The Beach

The beach, to me it is one of the last places on earth where you can truly sit and soak in God's creation, without the interruption of man-made things.  Looking straight out from the sand there is nothing but God, no skyscrapers, roads, or anything else to affect the view.  There are few places like this left in the world - the mountains are another place, but there is something about the majesty of the ocean that is overwhelming.

In July of 2002 I remember sitting in complete darkness on a beach in South Africa listening to the waves roll in.  It was a  night that I will never forget.  It was the night that the God I worship here in America became real to me.  He became the same God that was there with me half a world away.  I was listening to waves crash on the other side of the world, just like on my side of the world.  And the stars, well those were incredible and only added to the moment ... but this post is truly about the beach :-)

Tonight I came to Job 38:8-11

"Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?  For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores.  I said, 'This far and no father will you come.  Here your proud waves must stop!

The sea is an incredibly majestic place.  Each time I walk along the sand and listen to the waves I am reminded of God's intricate details - the grains of sand and the shoreline - how He decided just how far the ocean would come and where the shore would begin.'

Recap

As we say goodbye to 2010 tonight, I look back on the year and realize it can be summed up in a few words ... "Getting back on your feet" ... again and again and again.  A year ago I knew I needed to hang on tight and get ready for the ride, but I don't think I realized quite what was ahead!

As 2009 closed my job changed at work, well not quite a complete change - more like an increase, promotion, etc ... its best said by the fact that I took on more responsibilities at work.  While it was a good thing, it knocked my "rhythm" completely out of whack and I spent the first few months of 2010 trying to re-find that rhythm.  It wouldn't be easy though as we moved into a new building, hosted 2 grand opening services, and had a large volunteer event during Easter Weekend.  And suddenly the first few months became the first half of the year re-finding that rhythm I desperately longed for.

Summer came and went quickly this year.  It was hot!  I got a dog ... seriously a dog that I might have asked God to provide a few times over the years.  She's an English Bullie - the only type of dog I've ever wanted, but also one of my most expensive types of dogs you can ever own.   She was given to me after her old family had to relocate.  Not only is she an answer to prayer, she has been the best thing about this past year!  But, once again I found myself refinding a routine at home now that there was a dog to take out, run home at lunch for and spend time playing with.

June brought a move to a brand new apartment, which turned out to be cool looking, but has its own set of issues.  12 more months and I will be re-looking at where I'm living - its been a little ridiculous!

By the time school started, I finally felt like things were coming together, I was finding a routine, and life seemed to be calming down. 

I had no idea that the upcoming holiday season would be one of the worst ever.  I've found myself in a lot of hospitals lately, and not just hospitals - cancer units at the children's hospital.  It is a sobering sight as you watch children fighting for their lives and parents worn down, yet hoping that the next treatment will be the one.  We have two families there now with children fighting for their lives - it is a reminder daily to pray and not just for those you know, but for all the families affected.  Then, my grandpa (basically the "dad" figure in my life) fell ill just before Thanksgiving this past year - from nearly perfect health to a very frail state in just a matter of weeks.  Just before Christmas things looked like they were finally headed in the right direction as he was moved to a rehab center to prepare for him to go home - we had no idea it would be his Heavenly Homegoing.  It was just days later that he began to lose consciousness.  A week later we were saying goodbye, four days before Christmas.  I still can't believe it.  Services were on the 23rd and then we proceeded to get through the holidays - numb.

The past year has been nothing short of a roller coaster - with extreme highs and extreme lows.  It is a year that will stick in my mind for many reasons, but as this year passes I am left with a numb feeling, yet hopeful for what lays ahead.  There will no doubt be moments in 2011 that will be hard as well, but it is a new year and a new beginning and God is there just as He always has been.  He's gone before us into this new year and already knows what lies ahead and I'm trusting in Him to lean on, to be loved by, and to know that He already knows the year ahead.

Snowstorm #1

This has been our first true "snow" of the season ... complete with schools closed, high winds, and nasty driving conditions.  It was also my bulldog's first real experience in a lot of snow and she LOVED it!  She's spent the past few years in the snow-less area of Phoenix, Arizona - so I totally had fears of having to shovel her somewhere to go to the bathroom, or worse her refusing to go outside!

Here she is insisting that she walk through the deepest part of the 2ft drift outside the apt ... yes it comes all the way over her legs!

Through A Child's Eyes

***NOTE: Somehow this never got published and I just found it from the spring!***

(NO we weren't playing outside in 5 degree weather!)

My friends are adopting, in fact, I have several friends who are adopting, fostering, or talking about adopting.  The other night I was watching my friends' kids ... there's four of them now and they're at the age where I can sit back and watch them play ... they can negotiate their own issues, stay in the backyard, ride bikes, etc.  Their yard is also a "kid magnet" ... all the neighbor kids like to be at their house.

So, last week as I was watching them, a couple neighbor kids were over and I couldn't help but notice what they wanted to play.  To you or me it looked like a pretend game of house on the swingset ... complete with the youngest being the family "dog", but instead of house ... their game was called "orphan".  There was a "dog", a "lady in charge", a "sister", and an "orphan".

Like I said, it looked like just another game of "house", but it was so much more.  It was an example of children playing out what they are familiar with in their home - lives lived outside of themselves and focused on others.

The 5th Floor

I made my first trip to the child oncology floor at Riley today.  It was like nothing you can ever prepare yourself for.  Driving down I kept picturing in my head what I thought it would look like.  But, once you're there there's no "mental picture" that can prepare you for what you see.

Ultimately, childhood cancer became real. 

No longer something you read about on someone's blog or you see in the mall on tv or the internet - its not a prayer request or someone you heard of - it's your friend and their child that you're now looking at - and its real - and it sucks.

The past few weeks in life group we've been studying Habbakuk - a book that's all about questioning God, which lately I've found myself asking God why people have to suffer, why kids get cancer, and babies unexplainable tumors - ultimately I "know" the answers - the sin, the curse, its all part of it - but it doesn't help the "why" that the human brain just can't wrap around.

I sat in the "family" room spending time with a friend just talking about life, the hospital, and the trials that they are facing.  My heart broke - yet I am thankful that they are able to be there and that they are close so that others can be there with them too.  So many kids come from out of state and don't have family there with them which makes things even harder.

So, would you join me in praying for them and all the kids on a very full and very large floor at Riley ... and if you ever need some perspective on life, just take a stroll through the hospital.

This Thanksgiving

As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I sit in a hospital room watching - more like mesmerized by - the O2 Stats as my grandfather struggles at times to breathe.  Doctors say he has a terrible case of pneumonia and as a former smoker at 81, that makes for a very terrible case of pneumonia.  It's not been the only hospital situation I've found myself in lately.  In fact, there have been difficult conversations over the past several weeks with my own family and families in our ministry.  So many have been facing difficult medical situations over the last several weeks.

This Thanksgiving won't be like Thanksgiving's past.  No gatherings at grandma's and grandpa's - instead we'll meet together for a simple meal, drive my grandma to see grandpa and then spend the rest of the day being mesmerized by the oxygen meter - its really a wait and see situation.

But, this Thanksgiving, I can tell you that I'm thankful for my health and for a God who never changes.  As the last several weeks have unfolded I have seen how in a moment life can change.  One phone call, one doctor visit, one moment and everything can be upside down, different, changing, spiraling out of control.  Yet, through it all there's a God who knows each of these circumstances, who loves each and every person involved and whom we can depend on in these times of uncertainty.

As you enjoy family and friends today don't forget those who will be spending this holiday in a hospital - waiting with uncertainty for the next doctor to come through the door.  Take a few moments to stop and pray, to thank God, and to cherish the time you have with those you love.  Here are a few I'm praying for in addition to my grandfather ... Jake ... Kendall

Traditions

Growing up I would spent time each year addressing Christmas Cards for my mom, yet somehow they ended up never getting mailed … every year.  As I moved out on my own I knew that the Christmas Card tradition was something that I wanted to include in my plans each year … well that is the tradition of addressing them … and I was planning to start a new tradition of mailing them :-)

The cool thing though is that Christmas Cards now are SO much cooler than those of the past, and being crazy about photography I can’t help but LOVE the photo cards from Shutterfly!

For several weeks I’ve been carefully choosing my favorite designs and have it narrowed down to a few!

Here’s my top 3 

In random order...

#1

#2

#3

… you’ll have to wait and see what I finally choose when it arrives in your mailbox!

 So, to those of you who are my friends … I’ll be sending you a Shutterfly Christmas Card this year … now the hard part of choosing which photo(s) go on the card.   And just in case you're looking for a last minute gift ... check out what Shutterfly has to offer in that category too!

(look for more "Traditions" posts this holiday season!) 

Photography

I haven't been posting "Wordless Wednesdays" quite as much BUT I have been working on my photography blog.  Its still a work in progress, but it's coming along!  You can check it out below!

ShannaB Photography

The Most Un-Free, FREE* Word

Prayer. That single word can make the entire room go quiet at the end of my life group ... well admit it - it probably happens in your life group too.  There's something unknown about prayer - will I have to pray? outloud? does God hear me? what if I don't use the right words? will others look down on me?

Now, add Experience to that simple word and well, those thoughts and feelings can be amplified.

BUT, who said prayer has to be scary, that you have to have it all together, that God cares about the words you use ... because in reality, it's not, you don't have to, and He just wants to hear from you!

I entered the Prayer Experience last Wednesday, not quite sure that God had much to say to me.  I have been getting a lot out of FREE*, BUT I entered the time more as a "let's check this off the list" than a "let's meet with God".  It had been a long day, on top of a long week and I just needed to "get it done".

God had other plans though.

As I entered the first area I found myself in another world, relaxing, forgetting about all the things I had to do.  I sat there for awhile, with no real purpose - just taking in the sights, the people, and the music playing on the small mp3 player.  God gave me a word, a picture of freedom - yet - I didn't know how that word had anything to do with freedom ... boundaries???  Seriously... that's the most "un-free" word I could think of.  But, I went with it and I began to move along the path to the upstairs hall.

I moved through several elements and then I came to a room decorated for the holidays with packages all around.  The words played in my ears - saying "these packages are filled with gifts God has for you ... will you receive them?"

I paused for a moment and then approached the packages - there were many to choose from, all with a different "gift" inside.  I took the first one off the shelf and the word inside was REST - what an incredible moment that was.  I knew that God had met me right there at that time, with just a subtle reminder that He knew I was tired, stressed, and wondering how I was going to get through the next few days and weeks with a busy schedule coming up - HE KNEW - and for me that made the entire experience worth it.

I finished the experience, moving from room to room - praying for others, praying for myself, but in it all meeting God in a different way - a way I normally don't experience Him. Through quiet, words, surfaces, and thoughts the Prayer Experience became less about prayer and more about experiencing God - a God who loves each of us and wants the very best for us ... even when He has to literally put things right in front of you!

As I made the drive home that night, I knew that my original picture of freedom made a little more sense and that God was speaking to me through it all.

This post can also be read here on the Northview Blog.

Monster!

I was totally going with Bayley's "heavy breathing" as a great reason why she should be a MONSTER for Trick-or-Treat ... couple that with the fact that PetSmart has their costumes on clearance for $3 this week and you have one cool looking blue monster.  And then I realized it went perfectly with my blog name ... so enjoy - Bayley in her "Monster Suit"

Something Bigger

Title Package: "I Love My Church" from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Here's a little video I found a few days ago from NorthPoint ... it captures so many of the opportunities available in churches across america during the weekend services!  Love your church ... and get involved :-)

Fostering

Reaching children is a passion of mine, however I truly believe that a child can not be ministered to until their basic needs are met.  These basic needs include shelter, safety, food, clean water, and love.  Fostering and adoption are two things that I have a HUGE interest in and hope that one day the Lord will allow me to make both of those things part of my life.

Today I saw this video and was deeply moved by it - especially knowing that I one day want to foster and adopt children it shed a whole new light on what that child goes through and why the church can be and is the answer to the foster care crisis in America.

I hope you'll be inspired as you watch this...


Fostering Together Launch from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Well, you'll actually need to click here to see it since it is only available for embedding with the subscription to Vimeo!

Music Monday

We've sang this a couple times during Weekend Services and I absolutely love the words in this song...

Hand in Hand

Each quarter we gather our families together and serve.  The projects range from things around the grounds of the church to our urban church on the near-eastside of Indianapolis.  But, no matter where the project is, its guaranteed to be kid-friendly and an opportunity for families to engage with one another for three hours in a setting and situation that is different from their "normal".

Saturday, was no different than any other Saturday, except that a group of 60 people ranging in age from 2 years to 60+ gathered in Noblesville at Janus Developmental Services to serve alongside the employees there and complete many projects.  Ranging from gardening and organizing to painting and washing windows and walls.  All over the property families were serving alongside one another.

And since I love photos, I think these are the best way to truly communicate the power of families serving alongside one another, so sit back and enjoy...

Menu Monday

Fall ... football ... AND ... CHILI!  I don't know if there is anything better each fall than the return of chili.  Typically, I go with a simple chili, but I HATE beans - the texture, the taste ... everything = GROSS! But ... I believe I've found a substitute ... potatoes!

Here's the recipe ... it gets "judged" tomorrow, so we'll see if it receives raving reviews, but no matter what I enjoy it!

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups water
• 6 potatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Chili Seasoning Mix...

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 tablespoon dried, minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Brown meat, then add in onion and minced garlic. 
When onion is soft, add 2-3 Tbsp of the chili seasoning to the meat mixture
Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and water
Add potatoes and boil for 45 minutes
If necessary, add a couple dashes of hot sauce and/or additional chili powder
Serve with cheese, crackers or your favorite toppings!

Growth

Below is a post I wrote for the blog that my church/employer runs ... it basically outlines the changes that have taken place over the last few months, that resulted from a 200+ family growth in our ministry over the last 6 months.  You can read it below, or here on the Northview Blog (and maybe somewhere in this post you'll figure out why I haven't been blogging ... there's a "summer recap" coming soon!)



Take a leisurely stroll through Studio 6.7 and you’ll find that it can turn into more of a hike, involving all three floors and fifteen different rooms!

Photo by JoanettaHendel

With this past August’s promotions, Studio 6.7 opened a new Early Childhood classroom and re-organized the layout of the Elementary Ministry. 

In Early Childhood, children now can be found in nine classrooms; seven on the Main Floor and two on the Upper Floor. Children from birth through about three years of age are in still in the original Studio 6.7 Classrooms on the Main Floor; however the 4 and 5 year olds have moved upstairs to the Attic, which opened in August 2009, and the Loft, opened August 2010.

In Elementary, children have moved from the original two Elementary Classrooms (Studio and Stadium) into five rooms.  Kindergarteners now meet in the Stadium, having both their small group and large group teaching and worship in this classroom, while the Studio is used as a Large Group and Worship Area for the other four grade levels.

Photo by JoanettaHendel

First to fourth graders meet in four grade-level specific classrooms in the Lower Level. This gives children in these grade levels the opportunity to connect with peers who are their same age and with their small group leaders in a more intimate setting.

The Studio 6.7 Team has spent a good part of this past summer preparing for these changes.
Volunteers have moved to new classrooms, and supplies have been re-divided so that all children and volunteers have the things they need during services.

The changes have been exciting as each area has seen many months of preparation come together to create a fun-filled learning environment for all the children in Studio 6.7.

Ultimately, as Studio 6.7 prepares for additional growth and manages the growth that has been experienced over the past year, these classroom changes have been positive -classroom sizes in all age groups have been reduced, and volunteers now have a greater opportunity to connect with children and families, and yet, it has also allowed Studio 6.7 to prepare for the future.

Veggies Video

This is a beautiful song about adoption and the video is filled with many "gotcha day" photos and videos - VeggieTales new movie is all about adoption ... enjoy!

Beyond the ABC's - Thursday's Tip

Sometimes, succeeding at school isn’t about the child at all … it’s about the parents’ approach to it.  Here are a few tips to help your child do their best!

Expect THEIR best … not THE best

Know what your individual child is capable of – it might not be what their big sis or brother is capable of.  Study your child – learn their learning style, talk to their teachers, and understand child development for their age group.  Then expect THEIR best, if it’s an “A” – then expect an “A”, but if it’s a “C” – then expect a “C”.

Words DO Matter

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” – yea right!  We’re hurt by words constantly … and so are our kids.  We’re also motivated by words – saying: “I love you” “You’re doing a great job” “Your grades are improving”, etc will help your child try harder and do better.  Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the frustration and forget the words that matter!

It’s about THEM

Keeping up with the Jones’ has gone from the bigger, better boat to the bigger, better kindergarten derby car.  Keep in mind that it’s YOUR CHILD’S work. Your child needs to do the work so that they can LEARN – that’s really what its all about.  Don’t step in and do the work for your child – instead, provide “scaffolding” (a support structure) – if needed. By supporting your child you teach them that you think they’re doing a good job.  When you do their work for them, you send the message that their work is never good enough.

Ultimately, CELEBRATE your child’s accomplishments … even when it means getting a “D” on the weekly spelling test instead of the “F” they’ve been receiving.

Wordless Wednesday

Compassion International

You may, or may not, be aware of the ministry called Compassion International - more than likely you know them for their Child Sponsorship Program, which enables thousands of people around the world to support thousands of children ... making the world a little smaller by connecting those who have, with those who have not.

But Compassion does more than just enable thousands of people to sponsor thousands of children.  In addition to the orphanages, food programs, schools and countless other things they are involved with, Compassion works to bring a voice to those who aren't heard.  They work right in the heart of the need and enable those who otherwise would have no voice, to be heard ... around the world!

In less than 48 hours a team of seven will leave for Guatemala with Compassion International.  While there, they will work right alongside those using the money from Child Sponsorships, meet children who are sponsored, maybe even meet the child they sponsor, and see life with sponsorship; and life without.  Each night they'll post their stories and pictures - their thoughts, ideas, and in the end, give those who have no voice ... a voice and share it with the world.

You can follow each of their stories and hear from those they meet at the links below...

Amanda Jones ::: Baby Bangs

Lindsey Nobles ::: I'm Just Sayin


Ann Voskamp ::: Holy Experience

Lisa-Jo Baker ::: The Gypsy Mama

Compassion International