I finished reading John

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." So begins the book of John, my first completed conquest in my attempt to regularly read the Bible.

This is a photo of my quiet time work station, complete with a steaming cup of English tea, highlighter, and Bible. I love the morning. It is my absolute favorite time of day. I like the stillness, the unique tone of the sunlight, and the cool air streaming in from our open window. Mostly I love the feeling of opportunity and possibility that comes with the morning.

I fully realize that this is a rather, let's say, belated accomplishment to be bragging about, considering the fact that I have been a believer in God and a follower of Jesus for quite a while now. And also the fact that my mother-in-law read half of John in one day...in Chinese. However, it felt like an accomplishment because I was able to consistently stick to a new routine in my life. My countless attempts at incorporating a regular workout schedule into my daily routine have more than proven how difficult a task that is for me.

I was able to enjoy these nuggets over the past few weeks, spoken by Jesus:

"When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me."

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Dolce...endless source of entertainment

Why is she laying on her back like a human? Why does she spread her legs like that? We don't know, but it's hilarious.

Holding tiny Carli

Francis and I went over to Brian and Heather's house to help out because Brian was traveling for work, and poor Heather was all alone with their sleepless newborn. I've never held a baby so young before (6 weeks). It was a blessing for me because I have no experience with kids, especially infants. So before we "pop one out" as Francis likes to call it, I appreciate all the hands-on experience I can get. I am proud to report that Carli fell asleep in my arms and that I successfully fed her a bottle.

Man, just look at them child-bearin' hips! Oh my goodness, this camera angle does nothing for me.

Our Twenties Pastor Turns 30

Our pastor and friend Justin turned 30 on 9/14/08. Poor guy! Just kidding. It happens to the best of us. Or so I've heard. ;)

His very-pregnant-yet-awesome wife Taylor threw a killer cocktail party in the backyard of an elder's home. We were asked to dress in suave cocktail attire. Though the night was cool, there were heat lamps and a fire pit that kept away the chilliness. Taylor had prepared a full bar of classy cocktail liquor and instructions on how to make some of my favorites: sangria, cosmopolitans, mojitos. Not to mention practically a baby pool filled with ice and Blue Moon beer. Word got around that I used to bartend, so I was asked to mix up quite a few mojitos for the ladies. (2 parts fresh mint, muddled, 2 parts sugar, 6 parts rum (jk), squeeze 2 halves of a lime, ice, mix) Francis holed himself up with a chessboard and Colin. (He won a game and Colin won a game) Taylor came around with cigars and I puffed one with Lailah. It was a fabulous party.

This sign hung above the bar area...a play on words because Justin and Taylor's last name is Buzzard.
Hanging out with some Twenties friends around the firepit. Mom, do you recognize the cool shawl I am wearing? All the ladies had them. I fit right in!

Laurie and Andy Skorupa's wedding!

What a lucky girl I am to have met Laurie Myers when she started working as a hostess at TGI Friday's in Quakertown six years ago. Free-spirited, sweet-natured, and impossibly stylish, Laurie snagged a cutie with the same artistic bent and laid back spirit while she was living with me at my condo in Sellersville. They got hitched in an art gallery that perfectly suited their personalities. The lighting was moody and the decor was ethereal. Laurie chose a dress that made her look like a willowy Greek goddess. She had soft, peach-hued make-up and a cute, messy up-do. Ever the wise party planners, Andy and Laurie were generous with the alcohol. All their guests had a blast. Even the mother of the groom was busting a move on the dance floor. I loved getting to know her eclectic group of girlfriends too. Blessings to you, Andy and Laurie. May God strengthen and guide your marriage.

Mimosas at the salon on the morning of the wedding. The salon Laurie chose was so cool! Owned by two women entrepreneurs, the place has apparently been growing rapidly since it opened a few months ago.

Getting my hair did.

Beautiful Laurie getting beautified.

Francis and me with Laurie, Parker, and Monica.

The whole gang from Dorchester/Hunter's Run roots.


My brother and his lovely girlfriend Maria.


Laurie's kickass nephews breaking it down on the dancefloor.

Francis helped play DJ for the night. He was playing songs off of Laurie and Andy's pre-made playlist, but that didn't stop numerous people from making requests of all sorts. Madonna/Michael Jackson/Motown/cheesy dance music. Francis eventually had to abandon his post.

The Q-Mart

There is an old Bucks County, PA proverb, and it goes something like this:

"What's three feet wide, six feet long, and has three teeth?"

"The line for the sticky buns at the Q-Mart."

This place is a local legend, a colorful mix of low budget stands selling cheap sterling silver jewelry and t-shirts with airbrushed photos of wolves and bunnies, Pennsylvania Dutch funnel cake and Philly soft pretzels, produce stands of questionable hygiene, butcher shops with over-sized sausages, and inexpensive eateries. There is a whole separate building out back where I've heard it rumored you can buy firearms. I took Francis to the Q-Mart for a little cultural immersion into blue color America. He came away smiling with a bottle of Rosenberger's iced tea. All the punk kids walk around our small towns in the summertime, taking swigs from half gallon jugs of Rosie's. This is my Pennsylvania.

Dinner with the Fam

We flew to Philadelphia on Wednesday for Laurie and Andy's wedding. On Thursday, Francis and I slept in late, went (last minute) shopping for my bridesmaid dress, and ate at our favorite Italian joint (Guiseppe's). We came back to have dinner with my family on the deck of the house I grew up in. 418 Dorchester Lane, whoot whoot! I absolutely adore Pennsylvania in the summertime. The trees are lush and green, the airy is balmy and warm, and the crickets and locusts sing in undulating waves. This is what home means to me.

Grillmaster Eric taming the chicken.

Mom overseeing the whole operation.

Francis and my brother catching up.

Mom after her first week with the kids at school. Ugh, another year has begun.

Yuengling (a yummy Pennsylvania beer distributed only in a few East Coast states) is the beer of choice in the Hartley family. My parents sometimes prefer it warm.

Cause...
And effect.

Blessed be your name, on the road marked with suffering...

Yesterday, I sort of re-noticed two banners that have been hanging above the pulpit at CPC for a few months now. They are made of a pretty light blue fabric and say the following lines from the book of Habakkuk.

"Though the fig tree does not bud,
And there are no grapes on the vines...
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will exult in the God of my salvation."

What a sweet declaration of one of the tenants of our faith! Life is pretty awesome right now for me and Francis. Good, stable jobs, a safe home with food in the fridge, a free country where we can worship as we please, healthy families, and a top-notch marriage, if we don't say so ourselves. However, we both hope and pray that we will have the faith and fortitude to praise God when things inevitably start to fall apart. How blessed we already feel to know we have a place to go when life turns dark. Because we believe that "all things work together for good, for those who love the Lord. " Thank you, God!