Hallstrom

Can I take a moment to shamelessly boast about my friends amazing music?

I know a lot of my readers already know (about) the Hallstrom's. We hold their babies, we worship together, some have grown up with them, we tell stories together, we have non-repeatable text conversations (Kate!), we support and encourage each other through life.

But for those of you who don't know of these beautiful people, you really should. The first time I heard their music, it was 7 years ago, in the fall. Tom & Kate had just gotten married, and gave out a mini-album as a wedding favor. I was hooked on their harmonies and words. Then their EP came out, under the name Novalis. The album is Strange Parade. Every.song.is.incredible. And it's on iTunes, so check them out! I can't decide of Johnstown Flood or Saints and Children is my favorite song.

Well, they are a family of Hallstrom's, so naturally they changed their name from Novalis to Hallstrom. Tom & Kate are the heart & soul of the band, but the thing I love is that it's a family gig. Tom's brothers and dad are band members and a huge reason for what they're doing. I love that - I think that's so rare.

They opened this weekend for Classic Crime and we heard a few of their new songs. I've said it before and I'll say it again: they need to be heard by many, many people. There is a message in what they write that reaches into a rich but imperfect past, and tells stories that give hope for now. The words make you think. It was inspiring and so, so fun. (The way Aaron double-fisted those chains was awesome. You'll hear it in their new song: Tallest Tree.)

So go check out their new music: HALLSTROM.

I even got a shirt.

Adventure isn't missing,

RK 

A First: The Kline Christmas Season

This last weekend we all went Christmas tree shopping. And here I am, surrounded by my closest friends, from left: Jeff, my husband; Jen, Connie & Christy. I just love these people. Thank you to Allen's Tree Farm for putting up with our loud laughter, questions about your babies and wives, looking at every.single.tree on the lot, and sticking around way too long and eating your candy canes. We like you, and we'll be back next year. 

It's our first tree. A Noble Fir.

Hot guy, stringing the lights.

They were so patient, waiting to be placed.

Makes me happy. So peaceful.

And here they are, ladies & gents.

Adventure isn't missing!

Merry Christmas,

Rose

How Deep the Father's Love, for me

Jeff & I are leading worship this Sunday, so I've been listening through our song set all week. This song is wrecking me! Ugh, tears. Tears at home, tears at work and tears everywhere in between. I'm aware that I'm a wretch. But may I be aware that He made me His treasure.

A Favorite Christmas Song

A teenage girl and her soon-to-be

A simple trip far as they could see

The sky was clear and the hour serene

But did they know what the night would bring

Lonely hearts strewn across the land

They've been waiting long for a healing hand

My heart was there and I felt the chill

When love came down and the earth stood still

Shepherds stirred under starry skies

Tasting grace that would change their lives

The angels trembled and the demons did too

They knew very well what pure grace would do

The hope of the world in a baby boy

I remember Him well like I was there that night

My heart was there and I felt the chill

When love came down and the earth stood still

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Any chance to smooch this guy, and I'm there. As of last night, there's mistletoe in our apartment, so now Jeff HAS to kiss me whenever I want, as long as I'm carrying around that twig. Isn't that the rule? Lucky me. Lucky him. What's the deal with mistletoe, anyway? Anyone know how that tradition started? 

Christmas time is here! We hit up Molbak's, Crate & Barrel, World Market and McClendon's this weekend to get ready for the raddest Christmas tree ever. Small, woodland creatures (and maybe even furry, white polar bears) will be making their appearance on this blog very soon. I just know it will bless you. Get ready.

Adventure (and kissing) isn't missing,

Mrs. Kline

Worship

Is anyone out there listening to any new worship music? I've been listening to the Torwalts & Harbour Live a lot, but what else is out there right now? Any suggestions would be sooo appreciated.

I'm liking this one right now...especially right around 4:30. 

Thanks, Netty, for sharing this song with me!

Sweet Potato + Sausage Soup

Last night I made a delicious fall soup. If you're into making soups, this one is easy and so, so good. I found the recipe here. 

sausage, spinach, sweet potates, onions + garlic

It was the perfect night to stay inside, out of the darkness and rain...and away from felons. Apparently there was some big bust a block from our house. Something about a stolen car, and a criminal on the loose. The officers outside our house were telling everyone to stay inside. So Jeff and I ate soup and watched the search helicopters circle our block and all the police cars (Bellevue & Clyde Hill officers came as back up) for about a half an hour. I still haven't seen anything in the news about it. Hopefully something shows up - I'm curious and want to know if I everyone's ok and if they got the bad guy!

view from our deck, looking into DT Kirkland

Adventure isn't missing,

Rose

The Impossible

This one's gonna be a real tear jerker. I can't wait.

Quoted

I got this excerpt from a complete stranger this morning - an Instagram gal I follow - @kristinrogers. This is worth repeating...

"Accept His worthiness for my unworthiness, His sinlessness for my transgressions, His purity for my uncleanness, His sincerity for my guile, His truth for my deceits, His meekness for my pride, His constancy for my backslidings, His love for my enmity, His fullness for my emptiness, His faithfulness for my treachery, His obedience for my lawlessness, His glory for my shame, His devotedness for my waywardness, His holy life for my unchaste ways, His righteousness for my dead works, His death for my life." [The Valley of Vision]

Today in particular I'm accepting His fullness.

Ring Story

So, remember how God put Jeff and I together the summer of 2011? Then we fell in love? Then he proposed? Well that proposal happened a year ago today. We got married about 7 months ago and I'm more confidant now than ever that Jeff is the man for me. God's faithfulness astounds me when I think about it.

But I never told you the story about the ring he proposed with. The one I'm wearing right now. 

When we were on the first leg of our trip in Sept 2011, visiting my Granddad in Georgia, he told me he wanted to marry me. (!!!!) But that in order to save for the kind of ring he wanted to get me, it would take awhile. A long while. Unless, of course, a miracle happened. I was all over that miracle idea. We prayed right then and there, not knowing what would happen. I would've been happy wearing a ring pop, but Jeff had (and usually does have) bigger and better things in mind.

A day or two later, we were in Michigan with his parents, for the final part of our vacation. I hadn't met his mom Lynne until then. On one of the first mornings there, Jeff was up early with her, drinking coffee at the kitchen table, while I was still asleep. She asked him if he was going to marry me. He told her when he gets a ring, he will.

So Lynne, who had probably thought about this moment for years, took her wedding ring off of her finger and set it on the table for Jeff to give to me.

And there we had it. The ring. He had known it was on his mom's finger for years, but he never really noticed it or thought about it. He didn't know she would do that. But she had probably planned for this moment for a long time. And then generously gave something that meant to much to her, to someone she knew so little.

Then she told Jeff the back story: this was a family heirloom, and I would be the fifth woman in her family to wear this ring. The diamond was cut about 200 years ago in Paris (before the Eiffel Tower was even built). And the setting was from 1915ish, art deco and all. She felt so bad that she didn't have a black, satin ring box to put it in, because isn't that what all engagement rings are given in? But what she did have was even better. The beautiful, old, green, snagged, silk, original box that the setting came in.

She went and got the box to give to Jeff. They opened it up to put the ring in, and saw that on the inside of the box was the word ROSE. She hadn't remembered that!

Yep. ROSE. Me. The ring. Wow. I think my brain exploded when Jeff told me about it. And when I finally saw it a year ago today, there were definitely tears and gratefulness. As if we needed one more reason to believe that God set us apart for each other.

He completely answered our prayers by giving how only a Father can give. Personal, lavish, unexpected and completely wonderful. He's using all the little stories that tie Jeff and I together, and turning it into our defining story. That God is good. His ways are perfect, even when we don't see past our own two feet. He's weaving us into the tapestry of a Godly heritage that began way before us. I couldn't be more grateful or in awe of how He does things.

Adventure isn't missing,

Rose

Follow me: @rose_kline

Seattle's Indian Summer has finally made its dramatic exit this week. We welcomed a solid sheet of gray sky this morning, the kind that makes evenings dark and surreal. Weather changes like this aren't kind to me...I woke up with a full-blown migraine. But on the up-side, we turned on the heat for the first time in 5 months! I like being warm.

But days like this also make me grateful for the summer we've had. I wanted to post some of my favorite instagram memories that just captured our summer so beautifully.

This was one of those 95 degree days that kept me inside, drink in hand.

Kayaking on Hood Canal - thank you to the Cline's!

We got on the Harley and took a ferry to Whidbey Island one day. It was perfect.

This is Pastor Eric, during our rehearsal to record an album of worship songs.

I got my bangs cut.

Jeff and I led worship at Family Camp...sort of the kick off of lots of more worship sets to come.

My baby sister is totally pregnant! 13 weeks and counting...

I realized I need to start decorating our walls. This is all we've got so far. A fedora hung on our smoke alarm.

We took another ferry to Friday Harbor...

...then we went camping right on the west side. We saw lots of killer whales. Definitely my highlight.

These were our neighbors at our campsite. We weren't lacking for a soundtrack.

Bouquet from Jeff....the day of the CCK live recording... 

And this is the recording at Butterfield Chapel. Great group of people & great music.

View from our apartment. These sailboats would race every night.

7 Salon fashion show with Jen. I always leave these things so inspired.

"Galaxies revolve and dinosaurs breed and rain falls and people fall in love and uncles smoke cheap cigars and people lose their jobs and we all die - all for our good, the finished product, God's work of art, the Kingdom of Heaven. There's nothing outside heaven except hell. Earth is not outside heaven; it is heaven's workshop, heaven's womb." - Kreeft

Vacation Time

I'm about to explode!

TODAY...The Kline Family is headed to the beautiful San Juan Island for a little bit of vacation!

This island is my little bit of heaven. I've gone over the years; on my own, with friends, for work and play, and I always have a hard time leaving. But this is Jeff's first time, so I'm so excited for him to experience it too. We've got kayaking, sailing, book-reading, cribbage-playing, whale watching, camping and Boston baked bean-eating all on the docket. I'll post photos later!

!

WOW

Ragu, baby.

This must be posted. Don't be offended. Just laugh.

William Rockne Odom

My dear Granddad has been in heaven for about 24 hours now. I hope he's not too disappointed that there's no motorcycles or tobacco there. (Or maybe there is?!)

But now he's in the presence of the One who created all of that.
God was so good to him, and had mercy on him, right at the end.
I will miss him, my flesh and blood, William Rockne Odom.

Machine Gun Preacher

Now I'm the last person you want to give you a movie review. If you ask me if I ever saw a movie and what I thought, my answer will probably frustrate you. I don't retain quotes, details, story lines, actors names or any of that important stuff. Usually I'll watch a movie and forget all about it. But if I really like it, I'll usually remember how it made me feel. And I'll tell you about the movie based on that. Sorry.

Anyway, Jeff and I watched an unexpected movie last night. It started out as "let's get a cartoon that we can zone out on and doesn't require much thinking" but ended as "of course we're always drawn to movies with meaning". The cartoon will have to wait. (Do they even make cartoons anymore?)

It's called Machine Gun Preacher, about Sam Childers, and is played by Gerard Butler. It's the story of a man with a past (he was in a biker gang and addicted to all sorts of drugs) who meets Jesus and eventually makes his way to Sudan, where he starts an orphanage that helps kids oppressed by the LRA. "Oppressed" is the least descriptive word I could use. It's horrific.

There are some pretty graphic scenes and language (I had to look away a few times), but the story is powerful. He sacrificed so much because he saw an incredible need. He does it so imperfectly, but he still does it. One thing he said as he was speaking to his congregation (he eventually started his own church in Pennsylvania) is to the effect of: God wants your hands, he wants your sweat, he wants your action.

I feel incredibly challenged by that.

I spoke this last weekend at a youth conference at my home church. There were about 150 people there and I'd never done anything like that before. But the theme of the conference was about being a hero. I talked to them about how any normal person could be a hero in someone's life. You don't have to be a sinless saint to make daily choices that affect others and introduce them to Jesus. It's about seeing a need and doing something about it. And I feel challenged by my own words.

Most of us will never go start an orphanage or live in a 3rd world country. But I have lots of friends who are adopting kids. I'm surrounded by people who love their neighbors. My community is full of the most generous people I've ever met. And I'm equally inspired by them. They inspire me to live by faith, take risks and love deeply. Sam Childers lives in the face of literal death every day, but these take up their cross daily and follow Him.

I want to tell them all thank you. Thank you to all the husbands out there who are so faithful to their wives and children. Thank you to the pastors and elders kids who have shared their parents with a community of people who need them. Thank you to my friends who open their homes to us all the time. Thank you to all the zillions of people who verbally encourage and gently remind me that God is good, and He is faithful. Thank you to the wives I know who set an example of giving their best to the Lord and their families. Thank you to my leaders and pastors, who have given up lives of leisure and ease to serve a greater purpose. Thank you to all of my friends who are in the armed forces. Thank you to all of you who give your hands, sweat and action everyday. Thank you for doing it even though it's not always recognized or acknowledged. You are my heroes.

Adventure isn't missing,

Rose

Philippians 3:8-13

Despite the fact that the Amplified version feels like one really long run-on sentence, I was able to get over it last night and just cried as I read Paul's letter:

"I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), and that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in the same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share in His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]."

To know Him. That's what I want.

Zing!

You guys.

I make my own salad dressing, and I thought today that maybe you'd like to try it. Here's a picture of what I'm eating for lunch, with the dressing on top, even though it's kind of hard to see. I'm just trying to get you to believe that it's to die for. If you like a little zing, that is.

All you do is add a few tablespoons of olive oil, a few grinds of sea salt, the juice of 1/4 an organic lemon (I'm serious on the organic part, there is such a difference in taste), and a few squirts of dijon mustard. All to taste. Whisk it together with a little mini whisk! That will work for 1 or 2 large portions of salad.

YUMMMMMM!

And another thing, just on a personal note. I say adding goat cheese to anything makes it better.

Bye!

Fun Neighbor Update

Last night I came home from a walk to a pretty note taped to my door, addressed to "Anne". I don't go by Anne, but that is part of my name, so I claimed the note as my own.

I opened it, and it was from our neighbor Lucy. It was meant for me! (She's the one who responded to my May Day flowers with a homemade pineapple upside down cake.) She must have forgotten my name, which I'm totally fine with. I was having a conversation with a friend the other day (someone who shares part of the name Ann[e] with me) and she reminded me that Anne means grace. Grace is something I need so much lately. So I like that she called me Anne...with an e.

Anyway, it's the recipe!! How thoughtful of her. She wrote it all out for me. And I'm pumped to make it!! I made a peach crisp this weekend, and a pineapple upside down cake seems like the next natural step towards becoming a culinary expert. Riiiiight.

I added the recipe if you'd like to try it too. It's delicious. You won't regret it, and neither will your husband. 

Connie is going to join up with us and have a little dinner with Lucy sometime soon. If she shares more of her recipes with me, I'll be happy to pass them along.

Love you all!

Adventure is definitely not missing.

 -Rose(anne)

Follow

Some of you've asked me what song I walked down the aisle to...well, there's a free download on Noisetrade!

Follow
by: Andrea Marie Carr

You have my heart for always
You are my friend
And I will follow you 'til the end

"My life is about telling stories..."

It's Wes Anderson in an American Express commerical! I'm a fan!

I'll never forget the first time I saw Royal Tenebaums. I was confused by the story line some of the time, but aware of the details the entire time. It wasn't neat & tidy in my head, but I appreciated the lack of predictability. I like his imagination. It reminds me that I have one too.

"Then you mix it all together and that's more or less it."

Here are 10 commercials he's directed.

Friends, who are family.

FOURTH OF JULY!

Christy, we missed you!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Steve!!!

Lincoln Park walk!!!

Dogs everywhere!!!

Blonde friends surrounding me!!

Firework show from my deck!!

It turned out to be a pretty fantastic day, even without the hubs.

Happy Birthday, USA!

Last year on this day, Jeff and I braved the mayhem of Gasworks Park. It was our first date, and it turned out to be one of those days we'd never forget. It was hot and we rode the 'ol Bimmer to Seattle with the sun roof open (with a little detour to Maltby). I was crushin' big time. So was he.

We started our day on the lake, and kayaked with some friends. I swear those life vests were meant for two year olds. (And if I ever actually need a life vest while kayaking, something has gone terribly wrong.)

Later, walking through Wallingford, we passed all the houses where families were sitting on their front porches drinking with neighbors, barbequeing, with flags flown, sidewalk chalk and cheer. There's something about the 4th of July that brings people together. It made me want to have a house on a main road, where I could drag all of our furniture out in the front yard, and roast brats for anyone hungry.

At Gasworks, this was when I first knew I could be silent with Jeff. What I mean is, as friends and now as a couple, I can't ever remember us running out of things to talk about. If we weren't talking about things we had in common, or sharing life stories, he was telling me something I never knew before. And I always have prayed for a husband who can teach me things. I wanted him to know more than me, and Jeff does. I'm constantly shocked by how this man retains historical and new information. On every subject. Not only that, but he knows how to do anything. He understands how things work, how things are made, why things are done a certain way...I mean, sheesh. Ask the man a question, and he'll keep you entertained for hours. Because on top of all that great information he stores away, there's always a good story. So. I say all that to say, we are never lacking for words. But in this moment, laying out on my blanket I brought back from Mexico, I felt a quiet peace. And there were moments where we were just quiet. Taking it all in. Letting the day make its mark on us. And it did.

The funniest part of the night has to do with the picture just above. After the fireworks show, it took us all a long time to make our way back to our cars. We're talking thousands and thousands of people, in the dark.

We just got to our car when Jeff says, "Isn't that Phoenix Jones?! Me & the guys were just talking about him!" And I have no idea who he's talking about. Apparently, there's a real live superhero gang that work out of a comic book shop here in Seattle. Their ring leader is Phoenix Jones. They help protect the streets of Seattle. No joke. I hadn't heard this before, but I only needed to hear it once. I wanted to meet a superhero!! In a second, we were out of the Bimmer, running down the street after him, weaving in and out of a the crowds and I was yelling "Superhero!!! Superheroooooooooo!!!" He heard us. He stopped. I met him. I even got a picture. It's so dark out, so I'm sorry if you can't make it out that well. (I have no idea who the other guy is on my right.)

What a hilarious way to end the perfect day.

Jeff is in Toronto today. They celebrated by cutting a red, white and blue cake while singing The Star Spangled Banner. At least that's something. I'll be spending the day with some wonderful friends in West Seattle, then fireworks at my apartment. God bless America!