An Honor from You Say Tomato

Today Grant and I went to one of our favorite spots in Kansas City called You Say Tomato. It is a charming little coffee shop and breakfast/lunch place straight from the 1930s. We love it because it's very unique, only 2 blocks away, and has great food/coffee/service. Grant was setting up the computer while I ordered. As I approached the counter, the worker said, "Yost?" I was a little taken back but replied very confused, "Uhhhh yeah." He said, "Yeah we put your article on a plaque over there. It was good, we liked it. I've been waiting for you to come in so I could tell you!"

I had written an article (my very first one in fact) about You Say Tomato for examiner.com and they apparently found it-then made a plaque out of it! That made my day. If my face and article is going to be anywhere in Kansas City, I'd choose You Say Tomato in a heartbeat! I'm honored.

You can read what I wrote about You Say Tomato here!

Resurrection Reflection

Yesterday was the first Easter for me in 24 years not spent with my family in Emporia at the church I grew up in (you know, since getting married changes all those things). However, this Resurrection Day was probably the most meaningful and it is great to now be a part of Christ Fellowship. Three days prior we had gone to a debate at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary here in KC. It was between a Christian apologist and an atheist claiming the resurrection never happened. After witnessing the debate and everything the atheist said, I was dismayed. It was heart wrenching to hear someone say that God isn’t real, Jesus was not the son of God, and he certainly did not raise from the dead. I was saddened by this upon leaving the seminary to go home, yet at the same time I had so much joy knowing that Christ IS risen and will return with the victory one day. My heart has been so stirred with excitement and longing for his return since Thursday.

As if that isn't enough to make for a perfect Easter Sunday, it was also nice having Aaron and Jen at church, lunch with Christ Fellowship people was a blessing, took a nice little nap, and the weather was incredible so Grant and I went on a walk in the evening through the beautiful neighborhoods around our apartment and then back for some brownies and milk. Plus Sunday was the perfect opportunity to wear the skirt I found at Goodwill last week for only $1.50! See below :) Yesterday was just one of those days where everything in life was sweet, but still knowing the best thing is yet to come some day was even better!

Jehovah-Jireh

Today has been a good day. Grant and I were at a business meeting for the job he and I will be working on together from home. As I was sitting in the conference room all day wondering if we will be able to make money, all I could think of was something my wonderful mom wrote in an email yesterday. Jehovah-Jireh. The God who provides. She was reminding me that no matter how tight finances are now or how hard things seem, God provides. Grant just got the call that he will be laid off tomorrow. My job with HealthFitness only provides work on-call which basically=no work (which is great when our backs aren't against the wall). So we are taking a risk trying to get a business going with no income and bills to pay. But praise be to God-the God who provides. Whether we are waiting tables soon or successfully running a business, He is the only God named Jehovah-Jireh.

Thank you mom.

Wedding last Weekend

Grant was a groomsmen in Justin and Amy Timken's beautiful wedding last weekend. It took me a while to upload the pictures, but here are a few. We are excited for them, they are such a cute couple! Thanks to Jen for helping me through the "wedding party widow" blues. :)

One wedding down, more to come this year...

Times and Seasons

Although I was disheartened when we got dumped on again the first two days of spring and havebeen ready to ditch the snow boots and sweaters since like January, I was unexpectedly reminded of a passage from the book of Daniel, chapter 2. Daniel's very life was at stake (literally about to be cut into pieces) but he prays for mercy, God answers, and Daniel immediately returns praise and blesses God for His greatness.

The phrase that captured my mind was "He changes times and seasons." While reflecting on this story that took place over 2000 years ago, I was renewed by the truth that God is in control of all things. I have remained captivated these last few days by His greatness and supremacy over the entire universe. Sometimes it is easy to become desensitized to it during the humdrum of everyday life and we forget to notice the trees, the sky, the sunsets, etc. Of course the most amazing thing is His attentive faithfulness and control in the lives of His children. It fascinates me that the same God who reigns over time and seasons is the same God who works in my life.

So as the weather changes, be in awe of God's power as He makes everything beautiful this spring, while at the same time is making things beautiful in you if you are His child.

(Photo is what we woke up to the first day of spring outside of our apartment)

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowldege to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him." Daniel 2:20-22

General Info

I figured for the first post I should fill everyone in on the basics like where I am and what I'm doing. I have been married to Grant for almost a year now. It's so hard to believe-time flies! We are living about a mile south of downtown Kansas City and loving it. It's a great location with access to all the highways, and it takes us only 15 or 20 minutes anywhere we go.

Right now I am training for an on-call position with a company called Health Fitness as a Health Screener. This means I will be taking biometrics on clients (i.e. blood pressure, BMI, blood lipids, and blood glucose). It's right up my alley and at the same time has a very flexible schedule. I am also doing some writing for examiner.com about eating places and events in KC. Feel free to check it out sometime. After working full-time for 4 months I discovered it is just not for me! I'm happy with the freedom I have now, and it will be an easy transition when we start a family. Grant is finishing up working at Harte-Hanks and is getting ready to do an insurance business from home. I'm very excited for him and hope it goes well. It will be so good having him at home.
We are active in our church, Christ Fellowship of Kansas City, and love fellowshipping with the other members. I feel blessed to be surrounded by such solid teaching and believers who truly love one another and most importantly Christ.

That's all I can think of right now-but stay tuned!