April – September = 6-month Blogging Sabbatical.  :-}

Ge’ez, where has the time gone!  I can’t believe it’s been so long since my last post!  Spring semester ended, summer came, and summer went.  As we circle back into the fall season, I feel excited about the change in the air.  Living in the Pacific NW, we are fortunate in that we get to experience distinct seasonal cycles.  And while I appreciate other parts of the year, this is particularly my favorite.

My husband turned 30 on Tuesday.  In our culture, the big 3-0 is a big scary deal (for most).  Yet, we’ve discovered and found joy in the fact that each passing year only gets better.  We don’t mourn that our 20’s are gone with the wind, but instead celebrate all the highs & lows.  It was a fabulous decade, filled with memories that will last a lifetime.

Kissed by the Sun

So, what did we do?  Living in Oregon, we are surrounded by endless outdoor options.  Yet, it was obvious that Tuesday’s celebration called for a day of relaxing and reflecting on the beautiful, picturesque coast.  Plus, the weather forecast called for 80’s and sunshine!  WOW — can’t get much better than that!

So, we packed up a picnic lunch and headed west, throwing all “to do’s” out the window.  As we found a prime beach location and hunkered down for the afternoon, I felt a flood of emotions.  Truthfully, it was a day ordered straight from the hands of God.  The sunshine, scenery, light breeze, and soft sand cradled us like newborn babies.  We were in awe over creation!  No words can fully define all that we took in.

Bathing in Creation

As I continue to study and live into simplicity, I’m discovering a new sense of freedom.  Few people shared the ocean with us that day.  Yet, all that were there felt something special.  It was  a day where time just seemed to stand still.  Everything and everyone slowed down.  For an afternoon, we all became children.  Basking in the glorious rays, digging our toes into the silky earth, living in the given moment.  A gift and a day locked into memory.

“To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.”

~Helen Keller

Simplicity, as some see it, is not about self-deprivation.  It’s actually quite the opposite.  As we choose less, we truly gain more.  Not more in the sense of material possession.  But more in the luxury of joy and real living.  Our values change and we begin to embrace something better.  Our eyes, the windows to our soul, gain new sight.  We are invited to bathe in nature and take in what we so often miss.  Our day on the ocean helped validate that simplicity and celebration go hand in hand.  Every day, every hour, and every minute of our lives count.  Yet, the rushing and busyness of our present day robs us of this pleasure.

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.  It will never fail you.”

~Frank Lloyd Wright

How will today be etched into your memory?

What is the obsession with busyness, speed, and multi-tasking in our lives today?  Why does it (in our minds) equate to success and a “job well done”?  Now, don’t get me wrong, busy is not always bad.  There are seasons and reasons in our lives to be moving faster.  Hard work does not come easy, yet I often wonder, “What is it all for?”  Really.  Why do we do what we do?  If you take an honest look and peel back the layers, you may be surprised at what you find.  Good or bad.

During my time in Hawaii, I became fascinated by a tiny creature.  So small, yet so determined.  He would make his way each morning across the vast green covering.  Slowly, but steadily, inching his way to the other side.  One focus, one task.  Doing one thing, and doing it well.  Some may see this as strange, but I saw it as an important reminder and relevant metaphor.  In the rat race we often call life, I want to sit back in my old age and see that I lived well.  I want to know that I enjoyed the smaller moments, and praised the normal and routine parts of every day.  I want to know that slow was acceptable and that beauty really could be found here.  To study the lines and curves of creation (as the snail had to do to make its way through the tall blades of grass), I want to know I made time to do this.  I want to see, really see.  Yet, if speed and hurry run my days, I will miss the real gems and reasons for life.

Personally, I struggle deeply with worry and anxiety.  My mind regularly slips into the future and wonders how things will all work out.  I catch myself running into a black hole, where I lose sight of what is right in front of me.  I forget God and try to convince myself that I control my life.  I fool myself into thinking that I am so much bigger than I actually am.  Recently, I read a book called, The Way of the Small, by Michael Gellert.  While I have always been perplexed and awed by the grandness of space and infinite number of stars, Gellert helped remind me to keep things in perspective.  In the scope of it all, we are but a tiny speck.  Earth is a dot, sustained by the hands of God.  Have you ever considered how truly amazing this is?  Our lives are precious, and how we live them, matters.  Yet, addiction to speed and anxiety are thieves of our modern time.  They pull blinders over our eyes and convince us of their necessities.  They rob us, every day.

“My Chinese side wonders why Americans are so uneasy with time on their hands and must busy themselves with activities, the sweatier the better.  Why do they keep changing their minds and ways, jobs and towns and spouses?….Americans are a self-selected breed programmed by their genes to be forever on the go and cursed by the Fates never to enjoy luxuriating in the material comforts and spiritual splendors of home.  Is it any wonder then that they are always asking themselves who they are?  They just don’t stay put or reflect long enough to find out.”

~Bette Bao Lord

So, become aware of your time and how you use it.  Can you justify the hurry in your life today?  What if you focused this energy elsewhere?  How would your daily perspective and life change?

Wow! I can’t believe my last posting was October 31^st!  Where did the time go?

Actually, as I read over my previous words, I realize that one of the things I needed to drop for a bit was my blog writing.  I was heading into the last weeks of my first semester at seminary, and between final papers and exams, my focus was elsewhere.  Part of learning to live with simplicity is understanding what areas can and should be shed to lessen the load.  It is a constant reassessment of priorities as the demands of life change.

Over the Christmas season, I was blessed to spend the month in Hawaii, visiting with my parents (who currently live on Oahu).  It was an amazing time of reflection and relaxation; something I desperately needed desired after a long and challenging school semester.  I can’t fully explain it, but there is just something about the Hawaiian culture that makes my soul sing.  The fiery sun.  The soft sand.  The magnificent blue skies.  Yes, it truly is a magical place.  It’s almost as if God shines His smile on this tiny piece of the world year-round and for a moment, we glean a sliver of heaven.

Most of my visit consisted of trips to the beach, although a visit to Oahu isn’t complete without spending at least a day in Honolulu and Waikiki.  Personally, the crowds and tall buildings bring me more anxiety than they do pleasure, but nevertheless, it’s always a memorable experience.

One afternoon, we ventured into a shopping mall to check out dresses for my mom to wear for my sister’s upcoming wedding.  Honestly, it was my first time visiting some of the brand name stores, and I almost fell over from price tag shock!  A tank top, for $432?  Really??  And, that was the sale price!  Store after store, the outrageous prices continued to flash before my eyes.  I could feel my stomach knotting up, knowing that some people easily justify these types of purchases.  And, while I’m not one to judge, I can’t comprehend the mind that sees this as okay.  I have a hard enough time spending $30 on a top.

“It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.”   ~Thoreau

Priceless.

Shortly after the reminder that the gap between me and upper class society is larger than the Grand Canyon, we headed outside to spend the rest of the evening doing something I could afford.  Watching the Sunset.  As the colors of the sky began to twist in color and magnify in intensity, I began to feel myself melting into my chair.  I couldn’t help but exclaim to my parents, “This is way better than the mall!”  For me, this is where simplicity speaks loudly.  I found so much joy from this wondrous site.  No piece of clothing or material thing could ever compare or replace the splendor of creation.  And the best part:  it’s free, for all to enjoy!

“Let us treasure up in our soul some of those things which are permanent….not of those which will forsake us and be destroyed, and which only tickle our senses for a little while…”   ~Gregory of Nazianzus

I look forward to posting more in the weeks to come as I continue to experience and learn about the many benefits of a simple heart.  As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

What parts of your life are stolen or diminished by the endless pursuit of material (temporal) things?

I had a vision the other day.  I was standing in the eye of an intense storm.  All around me, swirling faster and faster, were things representing my life today.  God, school, church, work, responsibilities, hobbies, and relationship commitments.  And, although everything was twisting around me rapidly, I realized I was planted firmly in the middle of it all.  With this realization, I was reminded that I chose many of these things and at any time, I had the ability to drop them.  When this happened, the spinning began to illustrate a slow motion clip from the movies.  As this took place, I started to see each object more clearly, completely defined.  My sight and focus came back.  God most definitely showed up to reveal something important.  He was offering me the gift of being present.  It was imperative that I see these things and know the choices behind the chaos.

How will you step into this season?

For the past several weeks, I’ve been noticing the pace of life picking up rapidly.  One of my favorite things to do is people watch.  I often wonder where everyone is going and what they are doing.  As always, the speed of life is fast, especially as we approach the holiday season.  Our ability to stay present, mindful, and in the moment is tested to its breaking limit.

As we enter into November and December, I’m beginning to sense the tyranny of the urgent in many lives.  Thanksgiving and Christmas become one more thing on the “to do” list.  Between turkey roasting and present searching, it’s all too much for some.  Whatever happened to the spirit of the holidays?  Where have the hearts of gratitude and joy gone?  How did this time of year become something that so many people despise or dread?  When did it become a time of selfishness and hostility?

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Working at the YMCA, I’m experiencing a bit of the holiday, economic, and political frenzy.  It’s almost as if the attitudes of some individuals switched sourly with this season.  Honestly, some people are just plain rude, aggressive, and mean.  Taking their frustrations and negative energy out on a complete stranger seems to be a strategy they are willing to expel.  In fact, anyone working in the service industry can attest to this right now.

So, who will you choose to be this season?  What attitude will you manifest?  If last year didn’t go so smoothly, what things will you change this time around?  How will you bring your spirit back into the Spirit of this sparkling, magical season?  Maybe going out for dinner is an option, instead of the traditional (often stressful) home cooked meal?  Maybe the gift of your time and presence could replace the material things you wrapped so meticulously last year?  Whatever it may be, our ability to step back and clearly see each day, one moment, is a gift.  Will you openly receive it?

“For many of us, sadly, the spirit of Christmas is “hurry”.  And yet, eventually, the hour comes when the rushing ends and the race against the calendar mercifully comes to a close.  It is only now perhaps that we truly recongnize the spirit of Christmas.  It is not a matter of days or weeks, but of centuries – nearly twenty of them now since that holy night in Bethlehem.  Regarded in this manner, the pre-Christmas rush may do us greater service than we realize.  With all its temporal confusion, it may just help us to see that by contrast, Christmas itself is eternal.”

~Burton Hills

How will you be present to those around you this holiday season?  What practices or disciplines will you adopt to invite the Spirit back into your heart and home?

I love Recipes.com!  It’s a community of people, sharing fabulous ideas and tips for the modern kitchen.  It is also a great space to organize and keep track of your own favorite meals, drinks, and desserts! 

In keeping with the fall theme from last week, I wanted to share the best recipe I have found yet for Apple Crisp.  It is the epitome of “Yummy!”.  So, gather your family and friends and take a trip to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard! 

Apple Crisp II (by Diane Kester)

• Prep Time:  30 Minutes
• Cook Time:  45 Minutes
• Ready In:  1 Hour 20 Minutes
• Yields:  4 servings  (Allrecipes.com allows you to change this according to your need)

Ingredients:

• 3 1/3 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons water
• 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C).
2. Place the sliced apples in a 9×13 inch pan.  Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples.  Pour water evenly over all.
3. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soad and melted butter togehter.  Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes.

Couple the warm crisp with a few scoops of ice cream and you have yourself the perfect treat to welcome and celebrate the season with those you love!  Enjoy!

What recipes or special treats fill your home with savory smells and rich memories? 

I absolutely love this time of year!  Can you smell the season in the air?  The cool, crisp nights and turning of the leaves make we gaze with wonder at all the change.  Many people experience a bit of sadness as we enter into the fall and winter months, but I have an overall sense of comfort and peace.  Although I enjoy the hot, long summer days, I always look forward to the turning of this season.  One of my favorite things in the coming months is cozying up to a warm, crackling fire, sipping steamy apple cider or soothing mint tea. 

Jeremy and I had the opportunity to visit Rasmussen Farms this past week in Hood River.  The location is spectacular, with views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams in the distance.  And while they carry a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, jams, and gift baskets, I was most interested in the “backyard”.  A pumpkin patch and corn maze!  Seeing these two things immediately propelled me back to my childhood days and our annual family trips to pick out the best looking pumpkins and gourds.  Oh, and I can’t forget the petting zoos and hayrides too!  And during the week of Halloween, my precious dad exuded endless energy in decorating our home for the countless goblins and candy seeking ghosts.  All of these memories carry incredible joy and will forever be etched in my heart.  Ah, the sparkle of fall.  I think the teapot is calling my name! 

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.”

~ Elizabeth Lawrence

What special memories and traditions do you hold of this season?  How will you take time to create lasting memories this fall?

Have you noticed how words can have a powerful effect on the outlook of our daily lives?  What kind of words do you surround yourself and family with?  Are they uplifting, comforting, encouraging, or inspiring?  Here are some of the words that have been purposefully placed around our home to help keep Jeremy and I centered and focused on the possibilities and priorities in our everyday living: 

 

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

~ Mother Teresa           

 

What kind of words affect you the most?  How have you intentionally surrounded yourself in them? 

There is something about nature that just makes my spirit soar to incredible heights.  The sounds, the smells, and the sight of color and texture are enough to propel me back to my childhood days, when the little things made my heart pitter patter with joy. 

When was the last time you bathed in the outdoors?  And, I don’t mean literally.    When was the last time you heard (really heard) a bird sing?  Or, watched a squirrel scamper on the ground, looking for his next meal?  When was the last time you simply sat and observed the trees and their branches swaying gently and passionately in the wind?  Or, gazed up at a star lit night, remembering just how spectacular the universe really is? 

Like a child, I find that the facets of nature are enough to reignite my passion and gumption for life.  It’s almost as if the magic and colors of our imagination vividly twirl and twist luminously through the air.  Choosing to walk away from man-made beauty, to consciously immerse myself in God’s beauty is a step I consistently try to take on a daily basis.  After all, our lives are filled with chaos, noise, and distraction.  Nature offers a predictable remedy to our often frittered and routine days.

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,

And every common bush afire with God;

And only he who sees takes off his shoes;

The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.”

 

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning on Autumn

Honestly, I have always enjoyed and respected the outdoors and its variety of aliveness.  As I seek to live with more simplicity, I find that it plays a key role in helping me to realign and live more fully.  Truthfully, it’s a key ingredient to this life!  It makes me incredibly sad that so many people have lost their ability to see its magnificent power and potential to heal.  So much of the natural world is being lost to human selfishness and desires for more.  Just being aware of this destruction is a place to start.    

So, get out there!  Experiencing, noticing, and appreciating the true beauty of life outdoors is like riding a bicycle.  Once you master the skill, you never forget.  Have fun reclaiming yourself in its reflection!

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” 

~Anne Frank

How will you make time to consciously step into nature today?

So, how does one define simplicity?  Is there really one, universal consensus for the simple life? 

As I continue to study this style of living, I find it fascinating that every one defines simplicity a little differently.  When I first became aware of this powerful lifestyle, I learned that I already held several pre-conceived ideas about how it might look.  And, as I have conversations with many friends and family, I now understand that simplicity is a word that represents freedom from clutter, peace, and clarity over priorities.  While most ideas flow on the positive side, I do occasionally hear opinions that darken this bright word.       

One misconception I hear is that a simple life is an easy life.  Or, a life lived without hard work, equating to laziness and selfishness.  Getting things done in a way that best suits me. 

On the contrary, a simple life swings far from the treadmill of many societies. 

I recently received a book (thanks Anna!) for my birthday called “The Art of Simplicity” by Candy Paull.  In the beginning, the author dives into the meanings behind simplicity:

“Simple and easy are not the same thing.  Simplicity brings ease, but it is not always easy.  Easy is the wish for the magic bullet, an instant solution, or ten easy steps to perfection.  Easy formulas that reduce life to quantifiable processes are the fascination of our times.  But simplicity is more organic and complex, a pearl of great price that must be sought after with the heart, not just the head…..Simplicity is the marriage of commitment and surrender, the ebb and flow of tides of change and growth, the long slow ripening of the fruit of the spirit.”

I absolutely love how this is said!  When words make a connection to my head and heart, I know I’ve read something of genuine substance and truth.

Another author that I absolutely recommend (who was also my birth doctor!) is Richard A. Swenson, M.D.  In his book, “A Minute of Margin” he suggests that simplicity is not easy, legalistic, proud, impoverished, ascetic, neurotic, ignorant, or escapist.  Rather, simplicity is voluntary, free, uncluttered, natural, creative, authentic, focused, disciplined, and diligent.  Love it!

As I continue to define simplicity in my own life, I am showered with the word gratitude.  Way too often, I am tangled in the “someday” or “when” mindset trap.  Instead, I am trying to daily remember that today is all I have.  That today, I can show thanks for all that God has placed in my life.  Relationships, white and fluffy clouds, a hot shower, a safe place to sleep, milk for my cereal, a full tank of gas, and two cats that give whisker kisses.  With this perspective, life is pretty sweet.

“Simplicity does not come easily.  To withstand the pressures of society requires constant effort and discipline.  On the other hand, relax.  You can’t force simplicity.  Don’t try to be something you are not.  Simplicity is a gift.”

                                                          ~Art Gish, Simplicity Activist

What is your definition of simplicity or the simple life?  What are you grateful for today?

We made it to Whistler!

Jeremy and I had the opportunity to take some time off and travel into British Columbia this past week for our four year wedding anniversary.  We stayed in Whistler our first night, and then ventured into Vancouver to experience a bit of Canada’s city life.

During our eight hour trip, there were several things that happened that made us question our decision to head north.  The sky was blanketing the roadway in a brilliant blue, as the majestic mountains stood firm in the distance.  In reaction to the gorgeous scenery, I quickly grabbed the camara out of my purse to capture the sight.  To my dismay, I discovered that the lens was stuck, making a unwelcoming clicking sound.  After some struggle and frustration, we realized that sand must have blown into the opening during my girls weekend on the coast.  At the time, I felt incredibly guilty and sad that we were facing the possibility of crossing into Canada without any way to document our journey on the road.  The situation definitely turned our car atmosphere sour for the next hour.  Fortunately, we were able to find a Walmart, which carried a decent camera replacement. 

Once we were back on the road, our spirits began to lighten up again.  The sky seemed a bit brighter as we grew closer to entering a country we were so eager to explore.  As I turned around to get a snack from the back seat, Jeremy suddenly slammed on the brakes, making my seat belt lock firmly against my neck.  Apparently, the driver in the lane to our right, swerved heavily over the line, nearly colliding with our front side.  According to Jeremy, he missed us by inches.  Whew, that could have been disastrous.  And honestly, I don’t think the other driver even had a clue! 

After much anticipation, we finally crossed over the border.  We soon realized (pardon the cliche) that we weren’t in Kansas anymore.  The roadways quickly became narrow and fast as they encompassed a European resemblance.  With 30 minutes into Canada, we came to rest at a stoplight.  As we patiently watched for the green light, the driver behind us decided that she could no longer wait to enter the left turn lane.  As she clumsily turned the wheel, she must have stepped on the accelerator a bit too fast.  Bam, bam!  Jeremy and I looked at each in disbelief.  Did she just hit us?  Oh my goodness, YES, and she’s not stopping!  Truthfully, we had no idea what to do.  For a moment, Jeremy switched the flashers on and was preparing to pull off to the side, but we soon realized that we had just experienced a hit and run. 

After some discussion, we decided not to report the incident.  It may not have been the right decision, however we were so incredibly ready to just make it to our destination.  

Finally, after a very long day and nearly eight hours of driving, we finally pulled into our hotel in Whistler.  We barely even noticed the beauty around us, as we felt extremely exhausted and annoyed.  Why did we decide to go on this trip anyway?

The next few days were filled with more ups than downs.  After all, we did come to celebrate our marriage.  And honestly, once the dust had settled from our minds and hearts, our eyes were opened to the beauty that is British Columbia.  It is definitely a gem and a must see in North America!  The mountains, the trees, the rivers, and waterfalls.  It was God clearly manifesting Himself in so many ways.

“A journey is like marriage.  The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.”

~John Steinbeck   

As I look back on this trip, I can openly say that we learned a lot.  It was a week full of frustration, anger, and amazing joy.  Hmm, sounds a lot like marriage.    I can’t say that we honestly enjoyed the journey, however seeing something new and being open to learning from it is always worth while.  We ended our week with a visit to some dear friends who now live in Seattle.  After finishing up some of the most amazing salmon we have ever tasted, we headed down for a personal look on the shores of the Puget Sound.  God had created a beautiful sunset just for us to enjoy, which validated the fact that He had us in sight all along.  It was a sound reminder that control over this world is not for us to hold.

“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what  we imagine of it.”

                                ~Cesare Pavese

What trips have you recently taken?  What kind of emotions and lessons did you experience and learn along the way?