2012 In Review

It was a marvelous year, seriously, I cannot complain. It was filled with family, friends, amazing golden retrievers, many new recipes, lots of miles run, I earned several new medals, work was wonderful, and I got engaged. Below is a picture (or two) from each month last year to give a few highlights from the year. While these are a lot of "big" things that happened this last year, I would also say that my year was marked by the every day things, my year was filled with fabulous ministry, a puppy who loves me, and not moving. I couldn't be more thankful for all that I have been given.

January:

Sarah, Vicki, & Stacy - Twins Tour comes to town

Marc, Dakota, & Sarah snow shoeing out on the lake

February:

Extravaganza 2012 - New Orleans LA
Gloria, Suzi, & Sarah

Beginning to repaint the kitchen cabinets

March:

Middle School Spring Break Lock -In
Amber, Vicki, Erika, & Sarah

Linnea is born

Best Friends sharing a stick
Dakota & Luther at Frtiz Loven State Park

April:

Mom & I travel to Florida to visit Grandma & Grandpa
and drive their car back to South Dakota

May:

Vicki, Sarah,  Stacy, & Linnea
Father Hennipen State Park

After the Fargo Half Marathon with my St-End

June:

Twins/Brewers Game
Hannemens, Bennetts, &Thomsons

Duluth Middle School Mission Trip
During the major flood in Duluth, Mn

July:

Maid of Honor in my best friend's wedding
Sarah & Hartj

National Youth Gathering - New Orleans, LA

August:

Boundary Waters - Rose Lake
Vicki, Stacy, Linnea, &Sarah

We're getting MARRIED!
Marc proposed at Fritz Loven Park

September:

Lovely weekend with family
Allison, Cubby, KT, JT, Marc, & Sarah

October:

Fargo meet up with WTS women and spouses and kid
Shera, Sarah, & Molita

Fargo Mini Marathoners
Runner Reformers
Bryant, Lindy, Sarah, & Suzi

November:

Carnival Fantasy - November 2012

More fun aboard the ship

December:

New Stained Glass at church
I feel like my December was consumed by work

What were some of the highlights from your last year?
Anything totally unexpected happen in 2012?
What are you most looking forward to in 2013?
Any major goals for 2013?

CHRISTmas Journey

It is amazing to see what can happen when several dedicated folks set their minds to something. This past week a small group of people saw their hard work come into play. This small group of people dreamed up what this walk through experience would be like and then found others to join in. We had three different scenes that a tour guide took groups through, the first stop was the Isaiah prophesy, the second stop the annunciation with Mary, and the last stop the nativity.

It was a beautiful example of sharing the faith at Christmas. We had hundreds of people come through the CHRISTmas Journey. I was blessed to be able to stand around and talk to people, it was amazing to hear people's responses and reactions. A few even admitted to never having stepping foot in a church before. Some asked about Christmas Eve worship other about the mission and ministry of the church. It was a fabulous way to share our faith and what we believe and share the Christmas story with our neighbors.

A glimpse at the Nativity scene

How do you share your faith?
Does your church have any fun or creative ways that you share the story of our God?

Antsy

I am thankful for the cold weather, I am anxious to get out on the lakes snowshoeing. I am definitely not one who pushes the envelop of getting out on the ice before I should. People a little further north have already put out their ice houses and are driving trucks on the ice. Around my area it is a catch 22 there are ice houses starting to go out on the lakes and people are beginning to get out there, however I am a little bit cautious as I think about getting out there. Until I hear there is a solid 10 to 12 inches on the ice I won't be going out. There have been several people who have fallen through the ice in years past and I am just not that much of a dare devil.

In the meantime I find myself at the poor farm and other wonderful places. The Arb is out due to the vast number of cross country ski trails (which are beautiful and wonderful however they are not dog or snow shoeing friendly). So I wait, impatiently for the ice to thicken so I can snow shoe.

It is hard to be up north at times. I love it most of the time, but some of the time it drives me nuts. I suppose it is like most places. Never the less, I shall walk my dog around the poor farm and my neighborhood and get my good workouts in at the gym and dream of skiing in the Rocky Mountains and snow shoeing on the lakes in days to come.

I really do love the snow. I enjoy being outside in it. I even don't mind shoveling it. I welcome winter and the chance to curl up on the couch with a good cup of coffee and a wonderful book.

Minimalist Shoe

Confession: I am not one who looks forward to my yearly physical - no real reason. I just never look forward to it. This year I was particularly unexcited, my doctor (who was amazing) had retired last May (which I am thankful she is retiring so she can enjoy this phase in her life) but it left me without a primary care doctor.

This past week I got a call from the doctors office noticing it had been over a year since my last physical and wondering if I'd like to schedule one, begrudgingly I agreed and they listed off the doctors who were accepting new patients. I know nothing about any of them so I told them I would prefer a female if that was an option and then felt like I was playing Russian roulette. I wanted a doctor who I felt comfortable around (I know if the first one wasn't what I was looking for, I could switch, but then I felt like I had an endless cycle coming of doctor switching.). They scheduled me for a new doctor at the clinic I go to. Blah I was getting the new kid, who I was afraid was going to be 12.

Much to my surprise, I hit a home run, the new doctor is wonderful. What makes her even more wonderful is that she has a vast knowledge of sports medicine (she has done a ton of work in it). When we were talking she was examining my knees (which have had 4 surgeries on them) and gave me some advice about maintaining them. I also told her a bit about how my one knee has been bothering me, it clicks, it swells, it's annoy (it won't keep me from running in January, I am too stubborn, plus she said I'd be fine). Anyways, she suggested that I start to work down to a minimallist shoe, she thinks it may help my knees. She also talked me through how to make the transition.

I do have a pair of Vibram 5 fingers shoes that I wear when I am just out and about and love them. However she warned me about what happens if I transition too quickly to a more natural shoe. I am excited to shoe shop again (since Asics no longer finds it necessary to make the same shoe that I fell in love with four years ago). I am excited to go try on some shoes and see if I can make the transition to a less supportive shoe. She suggested the Nike Frees after looking at my arch and all that good jazz. Whoop Whoop.

Anyways, so now that I am over my Asics (or at least trying pretending to be) I am ready to go to a bigger town than mine (seriously not many good options in terms of looking for running shoes in my town) and try on some shoes.

I am also jazzed that my new doctor isn't totally lame and won't be retiring next year (I would guess she is about my age).

Family

Blessed. I am so very over the top thankful for time with my family. It is ridiculously hard living so far away from my family and friends. The problem is I am now also falling in love with the area that I am living and the people who I get to call colleagues and the people I get to serve alongside. Life is going over the top well here, seriously. I am loving my call, I get to teach swimming lessons, I sell some hats a couple local coffee shops, and in my spare time I get to co-direct a camp. It is a dream come true, not to mention there are more lakes in this area than I can even begin to count (coming from SD anything over about two lakes is a big deal) and the state parks are amazing. I love it up north. I am even slowly but surely learning to tolerate the trees, I wouldn't say that I have fallen in love with them by any means but I think I have moved past hating them to just strongly disliking them.

The con of living up north is my family is six hours away, this is not do-able for a day trip. This isn't do-able to make it home when a friend is having a craptastic day. This isn't do-able for a trip to just eat lunch with my grandparents. However it does make my time with my family more sacred. It makes the time we spend together more wonderful. I do dream of moving closer to them someday. I dream of living close enough to my family that I can make a day trip to visit them. I do dream of being close enough to my dear friends that we can meet up for an evening without having to take massive amounts of vacation to do it.

I just had the chance to spend several days with: mom, dad, brother, brother's girlfriend (we like her), my fiance, Dakota, and Nala (brother's high maintenance puppy). It was glorious. We didn't do anything amazing per-say but everything we did was fabulous. We played card and board games. We sat around and told stories, we exchanged gifts (I LOVE LOVE LOVE giving gifts), we took pictures, we ate, we ate some more, we slept, we watched a movie, and we spent time sitting with one another. It was a glorious few days. While I was sad to see brother and his girlfriend leave for California, I know we also have to learn to share with her family too.

I am jazzed to have a few more days with my parents in town, time to massively work on some wedding stuff and time for dad to spoil my sweet puppy. Time to make some more memories.

I am blessed.
I am loved.
I am thankful.

Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I am celebrating with my fiance (seriously a year ago I never imagined I would have one of those), my parents, my brother & his girlfriend, my uncle, and three of my cousins. I wish it were possible for us all to get together like we use to at grandma and grandpa's but it isn't. We will utilize the joys of facetime (grandma has an Iphone and has better technology than I do, no joke) and connect in any way we can. It is crazy to think that my brother is the youngest amongst us (he's 24), although I would imagine that won't remain that way for long, my cousins, my brother, and I should be starting the next generation at some point. None the less we will still enjoy the wonder of Christmas, Santa has delivered yet again (thank God in my house we don't out grow Santa filling our socks), and we shall feast and enjoy the time together, enjoy the moments spent telling stories and playing board games.


What are you doing today?
How are you celebrating?

Merry Christmas to you all!

Christmas Eve

I LOVE Christmas eve, seriously possibly more than Christmas day itself. Growing up Christmas eve was always the bigger day. It was the day when all of my family got together, had a huge meal, open gifts, and went to the eleven o'clock candlelight service. When we were really little we even went to church in our new Christmas pjs. It was glorious. To make the candlelight service even better (as if it wasn't already epic enough) we often fell asleep on Grandma or Grandpa and at the end of worship during the silent night one of us grand-kids always got to go outside with Grandpa to ring the bell. I am not sure why the tradition there is to ring the bell at the end of worship but it was and if you got to help Grandpa ring the bell it was even better.

Now that I am a pastor Christmas eve is a little different and I love it for different reasons. I love it because I get the opportunity to worship with sooooooo many people and many people we haven't seen since Easter. I love it because it is festive and we get to sing all the wonderful Christmas songs. I love Christmas eve because it is filled with such hope and anticipation.

My traditions for Christmas eve have obviously had to change, I no longer can be home in South Dakota for Christmas eve as I need to be here leading worship. My parents, brother, and his girlfriend as well as my fiance are all around this year and I believe my mom is cooking dinner to be ready for me to grab between services three and four and Christmas day is becoming a bigger deal. This year we are traveling down to Minneapolis (a couple hour drive) to meet up with my uncle and cousins for lunch. My guess is tomorrow we won't be up at the crack of dawn (or as my parents would argue before the crack of dawn when we were little), we will sleep in and enjoy a lazy morning. Santa still comes (whoop whoop) and we will exchange presents Christmas morning while chilling in our sweats. We will read the Christmas story and remember the story that claims each and every one of us.

We don't currently have any little kids who will be up crazy early and be nuts, our gifts will not contain tons of assembling (I would guess at least) or batteries that need to be found. For my immediate family we are between generations, my brother (24) is currently the youngest, and trust me he'd be happy to sleep until noon if we didn't have to be in the cities by 1.

I am thankful for God who comes to us as a human, a tiny human baby thousands of years ago. I am thankful for the promise of Jesus' return. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who continues to meet us each and every day. I am thankful for the light of God that continues to shine in even the darkest of circumstances. I am thankful for family and friends who are willing to travel to spend Christmas with me. I am thankful for my family and friends who will travel to be present at my wedding in June. Thanks be to God for all the ways that God is working and the showering of blessings.

Full House

Or almost full house. I am certain we still have room for dad to arrive tomorrow. I love having my house full of people. My house is wonderfully sized, not too big and not too small. I have three bedrooms and only one bathroom (which is the downfall) and a story and a half (strange concept to me to have a half story). I found the house almost too big with just Dakota and I living there. I am certain when Marc moves in this June we will still find that we have plenty of space. I am thankful that I have a house that is large enough to be able to accommodate a few extra guests. We can figure out how to share the bathroom and not run out of hot water. I love having family around and totally can deal with the mess and other things that come with having extra people in the house.

I love having the noise in the house, I love the way Dakota knows that people are sleeping upstairs and begs to be let upstairs (I have her baby gated out) in order to wish them a good morning and get in a few morning snuggles. I love having a full kitchen table and sharing a meal with those I love. It will be great to have dad here on Monday. YAY for family.

Off to the YMCA for a run. Tinkerbell is around the corner, I am getting more and more excited each and every day, darn ice keeping me from running outside. I suppose since Christmas is now only two days away it is more than time to finish that last Christmas present looming over my head.



Do you have much left to prep for Christmas?
Do you enjoy hosting?
Did you finish all your Christmas projects?
Did you make many Christmas presents? Did you make any Christmas presents?

Mom is here

Whoop Whoop! Late last night mom arrived, seriously there is something absolutely wonderful about having Mom at my place. She has been snuggling my sweet puppy (and feeding Dakota all sorts of things I wouldn't) and hanging out and helping me with projects. We also have come up with a list of miscellaneous wedding type projects that we plan to work on during the week she is here. It is WONDERFUL to have family around. I give thanks for my family who is willing to travel to see me and understands that I can't necessarily travel home and gather like we use to.

There is something about mom's cooking, or maybe it is just that I don't have to cook. Either way it is wonderful, my dog thinks she has died and gone to heaven because she hardly ever has to go into her kennel, someone is generally home with her. I do love the holidays but I particularly love time with my family.

Now slowly but surely my family will continue to arrive, Cubby and his girlfriend (brother and girlfriend) should be arriving sometime today with Cub's dog Nala. Marc will come back to northern Minnesota tomorrow after spending a little bit more time with his family. And dad will roll in on Monday evening after working. Christmas day we will all travel to the cities to hang out with my uncle and three of my cousins. I LOVE my family.

Seriously I think having many of my favorite people together is one of the exciting things I am looking forward to about my wedding. Super excited. Now to go work on wedding type projects with mom and have her quit feeding the dog all sorts of food.



Who are you gathering with this holiday season?
Any family traditions that you look forward to every year?

Missing Events

Sometimes I am a little sad that due to my call I work different hours than most of the world. Case in point: my fiance is back in Wisconsin for one of his cousin's weddings. I wish so very much that I could be there and while most of the world thinks that the Friday before Christmas would be a great time for a wedding because the family would be gathering anyways, it just doesn't work for me. Seriously there is no way in the world for me to get away a couple days before Christmas, particularly given the uncertainty of the weather up north and the fact that there is tons of crap that needs to get done. Blah, I wish I could be with him in Wisconsin.

Side perk of not going, my family is coming up here earlier because well they have the weekend off and into next week, so I will get the bonus of spending time with my parents, brother, and his girlfriend. Which really is exciting. I just would really like to go to a family function with my fiance. It would be wonderful to see his family again and to be at his cousin's wedding (she is wonderful). It is also a little complicated to explain to his family what exactly I do and how I actually do work more than an hour or two a week. I actually do more than play and have stuff that has to get done.

Reminder: I love my call. I am thankful for my family coming to visit. I am loved. Missing one family event won't kill me.

One Month Until Tinkerbell Half Marathon

This is from our Disney World trip a year ago, but it just seemed
wrong to not have a wonderful photo with today's post.
Plus who doesn't love having their photo with all 7 dwarfs?!

I have seriously been counting down for months until the Tinkerbell Half Marathon. I am over the top excited. I actually get to fly to California on the 17th (whoop whoop for a few days of vacation), this will allow for several things, a couple of runs at sea level, a guaranteeing that the weather won't keep me from running, and some time to relax before the run. I will be heading out to California with my parents (yay mom & dad) and my friend Suzi (she is actually running as well & will be earning her coast to coast medal in 2013).

I haven't been to Disneyland since band tour five years ago and I am excited to get back, without a bus full of people and without the obligations of playing my instrument all over southern California with a dash of Disneyland on the side. I am excited to see California Adventure and the new Cars area. It should be marvelous.

We have some meal reservations made, it seemed much easier than in Disney World, we got into all our first choice places at the time we wanted. Glorious. I am jazzed to try some new places and eat deliciousness. Should be great.

I have begun to think about what I will need to wear on race day. The weather is always the wild card. I also forget what it is like to run at those temps coming from up north where I have to put on hats and mittens and all the winter gear to run currently. Bring on southern California.


Anyone have any Tinkerbell Half Marathon tips?
Did anyone run Tinkerbell last year?

Another Session in the Books

I have successfully made it through yet another session of swimming lessons. Confession: I love teaching swimming lessons 90% of the time. I am always a little sad when the end of a session comes, it seems like I have just begun to earn the trust of the parents and kids. The kids are finally willing to try something new and different and probably even scary.  This session was a little weird because our aquatics center had to close last week for major improvements and re-tiling and re-painting and all that good jazz. However that means that every class had to be taught in the lap pool, read "really deep and scary pool" to three, four, and five year olds.

I have been prepping the kids for the lap pool day for weeks, and we did it. We survived, there was some weeping and even some gnashing of teeth by the parents, but the kids all made it through and dare I say even had some fun while we were at it. The unfortunate part is that then the kids didn't get to play under the mushroom on the last day like usual. I don't like the end of a session because it means I get all new kids in two weeks when we start again. I don't like the end of a session because it means learning a whole new set of kids and parents, some have graduated past my level of classes (I enjoy the super little kids - I teach a couple classes with older kids but mostly I have the super little kids). I like the end of a session because it does mean I get all new kids when we start again in two weeks. I like the end of a session because it means I get to meet a whole new set of parents and kids. It is a catch 22, I want to hold on to some kids and I want to let others progress. It is always the challenge of teaching, much like normal teaching.

It has been a great session of bubble blowing, jumping in, getting our whole faces wet, and kicking our legs, and much talk of believing in one another. It happens every session and I love watching the transformation of the kids from week one to week eight. Thanks parents for the joy and honor of being able to play a role in teaching your children how to swim. Thanks parents for trusting me with your most prized possession, your child, it is an honor and in light of recent events, I know everyone is holding their kids a little tighter. Thanks for the chance to work with you and your kids. I look forward to another session in January.

Running up north

I am over the top jazzed to be running the Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Disneyland this January. I am feeling fairly well trained and am super super super super excited to run it. In my heart of hearts I would like a medal from all of the runDisney Half Marathons (not the full and never the goofy). While I can't wait there is a piece of me that is jealous of everyone further down south. I have been reading blogs of folks who are training down south and a piece of me is jealous. Last Friday I put in ten miles on the treadmill due to the massive amounts of ice. (It is a fine science to actually get to run 10 consecutive miles on the treadmill at the ymca here in town because they have rules about only signing up for a half hour slot on the treadmill, I do feel a little guilty but I have some what figured out how to cheat the system so I get more than a half hour at a time. I know they have a purpose for these rules, but I need to be training for January, and I only cheat the system when I need to do my long runs.)

I think it is time I invest in a pair of yaktracks or some other type of outdoor grippy dealy for my shoes. Saturday I went for a run with Dakota with the intent of going only five or six mile run. Somewhere about mile two, I feel, hard, and fast. The ice had won. I thought I was on solid ground but in reality it was a sheet of ice. It sucked. My knees were bleeding and my hand was cut up. Dakota sat very nicely next to me and looked at me wondering what in the world happened. She was sweet and licked my face (she means well). I got up and she walked like a perfect little puppy, we walked back to my house so I could clean up. I hate running on ice but I hate running on a treadmill even more.

I guess I need to check the roads a little better before heading out to run, I  need to be careful. I can't won't get hurt now, I AM RUNNING IN JANUARY. I WILL earn my coast to coast medal in 2013.


Anyone else running on snow and ice?
Any tips for running on snow and ice?
How do you keep yourself from getting bored on the treadmill?

Christmas Party

This past weekend I got to go with Marc to his work's Christmas party. It was a wonderful meal and at the end all of the employees got amazing door prizes ($100 gift cards, tvs, hunting equiptment). It was a little bit of a surreal experience for me. I have always worked for a nonprofit organization. I have no clue what it is like to work for anything else, even growing up I worked for a nonprofit. It was interesting to see the difference in the two and the priorities that are set. While my work Christmas party will be wonderful, we will have a potluck get together with us and our spouses/significant others/family, we will gather with about 20 people and celebrate another good year. Marc's work party gathered with over 200 people and the food and alcohol flowed like the mighty Mississippi river. It was wonderful to have the chance to meet Marc's work friends, it was wonderful to eat a delicious meal, not have to cook, clean up, or pay for it, and it has left me thinking about the differences between working for a nonprofit and a for profit business.

There are pieces that I have decided that I can fathom being wonderful, they announced at the Christmas party extended holidays off (a couple full days for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Easter - not to mention the handful of other paid holidays). While we do get a holiday off here or there, it is the obvious job hazard that we don't get most of the major holidays off like everyone else.

As I weighed the cons and pros of our work situations I know I wouldn't trade mine for anything. Are there moments that I dream of the 8:00am-5:00pm job and every weekend off, yes, yes of course there are. Are there moments that I would love to have a budget that is above what we have, yes, yes of course there are. Are there moments that I would love to have a certain percentage of my income as a Christmas bonus on top of a great gift, yes, yes there are. Are there moments when I compare Marc's work travel to my work travel that I wish I had a ritzy hotel room to myself rather than a sleeping bag on my thermarest surrounded by youth, maybe, but most likely not. Would I trade the middle of the night phone calls to pray at the bedside of a dying saint, absolutely not, I have been called to walk on holy ground.

This two weekends ago we looked at the story of Moses and the burning bush and I walk by my own burning bushes, perhaps it is the middle schooler that I meet with who reminds me of the challenges of this world and the gift of community. My burning bush speaks to me as I hold a minutes old baby, I am reminded of how great our God is and how alive and active our God is in the world. My burning bush speaks to me as I am invited into the sacred places of people's lives, I am invited to share in the diving with them and alongside them. My burning bushes come at a variety of moments, I give thanks for my burning bushes and the ways in which I am walking on holy ground.

I am thankful for the nonprofit who calls me to full time ministry along side them. I am thankful for a fiance who is called to work in the supply chain and loves his job as well. I give thanks for the ways in which God calls each and every person to being and gives us each a place to serve.

Call Perks

One of the perks of my call is that occasionally I get to help lead worship at a local nursing home. (The clergy in the area all rotate through the nursing homes in this area, we have several nursing homes we get to help lead worship.) Today is one of those days that I get to lead worship with the older folks. Now generally it is not in my call to come alongside the older generations. My primary focus is children, youth, and family ministries, which I LOVE. Seriously, I am over the top blessed to be able to have the call I have. However sometimes I do enjoy the chance to lead worship at the nursing home.

I love the wisdom and the pure enthusiasm of the folks gathered at the nursing home. They are genuinely excited to be in worship and to receive communion. Some of these folks have fading memory and do not always remember what is going on or where they are but there is something outstanding that happens when they gather for worship, some how the Holy Spirit works and moves and they always seem to remember The Lord's Pray, Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, and other classics. Most of them can also still recite the Apostle's Creed without any hesitation. It is humbling to worship alongside these folks and to bear witness to their testimony of our wonderful God.

I enjoy taking some of my high schoolers and junior high kids with me when I go, occasionally we even have a family or three join us. If someone brings a baby they are always passed around from one person to the next and smothered in love. We are to the point that the youth also look forward to sitting next to these folks in worship, while these aren't their grandparents they have a deep respect for those in this particular nursing home. They have developed favorites and everyone has a buddy. I love the chance for mutual ministry, the older folks love seeing the younger youth and the youth love to spend time with their elders. Both the youth and the elders love to share stories and be in one another's presence.

Thanks be to God for the ways in which God calls us to walk alongside one another and to value each and every person.

Welcome Winter

Dear Winter-
       I think you have finally arrived. I think you are here in Northern Minnesota, about time, I have been anxiously awaiting your arrival. In my opinion you arrived late this year. I always start to get a bit anxious for you come October. Seriously, it seems only a week or so ago it was great running, biking, and dog walking weather, today we register a solid zero degrees, good work. Oh the changes, not to mention we have a solid foot of snow on the ground with a thin sheet of ice below. Truth be told, I LOVE IT! I love having everything covered in that beautiful white layer of snow that just screams to children (and me) come sledding, the ice is getting thick (anticipating the good ice skating and snow shoeing on the lakes), enjoy the snow, play in me.
     You do add a challenge to working out and getting in the appropriate amount of steps. I can do the snow but the ice is the complicating factor. Yes, I know I just go to the ymca and that fixes my problem, however it doesn't help my crazy dog. She needs to be playing outside and when your temperatures drop below zero she doesn't like to stay outside too long nor do I to take her for a walk. Please be kind in terms of ice, it makes it challenging not only for me but also for the older folks who desperately want to get out as well. They like to come to church and go to bingo, be kind to them, their hips can't handle it, a broken bone in their world is quite the tragedy.
     If I can put in a request for the beautiful snow globe looking snow on Christmas Eve that would be fabulous. I love coming out from the candle light serve and to see that you are laying down a new fresh sheet of snow. There is something magical about it. It seems all too appropriate that you would lay down a beautiful light layer of snow for Christmas. If you want the particulars I would prefer that you don't give us a full blizzard that day it seems far too many people travel on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I would hate for them to not be able to get to family. Be kind.
    While I am being demanding and putting in my requests, I would love one massive massive blizzard, the kind that makes it impossible for anyone to get anywhere, school is cancelled for the kids, and I get to work from home (or maybe just stay in my pjs or change into sweatpants) and sip on hot chocolate, curl up on the couch and watch a good movie and read some amazing books, all while napping intermittently and crocheting. Thanks for at least hearing my requests, I know you were deeply concerned about my feelings towards you.
     Keep bringing down the snow, I really don't mind shoveling, seriously. I generally even shovel a few houses down because I just love being outside in the snow. So bring it on. Let's see how much you can dump this year. You are already on the right track with that last snow fall, I hear you brought half as much this past weekend as you did all of last winter. Props to you.
    Don't overstay your welcome, please feel free to start your leaving process about mid-March. I appreciate you, but also welcome your cousin Spring about mid-March early April. Have a wonderful day. I love you being around.

Peace-
   Sarah

Letter

Dear big name satellite provider-
    You annoy me. End story. I would love to end this sweet note there, however I feel like I need to express my opinions. I am going to leave you nameless on purpose as I am certain many people get great service from you or else you wouldn't still exist. I however am unhappy with you. I know you don't overly care, you don't really need my business. That's fine.
     I am sorry that I wasn't willing to climb up a ladder to the second story of my house to check on my satellite, I don't think it would be safe given my ladder is way short and the roof could be icy. No I don't want to make one of your guys go up there, however I do know you have taller ladders, are trained, and have done this more than once. From what I can tell my satellite only has a small dusting of snow on it, no it is not snowing or raining or storming outside, yes I am 100% certain. I am also certain that my receiver is plugged in. I have restarted it several times, three times while on the phone with you, no that isn't working.
     I wish you had a way for us to differentiate on the phone who has first attempted your online support and has already done all of the steps you so kindly lay out sot hat you don't have to walk me through them three or four times on the phone. I have already done them and I told you I have already done them.
     If you admit that the problem is probably on your end I really don't want to pay nearly a hundred dollars to pay a technician to come out and check my equipment particularly when you repeatedly tell me it may not fix the problem and I still have to pay. Yes, I am willing to pay the $22.50 early termination fee so I can go with another company. You annoy me. I hate that you think I am dumb.
     I also don't appreciate the 11 (yes I counted them) emails that you sent me in the 36 hours since cancelling my service. Seriously, I am not coming back to you for a while. If I do come back to you I will do a little research and make sure that I can see some improvements in what you are doing.
     I am thankful that some people enjoy your service and stay with you because I am sure you employ lots of people, which is good. Thanks for what services you did provide, you did allow me to watch some of my favorite tv shows.

Peace-
   Sarah

Looking Back

Lately I have been trying to be really intentional about finishing up projects before I begin another one - including my shutterfly books. Suz and I finished our Disney book (that I shared last week) and since then I have caught up on my 366 in 2012 book and have gotten back into getting my summer mission trips & summer stretch book done. Well not done but at least back to working on it (I am not actually sure why I never got around to it). Anyways, in the process of going back to that book (I now have a list of the ways in which I am going to work through my shutterfly projects and the order in which I will be finishing them [Summer 2012 Mission Trips, 2011, 2012] and then I plan on every month keeping up with 2013 so that I don't have to do this massive catch up crap) I have also spent a little bit of time reflecting on the summer. Seriously this last summer was CRAZYTOWN in terms of running around from here to there and the demands of my call (which I am thankful for) but it has been wonderful to be going back through the pictures and being reminded of all the ways in which God worked last summer and how humbling it was to be a part of it. I also have spent a little bit of time looking through old photobooks (I do this quite often actually - I love looking back at photos).

I was taken back to the flood in Duluth and the ways in which it worked out perfectly that we were able to go walk alongside our brothers and sisters at Gloria Dei Lutheran and help to take water out of their basements. I was reminded of the people who we met and shared their stories with us that inspired us and gave witness to the God we love and serve. I was taken back to the Synod Journey and how exhausted we were by the time we got home but how overwhelmingly wonderful God was in the midst of everything. I was reminded about how there were some of my youth that I felt the need to re-introduce them to their parents when we arrived back home due to the transformation that we saw take place within them (and even continue to see in them today). I am thankful for the stories we share and the ways in which the body of Christ works in the world. While often times I think God is off God's rocker and could just do what needs to get done in the world, it is an honor and a privilege to work as God's hands and feet in this world.

While all people are called into full time ministry, and all people get to do God's work day in and day out I know what a joy (most of the time) it is to be in full time paid ministry. Thanks be to God for the call to ministry and today in particular I give thanks for the congregation who enables me to be in full time ministry.



How do you like to organize your photos?
Do you like to go look back at photos?
Do you scrapbook or make photobooks of any kind?

20 Chore Tuesday

Today's To-Do List:

• Attend BAY meeting
• Teach 3 swimming lessons
• prep for catechism tomorrow night
• update project 366 of 2012
• drink 4 camelbacks of water
• email my elf4health
• wrap Christmas presents
• pray the dog doesn't unwrap said gifts
• break down stack of cardboard in the kitchen
• clean kitchen
• write thank you for a gift card
• send thank you for a gift card
• call parks and rec to discuss broomball 
• walk the dog
• work on Family Faith Journey Curriculum for Sunday
• make copies for FFJ for Sunday
• return book to senior pastor
• clean office (it is slightly embarrassing how dusty and gross it has gotten - time to dust and run the vacuum)
• wash sheets and towels
• start working on certificates of completion for swimming lessons
• drop off package at the pots office

Snowpacalypse

I love living in northern Minnesota for a couple reasons (yes there are reasons I hate it too - primarily because it is way too far away from my family) - but one of the reasons I love living up north is the snow. Seriously I LOVE snow. While some people freak out and get annoyed that the temperature is at a solid -4, there is a piece of me that rejoice as the ice is getting thicker and has to be nearing snow shoeing on the ice weather. GLORIOUS!

Yesterday was an ideal day to say the least: church went well, we celebrated new members and a baptism, and then I spent the rest of the day with Marc and Dakota. We wore sweatpants, watched a good movie, consumed some crockpot chili, and watched another Packer victory. Seriously, wonderful and what I needed. The day was broken up by a few trips outside to shovel the snow that kept falling (I do love shoveling snow even though most people hate the job) and conversations about this that and the other. I am thankful for days like yesterday.

While we were talking yesterday we also realized that we are now under the six month mark until we get married. It will be wonderful to begin that transition. It is a little strange to have two houses going at this point, it seems like we are always running back and forth to grab a movie or something out of the kitchen. It will be great to be in the same place, despite the fact that I know it will come with its own set of challenges too. On the one hand it seems like six months is a ridiculously long ways away, and it won't ever get here. On the other hand it seems like it is just around the corner and my list of stuff that needs (or at least I would like) to get done is relatively lengthy. I know it will all play out like it needs to and at the end of the day we will be married and this is all that will matter. I suppose one of these days I should start to move some of my stuff that is spread out all over the house and begin to make room for Marc. We'll put that on the winter project list.


What is on your to-do list on a snowy winter day?
Any good book suggestions? I am just finishing mine and need a new one.
Any winter weather training tips?

To just be

The last 48 hours were marvelous, simply marvelous. I traveled back to South Dakota to visit my dear friend, who was recently diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. I was able to go home, sit in the hospital room, hear and tell stories, see the smile on her face, hear her joys & fears, pray with her, and just be together. What a gift.
It was fun to sit to be in one another's presence to know one another was near.

It makes me hate living so far away from my family and friends, it makes me anxious to want to get back to closer to family and friends. Don't get me wrong I love the place serve, I love the synod, I love the friends I have made (some have even become like family) but it is hard to be away from those people who I grew up with, those people who mean the world to me. I know I have been called to Minnesota for a reason and there are many joys associated with it but there are also some pains in being so far away. Marc and I have talked at length about where we would want to live if we moved and could have God plan the same, but it's hard because we currently are about half way between both families.

Glorification of busy.

I have seen the sign a few different places and it simply reads "stop the glorification of busy." I am caught up in that glorification all too often, I feel a need to be busy, to have my days programmed to what feels like the minute allowing no time to stop, breathe, and be. I am guilty as charged some days. I have been convicted of this time and time again and yet I love to have days to myself with nothing planned. I love the chance to make a fresh cup of coffee, drink it from a real mug (not a travel mug - I drink from a travel mug 90% of the time due to being on the go), curl up on my chair with my dog in my lap, and either read a good book or crochet for the fun of it.

I have Fridays off, I don't try not to work on that day, I try to make plans with friends, clean my house, get caught up on laundry, go grocery shopping, go for a good run, and whatever else may tickle my fancy that day. I love my day off, usually I can avoid at least going into work. It is a gift for sure.

Post Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas always seems to me like the epitom of busy. There are Christmas presents to make/buy and wrap, there are parties to attend, advent to survive (extra services, bible studies, and an extra book study), on top of it seems unfortunately that we are going to have several funerals at church, get ready for my family to arrive, and send Marc off to a family wedding in Wisconsin (that I can't attend due to it being a couple days before Christmas). It is crazy and I refuse to buy into the glorification of busy and buying more, this Advent season. This advent season I am focusing on those things that matter, relationship, friends, family, training, and my sweet puppy. I refuse to get caught up in the chaos of the season and everything that can and does happen. I refuse to be over run by commercialism and the need to buy.

I am choosing this advent season to be more intentional about prayer, to spend time with family and friends, and to enjoy each day I have been given. I choose to enjoy the season and not get stressed out. I choose to love each and every day and love those who I get to interact with.


What are you finding filling your advent season with?
Are you making any gifts this Christmas?
Does your family have any fun Christmas traditions?

Proud to Be a Lion

This is a pic one of my friends took, yes I know I was being cheesy (it was intended)
and yes, I knew Marc was behind me photo bombing the picture
but I think the picture is hilarious and I couldn't help but post it.

Yes, I am a member of the Lions Club. Yes, I sort of fell into on accident. No, I didn't ever intend on being a lion. Yes, I am beyond thrilled to be a Lion. Yes, I know every organization has it's faults and the Lions club isn't an exception. All this being said, this fall I became a Lion. I believe I am the 2nd youngest in the club and the majority of our club's members are older than I, however, I couldn't be happier to be a Lion. Slowly but surely we are working to lower our average age.

Monday night our Lions club had a spaghetti dinner feed with Santa. It was wonderful to see over 250 people come through the doors and eat together and to have the anticipation of the little one's who couldn't wait to go talk to Santa. Santa heard Christmas wish lists, handed out candy canes and small toys, and brought out smiles and joy that is beyond words.

Why you may ask am I so thrilled to be a lion? I am proud to be a member of an organization that helps to fund scouting programs, provides glasses for those who couldn't otherwise afford them, to be a service club within our community who reaches out and extends love to those who otherwise may not receive the help they need. It is an honor to sit in on a meeting when the discussion is how much money to give to a particular cause.

I am proud to be a Lion and look forward to seeing where our club can serve in the future.

Crockpot connoisseur - Caramel Apple Cider

4 cups apple cider

3 tablespoons caramel syrup (the ice cream topping)

1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

I times this recipe by four and made a gallon's worth of hot cider. 

I made this recipe for the pintrest party I hosted last Friday night. The group absolutely loved the cider, I was sort of hoping that I would have some left over so I could drink it throughout the week, but alas they drank it all minus a glass that I drank while cleaning up my house.

This was delicious and seriously way too easy to be this good, this will totally be my holiday party go to drink to bring somewhere. I only had it heating for a couple hours on high before the party, the drink was plenty warm and delightful. The only helpful hint I will give is each time before you serve it give the mixture a good whisking because the caramel does tend to sink to the bottom, but this is seriously trivial for how good this stuff is!

I highly recommend everyone make this!

Disney 2011 Photobook

Click here to view this photo book larger

I finally got around to finishing my vacation photobook from last December. Yes, it took me a year, partially because I forgot that I hadn't finished it yet. My friend Suzi and I always make a photobook of our trips together, so we have been working on this one together. It is such a great memory and I LOVE looking through previous photobooks, I thought I'd share this one with you. I can't wait to share my 366 in 2012 photobook! Seriously jazzed every time I update it and can't wait to order it - I am still a little impressed with myself that I have managed to take a photo every day this year (some are definitely better than others but still I am impressed with myself). 

Pep talk

I like early in the morning before I get up and have to go to work, to sit and snuggle my sweet puppy, to catch up on all the riveting news on facebook (or really any type of internet surfing), reading a few blogs, crocheting, and picking up my house before heading into work. I love my morning routine. Seriously. I also highly value sleep (true true true story). Yes, some days I do make time to get in a workout later in the day but then I always feel like it is rushed and hurried between this that or the other, it isn't fun, I don't like feeling rushed, and it is time to change my routine.

Lately I must confess my training for my upcoming half marathon has slipped a bit and I am not happy with it, it is long over due to kick it in high gear, seriously, time to stop making lame excuses and get to the gym or get outside running. It's go time. I have gotten in a few good swims and a few good runs, but nothing amazing or ridiculously challenging. I forget that you don't get good or in shape or well trained without working for it. I won't improve my times unless I work at it, unless I put the miles under my belt, unless I get out of my house and train. Seems simple, but I love my morning routine.

I secretly dream of completing and Ironman 70.3, I don't think I have it in me to ever do a full but a half, is sooo tempting, however it means it is time to get serious, time to stop making lame excuses, time to put myself to bed earlier, time to get out of my house and get to the gym.

Yes, you all just read my pep talk to myself.

Now to step up and do it.