Thursday, February 26, 2009

I wonder...

I'm in Australia... so will this post on Friday the 27th of February at 12:55pm

Or will it post to Minnesota time?

More to come.

Australia is amazing!

I'm addicted to their accent!

One more piece of bread

The Sunday before we left. Dad, Mom, Krista and I had communion together. I love doing that with our family! Most of the time we do it at Christmas and Easter. But how awesome to have a family that prays together and supports each other on more levels than just the tangible. Not that prayer isn't tangible - but it's not just being there for each other - in the same room. Laughing, Crying, Joking, together. But BEING there for each other when we are worlds away.

We had just finished lunch. And Dad "broke the bread" which was a cressent role... I don't know if he broke it this way on purposed. But I couldn't help but notice as he placed an extra piece of bread on the plate... that there was ONE left... I kept looking down at it thinking about Joel. Dad could have given us bigger pieces... but there was one left for Joel.

He wasn't in the room with us. But he is with us! He was there.

I love him and am excited for this time in his life! All of us kids are all now outside of the US. Mom wrote an email saying that it's strange she can't call ANY of us... we can only communicate through email.

But how awesome that there is something more that bonds us. We can support each other in prayer while we are away from each other! That is such a comforting and amazing thought!

I'm so thankful for our family and for that "one more piece of bread".

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Monday, February 16, 2009

Feel What You Feel

When You're Feeling It...

a friend told me this a long time ago - and the thought hasn't left me. I've given this advice to many people.

Today is a day that I don't want to feel what I'm feeling. but I'm here. And if I don't now - it will just be prolonged...

Sunday, February 15, 2009

love letter

I love you because of who you are - not because of what you do.

I love you because your character is strong and you fight for people who can't or won't fight for themselves.

I love you because you look for the best in all things.

I love you because you are beautiful on the inside and out.

I love you because you have a soft and teachable heart.

I love you because you are eager to learn and share with the people what you've learned.

I love you because you are kind.

I love you because you go out of your way for others' good.

I love you because you are quirky.

I love you more as you learn to love yourself more.

I love you because you are strong.

I love you because you are weak and not afraid to ask for help.

I love you because you have faith like a child - anything is possible!

I love you because you're not afraid to dream.

I love you because you see people for who they are.

I love you because you are not afraid to love and give everything.

I love you because you are empathetic - you feel FOR people.

I love you because you LEARN from your life experiences and grow.

I love you because you have an adventurous spirit.

I love you because you love people - with out reservation.

I love you for your desire to add to someones' life each day.

I love you because you love to entertain.

I love the person you have BECOME. You understand that your past doesn't determine your future. You can be the change you want to see in the world. You can and do impact people's lives.

I love you because you accept that wholeheartedly.

I LOVE YOU... just because.

Have I told you I love you lately? Cause I do.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Midnight Bowling

I love hanging out with my sister!

I look tan. I guess.

awkward.

Monday, February 9, 2009

FRUSTRATION

So WHY does Obama have to be on the ONE night I watch TV? I was looking forward to my Bachelor date with my sister!! No such luck. Hopefully he'll be off soon!

Nothing against Obama... Jason is just so cute!

Friday, February 6, 2009

I went in there...

A little while ago I wrote about my storage closet.

I was overwhelmed by it. I didn't want to deal with it. It would take too much time and energy to go through. I knew that I NEEDED things that were in there - but just did with out.

Not anymore. I stayed up until 2am. I bought storage bins and a book shelf. Things are up on the storage shelves. It's a work in progress - but at least it's in progress! It feels SO GOOD! It wasn't as scary as I thought.

The motivating factor was finding my passport. I need that to get my VISA to go to Australia... So I KNEW that I needed to clean until I found it!

Reminds me of life. That there are things that we NEED that are burried deep underneath our crap - it's not as scary once you start cleaning. It's the anticipation of cleaning that is scary. Once you get past that point it's not that bad!

I'm glad I've started cleaning! Both metaphorically and physically.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

the Switch

from DIM to OFF

is a nice switch. Unexpected already. but good.

Going to Australia!

February 24th - March 6th

SO EXCITED to help move my sister there!! I'm so glad I'm going at the beginning of her trip!

"We're going to Australia - We're going to Australia - I bought my ticket - I bought my ticket" little inside joke with my sis. I wrote a song for our trip!

I can't wait to go! 22 days! Lots to do before then!

It will be amazing! I haven't had a "non-working Vacay" in about 6 years - so it's about time!!