[my journey]

The Vidler Experience

2009-03-08T15:53:00.002-04:00

Listen in on an interview I did with one of Bring Me Hope's most beloved families!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The tibits of a busy life :)

2009-02-19T21:07:00.006-05:00

Sorry that I have been somewhat absent from this blog lately! I've been busy...uh, "washing my hair" and such... ;)

In all reality, life has been rather full lately. I moved back to Pennsylvania (for those who are still wondering...It's been months home and yet I'm asked on a weekly basis where I am...lol.)

It's a season full of lots of different part-time things...I'm working at a preschool with kids who make life so much more enjoyable. Every day after working there, I'm full of funny stories. :)

When I'm not with those kiddos, I spend a lot of time babysitting 'my' neighborhood children. My block has so many families with young ones, and I feel like we're a great big family sometimes. :) When I walk my dog and the school bus is bringing everyone home, I hear lots of knocks on windows and see little hands waving from nearly every section of the bus. It's so sweet... :)

Photography is keeping me busy as well. It's been such a fun passion to pursue. Currently, I'm in the process of switching over this blog to another one more focused on photography. You can visit it here: http://www.kristenchasephotography.blogspot.com/

Also, I've been working part time for Bring Me Hope again...I couldn't stay away too long! haha It's been so fulfilling to keep my hands in the work they are doing for Chinese orphans, and it's a blessing to keep up with my goofy bunch of Californian friends. :)

Tomorrow is my birthday...Thank you Jesus for all the life and blessing you have given to me. At times it's been a rocky road, and other times I feel astonished that I get to live the life I live. It's all a journey I suppose... :)

Today I was mentioning to one of the children I babysit that tomorrow is my birthday. She thought for a minute then asked what year I was born. I told her, "1986." She said, "No Miss.Krissie...what YEAR were you born in? ... Like, 2001, 2003...?" I told her the year I was born in again and she just couldn't wrap her mind around that long ago! haha Oh well, it made me laugh even if I am getting older... ;)

All for now,
kc

I'm Moving Soon!

2009-02-04T15:20:00.002-05:00

...Come with me! :)

Stop to smile :)

2009-02-02T22:01:00.009-05:00

Febuary felt like Autumn today (though it's back to snowing as I write this :)

I took my girls out for a photo shoot this afternoon, and they did so great. Here are some pics from our session, and I'll put more on flickr soon.

Sam says it best

2009-02-01T17:18:00.003-05:00

This is by far the best quote on legalism that I have ever heard. It's a little lengthy, but take a minute to read it aloud and I trust it will encourage you. :)

"There are people, professing Christian people, who are determined to bring you under their religious thumb. They are bent on making you a slave of their conscience. They have built a tidy religious box, without biblical justification, and strive to stuff you inside and make you conform to it's dimensions. They are legalists, and their tools are guilt, fear, intimidation, and self-righteousness. They proclaim God's unconditional love for you, but insist on certain conditions before including you among the accepted, among the approved elite, among God's favored few.

"I'm not talking about people who insist you obey certain laws or moral rules in order to be saved. Such people aren't legalists. They are lost! They are easily identified and rebuffed. I'm talking about Christian legalists whose goal is to enforce conformity among other Christians in accordance with their personal preferences. These are life-style legalists. They threaten to rob you of joy and to squeeze the intimacy out of your relationship with Jesus. They may even lead you to doubt your salvation. They heap condemnation and contempt on your head so that your life is controlled and energized by fear rather than freedom and joy and delight in God.

"I suspect that some of you are...the victims of legalism. You live in fear of doing something that another Christian considers unholy, even though the Bible is silent on the subject. You are terrified of incurring their disapproval, disdain, and ultimate rejection. Worse still, you fear God's rejection for violating religious traditions or cultural norms that have no basis in Scripture but are prized by the legalist. You have been duped into believing that the slightest misstep or mistake will bring down God's disapproval and disgust.

"When you are around other Christians, whether in the church or at a home group or just hanging out, do you feel free? Does your spirit feel relaxed or oppressed? Do you sense their acceptance or condemnation? Do you feel judged, inadequate, inferior, guilty, immature, all because of your perceived failure to conform to what someone else regards as "holy"? Jesus wants to set you free from such bondage! As Paul said, "You were called to freedom!"
-Sam Storms

you can do anything! :)

2009-01-29T20:08:00.005-05:00

my computer has been telling me it feels very full lately, so i've been trying to move some old pictures onto disks. while working on that, i found some fantastic vids from a chinese acrobat show a group of us went to in Beijing, summer of 2007!

after watching this, just think...whatever it is in your life you feel like you can't do, you can! :)

Why Kids are often the Best of People...

2009-01-22T23:08:00.003-05:00

"Dear Kristen,

I love you to God and back!

Love, Abby" :)

winter wonderland

2009-01-20T21:52:00.006-05:00

Just a few shots from my photo shoots yesterday. Doesn't snow make winter amazing?!

More photos are on my flickr site, and please let me know if you're interested in a personal session! Don't be intimidated by the cold! Children are precious all times of year. ;)

Putting Away the Calendar

2009-01-19T22:09:00.004-05:00

What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?... Check the clock? Pull the covers over your head and want to go back to sleep? Start thinking of your agenda for the day?

If you're like me, maybe it's all of the above. Yet often it's my list of to-do's that finally motivates me to get out of bed. ;)

Today I was thinking a lot about how planning obsessed I can be...And what for?? Really, stop and think about it. Why in the world do we worry and whine about if this or that will work out in our lives?

I definitely feel in a time of transition, more than I would prefer or consider to be comfortable. I have a lot of prayers about my future being offered up to God, and I'm trying to do my part to be diligent in pursing what opportunities this big bad world might have for me. But with that said, I want to get back to living for the day. It's what Jesus would want too...

And there are so many blessings that each day holds. To get in the spirit of my renewed mindset, here are some of the best things about today: Doing a Photo Shoot for some friends in the snow, Taking a walk with my dog and my neighbor's little boy, Having some nice talks and meals with Mom on our day off, and Chatting with a long distance friend on the phone. Good thing tomorrow is a new day full of new memories!!!

Chains be Broken. Lives be Healed. Eyes be Opened. Christ is Revealed.

"I have decided, I have resolved to wait upon the Lord. My Rock and Redeemer, Shield and Reward. I wait upon You Lord. As surely as the sun will rise, You will come to us. As certain as the dawn appears, You'll come..." ~Hillsong

[ Special Moments, Lasting Memories ]

2009-01-12T21:55:00.013-05:00

Christmas in California

2009-01-09T19:14:00.014-05:00

It took 5 long days to get out of Chicago to San Diego. But the way I look at it, a travel situation like that will probably (aka "hopefully") never happen again... And, I was able to get a nice reimbursement for my airplane ticket. Sweeet! Thank you Jesus!

As for California, wow, I don't know where to begin...

My week and a half spent there was so full and packed, in the best possible way. Looking back, I'm not sure how I kept going at such a busy pace, but I'm glad I did because now I'm home with loads of new memories...

Some highlights from the trip...

* Being reunited with so many dear friends on New Year's Eve * Meeting new friends from all over the states and Canada * Our winter retreat in the breath-taking mountains (at 6,000 ft!) * Times of worship together * Dancing! Lots of dancing... :) * Good conversations by the fire * Laughing very hard with friends * California Sunshine * Making snowmen and having snowball fights in the mountains * Knowing I will see my beautiful friends again *

Ironies of all ironies, my flight from San Diego to Philadelphia was cancelled on Wednesday morning. That's where my amazing Dad who works in the airline industry comes in yet again. He got me on another flight safe and sound. Love you Daddy! ;)

It's supposed to snow here tomorrow. I just bought a used pair of Columbia snow pants today for 7 bucks, and I'm looking forward to using them. But I'm sure I'll be thinking of my friends I spent these last few weeks with and our time together. I'll admit it's really hard adjusting to not being around so many people. I can't wait for heaven. :)

Love you all,
kristen

I Promise

2009-01-08T15:00:00.001-05:00

...to update soon. And by soon, I mean by today or tomorrow. ;) Life has been a little busy.

Until then,
k

Surprise 5 Day Trip to Chicago

2008-12-29T19:27:00.023-05:00

My oh my, life is a wild ride!!

I left my house in Pennsylvania on Friday morning with a simple plan: Take a short flight to Chicago, have a 2 hour layover, then fly to San Diego for 2 weeks of fun, friends, and sun.

Instead, today is my fourth day straight in the Windy City. And it actually began in misery...

When I arrived Chicago, I went to the gate where I would catch my next flight to San Diego. The airport was so crowded, and I was anticipating separating myself from the massive groups of people around me. 1 hour later they announced a delay, and all went down hill from there. The delay for my flight grew longer, and the Chicago sun was setting. Then, the worst news came: my flight was cancelled. I was struck with panic.

After waiting in long lines to get re-booked on another flight and a failed attempt to pick up my checked bag along with the crowd of hundreds, I found myself lying uncomfortably on an airport cot eagerly awaiting the morning when I could leave the airport. But unfortunately, my next flight canceled as well. My heart dropped.

The insane crowd, news cameras,and pessimistic flight schedules on the boards made me want to give up. I decided to call my friend Bonnie who lives in Chicago. If I didn't reach her,I was ready to make myself comfy in a hotel room for a while...anything to get out of the airport.

In an amazing act of kindness, Bonnie answered her phone(in the very am on a Saturday morning) and picked me up at the airport. I have been staying with her and her family until I leave on my re-booked flight to San Diego tomorrow.

My friends have shown me such kindness. They are AMAZING! And our time seeing Chicago has been so FUN! (This city was on the top of my "to visit" list!) God is so good. Who knew this situation would turn out to be filled with such great memories?!

Bonnie and I visiting "The Bean"...It's one of the coolest things ever!! :D

Full shot of the bean!

We walked to the Sear's Tower (one of the tallest buildings in the world!)It was soo cold that we were laughing so hard because we were so numb!

You can see the train on stilts...one of my favorite things about this city :)

Here's the Griff man!! He really likes to eat and cuddle...and watch TV...:)

Bonnie and I took a little ride on the Train on stilts today...We saw some really pretty sites, but Bonnie's was by far the new Trump Tower(Back Left)...You can ask her about it someday if you'd like. I'm sure she won't get tired of talking about it.;)

"We were bad...like P-H-A-T." -Anonymous (aka Bonnie)

One last funny conversation...

Bonnie: You know, Picasso made that statue right there. Gary, can you look up that statue that Picasso made?
Gary: Sure...
(Meanwhile)
(Speaking like art afficiandos) Kristen: Where is Picasso from? Isn't he from Italy? (Kind of arrogantly) That's just a guess...
Bonnie: Yeah, I think he was Italian, so he probably lived in Italy...
Gary: PABLO Picasso was born in Spain. He was SPANISH...PABLO! It wasn't "Tony Picasso"...It was PABLO.

.......Five minutes later after we're laughing about the previous conversation.......

Gary (on his laptop): ...HOLY COW, that thing weighs more than THE BEAN!!!

......From a previous conversation three days ago.....

Gary (still on his laptop): Yeah...Bon Jovi is from New Jersey...(sigh...)
(long pause)Hum...Bob Saget is from Philadelphia!....And Joey Laurence, Kevin Bacon, Peter Boyle........AND TELLER!!

(PS) The Bean = 110 (short) tons!
Picasso's Mystery Statue in front of ultra-large Chicago Christmas tree and where Rob Blagojevich is going to be tried = 162 tons!

(PSS) On this trip, I have seen more (lookalike) celebrities than ever before. Just imagine...The Olsen Twin's Sister ( I don't really know what she looks like, but if they had a sister, this is what she'd look like)...Orlando Bloom...John Mayer...and Rick Steves (from PBS Travel Show). Bonnie wanted to have a special dinner and invite all my friends. ;)

'Ello again... :)

2008-12-25T20:51:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope today was really special for you all. :)

It has been a relaxing day here at our house. Besides having yummy meals together and giving each other some special gifts, the highlight of the day was taking our dog over to a nearby nursing home to visit the patients there. My Dad organized our time there, and it was such a great memory. Seems like what Christmas should be about; loving one another.

Well, the good news is that I'm headed out to CA in tomorrow morn. :) The bad news is...I just began packing about an hour ago. Christmas is just too busy of a time to think of much else! haha

I'm really anticipating my time out there...good friends, the beach, time away at a retreat, warm(er) weather...what could be better before starting a new year? I smiled when I saw these perdictions on weather.com:

Tue, Dec 30 - Mostly Sunny, 70°
Wed, Dec 31 - Mostly Sunny, 70°
Thu, Jan 1 - Mostly Sunny, 70°
Fri, Jan 2 -Mostly Sunny, 70°

As strange as it sounds, I look forward to some undivided time on the airplane to catch up on journaling and reading... :)Please pray for safe travels.

Anyhow, hope you have a great time between Christmas and New Years!

All the best,
Kristen

Just Because I Can't Forget...

2008-12-04T22:42:00.002-05:00

I can't tell you how great it is to be home in Pennsylvania. Spending time with kids in my preschool class or in my neighborhood brings so much life into my world!

But I'll never forget China, the people I love there, and my friends who continue to help the cause. Please don't be done using me there Lord...

Few have said it better...

2008-12-02T22:26:00.003-05:00

"Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer."

2008-11-24T21:06:00.002-05:00

What A SURPRISE!

2008-11-21T16:20:00.006-05:00

Good Morning Snow!! ...In November?! :D

Yesterday we were graced with snow flurries, and the 2 year olds in my preschool class couldn't be happier. Little did we know what we would wake up to this morning!

A few friends and I had plans to go to Lancaster for a nice breakfast this morning, yet we improvised after it took us a few hours to get to West Chester alone! That's not even mentioning all the slipping, sliding, usage of the emergency break, and all the other exciting driving adventures this morning.

Thank goodness we were all safe, and we ended up having a good time at the West Chester Diner. And though I didn't spend time with my preschool class today, I can just image how they must have run around all day saying, "It's SNOWING!!!" :D

Up Up and Away!

2008-11-16T21:28:00.005-05:00

This here is my "pseudo sister," Mia. She is 10 now, but in this picture she was about 4 years old and we were spending the day at a fair together.

As we stood watching some kids rock climb, I noticed that the balloon tied to Mia's small wrist made her arm float up! I giggled, and asked Mia about it. She smiled sheepishly and consciously put her arm down. We continued watching the rock climbers, and as M concentrated on the kids, up went her arm again!

It had to be one of the cutest things ever, and this is definitely one of my favorite pictures of all time. :)

I Have Decided...

2008-11-05T16:26:00.005-05:00

...There are many ways I can finish this phrase...

I Have Decided...

..."To become an astronaut." :)
Which is not true, but it sure lightens up a conversation when people ask me what I want to do next in life.

..."To get rid of my Facebook account." Which is true. After a few months of using it, I couldn't find much uplifting or encouraging about it, but only a tendency to compare. So, I chucked it, and am glad I did. :)

..."That I am going to be updating this blog less now." This was my original "I Have decided" statement (but I got sidetracked, haha.) Anyhow, truth be told, now that I'm home in PA, I don't feel the same urgency to try and stay connected with my friends and supporters about what I'm up to or where I am like I have this past year. Hopefully my relationships here can be more face to face (or at least phone to phone or email to email) now that I have a bit more time on my hands and am not as mobile as I was before.

I do plan to post updates, stories, pictures, and videos every so often (as I'm always surprised when someone new tells me they read my blog,) but I'm also going to be focusing more on my photography page, which you can access by clicking on the photo at the top left of this page. :)

I trust you understand why I'll be on blogspot a little less these upcoming days, and I have appreciated your support and comments so much, especially when I was overseas!! :)

Now, last but not least, I want to leave you with this really adorable video that I think represents relationships pretty candidly (and accurately, depending on the day, ha! :)

Enjoy the blustry day (if you're on the east coast!!)

Love,
kristen

driving to fifth and japip...

2008-10-29T19:44:00.013-04:00

This past weekend, I took a trip to a place that I'm pretty sure is uncharted territory to many. I say that because the end of our directions were as follows:

"Turn left at the first paved road...Then turn right on the third dirt road at the top of the mountain...they'll be a big tree there..."

It was so refreshing to be "in the middle of nowhere" for a couple of days. Autumn was at it's prettiest, and it was so fun to spend time with my friends Ali and Sue. We did lots of "she-man" things like hiking, but also took full advantage of our girl time to catch up, cook, and listen and dance to lots of music. :)

This is the cabin where we stayed. It was nice and toasty inside...so warm!! :)

Sue, me, and Ali

Pretty colors and textures on our hike...

Just glorious!!

What hit me most during our trip was how creation displays God's beauty and glory, no matter if people there are to enjoy it or not. He "just is." Sooo cool!! :D

Gotta go watch them Philly's win tonight!!
~k.

Kids are Kids Everywhere...!!

2008-10-23T22:54:00.006-04:00

Lately I've been sorting through some of my older pictures & videos, and I came across these two cute videos from a Germany trip I took in 2006. They made me realize that kids will be kids just about anywhere!! :)

My friend's beautiful girls, Anna & Lena, on a walk through Nurenburg!

I wish I had the spunk to do what she does...

Have a great day all!

Love, k.

Fall Photography

2008-10-21T12:16:00.009-04:00

Some photography of mine from the past few weeks...The fall is AMAZING! I've had so much fun shooting lately!!

"You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello"

2008-10-15T15:26:00.012-04:00

Here are a few shots in CA before I went on the big airplane back home.

First off, I just have to say it's truly amazing what you can get your friends to do when they know you're leaving!! (Aka, first and last puppet party ever... ;)

Saying goodbye to Stephanie, my co-Phil Wickham fan, amongst many other things...The girl just had her appendix out here! She's a trooper...and a good dancer. ;)

Liberty and Whitney, 2 of the 8 Dickinsons...Amazing girls!!

The one and only Samuel Bower...He's also a very talented dancer and likes to scare girls while watching freaky movies like Alfred Hitchcock's "Phsyco"...

Haha, I'm convinced there's no one in the world quite like my friend Jason...He risked his life in China for a few of us girls trying to cook us popcorn...True friendship!

My Emy!! We have been "roomies" for the past year, and into China! I lived with her very kind family for a year while being in SD, then we (along with Katie, Jamie, and Cathy) lived together in China. She's so spunky and cool, don't you just want to be as cool as she is?!

Mike being a human surf board for Austy. Gotta start 'em young in Cali... ;)

We all played an amazing game of Hide and Seek!! (I can proudly show you my humongous battle scar on my leg!) Anyway, Austin finally found Mike and Jason in the closet, haha...

"Life is a journey, not a destination..." I'm loving this journey, and I love all of you!!

Footprints That Lead to "DOOM!"

2008-10-13T22:15:00.011-04:00

The day couldn't have been more beautiful. My friend Suzanne and I were taking a long walk around Ridley Creek State Park, catching up about life. But it seemed that we couldn't get very far into our conversation without being side-tracked onto how AMAZING the day was!!

Humongous trees canopied over us. Soft wind blew colorful leaves off of their branches onto the path. A calm brook danced through the forest. The air was fresh and hinted of smoke from a nearby fireplace. Fathers and sons were fishing together, and friends were laughing as they walked along. It was a taste of heaven.

About three-fourths of the way on our walk, Suzanne and I spotted some painted footprints on our path, leading us to a plaque nearby. It was one of those signs that you normally never would actually stop to read, but because we thought the footprints were so obscure, our curiosity led us to play the tourist. ;)

We couldn't help ourselves from laughing as we read the two paragraphs before us...It (very dramatically) explained how local deer had decided to eat up the plant life, and it called us to "notice the dying vegetation."

How strange to draw our attention away from the astounding beauty around us to the one small spot of dying plants!! We realized how we can be like that in life...We can be surrounded with blessings and beauty, and yet we focus on the one hard thing going on. That really caught my attention, and has changed my perspective lately. Just thought I'd share. ;)

Love,
k

PS I'm watching this show on TLC about a family who has 18 children! Anyone ever seen it? God bless 'em!!

"I Ate Too Much EVERYTHING!!"

2008-10-04T21:27:00.007-04:00

Tonight I am babysitting for three girls, two of which are already asleep. I just peaked my head in the 5 year olds room, who I heard was still awake. There sat the blond hair blue eyed little one focusing on some coloring in bed.

"Honey, it's great that you're in bed right now, but please try to stay in bed, ok? I've heard you get out a handful of times" I said to her.
She acknowledged what I said and then replied, "Krissie, I kind of have a tummy ache."
I could tell her from her half smile it wasn't anything serious.

"I think you had too much popcorn earlier," I said with a wink.
Then very candidly she replied, "I think I ate too much of everything earlier..." slightly rolling her eyes.

Her comment made me laugh, and I just feel thankful for the funny comments and moments that happen in something as simple as watching your neighbor's kids... ;)

An Attack on the Plane...

2008-10-02T23:26:00.004-04:00

The attack came suddenly on the plane to Philadelphia last night. About an hour and a half from landing, he made me feel frozen in fear. My quiet thoughts were suddenly interrupted with doubts of varying kinds.

"Your life looks different than so many people you know. You'll never fit in again here..."

My heart dropped, and it wasn't because of turbulence.

I let my enemy feed my mind with lies for a few minutes. Then, I decided to shut him up.

"Romans 8:28 says that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. And in John 10 it says that God's sheep hear His voice, and He calls them by name and leads them. I gotta believe that right now..."

As I had prayed about what to do as my internship with Bring Me Hope wrapped up, I had sensed God slightly nudging me to move back home to PA for a little while. There are practical reasons that backed that decision up, but mostly, I felt more at peace about it.

So here I am, back in my warm cozy home on a chilly October. I haven't woken up this cold in a while, which made me realize how much self-discipline it will take to get out from under my warm covers every morning. ;)

And so much is unknown right now. But I was so encouraged by what I read in Revelation this morning about my wonderful Father...

"The son of man was clothed in a long robe with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand He held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength."

So I may not know what every day holds, but it comforts me to know God holds it...

~kristen

Spring vs. Fall...Anyone??

2008-09-26T18:11:00.004-04:00

you know you're in southern california when your friend turns to you and genuinely asks,

"is it fall right now? i've always gotten spring and fall confused..." LOL! :D

vicky beeching - "join the song"

2008-09-22T02:13:00.004-04:00

i heard a cover of the doxology tonight by vicky beeching, and it's funny how old words seem new when they're sung to a different melody! i'd recommend listening to the song if you've got time. :)

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below;
to Him all the glory belongs.
Praise Him above the heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Let all the earth sing along..."

nighty night!
kc

too comfortable...?

2008-09-15T16:24:00.004-04:00

hey there,

how's life going for all of you?

i feel like my life has been very comfortable lately! it's wonderful to enjoy the blessings that God is so kind to give me. blessings like friends, perfect weather, and yogurt palace...the world's best frozen yogurt place that just happens to be in Fallbrook, CA haha ;)

in all seriousness, it's hard sometimes not to feel bad about being so comfortable. i think of some of my heroes in the faith who live such tough lives. people who live in huts in the jungle just to share Christ with others. i respect people like that so much, and it makes little sense to me why i am able to enjoy so much right now.

i almost have the mentality that the more uncomfortable i feel, the more like Christ i'm being because if i'm uncomfortable, it means i'm giving something up for Him. yet i don't think that mentality is universally true. i think it can bring God just as much glory when we are so thankful for what gifts He has brought into our lives.

so that made what my friend told me the other day ring true. she was encouraging me to enjoy and rest in what blessings God has brought into my life right now. she's right that we never know what tomorrow brings, so it's fine to delight in what joys today brings... :)

anyhow, i'm working on the camp newsletter from our time in China! it's been so fun to sort through pictures and hear people's stories from camp...what a treasure this summer was!!

all for now,
kc

a child of weakness

2008-09-08T13:48:00.005-04:00

"I hear my Savior say, 'thy strength indeed is small. Child of weakness, watch and pray, find in Me thy all in all."

It encouraged me so much to sing the verse of this song yesterday at church. Sometimes I put pressure on myself to do more than God asks me to. Yet He calls me to come to Him and watch Him work.

I was talking about this with some girls after the service and one of my friends reminded me of how in Isaiah it talks about God accomplishing things in our weakness so we can say at the end, "The Lord has done it!" It's just so great that God doesn't wait for us to get over our short-comings, but that He works though us despite of them...That truth encourages me so much today!! :)

the beach with my cousins :)

2008-09-03T17:53:00.012-04:00

i spent some time at sea isle, nj with my family before heading back to san diego. man, my little cousins are so cute!!

the kids were miffed why no one was on the beach at dusk and came to the conclusion that "the beach was closed."

Sisters!!
Maddie taking a sippy -cup break...
Cute little Owen. :)
Livy lookin' cute...
sand angels...miss.blue eyes
Owen and Liv at the Cape May Zoo

i see you!!
Maddie really loved that corn!! She had about 4 corn on the cobs that night! haha
sweet summer times...

2008-08-31T16:19:00.004-04:00

I think I have a small addiction....

...to coffee! haha I found all these gift cards in my wallet today...scary, huh?

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day tomorrow! Please be praying for my trip back to Cali! Thanks!!

~k

Learning from the "unreal," living in the "real"

2008-08-29T11:35:00.005-04:00

"The most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the smug satisfaction of an experience to which he can refer back, but who is not working it out in practical life. The experience must be so genuine that it is shown in life..." ~Oswald Chambers

This quote really sums up what I've been thinking about and trying to live since I have gotten home from China two weeks ago.

Our time in Nanchang this summer was so precious. It felt almost surreal to see God's hand work in such varied ways each and every day. Some days I saw the Lord work by opening the kids hearts and letting them feel loved. Other days it was having conversations with our translators who were so hungry to know about Jesus. And sometimes it was my friends and I being changed...watching God mold us to be more like Him. It was one of those summers you can't believe you actually get to live...

Now, I'm trying to carry those "unreal" experiences into my "real" life...I want the faith God grew in my heart in China to carry over to who I am now in America. That's not always easy...

To be honest, the process to understand and embrace everything that happened this summer is a slow one (which is why I have yet to email my supporters since I've gotten home!) I was at the beach for the past few days where God started opening my heart to really think and journal and pray about all that has happened...I've still got a lot to hear from Him about, but, it's a start! A really great start! :)

I'm going to enjoy a few more days of vacation at home until I head back to CA to work on some post-camp projects. But until then...cookie making and a movie is on the agenda this afternoon!!! Can't wait!! :)

Jesus Action Figures and "The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog"

2008-08-21T16:38:00.008-04:00

I spent some time with my girls today (I've known them since they were little), and we found some fun things in Borders...

"With posable arms and gliding action!" What the heck?! haha

Mia reading "The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!" So funny! :)

comfy home

2008-08-18T20:32:00.002-04:00

i'm home in PA. life is comfy...really comfy.

i love feeling the night breeze through my window every time my head hits my pillow.

i walked into wawa today and froze as i realized it's been months since i've been in one! talk about monumental occasions! (back me up on this one east coasters, haha)

i had lunch with mom at panera bread...yum, so good!

and i just realized everything i said started with "i."

being home is great. but God, help me be others focused here in my quiet home town just as much as i am in remote parts of China with orphans...friends, please be praying that for me as well.

Hey From Debriefing Part 2 :)

2008-08-12T20:58:00.002-04:00

Hey all! Here are some more photos from the last few days...

My awesome roomies!!

Lucia, Martha, and I hanging out in the city after our last staff dinner.

Mark found his true love...

People watching the Olympics on TV in Nanchang, China. This was a China vs. Canada soccer match I think.

Joey and the little Aussies runnin' around the airport. :)

Heading out of Nanchang to our debriefing...I just love this city.

Heading to our mystery location...isn't this just gorgeous?

hehehe...

Where we're spending the last few days of the summer...God's creation is so beautiful!!

Well, I guess I should get ready for the day...I hope you're all doing well! And hopefully I'll see many of you soon!

Love,
k

Hey from Debriefing!

2008-08-12T01:00:00.001-04:00

We had our very last day of camp on Friday. All of Thursday when we went to the pool, ate together, or sang with the kids, we couldn't help but think, "this is our last time doing this for the summer." It was bitter-sweet.

This summer has been so blessed; God is has been so good to us, giving us strength when we needed it and flooding us with joyful memories. The children who came through our doors are such precious people, and it was an honor to spend time with them. I know healing happened. It's never complete in 5 days, but it's a beginning, or an end...we'll never know. We just hear small things like, "I don't have a family, but it is enough that I have you." Things like that nearly make me speechless.

And another thing that often makes me speechless is the friends I've spent this summer with. They are some of my favorite people on the planet!! Maybe these photos will help explain why... :)

Rocking out to this Chinese pop song they play everywhere here...it's really catchy! haha

When we run out of ideas to entertain the kids, Jason just dances...

Some of the girls had a sleepover in our room one of the last nights of camp, so fun!

More pictures soon, I promise. I just wanna get some shut-eye before the sun comes up, haha.
Nighty night!
~kristen

The best day of my whole summer...

2008-08-06T22:07:00.008-04:00

I have to say, yesterday was the best day of my whole summer. I had the most wonderful time with a 17 year old girl named Summer. We swam together, danced and sang together...she taught me some more Chinese, and we hung out in her room making bracelets before bedtime. (This morning I went back to my room after our team meeting, and I found breakfast by my door with little flower notes that had little messages written on them to me. My favorite one said, "Ting's breakfast" (Kai Ting is my Chinese name.) So sweet...

Also, last night we had another great night playing games and dancing (one of our favorite times of the day)...One little 6 year old girl with Downs Syndrome stole the show! She danced on the stage doing all sorts of moves, and by the end of the night, she had everyone copying her! It was so precious!

Letter 2 to my supporters and friends...(written last week ;)

2008-08-05T04:14:00.001-04:00

July 30, 2008

Hey Everybody,

I don’t know how, but I’ve found a quiet moment and I’m so excited to take hold of it to write you all. So here I am, comfy in bed, listening to the new Coldplay album and wishing the big gray clouds outside my bedroom window would finally explode with rain…

This week has seemed really different to me than the past 2 weeks of camp. I think one big reason is that we have changed some things around to accommodate nearly twice the number of volunteers as before. Most of the volunteers this week are Canadians, so we’re all trying to understand the language barriers between us, like how to properly say “badminton.” And our staff learned the Canadian National Anthem to help bridge the cultural gap, haha. It’s been fun.

This morning I helped some of the orphans make calls to their Australian and American Sponsors who have funded their time at camp. I couldn’t tell you how much it affected the sponsors to hear from the kids here...one lady was even tearing up just hearing one of the kids talk about how much he loved camp.

It’s really amazing to see how everyone plays a different role in making camp happen…People who sponsor camp make it financially possible for all of this to happen, international volunteers dedicate their time to creating relationships with the orphans, translators make communication possible, and all of you, who are the reason that I am here…

The last month in Nanchang has been so rich for me. I’ve had a great time having two orphan buddies I looked after during the first week of camp. And even though I still make it a priority to spend time with the children, my role has shifted to be more administrative lately. I work at gathering the photos and stories necessary to communicate camp back to the States, Australia, and beyond. I do enjoy that, but I also like helping people get messy in the craft room too. J

Anyhow, please keep us in your prayers. We want to finish camp well, despite fatigue and being bothered with small health issues like colds, etc. Pray that we would continue to be strong and united as a staff team, that our love for one another would only grow as camp continues. And please lift up the volunteers, translators, and children here, that their hearts would be both broken and mended with love and kindness this week.

Thank you a million,

kristen

“I want to serve you my God, I want to give you everything. Here I am with my arms open wide asking for you Lord to come inside. Won’t You make me new, won’t You make me true, Jesus won’t you make me like You? Touch my eyes so I can see. Touch my ears so I can hear. Touch my mind so I can know. Touch my heart so I can love You more.” –Shawn MacDonald

memories, memories :)

2008-08-02T00:47:00.013-04:00

A beautiful baby in foster care. I met her dropping off one of the kids from camp...I just love her smile!!! :)

Dropping off a camper at her foster home.

Goodbye's are never easy.

Before leaving...

Our staff singing the Candian National Anthem to the Candanian Volunteers...

Look at the beautiful rain!!

Looking at Rose's pretty bracelets :)

Hanging out inside on a rainy day!

Everybody singing 'I'm a little teapot' :)

Happy Birthday Mark!!!

My roommate Katie coming back from Walmart!

Jamie, sporting her new shades and uh...soap. ;)

all for now!!

hugs from nanchang,

it's raining, it's pouring... :D

2008-07-30T05:15:00.004-04:00

it has been raining off and on all day today...it's beautiful. :)

the kids are doing just fine adjusting to not going to the pool this morning. (the problem of keeping people out of the rain lies mostly in the adults here, haha.) anyway, instead of swimming, we threw together a morning assembly and some craft ideas. our kiddos are decked out in beaded bracelets, fun hair-dos, and decorated visors...they just couldn't be cuter!

we've got about an hour and a half until dinner...everybody is chilling out. a few of my friends and their buddies are lounging next to me on some beds watching "the bee movie" in chinese...i might go downstairs and finish some coloring with some of the little ones...

if only every day were this relaxed... ;)

snapshots of camp :)

2008-07-26T00:30:00.008-04:00

c'mon, how cute are our kids??

thomas (resident austrailian cuteness and fried chicken lover) playing chinese checkers :)

clark getting his translator certificate...amazingness!

team meeting...i love these people

my family group from week 1...
wanda...who i'm convinced is one of the cutest kids on the planet

a story about wanda from my journal...

“There’s a little nine year old girl with cerebral palsy here named Wanda. She is probably the cutest kid I have ever seen…ever. She is so precious and her smile is magical. The other night I was helping her balance on a chair during assembly, and she looked like she was going to burst with JOY! She turned to Vincent and said, “Gege (big brother), I have never played this happily before!” It was amazing.

Last night I watched Wanda while the translators had their meeting. As the movie played, she complied as I cradled her mellow body in my arms. I rocked at patted her. I felt her body become heavier, and I knew it wasn’t long before she would be asleep. She slept in my arms for about an hour, and I was so thankful to God that He created this precious treasure, and that I was able to spend time with her. Eventually something woke her up, and she looked up at me confused. Haylee (another girl at camp) got a marker and paper for Wanda to color. She sat up and eagerly took the marker in her left hand and began to draw. I watched her tightened muscles try to cooperate with her mind as she tried to stay within the lines. The fact that this angel was crippled broke my heart. My eyes welled with tears that I convinced myself to not let out.

I see such pain here, yet such beauty too. Wanda is a precious picture of those two things combined. She’s a treasure that I’m so glad is in my life…”

saying goodbye to my girls today

2008-07-18T09:03:00.000-04:00

poor dani

2008-07-18T09:02:00.001-04:00

rose and james hoping not to get wet :)

2008-07-18T09:02:00.000-04:00

joey running away!

2008-07-18T09:01:00.000-04:00

water fun :)

2008-07-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

water fight time!

2008-07-18T08:59:00.001-04:00

outside our hotel

2008-07-18T08:45:00.000-04:00

you know you're at bmh camp when...

2008-07-16T05:36:00.002-04:00

-you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow...any time of day ;)
-you give and get lots of hugs every day
-you are decorated with handmade jewelry and beads
-you feel sweaty most of the time
-you hear very touching stories of kids around you living hard lives
-you spend as much time speaking in Chinese as you do speaking in English
-your heart breaks when you see how skinny some of the children are because they are only allotted a certain amount of meat each week.
-you feel God's grace in very real weakness. :)

love to you all...

hopefully i'll get some photos up soon...

k

wow...

2008-07-11T22:20:00.003-04:00

here are things i'm wowed about at the moment...

-the Lord's creation around us is absolutely beautiful!
-our staff team is amazing and already feels like a big family
-God is taking me really deep already...so much heart work...
-time with the Chinese translators has been a huge blessing
-our meetings together to prep for camp have been so thought-provoking and encouraging
-we went white water rafting yesterday as team building with bamboo sticks as paddles!
-God is so amazing and i can't thank Him enough!

gotta run but keep us in your pr*yers!!

love,
k

we're Nanchangin' it! ;)

2008-07-04T02:45:00.004-04:00

our staff team arrived in China yesterday morning, and our time here has already been so precious!!

i just love being in nanchang...it feels like such a honor to be serving here this summer. life feels so rich and blessed...

this is my 4th time to China, and i'd have to say that this trip already feels different than my previous ones. being here certainly feels special and different, but i feel like i know what to expect and a lot of what was facinating to me on my first trip doesn't take me by surprise anymore. it's kind of cool actually, to feel so aclimated to this culture. :)

one highlight of our trip so far has been getting to know one of the Chinese college students named Lucia...we spent a lot of time yesterday talking over a foot massage and dinner. she's a great new friend, we've got lots in common, and i'm excited to spend more time with her over the summer, as she'll be on staff for camp here in Nanchang.

well, we're having a bachorlette party for another one of my Chinese friends (Mary) who is getting married on sunday! good times are in the plenty. thanks for your prayers.

love,

almost leaving...

2008-06-30T21:01:00.005-04:00

it's almost time...tomorrow night we leave for china! it'll be awesome to get on the plane and not worry about remembering to buy wheat-thins or to make copies of my passport.

excitement is definitely in the air around here. the anticipation of heading out to Nanchang is getting us all through running last minute errands and packing.

though today i felt a little scattered, in a good way. there was just lots to do, of varying importance...

after checking in at the office, i explored the new dollar store in town and bought a few too many goodies for the kids and translators i'll be matched up with in China. i kept having to remind myself that just because everything was a dollar, it didn't mean i needed to buy it...but it'll be really fun to bless the kiddos with little purses, chapstick, bubbles, games, and american flags that i did end up buying.

i also went to the grocery store and picked up a few last minute items there. you'd be surprised how precious peanut butter and jelly is after a long day in China!

then i stopped by the bolt's house (the family who began Bring Me Hope) to pick up something for a mailer i was working on. christy, becca, and jas were in the middle of packing so their living room was covered with big blue bins, clothes, food, shampoo, life vests and other camp supplies. i imagine most of our other camp staff's living rooms or bedrooms look rather similar at the moment. :)

jason helped me print some postage for the envelope packages i was trying to get sent out, then mary and abby (the little girls) helped me put the postage stickers on. it was fun to have their help.

i stopped back at the office to finish a few things up and copy some camp documents onto my desktop. i said goodbye to patti and david, which was pretty sad. it's hard to say goodbye and leave each other for the summer (they'll be in Beijing, I'll be in Nanchang) after working together every day. we've gotten really close...they're really precious friends of mine.

but packing took my mind off of things, and i did just finish. i have to say that i'm really happy i have a lot less luggage this year! i don't quite know how that happened, but i'm proud of the fact all the same. :)

now i'm off to eat dinner with the ketterings. tilly made something that i'm sure will be really good for me! ;)

i'll try to write soon...

love,
k

Journal Entry from my first trip to China...

2008-06-26T14:43:00.004-04:00

This is from my first trip to China on Januray 21, 2005 :)

"It was hard to get out of bed this morning – it made me sad thinking about leaving to go back home. Today was our last day at the orphanage.

This morning, little Indiana Jane (a seven year old at the orphanage) came running up to me as soon as we got there. She had a larger than life grin on her face and as she ran, her arms were open wide in anticipation of a big hug! When she got close enough I scooped her up in my arms and spun her around and around. I promised myself that would be a moment I would never forget.

The time saying goodbye to the babies was hard. I held each one that I’ve connected with and prayed for them and kissed them goodbye. I just lost it while holding Yang Fu Zi. I just looked out the window and cuddled her and sang to her, told her how much I love her…and just cried.

It was especially hard saying goodbye to the older kids. Li Hong always used to say “Let’s go!” and today she pouted “no let’s go.” ZhuZhu (Indiana Jane) was upset that we were leaving, that she started kicking James. And another of the school children cried, and I held her and told her I loved her and I went away crying as well...I miss those kids so much already. Their faces are in my mind..."

randomness

2008-06-22T18:18:00.006-04:00

i wanted to let you know a new phenomenon i have recently discovered!

in southern california, one would think that boardshorts would be in the plenty. well, friends, that is a sorry misconception! i've been to a handful of stores and can't find anything that'll work. i guess it's just one more thing to add to the list of things in life i don't understand. ;)

ps. i can't wait to go here next week...

to do things like this...

with people like him...

please pray for my trip to China....and that i'll find boardshorts before i leave. ;)

2008-06-16T22:23:00.004-04:00

lately i've been feeling a little overwhelmed. somehow my month and a half trip to china has snuck up so quickly, and i don't feel ready! luckily my visa came in the mail today, but i think that's the only thing that qualifies me as being prepared. work has been busy. the numbers of emails being sent and received have been record-breaking...lists are all over my desk...and yet i seem to always feel there is so much more still to do! :) on top of that, normal life has given me lots of things to keep busy doing and thinking over...

i've felt discouraged that i can only be one place at a time (i know, that sounds silly, but it's true! :) i wish i could be home to celebrate milestones in my friends and family's lives like their weddings, graduations, birthdays, and father's day. but i know it'd be too much to take a trip back to the east coast with so much to do here. but God is so faithful, and He's showing me that He has me here for a reason. i could potentially spend my life wondering what i could be accomplishing somewhere else, but then i'd never get anything done right where i am.

i stayed late at work today. i had a conference call with our staff going to nanchang in two weeks (and on the call i somehow managed to drop my phone into my glass of dr.pepper. :) after the call was done, i was tidying up my desk to get ready to call it a day when i suddenly got swept up in going through everything on and around my desk. :)

i ended up reading through some cards from friends i had saved and one in particular struck me. it was a christmas card but it's message was perfect for right now...

it said, " in this crazy season of hustle and bustle, may you find time to reflect on our shining star- the one in whom all our hopes and fears are met. and may this next year be one of even more growth and a focus in who God wants you to be. love, michele"

how encouraging!! please be praying for me that in this busy time i would make time to reflect on my sweet savior!!

moments

2008-06-13T17:38:00.006-04:00

For the last month or so I've been really working on enjoying life's little moments,
and I've found that I have so much more freedom and joy as I orient myself to fully
live in the present!

I heard Steven Curtis Champman's song called "Miracle of the Moment" on the radio
the other day, and it captured what I wanted to say perfectly...

"It's time for letting go
All of our "if-onlys"
Cause we don't have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really wanna use it
Would we really wanna go change everything?
Cause we are who and where and what we are
For now
And this is the only moment
We can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
Listen to your heartbeat
There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you and
I don't want you to miss
The miracle of the moment

There's only one who knows
What's really out there waiting
In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is he's out there waiting
To him the future's history
And he has given us a treasure called
Right now
And this is the only moment
We can do anything about"

what i love about camping

2008-06-09T22:10:00.003-04:00

this is my top-ten favorite things list about our camping trip this past weekend...

10. going river rafting and falling into the boat.
9. daily walks to a very yummy malt shop.
8. getting to know some new friends better.
7. passing some friends who we were supposed to be following (& who had the directions to the camp site) because we were so into a game we were playing. (we realized we were driving behind the wrong car a while later, and panicked. luckily, our friends were just behind us and were very curious why we had passed them, lol)
6. finding our way down the mountain on a hike! :)
5. watching the stars and seeing the milky way clearer than i've ever seen it before.
4. playing pranks on david. (then feeling bad the next morning after i read psalm 140 about how evil men plan wicked schemes and plot traps for the innocent, ha)
3. going on a walk through town and flying kites with my friend beth.
2. playing football with friends at a park then watching the football nearly float down the river.
1. making up scary stories late at night and laughing at how dumb they were.

roadtrip photo :)

2008-06-04T18:58:00.002-04:00

my friend ali and i on the way to na two weekends ago

Looking Back

2008-05-29T14:26:00.009-04:00

It's funny how some days are so packed that you lose all conception of natural time. Two weeks ago seems like ancient history. :)

May 16th marked our 2nd Annual Night Walk, which was such a fabulous memory. A group of about 30 of us walked around Fallbrook, California while other groups were walking around the world at the same time. It was so fun to hear the other teams cheer on our group conference call; I felt such unity with everyone in knowing we were joined together for one cause... :)

The very next morning (God bless Kayce for driving me to the airport,) I headed off to Pennsylvania. On Sunday I went to my home church and afterwards spend some time with some friends. The rest of the week was spent hanging out at home, visiting more friends, and taking trips to a lake, a nearby garden, and downtown Philadelphia.

One day my Dad and I took the train down to Philly and walked around the Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. In Chinatown, I introduced Dad to my favorite bakery called KC Pastries Inc. We bought an assortment of some yummy rolls then walked a few blocks to The Gallary and ate our snacks. After every bite we took of our pastries, we kept saying how good they were. Finally I said, "Dad, do you want me to go buy some more to take home?" He said no, but then added how good the roll was. I re-offered to walk a few blocks back to the bakery and buy some more sweet rolls then came the quote of the day...My Dad said, "No, it's fine. I mean, these are good, but I don't need any more...(5 second pause)...well, how far away was it again?" haha! Needless to say, we went back and got more. :)

On Saturday in the wee hours of the morning I drove with my friends Kyung, Ali, and Suzanne to Louisville, Kentucky for the New Attitude Conference. My time there was so faith building, and I left with my heart feeling very full and encouraged. Mark Dever's message about the Autority of Scripture was one of my favorites, as well as messages by John Piper on the Fight for Faith and CJ Mahaney about the Father's love.

Now I'm back in the office wrapping up some things for the Night Walk. June will be very full. I am blessed with a full schedule and what seems to be lots of responsibility so please keep me in your prayers.

Have a great day,
Kristen

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

2008-05-28T22:49:00.005-04:00

Hey all,

I got back to Cali late last night after enjoying a week and half in both Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

The trip was a blessing and very refreshing, so I am grateful for the break. :D

I will definitely write more soon...

~K (a very tired yet content girl)

I'm off to Kentucky...and I get to see the sunrise very soon ;)

2008-05-23T22:20:00.004-04:00

T-Minus 8 hours until my friends and I leave for the New Attitude Conference in Louisville, KY!

We'll have a long drive ahead of us, but I anticipate lots of meaningful and goofy conversations along the way. :)

Please pray for safe travel, as well as my time at the conference. In the past, pulling away from "normal life" for a few days has been so refreshing. Though I know the enemy wants to keep me distracted and will try anything to keep my eyes off of Christ. So please pray against that. I'd so appreciate it.

Pictures to follow once I'm back in SD, of course. ;)

Well, off to bed...
~K

a lil update from pa

2008-05-21T18:17:00.002-04:00

I feel very blessed sometimes because I get to enjoy the best of two amazing worlds (or states rather)...Fallbrook, CA and Philadelphia, PA. I've spent my week thus far at the later and it's been so great.

The rain here is so refreshing, and it's fun to get cozy in sweatshirts when going outside. It's been fun watching the trees dance in the wind when I take my dog for a walk in the woods. It felt so refreshing to be at my home church on Sunday. And no price-tag could put on the time I've been able to spend with my family and friends...

When I'm living or traveling away from "home," I think of the comforts of being in PA. Yet even though I am enjoying my time here, I am reminded that ultimate comfort is found in God.

That makes me long for heaven...a lot. :)

Anyway, so yeah, I've been enjoying time here tons. It's nice to see my friends haven't changed too much...at least they will still play spoons and the sign game. :) My parents continue to be the awesomest ever, though that's no surprise to me.

And though I'm officially off of my work email, I have looked at some of the photos that people have sent in from their various Night Walk locations. We've gotten a really great response! :)

Anyhow, I'm off. Dinner time!

Peace and love,
Kristen

Tonight's the Night!

2008-05-16T14:35:00.005-04:00

The Bring Me Hope Night Walk is tonight, and I'm so excited!

Managing this fundraiser has kind of been my life for the last few months, so I shouldn't have been surprised when distributing Night Walk shirts crept into my dream a few night's ago! :)

Anyhow, during the Night Walk people around the world walk for one hour while orphans in China walk to raise money for summer camp.

We also have a conference call planned for everyone where they'll hear from the children in China, as well as the other groups walking (in Australia, Kenya, the Philippines, and all across the USA.)

It will be so fun and it's really been on my heart that people walking will be provoked to help others outside of their immediate circles. Please pray for that as you think of it.

After the walk is over I'm looking forward to hanging out with friends and maybe even catching a late viewing of Prince Caspian. We'll see... :)

Tomorrow morning my friend Kayce is driving me to the airport so I can spend some time with my lovely parents before heading of the the New Attitude Conference in Louisville, KY. I can't wait for either. :)

~k

ps. some pics from last year's walks...

mr. phil wickham - benefit concert recap

2008-05-12T18:44:00.007-04:00

the concert surpassed our expectations by miles.

we expected 150 people. over 600 came. chairs were being rushed into the auditorium by the minute to accommodate everyone.

some people responded saying they wanted to volunteer in China. others gave financially. only God knows the ultimate ramifications of the seeds sown saturday night.

the most amazing thing about the concert is how God's hand was all over it. we didn't do anything special promotion-wise more than we did for our last benefit concert; the Lord just drew many that night...and it was amazing.

stasia opened for phil...she's pretty awesome. and so is her music... http://www.myspace.com/stasiaconger

stasia's feet. plus wires, water, and set list.

steve k. sharing and david thinking about how cool steve k. is.

David , plus Phil tuning.

mr. wickham!

phil dancing/playing really loudly for jesus. i see this as more 'artistic' than blurry. ;)

and a few more photos here.

this and that

2008-05-08T13:32:00.018-04:00

I don't think I could ever complain about a lack of variety with my job.

For example...

Over the last few weeks, our team has been putting out advertising signs for upcoming benefit concerts. The signs were made out of corrugated plastic and were held up by rebar (aka rhubarb... ;) , and I even got my own tool box for the project. :)

During our last benefit concert, I helped set up the seats in the auditorium and the concession booth, and took some photos as well.

And for the last few days I've been boxing up and shipping out Night Walk T-shirts at a warehouse.

New experiences here aren't exactly lacking, and neither is humor for how wide-ranging things can seem at times, haha. :)

Anyways, here are some pictures from our last benefit concert...

Jason eating a perfectly good piece of paper, while there is yummy Mexican food in that bag he's carrying. Just one more thing to add to the list of things I don't understand in this world...

Patti & I, nearly done setting up the chairs in the auditorium... (Side note, Christy helped a ton with this too! She's just taking the picture I think. :)

No, this picture isn't blurry...Patti just is that fast... haha

Bouncers aka Samuel & Steph

Natalie getting a lesson from a pro on how to be tough... ;) Check those smiley face stamps now...no slacking I tell ya...

My friend Steph & I...our humor is freakishly similar. I think this photo was taken before Peter ran us around the building on a dolly cart and got yelled at.

Patti & her Mom, Laurie, working at the registration booth.

Kayce and Melissa Vaughn (who opened for Sean & Sara.) Check out her music here: http://www.myspace.com/melissavaughan

The concert! Here's Sara & Sean from Nickel Creek!

Again...

I'm a Fire Fighter :)

2008-05-05T17:55:00.001-04:00

I've always admired fire fighters, but over the last few weeks I feel like I'm becoming one...

Maybe not literally. I think the only time I have used a fire extinguisher was when I 14 and our car tire was smoking.

But I have run into a few "situations" lately that take a little skill and a lot of prayer to handle. Even as I type this, I'm on hold with a advertising company who is wrongly claiming we made a contact with them and is trying to bill us. Goodness.

Yet as my friend David often says, "No mess, no ministry."

So I'll just sit tight in my red truck (which I actually do drive out here) and a heavy duty squirt gun just in case anything else comes up...I'll be ready. lol.

~k

Big head, little arms...

2008-04-30T18:45:00.003-04:00

My friend Nate showed a group of us this clip after a rough day in China in last summer, and now it's one of my favorite things to watch on a stressful day...So in case you're having one of those days today too, this is for you. ;)

You know you live in Southern California when...

2008-04-21T17:33:00.005-04:00

Some friends of ours who moved from PA to CA sent this list out in their last Christmas Card last year (plus I added a few things too!) I thought I'd post it to give you a picture of what my life is like here...

You know you live in Southern California when...

~You own both summer flip flops and winter flip flops.

~You get cold at 70 degrees.

~You know the difference between flautas, taquitos, gorditas, and carne asada.

~You think that $3.75 for a gallon of gas is a bargain!

~"No Shirt, No Shoes, No Worries!" is a common sign outside many restaurants.

~Half of your radio stations are in Spanish.

~Your winter coat is a sweatshirt.

~The Terminator is your governor.

~Your house is half the size and cost twice as much!

~The weather man calls a few inches of rain "a really bad storm!"

~Road side signs warn of illegal alien crossings rather than deer (the sign shows a picture of a family holding hands while fleeing!)

~90% of the restaurants around are Mexican.

~Avocado comes on everything - and that seems normal now.

~You start saying "for sure."

~If you get hungry, instead of driving to the market, you can go outside and pick fruit off of the tree.

~You stop reading the weather page in the newspaper because everyday is the same. :)

My parental unit came to town

2008-04-16T14:29:00.004-04:00

Last week my Mom & Dad came for a visit to Fallbrook! I took a few days off work so we could spend some time together, and they also explored the area by themselves too...

They got to see places like Coronado Island and Palomar Mountain. Mom & I even went horseback riding one morning. But my favorite memories from the trip were the simplest things...falling asleep in the car by the ocean...having dinner at Pizza Hut when we were all feeling really goofy...and just laughing and catching up about life. It was such a blessing...

Wow, how cute are they...

2008-04-09T21:28:00.000-04:00

I heard God today...

2008-04-07T18:48:00.004-04:00

I heard God on my walk today.

As I rounded the corner towards the office, I heard a voice whisper my name.

I froze for a second and looked around. I must have just heard the voice in my head. But then I heard it again, and this time for sure...

"Psst, Kristen!" I looked around again but didn't see a soul. My mind jumped to the next logical thing... "God? Is that you?" I wondered. It would be so cool if I heard God's voice!

Then I saw my friend David hiding behind a tree. His bright red sweatshirt instantly gave his location away.

I rolled my eyes now realizing what I thought was God's voice was my friend's, encouraging me to hide somewhere from our other co-worker...

I hid behind the office for a few minutes, but nothing was happening. So I peaked my head around the corner to see Christy, the one we were hiding from, just sitting out front waiting instead of looking for us. LoL. Our plan didn't exactly work as we thought, but it gave us all a good laugh! :)

God even cares about Frappucinos...

2008-04-03T15:46:00.010-04:00

Working for Bring Me Hope has made me think in a "Big Picture" kind of way. At the office we usually talk about things like planning summer camps, speaking tours, and concerts that reach hundreds.

The good thing about that is we expect and watch God do amazing things. Yet the downside is that I can forget that God is in the smallest of details too...

The whole day yesterday I was completely distracted by my craving for a frappucino. The thought of getting one had been on my mind (and stomach) for about a week, so yesterday I decided I was going to stop by Starbuck's in the afternoon.

Then out of nowhere my friend Patti popped in the office and said, "Hey guys! I'm making frappucinos and wanted to know if anyone wants one..." I couldn't believe it! Patti often comes by and treats us with goodies, but this this was the first time she offered us frappucinos!

I was so encouraged by Patti's friendship (and the frappucino she made me,) but I was even more blessed that God orchestrated that whole thing just to bless me. Only He knew how that would brighten my day, and it was a good reminder for me to realize how many other "small things" God is totally in the midst of... :)

~K

No Rainbows or Butterflies today ;)

2008-03-31T17:01:00.012-04:00

I've been wondering what I should write about on my latest post...

I was thinking about writing about how things at the office have been, or more on our trip to Australia. But the problem with that is I don't want to only paint a story-book picture of how life is. I mean, yeah, I love traveling and had an awesome time in Sydney. But, I have hard days too, and I figure that's what I'll write about today.

It started Thursday, actually. It's weird, you know those days where everything seems to be crashing down on you all at once? It makes me wonder why my problems can seem so complicated but they aren't smart enough to pace themselves out over time. ;)

Anyway, since then I've felt a lot of stress. Budgeting money, booking plane tickets, getting more involved with church, planning my future (how's that one for a small thing to have on your 'To-Do' list, ha! :)

I know deep down that all these things have solutions...they won't last forever. The word says that God is my provider and He will give me all I need. Eventually, I'll make a decision about which plane ticket to book. Time will help me feel more plugged into church. And as far as my future goes...I'm sure the Lord's got that one covered.

All the same, I know I'm weak and need God's super strength to carry me through all that's going on. So please keep me in your prayers as you think of it. I know God is eager to help me in my weakness, as His word says. And also, please let me know how I can be praying for you! I mean it; email me and let me know what God' s been up to in your life! It'd be such an honor to pray for you, and it helps me get my eyes off of myself and my problems and onto our BIG GOD! :)

Thanks all,
KC from CA

Back and In Tact :)

2008-03-26T17:10:00.003-04:00

We're home!!

We left at 10:00 PM on the 23rd, and then arrived in LA at 1:00 PM on the 23rd making Sunday the longest Easter day I have ever lived! :)

The trip to Australia was phenomenal! God heard all your prayers and blessed us abundantly!!

Some of my highlights from the trip:

~Speaking to loads of people about the orphans in China and God's heart for them.
~Seeing people becoming motivated to help the kids.
~Spending lots of quality time with the Vidler family, who essentially planned all of our whole trip.
~Taking in Australia's beautiful scenery and exploring Sydney. (We saw koalas, wallabies, and kangaroos...though we watched one get hit by a golf ball, lol)
~Learning that I love macademia nuts and Turkish food (esp. kabobs, which we had for lunch and dinner one day...)
~Laughing and making really fun memories together.
~Feeling completely and utterly blessed to have had this experience.

Thanks for your prayers!!
Hugs from CA,
Kristen

Instruments in His hands

2008-03-13T14:45:00.005-04:00

The Speaking Tour is going great! Our opportunities to share about BMH and the orphans in China has been extensive, thanks to our "tour managers" Sam & Julie, who are the town celebrities here in Port Stephens and have a real connection withe the community!

Some highlights have been sharing at churches (we had 5 speaking engagements collectively on Sunday!), teas, small groups, and special dinners. We were featured in the newspaper, and recorded an interview for a Christian radio station the other day. Connections have formed left and right it seems, and we feel blown away at God's goodness to us and how much He is doing!

I've often ask God to use me in the way He wants to...that He can have full reign over my life, myself, my dreams. And it's been an amazing time to watch God answer that prayer by using my hands and feet in a small way to glorify Him. As I was listening to our radio interview this morning, I was so thankful that God would use my voice to speak up for orphans. I am simply an instrument in my Maker's hand...and I want all of this to be for Him (even though I feel so blessed by Him right now.) I just want to speak when He asks me to and do what He wants me to...with "Kristen" fading away and CHRIST becoming all others see.

~K.

P.S. Some photos -

Christy & I with the family we're staying with here who are simply fantastic. A walk on the beach was a nice way to get over jet lag! :)

James...my Australian love.

We visited the boy's Primary School and spoke to the older kids at their chapel service (not pictured here.)

Lookin' out at the big blue...We spotted some dolphins, and there's been talk of Great Whites in this area! I'll keep my distance, thank you very much! ;)

Thanks everybody! Please do keep us in your prayers!

On your knees for me?

2008-03-04T14:30:00.008-05:00

K, so I was looking back on my last few posts and realized they lacked substantial substance, haha. I apologize for that! So much has been going on lately, and I am better at relating my thoughts once I have processed them (which I'm working on...) So more posts are to come, as soon as I've gotten the time to "think, think, think" like Pooh Bear would say. :)

Anyways, I'm leaving for a Speaking Tour tonight actually, and will be off of the computer for a few weeks. But I wanted to ask that you be praying for me for some of these things while I'm away...

Please Pray for:

-For our upcoming Speaking Tour. Pray that many people would be touched and want to help orphans in different ways. (And that we stay safe and healthy. :)

-That I would have a greater "secure and undivided devotion to the Lord" like 1 Corinthians 7:35 talks about. And that He alone would be my single passion and biggest delight! :)

-That God would continue to grow me in the area of discernment (I love Romans 12:2!) and that He would help me understand clearly what He's showing me.

-And please pray that David and Christy don't snore on the plane and keep me up all night. Thanks. (Though I don't think they snore...so I should be fine. Just covering my bases. ;)

Thanks y'all!! I think you're the bestest!!!

~Kristen

Psalm 23

2008-03-02T19:12:00.009-05:00

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about how God leads us. When I start to worry that I won't hear His voice clearly directing me or wonder about the unknown ahead, the Lord has often been bringing Psalm 23 to mind.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

I just love that! :)

~k

P.S. I just wanted to give a quick "Happy Birthday" shout out to one of my dear from home! Hope you had a great day today Suzanne! I miss you and love you lots!

Children's Performance at Camp

2008-02-26T16:36:00.004-05:00

While working on a recent newsletter, I came across this short movie clip that a volunteer took of some of the children performing for us.

They all looked adorable up on stage, and the lyrics from the song they sang were very touching, and spoke about being changed by other's love.

But my favorite part was when the crowd erupted in applause at the end of their song. Like parents at their child's recital, we were all so proud of these precious children that we had grown to deeply love in one-week's time. And I'm so glad that the kids had that experience of a room full of people swelling with pride and love for them...

This is why I haven't updated in a little while...

2008-02-25T13:42:00.004-05:00

So much to learn

2008-02-18T13:19:00.011-05:00

"Your love is deeper than any ocean, higher than the heavens, reaches beyond the stars in the skies. Jesus, Your love has no bounds...Jesus, Your love has no bounds...Jesus, Your love has no bounds!" ~P. Wickham

I watched my friend's little sister enjoy the ocean yesterday. She enthusiastically ran towards the foaming waves, then froze in place when the cold water overwhelmed her. Instinctively she turned and ran towards the warm, dry sand. But something about the deep ocean drew her back. So she walked next to the big sea, her feet becoming white from numbness, but she was happy.

And I realized how much that was a picture of my walk with the Lord...

I have always thought of how the ocean is like God; vast, mysterious, HUGE, and inviting. But even on an adventurous day, I've only explored like 20 feet into the ocean. And I bet it's the same with my walk with God.

I'm so grateful for the Scriptures because I learn so much about God though them, but I know that what I do know and what I will learn in my lifetime about my Savior is so small in comparison of what there is still to know...

It encourages me so much to think that God is infinite in all of His attributes...What I know of His goodness is just a piece of who He truly is. His mercy to me that seems so great already is even bigger than I know. And His love...His love goes on forever...

PS - There are some more photos from yesterday on my Flickr Page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21241138@N05

Little Angel

2008-02-13T14:25:00.004-05:00

I was sifting through some camp photos this morning, and I was freshly reminded of how dear and precious these little children are to our Lord. This picture of our little Lori especially moved me. Seeing her all dressed up like an angel was just a snapshot of how God must see her...

"You are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you..." -Isaiah 43:4

Saturday in Santa Monica :)

2008-02-09T22:35:00.000-05:00

We headed up to the Santa Monica Pier in LA today to celebrate our friend Adam's birthday! It was an amazingly gorgeous day, and the Santa Monica Pier was picturesque as well. You can't ask for much more than a perfect day with good friends under the golden sun...And just when you think you can't ask for anything more, God let a quarter fall from the sky...literally. ;)

And here's a quick clip from our time on what we dubbed the "death ferris wheel"... :)

~kc

Meant to Live for So Much More

2008-02-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

It had been one of those days. Distractions. Unanswered questions. Walks just to clear my head. Prayers more focused on situations rather than God Himself. By the end of my work day, I was weary.

When I got home, I flipped on some music to help get my mind onto Christ. Switchfoot's song "Meant to Live" happened to play, and the truth of the lyrics arrested my thoughts.

"We were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?...
Maybe we've been living with our eyes half open, maybe we're bent and broken...
We want more than this world's got to offer...and everything inside screams for second life...We were meant to live...we were meant to live!"

Totally true.

God, please help me get my eyes off of things going on in this world and onto what is eternal. What total freedom and hope that mindset and brings.

And there's so many opportunities to immerse ourselves into those "God moments..."

Like last night, when my friend's little sister was all snuggled up with me on the couch and she looked up at me with her big blue eyes and said, "Kristen, I love you to heaven and back!"

Just how can you have your mind on anything more important than things like that? And, I Love you Libby!! To the heaven and back, times two. :)

When I just don't know

2008-02-04T12:21:00.000-05:00

"Whatever my God ordains is right, in His love I am abiding.
I will be still in all He does, and follow where He is guiding.
He is my God, though dark my road. He holds me that I shall not fall.
And so to Him I leave it all."
-Whatever My God Ordains is Right, Sovereign Grace Music

Over the last few weeks I've been in a number of situations where I feel really stumped at what God's up to in my life. I'm a pretty analytical person and I love grasping things on a deeper level. But lately, God has really blinded my eyes to some things going on which leaves me at a loss of understanding all God is doing (not that I ever fully understand all God is doing though.) :)

Proverbs 3:5-7 has been really humbling me as it tells me to not rely on what I think I know and to "not be wise in my own eyes" but to trust the Lord.

So God, I am far from understanding all you're doing, but I know that You are busy at work in my life, and that's all that matters...

~K.

Gaining Christ

2008-01-29T14:11:00.000-05:00

This world is full of things that pull my attention off of Christ. In a single second, my gaze can turn from Jesus to something temporary, and my soul tells me that the pursuit of the latter will bring the most comfort and fulfillment.

So lately I've been praying that God will make Himself my single vision...my single pursuit in life. The lyrics to a song we sang at church on Sunday are a beautiful prayer to that end...

"Lord be my single vision,
I'll run my race to receive my crown.
But You are the greatest gift I've been given,
Help me lay all my other treasures down...

That I might gain Christ, that I might know You. That I might find life, help me lose what I must lose. That I might gain Christ."

Please be praying this for me...
Thanks,
K.C.

Photo Credit: Bekah Bennett

Focused and Beholding...and other stuff ;)

2008-01-24T21:27:00.000-05:00

Just love this quote from Chambers...

"The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God. Let everything else go...saving that one thing. The rush of other things always tends to obscure this concentration on God. We have to maintain ourselves in the place of beholding, keeping the life absolutely spiritual all through...never allow anything to obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God. Never be hurried out of the relationship of abiding in Him."

On a much less serious note, y'all should check out this "Japanese Silent Library" video on YouTube...I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard when I watched it! :D You'll probably pick this up, but whoever gets the skull card gets the bad thing done to him, but they're in a library so they have to keep quiet. It's ingenious... Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO9dN9zpmiA&feature=related

~Kristen.

P.S. Thanks for all your comment's guys! It's so great to hear from all of you and it's really encouraging to read what you write! :D

Trip to "EgoLand"

2008-01-21T15:58:00.000-05:00

I took a trip to LegoLand this past weekend with some friends, their little sisters, and my host family's daughter, Sara. We had a blast together, and when all the rides had been ridden, the sunblock wore off, and all the snacks were in full bellies, we were dog tired! :)

But we had some really fun memories, like when Sara asked why the sign said we were at "Ego-Land," (The "L" was hidden to our eyes :) "Ego-Land" stuck, and we referred to the park as that for the rest of the day. ;)

When strength is small

2008-01-16T19:17:00.000-05:00

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." -1 Peter 5: 6-9

These verses clung to my heart last night. For the last few days I have been experiencing some spiritual warfare where satan has been feeding me lies. Things I know of as untrue resonate with me because they feel true. And I'm left discouraged.

Yet I love the first part of these verses that call me to cast my anxieties and cares onto the Lord because he wants to bare that for me. I think of the lines from Jesus Paid it All which say,

"I hear my Savior say, your strength indeed is small. Child of weakness watch and pray, find in Me your all in all."

He is so good!! :D

Spring Fever in January

2008-01-14T18:01:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody!

I'm indeed alive and well...Sorry I haven't written sooner, things have just been on the busier side... ;)

I'm doing really well here though, and am loving where God has me right now. I feel especially blessed to be more involved in my new church out here. The Lord is so kind.

And the weather has been particularly amazing too...granted, it's San Diego, so it's usually pretty nice around here anyway. But lately I feel like I've got spring fever! It's amazing what warm sunshine, a gentle breeze, and a good book can do for one's soul... :)

Have a great Monday,
Kristen.

Retreat Recap

2008-01-07T17:11:00.000-05:00

Well, last night I got home (California home that is) from our 2nd Annual Bring Me Hope Retreat!

About 45 of us headed up to Lake Arrowhead for a long weekend, and God was so faithful to meet us and bless us with some really fun memories.

I mentioned to a few friends that when the New Year rolled around and I surveyed all that will being going on in 2008, (just the things I know of anyway) I wondered if I could get through it all because my tank already felt empty. But God really used this retreat to "recharge" me in a sense and fill me up with Him.

It was so refreshing to take some time and think, hear, and talk about the Lord and His word. And it was so fun being up in the mountains and laughing together. Thank you for your prayers...they were heard and answered!

Back to Cali on New Years

2008-01-02T14:11:00.000-05:00

Happy New Years everyone! Well, I suppose it's a day late, but it is still a relatively new year so I think my wish can still stand. :)

Yesterday morning I headed back to San Diego. My trip to PA was fantastic, filled with lots fun times and memories, but it was time to come back to California.

God surprised me on the way back when I got a peak at the Grand Canyon! I've never been there before, but have always wanted to visit. So it was a great New Year's treat to see one of the world's wonders from the air. So fun!

Anyway, please be praying for Bring Me Hope's retreat in Lake Arrowhead, CA this weekend. It should be a good time, and I'm excited to take some time to pull away with the Lord and maybe even see some snow! Speaking of the retreat though, I need to get packing, and planning some games. Pitt anyone? ;)

Boring Work

2007-12-28T12:56:00.000-05:00

I was sitting on a window ledge in a crowded room this morning, waiting to be called up so I could get a new drivers license picture. The people around me was rather eclectic; frigidity 16 year olds sat next to wrinkled faces who maybe shouldn't have been driving in the first place.

A mom and her young son walked in to the room, took a number, then began to get comfortable even though the boy was fussy from the start.

As the woman took off her son's puffy winter coat, the four year old cried and wined. "I miss Dadddddyyy!" he exclaimed with tears rolling down his face. "I know you do," his mother quietly replied while wiping her son's waterworks away.

"I really just want to see Daddy!" he said again. The boy's mom grew more embarrassed at the scene her child was making; her eyes began scanning the room to see who was watching the two of them. But her son wouldn't quit.

"I miss Daddy, Mommy! Where is he? Is he at boring work?"
The woman half smiled and replied, "Yes, Daddy is at boring work today."
"Daddy is at boring work today Mommy?" the boy said again, only this time a little louder. His mother nodded, and many of the people around them let out a laugh, myself included.

This little incident in PennDot's crowded room this morning made me think about how many people really do see their daily agenda as "boring work" and only really enjoy life at night and on the weekends. Yet God calls us to delight ourselves in Him and glorify Him in all we do. I hope I can remember that when slow days come around and I'm tempted to see the tasks at hand as menial... ;)

Joy to the World, The Lord is come!

2007-12-24T14:47:00.000-05:00

Hoping you all have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year,
Kristen.

"With You"

2007-12-23T21:21:00.000-05:00

"The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and day after day their praise offer up.
Through all of creation Your glory declares,
It can not replace you, it can not compare,
With You.

The world and it's riches, I've counted but loss
My riches to know You, my glory, Your cross.
What price could be dearer, no thing did You spare.
No suffering's sweet Lord like those that I share
With You.

Through kindness You've led me, with love You've pursued
With grace irresistible drawn me to You.
Though often my heart to it's own ways does tend,
No times could be dearer than those that I spend
With You."

~Dave Brown of Portico

Processing Convictions

2007-12-19T12:32:00.000-05:00

"Always make a practice of provoking your own mind to think out what it accepts easily. Our position is not ours until we make it ours by suffering." -Oswald Chambers

Being in a new environment in CA has presented me with many opportunities to sort through or "process" (a word I apparently use more than I realize :) a handful of different topics. I often find myself wondering, "Why do I believe this?" and "What does God's word say about that?"

It's really stretched me to search deeper into my God's truth and wrestle through things I have easily accepted before (like essentials in a church, missions, relationships, etc.) But coming out on the other side, becoming more confident in my convictions, is very rewarding.

2 Timothy 2:15 is so provoking...it says,
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

What a huge responsibility! God, please help me to see You and Your truth more clearly...

All is Calm?! ... Really??

2007-12-15T13:49:00.000-05:00

Christmas is supposed to be a time of peace, of comfort, of quiet reflection and joy. Or at least that's what the songs tell us. But we all know the reality of the season...

Isn't it wonderful that Christ came to bring peace in the middle of chaos? I love the line in 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' that says,

"The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight." Beautiful.

Well, no matter what your day brings today, I pray and hope that you feel the comfort of the Lord in the midst of it all.

Love,
Kristen.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-12T16:24:00.000-05:00

We took our lunch break today to do a Christmas staff photo shoot...
Please note the color cordination...this took lotsa time to plan, lol. ;)

Merry Christmas, from all of us to all of you!

Human Tetris Video

2007-12-10T15:04:00.000-05:00

Hey all!

Check this out to laugh away your Monday blues...and for extra laughs, maybe even try it! ;)

~Kristen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84_QL1kEmH4