What is the Semi Annual Garry Gergich Grub Crawl?
So among our less-celebrated holidays (Karl Malone's day, Thanksgave) is one of my favorites: the Semi Annual Garry Gergich Grub Crawl. It is in honor of the one & only Garry Gergich from Parks & Rec. It is called a grub crawl because that is a fabulous play on words and it needs no further explanation. How does one celebrate? Well, you can celebrate however you please, but this is how Sam & I rock it: first, we save up our spare change (whatever we don't spend on meters & laundry!) over 6 months. Then, a few weeks before the GGGC, we start to stock up on fast food coupons. A few days before the GGC, we go turn our change into ca$h. (It amounts to about $5-$10.) The day before, we plot our meal/event. We grab all of our fast food coupons & figure out how we can get the most bang for our buck, while still eating from as many fast food chains as possible. Why would anyone do that? First of all, to honor Garry and the glories of Parks & Recreation. But also, it is actually a very effective way to limit our intake of fast food. It's easy to drive past a McDonald's knowing that you are a few months away from indulging your fast food guilty pleasures. Sam and I celebrated our 2nd GGGC this past week. It was a grand evening to say the least. Below is the documentation of this event. We invite you to continue the tradition with us, or just invent your own holiday!
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As a teacher in a Christian school, and an active member of a local church, I spend a good deal of my time around Christians. Lately, there have been a lot of frustrations boiling on the surface because of the community I'm constantly surrounded by.
One of the most consistent themes seems to be the (apparently horrific) idea of being around non-Christian people. I remember being asked once how Sam & I handled going to such a "liberal" school with "those kind of people." I've been told point blank that Christians should not go to bars. And, as many Christians probably experience, I've been told several times who (and definitely who NOT) to vote for in the upcoming November election. I've heard remarks that range from intolerant to blatant prejudice. I fear what would happen if some of the people knew that while I ran, I listened to a podcast hosted by someone who is gay. As I am experiencing with people who are supposed to be building the Kingdom alongside me, it is so frustrating. When I hear fear and hate echoed among my brothers & sisters, it is time to heed the words of Meister Eckhart "I pray that I may be quit of God to find God." I don't want a merely human version or outlook on the gospel, one that is watered down and safe. I want to live like Jesus did. In one of Jesus' parables, he told us to let the wheat and weeds grow together. In 1 Corinthians 4 Paul urges us to stop passing judgments but to wait until the Lord comes. This morning, I read the powerful words of 1 Corinthians 5. "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. In this passage, Paul explains that he is NOT telling us to NOT associate with the immoral of this world. The point of being a Christian is not to only go where Christians go, to avoid the bars and the liberal arts colleges and those who look, act, or speak differently than I do. The point of being a Christian is not to judge outsiders - even people who put themselves on a stage in front of everyone, like our political candidates. Instead, the gospel calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. And to love them as they are. For Jesus did not love us despite our sin, but while we were YET sinners he died for us because of his great love for us. I know that there is more that I am thinking and feeling about this subject, but I am sharing with you what I read today & specific instances that have been gnawing at me this week. I wish I had more of the courage to stand up and say something to my fellow brothers and sisters who are saying these things. (But as it is, most of them are men who are older than me, putting two layers of fear over my words.) I am hoping that as God continues to change my heart and stir these frustrations in me, I will gain both a boldness of spirit and a humility in my words so that I can respectfully address these brothers and sisters in love to further the true gospel of love. Visiting cousins (Melinda & Elliot, above) on the farm & staying with Pat & Keith during the week! A 25 mile bike ride on the Red Cedar with this trooper & 1,000 little buggy friends! A PERFECT weekend camping trip with Sam, Rachel, Brandon, fire, chips, and kayaks. A Hoffman Hills hike with Olivia, bonding over the glute strengthening exercise & photography. An overnight visit with Uncle Paul & Aunt Mary! They sent us on the best bike trail before dinner! Part 2 of adventures with Olivia: a day in downtown Stillwater, complete with yarn in every color! Again, saving the best for last, a fish taco from Ziggy's in Stillwater. National Taco Day. #37 days.
Amid the loooong days (I'm talking 10+ hours here...) of preparing for school to start (only 12 days!) I've enjoyed the little moments along the way. Here are some of my favorites: Holland came for a quick visit and brought a lot of life to our apartment. And music! And laughter! Saturday mornings spent at the farmer's market, eating Hmong eggrolls & bubble tea smoothies in the bandshell with Jordan & Sam. Buying too many cucumbers, sharing produce, enjoying summer. My sweet hubband picked me wildflowers for our anniversary! The picture doesn't do them justice. A picture-perfect breakfast. Complete with homemade yogurt, handpicked blueberries, and juice! Look who stopped in for a little visit! Anna's Matt! Thankful for friends who stop by our little town. Sunny, sunny, sunshine! We decided to take Henry for a swim to celebrate Lily's birthday! He was less than excited. A little father-son car maintenance bonding. Too bad Pops isn't wearing his Mopar shirt! Stunning creation. There was this web that caught my eye on my morning three mile loop. No spiders though :/ Summer mint, so fresh & green. We used it a million ways! Ice cream, ice cubes, in curry,,, drinks. I was oh-so-cozy on this chilly weekend wrapped up in my blanket & eating soup. Felt like fall. Good Sabbaths are spent with succulents, watercolors, and Harry Potter audio discs. A little before & after of my haircut. I absolutely love it! Saving allll the conditioner! Saving the best for last, obviously. We made these tacos and our mouths burned with joy & the taste of jalopenos. You better believe we'll be making them for national taco day! T-minus 39 days.
Sam and I went to go see Pat Donohue with our dear Aunt Mary & Uncle Paul. It was seriously so enjoyable just watching what he can do with a guitar & his 10 fingers! Often it sounds like at least two guitars going at once. Mary was so sweet and went up before the show and told him that Sam & I were celebrating our one year anniversary. So he sang this little song for us.
The Glory of Love (Originally by: Bette Midler) You've got to give a little, take a little, and let your poor heart break a little. That's the story of, that's the glory of love. You've got to laugh a little, cry a little, until the clouds roll by a little. That's the story of, that's the glory of love. As long as there's the two of us, we've got the world and all it's charms. And when the world is through with us, we've got each other's arms. You've got to win a little, lose a little, yes, and always have the blues a little. That's the story of, that's the glory of love. That's the story of, that's the glory of love. Dear Sam,
Today marks one year of being married to my beloved, my best friend, my teammate. We have gone through so much together this year already. Two moves, a surgery, graduating from college, learning how to budget, eating all of the leftover chipotle from our wedding, going on our first vacation together, baseball games, camping, bowl of oatmeal after bowl of oatmeal after bowl of oatmeal. And every moment I consider precious. I had no idea when we got married that I would love it so much. Having you constantly be my companion just inexplicably makes life better. You help me wake up in the morning (sort of, I have a hard time resisting the gushy sheets), you make me breakfast & the most delicious coffee, you run to the door excited to greet me every time I come home. You help me carry in the groceries and make the bed and do all of the dishes from the messes I make when I cook. But I am thankful for you in less practical ways too. I am thankful that you teach me what prayer can look like. I am thankful that you show me what it is to be faithful in the little things. I am thankful that because of my relationship with you, I am learning the importance of going to the Father to receive love and forgiveness. Our relationship forces me to see my own selfishness and change it. I am confronted daily with situations where I must chose you over myself. I don't do it perfectly, but I can see myself growing through the year. Having a best friend to share life with is the greatest thing I could have asked for. You make me laugh more, sing more, hug more, and love more. Let's hear it for decades to come! I love you. Becca Grace |
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December 2022
I'm guessing I'll have it all figured out by the time I turn 30.
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