Serving

So today at church our Pastor concluded a series called "What's in Your Wallet?" He spoke today about Joseph in the Old Testament, who when appointed as second to Pharaoh saw his circumstance as a place from which to serve not get revenge. (Genesis 50:20) He then spoke about the current circumstances of everyone in the room. If we have a roof over our head, food to eat, a college education, one computer in our house, or even a car to drive we are the elite. If we only have two things from that list we are still in the top percentile. In our privileged position what are we doing with resources we have been given ie: money, time, knowledge. Andy and I started thinking and felt convicted to look again at practical ways to serve. In response we also thought of the prayer we've said concerning service. We ask God for opportunities to serve, but when they present themselves how do we respond. Sometimes they come in ways we don't expect...spending our time to help, participating in something we don't enjoy for the sake of another, serving without the commentary of complaint. As a Christ follower are our lives reflecting Christ? Are our hearts reflecting Christ? Serving sometimes sneaks up on you; am I making the most of every situation? It was a great message today. One that reminds me to evaluate and not just rely on my good intentions....but see if my heart is responding as it should...something for me to chew on this week.

stalling

So yes, I need to clean the house, and technically this counts as stalling, BUT I haven't blogged all week...and you all need an update.

First of all I had a few questions about my toe. I happen to be a member of the most tragically klutzy people ever created. My career as a dancer is all a cover up. I was at rehearsal and just fell out of a lift. This sounds more prestigious than it was...I basically just stubbed my toe...but it hurt very bad. I think it is just a bad sprain considering how much better a week of rest made it feel, but it is still a bit swollen and tender. Anyway, enough of that

For those of you not in the loop, allow me to confirm that Philadelphia suffered a loss at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. It was a sad, frustrating, slightly angry, but mostly disappointing day for the Prescott household.

But we bounced back ...not to worry

So I guess there isn't too much new to say. Andy and I were asked to help lead worship this past Sunday at our church. He was on guitar and I was on vocals. It was so exciting for us to be involved in this way. There is something so rewarding about using your gifting to glorify God. It also allowed us a way to connect a bit more. These past few months have been full of changes, but we have truly been blessed. God has provided everything we needed (and even wanted....they do host Superbowl parties here). Andy and I see it all as a confirmation of where God has led us and knowing that He has a purpose for our time in Calgary. We are excited to see what He has in store for us!

Lunch date

So today Andy and I decided to mix it up a bit. Due to a few unfortunate events (broken toe in particular) I was not able to go to dance today, so Andy decided to come home for lunch. Just mixing up the day was fun!

In other news we watched Kung Fu Panda last night. For all of you out there still on the fence about wasting money on renting it...do it...I can be a tough critic and I loved it!

I am practicing having my pinkie finger press the return button at my friend Lauren's request :)

So, I have always loved to cook. In fact, my last year of high school I took a gourmet food class and almost went to culinary school. Even in college I took a nutrition class just for fun! So, Andy just came home for a simple lunch today, but I was so excited just to have another meal to prepare....I'm such a dork. I realized that today a bit more, but I also have begun to try and take my 'hobby' a bit more seriously. I'm not about to go start school all over, but I think I am going to invest more of my time reading up and practicing in the kitchen. With all of the junk out there these days I'm excited about learning how to make some of my favorites from scratch and in the meantime learn about keeping my husband and I healthily.

Most of this has been sparked by a new book I picked up over Christmas. It is titled "Eat this; Not that" Interestingly enough this book doesn't tell you to avoid chocolate, ice cream, peanut butter, and other such foods I love...In face it doesn't focus on a commentary about diets or even what you should eat. Instead it compares the most popular food in the supermarket and tells you what brands or types are better for you...and what is really in them. So for instance there is a page of ice creams that you would see in supermarkets around the USA..and Canada...and it tells you what brands have the best cookie dough ice cream.. The one with the purest ingredients and least fake 'stuff'. I've been completely intrigued. For those of you interested you should pick up the book...its great! For those of you just reading this to be polite...I'll have you over for dinner once I've mastered my skills.

The Prescott's Christmas Vacation

So I know this is long past due ....but I decided to enjoy family time over the Holiday season and not worry about keeping up my blog :) So although the events of the past three or so weeks could fill pages and pages I'll opt to just give the overview. I have to start with the major event of December 18th: my Kindergarten's Christmas Concert. There was the usual girls poking at each other, boys un-tucking their shirts, deer in headlights look, screaming/singing their songs and finally the unconfined excitement at seeing their parents sitting in the audience. Absolutely adorable everyone should want to teach Kindergarten! Moving right along, Andy and I were leaving for New Jersey on the 23rd meaning we did our Christmas on the 22nd. We celebrated Christmas three times in one week...so much fun!! So Andy and I had a quiet Christmas Monday night, which was sweet and special until the part where it had to end. Since we live in an apartment complex leaving a Christmas tree up for two weeks while we are away is a fire hazard. So after we exchanged gifts and had a moment drinking eggnog and reveling in our first Christmas together we undecorated the tree and took it down. We then packed up the rest of the Christmas decorations and put them in a box ready for storage. A bit anti-climactic. Well, the next day we set out for Jersey. We had prayed for good weather, smooth flights, and no delays. God is good. Even though while buying the tickets we tried every way to find one that connected through Chicago or Toronto we were forced to purchase ones that sent us to Denver and then straight to Philly. What we once thought a hindrance turned into a blessing. Snow storms hit the north east and flights were delayed and even canceled, but ours were right on time :) So one would think I would skip the details about the plane ride, but alas I've never seen anyone get sick on a plane and since it happened to be my husband it correlates with the story. We think Andy got food poisoning at the Denver airport, or just had a bug that came on quick and ended within 12 hours. We arrived in Philadelphia at 1am and after a restless night Andy was feeling quite a bit better (about 11am). All this said and done we really were able to spend quality time with his family unhindered by the events of the previous night (except that we both ate quite a bit less at Christmas eve dinner..and had to pass on the crab soup, which we both were upset about). The next four days were spent talking, laughing, bowling, eating, goofing off, shopping, and all the other fun activities Prescott's participate in. We had a great time and both had a very hard time leaving. It was very fun for me to experience Andy's family Christmas and see how their (now my ) family celebrates the birth of Christ. So Sunday morning ( you may recall that was the Day that the Eagles beat the Cowboys) me wearing my new Eagles jersey (compliments of Zoom) and Andy wearing a sweater got in our rental car and embarked on our journey to Rochester, NY. What could there honestly be to tell about a five hour drive up North on a beautiful December day. Well, usually nothing, it is a beautiful but uneventful trip. We however have a hard time making anything ordinary. I don't really remember the last time I had a flat tire, but I think it was over 20 years ago. Well, I'm just about to call AAA or the rental car roadside assistance when my husband blankly stares at me and says "Don't insult me; I can change a flat tire." I am ashamed to admit that this thought had not crossed my mind. In the past 27 years if something happened while driving you called for help (granted I'm sure my father can change a flat tire, but I was never in the situation with him). Well, sure enough Andy goes to work and 20 minutes later we were on the road again...I was quite impressed although Andy didn't understand why. So then started the week with my family. In so many areas Andy and I have similar families, but when you transition from one to the other so quickly the stark differences were clear. Don't get me wrong we had a blast with my family playing games, singing, eating, talking, shopping, hanging out.... BUT I had never realized just how female dominated my family is. There are no boys anywhere to be seen. My father and Andy had a valiant effort trying to even the atmosphere, but going from a house where the numbers are close to even to a house where the scale is quite tipped was noticeable. I had to laugh, I never thought of my sisters and I as 'girly' but we really are...but its just another thing to love about the Carrozziere's. That Thursday Andy flew back to Canada (stupid work day on Friday) and I followed on Monday. So after being gone on holiday Andy and I are settling back into life and being Canadian We are enjoying our life here and our little adventure, but this trip made us realize how much we value, love, and miss family. We'll have to plan another trip soon!