So I went through my bag of “things to eventually go in a scrapbook” from my “projects I haven’t finished” drawer and found some fun things that define my life since Chris entered the picture. Hope you enjoy! (Please ignore the quality of these pix…I took them quickly in horrible lighting)

We like the Spiderman movies

Cornerstone Festival every year together

We love road trips

Our trip to Canada

We love our movies & music!

The simple things are sometimes the best!

So with excitement I opened my mouth and prayed “God, please give me some freakin strength to get through this!!”

My mouth remained open…in shock. Did I just throw the word “freakin” into my prayer to the all mighty God?!!? Ya know, that God that created the earth we’re standing on and the sun that’s shining on my car right now.

I then went on a mental rampage of questions. Is it okay to pray like that? Does God really hate cursing? Is it in the bible that we shouldn’t curse? I know “freakin” isn’t a curse word, but it isn’t the nicest word. Is that okay?

And I came to this conclusion. God knows we’re not perfect. If we were, we wouldn’t need Him. And therefore I truly believe that God doesn’t mind the word “freakin” when I’m coming to Him looking for His help. Maybe he doesn’t want me using that word too much or it might be my child’s first word…but right now…I think it’s okay.

*Actual scripture:  “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

**Reference to the song “Sufficient” by Adie

I love the fresh air of the country.

I love the leaves on the ground and the feeling of fall.

I love how Chris always cleans the house before I come home.

I love how my cat is always there to greet me.

I love having my box set of the Gilmore Girls and my xbox that usually works.

I love that one of my best friends works 2 miles from where I live.

I love that going back to church is like an exciting, refreshing reunion.

I love that it’s easy to charge my ipod and go on the internet.

And I love that I can see the people I want to when I want to and this weekend I don’t have to check my email

In the chapter I just finished, Don wrote a note to his future self. He decided it was important to note the way he was feeling rather than the things he was seeing. He wanted to remind himself in the future of these things, in case somehow he forgets as the years pass by. What an awesome idea! Here is his letter:

“I figure you might forget what kind of person you were back when you were on this trip. I want you to know you weren’t a bad guy. But you fell into thinking a lot of money and a lot of stuff and a lot of social collateral would get you somewhere. And I don’t know who you are now, and what you’ve done with your life, but try to remember, God doesn’t expect you to accumulate a lot of stuff. You were really happy here in the canyon, you know, I promise it’s true. I guess I just want you to remember there was a time when you did a pretty difficult hike, and you decided that you didn’t need to carry a bunch of stuff on your back because the climb was hard. And I don’t know who is around you, whether you met a woman or have some kids, but I really hope you have shown them this stuff, that life is going to be okay, that you just have to enjoy it. If you can’t buy a nice car for your family or anything, don’t worry about it. Just go into your kids’ room and kiss them on the forehead, okay, ’cause there is all kinds of beauty and it doesn’t have anything to do with having some stuff. Also, don’t kick yourself around. If you can’t climb up out of a canyon real quick, just do it slow. And also just remember that this guy Paul is one of the most incredible people in your life. There was a time when he showed you a lot of grace. I don’t know what else to say. You’re a pretty good person, you know. God made a whole beautiful earth and decided to put you in it, to experience all of this beauty. You can’t do that watching television all the time. Nothing else. I have to go climb out of a hole. Maybe you do too. All the best. Feel like I’m talking to myself, for crying out loud.”

I’m encourage. I think I’ll write a letter to the future me. Maybe you should too.

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View from our room

Ever have a vacation that makes you go “ahhhh?” Well, I just had one. Chris and I spent a great week at the Outer Banks and for those of you that only go down during the summer, you’re missing out! Imagine that same great ocean and the same great restaurants but without the traffic and wait for dinner! It was wonderful.

We slept in and spent mornings out on our private patio overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. We then went out for breakfast/brunch and spent each afternoon shopping and relaxing by the water. We even got to play some mini-golf and go to an aquarium. Then each night we experienced all the cuisine the Outer Banks has to offer, from seafood to barbeque and even a brewery! So I’m back, all refreshed and inspired by the coastal beauty God has created. I’m excited to share more in my blogs this week.

But I have a question:

How was your week? Any highlights? I want to hear from my readers! Share something great that happened to you this past week…or even not so great.

Chris and I have had our hearts set on London for a while. We weren’t quite sure why but we figured that we would do all in our power to be prepared for anything God might want to do. So this past winter we got our passports (can’t be sent if you can’t get in!). Well the passports came in…and a few weeks later an offer to visit Canada appeared in front of us. “Sure!” was our automatic response. There was something about Canada that just seemed…appealing. We didn’t care the cost or time, we just knew that we wanted to go (I give Joel partial credit for this…being all Canadian and cool). Anyway, as the trip approached the excitment grew. Something inside of me knew that I’d fall in love with the city and the people. And as most of you know, it happened. I’m in love haha.

Rachelle and Tyler amazed me. It was so great to spend a weekend with 2 people who are so incredibly in love with Jesus that they can’t help but talk about him all of the time. Walking up and down the streets of downtown Ottawa Rachelle thought nothing of speaking in a normal tone about how awesome Jesus is for saving her. She shared her testimony and was eager to hear ours. And man, Tyler is even bolder and louder for Jesus than she is! Tyler amazes me. He’s just this cool guy with such an amazing heart and passion. A guy who has literally seen miracles and knows the power of God. He lives his life with boldness. Seriously. This couple is amazingly contagious. Within minutes of being with them something inside of me felt humbled. “Why aren’t I like them? Why does my voice resemble a whisper IF the name of Jesus comes off of my tongue in a public place? I WANT TO BE MORE LIKE THEM.” Rachelle greets EVERYONE. She doesn’t get offended if she walks into a store and someone doesn’t say hi to her because she’s already said hello to them with a smile and joy that should be trademarked.

It got me thinking…if we truly believe that Jesus is king and we’re really trying to take our town/city/state/country back from the devil…why do we let unbelievers determine what we do and say? I’ve never heard anyone pray over food in a restaurant as loud as Tyler did Sunday morning. He’s not afraid of what people think. In fact. He knows what people think and is doing everything he can to change their minds.

And then there is the rest of the HEAT Worship Team. Each person individually is on their own amazing adventure through being a Christian. It was so great to sit around with them, listen to their stories and have discussions with them about books, movies, music, ministry and God.

HEAT really taught me about freedom and boldness. Normally I’m a shy worshipper. I go into my own little world and move around a little but mostly just lift my hands and praise God in my head and heart. HEAT taught me to worship God with EVERYTHING I am…and that includes my body. I was jumping around the dance floor with freedom that I haven’t felt in a long time. Free to dance. Free to sing and to shout and to be myself. I just closed my eyes, focused on God and went to that secret place where I was free.

The last thing I want to say is that this trip made me realize how little I pray and carry Jesus with me. Of course I believe in Him and love Him but I realized that a true Christian has Jesus inside of him/her at all times. A true Christian thanks Jesus for the smallest of things, not just the biggest. When someone is in love, they can’t stop talking about the person they’re in love with…shouldn’t we be the same with God? If we say that we love Him, we should be acting like we LOVE him. We need to be praying constantly if that’s what it takes to not forget about Him.

Anyway, I can’t think of a pretty way to end this blog so I’ll end it by saying this: Thank you Ottawa. You changed my life.

Within minutes a very excited Rachelle came out to greet us and help us into our room. We then spent the night with Rachelle and Tyler setting up for the weekend and getting a tour of downtown Ottawa. Within the first hour in Ottawa I fell in love with the city. It’s clean and beautiful and unlike the city I know (NYC) it’s not crowded and doesn’t smell bad. I love the bilingual aspect even though I don’t speak a word of French and the architecture is amazing. The people are friendly and filled with life and seem really artistic and passionate.

It was a really fun night is quite the understatement, but is the only thing that seems to come to mind at the moment.

Due to some alcohol loving young b&b neighbors, we didn’t get much sleep.  So Saturday was a LOOONG day. It started with a wonderful homemade breakfast at the inn and the best coffee I’ve ever had. It then continued with lunch at a cute healthy Cora’s Restaurant and then a visit to the Christian Book Store that James works at. We spent a while hanging out and looking at things around the store. We talked about the things of God and the irony of a gay book store being across the street. But eventually James had to get back to work and Rachelle had to get some things done so Chris and I were left with the afternoon to wander around the city.

Ottawa is the best of both worlds. It’s a beautiful city with lots of things to do and look at…museums and shopping, food and coffee…but within the city is grass and paths to ride bikes. Tunnels to walk under while looking at art and buildings to tour around. Sidewalks of houses and people walking dogs right next to boutique stores and farmers markets. And just minutes away are suburbs and parks…Canadian nature as they call it It really makes me reconsider my “I hate cities” mentality. Maybe I just hate New York City lol. And I’m not insanely thrilled with Philly either (sorry all you PA kids!).

Anyway, Saturday night was the “rave” – Psalm 119. It was a great time of dancing, art, God and worship. It’s hard to explain what it was like so look for the pictures and videos coming soon in another post! The rave ended at 2:30am and by the time we were done cleaning up and back at Tyler’s, it was 5am. We got to hang out with their core group eating ribs and rice and talking about God and books and their vision for HEAT. Although we were beyond tired, it’s definitely a day that I will never forget.

Sunday we woke up (after 4 hours of sleep) and had brunch at a Vietnamese Restaurant. We had Pho soup for the first time and mmmmm we need to find some closer to home! We then went to Rachelle’s to pick up her dogs and go to a park in Quebec. Although only there for a short time, it was a very enjoyable outing. I was amazed how quickly the signs changed from English/French to only English!

So around 3:30pm Chris and I said our goodbyes and headed back to NY. Although exhausted, our trip home was as great as the one there. It’s so wonderful being married to your best friend. Not only can we joke around and listen to music, but we have some of the best conversations I’ve ever had.

And about those Canadians…guys…you blessed us tremendously.  In the next few days I’m going to blog about the deeper spiritual aspects of our trip but for now I’ll just say: I can’t believe we only just met you all. I’m not used to having such immediate, deep connections with people…it was a real treat. We can’t wait to see you all again and hope you keep in touch!

• Pictures from The Gates in Harleysville, PA
• New Music Tuesday:Hillsong London
• Our Canada Trip – Facts/Stories
• Insight/Inspiration from Canada
• and whatever else God leads me to write about!

So while you eagerly await these blog posts, check out the ministry we got to be a part of while in Ottawa: Heat Worship House.

Now I’m not asking you if you stop in the middle of the street and take a picture because I think we’re all guilty of that…but I’m asking – how do you act towards people?

While in NYC and Maine I had many occasions to observe humans released from their caged-in worlds. I witnessed co-workers being absolutely rude to cab drivers, managers getting wasted with non-managers, people going out of their way to say good morning to security guards, foreigners asking where the recycling bins are, local shop workers giving dirty looks and attitude to innocent customers, cops giving directions to lost visitors, non-English speaking people being made fun of, “upper class” tourists bumping into others as if they had the right to, doors being dropped in others faces, lines getting cut, old people holding hands…you name it and I probably saw it these past 2 weeks.

So I wonder (and I ask you) how do you act when you’re away from home and the people that you see on a daily basis? Do you take a vacation from your manners or morals? Do you try harder than usual to be a “good” citizen? Do you accept others ways of life or secretly (or maybe not secretly) mock them? And are tourists rude because of how they actually are or because of the way others are to them?

I’d love your feedback

How?

Well, for starters. I woke up on time and got ready and ate breakfast and finished a blog design and I was still early. I looked outside and so was my driver (I know, fancy). So I went outside and it turned out that I’ve had him as a driver before – so no awkward conversations. We hit no traffic. That is completely shocking if you know the trip. Then, we were early to the hotel which meant we were early to Javits. Again, never happens.

Then I went up to the press center and didn’t have much work to do. Let’s say it all together now, shocking. Finally I got some work done that was asked of me and ordered lunch. The  menu had something I could eat and I didn’t get sick from it. Shocking. Now it’s 5pm and I’ve done some work today but managed to not get stressed like the usual trend is. Shocking.

So this A-typical day is seeming pretty nice. I just looked down. I have chocolate all over my pants. Guess some things never change. Not Shocking.

Time to leave work and check into my hotel and go to dinner and then relax for the night. I’ll try and keep up with the blog. Keep me in prayers as you never know what each day will bring.

And Rachel, if you’re reading this, I miss you. I wish you were here with us. *tear* haha. Enjoy your weekend… Not working.