yakima

Tonight, TJ and I are headed West to a little place called Yakima. You see, tomorrow night my new favorite band is playing there, and since Yakima is the closest they get to Spokane all year, I figured it was worth the 3 hour drive. 

Becca and I found this band completely on accident one night when we decided that we desperately needed to find something to do while our husbands were getting together with the youth group from church. So we quick checked the inlander, (which is kind of like a much bigger version of the volume one for those of you out in Eau Claire), and found out that Noah Gunderson was playing at the Caterina Winery. The inlander described him as the best Sufjan Stevens impressionist yet, so Becca and I decided to give it a shot. Little did we know that the opening band would totally steal the show. 

My friends, the name of this band is, The Senate. They are a rock and roll acoustic trio band from Seattle and I must tell you, their music is good. I'd encourage you to check them out on youtube or itunes or just take a quick look at their website. You won't regret it! 

elizabeth update

SHE MADE IT HOME!!!!!!!!!!

elizabeth

Right now, my sister is somewhere over the Pacific ocean flying to LA, and from there, she'll be flying to Minneapolis and arriving at 11PM - 9PM Washington time. 

She's just spent the last 6 months in Cambodia working to implement music therapy into the treatment program for the young girls in the recovery centers who have been rescued from sex slavery. 

Please pray for her. First for a safe flight home, and also for her transition back to American culture. And while you're praying...please pray for her continued ministry in Cambodia and God's will for her in all of that. And also that she will come visit me in Washington. =) 

fear and peace

As a Christ follower I have been taught, and I believe, that God gives us direction. He presses on our hearts and minds and leads us where He wants us to go. And sometimes I feel like because I believe this, I need preface every life-altering decision I make with..."I really feel God is leading me to (say, go, act, think, do...)" 

Honestly, sometimes I have no idea where God wants me. Is it wrong for me to say that? I am always torn between thinking that if I want it, God must want it for me, or because I want it, God must not want it for me... like somehow I humanize God and He's just playing games with me. 

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. There seems to be so many big decisions that need to be made that really impact our future. TJ and I have been dealing with so many questions -where do we want to live? when should we move? should I go back to school? should TJ go back to school? if so, what for? what kind of lifestyle do we want? yurt or house? rent or own? kids or no kids? when kids? adoption? - you get the picture. 

There's one question I didn't mention that's been consuming us for the last few months. We are getting really close to answering it. And for maybe only the 2nd time in my life (that I can remember), I feel peace that this is where God is leading us. 

The first time I felt that was when TJ and I decided to move out to Washington. Every fiber of me wanted to stay in the midwest and be close to my family, friends, and my church family, but there was a strange peace about leaving. In fact, I felt so much peace that I actually acted like I knew why God wanted us in Washington. Now that I am here, and have been here for 6+ months, I can see my arrogance in actually thinking I knew what God intended. What I thought was the sole purpose for our move has only been just a fraction of all of the work God has done here.

So this time the peace I'm feeling is joined with fear. I have to admit I don't know exactly how God plans to use this. And I can't pretend do. God is requiring obedience to Him in an area of our lives that doesn't seem wrong. I hope that as TJ and I continue to seek God in this, my fears will dissipate and I will open my hands to whatever God calls us to. 

I mean, come on, He called Isaiah to run around the streets naked for 2 years and proclaim to the Israelites that they were going into desolation. If Isaiah can be obedient to that...

This just made my day

Day of Birthdays

First off, 

Happy 21st Birthday to Danielle!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with lots of family, friends, and of course, cake - since it is your 21st birthday and everything. =) 

Another birthday is being celebrated in Wisconsin today. My little flower girl/best friend/ play therapy child turns 6 today! I can't believe how fast Jessi is growing up! And since I haven't seen her in 7 months, I'm sure she's much taller and even more talkative than before. I miss her hugs and her smiles. So Happy Birthday Jessi! 

it's official

I am registered for Bloomsday. That's right, in less than 3 weeks I will be running a 7.46 mile race. I'm pretty excited! 

My sister-in-law wants me and TJ to run the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll half-marathon with her on June 27th. For the last few years I've been making weak attempts at running half-marathons, and I've always backed out or made up some lame excuse. And I'm thinking that if I can successfully run Bloomsday, there's a good chance that I could actually do a half-marathon. Historically, I tend to slack off after running a race, or even just after a longer-than-usual run. I will have to find something to keep me motivated!

I bet if I register early for the half-marathon and pay the $100 entry fee (yikes!) that will keep me going... not to mention my new running shoes, courtesy of TJ =) *see photo*

entering into the crafting world...

I have so many beautiful, talented friends who are so creative and artistically gifted. Every time my friend Becca sews a beautiful new apron or knits a cute little baby hat, I just sit back in amazement. And I so admire the beautiful pictures my friend Bethany  takes or the way she expresses herself  in her writing in a way that just takes you to where she is. Whenever my sister learns to play an instrument or sings one of the songs she written, all I can do is listen in awe. 

I could go on for a while with this list. 

Being surrounded by such beauty and creativity has left me feeling a teensy-bit insecure about tackling any sort of artsy project. I mean, most of my life has been spent on the softball field and I never really thought the art world and sports world could collide. And the part of me that doesn't like to try an activity unless I think I'll naturally excel at it didn't want to go anywhere near a pair of knitting needles or a sewing machine. 

But...as I try to overcome my fear of failure, (which is a ridiculously crippling fear), and spend more time around Becca, I've been finding myself dabbling in a few projects. I finally figured out knitting a couple months ago-thanks to Becca-and just last week I finished my first sewing project. 

Just like Becca and Sam, TJ and I have been doing a cash-only budget for the last few months. We really like it, but those darn manilla envelopes kept ripping, not to mention that they looked a little tacky...not that it matters...but when Becca suggested making cash pouches, I was convinced. 

So here are a couple pictures of our cash pouches. We used the artsy clutch pattern from the book, Bend-The-Rules Sewing. 

The different fabrics correspond with a different budget category. For example, the brown pouch in the back is our grocery fund, because we think the little circles look like doughnuts... 

TJ even got in on the sewing action. He made this bag and chose the fabric. Yes, those are dancing skeletons, so of course this would be our entertainment fund. 

We both had a lot of fun learning to sew together and now I just have to find the ambition to tackle a new project. Any suggestions? 

to-do list

The last 4 days have been emotionally and physically draining. So today, I slept in. I've been up for nearly an hour and so far I've done nothing, and I have the feeling nothing will get done. I work in less than 4 hours, so my time is limited. Here is a quick list of things I hope to get done today.

1. run 3 miles

2. go to bank

3. light housework

That's it folks. It should not be that hard to do this...but lately it seems like God's been wanting to show me just how impossible it is for me to do anything on my own. So by God's grace, I will have a productive morning and look to see Him through all of it.

23 today

My friend Megan turns 23 today!

In honor of her birthday, here are 23 things I've found most memorable about our friendship. 

1. My first friend

2. Since I could remember we were always competing - around the world, pig, who could hold their breath the longest under water, who was taller - and Megan almost always beat me, but she never made me feel bad about it. 

3. We watched David the Gnome after school in kindergarten and ate her mom's canned peaches and pickles 

4. We started t-ball the same year. She was a little penguin and I was a lucky duck

5. We were tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum for halloween

6. We also were golfers for halloween

7. Can dance like no other- especially to The Lion Sleeps Tonight. (I do have that on tape by the way)

8. We took swimming lessons together and were the only two in level 6 and our teacher passed us both, even though I'm sure I shouldn't have... 

9. We played softball together on the Gophers, the Twisters, Hallie Stars, the Flash, and at Immanuel Lutheran, but played against each other in college

10. The best softball catcher I ever had 

11. She totally hit a home run off me in college

12. We were tour choir partners 2 years

13. We did a Bible Fair project in 8th grade about Hell 

14. We've had numerous crazy sleepovers with our friend, Bethany.

15. We've been friends for 23 years

16. We both stopped playing softball the same year, but wished we could have played together again. If only I would have transferred to Eau Claire... 

17. She helped me realize that I really didn't like what I was studying in school 

18. Milo and Otis

19. We would call each other before school to see what the other person was wearing

20. She always burned me the best music mixes in High School. That girl has good taste in music!

21. She got me one my favorite birthday present ever ... and Disney Children's Cookbook

22. I credit Megan for getting me through summer softball because at the time, we were both so different from the girls we were playing with. Maybe it was all those years of Lutheran school... =) 

23. Even though we hardly ever see each other, I know the next time we get together we will pick up right where we left off. 

So Megan, I don't know if you are reading this or not, but thank you for your friendship. 

fleeting happiness

"God is not after our happiness, He's after our joy." - Matt Chandler

When I woke up this morning, I felt happy. I was anticipating how I was going to spend my day off, planning on a nice long run, busting out the new sewing machine, and maybe even making dinner tonight...maybe. The day was already gorgeous, barely a cloud in the sky, and I just felt happy.

Then I was getting ready to go for my run and my phone rang. Guess who it was.

My boss.

Here's the conversation that took place

Boss: "Andrea, Billy just hurt his foot today and he can't come in to work his shift tonight. He's scheduled with Vince, who isn't cleared yet, and so we need another staff who is cleared to come into work. "
*(the names of the staff were changed, and not being cleared means that a staff's background check has not gone through and therefore, is required to work with a cleared staff) 

Me: "uhhh...can I think about it for a little bit? I did have some plans today and things that I was hoping to get done. Can I call you back in like an hour"

Boss: "Well, I don't want to be mean but you are my first call and I would like to know whether or not you can work it so I can keep calling around."

Me: "Can you call other people first? If nobody can work it I suppose I can do it."

Boss: "There really aren't that many options. There are only 2 other cleared staff besides you that aren't working today and Jenny probably has day care issues."

Me: "Ok, well if you could try calling them and then I'll call you back soon."

Boss: "That's fine"

It was amazing to me to see how fast my mood could change. I went from smiling to crying within a matter of minutes. (I really did cry...) And it didn't take much. It wasn't like something tragic happened. My boss just asked me to work. That was it. 

I guess the point I am trying to make is that if I thought God was coming to make me happy, I would be daily disappointed and frustrated with God. God is after my joy, which can be sustained through sadness and grief. And working overtime.

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 

Andrea - A.K.A...

The Android. 

One of the 'perks' of my job is getting the coolest nickname I've ever had. That's right. One the kids I support calls me 'Andrea the Android'. It doesn't get much better than that. 

sparta

My dear TJ loves finding quirky videos on youtube. I, on the other hand, feel like sifting through the bazillions of videos is an overall waste of my time. But don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good youtube video just as much as the next person. 

Especially videos featuring cats. 

TJ found this video a few nights ago and I pretty much love it. And those of you who are cat owners might get a kick out of it. And not to mention this guy's dance moves are the bomb...  

out of my comfort zone

It's amazing how quickly I can be pushed out of my comfort zone. I think my comfort zone is more like a comfort box, because it seriously doesn't take much. 

Earlier this week I was watching a debate about the reality of Satan. I wasn't even the one debating, but I felt so uncomfortable watching my beliefs getting challenged that I literally was nauseous, and I was so close to just turning it off. 

Just today, I did a training where I had to pretend like I was non-verbal and blind, and then use body language to communicate that I hadn't eaten all day and I was hungry. For those for those of you who know me well, probably know that I would rather sit in a lecture hall for 8 hours than get up in front of people and try and act something out. So that was extremely awkward for me (though I must admit, an enlightening representation of what some of the people we work with go through...). 

Or on a more personal level, I am terrified of being known. I've gotten to the point with some of my coworkers where we've said all of the basic introduction talk - where are you from?Are you in school? Any kids? and so on - and what I tend to do is just avoid people after this point, because I'm uncomfortable sharing on a deeper level.

So my gut instinct is to run away. I realized that this way of thinking has stunted my growth, both spiritually and relationally.  If I stay in my little 'safety box' all of the time, when will I ever get the chance to get to know people and love them as Christ does? Or when will I be able to no longer be ignorant about what I believe and why I believe it? And then go on to discuss my beliefs with someone who doesn't agree with me and not get defensive? How many times have I rejected what God was telling me to do because it made me feel awkward? How selfish am I? So often I think that if something is difficult, God doesn't want me to do it. Like the easy way must always be God's way. Or if something doesn't work the first time, that must mean he doesn't want me to do it. Which it seems that in scripture, it's really quite the opposite. Like God is asking, "how much are you willing to sacrifice and suffer for my glory?" 

I guess I don't really have a complete thought on this right now, so overall, what I am trying to say is that my life died with Christ. I am not living for myself. I shouldn't have a comfort zone. My comfort is in Christ crucified. 

1 Peter 1:6-8 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which  perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."