Ode to Grandma Ruth

Not too seem to depressing but I happen to be driving by my Grandma's grave site this past week and thought I would snap a shot. It ended up being a good time of reflection. Below are a few things that came to mind as I was remembering life with Grandma Ruth! Unfortunately, I never got the privilege of meeting my Grandpa Harold.

- playing hide and go seek

- amazing Apple Pie - OMG!

- playing endless games of Checkers - I still think she let me win!

- staying at her house the week of the Franklin County Fair every summer

- Cinnamon Toast goodness

- Her finger nail with a bump on it - wicked cool!

- Her warm and caring personality

- Always offering everyone seconds and more seconds (food)

- Hugs

- Never being able to say my name right on the 1st try - too many grandkids!! :)

- Knowing I was her favorite!! I mean come on I had to be!! :)

Here's a brief slideshow of Grandma Ruth through the years!

The Young Grandpa Harold & Grandma Ruth

AND skipping a few years... Gosh, what a good looking bunch!

The whole Schaefer clan!

My Grandma's were my biggest fans for my High School glory days!!

They rarely missed a game!

AND this last one is for Kate and Rachel!

See.... my love for cats started at a young age!! :)

Joyfully Waiting!

One benefit of waiting for my visa to come is getting to go on wonderfully wicked fun trips like the one I took over my birthday weekend! :)

Last Friday I flew into Newark, NJ - took the 3 hour train to the ISU vs UConn game - spent the night in Hartford, CT - got a free ride back to New Jersey with the Huhn's (loads of fun!) - had a lazy birthday night still basking in a Cyclone victory - spent the next day at New York Jets game - and spent the rest of my time enjoying the company of good friends and taking in the sites, sounds, and smells of Parsippany, NJ! Here are my pictures to prove it all! :)

My train was a little late in arriving, but have no fear with my luggage in tow,

I made it just in time for the game!!

Ohh golly, aren't we cute?! Now for a little name drop...

Haley is Coach Rhoad's niece! It's good to have connections!

We made some friends at the game! I LOVE Cyclone fans!

We met Darius Reynolds #7 - aka Money!

He is a stud and practically won the game for ISU!

Jets Game - Life is good!

Metlife Stadium!

The one and only Mrs. DeVito - yeah her husband plays for the Jets!

No big deal! I almost touched her!!

AND the reason we went to NJ! Here are the love birds!!

Ohh sometimes we just get CRAZY Ya' all!!

Cluck-U-Chicken! Need I say more?!

AND then sometimes we get even CRAZIER Ya 'all!!!

THANK YOU Haley, Carrie, and Bryan for a great birthday weekend!

Remembering The Year of 27...

All throughout the book of Deuteronomy God commands His people to REMEMBER. Remember ALL that God has done for them and how He has acted on their behalf. I have always loved this command and wanted a practical way of doing this frequently in my life.

My birthday is this Saturday, so I thought I would start a new tradition of taking time to reflect on this past year and all that God has done around me and through me.

Hopefully this will help me to REMEMBER His goodness and grace every year of my life!

Remembering The Year of 27:

Katie Wieland starting walking with Jesus!

Megan Olson grew deeper in love with Jesus!

God took me through the decision process of moving to England. I learned SO much, one of the big things was my experiencing more of my identity in Christ alone.

I grew in the gift of prophecy and being able to share God's heart with someone.

I got to spend 10 days with both my brother's families before moving to England.

As I moved to Iowa City God provided me with friends and a rockstar Grad Connection Group!

Brooke Overholt - enough said.

I watched season one of Glee with Carrie!

God gave me a best friend, who I lived with, worked with, and did life with.

I experienced God's heart for me - He loves me, delights in me, and calls me worthy and beautiful.

I went to NYC, Chicago, Indianapolis, TX, Lexington, UConn!

I went to Sea World San Antonio & Adventureland - get at me coasters!

Learned how important communication is.

Met regularly with people who struggle with depression - learned a lot.

Verses that stuck - Phil 1:6, Psalm 51:10-12, John 7:38

Sam Gorvin - Shared a picture w/ her at Salt which brought her into the Body!

Summer 2010 - moved to Iowa City and got to help start Veritas Church!

God provided support ($) for England - very humbling process.

Abiding & Rest - true "work" comes from this time - still learning this!

As I read back through this list, it doesn't even seem to justify all that God has done. Each of these statements have so much depth that speak even more to the goodness of God. I come back to Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness & love will follow me all the days of my life"! Year of 28, bring it on!!

AND because God LOVES the Cyclones I can't help REMEMBER

how the Cyclones defeated the Hawkeyes this year!!! :)

Here's little man, Ethan - ohhh yeah he's already a die hard!

Bella is 18 months old and this is her 2nd ISU game! Priorites people!!

Good times with the Huhn's before the game!

Watching the game in the Jacobson Building! :)

It's great to know people who are related to the coach!

Perks of watching the game in the Jacobson!

You get to meet studs like "The Mayor"!