tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33990654306906655002024-03-13T15:40:01.747-05:00Step Next Doorloving our neighbors // near and farAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.comBlogger470125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-49880847996259109152017-04-13T20:02:00.000-05:002017-04-13T20:02:31.271-05:00Cultivate Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>// a journey in expectancy //</b></div>
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Three or four months before Luke met me he had been on a trip and was spending some quality time with Holy Spirit when he heard Him say to name his first two daughters Naomi and Ruth. Luke kept this close to his heart. Not quite a full year later he and I were married and we believed we would become pregnant on our wedding night. It was a few months after we were married and we still weren't pregnant and I was praying passionately at that point, in secret, for God to do what only He could do and make us fruitful. Five weeks later I took a test and while it was supposed to take two minutes for a result, the positive symbol appeared in a matter of five seconds and did not fade. I showed Luke and we laughed and laughed and praised God. We believed it was a girl from conception. Luke believed it was twin girls. He held to that all the way 'til the ultrasound where we found that it was only one child -- and it was a girl; our little Naomi. </div>
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The week after our positive pregnancy test I asked our friend and wedding photographer, Ryan, to embark on a photo project documenting the growing child inside of me, my growing belly and items that represented the approximate size, weight or length of the baby. About half way into the project Ryan asked if he could come to Naomi's birth. I was thrilled he wanted to. True to his giving, loyal, humble nature, when we called Ryan at one or two in the morning the day that I went into labor he got up, hopped in the car, drove right over and slept in the waiting room until Naomi had arrived and I was cleaned back up. Ryan was the first one in the room after the midwife and nurses had left. It was a precious capstone to our artistic venture which, at the outset, we titled "Cultivate Hope". </div>
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Pregnancy was such a journey. While it felt very natural to me it was also challenging. Luke met every symptom with a prayer and we often saw relief this way from nausea, morning sickness, aches, lightheadedness, swelling and varicose veins. Aware of so many miscarriages happening in the community I was anxious about that and, apart from the photo project, was cautious about celebrating my pregnancy for fear of it ending. It wasn't until my best friend lost her sweet unborn babe that I decided, with praise to God, to celebrate every day of my pregnancy -- my most tangible way of cultivating hope; hope for full-term, supernatural birth, perfect baby.</div>
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WEEK SIX - living in Minneapolis, MN</div>
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<i>staying in a community house</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgPRHjgeo2g/WOrKpgYaauI/AAAAAAAALE8/i_xXG-zMuhUvCbSVBBygIaXtaL836WlXQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%25281%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgPRHjgeo2g/WOrKpgYaauI/AAAAAAAALE8/i_xXG-zMuhUvCbSVBBygIaXtaL836WlXQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%25281%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0maJvo75NE/WOrKq9BuRUI/AAAAAAAALFA/HQGwc3y8Wa8pia7xux-NuLwG8OmKbhKaQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%25282%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0maJvo75NE/WOrKq9BuRUI/AAAAAAAALFA/HQGwc3y8Wa8pia7xux-NuLwG8OmKbhKaQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%25282%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK SEVEN - living in Minneapolis, MN</div>
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<i>luke's birthday at bordertown + kpa</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmEfErDAKJQ/WOrK1aozj5I/AAAAAAAALFI/uSEkn4w4gCEtg9D7VNqCvwofIMwjDvDnQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%25284%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmEfErDAKJQ/WOrK1aozj5I/AAAAAAAALFI/uSEkn4w4gCEtg9D7VNqCvwofIMwjDvDnQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%25284%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jIexPFWAgU/WOrK2ZUTXeI/AAAAAAAALFQ/EuEvn7UbSQEIIewMu1f8WLT11kzfHqIBQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%25287%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8jIexPFWAgU/WOrK2ZUTXeI/AAAAAAAALFQ/EuEvn7UbSQEIIewMu1f8WLT11kzfHqIBQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%25287%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK EIGHT - living in Minneapolis, MN</div>
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<i>staying in a community house</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nn1yT6eb40/WOrLDl2vJJI/AAAAAAAALFU/nVXyAC9oehorCRgJxXIHsU12N_QE7NbagCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252811%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nn1yT6eb40/WOrLDl2vJJI/AAAAAAAALFU/nVXyAC9oehorCRgJxXIHsU12N_QE7NbagCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252811%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lwqws6xq28/WOrLE7N_7bI/AAAAAAAALFY/_AHb0Z46Y_wL_Y6UWss9J65t6n5JXxnIACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252813%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lwqws6xq28/WOrLE7N_7bI/AAAAAAAALFY/_AHb0Z46Y_wL_Y6UWss9J65t6n5JXxnIACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252813%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK NINE - living in Minneapolis, MN</div>
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<i>staying in a community house</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cN0CO8Iu4w/WOrKwfG2wxI/AAAAAAAALFE/T1HvoTym2DM6q_yajBq9JsE0M1FurY85ACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%25288%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cN0CO8Iu4w/WOrKwfG2wxI/AAAAAAAALFE/T1HvoTym2DM6q_yajBq9JsE0M1FurY85ACLcB/s640/CH%2B%25288%2Bof%2B13%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TEN - living in Minneapolis, MN</div>
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<i>staying in a community house</i></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WUxRMpCd7Tk/WOrL57Rk5CI/AAAAAAAALFo/71Ug6ygLiQEcUbA4TFxkhRp2U84Q1145wCLcB/s1600/cultivatehope%2B%25281%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WUxRMpCd7Tk/WOrL57Rk5CI/AAAAAAAALFo/71Ug6ygLiQEcUbA4TFxkhRp2U84Q1145wCLcB/s640/cultivatehope%2B%25281%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK ELEVEN - living in Minneapolis, MN</div>
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<i>staying in a community house</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QTDj8MDZN3Q/WOrL_tUwCkI/AAAAAAAALFs/cmvcKKqCuEw844Za9dS6AJcPk1s68VMUACLcB/s1600/cultivatehope%2B%25289%2Bof%2B14%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QTDj8MDZN3Q/WOrL_tUwCkI/AAAAAAAALFs/cmvcKKqCuEw844Za9dS6AJcPk1s68VMUACLcB/s640/cultivatehope%2B%25289%2Bof%2B14%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWELVE - living in New York City, NY</div>
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<i>in our car with barley</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6S3XlTabSDc/WOrMA-dZTMI/AAAAAAAALFw/q-9D4vwxl4wExX8FYQsXR-0JJG9npd6VgCLcB/s1600/cultivatehope%2B%252813%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6S3XlTabSDc/WOrMA-dZTMI/AAAAAAAALFw/q-9D4vwxl4wExX8FYQsXR-0JJG9npd6VgCLcB/s640/cultivatehope%2B%252813%2Bof%2B14%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK THIRTEEN - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>mid air show at welcome week for the university of minnesota</i></div>
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WEEK SEVENTEEN - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at ma + dan's</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3ICABQiRNA/WOrMaWu8IXI/AAAAAAAALGA/NMoTfl8Rcbw5Ay62jBR1ET5i4DiozVNtwCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%25284%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3ICABQiRNA/WOrMaWu8IXI/AAAAAAAALGA/NMoTfl8Rcbw5Ay62jBR1ET5i4DiozVNtwCLcB/s640/CH%2B%25284%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK EIGHTEEN - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>my birthday at josh + becca's wedding</i></div>
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WEEK NINETEEN - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at ma + dan's</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMYjZ5N9PLw/WOrM1pHOfQI/AAAAAAAALGQ/gIXe1n7TwzY5hCXZFTADluMCcssD5FKSwCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252810%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMYjZ5N9PLw/WOrM1pHOfQI/AAAAAAAALGQ/gIXe1n7TwzY5hCXZFTADluMCcssD5FKSwCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252810%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at ma + dan's</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxj8ts_d050/WOrNUJRhzEI/AAAAAAAALGU/iI0DiHCICEopCuJdw9cb_idAWD43MJXEQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252814%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxj8ts_d050/WOrNUJRhzEI/AAAAAAAALGU/iI0DiHCICEopCuJdw9cb_idAWD43MJXEQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252814%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY TWO - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at ma + dan's</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sFGihMc-GY/WOrN3vI5ovI/AAAAAAAALGo/U4yUmai2UJsX55gHt5UuKH8qYeEASsUcwCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252817%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6sFGihMc-GY/WOrN3vI5ovI/AAAAAAAALGo/U4yUmai2UJsX55gHt5UuKH8qYeEASsUcwCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252817%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY THREE - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at shane + becky's</i></div>
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WEEK TWENTY FOUR - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>thanksgiving at shane + becky's</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoxc-2Taa1w/WOrN9b6_dCI/AAAAAAAALGs/GA19PBfj9u426psMRUbyak_H3paLBu63gCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252823%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aoxc-2Taa1w/WOrN9b6_dCI/AAAAAAAALGs/GA19PBfj9u426psMRUbyak_H3paLBu63gCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252823%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY FIVE - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at shane + becky's</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3s2YHfJeDA/WOrOStV3JAI/AAAAAAAALG4/HmDPfNcM9zUOYcS-qKJ-x0xFH8lyDo-4QCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252828%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3s2YHfJeDA/WOrOStV3JAI/AAAAAAAALG4/HmDPfNcM9zUOYcS-qKJ-x0xFH8lyDo-4QCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252828%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY SIX - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at shane + becky's</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kitOiXN5KAY/WOrOVyDkKRI/AAAAAAAALG8/GFKWN-EE3IQ4T8att2rmkMgXcXMvezKwACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252829%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kitOiXN5KAY/WOrOVyDkKRI/AAAAAAAALG8/GFKWN-EE3IQ4T8att2rmkMgXcXMvezKwACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252829%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY SEVEN - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at shane + becky's</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Kfb0mrAQY/WOrOkbYvhWI/AAAAAAAALHE/1zmT3FajydQ64hF1ankKrvoFr_gLs7MdwCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252832%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Kfb0mrAQY/WOrOkbYvhWI/AAAAAAAALHE/1zmT3FajydQ64hF1ankKrvoFr_gLs7MdwCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252832%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY EIGHT - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>staying at lani's</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irmWMmhnbc8/WOrOkQMnPlI/AAAAAAAALHA/jHw6eLBNe_MVzJfVgO9PoR5uDhpZxk53ACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252835%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irmWMmhnbc8/WOrOkQMnPlI/AAAAAAAALHA/jHw6eLBNe_MVzJfVgO9PoR5uDhpZxk53ACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252835%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK TWENTY NINE - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>christmas at lani's</i></div>
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WEEK THIRTY - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIe2MRk5rS4/WOrO04IFLzI/AAAAAAAALHY/NkTA5qtgXZcgCoLb65ocE5uTh0n8HyiTACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252843%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KIe2MRk5rS4/WOrO04IFLzI/AAAAAAAALHY/NkTA5qtgXZcgCoLb65ocE5uTh0n8HyiTACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252843%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK THIRTY ONE - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ur56GUQc6xg/WOrO4Jf973I/AAAAAAAALHc/qs6jY5kBNMooCnRQ8ZQppSuJ8x-oACVvgCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252846%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ur56GUQc6xg/WOrO4Jf973I/AAAAAAAALHc/qs6jY5kBNMooCnRQ8ZQppSuJ8x-oACVvgCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252846%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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WEEK THIRTY TWO - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgdVU9mBjIc/WOrO8205quI/AAAAAAAALHg/3a-cg3y2brsynMve6-QgSPMxMokmlAeaQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252847%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgdVU9mBjIc/WOrO8205quI/AAAAAAAALHg/3a-cg3y2brsynMve6-QgSPMxMokmlAeaQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252847%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK THIRTY THREE - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWN7EYnDP60/WOrPAYhp1WI/AAAAAAAALHk/CzwxJQ7oBOEJ1_ggk0ThjpBCbwDWT-RaACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252851%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sWN7EYnDP60/WOrPAYhp1WI/AAAAAAAALHk/CzwxJQ7oBOEJ1_ggk0ThjpBCbwDWT-RaACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252851%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK THIRTY FOUR - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYsHszS6sJ8/WOrPCvTg01I/AAAAAAAALHs/zcPld0cfIagBcBpeF2_Vhp3rxCDs3NezQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252854%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYsHszS6sJ8/WOrPCvTg01I/AAAAAAAALHs/zcPld0cfIagBcBpeF2_Vhp3rxCDs3NezQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252854%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK THIRTY FIVE - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--M4eNAX8t-k/WOrPDgTKRgI/AAAAAAAALHw/kLOZjIHZJzAvUkYxh8Rv_Pc6iJ4J1beLACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252861%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--M4eNAX8t-k/WOrPDgTKRgI/AAAAAAAALHw/kLOZjIHZJzAvUkYxh8Rv_Pc6iJ4J1beLACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252861%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK THIRTY SIX - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi6fM2A--sg/WOrPJUegk8I/AAAAAAAALH4/d751_ExxUYUUK0GGcl8_UwwBJguqTYzeACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252864%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi6fM2A--sg/WOrPJUegk8I/AAAAAAAALH4/d751_ExxUYUUK0GGcl8_UwwBJguqTYzeACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252864%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abwXqioOUpk/WOrPJEdrufI/AAAAAAAALH0/HJfnP8QIsvAWxjkXnE9ja0iI6Nq5lvomQCLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252866%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abwXqioOUpk/WOrPJEdrufI/AAAAAAAALH0/HJfnP8QIsvAWxjkXnE9ja0iI6Nq5lvomQCLcB/s640/CH%2B%252866%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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WEEK FOURTY - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
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<i>sacred heart hospital</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQTpP5JWrJ0/WOrIil0iriI/AAAAAAAALE0/_RCxew7-crMKWo_k1An-zr3ClA_UHc-mwCEw/s1600/ch4-3-of-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQTpP5JWrJ0/WOrIil0iriI/AAAAAAAALE0/_RCxew7-crMKWo_k1An-zr3ClA_UHc-mwCEw/s640/ch4-3-of-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPr-hR93NMk/WOrPbpi0hQI/AAAAAAAALIA/YEtNe7KjUYo9Sz43t92DlkYvFDhgTupvACLcB/s1600/CH%2B%252872%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPr-hR93NMk/WOrPbpi0hQI/AAAAAAAALIA/YEtNe7KjUYo9Sz43t92DlkYvFDhgTupvACLcB/s640/CH%2B%252872%2Bof%2B73%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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WEEK FOURTY FIVE - living in Eau Claire, WI</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>our own apartment</i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRyPP9V_fA4/WOrRYxTNk3I/AAAAAAAALIQ/B6i1tgxx_lMQV9-Kawd1OKY-eT_5x339gCLcB/s1600/Naomi-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRyPP9V_fA4/WOrRYxTNk3I/AAAAAAAALIQ/B6i1tgxx_lMQV9-Kawd1OKY-eT_5x339gCLcB/s640/Naomi-44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00JbCnL7-Ew/WOrRYx8YvWI/AAAAAAAALIU/gujKnrFqbIk2kYHHQJJE0Uo2KexSf0WhACLcB/s1600/Naomi-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00JbCnL7-Ew/WOrRYx8YvWI/AAAAAAAALIU/gujKnrFqbIk2kYHHQJJE0Uo2KexSf0WhACLcB/s640/Naomi-38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>WE LOVE YOU, NAOMI <3</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Naomi's middle name is Caitlin. I don't remember how that name came to my mind but the two names together mean "pleasant purity" or, as a sister in the Lord proposed, "happy holiness". The way it is spelled is in honor of a friend of mine from Milwaukee who loves Jesus more than most people that I know. Speaking life, or calling things into being, is a real thing, so is discerning the nature that God has shaped in a person. Our little Naomi is truly a pleasant baby and a really happy little girl. She is passionate and peaceful and we believe she already has encounters with God that her soul is aware of. </div>
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Becoming parents has been a truly natural thing for us. Raising a baby is very challenging but one moment, one hour, one day at a time we're getting through the trials. There is breakthrough and sweet moments in the midst of the simple responsibility. A lot of challenges for me in breastfeeding, the typical frustration of sleep deprivation, and some incredibly mild depression at times, seem so tiny in the light of the love for her completely precious soul -- and her sweet, sweet smiles. One of the characteristics that Kelsey had told me about in Luke, that sealed the deal for me in allowing him to pursue me, was his love for children. He has had minimal experience with babies but has been an utterly fantastic dad. Ive been called to be a momma since I was born and Ive carried that close as Ive "mothered" many. Even once Naomi was born it was surreal that she was ours. I loved her like all the other kids Id loved. Its starting to sink in now that she's my daughter and the reality of cultivating hope in her is great.</div>
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The pregnancy and even the delivery went so fast. Ive known all along that each milestone was her growing up, becoming who God created her to be -- even in the womb. I also knew it in every long hour of the short first thirty days she was here in our arms with so many needs. When I was crying it gave me hope. When I was marveling it caused me to linger longer. The challenges are so real but they're all able to be overcome. Days go by and each is precious. I don't wish any back, I just want to remain as present as I have, all the days of her life. She was worth my twenty-four year wait.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-9546476177663543102017-02-13T12:56:00.001-06:002017-02-13T13:10:38.059-06:00Put Love on Display //I've done a few posts on Instagram recently reminiscing on Luke and my love story. It was all unfolding this time last year. Thanks to some followers I was made aware that I never really shared our story. Strolling back down memory lane -- sorting through hard-drive files from a year back -- I found some gems and, both to share the glory story and to document it for my own memory's sake, here's a concise compilation, along with the captions from my Instagram posts looking back on our story this year.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmsvzjAXxrk/WJ9X0Ij0_HI/AAAAAAAALAE/tfh5Fiv0nLIi5ZSVdh_lP8vbxVxS3YrMgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0180.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmsvzjAXxrk/WJ9X0Ij0_HI/AAAAAAAALAE/tfh5Fiv0nLIi5ZSVdh_lP8vbxVxS3YrMgCLcB/s640/IMG_0180.PNG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve 2015</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0koJCmzNa2Y/WJ9X0GxH7-I/AAAAAAAALAA/X9lgB-Y4XVQutZGCnrNz9qNI__cV19q4wCLcB/s1600/IMG_0178.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0koJCmzNa2Y/WJ9X0GxH7-I/AAAAAAAALAA/X9lgB-Y4XVQutZGCnrNz9qNI__cV19q4wCLcB/s640/IMG_0178.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit;">// </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPBYoClhuHH/?taken-by=chelsea_pea" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit;">from Instagram, January 10th</a> //<i style="font-weight: normal;"> About a year ago this time Luke was just getting into Athens with his YWAM team. On Christmas Eve he'd told me his heart to pursue me and I'd turned him down. I knew he was going overseas but didn't know where or for how long. I wouldn't have talked to him again after turning him down but after he had left and I asked a friend if she knew how it was going she simply asked me to really consider him. I didn't have any reason not to like him but it wasn't until after she'd shared with me how compatible we were that my eyes were opened and my heart changed. I chose not to be embarrassed and I reached out to Luke, two weeks after turning him down, and I didn't explain anything I just said I was praying for him and his team and the people they were meeting and would he give me names of people they were meeting so I could pray by name. That was the true start of "us", though we never talked about interest in each other again, and the rest really is history.</i></span><span style="font-style: inherit;"> </span></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcC57oRAGuI/WJ9X0ZW9jOI/AAAAAAAALAI/Gg7RLZJu5R065OTwKdfcC5oEeoYtRliowCLcB/s1600/IMG_0182.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KcC57oRAGuI/WJ9X0ZW9jOI/AAAAAAAALAI/Gg7RLZJu5R065OTwKdfcC5oEeoYtRliowCLcB/s640/IMG_0182.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsey and Luke's text feed</td></tr>
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<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">// </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8CcXaBMQh/?taken-by=chelsea_pea" style="font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;">from Instagram, February 2nd</a> //<i> A year ago this week, after a month of texting about Papa God and ministry and verses and such, Luke called me on video chat for the first time and we talked until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore (he was seven hours ahead of me and it was evening in my time zone). The next morning I woke up to YouTube videos from him. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-v8kS-0QW8">This was one of them.</a> One song he sent to me resonated so deeply that I memorized it and recorded a voice memo of harmonies over top of it which I sent to him. Something I would never do and wasn't trying to put myself out there by doing, I just wanted to worship with him. The morning he woke to that recording he walked to church in the Czech Republic listening to it and weeping. He says that's when he knew for certain there was no going back and he would marry me. I had no idea. He continued to call me on video chat every day whenever he had a moment or a few hours. We never scheduled or planned them but they always seemed to work out. </i></span></span></span></h1>
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Luke had been praying about whether or not to continue talking with me after the team left Greece and went to the Czech Republic. I didn't know this. I had been praying that it would be clear to me whether he was going to pursue me while he was overseas or wait until he got home -- I didnt know how long that would be, I never asked. My "test" was that if he initiated wanting to video chat while he was on the outreach trip that I would take that as a sign from God that Luke would pursue me while he was still gone. Luke didn't know I was praying this. When he asked me to video chat he felt he was taking a great leap of faith.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbGckUOrgzY/WJ9X1Qn_gYI/AAAAAAAALAk/NUTVzsSTdZgyBles3_LGRXHak7YVwnSVwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0496.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hbGckUOrgzY/WJ9X1Qn_gYI/AAAAAAAALAk/NUTVzsSTdZgyBles3_LGRXHak7YVwnSVwCLcB/s640/IMG_0496.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 32px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Edited"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Edited"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-style: inherit;">// </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQQ3X26BozA/?taken-by=chelsea_pea" style="font-style: inherit;">from Instagram, February 9th</a> //</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><i>February has me all sentimental. Every day of this month last year was significant. At the start Luke called me on video chat and sent me videos of his songs. He called every day -- one of which he told me he loved me, another he told me he was planning to move to Milwaukee to pursue me when he got back from his trip with YWAM, and, because I was so receptive to that, the NEXT DAY he told me he planned to marry me within six months. That night was the Super Bowl. We literally picked a date that night and he told me his whole story and I told him mine. Then I stayed up and planned the whole wedding. </i></span></span></h1>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><i>The rest of the week he called my parents to ask their blessing, I drove back to Eau Claire to meet his family, and we worked on calling all the other key people in our lives to tell them the news and invite them. </i></span><i style="font-variant: inherit; font-weight: normal; line-height: inherit;">Feb 11th last year Omar surprised our cGROUP with the news that I was getting married. Cornerstone people turned up and poured out -- as did my sisters in law -- to help with anything and everything. February 20th Luke and I chose to take a week of silence and the next time we spoke was when I ran into his arms at the Chicago airport on February 27th when he and the YWAM team landed. That was the fifth time we'd ever been in person with each other. The next day we attended our wedding shower in Eau Claire together. Valentines was sweet but nothing special compared with any other day of February. It was all full of pursuit, falling in love, wedding details and faith-filled celebration.</i><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> </span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke asking my mom's blessing to marry me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first time I met Luke's mom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pere Marquette Park in Milwaukee, WI where the wedding would be held on March 25th</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken outside of the Chicago airport</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wedding shower</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-44590321524672627662017-02-10T15:03:00.000-06:002017-02-13T13:12:16.752-06:00Month Six-Nine // our journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>SEPTEMBER</b> we received confirmation that YWAM wouldn't be bringing us on the team this year. The next day Luke went out with a his resumes and had an instant interview with one of the best restaurants in Eau Claire. He was hired there very shortly after. He tried to get hired at a coffee shop as well but those all fell through so once again he walked into a fine dining place in Eau Claire and came out with a job. As August had wrapped up we were still living with Luke's sister Lani but once we found we were going to be in Eau Claire for awhile we moved in with Luke's Mom and Step-Dad, bringing Barley to my Mom's house, for the foreseeable future. We didn't have the income steady yet to rent our own place. We applied for health care and began to have prenatal care at a local health clinic. It was a quick transition from traveling and music and missionary bases to early work mornings and living with family but we were grateful for the grace period while we got our feet under us -- as they say.<br />
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<b>OCTOBER</b> was the first time that Luke and I celebrated my birthday together. We spent the day at a friends' wedding and actually played the worship set for their ceremony which was a beautiful experience. We spent the night at a dear friend's house -- the same brother in the Lord who preached the Gospel at our wedding -- and the next morning we cleaned out our storage unit in Minneapolis, with our brother's from the Spanish congregation at our church in Eau Claire, and unloaded it into a closet it my mother-in-love's house. For the whole month it was pretty much the hiddenness of working and living and growing a child. We got to see Baby O's sweet little body for the first time at the end of the month. It confirmed the sense we had had even before we got pregnant, that the first babe would be a girl.<br />
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<b>NOVEMBER</b> held some surprises. Friends from church who were living in Israel at the time needed someone to rent their house in Eau Claire and contacted us about it. We jumped on it, moving in with Barley and all our belongings as soon as we could. Only a few days after one of my best friends came to visit us for a weekend -- it would be the last time I saw her before she left on the <a href="http://paigelindner.theworldrace.org/">World Race</a>. She showered me with treats and quality time and heart-to-hearts as only she can. The sweetness continued when my childhood best friend came to visit another night, just because, and we went out for coffee and chatted about babies late into the night. Luke was working early mornings and late nights and I so enjoyed having company not only to fill the silence but also to help me stay awake while waiting for Luke to get off of work. We had only lived at our friends' house for a week or two before we learned that they were possibly going to be coming home much sooner than expected. We kept ourselves from unpacking once more, but not from hosting. We had Thanksgiving dinner at our place and hosted our friends' Dad, who was staying at the house with us while we were there, one of his sons, and he and Luke went downtown to invite the homeless to dinner as well but all declined the offer.<br />
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<b>DECEMBER</b> we found out that our friends were for sure coming home early. We quickly put our bags together, pushed our boxes together in a corner of their basement and went back to Lani's house. Waiting for confirmation on a house that we had applied to rent we didn't expect to be there more than a few days but it fell through, as several had before it. Out of the blue my Dad approached us about a vacant unit in one of the rental's he managed and we worked out the details to move in before January 1st. Meanwhile we had reapplied for health care for the third time and I was becoming unsure that we would even have it before the baby came. Luke kept faith though and we continued with the paperwork. We celebrated Christmas with all sides of our family and surprised them all with Baby O's gender and name: Naomi Caitlin -- meaning "pleasant purity". We moved all of our belongings, one last time, into the apartment in the final days of December and, for the first time since we moved out of our apartment in Milwaukee at the end of May, had our own place.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-29590735575554567362016-11-11T18:19:00.000-06:002016-11-11T18:31:58.737-06:00Created from the dust //<span style="font-size: large;">There is a lot of dust in the air after the election. No surprise, but what to do from here? The only way this much dust settles is with rain. </span><br />
Church that hears, hear. Church that is asked for help, I praise God for you because you won't turn that person away with a well wish. Church that sees, I thank God for you because you won't turn away and forget what you've seen. Church whose mind is on heavenly things, now is the time to bring heaven to earth -- it's always the time.<br />
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Snapshots of our country may look different to different hearts. You may see a community in mourning. Perhaps you see a people emboldened to speak as crudely as they desire because it's been modeled for them by the incoming senior leader of our nation. You could see chaos and hate and fear. Maybe you see a bunch of people overreacting and being pouty, entitled, and childish in their passionate outbursts. You might see your enemy and walk around watching your back in ways you never felt you had to before. The differences in sight yield differences in response. Protests, beatings, tears, caution, rolling eyes, praying Jesus comes back. Church, we have to say what WE see -- what the Father sees, what we see by His Son's Spirit in us -- and we have to respond the way He is responding.<br />
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He sees dust. He sees humanity that's separated from Him and the death and the pain and the terror and the destruction they live in because of it. He so desperately wants to embrace and cover and shield and fill and forgive and bless... He wants to resurrect every last soul -- the crying ones and the scoffing ones and the ones looking the other way. What looks like the Devil's time, God just sees as His time to shine. Church, He is here, right now, more than He even was in the flesh because now His Spirit is in ANYONE who believes that His death and resurrection counted for them 100% and is theirs for free. He is all over the place. We have eyes that see beyond what the world sees all around. We have ears to hear what our Daddy God is singing over this heart-broken and twisted world. We ARE His Body, all over the earth, and He has taught us how to do what He would do -- to love. See, step out, reach over, listen, respond with truth in love, worship in spirit and truth, overcome evil with good, put a hand on the sick and see them recover, raise the dead, speak life, call forth destiny.<br />
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All these dear, dear people with different eyes to see are created to be children of light and we are in their lives to help them know that. They have spirits behind them that are ugly but they don't need to be feared because all of them have been put under our feet, we have authority over all of them (not the people, the spirits influencing them). That doesn't mean acting as exorcists all over our friends and family and coworkers and social media connections, and if you've done that in faith God bless you, we are all learning, but we go on the offensive against the devil and we go after the very people he is wreaking havoc in and through. They don't know what they are doing, Church. They are literally yelling out in the streets for love, and we are the first-responders of heaven. I believe there are seeds of Good News already planted in all these hearts, just waiting to be watered and helped along. God is gracious to us, His Church. It's come to the point that the lost are literally seeking and ready to find, they are crying out and expecting a response, they are desperate for hope. We have it. We were made for this purpose: to administer Christ's reconciliation to all. The ones cursing their brothers and the ones seeking refuge and justice.<br />
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I don't believe this is the time that the true Church in America will go underground. I believe this is going to call them out of their places of preparation and hiding and into the destiny on their lives: to live as servant-Kings and Queens. This is the time of the Esther's who speak UP for life when it's the most risky to their own lives. (That does not mean just being pro-life and defending your position against the candidate that was pro-choice and calling that fighting for life. It means seeing the girl who wants to have an abortion and loving her to life, being willing to be spent on her behalf even if the only thanks you get is literally spit in your face.) This is the time of the Daniel's who do the right thing in secret and get exposed and targeted for it and become an undeniable testimony of the favor of God on His kids when they are submissively attacked and not only survive but come back with only blessing for those who tried to harm them. This is the time of the David's coming out of a season of being hunted to have their calling destroyed and stepping into that calling with a band of the world's outcasts who have become the mightiest of lovers and warriors and go on to serve and lead many, and see victory after victory over anything that comes against. (That isn't people of a sinful lifestyle "coming against" you in your holy lifestyle, but the devil and his armies coming against you the anointed child of God and your brothers and sisters in the Church who are walking in their high calling and tirelessly driving them out of long-held territory.) This is the time of the early Church filled with the Spirit and compelled out into the streets and to all the world with the power of God for emancipation from sin to all those that believe, those willing to suffer for this Good News knowing that no one can believe unless they hear and it's worth the cost of our own life to spread the news as far as possible. Remember that every single one of these was under the leadership of corrupt governments and honored those ruling, while being governed by God's authority. I truly believe that THIS is the time of a great revival.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">God saw dust and He made something beautiful and deeply beloved out of it: man. We're made in His image. We too are hard-wired to see the dust and not just know the full potential for holiness in it, but to draw it out. </span><br />
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Let it rain, Spirit pour out on all flesh, settle the dust that's filling the air with your overwhelming embrace, but let that water flow out of our bellies as you said it should. Out of us, Church, will flow rivers of LIVING water. And anyone who drinks this water [receives forgiveness freely offered and life fully given] will never thirst [from a place of death be so parched for just a drop of life] again. (Acts 2:17, John 7:38, John 4:14)<br />
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Please see my <a href="http://yourreasonableservice.blogspot.com/2016/11/this-years-election.html">previous post</a> for more on this time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-47427424613543526292016-11-05T18:25:00.004-05:002016-11-05T18:25:48.863-05:00This Year's Election //This Election year has been unlike any I've seen. I've never wholly agreed with a candidates policies but this year has felt rigged to me from the start. I remember that the media was projecting Hilary and Trump to be the nominees for the year back at the very start of the races. I know so few people, Christian and non-Christian alike, who legitimately want to vote for either candidate that I don't truly believe that they were America's top picks. Either way they're the picks we have and my theory is that God has a desire of who should be in leadership for the following few years. The candidates' lives don't reflect one's of favor with God so getting to know His heart on this election has certainly been one found in the secret place with Him alone, not through "popular opinions" or any other voice. The right to vote isn't one to take for granted, still I can't bring myself to vote for either party. I'm not clear on who God would have me vote for. I am clear on a few things though. >><br />
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<b>Corrupt leaders do not tie God's hands or strip Him of His authority.</b> There are spirits behind everything and our battle isn't against people but the rulers in spiritual places. A Prince has reigned in this earth since the Fall of man and his keys were stripped of Him by Jesus. The Kingdom has been coming on earth as it is in heaven ever since. Those left with authority over corruption in the earth? The Church -- individual born-again children of God all over the earth.<br />
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<b>Jesus loves terrorists, prostitutes, and war lords.</b> He loves Trump, He loves Hilary. All sinners are enemies of God and He has always loved His enemies. The saints are wired to do the same. He loved his enemies so much that He sacrificed Himself just for the chance at being reunited in purity and intimacy with every one of them. As His kids we have been commissioned to carry that invitation to all, not to argue politics or to be a religious people ready to throw stones. And, regardless of the leader, we are always meant to pray for them.<br />
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<b>You are for the One true God, or you are against Him.</b> He isn't against you, clearly He is for you, but there is a law and order set up that holds consequences for sin (separation now and for eternity from Love Himself). All of humanity is in one of these two camps: <i>sinner</i> -- separated from God, or <i>saint</i> -- one with God. There are sinners who know that they are sinners and sinners who think they can work out redemption for themselves, these are the religious people and today they're known by most as "good" people. There are also saints who know they are saints -- that sin is forever removed from them and they live free, in unity with God, and with purpose to represent Him in the earth and lead others to this same reconciliation with Him -- and there are saints who don't know they are saints because they've believed the religious people who tell them they can never get free except maybe if they try really hard, they don't realize that apart from God it's impossible to please Him and that as a saint they are already fully pleasing to God. The saints are the Church, the Body of Christ, and they carry the authority to bring life in place of death, healing in place of brokenness, peace in place of chaos, and freedom in place of bondage. If they will rise up and walk in God's favor by faith all this will happen. Jesus in us, that's the Holy Ghost, is the hope of glory -- not a good choice of candidate to vote into leadership of our fleeting government.<br />
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<b>Throughout history we see corrupt leaders of corrupt nations be humbled</b>, we also see corrupt leaders over the children of God be counseled and aided by righteous men (the Old Testament version of a saint, those in right standing with God by faith before the Holy Spirit was given to all who believe in Jesus) who either choose humility or are humbled. Tests, trials, tribulation, trouble, these and more have served to humble leaders and nations throughout all of time. We are in for some. This is good news! It is a mercy for all those separated from God and it is meant to be considered as pure joy, something to celebrate, by the saints because these things serve to strengthen and refine our faith -- which is more valuable than the richest treasures found in the earth. The hard times are the times when a saint's life shines brightest, they're the unshaken ones when everything in life is shaken. So we're coming up on some hard times? Bring it on! I'm excited for us. We're going to grow so much in understanding, in the deepest places of us, His goodness and power and favor for those who believe -- remember that's the open invitation to the world thanks to the Resurrection.<br />
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<b>Only saints who don't know they are saints will fear for their children's future with these coming times.</b> I'm expectant for our children's future -- those raised in faith and those that will come to faith in these testing times. Shining as light in the midst of darkness, holiness in the midst of crooked ways and corruption, we are living beacons of hope and encounters of life in the world. We should expect certain persecution but be grateful when it comes, receive it like a gift, because our Lord suffered as well when He came with the invitation to life, now and forever, and complete freedom from sin and its consequences, and He endured it because of the joy ahead of possible reunion with even just one person. I believe we are going to leave nothing but an excellent example of resurrection from death for our children and the greatest inheritance -- the riches of all that Jesus is. It's a great time to be alive and having kids.<br />
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<b>God can handle any fear that you may have regarding the future so don't be ashamed to bring it to Him.</b> Just know that His way is to remove that fear from you by your encountering his almighty, grave opening, sin removing, saint birthing, Satan defeating love. Go to Him with it all. Leave it with Him and walk ahead with His freedom and wholeness and wealth and security. He is faithful and He is not finished with all He began here. We're going from glory to glory. The best is yet to come. There's a Kingdom to advance, Good News to share, and a Good Father to know. Praise Him!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-92184118719773763112016-10-21T17:48:00.000-05:002016-10-21T17:50:04.616-05:00Over Tea //<span style="font-size: large;">That old saying about life beginning over again in the fall?</span> It's ringing especially true this year. This summer was hard. Not bad, big difference, not even without pleasantness or rest or delight, just hard. There is so much worth in a journey, great growth through trial -- whether suffered well through or not, and much to learn by looking back once youre on the other side of it. I'm truly grateful. Just as I remember being as a young teen looking back on how I was disciplined as a child. Luke and I are thriving.<br />
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A few weeks ago we spent my birthday at a friend's wedding. We had the privilege of singing in their ceremony and, a first for me, I led the first worship song we sang that day. Of all the songs it could have been it felt so hand-picked for me. "It Is Well" by Bethel's Kristene DiMarco is anthem like, a modern-day Psalm in heart. The ideal first sentence in a fresh chapter of my life, but also of our life together -- Luke's and mine. I truly believe that Twenty-Four is the year of double blessing for me and a friend nailed that with her birthday wish to me: "I pray this year is even more blessed than the last one." Considering that my Twenty-Third year was possibly the very sweetest of my single years and an intense one in regard to heart break and healing, as well as the year that I met and was pursued by and became engaged to and married Luke Osicka, as well as the year that I became a mother -- two things (marriage and motherhood) I had faithfully waited my entire life to step into, knowing I was called to them from the earliest ages -- it's hard to imagine it getting <b><i>better</i></b> from here. But the Word says we always go from glory to glory. So I'm stepping in.<br />
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The love story, the wedding, the life, the pregnancy weren't all as I had always imagined and wished, but I loved them. I wouldn't change them. The past five months (of the seven we've been married) living with other people and having unreliable income have been very challenging. Luke responded far better to the stretching. He responded the way I'd like to say I did. I grew nevertheless, which is the gift of trials, and with the next ones may I be found rejoicing at the outset of them <b><i>knowing</i></b> that that gift is ahead of me again. We've been promoted in a sense though from utter debters, practically homeless, to Luke being employed on the spot at two of the three top restaurants in Eau Claire and moving into a friend's beautiful and spacious home on our minimal budget while they're overseas. Everything that needs to be paid is being paid, we've found a rhythm to our living at Luke's mom's house north of town, him working in Eau Claire, and me seeing my family more than I have in the past two years combined.<br />
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I'm built to make beautiful things and am ready to have a space of our own to do that in again but there is so much more. I want to dress my ever-changing body beautifully, to take aesthetically pleasing photos of my everyday again, go to beautiful places and get to enjoy beautiful foods and drinks on our own dollar again, create a new area of our life that's beautiful just for Baby O. I want to make and sell and promote beautiful things. But just as there were so many years that I couldn't control the timing on my getting married or having children, I'm now in a season where I'm very limited to the beauty I can cultivate. And in that place of wrestling and wishes the whispers break through that Papa God is more focused than ever (an oxymoron with our never-changing God, but He is always doing a new thing) on making beautiful things in my life -- mainly <b><i>in me</i></b>. So while I now have the time and the space for this creative outlet it won't be for the posts I've been dreaming of these past months (making a new home, changing our wardrobes as a couple, picturesque travels, enchanting gatherings, or homemade baby things, etc) they will be posts I am as delighted by I'm sure because they're going to be birthed in the secret place and collect vision for the future and tell an untold story of a Beloved's faithful presence <b><i>through</i></b> the wilderness (see Song of Solomon 8). The new song (read: life) growing inside of me and the whole life I've lived with the Father of Lights and the real example of a life of faith I have in my husband are more than enough reason to sing -- in any circumstance -- and the best is still always yet to come.<br />
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P.S. I'm fixed on this portrait. The laughter that bubbled out of me continuously during the ultrasound I never want to forget. Such victory through Jesus. Seeing our little dancing babe squirm and scrunch and flip about and kick at the edges of me was a pure, pure joy. Of all the children I have loved, it's still surreal that this one is actually my own.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-75808838501802742102016-10-21T00:30:00.000-05:002016-10-22T15:27:42.401-05:00What the Littles Wore //Babies don't need as much stuff as most have and parents don't need as many gadgets to take care of them as they think at the start. Clothes are tricky because styles change and hand-me-down's are pointless if they are worn through and most figure "why would we spend much money on clothes when babies grow so fast that they only wear each piece a few times". Yet babies spit up and wet themselves and have blow out diapers so they end up in more than one outfit most days, requiring a good collection of pieces. Ive done childcare for my whole life and learned a few things but I think parenthood is as much a journey of discovery, of trial and error, as childhood is.<br />
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Luke and I are choosing to invest in fair trade, eco-friendly, organic things for our first child, and all gender neutral clothes, trusting that the high quality will make them last through many kiddos' use and are, therefore, worth the price (beyond the established principle of valuing life enough to be sure that seamstresses and factory workers and farmers are all treated well in the process of the making of the goods we support with our purchases). Our <a href="http://babylist.com/osicka">Baby List</a> (online registry) reflects this. That being said, there are so many adorable items that <i>aren't</i> gender neutral -- little vests for boys and dresses for girls. Here are some pieces I can hardly resist.<br />
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<b><a href="http://naturebaby.com/">naturebaby.com</a> // <a href="http://mabokids.com/">mabokids.com</a> // <a href="http://happyhadley.co/">happyhadley.co</a> // <a href="http://childhoodsclothing.com/">childhoodsclothing.com</a> // <a href="http://bitteshop.com/">bitteshop.com</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://fawnandforest.com/">fawnandforest.com</a> // <a href="http://bitteshop.com/">bitteshop.com</a></b><b> // <a href="http://happyhadley.co/">happyhadley.co</a></b><b> // <a href="http://mabokids.com/">mabokids.com</a></b><b> // </b><b><a href="http://naturebaby.com/">naturebaby.com</a></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-45342760968713792562016-09-04T16:47:00.003-05:002017-02-10T14:13:57.917-06:00Month Three-Five // our journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>JUNE</strong> we were hosted for two weeks by the friends who had originally introduced Chelsea to me before I began my DTS (discipleship training school) at YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Northwoods in Weyerhaeuser, WI last fall. With no lead on a place to live in the Twin Cities and no feedback on sent-out job applications Chelsea’s Dad then offered us a rental unit of his to live in temporarily in Pepin, WI. We only spent a week there before transitioning again but in many regards it was like another honeymoon — although I say that we’re always on our honeymoon. Unrevealed to us, until weeks later, Baby Osicka joined our journey during this time. Our album “Never Far” was released digitally via BandCamp on the 23rd and was on Spotify, Google Play, and iTunes, etc. a few days later. Its best found in searching the net with the adding of our band name, “Mid Air Never Far.”<br />
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<strong>JULY</strong> we moved into a community house, our own bedroom and all the living spaces shared, in Dinkytown Minneapolis. I was hired by a former YWAMer to do construction work — mostly painting. Chelsea and I reconnected with my first home church, Sojourn Campus Church, where I had been discipled after my life was forever changed by Jesus in 2011. We also spent much time with the folks at KPA, the community house I had lived in back then. Following our album release party at 420 Cafe in Eau Claire, WI and our move to the Cities, Chels and I continued to play live shows, even getting to perform with my old band and dear friends of mine called Fox and Swallow.<br />
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<strong>AUGUST</strong> brought continued steps of faith. As I sought a change of job we took a day to reevaluate vision for our future. Our friend’s business was still a year out from launching and we were released from that, Chelsea was desiring to settle somewhere and make it home as we anticipated a baby joining us, and so our season in Minneapolis swiftly wrapped up. We had only seen it lasting until the end of the summer and couldn't explain why, but here we were in August and that’s what was happening. Packing our room’s worth of belongings into a storage unit Chelsea and I, and our Great Pyrenees, Barley James, headed to New York City. We stayed at YWAM bases along the way on our five day road trip and were greatly blessed by those times with the Body. We had incredible favor on us during our journey out and, while God held us during our total of five days in the City, no doors for the long term ever opened up. Therefore we made the return journey, praying all the way for wisdom, guidance, and provision. During the drive Chelsea asked me what I’d think of staffing at YWAM Northwoods for their upcoming school. That’s all I needed to hear. We were in Eau Claire, WI through the end of the month with our sights set on serving in Weyerhaeuser, WI at YWAM for the next two years. We were awaiting confirmation from the leadership at the base that they wanted us on staff but we were also moving forward in faith and support raising while we waited. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-30258642403176416092016-08-11T12:00:00.003-05:002016-08-11T12:00:43.330-05:00Still //Something beautiful about blogs is that they wait. Having a space that grows with you and is so open to the flow of creativity -- heavy or sparse. Like a lifelong friend who you dont see or even speak to for a year but then you catch each other for a few hours and pick up right where you left off, that's a lot like this space. July is an update in and of itself but here we are in August and I have new news. Sometimes I dont write simply because I dont know what is happening or where we are going or what we are doing, Im just taking one day at a time. This past month in Minneapolis has been that, certainly, but its also been a wonderfully still season and Ive been soaking in that. News always gets out eventually and it will be exciting but for now Im still savoring the final days of stillness before another wild adventure ensues. This is the life. <div>
Little life glimpses can always be followed on Instagram: @chelsea_pea</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-67953617414807547312016-07-27T13:25:00.000-05:002017-02-10T14:14:25.481-06:00Month Two // our journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our car full of things, staying in guest rooms, living on a prayer, quite literally except for the generosity of friends, family and the blessing of some work-for-hire jobs here and there. Forty days like that was not easy -- the only resource we had most of the time was gas in our car and with all the miles we tracked between Eau Claire, the Cities, and Pepin we ended up driving a lot of miles on empty and then Daddy God would give us enough to put some more gas in. Luke thinks this is not even half as crazy as the life we will lead in years to come, traveling or being on the road for months at a time, but it was plenty challenging for now. In the midst of it all we took moments to just be. Going swimming with Barley in the river in Eau Claire, a short film showing in Minneapolis with friends, a week long "second honeymoon" in Pepin (the first chance we had to stay in a space all our own in almost a month since leaving Milwaukee and where we were so broke we could only afford ramen and eggs for every meal from the dollar store but we splurged on a shared cup of coffee a few times), and an evening cookout at a friend's lake house. Luke worked as much as he could. I took the chance to rest as much I could. We learned so much grace for people who are on the road a lot. You cant hold a steady job like that but, boy, do you still want to work and meet your needs and bless others. Encouragement was so needed. We clung closer to each other through that, thankfully brief, season than I could have imagined. Finishing our album in that time was a great breakthrough and celebration. Showing it to friends and family was precious. </div>
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Transition that seems perpetual is taxing. Not being able to take care of your own dog much is challenging. Being broke is really rough. We saw Daddy God be so faithful to us, even sweet, through the forty days of no-home and essentially no income. Luke handles it all much better than I do. Im so glad he leads us -- rejoicing always in the opportunities we're provided by circumstances to grow and to see God move. We arent where Id ever thought we would be, but faith in the midst of the journey is what counts the most. Saying no to depression or anxiety or anger and instead cultivating hope, because it doesnt disappoint. P.S. Love is free.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-21904676988293876342016-07-14T15:47:00.000-05:002017-02-10T14:14:37.866-06:00Month One // our journeyIn May we were wrapping up the short season of shared life we spent in Milwaukee. We worked together a lot -- at my job, getting Luke to work, at coffee shops, trekking back and forth to the Cities to record our album. We sold lots of our things so we could travel much lighter, packing up and moving out. Luke was blessed by how willing I was to part with the life Id spent years building to bless my future husband with. We went to weddings together -- first time Ive had a date to a wedding, and now I have one for life. We ate out, got coffee, walked our dog, ate ice cream, watched basketball, gave what we had to all the homeless people we saw. These are some sweet memories in the midst of the just-getting-started craziness that our life together was becoming.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-4879022287093676562016-07-04T09:30:00.000-05:002016-07-04T09:46:52.753-05:00the Comforter //About a week ago Luke had been having interviews for jobs in Pepin, WI that we thought were slam-dunks. He was turned down for them though. At the same time our friend John who is one of the leaders in Godtown -- where we envisioned we'd be moving -- called to connect us with another man who is on mission in another area, the other side of the Cities. Luke got in touch with him and by the end of the call we had an appointment to tour a house the following day. All the details of the unfolding this past week -- touring, meeting, discerning, seeking, and following -- aside, we are moving there. So, after a month of waiting, resting, transition, and trial, a door is flung open and we're going through. Luke has an interview for a job in the Cities tomorrow morning. Trusting for favor there too.<br />
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The man we had connected with is named Paul. Luke and I helped lead worship at his beautiful house church yesterday morning. They keep a list of needs of the Body running so we can very practically meet each other's needs. I've had a heart desire for bikes for us. Luke's birthday is in a few days and if we had money Id buy him one so he could get to and from places conveniently. As the list came to our hands I whispered to Luke to put two bikes on it. After the service a gentleman came to us and asked if we were the ones who'd asked for bikes. We said we were. He asked Luke which of two different kinds of bikes he'd prefer, that he was going to give him one of his. Then he looked at me and said, "We'll talk. It's really important for a bike to fit well so we will buy you one." #Jesuslovesme #thisistheBody<br />
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I havent been very comfortable with our circumstances, even with this move, but I so trust my husband. I love him. Its marvelous to follow his lead into great challenges. We will be doing that all our lives. Because of Holy Spirit in me, Im resting fully even in the midst of discomfort. Do you know that He is called our Comforter? Why would we need a comforter unless we were going to experience discomfort? The hope of glory, in fact, is Christ (Holy Spirit) in me, because life is full of trouble and trial. Christians get to face them, like everyone else, with a great purpose -- the world gets to watch us go through the same things they do but with joy, peace, love, patience, power, favor, signs and wonders. And that's where glory comes in. Jesus on display. Papa God's love on display. We dont have to seek out discomfort like people seek out a thrill. We just get to choose the challenge over the comfort, get to choose the risk in faith, and keep following where Jesus is going -- into places others dont desire to go -- that the light we live in might be seen and felt and known by others.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qv3-TDdD1pM" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-33248603705537069132016-06-24T12:40:00.001-05:002016-06-25T14:52:15.211-05:00Never Far || an album<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Good morning from the little lake town of Pepin, WI.</span></i> Yesterday Luke and I had a grand old time releasing our first album, <b>'<a href="https://midairband.bandcamp.com/album/never-far">Never Far</a>'</b>, on Bandcamp and debuting it to two of our biggest supporters: the friends who hosted us for three weeks while we were in Eau Claire, WI this month. And now, we get to share it here with you!</span><br />
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It's been a long time coming -- they say the first album takes the longest because its from birth til release day that youre working on it. Luke has been writing songs for over ten years. I first heard him sing on Christmas Eve of 2015. Whether youve known him since he was writing songs about grilled cheese sandwiches, you played in a band with him, or have only known him since we've been married, Im sure youve heard and been blessed by his music. Its such a beautiful purpose on his life. Im really happy to get to support him in it and work (read: sing) alongside him. He took a risk in sending me a private youtube video of a new song while he was overseas with YWAM this year. I responded in kind, compelled to record a voice memo of harmonies for it -- something Id never done before in my life, nor did I know Luke enough to know how he'd receive it. I didnt know then but that sealed the deal in his heart that I was who he would run with for his life. Now here we are, the first of many albums to come from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/midairband/">Mid Air</a>. He has lots of experience with performing and I have practically none. He had recorded before when he was at school at McNally Smith in the Cities, I'd sung into a mic maybe five times in my life. This really is just the beginning.<br />
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There is something truly special about these songs. It goes beyond the craftsmanship of Luke's lyrics or my harmonies or our friend David's masterful production skills. A friend said it best when they called it "anointed". And that's all we want: Holy Spirit to flood the atmosphere and awaken dead hearts, open deaf ears. A name, fame, fortune -- they may come, and, praise God, His grace is enough for us to steward those gifts really well -- but they wont last. Lives changed, and His kingdom come, will.<br />
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<b><i>For those of you curious about a life update:</i></b> We have recently moved into an apartment in Pepin. A mid-course correction on our way to the Cities, it looks like we will be here for the summer. Living by the lake, probably walking to work (Luke has had a few interviews), using wifi outside of the awesome 404 Coffee shop by the marina, and driving the river road to the Twin Cities now and then. Caught in the flow of Holy Spirit's perfect timing is a marvelous way to live. We're enjoying it all. You never know where we will be tomorrow. With the album officially out we will be playing house-shows, coffee shops, bars, and other venues. For updates follow us on Facebook and Instagram >> Luke @lukeborek + Chelsea @chelsea_pea or Mid Air @midairbandAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-35698718754505252102016-06-17T11:43:00.000-05:002016-06-24T11:44:07.541-05:00Transitions >>Its been a season of transition essentially all year. Most memorable, of course, was becoming engaged to and marrying Luke Osicka. If youre reading this from Milwaukee theres a good chance that you were one of many beloved people that practically supported us with our wedding in Pere Marquette Park as well as in May as we moved out of our duplex unit in Shorewood. I had leased the space a year before and as our time came to a close we sought the Lord on whether to stay in Milwaukee or move somewhere else. We felt led to New York City for awhile and went that way for weeks before the Lord clearly redirected us to Minneapolis, MN -- mainly to serve our friend Blake in his business endeavors with kombucha.<br />
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What started as simply downsizing our wardrobes soon became selling all of our furniture. Once we had gone to that point it was a no-brainer to cut back on many possessions. We had a fun garage sale, nothing priced, all by donation, with everything we were presently willing to part with. On the final day we ended up giving away a huge load of things which was a great blessing to us and the recipient.<br />
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My Dad had come to town for an event and drove a pickup so he could take a load of boxes and our mattress to Eau Claire (where my family lives, less than two hours from the Twin Cities) for us. With one car load of items that had been bought from our sale online, stored in a friends basement for the next time we could come to retrieve it, we loaded up our car with our remaining clothes, our bedding, a guitar, fitting Barley in the trunk space. We drove to Eau Claire and dropped Barley off at my Mom's, where he has been living for the time being. Its the most stable living condition for him while Luke and I work and travel back and forth from the Cities keeping traction there. We have lived in our friends, James and Kelsey's, guest room most of the time since we arrived on May 31st, with occasional overnights at my Mom's. While here we have worked for my Dad's real estate company. Luke and my youngest brother Aidan have done a ton of manual labor together. That's been a treat.<br />
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It's been an adventure. Ive moved many, many times in my young life but never have I moved out of a place not knowing where we'd move to. To be somewhat homeless, a gypsy of sorts, has been a great experience -- one I believe that Luke and I will have many more times in our traveling missionary life -- more humbling than I imagined it would be. Its like camping, but indoors. We arent making much money, we still have bills and student loans and daily expenses. We're often fed by family or friends, which is a huge gift not taken lightly. Regardless of our financial circumstances, we are giving away resources as we see anyone (friends, family, the Church) in need. Especially homeless people. Doesnt matter how much or little we have, we give. That's what love does. Just a really fun part of living by faith.<br />
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Our first music album has been underway since our honeymoon. We recently finished our final recording session with our friend David. He's mixing and mastering and as soon as we have the final tracks we will have be releasing the first of many officially recorded albums by Mid Air. Super exciting!<br />
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We have been in the Cities for that but we have also reconnected and fellowshipped with several dear friends during our visits. We would have been more than happy to move right to the Cities with a mere pitstop at most in Eau Claire but housing hasnt come together just yet and we've been trusting the Lord's divine timing on that and what employment should look like for us in this time of our lives. Knowing that we are living as missionaries everywhere we go we chose to pursue living in an area of St Paul called Frogtown. There is a community of urban missionaries living all over throughout that neighborhood and theyre calling it Godtown. Meeting with the leaders of the outreach/training center we all realized what a great fit it would be for us to live there and minister with them. Our friend John has been seeking out an ideal housing situation for us since.<br />
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We know there are many people, locally in the Midwest, as well as around the globe, that love us dearly and would do anything to help us as we go where we are called and spread Hope like wildfire. You guys are key pieces of our life. Every time you pray for intimacy with Christ to be dearer, our marriage to be united, our minds to be renewed, our lives to be laid down, and any obstacles removed, youre literally partnering with heaven in championing the call on our lives. As far as practical needs, there are many and varied sorts. If youre compelled to bless us by contributing to these needs in any way, let us know. We'd be happy to talk about how the Lord would have us partner. He's excellent at those connections and directions.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for following along with our journey, friends!</span> Its a whirlwind and marvelously challenging. We're abundantly blessed. P.S. Luke writes a fantastic newsletter each month. If youd like to subscribe to it send him a quick email: luke.osicka@gmail.comAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-37213806954577226382016-06-15T16:28:00.002-05:002016-06-15T16:28:49.602-05:00He's Never Far Off. Are We?<b><span style="font-size: large;">Child laborers, child soldiers, child prostitutes -- child slaves. </span></b>We're involved in enslaving them. Really. We buy products that are produced in sweat shops or from ingredients that are sourced from labor fields. We participate in pimping kids by only seeing human trafficking as a problem and not realizing that any support of the porn industry is directly tied to the sale of other people's bodies.<br />
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Why are children preyed upon? Like women, they tend to be most vulnerable. Easy to take advantage of. In order for us to truly advocate for them we need to stop sowing into streams of business that rely on taking advantage of that vulnerability.<br />
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Spheres of people especially targeted are impoverished families or foreigners -- immigrant or refugee. When there is war, there are refugees. We are seeing an influx of them as a result of unrest around the world. That may seem far away but these are our neighbors, our brothers. To remove their vulnerability from them and intimidate darkness away from them with light... see, this issue and battle is a spiritual one that merely manifests in the physical... we get to bind the forces of darkness in prayer and advance and take the ground back from them, setting captives free, with hands-on love, in so many ways.<br />
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We may think the only way we can help surround people with care and support is to partner with relief services or ministries that are on the ground (Gospel for Asia, World Vision, Compassion Intl, etc). That's great but it isnt the only way. Every day purchases that we make are feeding either the advocacy of people in need or the misuse of them. So you want to be a part of ending child slavery? Slavery of all kinds? Make a stand with your purchases. Perhaps its inconvenient to order online instead of walking into a store. If its saving lives and setting them free its worth it. I know you agree. <b>By employing dads and moms in refugee and other poor communities we are defending their children.</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">If I give all my possessions to feed </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the poor</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">, and if I surrender my body </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all. || 1 Corinthians 13:3 AMP</span></blockquote>
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My husband and I are passionate about not only partnering with fair trade instead of slave labor products and brands and companies but joining hands with people and places that are intentionally setting souls as well as bodies free, bringing liberty and justice and hope in the truest form as we practically see people empowered. A great example of this is Raven + Lily -- employing women all over, including <a href="http://www.ravenandlily.com/brands/Empowering-Women-in-Pakistan.html">refugee women in Pakistan</a>. Hear the founder's, Kristen Dickerson, heart on <a href="https://www.rightnow.org/Content/illustration/126593">Right Now Media</a>. Another great example is <a href="https://ssekodesigns.com/">Sseko Designs</a>. Catch a glimpse of the heartbeat of their founder, Liz, below.<br />
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We see bands or celebrities visit refugee camps or go on trips with teams that bring relief. Im thankful for the awareness their influence yields. You have an even more powerful ability to influence people than they do though. You have deeper personal connection with a few people than their wide spread connection to many has. You've taken your personal stand with your heart and mind and mouth and spending for the vulnerable, youve partnered in freedom, youve been your brothers keeper, now you can activate your sphere of influence to do the same -- one small step at a time -- just by inviting them to make the changes you are making.<br />
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Daddy God's heart is so compelled by love to go and to wrap with comfort and mighty care all the vulnerable, all the poor. He's a Dad! He loves His children! He will do anything for them. He already has done everything for them and we're His Body. He is never far from those in need. We're His hands and feet though so if we pull back from our brothers everyone suffers. We literally get to love like Jesus. Lay down the right to your own life and truly consider others as more important than yourself and serve them willingly. Carrying them in your heart and lifted in constant prayer, advocated for and not abandoned we extend help and favor to them by empowering Gospel-filled fair trade companies who are employing the vulnerable and needy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-49779956465463773742016-05-25T14:43:00.000-05:002016-05-25T14:43:52.502-05:00Losing your life to save it //<div class="p1">
<i><b>Affairs. Divorce. Despitefully used. Free will. Forgiveness. No record of wrongs. Freedom through death.</b></i></div>
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My parents have a past. They did before they were married. They joined their lives and became one flesh agreeing that no man could separate what God had put together. Together they worked and moved, raised four kids and dreamed big dreams. They loved each other. They loved us kids. They loved Jesus. </div>
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Wounds from my Mom’s past weren’t let go of. Lust was fostered by my Dad. He chose infidelity. His justifications for this choice aren’t impressive. He had a couple affairs, wronging all of us, himself, and the other women and their families. He grieved Holy Spirit. </div>
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I had noticed crazy tension between my parents and, having always been close with my Dad, I asked what was going on. He didn’t tell me the truth. I asked my Mom and wouldn’t let her blow me off. I was shocked by the news she shared. Shocked, betrayed, hurt, heart-broken, but my first response was, “Have you forgiven him?” I knew that freedom was precious and for all our hearts to be freed and heal we needed to forgive immediately and completely — to set my Dad free. He had admitted he knew his actions were selfish. He told me he never considered how it would affect us kids. Sin is blindly destructive like that.</div>
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The second time around I was far more shocked, believe it or not, and far more heart-broken. It ripped our family apart. It tore another family apart. Many wrongs were suffered. Dad carried himself like nothing had happened and all was as it had been. Destroying your own life and being destructive to the ones you love the most isn’t easy to face. Impossible even.</div>
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For months my parents went through the messy, rotten process of divorce. I believed for miraculous reconciliation. I fasted and prayed hoping to see breakthrough and deep repentance from my Dad. I spoke a lot of life and refused to agree with the anger and hurt my mom’s heart expressed. Unfortunately they finalized the divorce days before Luke and my wedding. Id been confused about how to interact with my Dad so I had avoided him. I wanted to walk uprightly but I didn’t really know how to do this thing called: “bless those who curse you, pray for those who despitefully use you.” Having him walk me down the aisle was a redemptive symbol of reconciliation through wonderful grace. </div>
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<b>Let me teach you what Ive learned, and am learning, about how it is done. </b></div>
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- <i>“Let everything be done in love.”</i> I remember telling a friend that I knew I needed to continue to love my dad but I was finding it hard to because of how “unloveable” he was being. She corrected me with the wonderful truth that no one is unloveable no matter what they do. Even murderers and adulterers and abusers and liars are SO loved by God that He gave Jesus in order to free and cleanse and restore them to Himself because He deeply longs for them to be near Him. If He loves them, they can’t be unloveable. I had loved people who had done terrible things before. The fact that it was my Dad didn’t exclude him from such a grace.</div>
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- <i>“Love keeps no record of wrongs.”</i> I recently heard Kris Vallaton say that when you forgive someone you forfeit all right to hold or use that wrong against the person ever again. In fact it wipes the slate completely clean so that you may only operate toward them as though they never even did whatever it was that was wrong. Love doesn’t ever say, “Shame on you!” it only takes shame off of each other.</div>
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- <i>“Whoever loses his life will save it.”</i> Anger or fear are forms of self-protection… Being wronged and feeling owed a righting of those wrongs… The entitlement of bitterness or self-pity… Talking about my Dad shamefully instead of honorably… None of these are right, praise worthy, or acceptable. They’re all about trying to save your own life and they all lead, instead, to losing it. You do yourself, the Body, and unbelievers a great disservice by spending any time that way. The greatest realization of my life, daily, is Christ crucified. It frees me from me. The Bible says my real life is hidden with God in Christ Jesus. By believing in Jesus I reconcile myself dead in Christ’s death 2,000 years ago at Calvary. The most freeing truth is that Im not my own, the life I now live I live as dead and alive again in Christ alone. Being free from me means I am free from trying to save my life, self-protect or preserve it, and fight against flesh and blood whenever a wrong is done to me. Im freed from being compelled to deal out the justice of punishment (the glory of the Law) and instead get to deal out the justice of mercy, of living at peace with everyone, and of ministering reconciliation/wholeness (the glory of the Gospel) to others. I dont need God to fight my cause, He already defended me completely by giving me the new life of living laid down — free from me. I don’t need my Dad to be a good Dad or for him to be a good Husband to my Mom in order for me to love and honor him, because my well being and worth is not determined by his life lived, but only by Jesus’ sufficiency.</div>
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How to interact with my Dad has been made very free and clear by the glorious, scandalous Good News. How to interact with his girlfriend, another man’s wife, doesn’t need to be any less clear. All I know is Jesus, and what He sees when he looks at her is a daughter He’s longing to have reconciled to Himself through the freeing power of faith — for her to receive death to herself and life in Him, to be freed from all sin and brought close to Him by His blood. In His presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. My Dad and her may not realize it but thats the satisfaction their souls are grasping for. They didn’t find it in their spouses and they won’t find it in each other. They can’t find it in their kids or incomes or possessions. They were made to be one with Jesus and as long as they are living separated from Him they’ll be lost. I get to present the key to their freedom, cleansing, reconciliation, and satisfaction with my life lived. That is my only right in all interactions with them — ’til Kingdom come. I love my parents.</div>
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Truly ALL things can be done through Christ whose strength is really shown perfect through our weak spots.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-57865502327229312682016-05-24T19:00:00.000-05:002016-05-24T19:00:42.458-05:00Following the Servant Leader //<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PLOT TWIST:</b> As of one week ago, Luke and I are moving to Minneapolis, MN instead of Brooklyn, NY.</span><br />
Remember, we havent known much, only that we had to move and that Jesus had that covered. He likes to co-create with us and the fact that we have dreams of living in California and New York someday is as much Him dreaming with us as it is us dreaming with Him. We had enough peace with Brooklyn as our heading to really go for it. We got a lot of detail-rich vision for what lifestyle would look like for us in the coming season and new city. There was also a lot of double and triple checking with each other that this was really what we had peace about doing -- because neither of us had a resounding peace yet. We looked for two-bedroom apartments believing God could make a way for us to afford that (it fit with the vision He had revealed to us). Nothing seemed quite right though. Not that nothing fit our taste or was "too ______" for us, we just had no peace about any place. In fact we didnt have peace about looking for or finding a place out there. Basically Daddy God reminded us not to think that we knew how long we'd be there for and that a lease, even a month-long sublet, may not be His plan. All along we'd been becoming less and less clear on what New York would look like, counting the cost of really going anyway, and welcoming God to totally blow up any plan we thought we had to do what He wanted to do.<br />
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Meanwhile we've been learning how to pray. Luke says, "Dont pray a prayer unless youre willing to be the answer to it." The same heart, different words, is: Pray the wild prayers, and be willing to become the answer to them. We've seen the purpose on our friend Blake's life. The man is anointed for business, along with a number of other beautiful and brilliant things. Luke and I have prayed multiple times over and for him regarding an endeavor of his with kombucha. We've been cheerleading for him in it -- but thats just a reflection of Daddy God's advocacy of it. You may see where this is going. (Its not about being able or not able to see it coming, its about walking in perfect peace and perfect timing -- then you know what you need to know when you need to know it.)<br />
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Monday morning, 3:30am, Luke and I were on the road. We had a four hour drive and during it Luke began to vision cast something coming to the surface of his heart regarding Minneapolis. This wasnt random. About a week into our heading with Brooklyn I, out of "nowhere" (read: Heaven's divine mysteries revealed), thought of Minneapolis and remember asking Luke, "Could you see us living there?" Sure he could. He had lived there before. His incredible community there had become mine as well. The partnerships and fellowship and discipleship are unparalleled. He didnt push it forward though, he left it sitting with me. In my heart's eye I could see that it would either be New York <i><b>or</b></i> Minneapolis. I was open to it. However we already had a heading we were going with and it wasnt being shut down so I had more peace about seeing that through to whatever point Daddy God had. Long story short, we did. And here we are: long car ride, Luke's vision, the seed of Minneapolis instead of NYC planted in me weeks before. Luke and I had a lot of alone time that day, after the drive, and while I was by myself I got a sweet download from Daddy God in my spirit. Bit by bit He wove together all the vision He'd given for our upcoming season with the momentum He had established for us in the Twin Cities. I told Luke about it. He was absolutely in. There was much to it but what I opened with was, "I think we're to be the answer to our prayers for helping hands for Blake." You know, if Holy Spirit wanted to head us toward New York, revealing a depth of surrender and humility and faithfulness in us previously untapped, just so that He could lead us to the hilarious generosity of literally dropping all of that on a dime in order that we might go and lay our lives down for our brother, championing him with Heaven in the fullest way possible -- yay, God!<br />
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As the vision manifests and pieces divinely fall into place in the coming weeks it will be shared. What God is doing is always praise-worthy and glorious and edifies the Body. He is a master of details, an amazingly good Father, and whimsically inclined Author. Right now we're all about: Christ alone, enjoying the journey -- of telling a story or starting a business or remodeling a building or being unified in marriage or growing a baby, and deep unity (see John 14-16).<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">this is just the beginning.</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-2453773341192973052016-05-19T09:16:00.000-05:002016-05-19T09:16:22.439-05:00He is calling >>This generation in the Body is growing in prophetic maturity. Im part of the generation. Yay!<br />
Daddy God delights to give. Its how He is. Spiritual gifts are meant to be desired by us because He wants to give them to His kids. As obvious as it is in the title we can always stand to be reminded that gifts arent earned theyre just received. We arent entitled to them, or by them. Inheritance goes to the ones who bear the title of kin. By our born-again nature we have been titled His own flesh and are therefore the heirs of all that is His. We have received, not earned that. Gifts are for receiving, they are also for stewarding well.<br />
So, yes. Maturing in the gift of the prophetic. Very biblical. Thank you, Jesus. Moving on.<br />
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God speaks things to me through dreams, pictures, words, and visions. Ive been learning for years to be responsible with these, to communicate them accurately, and to interpret them properly. Its been a journey. It continues to be.<br />
A few visions I received and relayed to Luke over the past few weeks were just confirmed and interpreted through becoming tangible and real yesterday. It was really encouraging. The way that experience fed my faith and intimacy with the Lord was unexplainable. Ive been after nearness. Daddy God had given me an agenda in the month of December and it became the word over the whole year of 2016. He said, "BE WITH Me."<br />
At the start of the year Luke and I began to talk. In the blessed unfolding we thereafter fell in love, planned our wedding, he put a ring on my finger, we got married and became one flesh. That was three wonderfully intense months of intimacy, unity, and closeness. Now we are quickly approaching two-months-in of being with each other nearly all day, every day, and learning a new level of nearness with another soul, part of which has been times of us going after God's presence together.<br />
We're co-stewarding each other's gifts. Seeing vision fulfilled yesterday moved us deeply and knit us anew in hidden places. Last night as we went to bed I told Luke the only thing I wanted to hear as we fell asleep was Jesus, and Luke's breathing. We've watched a movie almost every night in bed and Luke had planned to do so last night as well but as soon as I said what I said, Luke scrapped that, grabbed his Bible, soaked in a passage and we turned off the lights. So simple, so powerful in unity. Momentum. Dont grieve Holy Spirit by brushing Him off in these little moments.<br />
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This morning I woke with fresh vision on something Holy Spirit had been whispering to my heart for some time and I just hadnt known how to properly speak out or discern. Im thankful for the job I have. Its amazing and its what I deeply enjoy doing. Luke is so ready for a season of working after a year of fully supported missions work and discipleship but because of the short remains of our time in this location he's only pursued odd jobs and temporary work. Its humbling to have our living expenses covered largely by my nannying job. Like my husband, I'm able-bodied and have a lot of ambition and drive. However, Ive felt a few times this month a longing to not be working a job. Remaining faithful at work and, now, my job coming swiftly to an end, Ive still been anticipating getting hired along with Luke in the coming season in our new city because that's logical when you have a lot of debt to pay off. Often times logic and calling dont line up though.<br />
In past weeks a couple of girlfriends, all in different language, have expressed essentially the same thing: a desire not to be working right now. This morning this word was unlocked and I perceived that what is a physical manifestation in each of these four God-fearing and Holy Spirit-loving hearts is coming from a deeper spiritual shift in focus for the Bride, at large, right now.<br />
The Bridegroom is calling His Beloved to come away with Him. To, like Martha and Mary, leave the kitchen behind in pursuit of the better thing that wont be taken from us: just sitting at the feet of the Rabbi (Master). Four hearts have caught it and while not every prophetic word begs a literal walking out, I believe that this one does and that, at least the four of us, if not many others in the Body around the world, will be that example and picture for the rest of the Church to catch this word: He just wants us to BE WITH Him.<br />
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My husband is amazing. He loves Jesus and is full of faith, willing to do anything, praying every day for Holy Spirit to possess us and blow up our experience. For however long it is meant to be, he is 100% behind me not having a job and pursuing intimacy alone with Christ. The other ladies I know have taken similar steps in faith even before sharing this word together. All of us have financial obligations or debts but Jesus is King and we arent slaves to fear. When He calls your name to leave your work and come away with Him, go. This is less about everyone in the Church quitting their jobs and more about going after unity and close fellowship with Holy Spirit whatever the cost, not waiting for tomorrow. Because look, we are all here on the earth for a purpose. We are. There is work to do and to be done. Thats a marvelous thing. An honorable thing to be involved with. We have "callings" and theyre legit. Its all about this though: reconciliation to intimacy with our Father, through the blood of His Son, for us and every other person.<br />
He told us to "be fruitful and multiply", to "go and make disciples", but also, "apart from Me you can do nothing." Friends, without my husband I cannot conceive a child. I never became pregnant as a single, virgin woman. It wasnt possible. Without abiding in Christ, being one with Him, we will not bear fruit -- we arent able to apart from Him. So if fruit is the goal, the union must be the focus. But the radical thing is this: <b><i>the union is the goal,</i></b> and fruit is just the glorious, life-reproducing byproduct of it. When my husband asks me to come away with him to our bedroom I dont go because it could result in us conceiving a child, I go to BE WITH him (and yes, a child will be a beautiful, wonderful, blessed fruit of our intimacy). Church, Bride of Christ, hear His heart. He just wants you to come away with Him. Let Him wrap you in His love and fill you with Himself, whatever the cost.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">“It is when you become immersed in the love of the Father that you truly begin to love like Jesus. He wants to immerse you. He wants to hold you. He wants to take you to a place where you are so far over your head in the river of God that miracles happen all around you. He wants to fill you entirely with His Holy Spirit.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11872.Heidi_Baker" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;">Heidi Baker</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_20487073" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/26664591" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Birthing the Miraculous: The Power of Personal Encounters with God to Change Your Life and the World</a></span></blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-43546005362087614412016-05-03T00:00:00.000-05:002016-05-03T00:00:16.542-05:00Spyhouse in Minneapolis, MN //<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Luke and I had planned to head straight to the shuttle and get back to Eau Claire this morning. We ended up sleeping in so late though, at our friend Blake's house, that he just brought us along to a meeting he had at Spyhouse coffee in Minneapolis. It turned into a Holy Spirit collaboration party with Luke, Blake, our friend Nate, and I. Wonderful and completely normal Christian life -- flowing with Holy Spirit, catching what Daddy is saying and receiving it. Luke bought a guy's drink and he ended up coming over to say thanks again. We all got to talking with him and he was majorly encouraged in the Lord. So good! To be sure there will be some powerful endeavors unfolding in the future with these guys. #thebestisyettocome #glorytoglory #JesusisKing</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojs8HE4BNYk/VxP1d5Vl16I/AAAAAAAAKK0/imFAxY_VJJgd60Ll1tjuRulU9QCqqMSxACLcB/s1600/DSC_0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojs8HE4BNYk/VxP1d5Vl16I/AAAAAAAAKK0/imFAxY_VJJgd60Ll1tjuRulU9QCqqMSxACLcB/s640/DSC_0455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Out for a late evening stroll to find dinner we stopped into a sweet Mexican joint. They didnt have a table available right away so we walked around and stumbled upon this fabulous coffee shop called Cartel. It reminded me of Stone Creek Coffee Roasters in Milwaukee but the style was all its own. We liked it so much we ended up going back a couple times in our final days in Scottsdale. Like many others, it became our "personal" work place. #grateful</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0Cartel Coffee Lab33.4984748 -111.927597499999999.8911787999999952 -153.2361915 57.1057708 -70.619003499999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-26287249160397507872016-05-02T00:00:00.000-05:002016-05-02T00:00:26.460-05:00Original Chopshop in Scottsdale, AZ //<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Chopshop was not what we expected but it was exactly what I was in the mood for. Ive never been to a restaurant like it before but I suppose theyd be considered trendy right now. For fast, hand-assembled food, it was hearty and healthy. We got a protein bowl, superfruit bowl, fresh juice, and a protein smoothie. After a breakfast of pastries and coffee, my body was super happy to have so many fruits and veggies. It was hopping inside, lots of people coming and going. Airy and bright, inside and out -- we opted for in since the breeze was chilly that afternoon.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0The Original ChopShop Co.33.4985334 -111.9263791000000233.498326399999996 -111.92669410000002 33.4987404 -111.92606410000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-86863251411791758512016-05-01T16:12:00.000-05:002016-05-01T16:12:02.750-05:00BE coffee + food + stuff in Phoenix, AZ //<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Luke and I had met a man working at a store in the mall who told us that there was one stretch of road in Phoenix where there were tons of great coffee shops and places to hang out. We went to check it out straight away. With a little Google search Luke found this place: BE coffee, food, stuff. We settled in there for hours. It was part coffee shop, part art gallery, part greenhouse, and part rentable office spaces. Unique and homey and very much our style.</div>
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While I was first scouting the place and taking photos, Luke was ordering recommended drinks and amazing menu items for us. He ended up sitting down near a man and striking up a conversation with him about the coffee shop. The man didnt come out and say it right away but it turned out that he owned the building and in the back gallery space he had a display of his work up -- something he hadnt done in a long time. He invited Luke and I to come back and see it before they took it down. We gladly accepted.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0BE coffee + food + stuff33.4588726 -112.070488000000019.8515765999999978 -153.379082 57.0661686 -70.761894000000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-86956150346887341122016-05-01T00:00:00.000-05:002016-04-30T15:05:36.799-05:00Nina's in St Paul, MN // <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After an overnight greyhound bus from Milwaukee to Minneapolis/St Paul, and with a whole day ahead of us before our 5pm flight to Phoenix, we set off, suitcase and guitar in tow, to find a cafe. Luke lived in the cities for a handful of years and had several places in mind to take me to. As it was Easter Sunday most places were closed. A little tram ride and an up-hill walk away, in a little corner of St Paul, Nina's was totally open. It was super cozy and welcoming. We actually were asked to perform there sometime by the manager upon her hearing that we do music. We played one song for the cafe, from a table by the door, before the manager left for the day. She gifted us with two granola bars for our travels. Little things like that are actually big gifts, arent they? We worked on projects and listened to music together. I fell asleep on Luke's shoulder for a little while. We were approached by an elderly gentleman, on his way out, who told Luke he was a good husband to me and, bearing in mind that he only gets one woman to spend his life with, to spend it fully on loving well.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com0Ninas Coffee Cafe44.946385 -93.1163366000000110.30888649999999984 -175.7335241 89.5838835 -10.499149100000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-49434878473301018782016-04-30T15:02:00.000-05:002016-04-30T15:02:11.657-05:00the wedding day // march 25th 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At 6am Paige and I rolled out of bed. She dashed off to campus to get ready and then go pick up bagels and <a href="http://www.stonecreekcoffee.com/shorewood">Stone Creek</a> coffee. Luke and I had invited the employees at Stone Creek -- as well as dozens of others we met in restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, shops at the mall, and on the streets around Milwaukee -- to the wedding. The baristas working that day made sure to tell Paige how much they wished they could make it. Meanwhile I had showered and started assembling yogurt parfaits. The other girls slowly woke up as <a href="http://ryanlucasphoto.com/">Ryan</a>, <a href="http://vimeo.com/chitwoodmedia">Josh and Morgan</a>, and Josey and Beth all arrived to begin capturing the day.</div>
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Momma and my sisters arrived with my bouquet. Gabi, my little sister, had customized Littlest Pet Shops to look like Luke and I -- complete with bow-tie, wedding dress, and rings. Her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/fantacylandfilms">YouTube</a> channel is widely viewed and faithfully followed by tens of thousands.</div>
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"I wanted so much more for you for this day," Momma said through the tears. She and my Dad had just gotten divorced a few weeks prior. It had been a long and heart-wrenching season of splitting our always so tight-knit family ever since he moved out last summer.</div>
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Luke and I were intentional about supporting only handmade or fair trade with our wedding purchases. I spent eighteen years of my life envisioning -- and even designing -- the dress I would want to be married in. I only looked at two when I shopped online. I knew this was it as soon as I saw it. I might add that it fit perfectly and Id never tried it on before purchasing it.<br />
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The Michelle dress by Truvelle.<br />
<a href="http://truvelle.com/products/michelle">http://truvelle.com/products/michelle</a><br />
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Years ago I had a roommate remark to me, "When I get married I want to look the most beautiful I ever have." I responded, "When I get married I want to look the most myself that I ever have." In that spirit I didnt do my hair and I didnt wear any makeup.<br />
Designing my bouquet with <a href="http://www.eauclairefloral.com/">Eau Claire Floral</a> was a dream. I had always wanted to carry peonies and hydrangeas. I added ranunculus and spray roses just because I could. My family and I owned ECF before the current owners and had dreams of one day using them for my wedding. They were fabulous, getting the flowers I wanted in half the time it usually takes and having them ready for pickup the day before so that my Mom could bring them with when she drove over to Milwaukee.<br />
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Kels read pieces of the Song of Solomon over me and shared what she heard Daddy God speaking over me for the day. I recorded it in a voice memo on my phone.<br />
Kelsey and I have been friends since we met at a discipleship training school in 2010. I had the joy and privilege of being by her side all through the unfolding love story between her and the man who became like a big brother to me, James. I took their engagement pictures -- at the same Farm that Kelsey took my and Luke's engagement photos at -- stood up in the wedding, went to Nashville to stay with Kels the first time that James left the country, and have spent countless hours in the lives of their two sons, Judah and Noah. Kelsey said to me, all those years ago when we met, "I want to introduce you to your future husband." I believe it was Daddy God being a good Father so I call it divine, not ironic, that, in spite of my misgivings, Kelsey had been the one to note Luke at her and James' church in Eau Claire and introduce me to him one Sunday when I was in town.</div>
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While Luke was getting ready I was scraping ice and snow off of my vehicle, single-handedly, and wrestling Barley into the back seat. We drove up to the park ahead of Luke and the camera crew and got to watch through the rearview mirror as he arrived and adjusted his tie. My heart raced at the sight of him.</div>
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Neither of us were nervous for our first look. We were only excited, expectant, and full of peace. So much so that I waited behind him for an entire song.<br />
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Luke likes his stretchy pants. He likes to show me what he can do when he's wearing them. I like to be sincerely impressed. He's a funny man. I like him.<br />
I'd always intended to be a barefoot bride. I took my chance while we were at the beach. It was about forty-five degrees out. Hilarious, as weeks before it had been seventy degrees out.</div>
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We're children of the Living God and we live rejoicing. We had celebrated His faithfulness through our single-and-not-searching years, His healing from past relationships, His bringing us together in the perfect timing, the extreme favor we had with Him and men in the whole season of our budding relationship, and His making the plans for our wedding and carrying them out. We had to worship. So we danced. In Lake Michigan.</div>
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We got wet. Our feet froze. My dress began to collect sand and pine needles and dirt. It was worth it.</div>
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Thanks, <a href="http://toms.com/">TOMS</a>.<br />
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Arriving late for our own wedding, not having any change to pay the parking meter, and looking ahead to see that the park was full of our loved ones -- I'll always remember Evangeline Sperti's voice echoing out through the streets of downtown Milwaukee, over the river, as she and Rob (Pastor at <a href="http://www.gardencitychurch.tv/">Garden City Church</a>) sang praises to our King Jesus.</div>
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As Luke and I walked into the park our family flocked to us. Lots of hugs and the chaos of an unrehearsed processional. We pulled it together well. Katie went up to give Rob and Vange the que to change the song. I quickly gave Josie and Axl directions for carrying the sign. Then we were all lined up, "Seek First" (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B001X5W-aUg">by Jason Upton</a>) began, and my Dad took several selfies with me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lani, Tim, and Lana Osicka</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan, Debbie, and Travis Norwood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lane Mills and Olivia Sjogren</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabi and Aidan Mills</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul and Heidi Wildes</td></tr>
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We had asked our families and several mentor-figures or couples to stand up with us. Most were unable to make it. Some were unprepared to walk with us when we arrived at the park and so just stood from behind the crowd of guests. Paul and Heidi Wildes were the exception. The children that I nanny for walked in our processional -- a huge honor for me. For anyone who has thought they had to give up their big dreams: my friend Caitlin's childhood dream of being a flower girl was fulfilled in escorting our dog Barley down the aisle.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josie and Axl Woods</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caitlin Milbauer and Barley</td></tr>
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Looking across the park, over the crowd, to Luke worshipping Jesus I burst into an absurd smile. "Is that what you were hoping to see?" my Dad asked. I said yes. To be assured in full that I was marrying a man as in love with Jesus as I am was exactly what I had been waiting for all my life.</div>
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The crowd erupted with cheers and applause as I entered with my Dad and I yelled praises along with them to our God who is faithful.</div>
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My Dad and I have always been close. In past years that changed. Nevertheless, this moment was one we had shared tears over countless times as I was growing up. His giving me to be married to a man he'd only just met was, in Luke's words, "the greatest risk and blessing of [my Dad's] life." He ended up pulling together the finances needed to put on this grand party. He even secured the park for us, something that is supposed to take over a month to do and he did in less than two weeks. With Daddy God all things are possible.<br />
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Luke cried at the sight of me not because I was beautiful, not because I was his, but because I was truly a pure bride and that gave such glory to our God.</div>
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Our friend Nick Herringshaw preached the marvelous Good News. Heaven smiled, the earth rejoiced, and hearts received with gladness.</div>
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Our friend Andrew Hess, associate pastor at <a href="http://cornerstonemilwaukee.com/">Cornerstone Church</a> in Milwaukee, commissioned Luke and I.</div>
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Luke and I gave ourselves to each other -- he with the words from his heart in the moment, I with a few lines I'd recorded in an iPhone note a week before.</div>
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It was a testimony in itself that we had marriage bands. All were humored that they hadnt yet been taken out of the ziploc bags theyd been shipped to us in. </div>
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Upon being pronounced husband and wife, we kissed each other for the very first time. Cheering ensued. Luke cried.</div>
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Exiting to our friend Dan Rosenbush playing his original song, "Dancing Feet", we had just began to dance in the melting snow when a precious homeless woman approached us with blessings. We stopped immediately to love on her and as we did the whole crowd began to mull around us, anticipating a moment to hug and congratulate.</div>
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<b><i>[see Dan's music in the sidebar]</i></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">group hug from my brother Lane and very soon to be sister-in-law, Olivia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my baby brother, Aidan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke's Uncle Don</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my little sister, Gabi, who burst into tears upon hugging me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke's older sister, Lana, and Gabi</td></tr>
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Everyone brought food. Our friend Blake brought homemade kombucha. The group of us that ate at <a href="http://www.bucadibeppo.com/">Buca di Beppo</a> the night before had taken leftovers home and it looks like those were brought as well. In place of a wedding cake we had <a href="http://www.hospitalitydemocracy.com/holey-moley/">Holey Moley </a>cater donuts. Luke's little sister, Lani, made the cake stands for serving them. Luke and I actually never made it over to the potluck -- we were kept so busy with greetings and then ushered straight to the front row for speeches -- but Poppa Tim brought us plates of food.<br />
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Our friend Jessica painted this incredible world map for everyone to sign. Our friends and family contributed so much of their time and talents and resources to make the park lovely and hospitable -- banners and garlands, the huge set of white curtains in the pavilion, chairs and tables, blankets, chalkboard signs, etc. I dont even know what all happened on the day-of, but I do know that anything to be done was met with many willing hands and happy hearts jumping to serve. The outpouring we received of cards and gifts was unbelievable. </div>
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Dan continued to serenade us all until he literally couldnt feel his fingers anymore from the chill in the shade.</div>
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As a surprise, Pop had gathered several family members and our friend Heidi together to sing Luke and I a song.</div>
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We didnt have anyone planned to give speeches. We had simply communicated to the guys and gals who had celebrated the night before, as well as to the family and mentor figures we invited to stand up with us, that there would be an open mic for them should they be compelled to toast us. They were.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpxYOjNmEwI/VyKd2wplCcI/AAAAAAAAKgM/rxPREVeOkUAKspqS2gRkTczVAQeK-mWFgCLcB/s1600/LC%2B%2528725%2Bof%2B930%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FpxYOjNmEwI/VyKd2wplCcI/AAAAAAAAKgM/rxPREVeOkUAKspqS2gRkTczVAQeK-mWFgCLcB/s640/LC%2B%2528725%2Bof%2B930%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lana Osicka</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake Olsen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lane Mills</td></tr>
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I dont think I cried at the wedding until Lane's toast. I dont think he did either until then.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason Towery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Holmbeck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Craig</td></tr>
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We were so delighted to see homeless friends at the celebration. Above is our mate, Keith, who I had met and invited to the wedding one day as I walked through the park. Below is our pal, Tim, who is great friends with the Marquette crew and didnt realize it was my wedding until he saw me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin Dietche</td></tr>
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YWAM Northwoods DTS 2016 showed their undying support for Luke, and I suppose really for me as well, in all traveling to Milwaukee for this day. They had shared a lot together in the past months. Ive been in a school like that as well. The bonds are for life. Still, Ive never seen a student body turn out in full before for one of their brothers. It was beautiful.</div>
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Everyone saw that the dress became more beautiful the dirtier it got in transit. Someone told me it was very <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrUd40tmeOQ">Elizabeth Bennet-esque</a>. An honor of a comparison.</div>
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We are sincerely blessed with Kingdom people in our lives.</div>
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Keep an eye open for <a href="http://vimeo.com/chitwoodmedia">Josh and Morgan Chitwood's</a> video production of the day. Its gorgeous and transformational.</div>
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<br />
Hand-hammered Sterling Silver Wedding Bands - by Tina<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/74512286/unique-wedding-bands-of-hammered?ref=hp_mod_rf">view the etsy listing here</a><br />
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These girls. We've done a lot of life together. Some I grew up with, some Ive just recently been growing up with. They are humble, honest, kind, generous, hilarious, pure, brave, creative, beautiful souls. Forever thankful for each one of them. Ask them for the testimonies of how they were able to attend the wedding. Theyre incredible.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabi, Lydia, Hannah, Paige, Jessica, Jade, Kelsey, Olivia, Blake, Jason, Nate</td></tr>
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We asked everyone to wear white with me because we all are the Bride of Christ. Our wedding day was merely a glimmer of the glorious Wedding Day of the Lamb we're all being made ready for.<br />
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Its not a stretch to say that Luke and I wouldnt be married today if it werent for the guys in his life. Because of the example and love and support and wisdom of these soul brothers Luke learned what it was to know Jesus and to live an abundant life in Him. The Body being the Body is a glorious thing to behold. Its a forever-changing thing to encounter.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osicka/Norwood clan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mills clan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpcC8ntUtYU/VyKhK3Bof0I/AAAAAAAAKlw/Xr7S7-As7e8wmKqkzXGKoLxUJJws-9xQQCLcB/s1600/LC%2B%2528927%2Bof%2B930%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpcC8ntUtYU/VyKhK3Bof0I/AAAAAAAAKlw/Xr7S7-As7e8wmKqkzXGKoLxUJJws-9xQQCLcB/s640/LC%2B%2528927%2Bof%2B930%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lana Grace, Luke Borek, Lani Joy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan, Gabi, Lane and Olivia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>this is just the beginning.</i></b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15556091581142407586noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3399065430690665500.post-56926891268701507722016-04-30T13:52:00.001-05:002016-04-30T13:56:10.296-05:00on the eve of the wedding // march 24th 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXZzWk7Jutw/VyKUJVBdDpI/AAAAAAAAKQY/I1GlTGBRcQQSAZ16Uopi8NRbSOEeTFZxgCLcB/s1600/LC%2B%252816%2Bof%2B930%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXZzWk7Jutw/VyKUJVBdDpI/AAAAAAAAKQY/I1GlTGBRcQQSAZ16Uopi8NRbSOEeTFZxgCLcB/s640/LC%2B%252816%2Bof%2B930%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks to my friend Amanda we had a feast prepared for us the night before the wedding at the family-style Italian place, <a href="http://www.bucadibeppo.com/restaurants/wi/greendale/">Buca di Beppo</a>. Luke and I had invited our dearest gal and guy friends to celebrate with us. It was a fairly last minute decision to combine our bachelor and bachelorette parties. We're so glad we did. For both of us this was the first time that we met each other's friends. Not to mention, the first time most of them had ever seen Luke and I interact. That alone was significant and special, but for them all to mix together and get to know each other and form this gorgeous community, that left us beaming.</div>
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Everyone came back to my place afterward and we ate ice cream, drank tea and Blake's kombucha, shared songs and stories with each other, and enjoyed the interactions between Barley and the Spina's dog, Niko. So much laughter, some tears, and a hundred moments of knitting brothers and sisters together for life. Our friends are crazy creative, generous, and genuine. Photographers, musicians, writers, filmmakers, actors, entrepreneurs. The fact that theyre all passionate lovers of Jesus only amplifies the purity of their giftings. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid Air - facebook.com/midairrock</td></tr>
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I would like to take a moment here to share that each of my girlfriends told me the next morning that they had never felt so honored by a group of single men as they were by Luke's friends. They experienced the sweet intimacy of Christian fellowship without feeling that the guys looked at them with any motives other than pure brotherly love. Come on, Church! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Leaf kombucha</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fresh VISION products - etsy.com/shop/freshVISIONproducts</td></tr>
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I received a wildly generous gift of Young Living's Essential Oils from my friends Amanda and Katie. Here's the link to my friend Casey's <a href="http://www.caseyleighessentials.com/about/">page</a> if youre interested in purchasing YL oils.</div>
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After awhile of seeking Jesus' face and soaking in His presence, we spent time speaking prophetic words over each other. There was much encouragement and several breakthroughs. We couldve gone on for ages. At 2am we shifted into winding down and cleaning up, sending the men off to their <a href="http://airbnb.com/">AirBNB</a> for, what remained of, the night. </div>
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Everyone that was there that night will tell you the same thing, that it was a taste of the Church in real life, that they would relocate in order to do life together in community like that, that this was only the beginning of many more days and nights together, that Jesus is King, that we love Him and each other -- in Spirit and in truth.</div>
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