BBQ Exists in CT!

Ok, so we were a little worried, but now we can relax a little - we found barbecue. Adam and I lucked out and caught an episode of one of our favorite shows on Food Network (Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives) on which they featured a restaurant in CT that was only about 25 minutes away...and it was BBQ!
So we set out after church on Sunday with high hopes of finding some BBQ that was comparable to what you find in Texas. When Adam and I arrived at the tiny joint, Wilson's Holy Smoke BBQ, we could see the smoke rising about the rooftop, and we got excited. The place was packed, but luckily Adam eyed a picnic table outside that we were able to snag. And luckily, we weren't in Houston so it actually felt a little cool outside.
With a pulled chicken sandwich, a trio of pulled pork, Texas-style brisket (I guess you have to say "Texas-style" when you're not in Texas), and sausage, along with some baked beans, mac & cheese, and a huge piece of cornbread, we were happy. Not to mention the three sauces that we had to choose from to top off our delicious meal.
Now, granted, we have probably had some better BBQ in Texas, but this was pretty stinkin' good, and definitely satisfied our craving.

Next mission: Mexican food (Tex-Mex, that is). Wish us luck!

The Beginning of the Adventures

I was well aware of my love for my hubby and how much I enjoyed having him around, but being apart for so long, and now officially having joined him in our new home, has amplified my perception of just how happy he makes me. Now that I'm here...I feel right...I feel good. Not to mention the fact that I have been able to relax for the past few days and begin my adventures around CT.

One thing that I have quickly grown to love about CT is the abundance of parks. Adam and I did a brief exploration of this sweet part (Waveny Park) last time I was here for a visit, and that is where I naturally gravitated toward on my first two full days that I was here. This park sits on a huge piece of land that is encompassed by beautiful winding trails; it is a jogger's dream. Now as you may know, I haven't been much of a "jogger" over the past year, but I feel like I could run forever out here (though today my shins are telling a different story). Jaida and I were actually temporarily lost because we were feeling exploratory and were taking every little turn that looked like it would lead to a new stream or trail. But don't worry, I knew if we stayed on the trail and headed in the right direction, we would eventually make it out...and we did. Luckily I was in no hurry and was enjoying every minute of running in the cool air that smelled of fresh honeysuckle.

After we made it out of the canopy of trees, we made a quick stop by the dog park (another asset of Waveny that made me return). I have now been to this park at three different times of the day, and never does it fail to have a group of people there with their dogs. I like that. However, we didn't spend too long there, as Jaida was a little worn out from the jog.

Not a bad start to the day.

Talk About Ambience

First of all, this blog should have been written at least a week ago - sorry!

Finally, after a month of not seeing my hubby, I was able to make a trip up to my soon-to-be home in Connecticut. I was really excited about this trip for multiple reasons. First and foremost, I got to be with Adam. A month is way too long a period of time to go without seeing your hubby – I do not suggest it. On top of that, it was our 2-year anniversary, and I was getting to explore the place that I would soon call home. I had been up there before, but never with the mindset that this is where I was to be living. Adam showed me around a bit and we found some sweet parks, but there will be plenty more details of those adventures to come in the near future. For today, we stick to the anniversary.

New York City is only about a 30-40 minute train ride away, so naturally we decided to head over there for our celebration dinner. I have never been to NYC, so just the idea of it was exciting. To be honest, it just felt like a big city. I think I need to take a tour or something to really appreciate it. However, don’t let this statement mislead you – we had a great time! I am what my mom calls a foodie, so just walking down the streets and seeing the hundreds of restaurants and what not was fun.

side note: when I say walking down the streets, I mean there were about 42 blocks between us and our restaurant…we had to stop about half way and hail a cab because of the nice blisters I was getting from my heels...I wanted to admire the city as we walked the streets!

So we get to our restaurant, Milano’s (which Adam scored because he knows people), and it is this nice little place that people are packed in to, because according to some, it is the best Italian in NY. Soon after we are seated, our full-blooded Italian waiter that's dressed in tuxedo attire comes by to tend to us, followed by another that is carrying this huge round of fresh parmesan that he breaks onto our plate. This was accompanied by what was probably the best garlic bread you will ever have (garlic oil soaked into a perfectly crisped bread), what seemed to be carmelized zucchini, deliciously fresh bruschetta, and salami. And this was all before we had even ordered an appetizer! People arent kidding when they say Italians like to eat! Adam and I then enjoyed a romantic dinner together with a great bottle of wine (which paired well with our flourless chocolate cake), and then the same little man that brought us the appetizers was kind enough to come around and serve us an after dinner drink! What a treat! Never before have I experienced such ambience at a restaurant. The whole night made for a great anniversary!

(<--train ride home)

Glory-Strength

Check this out.

We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more of how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Colossians 1:10-12 (MSG)

This is my goal: to seek and know Him more.

I love how this verse in the Message says that by learning more of how God works, we will know how to do our work (and not until then). He says this after referencing working in God's orchard - ministering to people and bearing fruit - but when I read about knowing how to do my work, my thoguts went directly to my job. Granted, this happens quite often these days when in the midst of my time in the Word or anything else since this has been a challenging year in so many ways, but I think it's good. I would not have gotten through this year had God not showed me how to do my work. And I'm not just talking about granting me wisdom in what I do and how to deal with different situations, but how to love and serve my kids and coworkers, and how to work in His excellence (which comes merely from Him and lots of answered prayers). There have been times of teeth-gritting when I was not focused on the Lord like I should have been, but for the most part I have experienced that glory-strength, the kind that you know could only come from the Lord, the kind that you look back on and you say, "Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me through that, and bringing me through it in a way that is glorifying to you." He is my joy, my strength.

Ok, a couple of quick notes...I was reading the Proverbs 31 blog, and they were talking about consistantly being watchful and prayerful. I know it's really hard when there are so many things going on during the day, but our every day is our orchard! And there are lots of seed to be planted and tended to out there.

Oliver :) Hopefully you saw the awesome picture below this blog. Im pretty sure I laugh every time I see it. That is my cool little nephew that I got to see last weekend, and he really brought me some joy. Good thing since Adam had left again for another month in CT without his wifey.

kell

oliver

we mean business.

I guess it's my turn?

Ok, so I have to admit that I didn't really think we would get into the blog world. I mean, who has time for these things? Then I started reading the blogs of my two best friends, Jessica and Angela, and realized that it really is a cool thing - something worth finding time for. And as the hubby said, I think this will be a great tool for us as we begin exploring our new home in CT.

On the note of exploration, we have a lot to do! I mean we dont know anything about the world we are about to dive in to. Adam will have a leg up on me as he has been able to do a little exploration of grocery stores (please pray that we find a good one, seriously), a church (again, please pray) and what not, but we have a ways to go.

One thing you hear a lot of is that the people up north are not as friendly. Though we have heard that this has been known to send native Texans fleeing back to their homeland, it excites me in a way. When I meet someone that seems to have a good heart, I often think, "They have got to know Jesus." Now I know that this isn't always the case, and we all have our good days and bad days, but if we continue to hear about how people are not as nice, and of kids being questioned by other kids for going to church, then there have got to be a lot of people that need Jesus up there! It will be a whole new mission ground for us, and I look forward to it.

I decided to start reading 1 Peter a couple of days ago, and I can't seem to make it past the first chapter - I just want to keep reading it over and over!

6In this [your salvation] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope full on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

I think there will definitely be trials that accompany our move to CT, but it is all part of the Lord refining us, making us into the Christians that Adam spoke of at the end of his post. He is melting away our impurities and allowing us opportunities to become more like Him, to serve Him, and to proclaim Him. Please pray that He prepares our minds and our hearts for this, and that we can see and seize these opportunities to bring Him glory!

Kelley

Houston....we have a problem...

I am a Texas boy now living in Connecticut, with my wife soon to follow. I am a closed book to most people, as is my wife at times (we are so ridiculously alike in good AND bad traits...so much for the opposites attract argument), hence my desire to start this blog and share our adventures, hardships, encounters, and praises with those who care to know....God knows I won't just pick up the phone and call someone to "share". I am the ULTIMATE call screener. My family and friends can attest to this fact. My phone will ring in the other room, and my loving servant-hearted wife will jump up to go retrieve it, and I will quickly tackle her and insist we let it go to voicemail....which I will check at some point in the next 48 hours. I do this at work as well...the use of Yahoo Messenger in my industry has only aided and abetted my nasty habit. The glory of Yahoo IM's is that you get to see who it is that is contacting you, and maybe even know what they want before you ever have to respond....and then you can take your sweet time responding under the guise of being "away" or "busy". It's awesome. And terrible. This is not something I am proud of.....it is a very selfish / self-centered way of treating those who love or know me...and is a trait I need to remedy (especially given the distance I have just put between myself and my loved ones with our recent relocation). In the meantime, this blog will be my bridge towards learning to open up and share.
If it isn't already clear, vulnerability is not my strong suit. I am a man...who developed the wheel and built the eiffel tower out of braun and metal...that's the kind of man I am. I'm not vulnerable...I work out. With that being stated....a list of my fears with this relocation to the NE:

1) Will we find a church that we love, believes what we believe, and provides a biblical community of love, prayer, and support?

2) Will we find new friends that compare with our best buds back home? This is an impossible task in my mind...my friends are some of THE greatest people...hilarious, god-fearing, intelligent, loving.....this is not a matter of opinion. Intrinsically my friends are great people..I'm just fortunate enough that they like me too.

3) Will Kelley and I be able to fight our tendencies to be satisfied hanging out with only one another - not branching out to make new friends and build new relationships??

4) Will I be the man God desires me to be in a new environment, far from the "bible-belt", where Christianity is much more likely something to be mocked than respected?

The Young Life Staff guy I met up here made this analogy today. Christians in the NE are like trees on the edge of a cliff. There aren't many of them that survive, but the ones that do are strong and resilient. I pray we will be the latter.

AE