confessions for my husband

Dear Joshua,
Church was not the same without you this morning.  When the service started it was me and 7 other people, don't worry classic river/rainier valley style many came late! :)  Willie announced that he had just gotten back from a visit to Camp Malibu and I was jealous of the fact that he got to be where you are.  They also did baptisms today to go with the new series, "Jesus Loves His Church", I knew you would have liked to been there to see them, as always I was holding back tears.

The past two days have been cloudy with heavy rain, maybe you experienced that...but today was sunny with fluffy white clouds- you would have loved it.  I thought to myself, "its such a nice day, I should go walk around Target!" so I did.  I also splurged and got our favorite Jimmy Johns sandwich for lunch (for all who are wondering... #16 club lulu) I even sat OUTSIDE and ate it!

I also flipped through a lot of the tagged photos of you on FB...boy you had a head full of curls!  You also have a lot of great memories and people in your life!

I have been listening to your summer 2011 mix in the car.  When I was driving back to the Renzelman's  from the Valley I listened to BOTH of the 311 songs AND could even sing along....THAT my friend is HOW MUCH I love you and miss you!

one of the 311 graphics I enjoy

new mini adventures

One thing you may or may not know about me is that I am the kind of girl who looks for the gift shop.  I enjoy going to malls, browsing the gift shops and strolling through art fairs.  While I usually never spend much, one treat I do look forward to at malls is an Aunt Annie's Pretzel...yum.  Which leads me to another thing you may not know about me is that for as long as I can remember pretzels have been my comfort food.

So I found this recipe in a Penzey's magazine for soft pretzels and knew it would be a great new adventure for Rebecca and I to try!  I must say they were super easy, did not take long at all and taste wonderful.  I am excited to try different renditions with this new recipe up my sleeves! 

 Another adventure I had today I think will be the next big thing.  Craft dates on Skype!  My sister gave me a mini-bird nest kit for my birthday and said I could skype with her for the directions.  So this afternoon we each got out our supplies and crafted our own pendent bird nest!  Tara was also there to help support Amy with her teaching ability :)  It was quite enjoyable to spend some time with my sister crafting and then spend time with my "sisters" chatting!  

my creation via skype with Amy

we all were concentrating hard on making our nests- pics on the right are ones Amy made before

It has been a great day of new adventures and quality conversations.  It has been an encouragement to have many chats with Rebecca about each of our lives.  I value older women in my life so much and am grateful for all the women who have poured into and spoken into my life.  I look forward to the day when I can return the blessing to many other young ladies :)

Missing my MN.

This past week has been hard for me because I have really been missing my MN.  I miss the familiar STRAIGHT streets.  I miss June actually feeling like summer.  I miss my Target off of Pilot Knob road.  I miss Pilot Knob road.  I miss the Cherry on the Spoon.  I miss the MN Zoo.....a lot.  Last summer was the bomb with my season Zoo pass.  I think I have been "liking" almost anything the zoo posts on FB to still feel connected to my summer love.  I mean why did they have to choose this summer to open up the butterfly garden and have an event called "Dinos and Donuts"!?!

I miss my friends and my family.  I miss hanging out with them on summer nights around a bonfire.  I miss making s'mores with Reeses peanut butter cups (yeah buddy).  I miss River Valley Church and going to Chick Nights....

But really what this all comes down to is missing my MN partner in crime.  Today was only the first full day Josh has been away at camp and it is heartbreaking to not have the ability to talk to him.  I am extremely thankful for the Renzelman's letting me stay with them and my family for the nice chats but ultimately I miss my best friend.

Love you lots Josh- hope the teens and Canada are treating you well.

cupcake card

So I just had to post a picture of this SUPER cute birthday card I received from my dear friend Tara!  Seriously, so cute...I have it displayed on our window sill.  Thanks for showing me some cupcake love t-$ :)

Community

This week the family I have been being a nanny for is on vacation meaning I have a week to focus on illustrating Joy’s book.  I am getting closer and closer to starting the final step of watercolor.  I am very excited to have these illustrations “come to life” with color!

Last night Mars Hill had an all-church sync.  They try to do these meetings once a month.  There is typically a potluck and either a guest speaker or a focus on reporting something about the health of the church.  Instead of meeting at our usual spot of UGM, the meeting took place at Seattle Chinese Alliance Church.  It was great to see 2 churches coming together with warm greetings because of Christ.  CAC is actually the home church of the family I nanny.  I saw her mom there last night and heard how grateful she is that I am helping out her grandbaby!  We also met a couple we have seen every Sunday serving communion.  When we were doing the typical small talk greetings we learned that the wife is from Apple Valley and graduated from AVHS 2 years prior to Josh! Small world.   

Last night another MH Pastor- Brad House spoke on community.  He had some very good insights- hence why he has also written a book titled “Community”.  What really gripped me was when he asked the group WHY do we do community groups (aka small groups).  People shared their responses and he broke them down into three different categories.  He revealed to us that we usually share with someone the WHAT we do at group for the WHY question.  We have food, fun, live life together, serve etc.  By sharing the WHAT we create consumers voicing only the needs that can be met rather than WHY we meet.  So WHY do Christians get to be in community??  Because we were created for it.  When God created man he said it was NOT good for him to be alone.  He created us in His image and God exists in community through the trinity- hence he created Eve so that Adam could be in community as well.  Sin destroyed that community- hence why when we sin against each other we separate.  BUT BUT BUT then in steps Jesus and He redeems community by reconciling us back to God and back to each other.  THEREFORE why do we get to experience community once again?  Because Christ created the way to be with one another in love and in peace.  Wow that is so much more amazing and sustaining than food or fun.  I am so grateful for Mars Hill church because they are convicting me of how many times I leave Jesus out of my faith and what I do.  Don’t forget Jesus- it is all about Him. 

On another note- Josh and I would greatly appreciate prayers for the upcoming week.  Josh will be going to camp in Canada with the Mars Hill Youth.  The camp is from June 21-26…the longest time we have ever been apart since being married AND there is no cell phone service where they are going.  We are not looking forward to be away from each other….we do better when we are together J      

Oh MN I miss you, but not your crazy weather!  Stay safe my dear friends!

The ONLY thing associated with bananas that I like.

A good pass time while the husband is napping and refuses to play this game with me anyways :)
I used all the tiles and only had one mistake to adjust...so be kind and don't point out anymore!

My Dad

If you have ever hung out with my family, you will quickly learn that I not only look a lot like my father, but act a lot like him too.  I have heard many times growing up, “oh you look like your father’s daughter”…and if you are having trouble seeing it, just have my dad put his finger over his mustache and all will become clear! 

My dad and I share the common diseases of motion sickness, weak stomachs, and nervousness.  We also aren’t ones to show too much emotion.  Yes, we genuinely get excited about things, but by “normal” standards we just don’t show it J I would also say we share our sense of goofiness.  We usually can think of good jokes and have some classic one-liners!  We are first-class savers, can think beyond the surface (realistically), have an eye for detail and are never short of thinking practically.

My dad is an excellent teacher and never misses a moment to seize the opportunity.  I know my dad will always be there for me.  He is great at guiding us through uncharted waters but at the same time, letting us learn to stand on our own two feet.

He has always been a great supporter and encourager of our passions and pursuits.  I have felt extremely blessed to have a father who encourages and believes in my art.  He is always reminding me that I am talented- thanks Dad J

Overall, I have an amazing Dad.  I miss him a lot, but was grateful for their visit- can’t wait for the next!?!?!?! 

Love you lots Dad, thank you for ALL you do! 

Happy Fathers Day!

Love, shell-bell