Summer of 1997

Let's see if we can dig up some memories for you. We'll start with movies.

How can you NOT like Harrison Ford as President? I would vote for him!

Seth liked this one.

Oh yeah.

I loved this movie so much I bought the soundtrack.

Next comes the song selection. Do you remember names like The Verve, "Bittersweet Symphony"? I remember this video more than I do the actual song. Because he was tall and lanky and never stopped walking. How about Chumbawumba "Tubthumping" or Smash Mouth "Walkin' on the Sun"? How could you ever forget the amazing group Hanson and their brilliant songwriting in "Mmmmbop"? I think I only hear these songs now in elevators.

Hmmm, what was that question? What was I doing the summer of 1997? Oh right, I became a wife. My little 19 year old self got hitched. On August 2nd, Seth and I were married. I remember little parts of that day. Like airing my underarms in front of the stand-up fan because it was August in Florida and the air conditioning was not cutting it in the ready room. Like feeling so grown-up and such a little girl all at the same time. Weird emotion. Like seeing so many of our friends' faces. Friends we had just graduated high school with the year before! Like completely, so obviously forgetting my cousin's name as I bent down to give hugs. Awkward. Like looking down at my hand and seeing a wedding ring and then looking up into my husband's face. Woh. Like the moment in Seth's grandparent's back bedroom where I changed from my wedding gown to my going-away dress, my Mom walked in and we just stared at each other, and then cried in each others' arms. Letting go.
I really like being married. I like it more now than I did 10 years ago. It was kind of a rough decade for us. We grew up together and let me tell you, it wasn't always pretty. But we were friends and we both knew deep down we weren't going to quit, no matter how much that temptation came around. And then all of a sudden, it became easier. I think that was around year 5 or so. Most of our words were actually understood by each other and not bouncing off cement walls like before. That was nice.
The Lord really took care of me when He chose my husband for me. I recognize that now more than ever. I am very grateful for our relationship. For the depth that is there only by the grace of God. I am blessed.

Well, here we go for another 10 years and then 10 after that and then eternity.

Some Thoughts

I just have to say, this summer totally feels like we all have jet packs strapped to our backs. Flying through the last weeks, holding on for dear life. I have been purposefully (is that even a word??) trying to slow down enough to enjoy the long days, the warm weather, and my sun-kissed boys running around. But when I think of the weeks ahead and how every. single. weekend. is taken up, I find myself breathing a little faster.
My summary of The Call (3 weeks ago!!) is this: It was amazing. We stood with thousands of other believers from all over the world, crying out for justice and mercy. It was hot and uncomfortable but we pushed through til the evening. I was so surprised how well the boys did all day. We knew they were supposed to be there because that is what the Lord impressed on our hearts from the beginning. One of the first things that happened that day was a time of repentance to the people groups who have been so wronged (ie. First Nations and African Americans). A Senator from Kansas stood in behalf of our nation and repented to representatives of these people. It was so significant and beautiful. I don't even have words to express what I felt when the First Nations man stood there and said "In all grace, I forgive you. " Such humility and grace. The Lord healed wounds of our land on July 7th.
The worship was incredible. But what struck me was the whole nameless, faceless thing. Something that has been prophecied for years, the Lord is doing now. We had no idea who would be on that stage next. This is what the Lord is doing. Soon will come a day when the "superstars" will go unnoticed and a whole movement of anointed worship will rise without names or faces for "fans" to follow. It was really exciting to see this.
We left around 6:30pm. Tired, hungry, and thirsty but filled with expectation. We haven't really seen any tangible evidence of what the Lord did in us that day but we knew it wasn't for that. It may be years before we see the "why" of being there. It was a good day...

I will keep posting on the rest of our summer shenanigans. We have a few up our sleeves!

Happy Birthday...

...to my Dad! You can read about him here. Today I am going to let this video speak for all of us. You are the best, Dad! We love you....

Hey There

This is for you faithful 3 people who have tirelessly checked this blog, patiently waiting for ANYTHING new. It's funny how you have to get back in the "blogging mindset" after taking such a long break. I am working on some thoughts of our trip to The Call but today, I will leave you with this video. Just watching it this morning made me want to cry. Not necessarily for the man who video taped it, but for those poor parents who were forced to stay in the airplane for 7 HOURS!



Flying Delta anyone??