Twenty Nineteen Highlights

A picture glimpse from a few top moments in 2019.

 { Basketball }

Charlie began playing for McLendon Athletics last fall and continues to play on the select team. He loves the sport and works hard at becoming better. 

 

{ Graduation to Pre-school }

Our oldest graduated from Ebenezer Christian School and youngest began preschool this fall. 

{ Guitar }

Charlie continued to gain skills playing guitar and had the opportunity to play at his school chapel leading worship. His collection of pedals and instruments has grown quite a bit this past year. Myriam started guitar lessons as well!

{ Tim & Addi traveled to Cambodia in June. }

After graduation, these two flew overseas as Tim gave our daughter a first hand look to the ministry we support; the Life Giving Network. Eyes wide open, Addison experienced many firsts on this trip including the Great China Wall, smelly "fresh" markets and visiting the Killing Fields. 

{ Great China Wall }

{ Barbershop International Convention }

Tim and Charlie had the opportunity to share the stage together in the same place Tim won in 2005 with Realtime. Charlie had no nerves about singing in front of thousands of people and looked incredibly handsome as our little Man Cub sang tags, took in the events and road tripped with Grandpa Doug to Salt Lake City on the front end. 

{ Reclaimed book launch in August! }

{ Tim turned 40! }

Yep. My Love turned forty and celebrated with a motorcycle trip with buddies. I still brought poop emoji cupcakes and a toilet paper roll cake into the office to celebrate this huge event. My turn is coming this next year. 

{ Bryce Canyon with new running friends. }

{ Elements Hospitality Team }

I was given the title of coach as a dozen runners from the office ran the Grand Circle Trailfest accomplishing personal goals, team adventures and emotional finishes. It was such an honor to run this again and see others do something amazing.  

{ Drivers Permit }

Addison is doing a fine job learning the ways of the road. I prefer in town driving and tense up slightly when she drives over 35mph. Drivers Ed is complete and now works to fulfill all 60 hours of practice driving. 

 { Last child potty trained. }

This was sweet relief. Took some coaching but we have finally arrived in the point of parenting where no diapers are being purchased. 

{ Boat trip with Papa & Nana }

Other Highlights:

 Ministry travel

Almost finished house plans for a remodel in 2020

Summer swimming pool

Hysterectomy  

& the simple fact that we survived another year together. 

Happy 2020.

Summer 'N' Motion Wk. #6

Last week was a little bit of everything. 

I managed to finally kick the ear and sinus infection before my flight to North Carolina - thank goodness! Baylee is still trying to grow her two front teeth and all the kids have turned into part fish with the summers best purchase killing our grass in the back yard. Worth it. 

The week began with Charlie hanging with his buddy James and then again the next day celebrating another friend with the worlds best slip in slide. Seriously, this was a hillside covered in black tarps, soap and running water along with a dozen boys ready to have fun. 

Myriam continued her swimming lessons while I packed a suitcase for the She Speaks Conference. 

I'm so thankful Tim's job is flexible enough to stay home with the kids while I travel. He definitely earned husband of the year award as he tackled Little Irish and her ability to NOT want to be potty trained. Huge win as Tim conquered the little stubborn attitude with potty treats and stickers working towards the big reward of the desired Paw Patrol school backpack. 

And adding to the list of accomplishments, Tim took the kids on bike rides, trips to the park, picnics and explorations searching for crabs, shells and soaking up the salt smell at Birch Bay State Park.

Having the peace knowing all is clean and well at home allows for a sense of ease when traveling. 

As for She Speaks, God blew me away with His faithfulness and goodness allowing for my team to pray over women, listen to their stories and offer resources through Reclaimed Ministry. 

I went last year with a proposal and enough bound books to show publishers.  I knew no one but left with life long friends who have given me such encouragement and community over the past year. Throughout the year, God opened doors to share the heart of the ministry with other churches across the states. 

This year, I went with two friends who represented Reclaimed and acted as assistants during the Proverbs 31 Ministries hosted conference. I'm not sure I've processed all that happened this weekend and know I'm not the only one processing the fire hose of teaching that was provided. Jamie Ivy, Bianca Olthoff, Wendy Blight and Lysa TerKeurst were our keynote speakers wont only brought the Word of God but challenged our hearts to pursue the call God placed within us. 

The call of being a vessel of hope to women broken from marital betrayal. 

Can't wait to share more about the weekend!

Here's a little more from the past week... four more weeks until school starts!

{ In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus. }

{ Potty training treats & bike rides to Cookie Grandma's. }

#ncctkjustusmarriagegetaway ... Just Us

{ Always my Hubs. Always his Wife. }

 

{ May 3-5, 2019 }

The Just Us Couples were welcomed back in La Conner, WA, this year with lots of sunshine and hospitality as almost 50 couples connected with each other, learned about their personalities and focused on marriage while playing, laughing and relaxing with others. We are incredibly blessed to be apart of a church that supports marriage between man and woman AND makes an effort to invest into marriage. I heard multiple times how peoples cheeks hurt from laughing all throughout the weekend. 

My only request of the couples this year as volunteered MC, was to set aside the hard stuff - the parts of marriage that had them stressed, fearful, nose deep in self-help books or buried deep in counseling. To remind their marriage how to laugh, connect with others and remember to have fun. Marriage is HARD WORK! 

The Just Us Getaways are to bring the fellowship and connection back into marriage, as well as connecting with other church couples. It's always fun to see the hands go up according to what service they attend since many sit on opposite sides of the church. Numerous times over the weekend we heard of new budding friendships and connections being made. 

The Just Us Team saw that as a win!

And to give you insight into who attends, we had the youngest couple being married just under two years, to the oldest couple just celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! 

To best explain the weekend, I thought I'd just show you the belly laughs that were had and highlights from our 2nd Annual Just us Couples Getaway!

{ Follow #ncctkjustusmarriagegetaway to see more of the fun! }

{ Mark Warren hit it out of the park once again speaking into our 

personalities and how they affect our relationships. }

{ The Mix & Mingle B-I-N-G-O game proved success again resulting in peeps learning new things about each other, but also winning sweet prizes too! }

Our community once again blessed our couples with many donations for door prizes, game prizes and the coveted 1st place Amazing Race prize of a two-night stay at Semiahmoo Resort! Thank you to every business that greatly blessed so many couples. 

Shout out to Wood's Coffee for providing the caffeine all weekend long as well! 

{ Amy and her sweet tooth talents gave couples a punch of energy before the Just Us Amazing Race. }

 

 

 { We asked couples to dress up as noticeable couples... these were a few but clearly Joseph, Mary and sweet Baby Jesus won the Best Dressed prize to Jo Fish & Creativity! }

{ That's right. Shower caps, shaving cream and Cheese Puffs were just one of the Race Detours couples had to participate in. Blindfolded rubber band guns were another entertaining Race Challenge. }

 { Grooms had to locate their anniversary date while the brides sat in silence. Not sure which was harder! They later had to find their brides birthday while brides blew a bubble to connect the two dates. We had 29 couples participate in the Amazing Race! }

{ My Love & I on our Channel Lodge balcony before live streaming church and sharing in worship with all the couples. The Just Us Team debriefed at Whitey's BBQ making it now tradition to 

end our time together before heading home. }

Rocking Into My Tenth State Race

{ Reclaimed Ministry Small Group Training }

I love how God connects people. 

This past October I was in Alabama for a women's retreat where I met Christie and many others from My Springs Church in Mississippi. After spending a weekend together, I was intrigued by Christie's story and then invited to run with her at the New Orleans Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon. 

 It was just a year ago that Christie and her husband Gabe woke up to the smell of smoke raging through their home. With nearly nothing on their backs and being eight months pregnant with their third child, Christie and her husband grabbed their older two kids and raced outside. The home, a family estate with generations of memories, devastated to the foundation. 

And yet, Christie still smiles. 

A hero in my book. 

This past weekend I was able to stand in their newly constructed home, be greeted with huge hugs, given the full home tour by sweet Annabelle, and was witness to God's faithfulness to this sweet family after processing an incredibly challenging year. 

My friends, from My Springs Church, introduced me to fried pickles, catfish, hushpuppies, chicken and okra. My grease lined stomach sadly missed out on the fried Oreos! But not to worry... after a little ministry work and Reclaimed Small Group Training, Christie and I drove to New Orleans to run that race she had so graciously invited me to. Due to a bum knee, Christie was only able to run the 10k, but that didn't bother me. I was happy to accomplish another state goal and cross another finish line to gain my tenth state towards my 50 by 50! And by far the most flat race only climbing a grand total of 23 feet. Refreshing after that last race...

It was after the race I continued my fried foods tour and experienced the deliciously powdered beignet. Amazing. Olive Garden's dessert has no leg to stand on over the real deal! Thanks to both Christie and her friend Lauren, I was able to see much of the landscape in the land of beads, jazz and parades before boarding my flight home to the land of snow, winds and school cancellations. 

Thank you to those that greeted me with such love and open arms in Collins, and to my running buddies that allowed me to cheer, encourage and maybe push them through the finish line. 

{ Christie & Lauren: hosts & running buddies. }

{ Celebrating the 10th state. }

{ Race is done..time for Cafe Beignet! }

Fall Mash Up

I love fall. 

I love the scent of crisp, autumn leaves crunching under my feet and the 

warmth of a caramel apple cider between my fingers. 

I have no complaints about being stuck inside under a blanket, nose deep in a book. 

There is a sense of pressure to get all the outside activities completed before the months long of rain settles. The kids have had their first teacher conferences and I'm happy to report all grades and assignments are right up in the A's. Charlie is starting his AA basketball and continues to take guitar lessons. Addison enlightens us daily with her artistic abilities as she always has a sketch in process. Myriam gains more awards weekly with the most recent of being "the quietest kid" at The Good News Club. As far as Baylee goes, well, she's counting up to 60, telling me her phonic sounds to letters and still refuses to be potty trained. We recently sold The Mill Inn to YWAM North Cascades which is a huge win for both parties. We are thrilled to see the local base expand and grow as God cultivates a generation of Jesus followers providing more space to house 

missionaries coming to town. 

Here's a little more insight into what's been happening in our home:

Addison had a class hike up at Chain Lakes which turned out to be a little wet and quite a bit chilly. I'm not sure I've gained a trail buddy but Addi did great as she was groups ahead with her friends leaving Mom to chat with others in the back. You really can't fail on any hike up at Mt. Baker!

{ Lynden Dutch Treat: Myriam Princess Belle & Charlie a runner }

 I hate Halloween. I grew up not being involved in anything outside of handing out candy to the older kids coming to the door with pillow cases full of cavities. Once in a while our parents would lend their firefighter, nurse or sports player outfits to knock on a few doors up and down our street. I think out of punishment for not getting along or attempts to save money, my parents bought my sister and I one clown outfit as Traci was in one leg and myself in the other. We didn't get very far but certainly lends to a good laugh now! 

While Addison was hanging out with her friends this year, Charlie and Myriam took to the downtown shops for a little harvest fun. 

{ Sweetest m & m ever. }

 

It pays for Daddy to have good relationships with all his sub contractors and customers in places where they do Chicago deep dish style pizza the right way. What a treat to receive two frozen Giordano's pizzas from Doug! One piece alone and you think you were about to burst from the intake of cheesy deliciousness. Needless to say, the kids have been having leftover pizza for lunch all week. 

A Just Us Recap

{ The Just Us Team: Broersma's, Petersen's & Van Mersbergen's }

It's hard to put into words what was accomplished this spring in La Conner, WA. With forty NCCTK couples present, we managed to saturate the small town with crazy laughter, new friendships, active connection between spouses, the ability to have fun while competing and in the evening cutting it up on the dance floor. 

The Just Us Getaway was created to provide NCCTK couples the platform to meet other church couples, the ability to date each other and to fellowship in a non-threatening marriage environment all while laughing and having fun. Everything terrifying about a marriage seminar was removed and replaced with ease, welcoming smiles, no homework or uncomfortable moments of confessing your failures to your spouse, freedom in the schedule and optional events to take part in that again provided connection. 

Many marriages have forgotten how to date, or what it's like to date each other, because simply stated, marriage is hard and some don't have the flexibility to not work on their relationship. The idea of setting aside the stress and challenges that so often accompany a couple is, and was, a very refreshing thought. 

The Just Us Getaway surpassed every vision and goal we had laid out for the weekend. It was beyond fulfilling to see random couples connecting that have never met before and yet have attended the same service for years together; to hear deep belly laughter as Tim introduced our speaker. To walk into an establishment after our first Gathering and see a room crowded with double, triple dates; laughter bouncing off every wall brought such satisfaction. 

Every part of the weekend provided a success including Just Us Church as we watched the live stream after our own worship led by Joel. 

Nothing of this nature goes without help and the Just Us Team made it possible. From those behind the scenes to those fashioning the Just Us tees, (thanks Jessica!) there are many thank yous and shout outs to be told.

The design team at NCCTK outdid themselves with patience and creativity in all our printable needs.

Wood's Coffee provided the caffeine for the entire weekend both morning and evening.

Local businesses stepped up with over 40 items donated for game prizes and random give aways; all of which encouraged the date to be continued once home.

Sean Taylor provided the beat for our Throw Back Prom.

Mark Warren spoke at our Gatherings and provided personality tests to couples

who had never done such a thing. 

The Oliver's donated their time by filming the weekend so we'd have a digital footprint to remember the weekend by.

Many baked delicious treats to sweeten the snack table.

It truly was a team effort in assembling this getaway. It is a blessing to work with a church that supports and stands behind marriages with such intensity. To have the church promoting healthy marriages, active engagement with each other and moments to deepen the relationship is a true gift to the couples and also their families. 

Ultimately, the thanks and glory goes to God who, in the beginning, decided that man should not be alone. He knew that man would need a helper.

Even if it's a helper in the car...

{ Tim introduced our speaker and shared a few suggestions of possible topics he could give insight into...all of which he stated were examples from his own marriage. It was ten minutes of testimony videos that had the room rolling in laughter. }

{ The La Conner Channel Lodge and La Conner Country Inn were our gracious hosts. }

Sweet Sixteen

Together for nineteen years; married for sixteen.

We love nothing more than to disgust our kids with a kiss.

We know very well what makes the other one tick.

We finish each others thoughts and sentences.

As much as a night away sounds enjoyable, we both would rather fall asleep in our bed that has a permanent crease from holding each other all night long. 

We're blessed with memories filled with air miles and suitcases and never would imagined that we'd have the amazing tribe we're responsible for in our home. 

There have been days where liking the other was harder than loving, but at the end of the day, I would want nothing other than just us.

You and me.

Happy Anniversary to Us.

Kryptos Hedera

My original plan was to just trim the ivy as it quickly crept into my view of the back yard sprouting across the window; the roots permanently attaching to whatever surface it came into contact with. It may be pretty to look at and provides a great ground cover, but this plant can also be extremely invasive.
As I methodically begin the task of trimming this vine and that one, I noticed the extensive damage it had done to our window trim, exterior walls and even the window itself. Without pausing, I quickly decided to rip the entire plant off the wall and out of the ground.
It became immediately apparent that I was not the only one upset about this vine being ripped out and angered by the decay it had done to our home. Massive black spiders with bodies the size of my thumb nail scampered out from the displaced vines; up the walls and every direction on the ground setting off alarm to the mild arachnophobia this bug hating gardener has.
I had never been so thankful to have the bottle of Home Defense than at this moment, turning the situation into a battle of spider vs. bug melter with a quick trigger finger ready to spray until death. I turned into a human spider killer that refused to let anything flinching move a single one of their eight legs.

The parallel of the ivy plant to sin is almost identical.
Did you know that ivy is originally referred to as hedera? There are about fifteen different species of the climbing or ground-creeping plant.
At a distance, the ivy climbing on a brick wall creates a variegated green garden or a ground foliage that covers the forest floor. When you step closer, what you see is the ivy choking out the tree it's taken hostage by the thick, invading vines or roots that have taken hold to the outside walls, in some cases, vines that have grown into attic spaces under siding ruining the integrity of a home.
Every time I attempted to rip the brown, sunlight-starved vines off our exterior walls, pieces of paint would be tore off as well.

"And the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
1 Corinthians 14:25

Death Clarified Life

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely He was the Son of God!"
Matthew 27:51-54

Death clarifies priorities.

Not the priorities on the 'to do list' for the day, but those priorities that lead to eternal life.
I catch myself getting caught up in the busy routine of life, chasing kids and my husband, when first, I should be chasing God and the family running after me. Those things that seem important for the day really could wait as many times it's just added noise.
I recently completed a thirteen week course on grief as my world turned upside down this past year and found myself needing to check this box off to reassure my grief was on the right track.
As informative as the class was, my biggest take away was a few key scriptures and phrases that will stick with me for a long while.

If there was no sin, there would be no reason for the crucifixion.
If there was no sacrifice on the cross, there would be no reason to hope.
If there was no death, there would be no resurrection.
If there was no resurrection, there would be no eternal life or forgiveness.

Jesus' death on the cross clarified our purpose as believers and extended eternal life to all sinners.
With any life altering situation, death or pain, it truly does clarify what's important to you.
Nine years ago, Tim and I sat on our living room floor on Good Friday, serving each other communion as our first marriage died and we allowed God to give us a second chance at us.
The betrayal clarified our focus on what was real and a priority in our family.
Without Jesus' death on the cross, there would have been no reason to fight for our marriage. There would be no reason to forgive or to seek mercy from others.

Without death there would be no hope.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Revelation 21:4

As I've been reflecting on Good Friday and what is to come on Sunday, I can't help but think about the good that has come from death.
Forgiveness. Grace. Mercy. Love. Hope. A reinstated purpose to live more for today.

God tells us in Matthew 6:34 to, "not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." The challenge to stay in today is forever an issue as fallen humans living in a world of worry and fret.
The promise and hope in Jesus' death, is we know what is coming in three days... life.

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering...
For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Isaiah 53:3, 12b

If You Say So...

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around Him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. 

Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep waters and let down the nets for a catch."

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. 

But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

Luke 5:1-6

Jesus qualifies you for who you will become.

The life of Peter is a perfect example of this truth. Jesus saw this ordinary fisherman and immediately changed his name to one that means, the rock or a stone.

 "Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" 
(which, when translated, is Peter)."
John 1:42

A name that speaks of firmness and perseverance; trustworthiness and devotion. 

What an incredible honor to have Jesus see into your heart and call you out on what's to come. Terrifying actually. Think about this...Jesus, the All Knowing, sees into Simon Peter's heart and calls out his obedience in front of large crowds knowing Simon Peter has the human nature to do otherwise. Simon Peter, after a long night on a rickety wooden boat without rain jackets, GPS systems, coast guard approved life vests and a hot thermos of coffee, is asked to go back and fish some more. I would imagine the man was exhausted, hungry, cold and wet and possibly physically sore from handling the vessel all night long. There were no cranes or jimmy-rigs to help bring the nets in the boat; this was completely done by strength alone. 

Then, Jesus says, "Put out into deep waters."

Honestly, I think I would have put up some fight, but Simon Peter was quick to the test and immediately responded with, "Because you say so."

Peter wasn't the only one who replied with "because you say so."

We read about Abraham in Genesis 22:1-4 being tested by God.

"Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about later."

Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out of the place God had told him about."

Sure thing, God. I'll just take my only son and get right on that.