All the Pieces

I like puzzles. I always have. And the more complicated, the better. As a kid I was so bored of my puzzles, I would get them out all at once, dump the pieces from all three or four of them, mix them up really good and then put the puzzles together. When I graduated to a full 500-piece puzzle (instead of five 100-piece puzzles mixed together), I was very proud of myself. Sometimes trying to challenge myself will get me into trouble. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my Titanic puzzle: 800-pieces of a black sea against a night sky, with a mere 200-pieces making up the ship. If only that ship had sunk in broad daylight near a beautiful tropical island. Then it wouldn’t have taken me four months to piece it together.

I also like puzzles in life. That’s why the favorite part of my present job is cabin assignments: take 200 kids and split them evenly into 20 cabins, making sure they are with at least two of their friends. I see things in my life as a puzzle – different things that have to come together to make a whole. Of course, the infinite God doesn’t see life as a puzzle since He dwells in eternity and sees it all at once. No pieces required. But because I am finite, I often see His hand as putting pieces in my puzzle.

Putting together a wedding can be like a puzzle. And even though I am happy to say most of the pieces are in, there are still several pieces (probably belonging to the sky – the part we always seem to put together last) that are waiting to find their places. One of these was serving the drinks. Camp has a large beverage dispenser that is very nice and has a tube for ice down the middle. During women-related retreats, it comes out and the kitchen staff fill sit with water and floats various kinds of fruit on top. When I looked for one on-line, I found it wasn’t that expensive and Mom thought it would be a good $25 investment (especially if my siblings get married and need it – that’s $6 a wedding). But the question in my mind was how to serve the punch. I didn’t want to purchase another dispenser and I find it awkward asking Ed to ask women I don’t even know to borrow various things from their kitchens. I confess I didn’t see this as important enough to pray over…just gnaw over when it crossed my mind.

But God knows all things. A couple of weeks ago, Ed called me on his way home from Bible study and told me someone had given us a punch bowl. A guy and his sister at his Bible study wanted to get rid of it, and Ed shrugged and said, “Why not?” Now a punch bowl was not on my registry, but I actually did need one! And there it was (complete with glasses and serving spoon) clanging on the seat next to Ed in his truck. A piece to the puzzle.

A punch bowl can seem like a very small thing. And who knows when the next time I use it shall be after the wedding. (Years?) But it has been a great encouragement to me. For there are some big pieces staring me in the face, almost mocking me as the days to the wedding get closer and closer. Am I going to find a job? What kind of job is it going to be? Will it be an asset to my marriage? Where are we going to live? In Ed’s small apartment or can we manage to afford someplace closer to where he works? These are not pieces that will fit into a day and be over (like a wedding dress or flower girl baskets). These are questions that will be very important parts to the life Ed and I will be building together.

And God knows. If God knows about a little punch bowl, then of course He knows about the need for a job. Or how nice it would be if Ed didn’t have to drive so far to work every day. I can trust Him. He will put these pieces together. And grow my faith.

Four Day Weekend

At camp, we get two days off for Easter. Which gave me a four day weekend. And has allowed me to check off at least five different lists. More than one a day! I call that a very successful weekend.

Friday I slept in. Went for a run. Stopped at the library to pick up some DVDs and books, pausing to get online to send out a few job applications to places in Pittsburgh. I cleaned out my closet, throwing quite a few things away. Got my lists ready for my shopping venture on Saturday. And did some reading.

On Saturday, I went to St. Cloud. Along with everyone else within a 40-mile radius. Which is probably true since there isn’t much in the way of shopping within a 40-mile radius. I made several stops trying to find the last things I need for the wedding. I never did find baskets for the flower girls. Easter baskets are much bigger than I remember and seem to come only in bright pinks, purples, yellows and greens. Not exactly what I was looking for. Stopped and saw Captain America: The Winter Soldier which I enjoyed. And then did my favorite kind of clothes shopping: tried on several things and bought nothing. (The best way I know to keep well below your budget!). Ended with my last big grocery shopping spree for my remaining 5 weeks in Minnesota, followed by picking up a pizza. (Mostly because I haven’t had a pizza in months and just felt like it.)

Sunday was a lovely day – Resurrection Sunday! Even though I didn’t have any friends or family to spend it with, I enjoyed my morning in church. And the day was so lovely out, I went for a walk. I don’t ever slow down enough to walk (you get further running or biking), so I enjoyed the sunshine and warmer weather. You have to while you can – most of this week is supposed to be cold and rainy.

And Monday, I crossed off my final list of things I needed to do around my apartment and to prepare for my week at work. I got some letters written and packages taped up to mail. Put my finances in order and checked to see what I have remaining on my wedding to-do list. And I spent nearly an hour working on Abigail’s training schedule for the next month. She is my replacement here at camp and arrives on Tuesday. And we have a lot of ground to cover over the next few weeks, plus trying to keep up with registrations. But, I’m sure she’ll catch on quickly and it will be over before I know it. Which means I will be on my way to Pittsburgh…

Well, let the marathon begin!

Spring?

Yesterday, I saw my first robin!

I think it told me it had come north too early.

12 inches!!!!

The Days Grow Short

Even as they grow longer? Here in Minnesota, the sun is out for over twelve hours a day now. It rises around seven in the morning and sets around eight in the evening. So even though the nights are back into the teens with highs in the thirties during the day (do I even hear more snow?), spring has arrived. Even the lake is starting to thaw!

But it’s the amount of my days until the wedding that are growing shorter. To be honest, there isn’t a lot left to do for the wedding except picking up some last minute things and then making sure we know what we’re after once we arrive in Pittsburgh. But today I realized how fast those days are going to fly by.

My assistant (and adopted little sister), Andrea, has only two weeks left at work. With so much to do for Mother/Daughter in two weeks; we’ve been focused so much on that it dawned on me today that I need to connect with her on things before she’s gone. (Not that I can’t find her later – she is moving in with me for a few weeks and will be at my wedding to do my hair and make-up.) We tried to pin a couple of dates down to get those things worked on, realizing that we only have a limited amount of days to do that.

My replacement, Abigail, arrives sometime next week. While I alerted everyone on our group tasks/calendar that they need to be thinking about when to connect with her about their ministries; I’ve been putting her training schedule on the back burner. Mostly because I’m not 100% sure which day she will actually arrive. But that needs to be ironed out this week because I need to get myself and my co-workers on the calendar with training sessions. This job has so many components I don’t want to miss anything! It’s going to be a busy last few weeks at work.

Of course, there are little things to do for the wedding still. (Forgot to do one today! Will do it tomorrow.) I need to collect a few more boxes just to make sure I have enough for packing. (Better more than less!) I have reserved my moving pod. And I thought I had my dates set. But a job possibility in Pittsburgh may change that up a bit. And while I don’t like changes to my plans, I would REALLY like this job. So, I am praying I get it and then I’ll make new plans.

The pieces continue to come together. God is faithful. And before I know it, I’ll be heading east to a brand new adventure unlike any I’ve had before.

Now, that’s a little frightening…

Pigs, Chickens and Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Last night a nearby camp had our staff over for a pig roast. I've been to a pig roast once before, but they have it down to an art! The pig was well roasted and the meat was then marinated in three different ways (chipotle was my favorite). Not only that but they stuffed some chickens with onions, celery and spices. Then they stuffed those chickens into the cavity of the pig and let them roast in there. That was really good chicken!

I would say that most of us (including me) just ate meat last night. Followed by dessert. And there were LOTS of desserts. Including a Minnesota special: Sour Cream Raisin Pie. I saw it listed on a menu when I first moved up here and asked about it, but the person I asked didn't like raisins so she wasn't a fan. She described it as a cream pie of sorts, but it's not. It's got a texture more like a pecan pie. But it's not at all sweet. It's sour. Raisins are mixed in to make it also sweet. I think you can put a meringue on top, but this one had a crumble top. Since I'm about to leave Minnesota, I thought I should say I at least tried it. So, I took a small slice. And ate about two bites. Let's just say I'm also not a fan.

As our chef Jim said, "This is a great meal. All that wonderful meat. Followed by all that wonderful dessert. Can't beat that!"