anti-winter antics

Even though winter hasn't technically been around all that long, but it sure feels like the land of the eternal winter tundra of frigidity. No more snow! No more ice! No more tundra like temperatures! What better way to say 'nyet' to summer than a little sun, flip flops, mopeds and surf? Bring it on!

My body shuns the cold and a little sun seriously goes a long way. Even in the midst of twenty degree weather with snow and ice at every turn, having had a little splash of sun and a whole lot of ocean saturation has me not feeling so anti-Jersey right now. But I have to admit, there was a part of me contemplating the epic possibility of living in a tropical paradise with flip flops, a moped, surfboards and selling baked goods from a little hut 231 feet from the beach. This chick can dream!

Until that day arrives I will savor these treks and times away to recharge and soak in a little sun to keep my positive vibe in check. Very grateful and blessed for a weekend get away with the coolest dude around : ) 

Good Cooking

As a kid, some of my favorite memories consist of my mom in the kitchen baking, cooking and always whipping something up. Even now, as an adult, there is something comforting in just watching her do her magic and where she seems so very comfortable. In the past few years I finally have a grasp of why so many hours were spent laboring over what I perceived to be limited to breakfast, lunch, dinner and deserts. 

The funny thing is, I get it now. I was blessed with years of meals around the table catching up on the days happenings, laughing with a big bowl of popcorn in front of the tv and the precious moments of sipping hot chocolate after an afternoon of sledding with my sisters. 

At thirty six years old I find myself mimicking all those things I never really understood until now. It is in my own kitchen that I spend most of my time when home. It isn't out of obligation. It isn't out of necessity. I find a sense of joy and fulfillment that words can't do justice. To have the opportunity to pass on the comforts, memories and beauty connected with my own kitchen is pretty awesome. The pancakes, hot chocolate and brownies will keep rolling out of the Patterson compound for years to come and with it my hope that all the goodness will be attached. 

132 hours

Sometimes the distance between Virginia and Jersey can seem so vast. It can be tough on my heart, but I never take for granted the days I am given to spend with my parents, sister and the little dudes. So having 132 hours with them over break was nothing short of awesome. The temps were low, but our stoke was high.  

I find solace in having coffee with my mom by the fire, chatting about God and cattle with my dad, collecting eggs with the nephews and riding in the car to the farmer's market with my sister. Little things that mean the world to me.

Every holiday is a blessing. Each day is a gift. I love the beauty and crazy of family. I find joy in watching Tristan walking side by side with my dad to herd cattle or Gabe helping Jess feed newborn calves. My heart is at peace in the kitchen with my mom doing dishes or watching her whip up another yummy meal. I am blessed and thankful.

So with a New Year approaching I am appreciative for my family in Jersey and Virginia. I am excited for the new chapter ahead, but grateful for a pretty great year. Bring on 2014!

Christmas Blessings

The month of December flew by, but I somehow managed to extract as much of the Christmas experience as I could.  It was wonderful to take on a bit of Christmas Caroling, baking cookies and enjoying the beauty of neighbor's decorations. There was a little more savoring the little moments that can often feel rushed loosing a bit of its full meaning. 

One of my personal highlights is always Christmas Eve service. There is something sacred about dimming of lights, lighting of candles and singing praises to the little one born in a manger who would ultimately be our Messiah and Savior. I am in awe of God's goodness. I am revel in the beauty of His birth, miracles and promises that blow presents and poinsettias out of the water. My heart can often become overwhelmed at how grateful I am for my family, friends, faith and country. I feel unworthy, but so very grateful.
Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Reason for the Season

Gifts wrapped around the tree, Santa, carols and Christmas trees are all wonderful parts of the Christmas Season. I love the smell of Christmas trees, the aroma of baked gingerbread and the twinkling of lights on neighbor's homes. It's pretty heart warming.
What I have found the greatest joy in during this time of year is serving others and seeking ways to meet the needs of those who may be facing Christmas homeless, without a job, with a loved one suffering with an illness or having experienced the loss of someone they cared for. The holidays can be tough stuff, but how totally awesome is it to seek ways to bring smiles to the hearts and faces of those facing the greatest level of adversity? Awesome!
A friend of ours runs Spirit of the Holidays. She started this outreach after losing her brother to AIDS. Years later, this program provides Christmas gifts to hundreds of family members who have a loved one suffering from this disease. A room teeming with beautifully wrapped gifts with the names of young and old none of us would ever meet. Christmas delivered to their doorstep. It doesn't get much better than that.

When we step into the season with the eyes of Christ aiming for no other desire, but to serve those with aching hearts, it's a mind boggling experience. The simple act of serving goes so far. A bunch of kids and one of my dear friends, Terri, trekked to the Cathedral Kitchen to serve dinner to locals in need. We doled out close to 300 plates of turkey, yam and mashed potato dinners. Every seat was filled by an individual with a different story, a heart facing some sort of adversity and each set of eyes looking into a world with varying levels of uncertainty. The reality is, we all have a story. 

My prayer is that we assume the eyes of Christ. As we celebrate His birth I am so profoundly grateful for His promises, for His birth and His grace that was so unwarranted. He is the reason for the season. With Christmas drawing near I am excited to celebrate His birth, but also to continually seek ways to serve and love in a way that exudes the love of Christ.

Retreating to retreat

There is a common misperception that you have to be a certain age to make a difference. So often we underestimate the power and potential in young people. Every year I am left astonished at the energy, compassion and depth of the students attending the Drug Squad Retreat. Kids debunking the norm and striving for nothing more than breaking it all down to re-charge and find ways to make the world a better place. It really doesn't get much better than that.  

This year marked the ninth Retreat and I am filled with amazing gratitude that there has been close to 300 students who have participated in this weekend. It's pretty cool. Over the years the challenges have been pretty consistent. The hope is that these kids will take the time to reflect about HOW they are living their lives WHAT they are doing with their days and the IMPACT that is being made upon the hearts of others by their decisions. These guys have the ability to do some pretty amazing things that will inevitably have a domino effect on the hearts of others. A linear impact that goes beyond what we can imagine if this mentality is carried on through college and life. Bam! 

I'm still regrouping and re-cooping from another truly life altering weekend that continued to reinforce that when we align our words with our actions amazing things can happen. You may be in the minority when it comes to living your words, but it is so very worth it. The outcome will be absolutely life altering. 

Thank someone in uniform. Freedom is not without cost.