A lovely visit

This last weekend we enjoyed another fantastic trip to Charlottesville for our Thanksgiving celebration. We always have lots of food and relaxation, but this trip also included a visit to a petting farm. Brynne was in her glory. I'm so thankful for sweet family to celebrate with. I also loved (as always) the beautiful scenery.

Wishing you were here...

Have you ever had the experience of missing someone you never met? It might sound odd. But ever since I met Rob and began to fall in love with him, there is someone I miss. That person is his dad. Tomorrow as we celebrate a sweet holiday, we will also be remembering his dad who went to be with Jesus ten years ago. Even though I named this post "wishing you were here", in a sense I don't. He has been enjoying something for ten years that I can only imagine.

I think one of the reasons I look forward to meeting Rob's dad, Andy, is that I have experienced him through his wife and three boys in a very special way. I have heard wonderful stories from my mother-in-law. I have watched JA and Phil interacting with their family and those around them. I have experienced the most incredible love and care from Rob as my husband. I have watched Rob raise our daughter for almost 17 months. I know these actions are not just taught, but learned through experience. I have been thinking lately about the way children imitate their parents. It is so natural. Kids just want to be like the people they spend so much time with. I can tell that Andy was a very special person because of the legacy he has left in his boys.

So, as I think of thankfulness, a great part of my thankfulness this year is for a man I never knew. A man whose life has touched mine in a way he will never know until I meet him in heaven. Ultimately, I thank God for His sovereignty in the circumstances of our lives. He is always weaving together the most beautiful story. I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to be a part of that story.

Do you have a little Christmas shopping to do?

Well, here are a few ideas for you! I received this box in the mail last weekend and was so excited to pull out each item. I ordered a bunch of these incredibly cute hand towels. I felt like they were such a unique gift for Christmas? Then I also received these adorable cones, an H, and a sweet little book for Brynnie. Where can you find all these treasures???? Right here at etsy. My good friend Sarah Branine recently opened an etsy shop called Cranny. If you have never been on etsy, it is worth your time to stop by. I believe it is all hand-crafted items. Check it out!

Holding On

I don't know about you, but I always feel like I'm holding my breath to see how long the leaves will last. The beauty always puts me in awe and brings me such joy. I often think at this time of year that it is so sweet that God can bring beauty out of death. Truly, the leaves are dying and going to be composted into the ground. And yet, God chose to make this process of dying bring something so beautiful. Sometimes I feel like we get sucked into believing that death is always a bad thing, but when we remember the cross, we realize that God can bring about wonderful blessings through death. Satan thought he had the victory, but really God was bringing about the greatest victory ever known: the eternal victory over death that we can now enjoy as well. Maybe the leaves are just another reminder.

finally...a few pictures

A festive little cart from one of our favorite Olde Towne stops - The Kitchen Koop

Nothing so fun as finding little acorns on the ground and clutching as many as possible

Brynnie loves to kiss - usually cousin Bryce and Daddy and Mommy...

but sometimes her bear, the computer, the door, an article of clothing, the newspaper, dogs and who knows what will be next!

We love Mondays...Rob's day off! This day we enjoyed a walk in Olde Towne.

Nothing like shoe soup...yes she is obsessed with shoes already!

I thought our trick-or-treating would be such a joke, however once this little one figured out everyone was putting little treasures in her bucket, she was all about it. She trudged right down the sidewalk from house to house. It was a blast!

Daddy's little ladybug

Sporting a sweater made by a sweet lady in our church.

We were experimenting here with the new camera - so far, we love it!

Yipee!

Well here is the new member of our family...if you have seen my last few posts you know our last camera recently went to camera heaven. I had to share about God's gift to us in a new camera. Not long after I posted, I had someone very special (you know who you are) who contacted me and said they wanted to get us a new camera. What a blessing! Rob and I had decided to wait on this one a little bit, and instead God plopped exactly what we wanted right in our laps. I am reminded again that God cares about the big things and little things and the things that are simply wants and the things that are needs. He remembers them all and loves to give His children good gifts (sometimes routed through people!). Anyways, we went online and found a special little spot where you can plug in all the things you want in a camera and it gives you the best options out there. This was what we came up with. I hope to be posting lots of wonderful pics very soon (once Rob figures out how to use it and then gives me the low-down).

I am resolved

Hmmmm, sounds like a song or something. Anyhoo, I have resolved to journal in the evenings right before bed to record the blessings of the day. This idea mostly came to me when I was thinking of how best to preserve the sweet memories that are formed each day with our Brynnie. Since it is growing more and more difficult to pull the scrapbook out, I had to come up with a more simple way to keep up. It seems like every day she does something so sweet, or something so funny, or something so naughty, or something so crazy, and I just don't want to forget. I hope that years into the future I can pull out these journals for laughs and maybe cries. I was also thinking that maybe this will be a good reminder on some of the hard days...days when you just feel like you can't say "no" one more time, days when you think you'll go crazy if you have to say "do not whine" one more time, days when you feel like you can never ever ever again finish your "to do" list, that these days are short and fleeting. I want to see my journal and remember to enjoy each moment to the fullest. And not enjoy it unto myself, but unto God who is giving me the opportunity to live life to the fullest. I spoke to a sweet older lady the other day who shared the heartbreak of having lost her daughter at age 4 and she said that she has never gotten over it. It was a striking reminder to cherish every day. I wish I could post a little picture of my sweetie, but as I'm still working on the camera thing...I will just overload the pics later on!

How are you resolved to enjoy and appreciate each day?

Am I too visual?

I think I am. I haven't blogged in ages because I can't post pictures. I can't post pictures because I dropped our camera and it finally gave up the ghost. I'm sad to say that I am hopelessly clumsy. We actually had to start buying more plates, cups, bowls...etc because I have broken so many. Anyways, that's not the point. We have had a ton going on, but I feel like I shouldn't post without pictures. Well just this once, I guess I'll have to...

Life has been super exciting lately. Our sweet nephew Bryce arrived October 4th. He is the best baby ever and it has been so fun to enjoy a new little one in the family. My sister is doing really well with two and it's been fun to see Cade and Brynne love on their new friend. They both call him "Byce".

My mom was able to sneak a little trip in even though it's the middle of a crazy semester for her at Northland. That was wonderful, and she loved hanging with her grandkids.

I recently read Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I haven't done a full review yet because I'm actually sharing my findings in a Sunday School Class...so maybe later. However, I will say that it is incredible. God has really used it to teach me how to apply the gospel to my everyday life. I'm so thankful my friend Lorie recommended it to me!

Brynnie Brynne Brynne...now almost 16 months!!! I love her so much. She has been walking in bits and pieces for a little while, but has finally decided she really likes it and has taken off. I'm afraid I will never get her to sit still again. However, I'm so thankful we have gotten around to it and can be done with the frustrations of "butt scooting". She says so many words now, which I love. Communication is so fun! Our biggest battle right now is whining, which is a constant struggle. I'm learning patience in new ways! Lately, one of my favorite things is to pray with her at night and then see her smile and say "amen"...although it sounds like "a" (short a sound) - "men". Sometimes during a prayer she starts saying it - maybe it just gets a little too long :) Anyways, I am constantly grateful for the gift of our sweetie.

We are continuing to look at Tacoma WA. We have been asking the Lord for clarity in this decision, and I believe He is making His plan for us evident. We are excited, but nervous. We will keep you posted.

Wow - if you stuck with me, good for you! Hopefully, next time I will have some fun visual stimulation, but until then....happy reading!

Thoughts on Pain

(Picture from Barlow's Blog: http://mrbarlow.wordpress.com/)

I know this sounds like a strange name for a post, but I cannot get away from this topic. I feel like lately I have been confronted over and over with pain in the lives of those around me. "I lost my sweet baby"..."my child is going into surgery"..."I lost a friend to cancer"..."part of my leg is being amputated"..."my father will pass away at any time"...and I know this list could go on. We all deal with pain in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. I have been challenged with how I will think about and dwell on the pain in my life and those I interact with.

Lately, in every area of life, God has been taking me back to the cross. He has been reminding me of the goodness and love of Christ as He hung there to pay for my sins and those of all His children. I am learning that everything good is from Him and if He died for me, He will also freely give me all things. I desire to meditate on the sweetness of these truths at all times - good and bad. So how do these reminders affect my interaction with the pain I so often see?

I realize that the greatest pain was faced at the cross, when Christ was separated from the Father - not for His own sins, but for those of the sins of the world. He was forsaken for people that are His enemies...people who shake their fist in His face and disregard His work on their behalf. I remember that what I truly deserve is death for offending a holy God. And yet He not only offers me life, He gives me eternal life in relationship to Him. He gives me true purpose in life. So really, anything I have that is over and above that is an amazing "extra". To breath every day, to walk, to see, to smell, to taste, to enjoy creation, to have an incredible husband, to take care of my sweet daughter, to live in a house, to wear clothing and so much more are all the wonderful "extras". And if I lose these things and more, I should still be able to worship God because I remember what I really deserve. I remember that life is a vapor - here for a moment and gone. It cannot be compared to the glory that will follow. We are simply in the cocoon waiting to escape into eternity and become the beautiful butterfly we were made to be in the first place. So when days feel long and when I hear another person describe the agony they face, I remember there is a greater purpose and the pain will soon be a faint memory as I bask in the glory of God. I do not know exactly what that will be like, but I can see glimpses on a daily basis of this precious reality. The greatest reality. I'm not trying to minimize what people go through. I know we are human and there is some pain that is so very deep. I do not take that lightly. I just find myself realizing that when we want to run so many places for help, the answer is actually in Christ. May we find Him our refuge and not go elsewhere.

I'm sure there is more. I also know more intelligent people have written on this topic. I kind of felt like I had to get some of it down...to even understand what I was thinking.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen." I Peter 5:10-11

a little random

I love this pic - we were hanging out at a free concert last week, and I caught Shiloh and Jordan with big old smiles at the same time. I know what Shiloh is happy about, but Jordan???

Can anyone explain how it is possible that I never had a cell phone until my 20's and my daughter already knows how to play with one at 14 months?

Brynne loves these little chairs that Jennie found. I had to laugh when I noticed that she had both feet up relaxin' - my kinda girl!

I sure do love this girl - even when her pants are saggy!

Crazy Lady

Well, it's been far too long since I posted about my girlie - what a bad mom, huh? At almost 14 months, she really is a crazy lady. We have lots of little fun names for her, but that is one that is pulled out quite often.

I had to snap a picture of her playing in Rob's guitar case the other day

Now that she can climb up onto the couch, it is one of her favorite places to be. She likes to crawl to the end, hold onto the arm rest, and then drop back onto her bottom. I guess she loves it because it's a cushy landing??!

I love that her hair is still curling at the ends, but it does some crazy

things when she's sleeping. This morning "do" cracked me up!

My funniest (and scariest) picture. You can kind of see the determined look on her face. My girl is a crazy, ocd, organizer! How can this be - even at one year old? She loves loves loves to pull things out and put them back. I think this particular day she just kept pulling all the books out and then putting them all back in the box. She also loves my makeup bag, grocery store fliers, my tub of plastic kitchen containers...and is very serious about where everything goes. I really do love to see her little personality coming out already!

This stage is a blast. It's great to see her gradually working on words and putting communication together. Her most-used words are "hi" and "goggie" (doggie). But my favorite is "boppy" which means bath or blankie. Her two signs are "please" and "thank you". I think please happened because of her love for food and realization that she gets it with "please" (most of the time). "Thank you" makes me totally laugh, because instead of bringing her hand to her mouth usually she just smacks her face or head wherever and figures that's good enough. Of course, there are hard things - the tantrums not being the least. I was reminded today of God's patience with me as my Father. I have little patience even with my sweet girl, yet my heavenly Father loves and takes care of me every day - even when I fail over and over. I think one of my favorite things about being a parent is seeing in so many beautiful ways what a wonderful God we have.

My Latest Read...over half-way

My latest read was Stop Dating the Church: Fall in Love with the Family of God by Joshua Harris. Most people know him for I Kissed Dating Goodbye. It is not a very long book, and I would recommend it. I think my view of the church personally has been undergoing a lot of “renovation” lately. I appreciated his heart for and excitement about God’s people. Joshua seeks to help people realize unhealthy views of the church and understand God’s plan and purpose for His people. He definitely challenges the consumer mindset that many Christians have had in looking for a local body. Many will go to and from local churches based on very selfish and prideful attitudes. They don’t seek to serve, they seek to be served.

God has been challenging me in even greater ways to realize that we shouldn’t just “go to church” - we as Christ’s followers are the church. We don’t just take part in a Sunday event, we live as the church all week long. We don’t just worship one day a week, we are called to be “living sacrifices” all week long. We are constant worshippers of something or someone. I want that to be Christ above all else. I guess this might be where I disagreed with him some. He has a chapter called “rescuing Sunday”. He spends a lot of time talking about how to prepare for Sunday and get the most out of meeting together. Now, don’t get me wrong, I definitely think there is something very significant to getting together on Sundays. This is a sweet time of celebration that is unlike any other time of the week. We get to enjoy and celebrate Christ together like we cannot do as a group every day. We get to spend special time in music and in the word together. These things should be a tremendous blessing and encouragement. However, I always find it odd when I read or hear someone calling people to prepare in a different way for Sunday than any other day of the week as a worshipper. For example, he (and I have heard others) says to not watch tv on Saturday nights. He also calls you to limit anything distracting on Sunday mornings. I understand to a certain extent what he is saying, but should we ever spend time watching something that we cannot worship God in and through? Why can’t we enjoy relaxation unto God on a Saturday night and still be prepared to enjoy gathering on Sunday together? I feel that whenever something is an idol to us - it needs to go - no matter what day of the week it is. If it’s not an idol and we truly enjoy it unto God - should there be a time we don’t do it? He had a few other thoughts along those lines that I’m not sure I would agree with, but I think I can understand his heart behind what he says.

Well, I’d be happy to hear any comments or criticism. I hope this didn’t sound too critical. I totally appreciate the ministry of Josh Harris and feel that this kind of book is great for anyone of any background to read. We need to be challenged in our view of the church, and I’m glad he is joining the battle!

Learning my lesson

Sometimes it feels like God is trying to bonk me on the head with something, and it just takes a while to get it. Okay, maybe that happens more often than I would like to think. I realized today that the latest "bonk" was to remind me that the stuff we acquire in life is just that - stuff. It doesn't make us happy, it can't bring eternal satisfaction, we don't always need more...bigger...better, we can't take it with us. I know this should be obvious, but as I walked around the house yesterday beginning to de-clutter and consider packing all our worldly possessions I had a few moments of sadness (I think maybe I was a little emotional anyways - you know how girls can be sometimes). Rob and I have officially decided to get our house on the market. We are pursuing church planting in Tacoma WA alongside a ministry called Soma Communities. We are still totally willing for God to close the door if He so chooses, but for now - we are continuing to take steps this direction. I'm so excited about this move and yet am feeling so overwhelmed with all that needs to be done! Anyways, back to my sadness - I guess even though we bought our house realizing we would be moving out again in a few years, I guess I still got kind of attached. It is the first house we lived in together, we did a ton of work on it together, we found a ton of cute little flea market, yard sale, thrift store items to make it feel homey, we have laughed and played and cried and dreamed here together, we brought our sweet baby home here for the first time...obviously I could go on. I'm almost crying right now as I write this! It makes me pretty sad to think about closing the door for the last time and saying goodbye.

Even as I write this I realize that this is so temporal - so fleeting. Life is so much more than a building or the things we put in it. I have been reading 1 Peter and God is reminding me that I am a sojourner - so appropriate! I just read a blog post from someone else talking about all the things we like to accumulate in life. Even our realtor was talking about not letting possessions control you. Okay God - I think I'm getting it. Please help me to continually be excited and passionate to be wherever you want and gladly leave behind all that I truly do not need. Well - I think it will still take some time - but God is patient, and I'm so thankful.

Happy Birthday Robbie!

Happy 29...

You're lookin' really fine...

I'm so glad you're mine...

thankful for God's design...

have nothing to opine...

Love you!

ps. sorry for the bad rhyme

(actually posted by Jules)

Ten Random Things

1 I love love love the colors of these fruits and veggies I found at the farmers market on Saturday. God makes such beautiful things. And we can even eat them!

2 So, since I bought figs and an eggplant, I need some recipes for these :) Any ideas???

3 I'm starting to get sad that summer is coming to an end...even though it stays warm around here for a while, my teaching schedule is always more busy in the fall.

4 I asked for advice on my side garden, took it...by planting black-eyed susans, and now am morning the death of one and the possible death of the other. I guess it was just too warm for planting? I was a pretty good girl as far as watering went (which isn't always the case), but it wasn't enough. However, I'm very glad they are perennials. Perhaps they will be much happier in the spring when their little heads pop up.

5 Lately I have been loving making a "mexi" salad. We have really been working on our eating habits and trying to focus a little more on protein and veggies rather than carbs. It usually consists of spinach, black or pinto beans, chicken or beef, tomatoes, salsa, avocado or olives, and cheese. Sometimes I add a couple tortilla chips for crunch. It is sooooo good! Now that I'm looking at all the ingredients I wonder if I'm really accomplishing what I mean to :)

6 Rob's birthday is this Saturday. We love birthdays because we pretty much celebrate the whole month. Any time we want to do something it is our excuse. "It's your birthday month...we need to celebrate!!"

7 I'm feeling like my hair looks kind of damaged lately and am wondering if anyone has a great home treatment to revitalize hair.

8 I know I shouldn't make another comment about food, but our latest favorite is "bordeaux dark chocolate cherry" frozen yogurt. Usually I don't like fruity chocolate stuff - but this is really good. Maybe because we love dark chocolate so much (and it's really good for you...right?).

9 I constantly love to have my toenails painted, but not usually my finger nails. I think it's because my fingernails stay nice for about half a day and it drives me crazy to keep up with them.

10 One of Brynnie's favorite words right now is doggie - although it usually sounds like "goggie" or "gokie" - it is so cute because she gets so excited when sees a dog and says it over and over in her little high-pitched voice. It's also pretty funny when she's saying it referring to a cat or any other animal that remotely resembles a dog.

Well if you stuck with me, thanks for listening to my rambling. Let me know your thoughts or if you have something random to share - I'd be happy to hear it!

Looking for Direction

It's been a little over a year since Rob graduated from seminary, and we have been in the process of discerning the next step God has for us. Who knew it could take so long??? The Lord has really taught us a lot about waiting on His timing and learning to live for Him now where we are and not just waiting for the "next thing". There are two different churches that we are conversing with right now in regards to future ministry. One of them is in Tacoma, WA and we felt like we really needed to head out there to check things out. We had a fantastic time. We also dropped down for a few days to see our friends Steve and Sarah in Portland, OR. We loved our time out west. It is so beautiful. For Rob (who grew up in Alaska) it was almost like coming home. We are still praying for the Lord's direction and are excited to see what He will do. Here are a few memories...

Cannon Beach - Gorgeous!

Our favorite lunch spot in Manzanita - Bread and Ocean

I love that you can find fresh food everywhere!!! It's awesome.

I could have spent a fortune in the shops - loved these bags.

We love these guys - had a blast hanging out!

Especially loved seeing this little guy...could he be any cuter???

We would really like to see these two get married...Graeme seems okay with the idea, but Brynne still has her reservations.

Beautiful flowers - everywhere we went

Brynnie's latest smile - totally cracks us up

Cannon Beach

Multnomah Falls