Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A letter about Kenya - July 12-27
Dear friends and family,
I am writing today to share with you a story. This is a story that begins 20 years ago. Some of you will find yourselves between the lines of the story. If you do not, I hope that in the future you will, as the story continues past the lines of this letter.
I would like to start by sharing with you the portion of the story that I wrote out five years ago.
How last week came to be…
This past week I have been reminded that God is amazing. He truly does have plans for our lives, amazing plans. He does do things in His time. Wow, His time is not our time.
Let me explain…
After my freshman year of high school, I had an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Mexico. It’s the only mission trip I’ve ever been on. It was an eye opener. It broke my heart the first time I laid eyes on the slums. It wasn’t right. People needed real homes. These were glorified cardboard boxes, large cardboard boxes made of wood, tin and tires. It was in that moment that God first called me. He gave me a gentle tug on my heart. He said, “You could do something about some of this, some day.” I felt that I would be back, that someday I would design a home for some of these people. Not big, fancy, American dream homes, but something they could be proud of, something that would offer these children a safer place to sleep at night. God was working His plan.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” That was the way I felt. Whatever I did, I would do for Him. My senior year I applied to one of the best architectural schools, our own UO. As part of my application I was required to write two essays. My parents went to Bible study one evening and I began to write. God poured my first essay out through me that night. I was done by the time my parents got home. I used that essay for both for my admission to the architecture program and as the essay for several of the scholarships I won.
Architecture was a lot of work. It was a tough course of study. During my last year I completed my terminal studio, with the design of a camp for disabled children. We had a large site on which we had to design various buildings; cabins, dining halls, kitchen, ampitheater, gardens, etc… God was preparing me for my role in his plan.
After school I got married. Then I spent some time trying to get a job in the field of architecture. However, the architectural intern market in Portland was already saturated. Being a domestic engineer wasn’t so bad. It gave me a chance to learn AutoCAD more in depth. I got involved with children’s ministry at our church. I took up photography. Eventually, I became a mommy. So it’s been a good seven years. Seven years for God to mold me, grow me, and shape me. Seven years for me to find out who I really am.
A few months ago Josiah and I were downtown at the mall. There was a display set up. It was for the People’s Choice Architecture Awards. Josiah had fallen asleep in his stroller. So I spent an hour picking through my options and then voting. During that hour I began to remember what it was about architecture that I loved. I longed to sit down at my drafting table and draw. I didn’t know it, but God was reigniting a spark in my heart, a passion and desire for architecture.
Last week, God called. He called in an email from a friend. A friend I met just one year ago. She has a vision for the children of Kenya. I’ve fallen in love with that vision. The email was a request for help. It was a request for the knowledge that I had spent five years gaining. It was a call from God to do my part in His plan, that He has been preparing me for.
I didn’t expect the call. I didn’t expect it to come at this time, or in this way. I didn’t expect it to involve Kenya. But that was God’s plan all along. I’m designing homes, for children in Africa. I’m designing them a school. I’m designing the buildings where they will grow and learn free from the struggles and hungers they once knew. Why? Because God has a plan for their lives too. Because God has given my friend a vision. I’m amazed by God’s plan. I’m astounded by His timing.
It’s been five years now since that email. Over those years I have watched Visible Grace grow. I have watched my friend, Ashby, struggle with God’s timing, which to us can seem so slow. I have designed and redesigned Grace Academy three times. Now, there is land. Now, there is enough money to build a foundation for our first building. Now, is the time to go.
And so, I am going. This July, I am going to spend two weeks in Nairobi, Kenya. To say that I am excited to be there, to build, to be a part of God’s plan, is an understatement. This journey will give me a chance to finally picture my design on a piece of land. This journey will allow me to get dirty. This journey will allow me to meet the children of Kibera. This journey will allow me to better understand the culture of Kenya and better influence my design choices. I feel this is an important step and one that I am ready to take.
Now it is time for you to be a part of God’s plan, of this story. Now is your chance to get involved with Visible Grace. First and foremost, I am asking for your prayers. Prayers now, as a team prepares for this journey. Prayers, for health and safety while we are traveling and away from our loved ones. Prayers for me, that I would more clearly see God’s vision for what He would require of me both now, while in Kenya, and in the years to follow. Secondly, I would ask you to consider partnering with myself and Visible Grace financially. Currently I am raising funds for my costs to get to Kenya and for building costs associated with Grace Academy. In the next year or two, as the doors to the first home open, there will also be an opportunity to sponsor children on a monthly basis. Please pray, about sponsoring one of God’s little Children through Visible Grace.
If you would like to partner with me, financially, you my send a check to: Visible Grace, PO Box 91332, Portland, OR 97291. Please put my name in the memo line. All donations to Visible Grace are tax deductable.
Please be praying for our trip, July 12-27, Nairobi, Kenya.
Learn more about Visible Grace:
http://www.visiblegrace.org/home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Egmkactg4
I am writing today to share with you a story. This is a story that begins 20 years ago. Some of you will find yourselves between the lines of the story. If you do not, I hope that in the future you will, as the story continues past the lines of this letter.
I would like to start by sharing with you the portion of the story that I wrote out five years ago.
How last week came to be…
This past week I have been reminded that God is amazing. He truly does have plans for our lives, amazing plans. He does do things in His time. Wow, His time is not our time.
Let me explain…
After my freshman year of high school, I had an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Mexico. It’s the only mission trip I’ve ever been on. It was an eye opener. It broke my heart the first time I laid eyes on the slums. It wasn’t right. People needed real homes. These were glorified cardboard boxes, large cardboard boxes made of wood, tin and tires. It was in that moment that God first called me. He gave me a gentle tug on my heart. He said, “You could do something about some of this, some day.” I felt that I would be back, that someday I would design a home for some of these people. Not big, fancy, American dream homes, but something they could be proud of, something that would offer these children a safer place to sleep at night. God was working His plan.
Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” That was the way I felt. Whatever I did, I would do for Him. My senior year I applied to one of the best architectural schools, our own UO. As part of my application I was required to write two essays. My parents went to Bible study one evening and I began to write. God poured my first essay out through me that night. I was done by the time my parents got home. I used that essay for both for my admission to the architecture program and as the essay for several of the scholarships I won.
Architecture was a lot of work. It was a tough course of study. During my last year I completed my terminal studio, with the design of a camp for disabled children. We had a large site on which we had to design various buildings; cabins, dining halls, kitchen, ampitheater, gardens, etc… God was preparing me for my role in his plan.
After school I got married. Then I spent some time trying to get a job in the field of architecture. However, the architectural intern market in Portland was already saturated. Being a domestic engineer wasn’t so bad. It gave me a chance to learn AutoCAD more in depth. I got involved with children’s ministry at our church. I took up photography. Eventually, I became a mommy. So it’s been a good seven years. Seven years for God to mold me, grow me, and shape me. Seven years for me to find out who I really am.
A few months ago Josiah and I were downtown at the mall. There was a display set up. It was for the People’s Choice Architecture Awards. Josiah had fallen asleep in his stroller. So I spent an hour picking through my options and then voting. During that hour I began to remember what it was about architecture that I loved. I longed to sit down at my drafting table and draw. I didn’t know it, but God was reigniting a spark in my heart, a passion and desire for architecture.
Last week, God called. He called in an email from a friend. A friend I met just one year ago. She has a vision for the children of Kenya. I’ve fallen in love with that vision. The email was a request for help. It was a request for the knowledge that I had spent five years gaining. It was a call from God to do my part in His plan, that He has been preparing me for.
I didn’t expect the call. I didn’t expect it to come at this time, or in this way. I didn’t expect it to involve Kenya. But that was God’s plan all along. I’m designing homes, for children in Africa. I’m designing them a school. I’m designing the buildings where they will grow and learn free from the struggles and hungers they once knew. Why? Because God has a plan for their lives too. Because God has given my friend a vision. I’m amazed by God’s plan. I’m astounded by His timing.
It’s been five years now since that email. Over those years I have watched Visible Grace grow. I have watched my friend, Ashby, struggle with God’s timing, which to us can seem so slow. I have designed and redesigned Grace Academy three times. Now, there is land. Now, there is enough money to build a foundation for our first building. Now, is the time to go.
And so, I am going. This July, I am going to spend two weeks in Nairobi, Kenya. To say that I am excited to be there, to build, to be a part of God’s plan, is an understatement. This journey will give me a chance to finally picture my design on a piece of land. This journey will allow me to get dirty. This journey will allow me to meet the children of Kibera. This journey will allow me to better understand the culture of Kenya and better influence my design choices. I feel this is an important step and one that I am ready to take.
Now it is time for you to be a part of God’s plan, of this story. Now is your chance to get involved with Visible Grace. First and foremost, I am asking for your prayers. Prayers now, as a team prepares for this journey. Prayers, for health and safety while we are traveling and away from our loved ones. Prayers for me, that I would more clearly see God’s vision for what He would require of me both now, while in Kenya, and in the years to follow. Secondly, I would ask you to consider partnering with myself and Visible Grace financially. Currently I am raising funds for my costs to get to Kenya and for building costs associated with Grace Academy. In the next year or two, as the doors to the first home open, there will also be an opportunity to sponsor children on a monthly basis. Please pray, about sponsoring one of God’s little Children through Visible Grace.
If you would like to partner with me, financially, you my send a check to: Visible Grace, PO Box 91332, Portland, OR 97291. Please put my name in the memo line. All donations to Visible Grace are tax deductable.
Please be praying for our trip, July 12-27, Nairobi, Kenya.
Learn more about Visible Grace:
http://www.visiblegrace.org/home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Egmkactg4
Monday, May 09, 2011
A mother's day discussion
Setting: In the car, after church.
Daddy - Do you think we should take mommy out for lunch today?
Kids - Yeah!
Daddy - Where should we take her?
Josiah - I want to go somewhere where I can get something.
Mommy - You want to get another pot and seeds?
Josiah - No, I want something different.
Adaya - How about we go to McDonald's?
Daddy - Maybe we should ask mommy where she wants to go?
Adaya - Mommy, where do you want to go?
Mommy - Hummmm, I don't know...
Adaya - I want to go to McDonald's!
Mommy - I don't really feel like going to McDonald's.
Adaya - We could drop you off at home. Then the rest of us can go to McDonald's.
Daddy - Do you think we should take mommy out for lunch today?
Kids - Yeah!
Daddy - Where should we take her?
Josiah - I want to go somewhere where I can get something.
Mommy - You want to get another pot and seeds?
Josiah - No, I want something different.
Adaya - How about we go to McDonald's?
Daddy - Maybe we should ask mommy where she wants to go?
Adaya - Mommy, where do you want to go?
Mommy - Hummmm, I don't know...
Adaya - I want to go to McDonald's!
Mommy - I don't really feel like going to McDonald's.
Adaya - We could drop you off at home. Then the rest of us can go to McDonald's.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Easter Sunday at Grandma and Grandpa
Boiled the eggs Saturday, but with the Alpenrose hunt and my birthday, we ran out of time to color eggs. So we took them to Grandma and Grandpa's house to color.
One guess... Who drew this picture on the eggs.
Playing with Grandma's I-pod. "The wheels on the bus"
Josiah teaches Adaya how to play balloon lagoon.
What the Easter Bunny brought.
Several books.
Tiny jelly bean filled egg.
Legos in many of the eggs.
Yes. Undies
Good bye April. Hello May.
April was wet, really wet. We had one really nice day, April 23rd. Can't complain much about that little birthday present from God. May is gorgeous. Well, it's only May 1st, but so far, May's looking good. Unfortunatly, the kiddos are sick, sick, sick. Josiah will not be going to school tomorrow. Adaya is sleeping most of the day away.
Hey, I think I'll post some April photos!
Hey, I think I'll post some April photos!
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