Hi Everyone! I haven't had much time to write here lately, but I want to let you all know we will be having a gathering focused on our time in Africa very soon. Here are some details:
Missions Report from Josh and Nicole on their service in Namibia
Saturday, April 9 beginning at 6:30
Calvary Baptist Church
1620 Bridge Ave
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Talk about time in Africa followed by Question and Answer session (please come with questions!)
There will be lots of pictures and stories, as well as songs, dance, cultural artifacts, and language.
Children are welcome- this would be a great learning experience!
I know this is short-ish notice, but we recently realized that our summer schedule is really filling up. (Can you believe we have already booked 13 weddings? God continually surprises me- more on that later.) We don't want to put it off any longer. If you can't make it, but would like us to speak at your church or group, just send me a message and we will see what we can do!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
More of Africa 2
More unshared pictures of our life overseas;
In Rehoboth and Rundu:
A playground in Rundu- few and far between in Africa. Almost certainly built by foreigners, but greatly enjoyed by the locals.
Two boys hanging out under an acacia tree:
These kids came to play at 5am!
Mokoros (dugout canoes) on the Kavango River:
The seven girls (of 24 students) that I taught at Kwakwas. They called this sand a "river" because it would fill with water (for a few days) during rainy season.
Some of the youth center kids:
Taken in Block E. To me this is an amazing reminder that in spite of poverty, kids just want to be kids. Their resilience inspires me.
In Rehoboth and Rundu:
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
More of Africa
Without really being intentional, we've more or less put Africa aside since we got home. There has been a lot to organize, and digestion is best one bite at a time. Since the new year, we have started to examine it again, to mull over what God taught us, how He might use us, and where we should go from here.
For today, I'll start with those from the header, plus a few extra:
Some of the kids I taught at Kwakwas:
Malawi:
While going through pictures for the blog makeover (thank you Tara!), I came across tons more that I haven't shared with you. In fact, I realized I haven't had pictures on here in a long time. I guess that comes with the territory of having a photography blog. However, I know that God didn't give me the privilege of capturing these images just so I can keep them to myself. Although there are too many for me to narrate every one, I am hoping He might use the images themselves to speak to someone or many someones...maybe even you.
For today, I'll start with those from the header, plus a few extra:
Some of the kids I taught at Kwakwas:
Rundu, Namibia:
Me holding one of our little ones at the preschool, Josh with one of our youngest from the youth program:
Dune 7, Walvis Bay, Namibia
Kids from Hope's Promise and the Youth Program:
Aren't they precious?
Some of our preschool girls. This picture always reminds me of little old ladies at a salon : )
Kwakwas
Sunday, March 6, 2011
New Look, New Life
Well, in case you didn't notice, CTLA got a makeover! Woohoo!!!!!!!
Because seriously, it was about time.
After more than two years and 200 posts- which just blows my mind since I still feel like a baby blogger- I was tired of looking at that dreary black background. At least now I know I am not inspired by dark and boring.
I thought for a while about whether I would keep this blog. After all, we aren't in Africa anymore- at least for now, anyway (more on that to come). And I do have another blog to keep up, which occupies much of my time already.
After thought and prayer, however, I realized I didn't want to sacrifice the outlet and relationships that this blog has sparked. It is more than it seems on the surface, which is what so many bloggers already know.
It's connection.
It's community.
It's memories.
It's having a voice.
But I needed some new inspiration. I decided a new look would be the way to go. Since I had just gotten my photography blog redesigned, I already knew a great designer. Tara of Our Princess in Pigtails Designs is wonderful to work with and beyond talented. If you are even considering thinking about maybe wanting to look at trying having your blog professionally designed, check her out. And, she is way affordable, which was huge to me. If I had found her sooner, I would have gotten this done ages ago.
As I’ve been looking at other blogs, trying to figure out what mine needs for the redesign (since I only get one shot at this or I have to pay more money : P ), I realized I have no “about me” section. It’s pretty much intentional, but possibly unacceptable. I am reminded of the fact that I want to read an “about me” section when I visit a blog. I mean, honestly, I don’t want to start reading posts every day, and develop a tight internet-bound relationship that I come to rely on, only to find out the author is some sort of animal sacrificer or dictator or supports dealing illicit drugs to pre-schoolers.
[Don't judge my dramatic and fanciful thinking. It could happen.]
I guess it’s a quality-control sort of thing.
The other day I was trying to post an ad on craigslist. Now, I had already posted this ad and it had run for a full 40 days or whatever the allotted time is before your post expires. So, I post the very same ad, and it got “flagged and removed.” Three times. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is? I did the same thing last time, SO WHY ARE YOU GIVING ME DIFFERENT RESULTS?????
??
Grrrr… I was feeling rather riled up about the whole thing, in case you didn’t catch that.
Anyway, I posted a question to a craigslist forum. Because you can’t just pick up the phone and call them or anything. No, when you have already failed miserably at posting on their technological venue, they want to make you do it again, just to really emphasize that you don’t know what you are doing.
But some kind soul (*bless their heart*) took pity on me and told me how it was. Apparently your post isn’t deleted by some sort of algorithm or anything. Instead, viewers flag it either for not following the rules or because they think it looks sketchy or like a scam or even because they just don’t like you. So really, it can be a bit of a challenge to figure out why you got kicked off.
But the kind soul’s suggestion for improvement threw me- it wasn’t that I didn’t include the appropriate language or links or format, but rather that I didn’t include any information about myself, anything that would make it clear I was a real, live, local person and not just a robot somewhere.
Which makes sense, you know? Why would you read my blog if you don’t know who I am ?
So I will give it a try, open up, and be vulnerable- even if it doesn't come easy.
So, if you're interested you can check out the "About" section for a look into my mixed-up, wonderful, messy, complicated, grace-filled, Jesus-dependent life.
Thanks for stopping by : )
Because seriously, it was about time.
After more than two years and 200 posts- which just blows my mind since I still feel like a baby blogger- I was tired of looking at that dreary black background. At least now I know I am not inspired by dark and boring.
I thought for a while about whether I would keep this blog. After all, we aren't in Africa anymore- at least for now, anyway (more on that to come). And I do have another blog to keep up, which occupies much of my time already.
After thought and prayer, however, I realized I didn't want to sacrifice the outlet and relationships that this blog has sparked. It is more than it seems on the surface, which is what so many bloggers already know.
It's connection.
It's community.
It's memories.
It's having a voice.
But I needed some new inspiration. I decided a new look would be the way to go. Since I had just gotten my photography blog redesigned, I already knew a great designer. Tara of Our Princess in Pigtails Designs is wonderful to work with and beyond talented. If you are even considering thinking about maybe wanting to look at trying having your blog professionally designed, check her out. And, she is way affordable, which was huge to me. If I had found her sooner, I would have gotten this done ages ago.
As I’ve been looking at other blogs, trying to figure out what mine needs for the redesign (since I only get one shot at this or I have to pay more money : P ), I realized I have no “about me” section. It’s pretty much intentional, but possibly unacceptable. I am reminded of the fact that I want to read an “about me” section when I visit a blog. I mean, honestly, I don’t want to start reading posts every day, and develop a tight internet-bound relationship that I come to rely on, only to find out the author is some sort of animal sacrificer or dictator or supports dealing illicit drugs to pre-schoolers.
[Don't judge my dramatic and fanciful thinking. It could happen.]
I guess it’s a quality-control sort of thing.
The other day I was trying to post an ad on craigslist. Now, I had already posted this ad and it had run for a full 40 days or whatever the allotted time is before your post expires. So, I post the very same ad, and it got “flagged and removed.” Three times. Do you have any idea how frustrating that is? I did the same thing last time, SO WHY ARE YOU GIVING ME DIFFERENT RESULTS?????
??
Grrrr… I was feeling rather riled up about the whole thing, in case you didn’t catch that.
Anyway, I posted a question to a craigslist forum. Because you can’t just pick up the phone and call them or anything. No, when you have already failed miserably at posting on their technological venue, they want to make you do it again, just to really emphasize that you don’t know what you are doing.
But some kind soul (*bless their heart*) took pity on me and told me how it was. Apparently your post isn’t deleted by some sort of algorithm or anything. Instead, viewers flag it either for not following the rules or because they think it looks sketchy or like a scam or even because they just don’t like you. So really, it can be a bit of a challenge to figure out why you got kicked off.
But the kind soul’s suggestion for improvement threw me- it wasn’t that I didn’t include the appropriate language or links or format, but rather that I didn’t include any information about myself, anything that would make it clear I was a real, live, local person and not just a robot somewhere.
Which makes sense, you know? Why would you read my blog if you don’t know who I am ?
So I will give it a try, open up, and be vulnerable- even if it doesn't come easy.
So, if you're interested you can check out the "About" section for a look into my mixed-up, wonderful, messy, complicated, grace-filled, Jesus-dependent life.
Thanks for stopping by : )
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I Dare You Not To Cry
A video of one of our hometown heroes. So touching. A million thanks to those of you who sacrifice for our country's safety.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Prescription for Approval
I finally said no.
For those of you who don’t struggle with people-pleasing tendencies, this post might be difficult for you to understand.
For the rest of you, you know the gravity of this situation.
Because, for people-pleasers, saying no is a last resort. We will contort our schedule until it works, go without sleep until we’re ill, and nod and smile when someone asks us to be on yet another committee, all while freaking out inside because we can’t take on ONE. MORE. THING.
It sounds so ridiculous on paper (and it is).
But what we have to take into consideration is the payoff: the approval drug. Maybe it’s the firstborn in me, but there are just times when I crave it. Just today, I got a little rush when someone complimented me on my resume (which God has completely orchestrated, so it’s not even mine to take credit for!)
And seriously? This is the improved version of me, because now I do not need the approval of others 100% of the time. I’m down to like 80%, and only from people with whom I have relationships.
Like so many other things in life, it’s a journey. *sigh*
I am an are-we-there-yet? kind of girl. [We will have to attack that in another post.]
But I did it this time. In spite of a lot of anxiety, I said no. Not only that, but it was to a good opportunity- a wonderful, short-term, resume-building, financially-rewarding job. (Which is sounding better and better as I type, and making me second guess myself. But I will not). As good as this opportunity sounds, I need to simplify my life, not add stress to it. Let’s just say that self-care is not my strong point. [I’m not saying that in some sort of look-how-holy-I-am-I-don’t-even-have-time-to-care-for-myself sort of way. Rather, it’s evidence of how I have mismanaged my resources. As different people have been so faithful to point out to me lately (I’m listening, God), if I burnout or get sick from exhaustion or go insane, I won’t be as much help to others as if I make health a priority.]
I love this quote from D.L. Moody:
Aren’t those the most difficult decisions? Not between a good and a bad option, but rather two (seemingly) relatively equal options. To get a job or more education. To stay at home with your children or work outside the home. To have a baby or build your finances. To pay off debt or build your retirement fund. To teach Sunday school or be on the city council. To get another job to make more money, or to have a little more flexibility in your schedule.
Good options, all of them. My optimist husband would see these decisions as a blessing of abundant opportunities. I somehow end up cowering in the corner of my inner being, fearing I will make the “wrong” decision.
This time, I realized the particular project I said no to was in that latter category, at least for my life. It was not building toward my life goals and my current understanding of God’s will for my life, not going to be something that I would miss on my deathbed. I’ve only got one short time on earth, and I don’t want to waste a minute of it.
I am learning more and more that that means I will have to say no more often. If I am to be transformed and not conform, I have to go against the grain. I have to make difficult decisions, be willing to say no, sacrifice, and turn my back on what “makes sense” some of the time.
Last year I posted this question on my facebook status, and got quite a response.
My answer right now would have to be a recovering people pleaser, on the difficult-but-rewarding journey toward becoming a God-pleaser. One decision at a time.
For those of you who don’t struggle with people-pleasing tendencies, this post might be difficult for you to understand.
For the rest of you, you know the gravity of this situation.
Because, for people-pleasers, saying no is a last resort. We will contort our schedule until it works, go without sleep until we’re ill, and nod and smile when someone asks us to be on yet another committee, all while freaking out inside because we can’t take on ONE. MORE. THING.
It sounds so ridiculous on paper (and it is).
But what we have to take into consideration is the payoff: the approval drug. Maybe it’s the firstborn in me, but there are just times when I crave it. Just today, I got a little rush when someone complimented me on my resume (which God has completely orchestrated, so it’s not even mine to take credit for!)
And seriously? This is the improved version of me, because now I do not need the approval of others 100% of the time. I’m down to like 80%, and only from people with whom I have relationships.
Like so many other things in life, it’s a journey. *sigh*
I am an are-we-there-yet? kind of girl. [We will have to attack that in another post.]
But I did it this time. In spite of a lot of anxiety, I said no. Not only that, but it was to a good opportunity- a wonderful, short-term, resume-building, financially-rewarding job. (Which is sounding better and better as I type, and making me second guess myself. But I will not). As good as this opportunity sounds, I need to simplify my life, not add stress to it. Let’s just say that self-care is not my strong point. [I’m not saying that in some sort of look-how-holy-I-am-I-don’t-even-have-time-to-care-for-myself sort of way. Rather, it’s evidence of how I have mismanaged my resources. As different people have been so faithful to point out to me lately (I’m listening, God), if I burnout or get sick from exhaustion or go insane, I won’t be as much help to others as if I make health a priority.]
I love this quote from D.L. Moody:
“Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.”This quote reminds me that, just because I succeed at something and gain approval doesn't mean it is true success. We don't have time in this life to waste on okay activities that just fill our schedule. Every time we say yes to one thing we are saying no to another. So we weigh them, and try to find a balance.
Aren’t those the most difficult decisions? Not between a good and a bad option, but rather two (seemingly) relatively equal options. To get a job or more education. To stay at home with your children or work outside the home. To have a baby or build your finances. To pay off debt or build your retirement fund. To teach Sunday school or be on the city council. To get another job to make more money, or to have a little more flexibility in your schedule.
Good options, all of them. My optimist husband would see these decisions as a blessing of abundant opportunities. I somehow end up cowering in the corner of my inner being, fearing I will make the “wrong” decision.
This time, I realized the particular project I said no to was in that latter category, at least for my life. It was not building toward my life goals and my current understanding of God’s will for my life, not going to be something that I would miss on my deathbed. I’ve only got one short time on earth, and I don’t want to waste a minute of it.
I am learning more and more that that means I will have to say no more often. If I am to be transformed and not conform, I have to go against the grain. I have to make difficult decisions, be willing to say no, sacrifice, and turn my back on what “makes sense” some of the time.
Last year I posted this question on my facebook status, and got quite a response.
One cannot simultaneously be both a people-pleaser and a God-pleaser. Which are you?
My answer right now would have to be a recovering people pleaser, on the difficult-but-rewarding journey toward becoming a God-pleaser. One decision at a time.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Adoption
I want to definitely write more on adoption at another time, but my grad school homework is waiting :(
So, I just wanted to quick share some great links with you:
Here is the post that got me thinking about adoption this morning. Because honestly? Josh and I were already talking about it last night. (No news or anything, just praying about future plans!). What I love most about this post is that Kelly discusses the multifaceted and challenging nature of adoption. As a member of a family that adopted (x2)and fosters (x a lot), I will witness to this. Adoption is a calling. Make no mistake of that. The post also links to a discussion of how we might better support families who adopt- so important
So, I happened over to a link Kelly posted from a family that is currently going through the international adoption process. She is selling these cute and meaningful shirts. And I love a good tank top (so hard to come by these days if you want to leave anything to the imagination!).
Then I clicked on a few more links, and somehow ended up here. I promise I am not usually this much of a procrastinator, but anything for this cause ;) The shirts say "love is waiting," and even though I typically buy a lot of our clothes secondhand (because I'm really cheap), I couldn't see any reason not too. It is clear my money is not going to fund big business or to line the pockets of some rich guy. This is going towards uniting pieces of a family. I can't think of a better way to spend my money.
Well, I probably have already spent more time on this than I should have already...more on this later.
So, I just wanted to quick share some great links with you:
Here is the post that got me thinking about adoption this morning. Because honestly? Josh and I were already talking about it last night. (No news or anything, just praying about future plans!). What I love most about this post is that Kelly discusses the multifaceted and challenging nature of adoption. As a member of a family that adopted (x2)and fosters (x a lot), I will witness to this. Adoption is a calling. Make no mistake of that. The post also links to a discussion of how we might better support families who adopt- so important
So, I happened over to a link Kelly posted from a family that is currently going through the international adoption process. She is selling these cute and meaningful shirts. And I love a good tank top (so hard to come by these days if you want to leave anything to the imagination!).
Then I clicked on a few more links, and somehow ended up here. I promise I am not usually this much of a procrastinator, but anything for this cause ;) The shirts say "love is waiting," and even though I typically buy a lot of our clothes secondhand (because I'm really cheap), I couldn't see any reason not too. It is clear my money is not going to fund big business or to line the pockets of some rich guy. This is going towards uniting pieces of a family. I can't think of a better way to spend my money.
Well, I probably have already spent more time on this than I should have already...more on this later.
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