Our Crazy Summer

This has been a really busy summer so far in the Pitney household.   We just went entered the new Fiscal year at work.  That means that not only am I am working to finish up the prior Fiscal Year, but I also have get everything started for the new one.  I finished the Annual Data report last week.  I kill a few good trees everything I have to complete that.  It's between 60 and 70 pages long and I need to print 9 final copies of it and I have to do it at the end of every Quarter.   It is interesting to look at the finished report and see what we have done all the year and how many clients we have served.  It tells a fun picture of what we do. 
Due to budget cuts, I am still only working 36 hours a week, plus the hours I'm working at Sears.  We are working to get some new funding to replace what we lost.  We also just finished a big event and we another have one coming up in October.  Walk A Mile: Mens March Against Domestic Violence --> Steve is participating in this and could use your support.

Steve has been working really hard too.  His hours were cut back to 32 hours a week at the YWCA, so that means he will have one day off every week.  That will give him so four day weekends, so he is happy about that.  He is picking up whatever hours he can at Sears to make up the difference.  I really do have a great husband.  He has a really tiring job some weeks, but he still willing to work sometimes up to 24 hours a week at Sears.
With both of us working on average 50 or so hours a week, it makes it interesting to find time to spend together.  God has been providing for us in amazing ways this summer and I trust that He will continue to do so.  There are a few goals that may have to slowed down a little for us, but the important things are still in tact.  This post made me really tired to read. I think I'm going to take a nap...after I make dinner, exercise on the Wii Fit a little, and do some house cleaning.  I have to admit life is pretty good right now.

I Stand In Awe of You

I Stand In Awe Of You by Hillsong United

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.

Run jane run 2011

Well, that was really fun. My friend, Sue, and I walked the 5K for the YWCA's run jane run. The money raised goes to support the domestic violence, sexual assault, and housing programs at the YWCA. It was a beautiful day and I love being out in nature at St. Pat's Park. Sue and I finished the walk in 59 minutes and six seconds. We were pretty happy with our time. I was happy to see so many people out to support the YWCA. It's a great organization.
I'm a little tired, so I think I'm going to do some cool down stretches before I have to go to work this afternoon. My body wants to take a nap but the expert runners tell me that will cause me to cramp up.

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Is There More than Corn in Indiana?

Steve found a really good deal on corn at Meijer this week for 20 cents an ear.  He decided that we should buy a bunch and freeze it for the winter.  He bought 130 ears of corn.  We try to eat corn with every meal if we can, so it makes sense to have a lot of it around.  We really do love corn.  I had Wednesday off work as a vacation day.  The original plan was to use the day to clean because my best friend was coming into town on Thursday.  I also scheduled our appliance tune ups since I was home.  As part of the house-cleaning process, I thought I would get the freezing process started.

After getting some tips from some friends, I started making our corn.

First, I removed the corn husks and as much of the slimy white silky stuff as possible.  Then I cleaned the corn and tried the cut out all the bad kernels.  The whole sink was filled with corn.   I don't think I have ever shucked that much corn in my life.  It didn't take as long as I thought it would though.


Then, my sis came over and she helped with the process.  We had two pots on the stove for the blanching.  Directions and tips from friends said to blanch the corn for about five  minutes then quickly throw it an ice bath.  I took corn out of one half of the sink and put cold water and a bag of ice in it for the ice bath.  After the ice bath, my sister's part of the process started.  She cut the kernels off the cob with a Pampered Chef corn cutter.  Which made the process so easy.  Thank you mom for letting us use it.
Next, we bagged up the corn.  I put about two cup of corn kernels in each bag with a teaspoon of sugar.  Thanks Jamie for that tip.  I'm sure the corn will be very sweet when we eat it.

We still have about two dozen ears left to do.   We had trivia with our family and friends on Tuesday and we brought some corn on the cob with us and last night we corn on the cob for dinner, and they tasted good.  I think we are going to have corn around the house for a little while.  Yum! Yum! Yum! 


Once the corn process was done and we found out we wouldn't have to go pick Liz up from airport Wednesday night, I cleaned some more of the house and played some WII games with Erin until Steve got home from work.

The Benefits of Spirit-Filled Living

I got this devotion in my email today.  It was a very timely email, I thought.  I do feel physically, emotionally, and spiritual depleted.  My "security gland" has taken a beating this past few weeks with all the stress of trying to cut back on our budget.  I am learning to lean on God and trust in Him that He will continue to provide for us.  I almost feel guilty for even being stressed because there are so many people out there that are struggling much more than we are.  We are going to be OK.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Bridget,

The Bible proclaims it. Christ promises it. Your life can be filled with love. Joy. Peace. Self control.
Sounds good, right? Perhaps a little too good to be true!
The Christian life is never effortless. But I've got some encouragement for you today: you have been well equipped for the journey!

My hope and prayer for you today is that with God's help and a little spiritual pruning, you will see a powerful difference in your life.


God bless you,

Dr. David Jeremiah
Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Ah ha. I knew It. Younger Siblings are Spoiled. :o)

This comic explains my whole childhood. :0) Just kidding...mostly. Anyone else with younger siblings that can totally relate to this?

Our Baby Tomatoes

With my mom's help, at the beginning of the summer we started a garden in our back yard. I have never had a garden before, so I thought it would be fun. I thought I would try me hand at tomatoes, because they seemed easy and I love tomatoes. They loved all the rain we got at the beginning of the season, so the plants are really big. With this heat, we have to keep them watered, so we don't kill them. Last week, I saw that we finally have little green baby tomatoes. I can't wait until the grow up into big red tomatoes. They are going to be so tasty. If I'm successful with tomatoes, maybe I'll try a different vegetable next year.

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Budget Cuts are Not Fun

It is going to be an interesting couple of months for Steve and I. We just found that Steve's hours are going to be cut starting in August. Luckily, we wont lose our benefits though, so that we are thankful for. I trust God is going to continue to provide for all our needs. He has done it before and He will do it again. It's going to tough though trying to squeeze every last dollar out of our already tight budget. We are still going to continue working on the Wycliffe application process. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
James 1:12

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Learning to Sew

My mom got to me a sewing maching for my birthday last month.  I haven't sewed anything on the sewing maching since I was in 7th and 8th grade Home Ec class.  In 7th grade, I made a chocolate chip cookie pillow and in 8th grade I made a blue tote bag, which I still have.  I guess now is as good a time as any to learn how to sew.  Now, I just have to figure out how to use it and make project I should make first.  I found a website allfewsewing.com that has some free patterns on it, so I think I'm going to start there.  This should be an adventure. :o)
I wonder if there any sewing classes in the area where I can take classes.  I might learn better if I have someone teaching me, than just teaching myself.  Hopefully, learning to sew will help teach me some patience along the way too.

Therefore Encourage One Another...

1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Throughout my years of middle school ministry, I have received many notes of encouragement from students and my fellow leaders.  I can not begin to say how much those mean to me.  I still have many of the notes on display around the house and in my Bible.  I am going to take them with me and keep them close as we continue to make plans to move.  One of the hardest parts of the thought of moving is knowing how many close friends I'm going to leave behind.  This is my way to bring you with me.  I hope that I continue to live up to the words they wrote.

Here are just a few:

• "I loved leading with you this year. You are a great person." - Naomi
• "I love your heart for kids. You shine...my friend...you shine." - Judy
• "You always are so happy. Thank you for encouraging others and my children." - Laura
• "I love your positive attitude & the joy that you carry with you always. Love ya sis." - Judy
• "You have a heart for God and it's been a joy watching you on your walk with Christ." - Jason
• "You have a great memory for names. Good way to love our kids." - Adam
• "How faithful & awesome you are. You have been a part of Oasis longer than I have. How special you make our events." - Chris
• "You rock, my friend. I have known ya for...well a long time and you have always have the same sweet smile & friendly lovable personality." - Loretta
• "You are awesome leader. You have taught me so much." - Dianna
• "It's great being a leader with you. You have so much insight. Thanks for all your wisdom." - Carole
• "Your dedication to Oasis is so appreciated." - Wendy
• "Hey gurl, I love you & you are a great girl. I hope you will always be here & I can count on you. Love you tons." - Jeanette

Telling My Story

As part of the Wycliffe application process, I thought I would write out my "My Story" of how I started my Christian walk.

Here is my story.  It's not great, but it's mine:

I grew up with Christian parents and we went to church every week. We prayed before meals and I knew all the Bible stories from Vacation Bible Schools and my children’s Bible. I knew there was a God but I didn’t understand then what a personal relationship with him was like. My dad worked for trucking company that transferred him to different cities throughout my childhood. By the time I was ten, we had moved eight times. When we arrived in Mishawaka, at the beginning of fifth grade, I had decided that I didn’t want to make friends. It wasn’t that I couldn’t make friends, but I didn’t want to because I “knew” we would be moving again and I was tired of saying goodbye to good friends. This caused me to be somewhat of an outcast in my class because I avoided people. I actually preferred that people not like me because then I wouldn’t care when I moved away from them. My classmates thought I was just shy and I probably was a little and instead of trying to break through the walls that I had built up they just gave me more reasons to not like them. I figured if I didn’t let anyone get to near me than they couldn’t hurt me. My fifth and sixth grade and Junior High years were pretty lonely. God did protect me from getting into anything too destructive because with my negative attitude I probably could have. I have found though that most often when kids find themselves hanging out with the wrong crowd, it’s because they are searching for friends and a need for acceptance. I wasn’t searching for friends; I was avoiding them for the most part. I got pretty good at being nice to people, but not forming really deep friendships.

It wasn’t until High School that I started to feel safe making friends. During my sophomore year of High School, some friends that I had made invited me a youth ministry event at their church. I decided to go and once I got there I looked around and was shocked at how many people that I knew there. There was something different about the people in the room and I wasn’t sure what it was at first. I started going every week with them and I realized that I starved for connection and relationships. I realized that even though I thought I was avoiding friendships for the past five years that I had some great friends anyway. These friends actually seemed to genuinely care about me. For the first time in my life I learned that God actually desired a personal relationship with me. I felt like every week the youth pastor was speaking directly to me. I recommitted my life to Christ surrounded by some of my closest friends. My high school small group was very supportive of me and helped me to break down some of the walls I had built up. It is interesting when I look back and realize that some of the closest, dearest friends that I still have now I met during those tough Junior High years. I wouldn’t trade those friendships for the world.

Because of those friends and the ministry of that church, I decided to go to Bethel College. While at Bethel College, I got involved with my church’s middle school ministry. Sometimes I wonder why God brings things into your life, but when I look back I think that maybe God was preparing me to do ministry to students just like me. I also met my husband at Bethel College. Sometimes when we don’t understand why something is happening, we just have to remember that God might a bigger purpose. If I hadn’t started attending the youth ministry in High School, I wouldn’t have made some of the amazing friends that I have now and I’m not sure that I would have wanted to go to Christian college. If I wouldn’t have moved around so much as a child, I don’t think I would have wanted to stay in the same city for college. I was finally in a place that I felt I could call home and I didn’t want to leave. If I hadn’t gone to Bethel, I wouldn’t have been invited to join the middle school ministry team at church, which taught me so much and helped me grow in my walk with Christ and I wouldn’t have met my husband, who is my best friend.

I continue to learn and grow in my Christian walk everyday. I don’t think I am where I need to be, but I’m on the journey. I still struggle sometimes with feelings of unworthiness and sometimes I will still shy away when meeting new people because I am not really sure if I want to let them in or not. I have learned that during those times I can lean on God and He will be my comfort. There is no feeling like the feeling of knowing the God desires to my friend.

Wycliffe Application Process Continues

Joining Wycliffe is a bit of a long process.  Before we can even be given an application, we have to become approved by our recruiter and assigned an Application Specialist.  Our Application Specialist will then send us a link to the application and we have 41 days from the day we receive it to complete it.  Well this week, we got assigned our Specialist and received our application, so now the fun part begins.  They estimate it will take about 10 hours to complete the application.  There are some really probing questions on the application that you really have to think about.  Some are pretty basic questions, such as employment history and education.  Other questions, though, are about my doctrinal beliefs, moral convictions and how I handle stress.  Because I am interested in IT, I also had to complete a questionnaire about my IT skills and experience.  I hate talking about myself in applications. I am really bad at describing myself.  I guess that could stem from the low self-esteem that I often have.  I think I'm going to write out my thoughts on another word document, then after going over it again I will add them to the final application.
Steve is farther along on his than I am, because he started his while I was making dinner on Wednesday and then I had an 30 more questions than he did about IT stuff.  I am going to have to carve out some time tonight and work on it.  Please continue to pray for us as we go through this process.  It is going to be a really stretching experience for us as we continue to application process, get ready to move, and start to raise up our support team.

Support the YWCA at a Ladies Night Out at the Cove

Ladies’ Night Out!
Summer has finally arrived and its time to have fun and make a difference...all at the same time! The South Bend Silver Hawks are providing one night of fashion, entertainment and community outreach for all Michiana women on Wednesday, July 20th and we hope you’ll join us. 

• InspireMe boutique, the title sponsor of Ladies’ Night Out, presents a Summer Line Fashion Show during the game along with the latest fashion advice.
• Silver Hawks staff and interns will also be lending a hand by auctioning their services to the community with all proceeds benefitting the YWCA North Central Indiana’s programs for women and children.
• And if that isn’t enough to get you there… one lucky woman will be chosen to participate in the Silver Hawks Ambush Makeover. The winner will receive free services from Salon Rouge and a fashion consultation with Jeanne from InspireMe.

Don’t miss out!! Take a night off with your best girlfriends and join the boys of summer for some fun!

To order your tickets please CLICK HERE
(type “YWCA” as the Special Offer Code) so a portion of the ticket price goes to the YWCA or call (574) 235-9988 to purchase tix over the phone

Thanks for supporting the YWCA!

Join the YWCA & the South Bend Silver Hawks for Summer Fun at the Cove

Looking Forward to What's Ahead

It feels like things are coming together. Steve and I had a two hour conversation with our Wycliffe recruiter on Sunday. Since we hit the break even point in our debt we felt that we could move ahead with the process. We now know what our next step is. Once we fill out the application and become approved candidates, and have an interview with the application specialist we can apply for the Equip training in Orlando. Equip is a two week training that will teach us about partnership building, language development, and other things for Wycliffe. The next Equip training is at the end of January. Two weeks in Orlando in January 2012...that sounds like a great plan. Then when we complete that we will get our assignment and can start our graduate studies at GIAL. At this point we will put the house on the market and move to Dallas. Selling the house will not only make us debt free but will give us the money we need to pay for school. We are thinking that maybe that can happen in the next two years. We can keep working our current jobs through the whole process.
I'm excited to see what God has in store for us in the next few years.

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I Survived Turning 30

I turned 30 over the weekend on Saturday.  It was a beautiful weekend.  Steve and I went out for my birthday dinner on Friday night after I got off work.  We decided to try somewhere that we had never been before.  We tried The Flat Top Grill in Mishawaka.  It was pretty good.  Basically, they give you a bowl and you fill it up with all the veggies and meat that you want and pour some sauce on top and they stir-fry it all up for you.  I actually decided to live a little and get strawberry lemonade, instead of my normal water.  Hey, you only turn 30 once. :o)
Since we were in the mall, we walked around Barnes and Noble and looked at the clearance tables and see if there are any books that we want to read.   I wanted to try the new yogurt shop in Granger, but it wasn't open yet.

Friday and Saturday was my parent's neighborhood garage sale.  Friday I sat at my parent's in the morning, but then I had to go to work at Sears until 7.  Saturday, I requested off from Sears so I sat at the sale all day with my mom and our friend, Sue.  Steve and I love to go garage saleing.  We were pretty successful at our sale.  We seemed busier on Friday, then on Saturday but Steve and I sold a bunch of stuff.  My mom said between all the families involved in our sale we made over $400.  Steve and I walked around the blocks to see what everyone else was sellling.  We didn't find much to buy, but Steve did find some tools.  It was a beautiful weekend for a garage sale.  We heard that it rained in other areas on Mishawaka, but it didn't rain at all in Reverewood.

Sunday was Father's Day.  Since I took Saturday off work for the garage sale, I had to work on Sunday.  We were kind of busy with shoppers, possible some last minute Father's Day presents.  I got off work at 4 and when I got home Steve was doing yard work.  Then we went over to my parent's for Father's Day dinner.  I love having such a tight-nit family that live so close to each other, so we can get together so often.  I saw my family on Thursday when I was bringing things over for the garage sale, Friday and Saturday during the sale, and on Sunday for Father's Day.  I will see them tonight at Trivia Night too.
I'm looking forward to the next decade.  It should full of new and exciting adventures.  Bring it on!

Steve Thinks My Tractor's Sexy!

Do you like my new tractor?  Just kidding, I got to drive the tractor at work today while we were putting them away from outside.  It was pretty fun to drive it around.  It rode it around the parking lot while I was waiting for my co-workers to get the rest of the stuff inside.

Can God Really Be Trusted?

I know that God has promised to provide all our needs.  This year just seems to have been filled with so many set backs when it comes to our financial goals.  With all the job losses, car repairs, and such similar events it seems like every time we were getting ahead something happened to set us back.  Even with all these things setbacks, God has been providing for us at every turn.  We finally, after a lot of hard work, have gotten to our "Break Even Point" where when we sell the house we will be debt free.  That is exciting for us because now we can make the necessary plans to move to Texas and join Wycliffe completely debt free.  There is an application process and some classes that we have to take and then once we get accepted we can make plans to sell the house, create our support team, and move to Texas.  It's a process that can take some time, but it's exciting that now can start.  And it also means that each debt payment that we make from this point until we move is just gravy.  The more I think about the question above, the more I realize that the answer is an absolute "Yes."  He may not always provide in the speed that I expect or in the way I expect, but He will always provide all our needs.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:25-33

I love Summer!

Steve and I had a somewhat productive weekend.  We both had to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We don't usually work on Sunday, so it was strange that we were both scheduled.  I like the extra hours though.  Saturday, I also helped a friend move after work.  Sunday, I was pretty sore after that.

We did manage to get some stuff done around the house this weekend though.  The weather was just beautiful this weekend.  It was hot and sunny and I like that much more than cold and rainy.  Summer is very close to my favorite season and it looks like summer is here finally.  We actually broke down and turned the air conditioning on in the house this weekend.  The fans just weren't cutting it with the humidity.

Steve used the great weather to get the garage cleaned up and organized.  It looks great.  I turned the sprinkler on to water the flowers in our backyard that my amazing mom planted and then decided since the water was on I might as well wash my car.  I even vacuumed it out.  It looks very nice. 

I'm still working on getting garage sale stuff together.  I have filled my car up twice now and am starting to bring stuff over to my parent's house.  I have tried to advertise in all free places I can think of.  I am hoping for a very successful sale because our Emergency Fund took a big hit last week when we took my car into the shop.  It was making some weird noises and shaking really hard when we were driving on the bypass.  So now the Focus has some brand new tires, a new tire rod, and a few other things were done.  Overall, it was a relaxing and productive weekend.

2011 Reverewood Neighborhood Garage Sale

Steve and I (and a few other families) are having a garage sale at my parent's house in Reverewood.  Saturday the 18th is my 30th birthday, so you should come and celebrate with me at our garage sale.  On the map below, the house is actually a little farther down the street from the marker, but it's close.  The house is actually at the "d" in Medford.

View Larger Map

Save the Date: YWCA run, jane, run 2011