the sun is here somewhere

It is hard to believe that we are already two weeks into March. 2009 seems be flying despite our attempts to slow it down. As we try to embrace the season of Lent, we feel even more bogged down from things that demand our constant attention.
I am working on "resting" during this time before Easter - to really slow down and find God. Eric is focusing on worshipping the Lord through music. Both are easier said than done. We both work, volunteer, teach, have friends, have house responsibilities, and need downtime. Our nights are filled with bible studies, music practice, youth activities, folding laundry, and being a couple.
We struggle with finding room for things on the calendar. Which do we write in - the things we feel called and excited to do? or events and people sending us mailings, asking for our time, leading new groups? We cannot possibly do everything. And the feeling is overwhelming.
Personally, the Lord has been speaking to my heart - asking me to spend one morning sewing with the women, loving and getting to know a pregnant woman whose husband is about to go to Iraq, growing current friendships, building community, learning to cook, mentoring youth group girls, spending more time with Him, learning Portuguese (for our upcoming trip), and building margin back into my life. Adding these things to my current life would make it explode. I declined the women's conference, women's retreat, leading a new study, joining another study, and becoming involved in an exhausting friendship. I am praying for wisdom as we plan for spring and summer months.
So much for an easy Lent!
Although, the point of Lent is to grow closer to God. To alter our life in some way that we have to grow closer to Him. Some do this by giving up a luxury, fasting, volunteering, or giving an aspect of life to God. Many times, Ash Wednesday starts out smoothly, but real life sets in. Our complicated lives, troubled hearts, and worldly desires make the road rough. All of this roughness polishes our hearts and prepares them for us to understand the sacrifice that was made on Friday and the promise that was fulfilled on Sunday.

Our snow has finally melted and the sun makes an appearance every so often. The snow, rain, fog, dark mornings, and cold hasn't been easy for a girl dreaming of spring. We ordered our vegetable seeds, chose three flowers to plant out front, and will visit the Vespa dealer tomorrow. It has been hard living in the moment when we are wishing it was warmer.
Warm weather brings with it so many promises - visits from family and friends, our trip to Brazil, visits to our new park, walks around the neighborhood, and wearing skirts without tights.
A Relient K song sums up my feelings -

High of 75 - Relient K
We were talking together
I said, "what's up with this weather?"
Don't know whether or not
How sad I just got
Was of my own volition.
Or if I'm just missing the sun

And tomorrow, I know,
Will be rainy at best.
And the forecast, I know,
Is that I'll be depressed.
But I'll wait outside
Hoping that I'll catch sight of the sun.

[Chorus:]
Because on and off,
The clouds have fought
Their control over the sky
And lately the weather
Has been so Bi-polar
And Consequently so have I

And now I'm sunny with a High of 75
Since You took my heavy heart
And made it light
And its funny how you find
You enjoy your life
When you're happy to be alive

And the temperature is freezing
And then, after dark,
There is a cold front sweeping
In over my heart
And we might break up
If I don't wake up to the sun

[Chorus]

Sunny with a High of 75
Since You took my heavy heart
And made it light (made it light)
And its funny how you find
You enjoy your life
When you're happy to be...Alive

Usually, our moods are very light - so this blog is as well. But, this is a space to share our lives with you - honest - real - and sometimes raw. Feelings of overwhelm and trying to simplify our lives are real. And they may pass soon, but we hope to learn a lesson in all of this. And trust the Lord in His leading.

Snow Day

Today we got about 7 in. of snow. Neither one of us had to go into work, so we had a day of much needed rest and time together.

Sushi and Chris spent a good part of the morning cuddling on the couch.

We also got to spend a little time doing things that get pushed aside on the list of priorities... a matter of fact, we didn't even pay attention the the list of priorities. We just had a hibernation day.

The Art of Disappearing by Naomi Shihab Nye

When they say Don't I know you?

say no.

When they invite you to the party

remember what parties are like

before answering.

Someone telling you in a loud voice

they once wrote a poem.

Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.

Then reply.

If they say We should get together

say why?

It's not that you don't love them anymore.

You're trying to remember something

too important to forget.

Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.

Tell them you have a new project.

It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store

nod briefly and become a cabbage.

When someone you haven't seen in ten years

appears at the door,

don't start singing him all your new songs.

You will never catch up.

Walk around feeling like a leaf.

Know you could tumble any second.

Then decide what to do with your time.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We might be a little late in telling you this, but we hope you had a lovely holiday.

Eric made me the most beautiful watercolor Christmas card

We were actually very good this year and waited until Christmas morning to open our presents

we made a yummy apple pie for Christmas at Debbie's house

Eric always does an incredible job with pie crusts

We had a really fun New Year's Eve spent with friends from our couple's bible study. 

Eric in motion (I didn't have the right setting on the camera)


me using all my strength to place the bean bag

Eric thinks quickly on his feet and captured this short video of Becca and I placing the bean bags. All of my strength was not enough to beat her.

One of my favorite parts of Christmas this year was Eric & Friends doing Joy to the World at church on Christmas Eve. Enjoy the small snippet.

mr handyman

jumpy cuppy sat on a wall

jumpy cuppy had a great fall

all of the king's kitties and all of the king's men

put sinky winky back together again

.

Camp Berea With the Youth Group

We drove one of the vans to Camp Berea in New Hampshire. The drive was about 4 hours.

It was frustrating at times, but a lot of growth was seen in the kids and the leaders.

(yes I grew out my beard, but is nicely trimmed again)

The worship band, Sidewalk Prophets, was great. They just got signed to a record deal, so we'll keep our ears open for their new song on the radio.

The speaker for the weekend was Super Duff. The theme for the weekend was momentum. He presented the gospel in a very unique way, that spoke well to the kids.

The bald guy in the middle is Nate. He's the camp director.

They were getting ready to attempt to rip the phone book in half.

The girls got roses for Valentines Day from one of the female leaders. They were to let them know that God loves them for who they are.

They ended up wearing them in their hair pretty much all weekend. Don't they look lovely?

who's taller?

During the weekend they split the campers in two teams, and played Red vs. Blue games all weekend. The winning team got to go eat first. We always ate first. :)

Another Red vs. Blue game. They had to knock the knights head off.

We enjoyed the lodge a lot. Emily read in front of the fire.

Girls warming their toes after playing in the snow.

Carpet ball was a popular game.

The lodge had a balcony with pool tables. Our group spent a lot of the time playing pool as well.

Youth Pastor, Paul, trying to catch a break.

We tried to stay on our feet as we walked around on the giant frozen lake.

The lake was surrounded by mountains.

Christian and John challenged each other to a boxing match. They both got knocked down a lot. The officials are still out trying to decide their final score.

There was a dodgeball tournament to end all the games on Saturday.

Our team of guys was called the TIErants. (They all wore ties)

The girls are nervous for the whistle to blow to start the dodgeball game.

catching up

Many of you have asked how we've been feeling. We are doing much better after a few days of rest. My body seems to be back to normal, but not my face. I woke up Monday morning with a swollen lip and the worst cold sore of my life. The picture below is after a lot of the swelling went down. 

It is that time of year at work - - year end, taxes, new year

my new workspace is messy

I hate working in a mess, but I don't have a good filing system in place or homes for everyday things (like incoming mail, mittens, etc). Even though I've had this job for months, I still feel very new.

Our dentist appointments went really well. We each need some fillings, but we love our new office. The dental hygienist actually told me that she flosses while going potty. I think that I have a face that makes people open up.

Rachel, my co-worker, gave us the great idea to put our extra (non-contaminated) peanut butter out for the birds and squirrels. Actually getting the peanut butter onto the pine cones was much messier than we expected, but they went over very well with our outside friends.