Getting to Know Jesus This Holiday Season

The first summer we were married, Caleb began reading books to me since I was still recovering from mono and didn't have much energy to do much.  That summer he read me all three books in the Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers.  Those books were amazing...all 1,500 pages of them!

So since then, one of our favorite things to do together is read to one another.  Recently we finished "The Heavenly Man."  It is the story of a Chinese Christian man named Brother Yun, and how God used him to spread the story of Jesus throughout the country of China in the last 40 years or so.  It is remarkable...the miracles, the stories that are shared in the book...it definitely increases your faith!  I have actually heard Brother Yun speak a number of years back, but had never finished the book myself.  (Which is a terrible habit of mine to start a book, get half way through, and not finish it.)  So, Caleb and I enjoyed it together this time, after our friends Eric and Roxy Ericsson encouraged us to do so...and we both agree it was an incredible book!

And now, as Christmas is approaching, we have a two-fold goal with the hopes of getting to know Jesus better.  First, Caleb is finishing up his second time reading through the Bible this year and is currently in the gospels which are stories of Jesus from His friend's points of view.  So, I recently began reading through them again as well.  Our hope is to read all four of the gospels, as we come upon Christmas, and celebrate His birth.  And then, in addition, a week ago Caleb began reading me John Eldridge's new book called "Beautiful Outlaw."  (Thank you Liz Ditty for the book...we love it!)  Caleb has been an Eldridge fan for years...he has even given out so many of his books to friends as gifts.  However, Caleb is saying this is the best and most important book John Eldridge has ever written.  And I have to say, this book definitely looks like it could go down as one of my favorites as well!  It is an easy read, and although we have only read a few chapters, it has opened my eyes a bit with a new perspective on what Jesus' personality was like.  We highly recommend it.

So.....as Christmas comes, and it is easy to get caught up in the hype of the celebrations, we really hope to have moments we we pause, rest, soak in, and remember the wonder that Jesus is actually God Who became man so we can know Him, not just know about Him.  What an amazing thing! And I am so blessed that I get to do it along with my husband.  :)  My two favorite men...Jesus and Caleb.  Although Dad is in that list too!

I pray we all keep perspective this holiday season....

Approaching Problems with a Light Touch

As I am going about my busyness, getting ready for Thanksgiving, I have gone back to my book "Jesus Calling" many times this week...and flipped the pages back to the thought, from a few days back, on November 15th.  As many of us have stress in our lives, and actually have to purposefully slow down to enjoy the holiday, I think this is a good thought.  It is one that I am carrying with me, especially with Caleb's continued health problems, the desire to have children, the list goes on....this really speaks directly to me and is such an encouragement and reminder.

"Approach problems with a light touch.  When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me.  You pit yourself  against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately.  Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious.  Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

There is a better way.  When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this matter to Me.  Talk with Me about it and look at it in Light of My Presence.  This puts some much-needed space between you and your concern, enabling you to see from My perspective.  You will be surprised at the results.  Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself for being so serious about something so insignificant. 

You will always face trouble in this life.  But more importantly, you will always have Me with you, helping you to handle whatever you encounter.  Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in My revealing Light."

Liz & Baby Olivia Visit Portland!

I cannot even tell you how excited I was as I drove to the airport two weeks ago to pick up Liz and sweet little Olivia!  I was finally getting to meet my ridiculously adorable little niece for the first time!  And WOW is she just simply precious!!!  And this was just the first of many trips in the years to come.  She is going to grow up so fast...in fact, I think she grew even the week she was here! 

We had a great time doing "everyday" type of things....hanging out, shopping, coffee, going for a walk around the Nike World Headquarters, etc.  It was nice to just have down time to catch up and enjoy each other.  And it was so fun to see Uncle Caleb fall in love with Olivia.  He would get home from work, and as we babied his feet (he flared up again that week), he just wanted to hold her. 

And, of course, Liz and I had to take Olivia on her first trip to Vivace!  Unfortunately, I think during that trip we somehow caught the flu and eventually every member of our families caught it...including Mike when they got back to California.  And lets just say it was named the "Portland Flu" by the Ditty's and it was a violent, awful case of a stomach bug. 

It was so fun having them here.  It was fun to see Liz be a mom...she is incredible at it, a total and complete natural.  And Olivia is a truly loved little baby...but she makes it so easy cause she is so sweet and pleasant.

The week before they came, Liz and Mike had Olivia dedicated at their church.  Liz framed one of Olivia's baby pictures and had family members chose a verse to give to Olivia, which she wrote out all around the picture.  I was honored that she would ask me, Auntie Julie, to give her one as well.  My verse to Olivia was Zephaniah 3:17.

"The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior.  He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." 

Our hike around the Nike Campus

A rat of unusual size we saw on our walk...which we RAN when we saw it!

We got Olivia all dressed up cute to visit Uncle Caleb at work :)

Future basketball player....she is sooo tall!

Auntie Julie loves you, Olivia!



All I can say is "Olivia come back and play with me again!" :)  I just love my friend Liz, and am so excited for her and Mike...they are blessed.  And Caleb and I are blessed they are in our life! :)

New Salon!

As of this last weekend, I now officially work at a new salon!  It is an older home that was gutted and completely renovated into the most darling salon, where we have five hair stations and a nail and facial room.  It has been a blast!  I feel like I am having my clients over to my own house and get to serve them pumpkin spice lates, peppermint mochas (low sugar!), wine, apple cidar with vanilla whipped cream, dark chocolate hot cocoa...and one day this week, we even had cheese and crackers!  But the food and drink really isn't the only reason you should come visit me there...haha...all of the stylists are super talented and great, wonderful people!  Plus, it is just a super chill place where you can feel like you can relax.  Please drop by and say "hi" if you are in the area! 

I could sit in the lounge all day...

The stations are adorable...

Come and get a good head rub, my favorite... :)