Food.

So, my kitchen here really sucks, AND, we don't have all the fun kitchen gadgets we have at home... In turn, cooking is kinda miserable. This is just a list of things I can't wait to eat when we get home:
-BBQ ribs
-My homemade cheesecake
-Pizza from Venturi
-Pizza from Bremen's Pizza Hut
-My feta/asparagus/pasta meal
-A Martin's Supermarket Magnificent Muffin
-My Grandma Schrock's cranberry salad (since we'll be home shortly after Thanksgiving Day, she said she'll try to save us some! Its best after a few days of the flavors mixing anyway...)
-Proper apple cider. The swill I got down here is awful compared to Kercher's or something up north.
-THIS delicious-looking cake


Signed,
the fatty/foodie.

Last Weekend in Miami

Random Thought
The Postal Service should be privatized
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This will be our last weekend in Miami (as the title says). It is exciting and sad. Exciting because we will be heading home soon. Sad because there is more we could do here. Of course, there will always be more to do no matter where you go.

We will leave Miami on Saturday and head to Tampa. We will stay in Tampa until Monday morning and then head to Indy. We will get to Indy Monday night and stay with our friends, Dylan and Allison. Tuesday will be the day we arrive home.

I have a lot to do when we get home. I have started applying to get some extra part time work when we get back. It's time to start replenishing our savings. I have a music project that I want to start working on. Perhaps have it done by March.

I haven't eaten very much today. I should get some food. I also need to take out the trash.


NFL
My team, the Kansas City Chiefs, has had a rough year. They need a new QB and probably a new couch and general manager. I can't wait for the draft. It's sad....
It has been nice to cheer for the Colts. They only time I don't cheer for them is against the Chiefs.

My fantasy teams have struggle as well this year. I need to win my last few games in hopes to have any shot at first place.


Thought for the Day
Bar tenders have the same personality characteristics as a good pastor would have. They are willing to listen and very welcoming. It's interesting that the Cheers theme song says, "sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came." If you are mad that people are going to bars instead of your church, perhaps you should change something.


-Justin

USA! USA! USA!

This is as publicly political as you will see me. Here are my thoughts about the elections. 

First of all, I am happy to say I voted for the best candidate - Ron Paul. He wants to get our country back on the gold standard, stop inflation, and the mass printing of money. 

America lost. Why? Because they elected the same government that has been there for the last two years. This includes a Democratic President, a Democratic Senate, and a Republican House. 
What has this government accomplished in these last two years? Nothing. They have actually caused the US to be downgraded by the S&P from the best debt rating of AAA to a lower AA+.

With their inability to work together, the US stands the chance of getting downgraded again. This is not good. 

I have never seen so many people cheering for a $16 trillion deficit. This government is completely out of control. The government has been increasing the debt in a dramatic fashion since 2000 and it will continue until 2016. By then it will be around $20 trillion. A lot of it is borrowed from China. It is bad when China "approves" of our election. 

The two party system does not work and will continue to promote complacency and mediocrity in our country. Out of about 100,000,000 votes, Obama won by 3,000,000. This country is completely split and will be forever more because they are duped into believing they have to vote straight ticket for one side or the other. 
We need strong third and fourth parties who are moderates. It would at least help.
George Washington (the greatest president of all time) said this about the party system. 

"It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another."

Read more: George Washington's views on political parties in America | Washington Times Communities 
-Justin

weekend

Football
Well, the Kansas City Chiefs lost on Thursday night... But, we were able to enjoy some delicious spinach dip and drinks during the downfall, so it was an ok night.

Notre Dame won! We aren't exceptionally devoted fans, but I've enjoyed following the games... Especially the home games! I get to see our hometown, where our friends and family are tail-gaiting and working concessions and sometimes even sitting in the stands cheering along! Like tonight... Oasis Granger was having an autumn party at my mom and dad's house... But, I knew that I was watching the same football game my friends were watching at my family's house. And that makes me a bit less homesick.
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This weekend.
This weekend has been very nice. Friday, Justin and I went to see Flight which stars Denzel Washington. I really enjoyed the movie. It deals pretty openly with the idea of personal responsibility, but I also thought it was a realistic depiction of the "battle" in different sides of the religious spectrum on the idea of predestination vs free will. One of my favorite lines was when a lawyer, played by Don Cheadle, explains how he's going to argue an insurance claim concerning a catastrophe as an "act of God". Denzel's character responds, "What kind of God would do this?" When I heard that, I wanted to stand up and clap. I refrained. But really, and this has been a recurring thought for the past week or so, God is not a convict.

Today, we went out to downtown Miami for the Red Bull Flugtag. It was pretty great. REALLY hot, and tons of ridiculous flying machines! But, in all, a good experience. One of my favorite parts of the day wasn't even at the pier. It was at New York Bagel Deli, where we had lunch! We kinda stumbled across this shop and their price was right so, we asked the two guys behind the counter what their favorites were, since we'd never been there before. And little did we know, we got a couple Chatty Cathys at the end of the shift! We talked about food, and sports, and school, and Indiana and TV shows and just about everything in-between in the few minutes it took them to whip up our (absolutely DELICIOUS) bagel sandwiches! They were really great and totally made the experience! I love coming in contact with people who are working in what probably isn't their dream job, but have the amazing attitude to positively impact your day. These guys were definitely in that category.
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This upcoming week...
Tomorrow is Sunday! When a friend asked about my plans for this weekend, I outlined the above, then stated, Sundays are for Jesus and touchdowns. And, tomorrow, laundry. But, Monday, we're planning on visiting our lovely friend Becky who is vacationing in Daytona, then heading up to St. Augustine to spend time with our awesome friend, Ray!

We'll be home for sure on Tuesday, when I look forward to settling in for a long night of election coverage. Justin and I both voted absentee earlier this month. And honestly, it was SO easy. Obviously, it was necessary for us, since we're in Miami, but I think we're gonna vote absentee from here on out! We got the ballots in the mail, had time to look over the candidate and legislature options, read up on what they stood for or would change, filled in the ovals, and sent it in! Bam. Voted. Reminder: you need to vote Tuesday!

The rest of the week will probably just be spent cleaning up the apartment and trying to plan our trip home! We might visit another church plant in Miami with the pastors of Oasis Miami, to consider them to be friends with! The church meets every other Thursday night in a nightclub! Very cool.
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Updates
-Justin and I have finished the TV series Friday Night Lights. It was wonderful. I highly recommend it. All 5 seasons are on Netflix InstantPlay.
-Want an interesting political documentary to watch? Check out Media Malpractice: How Obama Got Elected and Palin Was Targeted. Its by a Libertarian who has only ever financially supported Democrats, so I consider it a fairly unbiased piece. I REALLY enjoyed it!
-My brother might be driving down here in a couple of weeks! I'm really excited thinking about this!
-I'm considering growing out my bangs... I'm not sure yet.
-I'm definitely ready to come home.

Game Day!

The Chiefs play tonight on Thursday Night Football. At this point, I want them to lose the rest of their games so they can get a high draft pick and get a good QB. Anyway, I will still be cheering for them to win. So many conflicting feelings.....

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We have had some really great meetings about Oasis Miami Church recently. Church planting is hard and takes a lot of effort. I think we are moving in the direction that will benefit the church best. We are making some connections and growing our online audience. We are also going to scout a new location soon as the church moves closer to Miami proper.

I have a meeting tonight with the Oasis Granger teaching staff to make our teaching calendar for the  next year. I am super excited to get home and be plugged in with everyone again. I miss everyone very much. So does Brit.

Thought for the Day
There was a terrible story on the local news the other day. A man some how lost control of his car (he is thought to have been under the influence and didn't have a valid driver's license) and hit a bus stop waiting area. He killed one of the people and injured others.

They interviewed a family member of the person who died and they had this to say, "It was God's will for my brother to die and it will be God's will for the person who caused it to be brought to justice."

I understand wanting to find meaning in all of this and a purpose. But the statement made is one many people make in many situations and it is ridiculous.

THINK ABOUT IT!

If it is God's will that this happened, then the driver is not actually at fault, GOD IS! Why should the person be punished for his mistakes? But the truth is God didn't cause this person to make mistakes. So It was not God's will.

We have to stop saying that everything is God's will.

One Month Left!

We will be home in about a month. This trip has been strange but good. I know a month is a while yet but it is nice to think about.

Anyway, I heard this song recently and it reminded me of the "prodigal son" story from the Bible.

Here Comes Sandy!

Hurricane Sandy is off the coast a ways. It has been windy and rainy but I don't think there will be any need for concern at this point. I would be concerned for the north east coast though. It is projecting to hit them a bit harder and longer.

Anyway, I just wanted to give an update.

Church
We are headed up to Oasis Tampa this weekend. We are getting in Friday night and will leave Sunday night. Lucas is flying down to Tampa to spend times with us and all the Florida pastors. I will be doing the music this Sunday again. I made a track for the Hillsong United song called "Love Enough". I like it.
Anyway, it will be really good to see Lucas. Brit and I miss home quite a bit and this will tide us over for the next month.

Football
My fantasy teams have both been bad. And my real life team has been bad. It is a bad year for me.
*Sigh*
The optimist in me comes out though. The Chiefs could finish the season at 11-5 if they get it together. That would most certainly be good enough for a playoff birth. Very unlikely that it will happen but I wooonnnnnnttt stop beeliiieeeevvvinng!

Knitting
Brittany has been knitting like a mad man. Her hands seem robotic at times. It makes me feel like I should learn how to knit and join her.

Thought for tonight
Holiness and righteousness are two different things. They are not the same. You cannot interchange them. Righteousness means right standing (a simple definition) and is talking about actions (we now have a righteousness that comes through faith). Holiness has to mean something else or the Bible is just redundant. “Holiness means wholeness. To say that “God is holy” is to refer to the wholeness, fullness, beauty, and abundant life that overflows within the Godhead. God lacks nothing. He is unbroken, undamaged, unfallen, completely complete and entire within Himself. He is the indivisible One, wholly self-sufficient, and the picture of perfection. Holiness is not one aspect of God’s character; it is the whole package in glorious unity.” (Paul Ellis - The Gospel in Ten Words)
When God says that you are holy or to be (to be is different than to "do") holy, we need to think a different way. God has made us righteous and holy but let's understand the difference between the two. 

good morning!

Hello, friends!
I've been up since a bit after 5 this morning, which has given me the motivation (i.e., I have already done everything there is to do...) to write another blog post.
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Last weekend was great! On Friday night, we went up to Boca Raton (where Monday's Presidential Debate will be held!) to hang out with the ever-fabulous Joanna Beasley! She was hanging out on tour with Britt Nicole (featuring Group 1 Crew and Royal Tailor) for the Florida shows and invited us to come spend some time with her. It was really great! Jo is a very dear friend to us, and having someone from home be here and take time to see us meant a lot to us.
Then on Saturday, we booked it out to Tampa! We crossed the Tampa Bay on an incredible bridge, aptly named the Sunshine Skyway, and meandered our way to Land O' Lakes, where the pastors of Oasis Tampa live. They invited us into their home, fed us steak (as you all know, a good steak goes a long way towards us loving you forever...) and generally just spent time with us. It was great! We discussed some church logistics and such, as we are in Florida for "business"... But, there was college football on and lots of just goofing around. It was great.
Sunday morning, we went to Oasis Tampa for a service. The facility they have is awesome and fits their demographic as a church really well. Justin let worship and we were able to get to know the congregation a bit before we headed out to the football game!
The game itself was fun, because we were in the 3rd row, nearly in the center of the end-zone. Prime seats! You could practically smell the turf! However, the Chiefs, headed up by none other than Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, lost miserably. There were a few KC fans around us, and the Bucs fans were pretty cool and not nearly as drunk and pissed off as the Colts fans we sat next to last year were... However, that fine afternoon in Tampa was disgustingly hot with little cloud cover or breeze... So, we pretty much baked. We both have pretty gross-looking farmer's tans and our sunburnt noses are just now starting to look completely normal again. Regardless, an NFL game is always a fun experience.
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This weekend, nothing big on the schedule. Justin and I have been watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix, so we'll probably watch a couple episodes of that. The Chiefs have a bye-week, so I don't have to worry about them losing and Justin getting all (more) sad. We'll have a meeting with Oasis Miami tomorrow and of course, service on Sunday. And thats about it!
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:)

Justin and I are arranging our fantasy football rosters for the week and listening to potential artists/albums to be added to Justin's iTunes. Some of the songs previews require dancing along. Dancing involves mainly moving our heads and shoulders as we sit next to each other.
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I'm still homesick.
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This weekend, we head out to Tampa! We will be visiting Oasis Tampa and also going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers/Kansas City Chiefs football game. Justin is really excited. I am almost excited. I am slowly learning to enjoy football, something I never thought was an option for me. But, I've come to the thought that my marriage is much more pleasant if we both compromise a bit on such things. I tag along to NFL games (which are actually pretty awesome) and sports bars to catch games over a pile of loaded fries. And Justin doesn't complain as I subject him to the endless array of fairly pointless documentaries and crime dramas on Netflix InstantPlay. It makes it much easier to then, on a quiet night, sit next to each other on the couch and fake-dance while listening to iTunes previews.

This Week!

This week we have plenty to do! I am preparing some tracks for this weekend. Brit and I will be visiting Oasis Tampa and doing church with them. We will use the tracks I am making for the worship portion. They are electronic sounding, so we are going to have a good time.

After church, we will head to the Chiefs vs. Bucs game. Chiefs lost this Sunday but we finally saw the defense come together. There were questionable calls from the refs in the game that went against the Chiefs but I am not worried about that. They have the formula to win and I believe they will do it!

Anyway, it's gonna be a good week.

It's Sunny Today

I always forget what salt water tastes like until it hits me in the face. I think I got a little bit up my nose today. It wasn't a pleasant sensation but it was nice to get some sun.

Fantasy Football
I was let down this week. My team should have won but I fell short. 40 points short. Sad. I am working the waiver wire hard because I have some bi-weeks coming up. I have great starters but my bench is weak. Right now I feel like a bad general manager/head coach. (Kind of like the Chiefs right now!)

Winn Dixie
We have discovered that the Winn Dixie down her is much better than the Publix. The specific one we go to has a BBQ bar. It is full of delicious, hot items. I wish Martin's would get something like this. It really tastes better than anything Martin's has.

I need to work on some music tracks.

I'm hungry

Filet Mignon sounds really good right now. Brit and I were talking about the book of Philemon (in the Bible) and different ways to pronounce it. "Filet Mignon" came out of my mouth and my stomach instantly wanted food. Here I am trying to read the Bible and "my spirit is willing but my body is weak."

Football
The Chiefs play the Chargers tomorrow. They play the Chargers twice a season. Last year, the Chiefs lost of the road to them 20-17 but beat them at home 23-20. Obviously, both were close games decided by three points. I think the Chiefs take this one at home 17-13 with a big defensive stop at the end.

I know....I'm a Chiefs homer. I don't care. This was one of the games I did think they would win based off of home these teams play each other. Next week, the Chiefs play the Ravens. I am not so sure about  that game.

Church
We have been running Facebook adds to promote Oasis Miami Church and have had some success. This Sunday we will see if any body new shows up. We have had 14 new likes on the page from people reached by the adds. Our goal is to find people who love the message of grace and want to help build a community. We want Joyner and Ruth to be surrounded by people who are like minded so that they can build a solid team.

I need food now.

Friday

I got my absentee ballot filled out this week. For some reason Brit hasn't received hers. I really just want the election to be over.

Church
I will be teaching this Sunday during the English service. It has been over a month since I taught last and I am excited.

Music 
We went to a concert on Friday night and I saw some of my favorite bands play. I was able to get Sun Airway's new album before it was released! It is pretty good. I love the way it sounds. There is something very calming about it.

Food
Brit wants some Thai food.

Brit again!

Hello!
It's been a few days since our last update, so I decided I should contribute something...
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Today, we're headed to Miami Beach-ish area for the concert Justin mentioned previously. I'm really excited, because I can't really tell you the last time I went to a proper show. I'm afraid it might have been on Copeland's farewell tour. Great show.
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I've never been the most avid chef, but I do miss cooking quite a bit. There is only so much you can make with a skillet and a George Foreman grill. I'm going to buy a saucepan soon, so I can make some pasta. Pasta was one of my main food groups at home. Quick, easy, and you can make it as simple or fancy as you like. I would love a bowl of my homemade mac and cheese right now. But alas, no pots to cook it in. Side note: I will also need a colander.
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I start my job tomorrow! I was thinking about it... And exactly one month after my last day at Horizon, I secured another job. How crazy is that. Anyway. I'm really excited to have some "purpose"... I mean, we've been able to do a lot of research and brain storming since we've been here, but to actually have a defined reason to get out and go somewhere will be great. I just have to be careful not to buy everything. That will be the difficult part.
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This morning, I watched the North American Grace Conference live stream. Last year, I was there from 7am-10pm every day. This year, I'll have to be content watching the services online. Even though it makes me a bit homesick, I enjoy seeing our home church, and listening to familiar pastors speak, though my work schedule tomorrow means I have to miss some favorites like Paul Donnan and Scott Hayes, but I know they'll be amazing, and that Justin will probably end up editing a lot of the service recording anyway, so I'll be able to hear them eventual. If you're interested in watching the services, go to live.oasisgranger.com and they'll be airing from 9a-4p everyday, I believe... This is also where Oasis Granger streams their Sunday morning services at 11EST! Yeh, you should check them out.
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So, I am using my hot roll curlers for the first time since w've been in Miami. At home, I heat them up, put them in, and wear them till they cool (a cooled, room-temperature hair shaft/cuticle secures the curl longer than a heated hair shaft/cuticle! The main reason I prefer hot rollers to a curling iron for the most part), and take them out... Well... they aren't getting cool. Ha! I think I might sit in front of our air-con unit and "ice" them a bit before I take them out... I'm curious to find out how well these work for me here... Most of my friends from home that I hot roll my hair at least once a week. So far, I haven't had a reason to here... But with the show and work coming up on the schedule, I thought it'd be fun to try for today.
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We've been here for almost an entire month. This is insane for me to think about.

This Coming Week

This week is the North American Grace Conference in South Bend, IN. We will not be able to go this year because of our current Florida residency and work situation but we are not alarmed or dismayed. We know our friends will have a great time this year with out us and we look forward to being home with them.

Music
Since we will be here in Miami and not in Indiana, we are going to go to a concert this Wednesday night. The headlining act is M83. I really love their music. It is very creative and really takes you on a journey. I have been listening to their latest album quite a bit lately.

Should be a great show. 

Church

This week we will be leading worship for the first time. Here is the set list:

One Way

Your Love Never Fails

Mighty To Save

Came To My Rescue

I know they are all kind of old but we need to build a little familiarity before we can introduce too many new songs. Plus, everything will be acoustic. It has to be simple. 

Anyway, I can't decide if I should watch any college football today or not.

tired

Last night, the pastor's family threw a little birthday party for Justin. It was very sweet of them, and we had a good time. we had a sort of jambalaya-ish/fried rice-esque dish and ice cream cake. Ice cream cake is never a bad idea.

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As Justin mentioned earlier, I have a job. This first job in which nepotism carried no role. Pretty exciting for me. I start training on the cutting table at Joann Fabrics on Thursday. It won't be much money, but I'm sure the opportunity to get out of our tiny apartment and interact with people will be worth it!

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We saw a movie yesterday called End Of Watch. It was REALLY intense, but pretty good. It, like Lawless (which we saw our first week here), would go from deep emotions, to jovial conversations that made you laugh, to violence in seconds. Obviously, the violence wasn't quite my cup of tea... But, it made for a connective movie watching experience.

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I brought a limited amount of yarn with me, and I'm trying to use it all up before I buy more (with my Joann employee discount!). If you ever want me to become uninterested in knitting tell me to knit in purple. And what is one of the colors I brought with me? Purple.

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Thats really all I have for today.

Birthday

It is my birthday. I honestly forgot about it. Brit is excited that she gets to be home for her birthday in December. I expect to have an extra special Christmas since I am not home to receive gifts from everyone. Jk.

We went to the beach today and relaxed. What else do you do at the beach? I think I enjoy to beach much more being five minutes away. Back home we have to drive 40+ minutes to get anywhere and if you have to drive that long, you are going to stay for a while. Down here we can stay for under two hours and get home quickly and shower. It's nice.

We are closing in on being 1/3 done with our trip down here. It seems like we have so much longer to be down here but honestly it is going really quickly. Some days are longer than others.

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Music 
Please check out my new music to download for free at http://superbombmusic.bandcamp.com
I had a lot of fun making it. I hope you enjoy it.


-Justin

Hero of the Day

Brit wins the hero of the day award because she got a job! She will be working at Joann Fabrics starting next Thursday. She is a champ! No luck for me yet. I have applied at several more places.

It is super rainy here on and off. Right when I want to go to the beach, it starts pouring.

Church
We are doing a fundraiser and outreach this weekend for Oasis Miami Church. We will hopefully meet some new people and and promote the church.


Anyway, that's all.

the cat with the tiny face.

I've been really homesick lately... But, I'm dealing with it... 

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In other news, I've really been feeling spiritually riled up about creativity again. I think its mostly because here in Miami, away from all of my supplies and a lot of my creations, I feel a bit creatively stifled. And I've been reminded of just how creative I am, whether I like it or not. And what that really means to me.

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Mom decided to homeschool us kids, which gave her the opportunity to enroll us in every lesson possible: Piano, Violin, Saxophone, Voice and/or Choir, Visual Art, Horseback Riding, Guitar, Drums, Gymnastics (I recently realized I had repressed memories from Gymnastics lessons, having completely forgotten I had even taken them. I was so bad), Sewing, Spanish, Quilting, and Creative Writing are most of them, though I'm sure I've forgotten some. My least favorite of these was probably Visual Art. The only redeeming factor was that my best friend was in my class. But, so was my little sister, Courtney. Courtney was, and is, an incredible artist; She is truly a left-handed creative to her core! Sure, I could sing, sew and ride better than her, and our creative writing teacher's children picked my children's book as their favorite, but oh! If only I could draw, shade and paint like her! We were both the epitome of little girls, drawing mainly flowers, horses (me) and cats (Courtney). I had books and books of wonky roses and horses with apostrophes for nostrils or banana-shaped ears. Courtney only had pages of life-like petals and perfectly conjured cats. Kittens with long fluffy tails, eyes sparkling. These paintings were the bane of my existence some days. Looking back, Court applied herself WAY more than I did, but in the moment, I felt like I was trying JUST as hard, and my art STILL didn't look like hers!

Flash forward to a year or two ago. Courtney and I are hanging out in our parents basement and we start focusing on a painting of a cat that is hanging on the wall:

It, like at least 5 other paintings hanging in our parents house, was painted by Courtney. But for some reason, probably 10 years after this painting was done, we realize how bad it was... I mean, it looks like a white cat, which is what it's supposed to be. But its FACE! It's SO TINY!!! And I think Court and I laughed for like, 30 minutes about how funny the cat with the tiny face was. When I texted her to get a picture of it for this post, I started laughing all over again.

But anyway, my point here is that this funny-looking cat painting is FRAMED, hanging in my parents house. My mom didn't see that it was funny looking. She may have seen how much the 4 art lessons it took to complete cost. But what I know she saw was her daughter. And when she saw that, she swelled with pride. "That's my baby's painting!" That's why parents hang their toddler's scribbles on the fridge, isn't it? It's not because its the most accurate depiction of whatever the toddler was attempting to draw. Its not because the doodle is a symbol of how much the toddler loves and appreciates their parent, or how hard their child works to be the best son or daughter they can be. Parents hang those clumsy drawings on their fridge because they love their child. Their child might not be a toddler... Maybe they're 10, and incredibly self-concscious about their art, like I was. My mom never hung any of my pictures, probably because she knew I wouldn't be able to handle being compared to Courtney so blatantly by everyone, and most importantly myself. Well, and Court was such a little ham when she was a kid. But, you bet she still has all of my disproportionate horse paintings all in order in the basement. Because she loves me. Because as many flaws as I see in them, she only sees me.

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In the end, I've stopped trying to be holy. I've stopped trying to be righteous. I've stopped trying to be everything except the person I feel myself being drawn to become. I asked God to mold me into His likeness, expecting songs glorifying Him to be written from my heart, paintings showing His wonder to be painted by my hands, my knitting and sewing to connect me with people who need to know the love I live in, my heart to be more broken to the broken. But instead of looking more perfect in His sight in the sight of others, I've only found myself to be more creative. Because I am made in the image of the Creator. To be more like Him is to encompass his passion for creating and recreating anew. I've stopped trying to make my creativity to comply with how I think God wants me to use it for Him. I've just become more creative. So creative  that I can't explain how it points to Him. It doesn't blatantly point to Him. There are no crosses or fish in my works. I don't have any scriptures that have inspired amazing pieces. I just work from my soul and spirit. Everything I do, not because I love Him, but because I am loved by Him. I no longer struggle (as much) with the haunting imperfections I see in my work. I no longer wallow in self-pity when I have a bad show, or sale, or piece. I no longer let a big commission or a flawless prototype be the highlight of my year. I am no longer an artist. I am a child. He sees me and my creative heart and says, "There she is! Look at her! That's my baby girl!" And He hangs my tiny-faced cats on His fridge.

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Suggested reading for everyone? Pursuing Christ. Creating Art: Exploring Life at the Intersection of Faith and Creativity by Gary A. Molander

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**side-note: If you read this and feel left out, because you aren't a creative... I'm pretty sure you actually are a creative and just don't recognize it in yourself yet. Maybe its because you've been hurt because of it, maybes its because you don't think it fits the conventional idea of creativity. But, if you have a brain, you probably have some creativity floating around in there... Explore that.

There is nothing on TV

Brit and I are going to be meeting up with Joyner and Ruth for our second official Oasis Miami Church meeting. We are going to be chatting about several topics this week. Then we are going to hang out in the South Beach area. It is a crazy area but really cool to see.

We found a new restaurant to go to that has NFL Sunday Ticket that isn't too far from our apartment. It is like a really big Beef O'Brady's with better TV's. So I will be watching the Chiefs game there tomorrow afternoon.

I got tickets for the Chiefs vs. Bucs game on Oct 14th. I am so excited. I will be in the 3rd row in the end zone.

Thought of the Day
Don't project your circumstances into scripture to justify them. Jesus came to give life and that life is revitalizing, powerful, and abundant. It is a misuse of the Bible to say that you are sick because God wants you to be but then say that God wants you to be Christ-like. Jesus was never sick until he bore all sickness and sin on the cross for us.

Trials and testing in the Bible are not inflicted by God but they do give us an opportunity to trust God to do what He says he does. God is true, not your problems.


-Justin

Red Friday (again)

It is Red Friday for all of us Chiefs fans. It means you support the Chiefs by wearing red and stuff. Unfortunately, I don't actually own very many red articles of clothing and I drastically cut my wardrobe down for a stay in Miami so that we could travel lightly. Since we are in South Florida all that can be found is Dolphin jerseys. It looks like I will be redless for a while. But like a relationship with Christ, it is not about externals but rather the heart and I cheer for them with all my heart.

Fantasy Football
I started Jay Cutler in one of my fantasy leagues. Bad idea. He threw four interceptions. I got a total of points from him (he was projected to have 20). Also, Matt Forte was injured in the game. He could be out a couple weeks. He was one of my top draft picks. *sigh*
But my kicker got me 14 points last night. So, it could spring me to a week two victory!

Jobs
I am still jobless but I still have hope. I applied at six places and I know I am capable of doing any job that they might have me. So, I just need one call back and I will be ok. If I don't here anything soon (today) I am going to find more places to apply.

Music
I am loving the new Paper Route album. It is so catchy. You should look into it. My favorites right now from the album are "Letting You Let Go" and "Two Hearts". It has the potential to blow up the charts.

Church
Brit and I are going to start taking a role in being active during the services at Oasis Miami Church this Sunday. We will help out doing some of the tech stuff for the Spanish service and then do live worship for the English service. I am excited to be helping out again.

-Justin

grocery stores and sock buns

Folks!

Well, I'm glad to say our second week here has been going by much faster than the first, for me at least. Its still really hard being away from everyone, and not living on a set schedule (which is VITAL to me, but not vital enough to self-discipline...?). But, I really am enjoying this whole experience thus far.

I had a job interview on Tuesday at Joann Fabric and Craft Stores which I think went pretty well. I have to clear a background check (Ha! How many of these did I run for Horizon Transport applicants?!), which I'm confident won't be an issue, then hopefully, I get a second interview. What I lack in cash register and actual retail experience, I hope to make up with in experience behind the sewing machine. And with a paintbrush in my hands. And completely buried in yarn. And with my fingers hot-glued together. I mean, that's almost better than formal experience, right?

I finally found a Publix Grocery Store that I like! I was about to curse all my southern friends who were telling me how amazing Publix is and how I won't even miss Martin's or Meijer... Well, our nearest Publix is like a 2nd world country. Last time I went there, I cried. All I wanted was a Martin's muffin for my misery. But just a couple miles down the road is a lovely Publix grocery store that I really like. AND they had Honeycrisp apples today! Yay! I bought three and had one for dinner because their so huge and delicious. Yummo!

So, ready for pictures of my hair?!

This is from yesterday, since, I wrote this post last night. But, my hair was few days in from its last wash, and I knew the forecast was quite hot (what else is new?), so I decided to put it in a sock bun (video tutorial HERE!) to get it out of my face while we traveled around Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and Miramar (the suburbs the church is closest too) putting up fliers for Oasis Miami!

(side note: I bought my first proper backpack! Being home-schooled was kinda lame on the backpack front. I can haul SO MUCH STUFF in it! In this picture, it has my lappy, my NEW notebook [with mostly Oasis Miami ideas and notes in it], my old notebook [with sermon notes for the past year +], my purse, some knitting [of course], quarters for laundry, fliers for Oasis Miami and a small bag of chips from Jimmy Johns. Also, I'm so excited about having a backpack.)

(this was just as I'm writing this post... End of the day...)

And I just took it out so you guys can see not only how BIG my hair REALLY gets, but to see the awesomeness that is the sock bun.

Yay!

(this is way frizzy and big, but again, its a bit dirty and full of random products from the past couple of days...)

I love using the sock bun, because its quick, its easy, and it can do day-to-night if need be (i.e., if you actually have that chance... Unlike me). A few notes on how I do the sock bun:

-I actually use the end of a pair of full-length leggings that I chopped off because I wanted capri-length leggings. I then sewed the legging a bit thinner because my hair isn't as long as it REALLLLLY need to be to do this... I've heard that a toddler sock will also work in that idea.

-I wear mine really high, but you can wear them anywhere on your head! I've done a low side sock bun when my hair was a couple of inches longer. Super cute, but keep in mind that your curls will be lop-sided when you take it out!

-You can't see it in the pictures, but when I was out and about today, I pinned a little pink felt bow just beneath it in the back to keep the frizzies pinned up and to be adorable.

Anyway, that's my post! As always, I appreciate you all for loving on us and supporting us while we're here!

Wednesday

Hola, 

I spent some time at a local cafe. I think the owner was expecting me to know Spanish. I don't. I enjoyed the coffee very much. I will go back. 

Brit is printing some flyers that we made up to hang at some local places. I really like them. They are simple but striking. We have about five different ones that look the same but have some different phrases. We think we know so much about advertising. Brit watches Mad Men and I took a class on it a couple years ago. That's all you need right?

Anyway, one of my favorite bands, Paper Route, came out with a new album yesterday. It's awesome. The only way I can describe it is "cool music." There is a little bit of rock, electronic, pop, 80's, and prettiness in it. It's just a good combination. You should check it out. 

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Thought for the day

The Bible says that Jesus has the name that is above all names. But what is that name? I traditionally thought that it was "Jesus" or the Hebrew name that we derive Jesus from. Or perhaps a variation of one of God's names given in the Old Testament. That would make sense, right? Well, I have a different perspective on it now.

So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say,“You are my Son, today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” (Hebrews 1:4-5)

The title He inherited was "Beloved Son". What is more precious and honorable than that? Think about it. With your parents, what is more intimate, calling your  father "Dad" or calling him by his first name? Or which is more important to you, having a name that they gave you or knowing that you are their favorite child?

Having the title of "Son" raises your value far above anything else. And that is why the scripture makes the point of spelling out the fact that God recognizes Jesus as His very own Son. But with that in mind, chew on this for a second:

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:6-7)

Yea. 

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-Justin

Week Two

We are into our second week here. It's been hard being away from home but we hope that getting into a routine will help us be productive and move the time along.

Football
I had a rough weekend. I lost in both of my fantasy league and the Chiefs lost. It didn't help that they were missing five defensive starters but I know they will bounce back. As far as fantasy football goes, I am not sure what adjustments I should make.

Jobs
Brit had an interview today and it went well. She has to do a couple more things to move the process along but we are hopeful! We also figured out another store in the area is hiring, so we will look into that.

Church
We went to our first service at Oasis Miami Church. We had a good time. Some new people (other than us) were there. They are going to be living in the hotel that we meet in for the next six months as they are in town for business. They were so happy to find a church meeting in the very building they are staying in.


We need to do laundry.

-Justin

From the desk of B...

Friends!

Justin is the only one to have written here so far, but I was the one who said we needed a blog, so here I am!

We've been gone for a week now, which is kind of crazy to say. A week ago, we were packed SNUGGLY in our little Mazda hatchback, hurdling south! Now, we're mostly settled into our little studio, though we still make daily trips to Target as we discover yet ANOTHER thing we neither packed nor bought on the LAST trip to Target... I think the cashiers there are getting as familiar to us as the baristas at our local Starbucks. Justin and I have made a little game of our trips to Target. A bit of The Price Is Right!, if you will; We both estimate the final cost of our cart-full of odd-and-ends and whoever guess closest without going over wins! Our current score is 2-1 with Justin in the lead... I think I just got too confident... Or, he started paying attention to price tags...

This afternoon, we'll have our first official meeting with Joyner and Ruth! We've hung out with them a couple times since we've been here (including a pretty passive game of  Monopoly, but that will be different next time), but this will be our first time to really see what they need from us and what we, as Oasnet "ambassadors", are looking to set-up, implement, or establish to help them administratively/executively be as effective as possible. I've spent most of my time here either being homesick or throwing myself into lists and ideas and all sorts of Oasis Miami propaganda, so it will be good to have some direction from them, as well as solidify our positions down here.

In other news, I am no longer allowed to go into office goods stores. All I needed was flyer paper, but I spent at least 15 minutes in there after finding it, looking at pens and post-its and planners. It was amazing. I walked out, having only bought the paper I needed, after complimenting the check-out girl's choice of nail color. One of my favorites: Tart Deco by Essie.

Speaking of beauty, my hair is HUGE here! It's literally soaking up all the humidity and storing it in the curls. I'm getting these baby curls that just hide under my bangs and man-catchers. They're really cute. I tried straightening my hair on... Tuesday? Yeh. Not gonna happen. It just got... Big. But thats ok. I've been rocking the curly, frizzy, messiness and braiding it when I can't handle it. 

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I have no spiritual insight, like Justin does, but that's ok. It will be his thing. I will just talk about hair and make-up instead.

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Thank you allllll for your support and love and emails and texts and phone calls and everything. We appreciate it so much. It has been really hard being away from home, but knowing that you all are for us, cheering us on is really amazing.

Love!

-B.

Red Friday!

Football
It's Red Friday! You will know what that means if you are a Chiefs fan. If you aren't, it's ok, Jesus still loves you.

Tonight, I will draft my second NFL fantasy team. The league includes John Breslin, Kenny Prawat, Jordan Orick, Brian Piechocki, Brittany Prawat, and me...of course. I think I have a solid draft strategy. I am not going to help Brit with this draft. I have given her enough knowledge to succeed. She is taking the step from apprentice to master (see Star Wars for full understanding of this concept).

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Church
We will be working on promoting Oasis Miami today. We have been brainstorming like crazy and have some pretty good ideas that we are going to begin to implement. We are having our first official team meeting with Joyner and Ruth (Oasis Miami pastors) tomorrow. We have hung out a couple times before but now we are getting down to business.

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Work
We are still job searching and applying for jobs. We have had a little success. We know we will find something and are confident that Jesus will make it happen. Right now, we are setting up office at our local starbucks (just two blocks away). I think they are starting to recognize us as we have been here everyday for the last five days.

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Thought For Today
God is only pleased by faith. You may have heard that before. But what I want to focus on today is where faith comes from. "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Rom 10:17)

What is the word about Christ? Is it the same as the Word of God? No, actually it isn't. My faith isn't gained by hearing someone read 1st and 2nd Chronicles or Job. My faith came when I heard the message of or about Jesus. The message of Jesus is the forgiveness of sins, the cancelation of a debt, a reconciled family, and an undoubted acceptance. 

This message builds faith. So if you want your faith to be active, return to the Gospel of Grace daily.

-Justin

New People, Places, and Things

We made it! For those of you who have been following a journey, we are here in South Florida. We set up shop in Hollywood, which is just north of Miami and just five minutes from the beach. We have been adjusting at an appropriate pace. We arrived Sunday evening, we made our apartment livable on Monday, and we started looking for jobs on Tuesday. 

(Walk by the beach...obviously...)

So we are half way through our first week of our (temporary) new lives. Here are a few observations:

• We both feel like we are in a different country
• Martin's Supermarket is better than Publix
• Our apartment is very small
• We only have three tv channels in English
• We really don't know anyone 
• We don't yet have jobs

On the other hand:

• The area is so easy to navigate as it is set up for tourists
• There is a lot of good food we can't wait to try
• There are a ton of cute little lizards running around
• We get internet at our place on Monday
• the NFL season starts tonight and one of our English channels will have the game
• Brit and I are both in Fantasy Football leagues
• Ocean air is nice
• Lots of palm trees
• There are tons of places at which we can apply (and have applied) for jobs
• I have been wearing shorts more

(Brit's Fantasy Football Roster)

Anyway, our goal while we are here is to support Oasis Miami. It is going to be a lot of work but is going to be worth it. We both miss home quite a bit but know that this is only temporary. We are so grateful for all of the friends and family we have that have supported us in this. We know it is just as hard for you for us to be away as it is for us and we thank you for allowing us to be apart from you for just a short amount of time. 

Please pray for us as we continue on. We need strength and courage to be effective in the crazy city. 

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Now, friends, I want to leave you with some thoughts that I have had recently.

Just the other week, I went to my little brother's first football camp. He is in 4th grade and is really excited to learn all there is to know about football. He wants to be a running back or wide receiver. 

(Jeremy learning proper blocking techniques)

Well, during one of the drills he was learning how to run proper wide receiver routes. He messed one up and started feeling really bad when the coach corrected him. Now, in my eyes, the coach wasn't mean or even angry with Jeremy. He simply corrected him and encouraged him. Jeremy, however was nearly in tears, so I pulled him to the side and told him, "Your coach isn't mad at you. He isn't trying to punish you. He is just showing you the proper way to do things because he knows that you have talent and wants you to be the best that you can be. He is on your team and wants you to succeed."

Of course it took Jeremy a few minutes to calm down a bit but he listened to me. He got back to the front of the line to run the route again. He ran it perfectly and even caught the ball (pretty good for a 4th grader).

What do I want to say in all of this? We I think there are so obvious observations about God in their. I think there are two ways to look at God. One way is through the Law (10 commandments), which brings about judgement. God would say, "The Lord your God says...!" and prophets would say, "Thus sayeth the Lord!"

But then there is Jesus, who brought about the New Way of Grace. The Bible says that we have received the same spirit of sonship that Jesus has. So, as a Father to us God does not say, "The Lord your God says!" anymore. He treats us as the kids that we are. His kids. Like a good coach, He is drawing the best out of us (which is actually just His ability working through us). He does discipline us but it is through His Spirit by which he encourages us. There is no more punishment because the punishment that brought us peace was placed on Christ. Now we have God as "the Father of our spirits." Thus our discipline is not birthed from our physical circumstance, it is birthed in our hearts.

God does not cause bad things to happen to discipline us. Rather He shows us how to live by the power of Grace to overcome the bad that this world has to offer. 

Stay encouraged, friends. God speaks gently to His kids. Do not be afraid to love those who are not loved or don't deserve to be loved. Don't be afraid to welcome those who others will not welcome. Because it is the sick who need a doctor not the "healthy". 

-Justin