he is risen indeed

suffering is real. i am aware of the reality that the day is coming when i will follow my child in the ambulance to the hospital or hold the hand of nic when the doctor comes in with the news. it is a humbling reality that suffering is inevitable, for all of us. i'll be a wreck during those moments and even more keenly aware of the reality that i all too often cling to the idols i have created, approval, comfort, control, power.


God in the flesh came, suffered, died, and rose again, to offer hope to a broken world. to a broken me. to restore shalom. 


let no one caught in sin remain inside the lie of inward shame, but fix our eyes upon the cross and run to Him who showed great love and bled for us. beneath the weight of all our sin you bowed to none but heaven's will. no scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown, no burden great can hold you down. in strength you reign forever, let your Church proclaim:


Christ is risen from the dead 
trampling over death by death, 
come awake, come awake
come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
we are one with Him through faith 
come awake, come awake
come and rise up from the grave


O death, where is your sting? O hell, where is your victory? O Church, come stand in the light, the glory of God has defeated the night. Our God is not dead, He's alive! He's alive!


Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
                                                                                                                                        -Revelation 21:1-4
Clinging to hope.

january 2011

2011 started off for me with exhausted muscles and bruised knees. My husband and I, along with friends and family, went to Keystone, CO during the last few days of 2010. I've concluded that my body is not built for the wear and tear that comes from snowboarding. Don't get me wrong, I love the sport, and I'm decent at getting down a mountain on a board, or "riding" as I learned it was called, but goodness. My husband and I learned to ride together during my sophomore year of college. I admit, he has definitely surpassed me in skill and speed. I can live with that. Here is a group shot just before our first ride up and down. :)

Lots of great memories in Keystone, the trip was filled with board fiascos, a friend conquering her first bunny slope, and sits by the well tended fire. Glorious.

2011 has come out of the gate at a rapid pace. Being an accountant, we pride ourselves on working a lot this time of the year. Amongst all the working, we have managed to fit in some wonderful january 2011 times.

Dinner with dear friends.

Ready?

And Smile.

Nic released his first app for the iphone! It's in the app store. We have a handful of promo codes, so if you're interested let us know! First come, first serve!

January 15th, marked my niece's birthday, she is now 10, big year ahead for that one. We also celebrated the birthday of a sweet friend who I see far too rarely.

Our puppy, Neosho (who is currently 5 months old) has continued onto puppy class II, here in january. We meet every Saturday to learn how to make our dog a robot. It's pretty fun! ;)

An Epiphany feast celebration with family.

There have also been some unexpected events here in january 2011. Last Friday, January 14th, we found out a good family friend passed away, unexpectedly. It will be a daily battle for all of us who knew him, but most of all for the family. The grief is deep.