He Wants What’s Best For Me

Published on by Caitlin SnyderLeave a comment

She should have known better than to return to the dinner table without washing her hands. We were even eating finger foods. But when I asked her if she washed her hands, she defiantly said, “No.” I asked nicely for her to walk back to the bathroom to wash her hands and she refused. So I did what any good babysitter would do; I scooped up my 3 year-old friend and walked her back to the bathroom thinking we could still rectify this situation quickly.

Twenty minutes later, I had baracaded the bathroom doorway with my body and my 3 year-old friend was throwing a tantrum on the floor with tears in her big blue eyes. If she didn’t need to wash her hands before, after spending ten minutes pounding her hands against the bathroom floor, she sure needed to now.

I pulled out the limited tricks I know about trying to convince kids to do what they don’t want to do to much avail. The tears were staining my little friend’s face and she was no more convinced that she did, indeed, need to wash her hands.

I shook my head as I sent an SOS text to my best friend who spends all day working with children. Why wouldn’t my 3 year-old friend listen to me? Didn’t she know that if she would have listened right away, she would have saved herself some pain? I know better than she does. And, as her brothers lovingly reminded her, “Miss Caitlin is in charge.”

But here’s the thing: I may have been the babysitter that night, but I’m usually the tantruming three year-old sprawled out on the bathroom floor. Instead of letting God gently correct my disobedience, I wage an all out war. I could choose to repent quickly, acknowledging His sovereignty over my life, but I claim to know better. Full of arrogance, I ignore that He actually knows what’s not just good for me, but He wants what’s best for me.

I meant no ill by making my three year-old friend wash her hands. I wanted to protect her. I didn’t want her to get sick. I wanted to make sure she was developing healthy habits. I wanted to reinforce the right behavior.

Sometimes God feels like an unfamiliar babysitter simply enforcing rules that don’t even make sense to me. But He’s in it with me and simultaneously aware of the end result. He wants to coach me into being a person who better reflects His glory. But as any athlete knows, a coach is more than a cheerleader. A coach instructs, encourages and when necessary, corrects.

It’s that correcting that hurts and that I hate. Can’t I just get a pat on the back, Jesus? If my goal and His goal is growth and sanctification, then the correcting is not only important, but necessary. I need to remember why He’s doing it. When God says, “No,” or corrects my behavior, He is doing it for my good. He is doing it because He loves me.

God sees the whole picture when I do not. Just like my little friend who once she decided that she would wash her hands still didn’t understand why, I need to remember the correcting is not malicious. He doesn’t mean harm. He loves me. He wants what’s best for me.

2015

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It’s fun to write. Sometimes it feels like a to-do list you can’t lose. As I sit down and start thinking through what 2016 could look like, I need to first look back at what 2015 was like. I gave myself the following goals back in January: I want to commit to writing at least twice a week, I want to go to India, I want to pay off my debt, I want to explore what it could look like to do some freelance writing, I want to run another half-marathon, I want to gain better control of my finances, and I want to buy fewer clothes. 

So how did I do?

I wrote at least twice a week for the first 5 months of the year. I went to India. I paid off my debt. I ran another half-marathon. I may have bought fewer clothes, it’s hard to tell. 

Out of seven goals, I accomplished three and a half of them. That’s 50%. If it was an uncurved test, I would have failed, but if that was my batting average or my three-point shooting percentage, I’d count it as a great success. I’m an optimist, who is not all that goal oriented, so by my personal standards, we’ll call it good.

These goals do not tell the full picture of my year. My year was full of experiences that make better memories than any achieved or unmet goals. 

This year I had an awesome girls weekend in Houston with two of my sorority sisters turned life-long friends. 

I watched my sister graduate Magna Cum Laude from college. 

I lasted eight weeks with less than 50 items in my closet. 

I flew to Las Vegas for the third time in 18 months to celebrate a best friend’s 25th birthday.

I watched the 4th of July fireworks with the Chicago skyline in the background while on a speed boat in Lake Michigan. 

I vacationed with ten of my closest friends to Florida coast where we focused on our tans and our relationships with one another. It will go down as my favorite week of the year. 

I visited Lake Papakeechie for the second year in a row with some of the best college friends I could ask for.

I watched my dad undergo open heart surgery and spent a week at home with him and my brother during his recovery. I learned what humility looks like that week. 

I paid off my student loans and then quit my beloved job at J.Crew. I am still adjusting to life without a retail discount. 

I moved from my sweet little apartment where I started to build my adult life into The Bungalow full of character and new friends.

I spent two week in India sharing the Gospel with people who have never heard of a God who loves His people with grace. I will remember my time in India as one of the richest experiences of my life. 

I celebrated Thanksgiving with extended family and enjoyed a day wandering New York City with five of my favorite people. 

I experienced some professional success as we reflected as an organization on our year. 

I met an entirely new group of women at my church as we studied the book of 1 John and grew in our knowledge of who God is and what that means for us.

I have started settling into a new normal, learning what it looks like to have free time again, and praying about what God would ask of me in 2016. 

It would be easy to look at my goals and feel like a failure because of what I didn’t accomplish. But here’s what I continue to learn – God cares more about who I am becoming than what I am accomplishing. So as I look forward to a new start, a blank slate starting in two weeks, I want to focus on becoming. Becoming more brave and less afraid. Becoming more patient and more settled. Becoming more confident. Becoming more me.
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Reading in 2015

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For the last two years, at the beginning of January, I clear an entire shelf on my bookcase. Throughout the year, each time I finish a book, I add it to the shelf. It’s one of my favorite post-grad traditions. Plus, it gives me a visual representation of the progress I’m making towards my goal. I challenged myself to read more fiction this year. I did. But only one of them made my top 10. The following, in no particular order were my favorite books of 2015.

Let Your Life Speak: This book sat in my Amazon shopping cart for years. I was delighted to find it during one of my Saturday trips to Half Priced Books. I can get so caught up in what’s next and rushing through things, that Parker Palmer challenged me so much. The way that he talks about calling in this short book was refreshing and has allowed me to look at calling and vocation with a long-term view, not with immediacy and panic.

Just Mercy: This was one of the most talked about books of the year. And for good reason. It is one of those books that sticks with you. Bryan Stevenson’s storytelling greatly challenged my view of the justice system in America. The feelings I had reading Just Mercy reminded me of what I felt the first time I read one of Jonathan Kozol’s books about the inequalities in the American public school system. We, as a nation, are failing the black and poor in our country. Stevenson tells the stories of those who are death row, maintaining their dignity and challenging the reader.

Soul Keeping: At the end of last year I realized yet again that the way I was trying to live my life was not sustainable. I lived in a constant state of hurry. John Ortberg teaches in this book that in order to commune with God, it’s necessary to remove all hurry from you life. Wow. All hurry? Yes. There are so many books written on our hearts and how to live the Christian life, and Soul Keeping addresses those topics, but from the lens of caring for the soul. Ortberg encouraged me on my path towards living a healthier and fuller life. It changed me in a way I couldn’t really recognize until months later.

Me Before You: I’m not a fiction reader, but Jojo Moyes makes me want to read more novels. Me Before You is fantastic. Don’t just take my word for it, ask all the friends who I made read it. It’s that good. Moyes tackles a difficult issue with poise and compassion, challenging the reader not to simplify things that are indeed complex.

Big Magic

For the Love: I’m a big fan of Jen Hatmaker. So much so that when she invited her followers to join the launch team of her soon to be published book, For the Love, I jumped on the opportunity. I didn’t regret it one bit. As soon as I finished the book, I immediately wanted to read it all over again. It’s not a memoir or autobiography, but instead separate stories and commentaries living in the same book. She covers deep topics and not so deep topics with wit and grace. I found a friend in Jen because of the way her words rubbed me on the back and said, “It’s okay that you haven’t arrived yet, you never will, none of us do, and that’s okay.” She challenges and comforts like a friend across the table from you.

Life Together: I’ve tried to read Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost of Discipleship multiple times, but I can never seem to get past the first chapter on “Costly Grace” because it’s just so good. I love his writing — it’s beautiful and convicting all at the same time — and sought out to finish one of his books. Life Together is a Christian commentary on community. Not the fluffy, let’s all talk about our feelings-type of community, but the self-sacrificing, me before you-type of community. For Bonhoeffer, being a Christian ended up costing him his life, so when he talks about faith and the privilege of living in Christian community, you better listen.

The Finishers: This book was given to me when I graduated from college. I wish I would have read it my senior year. It’s written by a man named Roger Hershey, a lifelong staff member with Cru. Honestly, I did not have high expectations for the book, but once I finished it, I recommended it to every Christian I know. Why? Because Hershey told the reader a story that I’ve been hearing since I was a sophomore in college, but instead of just telling me the story, he invited me to join in. The title comes from the concept that the millenial generation could “finish” Jesus’ commission at the end of the Gospel of Matthew to “go into the world making disciples of all nations.” It is a must read for college students and young professionals. He does assert that every Christian should consider vocational ministry globally, but he also leads the reader through the different ways to reach the world — by going, by praying and by giving.

Adopted for Life: Dr. Russell Moore does a fantastic job weaving his family’s adoption story with a biblical view of adoption. As an adoption professional and advocate, I was encouraged by the depth of his story and theology. It wasn’t a fluffy view of adoption and he doesn’t use the language of rescuing children, he goes deeper into God’s heart for the orphan and the biblical command of the church. It’s a must read for every Christian, regardless of if your family is considering or has ever considered adoption. Caring for the orphan is a mandate for the church and Moore does a great job breaking down that this looks like.

Wild in the Hollow: Amber Haines’ writing style isn’t for everyone, but I loved it. Her Southern drawl is thick and you can hear it in her story-telling. Haines shares her testimony, even the less than pretty parts with eloquence and grace. While our stories are so very different, I was comforted and encouraged by the way she shared her own experiences.

In 2016, my roommates and I are participating in a reading challenge. We would love for you to join us! If you’re interested, I’d love to add you to our closed Facebook Group – The Bungalow Book Club for some accountability and community as we read our ways through 2016.
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Magnificent Love

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The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world. Built before modern technology, it took at least 22 years to build and thousands of people contributed to it’s marble detailing. The grounds where it resides are completely symmetrical and its design well thought out. The story behind it seems to be one of great romance – the king designed it and had it built to honor his favorite wife. Visiting the monument has sat at the top of my bucket list for years.

I was a true tourist as I wander the grounds, half paying attention to our tour guide, half taking pictures with my selfie stick. I tried to memorize every detail and take note of the almost spiritual experience.

The sheer magnificence of the Taj Mahal is incredible. Each piece of marble was individually cut and inlaid into the building with such care. As our team walked around the site, I was mesmerized not only by the structure, but also by a God whose love far exceeds the beauty of one of the wonders of the world. If an imperfect man would build such a monument to his dead wife, what more would God be willing to do for His children?

As we celebrate the Christmas season, we’re reminded that He would do nothing short of come down from Heaven, in human form, live a perfect life, suffer, die and rise again to unite Himself to us.

And yet this isn’t the love that the world usually recognizes. A man who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey doesn’t seem to compare to this magnificent structure. A brutal death on a cross doesn’t feel like it can compare to millions of dollars in marble.

And it shouldn’t. Only a heart changed by Jesus can recognize this type of love. To the naked eye, humility and sacrifice appear to be counterfeit when compared to the glamour the world has to offer.

But for those of us who have experienced God’s love and saving grace, we know that the best moments on this earth are only glimpses of what Heaven has to offer. We cannot and will not fully understand the greatness of God’s love for us on this side of Heaven. When we stand face to face with the King of kings and Lord of lords, we will be driven to our knees in worship. The shock and awe of walking the Taj Mahal grounds will not even compare to the glory of Heaven.

It’s easy to believe that the story starts on Christmas in a stable with a perfect baby boy whose arrival was announced with a bright star and angels. But we know better. It started thousands of years before that, in a perfect garden with two imperfect people, who because of their sin ran from God’s presence. Leading up to the birth of Christ, we hear stories of all the chances God gave His people to reconcile themselves to Him. Christ’s coming was the beginning of the end.

Just like the story didn’t start in the manger, it didn’t end on the cross. Those who hope in Christ know He will one day return to call us home. But until then, we relish the experiences that give us glimpses of His glory. We delight in chances to better understand who He is through what He has created. It’s these glimpses that make the sufferings seem small when compared to what we believe His glory to be. And sometimes these glimpses happen in far away lands while standing in amazement at what a man made.

What one man created for his wife cannot even compare to what God has in store for the children who He loves.

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Leaning In

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Anything can happen when you’re in the air for 15 hours. In this world, you never know what awaits you as the plane lands and you’re back on solid ground. What happens while you’re in the air assaults you on televisions in the airport and social media stories as you power your phone on and see what you missed.

Last month, I landed back in the United States to news of a terrorist attack in Paris. Over the course of the next several days, there was a shift. A shift towards language of anti-immigration and fear of the other. Fear, hate, caution and uncertainty filled the air and came out of the mouths of people worldwide.

The masses cried, “It is not as it should be.”

The Church agrees: it is not as it should be. But, it has not been that for a long time.

The following Monday evening, my roommates and I watched the news from the couch, desperate to learn more about what’s going on. We’re three twenty-somethings who have been able to live with a distance between us and some of the events that have happened globally in the past decade. We follow the big stories and share our opinions, but terrorism and immigration aren’t usually conversation topics at our house. In the midst of an election season and events that have hit close to home, we’ve reach a point where the distance we’ve been privileged feels too far. We want to know more.

But as I’ve leaned into everything around me – immigration debates, fear of “the other”, rise in terrorism, and general uncertainty – I’ve been left with more questions, not the answers I so desperately desire.

And maybe, just maybe that’s what God wants of me right now; not to have established, rehearsed positions, but the courage to begin asking the right questions.

What does compassion demand of me?

What am I afraid of? Who am I afraid of?

Where is my hope? What are the implications of that?

What biases do I have? How do those biases affect my behavior?

What are my motivations? Anger? Fear?

These are the important questions that confirm and challenge convictions. As easy as it would be to ignore the gentle tugs on my heart by the Holy Spirit moving me to go deeper, I’ve learned that when I wrestle with the hard questions the growth comes. Truth moves from my head to my heart and settles itself in there, shaping me. My human instincts want to keep a distance from that which challenges my current worldview and mindset, because I feel secure sometimes on the margins of what’s going on globally.

But when I wander closer, when I dare to ask the hard questions, I’m painfully reminded of the evil within my own heart. And that’s where God wants me to sit — staring right at the cross in awe of its brutality and grace. I was an enemy of God, and yet now, I call myself a daughter of the Most High because of Christ. It is in that posture, humbled at the foot of the cross where I want to lean in further. Maybe, just maybe, it’s not answers and positions on issues that God wants me to craft, but instead a posture He wants to lead me to; a posture that reminds me of my rightful place in this story. It’s not as it should be, but one day, hopefully soon, He will return to make it right. 

 

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships – so that we may live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people – so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war – so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world – so that we can do what others claim cannot be done, to bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor. Amen.

-Franciscan Benediction

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Monday Lovin’: India Edition

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I’m back stateside after 12 days in India. It was an incredible trip, one I hope to take again, and it stirred up a lot in me that I’m still processing through. I’m eager to share parts of it, but as with any experience, it’s difficult to put into words. Today as part of Monday Lovin’, I’m sharing some highlights.

1) When I started to think about my trip to India, the first obstacle to overcome was funding. However, God used this faith step to affirm that He indeed wanted me on this trip. I saw my full support raised in 3 weeks. I never thought that was possible. But even more special than watching God provide financially, was seeing the ways that my support network rallied around me and my team in prayer. I received encouraging responses to emails and special prayers from friends half a world away. I felt like my friends were in the trenches with me, even though they were not physically there. This experience affirmed the power of prayer in coming alongside others.

2) I have long thought that Indian children are some of the most beautiful, and being around them for two weeks only confirmed it. The kids run a little bit free, so when our group would be sharing with the adults, I loved getting down on their level and playing with them. Even with the language barrier, I was able to play rock, paper, and scissors, and try to learn their names. Plus, kids always love having their picture taken, so I’ve been able to bring their faces home with me. Seeing and interacting with them, further motivated me to pray for and share with the adults. If parents come to know Christ, they will be able to communicate the Gospel with and disciple their children. I pray that this would be the generation that fulfills the Great Commission!

3) Technology was not only a game changer in communicating with my friends and family back home, but it will shape global missions. Many mission organizations have taken steps forward in translating the Bible (and other training materials) in all languages. This is huge. However, there are countries, specifically where many of the unreached people groups live, where low literacy rates prevent people from reading the Bibles that have been translated into their languages.

On Thursday our team will be sharing information at our church. If you’re interested in learning more, stay tuned to my blog because I’ll be sharing stories for weeks to come, but I also really encourage Indianapolis locals to attend our debrief.

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A Love Letter to J.Crew on my Last Day

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Dear J.Crew,

Today’s our last day of the foreseeable future together. Today, at 6PM, I’ll walk into the store, wearing my brand-new army green Field Jacket, because no self-control, and I’ll work my last shift. It’s a sad thing for us, really, we’ve been an accidental romance – the kind that builds slowly over time and years later you realize you’ve changed because of it. When I filled out an application in March of 2010, I had no idea that I’d stick around so long. I’m grateful that you’ve taught me as much of you have and for the consistency you’ve brought to life during college and life post-college. For better or worse, I haven’t had to worry about what to wear or keeping up on latest trends, you’ve been good to me like that.

So thanks, J.Crew.

Thank you for keeping me well dressed, even at the expense of my savings account. I’ve loved building a wardrobe with a discount and having fun developing my own style. My gold pave link bracelet, yellow Excursion vest, California Poppy dress, and toothpick jeans have been my favorite items. And let’s not forget my Field Jackets, all three of them, now. You’ve been good to my closet, J.Crew.

Thank you for challenging my view of beauty and style. They are not quick and easy. They take time to develop and grow into. Beauty and style cannot be bought. Clothes and jewelry can, but it’s how you wear them and the way you own who you are that matters most. Clothing cannot cover insecurities, in fact, it can expose them. Women who are confident in who they are — they’re the most beautiful and they wear the clothes the best.

Thank you for my thicker skin. I firmly believe that every person should have to work in retail or food service at some point in their lives. I’ve done both and learned so much. Because of working in retail (and being filled with the Holy Spirit), I can respond back to cruel people with kindness, knowing that they’re not really mad at me, they’re mad at something else and taking it out on me. Who really gets that worked up over a sweater? No one, you’ve just had a bad day. I now see difficult customers as a challenge — can I turn the day around for you? Our culture has gotten so used to quick and fast that people don’t like standing in line, but I’ve realized it’s okay to make someone wait. Obviously within reason, but there’s no need for the cashier to apologize because the person in front of you didn’t have their credit card ready. Patience is still a virtue.

Thank you for the countless friendships I’ve developed while folding clothes and working at the cash wrap. Co-workers, managers and shoppers alike have made the past five years so much fun. My summers in Cincinnati and last two years in Indianapolis wouldn’t have been the same without the relationships formed within the four walls of the two stores I’ve worked at. As my life has changed all around me, the relationships I’ve formed here have grounded and challenged me.

Thank you for reminding me that I’m good at something. The summer of 2013 was a hard summer for my self-esteem. I had trouble finding a long-term full-time job, but you gave me a reason to show up. I had the opportunity to manage others and serve customers. Working as a temporary keyholder that summer at J.Crew Factory restored my faith in myself, and I wouldn’t have been able to walk into adulthood the same way without that experience. I may not be able to solve world hunger or find a family for every special needs child that I’ve come across, but I can help a new mom feel good about herself because she bought some items of clothing that now fit. I can assist a college freshman in picking out an outfit for sorority recruitment. I can share my favorite transition items for a fourteen year old who is finally in the women’s section of the store. As superficial as shopping appears, working in retail has allowed me to step into so many people’s lives, and hopefully help them feel a little bit better about themselves.

Thanks for the memories, the friendships, the clothes and the grace. I can’t say enough good stuff, J.Crew. You’ve been the best to me!

Love,

Caitlin

On Seasons Ending

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Moving into Indianapolis and settling into Apartment 2A was the first adult decision I made for myself.

Most of college ending and the summer that followed are blurry in my mind, but the moments I do remember are so vivid. Victoria and I sat in the parking lot of River Crossing waiting for our scheduled apartment tour for almost twenty minutes. While we sat in the car, we chatted about the little stuff – when she was going to get a spray tan for her 24th birthday, what I had recently purchased at J.Crew, and we also talked about the big stuff. We were both dealing with some confusion towards God and splintered hearts, and it felt so good to be able to hear someone say, “I know what you’re going through, and it’s going to get better.” As we walked through the vacant three bedroom apartment, trying not to seem too excited, we dreamed of the events we could hold at our apartment and the new and old relationships that the space could foster. We decided that this was the place for us.

In the two years since we moved in, painted accent walls, hosted too many parties to count, studied the book of James, danced in the kitchen, cried on the couches, and tried on clothes in my closet, I’m moving out. I’m leaving the place where I started to build my life. I’m leaving part of myself in that space, in the sweet and painful memories, but taking so much more of myself into this new season, and into a new home.

There will be new kitchen dance parties, new traditions to create, new memories to make, new friends to care for and a new (shorter!) commute to and from work. There will be new parts of myself I am able to discover and new rhythms to establish.

I know all these things, and yet I’m mourning Apartment 2A. In may ways, it was the line I drew in the sand and said there’s no turning back now. It’s been a defining season mixed with decisions I made and others made for me culminating one big decision – to step into adulthood here in Indianapolis trusting God to mold me into the woman He wanted me to be. It was here that I held out my shaking hands before the Lord and said, “Here’s my life, every messy piece of it, use it for Your glory.”

It was here that I learned that surrender isn’t always done with arms held confidently in the air, but it does mean that there’s no going back. To how things used to be or who you used to be.

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When You’re the One Who Needs Grace

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“I just love relationships. I love being a friend,” I said to my best friend over breakfast on a past Saturday morning.

She nodded and responded, “I know you do, Cate.”

I thrive off the energy of others. I long for deep conversations. I love the security of long-lasting friendship. Connecting with others brings me abundant joy. Of my many identities I have, my favorite is that of a daughter of God. My second favorite is that of a friend.

Some seasons of life are full of connection – vacations, happy hours, breakfasts, and more. These are my best seasons. These are when I thrive.

The harder ones for me are where my priorities must be reshuffled, and friendship cannot be the most important. This summer I had both. A week-long vacation with some of my best friends gave way to change at work and family health concerns. As hard as I fought to maintain normal relationship rhythms while traveling to and from Cincinnati three times in a month, for up to 6 days at a time, there was distance between me and the friend I so desperate try to be.

In the gap between what I want to be true of me and reality, guilt and shame can take root. I begin to beat myself up for not being the person my friends need me to be. This does not just happen in seasons of lackluster friendships, but in how I spend my money, my work performance, the food I eat, my exercise routine, and anywhere else that I fail to meet my own expectations. In that gap between what I want to be true and what is actually true, if I’m not careful, I let my own feelings of inadequacy breed insecurity and isolate me from those I care about most.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Regardless of what secondary identities I hold, I can rest in my most important role – Daughter of God.

In Christ, there is no condemnation. There is no place for guilt or shame in the life of a Christ-follower. When I allow these feels to take over, I’m telling Jesus that the work that He did on the cross wasn’t quite enough. There are seasons when I will be a great friend, a great daughter, a great eater, a great runner, a great writer and a great workers. Usually they don’t ever happen at the same time… But, I will never be perfect. And that’s okay. Because my identity is not just that of any of those roles.

When I remember where my identity lies, and I’m in a season of needing grace, because I’m busy and working out isn’t the priority, or because family life brings me to Cincinnati and I’m not in Indianapolis on the weekends, or I’m in the middle of moving and life (and my temper) are all over the place, I can accept the grace that has already been given to me. Only when I remember that I’m first and foremost God’s can I receive the grace I so desperately desire.

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Monday Lovin’

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I’ve lived in my apartment for just over 2 years, so I forgot just how intense moving can be. This weekend involved packing, coordinating with my new roommates to drop boxes off, unpacking boxes at the new house and cleaning. It has taken over my life. The official move date isn’t even until next Saturday. Lord, give me strength. In order to distract from the craziness of moving, I’m sharing what I’m loving right now.

  1. I don’t do well with season changes. It’s taken me years to realize that as the temperatures cool down or warm up, I slide into a little bit of a funk. My body and emotions feel heavy constantly. I compare it to mild seasonal depression, but instead of it lasting a season, it’s just a few weeks. As the weather evens out and settles into a new normal, I, too, stabilize. I know this about myself, thankfully. So what’s a girl to do when the weeks are hard? Starbucks. While I significantly cut back on my Starbucks consumption over the summer, I don’t need it just for the caffeine, but for a little reward. I made it through another day of transition, so yay!
  2. Saturday morning’s weather was dreary so my plan of a long run outside changed. After a short indoor workout, I headed to Target. In my group of friends, I’ve trademarked Target Adventures. They’re basically trips to Target with no agenda, just wandering through the aisles, thinking and dreaming. Since I’m moving, it was fun to walk up and down aisles thinking about rooms at the new place, but not letting myself buy anything immediately.
  3. Fall brings football. I wait all year to spend Sundays on the couch watching football. It’s basically the best. The Colts are off to a rough start, but hopefully they can rebound tonight.
  4. IMG_4630Our church has our first social event in our new building. On the church property, there is a silo left over from when the land was a farm. On Sunday night, we had a Social at the Silo. It was a blast to see our church family together. I loved spending time with two of my friends. We ate a lot of food and got to catch up on life. We ended the evening with 17 baptisms. Such a celebration!

I’m starting this Monday with anticipation for what this week holds. We have our first meeting for my November trip to India, I’m starting a Bible Study on 1 John and moving the rest of my stuff to the new place.

Have a great week!