It's about time!

I'm still alive...just lax on the posting. Since my blog is *supposed* to be about finding the radiance of each day...or of each couple of months in this case :)...I thought I'd share some of the things I've been enjoying lately.

First. Have you ever had the opportunity to see sundogs, or "snow-bows", as I think they should be called? I don't ever remember seeing them before until this winter. Beautiful! One of the only things that I have been enjoying about winter. (But don't tell my husband that I really do get a bit distracted when looking at them when I'm driving :) ). Here's a pic, not my own, but a pic nonetheless.

Second. Ross and Johanna (engaged, by the way, in Dec....should have been blog worthy. Sorry.) got me Sara Groves' "Tell Me What You Know" CD for Christmas. (nope, no ipod yet...still old fashioned). It's a great CD. My fave songs include When the Saints, Honesty, and It Might Be Hope. If you're not familiar with Sara or want to hear snipets of these songs, click here: http://www.saragroves.com/store/tellmewhatyouknow/. She's a good 'ol, homegrown Minnesota artist who shares a lot about life and faith in her music.

Third. The music we sang in worship touched the heart. Love it when God just grabs a hold of the heart and speaks His love into it. The set included Revival, Power of Your Love, and How Great Thou Art. Tears from nowhere flowed down during Power of Your Love. Here's a link to a YouTube video for the song. I hope it touches your heart and gives you a message of hope. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbLXnIc7O-k

Fourth. The residents at work are wonderful! I have some pictures I would love to post of our "Loving Service" group, but I'm not sure if that would be okay. Our Loving Service group does projects that support the larger community. It's a hit. Last month they double bagged grocery bags for the food shelf and made Valentine's for children in the hospital. We all enjoy it, and I think they gain a sense of purpose...which we all need!!! And for those of you who aren't aware...my position did go full-time Jan. 5. Busy, busy....God has totally increased the amount of work to be done and I pray I'm doing what He wants me to be doing.

Fifth. Ryan and I are taking Financial Peace University at church. Changing our family tree, as Dave Ramsey says. Correcting some bad behaviors and learning discipline. Want peace in your financial life? Check out: www.daveramsey.com. His book, Total Money Makeover, is a good place to start. We've made some progress from reading this book alone.

Okay. Finally. I did a post! Have a radiant day!

Happy Thankgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving...a couple days late! Just wanted to post a few pictures from the past few weeks. Mom and Dad came up last weekend, and we had a wonderful time hanging out together. My mom-in-law decided I should bring the pies, so while my mom was up she helped me make crusts for the first time. Thanks, Aunt Connie, for the recipes. Thanks, Mom, for helping...couldn't have done it without you! I consider my first "adult" pie making experience a success. They tasted good and looked good too. Although, I have trouble "pinching" the sides to make the pies look pretty. But that doesn't really affect the taste, now does it? I'll have to practice. The latter pictures are of our little gathering with Ryan's family.

Favorite Moment

Just have to give a shout out to my wonderful hubbie tonight... My favorite moment of any day is when he picks up his guitar and plays little dittys. Love it! Anything from the Eagles to Chris Tomlin. Did I mention this my favorite part of any day? It doesn't happen very often so I have to cherish it. I love my man!!!! (He also did laundry, cooked dinner, and straightened the apt. today--I am blessed!)

And, I caught the very end of the pseudo-serenade on video!

Let there be pictures...finally!

As is the case with most moves, there's that one thing that you know you packed but just can't find. We had a few of those this time: one being one of Ryan's new workshirts, which we found this morning stuffed in his suit bag, and the other was our box of digital camera cords. Ryan found that yesterday! Yay! Now I can give this blog an update and share pictures. We love our new place! Hung our "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" clock and some pictures today. It's a home, not just a place to live. Praise the Lord!

the happy couple! a place of our own!

getting settled...looks even better now!

gotta love the large walk-in closet!

old toilet...

new toilet....ah, the joy of a stable toilet! :) who would have ever known??

prayers

Last year at this time Ryan and I only had part-time jobs and were searching and waiting on the Lord for provision. Of course, He came through, giving us blessing after blessing. However, Ryan is in retail and I'm still in retail 1/2 time. Now again this year we find ourselves searching for God's direction. Ryan is chopping at the bit to do what he has been called to do and use His God given gifts, and while I've been able to do this for the past year, I'm also ready to work full-time (and I don't think my current position is going to expand).

Please add us to your prayers. We knew getting into ministry that positions wouldn't be as easy to come by, especially since we don't have a "mother hen" telling us where to go, so we need your prayers. Thank you!

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

~1 Chronicles 16

I should call this my once a month blog...

I never really have been a writer....that must be the reason I haven't posted in such a long time. However, the lack of things to do here at work today gives me a chance to get some words up...

What I have been doing is reading some books! I haven't read novels in years, and I'm totally captured by the "Mitford Series." Breezed through Out to Canaan, the fourth book, just last week! I started the series in July and will maybe be done by Christmas?? Thinking about attempting the famous Orange Marmalade Cake once I get into our new kitchen...

Oh, yes, I haven't mentioned on here that Ryan and I are moving!!!!!!! We can't wait! We join the ranks of all my other blogger friends that have moved recently or are getting the boxes packed. This won't be a big move for us...just down to an apartment complex in Inver Grove Heights. Our landlord and neighbors in the house now are just a pain and it's time to go. The space has had its good points but we've never really felt like our current place was home. Maybe we can create that feeling soon! October 15!

I'm also taking an interest in nutrition lately! Have been listening to a great radio show "Dishing Up Nutrition" which is available online: http://www.weightandwellness.com/dun_radio.html
The move means new nutrition in our home, also! (Maybe I won't be making the Orange Marmalade Cake :( ) Check it out!

Summer!

Ryan and I have enjoyed some fun things this summer! Here are some pics:

Plants! This pic of the herb garden was taken at the beginning of the summer, now the basil is reaching to the sky. We've had some tasty dishes with our herbs and are enjoying our tomatoes now too. Mmmm...fresh tomato, olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper.

Family! This was taken when the fam + Johanna (Ross' lovely girlfriend) came up for the 4th.

Canada! In the middle of July we took a trip to Toronto for a family wedding. Took a side trip to Niagra Falls for a day. What beauty! The rest of the time was really spent partying. Had fun dressing up too.

Another wedding! Best wishes to Cliff and Naomi who were married July 26th. Had the pleasure of enjoying the festivities! Cliff is the next to youngest grandkids on the Pickrell side...one more to go. Loved playing with my second cousins and Sarah and Nicole too! (Nicole...pics will be sent tomorrow!)

Anniversary! One year down... couldn't be happier! Our bakery gave us a fresh cake to celebrate with, made just like our wedding cake top.

Happy Summer so far!