a post about various baked goods

I posted this picture for several reasons…
1. My observant readers may notice the photograph was taken at my favorite childhood (and adulthood) haunt: The Flats.
2. Not having a job causes one to have an excess amount of free time.
3. This picture seems to represent how I’ve been feeling lately: Small, apart from the crowd, and somewhat bewildered (but still satisfied from the chocolate cupcake I had so obviously recently had my hands on).

The past few weeks have been interesting. I’m sorry if I’ve acted distant or bored or totally apathetic (Hey, maybe Neutral Grounds is hiring?). But I’ve probably covered all that in the pensive post…so let’s move on to the chocolate cupcake.

On top of the job loss (we're counting that as a blessing, right?), God continues to bless me abundantly. I’ve especially been thankful for the number of dear friends He has brought into my life the past year or so. My small group girls are amazing and I look forward to each time we meet with great anticipation to hear all the latest God-stories. We have received so much from the studies of meditation and prayer…I can’t wait to see how the chapter on fasting goes. This evening, we’re going to switch it up though, and merge with the other women’s small group for a night of games, giggling, and general girly-ness. Sounds like all kinds of fabulous, right?

My friends The Grieses had a little boy last Thursday. Yay! They make cute babies. And speaking of cute babies, my niece Kaci Nicole was blessed at her great-grandmother’s church yesterday. Then we had the Craig family Christmas and she got to play with Christy’s little boy…he’s 22 days older than Kaci. Camden immediately discovered that Kaci’s fist is just as much fun to chew on as his own. He commandeered her arm for the rest of the day.

Question: Why, oh why do people find it necessary to put walnuts in caramel apple pie??

May you find joy in your day, and rest in your night. (And pie with three ingredients in your afternoon!)

pensive

Though rumors to the contrary abound, I am, indeed, quite alive. Perhaps I have been more contemplative (not mopey) than usual. Perhaps I just haven’t had much to say. I’m not really sure of the cause…but I will endeavor to be my typical, more chatty self. :-)

There have been lots of happenings to ponder over lately, though. Thoughts on Urbana are still quietly rolling around, waiting to boil over into articulation. (Hold your breath.)

God has given me some new insight on a couple of specific things, and that’s helping to change the way I look at things in general.

He is definitely working to soften my attitudes, especially when it comes to my expectations of others (and how I react when they don’t happen to meet them).

And like a certain friend of ours, He is continually tapping me on the shoulder to remind me of His presence…only when I turn to look, He doesn't duck out of sight.

He's there.



I’m having dinner with my mentor tonight (unless I get snowed in). It’s been so long since we’ve met…with Urbana and the holidays…I’m really looking forward to our sure-to-be-interesting-and-edifying conversation. I don’t think I’ve ever walked out her door without having been encouraged, challenged, and supplied with fresh reading material. Good stuff.

May you find joy in the weather you’ve been given…but be careful out there!

fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!

If the past nine days are any indication of what this year is going to be like, we are all in for some serious turbulence. 2007 has come in like a lion…and not a tame lion. I’ve already been nearly suffocated with despair and then swept up to dizzying heights…and that was just this weekend. (Dramatic, I know…but true.)

God is so good.

Last night, our small group met for the first time in weeks. To say it was good to get together again would be a vast understatement. Our discipline of study was Meditation and I had been looking forward to discussing this one since we started meeting. Can you say “Exceeds Expectations?” I am continually amazed at how God blesses us through genuine, open, and vulnerable fellowship with each other. I was humbled, challenged, encouraged, amused, and moved to tears (!). Can you say “Abundant Life?”

May God pour out His extravagant love on each of you this day, and may you soak up every last ounce…




**This post has included gratuitous references to film, literature, and AP. Bonus points if you can spot them all.**

of cabbages and kings

2006 -

There were upheavals and plateaus, broken relationships…restored relationships, incredible retreats and even more incredible charges forward.

I’ve experienced piercing heartache and heart wrenching joy.

Some dreams were mourned for and buried while a new dream had me diving into the depths of the sea to discover a wonderful world of promises and beauty...a world in which every breath I take is a precious reminder of God’s faithfulness.

I’ve seen the blessings that come with obedience and the corrections that follow defiance.

I’ve found sweet rest on the Sabbath.

But most importantly, I’ve been bid to follow my Christ, Who is ever-beckoning me closer to Him. I’ve stumbled, I’ve crawled, and I’ve run head-long…but each day, He patiently holds out His hand…"Come to Canaan, come."

(What? You expected specifics?)

accountability

I post this evening solely to declare that I will post more later. The following is a list of topics that I will elaborate on in the near future:

Item 1. Urbana06

Item 2. What Shannon Has Learned in the Past Year

Item 3. What Shannon Needs to Learn in the Coming Year

Item 4. Ritualistic Llama Sacrifices and More

These are, of course, subject to change with the tide. I have every intention, however, of addressing at least one of these topics in the coming days. If I fail to do so, Dear Reader, you have my permission to reprimand me in the comment section. As it stands, I must bid you goodnight.

May God bless you with sweet friendships, and may those friends have hot tubs.

admitting defeat

*sigh*
I give...

It is with much trepidation that I enter into the mania of the blogosphere. Humbly, (and finally) I submit myself to the scrutiny of you, Dear Reader. Be gentle... as I have no idea what I'm doing. But I read something tonight that compelled me to draw out the white flag of surrender and click on "Create Blog." I will share that something with you, but don't expect to make a connection between the thought and the click. In fact, don't even expect elaboration on the thought.....I spent so much time playing with the template that I haven't enough left for actual content. Therefore, my first post (which may be representative of every post hereafter) will be short and nearly pointless.

The Thought:
(from Tainted Love by David Mark Brown)

"We allow ourselves to be convinced that God is holding out on us, and our needs and desires can be better fulfilled under our own management. We suspect that satisfaction lurks out there and God would withhold it from us."

And that, Gentle Reader, is what I leave you with. But I will return, and we can continue to stumble along together....Canaan-bound.