News Prank

As you may know Portland has 4 news stations. Ryan happens to work for one of them...Fox 12. KGW-Channel 8 just opened their new studio down in Pioneer Square. As a result some people played a little prank, which both Ryan and I find so funny. Here is the youtube link, and a photo to share in this joy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nRMTfP9N54&feature=channel_page

Our WICKED Adventure

I love musicals. For years I had been hearing about "Wicked". Actually, every since college when our President used one of the songs about room-mates in chapel. This fall I saw an ad for Wicked. I knew we had to go. So I emailed Ryan the information in hopes he would say yes. He said no, not this year. I was so bummed. So I asked my parents for tickets as a Christmas, or birthday gift, they responded with maybe. I was frustrated. I had really wanted to go, but figured it wouldn't happen.

I was wrong. For Christmas Ryan decided to surprise me with tickets to Wicked in March. I could hardly believe it, I was so excited!! I would finally get to see it. So, I wanted to read the book WICKED before the play came, but there were so many people waiting for it at the library that I didn't get a chance. I was given a copy of the soundtrack and needless to say, for the past two weeks that is all I have been listening to. I love the music and it made the anticipation even greater.



We went yesterday!! I was so excited. We left with plenty of time to get to Keller Auditorium. Only, we googled it and got the wrong address, we got the address for the ticket office. With 20 minutes before the show, the ticket lady said we would have to go down four blocks and over four blocks to the theater. We didn't think we would have time to get the car and get down there...so we walked. I was in heels...oh man was I in pain! We were rushing, and went the wrong way for three blocks. We still made in just over ten minutes!! We had time to buy a program, use the bathroom and find our great seats!! We had a wonderful view. We weren't close enough to see faces, but the set was phenomenal!! The whole thing was simply amazing. Even Ryan loved it!!:)

Wicked is def. one of my favorite musicals now. I can't wait for it to tour again!! We will for sure be buying tickets!!

My precious niece

There is a little girl in my life, who has not only captured my heart, but her Uncle Ry-Ry's as well. The little girl is our niece Hadlie. She is Ryan's sister's daughter....and with all biases aside, the cutest little girl you will ever meet. She is approaching her first birthday (which I am sure a blog will follow the big day!).

Ryan recently gave Hadlie a stuffed monkey. Between her mother, and her grandmother Hadlie has learned how to "love" her monkey. Ryan spent some time with Hadlie yesterday and she was showing him how she "loves" her monkey. Here are some of the pictures Shelly shared with me.

A nice day for a walk

Ryan and I have been walking a lot more. My favorite is our Saturday morning walks. We get up and walk anywhere from 2-5 miles to Starbucks then back home. We have a few different routes we take. After a week of little time together I cherish this time. It's a great chance to not only exercise but for us to really connect.

Last night we enjoyed the sun and went on a short walk on the trail by our apartment. This was very sweet time for us. I cannot believe how much we were able to talk about, and the depth of things being said. What a great way to connect at the beginning of the week. I am ready for spring, so we can do this more often!

I love walking. But more importantly I love walking with my husband.

In Christ Alone

Lately I have been pretty discouraged with some things. I have been going through some rough stuff. This morning on my way in to work, I was listening to a favorite, "In Christ Alone". The words are so powerful. It is a great song that clearly lays out the gospel,and the life, hope and joy found in the victory of Christ's death and resurrection. I hope that this song is stuck in my head all day, I could use the reminder and the encouragement that this song shares.

In Christ Alone
"In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand."

Valentine's Day

I used to hate Valentine’s Day. I thought it was ridiculous. People getting gifts, showing their love for the world to see. And me, as a single person tried justifying to everyone I knew that my hatred for this holiday was because of the marketing of the day. The selling of love etc and not because I was single. I remember one friend saying to me “Danielle, someday when you have someone you will love Valentine’s Day.” I said no, I will never ever love this day.

Today, I eat my words.

First, I will admit, I love this holiday. And it is because I have Ryan who is doing everything he can to make this holiday super special for me.

I was challenged the other day by a co-worker. She LOVES Valentine’s Day, and she is single. Her perspective is one that I never had. She loves the holiday because it’s a chance to show others love. I wish I had that view on it years ago. Oh, I always did things for my dorm sections and my students, but it was never in celebration of a holiday created to express love.

So, on the eve of this day filled with love, my opinion has changed. I want to not only show Ryan that I love him, but those around me.

I like Valentine’s Day.

A song for my soul

Have you ever noticed how a song can just bring peace to your weary soul. Comfort to a broken heart. Joy to a happy spirit? I love music. I have for many years. Sometimes I think the Lord will bring a song to my mind..and often it sticks with me all day. Usually there is some truth in that song that resonates with my soul. The song for today is an oldie, but a favorite. I first heard it on the Seltzer CD (does anyone remember the Seltzer Cd's?). It's called "Garden" by the group PFR. Here are the words:

Standing over my garden I look down
And disappointment overcomes me
The tears that formed are
Now falling from my eyes
And watering the ground around me
Lost inside this dissolution
I hear you say my name

I hear you calling
I hear you calling to me
I hear you calling

Faith, like a flower, needs water and room to
grow
Placed in sunlight, not in shadow
Hope that the seed that is
Hidden will rise and bloom
From the heart of one forgiven
Love runs in the living water
I’ve heard you say my name