Popcorn and the Power of Encouragement

Before I explain the meaning of this blog title, I'd like to update you on family happenings here in Seattle. Ken and I are in an exciting time of transition as I recently registered for a 5-month distance learning course in Wedding & Event Planning out of NYC. It's taken some flexibility on both our parts in sharing one main computer and in me realizing that I can't keep up with my same cleaning and cooking routine. I'm currently learning how to adjust my daily and weekly schedule to accommodate lesson plans, audio lectures, study guides and online exams. I've forgotten what it's like to be a student! The course material fascinates me though and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity for professional growth in a field I very much enjoy.

In the last two weeks, I've completed the first three lessons and according to my calendar, once I finish this blog, I need to start on Lesson 4. My first few lessons introduced me to the basics of wedding planning, including an overview of rates, establishing a budget with each client, the sensitivity needed for paring down guest lists, how to acquire preferred vendors and so forth. I must admit, I love the graphic design and organization of my materials. The photos are stunning and remind me of how beautiful our own wedding was a couple years ago. Likewise, the audio lectures and detailed study guides are enabling me to work from home and feel engaged in the lessons. Honestly, that was my biggest concern in signing up for this class. I was worried that I needed a more traditional approach to education in being fed information by an instructor in front of a classroom. I was wrong, thankfully. I look forward to seeing what each new lesson plan holds, like opening up a gift every few days. It's a joy being in this place where desire meets discipline.

Outside of my courses, Ken and I recently bought new bikes! As many of you know, last fall our bikes were stolen and it's taken 6 months to find adequate replacements at a decent price. Thank God for store coupons and online outlet sites. My bike is "Robin's Egg Blue", a hybrid beach-cruiser made for street riding. Ken's is a classic road bike with thin tires and flat handlebars. It's a sleek, silver bike that rides fast. Since purchasing our bikes, we have found multiple opportunities to ride them around. For "Date Night" a couple weeks ago, we biked 8 or so miles to our favorite restaurant and back. Then we rode our bikes to church that Sunday, instead of driving. A few days later, I biked 13 miles to visit a friend for coffee downtown. The weather has been quite amiable lately, with bright sunshine and temperatures around 65 degrees. I had almost forgotten that we live in Seattle until one dark and rainy day jolted me back into reality. That was yesterday. Thankfully, today is warm and cheerful again.

In addition to all these updates, I keep hearing Christ reminding me to "call to mind His faithfulness", to thank Him for all of these blessings--a new season, a new career path, new bikes, etc. God has been encouraging both Ken and me in very tangible ways. A week or so ago, the Engineering department at school awarded Ken a generous scholarship. What a praise! I also just found out that I get a discounted tuition rate, lower than I had paid for my wedding course because my school sent me an incorrect price quote and decided to honor it anyway (even though it was less!) And despite our limited resources as we live frugally, we still had the opportunity to visit family and friends on a week-long road trip to Northern California during Ken's spring break. That trip was very meaningful to me and full of adventure, excitement and joy.

Words of encouragement keep springing up, in unexpected blessings, in relationship with others, and in daily encounters with God through Scripture. A couple weeks ago, in my Stephen Ministry group at church, all the ladies in my group did a "popcorn exercise". Sitting in a circle formation, each person wrote a word of encouragement for one another on a small slip of paper and crumpled it into a "popcorn" piece. They then gave that to the person they wrote about. Once you collect all your "popcorn pieces", you take them home and open them on your own. Later, as I carefully opened each slip of paper, I was so incredibly encouraged! It was like God gave me a giant hug through those words. It made me realize how there are so many "popcorn pieces" throughout Scripture, where God shows us His hope, love and desire for us:

Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

1 John 3:1: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."

Psalm 139:13: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb."

I pray that God would encourage you today and shower you with His goodness and abundant life. I look forward to updating you on more of my adventures in life and cooking soon. Until then, I encourage you to try the "popcorn exercise" with your friends, by sending a letter of encouragement or a quick note of love to those who so desperately need it. Thank you, friends, for pouring out such love on my life!