welcometoemily'sworld

I have changed.

whereDON'Tigofromhere.

A taste of true peace.

I couldn't decide...

How do I say it? What words are best to describe this feeling? This energy and focus. The desire to smile/cry/laugh/smile/cry. A sense that work is meaningful but not overwhelming. The experience of knowing, in some crazy miracle way, that I am right where the universe aligns.

How's that for a change from my first blog post?

I have changed. In three short weeks, and with the assistance of dozens of friendships renewed on a fulfilling Midwest road trip, I am different. I feel it deep within. I sense a stirring of passion, a calming of spirit, an ease of being. I live for these moments in time- and it is an incredibly difficult phenomenon to describe.

Here is what I can say. After a long while away from the rural small town life, I moved back to South Dakota as a skeptic. I was pretty uncertain that I would find my life to be as fulfilling and exciting as in NJ. I imagined South Dakota as a stagnant land, not unlike a wax figurine of rural life. And while I was grieving the loss of my New Jersey life, things actually looked a little waxy.

But the sure and constant winds of the Spirit (occasionally referred to as typical South Dakota weather) moved me. I am different. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere, the waves from passing travelers on the lonely highway. In fact, I smiled at EVERYONE in the grocery store today, including the three folks I almost ran into with my cart, and they smiled back!

And the truest way I can express this feeling is to say, "Welcome to Emily's World." This is the world in which I yearn to be. This world, a magical place in which I would find myself as a child twirling in the grass rather than fielding my sibling's baseballs, this world is a place where everything aligns, where everyone matters, where the highest priority is enjoying the moment.

Everything is not perfect in Emily's World.

But it is right. It is good. It is peaceful. It is happy. And I might even say, it is holy.

Rummage Sales, Auctions, and Creativity

I have 11 days before a full-time job. 11 days to be organized and creative with my time.

And in these 11 days I will be doing a bit of traveling, and preaching, sort of like an itinerant pastor. Just kidding (bad seminary joke).

If you know me, you understand my style depends on whim, circumstance, availability of materials, and a little bit of crazy creativity. But mostly whim. I enjoy beauty, but I'm not going to pay very much for it. I enjoy creating things, particularly if the materials came from, oh, I don't know, RUMMAGE SALES AND AUCTIONS. Yep. That's this post. I will be bragging about the awesome deals (which, according to AJ, is a subjective concept) I made at rummage sales and an auction.

I went to my first estate auction last Saturday, and let me tell you....I'm SOLD! I loved every minute of it. My heart racing as I bid on my first plant stands. Speculating about the worth of every item. Selecting a number I'd reach and bid no higher. Bidding up items that only one person wanted. Being the woman the auctioneer looked at to take baby items for $1.00 (nope, still not pregnant). :)  The entire experience was SO much fun.

Without further ado...here are a few of the items I (ahem, we) bought!

Six REALLY sturdy chairs I will be refinishing to match AJ's table!

Delightful lamps that no one else wanted. SOLD!

What I THOUGHT I was getting (to make pillows) off the Christmas trailer

What I ACTUALLY got for $7.50- score!!!

Also I didn't take a picture of the 20+ planters I (accidentally) got for $2.50. Turns out sometimes no one will bid higher than you- and you "get to take it home." :)  Those planters are already serving a purpose as homes for the lonely tomato plants that didn't make the garden cut.

Hmmm- oh yes, I have more... A few weekends ago, AJ and I went to a garage sale near our house, and we scored a nice picnic table, wheelbarrow, two saw horses, a cart on wheels for our shop, a shovel, and a cabinet...and the best part? I lumped them all together and said to the couple, "Okay, we are interested in many things, and I know you are interested in getting rid of them, so are you willing to make a deal?" Ha! They sort of chuckled (I guess I don't look the type) and we haggled a bit (only me, AJ felt badly because they were an older couple), and I got the items for $31 off their asking prices! (oh, in case you're starting to feel badly for the couple too, they definitely had a few things overpriced).

And to complete this post on style, I thought I'd share a few more photos of my house decor taking shape (utilizing my practicality and whim)...

A few fun additions to the kitchen- I love homemade pottery and flowers

I can't seem to decide on one centerpiece, so I keep adding to the collection! 

I thought, if I keep these books front and center, I might actually use them. It's a whim, yes.

Displaying bouquets from my wedding-six in one room MAY be a little overkill.

I like it. Period.

My newest creation, sewn from a piece of $1 fabric from a rummage sale. 

Thanks is due to my mother, who taught me how to sew, entered me in a contest in 9th grade in which I won a sewing machine, and led the 4-H club that allowed me to hone my skills. :)

My next few projects include- sewing pillows with the (unending) fabric from this $1 piece of purple. Refinishing the dining table chairs, spray painting the cabinet for our bathroom, and organizing our paperwork... Don't worry, I won't take photos of the paperwork. I'm not THAT enthused about organizing.

All for now- on to take fingerprints for my MSW license- the final step!

Growth in Waiting

Waiting is hard.

A week ago I began this blog in a period of waiting. Only six days have passed, actually, since I announced that I have no idea where I go from here.

I spent six whole days waiting for understanding, for direction, for peace. Waiting for connection, for purpose, for wholeness.

So it seems appropriate on this forum to announce that plenty can happen in six days. Six days of waiting can produce multiple job prospects, fantastic laughter, creative moments, meaningful tears, awesome deals at an estate auction (another post in its own right), and a significant amount of introspection.

I am well aware that people wait months, years, sometimes indefinitely for direction. That is a long time. As a devout  planner, however, I contend that 6 days feels longer than necessary.

Waiting is hard. In the midst of the foggy uncertainty, however, the Spirit is at work. The Spirit of Truth whispers, "God has created you for meaningful work." The Spirit of Patience affirms, "God knows you are a planner, and God is too." The Spirit of Joy proclaims, "God created human companions for love and laughter, enjoy them." This is the Spirit in which I move and have my being. This is the Spirit of Growth.  The Spirit moves in the midst of our waiting, despite our impatience, according to our need. 

And I believe in the Spirit because I see the Creator's work all around...

Strawberries fashioned in patience, preparing for their ultimate fulfillment

Onions sprouting boldly above surface, while hard at work  establishing roots

Lilies growing again after the torment of bulb separation

The emergence of bean sprouts, a tiny promise of significant harvest

A reminder of the thinning process that allows other zucchini to prosper (don't worry, I replanted this little guy)

God's promises of growth, change, and harvest are plentiful this Spring.

And so it is with gratefulness in my heart for your presence during my (emotionally charged, but realistically short) wait, that I announce my new employment as the Academic Support Specialist at Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD.  As of June 17th, 2013, I will leave a period of waiting to embrace a new journey in the world of employment!

To what adventures will my new employment lead?  Time will tell (and so will I....stay tuned!)