This past weekend Kyle and I went to Winston-Salem to join my parents and Lauren and Brad to share an early "Thanksgiving" meal together as Lauren and Brad will be with Brad's family on the actual day. One thing you should know about my dad is he always does dinner right! Growing up on the nights dad was in charge of the meal I knew I was in for a treat. He most definitely never held back. Think homemade mashed potatoes, steak on the grill, bread rolls, green beans... and this dinner was no different! My dad came with fresh seafood from the coast including shrimp and cocktail sauce to start, then clams dipped in butter and fresh crabs for the main course! It was delicious! We had a great time visiting together, catching up and watching Lucy (Lauren and Brad's dog) attempt to attack the live and pinching crabs! Brad's dad, John, joined us for dinner and we enjoyed his company too!
On Sunday before heading to Charlotte for the Panthers vs. Ravens game we had a breakfast caserole cooked with deer sausage from a deer Brad had hunted. I do not recall having deer prior to this and I was surprised to find it quite tasty! Then there was much scrambling about as everyone got ready and then the girls left in one car, the guys in the other and each car with its own walkie talkie (thanks dad!). We took the metro into downtown Charlotte which was fun! I felt like I was in DC or NYC (those are the only other places I have ever been on a metro). Metros are so fun (esp. if you have to stand)! It's something about being with a bunch of other people who are going somewhere...everyone gets there at the same time so it eliminates road ragers...getting to look outside...or strike up conversations with those around you...who knows what exactly it is, but it's great! It was a beautiful fall day with lots of sunshine and warmth. We had fun at the game cheering on the panthers (at least Kyle, mom and dad and I), who at one point were not far behind the ravens, but ultimately the ravens won to Lauren and Brad's delight! I am thankful for a great weekend, not everyday do you get to eat a bunch of amazing seafood or watch an nfl game in person!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
In spite of the weather:
In order to combat these overcast skies lingering in lower alamance county (LA), I am going to write about what is good and beautiful today.
In our front yard I have been loving a beautiful tree with brilliant orange leaves. Sadly it is shedding its leaves far too quickly. With the wind today I am afraid most of the leaves are gone. I had hoped it would last longer!
Much to my surprise I also have been loving Taylor Swift's new album, "Speak Now". If someone told me a year ago that I would go out and spend money on a Taylor Swift cd and then procede to blare it throughout the house and car while washing dishes to it, dancing to it, etc I would have told that person they were crazy. But it has happened and I cannot deny that I love it! So for any of you who happen to think T Swift isn't your style...let down your defenses and give "Speak Now" a chance.
Another something I have been loving is a book about the life of Husdon Taylor who was a English missionary to Inland China in the 1800s (which I did not know before reading the book). Kyle was given the book last year and neither of us had read it, but for some reason the other day I was looking over all the books on the shelf and I grabbed it and haven't been able to put it down! I have no deep love for China or the 1800s era, but I do have a deep love for Jesus and so does Hudson Taylor! Reading about his life and his heart for God has been so encouraging to me and my faith and life in Jesus. And honestly this is the first time I have read much about China and I am now interested. The book is "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret" and it rocks. Let me know if you wanna borrow it, at the rate I am going I should be done in a few days :)
Another fun new thing that I have been doing is making cards. I love stationary. I love journals. I love paper. And I love cards. Turns out, I love making cards too! Who knew?! I have high hopes for making cards for my family and friends for the nearing gift giving season in hopes of spreading my love of cards to them!
In the past couple weeks the Stenersen home has been blessed with having many visitors who have brought joy to us. Two weekends ago my mom and her friend Christine came to visit. They came by the Durham Farmer's Market first and hung out with us there then I went with them to the new Tanger outlets that just opened near my house. It was the first weekend the outlets were opened (we didn't think too much of it) and we had an exciting adventure that wasn't long lived due to the insane amount of shoppers there. Loved spending time with Christine, my second mom, it had been too long. My sweet friend Caroline came to see the farm and have dinner with us last week and we loved catching up with her and sharing stories. Thanks to her I now have someone who can sympathize with me about how creepy and daunting the basement is, thanks Caro! My Nana and her friend Craig were driving across the country from Washington State to Oak Island, NC and stopped in for the night as they were passing through this past Saturday. We hadn't seen them since our wedding and it was so sweet to spend time with them. My sister Lauren came over from Winston-Salem to share dinner with us and hang out and it was so good seeing and being with her too! It also happened to be the night of our friend's birthday and we were babysitting two of his children so there was a lot going on! Eston and Adela were joyful and wide open, constantly giggling and playing and they really enjoyed my sister and Nana and Craig too! My heart is thankful for all our sweet family and friends and getting to spend time with them. God is so good!
Here are some pictures from helping Kyle with the afternoon chores today (feeding and watering cows, chickens and hens and gathering eggs)!
In our front yard I have been loving a beautiful tree with brilliant orange leaves. Sadly it is shedding its leaves far too quickly. With the wind today I am afraid most of the leaves are gone. I had hoped it would last longer!
Much to my surprise I also have been loving Taylor Swift's new album, "Speak Now". If someone told me a year ago that I would go out and spend money on a Taylor Swift cd and then procede to blare it throughout the house and car while washing dishes to it, dancing to it, etc I would have told that person they were crazy. But it has happened and I cannot deny that I love it! So for any of you who happen to think T Swift isn't your style...let down your defenses and give "Speak Now" a chance.
Another something I have been loving is a book about the life of Husdon Taylor who was a English missionary to Inland China in the 1800s (which I did not know before reading the book). Kyle was given the book last year and neither of us had read it, but for some reason the other day I was looking over all the books on the shelf and I grabbed it and haven't been able to put it down! I have no deep love for China or the 1800s era, but I do have a deep love for Jesus and so does Hudson Taylor! Reading about his life and his heart for God has been so encouraging to me and my faith and life in Jesus. And honestly this is the first time I have read much about China and I am now interested. The book is "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret" and it rocks. Let me know if you wanna borrow it, at the rate I am going I should be done in a few days :)
Another fun new thing that I have been doing is making cards. I love stationary. I love journals. I love paper. And I love cards. Turns out, I love making cards too! Who knew?! I have high hopes for making cards for my family and friends for the nearing gift giving season in hopes of spreading my love of cards to them!
In the past couple weeks the Stenersen home has been blessed with having many visitors who have brought joy to us. Two weekends ago my mom and her friend Christine came to visit. They came by the Durham Farmer's Market first and hung out with us there then I went with them to the new Tanger outlets that just opened near my house. It was the first weekend the outlets were opened (we didn't think too much of it) and we had an exciting adventure that wasn't long lived due to the insane amount of shoppers there. Loved spending time with Christine, my second mom, it had been too long. My sweet friend Caroline came to see the farm and have dinner with us last week and we loved catching up with her and sharing stories. Thanks to her I now have someone who can sympathize with me about how creepy and daunting the basement is, thanks Caro! My Nana and her friend Craig were driving across the country from Washington State to Oak Island, NC and stopped in for the night as they were passing through this past Saturday. We hadn't seen them since our wedding and it was so sweet to spend time with them. My sister Lauren came over from Winston-Salem to share dinner with us and hang out and it was so good seeing and being with her too! It also happened to be the night of our friend's birthday and we were babysitting two of his children so there was a lot going on! Eston and Adela were joyful and wide open, constantly giggling and playing and they really enjoyed my sister and Nana and Craig too! My heart is thankful for all our sweet family and friends and getting to spend time with them. God is so good!
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| Christine loved Snowball, the farm cat |
Here are some pictures from helping Kyle with the afternoon chores today (feeding and watering cows, chickens and hens and gathering eggs)!
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| Harley, the Murray's pet dog |
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| Meet Salatin, she lives in the field and protects everything! I love her. |
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| This is Lavender the farms newest addition and first milk cow! Behind her is one of three calves. |
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Excited for November
-Katelyn
It's only the fourth day of the month and November has already shown itself as an eventful month with purposes orchestrated by God alone. Yesterday I started a new job tutoring in a local elementary school working with four students on their math skills. Anxiety plagued me as I drove to the school unsure about what to expect teaching second and third graders. God's peace comforted me as I spoke to Him for the twenty minute drive. I was delighted to meet Paige, the other tutor from Sylvan who seemed much more aware of what was going on (she tutored last year). With all my minor mistakes and not being the most prepared (only because I didn't know how to better prepare) I survived the first day and feel confident that I will continually do better with each week. I have a desire to not only help these kids in math but to build their confidence, love on them, encourage them to love one another, encourage them in their lives, and hopefully at the same time break through and improve their understanding of some math concepts. I trust that the good Lord will help me and His love will make these things possible. After meeting the children and their parents and seeing their struggles, it is evident that they have a need and a desire to be loved unconditionally. I pray I reflect Jesus in all my time with them.
Upon leaving the bank yesterday I found myself speaking Spanish with Elisio, a man who was leaving the bank at the same time. Elisio explained how he lives in Burlington away from his family who remains in Mexico where he is from. Elisio thought I was Latino and was surprised to learn I, along with my parents, are American (and that my ancestors were in fact German and not Spanish). Kyle joined us and Elisio shared about his life in Mexico and his life here and we shared about our life on the farm. We could tell Elisio was refreshed to be talking to someone other than his coworkers or roommate and still in a language he could understand. He was curious to know if we liked Mexican food and we were sure to express the great joy it is in our lives! Elisio invited us to have lunch with him and we exchanged phone numbers and planned to get together next week, possibly at the Italian restaurant where he works. Kyle and I are excited to get to know this man, share life with him and see what the good Lord has in store. I am in awe of God's soverginty and His power over all things. If we just live our lives walking with Him, looking to Him first, He takes care of everything else. Amen!
It's only the fourth day of the month and November has already shown itself as an eventful month with purposes orchestrated by God alone. Yesterday I started a new job tutoring in a local elementary school working with four students on their math skills. Anxiety plagued me as I drove to the school unsure about what to expect teaching second and third graders. God's peace comforted me as I spoke to Him for the twenty minute drive. I was delighted to meet Paige, the other tutor from Sylvan who seemed much more aware of what was going on (she tutored last year). With all my minor mistakes and not being the most prepared (only because I didn't know how to better prepare) I survived the first day and feel confident that I will continually do better with each week. I have a desire to not only help these kids in math but to build their confidence, love on them, encourage them to love one another, encourage them in their lives, and hopefully at the same time break through and improve their understanding of some math concepts. I trust that the good Lord will help me and His love will make these things possible. After meeting the children and their parents and seeing their struggles, it is evident that they have a need and a desire to be loved unconditionally. I pray I reflect Jesus in all my time with them.
Upon leaving the bank yesterday I found myself speaking Spanish with Elisio, a man who was leaving the bank at the same time. Elisio explained how he lives in Burlington away from his family who remains in Mexico where he is from. Elisio thought I was Latino and was surprised to learn I, along with my parents, are American (and that my ancestors were in fact German and not Spanish). Kyle joined us and Elisio shared about his life in Mexico and his life here and we shared about our life on the farm. We could tell Elisio was refreshed to be talking to someone other than his coworkers or roommate and still in a language he could understand. He was curious to know if we liked Mexican food and we were sure to express the great joy it is in our lives! Elisio invited us to have lunch with him and we exchanged phone numbers and planned to get together next week, possibly at the Italian restaurant where he works. Kyle and I are excited to get to know this man, share life with him and see what the good Lord has in store. I am in awe of God's soverginty and His power over all things. If we just live our lives walking with Him, looking to Him first, He takes care of everything else. Amen!
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