September 11th

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Rest & Fluids

April 2, 2012 in Capture with 1 Comment

Fever
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hoodie on…hoodie off
socks off… socks on
one blanket… two blankets

It seems as though we’ve caught the head cold bug around here so Lil’ Miss and I have been laying low today. It’s so hard to watch her struggle with a little runny nose that she doesn’t know how to blow or wipe! Thankfully she slept well last night and is currently napping! Despite the sickness, I think we’ve gotten back to our routine from our trip!

Last night was not fun… she was in tears from not feeling well and overtired, I was in tears from not feeling well, not being able to catch a break since our trip to IN and being worried about what my sickness may mean. There is not much I worry about or get anxious about in my life, but sickness makes worry rear it’s ugly head. I was seen last week for some ear fullness I’ve been having (only today from the nurse on the phone did I learn that the ENT had marked in his notes that I have eustachian tube disfunction! A bit he didn’t fill me in on when he simply suggested a hearing test and we’d go from there!) So last night when the stiff-neck, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes all made their appearance my brain went into a bit of overload. I’m sure it’s just a head cold but with the way I feel, and the way I’ve been feeling “off” for the past few months with my ears has got me wondering what it could be! Hopefully seeing the Dr. today will help come to a semi-conclusion until my next ENT appt. I’m resting in the fact that I will not only trust God, but I trust His path!

Since we’re feeing icky today and trying to rest and drink fluids – I’ll leave you with some updated pictures of Lil’ Miss from the past month or so!

Enjoy our little lady!

Brooklyn’s first homemade Valentine’s Day card from her Papa!
(Forgot to post this back in Feb!)

My Aunt Becky came to visit us in March for a few days!

Lil’ Miss at her first car show… she was plum tuckered out by the end!

Having fun on the hotel bed in Chicago!

Visiting Colonel in Chicago!

Learning the fine art of observing!

Happy to take in a mini lecture at the Seminary!

Enjoi Today!

Created

March 13, 2012 in Capture with 0 Comments

The clouds were heavy yesterday, as if looking through a grey filter caused things to be quite bleak. Puddles abounded on every sidewalk, corner and street. A calm reminder that spring is here. The few snow piles, now filled with dirt and debris, are dwindling down, hanging on thanks only to the near freezing temps at night still. I appreciate grey days… they’re filled with silence, tranquility and promote a contemplative spirit. The rain drops violently fell through the night and as I heard them on our roof, my mind wandered to thoughts of how Lil’ Miss will react when she first experiences a thunder storm. I still get scared by thunder so I can only imagine being a tiny gal in a dark room alone when a thunderous clap fills the silence. Or will it not even phase her – leaving her fast asleep, peacefully unaware of the furious storm.

Yesterday morning I spent some time reading Psalm 91 & 92… a reminder that I am safe and cared for in any circumstance as I have faith and trust in my Father. Psalm 92 filled me with such an appreciation and adoration for my for my Creator – the one who makes my heart beat, makes truth alive in my life and allows me to experience the fullness of life without fear. God truly loves and cares for His children, the ones He’s created.

I’ve been thinking a lot about God as our Creator. His creativeness. We’ve all heard it, “God made you special” or “You’re the only you” Certainly those are very true but I think it goes so much deeper. God is an artist, a master creator. He never runs out of ideas and puts His absolute best into everything He creates. Looking at my little girl every day has sewn this truth deep into my soul and my passion abounds for you to know the same.

The bold colors of nature- the shimmering raindrops on tiny blades of grass

and the golden yellows and rich red hues of fall,

the creative color and patterns of a bird’s feathers,

All tell of a great creation.
Of thoughts put into each detail, of a Creator who cares to make things perfect.
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Artists create, musicians create, DIY’ers create, children create, YOU create.

I had a little thought while nursing Lil’ Miss today about creation and DIY projects. Often (now more than ever thanks to Pinterest) we see a project we consider creative and seek to re-create it for our own home, sometimes it turns out the way we planned and hoped and sometimes it just isn’t right. Now imagine every single one of your DIY projects turning out EXACTLY as you imagined… no glue showing through where it shouldn’t, no crooked lines, having all the correct supplies and perfect paint colors… that’s how God created you – YOU are His DIY project. He did everything right when He created you, He created you perfectly the way He desired to have you in His world.

When we create, we can find a deeper connection with God, because He made us to create. Seeing the profound beauty that lies in all that He created draws us closer, marks our very souls with gladness for that which we see and interact with.

I was cradling Lil’ Miss in my arms today as she was drifting to sleep and I realized, us humans are some of the only creatures on Earth that God created with arms to hold our young. PROFOUND. Often over looked, taken for granted. I’m so thankful I am privileged to be created with arms for her to rest in, to hold her tightly and to hug her. How amazing is that?! He created that. God made us desire affection and to be held when we need comfort, so He created arms to provide that comfort.

I’m in awe today of how God creates. Of not only his perfect creations, but the attentiveness to perfect details.

As I wrote this post, I took a break and read from the little devotional thought book (God Calling) I’ve mentioned on here before, check out how closely related today’s note is!

“Drink in the beauty of air and color. I am with you.
When I wanted to express a beautiful thought, I made a lovely flower. I have told you. Reflect.

When I want to express to man what I am – what My Father is – I strive to make a very beautiful character.

Think of yourselves as My expression of attributes, as a lovely flower is My expression of thought, and you will strive in all, in Spiritual beauty, in Thought-power, in Health, in clothing, to be as fit an expression for Me as you can.”

How appropriate!

I’m in awe of the intricacies all around us. Find the beautiful details of creation in your life today- outside, inside, within you, within others… it’s a part of E.VER.Y.TH.ING!

As we enter this season of spring, I hope you know your Creator, that you will create something beautiful yourself and seek to see just how much intentionality our Creator put into you!

Enjoi Today!
SCK

(All photos were taken by me, through the lens of how I capture and see life!)

Chased by the Light

February 11, 2012 in Capture, Weekend Adventures with 0 Comments

It may be bright and sunny here but don’t let those sunbeams fool you – it’s a mere 15 degrees today! We had plans to head out of town on a little day trip yesterday with some friends but seeing as it was one of the coldest days we’ve had this winter, we decided to hit up the Bell Museum of Natural History on the University of MN’s campus.

The Bell Museum was established in 1872 to preserve and display the state of Minnesota’s animal and plant life for teaching and research. I found this fascinating as many of the diorama’s that displayed the state’s bird and mammal species were completed in years like 1922. (That’s old!)

Check out the picture below showing the museum in the olden days… and now.

Quite impressive if you ask me… that the museum has been preserved and seen as important all these years!

As we toured the museum and looked at all the birds & animals, one thought continually struck me about the birds: the detail of each bird’s feathers drew me in. Whether different shades of browns and white or all out colorful! God is pretty creative! From owls, to crows, a HUGE bald eagle, to pheasants and ducks! All are so very uniquely colored.

We didn’t choose this museum necessarily to look into diorama’s of MN’s animal population but we chose it because of an exhibit that is there now.

Jim Brandenburg’s Chased by the Light

Mr. Brandenburg is a MN native and spent his career around the world as a National Geographic photographer. In the 90s, he chose to take a 90-day journey into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (MN) to capture a single photo for each day, hoping to capture a renewed vision of the natural world.

For these 90 days, he would take only ONE photo, with film. No re-do’s, no preview to see if it was good enough, just one shot. He walked for hours each day, all day in search of the perfect frame, in search of his renewed passion for nature.

The exhibit and his photos were profound. Each marked by a date, the time it was taken and his signature. Besides the magnificence of the photos themselves, the natural wood frames and thick matting left the viewer with an innate sense of the purity of nature.

In a day of complexity, digital photography that allows you to take endless shots in hopes of capturing the perfect one, this photographer set out to capture nature in it’s untouched, natural setting. Spending hours looking through his view finder, he has to make choices each time as to whether that little window view was worthy of a single day’s photo. I was awestruck as we went through the gallery and came away myself with a renewed love for the natural environment that God created. The multitude of colors, the intricate patterns, the delicate details of how rain drops rest on leaves or how the dense fog rises just above the lakes. I’m amazed at his ability to capture the photos that within seconds would change. And he wouldn’t know how any of the photos would print until he was back home.

If you’re in the area anytime before May, I urge you to go check out this exhibit! And if not, check out Brandenburg’s book Chased by the Light at your local library.

The photos are exquisite. The journey, compelling.

Look around you today – at the colors of the season,

the details and sheer beauty of the world God created.

Enjoi Today!

-SCK

Autumnal Gladness

October 9, 2011 in Capture, Uncategorized, Weekend Adventures with 2 Comments

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Autumn in MN is a beautiful time! This year, while the trees have changed and it’s been a glorious time of the dancing colors as the wind blows the changing leaves about, it’s also been dry and so windy that the colors are almost gone here. Peak was last week around here. I’m so fortunate to live on one of the little lakes in this area, surrounded by trees and plants that change and make this time of year so amazing. I was reminded of this blessing by a friend who lives in a large apartment building and daily activities don’t allow her to see much of the fall beauty around. What a huge gift it is for me to live where the views can be breathtaking, my drive home (while rather lumpy from speed bumps every 3 feet) winds through the tree-lined campus and the seasons are so vivid out my window! Thank you Jesus for this gift – He knows it makes my heart swell!

Autumn from our corner of the world…

All of these photos were taken on the Bethel campus, our home! The last photo is “the path” (as it’s affectionately known) which K walks to get to class everyday. It’s also known as the “4-minute commute” – best part of the walk now is the crunching of the leaves under your feet! A for sure way to know you’re in the middle of autumn.

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Yesterday was Homecoming at my Alma Mater – Northwestern College. A beautiful day, albeit a bit hot for almost mid-October in MN. We enjoyed spending the afternoon at the field with my sister’s family (also alumni) and seeing many familiar faces among the crowd. College football games are another one of those things that makes my happiness soar. I most enjoy the excitement from the team, the never-failing belief from the fans in their team and the sea of school colors. Northwestern’s football games are unique… from the coaches now, humility and teamwork are prized. There’s not much self-celebration (as I deem it) that you see in many teams when touchdowns are made, passes caught or opponents blocked. Do they celebrate- for sure! But it’s about the team making it happen. There is usually always a clear difference between NWC’s team and the opponent in this manner – yesterday was no different. NWC may not have won, but they play with sportsmanship like no other.

My absolute favorite part of an NWC game is what we call, Fifth Quarter. It’s a time after the game where the team, coaches and fans gather in a huddle on the field. Coach Talley (head coach) talks about the game, but not just the way they played or whether they won or lost – he speaks from a place of humility – if he had a bad attitude during a particular quarter, he admits it, he apologizes when he sees fit. Other coaches speak, then team members get a chance to share. Win or lose, a song of praise and victory (Above All Else) is sung at the end of Fifth Quarter after all NWC football games. Always an awesome time of encouragement, praising God and sharing spiritual lessons learned. I’m so glad we were able to be a part of it again yesterday!

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We’re still awaitin’ for little baby girl to arrive! Yesterday was her “due date” but alas she’s not here! I’m still amazed that God knows her birthday and while everyone around me keeps asking “how do you feel?” and “when’s she coming?” – I’m quite content to wait until God’s deemed it to be! She’ll come in His perfect timing and there is simply no better plan! But wow, I’m excited!

Last night Netflix was down for a while, so K and I played Scrabble (I think my best score ever!) then I worked on organizing/cleaning the kitchen area a bit. Sounds boring, but K was helping and I was gut-laughing the entire time! It was 11:30pm and I was bent over laughing so hard the tears were flowing! There’s a list I made of things I wanted to get done before baby arrives but I had kind of thrown it by the wayside, until last night – needless to say I went to bed feeling very accomplished!

Hope you have an amazing Sunday! Spend sometime outside if you can!

Love & Hugs,

SCK

September 11th

September 11, 2011 in Capture, Uncategorized with 0 Comments

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“Where were you when the world stopped turning…”

10 years. Incredible.

It was in afternoon time at Ramstein Air Force Base where I lived in 2001. Tennis practice was in full-swing and we heard a report on the radio… then the AF Security Police showed up to whisk away the General’s son… that’s when we knew something big was going on. Over the next week, base was on lock-down, we were told to stay inside our houses and life changed. As AF brats, we were no stranger to threat-levels, terrorist threats, base security, etc but many of my peers on US soil learned about those things on that day.

10 years past.

It’s strange that it’s been 10 years, memories and emotions are so deeply seeded from that horrific day. As I watch the memorial service today and the footage being re-shown from that morning, I’m struck by the images of the NYPD officers, FDNY and New Yorkers scrambling – having no idea at the time of what they were walking into, how life was going to be like from that day on… knowing that many of those faces I see in those first reports might not have made it out that day. Everyone guessing what was happening, gather information and trying to report the best they could.

In 2004, I lived in NYC and spent the day at Ground Zero on the 3rd anniversary of 9/11.
The photos I captured that day are some of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken….

sss

‎”…I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people — and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon! The nation — The nation sends its love and compassion — to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for makin’ the nation proud, and may God bless America.”

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-George W. Bush

Ground Zero . 9/14/2001

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