life with aeh.

canaaadaaa

2011-10-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'm up here in Canada for the wedding of my AMAZING friend Layne Beckner Greene. She has been my partner in all things YWAM. We have traveled across many borders (we're going to write a book full of our harrowing tales someday), slept side by side on a tile floor for a couple months, shared a few foreign illnesses, placed thousands of game of speed scrabble (Layne winning most), baked and cooked for a team of twelve in all sorts of kitchens, talked about love, life, God, the future, and eaten a cumulative of 3,439 (or so) squares of dark chocolate in our most unstable moments.

Now we have gathered in Brantford, Ontario to celebrate her marriage to our wonderful friend Jonathan Grime. We met Jonathan almost three years ago as he came to be a student in the school we were staffing in Kona (scandal!). I watched them fall in love across a handful of continents. It was dramatic, romantic, and looked a little bleak at times, but THANKFULLY it ends well (sorry for the spoiler).

They are so sweet and they adore each other.

The girls are camped out in the apartment that they'll share in just a few days after their honeymoon. It is the sweetest little spot and Laynie's first real home in about five years.

We have already laughed & eaten an exorbitant amount. As usual.

More to come!

**All photos by Lindsay Blake & Layne Greene

thirty years.

2011-08-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

thirty years ago today,

fred hennighausen married mary gump at cox chapel in dallas, texas

and our little family was born.

congratulations to the most wonderful parents in the world.

you are so loved and appreciated.

we greatly admire your perseverance to have a Godly, selfless, laughter-filled marriage even after thirty years.

we had a little family dinner to celebrate their big milestone. we pulled out a ton of old family pictures and hung them all over. these are a few favorites:

Both photos from their honeymoon in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.

with baby Katy

Christmas 1985

Not sure about that look on both of our faces.

Daddy & a little Jules

our celebration last night:

ps: that thing in the middle of the table is their 30 year-old cake topper.

happy anniversary!
we love you!

Sunday morning at McDonald's.

2011-08-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

When my dad (known to grandbabies as 'Bubba') and my nephew Caedmon leave for McDonald's early on Sunday mornings, the Roses probably imagine a normal breakfast and some playing in the playtubes.

After accompanying them this last weekend, I found the experience to be a bit more special. I'd like to give everyone an inside peek.

Sunday Mornings at McDonalds consist of:

a pancake breakfast while listening to Katy Perry and dancing along
(check out that arm draped over the high chair)

making new friends

strategizing

high chair races

explosive diapers (why is there toilet paper everywhere?)

dirty feet

learning to roll down hills (Caed couldn't quite get the angle down)

some deep life conversation

and finally, disappearing into the sunrise.

Open letter to my hair feather.

2011-08-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Hair Feather,

We met in California, when a few of my friends had never seen you before. We thought you were cute.

What fun! What whimsy! What Californication! we told ourselves.

Then I returned to Texas, whereupon I found that most college-aged girls had made the exact same exclamations. But didn't they know this was our original fashion statement? How rude. We were suddenly less original than previously thought.

Then I heard that Ke$ha had also bought into the trend. Ke$ha spells her name with a dollar sign and makes millions of dollars every few days. The hair feather was all we had in common.

And then I met a small five year-old girl in the playland of Chik-Fil-A -- I have a nephew, you know -- and, upon seeing my feather, she exclaimed, "Wow! I have one too!" and pulled out a glittery, hot pink feather from the ponytail of her baby hair. Then she shimmied back up into the playtubes. I'm afraid this was the nail in your wee coffin, dear hair feather.

I am not opposed to things that perhaps seem outside of my age bracket. After all, I am a Belieber and occasionally shop at Forever 21. I was 21 five years ago and then turned 22. There was no Forever about it.

But now I am moving on to Seminary, where I fear Great Theological Thinkers may frown upon such things as an accoutrement belonging to bird taking residence in my hair. I hope said Thinkers do not read my blog.

So bye-bye, Hair Feather. Thanks for a rockin' few months.

On the subject of my fantastic friends & their fabulous weddings:

2011-08-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

...You should take a few minutes to watch the wedding video of my dear, dear friend Sheryl & her new husband, Sean. Sheryl and I go way back to Berkner Bandoleras and Baylor freshman year roommates. Sheryl is a solid, kind, compassionate, wonderful woman and she married an incredible man that I've loved getting to know. It was an honor to be a part of their perfect, joy-filled day.

Enjoy!

Wedding //// Sean & Sheryl from Jordan Smith on Vimeo.

Jennie & Jordan's wedding featured!

2011-08-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

Click here to go see their wedding featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs. Beautiful!

Jackson Justus.

2011-08-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Precious, precious little boy. After a long, courageous labor, Katy and Kristian welcomed a beautiful son on August 2nd. And I get to be this sweet thing's Aunt! Lucky me. He's such a sweet baby and we have absolutely loved our special time of getting to celebrate him. I could just sit and hold him forever. Seriously. I am in love.

What a blessed little baby, to be born to parents of great faith, compassion, and wisdom. He has an incredible heritage. I know that God has the most wonderful plans for him, full of life and adventure. I can't wait to watch who he becomes.

Jackson, you are already adored more than you can imagine! We love you so much and I'm so, so grateful to be your Auntie.

Babies are such a nice way to start people. ::Don Herrold

in Norman, Oklahoma...

2011-07-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

waiting for the Rose baby...

and loving THIS today.

[they happen to be my parents.]

bye bye bozeman.

2011-07-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

[these photos are from the lay part of laysay!]

we have been in bozeman, montana for a week with our dear friend SARAH. we swung by this great state to drop her off at the end of tour. we hosted a meet-and-greet at her church services and we've also set up a photo gallery of everyone’s prints. it will be in a local cafe for the next month.

between these times, our adventurous have been amazing and numerous.

we met her lovely best friends, of whom we have heard MUCH about in the last two years (when you live day-in and day-out with someone, we tend to hear even the smallest, most random and irrelevant stories.) Little did the girls know that when I met them and shook their hands, I already knew their entire life stories, junior high crushes, favorite colors, and greatest moral dilemmas (jk..?).

layne and i also found sarah’s ex-love, daniel, wandering on the streets (small town) and graciously invited him to take some self-portraits with us.
we found it amusing.
sarah did not.
daniel was a nice man.
and again, we already knew everything about him anyway.
might as well snap a picture!

oops. caught.

way back when we were in kona, we (the track) sat down together and made a whole stack of random encouraging notes. it's one of the ideas from our book -- have you heard of it?-- Act Here. Love Now!!!

we’ve been carrying them with us on tour, leaving them in places and spaces up the coast. bozeman will get the last of our love!

_________________________

and the very best thing about our little trip to Bozeman has undoubtedly been our short but lucrative career as firework saleswomen.

we have gotten to meet all sorts of locals and friendly faces.

I've especially loved the multitudes of fathers with their sons and daughters. It was very sweet until we realized that most of these grown men just use their children as props in the effort to make their purchases of large explosives acceptable to their wives.
but we don't judge here at Bobcat Discount Fireworks!

_____________

today Layne and I will fly down to Dallas, where she will stay for a few days and then LEAVE me to be with her Canadian husband-to-be.

and I will stay in Texas. because it's my new home!
my three years with YWAM are over, and a new season begins....

endings.

2011-06-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

the tour ended on Sunday.
we are devastated!!
two years together.
844+ days.
months and months.
countries and cities.
planes, trains, and automobiles.

this tour has been incredible.
God using our stories & memories to encourage others.
the toughest moments of our travels retold and redeemed when they inspired others to action.

go God.

[as a little peek into tour, here's a montage Megs put together of the MANY homes we stayed in. thank you to all of the owners of these lovely doors!]

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

2011-06-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful dad on the planet, Fred Hennighausen.

He is the kindest, most hilarious, most encouraging, most generous man I know.

There are a million words I could use to describe him. He is truly fantastic.

But all in all --what matters-- is that He has taught me how to live a life that looks like Jesus.

Because everyday, I've watched him live intentionally and with integrity.

He has shown me how to love well, forgive freely, and daily choose joy & thankfulness.

[ The Track girls love Fred. ]

I know that until I have children, I will never fully understand what he has done for us. Also, he's the most understatedly hilarious person in my life and trust me, you always want to be on his side of a practical joke.
{ie. When my sisters and I were little girls, I remember lying in bed one night and seeing a red dot dance around on the wall in the dark. We were terrified (and obviously about to be sucked up into a UFO) and ran straight into my parents room. After my dad had assuaged our fears, calmed us down, and sent us back to bed, we laid down and.... it happened again! Come to find out my dad was terrifying his sweet little girls with a red laser pointer and then running back to his bed to pretend to be asleep. WHO DOES THAT?!}

Fred does that.

Despite the potentially scarring experiences that the Hennighausen girls overcame, we still think he is PRETTY great.

I'm so proud of my parents.

I'm proud of who they are and

I'm proud of where I come from.

I am proud to call them MINE!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Jennie's Bridals.

2011-06-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

In the midst of our crazy week preparing for the wedding in St. Louis, Jennie, Gracie, and I went to the wedding site, climbed in some bushes and dead grass, and perilously endangered her gorgeous dress for the sake of a few good photos. Here are a few of our favorites [thank you, lbg, for the use of your great camera]!

[special thanks to Gracie for her stylistic skills, light assistance, and ability to make Jennie laugh and special thanks to Jennie for being a stunning bride!]

Today...

2011-06-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

...My best friend gets married.

To our other dear friend.

We took bridal pictures a few days ago. Of course I will post many.

So thankful to be here. We've spent a week planning, crafting, dancing, making, praying, rejoicing, remembering, laughing [we always do that].

What a gift to be here.

What joy!

[photos by Colette]

Thank you, Lord, for NO RAIN on our little wedding in a field.

I adore these girls.

2011-05-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

Life is so FULL.

:: Cafes, Churches, Homeschool Groups, Knitting Clubs, Artist Nights, Small Groups ::

Shared stories, broken vans, five-hour drives, new cities, books sold, a Question popped [more to come], and even a blind date.

The West Coast has been good to us.

God has been good to us.

--------

Last week our Teal Van died.

A couple of hours before we found out that it was actually...gone for good, we received a donation in the exact amount we would need to rent a car for the rest of tour.

Wow.

Thank you, Jesus, for incredible provision & blessings.

This Tour is crazy. A time of learning, stretching, and laughing.

I will miss them.

No boy--

2011-05-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

--should live without doting Aunts.

We're coming back to you soon, Caedmon!

ps. Auntie Julie is in Austin working for a Texas Senator for half of the summer. She is a superstar. I tried to convince her to blog about it, as she is one of the most hilarious people I know and I would be an avid follower, but she has yet to agree.

scenes from the Tour.

2011-05-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

this is real.

and look, Sis! I finally figured out where he got it from!

Like Auntie like nephew. Sigh.

a lovely night.

2011-05-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

Last night we drove from Redding down to Sacramento.

We dined with the kindest family, the Thompsons, parents of Layne's good friend Gabi.

Mmmmm, tacos!

It was so nice to sit at a dining room table and eat a home-cooked meal [not that we don't love our random groceries from a styrofoam cooler eaten whilst traveling in the car]. It was a perfect meal. They were sweet to ask all about our travels, and we ended up laughing about Sarah being interrogated by Israeli police while Layne and I thought we had lost her forever. It's good to laugh about those things now that we have recovered from the trauma.

After dinner we headed over to their Bible Study, which was a collection of the kindest, most interested, most encouraging couples. It was a TREAT for us to be there.

They also had cupcakes, which blessed us in great and unmeasurable ways.

We absolutely loved our time with them. Really and truly. It was perfect.

We're now back in Davis, staying with four college girls who have, amazingly, donated their living room for our use. We met one of the girls when we were here last week, and she offered for us to stay when we returned. They are so gracious -- leaving a key and note under the mat last night (they were out) and breakfast out for us this morning. We didn't even know them before last night!? -- Was I that generous in college? I'm guessing NO. Jennie and I were way too consumed with perfecting our no-bake cookie recipe, which I'm guessing is approximately two steps down in importance in the Kingdom of God.

We are sharing at a few college small groups today and tomorrow, and then heading to meet up with the other half of the team [now in Pismo Beach] on Friday.

This trip has been the most humbling experience -- complete strangers have opened their homes to us, fed us treats, asked a million questions, purchased books, prayed for us, donated to the tour.... we never expected any of that, but WE ARE SO GRATEFUL.

Lazy Sunday.

2011-05-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hola, people.

Today is a lovely, rainy, hail-y, 40-degree Sunday in Redding, California. Four of us have come up for a few events in the area and to stay with some of Layne's DEAR friends (who are recent graduates of the Bethel School of Ministry). This morning we went to Bethel --loved it! -- and now have come home to escape the cold and take a day to REST.

We are fully prepared with hot chocolate, pizza, popcorn, and Julie & Julia.

I have been wrongly led to believe that California is a place of sunshine, clear days, and warm afternoons. This is not the case. Good thing I packed 3 pairs of flip flops, 3 pairs of shorts, and a small crowd of summer dresses before I learned the truth!

Arrrg.

My Momma

2011-05-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

...is a wonderful lady.

This is a day late. But Mama Mary doesn't mind. She takes her time. Enjoys life. Approaches thing in a ~~slow~~ relaxed manner. I have proudly inherited this trait.

Does this mean I grew up being late to most things? Yes.
Have I finally accepted that my family is late to most things? Yes.
Do my parents still deny this blatantly true fact? Yes.

I digress.

Oh, Mommy.
What a lady!
What a mother!
What a grandma!

Spend a few minutes with my Mom. Go ahead. I promise you will be laughing by the end of it. And she will inevitably be telling you some wildly crazy story while waving her hands around. If you're lucky, you'll catch her listening to a Michael Jackson and doing her signature dance moves. Lots of elbow.

She's vibrant & vivacious. Lovely & energetic. A seamstress & crafter. A fabulous chef & baker of all things delicious.

Just last week I tried to yell something downstairs to my parents but they couldn't hear me. Why, you ask?

Because they had Kanye West blaring too loudly.

True.
Story.

My mom is one of a kind.

There are no words. She's fabulous and hilarious and she Skypes me every single week. She's the kind of grandma that holds babies by their ankles (yes) and climbs up in trees to hide. And I can't wait to have some babies just so they can appreciate her as much as I do.

She's also a great hugger, which is obviously CRUCIAL to being a successful mom & grandma.

Mommy, you're the best.

Happy Mother's Day.

T-shirts. Holla!

2011-05-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

from [laysay.wordpress.com]

cambria’s brother graciously offered to design tour t-shirts for us.

they arrived today and we opened them with much anticipation.

WE.LOVE.THEM.

so soft and warm.

you, too, can own one of these beauties for a mere $20.

(this includes shipping!)

Go HERE to order one!

We have S, M, and L!

A Perfect Birthday Afternoon

2011-05-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

My 26th birthday has been ridiculously wonderful.

It seems like celebrations have lasted weeks.

I didn't even have time to stop and think about the fact that I'm turning 26.

Until now. Aaaah.

Anyway, this year's festivities were SO lovely. An all-time favorite!

We woke up this morning and spoke to some delightful jr. high people at the Rock church in San Diego. Then lunch and away to Coronado Island to ride bikes!

It was one of those simple times in life where everything (especially the company!) is just fantastic.

I thought to myself this is something that will last in my memory for a long time as the PERFECT afternoon.

a wee fall.

This is a real group hug that happened spontaneously at the end. Unplanned. The tatted up man in the bike shop looked at us with raised eyebrows.

Thank you, Track Girls for being my family and seeking (successfully!) to make birthdays in foreign cities the very best of days.

And family and friends, thank you for the food, fun, quality time, and words of encouragement in the past couple of weeks. You make my life so rich!

Act Here Love Now Tour show.

2011-04-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well, as promised, here are a few photos from one of our first events.

We invited a bunch of people over to Megan's house for dessert and music.

I'll start off a short video of the music from the night by the talented

Caleb Jude Green and Joseph Pfeifer.

[Through a random conversation with him, I realized that I had actually heard Caleb play a long time ago (my freshman year at Baylor) -- at Common Grounds. Ha!]

Anyway, we had a great turnout and were so happy to have the chance to share photos and stories from the (newly acquired!) book.

I was in obvious HEAVEN as I was assigned the 'task' of providing the baked goods along with a few of the other girls. We baked for like... 8 hours straight. It was a gift from God. Although I think the girls started getting concerned when I kept pulling out random recipes and coming up with new things to bake. They may think I have a problem.

(our friend and teacher, Wally Nell, is a photographer living in Cairo. He was recently injured in the protests, and has been in the states recovering. We were so thankful that he was able to come! That's him above.)

[photos by Jaylene Olson or me]

Thanks for following the journey! More to come.

The Tour Has Begun!

2011-04-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

We are in Oceanside, CA!

We're having an event tonight @ Meg's house -- Caleb Jude Green & Joseph Pfeifer will play

and we'll have books (just arrived today!) & photos for sale!

We also baked a ton of food.

a TON.

Blog post about tonight to come! Here are some photos of the book drop-off and setup for the night.

3.25 Years Ago....

2011-04-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

...I walked off a plane and down some stairs into the BLAZING HEAT of this wee island.

I got into a van with some strangers (sorry Mommy - they were holding a YWAM sign) and they carted me off to the base. It was all very scary and unfamiliar. Jennie was coming the next day, so I was alone. Didn't know a soul. I think I cried.

Three years later, this place is my home. Many people I love and adore live here. Many prayers have been prayed and answered here. Many dreams about my future were planted by God here. Many hour long phone calls to my family. Many tears cried here when I was hit with the truth of the Love of God. Many stories heard from around the world, crazy tales of God's faithfulness and miracles in places far away.

Three years later, I have some of the very best friends in the world.

Three years later, Jennie is about to marry a man we would meet that night, right after arriving.

Three years later, I can't imagine this place not being a part of my life.

Thank you, Lord, for these precious years.

[I'm flying home tonight.]

Stationary Art to Help Save a Heart.

2011-04-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

My older sister & brother are two of the most Amazing people I know.

Nothing about their life is ordinary or mundane. They find joy in the smallest of tasks & traditions and meaning in each new step of parenting.

They are always looking for something outside-of-the-box.

I love that in them.

So here is their exciting idea:

Blessing a little Iraqi baby with a new heart just as Baby Rose comes into the world.

[Post below straight from the Rose blog:]

In honor of our second son's birth we are so very excited to join the Preemptive Love Coalition in raising enough money for at least one child's life-saving heart surgery.

We have talked often about PLC on this blog and absolutely love the work they do. Our close friends, theFishers, are some of the founding members and working hard to make incredible stuff happen in Iraq where they live. You will not be disappointed if you take a couple minutes to see what they're doing!

Their work enables a child to receive a life-saving heart surgery for $670. (Amazing!)

So our goal is to raise at least $670 by our baby's birth day, late July 2011!

One of the ways we're going about raising these funds is selling handmade stationary.
We would be so honored if you would consider purchasing a set (or two!) to help us work towards this goal.

Please visit my Etsy shop to purchase (I'm new to this so bear with me!) where you can pay with a credit card, or if you'd like to discuss different payment or ordering methods shoot me an email at mary.kathryn.rose(at)gmail(dot)com.

Here are a few more details

Each set includes 8 cards and 8 envelopes
Each card features landscape photography prints (by Katy) mounted on 4"x5.5" textured card stock
All sets include a combination of cream and white stationary and envelope

Each set $10, plus $2 to ship

Thank you for joining with us!

{If you are interested in simply donating to our heart surgery fund,
you may do so here. Thank you!}

a little April update.

2011-04-10T01:35:00.000-07:00

Big Al's trip to the Big Island.

2011-04-06T22:21:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite people came to see me this week.

We had the BEST time. Really -- the best time.

Allison and I have been friends since first grade. Ms. Parks' class.

I think it was love at first sight.

And then I broke the leg off her Ken doll.

But she eventually forgave.

That's when you know it's true friendship--when you've really been through the hard times together.

We snorkeled and swam and ate a lot of ~~unhealthy~~ delicious
food. [I think I'm bad at planning meals for visitors. When Julie visited me in Ireland I think I fed her cheese fries twice in one day].

Al & I laughed and talked and processed and sang and explored. She came at the very perfect time. I treated it like my very own Hawaiian vacation.

I love being with Alli because she is full of life, generous, kind, thoughtful, and just Fun to be with. And because I hope it rubs off a little bit on me.

Look at that leap! She's still got it.

Dinner with our friends Savannah, Layne, Andrew & Josh.

And then on the last day, we woke up at 3:45 to drive up to the tip-top of Mauna Kea to watch the sunrise. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my entire life.

The drive up was terrifying (think sheer dropoffs and a few thousand feet of open air (just kidding, don't think that, Mommy)), but like many other dubious situations we've found ourselves in, I convinced Allison it was a great idea.

She later forgave me, so graciously, just like the Ken doll incident, and agreed that it was well worth the drive.

[FACT: The summit of Mauna Kea is home to the world's largest astronomical observatory.]

A perfect week with one of my very best friends in my last few weeks in Kona.

they're legit graduates.

2011-03-27T02:35:00.000-07:00

for a taste of our night....watch below.
the girls were awesome.

graduates.

2011-03-25T03:36:00.000-07:00

I can't say enough about these people.

[the girls praying before graduation]

Tears. Laughter. So much JOY.

Watching them speak, walk the stage, reflect....just makes my heart feel so full.
We are all different girls than those we started as two years ago.

I was sitting with Cambria and Linds after, talking about how these years have absolutely been some of the very best of our lives. Until the day we die, we will remember the great adventure and precious friendships that these two years were marked by.

What an amazing journey.

Well done, friends.

two years later.

2011-03-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

tonight: Graduation.

the girls will walk the stage and receive their Associate's degree (did you know they get a degree out of this whole thing?). the certificate will be provisional upon completion of the tour part of our journey (to end in June).

we are very proud. making it this far has taken endurance, hard work, patience, trust, and FAITH.

36 countries later, they did it.

hip hip hooray!

three cheers for my favorite ladies.

again, again!

2011-03-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Today I was looking through some photos from the last year.
And when I came across this,

[little tiny Caedmon]

I thought about the HAPPINESS in that we get to have this all of this again! (The Roses are having another little BOY in July.)

Now for them, upon thinking about this they might break out in a sweat or feel the hope of a full night's sleep slowly slipping through their tired fingers (precious little Caed has recently discovered how to scream at the top of his lungs).

But for me (and Auntie Julie and Lolly and Pop)?

This = PURE JOY!

(yes, yes. The Roses feel joy too. It's just a more...costly joy. Aunties get to hug and cuddle them and hand them right back over at the onset of said screaming.)

mommy-to-be's bday.

2011-03-07T00:54:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to my sweet, nurturing, selfless, humble, gentle, servant-hearted friend, Christie.

What a year it's been. She and her husband will welcome their little baby boy in just a few weeks. And since all of those words above are true, I have no doubt that she will be an absolutely wonderful mother.

I'm eternally grateful for your faithfulness in our friendship over the many years, Christie! Looking forward to many, MANY more.

Christie, my prayer for you is that you find deep joy in this new season of motherhood. And that through loving and raising Wesley, you learn more of our Father's love for us. I pray that you remember the beauty of His mercies that are new each morning (especially when those mornings come at 3am) and that you find pure delight in the new life of your sweet son!

Sunrise.

2011-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Layne's mom, Bernice, is in town for the week. We've been running around the island hitting all the very best spots.

On Sunday we woke up at 4am to drive up 14,000 to watch the sunrise above the clouds.

It's about 40 degrees up there-- home to one of the largest telescopes on earth.

Unbelievably beautiful.

You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry hosts, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Nehemiah 9:6

For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:3-5

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

he suspends the earth over nothing.

He wraps up the waters in his clouds,

yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it.

The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke.

By his power he churned up the sea.... By his breath the skies become fair....

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;

how faint the whisper we hear of him!

How then can we understand the thunder of his power?

Job 26

Update From Naomi

2011-02-23T12:39:00.000-08:00

My dear Naomi is in Christchurch, New Zealand now, right in the midst of the earthquake aftermath. With her permission, I've posted her update note to us below.
You'll see --she has such a wonderful heart and resilient spirit.

im here in this city

my city
i arrived midday

and i see in part

on the news and the corners of the heart of Christchurch
the destruction, the sadness, the fear

the deaths have risen to 75 with 300 people missing.

when i see the people on the tv screen waiting outside crumbled buildings for their loved ones to be rescued. my heart breaks, the tears come and reality keeps pushing its way back in.

i have a high school friend who may or may not still be alive

death and life

this is reality..

since i have been here. this short time, this urgency to pray has been stirring and pushing at my heart. What God spoke to me before i left. what He spoke to me two years ago, was that i would go down to the depths of the darkness, and life/light would come forth. He told me that i would be on the streets, fighting the darkness. it seems that will indeed be the very place i am. whether its shovelling away debris or standing and praying with victims. i know that these things he spoke are coming to be much sooner than i would have ever anticipated.

he is raising up a song in me-it seems odd at this time- but it is the same with the prayer, the min i landed the song rose up in me "praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead". i was waiting in line to finally see Christchurch and i started quietly singing this song, as i did the tears welled up so i stopped. but i feel an urgency that we must sing out.

i dont know what this all looks like. but already i have been in contact with another friend who feels the same. i know practical things must be done but i also feel the spiritual aspect to this so strongly. we must fight.

the aftershocks are big, and frequent, there is no water and at the moment the supermarkets are closed. so food is just what you have.

our toilet is behind the garage outside. this is the case for a lot of people. water is the main concern. so please pray.

we dont know the full extent. but we do know our God is good.

And then we were nine.

2011-02-22T00:34:00.000-08:00

I'm so depressed I can barely think about it.

She's heading back home for a few different reasons. Originally she was planning to meet back up with us for the tour, but plans change and it seems that she'll be taking her tiny island of New Zealand by storm instead.

There are not enough adjectives to describe her. She is (almost) 21 but has the soul of someone who has lived for years and years and years. She's insightful, thoughtful, PASSIONATE, and so, so beautiful (can't you see?).

She feels like a sister.

She punches and pinches me, and gives the best hugs and backrubs.

Her favorite things are lollies and long talks, and time with her is so refreshing.

Her departure feels like the amputation of my left arm. We've lived day-in, day-out life together for 22 months now.

A couple of hours before we left for the airport, we found out that her hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand had been hit by a massive earthquake. She'll arrive there in about 10 hours from now. We sat and listened and waited and prayed -- thankfully, her family and friends are all safe.

I guess it was everything combined, but we had a really SAD farewell. The ten of us rode to the airport, prayed, cried, and hugged. We're starting to disband, and it will be so difficult.

[photos by L & L, primarily]

There aren't enough words for my sweet Naomi.

The adventures. The struggle. The journey. The learning.

But the world's gotten a whole lot smaller in the past few years.

And I will absolutely see this girl again.

I'm thinking the Kiwi needs a good dose of Texas.

You & Me: Part II, The Dinner

2011-02-21T01:02:00.000-08:00

The promised PART TWO.

Not a bad setup, right? The ocean view is over to the left.

prepping.

The cooking crew prepped the food all afternoon on Thursday, and started cutting vegetables and grilling the meat/fish at 3 p.m. on Friday. We had many sweet friends that pitched in to help us (more like...cook the entire meal?)

Our Cambria and Naomi set up and decorated the patio area, adding all their sweet, creative touches. They made it magical. Jaylene and I made the hearts below!

This snazzy affair had a delicious three-course meal, great music and a wee dance floor.

It was lovely.

We were exhausted by the end of the night, but apparently not too exhausted to eat a gigantic steak meal (complete with appetizers and dessert) at 10 pm. I don't really even eat steak at normal dinner times. (?)

Mmmm.

--------------------------

In the end we had 54 happy & stuffed individuals, a shared vision, a jar full of tips for the book, and only one exploded bottle of dressing due to a negligent microwave user.

Success!

You & Me: Part I, The Set-up

2011-02-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

and it has proved to be QUITE the undertaking.

I give you:

The You & Me dinner is a fundraiser we put on for the printing and distribution of our book, Act Here. Love Now.

(the website was just created this week -- still in its early stages!)

All 10 of us (plus some friends) have been planning for a few weeks now -- and I have to say we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into.

Cambria, Savannah, and I ventured out to find 27 tables for our couples.

.......

54 people.

27 tables.

{that's 108 legs we fished out of the container in the wilderness of the campus}.

I want to personally thank Cambria for putting her life in danger for the sake of the tables.

In those pictures she's lying on top of a six-foot pile of table legs. I held the front chairs up so she wouldn't avalanche out.

Part II - the Actual Dinner -- coming soon!

Here's a preview of how the finished tables looked:

a good travel partner.

2011-01-16T12:48:00.000-08:00

God's gift in unfamiliar lands.

jocum.

2011-01-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Track's happy little home for 3 months is YWAM Sao Paulo

(my home for just 2.5 weeks).

It is a very special place.

Full of hissing geese, sweetened coffee, and rice & beans.

Also full of incredibly gracious Brazilians. We like being here. It's an oasis in the middle of this crazy City.

I was playing with the settings on my camera and shot around the base the other day.

So here is the wonderful JOCUM:

(short for Jovens Com Uma Missão -- portuguese for Youth with A Mission).

I found out the other day that GIGI was here a couple of years ago! I saw this on facebook. See anything familiar? HA.

layne helped make dinner the other night.

refrigerator art.

milk & coffee.

don't be fooled. these geese HISS. terrifying.

we projected a movie in our bedroom the other night.

Thankful for this happy little place.

drip drop.

2011-01-12T02:59:00.000-08:00

it rains every day here. everyday. right on time.
last night was a little worse than usual.
oh well--lots of pots around anyway

i slept all night with a pot precariously balanced on the foot of my bed.

that's all.

Next Track starts TODAY.

2011-01-10T04:18:00.000-08:00

So, we are here in BRASIL!

Why?

Well, Christian (see black and white model a few photos down) and Layne and I are part of the team that will be heading up the 2011-2012 Track (the next round of what we're currently doing)!

After a whirlwind Christmas and MUCH LOVED time with Texas friends and family, Layne and I have come to Sao Paulo to kick off the next Track. We are still very much a part of our own beloved Track, but we'll be organizing finances and logistics from afar for this new group.

We are so excited to try to give them the very best of our hard-earned experience in order for the Track program to get better and better each year.

All that to say, we've spent the last few days preparing for the school's start and getting to know the amazing students. We've also spent time walking, subway-ing, bus-ing, exploring around this gigantic, beautiful, smelly city. Sao Paulo is the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere (!!). Yikes! The photos below are from our first day of exploration.

[These are all Layne's photos. I didn't bring my computer so she is GRACIOUSLY letting me use hers and I pretty much just ripped off her whole blog post. Hehe. Thanks LBG.]

Hope your Monday is full of laughter & joy.

to brighten your day.

2010-12-13T22:54:00.000-08:00

sometimes I get little treats in my inbox from my wonderful mother.

See below.

(from Caed's visit to my dad's office)...

I think C is the cutest person I've ever seen.

I think my parents are hilarious.

and as julie would say: "cla-a-a-a-a-ssic Mary!"

this girl

2010-12-10T23:07:00.000-08:00

is getting married in 1 week.

can't wait.

what does it mean

2010-12-09T23:05:00.000-08:00

when you ask a group of girls to 'pose' and 9/11ths of them immediately put their hands on their hips?

I think we have a little too much SASS.

falalalalalalaLALA

2010-12-07T23:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come to our little home!

To be quite honest, ~~the smelly basement posing as~~ our classroom is a cement cell.

But also, one of my favorite places on campus.

We've spent hours in this room -- praying, worshipping, Family Night-ing, eating Thanksgiving Dinner, watching Glee, dreaming about our book, designing our book, processing our last year, having class, dancing, etc. etc. etc.

So obviously we decided to transform it into a Winter Wonderland. Obviously.

With meager supplies, a tight budget, and a bowl full of gingerbread cookies, we did it!

I'm proud.

and what do you do with a giant bamboo pole that has been sitting mysteriously in our room since the day we came? you take some toilet paper and red streamers to it to make the 'north pole' of course!

savannah made these beautiful mailbox nametags!

cambria made our 'tree' out of leftover paint samples.(!) hehehe

andrew constructed this little holiday 'gingerbread' house from a cardboard box (??!!)

................

the finished product!

maybe a little tacky. maybe a bit too much sparkle.

but for us--perfection!

then we worked a little on the Project. I just took this of cam because she amazes me.

(and this photo is a bit creepy). lots of eyes.

merry, MERRY christmas!

today.

2010-12-06T00:34:00.000-08:00

hi!

i'm back from:
julie's visit
thanksgiving
photoshop-ing
the ywam 50th
deadlines
book-ing
editing
designing

and other things. what a crazy few weeks. lots of joy & holiday bliss.
i am loving these christmas days, of course.

love love loving. x1,000.

for now, i would like to share with you the best part of my day.
talking to katy & caed and hearing him say "hiiiiiiiiiii" while waving. it was wonderful.

(and he says "da-da"! actually he says "da-da-da-da-da-da-da....")

(his tiny little head smiling up at the computer is my favorite thing).

(imagine a sweet little baby voice saying "hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii")

+i got to talk to jennie and mommy and daddy. always a good time. yes, i call them that.

also, need to take a moment to say that JENNIE CATHERINE BOWER completed a 1/2 marathon today!! Wowowowowow. I'm beyond impressed, lady. you are a star!

african friends.

2010-11-23T11:08:00.000-08:00

Today as I sort through my photos for the book,

I'm thinking of some of my friends over in White River, South Africa.

You might remember -- White River is the most highly HIV/AIDS-affected area in all of Africa. So, in all of the world. Over 1 million children orphaned and raising themselves. I went there and stayed for a few days last November.

I'm reminded:

Of Ncobile and her daughter Henrietta.

Of my friend Jabulane, who has a love for drawing, but says he will never have the money to go to school. He says he would like to be an engineer.

Of Pinky, who takes care of the orphans in the neighborhood. She's an orphan, too.

Of bright eyes and smiling faces.

Of glimpses of beauty in the midst of a whole lot of junk.

Of Ncobile's little home in which she so lovingly let me stay.

Of her son Lando and his flair for drama.

Of Lando holding my hand and falling asleep in my lap.

Of the memories of sitting around the candle with the Mabuzas, the second family I stayed with. We played games, wrote stories in my journal, and took portraits.

Of my friend Loveness and her blonde-haired, blue-eyed dolls. Where did they come from?(When I met Loveness and told her I was from America, she asked, in her broken English, if I knew Beyonce and asked me to tell her 'hello' if I ran into her.)

Of the sweet Mabuza family that cooked a meal for the white girl in their kitchen.

Of their little home.

Of the food line for many of the orphans & uncared for in the neighborhood.

I trust God and his sovereignty.

I trust His merciful kindness & faithfulness.

I know that his plan for these friends is GOOD and He has never left them alone.

I want to go back.

lbg.

2010-11-21T11:27:00.000-08:00

I met Layne Beckner Greene on March 10th, 2009.

We were in staff training. She came in with that curly hair and a big plaid dress on.
It was love at first sight.

We lived together and staffed the DTS.
We decided to staff the Track together (with more than a little fear & trepidation).
We staffed said Track.

We're now back in Kona -- living in a teensy-tinsy loft with 5,924,023 memories under our belt.

That LBG.
I will say it again and again -- she is God's personal gift to me.

Before moving away to Kona last year, I told my dad that the Track was pretty much all of my wildest dreams come true. That I wanted to do it but I wanted to do it with my friends, not with a group of strangers. He said we would become friends. I said, "I like my friends. I don't need any more friends."

HA.
And then I met that crazy, curly-haired wild woman. We have had the most incredible, most adventure-filled, most difficult year together. It has been a wild ride. We learned (through many mistakes) how to lead a team together. We stumbled around the world with backpacks and far too little experience. I'm pretty sure Layne has mastered the transportation system in every city we've visited and I've mastered brownie-making in any sort of oven. We've perfected the art of cooking meals for twelve in foreign countries when every label is an indistinguishable language.

She is one of those friends that makes herself your biggest fan. I know that no matter what--she is on my side. She would walk me to the moon, right now, if I asked. She is hospitable, generous, loving, selfless, and very very beautiful. :) She is absolutely one of the greatest women I have ever known. She has changed my heart in an irreparable way.

(this was the first weekend we met --

a little nervous about the hike Paul had convinced us to take.)

Thank you, LBG for being one of my very best friends. I adore you. I love you. This year has been one of the best of my life because we walked it side-by-side.

happy birthday.

Nati turns 28!

2010-11-19T15:09:00.000-08:00

this is a layne's blogpost: stolen.
but she did a good job of describing our lovely morning.

why try to re-tell it myself? :

dear friends,

today is natalia’s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY nati!), and we had a surprise waiting for her when she got to class this a.m.

to give you a little background–natalia is a great photographer but her camera broke over the summer.
bummer.

today, because of some crazy generosity from a few big hearts (including some of our friends who haven’t even met nati), we were able to buy nati a brand-new 60d. (in case you don’t know, this is a Sweet camera; it even shoots video.)

she cried.
we gave hugs.
today is a good day.
thank you for making this possible.

natalia, you are loved!

Don't forget!

2010-11-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

And for mornings at home,

I highly recommend:

Sounds a little weird -- but it's so good! I don't even love egg nog, unlike some people.

**Best when enjoyed with some Christmas music in the background. :) **

Monday.

2010-11-15T23:33:00.000-08:00

Hey Friends.
Life is still busy and colorful.
Can't wait to share everything we're working on with you. Eventually.

For a smile, go read this.

Hope your day was wonderful and full of holiday CHEER.

Well,

2010-11-13T01:56:00.000-08:00

I would love to post. I was really on a roll there.

BUT, these past days have been a little hectic. Layne and I usually wake up at 5:30 and go until about 11. A lot of sun, a lot of walking, a lot of talking, a lot of brain activity all around.

This week, we've been working with a graphic designer, Joseph Avakian. He is a star. He has pushed us, told us some of our ideas were junk, and told us some of our other ideas were pretty good. It has been a beautiful, productive week.

Tonight, just for fun, we listened to a friend Isaac Gill play at the cafe.

He. was. great. Download his live album for free here.

So that's our past week.

and in 9 days, a little birdie is flying over here to see me.

I could not be more excited...

Harper Joy. part II.

2010-11-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

Today I wanted to re-post a friend's thoughts-- originally posted on her blog.

I think her reflection on the short but powerful life of Harper Joy is wonderful. To remind you: Lindsay (one of the girls) went home to be with her best friend Sarah & her husband Dana as they gave birth and lost their daughter Harper Joy -- all within two days. Lindsay is now staying in Omaha for a couple of weeks, spending time with the family and loving them in whatever way possible.

Here is her sweet letter to them about Harper Joy's life:

Dear[est] Sarah and Dana –

I want to say thank you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives in good times and in bad. Thank you for allowing me to be so close to your most precious possessions. Thank you for allowing me to meet Harper Joy – she changed my heart for the best. Thank you for giving me the honor to serve you – moments I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Harper Joy allowed me to see God as good, very good – something I lost in all my travels. I knew in my head He was good, but somehow in the last 1.5 years that truth escaped my heart. Yet, in Harper’s life and death I saw hope, I saw kindness and I saw God as good. The hard shell that had built itself around my heart cracked because of Harper and I am forever grateful for this little life that changed me to the core. I am a new person and it is beautiful.

There are two incidences when I was with you that I consider sacred, holy moments. Moments I will hold on to for the rest of my life. The first happened when I took photos in Harper’s room. It was just the three of you, and I was hidden behind the machines. The room was quiet and thick with His presence. I lowered my camera and just watched – I knew He was there with you three. It was breathtaking.

The second took place when I washed Sarah’s hair. You leaning over the tub, Londyn playing in the water and I conditioning your hair. Again, the room felt thick. I was massaging your head and in that moment I felt so completely honored to be serving you. There was no other place I’d rather be.

Please know your family is always in my prayers. I will continue to pray for you four as you learn to walk out this new life. I pray grace, His peace and nearness. I love you all with my whole heart.

Love,
Lindsay