art

a few months ago now, we painted pottery one rainy Saturday afternoon. And for type A me, pottery can be a freeing yet hard thing at the same time. My heart cries out to do something messy and expressive and non-measured but my hands know straight lines and color schemes and staying within bounds.

Art can be defined in so many ways but "real" art is not defined by symmetry and obsessiveness and straight lines. Or maybe it is? Maybe art is a lot more about letting yourself be free to expression in whatever way suits you best. Eloquent word pictures like those of my favorite word artist, author Shauna Niequist, or beautifully flowing mediums spread over canvas like my friend Lisa whose pictures spot the office I work in. I believe both of these women to be real artists.

I am finding that it really doesn't matter what art looks or feels like to other people, art is first for ourselves, then for the community around us. I am even finding that to be true in the art of writing my thoughts regularly throughout journals and on this space. Even if the only set of eyes to view my words are mine, which I hope is always the case with the journals, the art comes first in the expression, then the interaction and interpretation.

recycling

Even these guys get it:

What took me so long? Officially recycling and publicly apologizing for not doing so sooner. So tell me my Earth-friendly friends, what else am I missing out on? Are there other ways you save resources that you can enlighten me with?

getting there

as you may have noticed...I am having fun with updating the layout around here. The OCD in me wants to stay up ALL night and figure this out but sleep beckons. I guess even perfectionists needs sleep too.
praying for Christina and baby Asher tonight.

guess who my little shadow is?

As I brushed my teeth last night...this is what I saw...

is this sad or what?

navigation for the soul

the above is the handheld GPS that accompanied me on my LONG run this weekend that took place in a different neighborhood, on different streets and by myself as we were out of town. I found myself at a few points in the run questioning my turns, and more than once wondering whether or not I was even on the right course.

I started thinking, as I often do when there is nothing else to do but put one front in of the other, of how hard it became to navigate when the paper in my hand got smudgy and I had no one to ask. See, when I am on my streets, I know where I am going and usually have someone to point it out if I am unsure.

A picture of how true that is in my own daily life course began to unfold over the miles. When I try to walk through life without knowing the Word (navigation for living) and life's next steps look a little smudgy, it becomes really hard to confidently move forward in any direction. And the picture went even a little further into thoughts about the dire need for community. Those around me can help be a part of that course, keeping me from dead ends and showing me the next turn at times.

So my question me, for you today is "What am I doing to get to know the Way and traveling that path with others?"

changes are a coming

just a little update for my therapist friends; I am not going through a multi-day identity crisis with my blog :) I am trying to teach myself how to edit HTML code for the new layout that will soon be mine. Painstaking but something I have been wanting to do for a little while now...why do I get myself into this stuff? There must be a diagnosis for that!

a perfect world

I have gotten into the pattern of posting my favorite worship song from church each Sunday afternoon but I am mixing things up a bit. Yes, I know it is Saturday but that is when they do church around here and even though I loved "Everything Glorious" tonight by my boy David Crowder, I feel compelled to share this video with you.

This project was created for Bethany Christian Services by local artistic entrepreneur, Andy Anderson. Yes, the same Andy Anderson who grew up in the house next store to mine all through high school. I guess that time spent involving himself in creative projects paid off.

I was so moved by the full circle created through this short film about the value of being part of the solution to a local, national and global awakening of the need for people to step in to children's lives. In whatever capacity that may mean. I have also really admired the work BCS does for many years now so in honor of their commitment, I share this with you. Warning, around minutes 6:40 and 11, tears flowed freely.

A Perfect World from Paradox Media Group on Vimeo.

the perfect combo

today we did this:

and then ate...I mean shopped here:

have you ever experienced the joy of Whole Food's samples? Honestly, it was like a full meal after we made 2 rounds of the store. Yes, 2 rounds back-to-back. No shame and it felt like our own little post-workout date. for free. take that budget!

a taste of things to come

even if summer isn't quite here yet, this recipe made me think it was. For 4 days straight. You can't really make a small batch and because Ryan wasn't up for a taste bud adventure, it was all me. I enjoyed it by itself, on wheat pita bread, over some greens, with some shredded chicken mixed in...possibilities are endless. enjoy!

black bean salad:
1 can black beans, drained
1 can sweet corn, drained
1 can chick peas (also known as garbanzo beans), drained
1/3 cup chopped onion
handful of cilantro chopped

dressing: warning...not exact measurements...
equal parts of olive oil & balsamic vinegar
a squeeze of honey
salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric, or chili powder depending on what you have

what stands

life feels really full right now emotionally. If my emotions were a balloon, filling a little each time I felt, this week I would feel like I may burst. air in. air out. so much joy and sorrow crammed into a few short weeks of processing or maybe even just days. Although something wonderful happens with joyful news or events; they allow us to breathe out a little, letting some go of some of the pressure.

Within the past 36 hours, Ryan's grandpa was moved to a long term care facility, the I was astonished at how old and tiny my grandma looked after her knee surgery, and I witnessed the grief that came with the loss of the mom of my dear friend. Air into the balloon. I have also witnessed the joy of this same family as they celebrated the fact that this woman they love is now walking so closely with her Lord. And the exciting news this morning that a close friend who went through a deeply painful divorce 5 years ago is now engaged to wonderful guy who loves her and her girls. it feels redemptive of her journey. air out of the balloon.

Through it all, I have been drawn back to the words in Isaiah 40:
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."

when there are no words

there is worship. It has been a pretty impactful weekend from a call Friday night from a dear friend who lost her mom unexpectedly to the reality of Ryan's grandfather moving into a home for long term care. I know I don't have the words and I am learning to stop trying to find them. Amidst it all, worship seems to bring some needed perspective.

a little TU throwback

Somehow I recently ended up on the Taylor University website and came across this list: A suggested collection of experiences to participate in as a student before graduation. Here are few of my faves:

-Dress up for Silent Night. Go ahead, go all out! Footie pajamas anyone?

-Attempt to finish the Ivanhoe's "100 Club." You have four years, 25 a year is 12 a semester with one over January. Totally do-able. I couldn't get away from the mint grasshopper long enough to engage in this one

-Eat a multi-course dinner in the DC-spend at least an hour, and talk to as many people as you can. This seemed to happen on a regular basis

-Go on a spring break vacation. Don't go home; don't stay around here. Poor Ryan, I took this one pretty seriously and went with my friends most years.

-Pull an all-nighter. If you make it through TU without pulling an all-nighter, you might be a boring person. The next one explains how this is possible.

-Make midnight runs to Wal-Mart. The lines are shorter and the best of Grant County is out on the town.

-Kidnap freshmen on your wing and take them to Steak and Shake. You won't forget it, and neither will they.

-Go to vespers. Or attend a Spiritual Renewal speaker's talk. Amen!

-Be an o-group leader. This is a great way to make an impact and also to get to know people from another class year. I can't believe they changed the name from Probe to O-groups. tradition lost in my opinion on this one.

-Play on a volleyball team over J-term. It doesn't matter if you're good, it's about fun. haha. I think I just wanted the t-shirt!

-Go on a Lighthouse trip. You'll learn more than you thought was possible in 3 weeks. Kenya 2003. enough said.

-Get a polar pop from Handy Andy. If you haven't done this before you graduate, you are spurning generations of TU tradition. don't forget breadstick Tuesdays!

-My Gen, Nostalgia Night, Airband. people spending the night outside the chapel. the chaos and the joy!

-Create your own concoction in the DC. Insert marshmallows, peanut butter, chocolate chips and the microwave here.


And remember these? Here is my own list of abbreviations that left us speaking in letters rather than words by second semester of freshman year:
DC and DC (dining and dorm versions), DTR, The Loop, TWO, TSO, PROBE, WOW, PA. What am I forgetting?

And if that wasn't enough for old times sake-- check out this site, a student directed prof-rating system. Where was this when I was spending my life in Reade & making my way through every gen. ed class known to man?!

the happy factor

do you have things in life that make you happy "just because"? For me, it is the "life is good" brand. It seems that every time I come across their stuff, I am drawn in to picking up a mug, t-shirt or frisbee just because of a logo. But I put it back down usually. Cause I don't even really know how to throw a frisbee. that whole flick of the wrist thing is beyond me.
We only own 2 items, a travel mug & a water bottle. Must say something about our emotions towards hydration & believing that should be a happy thing. We have this guy who has traveled internationally when Ryan hiked mountains in Kenya with him:

And I have always loved this shirt since I saw it in their flagship store in Boston. Maybe if I run the Boston Marathon someday, I will buy it for myself. Which means it will probably stay right where it is:

And look- there is even something for Toby!



apparel aside, life is good. what adds to your happy factor?

just when I thought I wouldn't be vacationing

Remember my stay-cation post a few days ago? Well it wasn't more than 24 hours after typing that when I recieved an email from one of my TU girls about our annual reunion! Our first year out of college, we went to Bethany and Peter's condo when they lived in Muncie. The next year, we invaded Emily's city life in Chicago. Year 3 it was my house! And officially, 4 years post graduation we are Florida bound to soak up a LONG weekend of sunshine, conversation, good food I am sure and just time with the girls. Can't wait!!

legacy

Grandpa & Grandma 1950-1954
Grandpa & Grandma 2009
Easter Sunday 2009

These Sara Groves lyrics fully express my heart ("Generations")

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace, oh, live in peace

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

The Wallace family 2006-present

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Because He is Risen, we are redeemed, restored, justified, made new & called children of God.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58
55-57:
Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What then is our response to His Ressurection?

verse 58:
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.



Awesome song from worship @ EGM this morning. We didn't do it so techno-ish but here it is for your enjoyment! Happy Easter!

we're 10 days in...

Remember my plan to cook meals? Well we are 10 days in and loving it! It has ranged from everything between enchiladas and spaghetti to broccoli quiche. The next step for me will be learning to make small dishes so we are not stuck eating the same thing for the next 3 days. Which negates the need to make a meal every night but Ry isn't too big on leftovers. If it were just me, I could potentially eat something I like for 5 days straight, which I do when I make chili.
Yesterday it was the quiche and I made it up in the morning while I was hanging around the house, getting ready for the big Easter Sunday dinner at our house. My family is finally releasing the matriarchal reign of control to me for one small afternoon...however they insisted on each bringing a dish still. baby steps. baby steps. Anyways, back to the quiche:

Forgive the wooden spoons hanging out in my crust; there were things that I wanted in one half of the dish that I didn't want in the others and this was the best rigged solution I could come up with. I am sure that Pampered Chef has something specifically for this but it seemed to work just fine and I pulled them out in the last 10 minutes so the top would seal.

I decided to invite my friend Stacie over to enjoy it for lunch with me and realized another side benefit of this meal thing is that it creates community. Maybe that is why there are so many places in the Bible where people fellowshiped with feasts. Makes sense to me! However, I still love the community that somehow takes place over Panera Bread, Starbucks or Olive Garden so I am hoping for a date night tonight!

spring breaking Midwest style

This may be the 2nd or 3rd reference to Spring Break and/or vacation this week, but I promise I am not bitter. Because yesterday Christina and I got a little taste of it ourselves, right here in Michigan. This was a like an anniversary trip of sorts as we lived on 2nd East together my freshmen (her sophomore year) at TU but it wasn't until we ran into each other 3 times in a few short months last Spring that we got the hint. And since those fateful run-ins, we have been meeting faithfully every other week on Monday, now Tuesday nights for a whole year.
She picked me up at 10 o'clock on the dot to begin our day on the open road. We started out Zeeland style with big scrambler breakfasts & coffee at the diner over a conversation of laughter and story-telling. Then on to our destination for the day, South Haven. Ahh. A beach town that I am not super familiar with but we found all kinds of adventure in the form of bead stores, bookstores, and browsing. We had an awesome time together and never seem to run out of conversation or situations to analyze.

We ended our day with a late lunch in Douglas, another beach town a little north of SH at Respite, an adorable little cafe tucked between shops and then across the bridge to Saugatuck for the first Kilwin's cone of the year (Saugatuck Mud- thank you very much). Who needs Florida when you have got good friends right around home?

gifts

If you have ever experienced or been blessed by another person's giftedness, you know what an incredible thing that is. For some, it is teaching, counseling, reaching out to others; for others it is hospitality or encouragement. When you see someone using their gift it is like they are doing what they were born to do.

I have been learning more about the Holy Spirit lately through conversation and study & have started to be curious on a faith level what my gifts are. I know I have gone through a few gift analysis profiles and personality quizzes in the past, but I am not sure that I know. What I do know is that is that when I am acting out my faith in ways that feels like through the power of the Holy Spirit in everyday life, it's good. And when it's good, there is temptation to give me credit for doing things. Just being honest with human nature. I had a friend recently put it to me this way "worry less about your gift blessing others and more about glorifying God and pointing people to Him."

Bottom line, it's not about me. I read this blog a few days ago and was really encouraged by her thoughts. It affirmed even more that even the tangible gifts we hold dear (people we love, relationships, community) should be lived with Hands open and even more importantly, pointing the credit to God.

st-ay-ca-tion: noun. the act of vacationing in one's hometown

On a visit to the bank Tuesday afternoon, the teller I usually work with (Darlene-she does have an identity more than my teller) said something that made me smile. Being that it is Spring Break and half of my office is somewhere sunny & warm, we were talking about vacation. And Darlene asked me if I had any trips planned this year and I couldn't think of anything at all. She said she was surprised because in the first year she met me (2008) it seemed like I was always going somewhere. And then I remembered, we are going to Wisconsin this summer! We laughed at the enthusiasm I said it with I think, at least that is why I was laughing.

It got me to thinking about how this year in fact will have a lot more "stay-cationing" taking place than any other year. A day here, a long weekend there, but nothing that includes getting on a plane, what I consider an sign of true vacation. As I think back, it may very different from the almost 4 first years of our marriage. To put it into perspective, these are the places we have lugged our suitcase since tying the knot:

2005
Pigeon Forge, TN (together) Honeymoon!
Biloxi, MS (Ryan) Hurricane Katrina relief trip
2006
St. Joseph, MI (together) 1st annual wine tour
Traverse City, MI (together) 1st anniversary weekend up north
2007
Kenya (Ryan) 3 week mission trip
Orlando (Rebekah) long weekend with Emily
St. Joseph, MI (together) 2nd annual wine tour
Boston, MA (together) 2 year anniversary
Biloxi, MS (Rebekah) youth group service trip
2008
India (Rebekah) 2 week business outreach mission trip
Arizona (together) Spring Break long weekend with Em
Union Pier, MI (together) 3rd annual wine tour with Justin & Jamie
Traverse City, MI (together) celebrating 3 years
Jacksonville, FL (Rebekah) youth group service trip

Makes me happy just thinking about it. Being as that I don't have anything on the calendar for 2009, let me live vicariously through you-- any travels near or far for 2009?! I can take it! My joy for you outweighs the green eyed monster that lurks so travel away!

just a little something to get us through

Thought I would share this fun little ticker (you can make your own @ this site) to countdown to your next vacation, an upcoming event, holiday, whatever it may be that you are excited about!

Just a little something to get us Spring Breaker's stuck in the Midwest through this:

sunday morning lyrics

here is the favorite from this morning. How is it that I have been singing this song since what feels like forever and never connected with the lyrics in this way?

Pastor Larry is leading us through a series leading up to Easter Sunday called "Symbols to Die for" mainly taken from John. This morning we talked about Jesus as the "way". For all the moments when the world feels as if it has gone mad, Jesus tells us in John 14, "do not let your hearts be troubled." When our 401ks are failing, the news we hear feels desolate, and brokenness surrounds us, we should not be troubled and retreat to comfort.
How can we possibly make sense of this in a real world with emotions and anxiety?

For those of you who know the rest of this passage, it speaks of the fullness of life that we will have, not just eternally but now because of the Spirit in us. Like a little taste of our future home here on Earth. Jesus asks us to believe in Him and the Father in Him. He allows us to be part of His redemption of the world as the one way and the one truth. So when trouble comes, rather than running, knowing that our inheritance is in heaven, we can work to slow down and even stop brokenness through His truth.

Whoever was doing power point for this particular version of the song didn't know the lyrics perfectly. The lyric is "though the world moves like MAD (not man). haha, even so I liked the vocals on it so just know that as you watch & listen. enjoy!

the path

We went this weekend to get Ryan fitted for some new running shoes @ Gazelle Sports, my hometown favorite. And I was trying my darndest to be on good behavior, to focus on the task at hand and sit still while we learned about inserts and orthotics.

But I can't deny that inside I felt like a kid in a candy store. Lollipops in the form of running skirts, and gu galore, not to mention those plush socks that are supposed to make your feet feel like heaven. And what is it about the "Life is Good" brand that transports me to a happy place?

I considered sharing some of the things that I wanted to hold and call my own but realized something about myself today. Stores like that communicate a very clear lifestyle and have an influence on me but no matter how much I pursue any one thing, be it running, or any other endeavor, it comes up short. Just like too much candy makes me sick, too much of pursuing any one thing besides God begins to turn life sour.

I have always loved the verse in Psalms 119:32 which reads:
"I run the path of your commands for you have set my heart free."

What am I doing today, tomorrow, next week to condition my heart and my mind for the peaks and valleys that come in running His path? Am I training in a way that allows me experience His freedom or am I sitting on my spiritual behind expecting to be able to handle hills and long races when life feels steep?

for such a time as this

I'm a keeper, a collector, but I am selective of the items that I allow to cross over into my pack rat tendencies because I also love the rush of bringing a box of things I will never use to Goodwill. From the ages of 5-12, it was elephants. Elephant stuffed animals, elephant thimbles, porcelain, glass...you get the point. And I would proudly display those animals lined up like my own little elephant zoo.


As I have gotten older, my collections have become more purposeful and whimsical perhaps at times. One of the things that I have been collecting for most of our marriage is wine corks. There is this really cool girl at our church probably 8 years older than me who collects them in jars and containers in her kitchen and I admire her style so much that it rubbed right off.

To give credit where credit is due, Real Simple also played a part as I got the idea for a wine cork shadow box the Spring before we were married.

Until tonight, the little corks stained with juices and memories were stacking themselves up in my Goodwill bottles & pitchers (see the cycle here?). There they were waiting for me; the corks from our annual wine tours, our late night dinners with friends, even those that I have snuck into my purse when we are in public. yup, stealer of cork.
They fit perfectly into my Ball jars which remind me of Ball State, near TU in good ole' Muncie. With the addition of a tea light, my little collection was transformed into something altogether new. For such a time as this, these corks were saved. And the good thing is, I can continue to collect more corks and even better, more memories.

Recession-Proof Resteraunte

As many of you know, I have moved to part-time employee status in recent months. This has brought me many WONDERFUL freedoms which cannot be measured financially but also means that I have to be reminded on a regular basis that even though I feel so happy, my portion of the pocketbook is half as thick as it was before (and I can't say I was ever in it for the dollas in the first place).

Good things going on in the Wallace household as we feel united right now about where we are & the fact that Ryan is and should be taking classes online through Moody. But these things all add up right? Didn't think tuition would be a line item in 2008, or 2009, or 2010.

In order to factor in new expenses, I have started, for the 3rd time, to use a FREE online budgeting tool called "MINT" to manage daily transactions, like $2 at the Peanut Store on Swedish Fish & those little extras that just sneak their way into my heart...I mean cart! The thing that I quickly noticed using Mint is that we spend WAY too much on a regular basis on eating out. Way too much.

So, in my efforts to get creative, this is what I have come up with. I will commit to making meals at home on a more regular basis, give it a real trial for a one month and see what difference it makes in our spending habits and overall lifestyle. And because arts & crafts make everything seem more fun and maybe a tiny bit less grown up, here is what I did:

Step 1:
Grocery shop with a list in hand & meals in mind.

Step 2:
Consult monthly planner to identify dinners at home & plan for fun date nights and dinner out with friends.

Step 3:
Create crafty calendar to disguise the regimented meal plan using groceries as purchased in Step 1.

I will keep you posted on how it goes! Ryan isn't so much as convinced yet, but I figure one month can't kill anybody...As long as I don't try to make a low-fat version of his mom's hamburg pie again. Yikes.

Anybody else have any little helpful savings tips they use on a regular basis?

on writing.

meet Allison, or Alli as I know her. Isn't she so cute? You wouldn't know it by this picture but she is due with her first little one, a BOY, in June! Lucky me, we have been friends since I transfer schools on a "whim" in 8th grade to FBS . According to her, the story goes that she asked if I wanted to sit with her on the bus on my 1st day and Miss Independent here told her "no thanks, I have homework to do." In some strange way, she was drawn to that confident 8th grade version of me...and pursued me yet.

I think I pursued her right back as many of my memories of that period of time include lip syncing every song on this album, (pre-Celine's Vegas Days)
spending countless hours playing MASH, making home videos, camping & looking for boys at the beach. She was the friend I dropped off minutes before totaling my car on the same night we found out that some friends from youth group had died in a separate accident. The friend who comforted me through my first real heartbreak (did he really dump me for a girl in fishnets?!) and the friend that told me she thought Ryan was the one because he was willing to challenge me in a way that most people wouldn't.

One poignant night this past June, over Coldstone & coffee, we sat on a bench downtown Holland and discussed our desire to minister to other women. Our giftings are so different, yet seem to compliment one another in a unique way. Would we write together someday? Would I manage the singing career that we pray would happen someday for Alli? Would we have a platform? Fast forward to this fall.

Through my short 4 month stint with the non-profit consulting firm this fall I became aware of Mentors of Ministry, an organization that exists to "encourage everyday women to live extraordinary lives." The more interaction with them I had, I was encouraged by what I learned and decided it might be interesting to bring Allison into the mix. Over coffee, (I'm sensing a theme with coffee translating into good things happening) they invited us to be part of their outreach to women in their 20s. We have begun this spring to share the everyday lives of 2 twenty-somethings who are to figure out what God is up to. I invite you to check this ministry out, not to give me props but because it is my hope that you will be encouraged to look for God in your everyday life as well.