Meet Flat Cat

This is Flat Cat: (and myself)

I received him as a gift many years ago. He's a life size cardboard cut-out of a cat.

And after spending years sitting on shelves, he's decided that it's time for a life of adventure.

First, he met my lovely friend Brenna.

He also met people with colorful personalities.

As a celebrity, he knew he should set an example by "going green".

He also enjoys fine dining.

Flat Cat is available. (In case you were wondering).

Struck by lightning! Shocking!

He thought he'd let the city of Bellingham know he plans on taking over the town...

Flat Cat is quite popular. He's got friends in high places!

What would an adventure in Bellingham be without a stop at Mallards?

Flat Cat did, in fact, discover that he is a Chocoholic.

Rockin' Cat!

We forced him to play on the playground. He didn't look too enthused.

Flat Cat is moving up in the world- reserved parking!

He even made a visit to the Royal Rosarian Garden!

He's spotted in the most swank Portland places...

He chose good company- my lovely mom!

He's got his own exhibit!

He went shopping and picked up some bling.

And after quite and accomplished day, he even became a Jr. Ranger in Multnomah Falls.

well done, Flat Cat.

Flat Cat's wanderlust has only increased, so he'll be joining me on my crazy amazing road trip to Texas. Stay tuned for More Adventures of Flat Cat!!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like August...

my plans for August include:

dance parties, tearful see you laters, ghetto paintball, waterfalls, lots of naps, excellent teaching, 3000 miles of driving, SoCal beaches, loads of camping, the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, three new states, one crazy Big Fat Greek Family, little girls with a million questions, lots of use for the bluetooth headset, visiting old friends, packing my life into my car, good books to be finished, ending up two time zones away from where I started, and another amazing adventure with Jesus. Yes please.

{5 days!}

Far Too Easily Pleased

"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and s*x and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." -C.S. Lewis

Your Love Is Strong

This song has been on repeat in my head and through my speakers for the last couple days.

It's fantastic.

and it speaks so much to my heart right now.

So I'm sharing it with you.

Lyrics Here

Enjoy.

World Cup Fever

One Friday morning in June, I woke up ridiculously early, picked up my sister, and drove to my dad's house. What for? To turn on the TV.

Crazy?

Normally.

But this was June 11.

The first day of the World Cup.

And this was South Africa vs. Mexico.

The first game of the World Cup.

And this was the 2010 World Cup.

The first World Cup in an African nation.

and when, on June 10, you get a message from a good friend in South Africa saying this, "You MUST watch the opening game tomorrow, and I'd better hear you cheering in the green and gold for Bafana from here, okay?" You get up early and go watch the game. Also, you reply with a cheeky facebook status update: "getting up at 6:15 am to drive to where I can watch the first match of the world cup. Cheering loud for Bafana!! If only I had a vuvuzela... Can you hear me *friend's name* ?! :D"

I, still considered to be a "new believer" in the church of "Futbol is actually an amazing sport" have been anticipating this World Cup for over two years now. Why? When I was in Uganda in 2008, already all the MTN shops (an African mobile phone provider and sponsor) had the 2010 logo painted on them. So between the shops and all my friends, we've been talking about this for two years now!

Since that day, I've watched many games, many different places (I as well as most of my friends don't have cable, so we have to get creative) and listened to ones I couldn't watch (via online radio) and cheered my heart out for different nations around the world.

It's been fun and exciting. I've watched games from my laptop in the kitchen with kids cheering around me and asking questions too (yes, I've even got the Greek kids hooked on soccer!) I've stood in a crowded restaurant in a nearby town for the Ghana vs USA game and cheered for Ghana (my life in peril, no less) (If you want my full explanation as to why I picked Ghana over the US, I am happy to give it) I've sat at my desk, heart on edge, listening to Chile collect cards and Spain manage to squeak by... and it's been grand.

I can see why the world gets excited.

It's a sense of community.

I can talk to people all around the world or down the street and we're talking about the same thing.

We can share in the same heartache.

Or dance in the same victory.

It's made the thousands and thousands of miles between friends feel a lot shorter.

and for that, I am ever thankful.

We started with 32 teams. Now we're down to 4. The world waits with anticipation.

And just so you know, July 11 is going to be a big day.

It will be exciting. and emotional.

and then I'll be sad that this fantastic tournament is over.

but for now, I'll enjoy the phenomenon and cheer my heart out.

GO URUGUAY GO!!

risks and dreams

WOW. I was going back through my blog, and I found this post saved as a draft....

and all I can say is, wow.

what a long way I have come.

what amazing healing has happened in my heart.

how amazing and faithful is my God!

This was originally written January 6, 2009:

Fear. it eats me alive some days. Surrounds me and then sneaks up in the darkness. Routinely in the evening it clamps its icy iron fingers around my heart. And then I am lost. paralysed. the actual event is momentary, but its chill lasts for some time. I just freeze. All logical thinking is gone. And all I know is that I am and that I hurt. The shock wears off and the numbness with it, and then as the rush of pain comes in like a flash flood. All I feel is alone.

As I lie in bed, waiting for sleep to come, sometimes I imagine going back to Uganda. My dreams come alive. I am there, safe and happy. Sharing Jesus with the world. with a family of my own. But it is always shattered by the sudden surge of fear. I will always be white. I will always stick out and thus be a target. Villages aren't safe, they are frequently raided and burned and those houses have no burglar bars. Houses can always be broken into, ambushes can come from anywhere. The words come from somewhere deep and dark.. a poisonous whisper, "You are not safe. You will be found. And no one will protect you. Everything will be stolen from you again. And it will be much worse than last time." Fear. Much more fear. Memories flash back. Adrenaline. PAIN. So much for sleep. again.

You see, that night I lost so much. And in all of it, my dreams are gone. Eaten up by fear. Long gone in the aftermath of the storm. Innocence and the much greater trust I had in my Father... gone. Shattered. the pieces seem to small even to be picked up.

But...

I went to Africa with an incorrect understanding of reality. In my mind the violence and pain was contained in the past. The hurts were very real and still lingering but I was going to be part of the healing. I never expected that the danger was still real. That violence still touches so much of everyday life. Whoops. The invincibility of youth, my own lack of understanding and my enthusiastic, effervescent hope and trust in the God of the Universe for transformation, as well as some whole life in Whatcom County innocence created a false perception of what it would really be like. But now I've experienced it. A small piece.

that orange dust will be forever in my soul.. the memories are so vivid. Which in most cases is a huge blessing. I can see it. taste it. feel it. And I long to go back. for the joy. the richness. the challenge. the scarcity. the beauty.

What I've come to see is this.. anything truly GOOD comes with risks. But it is also worth taking those risks.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!

So.. in case you hadn't heard.. since Mama D spilled the beans... :D

YWAM here I come, once again!!!!

I am so BEYOND EXCITED, in case you were wondering.

Now, to fill you in on a few more details:

Where?: Texas. Tyler, Texas to be exact.

That's about an hour and 1/2 east of Dallas.

and I'll be at the Dayspring Campus of the Tyler base.

When?: mid August!

(yes, that's VERY soon!!)

How Long?: 9 months +2 month outreach phase = 11 months

(August- May lecture, outreach June & July)

What?: the school is called Teachers For the Nations (henceforth referred to here as TFN)

It's a teacher training school that prepares teachers to go out and disciple nations through education. :D

Why?: My heart passion is for Uganda and the children there. I believe that this training will be greatly beneficial to better equipping me to serve there. I want to do the best I can to be prepared and come with the most that I can offer, and this seems to be a great stepping stone. My hope is that after this school, I will be able to go back to Uganda long term and help in discipling the next generation and equip them to be world changing followers of Jesus Christ.

any more questions?????

I'm happy to answer them!

:D