Beautiful Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli
Don’t know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace
(Chorus)
Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful
Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it’s pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face
(Chorus)
I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by Your grace
(Chorus)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Ahh Fall!
Fall is clearly my favorite time of year. there is something about it that makes my heart beat just a little faster. It's here. Well, it's starting. The trees are all changing, which I heard last night is because the lack of sun! I had no idea. Anyways, the trees are changing, the weather is getting a bit cooler, and of course, football has started! My house is decorated for the fall! I couldn't wait!
Here are a few of my favorite things about fall:
* The colors. I love the colors of all the tress.
* The weather. Cool Crisp, but with blue skies.
* The food. My crock pot has been pulled from it's hiding and has already been put to good use.
* The drinks. Caramel Apple Cider. Oh man. Nothing says fall more.
* The pumpkins! I so love pumpkins. Not for eating, but for decorating! I can't wait to go to the pumpkin farm with Ryan, we have done this the past couple of years!
* Football! Of course. It has begun. Ryan is cheering for his chiefs, and of course I have the Colts, and the Seahawks. It's fun!
* Our anniversary. In just about a month we will be celebrating two years of marriage! I think that's the best part of the fall!
What about you? What do you love about the fall?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Finally, an update!
I know it's been about two months since we embarked on our trip to the Czech. But we have finally put together our follow up letter to those that have supported us. Sorry it has taken us so long to do so. Since we have been home, life has been crazy! So thank you for your patience with us! We realize that we cannot put everything into the letter that we wanted to say, so please do not hesitate to ask us more details! We would love to share, but only had one page! :)
A few pictures:
This is our entire camp. In front of camp.
This is my (Danielle's) English Class.
Ryan and myself in Prague!
So, without further ado, our letter!! :)
Here we are over a month since we departed for the Czech Republic. Thinking through those initial feelings of fear, worry, and excitement. And now looking back, feelings of sadness and joy. Sad, because we are no longer with the amazing students we met. Joy, because we saw the Lord work. Powerfully.
Let me start from the beginning. When we left Portland, we met up with the rest of our team. A various assortment of people. Older, younger, and somewhere in between. We were the only couple on the trip. While our team seemed a bit...odd, it was no coincidence we were the team we were. And after two weeks traveling together, we were just that, a team. Forged by common experience, and ridiculous lay overs!
We spent the first day and a half traveling. Flying, driving and riding in trains. And sitting on airport floors for hours. We figured that we traveled around 60 hours the entire trip, including layovers, flights, walks, trains and driving. We finally arrived in Malenovice, where Josiah Venture owns a hotel that doubles as a training facility. We spent 3 days here getting prepared for English Camp. After training we boarded a train headed to Ostrava where the camp was. It was a wonderful feeling to finally be there.
We didn’t really know what to expect for camp. We knew that there would be around 13 Americans, and 13 Czechs. That is right about what there was too. The students arrived and we quickly engaged them in a frisbee-get-to-know-everyone’s-name game. It turned out to be very valuable. Danielle quickly connected with a girl named Iveta, who ended up being in Danielle’s class. And Ryan had already captured the hearts of the shy, quiet girls that were in his beginner level English class. Our roles at camp were to be a support. We knew going that our primary goal, was to support Daniel and Kim, our friends who are Missionaries in Orlova. We also found out we would be in support roles in the English classes. We were able to be flexible and help out where we were needed. This was perfect for both of us. We led games, ice breakers, and skits in our classes. Ryan was able to share his testimony one night as well. Mostly, we were the friends that Daniel and Kim needed.
While we were at camp we saw big things happen. We saw kids who have grown up in Atheistic homes, question who God is, and their own faith. We saw kids wrestle with their own beliefs. We saw relationships get built. We saw the Body of Christ at work. And we were changed.
One of the challenges we faced was our own comfort. We were faced with the reality of just how much we both love to be comfortable. And well, that is not always a good thing. We were challenged by the Lord in this area, and realized that we needed to change in this regard.
Our trip ended with promises to keep in touch from students (Danielle has been emailing almost daily with Iveta!) and full hearts. Our lives were impacted by these students. By their view of the world, Americans, and mostly about God. They were open to talking about God, and while there were no known decisions for Christ made at camp, God was at work in the hearts of these kids!
We are so thankful that we were able to go on this trip. We are thankful that we got to be a part of what the Lord is doing in the Czech Republic. And thank you to all of you for your support and your prayers! We would not have been able to go on this trip without you!
Love,
Ryan and Danielle
PS...to see some of our pictures (Danielle took nearly 500) please visit: http://ryananddanielleintheczech.shutterfly.com/ the password is: czech. Enjoy!
A few pictures:
This is our entire camp. In front of camp.
This is my (Danielle's) English Class.
Ryan and myself in Prague!
So, without further ado, our letter!! :)
Here we are over a month since we departed for the Czech Republic. Thinking through those initial feelings of fear, worry, and excitement. And now looking back, feelings of sadness and joy. Sad, because we are no longer with the amazing students we met. Joy, because we saw the Lord work. Powerfully.
Let me start from the beginning. When we left Portland, we met up with the rest of our team. A various assortment of people. Older, younger, and somewhere in between. We were the only couple on the trip. While our team seemed a bit...odd, it was no coincidence we were the team we were. And after two weeks traveling together, we were just that, a team. Forged by common experience, and ridiculous lay overs!
We spent the first day and a half traveling. Flying, driving and riding in trains. And sitting on airport floors for hours. We figured that we traveled around 60 hours the entire trip, including layovers, flights, walks, trains and driving. We finally arrived in Malenovice, where Josiah Venture owns a hotel that doubles as a training facility. We spent 3 days here getting prepared for English Camp. After training we boarded a train headed to Ostrava where the camp was. It was a wonderful feeling to finally be there.
We didn’t really know what to expect for camp. We knew that there would be around 13 Americans, and 13 Czechs. That is right about what there was too. The students arrived and we quickly engaged them in a frisbee-get-to-know-everyone’s-name game. It turned out to be very valuable. Danielle quickly connected with a girl named Iveta, who ended up being in Danielle’s class. And Ryan had already captured the hearts of the shy, quiet girls that were in his beginner level English class. Our roles at camp were to be a support. We knew going that our primary goal, was to support Daniel and Kim, our friends who are Missionaries in Orlova. We also found out we would be in support roles in the English classes. We were able to be flexible and help out where we were needed. This was perfect for both of us. We led games, ice breakers, and skits in our classes. Ryan was able to share his testimony one night as well. Mostly, we were the friends that Daniel and Kim needed.
While we were at camp we saw big things happen. We saw kids who have grown up in Atheistic homes, question who God is, and their own faith. We saw kids wrestle with their own beliefs. We saw relationships get built. We saw the Body of Christ at work. And we were changed.
One of the challenges we faced was our own comfort. We were faced with the reality of just how much we both love to be comfortable. And well, that is not always a good thing. We were challenged by the Lord in this area, and realized that we needed to change in this regard.
Our trip ended with promises to keep in touch from students (Danielle has been emailing almost daily with Iveta!) and full hearts. Our lives were impacted by these students. By their view of the world, Americans, and mostly about God. They were open to talking about God, and while there were no known decisions for Christ made at camp, God was at work in the hearts of these kids!
We are so thankful that we were able to go on this trip. We are thankful that we got to be a part of what the Lord is doing in the Czech Republic. And thank you to all of you for your support and your prayers! We would not have been able to go on this trip without you!
Love,
Ryan and Danielle
PS...to see some of our pictures (Danielle took nearly 500) please visit: http://ryananddanielleintheczech.shutterfly.com/ the password is: czech. Enjoy!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Weight Watchers...take three, or is it four now?
Ryan and I have started Weight Watchers several times. Then slowly fall off the wagon, and start again.
This time, I hope it sticks. We have been doing well. Even with Ryan's best friend's wedding, we managed to lose, and we ate a ton. It's a slow journey that's for sure! We have been slowly changing our habits. Eating less. Eating more veggies. And trying to find a time to exercise with our crazy schedules. So far, we are doing it! It's been a month now. And I am encouraged.
One reason I am encouraged is watching people around me on "crash diets". You know the ones, starve yourself and only eat 1/3 of the calories you should, then binge because you are starving. They don't work. Then there's me, trucking along. Eating more vegetables than I have my whole life! And trying hard. But at the end of the day, I have to remember that I am doing this the healthy way. Sure, those on the crash diet may lose quicker, but they are unhealthy and will gain it back quicker. It took me over a year to gain back the weight I lost with WW the first time. So, with that, I am encouraged.
I am also encouraged by my friend Jen. We went to college together and lived just across the hall from one another as RA's. She joined WW 3 years ago, and is now a lifetime member! I have been reading her blog, and recently found her blog about being healthy and her journey with WW. Check it out here!
Another thing that has helped is having the right tools. I use my measuring spoons all the time! I am so glad that I have 3 sets! I wish I could just buy a tablespoon, because I use that the most! My kitchen scale has been huge! I use that to measure portions instead of measuring cups. It is more accurate. But it just died. Sad, I know. But now I get to go buy a nice new digital one! Oh yeah, I am so excited. And I hear that they are great for more accurate baking. Ziploc bags are huge too! I take any snacks we buy and measure out the portions and put them in one of these little guys. Then I write the point value on it. It's so great! Ryan loves it too, it makes it so much easier for portion control! I love using WW online! It's great to put my recipes in and find out how many points that they are! And to track what I am eating! Lastly, recipes. I have found some amazing WW recipes! Like these (click for the link) yummy lemon bars I made the other night. (Sorry if it seems like I am copying you Jen on your favs...but they are great and my favs too! :) )
Lastly, my encouragement is Ryan. I am so glad that we are doing this together. Right now, we are unable to attend the meetings. But having him there, is a huge help. He is constantly reminding me that I have only so many points! I appreciate that about him.
So, hopefully this time we will reach goal weight. I was 30 pounds away last time...now, well I am more than that. So I am hoping by Christmas to be 30 pounds or less away from goal! Wouldn't that be great????
This time, I hope it sticks. We have been doing well. Even with Ryan's best friend's wedding, we managed to lose, and we ate a ton. It's a slow journey that's for sure! We have been slowly changing our habits. Eating less. Eating more veggies. And trying to find a time to exercise with our crazy schedules. So far, we are doing it! It's been a month now. And I am encouraged.
One reason I am encouraged is watching people around me on "crash diets". You know the ones, starve yourself and only eat 1/3 of the calories you should, then binge because you are starving. They don't work. Then there's me, trucking along. Eating more vegetables than I have my whole life! And trying hard. But at the end of the day, I have to remember that I am doing this the healthy way. Sure, those on the crash diet may lose quicker, but they are unhealthy and will gain it back quicker. It took me over a year to gain back the weight I lost with WW the first time. So, with that, I am encouraged.
I am also encouraged by my friend Jen. We went to college together and lived just across the hall from one another as RA's. She joined WW 3 years ago, and is now a lifetime member! I have been reading her blog, and recently found her blog about being healthy and her journey with WW. Check it out here!
Another thing that has helped is having the right tools. I use my measuring spoons all the time! I am so glad that I have 3 sets! I wish I could just buy a tablespoon, because I use that the most! My kitchen scale has been huge! I use that to measure portions instead of measuring cups. It is more accurate. But it just died. Sad, I know. But now I get to go buy a nice new digital one! Oh yeah, I am so excited. And I hear that they are great for more accurate baking. Ziploc bags are huge too! I take any snacks we buy and measure out the portions and put them in one of these little guys. Then I write the point value on it. It's so great! Ryan loves it too, it makes it so much easier for portion control! I love using WW online! It's great to put my recipes in and find out how many points that they are! And to track what I am eating! Lastly, recipes. I have found some amazing WW recipes! Like these (click for the link) yummy lemon bars I made the other night. (Sorry if it seems like I am copying you Jen on your favs...but they are great and my favs too! :) )
Lastly, my encouragement is Ryan. I am so glad that we are doing this together. Right now, we are unable to attend the meetings. But having him there, is a huge help. He is constantly reminding me that I have only so many points! I appreciate that about him.
So, hopefully this time we will reach goal weight. I was 30 pounds away last time...now, well I am more than that. So I am hoping by Christmas to be 30 pounds or less away from goal! Wouldn't that be great????
Thursday, August 19, 2010
3 is such a wonderful number.
Today marks 3 years. 3 years since Ryan and I went on our first date. 3 years that we have been together.
3 years ago we went to Cafe Mingo on our first date. Had some wine. Walked. Went to dessert. It was a very wonderful first date.
Last year Ryan bought me roses, and took me to The Melting Pot for dinner.
This year, was no different. He showed up with flowers at my work yesterday. Then surprised me and took me to...well, The Melting Pot. A new tradition he said, there was no complaining from me. Except maybe that I ate too much! :)
We had such a wonderful time! I love that he loves to celebrate this day. I know to some it's such an insignificant day, but for us, it's one worth celebrating. Because to us, it's not just another day. It's the day that would change our lives. It was that day, I met my best friend, and husband.
And to me, that is worth celebrating!
Happy 3 year "dating" anniversary Ryan!
3 years ago we went to Cafe Mingo on our first date. Had some wine. Walked. Went to dessert. It was a very wonderful first date.
Last year Ryan bought me roses, and took me to The Melting Pot for dinner.
This year, was no different. He showed up with flowers at my work yesterday. Then surprised me and took me to...well, The Melting Pot. A new tradition he said, there was no complaining from me. Except maybe that I ate too much! :)
We had such a wonderful time! I love that he loves to celebrate this day. I know to some it's such an insignificant day, but for us, it's one worth celebrating. Because to us, it's not just another day. It's the day that would change our lives. It was that day, I met my best friend, and husband.
And to me, that is worth celebrating!
Happy 3 year "dating" anniversary Ryan!
Friday, August 13, 2010
I heart Young Life
When I was in high school I was a part of a small group of students and leaders that started up WYLD Life in my town. I had been attending Young Life, then when asked to help start the Middle School Club, I was thrilled!! Since then, I have loved being a part of Young Life and Wyld Life. Both as Student Staff, and as a volunteer.
For those who don't know, Young Life is an awesome youth ministry that is all about sharing Christ. But by building relationships with kids and "earning the right to be heard". I have seen lives changed by the ministry of Young Life. In fact, my life has been changed because of YL.
I had a recent reminder of the amazing ministry being done. In a few ways actually. First, my mom. She has been volunteering for a couple (maybe three) years with Young Lives. This ministry focuses on teen moms. My mom makes meals for their club once a month, and in the summer goes to camp as a nanny. This allows the girls to enjoy camp and bring their babies. My mom loves it because she gets to be "grandma" for the week! Well camp is next week for her. And she is so excited. I love how much she loves Young Life too.
One of the other ways was while we were in Europe. I was reminded of many camps and clubs while we were there. And felt a prompting in my heart to get involved again. Whether on the support end, like being on Committee, or administratively, or as a leader. Being a leader would be hard while I work full time, but I came home determined to find a way to get involved.
Which brings me to my next reminder. I recently met with the Area Director of the Young Life near us, just to talk about ways to get involved. I am thrilled to figure out a way to get plugged in.
Needless to say, this post is really to share just how much I love Young Life. One of my students from the church in Olympia just got back from a YL camp and posted on Facebook how much he loved it. One of my girls is at a different camp doing work crew all summer. I think YL does a great job not only reaching kids who are not plugged into a church, but those who are!
I heart Young Life.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Camp
We still haven't decided what to write quite yet, but I wanted to share this photo of our entire camp. Students, Interns, Czech Leaders, and the team from our church.
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