Chocolat

Wednesday at work I REALLY wanted/needed some chocolate. How does this happen? I had an amazing lunch. It was well balanced, healthy, delicious, plenty. Yet, somehow, an hour later I was just about to bust without chocolate. The receptionist ended up offering me some. Ghiradelli dark chocolate truffle. Oh man, did it hit the spot. It really was just what I needed. The next day I decided to tell her how much I had needed it and appreciated her sharing. So, I told her how I was sitting at my desk and I didn't just want chocolate. Everything in my entire being NEEDED it. I couldn't remember if I prayed for some or just hoped someone would bring me some (it happens sometimes). So, I had just walked out to the front desk and stood there. I didn't say anything. I wasn't pouting or anything. I just stood there. She had no idea. Next thing I knew she mentioned needing a treat. My eyes lit up and I said, "me too!" She said "do you want any chocolate?" My face lit up and with wide eyes I said, "YES!!!" The thing that amazes me about the whole story is that every woman I have told the story to (ok only 3) all knew exactly what I was talking about. I figured they would think I was being dramatic. But, the all knew. Crazy, huh??

Leslie's Wedding

Every day I was in California I woke up an hour later. So, the first day it was 4:30. The second day, 5:30. Friday 6:30. Saturday 7:30. Needless, to say, I was tired. So, I really just needed to get to Santa Barbara. I was off to a later start than planned anyway Saturday morning. All dressed up with a plan to hit In and Out for a burger on the way so I could fit that in since it was on my make believe list. As you know, that didn't happen due to traffic. As I have already said, Santa Barbara is GORGEOUS and the wedding was beautiful. I was so glad I went:). Enjoy the pics!

And, I told her you said "Congratulations!"

Laguna

Beautiful Laguna...

Oh, I did get to drive PCH (Pacific Coastal Highway) while I was in Laguna. That was fun. My radio station wasn't working at the time, but I found an oldies station I was enjoying. I had planned to drive the PCH to Santa Barbara on Saturday, but decided against it. So, I am really glad I got to experience at least a small portion of it. I did turn around on a street that reminded me of being in the islands. It was a super steep hill. So fun!

Holla!!

Okay, so have I told you about my experience at the adorable french Cafe in San Diego? It is called Cafe 21.

I had already walked up and down 5th St. I moved my car to a 2h parking area to have more time to enjoy the scenery. It was a gorgeous day and a bit cool out. I was actually wearing my bathing suit with a cover up dress and my yellow hoodie. It's a bit short for a dress, I guess, but perfect for a cover up. Super comfy. I remember thinking if I ever came back to San Diego it would be fun to go to one of the restaurants. Plus, the food looked AMAZING. I had packed a lunch. I had already eaten the other half of my Trader Joe's salad from the day before with plans to eat an orange and other snacks I had packed in a little bit. Then, I decided to just stop at the cafe and order something. I could get some water, sit down and journal, and use the restroom while I was at it. So, I was looking at a menu outside when the waiter came up. He might have been gay? Or maybe just french;) His greeting: "Holla!!!" Ha! I will have to impersonate him when I see you next week:) "Well, don't strangle your neck, take a look at that menu." Me: Smile. "I already know I want to eat here. May I sit outside?" Sure! I decided to order a crepe even though it was $11. It sounded amazing and I figured I would splurge since I was on vacation. I couldn't decide between the spinach and the turkey. I really wanted meat. I asked the waitress (also french) who offered to put spinach in my turkey crepe. Thanks! Fresh turkey, fresh pineapple, fresh mozerella, fresh spinach, topped with powdered sugar. And, to my surprise, THIS is what was presented to me...

Not one, but THREE, delicous crepes. I ate two out of three. When she asked how it was, I answered: Amazing!! If you are ever in San Diego, you absolutely must go there. Cafe 21 on 5th Street! It was a lovely afternoon. If I had more time I would have hit Balboa Park on my way out. Really, I think you need the whole day for that. Might be expensive anyway. Enjoy a few more pics of San Diego. I was learning the camera, so I do apologize....

I bought some souvenir chocolates from the Ghiradelli store. So much fun picking through so many different flavors.

Perfect Provisions

God provided so abundantly for me during my trip to California. Many times I didn't even know I had a need when He provided, or the extent of my need. Sometimes it was just plain comical to me. I will do my best to recall the MANY provisions...

1. My cold (or allergies) got better instead of worse on the plane and through the airports.

2. I got a flight even though she said there were no more.

3. I got another flight once I got to DFT even though many people got bumped. Not sure how that works.

4. The lady next to me on my first flight lived in the Dallas area, so she gave me a description of how to maneuver the airport with it's train system and many gates. Not sure if I would have made it, or might have missed supper.

5. I didn't have to drive in rush hour traffic afterall since it was so late. To be honest, it's a wonder I didn't wreck with that car talking to me and driving in 6 lanes wanting to look around.

6. John got off early on Wednesday so we got to go to the baseball game. That was so much fun.

7. We found a parking spot near the Chinese whatever you call it Theatre and parking across the street was $10.

8. Bathroom at Starbucks:)

9. Mercy from the man at the gas station in San Diego who told me they don't have a bathroom but let me use their's when I asked a second time explaining that I didn't know where I was.

10. Finding the historic district simply by just driving to it. Then, I realized I didn't have any more change on me (drawbacks of not having a purse on hand or your own car) when I was paying the meter. I put in all my silver which amounted to 22 minutes instead of the 2 hours I was hoping for. Mmm. I was wondering what to do when a man pulled up behind me in his car. I asked, "scuse, me, do you happen to have change?" He joked if I wanted change for a $20? I asked for $1. When he whipped out a whole roll of quarters I changed my request to $2. His boss has sent him with the roll of quarters since he was going to San Diego. Impeccable timing!

11. I had literally just enough money to pay for toll roads. Actually, I was either a dollar or quarter short and she let me go through. I didn't feel bad the previous toll had eaten one of my dollars.

12. So, I forgot to eat supper that night and didn't realize until John and I were going to get beer (me a Corona, him whatever he got). Two provisions there- he drove cause I thought we were walking (ended up driving 15 min away so we were actually in Corona and not Eastvale) AND they brought us focaccia bread, which I am sure really helped me with the beer even though I still "felt it" drinking only half on an empty stomach. Oh, and beer happened to be half off (which is good cause I forgot how expensive it can be).

13. John gave me his camera so I could pictures at the wedding. I am so glad for those pictures.

14. A few hours to myself at Long Beach was a good transition. It was perfect to stay with Dianne as she helped me with my dress. I needed help:).

15. Good thing I left early for the wedding because traffic was so bad I would have been late. This brings me to another provision. I really didn't encounter traffic except for this day. That is amazing considering I was aimlessly wondering over Southern California at all times of the day/night.

16. God provided fellowship at the wedding through the pastor who gave the homily (his wife is a midwife) and Sean, Ashley, Liz, and those at the Jax table.

17. Got me to the car rental place even though my GPS did not.

There may have been more... beauty, radio stations, blessings. It really was wonderful. Wish it could have been longer.

Following the Sun

So, I've been meaning to write about my trip to California and just haven't gotten to it yet. I would have loved to have had a post for each day, but that's not gonna happen. In summary, it was exhausting, a lot of fun, wonderful, and of course, beautiful. I'm so glad that I went. You already know how crazy my travels were. Well, actually, I don't know that anyone really does know, but IT WAS CRAZY. Four hours waiting in Jax HOPING I would even get the flight, 1.5 h in the runway waiting to take off, two flights rescheduled, got cut in line waiting to pick up my boarding pass in DTW while my flight was boarding while a well to-do German flying 1st class made sure he would get a seat that reclined in his flight TWO HOURS LATER, unable to reach Payless (car rental) to inform them of my delay, unable to reach Payless once I actually arrived in Santa Ana, waiting over 40 minutes for the free shuttle to take me to the car rental place, finding out the car is in fact the only one I didn't want b/c it has a large blind spot and even worse... NO CD player!!- miss cheapskate seriously considered a different car and had to talk herself into just driving away, and about half way to John's house my CAR STARTED TALKING TO ME...NONSTOP. Did I mention I was driving in 6 lane traffic? I was. I counted... out loud:). My GPS who usually drives me crazy talking too much and too loud wasn't talking to me but my car was. I am thinking about my GPS- I hope you are working. People ask me what my car was saying. I can't remember. She was asking me what I wanted her to do and giving many suggestions on how to tell her a command. "Be quiet", "shut up", "off", and "please stop talking... that's all I want you to do is please stop talking" did not work, by the way. I was STRESSED. It made me realize how fortunate I am to be able to maintain my calm in stressful situations at work and birth because I felt like I was gonna lose it. Boy, was I ever so glad to get to John's house. It was SOOO good to see him and his family is really nice. My favorites there were the open window in my room, the sounds of a cow mooing through the open window- LOVED it!, and their dog, Daisy- she is one of two dogs I can't help but give a hug too. Can you guess who the other one is?

I figured I would just sleep in til noon since not only were my travels exhausting, but the entire two months before with very little sleep. Birth after birth after birth. Plus, I am used to sleeping at odd hours due to my work. Nope. It took me a while to fall asleep after the busy day and then I woke up at 4:30 and NEVER went back to sleep. This makes me realize how much grace God gives me to sleep at all sorts of hours most of the time. I went running and swimming in the morning and made my first outing on my own to Trader Joe's:). Then, we went to an Angels baseball game in the afternoon. Thai food and visiting the Chinese theatre where all the stars put their hand and footprints. Some of the stars... John Wayne, John Travolta, Bing Crosby!, Marilyn Monroe, Sean Connery, Cher, Matt Damon, many, many more. SO cool. So fun. Next day trip to San Diego and Laguna on the way home. Got a Corona in Corona. Long Beach Friday- so good to see Diane. The Queen Mary was a real treat. Fish tacos at a little hole in the wall near her house. Watched The Mask with she and her husband who I really like, by the way.

Dressed up for the wedding and ready to head out to Santa Barbara. I was planning to stop for an In and Out burger on the way. But, traffic was too bad. Believe it or not, this was the only real traffic I experienced. I had wanted to take the coastal highway down but decided against it. Not sure if that would have been better, probably not. Good thing I packed a protein bar cause that is all there was to eat. Too bad I forgot to refill my water bottle. I was SO thirsty. Finally, made it there 40 min before wedding instead of a couple of hours to explore. Oh, Santa Baraba is as beautiful as everyone says, by the way. I stopped to get gas (really to go to the bathroom), but once again they didn't HAVE a bathroom. Seriously? So, I would just wait. I also needed water. So, I went to the fanciest pharmacy I've stepped foot into. I was glad to be all dressed up because I felt like one needed to be wearing a floor length dress and high heels to be in any store around there. Nailed the water. The wedding was BEAUTIFUL. It was really special to be there, an honor really. The worship was wonderful, it was good to eat!, good fellowship, many laughs (her family gave many toasts and are hilarious), and simply a joy to experience the fruit of God's fulfillment in both of their lives. Worth it:). Even the drive back was lovely.

Skipped out on Greg Laurie or any church (I knew as I drove to Long Beach that was not a good idea). My trusty GPS could not find the address for the car rental place even though it is a main street off a major hwy (Hwy 55 in case you want to know). Everyone at home was in church. It was a little early in CA. I tried a couple of people to no avail. I just set my GPS for Coasta Mesa and started driving. I pulled over a couple of times to pray and investigate options. Mmm- I knew God could get me there but I had no sense of direction. Finally, got a hold of Ashley F who mapquested it for me. That helped. I wasn't far. Rest of my travels- SUPER smooth!! And, the Lord provided my first non-crazy week back which was JUST wheat I needed to recooperate. More to follow with some pics!

Going to the Chapel

Church rocked!! (As usual). So, after almost a year of meeting in the Methodist church's chapel (at 8:30 a.m!!) and then temporarily meeting at Calvary's old building, we are back in the chapel! I am so sad to have missed last's week first Sunday back. I heard it was amazing and the Holy Spirit so present. But, today was my first day back and it is so good to be there. The fun part about praying with the intercessors is getting to see the fruit of many, many prayers over many weeks. It makes ordinary things glorious and it is a pure joy! We had been given rocks before the move to represent God's movement and provision. We were to save them and bring them last Sunday. Well, not being around, I still have mine- which I only recently found. As I walked up to communion I wondered if I should bring mine in still even though it is too late. Then, I thought probably not. I could always keep it as a souvenir. I kind of wanted to keep it. Then, He reminded me how when we let go of things dear to us that it is in order to gain more of His life and He gives so abundantly. He took my fear from needing to hang onto this wonderful, amazing little church (I am talking of the people, not the building though it is adorable) that I love so much.

...All I want to do is lost myself in You. Lean back in Your arms and just let go. Let it be to me according to Your Word. Your ways are higher than mine... I want to know You. I want to hear Your voice. I want to know you more. I want to touch You. I want to see Your face. I want to know You more...

Mr. Robbie gave me a hug on his way back from communion. Thea squeezed my arm. After church little Harrison (2) stopped playing with his friends and ran across the yard to give me a bear hug and say hi and then went back to playing. So excited about the Beth Moore study to begin tomorrow. That also is a joy as it has been in our hearts for two years now to be in a bible study. After church I was talking to Thea who very well may be moving soon. I shared with her the story about the rock and letting go and we both got chills and hugged. I told her how it is really a blessing to love where you are so much that you don't want to leave when God calls you to the next place. I told her that is the story of my life and I am blessed by getting to know and love so many who are dear to me. Then, I told her how neat I think it is how every place I have been God has always provided a single, female friend who is my age though whatever age I am always seems unusual. Few more conversations. Then, David walked me over to show me the new office building, which is a mobile building. Little Chess showed me the monkey in the yard (stuffed animal) that you can see out of David's window. We are hoping to get electricity this week and be able to unpack so we can use it! I can't wait for you to visit and go to a service with me in the chapel. I love my church so much. I am so filled with joy by all that God is doing (they are such small and simple things that are so wonderful because they are His). Incredibly blessed!

The Voice of the Lord

My mind kept returning to the Voice of the Lord as I readied myself for my recent travels to California. He was reminding me how his voice is powerful and when He speaks things happen. He also ministered to my heart through his words in Hebrews about when we hear his voice not to harden our hearts. He says that three times in one or two chapters. I pondered these words throughout the week thoroughly enjoying the truth and comfort of these words. My prayers... May it be as You have spoken...

But, the reason for this blog post is to tell the story of Grace's birth. I know I told you recently, but it is one of many I should write down. So, in honor of Grace for her fourth birthday, here goes. First, I have to tell about my excitement when Frederick called to tell me they were having a baby. I was in my duplex living room in Gainesville during my second year of midwifery school. I think I said, "oh my gosh" 15 times. I just couldn't stop saying that and how happy I was for them. I was overjoyed. We didn't know if the baby was a boy or girl. Susie was a scheduled cesarean for the end of June. I was planning to be home the week of the proposed birth (if I remember correctly or at least the next week). But, the Lord had his own plans. It was the only night in all of midwifery school once being on call (after my two in a row missed calls incidence) that I had ever turned my phone on silent. We had our first pharmacology exam the next day and I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked to have been. I wanted a good night's sleep.

So, when I woke up at 7 a.m. I was surprised to see a missed call. It was Mom and she was calling to tell me that Susie's water had broken. I was sleepy and hadn't done the math but I got really nervous because even though I didn't know how many weeks she was, I knew she was early. And, I knew the risks involved. I immediately was concerned. My bible was sitting next to my bed so I picked it up. I opened immediately to Psalm 29 and there I read how the voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth. Immediately His peace came over me and I knew that He was the one responsible for this. It was no mistake. I felt safe on behalf of my precious family. I wasn't sure what I should do. I decided to get ready to go to school- took a shower, ate a healthy breakfast, got dressed. I had been praying here and there. As I blow dried my hair I started singing out loud "You are my hiding place. You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance whenever I am afraid. I will trust in You. I will trust in You. Let the weak say I am strong in the strength of the Lord. I will trust in You." I was singing as a prayer on behalf of Susie and this child, a song of protection over them. As I sang out loud, I got chills all over my body, even on my face. I finished the song and blow drying my hair and walked to school.

We got to school and everyone in the class had some sort of crisis going on. So, Kristin and I prayed together as we often did. We would just join hands and pray out loud in front of whoever was around, which happened to be our pharmacology teacher... who happened to have forgotten that we had an exam that day. Talk about provision! She NEVER did that. She was a tough cookie. We couldn't believe it. Our teacher joked with us to watch what we prayed for. We assured her we only prayed for provision, nothing against her:). So, I went to the other room to call either Mom or Frederick to tell them they could call whenever they wanted since I had asked them to please wait until after my exam. (I knew I would be a wreck if I got bad news). When I called, they said it was a girl and her name was Grace Elaine Schaffer. Both she and Susie were doing okay. I was SO happy. It was crazy to hear her name for the first time and know she was a girl. It was even crazier seeing her sweet picture and how much she looked like us. I love His hand in that story and knowing His presence in her birth. This is my favorite part of birth- His hand in His creation, in His provision. His timing. His ways. His GLORY. The Voice of the Lord spoke this earth into being. He speaks the hour of birth. He speaks the ordering of our lives into being. The Voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord is majestic!