Hartland Happenings

It's been a while. I was trying to hold out a post until the new blog is up, but I just have a hankerin' to get this stuff out:

• My best friend is having twins...twin girls!
• Chloe is pretty awesome.
• Candace is having a sleepover with us this weekend.
• I'm working on a lot of wedding invitations and gearing up to take some awesome pics.
• Church is as crazy-awesome as ever. I'm in love with what I do and I adore the people I get to work with on a daily basis. "Lucky" doesn't even begin to describe it.
• My husband is editing my parent's baptism and salvation story. Crazy.
• We're going to a beautiful cabin for my birthday: with the Kerrs FTW!
• May = Minneapolis. Boom.
• The Campbells are coming to Erie in July and they're staying with us! Yesssssssss!!
• Myrtle Beach. August-Labor Day. Ten days. Us. Amazing.
• I bought a tote from etsy as my birthday self-gift. It's beautiful (not as cool as Amy's):

Bye.

God and Priscila

There is a wonderful woman who attends Grace named Priscila. I really got to know her when she agreed to do some temporary volunteer office work for the church. She's a beautiful woman who is fun, funny and intelligent. More importantly, though, she LOVES God and she is SERIOUSLY sensitive to the Holy Spirit. 

A few weeks back, she started joking with me on a Sunday morning because she had a dream about me: I was dancing in a ball gown. Any of you who know me know that would be a pretty hilarious dream! This past weekend, she came back and told me that she had ANOTHER dream. We both stood in the lobby with tears streaming down our faces as she told me things like, "God loves you" and "just let it go." She had to walk away and told me she'd write me a letter. I was trying to help families check-in but couldn't stop thinking about Priscila. As they day went on, I was flooded with thoughts about my life, it's direction and what the heck happened between the two of us.

I told a few people, but no one really thought anything of it. 

Today, Priscila showed up at the office with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, an awesome vase and...the letter. I read the letter and could not believe what it said...I still can't. I've never had anyone give me any sort of word from God before (or maybe I was just to dim to notice). It's an indescribable feeling...which is how I know it's the right word for me.

I'm not going to type the letter out because it's pretty personal, but here are the verses she had for me:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. – Jude 1:24-25 

I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. – Isaiah 45:3

He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. - Psalm 91:4

All of that to say: develop the art of listening to God. He still speaks and moves our hearts. If He's telling you something about yourself or someone you know, be obedient and share it. It will probably change someone's life.

Thank you, Priscila. You showed me the power a true woman of God has when she is surrendered to his Spirit and obedient to his will.

3 Words for 2010

Inspired by Terry Storch and Chris Brogan.

This really applies to a lot of things in the spiritual, physical and mental realms. It's not just about "eating right" and "exercising,"it's about being as healthy as possible in as many areas that I can. It's going to be about all of the little choices I make on a daily basis. This includes things like: getting caught up on regular doctor's visits, completing a daily reading plan from YouVersion, and being honest about my feelings with people.
Why? Because I want to be faster, better and stronger.

---

I have a feeling that a lot is going to change for me in 2010. The trick will be surrendering to what it actually is, instead of lamenting what it isn't. It really means being open to God, the people around me, and new experiences/ideas.
Why? Because I don't want to become unteachable, inflexible or closed.

---

I want to continue a goal I had in 2009, which was to be a student of...well...as much as possible. To focus that down a bit, I'd like to be in a constant state of learning about Communications. I also want to be a student of people around me so I can be someone worth studying someday.
Why? Because I don't have all the answers and I want to model a spirit of learning to those around me.

---

Hi Carlos!

You're with my very best friend in the whole world! Please give her a hug for me!

Here are some pictures of Dave and me (Danielle):

This is us making funny faces. We like to do that:

And this is me standing in a lot of SNOW! Molly can tell you all about snow:

We can't wait to learn more about you and get to know you!  We love you and will be praying for you all the time.

Welcome to Our Family, Carlos

Maybe we can call you "Los?"

I can't believe you've had to wait so long for a sponsor. I am VERY excited to get to know you!

You are a cutie!

(thanks, Molly, Aber and Heather: you've made child sponsorship real to me)

Won't you consider sponsoring a child from El Salvador?

I Didn't Listen to God on Tuesday

We had a staff retreat this week and were sent away alone to think through how the way we do ministry effects how we connect with God.

Two words came to my mind: creatively and frantically.

Psalm 63: 1-8 has been on my mind for the past couple of months and it popped into my head again, so I read it, totally worshipping through and agreeing with every part, as usual.

This is Psalm 63: 1-8:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
   as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
   beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
   my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
   in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
   and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
   and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
   and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me.

When I was done reading, I sensed God saying, "But that isn't how YOU would write it." So...I put it into 100% honest words that were my own and then felt God prompting me to share it because it wasn't only for me. I chickened out...actually, I disobeyed God. I've repented, and now here it is.

Maybe it's for you, too:


O God you are my God; frantically I look around for you;
  my soul would probably want you;
  my flesh is too busy to care,
  as in an overcrowded city where there is too much noise.
So I have tried to connect with you at church,
  with my limited knowledge of your power and glory.
Because you generally take care of me, I will do good things in your name.
So I will make you look good - until I get bored;
  in your name I will be too busy to care.
My soul will starve to death and my mouth will talk a big game
  when I realize how far I got on my own and that I don't know you at all;
  but you must have helped.
And in the blazing heat of this desert, I will yell about being lonely.
My soul clings to you, but I pull it away;
  I am too busy to learn how to trust your hand to hold me.

Tradition...

TRADITION!

Since I've been married, I have found myself gravitating toward things that could potentially become part of a family tradition. I'm stockpiling these Christmas season ideas already, and just want them in one place, so I thought I'd share what I'm thinking through and how I want to use them. This is so random.

• Hope Ornament: I saw an ornament at Hallmark that I want to create myself. The basic idea is that you have everyone write a wish on one side of a decorative strip of paper, roll them up and put them inside a clear ornament. What I want to do: When we gather to decorate our tree the following year, we will start by opening that ornament and reading what each person wrote. We'll write more hopes and prayers for the next year on Christmas Eve.
• Twelve Days of Christmas Salad Plates (Pottery Barn): Dave really likes to have the table set for Christmas from the day after Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. I'm thinking of something fun that involves getting the entire table set in the amount of time it takes the family to sing, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Could be disaster. Could be memories.
• Stockings: I want to do something different with stockings. Maybe each person in the family will pull the name of another family member and they need to put something in that person's stocking for each week in Advent (four weeks, each with a theme and goal). We could open the gifts and light a candle on the Advent wreath each Sunday night. 
• Giving and Serving: Still working this one out. Wondering about giving each family member a choice to give up one of their potential gifts in order to shop for one gift that will be given to someone less fortunate. I don't know how to make that feel more like a real choice and sacrifice.

Also, I'd definitely suggest reading Noel Piper's incredible book about the importance of family traditions. She gave everyone in Molly and Aber's wedding party a copy and it completely changed my outlook on traditions in general.

What about you? Thinking through any Christmas traditions? Already have good ones?

I Realized Something About Myself Today

I've had a couple of rough days and my immediate reaction when the stress mounted was to start doodling. I'm a major doodler, but going to paper and markers to let out some frustration was weird: weird because it was automatic...like breathing.

I have never considered art to be a way for me to vent.

So I'm left to wrestle with these questions:
Are my regular artistic abilities (and duties) suffering because I subconsciously consider creativity an outlet for stress? How can I expect my product to be excellent when the process to getting there is linked to tension and pain?

Hi.

Worship Lessons from a 3-Year-Old

Dave and I took my mom and our two nieces, Emma and Candace, camping this weekend. Dave brought along a worship CD because Candace always requests, "Jesus songs" when she's with us. We popped it in and I was gagging in the backseat of the van because of how cheesy it was. The CD was called "Modern Expressions of Worship." The problem is, it was made somewhere around 1992, I'm thinking. :::gag:::

Candace and Emma were loving it, though. It was right in their groove. Candace even broke out an air mic at one point. They pick up songs quickly (especially overly repetitive, annoying ones).

I let out a groan as a new one started because I could tell that it was only going to get worse. Candace snapped her head back at me and said, "What's wrong, Dan-L?"

"I don't like this song, " I said, as I made my best "yucky face."

Candace's mouth dropped open in shock and she said, "WHY? It's a JESUS SONG!" Then she turned around and resumed her dancing and clapping.

I joined in.

10 Extreme Lessons

This was the most wonderful ministry experience I've ever been a part of. I learned a lot, and I want to get these thoughts down before I forget them.

1. Email, Twitter and FaceBook are the best forms of communication for a quick project turnaround.
2. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition t-shirts are, apparently, worth more than gold. 
3. Teach your children how to listen to directions, or they will grow up to be annoying adults who don't understand anything you tell them. Please: do society a favor and get it done.
4. When people constantly tell you, "You're doing an awesome job, GET SOME SLEEP," you know that you must be on top of your game.
5. Anne Maleno had the most difficult job on that site...and she rocked it. She has the awesome ability to be firm and direct while staying positive and thankful toward each individual. I was impressed to say the least.
6. True colors and motivations come out in times like these. Everyone has struggles and needs, so it's important not to let those things cloud how you view a person on a regular basis. Deal with it, make it right, and then move on.
7. Teaching your church how to love and serve people is the best way to spend your marketing dollars.
8. Don't do something because you want to impress someone, do it because you're serving God. You'll never make it if you try to please people. You'll be constantly disappointed.
9. Don't underestimate the power of momentum and influence. This was just the beginning. If in one year, all we have to show for this is nice flowers on East 21st Street, we missed it big time.
10. Every human being longs for true community. Jesus can unite people more powerfully than I can explain or comprehend. Get to know your neighbors: it will probably change all of your lives.

Here's a link to some photos on flickr.

And here are some media links.

Extreme Makeover Side Project

I've got a confession to make: I have written and typed the word "extreme" more times in the past week than in my whole life and probably your life combined. My fingers have developed muscle memory for typing the word.

When I found out about this potential partnership with the show, I was extremely happy. I fought back tears as Derek explained how our Church could possibly be involved.

The thing is, I actually love Erie. I know...but I do. Somewhere along the way, I got a heart for transforming this city. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to jump start a volunteer initiative that could do just that. Erie is never going to live up to it's potential if we all just sit in our living rooms talking about how messed up it is. Until we take ownership for where we live and stop ignoring the people who need our help, we can forget about it. The local government can't change this place without us. This should be just the beginning.

I know for me, that when the cameras are gone, I'll still be here fighting for the city I love.

Get involved.

Campbell Family Visit

OK, so our #1 favorite southerners visited Erie this past week, and we were lucky enough to have them stay in our home. Brent and Jenn lived in Erie while Brent was attending LECOM. It was a wonderful four years.

To say it was awesome to see them would be a complete understatement. I love these guys so much. Here are some pictures from the visit (mainly so Jenn can download them).

I miss them already.

And, also, I would like to say that I think it's a sin against God that they don't live here anymore. Thank you. Chattanooga, you don't know how good you have it.

I Forgot to Tell You That We Got a Grill

(oh, and I have a new blog header which is a sneak peak for my new website coming soon)


That'll be all. Thanks.

I Have a Desk/Couch Problem

See this? This is our living room (TV is in the right hand corner off of the photo). Usually, the couches and tables are pushed back to the wall of windows, but we moved everything up as an experiment.

Question: Should we put Dave's desk behind the couch and use it as a couch table (picture frames/vase on it) when he's not working (monitors stored under the desk unless being used).

Reasoning: He works on videos from home A LOT, and now that we both work full time, we don't see each other, so the last thing we need is him in the office and me in the living room all night.

There's a poll in my side bar. Please vote! Yes, this is THAT important to me.

Hey! COME BACK!

 

please.

Meet My New Best Friends

Awesome yoga mat:

New kicks:

The sad thing is, i found these sneakers on my honeymoon (12/07) and finally bought them on Saturday. I'm not so good at buying things for myself.

Also, Rachel bought me a camera lens for my birthday. It's really fun to use. I call this, "The Pen is Mightier than the Twitter":

And this is my "Dave Stop Working in the Living Room on the Dining Room Table" series:

The Anatomy of a Prank

1. Get a good inside joke.

2. Invest some money.

3. Find a leader (a.k.a. mastermind):

4. Get a team of stooges:

5. Commit:

30til30: Day 30

I have 30 days until I turn 30, so I thought I'd try to choose 30 moments that have helped shape who I am and want to be. Coming up with the list has been challenging...and enlightening. These final few ARE in a particular order.

30: My 17th Surprise Birthday Party.

Thirteen years ago, my friends threw me a surprise party for my 17th birthday and I found Jesus there.

For most of my junior year in high school, I ran with a bunch of Christians. I didn't realize it. I just thought they were hilarious and awesome. For some reason, there were a lot of Christians in the drama club and choir, too, so it was inevitable. As the year went by, things kept unfolding that opened my eyes more and more to what was around me.

Looking back on it, I can see everything unfolding and leading me straight to that birthday party. I had injured my knee earlier in the year playing basketball and we played basketball at the party (yeah, this is how smart we were). I re-injured my knee (I found out soon after that it was a torn ACL). I can't explain the pain, but to this day I haven't felt anything worse. I cried through the rest of the party because of it. Everyone felt really bad. I just wanted them to leave so I could scream.

After everyone left, I laid on Jamie's floor and completely lost it. While she cleaned up, I was alone in her living room thinking about Jesus of all things. I started to get really angry because I didn't understand why anyone would love a God who just let's things happen. I wanted to cut the strings that bound my friends by the evil puppet master.

I was supposed to sleep at her house, but I asked her to take me home because the pain was too much to bear. In the car, I just got more and more angry...at God. I remember with perfect clarity the rage I felt inside of me. I hopped into a quiet, dark house: my family was already sleeping.

I went into my room and started throwing things around and screaming. I think I wanted my parents to wake up (they didn't: in fact, I asked my mom the next day and she said she didn't hear anything). I was getting even more angry and I started yelling at God out loud. I remember every word I said. I've never come close to matching the anger I felt that night.

This is the part where a lot of you are going to think I'm insane.

I sat on my bed and put my hands on my knee. It hurt so bad, and I suddenly didn't know why I was so angry. I started to focus on the pain in my knee and I asked God to make it stop. I have no idea why I did that. I just did. Here's the thing: it stopped. I remember specifically that it got really hot and then the pain was gone. The only feeling left was the tightness of the joint. It still felt the same, minus the pain. (This was so real that I didn't have knee surgery until two years later...for a torn ACL and meniscus.)

I started crying uncontrollably. I was so ashamed of myself for everything I had been angry over. The prevailing emotion, however, was fear. I was terrified of what just happened. Then, I said this:

"I need you."

Immediately, the tears stopped and a wave of peace swept over me. I felt comforted and secure. I laid there, content to just be still.

The next day, I woke up and I was never the same again. I've never looked back.

What I'm not:

• Crazy.
• Naive.
• Intolerant.
• Ignorant.
• Relying on a crutch to get through life.
• Unloving.
• Hypocritical.
• Better than someone who isn't a Christian.

What I try to be:

• Loving
• Joyful
• Peaceful
• Patient
• Kind
• Good
• Faithful
• Gentle
• Self-controlled

I can't comprehend where my life would be without Jesus. I wouldn't want it any other way.

30til30: Day 29

I have 30 days until I turn 30, so I thought I'd try to choose 30 moments that have helped shape who I am and want to be. Coming up with the list has been challenging...and enlightening. These final few ARE in a particular order.

29: Dave.
I married Dave because I thought he was pretty cool. I was wrong. He's REALLY cool. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures of him:

What I love about Dave:

• He's cute.
• He always wants to try and do the right thing.
• He's sensitive.
• Never saw an episode of Seinfeld, but he watches Family Guy. You do the math.
• He is the most talented and creative person I know (ALERT: I am not, repeat NOT, overstating this).
• Dave is old fashioned in a lot of ways.
• He is the funniest person I've ever met. I mean, hello?
• When we decided to care for Candace full time a while back, he was awesome.
• He is brave. 
• If you think you know what he's going to do, you probably don't.
• He makes me laugh like no one else.
• Dave loves America (but not more than Jesus).
• He is a really good writer and editor.
• Three words: jedi video master
• I love that he has no idea what the previous statement is referencing (no, i'm not kidding).
• He has "mellowed" in a lot of areas. 
• Dave has a very unique perspective. A lot of people think they have him pegged. They don't.
• He...sigh...loves weather.
• He also loves everyone I love...and they love him. It's awesome.

How he has shaped me:

• He's made me more adventurous (and afraid of heights at the same time).
• Before I met Dave, I had a plan (that sounds bad, but trust me, it isn't).
• He pushes me to be more creative without even knowing it.
• He loves me in spite of myself, which has made me a more confident, loving person (I hope).
• His story reminds me that God is sovereign, merciful, mighty and loving.

Dave - 

I just want to tell you three things:

1. I'm really proud of you.
2. I am happy that you're my husband.
3. You are the best man I know.

I Love You.
(ok that was four. so SUE me)
Danielle