Benjamin's Graduation

 

Graduation weekend at JBU kicked off with Hannah receiving an award from the Biblical languages department

and Benjamin playing the organ for the opening hymn at Baccalaureate. 

These two have used their God given smarts and talents well during their time spent completing their undergrad degrees.

But they have invested well in people, too.

In singing in Cathedral Choir and building beautiful relationships and exercising leadership. (Side note: Olivia was thrilled that she got to stand by her brother for the choir's last performance.  Made me happy, too!)

They maintained long distance relationships, 

they nurtured their own relationship,

they welcomed relationships that fell into the "iron sharpens iron" category.

We're grateful for the roommates

and the professors

and the families in the community

and the extended family who have all poured into these guys during their four years in Siloam Springs.  Watching God work always encourages me.

Making Memories

 "To me, making fun strong memories are some of the best ways to partner with the pain you feel and give it purpose.  Fun is never meant to replace pain, or better said, fun will never replace pain.  But fun can walk alongside it.  You can hold them both and see what happens when they dance together."  ~Annie F. Downs, "That Sounds Fun"

As April rolled into May, we continued to build "fun strong memories".  Toad Suck Daze was in full swing again this year after a break for COVID, and we walked to the celebration intent on sampling the fried Oreos.  They did not disappoint. 

The peonies that my mother lovingly planted in anticipation of our return to Arkansas last spring finally showed off their gorgeous, full blooms.  I love watching the seasons roll around and proclaim God's faithfulness.

We continued to "bike and breakfast" with my dad on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

My raised beds were finally filled.  Katherine and I really look forward to watching things grow and hopefully eating the results!

Celebrating birthdays and the incredible people God made always makes me smile.  Especially when it's eighty-four years of life.

April Showers of Joy

 "I think when we go looking for fun what we are actually looking for is home." 

 ~Annie F. Downs, "That Sounds Fun"

Sarah got me this book for Christmas, but I put it on my bookshelf and forgot about it.  The lovely April mornings with more light on the porch reminded me that I needed to pull it out and enjoy the accompanying symphony of morning birdsong.

"Knowing what sounds fun to you is about more than just filling your time and having an answer to a question at a party (or the end of a podcast interview).  To know what sounds fun to you, what uniquely brings a level of joy and peace and simple rest to your heart, is what reminds you that God's journey for your life includes glimpses of Eden that show up in smile lines on your face and laughter that sounds just like you and art made from your unique spot on this planet."

April was full of things that brought joy and rest and peace to my heart.  Katherine and I joined several other family members to celebrate Samuel and Maia's new baby.  The farmers market opened again, and I enjoyed seeing familiar faces while purchasing beautiful local produce.

I'm learning that my tummy doesn't do well with cow's milk, so when I saw this ice cream on sale, I snagged a container to try.  The family wasn't thrilled about the strong goat flavor, but it was a fun adventure eating experience.

Strawberries were beautiful this year, especially because we shared the picking with our friends, the Watts.  Time with them is always sweet.

Katherine's youth orchestra performed for some donors, so she hopped on a tour bus and spent the afternoon making music, I introduced Aaron to the Big Orange.  I think hamburgers are more special and taste WAY better when you haven't had one in a very long time.  And the milkshakes...woah.

When Aaron replaced the ceiling fans in one of the bedrooms, he uncovered yet another beautiful wallpaper, except this time it was a ceiling paper.  We didn't take the time to explore, but the colorful design made me smile, and one day I will dig around some more!

Easter Revisited

We don't get all of Meat Cheato together very often anymore, which makes sense as we continue to spread out and pursue the amazing things God has prepared.  

But Easter weekend we did manage to squeeze in a couple of days together (plus one friend whose family lives overseas) to celebrate the resurrection.  We made Hot Cross Buns.

Hannah and I hit the gym together.

Sarah made her traditional coconut cake and served it on my great-grandmother's cake stand.

We laughed, drank coffee, and played cards.

We sang Lotti's Crucifixus, which Aaron and I sang with our college choir in cathedrals across Europe.

We mixed up some Resurrection Cookies,

and sealed the oven tomb with "Keep Out" & "This Means You, Peter!".

We took walks around the neighborhood and admired the dogwoods.

We laughed some more as we took pictures before church.

And we reveled in the fact that we could celebrate Christ's victory with nearby family.

Lent in the rear view mirror

"Looking to creation to do what it was not meant to do will not only disappoint us, it will enslave us.  Idols never just disappoint us; they addict us as well.  Because the buzz of joy that creation gives is so short, we have to go back again and again, and soon we're convinced we cannot live without the next hit.  What we tightly hold onto takes hold of us, now commanding of us what only God should ever command: our hearts.  And what holds our hearts will dictate our words and behavior."

~Paul David Tripp, "Journey to the Cross"

I struggle with "looking to creation to do what is was not meant to do".  God has given us a plethora of good things to enjoy here!  And I easily morph each of them into idols.  During Lent, I soaked up Tripp's forty day devotional.  The book helped me keep Christ in my mind and heart.

  Because "what holds our hearts will dictate our words and behavior".  

April was full of beautiful gifts.  Our apple tree preparing to push out new leaves, Katherine discovering that she could make art from Jolly Ranchers.

Coffee and Calendar dates while Katherine attended youth orchestra rehearsal.  

Dogwoods blooming in all their glory.

Tulips popped up with colorful abandon.

We added Hertz the turtle to our family.

Speaking of family...I got to spend a wee bit of time with my sister, Rachel.  Mom took us to the Central Arkansas Library System used bookstore, the perfect place for avid readers like us.

And now that the evenings are lovely again, we're taking advantage of the opportunity to share meals outside with family while we enjoy watching God's lightshow.

 

Friday Favorite Five

 Cue the music..."What e'er my God Ordains is Right".  I need this on repeat every day.

1) My new calendar.  I've been using Day Designer's Academic Planner for several years now, and it's still a good fit for me.  Of course, the first thing I wrote down was the biggest event of the year for us...Benjamin and Hannah's wedding.

2) Same Page Summer.  A reading plan for the summer months that takes you through the New Testament and the Psalms.  It's not too late to jump in and join me!

3) Ello glass storage containers. Pretty and functional, my favorite combination.

4) I don't wear a lot of shorts, but this denim pair caught my eye as part of the perfect outfit for reaching in the raised beds for planting and weeding.  So I purchased a pair for me and a pair for Katherine, and we both love the fit as well as the length.

5) We recently discovered this delicious black bean pasta from The Only Bean.  It's a win for consistency, taste, and protein content.  We love their edamame pasta, too!