Saturday, July 6, 2013

Minnesota "Bucket" list

Ok so in an attempt to get to know my new state a little more I created a list of things to do or see. I thought I would share it with you and show my progress thus far! If you know of any places you would recommend let me know!

1. Packer/Viking game
2. Twin/Brewer game
3. Como Conservatory
4. Como Zoo
5. Music and movie events in the local parks
6. Local farmers markets(1 down, many to go!)
7. Pizza Luce
8. Biaggi's
9. Sawatee (again and again-great food!)
10. 5 Guys (check!)
11. Chick-fil-a when they open!
12. Wayzata Art Experience
13. An event/play at the Guthrie
14. Concerts throughout the city, big and small!
15. Art Institute Show
16. Outdoor Theatre
17. Kayaking
18. Paddle-boarding!!!-so, so want to try this!
19. Go to Taylor Falls
20. Go to Duluth
21. MidTown Global Market
22. MN Zoo
23. Lake Calhoun (check x2!)
24. Bethlehem Baptist
25. Orpheum Theatre
26. Minnehaha Falls
27. Mini Golf
28. Boating/tubing
29. Weaver Lake
30. Centennial Lakes-all seasons
31. Lake of the Isles
32. Lake Harriet
33. Boundary Waters
34. Camping
35. Work on my photography, especially downtown with the old and beautiful churches and buildings
36. Buy a bike and check out the local biking trails.
37. Check out the unique shops
38. A professional hockey game
39. Any GF restaurant I can find!
40. Walker Art Center


There it is, folks! It will be a work in progress as I discover this new state and learn more about it and what it has to offer! Any idea or suggestions? Anyone want to check out these places with me?

Life over the {state} border


Why, hello again, friends! It's been awhile. I am still here, in Minnesota. Life since I last wrote has been in some ways the same and in other ways intense. The first couple months of being here seemed to be more about survival. Getting to know my surroundings, learning how to get to pertinent locations and back home again. Finding balance with work and focusing on not getting confused with the ever-changing details and processes that come with my job also kept me busy and exhausted by the end of the day. In all fairness, me totaling out my car and having to heal from that and take care of all those details also took up much of my time and energy in the last six weeks!

I know I promised to finish my story as to how God brought me to the culture and land but I would like to do a quick detour and give you an update on the last month or so. I would be lying to you and myself if I said that my time in Minnesota has been great, easy and fun. There have been moments of frustration, loneliness and the curiosity as to why God brought me here. Was it to just go to the gym, go to work, come home, sleep and repeat day after day? I really hope not.

I have struggled to find reason and purpose in this time. I strongly sense that God has me here and that it is in His will that I am here. Now I work and wait to (possibly) see what He has for me in addition to work. There have been tears of frustration on my way to and from work wondering if I was away from family, friends and the community I had back home to work. Or was work what He has for me now? Not once have I felt that this move was in error or that I should not be here. I do not sense the release to move back (believe me I have asked Him for it!) :)Granted there have been the occasional visit and time spent with two friends whom I knew before moving here but sadly life is busy and I don't get to see them as often as I would love to. My co-workers are pretty neat and interesting and I appreciate each one of them. What I have missed is fellowship, community and accountability. I have struggled to break out of my natural introverted self and have made it a goal to either introduce myself to at least one new person each week at church or have a conversation with someone had met previously. Some weeks have gone better than others and slowly I am starting to enjoy my time after worship I bit more.

The church I go to is large but has a ministry for young adults and a service that is geared towards that on Sunday service. I enjoy the worship and teaching and have made it to 2 of the social events in attempts to meet other people. It is just like any other service and about 150-200 people go on a average week. They meet on Sunday nights so that gives me the WHOLE day to myself. I have been intentional on trying to have it as a rest day, not running errands, shopping etc. An average Sunday finds me sleeping in, having a nice breakfast, taking a walk, reading, reflecting, skyping family and friends and getting a few meals made for the coming week. I have come to look forward and cherish this time as my work week can get hectic.

Up until recently the only thing besides Church that I consistently did was work. I CRAVED fellowship and friend time. I miss the community I had back home, especially as summer is here and I see on Facebook the great times they are having and I miss those times with them. Thankfully the opportunity opened up for a new small group that was starting. I have been going and it has been such a blessing and I look forward to going each week. I even had the chance to host the group one week!

As God puts it on your heart please continue to pray for healing from the accident. I still deal with headaches and migraines that have kept me from working and functioning at my best and pain in my neck and upper back prevent me from driving and working out as I used to. My care has been outstanding and I know it takes time but of course I get impatient at times wanting the headaches to go away and to be able to work out and function as I used to!

Also, please pray for the continued transition and building community and friendships. That I would be aware of what God has for me each moment and day and that I would be open to the ministry that I can do each day for the people I come in contact with. That He will have all glory in this season He has me in, that I TRUST HIM in this time! :)

Sunday, March 31, 2013

God didn't wait 12 months....Part 1

So, its been awhile since I blogged. Again. Remember my 13 for '13 post? Well, God certainly has been working in my life. One of my words for 2013 was

Anticipation. Anticipation for what God has in store for me and my family and friends. I look forward to seeing where He takes us, the growth, challenges, our response to them and victories we will experience this year!

Well, He certainly has challenged me. Within days of writing that post I found out that I would only have my job for a few more weeks. I was shocked, floored and so, so very sad. I loved the family and I loved my job. Yes, I was looking forward to what God had for me in 2013 but I certainly didn't expect this!

God is so cool though. the day I found out I would need to find a new job I was supposed to go on a retreat(a retreat that He totally provided for me to go on). I instantly wanted to skip the retreat and spend my weekend looking for jobs. I had only a few moments to decide. I called a friend and she convinced me to go, reminding me that my future job would still be the job for me when I get back in town on Monday. So I went, albeit reluctantly.

I kept the shock of the job to myself and was really quiet for the ride to the retreat. Basically, I knew I would cry if I talked about it and I needed to process this huge change and loss in my life. That night, are you ready for this? The speaker spoke specifically about trusting God as He changes things that are unexpected and listening and obeying Him not knowing the end result and how that honors and glorifies Him. He spoke of having a eternal focus, to have a focus that is on being holy and set apart in the hard times. To not give in or gamble in life but to be in prayer, to fast and seek counsel in decision making. To trust in the promises we are given in scripture of the Hope, love, security, acceptance and provison from Him

Yeah, I was listening. And crying. And in awe of the turn of events and the message He was giving at that moment in time. You see, for several months the womens study I was part of had been studying a book on trusting God and His Sovereignity. He had been working in my life and showing me my need to trust Him in all aspects of my life. Well, He was giving me the chance to trust Him even more in this chapter of my life.


Back to the story. The next day in our quiet time we were asked to read about Haggai and the message He had for the Israelites, how the people had not had their priorities straight and how God said in Haggai 1:5-7 to consider their ways. I was considering my ways alright. I truly beleive that God had given me the nannny job so I knew I was in His will for that so I was considering my ways and priorities for the next phase in life. After God challenges the Israelites priorities He makes the promise of being with them. I leaned on that promise. I leaned on Him for strength for that day as I slowly started telling friends about the changes in my circumstances.

Before I go on, I want to say that I was not angry or bitter. I was sad. That weekend I kept thinking of my recent blog post and how God had impressed upon me the words that I wrote about and here he was changing things days into the new year!

It has now been a few months into 2013 and He has moved me to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area. Yeah, Viking land. Yes, it is cold here and yes I have asked God why another cold territory and not somehwere warm and exotic but He has me here. I will write more of this journey and how I came to live here in my next post, until then I encourage you to Read Haggai 1:1-2:1-9 and rest in the truths and promises that if you are His child:

HE IS WITH YOU and HE WILL BRING PEACE in what you are facing so set your focus and priorities on HIM!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

10 Years

Ten years ago my family faced possibly one of the most dreaded and difficult things a family can face. A quiet, clear January day turned nearly fatal. My sister was hit from behind in her car by a fully loaded log truck, right in front of our home. They say its a parents worst nightmare, a call no one wants. My family didn't receive that call, there was no need for it, we were the ones calling for help. Neighbors came to help, rescue vehicles arrived. It was obvious, the evidence clear. The officer looked at us with sympathy and pity and said "I'm sorry". I already knew, no words were needed, a simple glance was I needed to know.

Or so we thought.

For a moment in time we thought we had lost my sister. That is not a moment one forgets or takes for granted. We were given a miracle that many have wanted and prayed for. She moved and time stood still as they confirmed vitals and worked to get her out of the car that now resembled a mangled piece of metal that no longer resembled the Ford that it had been.

She was alive and breathing. She did have injuries, minimal compared to what it appeared it was or what it could have been. Truly a miracle. It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years. 10 years of miracles. She is married, has two beautiful girls and a baby boy on the way in just a few weeks. Each day, each milestone is not lost on us. I am so thankful for her and the gift that we were given by God. He is good and I know that no matter what the outcome of that fateful day, He would have been still good. Not an easy thing to always say or live out but the truth remains. He is good, He was good as that accident happened, He was good as we faced the reality of the moment and He was good with each breath she took that day, He is good today and will be good tomorrow.

Thank you God for the tens years you have given me with my sister, thank you for her life and thank you for Your goodness in all things.

R

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

13 for '13

I promise this will be a shorter list than my last post. My 13 words for 2013 are words and phrases that express what I am feeling, hoping and looking forward to for the year.

1. Anticipation. Anticipation for what God has in store for me and my family and friends. I look forward to seeing where He takes us, the growth, challenges, our response to them and victories we will experience this year!

2. Goals. Every Janurary I make goals for the year. I check in with my list every so often. This is not a plan or rules to live by. I don't make the traditional long-term plans, but rather goals. The other day I was talking with a wonderful lady. She and her family spend many years on the mission field of Spain. She asked me what I had planned for the future. This question is difficult for me to answer and I don't necessarily like the question because it evokes the idea that what I am doing now is not enough or the right thing, because I like what I do and where I am and firmly believe it is where God wants me.

I don't make plans(i.e. 5 or 10 year plan) because life happens, things change and most importantly I am not God so I cannot see the future. I can only trust the One Who holds the future in His hands. Now, before you start to think I am a free, unreliable spirit, hear me out! Making goals gives me a chance to improve things that need improving and prevent me from becoming stagnant or irresponsible.
Some of these goals will be seen throughout the following words.

3. Financial Peace. My hope and goal by the end of the year is to have all my bills (medical, school) paid off. I have bought a book to walk me through it and hopefully this will be achieved so I am no longer serving this master!

4. Creativity. I hope to continue making the majority of my gifts and use the resources I already have on hand. I also hope to learn to sew and use the sewing machine that has been sitting on my craft table all year! :)

5. Discipline. Yes, that word that means work! I hope to continue being disciplined in my daily life including my workouts, being on time, going to bed early, drinking lots of water and so much more!

6. Heart of Rest, Joy, Peace and Thanksgiving. These four can only be experienced through Christ as I let go of things and spend more time with Him, in prayer and scripture. To be still before Him.

7. Ministry. I look forward to the work God has for me and how I can best serve Him through the young girls ministry, Don Shire ministries and whatever else He may have me do.

8. Recipes. Yes, I know it seems odd to have this word with all of the serious things of this year but I am hoping and planning on challenging myself in trying or creating new recipes to better enjoy the foods I can have. I am also hoping this will help me enjoy meals in general and not seem so much liked a chore to prepare and cook the food as I make most things from natural and non-processed sources and that means cooking from scratch!

9. Words of encouragement. I aim to be more of an encourager ot those around me.
10. Balance. I hope to find balance in the crazy thing we call life of work, play, ministry, health and the day to day process.

11. Blog and journal(more). So you will probably see me on here more often!

12. Vulnerable and sensitive. This is not an easy thing for me, friends. Pray for me, that I will be open to what the Lord has to show me and what he has in store for the year.

13. Take time. I so often do not take the time to enjoy the little things in life that are significant. Sunshine through the clouds, sunrises and sunsets, the opportunity for a chance to bless another all because I am busy. Yup, this is going to take balance, sensitivity and to let the things that don't matter go!

Whew, there it is! It is shorter like I promised:) What are some of your hopes, goals and words for 2013?
R

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

12 for 12

It is hard to believe that it is already 2013. It has been a long, long, long time since I have blogged. Suffice it to say 2012 was not always easy for me. To be honest, I stepped away from blogging because I needed to process what God was saying and showing me and I simply did not have the words to put down on paper or online as most of the processing was between myself and God. I would consider myself a person who has a hard time opening up with my innermost thoughts.

Another thing that kept me from blogging was job searching, (a seriously fulltime job!)finding a job and starting work in ministry, which kept me busy! to wrap up the events of 2012 for those of who read my little blog I am going to narrow it down to 12 words/lessons of 2012 that were meaningful and impactful. I have noticed many other bloggers do this after I had already started processing what I wanted to say. I am in no way trying to "copy" or jump on some unspoken bandwagon! In no specific order...

1. Blessed. One of my favorite and most meaningful songs reflects my heart well for 2012. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM

I have SO many reasons that I feel blessed of which I will be reflecting on more depth but the greatest reason I am blessed is because I have a heavenly Father who is Faithful, Loving, Forgiving, He is the Jehovah Jirah-the One who Provides, He is the One Who took my place(and your place) on the cross so that I may live eternally in heaven and not hell, a place that I deserve so much more than heaven because of my sins. you can know Him also. Ask me. I would be happy to introduce you to Him, He is pretty Great!

2. Humbled. In early 2012 I was largely under/un-employed which greatly challenged me financially, emotionally and spiritually. Through this time I had to learn to depend wholly on God to provide. More than once I was reduced to tears in utter humility as I saw Him provide in His timing and in His way. Honestly, I am tears as I recall this time in my life. At one time I thought that my jobless position may be moving me to going into ministry fulltime with a organization out of state. I pursued this for a time but God moved me in a different direction. In His timing He provided a job that I have loved from the very moment I started. I am (again) a nanny. This job is beyond what I could imagine in greatness. I am so thankful for this time to give(and get) cuddles, kisses and hugs! My days include the aforementioned along with diapers, bottles, playdates, library visits, playtime and the opportunity to share Jesus with a little girl who I pray will be a Daughter of the King someday!

3. Transition. I know myself enough to realize that I am a person who does best with a few close friends and one-on-one times rather than large groups and many aquaintances to bare my soul to. Two of my close friends have lived in Minnesota and Pennslyvania, respectively. Two of my other close friends lived here in Wausau, that is until this fall. Both moved, one to Minnesota and the other to China(yes, China!) These friends were the friends I found I could talk to and know I wouldn't be judged. I could depend on them, enjoyed the time we would spend together and knew I could tell them anything. Well, I can still talk to them, thanks to technology but there is distance and time differences. To say the least, I found myself lacking close and dear friend time. Yes, I have other friends that I have spent time with but I had not known that deep friendship that I had with others. I missed the chat and tea times, going to events together and so much more.

I realized that the void I was experiencing was an opportunity to know my Best Friend (God) even more because I could and needed to talk to Him even more and that I could and should seek out friendships with other women. I knew I needed to be more out-going and intentional in reaching out to others. God provided in His own timing, as always. A renewed friendship with a friend and a new friendships with 2 new ladies in town has given me someone to hang out with and enjoy local events with.

Other transitions include another move to a new apartment. I now live in town, closer to work, the gym, church and downtown. I have enjoyed the closeness of my location and what it offers. I also switched to a different church, not for major issues or reasons, rather I felt that this church was a better fit for me.

4. Creativity. This past year I have been enjoying my creative side by attepmting to learn to sew and make as many gifts and home decor myself as much as possible. I have been using what I already have/own to upcycle and recreate new things. This past Christmas I was able to make 985 of the gifts with my own hands and resources. I enjoy doing this and plan to continue doing so. This winter I hope to become more proficient in sewing. Pinterest and Hobby Lobby have become my friends in this endeavor:)

5. Discipline. This word can evoke groans of dread and guilt to many, myself included. I have been working on not having a legalistic view of many things that I do each day but rather finding enjoyment and challenge in the things I do. I committed to a healthy 2012 and plan on continuing to do in 2013. I have also aimed to be better on time management and being more organized. To read and be in scripture daily and be more intentional on spending time in the bible study materials I am part of.

6. Joy. I have found joy in the little and big things this year. I think is largely in part to God's work in my life. Having lead me through the challanges of earlier this year I find joy in the early morning sunrises, the smell of rain, time with my nieces and baby giggles. I plan on documenting more of the joys that see each day, the things I am thankful for in future blogs.

7. Peace. With God and Joy actively in my life I have peace. If you are looking for peace, get to know the One Who offers Peace. My life is not perfect, I have many moments of fear or insecurity over many things. I have experienced stress and discouragement. I have also tried to find peace on my own volition, which doesn't work, friends. True peace is not temporary. True peace is sourced from the hope of and surity of salvation for those who have accepted it.

8. Ministry. Along with a wonderful job, God in His great timing provided the opportunity for me to serve Him in a way that I had sought for many years. As you will see in previous posts I have wanted to be in missions in a global way. Through His Ways and a friend who knew my passion for missions, I am now planning and organizing mission trips for a organization that ministers through music, orphan and widow care and sharing the Gospel. Don Shire Ministries takes several teams to many different countries throughout the year and I work from the start of the trip(applications, flights, lodging etc.) to the end of the trip in whatever way is needed. At some point, there may be a chance for me to visit the main countries that DSM works with Honduras, Haiti and India. Of course, I will have some challenges to meet being gluten free but I am so thankful that the leader of the trips and organization is really familiar with Celiac so travel may be easier with his knowledge on it.

I have also had the opportunity to be part of a minsitry reaching out to young girls, grades 7-9, encouraging them to be the women God desires them to be. The ministry is based off of Titus 2. This is a parachurch, ground roots endeavor started by a friend. It has been incredible to see God work in this ministry!

9. Sharing from life. I struggled with a word/phrase to express this. Three, nearly four years ago, when I was diagnosed with Celiac and had to drastically change my diet and also realized the ramifications of my allergies and its impact on my health I was over whelmed, scared, stressed and overwhelmed. I was on a meal-to-meal survival mode. This lasted for quite some time. I relied on a few people I knew, blogs and websites I found and my Chiropractors and Nutritionist to get through the first few years. This year brought the opportunity to walk along side a few people who were in my same position as I was in not that long ago. I have realized that something that I thought was a curse and a black cloud in my life has been used to encourage others. I have been called on by a few near and far who are struggling with food allergies/celiac who need suggestions to survive. I look at this as an opportunity to use what is ugly in my life to be a blessing in anothers.

I am starting to be more confident in being gluten free. trying new and different recipes and food options. I have been discovering more of God's creation in food products and have been enjoying it!

10. Part Of But Not Defining. Along with #9 I have been striving to not let being celiac and the issues it brings to define me. It is part of who I am but I don't want it to control me. Friends, this is not easy to do. Food is central in all societies, so when one cannot take part of this at parties, events or even communion in church, I and others feel a seperation or disconnect from society. I strive to focus on fellowship, conversation and creating new dishes that I can introduce to others. I have failed at having a right heart attitude in this at times and by God's help I have accomplished this at times. This will be an ongoing thing for me.

11. Family. Oh, family, I love them! This year it has been a joy to spend time with them and get to know them more. My nieces are growing into wonderful girls who I pray know Jesus someday soon! They are all girly girls who love to dress up, twirl in tu-tus and play with their babies, give and get hugs and kisses and I will soon have a nephew to love on also! I love being Auntie Rachael!

My sister, Ashley, recently married so our family has grown with adults also. This Christmas, all of the adults spent some great time sledding, playing Wii and target-shooting,fun! My youngest sisters are growing up to be wonderful and lovely young ladies. They are now 12 & 14 which makes me feel old but also blessed to see them develop interests and excel in them(and benefit from their creations);)

12. Defining who I am. The year of 2012 has been a challenge, as I have noted. I have seen God work around, in and through me. I have been learning who I am and who I find my identity in. It's not what I do or not do, my singleness, my looks, size of jeans, time spent at the gym, what I say or keep to myself, or the depth of my organization or cleaning. It is my identity in Christ. Redeemed, saved, loved, meant to love, serve, encourage others, minister, worship and share christ with others. This living out of my true identity has been a challenge for me in 2012, one that I have experienced great growth in and I praise God in working in me in this and I have no doubt He will continue to challenge me in this! :)

Well, thanks for sticking with me in this recap of 2012, I know it was a long one!I encourage you to take some time to reflect on this last year and ask God what it may be that you can work on/change with his help in the new year. I have no doubt that it will be a blessing in your walk with Him!

Rae


The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His merceis never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23