Simple Smiles

This picture from tonight just about sums up my weekend:

Fun. Cheerful. & Bright!

Lots of friends, family, love, and encouraging conversations..and lots of smiles this weekend!

Extreme Home Makeover: Tischer Edition

 "How's your house coming?" is a question typically asked, with not such a grand response these days. Truth is, it has been very slow, but we've made some progress this week!

The picture above shows what you'll see as you walk in our front door. This room is currently a mix of new, gifted, and borrowed items. We're still working to finalize everything, but we are enjoying having a complete living room area in our home!

Since we were basically re-doing the entire house, Mom took the opportunity to update the look/style as well. Her latest project has been those windows. Those are not new, just newly painted! They went from dark stained wood to freshly painted white - and they really brighten up the space!

I'm sitting in this new room typing up this post and simply enjoying the sense of hominess a little carpet and comfy furniture can bring to a house! I hope this front room will welcome many guests into our home in the years to come!

My Favorite Teammate

Nate and I met on June 1, 2011 - one year ago today! I had just graduated from college, moved back home, and was looking for a young adult group to get involved with. My friend, Danielle, and I decided to see what the group at First Baptist was like. Well, when they started up a game of ultimate frisbee after our group discussion that night, I felt right at home - and it got even better when we headed inside after that to play volleyball! I found a spot on the court, and a guy in a red shirt, shorts, and clunky work boots introduced himself as we shook hands under the volleyball net.

And that's where it all began!

This morning, Nate took me to Chenango Valley State Park to eat breakfast and hike around the lake. We also talked about this past year - the joy, excitement, and changes we have experienced together. I told Nate I was glad we were no longer on opposite sides of the volleyball net, but that we've decided to work as a team to develop a friendship and strengthen our relationship.

It was neat to reflect back on this past year and where the Lord has brought us, and we are looking forward to what the future brings as we continue to seek His direction.

*You might be impressed to know that Nate still remembers what I was wearing the day we first met too!

Horse Race Highlights

My sister, Julie, and I spent Saturday together checking out Tioga Downs. Neither of us had been to a horse race before, so it was a lot of fun! Here are some horse race highlights:

1. It was FREE! We did not have to pay for parking or admission.
2. Riding in the starting gate truck. They let people ride in the red truck that has the starting gate for the horse. And yes, of course Julie and I were eager to do this! We were on the track with the horses to watch them take off! Not just for one race, but for TWO! (So we could each have a turn in the best seat!)
3. Following the crowd. I'm sure most people could tell that Julie and I were clueless as to this whole horse race thing. Especially when everyone was lining up at the inside fence. We thought they were all there for a better view, so we proudly ran over and got a spot right by the finish line, Julie with her camera ready! Only to find out that everyone was lining up to throw squishy horses into a car that was going to drive by in order to win a prize. We headed away from the fence, slightly embarrassed that we were so pumped to be by the finish line for this less than thrilling event.
4. Betting on a horse. Throughout the night we learned more about how the betting works and what your options are. Still not being experts, we wandered over to buy a ticket. We picked horse #7 and watched The Evictor win FIRST PLACE!!! We cashed in our $2 ticket for $4.70!
5. Spending our winnings! After taking back the $2 we spent to bet on the horse, we each spent $1 in the casino. We still have no idea why people go in there. We were looking for games like they have at Chuck-E-Cheese, but every game at the casino is the same with different pictures on the screen. Neither of us turned our $1 into big money, but we still had our 70 cents, which we proudly split and each walked away from the night with 35 cents!

Here we are with the starting gate truck after our ride(s)! We came home and told all parents all about our night - through our laughter and excitement in sharing our stories, it wasn't hard to tell that it was a memorable night! Our first horse race was definitely and experience and a fun night to share as sisters.

Selfish Attitude

Sometimes it's tough to realize the world does not revolve around you.

I've recently been learning just how selfish I can be, but the Lord is good at finding ways to keep me humble!

Motorcycle Mom

When Mom found out Nate had a motorcycle, she told me about a past boyfriend of hers that used to pick her up for dates on a motorcycle - just like Nate does with me sometimes!

Eventually Mom mentioned that she wanted a ride on Nate's bike - and we made that happen last night! She was a little nervous to get on a bike after more than 30 years, but she had a great ride!

From the Bookshelf: Unplanned

Life has slowed down a bit lately, so I've had more time for some leisure reading! I received the book, Unplanned, for Christmas, and was able to finish it up today!

Unplanned is written by Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director. She shares her true story of her change of heart and the journey God had for her.

Abby's time at Planned Parenthood began during college when she volunteered with the organization. Eventually she became more involved and over time, became the director at a location in Texas. She liked working for Planned Parenthood because she had a heart for women and wanted to help them. Planned Parenthood does provide some help for women, but one day Abby was asked to assist with an abortion. All those years working at the clinic, and she had never been involved with the abortions. She realized a lot about Planned Parenthood that day and in the months to come.

For 8 years, Abby's desire had been to help women in a crisis situation, but when Planned Parenthood began pushing for more and more abortions to be done at her clinic, her eyes were opened to what her husband and other family and friends had been praying.

No longer wanting to take a stand with those encouraging abortions, Abby quit her job, unsure of what was to come.

The Coalition for Life often prayed outside the clinic Abby worked at. Not knowing what else to do, Abby went to them for help. Eventually Abby became involved with their efforts - she was now praying at her former clinic - on the opposite side of the fence than she had been on for all those years.

Abby's decision to walk away from Planned Parenthood created quite the buzz in the news. Many people had been praying for her change of heart for several years, and it was an encouragement to see those prayers answered! Becoming involved in the Coalition for Life, Abby was still able to help women facing an unplanned pregnancy, but without the pressure of encouraging abortion.

Working at Life Choices Center, Abby's story had come up a few times in emails or things I've read online. It was interesting to read her story since she has been on both sides of the fence. Abby now has a lot of influence where she speaks and shares her story, and I'm glad she is standing for life!