Sherpa Mom, NY

Today I needed to get groceries. Fresh Direct is easy. I love ordering stuff online. I even got a doctor online. (Yes, the rumors are true! Well, the ones about having a Dr. make a house call, at least) The doctor was great. If you live in the area, I definitely recommend him. Sure beats hauling an infant and a sick toddler on public transportation then sitting in a disease-ridden waiting room for who knows how long then going to the pharmacy... Anyway. You see my point, right?

Today I could not justify the price differences for a Fresh Direct order. (My bill was $50.70 at the local grocery and would have been $61.10) This is what I got: (bear with me, there is a point to this)

Apple juice, 1 qt.

Applesauce, 46 oz.

Pasta sauce

1 box linguine

1 box spaghetti

Dried white beans

1 box Jello mix

1 box pudding mix

1 loaf Bread

2 bags frozen veggies

1 box frozen spinach

1 gallon milk

1pk. tortillas

Baby carrots

Celery

4 On-the-vine tomatoes

1 bunch bananas (actually cheaper at FD)

Plastic wrap

1/2 lb. coffee

1/2 lb. lunch meat

1/2 lb. cheese

There were other things I needed, but couldn't figure out how to haul them home. I took Corey's backpack and loaded the milk, juice, applesauce, and a few other things in it. I put Elias in the Bjorn. I put Ezra in the stroller and handed him the breads to hold on his lap. With one bag looped over each hand, I pushed the stroller 10 blocks home. I wish I had a picture.

As I loaded up to head out, the cashier asks, "You're not going to have these delivered?" What?! The dang grocery store delivers for free on orders that are more than $30. Are you kidding me? I was too flustered/proud to unload my burden at this point, so I carried every bit of it home. If I had known they delivered, I definitely would have splurged on the rum raisin ice cream.

Tomorrow I will go back. I will get everything I need. And I will have it delivered. Except for the ice cream. I will eat that while I am waiting for the truck to come.

New York is crazy.

Hanging in There

We (the boys and Leann) got back to NY about a week and a half ago. I have some great pictures to share, but since Corey moved us while I was gone, I am still unable to locate some of my belongings. (One of those belongings being my camera cable) I can't wait to give you the grand tour of our apartment. Corey did a great job getting it ready for us. The only hint that it was arranged by a man is the projector rigged from the underside of our loft bed with a white rope secured by Boy Scout knots.

We can see the Empire State Building from bed. I'm pretty excited about this only because I didn't realize that it's lit in different colors every night until 2AM. It's kind of fun to go and see what color it will be each night.

Corey was sick for about 4 days and then Ezra got sick. It's day 3 for him doesn't have a fever! Elias and I have avoided getting sick. Thank you for all of your prayers. I was sure in our less than 300 square foot apartment we'd all be sick until Spring.

Quick Update

Leann is coming back to me Thursday, with Erin and Sir James Patton in tow. A day before, Nathan and Young William Jack Patton will roll in with a moving truck to move in to our old apartment.

Teaching at a Christian school is very much a beautiful thing. Since this year began, two souls have been added to the kingdom, and much knowledge, understanding and wisdom has been transferred to young New Yorkers and students from all parts.

I just fell in love with a radio show. So shall you. WNYC's Radio Lab

Keep praying for The Gallery. This is a crucial time in the life of our church.

Welcome, Elias!

Elias Gregory Boyd was born October 5th at 11:07 PM. That's 12:07 AM for you NY folks, so I guess we'll have to celebrate his birthday on October 6 in New York. :) Thank you for all of your prayers. We are all doing well.

God has Provided...again.

Since I have been keeping track, every time I have asked for God's physical provision, he has provided, even when I find in hindsight that I didn't really need what I was asking for. What can I say, but that He cares for His children. For a well stated version of our recent events visit nycmission.com . Also, there is one last thing that we need help with. We need to find someone to take over our old apartment. Here is what we posted on Craigslist. Please forward the link to anyone you think may be interested! We need to get someone in there quickly!

BTW: I am so glad that I will be able to stay and teach at ECS! They are fighting the same fight (and winning many battles) as The Gallery Church, which is very enouraging.

Papa is in Manhattan...

and Ezra told me, "Bye, momma. I leave you. I taking Mr. 'tatohead's car and drive Manhattan." I told him , "Good luck honey. It's going to be a long trip."

Another quick car story. Humor me. Ezra slept late and we missed church, but I had to take some things by there so we loaded up and arrived as the last service was letting out. Ezra looked around and asked, "Momma...why...all...dese...people....is...getting in...dey...tucks?" He was 20 months old. I was floored. What a neat kid. :)

What?!

Does anyone else understand this?!






It looks like an accident waiting to happen. The images that come to mind are simultaneously hilarious and horrifying. Imagine a room full of hungry Kindergartners hooked up to these things. What would happen if there was a fire drill?

Lest you think I am squandering my free time with foolishness such as cakes and foot pillows, be assured I am actually doing important things these days. I am reading through Isaiah, making a great effort to be deliberate about being a better mother, wife, friend, and daughter, and attempting to order my classroom in such a way as to not be a burden on the teacher who will be covering my maternity leave. Corey and I have been apart for two weeks now and it has been very difficult for both of us to say the least.

Over and over the pictures of destruction in Isaiah have reminded me that God does not see suffering the way we see it. It is difficult to think that the thing I want most may not be best for me and that ultimately the Lord works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Sometimes what He seems to think is best is not the most immediately pleasing to me. I know that some of the destruction described in Isaiah is God's wrath, but there is none of that for me! Correction, sure, but not wrath. Yesterday, we had a brief summer shower and we let Ezra run around and play in the rain. So much good in God's creation. So much I never did anything to deserve. We laughed and laughed. I cannot describe to you how beautiful it was.

Leann