Christmastime is here

Well, we've polished off our first batch of Candy Cane Cookies. The Christmas season is really here!!!

I had high hopes of sending out real grown-up Christmas cards of us in front of the Chandler Tumbleweed Christmas Tree. (That's right, folks, a 25' stack of tumbleweeds, sprayed in glitter and covered in lights.) But alas, we only got a quick self-portrait and I'm out of time to send a decent mailing. I'm going to Denver on Wednesday and the family comes here the next Monday!

Cooking

My last post sounded oh-so-very anti-latest-greatest-thing and it's true that I do not like screen-addiction, but shortly after that post I jumped on the pinterest bandwagon. If used appropriately, I highly recommend it.

Since I got married in January I have been learning to cook more than ever before... and this site has helped me!! Here are some things I have made in the last few weeks that I found on pinterest.

Oven-baked Parmesan Seasoned Fries

Garlic-Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

Thick, Soft Sugar Cookies

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

Chic-fil-A imitation Nuggets

I have also tried Mongolian Beef, Orange Chicken, and a steak marinade that we didn't like so much.... but I'm learning :)

I feel old

It seems that it is usually the older generation who says things like, "I don't understand all those gadgets you kids use these days," or, "Things were so much simpler/different when I was younger," or the like.

I'm 25 and I've been thinking that frequently lately. I can remember when home computers, e-mail, and cell phones were all new things. I've lived through call waiting, caller ID, and text messaging all being the latest communication technology. I remember when facebook was brand new and only for college students.

Now, I admit it, I'm outdated. I don't even know what the "latest things" are--Android, Nook, the multiple apps on iPhones and iPads. I haven't kept up, and honestly I have very little interest in doing so.

I still use a cookbook for cooking, library books or Amazon purchases for reading, my iPod (or more frequently radio) for listening, GPS for finding my way, and computer for simple e-mail and facebook. I know there is probably one device that could do all of these things AND OH SO MUCH MORE but please, spare me.

And it's not that I'm trying to be ignorant, it's that even now, with my very limited exposure, I am UTTERLY OVERWHELMED with all the content being thrown at me. Everything is more accessible. More ideas are being exchanged. There is so much more to see, read, learn about to keep up. More news sites to check, more blogs to read, more pictures to pin to pinterest, more photos of friends and people you don't even know to look at, and lots not forget, more advertisements.

In the midst of all that, I doubt if most of us really connect to PEOPLE any more. Personally, I can only take so much of all the STUFF without forgetting about the people.

hehe

I don't mean to make light of a serious situation.... but it is good to laugh right? I'd like to share with you the chuckles facebook status updates brought to me.

#1- Reports are now coming in that today's east coast earthquake was caused by our nation's Founding Fathers rolling over in their graves.

#2- "Breaking News: President Obama has just confirmed that the DC earthquake occurred on a rare and obscure fault-line, apparently known as "Bush's Fault"

And for a visual of the devastation something like this can cause, click here.

What a VOICE

"Romance" gets cheapened when it only refers to silly chick flicks. I think romance is the soft, idealized, appealing-to-all-senses view of the world. My friends, THIS is what I call romantic!

update

Since my last post what has happened?

We went to Colorado for a few days at the end of May. We enjoyed spending time with my family... and also the weather:)

We took a day trip to Flagstaff at some point in early June.

Andrew threw me a surprise birthday party, with the help of amazing host Bonnie, the weekend before my birthday. I was so surprised! I don't know how to post it here, but the only pic/video I got from the even is the video Emily took of me arriving and being surprised- and it's on facebook:) So many people came and I felt so loved:)

In other news, I have been taking an online Spanish Medical Interpreting class. It has been a challenge because my Spanish has been so out of use and interpreting is more difficult than translating on paper, and also because an unstructured online class means I have to be disciplined to stay on schedule. And I joined the gym again and have been feeling great for actually going!

Andrew is working sales instead of merchandising at his job now, which means the hours are more varied and he's not always working evenings, which he likes. He's pushing through the end of another semester here, and looking forward to a 2-week break in mid-August. In the fall one of his classes will be an internship helping a professor teach an Old Testament class.

And.. my laptop battery is about to give out so I bid you adeu:)

welcome to our place

I've been wanting to show you what our apartment looks like for those who will never see it in real life. I think I sound ridiculous in this video, but please forgive me and enjoy this short tour:)

reflection on news headline

Since Sunday night, it seems all everyone is talking about is the death of Osama bin Laden! Of course it's a big story, and I admit I'm relieved the focus is finally off of the Royal Wedding, but the representation of this story has not been sitting well with me.

For one thing, it seems that most people are celebrating! I actually found out about all this when I got home and checked my facebook. My newsfeed was full of posts saying things like "Yay" "woohoo" and "party!!" I figured out what people were talking about, and though I understand the sentiment in that this is something our military, and in many ways our entire country, has been working toward for a LONG time... I still found it disturbing that we are celebrating the death of a person.

Of course, the celebration is defended "in the name of justice!" We can celebrate because justice has been served because a man who has killed thousands of innocent people, and has expressed desire to kill many more, is no longer able to do so. Yet, is this complete justice? It seems a small part of what complete justice would be. To me it seems cheap, empty, to call killing Osama bin Laden true justice.

I came to no good conclusions on my own. The whole mess left me longing for heaven, when true justice will be served. The wrongs committed on all sides will be made right. Osama will receive true justice, which sadly will include more punishment than the end of his earthly life. Others who desire to kill "innocent" civilians will also be brought justice. And our satisfaction in that justice will not be in any way tainted by wrong thoughts and emotions, unadulterated with desire for revenge or any hatred.

Then I saw a link to hear someone very smart discuss the issue, and his thoughts greatly helped me in my response to the whole situation. Albert Mohler shares his briefing here.

It's about 15 minutes long but I found it well worth it. The highlights: "We can be thankful that the threat of Osama bin Laden has been removed." "There is no doubt that according to the Christian tradition of just war theory, this was a necessary move in order to protect the innocent." "This military raid was more easily justified in the removal of a military threat, rather than the accomplishment of justice. If our goal had been justice, we would have captured him... and carried out a just sentence." But let's remember that because we live in a fallen world "our ability to execute perfect justice is not nullified, but it is stymied." We should seek justice, but not presume that we have accomplished it!! We should not celebrate the use of lethal force in any way that falls short of complete human justice.... and in a fallen world, we cannot achieve that! What we are left with, is a sense of relief that he is no longer a threat. In the end we have to await a heavenly court for justice! "There should be some sense of satisfaction today, but joy... no, that will have to wait for a heavenly court and a heavenly verdict."

I'm one lucky girl

There are lots of visible evidences that God is so good to me. My family. Many dear friends. My job. The list could go on and on, but one I'm particularly grateful for is my husband.

I'm grateful for his companionship; his committed and loyal friendship; his efforts to care for me- physically, emotionally, spiritually; his character; and his sense of humor! Again the list could go on and on but one example:

This guy has been sick since Sunday. He's let me take care of him in a few little ways, (which has been an opportunity I've relished, as he does things like that for me ALL THE TIME!) And then when I got home from work Tuesday, he had flowers and chai for me to say thank you for taking care of him. He bought these because he thought I'd like them because they're purple. (They are really really deep purple, though it's hard to tell from the picture.) He was right :) but how could a girl not love such a thoughtful gesture?

I love him more now than we got married, almost 4 months ago. I love him more than I imagined possible. And it may just keep getting better:)

He knows I have blog but has never seen it, otherwise I probably couldn't talk about him like this... :)

a time to remember

My grandma Bee was an amazing woman. A year since she left this present world, and it is a time to remember. Really, I have no profound words. I only wish to say that I miss her and I want to be like her. By the grace of God, I do not mourn as one who has no hope, but her death does inspire me to live better. It reminds me of what is important in life-- Jesus, and loving him wholeheartedly, and other people, and loving them well. Bee did this. I want to also.

ze daily grind

For a long time I had a boring life. Then it seemed with all the moves, new jobs, traveling, and not to mention romance, for a couple years there was something somewhat interesting going on. Now, it's back to normal--boring. But perhaps boring is the wrong word, I don't mean for it to sound negative. Maybe "dull" is more neutral-- simply lacking in brilliance, intensity, and variety.

Hah, that still sounds like I'm feeling sorry for myself. I'm not. This is refreshing. I'm feeling quite relieved to have a rhythm, a routine. It's actually something I've taken care to safeguard of late, for my own sanity's sake.

I'm trying to grow in "daily" things, like housekeeping (though I'm still a level 1 novice in that arena... luckily, I have a patient and able to take care of himself husband), reading (did you know I have a book blog? http://bookssarahsread.blogspot.com), and "seeking God's face, not only his hand"-- his character, not just his guidance.

I'm reveling in the ability to spend EVERY SINGLE DAY with my husband. Our spendfivewholedaystogether then be states apart for five long weeks routine worked for a time but is not a good way to do things long-term.

Life this way is less adrenaline, more discipline. Less exciting, but just as valuable. I'll soak up this season and enjoy it.

more honeymoon pics

Some Honeymoon Photos