My New Job

The past week has been quite eventful. Not simply because of the theft on Sunday, but because I was offered (and accepted) a new job on Friday morning. In mid February I will become Sunset Presbyterian's new Special Events Coordinator.

I feel exceptionally honored that they offered me the job. Sunset is swimming with highly qualified people and I'm sure it was not an easy decision. My spirit is lifted with the reality that they felt me qualified enough to join them in fulfilling the mission at Sunset in serving Christ and the community. I'm thrilled beyond words and can't wait to start!!

In some ways I feel like I shouldn't be paid for doing something I love! Events are one of my greatest joys. I'm not sure how that happened, but I get a thrill from being a part (any part) of an event. Seeing it take shape from the brainstorming stages to finding people to fill positions, discussing ideas, orchestrating the elements that come together and make it wonderful, and even tearing it down. In some ways, the event itself is the least interesting part... at least for me. Sort of like when my brothers and I used to play legos. We loved to build cities and buildings and then when it was all finished, we'd end up bored and break it all up to build something else.

For the past 5 years I've been in Portland, I've been in and out of Sunset in different capacities. Interim staff in the youth department, volunteering on events, attending events, attending regular services, helping lead the 20s group Quarterlife for a while, and 4 years as a leader to girls in the highschool ministry which included Houseboat camp for 4 years and winter camp for 3. I have wonderful friends who work at Sunset (half the blogs I link to are those people) and I feel honored to join them.

I will admit that I'm slightly intimidated about the transition from working in a secular environment to a Christian one. I've gotten so used to separating God and my work (not on a personal level, I've always tried to remember that whatever I do can be honoring to and service to Him), that I'm not sure what to expect. I worked at Peacemaker Ministries for 3.5 years before moving here, so have had some experience in ministry. When I left Peacemakers my hope was to one day work for a church but without a degree and not a ton of life experience (except for with events, oddly enough) I wasn't sure where I would fit in.

This might seem a bit overly dramatic about something as simple as where you make your money, but for someone who has not always had the privilege of working in areas I thrive in, I feel like this job is a direct (highly undeserved) gift from God. In more ways than I could describe!!

To my correct work: Thanks for the privilege of letting me work with and learn from you over the past 3.5 years! And thanks for helping me grow up in maturity and in my professional abilities under your leadership and direction.

To my future co-workers and boss (Janet): Thanks for extending the opportunity to serve with you! I look forward to a long working relationship and many fantastic events to come!!

Thieves like to shop at Office Depot, Ross and Plaid Pantry?

Yep, you guessed it. I was the victim of theft this weekend. Actually, this afternoon.

My friend Trisha and I went for our usual weekend run but instead of Saturday morning, postponed until Sunday afternoon. We've never run in the afternoon, but given the potential slick conditions this morning, we opted for later.

As usual, I drove to her place, hopped in her car and we headed to our regular trail off Thurman near NW 23rd. I think it's the Leif Erickson trail. We left our purses in the car (mistake) and headed out.

Upon arrival back to the car I first noticed there was broken glass on the ground and thought to myself, "something must have happened here". I glanced up and realized it happened it us!! Trisha's back seat passenger side window was completely shattered and the purses we had "conveniently" left in the back seat where no where to be seen.

A nice stranger walking by loaned us his phone when we made 3 quick calls, one of which to the Police Department. We waited a little over an hour for the officer to show up to file the report. While waiting we tried to keep warm (with the "open" window) by blasting the heat. We also managed to scrounge up some paper and pens from Trisha's glove box to start making lists of the contents of our purses. We disappointedly tried to remember everything inside. Things like wallet with drivers license, debt cards, department store cards, cell phone, keys (only my car key), some cash, and other items.

By the time we got back to Trisha's, Mark had gotten a ride over there with our extra car key (mine was in my purse) and we drove home, making a stop at the pharmacy to refill a prescription that was in my purse. Luckily the pharmacy didn't ask for any ID. While driving, I used Mark's phone to call on the debt cards that were in my wallet.

In the wake of something that's highly frustrating, I found a few ways of being thankful... Mark borrowed my new 80gig iPod right before I left, to use at the gym, so it wasn't in my purse. I had accidentally left my key ring (with all keys but my car key) in my pocket on our run, instead of in my purse. I had also recently switched to a smaller sized purse which I carried fewer items inside, unlike other times in my life.

Of course, I lost my favorite wallet I hadn't had very long, a really good cell phone with all my contact numbers, my car key with alarm keyring (we are parked in Barb's garage tonight, in case they felt like using my ID to find my car), a cute new purse, and countless other items.

I've already cancelled all the cards, put a hold on my cell phone number, made a plan to get a new drivers license and call to see about getting another car key and changing the code (or something like that) for my car alarm, as well as emailed a few contacts on craigslist to see about getting a reasonable replacement cell phone.

About $350 charges to Office Depot, Ross, and Plaid Pantry, inconvenience and feeling a little violated, I'm not that poor off. So in this case, I'm counting my blessings and can appreciate the reminder to put my purse in the trunk next time I need to leave it in the car to go run. Although right now I'm walking around with a purse (I had an extra) that only has my house keys, ipod, chapstick, and a list of what my "real" purse used to have inside :(

So if I had your number, it's now gone. Please email me your digits. Thanks!!

Culinary Confessions...

I like working with phyllo dough. Its super easy and makes something average look kind of fancy.


I eat 2 breakfasts every morning. Mark says that is not normal. I try and make sure the 2 might be equal to 1 in normal life. My body just doesn't like to take enough in to fill me up for the entire morning (or more than 2 hours at a time). 2 small breakfasts is my solution. It works well.


I think crockpot meals should not have any additional steps other than putting the ingredients in and turning it on... case in point, a recent crockpot meal only wanted you to add some of the ingredients with the meat and cook all day. Not paying attention, I added all the ingredients before realizing.


Most of the dinners I have made take at least 1/4 to twice as long to prepare as they say. The result, my side dishes aren't ready at the same time.


I don't currently serve "real" veggies with dinner, only canned. It's hard enough for me to do the main dish and side item that the veggie would throw me over the top. I'll work on learning how to cook those later. Besides, I kind of like canned veggies. And we should all be proud of me for doing that as I'm not a veggie person.


I always seem to run out of eggs.


I like to eat some kind of dessert after every meal. And my body can't be faked by the "lite" stuff.

Sometimes we make Hamburger Helper meals for dinner. And I'm okay with that.


We don't eat until almost 8pm most evenings. We like to cook at home (cheaper and fun) but I also workout after work a couple days a week. Compromise, we rein in our hunger pains until we get things prepared after the gym or other errands.


I like lots of onions and only use real butter.

My 2 favorite kitchen utilies are my hand chopper (from Pampered Chef), because I detest chopping!! And my Kitchen Aid Mixer. I put everything in it!!

You can make almost anything if you just follow the steps.


My criteria in selecting a new recipe to try is if I can recognize all the ingredients (or almost all), there aren't an over abundance of items listed, and if the steps are fairly simple.


Because we have only recently started cooking... at least 3 or 4 meals every week are new recipes we've never tried. We duplicate a few, but want to build up our list before we create a rotation.



I've actually been enjoying cooking.

Cold?

I thought this was funny. My parents live in Billings, Montana. Mom sent this comment to me in an email today, "It never got over 18 degrees, but at least the wind chill warmed up to -1".

At least?? "Warmed" up to NEGATIVE 1?? Hah!!

It was cold this morning but I'm glad it's not that cold!

Just life stuff

Last night I hung out with my friend Stacey. It was a great time!! I feel like our lives are finally settling down a little after our weddings (we got married 2 weeks apart). It's nice to feel like our friendship is more than just about our upcoming nuptials and post-wedding wrap up. There is so much more depth to us as individuals and our lives that it was fun to talk more deeply. We've had great visits up until now, but last night was different (in a good way).

Lately I have picked back up on the habit of memorizing scripture. Right now I'm in Psalm 37 and about 5.5 verses deep. I love memorizing an entire passage because it's fun to have things in context and Psalms gives you so much to chew on. I made a deal with myself a while ago regarding memorizing scripture... a) I can memorize it at whatever pace I feel like (e.g. I only did half a verse today) b) I can take as many time (days) as I want on one verse before moving to the next one and c) I don't have to worry about remembering the verses when I move to another passage or take a break because it's more for meeting my need during that season of life. What I appreciate about memorizing scripture is that it gives me something to think about while running or driving or other idle times. And an entire passage is easier to review than several random verses (at least for me). Today's verse was very appropriate to my life!

Tomorrow Mark and I are coming up with a 2 week meal plan and will do all the shopping at 2 stores. Oddly enough, I'm excited about this!! I've really been enjoying trying new recipes. Mark praises me highly for a nearly botched meal, must less one that turn out really good! He's a great guinea pig ;) He especially likes homemade biscuits. He ate the cheese ones I threw together the other day, for breakfast 2 days in a row. The only challenge with our shopping trip tomorrow is that I haven't been too good at price comparing and making sure we're getting the most for our money. Two weeks worth of meals might blow our budget so I'm going to try and be creative (in addition to shopping at Winco). I keep track of how much we are spending as we go and will list the optional items as such so we can not get them if it looks like we'll go over a certain $$ amount.

We are also starting a build-your-own pizza tradition on Sunday nights when we go to Barb's. We're getting pizza dough (uncooked) at Trader Joe's for cheap and will keep pizza topping ingredients on-hand. I'm very excited about this because growing up my mom used to make pizza every Sunday night for dinner and I loved it!! I'll be attempting a homemade pizza sauce that I can modify the way Mark likes. For me and Barb I think I'll try a garlic ranch and/or BBQ sauce instead of marinara. Here's a question: can you put uncooked pizza dough in the freezer or fridge for over a week?? I'll ask my Mom, she's a MASTER at anything food related!!

"New Year New You" - my thoughts on food, my body, and exercise

Doesn't it feel like that's what we sometimes hear in abundance? Doesn't it feel like we are constantly trapped between trying to be content with the bodies and "big bones" God may have given when not giving up on the effort to look nice?

I think I'm the girl that looks fine but is always in need of loosing that extra 10 to 15 pounds. I weigh 153ish and I think that being 5'4, "they" say I should weigh about 130 or less. Umm... ya, not gonna happen!

So, this is the reality I've decided to embrace. I'm not bad the way I am, but certainly not going to win any modeling contest (although why I would have thought I had a fighting chance to begin with might be a bigger issue to deal with ;)

Last year was my best year of running so far! I've been running off and on for the past 8+ years, but more aggressively in the past 2.5, although tend to slack off in the winter. Which is why I don't consider myself a "real" runner because don't real runners keep it up all year round? With the distraction of the wedding and training for the marathon this year, I seemed to just plug away as best I could and did really well! At least, well for me ;)

Regarding food, I LOVE to eat... a LOT!! My stomach issues over the past 2 years have lead me to discover I get pretty uncomfortable when I eat too much so have been better at portion control, if for no other reason then that I'm not a fan of refluxing most of my dinner.

The "problem" with running is you have to eat. Result = no weight loss. This summer Mark and I found ourselves at Macaroni Grill most Friday nights so I could carbo load (literally trying to stuff myself with as much wheat pasta as I could), in preparation for Saturday morning's long runs. I didn't really like to, but it helped keep me from getting hungry early on the next morning. Getting hunger pains at mile 5 of 18 is LAME!

The only problem with that strategy and not running much during the winter is a girl tends to forget she's not running as much and eat the same amount. Therefore, you easily pack on that extra 5 pounds expected every winter.

I've averaged an extra 2 pounds that haven't come off, every year since I was 16.

Last summer I saw a successful slimming of my body by the time of our wedding in early September. It wasn't much, but just enough that I felt really good for our wedding!! Which was pretty cool. I've never "slimmed down" in my life, only gotten less flabby from logging all those miles but don't loose weight or slim down, normally. But last summer I tried to watch what I was eating just a tiny bit extra and there you go!

I feel like I didn't put on as much of the 5 pounds normally predicted during the winter, so far this year (although the ice cream I've been having every night might not help). And have started my training for the year. We're (we=Trisha, my running partner and I) planning for 3 half marathons between April and October and the Portland Marathon, which we'll run with my mom and uncle (my uncle will probably be almost an hour ahead of us).

My running has started off better than I thought over the past week. I'm attempting to do something I haven't done before and run 4 days a week. I normally get burned out with 3 and 4 throws it too far over the edge, but every year I do a little better so maybe this is the year...

Another goal my mom, uncle, and brother are trying to set this year is to run 1000 miles. That is an average of 19 miles a week. By the end of this week I'll be behind 24 miles and it will be 2 or 3 more weeks until I can average the 19. However, there are weeks in the summer where I run over 19 so my projected total for the end of the year is over 1000... but that's if I run 4 days a week for the ENTIRE year!! Not so sure that's realistic. Hah!

I have to add that I DEEPLY appreciate Mark's 100% support of my running!! He is the best support system and encourager!! Most Saturday mornings as I'm heading out the door early to meet Trisha for our long run, he has left me a note by my keys, telling me how proud he is of me! And I LOVE the look on his face and big hug I get when I see him at the finish line after a race!!

For a girl who "blossomed" a little too much too early and was never athletic or anything, ever, the running is pretty cool!!

My brother is a rock star!!

Okay, he's not in real life, but he might as well be in my eyes ;) Both my brothers!! Although I specifically want to mention my older bro.

We were recently talking about suffering with idolatry of the new iPhone and he sent me an article he wrote for The Brew Magazine. The article is called, My Plastic Idol: Old School Idolatry in a New School World. He's got some pretty great thoughts. Check it out!

Blog roll??

Hi to all my readers (whoever you are). As a reader of blogs (who's owners sometimes don't know I read), I hate having to identify myself. I like to hop on, read, and hop off before the writer of the blog knows I was there. Mostly because I love to read about other people's lives. Snoop on what is going on, be privy to information I might not otherwise know... you know the drill ;)

However, I have tried to take a queue from many of your "commenters" and make more of an effort lately to identify myself and occasionally comment on the blogs of those I read regularly. It's just fun and encouraging to the writer, to know you are among their readers. Can I ask the same of all of you? And thanks to those of you who DO comment on a regular basis! I can't tell you how encouraging it is to see your notes, affirmation, and encouragement!!

The other reason that I ask is because I've had a couple of people comment over the months, who I don't know. Either from a first name I can't place or a blogger profile that is not shared. I'd love to know who is out there. Any chance you could just leave a comment letting me know you stopped by? Or email me. I'm a big fan of communication (markcarrie.peeples AT gmail.com).


In other news, Mark and I are going to be apart for only the second time we have been married, this weekend. I was invited by my new sister-in-law to a scrapbooking weekend at her families' lake house. I'm VERY excited as I have some events I need to catch up on scrapbooking and spent time last weekend and this week organizing my supplies and getting a few extra to tide me over through the weekend. I go through phases where I sometimes worry about the addiction I seem to have with scrapbooking accessories ;)

Anyway, so I leave shortly for a weekend away. Although we are returning around noon on Sunday so only have like 48 hours away from each other. This morning when I dropped Mark off to catch his bus to work, we did our usual quick kiss as he got out of the car (he was a little late) and didn't realize until late morning that it was the last time we would see each other until Sunday. I feel like I should be okay with this short time away, but am rather sad :( Pathetic I know, but I just love being with him!!!


Don't forget to leave a comment if you are willing. Thanks!!

"I'm all full of love for you right now"

This is what Mark and I like to say to each other during those "high love" moments. And normally when they happen, it's at random times, not the moments you might think ;) Since this morning was an "I'm all full of love for you" morning, I thought I'd write a post about things I LOVE about Mark:

- I LOVE how he is making an effort to sleep closer to me at night. I really enjoy waking up at night and feeling him near me.
- I love being with Mark in the morning. Nothing significant happens in the morning, just getting ready together, but it's always sweet.
- I appreciate how Mark is always quick to help. He offers to help with food or clean up every time we cook.
- I love how when I ask for help, he graciously comes without a question or hesitation.
- I love how Mark enjoys the stupid things about me like when I try and sing along to a song in the car or make strange sound effect noises. He always tells me I shouldn't make it a living but you can see the delight in his face as he listens to me and laughs.
- I love how he looks at me when I am having a hard day and how he can tell how I'm going to respond to something before a look crosses my face or a word comes out of my mouth.
- I love how he kisses me. That's why I like the picture at the top of this blog. He takes my face in his hands and smiles at me as he leans in.
- I love how he has so many variations of how he kisses me, there are too many to mention and we are the only ones who would probably find them fun ;)
- I love how he holds me when we are laying in bed at night, for the few moments before we fall asleep. I fit so perfectly in his arm crease.
- I love the funny things he does that are so "Mark". They never upset me, they make me smile because I know that only my Mark would do something like that ;)
- I love how he smells.
- I love how he tastes.
- I love how he feels against me.
- I just really love Mark more than I imagined possible!!! Seems like nearly everything he does makes me smile and enjoy him all the more!

When I think of these types of things it always makes me want to try and reflect on how God thinks these things about me (us). Even though I can think them of Mark, I have a hard time comprehending that this is how God feels about me. Why would it be easier for me to believe that this is how Mark feels about me (which he's told me it is), then to believe this is how God feels about me? Is it because he isn't actually here doing them in a physical way? But isn't Mark being here with me a tangible example of God's love for me?

Links are back...

As some of you have noticed, my blog has a new look. I like it ;)
In changing "the look", it deleted all my blog links. I reposted a few but didn't get as far as adding some others. So if your blog link was off my list for a couple days, please don't take offense. I simply had to get back at a computer long enough to get them posted.

My little sister

Many of you have heard the story of my adoptive sister (she's the one standing closest to me in the blog picture above) and how she first met my dad. It's a heart-warming story, the say the least. Apparently a reporter in Montana thought the same thing. She was doing an article on after Christmas returns and asked my dad a few questions while he was in line to return a ski helmet for my sister. My dad, being the talkative guy that he is, ended up telling her about Christina's story. The reporter did a long interview with them last week. They ran the article on the front page of the Billings Gazette yesterday. Check it out!

Chance Meeting On Airplane Leads to Teens Adoption

Christmas Pictures!!

Our first Christmas tree. It has more decorations on it than you can see. We called it the "training wheel tree". ;)

Mark and his brother Steve got pedicures when we in Whidbey. I thought it was commical that the guys got pedicures while the girls sat by and watched ;)

Rian helping Grandma Jean make a cake.

Poor Mark got sick on Christmas Eve and spent the day puking. I felt horrible for him so stayed by his side and got him whatever he needed.

One of Rian's favorite gifts was a set of boxes she got from her aunt Ade. It was cute.

Rian's other favorite gift was the ball play pen she got from her grandparents. It was very cute watching her play in there!! Her dad climbed in there with her.

Mark playing a new game in his new sweater. He felt better Christmas day but not 100%.

About God

It's the new year, fresh start, and all that jazz. So I thought I'd do an "honest" post on how I'm feeling about the God part of my life.

Since being married I decided to put most of the rest of my life aside to focus on setting up a good foundation with my new husband. So far so good! We've had a fantastic time learning to play house together, getting into routines, and just being with one another doing the day-to-day.
Setting other things aside meant dropping ministry. It was convenient timing as the students I'd been hanging with graduated last summer. So the timing was natural. That doesn't mean I haven't kept up with them a little, I saw some of them during Christmas break and we share notes during the school year.

Mark and I have continued to go to church and other activities church related or otherwise, but nothing too committed. We do plan to get into ministry but aren't sure the appropriate timing.

Mark and I pray together almost every night and I still do a couple lunch dates a week with God at Starbucks (although I missed quite a few during the holidays).

But my spiritual life seems to passionless, unmotivated, without much depth.

I think the adjustment from a high dependence on God being in ministry and as a single woman, dating, and then engaged, I miss those desperate times when it's just you and God. I guess this is what they mean when they talk about marriage being distracting.

As I've never been at this stage of life before, where as the single stuff I was beginning to master, I have no idea what it's supposed to look like. I know that our relationship with God will eb and flow. Partly because of life or circumstances or whatever, but I feel like I'm ready for some excitement and other than going out and creating drama myself, I don't think that's the answer. Instead, I think I'm supposed to sit down, open my Bible, and focus on connecting with God during THIS stage of my life. He will bring the excitement and/or drama he wants for my life (if any) when the time is right.

It's real different to learn to depend on God during the good times. I only knew God during a life I didn't want (a.k.a. single).

Highlights of 2007

Instead of publishing New Years Resolutions, which make me excited for new goals, but fearful I won't be able to accomplish them. If I want a goal that I KNOW I will have the drive to complete, I pick something I'm already doing :) Seriously, I have a major phobia of not meeting goals so rarely "talk" about something I haven't already hatched a plan to accomplish.

I prefer to look back at what I've accomplish instead of focus on what I didn't or plan to in the coming year. So here are my Highlights of 2007 (in no particular order):

- Got married to the most amazing man I've ever met!!!

- Planned (and had TONS of help) a super fun wedding that was better than I hoped for!

- Was in the weddings of 2 of my best friends.

- RAN my first marathon (it was my 3rd marathon, but first one I could say I ran all the way).

- Dropped 7 miles off my half marathon time from April to October.

- Ran a total of 740 miles for the year. Beating last year's mileage by 37 miles!

- Took the trip to Europe I've wanted to go on for 10 years.

- Went with my DAD on the trip to Europe and had a BLAST!! Seriously, he's a great travel buddy and we had a super fun time!!

- Christmas shopped without using money in savings or putting anything on credit (YIPPEE!!)

- Paid off our credit cards (how cool is that after doing Europe and a wedding the same year!!)

- Started cooking more often (successfully)

- Am living in my own place for the first time (shared by my husband, of course)

- Saw the highschool students I'd been working with since they were freshman, graduate.

- Visited Las Vegas for the 3rd time, but first time as a married woman ;)

- Did the drive from Oregon to Montana for Thanksgiving and with my new husband!

- Beat the medium level on Guitar Hero 3, with the help of Mark and my brother, of course ;)

- Got beautiful diamon stud earrings from my new husband for my 27th birthday!!

- And TONS of other things that are too numerous to mention. Let me finish with a big THANK YOU to our families and friends and all of YOU in the blog world for being such a wonderful part of my BEST YEAR EVER.

Things I hope will take place in 2008:

- make forward progress on school

- run another marathon

- exceed my 2007 mileage for the year

- celebrate our first wedding anniversary

- welcome our second niece into the world

- go camping for the first time with my husband

- um... that's all I can come up with for right now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR and we wish you a WONDERFUL 2008!!