What do you cling too? Relationships, identity, money, memories?
Have you thought about the impact “clinging to things” can have on you? I have been thinking a lot about this lately. If you read our blog, you know that Danielle and I moved across the country recently. I think it’s only natural to cling to things. We cling to the grocery store we liked, to the restaurants we frequented and to the relationships we had. What I have realized is that clinging to those things has paralyzed me from embracing what’s new. Instead, I want to move towards a place of cherishing those things so I can enjoy new things in Middle Tennessee.
There are several facts I have had to accept. Relationships have changed and are changing. I am no longer close to the people I once called friends in Oregon. In fact, with the exception of a couple – I hardly even talk to those I used to see regularly. Instead, I want to cherish the sweet times I had with friends so that I can embrace new friends here. The same goes with family. Circumstances have changed our relationships and that’s not a bad thing, it’s just part of the process. I don’t want to cling to what “was,” instead I want to cherish what I had so I can enjoy this new chapter.
There were some restaurants I really liked in Portland – but if I cling onto the atmosphere and flavor, I’ll never get to experience the new restaurants in Nashville. I certainly don’t want that.
Do you get what I am saying?
What are you clinging onto today? I hope you’ll join me in choosing to “cherish” instead of clinging onto things so you can embrace what’s new in your life.
-Ryan
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
New Year
2010 – Oh what a year!
It’s hard to summarize a year jam-packed with change, but man am I thankful for it. I have been challenged beyond belief, thrown out of my comfort zone and forced to share my concerns with my Savior more than ever before.
Danielle and I sensed change when January 1st came last year so we aren’t all that surprised by where we are today. The year began celebrating the Christmas day birth of our nephew. I am so thankful for the time God has given us to build a relationship with Hadlie and Jackson. We enjoyed the Spring – spending time with family and friends. While having lunch with some friends, we learned of yet a new opportunity.
That opportunity took us to the Czech Republic. Little did we know how that adventure would prepare us for an even greater one. We spent a couple weeks working at an English camp and seeing another part of the world. God taught me on that trip that he would bring us through anything and never leave our side and he hasn’t!
When we returned, life didn’t slow down one bit! After searching nationwide for where God was going to move us, Danielle and I became content with the idea we may be staying in Portland. And just as soon as we became content, we realized our life was changing. Almost from the start, it seemed like Nashville would be our new home. A couple of flights back and forth and our move began. On our second anniversary, we tearfully loaded up the car and made the trek across the country to our new home.
I told you God has proven to us he won’t leave us and he hasn’t! In fact, he is really paving the way for us. Here are just a few of the things God is doing and has done. He has protected us from Satan’s attacks. Even at our weakest moment, God has intervened and protected us. He has protected our health, generously provided through others for us to go to the Czech Republic, kept us safe overseas, provided financially, provided for our families, given us special relationships with friends and family, gave us blue skies our entire drive across the country, provided a place for us to live in Nashville, gave us a safe trip back to the northwest at Christmas, provided a couple that would introduce us to our new church in Nashville, given Danielle a great volunteer opportunity in Nashville, brought Danielle and I even closer, given Danielle and I a number of great experiences to share together, allowed me to work during the day and sleep at night again and given us reason to believe that great things are in store for the future!
Summarizing a year is tough because so much happens. As I read through all our Christmas cards last night and the various updates from friends and family, I was reminded of what great people influence our lives. As tough as this world and our sin can be on people, I am so thankful to be surrounded by people dedicated to thriving through tough times. I was so encouraged to read the victories people are having and even more encouraged to see the Lord being a part of people’s lives more than ever.
As you reflect this week on the year that has been, it is my hope that you’ll choose to be optimistic about the future. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but based on the past – we can be assured that no matter what happens, God is still in control.
Danielle and I are so appreciative of the many people who have prayed us through the year. Thank you for tolerating our tears, our ups and downs and being there for us along the way.
Happy New Year!
Ryan
It’s hard to summarize a year jam-packed with change, but man am I thankful for it. I have been challenged beyond belief, thrown out of my comfort zone and forced to share my concerns with my Savior more than ever before.
Danielle and I sensed change when January 1st came last year so we aren’t all that surprised by where we are today. The year began celebrating the Christmas day birth of our nephew. I am so thankful for the time God has given us to build a relationship with Hadlie and Jackson. We enjoyed the Spring – spending time with family and friends. While having lunch with some friends, we learned of yet a new opportunity.
That opportunity took us to the Czech Republic. Little did we know how that adventure would prepare us for an even greater one. We spent a couple weeks working at an English camp and seeing another part of the world. God taught me on that trip that he would bring us through anything and never leave our side and he hasn’t!
When we returned, life didn’t slow down one bit! After searching nationwide for where God was going to move us, Danielle and I became content with the idea we may be staying in Portland. And just as soon as we became content, we realized our life was changing. Almost from the start, it seemed like Nashville would be our new home. A couple of flights back and forth and our move began. On our second anniversary, we tearfully loaded up the car and made the trek across the country to our new home.
I told you God has proven to us he won’t leave us and he hasn’t! In fact, he is really paving the way for us. Here are just a few of the things God is doing and has done. He has protected us from Satan’s attacks. Even at our weakest moment, God has intervened and protected us. He has protected our health, generously provided through others for us to go to the Czech Republic, kept us safe overseas, provided financially, provided for our families, given us special relationships with friends and family, gave us blue skies our entire drive across the country, provided a place for us to live in Nashville, gave us a safe trip back to the northwest at Christmas, provided a couple that would introduce us to our new church in Nashville, given Danielle a great volunteer opportunity in Nashville, brought Danielle and I even closer, given Danielle and I a number of great experiences to share together, allowed me to work during the day and sleep at night again and given us reason to believe that great things are in store for the future!
Summarizing a year is tough because so much happens. As I read through all our Christmas cards last night and the various updates from friends and family, I was reminded of what great people influence our lives. As tough as this world and our sin can be on people, I am so thankful to be surrounded by people dedicated to thriving through tough times. I was so encouraged to read the victories people are having and even more encouraged to see the Lord being a part of people’s lives more than ever.
As you reflect this week on the year that has been, it is my hope that you’ll choose to be optimistic about the future. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but based on the past – we can be assured that no matter what happens, God is still in control.
Danielle and I are so appreciative of the many people who have prayed us through the year. Thank you for tolerating our tears, our ups and downs and being there for us along the way.
Happy New Year!
Ryan
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Reflections
I have been reading a lot lately about people – about people calling it quits or people failing.
This week, one of the most influential broadcasters of his time is signing off. Larry King. Know him?
He’s the suspender-wearing 77-year-old man, married several times who has been criticized for not preparing for key interviews of the years.
He’s owned the 6pm/9pm slot on cable for 25 years – until a few years ago when others began to beat him and eventually crush him in the ratings.
Tomorrow night, he will interview his last guest, hunch over on the desk for a final time and end with a final goodbye. Something half as many people will see as they would have 2-3 years ago.
What about Brett Favre. Last year, a great season – memorable and filled with highlights.
This year – terrible and he missed his first game ever.
Many argue he’s too old to play football and I’m not sure they are wrong.
So are these successful men still successful?
I don’t know. Sure they’ve done great things and been successful – but these men all stayed too long.
They got comfortable and decided comfort was more important than being relevant.
I sure hope I stay relevant, but I worry I may too get comfortable at some point.
I see people doing things everyday they should have quit years ago.
What about you?
Are you relevant or is it time to do something new?
There will always be a reason not to, but I hope you and I will focus on the reasons to stay current and learn something new.
-Ryan
This week, one of the most influential broadcasters of his time is signing off. Larry King. Know him?
He’s the suspender-wearing 77-year-old man, married several times who has been criticized for not preparing for key interviews of the years.
He’s owned the 6pm/9pm slot on cable for 25 years – until a few years ago when others began to beat him and eventually crush him in the ratings.
Tomorrow night, he will interview his last guest, hunch over on the desk for a final time and end with a final goodbye. Something half as many people will see as they would have 2-3 years ago.
What about Brett Favre. Last year, a great season – memorable and filled with highlights.
This year – terrible and he missed his first game ever.
Many argue he’s too old to play football and I’m not sure they are wrong.
So are these successful men still successful?
I don’t know. Sure they’ve done great things and been successful – but these men all stayed too long.
They got comfortable and decided comfort was more important than being relevant.
I sure hope I stay relevant, but I worry I may too get comfortable at some point.
I see people doing things everyday they should have quit years ago.
What about you?
Are you relevant or is it time to do something new?
There will always be a reason not to, but I hope you and I will focus on the reasons to stay current and learn something new.
-Ryan
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Hello Y'all from Nashville
I realized it has been a LOOOOOONG time since I have blogged. So I thought I would take some time to update you on our life in Nashville and our journey to get here!
We left Portland on our anniversary! We spent four days driving a couple thousand miles across the country. We drove through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and landing in Tenessee. We had a great time, whcih was a surprise to both of us. And Meow did great!
The weekend after we arrived we were met with our first Tenessee storm! It was crazy! A couple days later our first Tornado Watch. I am still terrified of those things, but I think in time that will get better!
Our new place is finally starting to feel like home. We are learning the areas and getting settled. Ryan is really enjoying his job. It is a great fit for him. I am so proud of him and the work that he is doing.
We quickly found a church! The reason: Dave and Reba. A little note about these two. Their daughter just moved to Yakima and is working at the church where my Father in Law is an elder. My in-laws took her in and helped her get settled. When we moved here, her parents, Dave and Reba quickly took in Ryan and I. We began attending their church. Reba has helped me get connected. I have been helping cover the receptionist desk, and I will be volunteering with one of the pastors as an Admin. Assistant. I am so thankful to get plugged in quickly. And to help this pastor out. I feel like I get to help the body of Christ, and use my gifts. This unemployment thing is great! :)
All in all life is feeling normal here. I get very homesick some days, and our new place doesn't feel as much like home for me as I would hope. But I am sure it will in time.
We have done some exploring. We went to the Oprlyland Hotel on Saturday with some friends (my friend Amanda from 5th grade and her hubby). We had a great time and it was beautiful. It's exciting to have some friends out here who get the change from Oregon/Washington to Nashville.
The Lord has been so faitful to us and calling us here. He has provided more than we could ever imagine and has watched over us. We are so thankful for his provisions.
There is a breif update on life in Nashville. Hopefully we will have internet soon so I can post more often!
We left Portland on our anniversary! We spent four days driving a couple thousand miles across the country. We drove through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and landing in Tenessee. We had a great time, whcih was a surprise to both of us. And Meow did great!
The weekend after we arrived we were met with our first Tenessee storm! It was crazy! A couple days later our first Tornado Watch. I am still terrified of those things, but I think in time that will get better!
Our new place is finally starting to feel like home. We are learning the areas and getting settled. Ryan is really enjoying his job. It is a great fit for him. I am so proud of him and the work that he is doing.
We quickly found a church! The reason: Dave and Reba. A little note about these two. Their daughter just moved to Yakima and is working at the church where my Father in Law is an elder. My in-laws took her in and helped her get settled. When we moved here, her parents, Dave and Reba quickly took in Ryan and I. We began attending their church. Reba has helped me get connected. I have been helping cover the receptionist desk, and I will be volunteering with one of the pastors as an Admin. Assistant. I am so thankful to get plugged in quickly. And to help this pastor out. I feel like I get to help the body of Christ, and use my gifts. This unemployment thing is great! :)
All in all life is feeling normal here. I get very homesick some days, and our new place doesn't feel as much like home for me as I would hope. But I am sure it will in time.
We have done some exploring. We went to the Oprlyland Hotel on Saturday with some friends (my friend Amanda from 5th grade and her hubby). We had a great time and it was beautiful. It's exciting to have some friends out here who get the change from Oregon/Washington to Nashville.
The Lord has been so faitful to us and calling us here. He has provided more than we could ever imagine and has watched over us. We are so thankful for his provisions.
There is a breif update on life in Nashville. Hopefully we will have internet soon so I can post more often!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Our News
No, we are not pregnant. I know most of you assumed that as soon as you read the title.
We do have big news though. We are moving. Not just down the street, or across town. But across the Country. To Nashville, TN to be exact. Ryan just got a promotion within his company, and the job is in Nashville.
I have to confess, this was a hard decision for us. But a good one. We are going through so many different emotions right now. Fear. Sadness. Excitement. Stress. Loneliness.
See, we have been praying for a while that the Lord would make clear the place he wanted us to live. Ryan's contract was up in November (as was our lease!) and we knew we had to make some decisions. Do we stay in Portland near our friends, and family? Or do we pursue even bigger dreams for ourselves. Our life has been chaotic with Ryan's schedule. We have both been exhausted for a long time. So after lots and lots of prayer, we knew we needed to go. In fact, we were initially considering Phoenix. Then the door to Nashville flew wide open. So much so we knew it wasn't us, but the Lord making this happen.
So we are off. Ryan will be the Assistant News Director for one of the stations out there! (I am so proud of him!) We leave October 18 (on our anniversary)to start a new chapter in our life.
I am not saying that this is at all easy. We have both had our fair share of tears. We don't know what the future holds, but we know that we are being obedient to Christ. And that makes us excited for this new journey. Excited for what he has for us. And I am praying that the tornadoes and Brown Recluse spiders are not a part of that plan! :)
So please pray for us as we leave. Pray for us as we have to say a lot of really hard goodbyes. Pray for our safety as we drive across the Country...with Meow. Pray for us to get settled, meet new friends, and find a new home church.
We love you all!
Here is a song that I have been listening to that reminds me of this journey Ryan and are on! I know it's not exactly correct. But bare with me.
Late Tuesday: I must go
Time flies when you’re having fun
And it’s flown too quickly for me
For my time has arrived
The day has come, the day I must leave
Where I’ll go I cannot barely know
All I see is the road at my feet
I must go, I must leave this place
I have somewhere to go
I have a new road to follow
I must go, and though I wish I could stay
There is something beyond what I see
I must go
And though I feel like I’m losing myself as I fear leaving all this behind me
I will not, I will not lose my faith as I go
For my fears will be vanished in time
And I know that I will be fine
I must go, I must leave this place
I have somewhere to go
I have a new road to follow
I must go, and though I wish I could stay
There is something beyond what I see
I must go
And I will not forget you, I could not forget you
Even though I cannot be by your side
But life’s course has brought us to this place, tomorrow we must embrace
And seek joy in this bittersweet goodbye
We do have big news though. We are moving. Not just down the street, or across town. But across the Country. To Nashville, TN to be exact. Ryan just got a promotion within his company, and the job is in Nashville.
I have to confess, this was a hard decision for us. But a good one. We are going through so many different emotions right now. Fear. Sadness. Excitement. Stress. Loneliness.
See, we have been praying for a while that the Lord would make clear the place he wanted us to live. Ryan's contract was up in November (as was our lease!) and we knew we had to make some decisions. Do we stay in Portland near our friends, and family? Or do we pursue even bigger dreams for ourselves. Our life has been chaotic with Ryan's schedule. We have both been exhausted for a long time. So after lots and lots of prayer, we knew we needed to go. In fact, we were initially considering Phoenix. Then the door to Nashville flew wide open. So much so we knew it wasn't us, but the Lord making this happen.
So we are off. Ryan will be the Assistant News Director for one of the stations out there! (I am so proud of him!) We leave October 18 (on our anniversary)to start a new chapter in our life.
I am not saying that this is at all easy. We have both had our fair share of tears. We don't know what the future holds, but we know that we are being obedient to Christ. And that makes us excited for this new journey. Excited for what he has for us. And I am praying that the tornadoes and Brown Recluse spiders are not a part of that plan! :)
So please pray for us as we leave. Pray for us as we have to say a lot of really hard goodbyes. Pray for our safety as we drive across the Country...with Meow. Pray for us to get settled, meet new friends, and find a new home church.
We love you all!
Here is a song that I have been listening to that reminds me of this journey Ryan and are on! I know it's not exactly correct. But bare with me.
Late Tuesday: I must go
Time flies when you’re having fun
And it’s flown too quickly for me
For my time has arrived
The day has come, the day I must leave
Where I’ll go I cannot barely know
All I see is the road at my feet
I must go, I must leave this place
I have somewhere to go
I have a new road to follow
I must go, and though I wish I could stay
There is something beyond what I see
I must go
And though I feel like I’m losing myself as I fear leaving all this behind me
I will not, I will not lose my faith as I go
For my fears will be vanished in time
And I know that I will be fine
I must go, I must leave this place
I have somewhere to go
I have a new road to follow
I must go, and though I wish I could stay
There is something beyond what I see
I must go
And I will not forget you, I could not forget you
Even though I cannot be by your side
But life’s course has brought us to this place, tomorrow we must embrace
And seek joy in this bittersweet goodbye
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Beautiful Beautiful
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)
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 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?
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