for the love of God

Today, one of our "yutes" performed at Fine Arts Festival. Eric and I brought a host of other yutes up to cheer him on during his performance, and we continued on through the "celebration service" where winners were announced and the "meritorial award" winners performed their gigs on site.

It was pretty cool--I'd never been involved growing up since I lived in Africa--and even though our guy didn't place this year, I really hope we can push this to our group for next year. Best part of today, besides hearing our guy rock his performance (he SHOULD have placed!!!) was watching how he took not placing and going on to nationals. He at least didn't show his disappointment, and he took it like a champ. Good news: he's a sophomore this year, so he has two more years, and a whole lot of time to polish his work and style. Also, he's only been writing since about November of 2011--and he's amazing already!

A lot of the students that come to our youth group are wicked talented. We have dancers and singers and musicians and artists and one of the gals placed second last year in vocal talent, was invited to nationals, and didn't enter this year. (WHAT?!) That said, my creative juices started flowing, and I really want to push these guys and gals to be confident in their talents, to show their talents to the world, and to use them to glorify God.

the man in black with a kitty cat

I currently have this picture as my phone background, and it makes me smile a little every time I see it.

spring sprang upon us (finally)

Seattle catches a lot of flak for being such a rainy city, and I've been teased about growing gills and having webbed fingers and toes all because this is where I call "home" for now. However, I would posit that there are few places more lovely than Seattle in the spring.

We have gorgeous mornings full of chilly air and bright sunshine and haunted by the smells of damp grass and soil and cherry blossoms. Add a cup of coffee to that vignette or a morning walk, and that is a picture of contentment, good sirs and madames!

During our morning commute, I look forward to seeing the bald eagle perched on a light post in the middle of the 520 bridge. S/he is huge, and the seagulls are dwarfed in comparison. I also look forward to walking around campus at work, showing my pace between buildings so I can soak up more sunshine and refill my depleted vitamin D reserves.

The days are exponentially longer--or so they seem--and I feel generally more productive now that winter has released us from its hungry clutches. Now is the time to tackle big projects, to change up habits. I've been nesting at our new place (getting close to finishing, I think!), and I'm starting to transition from chemical/toxic cleaners to natural ones. (I made natural dishwasher detergent last night!)

Spring also promises new hope. In spring, we celebrate Easter, or when Jesus died and then rose from the dead, thereby redeeming mankind and atoning for our sin. This is a big deal for me! Because of this, I can no longer be defined by my past mistakes, I find a new identity in Christ. Woo!

What is your favorite part about spring?

the sounds of music

We now have a record player (YAY!), and Eric just set up the sound system so now we can listen to it without using headphones. ;) Currently listening to the honeyed sounds of Nat King Cole and MAN, that guy could sing. Gorgeous voice!

There is something so wonderful about listening to music on vinyl instead of digitally. I don't know what it is, but it seems like it's a better sound. It probably isn't, but it sounds much richer to me.

Easter

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

So a lot--a LOT--has happened since last I posted here. I'll just post a sort of list to make this shorter.

1. We spent the first week of January in California with my dad's family down there. Since my grandmother's surgery back in September, her entire life has been flipped upside down, and we all wanted to see her and the rest of the family down there. Highlights of our vacation:

• Jet skis on Mission Bay

• In-N-Out Burger

• Coronado Beach

• Shaw's Cove

• Knott's Berry Farm

2. I got a new job! I am no longer working at the hotel but have transitioned to a job as a day porter at a local tech company. This was considered by my former coworkers as a step down (since I am no longer in management), but there are other benefits to account for, including:

• free breakfast
• free lunch
• free coffee
• free snacks
• free access to a fitness facility
• a built in commuting buddy (Eric also works there)
• peace of mind

3. Last, but most exciting, Eric and I will be moving to Rainier Valley in Seattle to work with Trinity Life Center! We had originally applied for the youth pastor position, but things changed, and now we will be assisting with youth and Eric will be doing web/tech/media for the church.

We were formally introduced to the board and congregation on Sunday, went to our first youth service last night, and man, I love love LOVE that group of kids! They are amazing--every single one of them! They are talented and fun, and I am so excited to see God move in their lives!

This month, Eric and I will be focusing on moving into our new apartment--about half the size of our current digs--and getting to know the lead youth pastor couple and the youth group better. We will also be attending winter camp the weekend of President's Day, so we definitely have a lot on our plates.

Overall, a lot is going on, but it is all happening in incredible timing. God sure knows what he's doing!

busyness

It never ceases to amaze me how busy the holidays get, especially now that marriage has been thrown into the whole shebang. Although this is the second holiday season that Eric and I have gone through together, I think we're still figuring out how best to navigate the details of spending which holiday with whom. Being single was definitely easier in that regard!

Now Eric and I are trying to balance our holiday time between families in a way that is fair to us, my family, and his. As much as I want to please everyone, sometimes we do just need to put our feet down for our own sanity.

In the meantime, I'm wrapping up the first half of the "quarter" that I've been working with an ESL pupil and trying to get everything else done that I volunteered to get done in time of the holidays. I made a bunch of treats to bring in for my coworkers tomorrow, and then I'll need to get started on the Christmas presents that I'm making. Yeah, I like to live on the wild side, it's true, but it's also true that finishing homemade gifts on Christmas Day or later is a Shaw family tradition.

I'm very excited that Christmas is almost here--less than a week!--because it's always fun to be with family, and I'll be surrounded by a bajillion family members soon. Woo!

In a week and a half, Eric and I will then be joining my folks and my sister and brother-in-law on a trip down to San Diego to be with the rest of our family down there, especially to visit my grandma whose health has been poor. We're driving down in a minivan and then my sister and brother-in-law and Eric and I will be flying back about a week later.

This will be our first vacation since our honeymoon, so I'm very much looking forward to some time off!

Anywho...I've got some ESL lesson planning to do.

Happy holidays to all!