The Hunter Strikes Again

So, in stark contrast to the date night post a few weeks ago, I took Nathan's picture before church yesterday. Because it was below freezing, he allowed me to pick out a sweater. The man is always hot!

Our washing machine randomly leaked every once in a while, so for the last three years, I've just stuffed paper towels underneath it to keep the water from flooding out into the kitchen. However, when my folks were here the washing machine went kaputz. It didn't spin anymore, so Nathan and my dad wringed out all of the clothes outside in the harsh winter wind. I was thinking that I would have to do the same thing for a while, as I happened to marry an extremely cheap guy. Fortunately, I told Nathan about a website called freecycle.org (people want to get rid of stuff, but they don't want to throw it away), and he found a washing maching within days. It works great, and we didn't have to pay for it! Yay! Now Nathan is addicted to the site, and he's since gotten a pool table for the youth room and put in a request for size 7 designer shoes for me. How sweet! :)

Essay Overload

I have two sets of essays to grade for each of my three Language Arts classes and another set coming in on Friday. That's nine classes of essays! I'm overwhelmed, but it's partly my fault, because I've had too many commitments, and I've been procrastinating and wringing my hands about how much work I have to do. Is it no wonder, then, that I read this in Jesus Calling just now?

"Come to Me, and rest in My Peace. My Face is shining upon you, in rays of Peace transcending understanding. Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, you can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything. As you lean on Me in trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete. This is how I designed you to live: in close communion with Me.

When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectations - real or imagined. You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim. Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you. you offer these people dry crumbs rather than the living water of My Spirit flowing through you. This is not My way for you! Stay in touch with Me, even during your busiest moments. Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Peace."

Look at What My Husband Just Did!

He called me at school from his cell phone this morning. "I did it! We're going to have food for the winter!" Kristi, this reminds me of your obsession with Oregon Trail, except it's for real! Since his first hunting trip is under his belt, he's now a true Southerner. If I could only go surfing, I'd be a true Californian.

Mom and Dad's Visit

Mom and Dad came for a visit this last weekend. I was so looking forward to having them here. We had an absolute blast! We saw the Bodies Exhibit and experienced Dialogue in the Dark at Atlantic Station, went out to eat, shopped, etc. I got more "treats" when they were here than I have in a year! I really don't mind being spoiled by them every once in a while. :)

We went to breakfast before they left at West Egg.

What a handsome guy!

Of course, Nathan wanted to treat all of us to a shopping spree at the thrift store we went to last week. Tuesday was Veteran's Day, and everything in the store was 50% off. This is a picture of Nathan paying roughly $16 for four big bags of clothes and books.

Here's Dad and me at my school, Whitefield Academy.

Mom and I came out of the dressing room at T.J. Maxx to find my dad chatting on the phone with my sister while lounging on the display furniture.

All of the Parkers came over for tortilla soup on Saturday night. We had a great time!

Thrift Store Fashion Show

So, I was in charge of date night last night, and I blindfolded Nathan and took him to the Smyrna Thrift Store. We got there 30 minutes before closing, and I gave him a $2 budget, but Nathan came away with several treats using most of his discretionary fund for the month. He got three plaid collared shirts, a dark blue corduroy sport coat, and the beauties you see displayed here (a plaid sport coat and some shoes that "really support [his] arches").

He was actually planning on wearing this outfit to work, but after a lot of pleading, I convinced him to at least put on a white collared shirt under the blazer. No amount of begging would get him to put on black shoes, a black belt, or nicer pants. He just wanted me to take pictures of him modeling his new digs. I personally think the look is borderline used car salesman/sex offender. He may be a horrible dresser, but at least he makes me laugh!

Why are Sundays Hard?

Saturday was a fabulous day. I slept in until 9, did some laundry and cleaned the kitchen, brought Nathan some lunch at seminary, I went to Target, did some grocery shopping, hung out with friends in the evening, etc. It was a very close to normal day, and to boot, the weather was lovely.

Sunday started out the same way, but, unfortunately, it didn't end up that way. Before church, I checked my sugar (82) and Nathan asked if I wanted some cereal. I said, "Yes, please." I neglected to tell him that half a cup of granola is close to my maximum carb count for the meal. I ate a big bowl of the stuff - probably about a cup and a half - and then when we got to church, I had a few (okay, maybe more than a few) bits of bagel pieces. Carbs, carbs, carbs.

During Sunday school, I just could not keep my eyes open. I totally fell asleep when Nathan was teaching! Afterwards, I went into the bathroom with a pounding headache to check my sugar, and it was at 326! No wonder! I was kicking myself for not being careful with my food intake. I was also really discouraged, because after my good day yesterday, I was thinking that I was closer to having this thing under control. I haven't had a reading that high since before I started taking the shots.

Anyway, today my sugars are a little high, but they dipped kind of low in the last hour. I hate feeling so unpredictably inbalanced. Please pray that this six-month-long balancing period will be shorter. I don't like feeling this way, and it really affects everything: my work, my home life, my spirit, my marriage, etc. However, while it lasts, I would like to learn how to turn these setbacks into opportunities to grow closer to the Lord and to depend on Him with every step.

Once again, Jesus Calling had encouragement for me yesterday:

Grow strong in the Light of My Presence. Your weakness does not repel Me. On the contrary, it attracts My Power, which is always available to flow into a yielded heart. Do not condemn yourself for your constant need of help. Instead, come to Me with your gaping neediness; let the Light of My Love fill you.

A yielded heart does not whine or rebel when the going gets rough. It musters the courage to thank Me even during hard times. Yielding yourself to My will is ultimately an act of trust. In quietness and trust is your strength.

Youth Retreat Pictures

The gang

We have a movie director-to-be in our youth group. He baited this 7th grader into playing a dead body, complete with ketchup and hotdog leftovers as intestines.

Special effects this amazing were due to a huge group effort, as you can see.

Do you recognize our flower girl, all grown up?

Some girls chilling out.