Community

If there is one thing that Mars Hill stresses its being in community.  And personally, if there is one way to appreciate the beauty of community- its to leave the one where you are comfortable.  As we have been saying all along, we have had many opportunities to meet numerous great people.  But as time has gone on and we feel more and more settled in Seattle we become more aware of the significance of having community.  

Last thursday Josh and I headed 40 minutes north to Everett, WA.  We met up with our friend Tyrone, the founder of Casino Road Ministries.  We had met him originally back in March when we first arrived at the Northwest Ministry Conference.  We attended his session and talked with him afters.  Ever since then he has been praying for us and encouraging us along with way.  He is one of the most genuine guys I have ever met.  It was great to see the Casino Road ministry in action and once again chat with the passionate, loving man who started it.  

This past monday evening we had a fun night out with my nanny family.  I am so grateful for the Chan's and how they have welcomed me into their home.  It was great to celebrate Christmas with them over good food!

This past tuesday we had another fun evening with the Mars Hill Community Group I babysit for.   Back in August I started helping watch the kids every tuesday night while the adults met for group.  There are 14 kids in all (a few months to 10 years old)- and yes there is someone else with me to wrangle all the squirmys!  Last tuesday was their Christmas celebration complete with delicious dinner, amazing deserts, "photo booth", kids running everywhere, a cute gift exchange among the littles and pipe cleaner craft!  I have been so thankful for the opportunity to be "a part" of this CG and the chance to know 6 families in our church so well.  Going there every tuesday night has also kept me "grounded".  I am one to turn to anxiousness when I am not at home (aka MN), but spending time with these families remind me that Seattle is their home- so why can't I view this as my home as well?!  It was a great night of laughter, food and kids opening presents! 

God has totally opened our eyes to the beauty of community and how He has established it.  It is only because of His church that we have people that surround us in Seattle that love us.              

Dinner with my nanny family

Tuesday Night CG Party

"Photo Booth" at CG Party

Some of the littles :)

This was a fun holiday event we attended where boats get decked out in Christmas lights and sail through different parts of the water surrounding Seattle singing Christmas carols!  They even had a few old boats docked to tour.  Plus the Needle has it Christmas tree on the top with lights- the city is even MORE fun with all the festivities!  

November

Wow it is amazing how quickly time can escape you- especially with blogging!

Life has been steady with Starbucks, nannying, church and ministry.  We are continually blown away by the fact that we are half way with our time here and that its the holiday season- WHAT?!?!? how does it sneak up on us every year?

Here are a few highlights from the past few weeks:

I got to try out the very Northwest art of glassblowing.  There is a studio in the neighboring city of Renton.  We were able to get me a GroupOn deal to blow 1 glass float.  While the process was quick taking only around 30 minutes it was still great.  I got to choose the 2 colors for my float and if I wanted it spotted or swirled.  Then with the help of a worker, we put the 2 colors on the liquid glass at the end of the metal pole.  I was fortunate enough to be able to turn the glass in the kiln by myself melting the colors onto the glass- which is easier said than done.  It gave me a new appreciation for glass blowers because there is definitely a rhythm and balance to keeping molting hot glass on the metal pole.  I did not get to form the float but I did get to blow into it- trapping my air forever in the glass ball.  And let me say blowing into the glass was harder than I thought- it took a lot of lung power.  My final involvement was stamping the base piece of glass so it has something stable to sit on.

We also had our good friend Scott come out to visit.  The original plan was for him to come out so we all could attend a Wild Canucks Hockey game BUT the NHL is being greedy and are on a lock out.  Either way we still ventured to Vancouver to check out the city and enjoyed once again showing off Seattle.

Approaching the border- Scott and my first time in Canada

2010 Olympic Cauldron

Stanley Park- view of Vancouver downtown

Rogers Arena

walking through the market between downpours!

Thanksgiving went really well.  I have to say it was the first time I woke up alone on Turkey Day seeing that Josh was rocking out at Starbucks 5:30am-2pm and yes they were busy!  I had a chill morning and was happy to catch the Rockettes and the beginning of the Macy's Day Parade- a very important part to my Thanksgiving day :) .  I skyped with my family which was great- but obviously not the same as being with them.  Once Josh got home we headed out to the Renzelman's to join them and most of Rebecca's family for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was great and I think the first time we all passed the food around the table- we have always done a buffet style.  Football was on downstairs and good conversations ensued around the living room upstairs.  It is such a treat to be welcomed into someone else's family and feel loved.  I hope Josh and I have the pleasure of doing this for others in the years to come.  Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to love on others without the pressure of gifts, but with the joy of serving them tasty food!

AND the book I illustrated is finally complete!!! Haven't seen it in person yet but super stoked for when our copies arrive!  check it out :)

Hubie, the Bicycle & the Bull

In 2 weeks my mom will be coming back for a long weekend in Seattle!  The day she arrives will be exactly 6 months since their last visit.  We shall get our holiday baking on and enjoy the decorations of the city!  WOO HOO!

Much love MN- I have to say I wished I was able to experience the small snowfall the day after Thanksgiving :)  

Family Visit

A few weeks ago Josh and I had the pleasure of having his mom and little brother come to visit.  We were very excited for them to come out, especially since neither of them had ever been to the west coast.  Somehow we avoided all rain during their trip!  They were here 5 days and during that time it only rained twice- thankfully both times were not an inconvenience to our plans.  We were able to hit up the Seattle essentials, but also ventured to a few places Josh and I had never been to before.  Overall it was a great chance to show them our new city and enjoy time together   

Their first night here- Kerry Park 

Homemade soft pretzels- D was much better at forming them than me!

Glass Studio Pioneer Square- $19,000 skull anyone?

ferry boat antics

Snoqualmie Falls

Salmon Hatchery

Boehm's Chocolates

sampling :)

Monorail to the Needle

If you look close enough you will see D waving

no caption needed :)