Merry Christmas from us!
Tucker, Di Dah, Lil, Stevo, Drea, Sia, Da Dah, Mamasita
12.17.2006
11.30.2006
I Surrender.....& Rhode Island Roadsters
Have you ever stopped singing when you came to a vow you just could not say. What is said with our mouths is to glorify or tear down God.......and we want to choose the first one, especially in front of others, but what if we couldn't. Like Zacheriah when he was bound by his tounge. No word could spring forth to tell his news....only blank faces and failed attempts to communicate. Yeah, like him. A mix between him and Jeremiah when he says his words in his heart are burning on his lips.....speak speak speak! Yeah, well that happened to me. I want so badly to speak....as it burns on my lips, but I can not.
I sang the song I Surrender All tonight at Tracy's church in Orange City. But I could not sing those words. Try this version----from my heart----that God is molding everyday.
Some of it to Jesus I reluctantly lend out
Some of it to Him I resistantly give
I keep all I can (for even more control)
I cant give it all (to save myself)
Some of it to Jesus I reluctantly lend out
I cant give it all
How would our praise and worship time dramatically change when people started singing to thier fallen-ness. And the way the song is written anyway is so extreme---I mean who .....who will actually be able to surrender it all? I mean really.....show me who. And who gave the church the right to be so radical---so extreme?
I am thankful that a life lived to my fallen-ness is no life lived, having taken no risks in faith....having held so tightly to what I have----fearing what might come when I give it away. So what might come? Persecution? Nothing God can't handle. So what might be the result of that? More faith. So why are we not running to get that?
I am thankful that I am invited to live a life to the fullest. Fully lived. Fully pursuaded.
Rhode Island Roadsters
I am a waitress at a local restaurant and recently some men from out of town came in for lunch. I gave them brochures of the town and told them about the place. I soon asked them why they came all the way from Rhode Island for a visit (as if Rhode Island, the smallest state, is somewhat more something that somewhere like Orange City---by default)
"What brings you here?" I ask with curiosity.
"Revival," the one gentleman softly answered. (First of all you are not allowed to say 'revival' quietly)
My face lit up, with excitement I quickly replied,
"Me too! I really think God is stirring in Orange City!"
A bit confused he expounded,
"Revival: Animal Health--I am a product representative."
A bit embarrased, I filled in my peace.
"Oh. Ok. I just thought God was sending people, just waiting for them....on them ha ha ha"
Awkward silence
"So great.......reviving animals huh? What a profound concept. Would you like some homemade bread pudding?"
God must have known that I would take the bait on that one. In the moment I heard 'Revival' it was like a breath of fresh air--then a blow to the stomach. Nope....not reviving the lost souls of Northwest Iowa, just the animals. I saw this man again today. He is doing a Revival seminar...for animals. I did not wiat on him, but he made a note to stop me and say,
"I just wanted to thank you again----I made my way back here again and I looked forward to coming to this restaurant. I hoped I would see you to tell you that the bread pudding is awesome! See ya"
I saw that man over 4 months ago and then again today. Coincidence? No
What if I began to say things like him, "I made my way back here again and looked forward to seeing you. I wanted to say that God is awesome!"
God is here
He has been
And He stirs
Now you see why I want to surrender it all? All! Oh Lord show me how. Give me the tools.
God is good
Revive us
I sang the song I Surrender All tonight at Tracy's church in Orange City. But I could not sing those words. Try this version----from my heart----that God is molding everyday.
Some of it to Jesus I reluctantly lend out
Some of it to Him I resistantly give
I keep all I can (for even more control)
I cant give it all (to save myself)
Some of it to Jesus I reluctantly lend out
I cant give it all
How would our praise and worship time dramatically change when people started singing to thier fallen-ness. And the way the song is written anyway is so extreme---I mean who .....who will actually be able to surrender it all? I mean really.....show me who. And who gave the church the right to be so radical---so extreme?
I am thankful that a life lived to my fallen-ness is no life lived, having taken no risks in faith....having held so tightly to what I have----fearing what might come when I give it away. So what might come? Persecution? Nothing God can't handle. So what might be the result of that? More faith. So why are we not running to get that?
I am thankful that I am invited to live a life to the fullest. Fully lived. Fully pursuaded.
Rhode Island Roadsters
I am a waitress at a local restaurant and recently some men from out of town came in for lunch. I gave them brochures of the town and told them about the place. I soon asked them why they came all the way from Rhode Island for a visit (as if Rhode Island, the smallest state, is somewhat more something that somewhere like Orange City---by default)
"What brings you here?" I ask with curiosity.
"Revival," the one gentleman softly answered. (First of all you are not allowed to say 'revival' quietly)
My face lit up, with excitement I quickly replied,
"Me too! I really think God is stirring in Orange City!"
A bit confused he expounded,
"Revival: Animal Health--I am a product representative."
A bit embarrased, I filled in my peace.
"Oh. Ok. I just thought God was sending people, just waiting for them....on them ha ha ha"
Awkward silence
"So great.......reviving animals huh? What a profound concept. Would you like some homemade bread pudding?"
God must have known that I would take the bait on that one. In the moment I heard 'Revival' it was like a breath of fresh air--then a blow to the stomach. Nope....not reviving the lost souls of Northwest Iowa, just the animals. I saw this man again today. He is doing a Revival seminar...for animals. I did not wiat on him, but he made a note to stop me and say,
"I just wanted to thank you again----I made my way back here again and I looked forward to coming to this restaurant. I hoped I would see you to tell you that the bread pudding is awesome! See ya"
I saw that man over 4 months ago and then again today. Coincidence? No
What if I began to say things like him, "I made my way back here again and looked forward to seeing you. I wanted to say that God is awesome!"
God is here
He has been
And He stirs
Now you see why I want to surrender it all? All! Oh Lord show me how. Give me the tools.
God is good
Revive us
11.22.2006
11.13.2006
Awareness
Just so much to catch up on as I am trying to dance my way through life. Oh, the changes of my heart often make things so much more cloudy in my mind, but that change was clearing a place of understanding in my soul.
Since a recent challenging time at the Nederlander Grille I was consoled by God to consider what my focus was when I worked---and I was awakened to see that I was not really on track. I had a social outlook, for laughs and not for business.....and yes, this gets me into trouble. So, now I see a new awareness of my purposes here as a waitress. To be a hard worker as the Iowans tend to be, but to work hard at making my selflessness alive. Working hard at a lot of other things first....like prayer, and giving, and surrender. The weird things--that mean everything.
I played violin as the entertainment in Sioux Falls---two weeks ago. It was at the North American Baptist Seminary---a Missions Banquet. I was shocked that the first girl I met was incredibly cold. Nothing against the school, but this girl was so disinterested I almost lost interest in my own conversation. She persuaded me to be bored with myself. I shook her hand---she gave a weak grin with one eye on the appetizers and one on the exit. She was 'skiddish'. She asked out of the corner of her very dodging face, "So, what do you do?" Obviously her disgusting disinterest could not dissuade me from answering one of two ways:
1. forcing her to pretend she cared---making a long story longer just to see her perseverance
2. completely shock her with information that she would shake out of her social absence.
I liked shocking tactic number 2.
Cheerfully I answered her, "I pray."
She walked away.
What is that? I understand that people have bad days but she was not even pretending to commit those moments of time to another person. So weird. But how much does that say about my pride too. Why should my story mean anything to her? Maybe I should have asked about her. But I guess I was not genuine enough.
The music went well. I play violin with Cory Grimm. He is writing songs and we have done two gigs. We have one on the 25th of November at New Life Church's evening service in Sioux Center. He wants to travel to churches around the area and under the support and focus of recruiting for the seminary....just to get some gigs. Who knows. Sounds cool. But lots of things sound cool these days.
-I rode on a combine for the first time
-I want to spend my days off in half a day of job shadowing with people that I know. I would love to just spend time on the job. Finding out who they work with, what they spend thier weeks doing.
-I will learn to sew
-And I am working on a mural in our kitchen, only after completely mutilating it.......6 layers of wallpaper ripped and scoured. We will repaper (this word is a palindrome: repaper-----can be said forward and backwards) and then I will paint and mural.
My skin itches with the events that have been happening. The art show, the visit of friends, the birth of Josiah, and now without even lifting a finger to get any gigs......the Lord has been my bookie. In the last weeks people have just called me out of no where to ask if I would share with their this group or that group. I just say yes and we go for it. But am I really doing what I think God called me here for? To bless my family. To see them shine. To walk with them along the road and just be a prayer warrior?
Someone recently told me that they think I am trying to make everyone I know into replicas of me. I was hurt. And how ridiculous that would be if they were all like me. I can hardly stand it myself....The last thing I would want is someone else just as confused and just as unstable in the same ways----and the same irresponsibility habits. She was offended that I just didn't love her for who she was. I wondered if that was true....But then with a calm voice said. "I accept you and I don't understand how or why, but I do and God is showing me how to love you for who you are. The hard part is that you are trying to do the same thing.....To accept yourself and understanding how and why is what God will show you to just love yourself for who you are." I had hit a note.....Hard.
I considered my motives. Are they pure? I think so. I just don't know how to love any other way than the way that God has already showed me. So when that doesn't work......Then it is beyond me. Its in His hands.
I consider my genuineness. Am I living my life as all glorifying to him. Have I thought of that disconnect between my heart and his will? Have you?
I spent the weekend wasting my time with family. Just sitting there. Looking at each other, holding Josiah, and just muttering things. It was really the first time that I have done something so significantly irrelevant and rich.
Glory to awareness of Him!
Since a recent challenging time at the Nederlander Grille I was consoled by God to consider what my focus was when I worked---and I was awakened to see that I was not really on track. I had a social outlook, for laughs and not for business.....and yes, this gets me into trouble. So, now I see a new awareness of my purposes here as a waitress. To be a hard worker as the Iowans tend to be, but to work hard at making my selflessness alive. Working hard at a lot of other things first....like prayer, and giving, and surrender. The weird things--that mean everything.
I played violin as the entertainment in Sioux Falls---two weeks ago. It was at the North American Baptist Seminary---a Missions Banquet. I was shocked that the first girl I met was incredibly cold. Nothing against the school, but this girl was so disinterested I almost lost interest in my own conversation. She persuaded me to be bored with myself. I shook her hand---she gave a weak grin with one eye on the appetizers and one on the exit. She was 'skiddish'. She asked out of the corner of her very dodging face, "So, what do you do?" Obviously her disgusting disinterest could not dissuade me from answering one of two ways:
1. forcing her to pretend she cared---making a long story longer just to see her perseverance
2. completely shock her with information that she would shake out of her social absence.
I liked shocking tactic number 2.
Cheerfully I answered her, "I pray."
She walked away.
What is that? I understand that people have bad days but she was not even pretending to commit those moments of time to another person. So weird. But how much does that say about my pride too. Why should my story mean anything to her? Maybe I should have asked about her. But I guess I was not genuine enough.
The music went well. I play violin with Cory Grimm. He is writing songs and we have done two gigs. We have one on the 25th of November at New Life Church's evening service in Sioux Center. He wants to travel to churches around the area and under the support and focus of recruiting for the seminary....just to get some gigs. Who knows. Sounds cool. But lots of things sound cool these days.
-I rode on a combine for the first time
-I want to spend my days off in half a day of job shadowing with people that I know. I would love to just spend time on the job. Finding out who they work with, what they spend thier weeks doing.
-I will learn to sew
-And I am working on a mural in our kitchen, only after completely mutilating it.......6 layers of wallpaper ripped and scoured. We will repaper (this word is a palindrome: repaper-----can be said forward and backwards) and then I will paint and mural.
My skin itches with the events that have been happening. The art show, the visit of friends, the birth of Josiah, and now without even lifting a finger to get any gigs......the Lord has been my bookie. In the last weeks people have just called me out of no where to ask if I would share with their this group or that group. I just say yes and we go for it. But am I really doing what I think God called me here for? To bless my family. To see them shine. To walk with them along the road and just be a prayer warrior?
Someone recently told me that they think I am trying to make everyone I know into replicas of me. I was hurt. And how ridiculous that would be if they were all like me. I can hardly stand it myself....The last thing I would want is someone else just as confused and just as unstable in the same ways----and the same irresponsibility habits. She was offended that I just didn't love her for who she was. I wondered if that was true....But then with a calm voice said. "I accept you and I don't understand how or why, but I do and God is showing me how to love you for who you are. The hard part is that you are trying to do the same thing.....To accept yourself and understanding how and why is what God will show you to just love yourself for who you are." I had hit a note.....Hard.
I considered my motives. Are they pure? I think so. I just don't know how to love any other way than the way that God has already showed me. So when that doesn't work......Then it is beyond me. Its in His hands.
I consider my genuineness. Am I living my life as all glorifying to him. Have I thought of that disconnect between my heart and his will? Have you?
I spent the weekend wasting my time with family. Just sitting there. Looking at each other, holding Josiah, and just muttering things. It was really the first time that I have done something so significantly irrelevant and rich.
Glory to awareness of Him!
11.06.2006
Josiah Thomas---the redeeming King!
So, as I have been mentioning in blogs of late...the wee child Josiah has been in the making...and is now in the world. Yes, a week and a day over due this little....well not so little---more like 9 lb. and 2 feet long small, has come! October 25, 2006! The King comes... you know the story of the young king Josiah in the Bible? It's found in 'two' kings 23:3.
"The King stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of God--to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart, and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book."
"Neither before or after was there a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with the law of Moses."
So, I have a high hope for this one. He came with some lung struggles...and no one could hold him for the first days---except close family.....but now healed and growing in grace.
"The King stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of God--to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart, and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book."
"Neither before or after was there a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with the law of Moses."
So, I have a high hope for this one. He came with some lung struggles...and no one could hold him for the first days---except close family.....but now healed and growing in grace.
Josiah Thomas Hydeen
10.17.2006
Overwhelmed
The culmination of the last weeks has been way too much for me to handle. The art show is done.....The earth trembling visit from a Missouri friend, the culmination of what God is doing....oh how the spirit spews forth its merciful fire. As I say in my leadership class, "I just can not handle how loud the voice of God is into my heart." Turn it down! Turn that voice down......It booms like a double clap thunder into the most delicate part of my ears. Shouldn't have cleaned those ears with so much vigor (love to use a q-tip and its killing me) What has the Lord done? What is he doing? I can not say. But I know that I have stepped into a great vast of deep water and it is over my head....And flooding my heart bloop bloop bloop bloop all the way to the top. I am completely filled and run when I have to sing songs about being filled.....because I am watery in the eyes as it spews out.....overflowing. How God is going to use this water-logged girl? Show me God. Has anyone seen the Lord? Tell me. Has anyone heard the Lord? Tell me. Why can I be burned by this all consuming fire and feel so alone. Where are you, my redemptive solitude? Where are you my speeding road....as I hit the pavement with my face. Who will see the Lord? Why won't you say? Can you hear the vivacious voice that calls out to the faithful. Answer me! Why won't you live desperate for him? Why wont you? What is holding you back. I cant stand that thing between you and God. I hate that thing you put before God. Throw it in the fire. When will my heart be released from this prison of blessings that drown me?
What are you doing with that suitcase? Where are you going. Are you stealing away?
Stay.
And do what? And be still before the Lord.
I have no place to lay my head here. Who will celebrate God?
I shall.
What are you doing with that suitcase? Where are you going. Are you stealing away?
Stay.
And do what? And be still before the Lord.
I have no place to lay my head here. Who will celebrate God?
I shall.
10.02.2006
The honest truth
Well, for the last weeks I have been sort of falsely busy. Its all coming out now, but there have been only a few things that have kept my attention longer than an excuse to not update this silly thing. Those excuses will not be shared, because they are pathetic. However, the hot news is still hot from this Northwest Iowa town.
One week in counting down to the 'Pictures through an Open Window' Art Show next week Thursday. I have four paintings to start and finish. Please pray that I have the feet to walk through that prayer.
My sister in law Andrea will soon be ridding her enlarged stomache of a small child. In the week or +1/2 to come Josiah Thomas will be born. Dont know what that means to you.....but I know what that means for me. I leave work. And Doug, my boss is not sure what that means for him....until I just do it. Eek
We got a new computer program at work, so every one is completely stressed out. We must keep our money with ourselves till the end of the night...and all that change is such a headache. It keeps us accountable which is good. I just take an extra bran muffin at lunch as a recompense for my stress. I am so glad I dont smoke....or want to. I am glad that this new change will only drive me to a healthy GI tract.
Recently I have been at a weekend retreat at the good old Inspiration Hills. IT was a rainy weekend, but because of the nature of the retreat....it was a bonus. This time was a meditation retreat. I loved it. There was more silence there than in my bedroom when I sleep. A room filled with 80 people that are completely focussing on God and rejecting the straying thoughts and praying and wow! We even ate breakfast in silence, which was so powerful. I really felt the power of God in my heart and was challenged again to desire his will how he wants, not me. Actually in a time of silence we were asked to just spend it alone and far away from others . I had about an hour.....and I was focussing on Isaiah 58:8 and this song came to me. I couldn't shake it....so I kept it in my mind.....10 minutes later I practically ran to the piano about to burst out in song and I wrote it. I chicken scratched the song in my journal and fixed the words of the verse to a melody. It was great. Like I was to burst.......and the only response was this piano song. PRetty cool. I am really liking how God speaks through me. Its bizzare!
I met with my creative worship group for the first time. ITwas really great. I like to be with youth...and to speak the same language is a bonus. We shared our favorite verses and why...and I was so encouraged that God had really met them in a personal way along thier journey so far. I talked a bit about worship...and how to be sure of giving God glory as it says in Romans 1:20 "...man is without excuse" Because of the creation what we see revealed around us, we have no excuse but to worship him with our lives. They were a bit hesitant to declare the verses in a boistrous reading....but when we split up and began recitingthe verse out loud to ourselves they were more bold. I think the Lord has shown me a real hunger in my church. The need for a response or an expression. That has been squelched. And who knows-----God has a great plan for it all.
I am in this leaders of the harvest class at my church....we meet at 6am on Mondays....yeah hook it up!! But today, my response was unbelievable. To be here in Orange City is all at the excuse of this class. IT is my anchor for sure.....the reason I stayed. To discover myself as a leader and I just discovered how completely rediculous that is....and how competely vulnerable I am being challenged to be. Had I known that all along I was only a shadow of what I could be.....and what God is calling me to is where my deep gladness and the world's hunger meets.
Would that by Iowa? Would that be the grille? Would that be a specific girl I know who doesnt know the Lord? That I would be here for her?
The real question today...that pains me to ask because I know the answer.
"Is salvation really for everyone? And do I desire those people I meet to know the Lord?"
THat is the question and I know the answer.....no matter what I do or who I meet the answer is always.......YES. That is the breaking point, the one I am at now. The real moment that I decide whether God's heart is bigger than mine......and how am I going to make that known.
So, this week I will fix my eyes on Jesus as He shows me how to reach those he has placed before me. And gives me feet to walk in his unfinished deeds. I have faith that they are already finished deeds in his eyes...and he is pleased. I walk with that notion. And live it.
One week in counting down to the 'Pictures through an Open Window' Art Show next week Thursday. I have four paintings to start and finish. Please pray that I have the feet to walk through that prayer.
My sister in law Andrea will soon be ridding her enlarged stomache of a small child. In the week or +1/2 to come Josiah Thomas will be born. Dont know what that means to you.....but I know what that means for me. I leave work. And Doug, my boss is not sure what that means for him....until I just do it. Eek
We got a new computer program at work, so every one is completely stressed out. We must keep our money with ourselves till the end of the night...and all that change is such a headache. It keeps us accountable which is good. I just take an extra bran muffin at lunch as a recompense for my stress. I am so glad I dont smoke....or want to. I am glad that this new change will only drive me to a healthy GI tract.
Recently I have been at a weekend retreat at the good old Inspiration Hills. IT was a rainy weekend, but because of the nature of the retreat....it was a bonus. This time was a meditation retreat. I loved it. There was more silence there than in my bedroom when I sleep. A room filled with 80 people that are completely focussing on God and rejecting the straying thoughts and praying and wow! We even ate breakfast in silence, which was so powerful. I really felt the power of God in my heart and was challenged again to desire his will how he wants, not me. Actually in a time of silence we were asked to just spend it alone and far away from others . I had about an hour.....and I was focussing on Isaiah 58:8 and this song came to me. I couldn't shake it....so I kept it in my mind.....10 minutes later I practically ran to the piano about to burst out in song and I wrote it. I chicken scratched the song in my journal and fixed the words of the verse to a melody. It was great. Like I was to burst.......and the only response was this piano song. PRetty cool. I am really liking how God speaks through me. Its bizzare!
I met with my creative worship group for the first time. ITwas really great. I like to be with youth...and to speak the same language is a bonus. We shared our favorite verses and why...and I was so encouraged that God had really met them in a personal way along thier journey so far. I talked a bit about worship...and how to be sure of giving God glory as it says in Romans 1:20 "...man is without excuse" Because of the creation what we see revealed around us, we have no excuse but to worship him with our lives. They were a bit hesitant to declare the verses in a boistrous reading....but when we split up and began recitingthe verse out loud to ourselves they were more bold. I think the Lord has shown me a real hunger in my church. The need for a response or an expression. That has been squelched. And who knows-----God has a great plan for it all.
I am in this leaders of the harvest class at my church....we meet at 6am on Mondays....yeah hook it up!! But today, my response was unbelievable. To be here in Orange City is all at the excuse of this class. IT is my anchor for sure.....the reason I stayed. To discover myself as a leader and I just discovered how completely rediculous that is....and how competely vulnerable I am being challenged to be. Had I known that all along I was only a shadow of what I could be.....and what God is calling me to is where my deep gladness and the world's hunger meets.
Would that by Iowa? Would that be the grille? Would that be a specific girl I know who doesnt know the Lord? That I would be here for her?
The real question today...that pains me to ask because I know the answer.
"Is salvation really for everyone? And do I desire those people I meet to know the Lord?"
THat is the question and I know the answer.....no matter what I do or who I meet the answer is always.......YES. That is the breaking point, the one I am at now. The real moment that I decide whether God's heart is bigger than mine......and how am I going to make that known.
So, this week I will fix my eyes on Jesus as He shows me how to reach those he has placed before me. And gives me feet to walk in his unfinished deeds. I have faith that they are already finished deeds in his eyes...and he is pleased. I walk with that notion. And live it.
9.21.2006
art show, communicate God, & OC town
As many of you do not know.....I have embarked upon the endeavors of two new challenges in the past weeks. The first looks a lot like a dream job----making art. Oh how I wish I would just be able to create when I want, what I want and where I want...but I think this is a blessing the Lord has given for a time while I am here at home with my family. I have an art show coming up at Dordt College on the 12th of October. If you are in the area....come on by. The show is joint effort with my artist friend Matt Kunnari of the most Humble Bean in Sioux Center. Our theme is something like:
"Pictures from an Open Window"
Sound familiar? Well I hope that the pictures you see there are a bit more enhanced than the ones I have shared recently with you. The blog...its just not priority....but this art show is. Matt and I are going to be displaying art that we have made while on the mission field. He spent some time in Kenya....I think. As I have spent some time in Norway and South Africa. The Lord has taught us a lot about other lands...and the call to missions there, but also here where we are. What a concept...an encompassing dichotomy.
The second thing that is happening these days is that just yesterday I was with my church youth group of which I am a grateful and lively sponsor....or leader of sorts. And I was given the names of the people that will join me on a year of small groups. I am so excited as the theme of my group is just what I wanted. I will be journeying through concepts of creative worship with them. And the best thing is....they are excited to do it! I asked for some ideas yesterday and they were like....hmmmm songwriting, music, dance, painting... I even considered the fact that maybe they want to just get to gether for the sole purpose of just worshiping God....and they were excited about that. So, the Lord has really opened the path in these last weeks....it is so cool to be doing what my heart is called to do "Communicate God"
I had this thought though....if the Lord would keep me here for another year would I be okay? Would I put up a fight? I am here now and I can see myself being very willing to put my heart 100% into Orange City. I just cant help it. But I know how hard it was to just leave every other place I put my heart into. I just wonder if it was God's plan. Couldn't you see me, the ansy Erika Hydeen putting down roots here in OC? NO, please no. NOthing too deep....I must go. Maybe not now, but sometime----near future God? nearer than farther?
I suppose a good surrender is in order.
Here goes.
"Pictures from an Open Window"
Sound familiar? Well I hope that the pictures you see there are a bit more enhanced than the ones I have shared recently with you. The blog...its just not priority....but this art show is. Matt and I are going to be displaying art that we have made while on the mission field. He spent some time in Kenya....I think. As I have spent some time in Norway and South Africa. The Lord has taught us a lot about other lands...and the call to missions there, but also here where we are. What a concept...an encompassing dichotomy.
The second thing that is happening these days is that just yesterday I was with my church youth group of which I am a grateful and lively sponsor....or leader of sorts. And I was given the names of the people that will join me on a year of small groups. I am so excited as the theme of my group is just what I wanted. I will be journeying through concepts of creative worship with them. And the best thing is....they are excited to do it! I asked for some ideas yesterday and they were like....hmmmm songwriting, music, dance, painting... I even considered the fact that maybe they want to just get to gether for the sole purpose of just worshiping God....and they were excited about that. So, the Lord has really opened the path in these last weeks....it is so cool to be doing what my heart is called to do "Communicate God"
I had this thought though....if the Lord would keep me here for another year would I be okay? Would I put up a fight? I am here now and I can see myself being very willing to put my heart 100% into Orange City. I just cant help it. But I know how hard it was to just leave every other place I put my heart into. I just wonder if it was God's plan. Couldn't you see me, the ansy Erika Hydeen putting down roots here in OC? NO, please no. NOthing too deep....I must go. Maybe not now, but sometime----near future God? nearer than farther?
I suppose a good surrender is in order.
Here goes.
9.19.2006
So she danced
She realized that she was lucky
because she could actually see it
how the trees got more beautiful each year
how they danced
with such graceful pride
surviving each season's change...
and she knew thier beauty
lied not in the perfection
but the growth...
and she could see it
in the trees
in the people around her
and some days
even in herself...
and so she danced.
9.04.2006
What does Erika say?
i was at the zoo today and I spent those moments with my about to burst sister in law Andrea, my big brother Steven and thier daughter Lillian. She is what she calls....'silly lilly' and for the course of the day has recited the recant of all almost 2 year old voicings. this morning when we started the day it was asking the little smarty pants 'what does Erika say?' with a bit of shyness she ends up whispering 'Lamlela'. What is this she says? Oh! YAMKELA! When asked what I say, Lillian answers 'Yamkela'. This is something I began to say when I came home from South Africa. I have a friend named Yamkela...and this word in Xhosa means recieve. At some point I was speaking a lot of Xhosa and have given my family all new names.
.
Andrea=Asendiswa---saved
Steven=Xola--peace
Christa=Bosisiwe--Blessed
Mom=Bolelwa--Give thanks
Dad=Bongani--Blessed
Lillian=Nosipho--Gift
Josiah=Vuyo--joy
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The Lord calls us by name, and he even gives us new names---ones that will bring glory to him.
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My new Xhosa tribal name is Yonela, and I believe it is given by the Lord---something to strive for, to base my life on with God.
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Erika=Yonela-----Satisfied.
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What name does the Lord have for you? Just ask him....your name will be given.
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Andrea=Asendiswa---saved
Steven=Xola--peace
Christa=Bosisiwe--Blessed
Mom=Bolelwa--Give thanks
Dad=Bongani--Blessed
Lillian=Nosipho--Gift
Josiah=Vuyo--joy
.
The Lord calls us by name, and he even gives us new names---ones that will bring glory to him.
.
My new Xhosa tribal name is Yonela, and I believe it is given by the Lord---something to strive for, to base my life on with God.
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Erika=Yonela-----Satisfied.
.
.
What name does the Lord have for you? Just ask him....your name will be given.
8.23.2006
the public life of a beautiful girl
What does it mean to be a beautiful girl in public these days? Well as for what I have seen, I am not convinced that it is very easy. From what the news blabs and what the world is doing, I am not fully willing to believe that is what I must do.
In recent emails, my good friend and spiritual mentor Joseph--from India, has given me a number of new understandings of a beautiful girl in public.
1. a beautiful girl needs to fix her eyes on Jesus
"Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:2
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2. a beautiful girl needs to worship the King, he greatly desires her beauty
"So shall the king greatly desire your beauty; for he is your Lord; and you will worship Him." Psalm 45:11
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3. a beautiful girl nees to agree and walk with God
"Do two people walk together unless they've agreed to do so?"
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so, why do I care. Because whether I am given any social right or not....I will claim to it that the Lord has made me beautiful, and that's okay. But he never said how hard it would be to be his servant in this world. So, what must I do?
.
Be a sacrafice of worship unto the Lord--unashamed and pure
Thus after a beautiful woman has prepared herself with her gaze fixed on Jesus to manifest her beauty to the Lord and has established herself to walk with the Lord, she will have a right attitude to worship the Lord, King of Kings.
Worthy of calling
.Offering & obedience
..Righteousness
...Shining star with good works
....Holiness
.....Indwelling of the Spirit
......Purity
In recent emails, my good friend and spiritual mentor Joseph--from India, has given me a number of new understandings of a beautiful girl in public.
1. a beautiful girl needs to fix her eyes on Jesus
"Let's fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:2
.
2. a beautiful girl needs to worship the King, he greatly desires her beauty
"So shall the king greatly desire your beauty; for he is your Lord; and you will worship Him." Psalm 45:11
.
3. a beautiful girl nees to agree and walk with God
"Do two people walk together unless they've agreed to do so?"
.
so, why do I care. Because whether I am given any social right or not....I will claim to it that the Lord has made me beautiful, and that's okay. But he never said how hard it would be to be his servant in this world. So, what must I do?
.
Be a sacrafice of worship unto the Lord--unashamed and pure
Thus after a beautiful woman has prepared herself with her gaze fixed on Jesus to manifest her beauty to the Lord and has established herself to walk with the Lord, she will have a right attitude to worship the Lord, King of Kings.
Worthy of calling
.Offering & obedience
..Righteousness
...Shining star with good works
....Holiness
.....Indwelling of the Spirit
......Purity
8.15.2006
my non-wedding day story
July 22, 2006. I could not get anyone to work for me this night...the night that I was to be married. Not as if I needed to keep this day holy or something. I just didn't think I would have to work as a waitress. But, God allowed me to be a servant that night....not just for the restaurant boss, but for him. He had to touch some lives and I was to do it. The night was busy...and I didn't have much time to think about how that was the day I was to be married.....and be obsessive about it. But a certain event un folded before my eyes that illustrated moment after moment the tender and careful hand of God. I had a table at 26, just around the corner and I was making some of the Nederlander Grille's famous homemade bread pudding for them....treating them to a hearty slurpping serving of soft serve ice cream and warm carmel and cinnamon.....wowsers! I kicked the two way door open to proudly exit the kitchen. A sly grin on my face would precede the official 'presentation' of the dessert from heaven. I turn just around the corner and lo and behold.....hark Table 26 was gone! What! Three thoughts came to my mind as my surprised and somewhat starked face fell in a mouth dropped freeze. one---the couple thought they would desert the table...and 'dessert' outside. I picked up hoof and gave a glance out the patio door....nope, just Pastor Ouwinga and his smiling family (Hello, Miss Vivacious!) Thought number two----the rapture! and I was left with a bread pudding covered with soon to be melted ice cream. I think it was the glance at the pastor type that shifted my thoughts significantly. Third thought---they were thieves. If it wasn't the rapture, they must have stolen the meal and walked out. And they were old. And they had free coffee. I was robbed by some little old people and I didn't even see it coming! Sadly I walked to the waitress station...thoroughly confused. Ruby, my beautiful co-waitress piped in.
.
"Oh you looking for Table 26? Yeah....well they decided to go."
.
WHAT!!!
.
"...go to table 27. They knew 'em."
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Wow! Erika, what a freak out. I sighed with relief and obtained once again the sly 'presentation' composure and rounded the corner toTable 27. So loudly there they were....not outside, not raptured, and not Bonnie and Clyde. I present the dessert, quickly and with grace. "I call this one, 'Two white swans'" I love it when the ice cream tapers at the top and entwines as an abstract swan. Two tapered white swans makes a very romantic moment. Just remember that.
"Oh Erika! It's nice to see you," states the originaltable 27 gentleman.
"Oh, hi....yes, so you are the culprits who stole mytable 26...made me think they were raptured thieves."
We all laughed at the absurd comment. I knew this 27 couple they are from Alton she was a sweet wide-hearted woman who played in the Dordt Symphony Orchestra with me....sat last chair next to me. He was a bouncy and boisterous man with a flare that I always love to serve at the grille. Makes a waitress feel like a princess.
"Do you know who this girl is?" he asks table 26ers.
"This is the 2001 Tulip Queen!" Table 26 just gasped and there was bustles of noise--"well, I never,wow...so wonderful, I could have guessed!"
Shyly...and a bit embarrassed I tilted my head down, but kept a smile. Its nice to be noticed and like I said, I always feel like royalty around him (maybe heis like God in that way)
"What was that 5 years ago? Isn't it time to moveon?" I answered very quickly, my sarcasm was thick. By this time he knew my humor...especially to him. He knew I was flattered and could handle it. A boisterous laugh was all that followed. Like clockwork.
And this is where things get crazy. As if I was walking right into a web of blessing...and so naive I walked in. Mr. Table 26 leaned over the table a bit, snatched a finger full of the 27's bread pudding. He looked at me, smiled and then said,
"Wow, wouldn't she be a great daughter-in-law? Or wife even."
Are you kidding me....he did not just say that? Not today! What are the odds? It couldn't be true, not on this very immediate day, at the time in which I could--if I was to be--actually be someones new daughter-in-law and someones WIFE! God was speaking and I knew it. I didn't leave for in the next moments would be the thickest most delightful moments of my life. The type of exact times that can only happen on the 'day you were supposed to get married'--God knowing it be the only one of this type.
My face was motionless as both sets of tables made jolting gestures and nodded in agreement. As if table 26 had actually known me longer than bread pudding arrival. Mrs. Said Bonnie from vacant table 26 spoke the words I could only assume would come (is this actually my reality God?)
"So," leaning toward me as if I was no longer awaitress, but a girlfriend at the coffee shop about todish the gossip. "how close are you to being a wife?"
If you only knew, I thought. If you only knew! If YOU only knew!
"If you only knew," stumbled my tongue. The words finally made it to my mouth after three failed attempts passed my comfortable social bubble. My wall of vulnerability was too high for such feeble words to scale. And then it all came. Like a waterfall of truth. And it set me free.
"I was supposed to getmarried today, actually."
the silence was unexpected.
and it hurt my ears.
"yeah, it was today, and you know what...that's okay. The Lord has shown me so much of his strength that I can only believe is called grace for my ex-fiance and for myself. He has shown me himself and the hope that lingers is never leaving me...or forsaking me."
"Oh Erika, your testimony is so real, so alive and itis bringing me to tears,"
my boisterous friend was now a weeping willow leaning against his hand on the table. In only a moments time he was completely overrun by the power of God.
"...more coffee?"
.
"Oh you looking for Table 26? Yeah....well they decided to go."
.
WHAT!!!
.
"...go to table 27. They knew 'em."
.
Wow! Erika, what a freak out. I sighed with relief and obtained once again the sly 'presentation' composure and rounded the corner toTable 27. So loudly there they were....not outside, not raptured, and not Bonnie and Clyde. I present the dessert, quickly and with grace. "I call this one, 'Two white swans'" I love it when the ice cream tapers at the top and entwines as an abstract swan. Two tapered white swans makes a very romantic moment. Just remember that.
"Oh Erika! It's nice to see you," states the originaltable 27 gentleman.
"Oh, hi....yes, so you are the culprits who stole mytable 26...made me think they were raptured thieves."
We all laughed at the absurd comment. I knew this 27 couple they are from Alton she was a sweet wide-hearted woman who played in the Dordt Symphony Orchestra with me....sat last chair next to me. He was a bouncy and boisterous man with a flare that I always love to serve at the grille. Makes a waitress feel like a princess.
"Do you know who this girl is?" he asks table 26ers.
"This is the 2001 Tulip Queen!" Table 26 just gasped and there was bustles of noise--"well, I never,wow...so wonderful, I could have guessed!"
Shyly...and a bit embarrassed I tilted my head down, but kept a smile. Its nice to be noticed and like I said, I always feel like royalty around him (maybe heis like God in that way)
"What was that 5 years ago? Isn't it time to moveon?" I answered very quickly, my sarcasm was thick. By this time he knew my humor...especially to him. He knew I was flattered and could handle it. A boisterous laugh was all that followed. Like clockwork.
And this is where things get crazy. As if I was walking right into a web of blessing...and so naive I walked in. Mr. Table 26 leaned over the table a bit, snatched a finger full of the 27's bread pudding. He looked at me, smiled and then said,
"Wow, wouldn't she be a great daughter-in-law? Or wife even."
Are you kidding me....he did not just say that? Not today! What are the odds? It couldn't be true, not on this very immediate day, at the time in which I could--if I was to be--actually be someones new daughter-in-law and someones WIFE! God was speaking and I knew it. I didn't leave for in the next moments would be the thickest most delightful moments of my life. The type of exact times that can only happen on the 'day you were supposed to get married'--God knowing it be the only one of this type.
My face was motionless as both sets of tables made jolting gestures and nodded in agreement. As if table 26 had actually known me longer than bread pudding arrival. Mrs. Said Bonnie from vacant table 26 spoke the words I could only assume would come (is this actually my reality God?)
"So," leaning toward me as if I was no longer awaitress, but a girlfriend at the coffee shop about todish the gossip. "how close are you to being a wife?"
If you only knew, I thought. If you only knew! If YOU only knew!
"If you only knew," stumbled my tongue. The words finally made it to my mouth after three failed attempts passed my comfortable social bubble. My wall of vulnerability was too high for such feeble words to scale. And then it all came. Like a waterfall of truth. And it set me free.
"I was supposed to getmarried today, actually."
the silence was unexpected.
and it hurt my ears.
"yeah, it was today, and you know what...that's okay. The Lord has shown me so much of his strength that I can only believe is called grace for my ex-fiance and for myself. He has shown me himself and the hope that lingers is never leaving me...or forsaking me."
"Oh Erika, your testimony is so real, so alive and itis bringing me to tears,"
my boisterous friend was now a weeping willow leaning against his hand on the table. In only a moments time he was completely overrun by the power of God.
"...more coffee?"
8.14.2006
my ordinary wits will never worship God
unless they are transfigured by the power of God himself and I am a new creation.
why does my heart long for simplicity, yet my flesh whines for complexity and mishap, destruction. that I give in to my flesh not my heart and I am left crying and kicking for 'something more'. To find that it was the simplicity that i chose against which would draw me to my Father's throne. Do not chose God away Erika!!. Beat my own habitual sin. Don't wait until the depression comes...or wait until the curse unfolds, or see the rebellion exposed before I go to God. Go now. He knows my heart longs for him...and waits patiently as I figure it out.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
why does my heart long for simplicity, yet my flesh whines for complexity and mishap, destruction. that I give in to my flesh not my heart and I am left crying and kicking for 'something more'. To find that it was the simplicity that i chose against which would draw me to my Father's throne. Do not chose God away Erika!!. Beat my own habitual sin. Don't wait until the depression comes...or wait until the curse unfolds, or see the rebellion exposed before I go to God. Go now. He knows my heart longs for him...and waits patiently as I figure it out.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
i am a new creation
this morning, I awoke late. I was to meet my best friend Tracy at the church where I have promised to be. But she was standing over my sleepmarked face with her beautiful black shirt on which makes her look tan, which she is. "So faithful to seek me...even turning like a lazy door hinge in my bed" Oh, my heart ached for I had not awoken with the alarm----NOW WHAT!! it's in the mornings that I want to worship God and now it is too late. I just woke to see my 'lazy' sin had slept with me. In my bed. And left drool on my arm after I cozied back into the sheets upon turning my alarm off. I was getting lazy. lately, something called sin has crept its way into my sight. Am I seeking God for God? Like Art for art's sake? God for God's sake? or why does my body sleep, get lazy, drown so willingly. I read something in 'My Utmost for His Highest' recently. The quote was "Our original wits will never worship God unless they are transfigured to Him" In my most purest form I will never worship God. The way I was born will never bring me to God. I need the redeeming grace and mercy of my Lord. Who is my friend. And the reason we can be friends is because of mercy. His mercy is over me. Like Tracy, with her smile so beautiful and face tan as the golden sun threw grace on her teeth shining in the dawn cast shadows of the half open blinds. She is faithful as a friend. Her grace is over me. To forgive a lazy friend. And I can only be faithful in return, otherwise I am not a friend. And because God is always faithful...he calls me friend--says my friend Joseph in Sweden (the author of all anonymous comments) and the book of John. I laid in my bed when Tracy left for work and thought about my sin. OUt out, get out. right there, I was clean. In the moment before asking, guilt was gone...that's how good our God is. I need to be clean, to worship with a heart of a servant.
i will ask that you now look at my blog as useful....not crap. as it was before somewhat crappy, pictures of me with guns and shooting and killing precious moments. now when you read you will recieve encouragemtns and the stories of faith as the Lord shows it to me---and that which he is faithful to show you.
He is faithful, I dare you to see it right now---but only with God's faithfulness can you succeed.
A new creation today,
Erika
i will ask that you now look at my blog as useful....not crap. as it was before somewhat crappy, pictures of me with guns and shooting and killing precious moments. now when you read you will recieve encouragemtns and the stories of faith as the Lord shows it to me---and that which he is faithful to show you.
He is faithful, I dare you to see it right now---but only with God's faithfulness can you succeed.
A new creation today,
Erika
8.12.2006
my last midnight dance
today is the last day that I have a computer in my room. My ever so studious sister will bring her computer to Northwestern College tomorrow. And no longer will I be able to rise in the middle of the night to hold close the keys of quick and easy world wide access. No longer will my steps be delicate across the white carpet to reach the creaky chair next to the small tv table where the View Sonic sits--displaying its color and life. My heart just breaks--as I will return to the use of a lathargic and quite oversized hunk of challenged electrical machinery they call a family computer. so as much as I would love to greet you at my ever whim and call, lo I can not ask you to dance.
forgive me for i have to write you a letter.
forgive me for i have to write you a letter.
8.11.2006
monkey bread slugs
the dream sequence as written and drawn by Erika: 5:12am Aug 11, 2006
We ,my family and I were visiting a town with a lot of history. We had hired a man to show us around the town. And I became very friendly and flirtatious with this man. We went out often to do historical things later that week. One evening I was out walking around the Orange City golf course, hoping to run into my cute historian and I stumbled upon this man dressed in full regalia and old fashioned costume riding a horse and carrying a very large sharp toothed butter knife. He looked different than I knew...I didnt know him, but he looked different. Very focused he rode forward.
I followed some and then he reached another tour guide standing in the moon light. She wore her full costume: a long dress, apron, with layers, and a bonnet. They shared some mummbled words. Something about "the time", "the place", and "let's do it". I watch her turn to lead towards the barn and he rides behind her, not even dimounting the horse. He pulls back the butter knife in batters position and without further warning swings it around and the sharp teeth are sunk deep into the fleshy muscle of the girl's arm. Her arm seperates from the bone and she turns quickly around and says,
"Oh, I see how it is, you want it all for yourself!" "Why did you do it...why!"
I wanted to help but I couldn't expose myself to this strange butter knife man. Leaving the woman behind he trotted up to the barn, dismounted just before the open doors and stood. He bent down to a small pile of ground. With his face he thrust his teeth into the ground and pulled up earth in sticky balls of carmel and dough. He viciously chewed, openly enjoying its taste and splendor. I could hear him groaning with delight. The woman hobbled over holding her flesh to the bone to also partake in this edible earth. What was it? Monkey Bread? Monkey Bread! They stopped and began to search the ground...until they found what they were seeking. With a little tug on the stiff sticks poking through the dough a fat slug the size of my hand sqeezed out of the hole. And another. The two giggled as I gagged, silently facinated.
8.10.2006
where are you hydeen?
Lillian Grace
at 22 months and soon will be a big sister! Josiah Thomas skal kom snart! She is also very smart...singing all the veggie tales songs and she knows who loves who. Grandma Carla loves Beso (Beste Far=Grandpa Tom)
The lovely groupling. Aug 6 in Bellevue, Nebraska
Erika James, Andrea Rae, Stevo Paul, Christa Louisy
Shootin' n hootin'
Saturday Aug 5, 2006
Sundown in the valley at Lanyon Family Farm
Carthage, MO
Mr. Overall Chops and his City Slicker Side Kick
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Jay was the best teacher ever. I have never shot a gun before and tonight we didn't just shoot guns we aimed, loaded, fired, and conquered-----a broken tv.
The guns are laid out on the tarp and as desired you just say 'Hey can I shoot the M44?' Sure! Load it up, shoot away. Jay's friend Jonny (Jauncito) with the brown cross swords shirt--brought a large wooden ammunition box brimming with bullets and shells to make a small boy giggle. And when I got started, I started to giggle too. Yes I think I giggled because Jay was using an old man cane.
Christa
She was apparently awesome at the pistol. Jay hesitated when I asked what I was good at. He says it was the shotgun...but I think he was struggling to satisfy my tender shooters heart. At the end of the evening we did something call the SYMPHONY. This is where everyone loads up all the guns with tons of ammunition and on the count of three lets them all go. The glorious noise, and smoke and parazza of it all was jolting. I had the shot gun....and it jammed. So all I did was dodge flying shells and try not to shoot my foot off.
down in south missourah
Saturday, Aug 5, 2006
Phillipino Tony & Redneck Jay
We started the day off with a bit of Vietnamese food--apparently people from Vietnam come for this summer celebration in Carthage. The lady next to me helped me eat my rice pancake, as if I was unable. There were about 10,000 extra people in Carthage this weekend--I felt like I was on outreach.
Jay--the old man and Erika his wheelchair wench!
Jay hurt his foot pretty bad in a soccer accident so we were pulling all the strings of handicappedness. Nice wheels Jay!
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Precious Moments Museum vs. Precious Movements Night Club
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One is a kitch trap for newly wed wives with suckers for husbands and crazed women with magazines showing the next available statue----and its release date into the gift shop supply. Jay's grandma has a job at this shop of porcelien temptation.
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The other is a short lived strip club in Carthage, MO
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Welcome to Wedding Island
oh the desperate couple to pack this chapel filled with naked precious moment angels on the walls and heart bricks in the entry way.
I think deep down Jay wants to get married here one day...then I know I am not his bride.
Its almost like heaven. I thought if I looked long enough at the big dough headed kids I would be healed of all my bad thoughts of kitch art and nightmares of growing an oversized head as an angel.
Maybe if I touched Timmy the lifesize Precious Moment would I stop this involuntary twitch. No, the magic clown didnt heal me. I just left the museum with a bad taste in my mouth. Like dry spit after a long jog.
All I can say is....where are the guns!
putt putt the viking fjord
Aug 2, 2006
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The Viking Fjord Miniture Golf Course
Yes, that says Viking Fjord....to all my Norwegian kiddies. Hail Norway!
This is me trying to convince my city cousins that midwest USA is sort of hip. Like a hip replacement--hip.
Guess who won the game. It was tight between the Hydeens and not even a chance with the cousins.
Erika-53, Christa-55, Barbara-75ish, and Andrew-100+. You can see where the talent fell on our family tree---right off the tree.
The clan: Andrew and Barbara Seeton from the city of Racine, WI and Christa and I from the farmlands redneck USA----that's what Barbara thinks. I think she would admit that we had barrels of fun! Laughing all the time! Mostly at Barbara because her laugh is infectious like ringworm during wrestling season.
The coolest part of it all was that I got to share my faith with them...it was an answer to prayer. They were open to hear about the hope I have in Jesus. Praise God for the encouragement he brought to our hearts.
Iowa Weddin' Texas Style
July 29, 2006
'Big sister' Ang and her dashing beau Brandon.
They met in Houston, TX and had thier wedding back where Ang grew up--in Alton, Iowa. It was really fun to hear the Texan accent. And the dancing....oh the dancing. I will have a kickin dance at my wedding someday!
Erika and best friend Lauri. I was the violinist, singer & personal attendant and Laur was the little sister and the maid of honor...and what an honorable gal she is. Not to mention the mean bridal shower we had. Fun with old prom dresses and glue and glitter.
You would call us sisters. I am the one without the correct genetic make-up, but I make up for it with my hair color. Check out the shell earrings...thanks Birgitte---lovely Norwegian mentor!!
This is Birgi (check out her blog). She gave me the earrings from South Africa. She was my outreach leader this spring when I was at a YWAM school in Norway. She is 22 years old and working at the base in Skien again this year as a Department of Communications director. She loves chocolate and tucks her jeans into her socks in the winter. Weirdo! But I love her. So just a shout out lovely gal, and she was not at the wedding.
7.25.2006
great & mighty
"Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you did not know." Jeremiah 33:3
sam & ponch great & mighty
'Wor Ship' arrrrgh matey!
Sunday night, as referred to by different participants in various blogs was a wonderful time of worship and fellowship. Our dependancy on God's presence and power seems so much more sought in times of need, but what does it look like to seek him when we are just waiting?
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has concieved what God has prepared for those who love him."
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7 (NIV)
To worship God all the time--my heart yearns for it. But what does it look like to be a true worshipper? To worship God here in Iowa, with my friends...my my fellow deck mates of this 'Wor Ship'.
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth."
John 4:23 (NIV)
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has concieved what God has prepared for those who love him."
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7 (NIV)
To worship God all the time--my heart yearns for it. But what does it look like to be a true worshipper? To worship God here in Iowa, with my friends...my my fellow deck mates of this 'Wor Ship'.
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth."
John 4:23 (NIV)
"keep your stones in the sling David!"
sunday night volleyball in sioux center
andrea. jenn. dane. ponch. phil. sam. kevin. ross. ethan. matt. tracy. nish. amanda. morgan. cassie. laurel
7.24.2006
Die Koffiehoek Art Gallery
Remember the coffee shop guy who asked me to hang my art? Well that became a reality last week Friday. Praise God...what an awesome answer to prayer and really a picutre from an open window that God opened. Come by and see it.
DIE KOFFIEHOEK ART GALLERY
Thanks to Bruce Muilenberg from Die Koffiehoek and to the fine Sioux Center gentleman who hung it.
7.20.2006
push-ov (push + shove)
The game starts by two contestants standing arm length apart with thier legs firmly planted on the ground shoulder width apart. Straight arms to the partners' shoulders can measure correct distance.
The hands are placed in front of upper arms and then begin to push and shove one another. The point is to shove the other off center of balance. When a foot is moved back or up or adjusted to keep balance, then you lose that round. Usually rounds of 'out of three' are played and then go into either round robin tournement or just simply winner takes everyone....like I did at this little gathering of photos. Erika took everyone. Sorry Ross, Ponch, and Sam---maybe next time. (Tracy didn't play, she's gonna get it)
Another trick is to move your hands away from the on coming hand push. Only hands can be touched...no other body contact. But hands can be tricky to hit. A good tip is to counteract the force by releasing your arms so the opponent comes flying towards you. If he touches you with his/her body, then they lose. But if you get scared and move your feet first, you lose first. If both are falling, like in this above photo. The call is who moved their foot first to catch themselves from splatting on the cement. The one who wants to keep thier skull first is the loser (unfortunately so).
Its always a good idea to have fun. Sam's got it right. Pointing and laughing is just fine in this game.
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This game was enjoyed by many across the nations. I have played this game in my Orange City kitchen with dad and my sister and brother and ex-fiances and visitors and cousins and all of them. Then two years ago I brought it to Eastern Europe. The Hungarian high schoolers were entering competitions and going bizzerk! And this year, upon a hill in Qutobenie, South Africa a small group of children huddle around Yonela (Erika, with her South African name) to play round after round of Push-ov. And then returning to Cape Town to enjoy some real hearty laughs with good Norwegian pal Daniel Saxe (who was challenging competition). And of course, the here and now Orange City, IA. I tell you...if you are looking for an opportunity for people to just relax, open up and have fun, try it! Maybe it is the missionary in me, but people love it...and hate getting beat by girls. I'm no girl when it comes to Push-ov....I am an overcomer!
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Thanks for the awesome cheering support. Push-ov is a lawn chair bringing type of event.
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(People present in today's photos include: Ross, Sam, Ponch, and Kevin---and the invisible Tracy)
poke my hontas please
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This past weekend--July 14-16. I went to Minneapolis, MN with my good friend Tracy and my good sister Christa. We were visiting Jill....in the picture with Tracy. Our adventure was sweet. Friday night we stopped into the new dwelling of my good pals Sarah and Andrew De Young, pictured first. They will have been married for 2 weeks! Nice! Wonderful visit...I felt old though, because we were just visitors not roommates anymore! Like visitors should, we send a post visit thank-you note (or email)....I did that. I am old.
Saturday we were up early to walk around Calhoun Lake then stop by the Walker Sculpture Garden, as seen by the gigantic cherry on a spoon and the wooden box frame. We searched all over down town for a Chipoltle's Mexican restaurant and realized that usually businesses are closed on Saturdays...what's with that? So we paid 6 bucks for downtown parking...that we used less than 40min. Not worth it. The parking attendent smelled our mexican breath and we only paid 5. I like Minneapolis and it was urban and suburban and other kinds of -urban. We went to a Twins game. They wooped up on Cleveland Indians 6-2. My first baseball game...professional anything actually. I am niiave.
Sunday we went to an Urban Church called 'The Sanctuary'. There was praise and worship and there was hip-hop worship. 'Let me hear you say, oh (oh) oh (oh) oh oh oh (oh oh oh)' Kinda like that. And heard a great speaker named Jeremy Kingsley. An enlightening look at the two WOW's----1.good 2.bad
Great thanks to Cousin Jill who hosted our silly pants in her downtown apartment. Chocolate covered strawberries and make-them-yourselves taco bowls.
This past weekend--July 14-16. I went to Minneapolis, MN with my good friend Tracy and my good sister Christa. We were visiting Jill....in the picture with Tracy. Our adventure was sweet. Friday night we stopped into the new dwelling of my good pals Sarah and Andrew De Young, pictured first. They will have been married for 2 weeks! Nice! Wonderful visit...I felt old though, because we were just visitors not roommates anymore! Like visitors should, we send a post visit thank-you note (or email)....I did that. I am old.
Saturday we were up early to walk around Calhoun Lake then stop by the Walker Sculpture Garden, as seen by the gigantic cherry on a spoon and the wooden box frame. We searched all over down town for a Chipoltle's Mexican restaurant and realized that usually businesses are closed on Saturdays...what's with that? So we paid 6 bucks for downtown parking...that we used less than 40min. Not worth it. The parking attendent smelled our mexican breath and we only paid 5. I like Minneapolis and it was urban and suburban and other kinds of -urban. We went to a Twins game. They wooped up on Cleveland Indians 6-2. My first baseball game...professional anything actually. I am niiave.
Sunday we went to an Urban Church called 'The Sanctuary'. There was praise and worship and there was hip-hop worship. 'Let me hear you say, oh (oh) oh (oh) oh oh oh (oh oh oh)' Kinda like that. And heard a great speaker named Jeremy Kingsley. An enlightening look at the two WOW's----1.good 2.bad
Great thanks to Cousin Jill who hosted our silly pants in her downtown apartment. Chocolate covered strawberries and make-them-yourselves taco bowls.
7.19.2006
Eye see you!
Question #1: Who are these people?
Question #2: Where have they been all year?
Question #3: Which one has bigger eyes?
Question #4: What extracurricular activity brought them together?
Question #5: How many years ago?
Question #6: What are the middle names?
Question #7: Single?
Question #8: Why?
Question #9: What does Rock Valley have to do with it?
Question #10: Where are they when this picture was taken?
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