To Market, to Market...

Every Saturday my mother-in-love would go to the Farmer's Market. I always thought it was a pretty good idea. I would go just for dinner, but didn't really get into the buying the goods. Don't know why. Well, with all the fresh food we ate, I decided to try doing that here. There is a Farmer's Market in Torrance, not far away, and on Saturday, the perfect day to go when you have a job (which I don't yet, but that's beside the point). I decided to go ahead and check it out. First thing, when you get out of the car, you smell the fresh kettlecorn. My friend, Noonie, wants to come down just for that.

There are the veggies.
There are crafts.
Flowers.Food...breakfast and lunch items. And the kettlecorn.

And even a taste of home...I bought asparagus and it was delicious. A new activity to enjoy in our new place.

God Answers Specifics

Since I moved to Redondo Beach, I have tried to make meals here and there. I'm not that interested in cooking, but I promised Dan I would try to do something so we wouldn't eat out so much. We don't have a huge fridge, but I've been able to scrounge a little and we've had a few actual sit down dinners at home. Recently I decided to have meatloaf. If you have the Grace Church cookbook, I used the recipe on page 116 because I happened to have all the ingredients. It was pretty good. And we had asparagus, too.

While it was cooking, I decided to sit down and read - so I opened up the front of the cookbook and began reading about the history of Grace Church. I know a lot of the history having gone there since I was a teenager and being a friend of Paulyne's, but one thing caught my eye on pages 4-5: "A church family asked the group to pray that they could sell some property and give half of the price toward buying the lot on the corner of Osos and Pismo Streets. A little widow lady walked across that vacant lot many times to and from town. As she walked she prayed and claimed the land by faith for the Lord. Similarly, Leroy regularly drove by the property praying that one day a place of worship (with a corner entrance) would stand there."

I love how the little widow walked across the lot and prayed in faith for that piece of land to become what is now Grace Church. I love how specific Pastor Leroy was about having a corner entrance. It made me think how general I usually pray and how infrequent I pray about certain things. Oh, there are times I will pray for friends or others in crisis, then when the crisis is "over", I'll stop except for an occasional "continue to bless this family" type of prayer.

When we decided to move to the LA area, I didn't know what to think or pray for. But, I knew one thing. I really, REALLY wanted to live near the beach and for some reason, I decided to pray specifically that we would have a beach address. I don't remember asking for BEACH as part of the name, but God humored me and answered my prayer beyond what I could imagine. First, we live in Redondo BEACH. Second, we are only 2 miles FROM the beach. And, more importantly, we live in a house, albeit small, but we don't have "wall" neighbors. I didn't really ask for that, but He blessed us with a small hosue. Our neighbors are in apartments behind us. We have four walls with four windows and when it's warm, we get a nice cross-breeze and it keeps it cool in our little place.

Thank You, Lord, that You answer our prayers in ways we can't fathom. Thank You for caring for every part of our lives and for giving us what we NEED and things You know we would like. I pray I never take for granted the things You give us or do for us. Amen.

Love This Girl

Working in the youth group at Grace for so long, it's funny to pick out a certain kid who's made an impact of some sort in your life. Kayla Smith is one of those students. I didn't know her real well at the time, but we were going to Mexico and as you all know, if you've gone on the Mexico Mission Trip before, the students are encouraged to find someone to mentor them for the duration of the training and the trip. Well, me, being the "we'll see if I'm going to do this"-type, prayed: "Lord, I haven't done this before, but I'm willing to do this now, but (why is there always a 'but' in there) You will have to bring someone to me." I figured that was the end of that prayer and I would be 'safe' for another year. You see, I didn't feel confident about doing a one-on-one for some reason. I'm more of a two-on-group type of person where the other person is the main teacher. My gift, and comfort zone, is behind the scenes helping.

As it turns out, the Lord had other things planned for me. As Kayla and I were walking downstairs to the youth room, she just asked me, point blank, "Will you mentor me?" You know I had to say yes, because I told God I would. That was the start of a beautiful friendship. We met every Tuesday at her house and went through the Mexico devos and things like that. I found out later, from her mom, that Kayla told her she knew who she wanted to mentor her, so Kathy knew before I did that Kayla was going to ask me to be her mentor.

When Mexico was done, I don't know where I got the courage, but I asked Kayla if she wanted to continue meeting and she said yes. We continued meeting on Tuesdays, through her high school years going over a lot of things and we both learned a lot more about God, about ourselves and about each other. I love the fact that I was even privy to some of her "Andrew" stories and prayers. When Ken was reading about their relationship at the wedding, I remember some of the things we discussed and prayed about. And now she is Kayla Smith.

I have missed getting together with her. She graduated, went to college and, of course, my life changed, too, as did my location. But, I never thought I would love technology like I do now as far as facebook and blogging, and, of course, emails. I enjoy the fact that we can write to each other and still ask for prayer about things and share things. Of course, she has Andrew to share with now. I know, though, I can always check in on her and now him.

I thank You, Lord, for bringing special people into our lives. I thank You for Kayla and her love, friendship and encouragement and for the time we did get to spend with each other for those few years. She is a blessing to me. And You have truly blessed her life and I've seen her grow so much in her faith and walk with You. Please bless her and Andrew as they are now husband and wife, new roles You have given to them. May they continue to grow closer to You and to each other. Amen.

A SMILE

A SMILE costs nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it, and none is so poor but that he can be made rich by it. A SMILE creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best antedote for trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you A SMILE. Give them one of yours, as none needs A SMILE so much as he who has no more to give.

Slow Blog Day

Could it be because we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby A and Baby B Gibson? Oh, yeah! Still with you, Jeannett.