Refreshed

I woke up this morning demanding pancakes. We had everything but the syrup. So, what did we do? Decided to make a trip to the store and make a huge breakfast. I started the coffee pot before we left so that the smell would meet me at the door upon our arrival back home. I thought about this coffee all the way to the store. I was especially excited about it because last night, Connie brought me an early Christmas gift and it was a beautiful, heavy, red coffee mug--my new favorite. We got home and I started the bacon. Let me just say that the smell of bacon takes me back to my childhood. It reminds me of good things in the past like mornings at my dad's house and incredibly amazing breakfasts while overlooking the beauty of Douglas Lake. The pancakes were finished and eggs on the way when we decided to open up the windows. The smell of bacon mingling with the fresh breeze took me back to Saturday mornings at home with my mom. Fresh air and outdoor activities always remind me of her. Andrea came up to have breakfast with us. After all, I got carried away with cooking and cooked enough for 6 or 7 people. We love having Andrea so close to us. She comes up to visit at least once a day. Emily loves her Re-Re. It is so nice to be around family. Last weekend we had a wonderful time at nana and pop's house. Yesterday, we drove to Cosby to visit the apple orchard with grandpa, Uncle Phil, Aunt Ruth Ann, and sweet friend Norma. After that, we paid a visit to mom at work. Emily ran down the halls of her work shouting "nana! nana!" while she was in with a patient. I don't think mom minded the distraction one bit! I was meant to live like this: with family. I wasn't made for isolation, but for close and deep relationships--as were you.
I have adopted a new method of spending time with the Lord. Previously, I was reading a couple of different devotions with corresponding verses. Altogether, it took about 15 minutes. I was finding myself craving more. 15 minutes and a couple random verses didn't seem to be satisfying my need. I resorted to my bookshelf full of inspirational books. I found a "Daily Walk Bible" that I had adopted from Aunt Carolyn's previous collection. I am absolutely loving it. It allows me to read the Word in a continuous manner as well as giving me some insight to what i'm reading and how to apply it to my life. My new best friend is a nice little book called "A Commentary on the Entire Bible" by the wonderful professors from DTS. How did I not discover this sooner? I strongly encourage the study of the Word with a Bible in one hand and a good commentary in the other.
We are still praying and waiting on the Lord to provide employment. It is so exciting to see how he has provided for us so far. My, he is so good. We are settled, moved in, and loving our new environment. Emily is finally adjusted and sleeping through the night. She is also learning her boundaries --she finds a new one every day.
I have a 10-page research paper due by Monday that will finish up my third class. My transfer credits were finally applied and I am scheduled to graduate in early 2012. Until then, I'll keep chipping away at it.
We love you, dear friend.
The Schoaps