All the days of my life. All of them. It's mind blowing. His provisions are absolutely mind blowing!
You remember that time as a kid when your parents finally set the circumstances just right for you to try fish for the first time... you know, on that day when the pantry was absolutely bare, the fridge emptied, and all your neighbors were out of town, so that you had no where to turn but to the actual dinner. And on top of that, punishment was obviously in order unless you ate your dinner. But unfortunately, your nose worked and so the whole feat was an uphill battle! But then you did it and you were so pleased that you said a silent prayer to thank Jesus for having people in your life who care for you enough to introduce you to such a delight?
Trick question: fish is disgusting. In my heart I don't believe that anyone actually loves it.
However, the previous scenario did ring true for me when it came to brussel sprouts. And collards. And now my children will be eating the same.
Oh yeah, but back to the point: Whether it's disguised as chocolate cake or brussel sprouts, that is a mirrored image of the Lord taking care of Zach and I for the last 2 years. You all know the story of us blindly walking into marriage with absolutely no plan past the reception, but then the Lord revealed to us His splendid path that lead us to sunny California: a land of unknown. But it's turned out to be a gargantuan blessing for a number of reasons. The familial environment, Zach's relatives, caring professors, adventuresome surroundings, independence, hospitable friends, Godly church... I mean the list of blessings truly seems endless.
Well, in our newest chapter, our theme song is still the same. He is constantly showering us with blessings. Our due date was about a week earlier than we anticipated (which caused Zach to move his boards up a week), but I have no doubt that this too is a blessing because between you and me, from what I hear from the 3rd years, you are losing information quicker than you gain it after the first full week of studying. Coincidentally, Zach will be taking his exam after that first week of studying. Plus, this will allow us optimal time to adjust as a family before he starts school again (as opposed to the baby coming just before boards or after he has started his 3rd year). And my job, which I may have originally labeled a "brussel sprout" at the beginning of this year, is not a contracted position but rather a series of long term positions that conveniently end at the beginning of April! Which means, I will be able to create my own schedule leading up to the birth of the baby. And to think, He had all of this planned before we had even known we were going to be parents!
More recently, we were able to land a fantastic deal with a new car. Say hello to the new owners of a volkswagon station wagon #dreamsdocometrue. Although Alejandro gave me a really good run, Zach is entirely more confident in the new addition for our new addition (if you know what I mean). And as of just last night, Julie helped me find the perfect name for him. Just as I had said to her how much room he had in the back, we simultaneously said "Baby got back!" Naturally, I couldn't steer away from this obvious sign of naming him Sir Mix-A-Lot, but calling him, "the Big Sir." Which is oh too cheesily convenient as Zach and I took our first trip in the Big Sir to San Francisco where we drove through Big Sur. I mean, fate? I think so!
Finally, Zach and I just bid adieu to our first home together as the Lord blessed Zach's faithful actions of almost endless house hunting and scored us a deal! We have gone from approximately 800 sq ft to 1400 sq ft, without hardly raising our monthly rent! Boom, chocolate cake!! Man oh man He is so good! The baby will now be able to have her own room, we can accommodate people like you for when you visit our little "flowerpower" as Zach and I have been calling her (it seems only fitting as Coach Davis used to call me Flower Child.) We have found ourselves going to bed every night thanking Jesus for His blessings and provisions, and finding that our list has no end. Wherever we turn, He is waiting with anticipation. His plans for us are far better than the ones we set out for ourselves, and He is eager to watch us trust Him!
We serve an awesome God, folks!
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Me and Kenny: a verse at a time
Going home for Christmas has a way of sending me back into high school days. We are staying at Zach's house but due to the pregnancy, I am trying to walk to my parents house just about everyday for the exercise. The 3.6 mile path that takes me from mom and Dad's to Zach's parents house is covered with memories. I wore that path out so many times during our high school years... I couldn't even count the treks. Actually, its that path that may have played a huge part of when it was I fell in love with Zach. After my sophomore year of college, I totaled my car and as a result, went a whole summer with no transportation. Well, no car transportation that is. But because of this "unfortunate event," I used my free time to visit those that were in carless visitable ranges: Zach and one other family. I think I went to his house every single day for two months straight for one reason or another. I would ride my bike, jog over... One time I rode my nephew's scooter, rollerblading was another option. I mean, a girl's gotta mix it up. But this time, four and half years after that summer we fell in love, I am found walking alone... swimming in the memories of times past when all of the sudden, this little ditty came up on my shuffle:
Friday night butterflies
Like clockwork they'd arrive
A little chill and the October sky
Nervous till the kickoff game
4 quarters win or lose
Spent Saturdays black and blue
But it was what I love to do
And it was more than just a game
It was my life and it was fun
Another season of my life is done
Another race I'm glad I got to run
Another chapter of my life its over
No I'm never gonna feel like that again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Never be as young as I was then
No I'm never gonna feel like that again
Practice dancin in my garage
Two left feet and a white corsage
Daddy let me borrow the dodge
Said don't bring her home on empty
Swung by and picked up Cindy Lou
Took her to the prom for a dance or two
Then we drove down to the water blue and that's where she kissed me
It was my life and it was fun
Another season of my life is done
Another race i'm glad I got to run
Another chapter of my life its over
No i'm never gonna feel like that again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Never be as young as I was then
no i'm never gonna feel like that again
I got a call one July day
Cindy Lou was in that way
Had a big decision to make
and I couldn't take it lightly
At first I thought of leavin town
but I couldn't let our families down
now I'm out here throwin this ball around
with a boy that looks just likes me
Its my life and its sure fun
Another season of my lifes begun
Another race I'm glad I get to run
another chapter of my life I'm writin
No I'm never gonna feel like this again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Got to grab each moment that I can
Cuz I'm never gonna feel like this again
no I'm never gonna feel like this again
Nooooooooo I'm never gonna feel like this again
This was my pump my song for basketball senior year. I know, hilarious, right? But the heart wants what it wants and this first verse always did me in. My basketball season senior year wasn't much of what I anticipated it to be. A lot more crap politics, favoritism, and dishonoring decisions (that seemed to never fall my way) than there ought to have been... but the point is, it wasn't glamorous and certainly not fun most of the time. Because of the mistreatment, we'll call it, that went on that year, at the end of every game I felt black and blue both mentally and physically.
But then I would think of my dad and all of the war stories that he told of his young football career... of his shoulder and knee surgeries, of his highlighted stats, of his youthful glory- each story held so much passion. When I thought of that, I knew quitting was not an option- this was just one of those times that although miserable in the moment, would make me into who I'd become. "A story for the kids" as I would say... and it sure has rung true. My family has a way of ganging up around one another in times like this. It's very Cheaper by the Dozen of us. I remember one time my mom got so fiery mad when I was telling the stories of how one individual treated me on the team "Oh Cassi, I just don't know how you could stand it. Every time I hear these stories, I just want to.... want to... throw gravel at her face." Then there was that other time where the Coach publicly compared my value to the team as that of a spare tire to a car. If you are having a hard time reading between the lines, let me clear it up for you, the Coach believed me useless to the team. Far from a necessity. But instead of letting that get me down, my family turned it into a huge joke and for the biggest game of the season, all 9 of them showed up with a giant 15ft piece of butcher paper that had this encouraging gem written on it in letters so big they could be seen from everywhere in the gym
"She's on a roll, she's on fire, we sure love our favorite spare tire." (picture at home... I wish so badly I could have posted it)
And just like that, that dark season of my life has become a fond memory. They reminded me of why I play. I love the sport, I love the competition. I do it to reveal the glory of God and to praise Him for giving me the talents that my dad had in competitive aggression, ability, smarts, and hard work. It was for no one else, me and those that truly loved me... that was all that mattered. Kenny knew it too.
But then that season ended and I moved on with the rest of my high school days. It was now soccer season, or spring as some other call it, and that meant Prom. Senior Prom. I always delighted in being asked but with no fella on my mind, it was always up in the air if I was going to get a date. In my opinion, the goal was grand memory making and that could be accomplished with either the handsomest of boy, or my long lasting girlfriends. As Michael Scott would say, it was a "win win win" situation. But then one of the days leading up the dance, I was called out of class to go to the lunch room. I walked in to see Zach laying on the ground like a model with some of our friends behind him laying down and spelling the word "prom?" out with their bodies. He was one of my best friends and going with him was a guaranteed good time. He came by to pick me up, not in his car, but his dads. Zach drove a jeep and his family decided it was best if he used something a little less internally windy to drive me to the dance. Just as I had anticipated, we had the best time... from the ride up to the venue where we had to do an emergency pull over into Marshall's so we both could run in and avoid the bladder poisoning that was about to take place in our body... to the ridiculous poses mom made us get in for the pre game photography shoot... to the dancing the night away... and then the aftermath when his mom came up to me a week or so later to let me know that Zach's shirt smelled just like me when he came home and she did his laundry. Although she was overjoyed with telling me, I couldn't let this stand since I was wearing zero perfume and we did nothing to cause such close contact... I swear!!
But on my recent walk though, as the words came up through my headphones, I only just realized what a parallel this song has been to my life. Minus the whole Zach wanting to leave town bit. But here we are pregnant and soon to be living out the last verse. A year or two from now, Zach will very much be outside throwing, or more realistically kicking, a ball around with a boy (girl) who looks just like him! And for that, we could not be more thrilled! The anticipation of seeing those curls, just gets me ready to jump out of my skin.
Praise Jesus for his sweet blessings both now and before and even yet to come.
Friday night butterflies
Like clockwork they'd arrive
A little chill and the October sky
Nervous till the kickoff game
4 quarters win or lose
Spent Saturdays black and blue
But it was what I love to do
And it was more than just a game
It was my life and it was fun
Another season of my life is done
Another race I'm glad I got to run
Another chapter of my life its over
No I'm never gonna feel like that again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Never be as young as I was then
No I'm never gonna feel like that again
Practice dancin in my garage
Two left feet and a white corsage
Daddy let me borrow the dodge
Said don't bring her home on empty
Swung by and picked up Cindy Lou
Took her to the prom for a dance or two
Then we drove down to the water blue and that's where she kissed me
It was my life and it was fun
Another season of my life is done
Another race i'm glad I got to run
Another chapter of my life its over
No i'm never gonna feel like that again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Never be as young as I was then
no i'm never gonna feel like that again
I got a call one July day
Cindy Lou was in that way
Had a big decision to make
and I couldn't take it lightly
At first I thought of leavin town
but I couldn't let our families down
now I'm out here throwin this ball around
with a boy that looks just likes me
Its my life and its sure fun
Another season of my lifes begun
Another race I'm glad I get to run
another chapter of my life I'm writin
No I'm never gonna feel like this again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Got to grab each moment that I can
Cuz I'm never gonna feel like this again
no I'm never gonna feel like this again
Nooooooooo I'm never gonna feel like this again
This was my pump my song for basketball senior year. I know, hilarious, right? But the heart wants what it wants and this first verse always did me in. My basketball season senior year wasn't much of what I anticipated it to be. A lot more crap politics, favoritism, and dishonoring decisions (that seemed to never fall my way) than there ought to have been... but the point is, it wasn't glamorous and certainly not fun most of the time. Because of the mistreatment, we'll call it, that went on that year, at the end of every game I felt black and blue both mentally and physically.
But then I would think of my dad and all of the war stories that he told of his young football career... of his shoulder and knee surgeries, of his highlighted stats, of his youthful glory- each story held so much passion. When I thought of that, I knew quitting was not an option- this was just one of those times that although miserable in the moment, would make me into who I'd become. "A story for the kids" as I would say... and it sure has rung true. My family has a way of ganging up around one another in times like this. It's very Cheaper by the Dozen of us. I remember one time my mom got so fiery mad when I was telling the stories of how one individual treated me on the team "Oh Cassi, I just don't know how you could stand it. Every time I hear these stories, I just want to.... want to... throw gravel at her face." Then there was that other time where the Coach publicly compared my value to the team as that of a spare tire to a car. If you are having a hard time reading between the lines, let me clear it up for you, the Coach believed me useless to the team. Far from a necessity. But instead of letting that get me down, my family turned it into a huge joke and for the biggest game of the season, all 9 of them showed up with a giant 15ft piece of butcher paper that had this encouraging gem written on it in letters so big they could be seen from everywhere in the gym
"She's on a roll, she's on fire, we sure love our favorite spare tire." (picture at home... I wish so badly I could have posted it)
And just like that, that dark season of my life has become a fond memory. They reminded me of why I play. I love the sport, I love the competition. I do it to reveal the glory of God and to praise Him for giving me the talents that my dad had in competitive aggression, ability, smarts, and hard work. It was for no one else, me and those that truly loved me... that was all that mattered. Kenny knew it too.
But then that season ended and I moved on with the rest of my high school days. It was now soccer season, or spring as some other call it, and that meant Prom. Senior Prom. I always delighted in being asked but with no fella on my mind, it was always up in the air if I was going to get a date. In my opinion, the goal was grand memory making and that could be accomplished with either the handsomest of boy, or my long lasting girlfriends. As Michael Scott would say, it was a "win win win" situation. But then one of the days leading up the dance, I was called out of class to go to the lunch room. I walked in to see Zach laying on the ground like a model with some of our friends behind him laying down and spelling the word "prom?" out with their bodies. He was one of my best friends and going with him was a guaranteed good time. He came by to pick me up, not in his car, but his dads. Zach drove a jeep and his family decided it was best if he used something a little less internally windy to drive me to the dance. Just as I had anticipated, we had the best time... from the ride up to the venue where we had to do an emergency pull over into Marshall's so we both could run in and avoid the bladder poisoning that was about to take place in our body... to the ridiculous poses mom made us get in for the pre game photography shoot... to the dancing the night away... and then the aftermath when his mom came up to me a week or so later to let me know that Zach's shirt smelled just like me when he came home and she did his laundry. Although she was overjoyed with telling me, I couldn't let this stand since I was wearing zero perfume and we did nothing to cause such close contact... I swear!!
But on my recent walk though, as the words came up through my headphones, I only just realized what a parallel this song has been to my life. Minus the whole Zach wanting to leave town bit. But here we are pregnant and soon to be living out the last verse. A year or two from now, Zach will very much be outside throwing, or more realistically kicking, a ball around with a boy (girl) who looks just like him! And for that, we could not be more thrilled! The anticipation of seeing those curls, just gets me ready to jump out of my skin.
Praise Jesus for his sweet blessings both now and before and even yet to come.
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