Pinterest Challenge

For those of you who know, I am a wee bit addicted to Pinterest. And why wouldn't I? It is simply amazing!! So many good ideas.

In the next month, I am photographing 3 weddings, in which I plan on putting several shots and photo idea to work. But what about the home decorating? The DIY projects? The food? Oh my goodness the food.

Have you all had this problem? Are you all addicted to Pinterest, or is it just me? If it just me, I will get counseling. If it a bunch of you guys, let's join in a Pinterest challenge.

The challenge: Pick 1 idea from Pinterest to do each week and then blog about it. If you don't blog, tell me about it!!! Can't wait! 

Who's in?

Jumping In

We are officially jumping into the foster care game. Actually it is not a game at all. It is very very very real.

After thinking and praying for the past year about foster care, we had our first meeting tonight. It was just an orientation, but it is a start!

Lord, may you guide all of our steps! May you be glorified.

Friends like that....

I had to do a little project for a friend. She is attending some training that will help her in ministry, grow her as a Christ follower, among many other things.

The assignment: Explain how I experience her when she is hurt, lonely, afraid, confident, jubilant and at rest. For an introspective introvert this is sooo fun, and easy. It is easy because a) She and I respond to things in very similar ways, and b) I am close enough to her, that I actually felt like I knew those answers well.


These days, miles separate us. We are literally on opposite ends of the country, but our friendship is as close as it was when we saw each other 15 times a day in college. I think about the days of college and how we saw each other...A L L  T H E   T I M E. I think about our obsession with nacho cheese and brownies. I think about how we worked in the dining all together....next to each other. I think about our adventures in my car, that was more like a pond. I think about the times we prayed, poured our hearts out, and were real. I think about the frustrating times. I think about how she was influential in putting the night together when Jon proposed.  How could I ever let my beloved friend  move across the country?

She gets me. I get her. A look is all we need. In the past year, we started writing letters. WOW! Thought we were close then....writing letters is so....intimate, especially for an introvert who pours her heart out on paper and then sends across the country. We have both shared so much of our life in these letters. I wait for the mail to be delivered and anticipate my next letter with great joy. Sometimes reading the letters I laugh out loud, I remember times together, I stop and pray, I get all mushy, and sometimes I cry over the hard stuff that we experience in life.

Back to the assignment.

What a joy to be asked to share my thoughts on how I have experienced her in those different situations. Part of it is hard, because we do live far apart.

What a joy to know that I am in a relationship that is close enough to not only be asked those questions, but to have good and solid answers to give as feedback.

What a joy to know that in the midst of my daily struggle with relationships ( I have NEVER been good with relationships...) I have one that is constant. One where we are holding each other up, and living life together.

Today I am blessed by the reminder that I love Krista dearly. One of the closest and best relationships I have ever had with anyone. 

I cherish deep relationships, especially this one.

And without further ado, a series of K&K photos:)

Just a little picture of what I do and why I do it!

Transform-Renew-Change from InterVarsity twentyonehundred on Vimeo.

If Caleb can do it....so can I!

I am trying to get in the rhythm of working out right when I get up in the morning, but when my toddler decides not to sleep at all.... I get to work out with him. Wow. I know a burned some more calories than normal. I popped in the dvd and got a work out I wasn't expecting.

During the jump rope section....I held him as I jumped

During the push ups....he sat on my back, yelling and giggling, "HORSE"

During the ab section....he sat on my saying, "Mommy belly," which of course I took to mean, "Mommy, work harder to get rid of that belly."

 He keeps running around the house, going, "Jump mumma," (because of all the jumping jacks). Whew.

So Jillian Michaels, I have completed Day #4 of the 30 Day Shred (again). If you want to add tougher moves to your dvd's you could always hire my toddler. 

Traverse Vacation: Wedding Edition (Part 2)

The real reason we went to Traverse City was for a wedding of an Albion InterVarsity student who graduated in May. We met some other Albion students up there and had a great time!  

 

Table favors--little jars of jam

I believe that Becca said she was trying to be Asian here.....

Cara! Your eyes, beautiful!!

The happy couple

The other happy couple

Becca, do you need help working the camera? Doesn't she look cute rockin the side pony?

Awwww. Some of my favorite girls (and Jon)

Cara and Jon

My attempt at being a paparazzi

Traverse City Vacation Part #1

I was so excited to have a long weekend getaway with my man. It was something we so needed and came at a great time. You may not want to know all the details of our vacation, but I will be using this blog as a reminder--so when I actually scrap book this trip I remember the details:) 

Friday morning we slept in and went down to the bay. Oh, sweet Traverse Bay:) 

Once at the bay, Jon went for a run and I had a fabulous quiet time. I spent time journaling, praying and reading my Bible along the shore. 

I saw a handsome guy walking. I picked him up and asked him out to breakfast. 

Growing up, my family used to vacation in Traverse. We would ALWAYS go to the Omlette Shoppe and get raisin toast. This morning, I introduced Jon to the Omlette Shoppe, a favorite:) The wait was long, about 30 minutes to get in for BREAKFAST.

After breakfast we had some time before getting back to the hotel and get ready for the wedding. Oh yah, the real reason we were in Traverse City for the wedding of my students...well now, former students. 

mmmmm. Where should we go first? Good thing I saw a hot guy with a map to ask for directions!

 

It was wonderful to walk down the street, hand in hand, with the love of my life. We weren't rushing, we weren't changing diapers, we weren't chasing a toddler. We were simply with each other. We went window shopping, enjoyed good conversation and simply were. 

Ending the night on a very very good note

These days have been long and tiring. The past few have been someone difficult as I figure out a schedule for our family, process through some of what the Lord is showing me and walking obedience that is simply terrifying at times. I didn't even want to start today, because I knew what was ahead. I knew that there could be some hard conversations with students, I knew that I would be on campus until 9pm at the earliest and would have to come home and put in a few hours of work and my house is...well, you can tell it is NSO season. 

And yet. 

What a fabulous day. 

So different than I had anticipated. 

Difficult small group leaders meeting as we wrestled with scripture and what God might be saying. I had to eat some humble pie during this time. Lord, are you REALLY leading us to step out in faith this way. (I know the answer is yes, but I am hoping that if I keep asking God will change His mind. It works that way, right?) 

In spite of the above, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that God has allowed me to partner with Him in His work There is nothing about me that is good that deserves this. I am so grateful for the students I work with. I am constantly blessed and humbled by them. 

Ah, the greatness of good conversation. 

And then, I had leftovers in my fridge to make some quesadillas for 2 students. A fun impromtu lunch! 

Those same students sat on my couch, played guitar and sang for about an hour. Lovely! 

Caleb went down for a fabulous nap. 

Caleb calls me "George." I have no idea why, but it cracks me up, and I call him George. I think he has started an inside joke with me that I don't know about. Whatever the reason, he gets a pretty big laugh out of me every time he says it. 

More greatness....Another great conversation with a student 

More greatness....receiving mail from my other half...er....my other 1/3. I went to the mail box today, found a post card from China and Chinese stationary and a card. I simply had to take time to START my letter back to Krista, still not finished. I could write a whole post about Krista and our relationship. Maybe another time. But receiving mail from her....so good. Good news from a distant land. 

More greatness......God is working on campus in UNbelievable ways. WOW. I know, vague, right? 

More greatness......Jon has had a song idea brewing in his head for months. Tonight, he sat on the couch and played it for me. It is the mesh of two songs and I LOVE it. I love the music, the lyrics, my husband playing it, but most of all I am inspired by his vision of choosing these two songs. It shows me how God is working in His heart and speaking to him through music. 

And just as I thought I was going to bed I receive this email from a friend...and cried....because seriously, I am blessed today. 

Hey Kristin,

Thinking of you...

 ³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3-6)

² I always thank God for ... you, mentioning you in my prayers. ³ I continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 ⁴ For I know, you Kristin loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers...  (I Thess. 1:2-7) 

Was sharing a few stories from the past and thought you should know what came to mind.  Thanks.

In Christ,

M

Dear Cara,

This is for you my Dear Cara.

Just wondering if you really read my blog as much as you say you do:)

I had a great time with you today, Lila says hi.

Your beautiful book is at my house.

The end. See you Monday.