M is for...MOVING Along

A month ago, I showed you a glimpse of the jumbled pile of wood in our back yard. If you missed it, you can catch up here, but basically, the abbreviated version is...

Hubby wants the smoker on the deck permanently, 

and he designed a counter/bar to house it. 

This is what he started with:

It's just a pile of boards right now

But housing the smoker on the deck means we also need a cover, right? 

Deck-before

I don't think that flimsy umbrella will work. What do you think? Bare bones, right?

Well, I promised updates, and here they are. Prepare to be awed. :)

What? You're not impressed? 

Well, I am. Just looking at that hunk o' man, sweating, that look of fierce concentration on his face...

Oops! Sorry. Got a bit off track. Admittedly not much progress has been made on the counter to my hubby's chagrin. But truthfully the poor man has not had a single minute of spare time to work on this.

But, finally, we're MOVING along on our deck! Take a look at this:

Sweet, huh? I think we may be ready to host Thanksgiving dinner outside on this beautiful deck. Even if it rains... :)

Conferences...or routine?

August is all about conferences in our family. As a fire chief, hubby attends two conferences, and they're both in August. The first is a regional conference, always in Raleigh, and the second's an international one held in different cities across the US. This week we're in Raleigh; next week, Chicago.

I enjoy traveling, but I confess I tend to be more of a "routine" kinda gal.

I mean, really. Raleigh and Chicago offer some spectacular sights, but what can beat the view from our back deck?

And hotel coffee doesn't compare to the strong brew I make at home.

This week we were able to bring along our baby, but next week, we'll have to leave him at home. He's skiddish about getting in an elevator. I can't imagine how he'd be after being forced into the belly of a plane. 

I'll miss the big baby next week.

And my writing?

Usually, I write from my office every day. No music. No distractions. No noise. Just the way I like it. But that means conferences stretch my comfort zone, 
take me out of my normal writing environment. 
Which means my word count comes to a screeching halt.

So, every August I'm faced with a difficult decision.
Conferences...or routine?
Traveling with hubby or staying at home to write?

Hmmm...not a no-brainer for me. I choose him.

What about you? 

What brings you out of your comfort zone? 

Are you a routine kinda person or do you like to shake things up?

Grumbling or Grace?

Have you read the story of how God rescued the Israelites from their heavy yoke of slavery? How God called out to Moses from a burning bush, informing Moses that he would be the one to deliver the Israelites from Egypt? It was only after God sent plague after vicious plague, ending with the death of Pharaoh's first-born, that Pharaoh relinquished and released the Israelites.

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, guiding them by cloud during the day and fire by night. Pharaoh changed his mind (actually, God changed it for him!) and pursued the Israelites, finding them camped out by the Red Sea.  


"It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert." (Ex 14:12 NIV).

Can you just picture them? The water from the sea licking their backs, the approaching Egyptians armed for battle? Scared for their lives, yet that's what spews from their lips? Complaints??
 
It's beyond me. 

Yet, God rescues them again. With a mighty wind, He pushed back the waters so that the Israelites crossed over on dry land, a wall of water on both sides. When the Egyptians followed them into the sea, the water fell back and crushed them.

The Israelites went on their merry way, praising and fearing God. 

For three days anyway.

When they didn't find water, they grumbled. God provided water. For lack of meat, they grumbled. God sent manna and quail.

What was wrong with these people? How could they complain? They witnessed God's miracles firsthand every day. Miracles like the parting of the Red Sea. Water from a rock. Just enough manna to provide for their daily needs. 

I'm quick to point my finger and say I would never do that.

Wrong!

I'm hanging my head right now because just like these Israelites, I witness God's miracles every day. Miracles in the form of a loving and supportive hubby, an income, a beautiful home, a family we cherish.

Yet what spews from my mouth? Complaints.


We arrived home from Denver late yesterday. Usually Hubby's pretty good about helping me unload the suitcases. Not last night. He toted them upstairs, left the packed bags in the bedroom, then planted his tush on the recliner in front of a blaring television.

I fumed. I huffed. Resentment broiled.

Then, God convicted my lousy little heart this morning with this story from Exodus.

How many blessings does my husband pour out for me everyday? He uses his vacation time to attend book signings with me. He brainstorms blog posts and story lines with me. He encourages me to adjust my schedule so he can help with chores like lawn care and groceries, so that I can devote more time to writing. And techie issues? He's my man! He's my biggest fan, my loudest encourager, my best friend. 

Yet I complain.

Forgive me, God, for complaining. Change my heart.

Help me reflect grace, not grumbling. 

Thank You for the wonderful man you planted beside me! Thank You that he never grumbles or complains.

What about you? What's in your heart today?

Grumbling or Grace?