Today was a good day. Some people froze their butts off because it really felt like fall today but this family welcomed it with contentment. Anna was so excited, Nysse knew something was in the air, and I had this really nice calm feeling that God was their and would be for the next feeling, and the next.
Here is the rundown. Early morning to check in with retreaters at camp. Coffee. Breakfast on the couch with my wife plus some lattes of our individual flavor preference. Eventually a meeting with a couple members of the board of directors. A very, very windy drive with a view of whitecaps on the lake that were just ridiculously huge. Coming home to the coziest house ever. Fall decor. Mulling spices in apple cider on the stove. Really good chili right next to that. A crockpot with an apple cherry cake dessert waiting for me to go upstairs and eat it. A really funny dog. A beautiful wife. Insert sigh...now.
PS. The other day we were driving back from town and saw a HUGE moose just hanging out in a wheat field. Crazy.
May God bring you a good day.
jared (and anna)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Upside down
Greeting blogworld,
I just sort of opened up a post not sure what I was going to right about. Then, I looked over my shoulder and for the third time today, the dog is sleeping on her back, leg sprawled out in the air. Upside down. First thing that came to my mind. Apparently is struck a chord because it got me thinking about how there is a bunch of upside down going on right now. Things that were different than expected, or just a different as we expected.
We turned our life upside down to come out here to the middle of North Dakota. My experience of this is nothing compared to my wife's. I have been here before, I grew up going here. Anna, however, is in a total change of everything. I was just feeling appreciative of her tonight. She is with her family in Philly for a cousin's wedding right now. If your lucky, she will write about the craziness of her trip. Wow.
A bunch of our possessions are still upside down in a box in the basement or "craproom" as we dubbed it. It is actually mostly set now. I got to organize a bunch of it these last couple of days and that feels really good. We finally have a camera that works do we will put up pictures soon. We still have little thing and decorations to put up and some painting.
Any brilliant Spirit-led inspiration for painting and decor ideas?
I have officially started farming on Facebook. The prairie is getting to me. Anna started it. I am totally addicted. I will probably have to take a time out from this post to harvest my raspberries...
Time in. Not ready yet.
I guess the point is this. Game on for having some things be upside down. One of our favorite authors is Mike Yaconelli. He wrote this absolutely spectacular book called "Dangerous Wonder" and in it he gives a little shot to Christians who view life as a series of mountains and valleys, ups and downs. He says that his life, and hopefully our lives, look much more like a roller coaster. Twists, turns, inversions, circles, the occasional upset stomach, and so much fun. Our friend singer/songwriter/speaker Peder Eide has planned what his last words will be..."what a ride!"
Amen, and amen.
God's Peace...
jared (and anna)
I just sort of opened up a post not sure what I was going to right about. Then, I looked over my shoulder and for the third time today, the dog is sleeping on her back, leg sprawled out in the air. Upside down. First thing that came to my mind. Apparently is struck a chord because it got me thinking about how there is a bunch of upside down going on right now. Things that were different than expected, or just a different as we expected.
We turned our life upside down to come out here to the middle of North Dakota. My experience of this is nothing compared to my wife's. I have been here before, I grew up going here. Anna, however, is in a total change of everything. I was just feeling appreciative of her tonight. She is with her family in Philly for a cousin's wedding right now. If your lucky, she will write about the craziness of her trip. Wow.
A bunch of our possessions are still upside down in a box in the basement or "craproom" as we dubbed it. It is actually mostly set now. I got to organize a bunch of it these last couple of days and that feels really good. We finally have a camera that works do we will put up pictures soon. We still have little thing and decorations to put up and some painting.
Any brilliant Spirit-led inspiration for painting and decor ideas?
I have officially started farming on Facebook. The prairie is getting to me. Anna started it. I am totally addicted. I will probably have to take a time out from this post to harvest my raspberries...
Time in. Not ready yet.
I guess the point is this. Game on for having some things be upside down. One of our favorite authors is Mike Yaconelli. He wrote this absolutely spectacular book called "Dangerous Wonder" and in it he gives a little shot to Christians who view life as a series of mountains and valleys, ups and downs. He says that his life, and hopefully our lives, look much more like a roller coaster. Twists, turns, inversions, circles, the occasional upset stomach, and so much fun. Our friend singer/songwriter/speaker Peder Eide has planned what his last words will be..."what a ride!"
Amen, and amen.
God's Peace...
jared (and anna)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Blog about the dog... etc.
Our puppy has this uncanny ablility of being very silly, very naughty, and very adorable all at the same time. She is such a joy to have. She is sleeping in the bed for most of the night now with us and I am impressed. I definately did not think she would be doing that yet.
Right now, she is beside me in the office. She started by chewing the face off of a gorilla stuffed animal. Most would stop with that kind of torture but no, not Nysse. She, from the hole in the face, proceeded to unstuff all the cottony bowels of this poor gorilla. I wish I could find the cords to the camera so that I could show a picture. Then, she lays down in her adorable, too much skin on her face, puppy fashion. She's great.
Wifey finally got the chance yesterday to get to the heart of her new job and she LOVED it. Hanging out with a bunch of crazy quilt ladies, meeting the needs, and wants, of people around her (one of her best gifts), being Light to them. How wonderful she did and I wasn't even here. I know that because of the things other people said. More of that the rest of the weekend.
I am sitting here in that spot where there is so much to do that I am almost bored, clueless where to start. Just pick one and go for it I guess.
PS Just had to scold the dog for chewing on the file cabinet. Oy.
jared (and anna)
Right now, she is beside me in the office. She started by chewing the face off of a gorilla stuffed animal. Most would stop with that kind of torture but no, not Nysse. She, from the hole in the face, proceeded to unstuff all the cottony bowels of this poor gorilla. I wish I could find the cords to the camera so that I could show a picture. Then, she lays down in her adorable, too much skin on her face, puppy fashion. She's great.
Wifey finally got the chance yesterday to get to the heart of her new job and she LOVED it. Hanging out with a bunch of crazy quilt ladies, meeting the needs, and wants, of people around her (one of her best gifts), being Light to them. How wonderful she did and I wasn't even here. I know that because of the things other people said. More of that the rest of the weekend.
I am sitting here in that spot where there is so much to do that I am almost bored, clueless where to start. Just pick one and go for it I guess.
PS Just had to scold the dog for chewing on the file cabinet. Oy.
jared (and anna)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
It's about time...
Hey blogworld,
Clearly my wife is the faithful blogger for the family and I couldn't let the the new puppy be beat me. I am sure you will see a post from her sometime soon. She has huge paws so typing is an issue. All that to say, I am contributing for the first time and its kinda fun.
Right now, existential dilemna. I am sitting at the computer, listening to some calming internet radio, just finished a bottled carmel frap (not as good as the original), my dear wife is upstairs, and the puppy is sacked out beside me. The picture of relaxation. Then there's the half that says, ahhhhhhhh. Boxes still to unpack, the dog is chewing on the foam insulation in the mudroom, we are broke, and the work list is getting long already. This is existential.
Maybe a little overdramatic. God is good and He's got good plans for the day. There is a psalm somewhere that says something about how God promises to give us just enough strength for each day. Anna and I were talking just honestly last night, as all movement was frozen with a pinched nerve in her neck (pray for that), how this move has been kind of hard to far. There have been plenty of joys but plenty of stressors as well as sometimes they look bigger, almost boogeymanish.
When I coach volleyball I tell the team, when they are losing, to try to view the game as something that happens one point at a time. They can handle one point at a time. I suppose with God's help and guidance and challenge we can handle one moment, or hour, or day at a time. He gives the strength and He is good at it.
Ahh, this blog thing is fun.
God be with you all today!
jared (and anna)
Clearly my wife is the faithful blogger for the family and I couldn't let the the new puppy be beat me. I am sure you will see a post from her sometime soon. She has huge paws so typing is an issue. All that to say, I am contributing for the first time and its kinda fun.
Right now, existential dilemna. I am sitting at the computer, listening to some calming internet radio, just finished a bottled carmel frap (not as good as the original), my dear wife is upstairs, and the puppy is sacked out beside me. The picture of relaxation. Then there's the half that says, ahhhhhhhh. Boxes still to unpack, the dog is chewing on the foam insulation in the mudroom, we are broke, and the work list is getting long already. This is existential.
Maybe a little overdramatic. God is good and He's got good plans for the day. There is a psalm somewhere that says something about how God promises to give us just enough strength for each day. Anna and I were talking just honestly last night, as all movement was frozen with a pinched nerve in her neck (pray for that), how this move has been kind of hard to far. There have been plenty of joys but plenty of stressors as well as sometimes they look bigger, almost boogeymanish.
When I coach volleyball I tell the team, when they are losing, to try to view the game as something that happens one point at a time. They can handle one point at a time. I suppose with God's help and guidance and challenge we can handle one moment, or hour, or day at a time. He gives the strength and He is good at it.
Ahh, this blog thing is fun.
God be with you all today!
jared (and anna)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
We did it!
isn't she so cute?!This is our new puppy!!! For those of you who voted in the poll on the right column, it was 9 days from our full-time arrival that we got a dog :) We have wanted a dog for the longest time - we both grew up with them and couldn't wait until we were out of our 1-bedroom apartment that didn't allow pets. So late last week, our boss yelled out the office about a classified ad that was in the local paper that day. Someone was selling a 6 month golden retreiver puppy b/c they didn't have enough time to care for her. We called, went and met her Monday, and brought her home Tuesday (yesterday)!!
I took her straight to the vet for her puppy booster shot, and she weighed in at 56 pounds! She's gonna be a big dawg! We'll bring her back to the vet for her rabies and spaying in about 3 weeks, and see what she weighs then :) Tomorrow we are going into Minot (the nearest big city) to buy a bed, a cute leash (and a strong one. She snapped hers right off yesterday!), and some fun toys. And a pumpkin spice latte for me, because it's my favorite and i wait all year for them to come out!
And to answer the big question... her name. It was Teya, and we wanted to keep the "ah" sound at the end. We also wanted to use a Norwegian name. So we came across Nysse - as in the Scandinavian Christmas elf! They cause mischeif, and you're supposed to leave them treats (like rice pudding) to appease them. When your new city throws the annual Dickens' Festival and the town turns into a Christmas fest, Nysse is a perfect name. And then of course she needed a middle name, so...
...welcome Nysse Britt - the newest member of Team Rendell!!
Anna <><
(and Jared & Nysse!)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
we're here (for good!)
well, we got all moved to North Dakota! It was a looooong drive, but we made it. last week absolutely FLEW by! finalizing stuff at work, packing the house, having goodbye lunches and dinners with friends and family, "one last trip"s to several special places... it was too fast. we had been packing, and each time jared camp up he took a carload. still, we just had so much stuff! we rented a 14-foot uhaul, and i swear if it hadn't been jared packing the truck, using each nook and cranny, we wouldn't have made it. the morning of the big move, most of the ladies from GLC came over to help!! we definitely wouldn't have made it without them. my baby sister was also a HUGE help that day (and for the days prior too), and my little brother and his girlyfriend came too. it was very humbling and wonderful to have all these people helping us move away from them. we really miss you all. we have amazing friends.
at the last minute, my mom decided to come along for the move! she had a good time. She thought our little house was "darling", liked the look of camp, and loved staying in the retreat center. She went through "downtown" Garrison, and was relieved to see a hospital/clinic/ER right in town. We spent Sunday in Bismarck, shopping and eating and at a movie, so that was really fun. It brought me a lot of peace knowing she approved of the new venture - no matter how old you are, your mom's opinion still matters.
we are slowly getting settled in here at camp. Hardly any boxes are unpacked, but all the furniture is finally in the right places, so now we are able to unpack and put things away. When we arrived, the executive directors' wife had prepared a meal for us that was waiting in our fridge. The staff helped us unload the truck, and Sarah and Ben (site caretaker and his wife) brought over fresh veggies picked from the large camp garden. The next morning, we found a loaf of homemade summer squash bread on our door! So that all made us feel very welcome.
on a yucky note, the second night we were here, we couldn't sleep in our house because there were 15+ HUGE wolf spiders in our bedroom!!! SO GROSS!!! So we bug-bombed the house and slept in the retreat center. There haven't been any around since, which is a gift straight from God because if that was the norm, I would be sleeping in my car!
I had my first day of work yesterday, and it was kind of hard for several reasons: i missed my friends terribly, Jared is coaching volleyball at the high school and had to leave camp for practice, I didn't think we were going to be able to come home until Christmas, my eye mysteriously swelled up and i was hopped up on benadryl for a while, and I just generally got overwhelmed by everything. Today, day 2 of work, has been MUCH better. I got a handle on the calendar for the year - we will be busy! There are groups scheduled to come to camp every weekend through January, phew! Even though I'm still figuring out just what my new job entails, I am glad to have it and excited to really be doing it. We met today with an Air Force chaplain who is bringing a group of young adults (17-30yrs) from the Minot AF base on a retreat over Labor Day, and that was fun.
I miss you all very much. We will be home over my birthday (October 4-8), and hope to see everyone sometime then. I will update the blog as often as I can. Know if days go by w/out an update, I am still thinking of you all.
Lots of love and hugs,
anna <><
(& jared)
at the last minute, my mom decided to come along for the move! she had a good time. She thought our little house was "darling", liked the look of camp, and loved staying in the retreat center. She went through "downtown" Garrison, and was relieved to see a hospital/clinic/ER right in town. We spent Sunday in Bismarck, shopping and eating and at a movie, so that was really fun. It brought me a lot of peace knowing she approved of the new venture - no matter how old you are, your mom's opinion still matters.
we are slowly getting settled in here at camp. Hardly any boxes are unpacked, but all the furniture is finally in the right places, so now we are able to unpack and put things away. When we arrived, the executive directors' wife had prepared a meal for us that was waiting in our fridge. The staff helped us unload the truck, and Sarah and Ben (site caretaker and his wife) brought over fresh veggies picked from the large camp garden. The next morning, we found a loaf of homemade summer squash bread on our door! So that all made us feel very welcome.
on a yucky note, the second night we were here, we couldn't sleep in our house because there were 15+ HUGE wolf spiders in our bedroom!!! SO GROSS!!! So we bug-bombed the house and slept in the retreat center. There haven't been any around since, which is a gift straight from God because if that was the norm, I would be sleeping in my car!
I had my first day of work yesterday, and it was kind of hard for several reasons: i missed my friends terribly, Jared is coaching volleyball at the high school and had to leave camp for practice, I didn't think we were going to be able to come home until Christmas, my eye mysteriously swelled up and i was hopped up on benadryl for a while, and I just generally got overwhelmed by everything. Today, day 2 of work, has been MUCH better. I got a handle on the calendar for the year - we will be busy! There are groups scheduled to come to camp every weekend through January, phew! Even though I'm still figuring out just what my new job entails, I am glad to have it and excited to really be doing it. We met today with an Air Force chaplain who is bringing a group of young adults (17-30yrs) from the Minot AF base on a retreat over Labor Day, and that was fun.
I miss you all very much. We will be home over my birthday (October 4-8), and hope to see everyone sometime then. I will update the blog as often as I can. Know if days go by w/out an update, I am still thinking of you all.
Lots of love and hugs,
anna <><
(& jared)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
t-minus 1 week...
it's now exactly one week until we move, and not a thing is packed in a single box. blah!! tomorrow i'm driving to moorhead, and husby will meet me there. then we'll drive to luther dell (yay!) for a friends' wedding, and will return to apple valley sunday night. next week is full of dinners and time with friends and family, and then friday is the big moving day! last sunday was the beautiful celebration for us at church, and monday was a fabulous girl's night out with my office ladies. the uhaul is rented, i's are dotted and t's crossed with final stuff at work, and camp is ready for us to be there. so look out north dakota, here we come! but first the packing... =)
anna <><
(& jared)
anna <><
(& jared)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)