BRD is 29

A few glimpses of Brett's 29th birthday at the Portage.

Brett has a freakishly long eyebrow hair.

My mom sent a package from CA which arrived today!
Norah fits perfectly in the box.

Brett's breakfast burrito.

Norah

Reagan

putting up lights in below zero temps

voila!

the crowning present: a new band saw

birthday peppermint fudge

Mission Trip: Minneapolis

At the end of our four-day trip, our team of five filled out evaluation forms and wrote ourselves letters recounting what we experienced while it was still fresh on our minds. Two weeks later we were able to give our group report to our church body and share a slideshow of pictures. However, there are many more who supported us personally through prayer and giving who have not yet heard the story. Following is my brief attempt to recap our short-term mission trip to inner-city Minneapolis, Fri July 26th - Mon July 29th, Anno Domini 2013.

Our trip was a whirlwind and yet so full of grace. Not only did we deepen our relationship with the Lord and with each other, but we learned about some great mission opportunities and devoted disciples less than 75 miles from our front door here in Owatonna. We were all challenged in different ways and we were each given the opportunity to use our own gifts and talents.

Friday we helped with cleaning and maintenance projects at Akina Community Church, which is made up mostly of Ojibwe Native Americans. Saturday we met an InterFACE worker who was serving Nepali-Bhutanese refugees in her neighborhood, and we helped survey refugee families, learn about their needs, and provide resources for them and their children as they adjust to their new homes, jobs, and language. Friday and Saturday nights we participated in Street Level evangelism downtown and were able to share the gospel and engage in many conversations about Jesus. Sunday we taught children's Sunday school at Akina, went on prayer walks for Tibetan families, and sorted clothes and served a meal at the Marie Sandvik Center for homeless and needy. On Sunday night our amazing Bethany Global Team Leader, Alison G, introduced us to several people groups compiled in the book Operation China, and some missionaries and students she knew personally involved in reaching these locations. Monday we helped at the Salvation Army day camp where many of the kids spoke Spanish, doing gospel-oriented crafts and helping construct their VBS set. Throughout the trip we were able to eat several delicious ethnic meals, hear the testimonies of wonderful brothers and sisters, and mutually encourage one another.

You can view a few photos from our trip here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i68tzp8y7cd84wr/4nVWZjI_uP

I cannot help but love learning, especially about other cultures and people. I must confess the incredible glimpses of the Nepali/Bhutanese families--from the jovial grandfathers to the hospitable new mothers to precocious six year old Nischal--held me rapt and goaded me to petition God for Linda's work to be fruitful. I don't really have words to convey the beauty and receptivity that these people have. I'm just struck by it. I'm struck by the magnitude of diversity that exists in our world, and the magnanimity of Christ's people serving Him in the alleyways and front porches and living rooms, around the world and right here in Minnesota.

heat wave

Cicadas are in full swing and the tomatoes are ripening. We leave for Battle Lake (Viking Camp) tomorrow. It's finally summer, just in time to turn to fall ...AKA The Best Summer Ever. My mother sent me an apron kit for my birthday, and today I finally got around to sewing it together. Norah obligingly took my picture, then wanted to wear the apron her nana once gave her so we set the camera on the window sill. I messed up one of the pockets--actually just made it too small--but I may still add it, along with a few real buttons. Bring on baking weather!

365 til 30

Now has begun the final revolution of my twenties. I am incredibly excited! A lot because of how close we are coming to being debt free, which is such a huge orientation of my life now. Simply reflecting on the past five years is enough to give me pause: anything could happen in the decades to come. Greater grief and deeper joy. I'm not guaranteed another day, but I am still resolved to seize the moment every day that I am given, be it sweet or sorrowful, messy or marvelous. ordinary or extraordinary.

July 17th was abundantly blessed.

the lay of the laundry

Last Saturday we scored some sweet deals at a local city-wide garage sale, but I think the front loading washing machine will go down in the record books.

We thought we'd hit one last sale before leaving town, but as we meandered up the driveway the people having the sale began to box things up (good sign #1). I cut my finger looking through a box of picture frames, snagged a few vintage shoelaces, and dug a tall green mug out of the free box. Then Brett came up to me and pointed out a washing machine that I had barely even noticed, with a masking tape price tag that said $50. “What if we offer them $25?” Brett said under his breath (good sign #2).

I considered the idea. I'd always wanted a decent front loader. My machine at home worked perfect, I'd underpaid for it, so I could probably sell it for at least $50 and come out on top. What did we have to lose? (The Kicker: Nothing.)

the reason they practically gave it away

We drove home a few minutes later with our new maid/entertainment. We plugged it in and realized the door latch (striker) was broken, but Brett quickly ordered a replacement part for $7.50 + shipping. The piece came five days later, and we sat down to watch our steal of a deal in action.

I love my low-cost life. Wasting money/energy drives me nuts, superfluity baffles the heck out of me, dryer lint is dumb, technology tends to confuse me, the sun's rays and oxygen delight me, low utility bills mean more money for books, Laura Ingalls did it, there is so much gosh-darn S P A C E in this house for clotheslines when it rains, and the smell of summer breezes is basically heaven. Go jump in your piles of steamy, industrially-dried clothes; I'll take the sweet scent of fresh cut grass, backyard bonfires, juicy garden strawberries, and bare feet.

colorado = red

It's the First Day of Summer and our first day back from our trip to Colorado. In the car on the way home Norah sang "Mary had a little baby and Jesus was his name" to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb - and I had never before considered the implications of that song before! Brett really helped me brainstorm and process my story plot and we listed to some good music driving across the plains.

We saw some awesome sites, heard good teaching, tasted delicious food together, and shared tears and laughter with most of my siblings and my dad. Now to catch up on housekeeping.

Norah at Red Rock Amphitheater

the galley

THIS.

West Galley

Northeast Galley

Northwest Galley

Took two years and three months to achieve and still isn't finished. Note the south/sink is unpictured, but that's a whole 'nother story. I love the stories of this Portage! I like the beginnings and the endings and the middles. The ending are so especially meaningful after what came before them, though. Like the floor discovery a month after we moved in:

'neath leveler, plywood, and three layers of laminate lies shining hardwood like buried treasure

open

shut

Then there is the story of What To Do About Awkward Corners where the ancient brown refrigerator full of mold used to block the teeny tiny up high windows (see West Galley photo above). We tried a cupboard, but we needed a place for Kaya's kennel, so a card table covered her bed until the glorious day - last Saturday - that Brett built a counter to my exact specifications!

I have been waiting so long to write this post, and even though there is trim that still needs painting, floors refinishing, and the fridge (why does refrigerator not have a D but fridge does? why?! why?! why?!!) still seems far too big and bulky and always half empty besides, I am positively smitten with my little hub of homemaking.

Look how close I've come to my inspiration! Look what I want to turn the south/sink corner into! Look what you should get me for all the rest of the birthdays of my life!

People have been asking if we have any big summer projects, and I would totally love to get a functional garage door or sliding glass doors for the north porch transformation dream, but ya know what? I have a pretty kitchen galley, so I don't care about those other things. At least for today.