After work on Friday, I made it home in time to put on some kicks and a beanie and run to the end of the dock before the sun set. This is literally my front yard and I LOVE IT. That's teeny Seattle in the background.
Saturday was filled with all sorts of fun times. A mutual friend of me & my sister threw Heather a baby shower out in the country. We got some photos taken out in the yard....Heather was just cracking up the whole time, while I was loving hammin' it up. So typical. That's our pretty mama in the center.
I think Heather's going to be the best mom ever. They decided on a name! Little Oliver is set to arrive on April 24th. And how cute is her little black dress? So simple & comfortable. I think she's so beautiful.
Today, more than ever, I wish I had a hidden flower garden. A place that's full of life, but still and safe. A secret place where time stops but everything keeps growing. Somewhere I can rest or work. A place where my senses are alive. I'd climb big trees to the very top, stretch out on the grass, and I'd thread flowers through my hair. A place where I can be, just for a little while.
I've been completely fascinated with this woman for years.
She was around, beginning in the 50's, doing what Bill Cunningham and Scott Schuman hadn't even thought of yet. To me, their work doesn't even compare to hers. Not even close.
In 2007, someone found hundreds of thousands of her undeveloped negatives at a thrift auction house in Chicago and it exposed this incredible talent of hers that nobody knew about. She was sadly no longer living at the time, and so it brought up a lot of unanswered questions about her.
Thanks to YOU, this little blog of mine just hit 10,000 views.
I know that's not much for some of you out there.
But for me, it's golden.
I started blogging back in 2005 as a sort of journal so I wouldn't forget how many awesome people I have in my life, and how many wonderful moments I get to experience.
Honestly, it's more for me than anyone else.
Sometimes I go back and re-read entries and smile.
Sometimes I groan, and wish I had more time to make the formatting just perfect.
Sometimes I'm tempted to delete old posts that are corny and odd, but Jeff says I should keep them up, that they're all apart of what I was thinking at the moment, and so I keep them up.
But I always am in awe of this little life of mine, not because of me, but because of Him.
It's true that I'm grateful for my own life. I'm glad I get to be me.
I'm glad I live right now, where I'm at, with all these wonderful people around me.
I don't assume it's always going to be this way, and I try not to take it for granted.
Most people would probably look at my life and think it's pretty simple and not so exciting.
And there are always more things I wish I were doing.
But what I have are lots of meaningful moments, and I know I'll have more.
But when do we ever know where our lives are going? Never.
All I have is everything that has given my life meaning up until this point, and I have right now.
I'm so glad there's a way for me to document a small portion of all of that.
Thanks for reading and coming along for the ride.
Thanks for every little comment - I love them all.
Adventure isn't missing,
RK
p.s. In honor of 10,000 viewers...here's one of my favorite songs, Ten Thousand.
I need to let my definition of Jesus be redefined.
Have I lost touch with who he is in my life?
The Latin definition of religion is "obligation". That's what happens when we approach the truth from a distance.
These are just a few quotes from Dr. Simon, who spoke at church last Sunday. I've been thinking about it ever since, and am genuinely challenged to become reacquainted with Jesus. Lately, the real Jesus seems out of my reach, but I know he's not. I sense that he's allowing this growing emptiness in me, so that He has something to fill. I have much hope in that. I want to know the Jesus of the Bible, not the Jesus of my experience, the Jesus of my theology, the Jesus of my swirling and changing thoughts, the Jesus of my youth. The only answer I keep coming back to is that in order to encounter the Jesus of the Bible, I have to go to the Bible to find him.
My challenge is that I grew up reading the Bible, memorizing scripture, learning Bible stories in Sunday school via felt boards and paper cut-outs of Noah and David, and I am incredibly familiar it all. I want to open it and read it like it's brand new. I want to believe it like my life depends on it. Because it does.
At the same time, I've been reading a biography by Eric Metaxas about the life of Deitrich Bonhoeffer. (DB was a German pastor/theologian who stood up for the Jews while the Nazi party and Hitler were in power. He had a deep Biblical conviction about this. He was apart of a group of people who planned to assassinate Hitler. He was found out and hung for it.) In it, he writes a letter to his brother-in-law about the Bible. These words have taken my hand and are leading me somewhere good.
"First of all I will confess quite simply - I believe the Bible alone is the answer to all our questions, and that we need only to ask repeatedly and a little humbly, in order to receive the answer. One cannot simply read the Bible, like other books. One must be prepared really to enquire of it. Only thus will it reveal itself. Only if we expect from it the ultimate answer, shall we receive it. That is because in the Bible God speaks to us. And one cannot simply think about God in one's own strength, one has to enquire of him. Only if we seek him, will he answer us. Of course it is also possible to read the Bible like any other book, that is to say from the point of view of textual criticism, etc.; there is nothing to be said against that. Only that that is not the method which will reveal to us the heart of the Bible, but only the surface, just as we do not grasp the words of someone we love by taking them to bits, but by simply receiving them, so that for days they go on lingering in our minds, simply because they are the words of a person we love; and just as these words reveal more and more of the person who said them as we go on, like Mary, "pondering them in our heart," so it will be with the words of the Bible. Only if we will venture to enter into the words of the Bible, as though in them this God were speaking to us who loves us and does not want to leave us along with our questions, only so shall we learn to rejoice in the Bible."
Thank you, Dietrich. That helps me very much. I especially am moved by the part that says I cannot simply think about God in my own strength. Because I do - I think of him without inquiring of him to reveal himself to me. He wants to reveal who he is through the Bible. As I read, I often ask for wisdom, answers, peace, revelation, inspiration, motivation!!!...but I rarely ask for HIM. This will change.
Eric Metaxas gave a wonderfully truthful (and humorous) speech at the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast. I think he might be one of my favorite people right now. (The video is below, if you're interested. It's 30 minutes and worth every bit.) He talks about William Wilberforce and Dietrick Bonhoeffer, and how that once they encountered the Jesus of the Bible, they were moved to action and became great advocates for the oppressed, and changed nations.
So there you have it...just some Friday thoughts.
One other thing - I also get to hear Eric Metaxas speak at a prayer breakfast here in Seattle, in April. I'm SO EXCITED. :) :)
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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]
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.
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
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!
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