev. 21:5)

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 

Revelation 21:22-24

I paused there, with my hands in those yellow rubber gloves, and the drying rack slowly filling. I felt something begin to creep in on the nausea and the ache of my heart for that thing I can't comprehend. It was gratitude. I closed my eyes and imagined that contagious smile of Camille's, beaming without ceasing in the presence of the one whom she trusted with every ounce of her being. I think I understood in a fresh way today what Paul meant when he said we are "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (2 Cor. 6:10)

Rock of ages, Cleft for me

Let me hide myself in thee

I don't know if this Lenten season will feel like spring to me. But my feelings don't change the truth of the Gospel. I know, and Camille knows, and so many of us that are reeling today know, that the first winter was shattered with the coming of Christ. The whole of history hinges on that point. The Israelites long years of hope, struggle and faithfulness all pointed to it. I've often thought in this season about that 500 years of silence, the darkness which would be pierced with the voice of one crying in the wilderness "Prepare ye the way for the Lord." Can you imagine living your entire life without one prophet, one word from God? Imagine that hope and that faith. How much more secure is our rejoicing because we know the whole story. We can know the one who came, who suffered, and who reigns.

There's a reason that the last verse of the great hymns are about heaven. The winter is long, but eternal spring will come.

I am bound for the promised land.

2015 Reading Challenge

Many of you know I love to read. Sometimes I think I love the idea of reading more than I actually love reading. I love having a good night's sleep and an income and clean clothes and dishes and sometimes those are mutually exclusive to a hefty reading list. Can I get an amen? This year one of my friends showed me the 2015 Reading Challenge from the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog. I've never read her blog before, or even actually heard of it. But after looking at the list, I thought it was such a fun idea and a great way to set practical reading goals that include books I might not normally read. So for fun, here's her list with the books I've read included. The picture below is my stack of all I've read in 2015. Not all of them fit into a category. My goal is to read one book off the list every month, and fill in with others! 

1) a book you've been meaning to read

2) a book published this year

3) a book in a genre you don't typically read

4) a book from your childhood

     The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

5) a book your mom loves

     After the Boxes are Unpacked by Susan Miller

6) a book that was originally written in a different language

7) a book "everyone" has read but you

    Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

8) a book you chose because of the cover

    The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

9) a book by a favorite author

10) a book recommended by someone with great taste

      Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

11) a book you should have read in high school

12) a book that's currently on the bestseller list

I'm hoping to write a quick review about each of the one's I've finished. I'll link to it in this post. I love to hear suggestions from others about what to read next so I don't waste my time on something that isn't worth it. So hopefully, my suggestions will be helpful to you!

I also really want to know, what should I read next? I especially need help coming up with a book that's currently on the bestseller list. (Although I realize for most people that's the easiest!) I hope some of you will join in on this challenge. And please oh please leave your suggestions for my missing categories in the comments below! I can't wait to hear!

Grateful

I'm going to quit apologizing for my lack of blogging. It'll happen when it happens. And when it doesn't - just assume that my life is full of things like work, turbo kick classes that make me laugh while I work out, laundry, back yard lounging with the neighbors, more work, dishes, and novels read in giant gulps while neglecting all other responsibilities. 

But for today, here are some things I'm grateful for... 

This simple reminder on an ancient gravestone. 

These lovely magnolia and cotton wreaths on James Madison's house. I guess I especially loved the front door since we got there too late to go inside. 

 This sunrise each morning outside my kitchen window. 

 The long awaited, highly anticipated, and much celebrated first spotted blooms of spring.

This awesome scene of blurry cherry trees when we drove to DC and couldn't find a parking spot so we drove home.

Seeing this rather unimpressive piece of classic 'Merica with my own two eyeballs. And knowing all the sweeter what it represents when I get constant reminders of the way Christians are treated all over the world. 

Welcome to New York

If I quote a Taylor Swift lyric as my post title does that make me trendy and relevant? I didn't think so. Anyways, one of my favorite things to do over the past few years is travel. I guess studying abroad the summer before my last year of college really gave me that wanderlust bug. I also learned a lot about how to travel from some of the girls I went with. David and I have gotten the opportunity to visit a lot of places over the past year and a half. I feel like we've gotten into a good groove of knowing what works for us and what kind of stuff we want to do! It has been awesome for our marriage, and we've made lots of memories. I've posted a few snapshots of travel on the blog before, but I think it would be fun to share more detailed travel posts for those of you who may be headed to the same area sometime soon and could benefit from the information. I know NYC is probably not a good place to start because many of you have spent far more time there than I have, and others have even lived there. But that's ok. I'm just sharing what we loved! 

Our first trip from PA was to New York City! Neither of us had ever been before, and I have always wanted to go at Christmas. So, with just a few days of planning we headed to the city. It really was magical! We rode Amtrak which was incredibly convenient and easy. You could not pay me to drive there. I would take the train again in a heartbeat! We got a super good deal on Groupon for the Holiday Inn Express Times Square. I am definitely a fan of clean and comfort. We don't stay in $45 a night hotels because I want to be able to rest peacefully without fear of contagious diseases. However, we also don't splurge on super fancy or iconic hotels. We would much rather spend our money and our time at attractions and restaurants! This hotel met all of those requirements nicely. It was convenient, clean, and comfy. And tiny. Because everything in this city is crowded. Now that we got those details out of the way, I'll start with..

Christmas-Specific Things to Do in the City

1) Rockefeller Center at night - Duh. It's so iconic and with good reason. It was packed, but it is gorgeous and magical and it was just simply so fun to be standing in the place you see on TV so many times!
2) Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes - Incredible! I didn't really know what to expect, but everyone kept telling me it was a "must see" at Christmas, and I'd have to agree. The whole show was so  entertaining and enjoyable. The live nativity at the end was definitely the highlight! I got tickets ahead of time on their website and I ended up getting a great deal on orchestra seats because I waited for a good promo code.

3) FAO Schwarz and 5th Ave. Shops - this you can obviously do any time of year, but it was especially fun during Christmas. We only actually went inside the iconic toy store, Macy's and Tiffany's, but simply walking down 5th and seeing all the stores and store windows decorated for the holidays was a treat. 

NYC Any Time of Year

1) A Broadway Play - We saw Wicked at the Gershwin Theater. It was incredible. I didn't even know the storyline, so we really enjoyed it. I will say, sitting on the second to last row wasn't ideal in a theater that size. We could hear everything and see all the action, but we couldn't see facial expressions, etc. I think next time we will plan ahead and try for tickets in the front mezzanine, even though it is more expensive.

2) Metropolitan Museum of Art - I am still daydreaming about The Met. It is hard to pick a favorite activity, but oh my was this one incredible. We went late, and only had about 2 hours until close. We spent almost the whole time in European Paintings because that is my favorite. I would turn a corner and see a Vermeer across the room and practically drag David with me. I saw so many classics that I've only studied. I don't even know what else to say. I get excited just thinking about it. If you are an Art History nerd like me, you'll be in heaven. And even if you aren't, it's worth a couple hours of your time. One thing I didn't know heading in is that entry is "Pay what you wish." I know money makes museums run, but just keep that in mind and don't let the $25 entry fee deter you from going!

3) The 9/11 Memorial  - We didn't have time to do the museum, but I am glad we made it to the memorial itself. There are two of these pools on the footprints of the original towers. It was breathtaking to stand there and look at it, and to see the names all around. The people who maintain the memorial place a single white rose in each name on that person's birthday, which I think was a really special touch that really drove home the fact that so many lives were lost that day. 

4) Top of the Rock  - I really like to find a high point in a new city and be able to look over all of it. There is debate in NYC over whether to go to the top of the Rockefeller Tower or the Empire State Building. We decided to go for this one because reviews said it was a more well run experience, and it was convenient. We also thought it would be neat to see the Empire State Building from the top. We had a great time and really enjoyed the way things were set up and the view. If we go back, I want to go up at night! That just didn't fit in this time.  

This view of Central Park in all it's enormity from above is a perfect segway into number five..

5) Central Park - I feel like wandering around Central Park gave me a better glimpse of what life as a New Yorker. It was really relaxing to wander, watch the ice skaters, watch kids walking home from school with their moms, and playing at the park. What a gift to have this refuge in the middle of the concrete jungle!

Excuse the poor picture but another highlight of the trip is that I FOUND THE BALTO STATUE!! We walked through the park to the Met after the Rockettes show and just stumbled upon it. David was clueless, but I know some of you watched the 1995 movie. Talk about one of my childhood classics. I even had a giant stuffed husky by the same name. At the end of the movie it switches from animation to a real girl who reads the plaque on this same statue. It all came flooding back to me, and I was embarrassingly excited to find it.  
6) The Subway - I'm sure that there is no way you could go to the city without doing this, but if you do have a good way to get around without taking it, be sure to ride it at lead once. Very stereotypically NYC, and worth it! 
7) Statue of Liberty - We were going to take the Staten Island Ferry but we got there right after it left and instead of waiting around for the next one we decided to walk around Battery Park and get a view of the statue and Ellis Island and then make it over to the 9/11 Memorial. I'm glad we did that, for time's sake! 

8) Times Square - Iconic, incredible. It was so fun to step into view of all the crazy screens and signs. That's part of when it really hit me - "I'm in New York City." We didn't actually do any shopping or anything there, but it was so fun just to take in - during the day and at night.  

Food
(Last but never ever least)
1) Shake Shack - it's isn't popular for no reason people. Yum Yum Yum! Simple hamburger, fries, and a milkshake that were surprisingly delicious. Not to mention fast and cheap (by NYC standards.)
2) Capizzi Pizza - We ate at this tiny family owned pizza place in Hell's Kitchen before seeing Wicked. It was a nice atmosphere and good wood fired pizza with very fresh ingredients!  

3) Junior's Cheesecake - We ate here late after the Met. The hamburger was fine, but OMG THE CHEESECAKE. Having a piece of real New York Cheesecake was on my list because I am a huge fan. The raspberry one on the left was the best. It was great. Also, we saw Bradley Cooper through the window coming out of his play. No big deal. 

4) Vive la crepe! - We ate lunch here in the food court below The Plaza. It was awesome! The crepes were filled with quality ingredients, not just some lunch meat ham and bagged cheddar. It was the perfect quick stop - but good luck finding a seat! 

5) OddFellows Ice Cream Co. - If you've read this blog before you know that we have a married goal to eat ice cream in all 50 states. So, even in freezing weather we had to find our ice cream, and we traveled to an entirely different part of town for this stuff. And I'm very glad we did. This is specialty ice cream, so the flavors were a little odd. But I had an Oatmeal Cookie Dough with hot fudge and I am still thinking about it. So if you're in the neighborhood, check it out! I really enjoyed walking around the East Village as well because it gave us a much better feel for what it would be like to live in New York, rather than just to see all the tourist things. 

6) Mighty Quinn's Barbecue - The hipster who served our ice cream gave us the tip for this East Village BBQ place. It wasn't my favorite of all the meals I had, but that's probably because the meat was the star of the show and I like the sides to be the star. If you are a man, or you just love meat, it is definitely worth a stop. 

7) Ellen's Stardust Diner - This place is a BLAST. The breakfast was average, but the experience was one of our favorites. The wait staff are all aspiring to be on Broadway and they take turns singing while you eat. Some of them even pour coffee while belting show tunes or pop songs. It was so much fun there is no way to leave there without a smile! 

4 Reasons Living in Des Moines is Actually Kinda Nice

So I realize this title may not sound like the most positive thing ever. But I promise it is! I haven't been super private about the fact that Iowa wasn't at the top of my list for places to move, so if you are reading this I have a feeling you already knew that. When my cousin Will asked me what I would miss about it, I said my friends and Trader Joes. We Iaughed, but at the time I legitimately could not think of anything else. I knew that leaving some of the relationships I had formed would be really hard, but I didn't think I would miss much else. Well, as you could probably expect, a little time and distance has changed my tune a bit. I actually missed Des Moines the other day, and not just for the friends. I know that much of what I miss is the familiarity. I miss driving without a GPS and walking straight to what I need in the grocery store. But there is more than that to it as well. So, without further ado, here are 4 reasons that living in this midwestern metro was much better than I expected it to be.

1) Outdoor public space
Des Moines wins on this one. The list of expansive parks in the middle of the city is long, the paved trail system is probably one of the best in the nation. If you want to exercise for free - there is no excuse for not doing it in this city. My only complaint is that I had zero desire to go for a bike ride during the 6 months of freezing temps. The above picture is from Gray's Lake. There is a great trail that goes all the way around it. You can also rent canoes and paddle boats.

2) The traffic is incredible
Naturally I included a picture of my beloved Subie for this part since that's what I navigated the traffic in. Don't tell David you like it too, because he will probably try to sell it to you on the spot. I know this may seem like a strange choice for a pro, but this is something I didn't appreciate until I got to PA. You can get pretty much anywhere in the metro in 20-30 min. And that's for extreme times when you live in West Des Moines and for some reason want to go to Ankeny or Pleasant Hill. If you keep your radius a little smaller, everything you could ever need is at your fingertips. There are so many lanes of traffic, and even the interstate at rush hour will only slow you down a few minutes. Also, the traffic lights are incredibly responsive. No more sitting at the light for 5 minutes with no other cars in sight waiting to for it to turn green. I swear they see you coming and change just in time. Also, the city is pretty much a giant grid, so even pre-iPhone SK learned her way around in a heartbeat. This definitely makes everyday life convenient.

3) Downtown is pretty hip
The Des Moines River basically splits the more business oriented, skyscraper side of downtown with the East Village - a collection of fun local eats and shops. My favorites include an adorable knit shop called Stitch,  Porch Light Antiques, and an awesome paper goods shop that is my favorite place except for the fact that I can't remember what it's called. There is a great summer concert series at an amphitheater on the river. The Downtown Farmers Market is awesome. They have free wine samples, tons of produce, yummy ethic food, craft vendors, and a La Mie tent because we all know that calories from that gem of a bakery don't count. The picture above is from when my BFF came to see me and we checked out the farmers' market for the first time! (I am allowed to call her my BFF because we were besties before that acronym was invented. True life. It was added to the dictionary in 1996.) Last but not least, the building you see in the background is the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and it is incredible inside! 

4) It is chain heaven
I don't have a picture for this one because I don't usually snap pics of the Aldi logo, but this one definitely deserves its place on the list. Des Moines has every chain store you could possibly ever need. I know that is not hip or cool or trendy or local - but it is CONVENIENT. I lived within 5 minutes of a Super Wal Mart, a Super Target, a Trader Joe's, an Aldi (groceries so cheap, it rocks!) and a Hy-Vee (fantastically run midwestern grocery store that also has great chinese food which I miss.) So if you need eggs- you have choices! I also lived within 5 minutes of an Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Khols, Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, Williams-Sonoma, Scheels (giant midwestern sporting goods store), the list goes on and on and on and on. I'm telling you, they have everything you could ever need. Except an Anthro. That's my only complaint. But I'll cut them some slack on that one. 

Maybe soon I'll do a "Weekend in Des Moines" post and tell you all my favorite places in case you ever decide to vistit. Because let's be honest, I don't think you'll ever pass through on accident. But if you do go there on purpose, I think you'll have a blast!

2014's Reads

Many of you know that I love to read, but unfortunately, I don't read as fast as I wish I did. Also, things like jobs and dinner get in the way some times. So I only made it through eight books last year, but I want to share with you what I did read in case you are looking for something new! I always love to see what everyone else is reading, so if you have suggestions post them in the comments! You can also check out last year's list here.

These are listed in the order I read them, not according to any sort of preference.

1) Unseduced and Unshaken by Rosalie de Rosset 
This isn't something I would normally pick up, but I read it for a book club and I actually learned so much! The tagline is "The place of dignity in a young woman's choices." It is edited by a Moody professor, and while I don't know if I 100% agree with everything she said, I would recommend it in a heartbeat because she did a great job of emphasizing the importance of intentionality and mindfulness in everything we do. I want to reread it. 

2) Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskill
This is a good 650 page novel spanning many years and set in 1830s England. Gaskill was a contemporary of the Brontes and Charles Dickens. If you like Jane Austen, you will love this novel. Like others from that period, I loved it because of it's depth in subtlety. Often the pace seems slow but you can't help but be sucked into the novel because the everyday thoughts and emotions of the characters are so incredibly relatable. 

3) The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
Oh Pat Conroy. How I love and hate you all at once. His work captivates me but it also doesn't quickly leave me because of the intensity of the evil and sorrow. This one is dark, but expertly crafted and fascinating. It tells the story of a low country family through a series of flashbacks as the protagonist works through it all with his sister's psychiatrist. If you are not easily shaken, I would definitely recommend this because it makes you think so much and is such a work of art. However, you have been warned. 

4) Life Together by Deitrich Bonhoeffer
I flew through this classic, which happens to be the first thing I've read by Bonhoeffer. Sometimes I think he gets a little intense about things that are his own opinion rather than founded in Scripture (for example, that you may ONLY sing in unison in church and anyone who sings harmony is out of line.) But if you can take those things with a grain of salt and read for the overarching principles this book will open your eyes to the place and practice of Christian community in a way that can't help but be impactful. Ironically, I probably enjoyed the chapter on solitude the most.  

5) Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt
I think I cried almost every time I read this book. It is about "The Titus 2 Model For Women Mentoring Women." I read it and The True Woman below as part of my preparation to teach Susan's curriculum for high school girls to a group from my church. Maybe that's why it moved me so deeply, because I saw in it what so many women gave to me and saw my opportunity to do the same for the next group. Some cultural references are definitely 90s (it was published in 1992), which creates for a few laughs. But overall I want to give it to every woman I know and I want to be best friends with Susan Hunt because her writing is so real and so clear and so bold. 

6) His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Jr.
I read this on the recommendation of a woman from my church in Auburn who I really respect. I know that people can write this one off because Dr. Harley definitely sees his method for having a happy marriage as the right way. But, I respect that because he developed it over years of practicing as a marriage counselor, and he sells it. I don't take is as a perfect formula for marriage, because I don't think the main purpose of marriage is having our needs met. However, I did think it was extremely insightful and helpful on a very practical level and it does really help you think about how to love your spouse well. So, I would recommend it in a heartbeat, as long as you read it with Keller's The Meaning of Marriage or something along those lines. 

7) The True Woman by Susan Hunt
This was the other book I read as part of the leaders curriculum for the Becoming a True Woman While I Still Have a Curfew study. I loved this one as well! I want to read everything she has written. Above all I love that she pushes women to the Church time and time again. It is a beautiful picture of embracing God's calling to us as women and using that to usher in his kingdom. 


8) Notes from a Tilt a Whirl by N.D. Wilson
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I borrowed from a good friend. It is different that what I usually read in that it was about philosophy, in a way. It was mainly just about getting a big picture view (which is ironically often brought about by close attention to detail) of what God is doing in the world and of being in awe of it. I liked it so much that I actually want to buy it so that I can read it again. Also, I didn't know until after I finished it that he is Doug Wilson's son (although I'm clearly pretty dense because I knew they both lived in Moscow, Idaho and I thought that was weird. Ha!) I bring that up to say that it doesn't read AT ALL like anything Doug has written so don't let that influence your decision on whether or not to pick it up. 

Resolved

Wow. It's already 2015! I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season. We had some incredible time off - more on that and some catch up from the fall coming soon! (I hope. Clearly my blogging consistency is spotty at best - anyone still out there?)

I am currently sitting at my kitchen table in my new home in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The sun is just starting to go down and if I sit just right all I see is a picturesque scene of trees blanketed in four inches of fresh snow. I'm drinking a big mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows and a candy cane. It's actually pretty wonderful.

But that's not what I sat down to write about. I actually want to share a quick word on new years resolutions. It seems that they can get a little controversial. Around the new year there are inevitably a slew of posts that try to convince their readers that you can't make resolutions and understand grace at the same time, or that building habits works and making resolutions doesn't. I'm sure they all make good points, and I am not trying to argue that there are many ways to address this common practice. I, for one, have wavered back and forth between a thousand different views on new years resolutions. I think I've made them more years than I haven't. They have taken as many different formats as years and were largely ineffective.

However, in 2014 I made some resolutions and actually followed up on my progress throughout the year. I may not have successfully completed them all, but I found them to be very practical in helping me to pay attention to my growth without becoming either apathetic or overly self-analytic. I think that resolutions can be a useful tool. We should always be seeking to become more like Christ and to serve him better in a myriad of ways during our time on this earth, but sometimes life just gets crazy and it's hard to keep that in mind. It has been beneficial to me to have something in writing that I can come back to time and time again. There is no reason these have to be done on January 1, but it's a logical time, especially if you have a touch of OCD in you like I do!

So, here's how I write new years resolutions - I am sharing because I hope it might be practical or encouraging for someone. If you tackle this idea of measuring your progress in a different way, please let me know! I would love to learn.

The most important thing to remember about New Years Resolutions is simply what they are - things we decide to do for a season that we think will make our lives better and more worthwhile. They are not commands from God that we have to live up to in order for him to love us. If I fail - I fail. I cannot and must not condemn myself for failing to live up to my own made up standards. True, we could resolve to do things that are in fact commanded by God, and if we fail at those we need to address the issue as the sin that it really is. The bottom line is that if I am in Christ, I am completely and wholly accepted by God based on the record of Christ and not on my own. Nothing I can do can change that. So, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use these goals a tool to move me towards Christ-likeness, and not another measuring stick to look at and then beat myself up.

That all being said, I find it most helpful to keep the resolutions simple, ambitious but still attainable, measurable, and concise. I like to come up with 10-12 resolutions in the categories of spiritual, social, physical, and personal. I have one major goal, and then I will write some ideas or explanations. The whole thing took up no more than two small journal pages. Also, many of them were consistent from last year. I took out a few that didn't meet the adjectives I described above, and added a few as well. However, don't fix what ain't broke.

Throughout the year, at the first of the month (don't panic if you skip one or two) I write out the numbers of my resolutions with a short title and add one or two sentences about what progress I've made towards them.

So, to make this concept practical, and as a way of letting you know what I'm working on and learning these days, I'll share mine for 2015. I give you all permission to ask me about one of them when you see me - accountability is always good! Here goes.

SPIRITUAL
1. Finish reading through the Bible
{This was a goal last year, but I didn't make it so I'm making it a two year goal!}
2. Grow in prayer
{Here's where I would list tangible ideas of how to do this. So far I've ordered Tim Keller's new book on prayer, and identified some specific times in my day when I can turn to the Lord with focus.}
3. Study and write
{Many of you know I have hopes of some day going to seminary, so I want to do some more serious study through online resources and write through what I learn in order to discern if this could be something in my future.}
SOCIAL
4. Have 5 phone conversations and write 5 letters a month
{This only counts for out of town friends and excludes parents and grandparents and a select few friends that I talk to weekly! I have found it is a great way to hold myself accountable to being intentional with long distance friendships.}
5. Creatively serve others
{Learn to look for ways to serve in a season that could easily be selfish. For example, today I shoveled snow for the first time ever, and I did my neighbor's sidewalk while I was at it. Simple! But can be habit forming by God's grace.}
PHYSICAL
6. Pursue health
{Not going to get specific here, because that's boring and let's be honest - I'm not exactly sure where to start. But I have an overall goal of increased health rather than picky diet and exercise plans.}
PERSONAL
7. Get to 3000 gifts
{Continue to cultivate gratitude in all things by adding 1000 blessings to my list. If you haven't heard of this, check out Ann Voskamp's blog and book.}
8. Read 10 new books and reread 3 old ones
9. Challenge and stretch myself
{This is another form last year, where I look for chances to learn new things, do hard things, and get out of my comfort zone. Maybe publishing my resolutions can count for this!}
10. Finish projects
{I made a list of all the things I've started and haven't finished and I'm tackling them!}
11. Be a better housekeeper
{Having no kids and currently no job, this is a great chance to figure out what works for me as far as cleaning and cooking schedules and organization. Also it's a hugely practical way to love my husband well.}
12. Give away 2015 things
{This has a dual purpose - cultivating generosity and living simply! I'm counting things I clean out and give to goodwill, gifts to others, and dollars. Don't panic, each loaf of bread and each dollar counts as one. So I don't think the number is crazy.}

If you made it to the bottom of this post, congrats! I hope this was somewhat interesting or encouraging to you. Don't forget to comment if you have any awesome resolution making practices!