Sacred Heart. Sara. Groves.

It is so exciting to think that Rochester's churches are hosting such amazing women conferences now. The convience of staying in town.....last week..i had the opportunity to hit up Sara Groves at Autumn Ridge Church...It was amazing. Sara Groves is so inspiring to me and my heart..my burdens. Her transparency and raw-ness.. these past months, have been a quite unique journey. I feel as though, there is so much more to do out there. more than just doing a meal drop off....praying with someone at a altar. something bigger.......i have so many dreams. fears. and visions for my future. I thought is really compelling what sara said about "spiritual buffalo" ....

"There is a scene in the movie Dances with Wolves where the Sioux are on a much anticipated buffalo hunt. As they come up over a hill, they are shocked to see a field full of buffalo carcasses. The tragedy of that moment is that where the Sioux use every piece of the buffalo—the bladder holds water, the bone makes a tool, the skin is a covering for a tent- whoever has done this has taken the best part of the buffalo for himself and has left everything else to waste. There is no way to make good use of all that is lying in this field.

I was so convicted when I went to Africa that I am not using all of my spiritual buffalo. I have developed this one side of my personal relationship with God. I go to church, I have incredible worship, and I listen to incredible speakers. I have money to buy devotionals, and leisure time to do those devotionals. I have spent a lifetime grooming a personal faith in Christ, but have I been taking the best piece of the buffalo for myself? There has been a joy in discovering the good use of my life. There is a reciprocal redemption that happens when we enter into stories of helping our neighbor—not just around the world, but in our own communities. When I came home from Africa, instead of feeling guilty for my life, I began to hear God in a very clear way say, ‘that thing carries water, that thing makes a tool, that is covering for a tent.’ There is a beauty to the good use of a life, and to the acknowledgment that everything you have and do has a Kingdom purpose."

I want this for my life. for andys. something bigger. something CONSISTENT. I want to live knowing that I reacted to my gut. my calling. I want to follow God's word actively.

life. Heart. FULL

SUSHITTO

Sushi is now in ROCH! Jonas, Michelle, Colleen and I went to Sushiito for lunch today and hit up the new hot spot in rochester. it is SOOOO good. I had tostados, mango sushi rolls, shrimp guys and some other amazingness. I will be a reg there!! love it. pix of jonas using his chopsticks for his favorite toy..the skateboard!!

yup folks....we are FRIENDS

monday I hit up up the aerial hair show in mnpls with 4 gals from TF!!! and I met NICK ARROJO, thee icon in my industry....on the show "what not to wear"...he was on main stage and cut some locks, talked shop, business...it was a great time. I feel refreshed and inspired for my career...and for new spring/summer looks. in the car.....heidi,kayla,mary,tanya and I road trippin. What a good day!!! Thanks TF for sending us!

Amy Trombley/ Ryan Strange Wedding

This past weekend, We hit up our old stompin ground with our old Maranatha crew...Mars Hill kids...now adults! I did some h.o.t. hair styles.....and bonded with my old youth gals. we had a blast together. It is one amazing thing when you reunite with people that used to be teeny boppers and are now hitting next steps in life on their journey. The bride and groom have been dating for 4 years now...they are cute. we are going to be hitting up many weddings this season...like 6! high lites: hitting brit in the face. awkward...being firm with the photographers....keys bakery cake...and connecting with everyone! love you all.

bonfire!!

In the cities with the timms....ate a really good meal fireplace style....buttermilk mashed potatoes.....beer chicken.....it was a good meal filled with great convo! love you guys...thanks for having us!

April Hair, Snow Storms

I got to be the person with the honor of coloring my friend, Brie's hair for the first time. we high lighted it up! Jody also drove down yesterday from Duluth at 8 months prego, through crap weather...H.C. we had a great night together...redwood room and qt with the fagan crew at starbux. love it.......also, here is a cute pix of landen with his new mo-hawk......his mom is one of my really good friends from RWHS...so cute!!!

Dreams

our dreams are coming true. this may our 5th yr anniv. of being in rochester will be here. 5 years of ministry and and chilling with the g8 youth. here is a pix of some of a wall. a lot of painting....new lights everywhere, new floors, new worship area, new stage....new FACE. new identity.....we are pumped!!! thanks to everyone for helping, painting, demo, and being a servant....love all of you.

buddah

another fast crazy trip to duluth.....this past wknd i hit up good old northern mn for a baby shower.....for jpie. she has like 7 wks to go until Sophia Mae(y) pops out. i am so excited for the rowans. what a blessing. liz and i road tripped it together staying with jonelle/axel/kateri.....amazing friends. laughs. there is something going on...at the shower there were 4 baby girls there...a little out of control. i love babies....we hit up brewhouse.....jody got many gifts....and toys......the shower was at dave and marissa's beautiful home.....pix: are of the table with good food....brewhouse pix with the ladies....and baby kateri....so cute and alive. amen for 15 month olds....

Easter weekend

with my sister home from colorado we had a jamped-packed weeknd. two trips to red wing to play games...eat bj goods.....laugh.....etc. the g8 fundraising has begun for our 2nd annual mex. missions trip in aug....BAKE SALE at church for the play/services. we raised great mula. andy and i went over to batzlaffs (used to live with them) for dutch blitz with jordan/chelcy and sara/kyle... it was awesome. andy and i have been on a animal cracker kick..so he thought since he was the oldest and all, to throw them everywhere, put them in shoes, on the driveway, and cars.....hilarious!!!! another pix is of andy and I with the arnolds....dear friends of ours....with their son, coop-digity....at church. it was a great wknd, ending at the finches on sund. night for qt with my youth girls and amzing family friends!

paybacks

so everytime andy gets my camera, he thinks he needs to be creative with his many hair styles. first up, pony tail. all i know is i am married to a fashion icon! wow!!!!! he is on is way to dreads. scary folks. love it. so this is a payback to my husband for taking 20 pix in a row on sat night of himself......

Spring brings NEW

I love this time of year! why? not for the leaf-less trees, brown grass, ugg boots yet..but I love change. longer daylight! inspiration across the board! I have been painting a lot, here is a simple piece I did last week.... also, I love being in the hair/fashion industry in the spring!!!! more blonde! more new styles. here are some beauties.......Mrs. Saxton herself, and Mandi/Mikayla....love it. good times with my blondes......

Other than those changes, Andy and I are doing great. We are going to take the step for 2008 with our finances, and jump on board with all the other extreme peeps out there and do it the "david ramsey way" hollar. Cheers for living sacrifically and going against the grain....prayers from my fellow bloggers for encouragement when Christy sees the deals. I am going to need it!

jenpachi

we had a great bday for andy this year. we went to dinner with a great crew....amazing friends! thanks for coming everyone. timms ended up getting sick, we missed them....celebrated with them the following week! andy had some great gifts. and was positive we were going to kallies' i actually successfully SURPRISED him. it was great! i cant' believe this was our 6th bday celebration....it seems like way more......life without andy would be rather lonely and dull. love you apie. thanks for the support and laughter on a daily basis.

josie/laura and i at retreat.

29 in 08

Quelf is the new fav for the cass home and G8. random and fun!

Retreat ladies. at lake geneva.

andy is 29! what a story....lets just say here is andys cake! happy birthday babe!

candles and friends.

liz + amy = beautiful souls. recently, my two great friends came down to rochester to experience some amazingness. we of course did some hair at tres francoise...shopped...grabbed starbux....church(mn teen challenge was there)AMAZING! we also dined at a local fav: SONTES' it is tapas style food. the atmosphere, food (all organic) service etc is exceptional! we were there for over 3 hours sharing conversations, stories, and LIFE! it was much needed. thanks girls for coming! love you both.


Candle Light Dinner is my FAVORITE. every yr our women's ministry puts on one amzing event.....it was held in the gathering area this yr! i had the opportunity to be on the planning team, which for me meant organizing the layout of the room, and designing the stage. with the assistance of my good pal, marilyn we made one awesome set! our theme for the event was "CHOCOLATE". 250 women came this yr. i had a blast...i also hosted a table! it was a blast....one of the pix is with my table ladies. osborns, shel/colleen, rosemary and lori! good peeps.