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*