My New Favorite... and Other Stuff

Sooo...I discovered last week that Aldi makes these awwwwwwwwwesome "homestyle" peanut butter cookies. They are soft and chewy and pretty much amazing. If you put one in the microwave for 8 seconds, it even tastes fresh-baked. I also discovered that Aldi makes a pretty delish version of Moose Tracks Ice Cream. I was afraid cheap ice cream = low PB cup ratio, but no... it's super yummy. Last night (after American Idol) I put them together. And... Oh. My. Word. Super, super goodness.

Obviously, I did not give up cookies and candy for Lent. (I bet if you know me, you would have guessed that before this post.) Mostly I didn't do it because I knew I wouldn't. I mean "wouldn't" in that I meant I could say that I would give up cookies and candy, but I'd never really mean it. And instead of spending extra energy focusing on my spiritual life, I'd probably just gripe about missing out on the sweets. So I didn't do it. I swear that's not a cop out answer. Because so far, the Lenten season has been good. I've been managing to find time in the day to slow down and spend some time with Jesus. I've been reading more, praying more, and reflecting more - which has been good (and challenging). And since I'm trying to "connect" more, I'm paying better attention in church on Sundays and at Bible Study on Thursday mornings. Consequently, I'm being challenged. I feel like every once in a while God decides to uncover a bunch of junk (read: sin) in my life - and now is one of those times. It probably started around Abigail's baptism, truth be told, and is continuing. I usually hate times like this because it makes me feel like I'm always the one messing up and D never has to deal with sin. I know that's not true, but it's how I feel. (That's a statement I make to my beloved all the time.) Right now, I don't mind so much. Maybe by the time Easter rolls around I will be a perfect person!


That said, I'd just like to add that there would have been some benefit to at least trying to forego the sugar. Bathing suit season is fast approaching, and I feel like I ought to staple a swimsuit to the bedroom wall to remind myself that come April (if we go to AZ to see Oma), I'll have to wear one. I don't even know where to shop for a new one (Suggestions?) All I have right now are maternity suits. And who wants to wear a maternity suit 10 months after your baby's born?

Lenten Indecision

Lent is kind of a new concept for me. Growing up, I was Catholic/Lutheran, and not much good at being either. It was in high school, at a non-denominational church, where I first heard and believed the gospel. Being a typical "seeker-friendly" church, they didn't follow the church calendar or any kind of liturgy or tradition. So, in my mind Lent = Bad Catholic Practice Involving Unnecessary Suffering.

And maybe, for Catholics, that's what it is. And perhaps it isn't. I don't really know. But I do know this. I am now married to a good, reformed Presbyterian. We attend a good, reformed Presbyterian church. And we mostly follow the church calendar. (Well, our worship leader and a lot of the associate pastors enjoy the meaning behind the tradition. I'm not so sure our pastor, with his Baptist roots, actually does. But anyway.) I have discovered that Lent is not "Bad". People talk about Lent. And they give up things during Lent. And they make an extra effort to focus on Christ in preparation of Easter. It's not about suffering. It's about drawing nearer to God.

So now I'm pondering - what do I give up for Lent in an effort to draw nearer to Jesus?

First I considered giving up cookies and candy. Not because I'm using Lent as a weight-loss plan, but because I find myself munching on them all day long - eating sweets has become a comforting habit. I still show a modicum of control throughout my day (I'm not eating half a package of cookies and a half a bag of M&Ms in one day), but I could go without. I could find my comfort in time with the Lord.

But I thought a little more. And then I began to wonder. What about giving up envy? Or comparing myself? Or discontentment? Or my greedy materialism (aka: weekly Target runs)? These are mostly internal struggles. I ought to be thankful. I ought to be comparing my life with Christ's, not others. I ought to be content whatever my circumstances. (Incidentally, when I look at my life, I wonder why I am not this way - I have absolutely no excuse not to be.) How do I give up something immaterial for Lent? It would probably be better, and actually help me focus on Christ as I'd like to.

But it's easier to forego the Oreos and M&Ms.

Barns

It stormed last night, and we had our third flood of the year since May.

Thankfully, this was nothing compared to the last two floods. It rained all day, but started in earnest at about 6:00, pounding down until about 10:30. We realized we have more than just a city sewer problem. The groundwater seeps in through myriad cracks in our foundation. Good times, folks, good times. David was kept quite busy with our shop vac and our pump.

I am pretty convinced that the previous owners were less than truthful about their experience with water in the basement. But there's nothing we can do about it now.

Fortunately, we had scheduled the third of three plumbing estimates last night (they scouted the scene before the geysers erupted). They were the ones who confirmed the problems with the cracks in the foundation, and suggested that aside from just getting an ejector pump, we may want to talk to some concrete guys and get the foundation patched.

Well, just before bed last night, I was having an Eeyore moment. I sat in my sweats, propped up in bed. David had just come from the basement to give me the update that the water was under control. I started spouting doom and gloom about how much this was going to cost us to fix. We'd have to dip into savings - savings that were meant for baby, and maybe a new used car, and maybe some fun things we needed. (Does anyone else note the irony in that last complaint?) Or savings that were maybe going to be stockpiled to do some serious aesthetic remodeling on the house. (We keep hoping a tornado will blow our garage down - without touching the house, of course - and save us some of the demolition work.)

And then David looked over at me and said, "Yeah, we wanted to use the money other ways. But, you know, God did not tell us he would provide for us and allow us to build bigger and bigger barns." (It's from Luke 12:18.) He continued, "He told us he would provide what is needed for today. And he has always done that for us - and more. Everything we've needed for this house, we've had it when it was necessary. We have the money to do this now. The Lord is providing."

And that folks, is one of the reasons I love my husband. He was right - is right. "A man's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15) Take a look at the parable. We have what is needed for today. We are encouraged to be generous with the Lord's provision. The Lord will provide for tomorrow.

Double Whammy

I'm posting twice today. It must be important, right?

It is. David created a band website! Yeah, I know I just told you guys to go check out his blog, but now there's the website. And it's cooler.

http://www.davidyeagerband.com

Check it out. You can look at photos, download songs, read the band bios, read David's blog - all kinds of stuff. Yes, the blog is fun, but this is the real deal.

Enjoy.