One of the very Sweetest...

So thankful for sweet treats like this. Josh and Stephanie Lindstrom's sweet Sophia.

I could kiss those little cheeks all day.

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalm 139:13-17

"There Is Work To Be Done"

I just finished listening to Matt Chandler's talk at Together for the Gospel 2010 Conference and it has moved me to want all of Christ- in everything in life. There is nothing better.

This week I have struggled with the reality of saying that I am a Christian. If indeed I am a believer in Christ and his Word, then there is an eternity at stake for every human being. How often do I live like Starbucks is at stake if I don't leave my house on time in the early morning. So foolish. How fickle is my heart!? Oh man...

Matt has encouraged me once again to be bold with the gospel. Speak truth in love- but SPEAK for pete's sake the TRUTH of the gospel.

If you have some time I would highly encourage you to listen to his talk. In fact even if you have no time whatsoever I would encourage you to make time for the sake of your heart and mind and listen to Matt praise the name of Jesus in the midst of his battle with brain cancer.

C.J. Mahaney with Matt Chandler

*scroll half way down and you will find the link.

"While I'm still here, there is work to be done." Matt Chandler

Sweet College Roommate

This past weekend I was able to make a quick trip down to North Carolina to visit my college roommate and her sweet family. Her baby boy turned two and acts like it more than ever.

Tucker Graham Anderson is a sweet handful of JOY. So thankful for his growth these past two years. I was honored to be a part of his lovely aviation themed party. His momma sure knows how to make people feel special and have a fun time. I love you Amory! So thankful for your friendship. Thanks to McCutcheons (Joe and Penny) for always being my surrogate parents while in NC- I don't know what I would do without you. I appreciate your prayers so much! The Lynchburg crew was wonderful to see again as well. Billy, Vandy, Russell, & Donna- I love you all very much. I will look forward to the day when I will see you again. Until then blessings to you all!

I am my problem...

"You are not my main problem. My parents were not my main problem. My enemies are not my main problem. I am my main problem. Not my deeds, and not my circumstances, and not the people in my life, but my nature is my deepest personal problem."

Brilliantly true. Taken from Finally Alive by J.Piper

I strongly suggest this book if there is confusion in your understanding of Salvation/New Birth in Christ Jesus.

Grapples with the heart of who we are. Sinful and fallen. The book doesn't leave you there but drives you back to the written Word, the Bible.

"I did not first have a good nature and then do bad things and get a bad nature. 'Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me' (Ps. 51:5). This is who I am. My nature is selfish and self-centered and demanding and very skilled in making you feel like the problem. And if your first response to that statement is I know people like that, you may be totally blind to the deceitfulness of your own heart. Our first response should not be finger-pointing. That's part of the problem. Our first response should be contrition."

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Oh Heavenly Father

Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up

and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me.

O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;

you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment,

and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity,

“I shall never be moved.”By your favor, O Lord,

you made my mountain stand strong;

you hid your face;

I was dismayed.

To you, O Lord, I cry,

and to the Lord I plead for mercy:

“What profit is there in my death,

if I go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise you?

Will it tell of your faithfulness?

Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!

O Lord, be my helper!”

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness,

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Praising the God of great mercy and grace ...

Lamentations 3:22 -24

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, therefore I will hope in him."

You're not alone...

One of the saddest...

A tribute to our long lost favorite...

http://brandenburgink.blogspot.com/2010/02/our-cat-grayson-2001-2010.html

May you rest in peace little one.

Thank you Toni and Ben for rescuing her from mom and dad's basement closet.

She truly went out with a dignified life.

Oh little Robin...have no fear.

Today is a day that will go down in history. Not only is there another enormous blizzard upon us, there is also a rescue mission happening as we speak. I have a dear friend named Colby Phelps who I swear loves animals more than people. This is an aspect of her character that I normally find very odd and slightly disturbing, but not today. No, today- Colby plays the hero. It all started about an hour ago when Jessica and I were returning from braving the storm.
As we reached the fourth floor of our apartment building we ran into this little guy shivering in the corner.
Tears immediately filled my eyes. I don't know why so much emotion overtook me? Especially for a little bird!? I wanted to pick it up and bring it home to our apartment. I didn't know what to do!? All of a sudden flashes of Colby flew through my brain. A quick phone call was in place and Operation Robin was in motion. The bird is now residing in Colby's apartment. She is warm, happy and so thankful to be alive. I have not stopped laughing through this entire process. I am working on uploading more photos...until then these little snippets of info keep me hoping for the best. =)

These special little nuggets of info from my special friend Colby keep coming in...

Colby Phelps to me

show details 1:32 PM (1 minute ago)

I just gave her water and a little bread.

- Show quoted text -

Colby: my mom just spent 15 mins on the phone with a rescue center

get this - they wanted us to soak puppy kibble in water, then mix it with plain yogurt, and finely chopped apples and pears

holy toledo

The joys of snow...

Epic snowstorm hits the Eastern Coast. =) So thankful to be part of this historical snowfall.
I have two sweet California girls I am sharing this once in a lifetime snowfall with.
I seem to have gained a few more wrinkles on this blemish free face of mine because I cannot stop smiling! I love people and in times like these we see the funniest sides of men and women. Praise God for orchestrating events in our lives which drive us to depend on one another and most importantly Him. Colby mentioned today the scripture verse in Isaiah One. "Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Looking outside and thinking of the stark contrast of scarlet from the whitest of fresh snow, there is reason enough in my soul to lift my hands in praise to our redemptive savior. Praise God for his mercies. They are new every morning! Great is thy faithfulness!

Grandpa Al and Grandma Beth

I am so thankful for my grandparents. =) What a dear couple. Faithful they are! Married for 60 years? maybe more. Thank you Lord for keeping them near and dear to your heart. Thanking God for such a rich heritage. Love you guys.

1 Peter 1:3-9

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, has has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Jordan & Vanesa Minnick

My sweet friend Vanesa was wed last week. Beautiful bride and groom. The day went 100% not according to plan, but what a beautiful, peaceful wedding it turned out to be. I sadly did not get any pictures of the actual wedding day, so I have added the photographers link. I am so thankful for this marriage. Vanesa and Jordan, I love you both. To God be the Glory. =)
A few professional photos


Vanesa & her father rehearsing the walk.


The hand off to the hubby


Ash made me laugh out loud with this face... "typical, this would totally happen to Vanesa..." the headlines read..."Massive snowstorm hits east coast."


Danielle and her sweet husband Jeff


My favorite, Rachel Davis and her little one Bri


Favorite Groomsman. =)


Yvonne & Vanesa (V's last female roommate.)


Bri & I.

Mans best friend, my best friend?

Oh really...

A Little Trip Down South

I think I should start each blog post I write with the same doxology.
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.
This past week was a true blessing that came in an unexpected way.

It all started on Friday morning as I sat in Reagan National Airport waiting to board my flight to Miami.
I was pleased to be seated at my gate with time to spare. If you know me, this is not always the case.
After my last disaster flying out of Reagan you would have thought I had never been through an airport.
That is another story for another time.

Anyways as I sat reading, a gentleman across the way asked me what I was studying. He was definitely in his mid 60's and had a grin like a jolly old man. I smiled back at him with an almost bigger grin due to the fact that this is a typical encounter, men over the age of fifty, children under the age of 5 and mothers who have their hands full. Long story short, I was reading through the Proverb of the day. To my surprise this man disclosed that he was a Christian and had come to trust Christ only a few years previous. He is a lawyer, who now defends the unborn. Who would have ever thought? I was so blessed to hear his stories and gain some wisdom on how to approach sanctity of life in the status quo. What really struck me is that all his arguments, though conservative in approach, and definitely taken from a Biblical worldview were not new. It's the age old story. Nothing is new under the sun. I was so blessed to see a man quietly but boldly fighting for justice of little ones.

I arrived to La Paz, Bolivia the next morning. I was there to transport back the first little kiddo for Samaritan's Purse Children's Heart Project. SP has been in Bolivia for some time, but this was CHP's first trip.
Jose's Profile
Jose is posted below, a little gem. He will be having his surgery in the upcoming week. Keep him in your prayers. He is such a little stinker, full of life.
After a five hour delay and cancelled flight, a re-routing through Lima, Peru and horrible food poisoning from Lima to Miami we finally made it to the states. Once again, praise God.

During my short stay in La Paz I toured a small portion of the city, had my hair cut by Claudio Inglesia (the best male hair stylist in all of Bolivia), met an interesting man who loves the Lord from Chile, fell in love with the people, faced my deep conviction of not speaking fluent Spanish, and of course was attacked by the Saltenas. (food poisoning) =) Aye aye aye.

I had to grab a photo of this little guy as we toured the city. He was so pleased to be eating an ice cream cone without a care in the world. There is something very precious about the innocence and naivety of children.


I'll write more later- just wanted to give you a quick update about the trip. Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging words.
Words to live by, "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." Acts 17:24-25
So thankful to serve the Sovereign God of the nations. May he find me faithful- here in DC or wherever my little body ends up in the world. To God be the Glory- living to know Him and make Him known.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

I just returned home from Mongolia & Judson completed his first marathon under 4 hours. =)
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
We have much to be thankful for in our family. It is almost two in the morning and I'm wide awake. The time change has been a little more difficult on this end of the trip. =) I can't seem to find sufficient rest at the appropriate times. For instance, I slept all day today. Woke up to join Judson for a little coffee run and then returned to my lovely bed for another 5 hours of slumber. Now if I could only crawl back into bed until the morning I think I may be straightened out.

I am so thankful for these past days. The Lord has shown not only his mighty hands but his gracious heart to our family & my Mongolian team. I am so proud of my brother for completing those 26 miles! I am also amazed at how we just finished a week of open heart surgery in a 3rd world country with minimal to no complications.
Looking forward to spending the next few days at home in Minnesota: 1. visiting Grandpa & Grandma
2. SKOL Vikings & 3. Waiting to see the Twins take Detroit at the Dome.

Thank you for your prayers these past weeks and the weeks to come.
Mighty is the God we serve. Great are his ways. Higher are his thoughts, and His plans... truly unsearchable.
Resting always & forever in the knowledge and Grace of our Heavenly Father.

1 Timothy 6

Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
Grace be with you

Ulaanbaatar 2009

Pray for us as we head overseas for another year of cardiovascular surgery. Pray also that God would be glorified. (GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED ULTIMATELY) But pray specifically for our obedience and steadfastness. That we would have success with our kiddos, that their little hearts would be corrected, and that the Lord would make himself known to each of them individually and to their families as well! Pray for teachable spirits as we will be working with the native nurses and doctors. Pray for understanding in all areas. COMMUNICATION...
SUPPLIES! That we would have what we need when we get there. Pray that we would not be limited because of resources, but that the Lord would provide exactly what we need for the day.
Pray also for our team traveling from all over the place (mainly San Antonio, TX).
For our witness as a team, that we would show what true love is by the way we love one another. (Type A personalities have been known to bump heads) =).

OH GLORY!
Most importantly, pray for nerves of the mothers and fathers whose babes we will be working with. Pray for a calming peace that comes only from the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

My new favorite babe

Every small detail of this precious babe is beautiful.
Each little roll on his thighs...his little rounded belly, his big brown eyes.
His hands, his feet...his growing mind.
True beauty...

Who is this little beauty from!?

Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord, over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!

I've lived 26 years...

This past week I turned 26 years old. It is kind of mind boggling to think about twenty six years from today. That would land me at 52. When I was little I remember thinking how old the twenty's were. Now that I am in my twenty's fifty doesn't seem old at all. =)

And life goes on...

My parents, Judson and I celebrated my birthday in Seattle, Washington this year.
We stayed in a beautiful hotel right on Lake Union, watching the sailboats, and water aircraft come and go. Seattle is well known for its showers, but we didn't have one drop of rain during our stay. Only beautiful weather and a breeze. We were able to do some water activitys, hiking and the best part was meeting up with my dad's siblings.
I'm so thankful for all the wonderful people the Lord has placed in my life.

my aunt/uncle picked up this little cake for the birthday celebration.

Musical Notes, talented musicians

This is one of the greatest compositions of modern day music.

I enjoyed it- hope you do too! =)

Jon Schmidt

Beautiful Life.

Today has been wonderful. Just a sweet day filled with much needed reading and biking. I was nervous as I headed out this morning that I would encounter showers and perhaps even storms as I biked but not one rain drop fell.
However, I did want to die due to the DC heat. I cannot believe the heat + humidity combination. UNBELIEVABLE. When I am here, I miss Minnesota and the perfect summers we have.
I am making a mental list of a few of my favorite things in life. I don't know why I feel the urgency to inhale as much oxygen as possible. Our days are so limited and we must be intentional on how we live them, and who we live them for.
Last night I attended my church's Bible study where we read through Matthew 5. Specifically focusing on vs.43-47. The discussion ran along the lines of loving our enemies and the true understanding of the scribal teaching found in Leviticus19:18
Basically, was a convicting one hour study of how we so easily love those who love us. The pastor perfectly stated why we love being around certain people..."We love being around people like us, because, these people are like the one we love the most...our self." Wow, conviction to the core.
How easily it is to love ourselves.
Open my heart Lord to love those who are not easy to love.
More than that, open my heart that I may love you the most.
Only by his grace am I capable of this love.

Proverbs 20:6 "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?"

On a lighter note...

I took some photos- working on my new hobby. I'm quickly realizing that I do not enjoy photographing still objects. An example would be- the White House, or the Jefferson Memorial (my favorite monument). There is no life to these photos. I would rather take a picture of a worm than the Washington Monument. There is so much more detail in a worm...it is amazing.

I have loved capturing people in their ever day life. Human interest photo's are surely the best. I believe it is one of my favorite things.
This is a photo of a dear friends baby girl. Such a stinker, but so sweet.



beautiful.

This blog is all over the place, but I thought I better start writing again. =)
Welcome back to my disorganized thinking.

PGA all the way!

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

I have never thought much about professional golf. In fact I don't think I have ever really felt any emotion towards golf at all- personally or professionally.

This all changed last Saturday when I attended the PGA championship tourney at the Hazeltine Golf Course in Chaska, Minnesota.

Why did it change is the question to be asked...?

Answer: No cell phones allowed.

Seriously, absolutely no cellular phones were allowed at this event. Perhaps this is the case at Wimbledon? Maybe someday I will have the opportunity to find out. Until then- professional golf is my new favorite sport to watch. It was nice to see people actually talking to one-another instead of answering a call, texting a friend or for pete's sake sending an e-mail.

PGA, All the WAY! =)