Fewer bumps

Been on a daredevil rollercoaster on a rickety old wood frame.  In other words, scarier than I prefer.  But now we're on the "baby rolling softly" rollercoaster with some nice stuff all together.  All in one day I got news that new drug is approved by insurance and is scheduled for next week, my totally self-indulgent iPod touch arrived (engraved on back and all), and we enjoyed dinner with some of our favorite people at the Machine Shed.  Ooh, that pan-fried chicken is quite the treat.  Now Charlie has a BAD cold for the weekend so no big make-out sessions for us.  But we're in a bit of a bliss moment so just being together and doing our thing at Hope will make for a star+ weekend.

Pillow talk

I think there should be a rule that when you are married, you are required to go to bed at the same time with the intent to "chat" for a minimum of 10 minutes, and then gradually slip into slumber together.  I do believe this would greatly enhance communication and intimacy.  You're more inclined to let out the important thoughts as you are nearly unwound enough to enter dreamland.  Makes sense, don't you think?  And then you can incorporate fun little things like our current nightly routine. I have a little bear pillow and Charlie tosses it toward me with disdain, "keep this fleabag away from me."  Very sweet time with my honey.  Tuesday eve we had an exceptionally special time as we reviewed the results of our future retirement status in disbelief.  Tears flowed as we thanked God that our frugal stewardship was paying off.  We've always tried to live in the fact that any money we have is His.  It was great seeing the peace on my honey's face as he fell asleep that night.

Once upon a time

Here we are the eve of Cinnamon and Scott's wedding. Note the matronliness of Delite compared to the studliness of Charlie.  Oh, if this wasn't a photo of such a significant event, I do believe it would go to the circular file.  My thought as I look at this is: Charlie was into cougars?  Fast forward -- we truly believe we are married to the most beautiful person in the world.  Would that even be possible to experience if we had to get there on our own?  God's love poured over us as a couple all these years seems to have given us eyes that see closer to what He sees.  THAT is awesome.

We're schip lovers so this makes us smile

Yes, this is Charlie with a broom.  This week he has carried a very large broom.  It has not been easy.  I told him this a.m. before he left for work that I am very proud of him.  I thanked him for taking care of us.  More changes are coming, some of which he wouldn't have sought.  But he is proceeding with strength, grace and integrity.  I love him so much.

Trials bring gold

There's something Charlie and I do not automatically share and that is the bliss of peace.  The peace that comes from our Father and can't even be described.  In the turmoil of the "takeover" at his job, he has spent some out and out rough moments.  Monday eve after spending hours filling out forms, he asked for prayer.  The thing I remember praying for sure was that he could receive the peace God offers.  Tues. was a better day and by today Charlie is back in the saddle of riding this journey equipped for whatever comes his way.  Peace is a personal experience because we're all wired differently.  I'm just so grateful to see its evidence in my dear Charlie once again.  His lack of peace definitely threatens mine.  So we'll continue to pray for one another and trust God for the rest.

Rocky Road

We've been here before.  Job security not as secure as we human beings prefer.  The first change after months of wondering was a pay cut.  A brief reprieve of "symptoms" of insecurity allowed Charlie and his co-workers to  put the question on the back burner.  Then things got progressively more and more suspicious.  This is a common occurrence these days for many families.  Well, Charlie just called a few minutes ago.  The small family-owned business he's been employed with for over 20 years has been bought by a big fish in the pond.  At least we know more than we have.  The insecurity remains despite the reassurances spoken.  We've talked about worst case scenarios for quite awhile now.  We're steady and stable in the most important regard which is . . . we know God will see us through.  Not that He is some kind of sugar daddy.  But that we will not be undone by this circumstance any more than we have by others.  There's a reason God recommends that married couples share the same faith in Him.  I can't imagine what the past several months would have been like if one of us trusted something other than God, or more than God.  This is no small thing.  This is a blessing deserving awesome worship.