2 Weeks Over...

Currently, I am sitting in a Starbucks somewhere around Sacramento...waiting for my sweet love to come home from 2 weeks away at Seminary.

Couldn't be more ready.

Is February Different in Minnesota?

The time has arrived for yet another Seminary trip back to Minnesota for Erik. It is always hard to say goodbye to him for 2 weeks, but it is such a sweet time for him to be with the other people in his cohort, spend time in a classroom, and mostly dive deep into God's Word and His teachings!

These trips always seem a bit harder on me...

But I am considerably needy. 

Honestly, I know that Erik feels incredibly blessed to be able to spend a few weeks a year away from the busyness of his ministry life and just focused completely on his time in Seminary and learning more and more about who God is and the incredible redemptive plan that is His creation. 

And I feel blessed to have a husband who desires to do those things. 

Seriously...that is kind of a knock out the park if you ask me. 

And....for all of you who are wondering...

He did make it out of the house with just 1 bag this year! Big win. 

Erik, I will miss you so much while you are gone! I pray that God does incredible things through the time that you spend in His Word and through your studies. I love you and am so proud of you! 

Relapse

It all started 5 months ago. This blog. Erik away at Seminary.

Brothers and Sisters.

I thought I had ended my love affair, however, in the absence of company...it looks as though my habits cannot be tamed. 

Season 4, you have seduced me. 

Like A Ball Of Yarn

One more day left until my husband comes home. Holy cow am I ready! I miss that guy like crazy!
The simple truth is that he most definitely holds me together. I don't think I fully knew this until he was absent. I'm beginning to think that I have completely unraveled in two weeks.

Example A:  I gave up diet coke. SERIOUSLY?!? And no...I'm not pregnant. I saw a news story about how it is KILLING people and decided now is not my time to go. So...cold turkey. DONE.

Example B: I have a joined a new family.They are a complex and intricately amazing family known as the Walkers. You can get to know them on the show Brothers & Sisters on ABC or on your live streaming NetFlix.

The truth of the matter is, I didn't realize how much I depended on him for my sanity. Don't get me wrong...I love my independence. But, when my husband, best friend, boss, singing partner, best listener, counselor, comedian is gone...well...I just unravel.

However, I've begun to believe that the "unraveling" of myself is not all that bad. I am learning that as things come undone, there begins to be more space for God. More space for....rest.

"The movement from loneliness to solitude, however, is the beginning of any spiritual life because it is the movement from the restless senses to the restful spirit, from the outward-reaching cravings to the inward-reaching search, from the fearful clinging to the fearless play." - Henri Nouwen


So, in preparation for Erik's return, I have challenged myself. Maybe instead of giving things up or distracting myself with fake realities...I should remember that solitude is not all that bad. That it is a gift and a discipline that I often overlook. And that the movement into solitude is a practice I should include in my life. 


And maybe...just maybe...all this unraveling is necessary to gently and persistently draw into our Savior. 

The Beginning of a Shark Week-Kind-of-Life!

So, I have all these friends that have blogs. Also...a lot of friends that start blogs when they have kids. Lets get this straight...I'm not having a kid. At least not anytime soon. But, as I've been reflecting over my life, I'm realizing that maybe I have more to write about than I thought. You see...my husband and I DO have kids. 


Approximately 170.


Ranging from the ages of 12-21.


How is this possible? Try working in Youth Ministry. It is very possible. 


And as many parents know, it is a challenge when one parent is gone. Which would be my scenario as of Sunday. The husband is at Bethel Seminary in Minnesota for two weeks. 


That leaves me alone with the kids. And that is where I begin my philosophy. 


Live every week like it is Shark Week! Some great advice I took in while filling my time with old seasons of 30 Rock. 


What exactly does this mean, you ask? Simple.


Live in anticipation of the most exciting and ridiculously amazing things you have ever seen unfold before your very eyes. Sometimes terrifying, sometimes very dramatic, sometimes even downright ridiculous! But always holding the notion that when you walk away, you will be a little more prepared the next time you step out into that huge ocean! 


And so, with a husband who is away, kids that need my attention and guidance, and nothing to do at night when I get home (other than watch 30 Rock), I would like to say...


Hello Blogging World. 


Let Shark Week begin!