Prayer Requests for Africa

It's been a whirlwind over the past week or so as I've finished prepping for Ethiopia. I still don't feel entirely prepared (I'm sure everyone feels like this when they leave to go on missions!). Nonetheless, I'm excited to go and excited to meet my team.

I'm at home in Ohio with my family today and tomorrow and am so thankful that I get to spend Christmas with them before I leave. I fly to Washington DC on Saturday morning to meet up with my team and we leave Saturday night from DC around 8:30 pm to head to Ethiopia. Please keep us in your prayers:

• Pray that we would all be able to make it to DC without any major issues. We're coming from all over the country and weather is, of course, a bit of concern at this point.
• Pray that we would have safe travels to and from Ethiopia and that we would be safe traveling around the country.
• Pray that we would be able to see past cultural differences to see that Christ is Savior for all nations and all people.
• Pray that even through exhaustion we would be able to love with the love of Christ and to give all that we have.
• Pray that we would be free from illnesses while we are there and when we return.
• Pray that this experience would not end after 2 weeks. Pray that when we return we take action from what we have seen and learned.
• Pray that we are reminded that even though there is injustice around the world, God hates injustice and will one day come to rescue all victims of injustice and redeem this world. (I'll be honest...I think this is the one I probably need most prayers for right now. I've already thought to myself multiple times "How can just 2 weeks possibly make a difference? There is so much injustice all around the world and no matter what I do, it won't be enough." My heart is heavy thinking that even as I type this to you there are children dying from malnutrition and preventable illnesses and there are women giving their bodies to provide for their families. But I know that all will be redeemed and given new life when Christ returns. I pray that my team and I can find peace in knowing this.)
  
• Pray that we would stay hopeful and keep our heart and eyes open to the work that God is already doing in Ethiopia and has been doing for many, many years.
• Pray that we would be able to learn from the people of Ethiopia. I keep thinking about everything we're going to share with the people of Ethiopia when we go, but I have this sneaking suspicion that I have an awful lot to learn from them, too.
  

If you'd like to be praying for our specific projects, here's the schedule of where we'll be on each day:

Monday 12/28 - Little A Hope in Addis Ababa
Tuesday 12/29 - Women at Risk in Nazareth
Wednesday 12/30 - Women at Risk in Nazareth
Thursday 12/31 - Women at Risk in Nazareth
Friday 1/1 - Travel to Ambo
Saturday 1/2 - School time and activities with children in Ambo
Sunday 1/3 - Church and activities with children in Ambo
Monday 1/4 - School time and activities with children in Ambo
Tuesday 1/5 - Classroom time and activities with street children in Ambo
Wednesday 1/6 - Classroom time with children in Ambo
Thursday 1/7 - Fistula Hospital/Hannah's Orphanage in Addis

Christmas. Music. Nombres Quatre.

Honestly I wish it were Christmas all year long. Amidst the craziness of shopping and prep and such it somehow always feel peaceful to me. The Truth of Christ comes alive for me.

A baby.

Sent to save the world.

To die.

For me.

For you.

To fulfill the law.

And we don't deserve it. At all. But He loves us. More than we can ever fathom. He cares about our every step, our every breath, every hair on our head. He's not a far away God, but a real, personal savior.

It doesn't make sense. Why God would give his perfect son for a world of imperfect people. But he did. And all we can do is accept it freely.

This song really speaks to my heart...for reasons I can't totally explain. In any case...listen to it. And be reminded of the love of Christ for you.

Women at Risk Ethiopia

16 days from today I'll be leaving for Ethiopia! SO thrilled! And I already have so many many stories to share.

In the meantime, watch this video about Women at Risk Ethiopia (W.A.R.E). It's one of the organizations we'll be visiting while there. So excited to hang out with these women!

Christmas. Music. Numero 3.

As I was in my car today, I had the local Christian radio station playing because they've been playing some pretty good Christmas music lately. I heard a new song and the lyrics just really hit me. I ended up buying the entire Christmas Album from Downhere (I've actually never heard of them before...hmm). The album is new this year and I definitely recommend it.

The song I really like is called "How Many Kings?" You can listen to the song on their Myspace page here.

"How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me"

Pray Boldly

Just a short, quick post. I'll be leaving for Africa this month! Plans are coming together nicely and I'm getting really excited for it. I was having a discussion recently with another girl (Sarah) who is going on the trip. She said something that really struck a chord with me and I've been thinking about a lot lately. First she said "I know the trip is a few weeks away still, but already I feel as though I have so much to tell about my trip to Ethiopia." The funny thing is, I feel the same way. I haven't even left yet already I feel like I have stories to share about how God is using this experience.

Later, the whole team was on a conference call and we were discussing a book we are all reading together in preparation for our departure called "Mack and Leanne's Guide to Short Term Missions." We were talking about praying for our trip and how we expect God to show up in our work and ministries while we are in Africa. And typically, mission trips do result in life-changing experiences because we experience God so intensely. But the thing is, typically we pray pretty boldly for mission trips. I know for this particular trip I've been praying a lot!! So the thing is, why don't I pray with that same boldness about the missions I'm involved with here...right here in my community? Why don't I pray boldly about the children I work with at the rescue mission? Why don't I pray boldly for my small group? Why don't I pray boldly for my colleagues? Why don't I pray boldly for my family? Why don't I pray boldly for my friends? Why don't I pray boldly for my roommate? Why don't I pray boldly for my city? Maybe if I were in constant, never-ceasing prayer for the every day things of my seemingly ordinary life I would experience God in a powerful way right here. Maybe I need to be praying that he would awaken my heart to the work he is doing around me. Every. Single. Day.

I believe in the necessity of international missions. Obviously, I do--I couldn't be more anxious and excited to go to Africa. But at the same time, my eyes are being opened to the reality that God is calling us to be bold in our faith here. That God is calling us to be missionaries here. That God's work needs done here.

So I'm challenging myself (and you!) to pray boldly. Pray boldly that your heart will be awakened and you will experience God in your ordinary, everyday life. Pray that His love and His Truth would be evident through your actions to the people you come in contact every day. Pray that you would see the needs of the people immediately around you and that you would rise up to meet those needs with love and compassion. Pray that God would come and fill you with hope for this nation and all nations.

Pray Boldly.
And have faith that He hears.

Toms Shoes in Ethiopia

Watched this short CBS story about Toms Shoes in Ethiopia tonight. I think Toms Shoes is a really solid company doing really great things. If you're looking for a Christmas gift for someone this year, consider getting them a pair of Toms Shoes--you'll be providing a pair of shoes for a child in need, too.



Watch CBS News Videos Online

And if you're looking to get me a pair, well, I like the Caramel Corduroy Toms! :)

November 25th

Today is November 25th. While many of you are preparing for tomorrow's great feast with friends and family, I'm asking that you would take a moment and consider giving just $25 to support my mission trip to Africa. The Lord calls us to make disciples of all nations. And while some people are called to physically go, others can help make disciples by giving.

If you haven't been following my blog, then let me give you the quick rundown. From December 26th through January 8th, I and 15 others will be traveling with The Mocha Club to Ethiopia to work with 2 Mocha Club Projects (Ambo School & Street Boys and Women At Risk). We'll be spending time serving and loving the people of Ethiopia and sharing the saving love of Christ with them.

Your donation is not only a donation to help fund my travel, but a donation that could very well change the lives of many. Please, if you can, give just $25.

You can give by going to https://www.mochaclub.org/africa-trips. Click on "Make a Donation" and be sure to enter my name (Kristi Kratzer) in the top box.

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for you, my friends and family, for your endless love and support. I hope you all have a very blessed day!

Noise Trade

Music. It's one of my favorite things. You've probably caught on to that, right? I have many many musicians whom I absolutely adore, but I also really love discovering new artists. I also really love free music. Noise Trade is kind of the best of both worlds. There are a few artists on there that I know and love. As for the rest...it's like a treasure box of wonderfully amazing music. The best part--it's FREE!! All you have to do is email 5 friends every time you want to download an album/songs. And for people like me who like to share their music discoveries with others, that's definitely not an issue!! You can also choose to pay for the music...whatever you want! Brilliant. Anyways, tonight I downloaded music from 3 different artists/bands. One of the albums is a Christmas mix from Sojourn. And it's GOOD. So so good! I also downloaded Matthew Smith who is part of the Indelible Grace project (a fave!) and some music from Zac Hicks who I've heard of before but never listened to much. Check them all out. Visit www.noisetrade.com and browse around. I'm sure you'll find something to fit your tastes! And then you should email me as one of your five friends :)

And here's the link to download Sojourn (b/c it's an Advent album...and Advent is quickly approaching. So you should get it).

Brokeness

This afternoon I had some good, quality conversation with my friend Angela as we took a walk in the Florida sunshine (yep, it's still 80 degrees here...in NOVEMBER!!!). We were discussing a variety of things when our conversation turned to the topic of brokeness. I hear talk of brokeness a lot, but typically it's in the context that we live in a broken world and to me that translates to there is poverty and injustice and no matter what we do to help, those things will all exist until the coming of the new heavens and the new earth. However, as Angela and I talked about it, I realized that it goes a lot deeper than that. Brokeness affects each and every one of us at a very personal level. Whether we admit it or not, every relationship that we have is broken--even the ones that we think are healthy and good. Yes, even those relationships are broken in some way. We are broken, sinful people and it affects the way we love and relate to others. It is only by the blood of Christ that we are able to experience love through others. It's only because Christ lives in us that we are able to love others and be loved. But I think, that at times, it's good to be reminded that we live in a broken world and we are a broken people.

Personally, I know I expect a lot out of relationships (with family, friends, etc) and when I'm disappointed I have a tendency to do a couple of things. First, I want to blame the people who have failed to love me how I feel I should be loved. And I want to do this without understanding the brokeness that they are experiencing in their own lives. Second, I find myself wanting to replace those broken relationships with other relationships that seem to be whole. But the truth of the matter is this--even those "replacement" relationships are broken.

Do any of my thoughts make sense?

I'm definitely not saying that relationships aren't good things. In fact, I believe that God calls us to relational communities. I just think it's good for us to remember that relationships will never be perfect and that we need Christ to bring healing.

If you have thoughts on this, please share. :)

$25 on the 25th

What are you doing on November 25th? Yes, the day before Thanksgiving. Prepping food? Decorating your home? Checking out Black Friday ads? Amidst all the hustle and bustle I'm asking that you would take a moment to consider giving just $25 to my trip to Africa. Your $25 will not only enable me to make the trip, but more so it will enable me to love and serve the people of Ethiopia. It's just $25, but your $25 will influence the lives of so many individuals. I'm sure there are some of you reading this right now that I may not even know--who are friends of friends. Please, if you can, give. If you have hesitations about giving and would like to ask questions and find out more details, please leave me a comment or email me (kristi.kratzer@gmail.com). To give visit https://www.mochaclub.org/africa-trips. Enter my name in the top box.

Additionally, I'm traveling on this trip with 14 other people who are also trying to raise support. If you have the financially ability and feel compelled to support some of my team members as well, please please please let me know!! I can provide you with a list of names. Even if it's just $5. Every little bit helps.

And of course, if you cannot give financially please continue to support us with your prayers. They are just as important and very much needed.

Thanks friends!

I heart this

I heart this song and I heart this music video. It makes me really happy. Enjoy.

Christmas. Music. Numero 2.

There will likely be many of these wonderful Christmas music posts. Have I mentioned that I completely love Christmas music??? I love the warmth. I love that so many of the songs have strings and trumpets and full choirs. I love the story that's told of the birth of Christ, families coming together to celebrate, peace on earth. So so much to love. And I love resting in the knowledge of the saving love of Christ--something Christmas music typically reminds me of.

Anyway. Here it is. My song for tonight. Click below to listen.

"Let There Be Light" by Point of Grace.

5 weeks until Christmas.

5 weeks and one day until Ethiopia. Want to give? (Please?) Visit https://www.mochaclub.org/africa-trips and click "Make a Donation". Be sure to enter my name into the top box. I'm only 28% to my goal and the trip is quickly approaching. Please give if you can. Every little bit helps. And if you can't give, please pray. Thanks friends. :)

Christmas. Music. It's time.

It's time. Yes, it's time. I gave in. Tonight. On my way to small group. It seemed appropriate. I was driving. It was calling out to me. I couldn't help it. I pulled out my iPod. And it was there. My Christmas playlist. My finger just went to it. And thus, the seal has been broken. Christmas music has arrived. I could give you a whole playlist. In fact, I probably will at some point. But tonight, I'll share just one song. I played this song over and over and over again. Anyway, I love Sara Groves entire Christmas album, but I particularly love this song:

It's True by Sara Groves.

Enjoy.

Ethiopia: Women at Risk

Hey friends! For those of you curious about more details about my trip to Ethiopia with The Mocha Club and 963 Missions, you're in luck (on Friday the 13th! Ha!). One of the organizations we'll be working with is called Women at Risk. You can visit their website by clicking here. Women at Risk seeks to reach out to urban sex workers in Addis Ababa and provide them with holistic rehabilitation program that provides social, physical, and spiritual counseling as well as job training. Women at Risk started in 1993 and is staffed by full time staff members and utilizes short term volunteers (like our team!) to operate. In 2001 they opened a halfway house called Filiklik. They've been able to rescue young girls and women from the travesties of prostitution and enable them to become successful in their own upstanding businesses. I'm so excited to be able to spend time with these women, share the love of Christ with them, and to hear their stories and how Women At Risk has helped to transform their lives. Be sure to check out their website to learn more. You can learn about the history of the organization, read testimonies, etc.

And of course, you can always give to my trip :) Visit https://www.mochaclub.org/africa-trips and put my name in the top box to donate.

Prayer Request

So if you're reading my blog I'm assuming that I know you or that you found my blog through a friend that knows me so I can consider you a friend. In any case, you probably have some sort of interest in my life because I certainly don't post very profound thoughts here. So basically if you're reading this I'm kinda requesting your prayers. I've been very anxious about a few things (namely just 2 things) lately and I've wanted these things to happen in my timing instead of trusting in God's timing. I've been making plans of my own and schedules of my own and been disappointed when things don't turn out as I had hoped. So I would ask that you would pray that I would learn to wait on the Lord and trust that His timing is perfect. Please pray that I would trust that He will provide for my every need when the time is right and that I don't need to take things into my own hands and make them happen.

I would so appreciate all the prayers I can get on this. I think it's something I've battled for a long time. I'm horrible at waiting especially when I really want something. Lately I feel like my ability to wait has gotten increasingly worse. So please pray that the holy spirit would descend upon me and allow me to rest in the peace that only God can give.

I know this is really vague....I'll definitely share more in person or over the phone, but for now, this is it :)

Thanks all for your support.

Oh, and just a little reminder....you can still give to my trip to Ethiopia! Check it out here: https://www.mochaclub.org/africa-trips

Support my trip to Africa!

Hello friends! You can now give online to support my trip to Africa.

https://www.mochaclub.org/africa-trips/2

Just be sure to enter my name in the first box on the form.

Let me know if you have any questions or would like to learn more. As always, Florida Friends, I'm definitely willing to meet up in person to tell you more about what I feel is my calling to go on this trip. And for my out-of-state friends--you know how to reach me (and if you don't, leave me a comment and I'll get you my phone number or email address).

Thanks all for your continual prayers and support! Pray that God would use this trip and the people traveling on it for the work of his kingdom!

5 Funny Years

Today is my beautiful niece Britony's 5th birthday. I am blessed to be her aunt and to have spent the past 5 years watching her grow. She's a joy to be around and a little girl full of spunk and energy. She's inquisitive, creative, and loving. I still remember standing in my dorm room my freshman year of college in complete shock as my sister told me over the phone that she was pregnant. I remember watching Britony waddle as she learned to walk. I remember our nonsensical babble conversations on the phone. I remember our first trip to Disney World and how enamored she was with it (and she still totally is!!!). I remember her hugging me at the Detroit airport and telling me she was just going to get in my suitcase to go back to Florida with me. I have so many great memories over the past year that include this amazing little girl. I can't wait to continue to see her grow and develop into a beautiful young girl.

Happy Birthday, Britony!!! I pray that you would grow in the love of Christ and know that you are forever loved.

Some pictures of my favorite 5 year old.

Goofing off on the front porch of Grandma and Grandpa's house.



Obviously I'm their favorite aunt, right? :)


She teaches me how to be gangsta.


Candy cane in the hair...oops! Grandma to the rescue!



Okay, everyone make normal faces. Yep. Just like that.


Ready for Safari.


Flying high in a balloon! She's a daredevil!

My Music Monday

I recently added some new albums to my music collection. And it's good (of course!). So check it out:

Dark Fades Into The Light by Sandrine--My fav song is "Where Do We Go?" but they're all fantastic. Pretty mellow, for the most part. But a few songs have a nice little upbeat sound.

Flying Upside Down by Griffin House--Favorite song is "The Guy That Says Goodbye to You is Out of His Mind." But then again, what girl wouldn't love this song??? Thanks Josh for the recommendation!

I And Love And You by The Avett Brothers--I know, I know, I know. I'm a little bit behind the game on this one. It's been out for a while now (heck, I think most of the albums I downloaded have been out for a while). In any case, this album is quality. I don't think that it's quite as folksy as their previous albums, but still plenty folksy which ya'll know makes me amazingly happy. My best friend, Katie, has been telling me for a while that this album is good. She doesn't lie.

Break Up by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson--Austina recommended this one to me and I know she has superb music tastes. This was proven once again.

If It Ain't Broke... by Matt Wertz -- It's his live album. It was free. I probably would have even paid for it b/c it's that good. I love me some good Matt Wertz music. And listening to the album and pretending I'm at the show--even better.

I've been given some other music recommendations, but haven't had a chance to check them out yet. I still need to listen to Muse, Bifrost Arts, The Almost, Angels and Airwaves, Spill Canvas, and Jack's Mannequin (which I've listened to before but need to give another go around).

Anyone else got more recommendations for me? Not that I could probably afford downloading any more albums...but still...

Ethiopia Meeting #1

I just got off my first conference call with the team traveling to Ethiopia in December. I've known ever since mailing in my application that God's hand was over this trip and had arranged things so I could go, but after getting off the call, I'm even more sure of it. As people shared how God had opened the doors to allow them to join this mission, I was filled with such great joy. It's so amazing to see how our savior can orchestrate things perfectly.

So let me share a bit about The Mocha Club Ethiopia Team December 2009.

• We are 14 members strong
  
• We are comprised of 10 women and 4 men
• We are an international team with 2 members hailing from New Zealand!
• We come from 8 different states - Texas, Maryland, Colorado, Wisconsin, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.
• We are made up of students, grad students, vocational ministers, corporate professionals, and moms!
• And most of all---We love Jesus and desire to serve his people in Ethiopia. :)

If you are praying for our team (and I ask that you would!) please pray for Tiffany, Danielle, Julie, Michelle, Asaua, Christine, Cole, Laura, Linda, Sarah, Shawn, Brittany, Geoffrey, and myself.

I feel like I'm at such a loss for words right now because I'm still in such shock at how beautiful God's plan is. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised as His plan is always good and perfect! The reality, however, is finally sinking in that I am going. Our flights have been booked and this week we'll be receiving our travel itineraries. Our definite dates are 12/26-1/8.

Thank you friends and families for your prayers and continual support. I'm so excited that I'm able to share this experience with you all. Already I can feel God working in my heart and softening my heart for the work he has prepared for me to do and the work that he is doing in me.

Please feel free to leave a comment, email me, or call me (let me know if you need my phone number) if you'd like to learn more about this trip, my passion and desire to go, and the work that the Lord is doing in my life. For my Florida friends, I'd be more than happy and willing to meet with you in person to talk about it more. And I'm definitely open for advice too if you've traveled overseas.

Mocha Club Work in Ethiopia

Take a look at some of the work Mocha Club is doing in Ethiopia. Not entirely sure what we'll be working on when we go over in 2 months, but you can get an idea of work they've been a part of. $7 a month (aka 2 Mochas) does work like this...I'm just awe of God's provision and humbled when I watch this video.

Conversations with my nieces

So if you haven't figured it out by now, I have two beautiful nieces whom I absolutely adore. I never thought being an aunt would be as much of a blessing as it is. I can honestly say it's been a complete joy to be able to spend the last 5 years watching them grow and learn. Right now I'm absolutely loving the silly, nonsensical conversations that I get to have with a 5 year old and 3 year old on the phone. Tonight, I called to talk to my sister as Britony's birthday is coming up and I needed to know what she wanted for her birthday. I called multiple times throughout the evening because I was out shopping and really wanted to get something. The third time I called, the phone was answered and I was expecting to hear my sister's voice, but instead I heard the tiny voice of the world's cutest 5 year old. This is basically how our conversation went:

B: Hello
Me: Hey! What are ya doing? (Sidenote: It's typically a bit difficult for me to tell B & K apart right away on the phone. After a few sentences I can usually tell who I'm talking to...)
B: Having my birthday party.
Me: But it's not your birthday.
B: Yes it is!
Me: No it's not.
B: How do you know?
Me: Because I know your birthday is next week and I was calling to see what I should get you for your birthday.
B: Awwww mannnn
Me: You thought you could lie to me, didn't you?
B: We're having a party tonight.
Me: What should I get you?
B: It could be a supwise (yes supwise, not surprise).
Me: So should I get you a can of worms?
B: Or a headband.
Me: Oh, I like headbands. What else?
B: Some clips.
Me: So you just want stuff for your hair? No toys or books? Are you going shopping for your birthday? (My sister had told me they were taking her clothes shopping for her birthday b/c yes, that's what this 5 year old wanted to do.)
B: We're getting our nails painted.
Me: Oooo! What color are you going to get yours painted?
B: Whatever color they have.
Me: Pink or black?
B: Pink. Okay love you bye. Mom says can you call her back later.
Me: Tell your mom to call me when she has time.
B: (to my sister) she said call her later when you have time. (to me) Kerigan wants to talk to you.

And this is where things get really interesting.....I couldn't understand most of what she was telling me. This is what I made of the conversation...

Me: Hi Kerigan!
K: Hi, do you have alligators?
Me: What?
K: Do you have alligators?
Me: Oh yes, there are still alligators here. Do you want me to catch one and send it to you?
K: They're in the water!!
Me: Yeah, I'll swim out and catch one.
K: Okay. But don't get bited.
Me: Oh yeah, that would hurt.
K: And there would be blood.
Me: haha yep.
K: We're having a party with cake and ice cream.
Me: Right now?
K: Well, when daddy gets home.
Me: Oh, can I have some cake?
K: Only if you come over?
Me: Right now?
K: Yep.
Me: How will I get there?
K: (mumbling so I couldn't understand much) take a plane and then a boat and then a cab and then you'll be here.
Me: oh, okay.
K: Where are you?
Me: I'm in Florida, where are you?
K: Are you at your house?
Me: Nope, I'm in my car. Are you at your house?
K: Yep.
Me: Did you get sissy something for her birthday?
K: Yep, but if she's not good then she doesn't get it. I got her something scary, but not too scary. But she has to be good. If you come over you can play with my toys.

She then proceeded to "show" me all of her toys except I don't think she realized that I couldn't actually see them over the phone. And once she gets going, there is no opportunity to stop her chatter, so basically for the next few minutes I just sat on the phone as she talked about all of her toys. Then she started singing Hannah Montana so we sang that together over the phone. After about 3 or 4 minutes of that she said "okay, love you, bye." Best part is, she didn't hang up the phone, but she also didn't give it back to my sister. So basically I could have stayed on the phone all night and listened to the party. I'm kinda wondering if the phone was left in the playroom for the rest of the night...So Keri, if you read this and you're missing your phone, it's probably in the play room next to all the toys Kerigan told me about.

So I suppose it isn't that funny to all who are reading, but on the phone it was hilarious. I love these little girls and cannot wait to see them in a little over a month!!

I'm Going to Africa!

Yep, you read that title right. I'm going to Africa--specifically, Ethiopia. I'm so thrilled for this opportunity and passionately believe that God is indeed the one sending me on this mission trip. I hear the term "global community" used quite a bit and lately I've begun to think more about what that term means. As technology makes it possible to bring people from all over the world together, I think it also must change the way we think about who our neighbors and community are. In Mark 12:29-31 Jesus says:

"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

If we are truly living in a global community, our neighbors are not only those that live in the apartments or houses next to us, or the people we work with, or our friends, or the people we go to church with, or even just the people of our city. Our neighbors are people all over the world and we are called to love them. Even more importantly, we are called to Love the Lord our God. I strongly believe that we can show our love for Him by caring for His people.

So here I am, gearing up for the journey of a lifetime! You want the details, I suppose, right? Great! I'll be traveling with 2 organizations that are partnering together for this trip--The Mocha Club and 963 Missions. The trip is tentatively scheduled for December 27, 2009 through January 9, 2010. That's right, just TWO months away!! Joining me on the trip will be individuals from all over the United States (and possibly even beyond). While in Ethiopia we'll be working working with a Mocha Club project that rescues women from the growing world of prostitution and offers them a 10-month rehabilitation program (including social, personal, and spiritual rehab as well as job training). We'll also be working with 2 other Mocha Club projects that work with children. I'm so excited to get to know the people of Ethiopia and share the love of Jesus Christ with them.

Where do you come in? I'm glad you asked. I need your support, both financially and through prayer. I need to raise nearly $3000 in support money to be able to go on this mission. I ask that you would prayerfully consider supporting me. Any amount you can give helps get me one step closer to serving God's people in Ethiopia. My first payment is due in just a little over a week so please, if you can give, don't wait! :)

You can send financial support to:

963 Missions
Attn: Mocha Club
10440 N. Central Expwy., Suite 122,
Dallas, TX, 75231
Please make checks out to African Leadership (The Mocha Club's parent organization).

Do not write my name on the memo line as it could nullify tax exemption for your donation.

Please print the support note below and include with your donation so they know who it's for.

An online giving link will be made available soon, but is not quite ready yet.

Whether or not you are able to give financially, I ask that you would be praying:

• Pray that our team of individuals would bond together easily and work together as a team.
• Pray for our team's safety in travels and for safe health while in Africa.
• Pray for our team's leaders as they continue to put together final details for the trip.
• Pray for the people of Ethiopia that they would come to know the saving love of Jesus Christ.

Finally, if you would like to receive updates of my trip leading up to my departure and while I'm in Africa, please let me know. You can either leave a comment on this blog or email me at kristi.kratzer@gmail.com.

Thanks all for your support and encouragement. I feel incredibly blessed that God has chosen me to go on this trip and I'm so excited!

Ramblings...

It's November. I can hardly believe it. Daylight Savings Time has ended and the Holiday season is drawing near. It seems like only yesterday I was complaining of the dead heat that defines Florida Summers--then again, this past week it was recording breaking temperatures here in Florida, so I was probably complaining of the dead heat that now defines Florida Falls, too! In any case, life has been crazy and unpredictable lately. Like normal, I've had my fair share of ups and downs, but I can't deny that I've been in the midst of experiencing the work of God both on my life and the lives of the people around me.

In an effort to keep private struggles somewhat private, this will be somewhat vague. As I've struggled with how to serve and honor my Savior before all else, I've been confronted with a whole gamut of emotions over the past several weeks. I've been sorting through the lies that society, culture and Satan have continually tried to feed me and found Truth and comfort in the reaffirming words of a Savior that provides for my every need. I've been prayed with and prayed for so intensely that I cannot deny that my Jesus knows me, knows my heart, and cares about my every thought, my every action and my every desire. I've been convicted of wanting the things of this world more than the eternal love and life that Christ has to offer. My idols have begun to reveal themselves and I'm being forced (a good thing, of course) to face those idols and make decisions whether I'm going to bow to them or to my Jesus. It's a battle that all of mankind will surely continue to fight until the end of time--how to live in this world but not be of this world. I've also realized that I don't entirely trust Jesus all of the time (okay, most of the time) with my life. I don't trust that He will provide, I don't trust that He will answer prayers, I don't trust that He will mend broken hearts and broken relationships, I don't trust that He will forgive, and I don't trust that He will always love me. Yeah, I know, those are huge issues. I recognize that. And I'm realizing that in order to trust him I have to give up control (all of it!) to him and just allow him to work. Logically, it shouldn't be that hard, right? I mean, why shouldn't I be able to trust the creator of the universe, the all powerful, all knowing, all loving God? Crazy. When I think about who God is it seems ridiculous for me to not want to give absolutely everything I have up to him. Slowly I'm realizing that giving it up is so much easier than fighting to keep control when I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. And I'm realizing that it makes much more sense to let God, who sees the past, present, and the future and knows the plans he has for me both now and in the future, have control over my life. (This is a crazy long paragraph that probably makes absolutely no sense...ha!)

As for more specifics of how God is working in my life--He's beginning to show me why Orlando is The City Beautiful and let me just say that I certainly don't believe it's the buildings, the landscape, or the amusement parks. Rather, The City Beautiful is beautiful because of its people. Whether it's my church family, my Celebration friends, my work friends, or the faces of the children and parents of OURM, I see God moving and working in all of their lives (often, without these people even knowing it). At OURM (Orlando Union Rescue Mission) I find myself eager to go and serve and love and at the end of my time there realizing that I'm likely receiving more than I'm even able to give. Spending time with the children at OURM is so incredibly rewarding (although, certainly challenging at times!). When I walked in a few weeks ago, a little boy immediately ran up to me and wanted to be held. As I sit here thinking about how insignificant that seemed at the time, I realize that this little boy trusted me without hesitation. He didn't judge me for the color of my skin, what kind of job I have, how much money I had, what kind of clothes I was wearing, etc. A lot of the children there are like that...they just want your attention. They want to love you and be loved in return. They want what so many of us want---relationships, community. And I give because it's the one thing I know I'll always have to give--I can give love. Freely. Because it was first given to me.

The most exciting news as of recent (that will soon be receiving its very own dedicated blog post) is that I'm going to Ethiopia, Africa in just TWO months!!! I'll save all the details for the blog post that will be coming in the next few days (waiting on a few details to be able to share with you all), but I just couldn't wait any longer to share the news (as I've known for about a week and a half now). I'll be gone for 2 weeks to do missions with two absolutely fantastic organizations and I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity and the work God has laid before me. Please be praying for the trip and for all the people traveling with me and for all of the people we are sure to meet.

So there it is. My ramblings. On a very surface level, of course. the end :)

More Fall Goodness

I had bought some sweet potatoes last week as they, along with pumpkins, also remind me of Fall. Although, I think that sweet potatoes can certainly be eaten all year long. I had 2 sweet potatoes left and I decided I'd give it a go at making some sweet potato fries. I just googled for directions (I wasn't entirely sure how long to bake them, etc.) and I found this GREAT recipe for Baked Sweet Potato Fries. I've imagined that since they are baked, they're fairly healthy. I didn't use parsley because I didn't have any and I used regular old plain salt and not fresh black pepper and they were still incredibly delicious. Go to the actual website (link embedded above) if you want pictures.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2 medium-sized sweet potatoes*
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t oregano
1/2 t coriander
1 t kosher salt
1 t parsley
fresh ground pepper (about 10 turns of a pepper mill)

I also saw on the blog, Our Best Bites, a few other recipes that I'd like to give a try--namely, No-Rise Sweet Rolls, Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites, and Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce. Yum!!

So if you live in Orlando/Central Florida, you just let me know when you'd like to come over for dinner. I'd be happy to cook for you--especially dessert!!! :)

It's Pumpkin Season

I love Fall for a few reasons including cool, brisk weather, leaves changing colors, warm apple cider, and pumpkin recipes. Well, considering I now live in the Sunshine State where today's weather was something like 90 degrees and sunny it doesn't look like I'll be experiencing cool, brisk weather here anytime soon. And the leaves changing colors...well, that just doesn't happen here. Believe it or not, palm trees don't change colors. So tonight, to get myself in the spirit of the Fall season, I decided to do a bit of baking. I originally intended just to make one batch of Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel frosting but once I got started baking I kind of got on a roll. I ended up making 2 batches of Pumpkin Cookies (one batch w/ walnuts and one batch without) which equals a little over 5 dozen cookies and I made 2 batches of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe courtesy of Sara.

The fruits of my labor (minus the cookies and muffins that Ryan and I snacked on this evening):


I must say that part of the reason that I kept going is that I was listening to a couple of really compelling sermons by a few great Reformed preachers. I had been wanting to listen to these sermons and I don't do well just sitting and listening so this was the perfect way for me listen to them. I felt like I spent an evening hanging out with Jesus (however corny that my sound). In any case, definitely check out the message about Baptism by Greg Blosser of Grace Central Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio and these 2 messages about Hope for the World and Hope and the Poor by Tim Keller of Reedemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. The Gospel came alive again for me tonight as I listened to these messages. It's a love story that I will never tire of hearing.

But, let's get back to baking. So, here is seriously the world's best Pumpkin cookie recipe. I got it from my mom and I'm not sure where she got it from. She's been making these cookies for as long as I can remember and they are the definition of Fall for me. Plus, it helps that they are literally so easy to make. Also, I recommend refrigerating them after they are baked and topped with Caramel icing. For some reason, these cookies are delicious cold (served with a glass of milk, too, of course). Also, you can choose to put nuts in them or not. It's up to you. I used walnuts, but I'm pretty sure I've used pecans before and it was just as delicious. I also made some without any nuts, but I think I had to bake them just a minute or 2 longer.

Pumpkin Cookies

Combine ingredients:
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup nut (optional)
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
½ tsp salt

Drop by tsp on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 mins at 375 degrees.

You can tell if they're done by doing the toothpick trick.

The necessary ingredients for cookies:


Pumpkin Cookie Dough:


Cookies ready to be baked:


The final product. Yum:

I don't have any pictures of the cookies with the frosting on them.

Caramel Icing

Cook 3 Tbsp butter, 4 tsp milk ½ cup brown sugar. Cool (Actually, I think it's better if you just immediately add in the vanilla and conf. sugar). Add ¾ tsp vanilla and 1 cup conf. sugar and mix with a hand mixer. Since you're going to do this right in the pan, make sure you use a pan without nonstick coating b/c the handmixer could likely pull up the coating on the pan. Not that I have any experience with that or anything...ahem...right. One of my friends prefers the cookies w/out the icing as she thinks the icing is too rich, but I love the icing (who wouldn't love the sugary goodness?!?). So you may want to make some cookies with icing and some without.


I knew I wanted to make some sort of pumpkin bread or muffins and I remembered that my friend Sara had posted a recipe recently for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. I decided to give them a try and honestly, I may have a new favorite pumpkin recipe. They are SO. INCREDIBLY. DELICIOUS. And they're pretty darn easy to make, too. When you check out Sara's blog, she wrote that she always doubles the recipes and recommends doing that. She's right. You'll want to double the recipe. It's that good. Seriously.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

This is for a single batch....you'll definitely want to double everything below. Yum!

Mix these ingredients well:
3/4 cup pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling . . . regular pureed pumpkin)
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon

Mix these ingredients in a separate bowl and then add gradually to the wet mixture until everything is combined:
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Once everything is combined well to form a batter, add the chocolate chips. The recipe calls for 3/4 cup - which would be 1 1/2 cups if your doubling the recipe - but when I double the recipe, I add at least 2 cups. Probably a little bit more. The moral of the story: Add chocolate chips until you have your desired amount. I ended up just using a bag of chocolate chips which is about 1 1/2 cups, I believe.

Pour into a 9 x 5 loaf pan (or 2 - 9 x 5 loaf pans) and bake at 350. I think for around 50 minutes to an hour for loaves. More like 25 - 30 minutes for muffins. You know . . . until a knife comes out clean. I ended up baking the muffins for 27 minutes and they were perfect.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin Ingredients:


The wet & dry ingredients. (it doesn't look very appetizing at this point):


Finished batter with chocolate chips:


Baked muffiny goodness:



So there you have it. My evening of Pumpkiny goodness. I love making recipes with pumpkin in them...I may have to try out some more soon. In the meantime, try out my above recipes and let me know what you think. Enjoy :)

My question today...

I was reading on a church website today that the church was growing and adding a fourth service. At first thought, it sounded impressive. Wow, 4 services. That church must be doing good things for it to be growing like that. But then it got me thinking. Just because a church is growing, does that mean it is a "good" church. What I mean by "good"--Is the church honestly teaching Truth? Is the church teaching the redemptive story of Christ? Is the church teaching the entirety of the Gospel?

I'll preface this next part with saying that I think I'm often a skeptic when it comes to issues of the church. In any case, I get concerned when I see a church growing so fast and then peek into what the church is teaching and it's just self-help messages. Our society thrives on ways to make us feel better here on earth. So of course, you can pick and choose verses from the Bible that can sound like tips for better living and improved happiness for here on Earth. But paraphrasing Tim Keller, Christian Hope isn't about our happiness here on Earth, but about our ultimate, eternal state. While I'm not suggesting that we should be unhappy and miserable as Christians here on Earth, I do think we need to evaluate the types of messages churches are preaching. We can't pick and choose what makes us feel good, but rather, we have to accept the Bible in its entirety. Being made aware of our sinful nature, being called to live needing and wanting less, giving all that we have (our money, our time, our talents) to Christ (it is His to begin with, after all)--all these things and more can be hard. At times we can feel out of place and unwelcomed in society when we live according to the call of Christ.

Now if I see a church teaching the entirety of the Bible and it's growing in leaps and bounds--now that's something to stand in awe of!

Just something I was contemplating today...

Thoughts?

An Opportunity...

An opportunity to go to Ethiopia in December/January for 2 weeks to do missions has presented itself. I instantly thought "Omigosh I want to go" and then I instantly thought "How will I raise the money?". But I think that second thought is evidence of my lack of faith that God will provide. I'm going to be praying about it (and I ask that you would be too! please! and thank you!), but I'm pretty sure that this is an opportunity that I shouldn't pass up. I've been building up my vacation time at work searching for a good way to put it to use. What better way? Plus, the trip takes place over New Years. What would be more amazing than ringing in 2010 in AFRICA?!?

Okay, I'm welcome to your thoughts, comments, prayers, suggestions, etc. etc. etc.

And, if you're feeling especially loving and giving while reading this and have this nagging desire to donate somewhere around $2500 then you will have sealed the deal for me. Seriously. I'm not even kidding a little bit. :)

Oh and if you want more details in order to give me better advice and offer more prayers, just let me know and I'd be happy to share with you the details (as much as I know) about the trip and the organization it's with.

Thanks friends.

Roommate Bonding

Roommate bonding time. It's true. We find entertainment in the most ridiculous things.

Divas.


Thinking. Fawn has found a solution.


Silliness. It's what we're about.


Don't mess with Fawn the Princess. I'm her bodyguard. I look tough, don't I? Oh yeah, Westside represent. Hahahaha.


Utter ridiculousness. Can you see all of my teeth?

Thankful and Blessed

So I was going to write a blog about how I feel blessed even amidst a time of trials and struggles. I had literally just started writing when I received an email from a friend that can be described as nothing but divine timing. This friend sent me an email full of encouraging words--exactly the support and encouragement that I needed right now. It's a reminder that my purpose is to honor and glorify God and to continue to seek His will. I'm so thankful that God knows when I'm struggling and sends encouragement just when I need it to remind me to keep pressing on.

Similarly, I'm thankful and blessed for the community of believers that God has placed in my life. I feel energized, enlightened and encouraged (there's a lot of that going on recently in my life!!) by spending time with these people. The more conversations I have with friends talking about God's promises for his people, what the Bible says, etc. the more energized I feel. The more I desire to seek out Jesus and continue to get to know Him. I'm thankful that these friends are willing to live life so transparently with me.

Finally, I'm thankful b/c of a gift I received this weekend from a good friend. I was hanging out with my friend Dan and we were talking about something having to do with the PCA Church (actually, I believe we were discussing the differences between Arminianism and Calvinism). He pulled out a copy of The Westminster Confession of Faith (along with the The Larger Catechism and The Shorter Catechism) to show me something when he realized that he had 2 copies of it and offered to give me one. This may sound totally unexciting to many, but I was THRILLED!! Learning and understanding reformed theology is not only interesting to me, but continues to draw me closer to Christ and to understanding more of who God is.

To leave you with words from the Heidelberg Catechism that are of continual encouragement and reassurance to me:

My only comfort in life and in death is
That I am not my own,
But belong--
Body and soul,
In life and in death--
To my Faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

Note: Apologies if this is just a jumbled mess of thoughts. I don't always expect for the Truth that God is revealing in my heart and the works that He is doing in my heart to be fully capable of being articulated right away. I think I'm still discovering the full effect of what He is teaching me.

Who says Ohio isn't football country?

As the 2009 college football season kicks off, I'd like to bring everyone's attention to this lovely fact (brought to you by USA Today):

And while less than 4% of the U.S. population lives in Ohio, 15% of college football's major-conference head coaches were born there, the most from any state, according to the Journal. These also happen to be some of the nation's most successful coaches: 14 of the last 18 teams to make it to the national championship game had head coaches with Ohio connections.

Some current examples:

Jim Tressel, The Ohio State University -- Born in Mentor, OH
Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma -- Born in Youngstown, OH
Urban Meyer, University of Florida -- Born in Ashtabula, OH
Bo Pelini, University of Nebraska -- Born in Youngstown, OH
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State University -- Grew up in Zanesville, OH
Les Miles, Louisiana State University -- Born in Elyria, OH
Gary Pinkel, University of Missouri -- Born in Akron, OH
Ron Zook, University of Illinois -- Born in Loudonville, OH
Mike Stoops, University of Arizona -- Born in Youngstown, OH
Jim Harbaugh, Stanford University -- Born in Toledo, OH
Mark Snyder, Marshall University -- Born in South Point, OH
Nick Saban, University of Alabama -- Played at Kent State University in Kent, OH


Read the rest of the USA Today article here.
And then read some more about Ohio being a college football goldmine:

• Successful College Football Coaches from Ohio Reflect State's Culture
• Why Ohio Makes the Best Coaches

GO BUCKEYES!! :)

Intelligent Evolution--Yes Please.

Relevant Magazine's website has a fantastic article suggesting Intelligent Evolution. I've believed this for quite a while. Read the article. Good stuff.

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/current-events/18120-intelligent-evolution

Music Wednesday

Two Blogs in one night. It's kind of crazy, eh? Hey now, it's about music...I think this is a topic I can explore endlessly. Anyway. Here's Music Wednesday for you. A friend and I decided to trade iPods for the week. The idea came about quite brilliantly, if you ask me. We kept telling each other about sweet bands/artists that the other needed to listen to. And we kept trying to play music for each other. But there were just too darn many good songs to be played. So, it just came to us (I don't actually remember whose idea it was, so I'm going to give us both credit). We decided to trade iPods and explore eachother's music tastes for the week. Let me just say I've discovered some lovely new artists. First, here are the list of songs that randomly shuffled through the iPod on Monday.

• All the Trees of the Field Will Clap their Hands -- Sufjan Stevens
• Myxomatosis -- Radiohead
• Bicycle Gasoline -- Delirious?
• Constellations -- Jack Johnson
• Fingertips (Part 2) -- Stevie Wonder
• Souverian -- Andrew Bird
• Two Points for Honesty -- Guster
• Tenor Aria/But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell -- Handel's Messiah
• Outside -- Ours
• Louder than Radio -- Delirious?
• Realize -- Ours
• Falling Through Your Clothes -- The New Pornographers
• The Creeps -- Rebel Saints
• Handjobs for the Holidays -- Broken Social Scene
• Awake My Soul -- Caedmon's Call
• All I need -- Radiohead
• Soon -- Like Summer
• Andvari -- Sigur Ros
• Hey Rabbit -- Fionn Regan
• Muzzle -- Smashing Pumpkins
• Per Te -- Josh Groban
• Clothes of Sand -- Nick Drake
• Days Go On -- Greg Laswell
• Cold Cold Heart -- Norah Jones
• The Boy from Ipanema -- Diana Krall
• Stumptown -- Nickel Creek
• The Prettiest Thing -- Norah Jones
• Execution Day -- The New Pornographers
• Mother of God, Here I stand -- Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
• Something's Missing -- John Mayer
• After the Curtain -- Beirut
• Sabra Girl -- Nickel Creek
• Hands Open -- Snow Patrol
• 42 -- Coldplay
• Cumulus -- Imogene Heap
• Another Kind of Green -- John Mayer Trio
• C'mere -- Interpol
• When in Rome -- Nickel Creek
• The Outer Banks -- The Album Leaf
• Boxcar Racer -- Blue Merle
• Weird Fishes/Ar Peggi -- Radiohead
• If You're Wondering -- Eisley
• Message in a Bottle -- The Police
• Go It Alone -- Beck
• Great Expectations -- Steven Curtis Chapman
• Everlasting God -- Spin 39
• Life's a Bitch -- Rock Kills Kids
• Oliver James -- The Fleet Foxes
• The Believer -- Chris Thile
• Heaviest Heart -- Magnet
• One Day/Slowly Floated Away -- Eisley
• Bones -- Syd Matters
• True Love Waits -- Radiohead
• Running Out -- Mutual Admiration Sue
• Daylight Robbery -- Imogen Heap
• Gold Mine Gutted -- Bright Eyes
• Alive Forever Amen -- Spin 39
• Fix You -- Coldplay
• Seven Years -- Norah Jones
• Layla -- Eric Clapton
• Love Song for No One -- John Mayer
• Sunrise, Sunset -- Bright Eyes
• Maddening Shroud -- Frou Frou
• Hallelujah Chorus -- Handel's Messiah (London Philharmonic Orchestra)
• Always in Your Mind -- Jennifer O'Connor
• The Dumbing Down of Love -- Frou Frou
• Just Called to Say I love You -- Herbie Hancock
• Buttons & Zips -- Elbow
• The Chimbley Sweep -- The Decemberists
• 12 -- Alexi Murdoch
• The Last Time He Saw Dorie -- Copeland
• You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will. -- Bright Eyes
• Ashes of American Flags -- Wilco

Second, these are some bands or songs I've decided I really like

Bands/Artists:

• Eisley
• Imogen Heap
• The Magic Numbers
• The Flaming Lips (I've liked them for a while, but I was just reminded today how much I enjoy them)
  

Songs:

• "Soul Sloshing" -- Venus Hum
• Hoppipolla -- Sigur Ros

Okay there is probably more, but that should give ya'll plenty of music for today.

Oh and PS--I've decided that Augustana and The New Pornographers are 2 of my all time favorite bands. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

I want to be chiseled

I got this from a friend. It's almost hard to watch because it's so convicting. I want God to chisel away at the things that are not of Him in my life. But it can be a scary thing...

Accustomed Sounds

So just a quick random thought. I grew up in the middle of cornfields. Crickets chirping in the summer time was customary. I went to college in a large city right around the corner from an international airport. Airplanes flying overhead quickly become customary and in many ways, comforting. Now, living in Florida, I live about 7-10 miles (if that) from some major theme parks. Hearing fireworks going off every evening has become customary. What will be the noise that I will become accustomed to in my next place of residence some day?

Buckeye Floridian

I found it. Ohio in Florida. And in a few days I'll be experiencing the real thing. OH!

Music Thursday

So today at work I was listening to my iPod (not really that abnormal of a thing). And I decided to put it on shuffle and just see what music would play--sometimes you forget what you have on your iPod. So. Here's the list of what songs I listened to today. There were some songs that I just couldn't bear to listen to so I skipped them and they aren't included here. But below is a slight glimpse into my eclectic taste in music. Enjoy :)

• I Want You Back -- Discovery
• Inaudible Melodies -- Jack Johnson
• Movin' Out -- Billy Joel
• At the Beginning -- Anastasia Soundtrack
• Carnival -- Natalie Merchant
• I Hate Everything (But You) -- Derek Webb
• In the Still of the Night -- DeLovely Soundtrack
• Fidelity -- Regina Spektor
• Q -- Carnival
• Call to Worship -- MercyMe
• I Go Back -- Kenny Chesney
• A Christmas to Remember -- Amy Grant
• Someone on the Road -- OAR
• Ellsworth -- Rascal Flatts
• Campus -- Vampire Weekend
• Altar -- Steve Fee
• Riu Riu Chiu -- Sixpence None the Richer
• You're the Top -- Cole Porter
• All Things New -- Steven Curtis Chapman
• Little Drummer Girl -- Alicia Keys
• How Sweet It Is -- James Taylor
• Dark Haired Darling -- Josh Bales
• Dance All Night -- Ryan Adams
• Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love -- Coldplay
• House of Memories
• Where Love Went Wrong -- Augustana
• Come On Over -- Shaina Twain
• Marble Halls -- Enya
• Handle With Care -- Jenny Lewis
• Where You Want Me -- Grey Holiday
• High & Low -- Greg Laswell (With Edison String Section)
• O Love That Will not Let Me Go -- Amy Grant
• Where I Stood -- Misy HIggins
• Dreamworld -- Rilo Kiley
• Heartbreaker -- Matt Wertz
• Second Nature -- Joy Williams
• A Consistent Ethic of Human Life -- Derek Webb
• No Good -- Kate Voegele
• Black Rock -- OAR
• Girl Like That -- Matchbox Twenty
• Wait for Love -- Matt White
• Destroyed By You -- MxPx
• The Sign -- Ace of Base
• Falling Out -- Relient K
• A Foggy Day -- Michael Buble
• Following Rita -- Train
• Summer Wind -- Michael Buble
• You Won't Be Mine -- Matchbox Twenty
• Medley -- Jewell
• Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa -- Vampire Weekend
• White Winter Hymnal -- The Fleet Foxes
• I Don't Mind Singing -- Josh Kelley
• Long Ride Home -- Patty Griffin
• You Move Me -- Natalie Grant
• Paranoia in Bb Major -- The Avett Brothers
• Come Home Same -- Liam Finn
• Going Down Swinging -- Y O U
• A Diamond and a Tether -- Death Cab for Cutie
• She Changes Your Mind -- Copeland
• For You I Will -- Teddy Geiger
• Caroline -- Old Crow Medicine Show

So there you have it. Good stuff. Good mixture.

Sidenote--Rascal Flatts is in the Hannah Montana movie?!? How did I not know this?? Strange...and Taylor Swift, too? Did all of Nashville take part in this movie?? Ridic.

Who's with me?

So, I'm going to sign up for my next 1/2 Marathon. Now the next thing is, who wants to train with me...mostly, Rachel Tidwell, I'm looking at you. I suppose I could have just sent you an email asking you, but this is much better. I'll call you out in front of my 10 readers (is that being generous? thinking I have 10 readers?). :) Anyway, any one interested in signing up and training for a half? I'm considering the Baldwin Park 1/2 Marathon in November and the OUC 1/2 marathon in December. I'm also seriously considering the Miracle Miles 15k in September. But that only leaves me about 4 weeks to get from 3 or 4 miles to 9...although I suppose that's not really much of an issue.

Okay, feedback time...leave me comments...GO! :)

Home, family, a wedding--good times!

Home was good. Scratch that. Home was great. I'll give a full recap soon (hopefully). In the meantime, enjoy just a few pictures. Unfortunately I barely used my camera (as in less than 2 times), so this is all I have.

Sister and I after Meg's rehearsal dinner. We were on the newly remodeled deck in our back yard. Check out that sunset in the corner. Gooorgeous.



Me and my princesses after the rehearsal dinner. Britony was crying just a few minutes before this because we wouldn't let her put on the dress that we bought her for the wedding. She was upset that I got to wear a pretty dress and she wasn't allowed to. I had to explain to her that the dress I had on was not the dress I was wearing for the wedding and that we had to keep her dress clean for the wedding. There's certainly no denying she's a girly girl.


My lovely sister playing the piano at the church for Meghan's wedding. She's good. Like really good. Like I aspire to be 1/2 as good as she is. And oh, that's her fiance Jordan. He's an okay guy, I guess. Ha ha.


Doing my bridesmaid gig for Meghan's wedding. This is the church I grew up in. Isn't the stained glass window amazing? Also, I think I was busting up laughing at this point b/c Caleb and I couldn't walk at the same pace and he was chanting "left, right, left, right" the entire way down the aisle. Good times.



The happy couple! Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Meghan Malvitz. An amazing, wonderful, sweet couple. So honored that I was able to be part of their special day. Meghan was absolutely glowing.

Something to think about

I was over at Relevant Magazine's website reading around when I decided to take a look at the blogs posted there. I came across this blog post that I found interesting. Take a look. Let me know your thoughts. Very controversial issues both in and amongst the church and in our society in general.

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/community/blogs/Why-I-Offend-People.html

Movies I'd like to see

Here's the list. And their trailers. Tell me if you recommend any of them or if there are any I should steer clear of. Thanks!

1. Taking Woodstock



2. Julie & Julia



3. Public Enemies



4. Post Grad



5. The Time Traveler's Wife



6. Paper Heart



7. No Impact Man: The Documentary



There are more coming out later this year, but those are the first few that are catching my eye. Thoughts?

Gift Card Giver

Awesome organization. Here's their story (yes, taken directly from their website. Why should I paraphrase when it's written just fine?):

THE STORY
Four friends had an idea to collect gift cards and give them to people in need. They went to a gathering and asked 8 people how much money in unused Gift Cards they had in their wallets and walked away with $50 in Gift Cards to help people in need. GiftCardGiver.com was born.

Gift Card Giver is a new form of giving. The Gift Card industry has risen to be a 60 billion dollar industry. Ever wonder how many gift cards are unused? More than 10%. That means billions of dollars are waiting to be used for good on Gift Cards.

How many gift cards do you have sitting in your wallet? We guess you have at least $5 of unused gift cards in your wallet or purse right now. What’s 5 bucks going to buy you? Five bucks in Gift Cards may buy you a pair of socks…but 10 people giving 5 bucks will buy a kid a winter coat or 1000 people giving $5 from may give that same kid a warm bedroom to sleep through the night.

CARD ME

It is very simple to get involved:
STEP 1: Use as much of your card as you want (or send a full card).
STEP 2: Write how much is left on your card using a permanent marker.
STEP 3: Place the card in an envelope and send it to us at:

Gift Card Giver
490 East Side Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30316

OUR COMMITMENT

We collect and distribute the cards to appropriate Non-Profit Organizations that can use those cards to help others. We have never used a card for ourselves and never will. Thanks for contributing. This is a grass roots campaign that has created a new form of giving and you are an important piece to the idea coming to life.

Check it out and the send them your unused Gift Cards! Visit www.giftcardgiver.com to learn more.

Card Me. The Story. from Gift Card Giver on Vimeo.