Thankful Thoughts
We had our first Thanksgiving. This week was a big eye opener to the ways the Lord is affirming that we are supposed to be in SF. He keeps providing and going beyond the bare minimum, for instance Thanksgiving. We have money to pay rent and at least $160 a week for groceries - and the good kind, the kind that is healthy and smart for our bodies, the kind at Whole Foods. And this week we somehow managed to pay $100 more than that to enjoy extra on Thanksgiving. We also sold furniture on Craigslist in order to buy new organizational furniture now that Luke is in the studio, and even rent a car to go pick up that furniture across the bay.
Whenever I first got laid off, my default reaction was that I was going to have to move back home. And I was really upset about it because I didn’t feel like my time here was complete. After praying and crunching every number in my books, I realized that if I lived here until Luke moved, I could make it. I could pay rent. I could buy groceries. And all without going into debt or spending money I didn’t have. This was just from money I did have! I couldn’t spend outside of those means, like for clothes or eating out or anything extra really, but by God I would make it here! And I did. I made it. I even got to spend extra on wedding stuff when I needed to or wanted to. It did build new margins and expose new disciplines, but I can tell you I never went without.
Our Thanksgiving was such a treat. I had meal planned the week before, finding recipes that would fit our gluten-free, paleo, organic lifestyle that still brought nostalgia from all of our favorite dishes growing up. Monday night we made the trip really late to Whole Foods with our list in hand. One and a half hours later, we’re on a bus and Luke has a turkey in his backpack. I still laugh thinking about it. Tuesday we drove to the Ikea and Target in Emeryville to buy kitchen furniture, and then stopped by our friends house in Alameda. Wednesday we spent cleaning out the kitchen, organizing, and building furniture. We also prepped a bit for our Thanksgiving meal and made the desserts and cranberry sauce. On Thursday we woke up early to set the turkey out, then we got up and cooked all day. We were in the kitchen from 10:00 am until around 3:30 pm. We were such a team in the kitchen. Luke had a hand in every dish. We set our table with our new display china and had a small feast for two! The turkey didn’t come out as we had hoped, but many of the other dishes were delicious. It was nice to sit and recognize all the we had despite all that we thought we didn’t.
Later we were pooped from being on our feet all day in the kitchen. We debated going on a walk to catch the sunset vs. putting up the Christmas tree. Around 4:30 we realized the sunset would be beautiful and Luke spontaneously rented a Zipcar for $22 for two hours. He hurried out the house and walked a mile to pick it up. By that time, the sun was already setting, but we still rushed to Crissy Field to see what we could witness. It was beautiful still! We then crossed the bridge and took a look from the other side. I hope there is a golden gate sunset involved in my next Thanksgiving.
We ended the night eating dessert and facetiming with our families. We decided to put the tree up the following day while we watched The Santa Claus and Luke made us a star for the tree.
When I think about those few months alone and unemployed in the city and compare that to my life now, I’m still blown away. We’re making it. It’s tough and we’re having to turn down a lot and sometimes that is painful and causes anxiety for both of us, but it’s also causing us to develop and nurture communication, and transparency, and trust, and boundaries, and dependence on Jesus, and intentional praise. And for that I am super thankful. Here’s to our first Thanksgiving within The Zito Covenant.
xo. Mattie
Psalm 107:29-32 - He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet; So He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men!
