The Cone Head

Growing up in Mass, you have a kinship with Friendly's Restaurants. They are part of your up bringing.

For me, there are very fond memories of my childhood that involve Friendly's. We went there with my dad every Wednesday morning for breakfast in elementary school- (I always got scrambled eggs with a bagel and cream cheese). We went there for sundaes after piano recitals, basketball games, baseball games, school plays, or any other major school activity. I met up with friends for a quick lunch and a chat. My brother worked there for several years in High School and got a pretty impressive scooper muscle on his right arm (he also smelled like hot fudge when he got home *drool). I remember right after my high school graduation I met up at Friendly's with my 3rd/4th grade teacher Ms. Shaefer and all of the classmate in my graduating class that were in her class back in the day (I think there were like 8 of us- that's the life of a small Christian school).

The thing I remember the most about Friendly's is THE CONE HEAD:

This was my definition of a "treat" when I was a kid. The bottom of the dish would be filled with M&M's, the ice cream of choice would be cookies & cream, the ears would be whipped cream (which I didn't like at the time and gave away), There would also be hot fudge all over! If there wasn't enough hot fudge or M&M's I would cry and my mom would send it back for a redo. :)

Ahhhh sweet sweet memories!

A deep thankfulness

Bryan and Rachel.

A year ago this Sunday, Jan 25. My brother, Bryan, went into the hospital for what was original thought to be food poisoning, and which ended up to a month stay at Tufts neurosurgery ICU in Boston. He had had a little bleeding in his brain due to an AVM (Arterial Venus Malformation) was found in the cortex area of his brain. Simply put, an AVM is a little tangle of blood vessels.

During that time he had several serious brain surgery's and procedures to remove the AVMs, he had CAT scans, needles, and long nights of being woken up every hour to see if he could still remember who he was, count, and speak.

My mom and sister-in-law lived out of a hotel room and Bryan's hospital room and the waiting room. And my dad drove back and forth (2 hours one way in the winter) everyday- taking care of the dogs, running errands, doing laundry....

God was so faithful during that time. Every minute he showed up in a big way. Numerous friends filled in the caps with support and prayers. Bryan came through every brain surgery and procedure. God provided $ for the hotel room. The numerous doctors and nurses were kind and honest, and helpful. And Bryan went home with a clean bill of health. To top it all off the week after Bryan got home, he found out that he and my sister-in-law were going to have a baby- a baby they had been waiting for for years!

Today, a year later, Bryan is doing great, as if nothing ever happened. His eyesight is back to perfect, his balance is back to normal, and they have a beautiful baby girl, Rachel. And Bryan has been promoted at work.

I am looking back on that scary time Praising God for his goodness and faithfulness. I am deeply thankful to have my brother alive and well today.

If you want to read about Bryan's ordeal last year, here is the blog I kept while he was in the hospital: Bryan's Blog. It's good to look back and remember what the Lord has done!

Psalm 100:5-

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

the big 60!

Tomorrow is my dad's 60th. I wish I could be there to celebrate with him. But my mom is throwing him a little surprise pizza party and she asked everyone to write a little something to my dad commemorating this birthday and also to let him know why he is special to them. Well, below is a part of the note I wrote to my dad. These are just a few of the characteristics he has that make him the best father in the world:

What is "it" that makes you unique? It's a strength. It's a confidence. It's a humility. It's a desire to be something and someone. It's a will not to settle for something less. It's a love. It's an accountability. It's a trustworthiness. It's a Godliness. It's a hopefulness. It's an attitude that is positive. It's a sense of humor. It's a heart of thankfulness. It's a generous giving of your time, talents, and finances. It's a determination and endurance to reach your goals. It's an integrity and honor.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY. I LOVE YOU!

Rebecca

There are 3 special Rebecca's (and one Rebekah) in my life.

1. My Sister-in-law Rebekah Weiss. She is Ben's sister. She likes to be called Bex. She has been married for a year now, and lives in CA with Ben's side of the family.


2. My best and long- time friend, Rebecca "Moore" Quinby. We have been friends since.... elementary school at least. She is very special to me. We don't talk often (to my "keeping in contact" disorder). We seem to always miss each other. When I was in high school, she was in IL at college - then I went away to college and she moved back to MA - then I came home and she went to Mexico for 2 years - then she came home and I went CA. But she is one of those people who you pick up where you left off and you can count on for anything. She has seen me at my worst and at my best. Oh the memories we have!!! She is the mother of 1.5 children. She likes to be called Becca.


3. My other friend from CA/PA/NYC, Rebecca Lipkowitz. She is a friend who you can count on to challenge you, make you laugh, and give you something to think about! She is hard working and after talking to her for only a few seconds it is easy to see God is going to (and does frequently) use her mightly! I am very proud of her! She likes to be called Becka, or Lippy.


4. My other Sister-in-Law (my brother's wife) is Rebecca Kaye. Where do I begin? She is an amazing woman (and not just to put up with my brother!). I am honored to be related to her. She is talented and smart and crafty. She is sweet, gentle, but don't cross her or her Italian side will come out! :) I love her very much. I could not have imagined or prayed for more in a sister. She is one of those people you can talk to about anything. She is the mother of my beautiful niece, Rachel Lily. She likes to be called Becky.



I am a very Blessed person to have these women in my life. I just looked up the name Rebecca to see what it meant: A person with a Captivating personality. All of these women have captivating personalities. All very different, but they have all made a difference in my life.

Simple Pleasures

Ya know those simple things in live that you get so much JOY out of? Anyone else would think you are crazy, but they just give you the biggest lift.

There are 2 things I can think of that do that for me:

1. I just bought myself a set of Tupperware... well the Rubbermaid brand. I've been married for 2.5 years and this is my first set. In the past we've been using old cool whip containers or yogurt containers (TOTALLY unhealthy by the way). I've been saying forever that I need to just bite the bullet and get a set. Well when I finally did, I got the biggest high from throwing those old crappy things away. I get so much joy out of using them and seeing them nicely piled in my drawer. AND they are dishwasher safe! YEA!!!!!

2. The second thing that is so simple, but give me such a boost... Is getting into bed with clean& tight sheets, in clean PJS, after a nice hot shower. OH MY GOODNESS- my whole being just relaxes. I can feel each of my muscles begin to settle and say "ahhhhhhh~ thank you!" When this happens Ben knows to give me a few minutes to enjoy the moment before moving on with life. hee hee

What are your simple pleasures?

Grades

DO you remember that famous phrase in school... it usually came after you got your tests or papers handed back.... "WHAT'D YA GET?" I always hated that comparing game. I never got steller grades so I used every excuse in the book NOT to show anyone what I got.

In High School, I did 'ok'- not straight A's by any means. But most of my class (of 19 students) would always compare how they did to my grade. I hated that!

Surprisingly enough, grad school is no different. Ben's been telling me that a lot of people are still asking him "how'd ya do?" or "what'd ya get?" WHO CARES what someone else got? If you worked hard and did your best... what does it matter? Seriously people. You are not there to get the "who did the best" award. Or to get your sense of satisfaction because you did better than someone else.

Especailly in Seminary, if you are there because God has called and is calling you to ministry for HIM, why should other people's grades or performance matter? I know God is calling Ben to be a counselor. God opened the door to Denver Seminary. Ben is doing his best and working his hardest = God will bless that because HE has Ben here.

Now after my ranting on grades... Ben just got his grades back for the fall semester. Let me tell you - this was a HARD semester. From patronizing professors, to professors who put their personal lives before teaching and cancelled the class half way through and then never returened calls or emails... He even had a professsor (yes this is grad school ladies and gents) who took attendance every morning in a 2nd grader fashion.

On top of this full course load, Ben worked 20+ hours a week at startbucks (which usually meant 4:30 AM shifts), he also was an excellent and attentive husband.

In summary... I'm am writting all this to let the world know (and Ben might be mad I'm saying this) but my wonderful hard working husband got ALL A's. I am so proud of him. He earned every single one.

Nahum 1:7:

The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.