Sweet Surprises

I hinted on my Feb. 11 post that I'd soon be enjoying all things Buffalo, and that's exactly what I did!

I arrived on the 15th to surprise my girl Jen for her birthday. After being gone almost two months, I decided to go home and visit while Jeff went to FL on business. I'm so glad that I choose to go back home...it was great to see everyone, and Jen was completely shocked!

I planned in advance w/ her husband for her to meet me at the Poppyseed--mmm-- at 5:20. Louise picked me up from the airport and after a very sweet visit, she drove me around to prepare for Jen. Then we waited in the parking lot so we could watch for her to arrive. I kinda felt like I was back in high school again, ducking down in my seat and having a look-out buddy watch for me! How fun!

Jen arrived and once we realized that she wasn't going to wait in her car, we prepared for the ambush. We walked in a few minutes later than she, and as we did, the servers got silent (they knew this was a big surprise) and Jen looked up. At first, she looked confused and surprised all together, and I think once those brain signals crossed, the realization that it was me and I was in town hit her all at once and she ran over to hug me!!! It was great.

We finished the evening with dessert at Butterwoods (another good Buffalo place) and she brought me home. It was sooo good to see her and just be around each other. Two months isn't really that long, but it was long enough. I think she was surprised that I'd come to Buffalo for her day, but why wouldn't I? I love that girl! And besides, it was a good excuse for me to get my skin all dry and chaffed, and to freeze my butt off while I was at it.

I spent the next day running errands for myself and my Mom. Saw some new buildings they put up since I left, drove down all the familiar roads. I was reminded of the burden that this city carries. You mention in the airport (or anywhere for that matter) that you're headed to this Queen City, and everyone has some sort of comment about how cold/snowy/dirty/old/behind this place is. So you give them that understanding look that says you know, but you're going anyway.

There's a lot that stinks about Buffalo, but there's a lot that's great about it, too. I had a good 10 days enjoying the goodness, including the 18 degree weather.

After being totally wiped out from family/friend/church visits I was ready to come back to MD. I missed my honey and missed being here believe it or not! My flight was easy and quick, and I met Jeff at the airport a little while after I arrived. He was all tan, looking spiffy with his new hat and sunglasses. We gave each other a great big smile and hug, and all felt right again. We decided that 10 days apart is just way too long for us. We may be sissys, but at least we can admit it!!!

I Was Wrong...

Ok, ok. I looked outside and there is about 20 inches. Sorry for the misinformation. Jeff's out snowblowing and I bet the neighbors are wondering what the piece of machinery is that he's using!

Ha, that was bad. I'll stop because at some point in the next few years I'm bound to confess that I, too, am a Marylander. But I'll always be a Buffalonian first!!!

Snow Day

Today we woke to a bunch of snow. Church was cancelled and we all lounged around for a while, munching on cinnamon buns and oj. The weather channel reported that we got a foot or two, but I honestly cannot see that much snow out there.

I mentioned that people here freak out when snow comes, and I think besides the fact that they don't know how to drive in it, the counties don't plow the roads and that attributes to the fears.

Who knows.

Wonder how much Buffalo got?!

It's Heeerrreee!

It's snowing today!

The people here are freaking out, and I just have to laugh. We've probably gotten about 3 inches, maybe 4. I can't believe I live in a Chicken Little world when it comes to snow in Md!

I feel like telling people to get a grip. It'll melt! My MIL has jumped on the bandwagon and has completely forgotten that she grew up in upstate NY, and has lived in Buffalo for 15 years. Luckily the little boy next door was out playing so I was able to focus on him for a bit instead of that nonsense.

In other news, I'm looking forward to some things coming up soon. I get to have some Watson's, get a good hair cut, eat some yummy Buffalo food, see some good people. Let the time fly!

Weekends or Not?

I remember thinking all while growing up that I did not want to live like most of America seems to live: for the weekends. It seemed like everyone moaned and groaned when Monday came, and they'd hurry through the other 4 days of the week just to get to Friday. "What's the point?", I wondered. "Why aren't the 5 other days of the week just as valuable as Saturday and Sunday?" It got to the point that that mindset disgusted me, and I vowed to never be that way.

Regretably, I did adapt to that mindset for a short while during a job that I had. I was disgusted about my job and what was happening at the workplace, and knew that soon I'd be able to end it. Soon wasn't good enough though, and every day I dreaded going to that place.

Now I'm a stay-at-home-wife (as my husband calls it) and I believe that it is a high calling from God. I've struggled with how to phrase my new job title, how to explain our decision for me to stay at home, and how to justify it as a very real job. I love being at home, love caring for my small family of two, and look forward to the time when I can branch out and care for the community that we'll be a part of. I know that this is a part of what I was made to do, and I'm thankful that I have a husband that supports and encourages this dream of mine.

In the midst of trying to figure out how to stay a loyal, newlywedded wife to my husband with extended family around, I've found that I now dread the weekends. I look forward to being with my husband for an extended period of time, but all else can fall to the wayside as far as I'm concerened. We don't have our own place, there are ears and eyes everywhere and things don't opertate here in a way that we're used to. Every day I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs so the entire house can hear, "I'm rubber and you're glue! Whatever you say/think/try to make others think/feel bounces off me and sticks to you!" Ahh. If only it were that easy to deflect...

So, not only am I fulfilling my vow that I made long ago, I'm now living for the day we move out! Haha, please pray for us!

E-living

It's amazing how much "work" you have to do when you're without internet access for a week.

I'm behind on responding to personal emails. I had 47 unread messages in my inbox, and 63 junk mails too. Just sorting through makes me want to go away from the computer, not sit at it.
Not that all 47 were real, some were forwards, some were ads, etc. But still, 47!

And I'm way behind on blogging. We've been here for a little over a month, and this month is going to fly by; there is still so much to write about that I haven't gotten a chance to! Moving, moving again, in-laws (on second thought, better not write about that one!), home, friends who love me, what I'm learning about myself, the crazy world, this new place where we're trying to build a life, my honey, babies, Jesus, travels, wish lists... The list goes on and on!

Bear with me, dear readers. In the words of Ahhnold, "I'll be back." Can't say when, but it'll happen.

Home Was Here!

Yesterday I wrote about missing home. Today a bit of home came to Maryland.

We had lunch today with a couple who've we have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past year. John and Sue Lee are a really neat couple from our church back home. They are intelligent, intentional and real. As Jeff, and later I got involved in Global Outreach, John became a mentor to Jeff, probably unbeknownst to him. (Then again, John's pretty insightful so maybe he does know!) Anyways, getting to know John and Sue has been a joy for us. They are our parents age and there is much we can learn from them; even if we aren't necessarily talking deep and "learning", we're always having a good time. It was so nice to meet them in Annapolis. As Jeff and I were walking down the street, they called out from behind us and it felt a bit sureal to be known by someone in this foreign land! I loved it. We had lunch on the Chesapeake Bay and it felt like being back at home, being known.

Then, our friend Kurt Crays was in town on business and he was able to come and visit for dinner, watch the bowlgame, and stay overnight! We love spending time w/ the Crays' and although Becky couldn't make it :( it was great to see Kurt. We met them during the planning for the Change Our World Campaign (WCH) and we are fortunate to be in relationship w/ them.

I felt loved when I called home yesterday. I felt loved today. I often think of how much we are loved, and I'm always amazed. It's like I can't grasp it. I verbalize it by saying "We are so loved" but still can't grasp it. It's just not tangible.

I'm thankful for days like today, that help me to understand the Father's deep love for us, for me. How He displays that agape love in His people. Thanks, God. Thanks for the dark, gloomy days so that I can better appreciate Your good gifts, Your precious people, and Your great love.

Home

I woke today feeling physically better than I have all week. My body has been extrememly tired from the move, and last night's long rest was just what I needed, or so I thought.

Jeff made me some chai and a cinnamon bun, and we got ready to go to church for a presentation on what BACC is doing in the Sudan. As I got ready, I kept thinking about how I really did not want to go. Any other day would be fine, just not today. Today I wanted to spend my time leisurely, unpacking nothing but relaxing and reconnecting with my husband. Just living in close proximity does not do it for us. We need to have connecting time, every day. There has been none this week. That drains our relationship quickly.

I got into the car a bit wet from the drizzle outside, and we started down the road. Neither one of us knew where we were going, since this house is farther out and in a different direction than the other one we were getting used to. As Jeff drove and I tried to navigate, I sat there thinking about home. I miss knowing where everything is, knowing which route is best to take at which time, knowing that at a moments notice I could call any one of my beloved friends to talk about everything and nothing. I miss not having to explain things to people. I can't call someone who isn't here 'cause then I'll have to explain everything just to get to the point, and most times, that's too much work. I just want to call and talk and have them know what I'm saying w/ out having to say so much! I miss my friends. I miss having people know me. I miss knowing people. I miss my Mom, and my little nephews. I miss the cold winters where you know you're going to need a jacket, not where when you leave the house it feels like summer and when you come home (still w/ out your jacket) you almost freeze to death. I just miss home.

As we drove, I tried not to let Jeff see my tears. He doesn't mock me, but he thinks it's cute when I cry so at times it seems like he's making light of the situation, when for me, it's very real. Not a bad thing, just one of those X/Y chromosome differences. He finally asked me a question and before he finished I just turned to him and let it out. "I miss home." Another X/Y thing: he tried to solve the problem (I love how you always want to make it better, honey). I just needed to cry and to let someone know how I felt. I called my Mom. I knew it'd make her sad, but sometimes you just need your Mom. She lifted my spirit a bit, but I was still pretty down.

After church, I felt worse. There is so much to be done in this world to make it better. It seems hopeless. So many are poor, hurting, hungry, in need of salvation. Add to that that I am drained, in every way. How much better would it be to be away from it all? Then I started to miss my real Home instead.

Jesus, I know you have a plan for me. I know that this is where you want me, but today I think I'd rather be at Home, with You.