ex(PR)essed

Sometimes there are so many random things that I want to blog about that I’m pretty sure I could spend hours each day just spewing forth rather irrelevant details of my life. While it would be a cathartic experience for me, it would probably be painful for my three faithful readers. And, I’m pretty sure Messiah would frown upon me “spewing” anything during work hours. Can’t say I blame them.

So, here is just a sampling of what’s been on my mind this week.

Things that are missing
It started Tuesday night when Phil and the crew of the Cornelia Marie were not on “Deadliest Catch” at all. Excuse me, but what’s that all about? They almost made up for it by welcoming back Eric from the Rollo, but by 10 p.m., I was still pretty disappointed not to see Phil, Jake, Josh, and the boys. Then, last night, while I was working on my devotions, I
realized that my Bible does not include Matthew 18:11. It has 18:10 and 18:12, but what happened to 11? That started Jeff and I on a search of all our Bibles, and we’re puzzled by this missing verse. Anyone want to weigh in on what happened to verse 11? Curiouser and curiouser.

Nostalgia
Last week my co-worker Scott brought up (in conversation) Velveeta, which reminded me of having grilled cheese sandwiches at my friend Tara Heffern’s house. Her mom made the best grilled cheese sandwiches, in my opinion. Turns out that it was due to the Velveeta, which was vastly different from the Kraft singles I was used to. We used to eat grilled cheese sandwiches, plain Lays potato chips (from the yellow bag, which, interestingly, they kept in the refrigerator), and Soft Batch chocolate chip cookies. Those were the days. You know, Tara is in practically every birthday picture for the first 13 years of my life. Then, we totally took separate paths. Life is mysterious…how could your best childhood friend become a stranger? Thankfully, I’m still in touch with many other of my childhood friends; I treasure that, in some cases, we can talk about being friends for 30 years!

The beauty of food
My parents were here last weekend, and I made a seafood lasagna for Mother’s Day lunch. While it was a bit soupy (but delicious), I couldn’t help being in awe of the loveliness of the preparation. The chopped spinach, the cheese mixture, the spices, the seafood. It was all so lovely and organized on my counter. Then, on Tuesday, I decided to surprise Jeff with a nice dinner when he came home from his long run, so I made fish tacos with mango salsa. Even lovelier! I really enjoy chopping vegetables. I like the sound of the knife and the cutting board. The progress of something once whole becoming smaller and smaller. The smell of minced garlic, of orange peels and limes, of green onions and mango and jalapeno. It was a delicious meal — both for the tastebuds and the eyes.

The beauty of God
It’s Spring, so the beauty of God seems especially evident at every turn of the head. But, I’m thinking more of the beauty of God as seen in Roger, a man that God pursued for years before he finally surrended, and now he is a visibly uplifted, joyous man with a spirit and testimony that will win many to Christ, I’m sure. The beauty of God experienced through his gentle nudging of me towards my Bible every night. I’m really starting to love spending quiet moments with him at the end of my day. The beauty of God that shines through my friends…including my two best friends: one celebrating the start of a new life and the other grieving the loss of a life. God is faithful in both situations, and he is good. And he is lovely. And I see him clearly in my friends. And I am blessed.