Sunday Evenings

As most of you know when Josh and I moved out to the Great Northwest we only brought the necessities aka what would fit into our spidey-blue hatchback.  One thing that did not make the cut was our stereo or ihome system… meaning we have no radio in our apartment.  Surprisingly, I am a big radio fan.  I say surprisingly because I feel like I wouldn’t come off as the person who would most likely choose to listen to the radio over a CD.  I enjoy listening to people talk and not knowing what song will play next.  While I have adjusted, there is still one thing both Josh and I really miss- Cities97 Acoustic Sunsets only played on Sunday evenings.  Listening to Acoustic Sunsets and looking through the Sunday ads and paper became our Sunday evening tradition.  It was always chill and a nice relaxing way to end the week and prepare for the next.  So that is one of the many things I look forward to when we head back to the land of nice people and lakes. 

Speaking of Idols...

Wednesday evening we had the exciting opportunity to see the American Idol Concert Tour.  The concert was held at the Key Arena (former home to the Sonics basketball team, don’t bring it up though…it’s a sore spot!).  We arrived early and walked the arena before heading to our seats.  All the workers kept emphasizing to text a specific number to win 2 front row seat tickets- so Josh and I did.  Unfortunately we did not win- but 2 young ladies sitting a few people down in our row did!  It was cute to see their excitement!  Another super cute part of the evening was the row in front of us were five little squirmies between 7 and 10 years old.  The best part was it was the three dads who brought them.  One of the dads handed out glow sticks on a star patterned shoelace to wear as a necklace while one of the other dads went around and cracked them so they would glow (it bet it was one of the mom’s idea!).  After the short intermission they all came back with their 8x10 glossy’s of their favorite idol- seriously so adorable.

The concert was entertaining and fun.  Each idol got to sing at least one song on their own and there were duets and group songs sprinkled throughout.  It was such a different concert to be at because you felt kind of like you knew them from watching the TV show and also like a proud parent.  Even though I am not that much older I told Josh, “they’re still just babies!”  I think the whole premise of that they are just “ordinary people” is super fun because it has the same feel as the Olympics- were all at peace just cheering on each other to do what he or she strives at best.  Joshua Ledet did his amazing, “This is a Man’s World” and got a long standing O.  We were starting to get concerned because Phillip did not make his appearance until part way through the second half- but he did a nice job…he confirmed that he deserved to win. 

The Key Arena is situated right in the middle of the city center.  So when we came out the Space Needle looked beautiful with an orange glow in front of a soft purple sky.  So many people stopped to take pictures- it made us realize it’s not just a tourist thing to be taken a back by the view of the needle.

It was our first big night out since moving here and we enjoyed every minute of it.  Our prayer in all of this is that all the idol singers will not let fame overtake them but that their hearts would find the Lord.  I know it may sound silly- but you got a favorite singer, actor, or sports player??? Pray for them too because they have a soul that needs Jesus just as much as anyone else.                   

the whole gang minus Phillip

Joshua Ledet

Phillip performing "Volcano"

Phillip performing "Home"

the final song

idols, kids, trams and gyros

Worship me only.  Idolatry has always been the downfall of My people.  I make no secrets about being a jealous God.  Current idols are more subtle than ancient ones, because today’s false gods are often outside the field of religion.  People, possessions, status, and self-aggrandizement are some of the most popular deities today.  Beware of bowing down before these things.  False gods never satisfy; instead, they stir up lust for more and more. 

This was the beginning of the entry for July 11^th in Jesus Calling and was very relevant to current teachings and thoughts.  Mars Hill church focuses a lot on the idols in people’s lives.  At first it is kind of like, “whoa calm down a little bit lets not get too worked up here” but the more I attend Mars Hill and am exposed to the teaching, the more I realize just how many idols I have in my life.  Mars Hill is great at calling something what it actually is- sin is sin, not a character flaw, idols are idols not “well that’s just who I am and what I favor”.  Its amazing when you really think about it- in everything we do we are worshiping something- the question is, is it God or something/one else…it will always be one or the other.  A few months ago I would have said I am “working on” dealing with the idols in my life- but lets be honest here- the idols are idols in my life because I constantly choose them, so why all of a sudden would I be able to stop choosing them?  The answer- Christ.  I cannot “work” on dissolving my idols, but Christ can.  So I will seek the guidance of the Lord through prayer and wait to see how He best leads me to worship Him.  Thanks Mars Hill for showing me that Its All About Jesus. 

This past weekend was full of good connections.  Friday night helped us feel a little more established in Seattle as we had 2 social events to attend: a housewarming party for ladies in our Community Group and a birthday bonfire near the beach.  It was refreshing to see people outside of church and CG and in “real life”.  It was a night to realize we have friends!

Saturday we took a day trip to Portland to visit Bridgetown Inc. again.  The second week we were here in Seattle we went down to spend 5 days with the Snider family who started Bridgetown.  We were able to experience Night Strike- the ministry night under the bridge, but not B-town kids.  B-town kids happen every Saturday at three different sights located next to apartment complexes.  The program runs from noon to 3 and all kids (and their families) are welcome to a free lunch, and games.  Each site is given the same tools, but each is executed very differently, as it should.  The programs are appropriate to the people who live in the neighborhood- meeting the actual needs of the people who attend not meeting the needs of the people who run the program.  Afterwards we headed downtown Portland.  One of our stops was the Sky-Tram.  We wanted to do it last time, but did not make it before it closed.  To our great delight when we arrived at the base to buy our tickets and board- there was a sign posted saying all rides were free that day! Score!  I did not want to ride it because when the car went past one of the poles it would swing back and forth- not enticing for a gal with motion sickness.  But realizing it was a quick ride and we may never have another chance we boarded and it was totally fine.  We then made our way to the Saturday market to buy a DELICIOUS gyro for dinner.  We had one together last time and devoured it- so this time we each got our own J oh and while we were eating we heard a snippet of a conversation between two people passing by: “so when you say you scoured, you mean you scoured over the whole state of Minnesota”  AHH what are the chances… While our two trips to Portland have been fun and beneficial- my heart still lies in Seattle.    

view from tram of Portland

greek food cart

YUM!

     

square one.

Just a brief update:  I found out last night that I did not get the full time nanny position.  I am grateful for my part time nanny family and how we were and continue to be a blessing to us both.  I am curious/excited to see where God is going with all this and would appreciate prayers for clarity and diligence/persistence on my part to seek the Lord in all of this.

Side note:  Josh and I are going to an outdoor movie tonight in Bellevue, WA.  It is family driven and will be showing "Puss in Boots"- check out our yummy treat we made this afternoon for the movie!

da fourth

Whoa- yesterday was a 4^th for the books.  The whole day was SUPER chill for Josh and I.  Josh’s allergies have unfortunately been kicking his butt so we only ventured out for some medicine- poor guy.  We grilled a late lunch/early dinner then staked out our spot on the roof.  We had no idea if it would be packed or not so we had decided to save our spots from early on in the day.  We brought a blanket, books, Farkle, snacks and the laptop for some tunes.  From 4-9pm we had a nice relaxing time together in the 70 degree sun.  Though a pet peeve of mine- people setting off their fireworks during a sunny day- people you can’t see them why are you shooting them?!?!  One thing we quickly learned is that when there is no humidity it still gets cold at night even in the summer.  We kept going back to our apartment for extra layers to keep up with the setting sun. 

A little after 9pm our friends/community group leaders came over with their 2 daughters.  It was pretty sweet because their girls had never seen fireworks before!  They loved them!  Now being on the roof we could see for miles and apparently A LOT of people around here buy large illegal fireworks.  It was unreal the amount of fireworks going off at one time.  From our roof we could see at least 3 actual city firework shows- including downtown at Lake Union.  Those looked AMAZING even from miles away!  On top of the 3 actual shows were TONS of people setting off their own…literally without exaggeration- we could see AT LEAST 50 fireworks going off at one time for a good hour all around us.  Some people that live right next to our apartment building were shooting large fireworks off in the park across the street meaning they were huge, loud and towering over us on the roof.  Now I will say this is the first year I have ever had to ask myself- now was that noise a firework or a gun?  Thankfully we heard more fireworks than gunshots!  Even as I write this at 11:36pm on the 4^th there are STILL fireworks going off.  Like I said it is one for the books.                

    

this and that

Hello fellow readers.  I thought I would give you a little of this and that since there hasn’t been too much to “report”.  Josh made it back safe from camp but has been battling to recoup from a week of going non-stop.  This past Monday we attended a “camp reunion” for all the Mars Hill campuses that attended.  It was a time of worship, testimonies and baptisms for those who accepted Christ at camp or felt lead to be baptized.  Baptisms have to be one of the most encouraging and moving things to watch.  Mars Hill has shirts for those being baptized that read, “Death Burial Resurrection”.  They are pretty sweet and I kind of want one J It is encouraging to see how Mars Hill is being diligent of not letting camp be a spiritual high that quickly fades.  They used the reunion to inform all the students of what they can be involved in at church and that they will be meeting with their cabin/cabin leaders on a weekly basis as a small group.  The connections were built at camp and will continue to be built upon after camp- sweetness.

Summer is officially starting here in Seattle.  It is funny because everyone says summer starts July 5^th (literally)- and when we would look at the weather projection like clock work after today it says mid 70’s and sun.  Sorry to hear MN that you are all roasting like nuts!  So if you are in desperate need of a cool down…try Seattle J 

I have been meaning to post a picture of this for awhile…it is the cutest tea towel my mom stitched for me of a turtle painting!!! She brought it to me when they were visiting- oh so cute! 

Happy 4th of July!

almost home

"almost home" has a few meanings:

• Josh comes home tomorrow night!!! woo hoo!
• Finally had the brilliant idea of listening to one of my favorite radio stations back home online- I have a soft spot for Moon and Stacy on KS95.  I would catch myself getting excited when I heard local MN places mentioned thinking I was listening to a broadcast in Seattle...then I would remember... 
• while the picture is from yesterday it is the closest thing I have to spending time with my family in Eagan...love you guys!  
• oh and did I mention Josh comes home tomorrow :)