Bliss

So I won this contest on Laura’s blog to try a free pint of Coconut Bliss. Its a gluten, dairy, soy free ice cream. Tonight I took my coupon into Fred Meyers and redeemed it for my free pint. I was a bit discouraged to find that my only two options were Naked and Dark Chocolate, and seeing that I am not much of a Chocolate fan, I opted for the Naked.

We ate it in the car, my two aunts, Grammy and I (with spoons we took from the deli) and we enjoyed it very much. I am not a huge fan of the texture of coconut, though I love the flavor. This straight up coconut taste reminded me very much of being in Thailand and drinking Coconut Milk Shakes. (Not too ironic seeing that the farm Luna and Larry purchase their coconuts from is in Thailand!)

I am a big fan of the after affect it had on me …NOTHING! About three years ago I gave up milk and found my asthma to almost disappear. Ice Cream has always been my favoritist of things … but after I got use to not having the dairy, my body stopped craving ice cream … but my mouth did not! I had no flem, no problem breathing, no stomach ach! I will be going to the store very soon (this time I will take the drive out to Whole Foods) So that I can try the Cappuccino! I recommend this product to anyone.

Territory

Isn’t it funny how territorial we are? We claim our space, and we own it, and our right to it, and we feel the need to protect it … and are in a way, prideful of it.

At work, (my janitorial job) I have been there around six months. I am pretty shy and keep to myself there, because the other employees had been there a while. It was their territory. Then, some people were fired and a new girl came in and I had to train her … and all of a sudden I was full of confidence, because this was my territory, I knew it better than her.

About this same time I was volunteering at a big event downtown and I once again was pretty shy my first shift, doing what others told me to do. When I returned the next day, I was recognized as being there before and I was trusted with some stuff, and as I stood my post, I was shy … until I found out the lady I was working with was new, and I knew something she did not, and I filled her in, and I noticed myself kicking into a new gear, pride popping out; my territory.

Then, it came out once more that week. I went to a worship event at school. A girl came up and introduced herself to me and asked if I was new. I had a bit of an attitude and responded with a tisk “NO, I am a sophomore.” And with that, she walked away. “Geesh, Those seminary students don’t know us at all.” I sat to Angela. Then as the night progressed, I come to find out that Wendy, the girl who introduced herself to me, was an incoming freshman next year and knew noone there … and that was her first association with Multnomah Students. I felt terrible! Luckily, I was able to talk it over with her afterwards and explain and ask forgiveness for my attitude. She thought it was pretty funny that I misplaced her, a just graduated high school student, for a married seminary student!

All of this has really look at this whole territory thing. I don’t like it. I think we should be treating people and acting the same, no matter our “turf ground.” This is going to be really hard to do, especially with the sinful pride nature we hold. But thanks to my embarrassing run in with Wendy, I am going to be checking my heart much faster.

“May the words of my mouth, and the thoughts of my heart, be pleasing to you Oh Lord.” –Psalm 19:14

My Sister

"Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling." -Pam Brown ( Borrowed quote off Katy's blog)

Today is my sisters birthday. I am sad that I can not be with her. I remember summers and all the different places we were during her birthday (Sunriver, Creation, Beach, Camping...) I sure loved it when we had parties and all her friends would come over and I would get to run around pretending in my mind to be so much older than I really was.

My sister is one of my most favorite people in the world, and it aches my heart that we live a whole state away. As a little girl, I imitated her every move; I find now, still trying to imitate her. She is my little big sister, I surpassed her in size and height when I was 11 ... but she never lost her influence on me. The nine years that separates us now is not as obvious as it once was, oh and how much I take joy in that! For so long I strived and strived to be older than I was to "catch up." It was not until this Thanksgiving that I realized, we would always be nine years apart, but we would continue to get closer the more things we had in common, the more I matured, the more we both grew deeper in the Lord.

I know so much of her. Such a large part of my life, I sat just listening. I would hide under the bed and listen to her talk, or write out loud, or be on the phone, or chat with Cameo ... until I got my hair caught in the springs and started crying. I would hide under the desk, and listen. I would be allowed to go on car rides, and to friends houses, as long as I didn't complain. And I desired to be around her so much, I would go, even if it meant being a 11 year old, listening to 20 year olds discussing religion and politics at Sherri's at 11 at night. I would lay in hall way and listen to her late night conversations with Dad about the Bible. For a few years, I use to just go sit outside her door when I could not sleep at night. I would listen to Six Pence none the Richer and look with my one eye under the door at the flickering candle lights. I sat as she told me about this "David". I have listened as she told me childbirth, and post childbirth. And of being a mom, and a wife. And when she told me to go to college, I listened, I went, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Harmony, I love listening to you. I love calling you and letting you talk, rant, rave, ramble and repeat yourself. I am sorry if I don't offer more of me, I am not trying to hold back, I just love listening to you so much! It's ... what I have always done, even if you didn't know it. I love the Mama you are, and the wife you are, and the words you write ... reading them is like listening to you, because I can hear your voice. I love watching old movies with you, and discussing the language of quality literature. I feel so proud to have an older sister, one I have a relationship with, one I desire to be with, one I opt to be like. I share you (and your blog!) with everyone. I love that I have a sister, and I love even more that that sister is you! 

Happy Birthday.  

All on a Saturday night

This weekend was Celina and Barry's Wedding. It was small, simple, and sincere. The sun came out so our rain boots didn't have to. It was complete with Pedicures, shopping, German food and balloons. Welcome to the World Mr. and Mrs. Nix!

Saturday Night, we had a bon fire out at the RV park Barrys family was staying at in Woodland, Washington. A gorgeous sunseted, chilly night. Then, as the boys set up the fireworks, an elderly woman shuffled over to the ledge and shouted "you cant do that. It scares my little dog." A few choice words were exchanged between the group and the woman. "Well," she concluded. "I already told on you to the park ranger and here she comes now." Sure enough the sound of a golf cart on gravel geared up in our ears.

"You can not do fireworks until tomorrow. You can not go off the property and do them, if you do them anywhere where I can see them I will kick you out of the park." So, the fireworks went away, and with much urging from the peace wanting mother, words were kept inside. Mandy and I just looked at each other. We rode in the just married car and got some good looks from passerby's and we watched some grown people dramatically act as though they were 13.

On the way home, Mandy and I shared every memory we had of our Grandma Ziebart. Then there was a bridge lift. Once the traffic started moving, one car remained still in the right lane as two people frantically squirmed around in their hot little convertible mustang. It looked like they were trying to put clothes back on. Hmmmm. Then, not 70 feet later, a man in the shoulder of the right hand side of the road was dancing ... Nude. I just looked at Mandy and said "What on earth is going on tonight?!" We agreed that the evening had been nothing short of a dream.

The next morning as I gave my aunt Jan the long version of the weekend, she said "are you sure that was real? Perhaps you dreamed it all."

Yes, that's it. I think I dreamed it all. There was no crabby lady saying we could not do fireworks. There were no adolescent teenagers. No couple in the convertible. No nude man dancing. Just a normal Saturday night.

Family

The Ziebart Family. This was the family we spent holidays with and always squirmed to leave early so not to be too late to Mom’s side of the family. (Mom’s side) The side of the family with the cousins we loved and the aunts we adored. The Ziebart family was loud and shocking and slightly uncomfortable. Harmony says it well in that she must prepare herself whenever a gathering comes about, and I wholeheartedly agree. It’s not that this family is bad, I love them all dearly, they are family. And the discussions are always ok, as long as you don’t get anyone started on politics, religion, sports, health or investments. Stick to Construction.

I love my Grandpa, afterall, he is the only Grandpa I have. Bryan and I were good friends, when we were little seeing that we went to pre-school together and all. Ben’s long hair mezmorized me, Uncle Norman scared me, Aunt Patty shushed me. We gathered at holidays … but that was it. Though we all mostly lived in the same city, we did not hang out. I don’t really know why.

So a few years ago Mandy got married and had me help with the gifts at her wedding, then I caught the boquet! I was enamored with her. Nick and Mandy moved back to the area a few years later and invited me to Portland, to their Bible Study. It was so out of my comfort zone, but out of lack of excuses and a deep desire for something new, I went. I started to get a small glimpse of their lives. School brought me here, and now I spend more time with them then pretty much anyone else.

Harmony asked me about a week ago if Mandy and I were friends. I laughed, sighed and responded in an email that yes indeed, Mandy, my Ziebart Cousin and I were friends. How mysterous our God is. This cousin that I have so many connections with, is now a deep part of my life. I am trusted with her kids and her kitchen. And I delight in being with her. Her devotion to God, her respect for her husband, her patience with neighbors, and her joy of being a mom - these things speak rivers to my soul. How thankful I am that the Lord closed doors on a job for me this summer. Mandy, if only you knew what joy it is to serve with you.

Freedom in Grace

Oh to be free. To live in your grace.

To look upon your ever loving face.

What holds us back and keeps tight the chain?

Our insecure fears, and easily distracted ears.

Oh the strength of whispering your all – powerful name.

To be free. To live in your grace.

To look upon your ever loving face.

Pay Up

“Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them.” –Galations 6:6

Well Mr. Bible School … this is proving true. I don’t really know how I am paying for it, but there is no spending cap on the knowledge I am receiving under the study of my teachers.