Thankful for the Repairman

Today J and I took our cars to the shop for their check up. John was proud that his '97 camry was in tip top condition. My sweet explorer, however, needed a bit of tune up. They changed the transmission fluid and some cap to something, and heck if I can remember the name, or what it does.

It was rough to watch. When we picked up J's car, I saw mine in the shop, with the hood up and some boxes sitting on it. I said to J, oh it hurts to see it like that.

But it worked. And my beautiful blue car smiled at me as I hopped in it, feeling as good as new.

And I got to thinking.

God is our repairman. Sometimes (many times) I have to go to the shop. He prunes me so I can be more fruitful. And it's tough to go through. And to watch.

But He prunes us to be more fruitful. He is the vine. We are His branches. We can only bear fruit if we remain in Him. John 15.

It's tree trimming season. Winter. They just clipped all the leaves off the trees in our complex. Like, all of them. So I am seeing this first hand. And I know it is rough for those branches to feel bare and exposed. But in just a few months, they will be more beautiful than ever. I can see the bigger picture.

That is the cool thing about God. He knows what will be in a few months. He can see the biggest picture. That is why I trust Him to do the pruning. To be my Repairman.

A future of flurries

One day I am going to live in a place where my front porch looks like this.
And my street looks like this.
And my bushes look like this.
This is my cousin's house. Well, John's cousin's house. In Pennsylvania.

Being snowed in sounds pretty darn nice right now.

Fortunately, John likes snow too. So these dreams are much more likely to become reality.

Although, if I may say, it was chilly this morning at the park. I needed tennis shoes and a zip-up. And Emma's paws did get the car all dirty. For the first time, we understood the concept of a mud room.
70 and sunny here in San Diego. For now, I am content with that.

Signs of December

This is my favorite season. Thanksgiving. Winter. Christmas. Scarves. New beginnings and new years. Our anniversary. November, December and January are three months filled with joy.

It's 3 days into the month, and Christmas is well on its way.

I got these cute address labels in the mail. My first Etsy purchases!

Christmas music has been accompanying me in my car since the day after Thanksgiving.

I am baking zucchini bread. Two loaves this time. December somehow makes bread sound so yummy. And makes the house smell yummy. And that much homier.

Cider Celebration tonight. I sang in choir in college and just loved it. Mostly because of Dr. Dan Jackson. He is one of my favorite people. But also because of Cider Celebration. And it's tonight (and tomorrow). And I'm going.

SeaWorld Christmas with J, Mark and Katie. Friday. A Shamu Christmas show. I can't wait. I'm the one who cries in the Shamu show. Because how amazing are those whales. And how amazing is the God who created them.

Clay Associates holiday sale. I used to work for Jaci, who is one of the nine fabulous designers and crafters (although, J and I both feel she is the best, in the most unbiased way). We have gone to her show every year for the past three years, since I've known Jaci. We are planning on stopping in again this Friday.

We are getting our Christmas tree Saturday! Maybe not the 8 foot one from last year (it proved to be a bit of a challenge on the clean-up end), but a beautiful one. And we are decorating. J will put the lights on it. And I will untangle them. Just like I did for my mom every year growing up. And we will decorate our house. And put Christmas lights on our balcony. I have been waiting since January when we took it all down... I have resisted doing Christmas stuff and have studied instead... but Saturday, Christmas comes to our home (officially).

And this is just week one of December! Too bad I'm still in school... two weeks and I'm halfway done with nursing school!

Cool reminders

Some fun things that remind me it is getting cooler outside...

- Soup and sandwiches for dinner last night
- Needing a blanket to watch our evening Unit episode
- Emma stealing my blanket for herself
- Opening the windows to see a cloudy sky
- Friday morning study date at the local coffee shop
- A long sleeve shirt AND a jacket
- Shopping in the coats section with Mom
- Finding a cute cozy vest and jacket
- All fans in the house "off" and it feels perfect
- Emma snuggled in the pillows on the bed behind me
- Looking forward to breakfast for dinner tonight

It is here!

This morning, I wore gloves on my walk with Emma.

Flip flops and gloves.
But gloves.
Give me a break. I'm from California.

I love to be cold. Well, I love it when it's cold outside. I love to bundle up in gloves and scarfs and hats and jackets and sweats and uggs... I love it!

So when I felt the air outside this morning, saw the temperature had reached 45 degrees last night, I knew it was time to pull out the gloves.

I love this time of year. A few months of cool weather to look forward to. Almost November, and it is finally beginning!