General

Unplug. Relax. Reflect.

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Take a break. Call a timeout. Recharge.

Read how Rob Bell, Bible Study Fellowship and a conversation called my name and gave me inspiration for my Wednesday Night Lenten message from earlier tonight here.

An excerpt from tonight’s message:

These three short paragraphs stopped me in my tracks, and I feel might also resonate with others as well. How many times do we go to bed at night thinking, “oh, I forgot to email so-and-so” or “I wish I had more time for – – -.”? Maybe you can’t even think of things like this because you are so exhausted from running around all day that as soon as your head hits the pillow you’re fast asleep. Or, do you ever feel like your to-do list is magically growing by itself? As soon as you check one thing off, three more are mysteriously added? Are you sitting here right now making a mental note of what you need to get at the grocery store later tonight or what you need to do tomorrow?

We all fill our time with something.

And whatever we don’t finish during the week, getting rolled into the weekends. Errands can fill our Saturdays and Sundays, and before we know it, the weekend is gone and it’s back to work or school on Monday.

Download the complete text here.

DRW: 24 Grille

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This week is Detroit Restaurant Week downtown. It's a glorious week where Metro Detroiters are able to enjoy a hearty three-course meal at 18 fine restaurants around the city for $28. This year's spring edition of Detroit Restaurant Week is the fourth time the promotion has been offered since the fall of 2009. Many cities have something simliar to this, and I definitely recommend you check it out where you live.

Tonight, I took advantage of the promotion to check out the Westin Book Cadillac's 24grille with Katie, Kathryn, and Rachel, a friend of theirs from Wayne State.

It was an excellent meal and evening with friends at the beautiful 24grille. This Friday we're heading to Coach Insignia, in the GM Renaissance Center.

Handmade

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I have rediscovered my love of handmade things, and Etsy has become my gateway drug.

I first heard about Etsy a few years ago and fell in love with the idea of a place online where artists and crafters could come together to share & sell their designs. It’s the perfect solution to the artist who wants to sell their work to an international audience. And for me, who is creative but lacking supplies, time or talent to do some of these things – it gives me the opportunity to still own a piece of work (and glean ideas for possible future projects).

A few weeks ago, while waiting for the three little girls at the bus stop, I made the fateful decision to check out what was new on Etsy and this is when it went downhill. While clicking through pages and pages of listings of photographs and jewelry, and everything in between, I discovered the Etsy Treasuries. In the treasuries, I found collection upon collection of the 16 newest, hippest, coolest listings created by other Etsy users. There were collections based on color themes, seasonal weather, locations, sports teams, and since our proximity to the holiday, many, many red-inspired Valentine’s Day gift items.

I was soon lost in the world of Etsy treasuries and quickly filling up my favorites lists.

The next day, again while waiting for the three little girls, I made the mistake of opening my Etsy tab and checking out the newest treasury listings. Before I realized it, I had three little girls chattering in the back seat of my car, reading the listings on my computer screen, and pointing to their favorite things. I had brought three new converts over to the wonderful world of Etsy. That afternoon, we tackled the homework, learned the spelling words and rewarded ourselves with new treasuries and creative ideas. The oldest and youngest quickly lost interest, but the middle stayed right on my lap, intently scanning each new page for her favorites.

Here are a few things that both Stella and I liked, from my very full favorites lists:

I definitely could do this – supplies: computer, design software, & a great printer or local print shop.

I didn’t even know you could sandblast text into stones or think a little bird could be so cute…

Silver earrings & ring, with a common heart theme for Valentine’s Day.

Handmade & hand printed journals & a print dripping with Michigan pride.

Want to see the listings for these items, and many more? Find them on my Etsy favorites.

25

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Today I turn 25. As I look back over the last year, I feel very fortunate and blessed for the experiences I had while I was 24. From leading a worship service at church, spending a week camping, three months in the Amazon jungle, becoming a LAM appointee, raising support to work in Peru, attending Detroit Tigers & Red Wings games (including my first Lions game!), becoming the Interim Student Ministries Director, taking care of three little girls after school, and many other things, it has been a great year.

As I enter into another year of life, I have many things to look forward to over the next 12 months, both here in Michigan and eventually, when I start working in Peru. So, to continue on with the fun, here are just a few things I want to do while I’m 25:

– Contribute/get published in a magazine or newspaper.
– Send “just because” packages to friends.
– Buy something off of Etsy.
– List some of my photographs on my Etsy store.
– For 1 week, go to bed at 8 and read until 10.
– Host a movie night.
– Visit a new state.
– Learn how to prepare more meals.
– Write letters to friends.
– Finally decide on a Masters program and apply for it.
– Watch 10 documentaries.
– Spend a weekend with Alma friends before moving to Peru.
– Read at least 12 books during the year.
– Rent a car and drive from Lima to Kusi through the Andes. (I’m not entirely sure this is possible, but I so want to do it!)
– Visit Puno & Lake Titicaca.

Here’s to another great year.

Advent+

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About a month ago, I was approached by our Senior Pastor who asked me if I would be interested in filling in for him on the Sunday after Christmas, allowing him & his wife to head out east to visit family for the Christmas season. After long consideration, I decided to take him up on the offer and was given the task of leading worship services on December 26th.

Weeks and weeks passed before I even had an idea of what to talk about. What is an appropriate topic for the day after Christmas? A message about the nativity could be seen as a day late, but despite that, it seemed like it needed to be seasonally appropriate. So after spending hours working my retail job and becoming tired of the Christmas, or I mean, holiday season, a light bulb turned on, and the idea of “Advent+” started to form. Using passages from Isaiah, 9:6-7 and chapter 12, I crafted my message into something I thought relevant to the season, and all year long.

Well, you’ll get the picture….

For those that prefer to read, here’s a copy of the text, including the Scripture passages.