I Love It. I Love It Not . . .

This week has been quite a roller coaster ride for me and my new city.

As I'm sure you're aware, our home has been filled with some playful rivalry in the present Stanley Cup playoffs.  I wish I could say that I've been perfectly calm and fun about everything, but honestly I was getting pretty annoyed to live here at the beginning of the week.  I wouldn't read the newspaper until Thursday.  All those cocky articles about their "so great" hockey team . . . and what kind of city has a sadistic game called "Whack a Penguin" on their newspaper's website?!?  And an even better question . . . what kind of person would actually play it?!?

Needless to say, things got a little more fun on Thursday.  This was by far my favorite quote in the Detroit Free Press.  "Red Wings fan Dave Thurman, 49, of Novi said security guards frisked him at the entrance and asked: 'Do you have any octopus?' He didn't. 'But they were serious about it,' Thurman said. 'They searched me.' A Mellon Arena usher, who declined to give his name said he had orders to boot any octopus-thrower out of the arena."  Ahhhhh, Pittsburgh.  

Last night however, was one of my first real connections that I felt with the city as I went to my first NBA game, watching the Pistons in Game 6.  Brad and I went along with his parents and I confess that while I had previously found the NBA to be my least favorite professional sport, it's WAAAAAAAY better in person.  Sadly, there was somewhat of a meltdown in the 4th quarter leaving the Pistons with a loss, but the experience was still a positive one for me.  It's a foundation at least that me and the city can work on.  Now, if only they'll get rid of their sequel game "Chuck a Penguin . . ."

Deal or No Deal

So I'd like to confess one of the guilty pleasures of the Leach family.

Deal or No Deal.

I remember when it first aired and my dad and sister tried to explain the plot for me.  (For those of you that have never experienced the show, here's a summary of the rules on NBC's website.)  Needless to say, when I first heard the explanation I was flabbergasted.  The show requires no skill.  Absolutely nothing can make you better or worse at the game.  It's really all just based on random chance.  What could possibly be intriguing about that?  And yet, it doesn't take too many viewings to get sucked into the black hole of entertainment piloted by the brilliant Howie Mandel.

What I find to be truly fascinating is the way the contestants talk on the show.  They plead with the models to open up a small number (as if the model has ANY control over the outcome).  No matter what the first offer is, they always say, "It's a lot of money . . ." but they never take the deal.  And they always, always KNOW that their suitcase has $1,000,000 in it.  But I've never seen anyone go all the way with their deal.  They always sell their case back to the banker (and in most cases make a good deal).

I guess what really struck me is the discontinuity between what people are saying with their mouths and what they're really believing in their hearts.  They may say they are certain that their case holds $1,000,000 but if they really believed that with 100% certainty, why would they ever settle for anything less?  What they are saying and what they are doing don't add up.

Of course I had to ask myself that same question.  I have been given a suitcase that holds way more worth than $1,000,000.  The case of salvation that God has given to me provides me with innumerable blessings both now and for all of eternity.  I know that.  I say that to other people.  And yet, I can think of some ways that I choose to settle for less, making a deal that just doesn't add up.  I choose to be anxious or stressed or discontent instead of holding on to my case that's a guaranteed fortune.  

I'll probably have to come back and read this blog again sometime in the distant (or more likely not-so-distant) future.  I'm blessed to have family and friends that I brought with me to cheer me on when I might be tempted to compromise.  I need to remind myself that no matter what the other cases that are opened in my life's circumstances my response always needs to be, "No Deal!" as I hold on to the case Christ has bought for me.  I think Howie would be proud.

Kick in the Teeth

So I went back to the gym yesterday.  Sadly to say first time in about 2 weeks.  

I took a pilates class (first one in about 3 weeks) and what was even worse than the "I'm going to throw up feeling" that I felt as my core was being turned inside out, was the lack of that feeling by anyone else in the room.  Seriously, this class was really hard and everyone seemed perfectly okay about the regimen that we were under.

Finally, the lady sitting behind me groaned at the apex of one of the hardest sets we were doing.  She groaned!  I was so happy!  A kindred spirit!  Someone else who understands that this was an unusual form of bodily torture.

I looked at her with a smile and said, "Wow, this class is really hard, isn't it?"

She looked back at me with a similar expression of anguish and said, "Yeah, I just don't have anything left in my legs because I just finished doing the two classes before this one, too."

Bubble of glee quickly deflated to bitter humiliation.  So much for finding camaraderie in the face of trials.

IT'S OFFICIAL

Let's be honest.  Hockey is probably the only sport that I would ever see this happen.

Gotta love those Pirates, but until we see some new management, it's gonna be hard to see them play the Tigers in any World Series.

And the Lions???  Well, do we really need to say anything more?

So how excited am I to see the Pittsburgh Penguins playing the Swedish, I mean Detroit Red Wings?

You can see that Brad has already thrown down the gauntlet on his blog and the Pittsburgh fans are coming out strong!!!  We're trying to come up with a friendly wager on the series.  Any suggestions?

The Little Friendly Restaurant

So we made it to the booming metropolis of Springfield after a drive from Tulsa, OK (cheaper to fly there and rent a car).  My first trip to either of these states (and I thought Detroit was flat!?!).  

Yesterday, while Brad was in class, Aunt Debbie, Jonathan and his friend Heather and I went exploring the city.  Aunt Debbie took us to a restaurant that she said we just HAD to try called Casper's (no little, friendly ghosts that I could see).  I'm not sure that the pictures can do it justice.  

The whole place literally sits maybe 25 people.  25 skinny people.  And it's set up in a facility that looks like an old army barracks, circa 1964.  When you walk inside, however, it's unlike any barracks that has been seen by a soldier.  It reminded me of what I imagined Rainbow Brite's house to look like.  It's comprised of pictures that have been collected throughout the restaurant's 100 year history and is known for a secret chili recipe that has been around that long as well.  

The food was great, cooked by Etta who has probably been working there throughout most of the restaurant's history.  What really impressed me, however, was the make-up of the restaurant's patrons.  There were Lexus-driving, Armani-suit wearing businessmen sitting right beside the Missouri farmer who brought in pictures of the most recent renovations to his barn.  And they all enjoyed the camaraderie.  

It made me really wonder what was it about Casper's that made it so popular and endearing to it's variety of customers.  While the aesthetics and food certainly add to its charm, I really think it's the people that make the difference.  The wait staff and owner treated all their customers the same, rich or poor, fat or skinny, business deals or farm weddings . . . they were all treated with the same attitude of value and respect.  

I think when it comes to ministry, I tend to really think a lot about getting externals right . . . brochures, environment, decorations.  They're definitely important and something to be considered.  Even more, however, I need to be concerned with how I am going to be a part of a person's experience.  Am I going to make them feel valued, loved, and unique as Jesus certainly would or am I too busy getting everything ready that I miss out on the reasons why.  My trip to the "little friendly restaurant" was one that made this Springfield trip something to remember.  

First Trip!

I get to leave today for my first trip to Springfield, MO.  Brad has another week of his grad classes down there and I get to go with him this time!  Yay!

I'm excited to spend some time with some more members of my new family (Uncle John, Aunt Debbie, and cousins Bethany and Jonathan) and to see the city where my husband spent 4 years of college.  Every time I tell people that I'm going they say, "Is this your first trip?" and when I say that it is, they look at me with this knowing look that says, "Wow!  Wait 'til you see it!" 

I'm so intrigued.

Nephew Update

Here are a few recent pics from the world's cutest nephew.  He just turned 6 months old in April and we just had a celebration on Sunday after Betsy and Rob dedicated him in church. (Don't worry.  Uncle Brad was sure to explain the theological implications of dedication to his nephew before the event.) :-)

Dream Final?!?

How great would this be for a Stanley Cup Final?!?  It's hard to keep up with Penguin news here (gotta watch a lot of ESPN for that), but the Red Wings fans are pretty excited and sure care a lot about octopuses (or is it octopi)?  New, local customs here in Detroit . . . Four more wins for each of them and it can happen!

Quick Updates

I have a few things jingling around in my head to write about, but for a quick update on some things . . .

• NFL Draft this weekend.  Big time stuff especially here in Detroit.  Everyone's hopes soar yet again thinking, "This could be the year!!!"  My favorite part has been watching the faces and reading the articles of the many Detroiters as they heard the name of the Lions' top choice.  "Gosder who?!?" seems to be the most common theme.  I hope he revolutionizes the team and shows everyone this is a new time for the Lions.  
• I also managed to catch an interview on ESPN with Mike Tomlin.  It felt like someone just gave me a pitcher of cold water to drink after I'd be wandering around in a desert wasteland for a few months.  Unlike Pittsburgh, Detroit news does not manage to work in some story about the Steelers into every broadcast regardless of what time of the year it is.  Crazy, I know.  How I missed hearing about my Steelers. :-)
• Samantha, my sister, is graduating in a few weeks and had an opportunity to sing in a coffee house at the college as somewhat of a "last hurrah."  My mom uploaded the videos to You Tube and I'm attaching the two links here and here.  She sang 4 songs for a total of about 15 minutes (2 songs on each video) and I just have to say, "Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!!!!"  I'm a bit biased, I know, but they truly are amazing.  I think she does "Dream a Little Dream" better than Mama Cass (sans hambone) and I'm pretty sure Judy Garland turned over in her grave wishing she could have sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow" like Samantha.  If you've got some time, I highly recommend the listen.

Springtime in Michigan is super pretty and really fun.  I love the start of a new season!

Major Life Decisions

So, there's these major decisions that we all must ask ourselves in life.  

1.  What will you do with Jesus?

2.  Who will you marry?

3.  PC or Mac?

Because I've got the first two answered, I thought it was time to tackle the third.  And yesterday, I made my decision.

It's a Mac!  I'm a pretty analytical person, so it will take me a while to make these decisions, but once I do, I'm two feet in.  It's amazing how quickly I've become a Mac girl.  Brad says he no longer feels as cool as me (as if he ever was . . .) :-) 

Regardless, she's really pretty and nice and I think her name is Dayna.  (I tend to anthropomorphize pretty much everything I own.) The only thing I hold against it is that I can't find Spider Solitaire. What a great new friend!

Closed for Remodeling

Right across from Church of the King is a Burger King. I use that term loosely, because here are some pictures of the aforementioned Burger King.

When I passed the Burger King a few weeks ago, I noticed they put this sign up. "Closed for Remodeling." "Oh," I thought. "Burger King is remodeling . . . getting some new paint, tables, chairs. That should be nice. I wonder when they'll open again?"

Later that day I drove by only to see a crane digging into the roof. By the next day, the building was gone. Parking lot torn up. Huge chunks of cement foundation in a large pile. Leveled. The only thing that remained was the Burger King sign that said, "Closed for Remodeling." Remodeling, huh? It's gotta be one of the biggest understatements that would make even that scary BK King chuckle.

As much enjoyment as this sign has brought, God's recently used it as a metaphor of sorts for my life right now. I hesitate even stating that, because the immediate picture that comes to mind is one of terrible destruction and distress and that could not be further from the truth. I'm indescribably happy. I love being married and this new season where God has me. So many things are so much better than I could have ever imagined and the things that I thought would be a big transition (i.e. living together, sharing a tube of toothpaste, etc.) really haven't been a big deal at all. The things that have been bigger lessons are quite surprising to me, mainly because I thought I had already learned them.

Before we got married, Brad and I made a prayerful and conscious choice for me to wait before I jumped into a job or ministry area at church in order to give me time to adjust. It seemed like a brilliant plan. I would spend some time remodeling . . . new city, new name, new role, new church, paint the walls, change the carpet . . . that's what I imagined my renovations to be. It seems like God has wanted to get much more foundational in His renovations, however, reestablishing my identity in Him, simply as His daughter before I am a wife, pastor's wife, daughter, job title, or any thing else I can throw in there. I've been going through the book, The Search for Significance, and while most of the teaching is Truths I've known my whole life, I'm amazed at how quickly I can forget them and how revolutionary they really are.

So, by God's grace, I'm choosing to embrace God's "crane" of sorts, and let Him dig up my foundation and rebuild it once again with the proper blocks of His Truths that I am accepted, loved, forgiven, and pleasing to Him regardless of what I do, what people think, what I've done or anything else I can come up with to try and rock that foundation.

I would like to think that after this, I will have learned this lesson for good and God and I can move on to something else. I'm beginning to think now, however, that this is the lesson. It's so core and crucial to everything else, that I'll probably just keep building upon it the rest of my life. And in the meantime, it's so encouraging to know that unlike Burger King, God can still use me to bless other people and be blessed by others while He is still remodeling. Amazing, isn't it? I'm pretty sure the BK King is jealous.

Chick Flicks!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I had the delightful pleasure of growing up in the chocolate business. A common question that I get when people discover this is, "Wow! Did you just eat chocolate all the time?" My answer is not that surprising if you think about it. Of course we didn't eat it all the time because it was always there. We could have some if we wanted it, but we didn't need to gorge ourselves on it because there was always more to enjoy. A classic case of not recognizing what you had until it was gone. Now when I have chocolate cravings I swear I would pay $20 for a peanut butter meltaway from Geoffrey Boehm Chocolates.

Another blessing that I got to enjoy was growing up in a house full of girls. With closets and jewelry galore, there were always new outfits to be worn and accessories to be shared. And, a basic staple to our house of 4 women was a well-defined collection of chick flicks . . . the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan classics (including the little known, Joe vs. the Volcano, one of my faves) and the full Jane Austen gamut, just to name a few. They are pure bubble-gum movies, adding no real value to my life, but extremely entertaining to indulge in every once in a while.

So, imagine my pure glee when I got a package today with 11 of my favorite chick flick movies sent to me by my amazing mother!!! While I appreciate the wide variety of golf, basketball, and war movies that Brad has gathered, I found myself the other day craving a mindless chick flick to watch while writing thank you notes. Would you believe that Brad didn't have any?!? I felt again the twinge of not appreciating what I had until it was gone. Now I have hours of pure enjoyment right at my fingertips. I'm sure I can't fully express Brad's joy on this subject. :-)

And to top off my glee, it seems as if my mom is going to be able to come out here for a brief 24 hour period to watch them with me while Brad is at a conference in New York. It will be a nice balm to my saddened heart while Brad is away. :-)

Spin-O-Rama

So, one of the many gifts of being Brad's wife is that I now get to join his membership at Lifetime Fitness, what I like to refer to as the Mecca of all gyms. The first time I walked into this place, I just stared with this deer-in-headlights look on my face trying to hide my complete awe-struck feelings and maintain the "I know what I'm doing here" mantra that everyone else seemed to have.

I've discovered over the last few years that I am more of a social-exerciser. While I really admire the people who put on their iPod and run 10 miles in a day, I much prefer to do a workout with a friend, or even a stranger if a friend is not available. That is why I've really enjoyed the Group Fitness Classes. I've tried "Core Strengthening" which made it hurt to even cough 4 days later, and "Strictly Strength" which I'll let your imagination try and guess what that one's about. But yesterday, I thought I'd try the big one . . . Cycle 60.

In case you're not familiar, Cycle 60 is a spinning class. Spinning sounds so happy, doesn't it? Twirling in a field in a pretty dress maybe? My friend Bonnie in Pittsburgh is a big spinner and she does this several times a week. Surely I should be able to give this a try for a mere hour. Bonnie, I have an entirely new found respect for you.

One of the benefits of doing something for the first time is that you're pretty ignorant to what you're getting into. I should have known when the lady helping me set up my bike asked if I was wearing a heart rate monitor (Heart rate monitor?!? Am I going into the ICU? Why do I need to measure my heart rate?) and she kind of laughed when I said I didn't have any water with me. "You'll definitely want to bring that next time," she advised. "This class is pretty hard." And then she proceeded to tell me that she regularly goes on 100 mile bike rides with her husband. This would be the time when most intelligent people would realize they should probably leave. Unfortunately my stubbornness overrode my intelligence yesterday.

They start pedaling their bikes and I think, "Hey, this is fun! A nice bike ride. Good workout. Yeah, I'm feeling pretty worked out right now." Then I looked at the clock and saw that we had been going for 13 minutes and I hear the instructor say, "Ok now, let's get out of the saddle and really kick it up!" Kick it up? Wasn't that what I was already doing? And did I mention how thirsty I am? And how much it hurts to be sitting on this pole that's referred to as a seat?!?

The misery continued for the next forty-five minutes reaching a climax when the instructor said, "I'm feeling that it's now disco time!!!" Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse. And as I was pedaling to "It's Raining Men" thinking about my complete torture, I was struck with the thought, "Wait a minute. I chose to do this. Oh no! I actually paid money to do this. What is the matter with me?!?"

I managed to make it through and looked at my bike's calorie counter that read, "65 kcal." The lady next to me assured me it was broken and it made me feel a little better that I didn't do all that work to burn off the apple that I would eat for a snack that afternoon. I'd also like to say that I won't be returning back there anytime soon, but as the wise Proverbs (26.11) have said, "As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." Me and my folly will probably take a spin again sometime soon. :-)

Ministry Preparation

Growing up in the chocolate business was a pretty sweet deal . . . literally. I loved being able to visit my dad at the factory and having really great chocolate any time I wanted it was fantastic, too. One of the only downsides to it, however, was that holidays were never really holidays because they were always the busyiest times of the year (think about when you would usually purchase chocolate for someone . . .). It usually wasn't until after the celebrated holiday that we could all relax and enjoy a little rest.


Maybe God was trying to prepare me for a life in another career choice that also doesn't get vacation during holidays. I've learned over these past 7 years in ministry that Christmas and Easter are some of the craziest times in the year and this past Easter was no exception. The trickiest part of maintaining this schedule, I think, is stopping in the midst of it to really remember what all the busyness is about. Really participating in the Easter service and personally remembering what it's all about in the midst of making sure service details are covered, refreshments are put out for visitors, and the gamut of life in between! I love having the opportunity to be a part of full-time ministry just like I loved being a part of the chocolate business. This is just something I'm continually trying to work out.


Does anyone else feel this tension during holidays as well? What are some practices that you've adopted during these seasons?

Blog Links

I did some updating to the Blog links on the side of my page. I added a lot of my friends who have been blogging for a while and the newest blog from my friend, Jen Ammirati, who just started her own blog, Fine Living. Check them out if you have time. I do quite often. :-)

Post-Shower Syndrome

Back in January, right before we got married, I spent a good 8-10 hours/day for one full week unpacking all our shower gifts and getting things situated in our house. I have to say, it was hard work, but a lot of fun. My favorite room, despite my previous post, was the kitchen. Even though I have miles to go before I can even come close to being a kitchen connoisseur, I have always loved kitchen gadgets and supplies. It was with great delight that I hung my pretty new pans and put away my shiny new silverware and spotless new dishes. What a blessing those showers were!

When I first started my new kitchen adventures, I must confess, however, that there was a tinge of sadness when I went to start using my new cookware. The first time I cut something on the cutting board, it had these nasty cut marks on it afterwards! (I know . . . big surprise.) I actually even considered buying some cheap, alternate cookware that I could use and mess-up so I could still keep my new utensils looking new. Don't worry. I realized how dumb that idea was about 5 seconds after I thought it.

The simple revelation occurred to me that these gifts were given to me so that I would use them. The person who bought me the teapot wanted me to use it to make hot beverages, and if I created some indelible stains (due to burnt milk) in the process, sobeit.

It was one of those brief, "Ah ha!" moments that God used to enlighten a continuing lesson in my heart. He gave me certain gifts to be used. If they're not used perfectly every time, it's okay. He already knew that would be the case when He gave it to me.

A cutting board without any cut marks has never had a chance to do what it was intended to do. I'll make the choice to use gifts however imperfectly, perhaps even getting some scars and stains in the process, but hopefully being a frequently used tool in God's hands.

Lleach????

So I was thinking the other day, "Do I need to change the name of my blog now that I'm married?"

If so, is it pronounced, "Lleach" like a "llama" or does it take a spanish pronunciation and become more like "yeech?"

Maybe I should just stick with Leewards. It's still my first and middle name. :-) Any other suggestions?

LOST in Love

Last week, Brad surprised me with a LOST date night. If I go by the "Love Languages" book, Quality Time is probably my primary love language and I really love creativity and surprises, so planning this night was really top notch.

It started with island-like flowers at 5:30 when he picked me up and I surprised him as I decided to go with the whole theme and I dressed up like Kate . . . tank top, curly hair, and $2.46 cargo khakis from Salvation Army. Then he drove me to a mall where I had not yet been, but will be sure to return soon at Great Lakes Crossing. There, we enjoyed a nice island dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

The best part, though, was when we got home right before we watched the new episode of LOST. He had me check the messages to see if anyone had called while we were out (very unusual) and behold, there were 7 different messages from people from the island: Sun and Jin, Rose & Bernard, Danielle Rousseau, Desmond, Claire, and even one from the Black Smoke. Seems like they sounded just a little bit like some of my family members and friends. I wish I could upload them because they are truly funny. Truly I was LOST in love. :-)

Food Fundamentals

In my first semester of 9th grade, I had the opportunity to take Food Fundamentals. It was one of my most favorite classes. Mrs. Drier would give us recipes and all the ingredients and our "kitchen" would prepare them, even being allowed to eat them when we were done. I got an A. I thought I was a pretty good cook.

I'm beginning to think that I must've missed some really crucial classes on some days that I was sick. Maybe I should have signed up for "Gourmet on the Run" instead of Honors English. I sure could use a lot more training from a food class right now than my knowledge of Homer and Steinbeck.

In an effort to share my knowledge by experience with others, I would like to present a few things I've learned over these past three weeks:

• If you would like to heat up milk, do not do it in a teapot. If it gets to the "whistle" stage, it will explode over the kitchen.
• If you are using a silicon cutting mat on a ceramic stovetop, waiting to put cut-up broccoli in a boiling pot, and you should accidentally turn on the wrong burner, thereby melting your new silicon cutting board onto the ceramic stovetop . . . it will peel off fairly easily if you let it cool.
• It is not tasty to eat broccoli that has melted silicon on it.
• If you accidentally drop a paper towel into a pot of spaghetti sauce that is being warmed, take the sauce off of the burner before you take off the lid and try and fish it out. Laugh at the irony that you were using the napkin to clean up little drops of spaghetti sauce that might have spilled out while heating. Throw the napkin dramatically on the stove to show the spaghetti sauce that it cannot overcome you. Clean up the tomato sauce from the spaghetti sauce stand-off from your kitchen for the next 3 days.
• "Ceramabrite" is a great cleaner for ceramic stovetops that will remove burn marks from milk, silicon cutting boards, spaghetti sauce, or any number of other things that I can find to burn onto my stovetop. I bought it at Home Depot. Well worth the $6.

Brad has been such a good sport and so patient with my learning curve. Hopefully by the end of this "semester" I'll be a little more ahead of the game. Mrs. Drier would be so proud.

Rubix Revelation

I remember going to my Grandma's house when I was younger and my uncle had this "toy" called a Rubix cube. I was intrigued by the way it turned and all the colors, but was shocked when my he told me that I was supposed to be able to get all the colors on each side the same. I worked so hard to make that happen and I even got one whole side once, only to be so frustrated when I realized I had to mess it all up in order to get the other sides to work. Eventually, I tried peeling off the colored stickers and re-sticking them instead. For future reference, it doesn't work too well.

Saturday marked my third week in Michigan and my sixth week that Brad and I have been married. I've had numerous conversations with people as well as some personal reflection processing the changes and adjustments that this delightful season has brought. In many ways, being married is far more wonderful than I could have imagined. I think we've adjusted to living together and the day-to-day parts of life very quickly. It's hard to remember what things were like before. Weird, huh?

On the other hand, I am surprised at how certain things have not changed. Many times, before I was married, I would think of my future with such uncertainty, wondering where I would end up living, what I would end up doing, who I would end up marrying . . . they were really big decisions and I had no idea what the answers would be. For so long, it really frustrated me, thinking, "If I could just click these pieces into place, the puzzle would be solved!"

Now that God has clicked several of these big pieces into place, I feel as if I delightfully looked at all these colors in one block, only to discover that there are 5 other sides to the cube that have yet to be deciphered. Having those pieces in place certainly has been a good thing, but it doesn't mean that I get to live in any more certainty, clearly knowing all the answers to the puzzle. There are simply new reasons to trust, new questions to ask my Father, and new opportunities to step out without knowing the answer. And based on His past performance, often it's when the squares seem to be the messiest that He manages to click them into place. I've learned that letting him click the pieces works a lot better than trying to peel them off myself. :-)