If we could all be this enthusiastic!

A precious song.

Pause whatever music you are listening to.

Just take a minute and listen to this beautiful song and rest.

I just had to share this with you guys. Its written by a grade 3 girl.

Enjoy!

A new direction.

I was very challenged last week.
On friday night Andrew and I went to Passion World Tour.
From the moment it started, I knew God had something to tell me.
I cried within 25 seconds.
God is so cool, the ways that He works things out, how He has me in the palm of His hand.
Because honestly, sometimes I feel like running, like taking things into my own hands and making a go of life alone.
Because I'm stubborn and independent and not that smart.
But that's OK.
Because He has me figured out, He knows the plans He has for me and they are above and beyond anything I can dream of!
(I have to remind myself of that sometimes!)

I was reminded about how God created me and put passions and desires in me for a reason.
Sometimes I am overwhelmed with a burning inside me soul.
Sometimes I feel like Im WAY off base with how life is right now.
Dont get me wrong, I LOVE my life.
I am so blessed, so happy and content with life.

But also, there's a part of me that burns and aches for more.
That feeling of "there must be more", the desire to live life differently.
Differently than whats "acceptable" and "expected" of us.

Since I was 5 years old I have wanted to be a missionary.
Its been a dream, a desire, a NEED in my life.
Its not something I take lightly.
Its a need that fills me head, my heart, my dreams.
I think about it constantly, waiting anxiously for the next step.
On friday I was reminded that I dont have to be so timid. I dont have to wait around for Gods "green light".
I need to do what I love, what Im passionate about, and do it ALL for the glory of God!
Because in doing that, He will guide us, He will place us where we are needed.

We are so excited to see what God has in store for us.

(and I have a feeling it wont be long now...)

Quote of the week.

Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.

-C.S. Lewis

(Photo by Per Ola Wiberg)

Delightful treats.

No trip south past Seattle is worth it unless you stop at Cabelas.
At least thats what Andrew says.

(For those of you who are not hunters/married to one, Cabelas is a HUGE outfitter store with EVERYTHING, from guns to bullets to tents and clothes, a resturaunt, an aquarium and waterfall..its terribly impressive)

Anywho. Andrew bought me my first cast-iron skillet!

I am thrilled.

No really. Thats wasnt sarcasm!

I am THRILLED!

Look how pretty!

It even came with a lid that can double as a shallow skillet!

(Sorry, no picture.)
And so, to test out the newest addition to our family, I made an apple-upside-down-cast-iron-baked-cake-thing. I think thats the official name.

ANYWHO, it turns out that this happens to be the best thing I have EVER baked.

And it wasnt me. It was the cast-iron.

I cant describe in words. Except that when I tasted a tiny morsel, I audibly moaned, and ran out the door to buy a tray good enough to hold this treat.

True story. I ran straight to the thrift store to find something, anything that could hold something so beautiful.

And I found it in the form of this amazing tin tray.

This tin tray probably never thought it would hold something so beautiful that it directly reflected heaven.

But today, thanks to butter, sugar, apples and a whole heap of love, it did.

Im pretty sure that if you look hard enough, you will see the thumbprint of God on that.

Seriously, its that good.

Just another reason Im thankful to serve a God who has taste buds!

:)

Keeping Portland beautiful and weird!

This weekend my beloved and I packed up and headed south to Portland. We wanted to surprise our friends, Spencer and Michelle.

The drive was totally worth the hug I got from her.

Oh boy, I cant even explain how much I miss her when Im here and shes

way

down

there.

We got into all sorts of adventures together.

Beer and late-night-dinner at the coolest bar ever!

Shopping at the market and other fun shops.

Going out to the "Wooden Chicken" accompanied by Snow White, an escaped convict, a football player, Uncle Sam, and a billbilly cowboy.

(I was a bunny. Although I lost my tail around 11pm)

We went for a drive down the old highway (sorry michelle!)

The trees are changing and it is beautiful!

And then, much to my delight, we stopped by an antique store!

(Be still my heart!)

It was amazing! There were so many beautiful things! I managed to walk away with a globe, but only because the store closed before I could convince Andrew that of course I need another set of salt and pepper shakers!

Next time we are in Oregon again, Im spending the day there! Michelle, you may accompany me if you wish. :)

It was a great weekend. I loved spending time with my precious friends. They were so welcoming and happily let us be tourists! I miss you guys already!!