Simple joy.

It is Saturday and I'm feeling super crummy. I really hate being sick, it is just not fun, so I decided to take some time to think some happy thoughts. Maria likes raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens... but here are a few of my favorite things....

Paint. 

Wonderful, messy, Jackson Pollock style painting. Oh and color. Lots of color. I don't know if there's anything more relaxing than throwing paint on a canvas and calling it art. 

Towels straight out of the dryer.

I'm not really sure how to explain this one. It is just a simple joy. Its warm. Its comforting. Its just happy.

 

Songs that give me goosebumps. 

I'm pretty sure that God made me an alto because if I could belt a note like this, I'd surely get a big head. But man, I do love a good harmony as well.

Do you know when you just make the tea and it's still a little warm? I love when you pour it in a glass of ice and its like its confused. Warm and cold at the same time. Its great.

With lots of cherries on top...

Tomorrow night we have our parish. (Parishes are Christ City Church's version of small groups, but with the intention of us working together to better our community.) I love it. I was extremely apprehensive at first...because of my least favorite trait about my self: shyness. For some reason, when I begin talking one on one with someone I begin over analyzing everything I say... "Did she think that was dumb?" "Crap, I totally mixed up my words there." "Man, this is awkward." Not good, right? Well over the past couple of months, I feel like these complete strangers are really turning into friends. And even if I've said something stupid, they have yet to kick us out. It is wonderful. We laugh, talk, pray... and eat.

Remember the last blog? Where I said I'm not quite up to speed with the cooking thing? Well, every week our parish cooks a meal. We all bring different parts so no one is over burdened. The first couple of weeks I quickly volunteered to bring plates, napkins, etc. I am so not ready to force my food down anyone's throat. (Well... anyone but Dane.) But this week, parish has been pushed back a little later so instead of dinner, we are each bringing desserts. Tonight I will share with you the easiest, and quite arguably one of the most delicious desserts. My mom has made it by the tons to feed football players at FCA camp, and I guarantee you they will back me up one this.

What you'll need...

Ice Cream Sandwiches (enough for two layers)
Cool Whip
Hot Fudge
Caramel
And whatever toppings you love on a sundae...


1) Put down one layer of Ice Cream Sandwiches
2) Smother it with a good layer of Cool Whip
3) Drizzle Hot Fudge and Caramel alllllll over
4) I sprinkled some chocolate chips over that, but my mom has used twix, kit kats, milky ways... use your imagination.
5. Repeat steps 1-4.
6. Now, don't forget the cherries on top. :)
7. Then you just pop it in the freezer to let it bond a little.
8. Let it thaw a little, then yum.

wish, wait, hope, pray... not necessarily in that order

Lately, I have been reading a few blogs... Blogs about decorating and recipes and blogs about adoption and orphan care. They are written by everyday women, but when I read about them I imagine them as superheroes with secret powers. I'm not sure that I'll have anything to write about that will draw a large audience, but I do know that I have a lot on my mind and on my heart. For tonight, I'll start with the basics.

I am a young wife, learning the ropes of home economics. Clipping coupons, keeping the apartment clean, and (most of all) cooking are all concepts I am attempting to master. Attempts that sometimes (if not often) lead to failures. Flooding the apartment with the washing machine, smoking up the apartment with cooking oil, and getting one outrageous electric bill that led to a month-long heat strike mark the first five months of our marriage.

Five wonderful months of marriage. Although I may not be Suzy Homemaker yet, I would not change a single thing. The mishaps give us opportunities to work together. No matter how frustrating it may seem at the time, it gives us the chance to stengthen our relationship. As a wife, my goals are to learn to be respectful, supportive, and loving. Each of those sound wonderful, but being the sinner I am means that it is going to take a lot of work.

Wishing, Waiting, Hoping, and Praying... this title truly describes me right now. There are things that I want, things that I wish for...a house, a dog, a job that I look forward to everyday, but for now those things will have to wait. I am also hopeful for the future. In the past year or so, I have felt my heart being drawn to adoption. I'm not sure of any of the details, but for now I will pray. My heart breaks for the toddlers in the baby homes in Uganda, for the waiting children in Ukraine, for the pre-teens and teens in the U.S., and for all the mothers who aren't ready or aren't able to care for their children. I pray that God will show me what I can do for any of these children of His.

I don't have anything figured out, but I know He does. So, whether it is learning to cook, cleaning the shower, looking for a cheap house, praying for His children, or writing this blog, I hope to honor Him.

Psalms 37

⁴Delight yourself in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
 ⁵Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in him, and he will act.