Artic Blast....Snow days....Falling Trees....Jesus' birth...

Well as anyone who lives in Portland knows we just had the biggest snow storm in 40 years! It's finally over after only working 1 day in 2 weeks...having 2 feet of snow...a tree falling on my house...plenty of family time...game playing...movie watching...sleeping in...wow it really was great!

Our family was all able to make it to my parents for Christmas. It was shorter than usual but nice to spend time with family...we didn't know if it would happen the days leading up to Christmas. I think having more time on my hands made me appreciate some things more than usual this year...that I have a family to drive me crazy ;o) and they love me, too, when I drive them crazy...that Jesus chose to come into this world...I don't think I could've done that- leave Heaven knowing what his fate was...it is a huge sacrifice! I am so grateful for Him choosing to leave perfection to come to earth to save us. I think having time to think also made me saddened for all the people I know that haven't yet met Jesus...I was thankful for the simple pleasures in life- electricity, a warm home, a job to have snow days for, I was even grateful for rain- when it came to melt the snow away I was happy :) It was a different Christmas for sure but I feel like the Lord had a purpose in making us all slow down during this time of year. We are usually out hustling and bustling forgetting to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

A tree fell on my house which is crazy since it didn't cause any major damage...just a big tree in my yard and some minor things to take care of. Anyone need some wood? You cut, you haul ;o)

Oh and after missing 2 weeks of church I was longing to back with my church family. That is something I haven't felt for a long time...I was so happy to see people...and though I still don't know anyone really well...it's starting to feel like home :) The sermon this week was right where I'm at...as I've said in previous posts I've been reading books on the presence of God...and guess what the sermon was about? Yep- the Presence of God- namely in the birth of his son, Jesus. It was amazing to think of it a different way and to be reminded as His child the presence of God is in me through the Holy Spirit.

So for anyone who actually reads my ramblings it was a good week...lessons learned...memories made...and ready for a new year to begin :)

~A

Snow days

This has been a week of snow days for me! At first it is super exciting but I have to admit I am getting a little stir crazy/bored. But I can't complain- paid days off are a blessing! I have used this time mostly to relax, get some things done around the house and spend time with family. The best part of the week is the snow itself...it's SO beautiful! Maggie loves it and I'm including some picture of her enjoying the snow. We'll see what the next few days holds...

Christmas parties and good friends.

The funniest present!
My gift

The girls...
Nikki, Bec, me and Jen

This weekend was filled with Christmas parties and friends! It was fun and I'm tired today :o) I have to say I have some of the best friends in the world! Saturday morning I had coffee with Laura while Matt insulated around my front door (it had old windows around it that sweat and let in a draft). So nice of him to spend his Saturday morning helping me! I enjoy hanging out with Laura and Madeline- we've been friends since preschool.

Saturday night I had my friends from high school over to my house. It was a low-key Christmas party but I enjoyed catching up with everyone.

Last night was a White Elephant gift exchange at the Distler's (see pics). It was fun...lots of laughter! I love these people...I'm the youngest and only single one but I always enjoy myself so much.

It was a great weekend!

Saying good-bye to friends...

Unfortunately I have to say good-bye to another friend soon. She is following what she feels is the Lord leading her to Nashville. She has an AMAZING voice and is hoping to use it to God's glory in some way.

Yesterday was a good-bye party for her. She will be missed! This pic is some of my great co-workers and friends (from left to right: Christy, Tara, Me and Amber).

Blessed by His presence

I have been reading two books lately..."Practicing the Presence of God" and "Walking with God". Sense a theme? I am trying to learn about how to walk with God all throughout the day and not just a designated prayer or devotion times. I'm learning slowly and I'm sure there will be more blogs about it.

One of the things in "Walking with God" that John Eldredge talks about is asking God how to spend your money. Now I honestly haven't really done this...I have heard of asking before making a big purchase and waiting until you feel you have heard from the Lord....but I am just not exactly sure how to do this...or know for sure you've heard from Him.

Well I tried it out yesterday :) My washing machine broke over the weekend and I don't really want to put money into it as I know I have to replace it before I can move (long story). So anyway...I started looking into buying a refurbished one. The kind I need is stackable so even used the best deal I found was $700+. That's A LOT of money for me and I wasn't sure what I should do. So I asked the Lord, "What should I do? Should I buy it?". I didn't hear an audible answer but this is what happened...

I went upstairs to our break room to eat my lunch. I was praying some, weighing my options & reading the paper when a co-worker walked in. She said, "hey I heard your washing machine broke". I told her what I was thinking and then she says..."Oh, well I just bought a new one and was going to offer you my old one if you want it". I said, "You're not going to try to sell it?". Basically she found this AMAZING deal on a new front loading, energy efficient set (a deal that I will keep my eyes peeled for over the next year) and couldn't pass it up. So she decided to go for it although her old set works just fine. Her only stipulation is that when I buy a new set to pass it on to someone in need! I can certainly do that!! So now to find a way to haul away mine and get hers...

Basically I really felt the Lord answering my prayer! It was really cool and I am feeling more confident about trying it out again :) He is listening and desires us to seek Him in all decisions we make!

Thanksgiving weekend

I LOVE Thanksgiving...some of the things I love about it include: time with my family, time off from work to relax, remembering all that I am thankful for, sleeping in and decorating for Christmas when it's all over!

Early last week I was struggling some with life. I know I have many things to be thankful for but I was having a hard time remembering in the midst of it. But the Lord met me where I was at and refreshed me this weekend. He helped me remember as I was laughing hysterically with my family over board games how blessed I am to have my FAMILY...He showed me I have FRIENDS who care through a phone call and a note...He showed me again His gift of my HOME as I enjoyed decorating it for Christmas...He reminded me of my good HEALTH as I heard about a friend in pain...He reminded me of his PROTECTION as I caught up on sleep and didn't have bad dreams...He reminded me of His BIRTH as I reflected on Christmas and sang in Church today...He is so good and faithful!

As you reflect on your blessings I pray you will treasure what you do have and give thanks to Him who deserves it!

Good news!

The chimney is gone...well partially gone :) After talking with several peolple I figured out the best solution to my leaking chimney was to take it down to the roof level. My uncle was able to come out today and do it. It wasn't as expensive as I thought and much less than taking the entire thing down. I'm glad it's done...no more leaking and no more birds laying eggs.

Besides that...I am super excited for Thanksgiving this week! I love holidays and it will be fun to sleep in, spend time with family, eat good food, then decorate for Christmas after it's all done :)

The verdict is in...

Well I found out from a good friend that my chimney needs to be taken down. It's old (I'm guessing it's original to the house which would be 83 years old!) and erroding. So I'm on the hunt for someone I can trust/won't charge me an arm & a leg to do it...I have friends standing by to help if needed.

So I was actually surprised I didn't totally FREAK OUT when I heard that...I [normally] would have huge anxiety over the unknown (mainly how I will pay for it). But for some reason I felt okay that day...and I figured out why ;o) Because this last week the Lord had been preparing me for something "bigger" (now to some that isn't a big deal but He knows what I need). I had a weird up and down week (see my last blog) so I had spent a lot of time in prayer. And I'm reading "Practicing the Presence of God" and I had just read about resting in God ALWAYS and when hard things come you'll be okay (paraphrase). So I realized that as I wait on Him...learn to trust Him...seek Him for the everyday things...He will provide all that I need! And this weekend I needed peace/hope. Wow...it seems so simple...why don't I always spend my weeks/days/moments resting in the Lord?

So if you know anyone who has experience in tearing down chimneys let me know :)

Storms and sunshine...

Wow! What a week! It has ranged from really stormy, wet, dark weather here in Portland to sunny, beautiful days! The weather has represented my week (well maybe I didn't have "storms" this week but for sure some rain in my life)...

Some of the "rain"...a horrible day at work Tuesday (it is not easy to make me cry and a student succeded)...a leak in my roof/chimney (to me that represents $$ and the unknown)...my sister lost her job...some hard realizations about myself...stressful moments just about every day of work...

But there was sunshine and for this I am SO GRATEFUL! I had a great time continuing to get to know my "new" home community...I have had super times with the Lord this week- in my stress I have turned to Him and He is right there giving me strength...an encouraging nursery leaders meeting...friends who care...a sweet puppy who seems to know when I am stressed...a friend coming out to look at my chimney and will be coming back to fix it...a job that though has been stressful had some great moments this week with grateful students, encouraging co-workers, rewarding moments...a friend having her baby...notes and presents...hugs...literal sunshine that gives me more energy and joy...Christmas music...health...

Wow...I suddenly realize how the sunshine really has outweighed the rain! :) Basically I am trying to let the good stuff be on my mind more than the bad...I really have SO MUCH to be grateful for and it is easy to forget during the stressful moments!

Thanks for listening to my process...I hope you all have had sunshine in your lives this week :)

The way the Lord provides...

I am really thankful this weekend for several things. Friday night held fun parties with great friends! Even had to say no to a few :o( Saturday was a celebration of THREE YEARS in my home! I am amazed by the way it all happened...maybe I'll blog about it someday. I have learned so much throughout these past three years...how to trust God with finances, security, etc. Still learn this one over and over :o) I like to control my money and sometimes when I think I'm going good something unexpectedly comes up...sound familiar? The life of a homeowner! But I know those moments teach me more about trusting God and helping me realize I am not the true owner of my money and home. He has entrusted me with this home and I have to hold it with open hands. He has always provided enough to pay my bills and even if I can't do all I'd like to do- both selfish spending and all that I'd like to give- He ALWAYS has provided for me!! So amazing!

Having a home has taught me that the Lord delights in blessing His children. Though it wasn't something I thought to ask for He gave me this blessing in this stage of my life. He is so good to me! There are many other things I've learned but this is getting long...

I just want to say how grateful I am for friends coming out and celebrating with me on Saturday. I'm so thankful for my home and want to use it to bless others in any way I can. My door is always open!!

The other eventful thing this weekend was saying good-bye to my good, good friend Kim. I've known this day was coming for a long time but I am still not ready. She and her husband are going to serve as missionaries for 2-3 years in the Czech Republic. A country of broken people who desperatly need the Lord!! Pray for them! But it's SO HARD to say good bye. Lord willing I can save up some money and visit her in the next year. She has been such an amazing friend to me. She is honest and discerning and having someone like that in my life has been vital. She speaks truth to the heart. She was also my first friend at Multnomah. She is friendly and welcoming and I was shy and new :o) We love to reminsce about our fun Multnomah memories including when we "stalked" her now husband ;o) I was able to stand up with her on her wedding day which was such an honor! I can't even describe all she means to me...it's been a life changing friendship. I know she will be used in the Czech for God's glory so I feel a little selfish not wanting her to go...

Well I could write more but don't even know if anyone got through this whole thing! I am SO BLESSED...with great friends, a beautiful home and a God who loves me!!

Lord I'm amazed by You...

this blog could potentially be really long...but i will try to sum up my thoughts...basically my prayers have been answered...for the past few months i have been praying about church...if i'm supposed to stay where i am or if he is leading me elsewhere...and if i am supposed to stay how can i feel connected and known...well i have felt like my prayers were not really leading anywhere...i felt more lost than ever...more unsure of where he was leading me...until a couple of weeks ago when he started to answer my cries...

it started one week when i got an odd e-mail from the children's pastor at my church. i don't really know her since there are other people "over" my minstry that are below her. the e-mail basically asked if i was happy with my ministry and liked what i was doing. she said someone told her they thought i wasn't...i was surprised since my ministry has been the only thing keeping me at imago the past few months. i didn't have a home community anymore and some sundays i would only go to that and not service because i've felt so lost in such a huge group of strangers. the ministry i've been doing for the past 14 months has been my lifeline. the e-mail did something, though. it brought some honesty between her and i. i told her how i wasn't sure if i was going to stay at imago and what i just explained above. she said that she would love to get together and talk and help me sort out my feelings. she said she could help me see if i was being led elsewhere or if i should stay. we set a date for 2 weeks later...

the next week i get a phone call from one of the leaders of my old home community. i was already told by his wife that he might be calling me to see if i'd like to help start a new one. so when he called i was hoping i could say with certainty yes but i told him i would like to be apart of it while continuing to pray for direction...as i might not be at imago much longer. he seemed fine with my searching and still invited me to come to the core group.

well by a week ago i was thinking i should try other churches. i tried a great one- real small and in transition but friendly people, solid theology...i decided i should tell the leaders in my ministry i needed a break [so i could try out other things].

my meeting with my children's pastor was thursday. i was a little nervous. i wasn't sure what it would look like since she knew i might move on and since i didn't really know her. have you ever had a conversation that you could hear the lord speaking through? where you could hear him answering your prayers because what the other person was saying was exactly what you had been praying about? have you ever felt so amazed by him that you where speechless? in the hour and a half that we talked i had never felt so loved and cared for by him. he was answering my prayers through this other person who didn't know me very well and certainly didn't know what i had been asking...

what he did was answer 2 specific requests i had for me to stay: 1) that i would have community 2) that i could learn from her [the children's pastor]. i knew he could answer the community part if i made an effort to joing a new home community. instead he brought it to me by having people ask me to be apart of their group. i really though number 2 was almost impossible. wow- i have such little faith! i thought she was too busy for me or that i wasn't worthy of being in her close circle. instead she told me how i had stood out to her...that she noticied me and asked about me...that she would like to help me get connected...that she would like to have me as a part of her leadership team...meeting with her...all these things that i thought i couldn't ask for...he was offering to me through her. my cries to be known and to grow and have community and to serve...were being answered.

as i left in shock of how much the lord loves me and listens to our cries the only thing i could say and sing in my heart was these lines to this song over and over:

lord, i'm amazed by you, lord i'm amazed by you
lord, i'm amazed by you, how you love me

as she told me...it will take time for me to feel connected...and i know it will take an effort on my part- to serve and be vulnerable. but the lord brough such a great gift to me this week that i had to share. i hope it encourages you to not give up praying because he hears us...and he loves us.

Puppy Love

No, I'm not in love...this blog is devoted to my puppy. Yesterday she had her annual vet visit. Now if you know Maggie at all you may know she has a very good memory...too good at times. In her short 2 years of life she has been "under" 3 times! The last time when she was spayed she had to stay overnight. It was very traumatic for both of us :o) So as soon as we walked in the door of the vet she turns the other way like..."never mind I don't want to be here". When we went into the the exam room she was hesitant. She didn't want to be weighed but a treat coaxed her on the scale. Then I heard the words a proud mamma wants to hear when the vet came in "wow! what a well behaved dog- especially for her age!". I was so proud as she sat calmy next to me. I think the vet would later take back those words. As soon as she came towards Maggie she crawls under my legs...then under the bench. She didn't want to come out from under the bench. She looked liked a scared child knowing what was coming...shots! It took me, the nurse and vet to keep her somewhat contained. The vet tried her best to examine her but Maggie would not let her inspect her ears (she doesn't even like me to). In the end Maggie got lots of treats, petting and love. She didn't even notice when the vet slipped in the vaccine.

Poor puppy! Now I know a little bit what it's like to take your kids to the doctor for their shots :o)

Thursday Randomness

5 Random Things about me...

1. Most people find it suprising that I have been bungee jumping. It scared me to death, though, I now I have a fear of falling :o(

2. I took 4 years of Spanish but barely remember any.

3. I really dislike red and white onions. I can handle green onions and chives.

4. I LOVE Mexican food! If I ever had to eat one type of food exclusively I would choose Mexican. And if you ever get the change to eat real Mexican food in Mexico you'll know why I love it so much.

5. As I've gotten older I'm not a morning or night person...if I had to choose I would stay up late but on work nights I'm usually in bed by 9!

I love my job!

Well today I thought I'd list a few of the reasons I love my job...I have my annual review this week so it got me thinking about my job (since I have to do a self-review, too).

• I'm thankful I have a job! I know people who are out of jobs and having trouble finding a new one!
• I love that I have friends as co-workers
• I get to PRAY in my office
• I get to help college students- I loved college and have a passion for this age group, for learning, for raising up godly leaders...
• I get to use the gifts God has given me...my last job used some of my natural gifts but was not my passion...so the fact I get to do something I'm passionate about while using my gifts...WOW!
• My employer has some great benefits- good health insurance plan, they pay for part of my lunch (and up until now they paid for all of my lunch), free gym and many other "perks".

There are many more things I could list...but off to lunch I go!

A few of my favorite things...

Just thought I'd share my "favorites" (as of today at least):

• I recently discovered Pandora's Box Radio...if you have never heard of it I highly recommend it! It's a free, online radio station that creates a playlist according to your favorite music. Today I am loving: Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole, Norah Jones and the like...
• Mexican food! I just love it...I eat it all the time...in fact more than half my meals this week have been Mexican.
• Pizza- see a theme here? I'm looking forward to eating at a great pizza place tonight with my friend Laura!
• Friends! This week and weekend I've seen a lot of great friends. I also work with some pretty great friends :o) I am blessed!
• Fridays!
• Sunshine! Today the sun is peeking out. It was only gone a day or so but I sure missed it.
• Fall...the cool mornings and evenings, pumpkin scented candles, holidays...
• My puppy...she bring me joy and lots of laughs.
• A clean house...I woke up this morning so glad my house is clean- it's just relaxing to me.
• Books...I went to our annual book sale and got 4 books for $3.50! Gotta get back into reading mode.
• Free clothes...my fashionable sister recently went through her closet and gave me clothes she is tired of. So nice!
• My job! I really am thankful for a job I enjoy, am challenged in, feel competent in, etc.

Well that's enough for now!

Appreciating each day...

This has been a crazy week. Usually my weeks are all about the weekend...I can't wait until the weekend and each day I think "I am one day closer...". I love my job, don't get me wrong, but there is just something about the freedom of a weekend. This week I had a different mindset. On Tuesday morning during chapel (I get the opportunity to go to chapel about once a week- so great) our President announced that an alumus (who's sister is a current student) had been killed the night before. Many of you have probably heard the story in the news- if not watch this video: http://www.katu.com/news/28491769.html?video=YHI&t=a After chapel I came back to my office and looked him up and sure enough I remembered him and his wife have some mutual friends though I am not personally friends with them. Also affecting a co-worker of mine is this story: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectID=11&articleID=20080910_11_A1_Doniva640424. Her cousins were the victims of a brutal shooting. They are good kids leaving church to have lunch with their family. They were followed by a car armed with AK-47's. 4 of the 5 guys were shot- one died, one is paralyzed and they all have injuries. (Good news is they have caught some of the suspects). Anyway, these 2 stories going around campus the past couple weeks have made me think about LIFE.

I am so "future focused" that I have always had a hard time appreciating each day. I look forward to the weekends, wonder what the future holds, make plans, etc. I am learning this week to live each day as if it's your last. It's a sobering thought but inspiring as well. I want each day to count in eternity. So how do we go about changing our mindset without becoming irresponsible, living in the moment people? I don't have all the answers but I am trying to make steps towards this...not wasting so much time- instead investing in people, my relationship with Christ, living a healthy and balanced life...at work treating it as a mission field- yes I work with Christians but there are still a lot of opportunities to encourage, support, exhort and help people...What would this mean for you?