Random Thoughts

I've been collecting random thoughts over the past few weeks, none of which seem to warrant a full post.

*I was walking from Tom and Leah's to Paul and Lauren's (a common occurrence), enjoying the fall temperatures and the changing leaves when it hit me - only God could make the dying process beautiful. Simple and certainly not original, but true nonetheless. He so emodies goodness and beauty that He created even the dying off of the leaves to be breathtaking. I love that.

*We are a very backward blogging community. Most bloggers have readers they've never met, who might be living on the other side of the United States, and perhaps someday they will actually meet and be real-time friends. Or perhaps not. We, on the other hand, blog to and for the friends we already have. Leah pointed out that it removes the creepy aspect of blogging, and I would have to agree. But it's still backward.

*Bother. There was something else, but now I can't remember.

*Make sure you check out the MHOP site. It's quite impressive, with contributions from more people in our community than you probably realize.

The Way to a Woman's Heart (or at least my own)

In light of the addition of the recipe column, I have a confession to make. I have joked about it for a long time, but I think it has passed into reality - one of my primary love languages is gifts of food.

Going on a trip? Let me pack you a month's worth of food. Feeling down today? Here's your favorite candy bar. Your stomach hurts? I'll go get you some crackers.

And it's a two-way street. I love to receive gifts of food as well as give them. A bag of candy pumpkins, farm-fresh eggs, honey, white tea - all thoughtful food gifts I've received from some of my favorite people, and usually for no good reason at all. Just because they love me.

So if you're pondering your own love language or that of someone you love, keep gifts of food in mind. I might have to write Gary Chapman a little note about this.

On a completely different note, check out this article from discovery.com that quotes Emily Habinck, Eric's cousin. I didn't start this blog to brag about Eric's family, but when everyone keeps doing impressive things I just can't help myself. I think part of her research also showed up in an article by the Washington Post. Timely information to keep in mind during the beautiful fall weather we're having, especially if you're heading out into the wild soon.

Food for All

If you'll notice the latest addition in the column to your right, you'll see that I have yet again been influenced by Leah, whose sharing of the Parmesan chicken recipe went over really well at our house. I'm starting what I hope will be a new trend in our blogging community - mainly because there are recipes from you all that I'd like to have (starting with Jacklynn's healthy-yummy cookies).

So there it is. The Glazed Apple Cookie recipe that I made for the latest CineSimon showing (and my friends at the post office and Eric's birthday dinner). Please keep in mind that with any recipe, there have probably been changes from the original for any variety of reasons. I'll try to post what I actually used.

I've done my part. Now you need to bust out your own recipes and get posting.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Eric! I continue to be amazed and blessed by who you are. And I just wanted any readers out there to know, in case they doubted which I'm sure they didn't. You are more the man I wanted than even I could have imagined in all my rose-colored daydreams. Baruch HaShem. To Him be the glory as we surrender unto His great adventure.

And thanks for always challenging me to be brave and supporting me when I waiver. I love you.

A Severe Mercy

When we were at Kelli's wedding festivities this summer (just a note, but this blog really owes a lot to Kelli's wedding - the inaugural pool post, the wild dancing picture, and now this), Eric and I spent most of our time with Matt and Stephanie, an awesome couple who we don't get to see nearly often enough. Being newlyweds themselves, and readers with good taste, they recommended a book that someone had introduced them to - A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken.

You probably realize by now that I have read a lot of books. In fact, between my job with Latte Books, my time at the institute selling Rabbi's books, my dream of an online bookstore, and my own private reading habits, I practically breathe books.

That being said, I've never really read or heard of a story quite like what the author shares in A Severe Mercy. It's not so much a memoir of his life as it is a memoir of the relationship between him and his wife. Don't be alarmed if you're not a romantic; it's not just a story of falling in love. Rather it is the unique tale of them falling in love, analyzing how to stay in love, and finding God and dealing with how that impacts the whole concept.

To top it off, the couple was friends with C.S. Lewis, so they include some brilliant letters from Lewis during several critical junctures in their lives.

It's a more honest and intentional discussion of love than I think I've ever encountered. I was challenged to reevaluate my love for Eric - not condemned or necessarily convicted, but definitely challenged. I have to admit that there were certain parts that I wasn't sure if I agreed with, but they served to raise questions, questions that were worth wrestling through for me.

I don't want to share anymore, in case anyone wants to read it. Not knowing the whole story is half of the experience. (But if you get it from the library, be prepared to wait a bit. There's always a line.)

Shaul's Conversion

And no, that doesn't mean the apostle (who arguably never converted - as Rabbi would ask, what did he convert to?). I'm pleased to welcome Paul into our humble blogging community. As he has increased his interaction through his humorous commentary, we have been eagerly anticipating the launch of his very own blog. It promises to be rich combination of humor, daily life, and thoughtful commentary on spiritual issues.

Check it out at http://embracingchange-shaul.blogspot.com/. (And props to Paul for the great name choice - it couldn't be more fitting.)

Survey Solution

First of all, a big thanks to everyone who responded to the request for reader responses. (Who knew that you can do actual surveys on blogspot. Thanks to Leah, next time I'll be much more sophisticated with my survey question. Although I have to admit, the liberties that everyone took with their own "interpretations" was probably worth the informality.)

Second, due to such great responses, I feel compelled to reveal at least a glimpse of the inspiration behind the not-so-hypothetical date. Consider this quote from a comment by "Mr. Anonymous":

"For the sake of the example, I'll assume the date took place in Colorado (a good place for a date to happen), so that sort of eliminates my first guess. The second option is that she was having the most incredible first date of her life and got so worked up she blew her blood pressure through the roof and gave herself a bloody nose. Just give it time fella; she'll be ok."

Hint: the actual participants in this potentially awkward situation have recently been seen on this very blog.