"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:10-13

Patience has never been a trait that has come easily to me. I have always wanted to run before I could walk. In high school I could not be happy waiting for God to bring the right man into my life. In college, when I finally had met the right guy, I could not wait to get married. Now married, I am having a hard time waiting for a house, kids and the ideal work situations for both my husband and myself.

Paul says that he learned to be content in any and every situation. Huh?? Seriously, statements like that make me question the humanity of Paul. Who can be content in everything? I don't get it. Even less so would I be able to accomplish this kind of attitude change.

I am truly thankful for all that I have. I have a warm apartment to come home to each night. I have wonderful friends and family. I have the love of a good man. And I've been blessed to share in a marriage with him. I have enough food to eat. And enough money to pay the bills. But in the very same breath, I whine about how the apartment is not a house that I own. That the my family is lacking for little babies. That the money in the bank will never be enough to allow me to become a stay at home mom. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?? That I would shove back into the hands of God the gifts His Son has paid for?

My head says, "You're human." As if my humanity excuses me from gratefulness.
But the truth of it all is that I'm not 'human.' I am a new creation, reconciled to God, through Christ. I am God's ambassador. I am the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

Because of Him, I am so much more. I should start to act like it. And start to live with an attitude to thankfulness.

I'm sure I've mentioned before that one of the blogs I follow is That Wife. As part of the series she has been posting to this week, celebrating 10,000 reader comments (seriously can't imagine reading them all, which she does), she has graciously thanked all of us who have commented over 100 times. Of which I'm one. And as token of thanks has created a give-away which requires readers to visit our blogs and comment. So if the only reason you're reading this is to win an amazingly cute ring.....WELCOME!

I started this blog over 5 years ago, when my family had just moved back to the states from Japan. Still in college, my earlier posts are all about tests, long distance dating, and have their full share of sappiness and/or rants! Fast-forward to now, I'm still trying to find a voice. I still write about the day-to-day. I still rant about how I want to quit my job, buy a house, have babies and be a stay at home mom. Until then, I'm enjoying life in the big city with my husband (same long distance relationship guy from college). I work in finance, as I'm sure will be evident in no time at all (let's just say posting is light during the monthly financial close). I'm an avid reader and scrapbooker. I have a passion for Europe (where I grew up) and look forward to the day that I can return.

So again, if you're new here, welcome! If you're old and smelly, thanks for sticking with me this long.

The following is a post I began writing and have only just finished, due to being dreadfully ill. Well perhaps not dreadfully, but pretty darn icky. I'm still trying to catch up, so I'll hopefully be posting more in the coming days.

I caved.

 

It’s November 4^nd and I have dusted off the Christmas playlist on my iPod. It’s gotten me thinking about baking cookies, watching festive movies, and decorating our apartment with twinkly lights. I’ve always preferred religious carols to the secular ones. But the one that always makes touches me is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

 

When asked where I’m from, I usually answer Maryland. It’s just easier. In actuality, I’m from everywhere. Home is a farm in Pennsylvania; the suburbs of Washington DC; Vienna, Austria; Frankfurt, Germany; Yokosuka, Japan; and currently bustling Philadelphia. My family traditions are so much more than traditions. They were what linked each Christmas to the next, no matter where in the world our family found itself. Even now, Christmas is always a nostalgic season. Something always seems missing. Perhaps it’s why I find the lyrics to “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” so poignant.

"Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I’ll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams."

No matter where I find myself, Christmas is always different but always the same. The same songs, same ornaments, same cookies, even if the city is different and the people around me aren’t all the same faces.

 

For some reason I am really missing having Christmas at “home” with my parents. Nights where we would turn off all the lights in the house, except the tree, turn on Christmas music (Bing Crosby or Perry Como) and just sing and stare at the tree. I really wish I had a bigger kitchen so I could have female relatives over to bake our traditional family cookies. There is something in me that is saying this is the last year before major changes. Perhaps I’m just getting older and am more aware of how fragile and fleeting our lives on earth are.

 

Something else I’ve been struggling with this season is keeping Jesus the center of the season (I know it’s only November. But holiday stress is already hitting me). Getting married and having twice the family to visit for the holidays is a pain. I love my new family. But keeping everyone happy is not easy and quickly turns me into a Scrooge. Coupled with the fact that I’m always working over the holidays, my celebratory spirit is fleeting.

 

A part of me is wondering if listening to Christmas music early will get me more in the spirit and, just like Simeon, I will joyously anticipate the Savior’s birth (see Luke 2:25-35). It’s worth a try.

 


My husband and I aren't speaking until after the World Series. Game 1 @ 8:00pm tonight. Watch it. Go Phils!

After 2 years in the city, I finally made it to Eastern State Penitentiary. How spooky and romantic all at once!

In September, I headed to Lancaster to see my college roommate. We shopped at the outlets and then went to the Whoopie Pie Festival.

Don't know what a whoopie pie is. Umm, I guess the best way to describe it is two layers of cake, filled with cream filling. Below is the world's largest (225 pounds). They had over 100 different kinds to buy. We ate whoopie pies for a solid week. Delish!


Just this past weekend we spent the weekend in the Poconos on a church retreat. On Saturday afternoon, the snow stopped and we went hiking to a water fall.






Simply gorgeous!