Adventures in Double Dating

A month ago Kaia and I had the chance to go on a double date with Jake and Rachel, some of our friends from church. Jake and I were working together for a little while at church and began talking about some fun things to do with our ladies. One of the things we came up with was to do a brewery tour. We all enjoy a good beer and there are a few breweries within driving distance of the Twin Cities.

The girls didn't know where we were going (even though Rachel guessed a lot and probably figured it out) and on the way down we needed some entertainment to pass the time. Naturally, I grabbed Jake's iPad and began reading from Treasure Island in the best pirate voice I could muster. It went a little something like this...

 

 

We got to New Ulm, MN and the August Schell Brewery and it was a beautiful day. The grounds were amazing and it was cool to see how the delicious beer we enjoy is made. My brother and I have been doing some home brewing and it was fun to see how the process works on a large scale. We ended the tour in the tap room and got to try a bunch of different kinds of Schell's beer. The beers were all so good, but our time with Jake and Rachel was even more fantastic.

We got to talk with them about relationships (since they are on a great journey) and got to get to know them both a little better. We had a great time with them. We are looking forward to the next time we get to hang out with them.

Who knew?

Who knew that keeping up on a blog would be so difficult. We've been idle for two months. Blog vomit coming soon...

Be Amazed

This has been on my brain for a while now and I have not taken the time to share anything about it. At the beginning of the year our church community had a night to consecrate 2012. We spent time in reflection about the Glory of God, in repentance, and in prayer for our spheres of influence. That night as I was taking communion, God quieted my mind and had me listen to the music that was playing. As I was listening to the words, I reflected on the fact that what was being said. The song that sticks out in my head is At the Cross by Hillsong. The lyrics go something like this:

Oh Lord You've searched me 
You know my way 
Even when I fail You 
I know You love me 

Your holy presence 
Surrounding me 
In every season 
I know You love me 
I know You love me 

At the cross I bow my knee 
Where Your blood was she'd for me 
There's no greater love than this 
You have overcome the grave 
Your glory fills the highest place 
What can separate me now 

You go before me 
You shield my way 
Your hand upholds me 
I know You love me 

You tore the veil 
You made a way 
When You said that it is done 

And when the earth fades 
Falls from my eyes 
And You stand before me 
I know You love me 
I know You love me

As I listened I realized how much of this I took for granted. The magnificence of God had become drab to me. I want to be amazed by God every day. I want to marvel at what he has done for me and not be able to contain the impact he has had on my life. That is my goal for the new year. I realize this is a little late in coming out, but better late than never.

Happy New Year

This has been a great six months. We have had a first six months of marriage and God continues to show himself in new ways as we continue to trust him and rely on his leading. As we begin the new year we have new ventures ahead. Kaia is beginning a new job in January. She had a great design show and got some great compliments on her work. She is starting with a company she has been freelancing with and will be heading up the design department, pretty awesome.

Steve is still waiting on the state of MN for his teaching license. Who would have thought this was such a long process. In the meantime he is working at the church doing custodial work. While it is not the ideal position, it is still something that is helping us make it along. He is looking forward to the time when he gets to be in the classroom working with students.

We are looking forward to everything that will happen in 2012. There will be a lot of exciting adventures we will go on (not sure what they are, but they'll be exciting) and we look forward to sharing them with all of you.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” Proverbs 27:23 


So, I have this problem with taking on more than I can handle, getting super stressed out and regretting the fact that I convinced myself to take on just "one more thing". These last few  weeks have been a blur and the next will be just the same. I've spent morning and night working on my portfolio trying to bring it to my standards. (which of course it will never reach... being a perfectionist gets in the way more often than anything). 


Sometimes I just have to remember to step back and remember that even when my life gets crazy and out of control, God calls me to have a well managed life... I pray that he can help me better manage the things in life that I CAN control and be better prepared for the things I cant.. 


Being stressed out does nothing for me but cause anxiety and makes me want to give up. 


"An overloaded life leads to meltdowns, but a well managed life leads to balance and peace"

vent.

It's been way too long, and I apologize for the not so joyful post this will be. I promise we will write more uplifting things next time. 




It seems rather difficult sometimes to follow where God leads. Not because I am lazy, not because I can't hear what He is telling me, and definitely not because I am rebellious and think my way is a better way. But what makes it most difficult is the people around us who think we are crazy for waiting on God's plan and not taking action ourselves. 


I feel like we are always being told what we should be doing, that we should be jumping at any given opportunity just because it is most convenient. Of course we want jobs, (or careers I should say) yes some doors crack open hear and there, but many times, the Lord shuts them pretty quickly while showing us a different way soon after. 


I am tired of feeling like I am being portrayed as lazy or not ambitious because I don't want just any job that is offered to me. I would like to think (and it would be awesome if other people thought) that I am better than that, that I have the skills to get me something better, that I am in the place where I could find a good career so that I don't have to succumb to another failing business just to get me through another couple months. 


I have just a couple weeks left of my final semester... I am exhausted, nervous but still excited to see what lies ahead. As I put together my portfolio I am overwhelmed with thoughts of where I could work, the options are really endless and I truly look forward to finding a job I love. I have zero desire to find a design "job"... I am ready for a career. I have worked for enough unstable businesses and am tired of not knowing when my next paycheck will come. 


If I need to find a "job" at a framing store or something while I wait for the right thing to come along I will. I know what I am capable of and I'm not going to settle for less.