Peter Explains His Actions in Acts 11

I've been continuing to read through Acts - each morning I put on a cartoon for the kids after breakfast and spend time just asking God to reveal himself to me as I soak up scripture.    This morning I read one of my favorite chapters to date - Acts 11.  Kyle has often talked over the recent years about our tendency as Christians to try and persuade or 'sell' other individuals on the idea of Christianity as opposed to simply stating what it is that we've experience or witnessed.  Sometimes he likens it to the court of law and how a 'witness' is just that - he tells the jury what it is that he witnessed and that's it!  He doesn't get to tell the jury that the defendant is guilty or not guilty - he is only a witness and his story will be factored in as the jurors decide what it is they believe to be true about the case.

Not only do I liken this to court hearings but it feels parallel to Kyle and I's marriage since the first days -- not the marriage itself but instead what it is that God has asked us to do...

We get married at 21 while still in school... we take on an internship with a college ministry that pays $1000 bucks a month (less than twice our rent)... we then go from the internship into a 3/4 time finance position at the church... then God calls us at the age of 24 to take on a church plant 80 miles south in Lynnwood... we live on tithe after being told that the church up north would no longer be able to support us financially - sometimes Kyle and I brought home $500-800/month - with a mortgage at $1400 things weren't simply a 'bit tight', in fact, the concept of being a 'bit tight' sounded rather relaxing at that point... but we were in dire straights so Kyle took on a job at Starbucks and worked two jobs as a Senior Pastor and a Starbucks barista while having our first child... we dissolved the church a year later and Kyle took a job in West Seattle at Doxa Church commuting about an hour each way and getting paid rather well - nice since we had our second child on the way... we were just about to sell our home in order to move to West Seattle when the church was handed over to Mars Hill and we would likely not have a job in West Seattle anymore... so Kyle went to work as a consultant for churches, took on a Children's Pastor position at a large church in Mill Creek to assist in deploying a volunteer ministry and then began his mortgage career as a loan officer... we sold our house in Mill Creek and moved into a rental in Everett in 2008 just before having our third child... Kyle quickly moved into a management position at GFG and currently works as a Certified Mortgage Planner with GFG Mortgage and doing project management for Arch Media Solutions... and now we're considering another job change -- for reasons we're not completely sure of...

Understandably so, we've had close friends confront us about our decision making and why Kyle was constantly switching jobs and why we were finding our life to be a matter of feast or famine -- I was always uncomfortable with those conversations because there was no science involved... there was no strategy in any of it other than we knew were supposed to make each of those moves when we made them.  There were times where I told Kyle that I had had enough and wanted him to find a consistent job with consistent pay so that we could have a consistent lifestyle and move up from there... you know, possibly achieve the American Dream that so many of our friends were reaching for as well - house, kids and stability.  Whether that 'stability' was a beautiful home in a lovely neighborhood with two new cars or whether that meant a modest home with little wiggle room financially... I just wanted to KNOW and I wanted it to be PREDICTABLE. 

Our life will likely never be predictable - and I get concerned because our current financial situation may seem to others a by-product of making so many changes and never really stabilizing ourselves and our finances... and it makes me want to 'sell' others on why we've done what we've done.  But as I read this morning in Acts 11 - Peter, after being criticized by the apostles and brothers about his behavior, simply explained to them what he had witnessed and what God told him to do.  He didn't try to persuade them to come to his aid but instead told the story as it had happened - he gave them the information as he knew it and allowed them to decide what they believed about the case.  And in Acts 11:18 it says, 'When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God...'

I will be the first to say that if you step back and look at the entire canvas, it looks a bit chaotic and possibly without purpose -- but this is one of those times when I'm glad that I'm the fly on the canvas experiencing what God has done at every turn in my heart and the hearts of those around me as they experience this life with Kyle and I.  One day I hope to see what this is supposed to be a picture of... yet I'm not counting on it in this life.  When I'm standing before my heavenly Father in eternity, singing and praising him for Who he is and What he's done - I'm sure all of this will make perfect sense.

Thank you to those who have given to us so generously lately -- the care packages and the food have been a blessing and God has used each of you so tremendously... this morning was awesome as William ran to the front door while I spoke with my friend - he saw the paper bag of groceries and grinned, 'is this for us?!'  I said that it was and he grabbed hold of the handles and with all his weight began dragging it down the entry into the kitchen and around the corner... the kids pulled everything out with 'oohs' and 'aaahs' and began putting them away.

God is so good.   

God Provides. He always has.

This morning I read Acts 9 about Saul's conversion and then began reading Isaiah... chapter 1 is only the first in a line of 6 chapters where Israel's arrogance is splayed out and admonished by our Almighty God.  As I read, I was reminded that in these moments of struggle I often question God's provision just like the Israelite people questioned his provision over and over even after he'd provided for them - yes, over and over.

Could God drop manna from heaven as the kids and I are riding bikes and playing in the drive?  Yes.
Do I believe that manna could drop from the sky as the kids and I are riding bikes and playing in the drive?  No.
Should I wait expectantly for God's provision and trust in His amazing timing?  Yes. 

So yesterday, my girlfriend read my recent post and dropped off five bags of groceries and some cash.  Humbling.  Oh so humbling.  With that food I have fed the kids breakfast, made a bunch of hamburger patties and froze them, fed the masses of children in our neighborhood spaghetti for lunch today, sipped on wine whilst blogging (God bless you) and will be making a blackberry pie from the butter she bought.  Because there's not much reason to go anywhere when we've got this beautiful weather and little cash to spend, we went to the park by our house and filled two bowls with blackberries.  The neighbor boys asked if they could come indulge in our pie and I couldn't help but smile at the awesomeness of my God... yes, these are the same boys that ate lunch with us. 

With little, he has done so much already!  He's fed at least 5-7 kids (plus two adults) every day... he's created community between my children and the children whose parents bought us food (can I tell you how cool it is to watch THAT interaction?  and at such a young age?!)... he has given us fresh bread for our soup last night and cheese for our fantatic cheese-lover-of-a-son... he has given me enough chicken to feed our dinner party on Friday of this week... and crab appetizers to go with it...

How much have I spent, you ask?

Nothing.  He dropped manna from heaven - just like he's done before.

Submission.

Its not hard for me to give larger, out-of-my-control issues over to the Lord, its those that are just within my grasp to control that I struggle with most. The idea of where we are to move in 6 months, easy. Take it Lord, its yours and we'll just do what you tell us to do - whether it be an apartment here or a home in Yakima. That stuff doesn't stress me out, never really has. But the next 2 weeks of no cash to buy groceries and/or fill up on gas is what I have the darndest time finding peace with. When things look so dismal and there's no clever way around 'making ends meet' but we need GAS... that's where miracles start happening.

Do I believe in miracles? Do I believe in God and His care for my family even on such a small scale? I mean, really? Gas?

Its tight around here even in the midst of provision at work - medical bills and our transmission is what's got us so thinned out. So, in an act of submission to my Father and a desire to get creative with the few dollars we have available, I've begun making things -- did you know you can make almost anything out of what you have in your cupboards?

Tortillas/Flat bread

Syrup





















I'm sure I'll find more stuff to create in the next couple of days.  And quite honestly, the time I've spent in the kitchen kneading the dough and stirring the pot has been relaxing... its caused me to slow down and meditate on life and where we're at.  To stop snacking and instead feed the kids when its meal time and watch them inhale every last bite of homemade whatever - its a good feeling. 

I guess things don't look so dismal after all...

Sweet thang.

I pulled my minivan alongside the barn this morning and stepped out.  As I quieted after telling the kids I'd be right back, I heard, 'oh wow, look now.  here comes this sweet young thang...' and I broke out in a laugh as I knocked on the door, smiling from ear to ear, and made my way inside.

The Craven brothers, somewhere in their eighties, sat at the little old table to my right as I walked in... they looked as though they were waiting for the punch line of a joke as I - a young, blonde, sun-kissed woman, walked into their midst.  I can see it now...

SNOHOMISH TIMES

31 YEAR OLD STRIPPER SENDS SNOHOMISH LEGENDS TO HOSPITAL

Krista Schei pulled up in her minivan yesterday morning with three children in an alleged attempt to mask her actual identity.  Sent by lifelong friends of the Snohomish Legends, Craven brothers and friend, Schei gave them quite the show.  The attempt to be comical actually ended the three men in Everett's Providence Hospital downtown and their status is yet to be disclosed.

It was flattering, oh-so-flattering, that these men took a deep breath and made me feel like an angel had just appeared.  Directly in front of me was 'Stub', speechless.  I tried to normalize the moment with a sweet smile (shit, it happened again - poor guys) and a quick introduction of myself and why I had miraculously appeared.

The Cravens sat and nodded - one more serious and quizzical and the other all smiles and rather boisterous.  'Stub' responded with a wave of his hand and a lock on my gaze, 'you just do your thang, sweetheart'... and they all broke the conversation with a laugh.  I asked permission to bring my three children inside the barn and they were quick to give me the details of how to let myself in and 'do my thang'.

After a few more minutes of quick-witted banter (excluding myself, of course) and nods from the fantastically aged men, I walked out the door and herded the children from the car to the old barn door just adjacent to kitchen.

After about 15 minutes of poking around inside the old barn (2 minutes), taking photos (5 minutes), watching the two white owls with their hypnotic stare (8 minutes), we walked outside and I captured the above shots after sliding the door closed.

We walked back past the kitchen and the children pleaded to be introduced the men sipping their morning's coffee by the old window. I giggled and grinned as I knew that this just might beat the morning's prior introduction and I was right...

Though I might now pride myself in stopping old men in their sips, I carry much more joy this afternoon as I remember those moments with Katie, William and Ben as they smiled and talked, showed off and listened intently (almost as though they could physically see Wisdom prancing around). It fulfilled me in a way that can only be fulfilled when you sit in a room with the generation above the generation above yourself and just wait. Set aside all ego, set aside all your words; open your ears and your eyes and wait.

It was a joy and I hope that this relationship will be one that I get to grow in -- and maybe one day, just one day, I'll get to sip coffee with them by the old window.

Beautiful 2006 Honda Accord FOR SALE

Location Options and Details for Jones' Adoption Fundraiser

Hello families! First of all, welcome to my blog -- this is where I spend quite a bit of time... whether its writing or rereading past posts to keep my heart in line with what God is teaching me - and most likely has already taught me. And to those who follow my blog and are inspired by what is happening this coming weekend, let me know if you'd like to be involved!  I'd be happy to welcome you to the event on Facebook.

LOCATIONS (*requesting more than one site is welcomed)

Below you will see some shots of the locations that are available for shooting at this coming weekend. My daughter, Katie, and I went out this morning - accompanied by Shawn Roe, the herdsman for Thomas Farm, and scouted out the lighting and crop growth. It is absolutely GORGEOUS out there on their 300+ acres.

The weather for this coming weekend is supposed to be partly sunny with a high of 72 degrees - PERFECT. I will continue to pray that God provides a lovely couple of days that will cater to photographing small children - LOTS of small children! - and families.

PARKING:

Dependent on the location you would prefer to shoot at, you will park at either the Thomas Farm office off of Lowell-Larimer or you will 'off road' it and park off of Marsh Road on a dirt drive that takes you out to the lush fields. 'Off road' is quite a stretch... I drove the dirt drives with my Odyssey minivan and had no problems.

Upon arriving, I will be ready for you at the location of your choice. Please send me a Facebook message or email with your cell phone number so that I can reach you prior to your shoot if the need arises. (tardiness, sprinkler system went awry, monsoon is approaching, etc.) and I will respond with my information, if you don't already have it.

CLOTHING:

Photographing individuals allows for funky colors and patterns. Feel free to bring an outfit that captures your child as well as something they'll be comfortable in! I wouldn't bat an eyelash at their favorite Halloween costume from last year! In fact, I'd be so pleased to see them smiling and gleeful as they danced around as a purple Unicorn or a dangerous Dinosaur. On a more conservative note (you know, as opposed to last year's Halloween costume), funky and bright colors AND muted colors photograph well against a rustic background - dependent on the 'feel' you want.

Photographing multiples is easier with solids so that the photograph looks balanced. Understand that as a photographer I can only manipulate certain components and the clothing is not one of them! Logos, etc. are not good as they are distracting; wear same-weather clothing and make sure you all look like you stepped out of the same season; flip-flops on the farm will only work if you prefer shots inside the barn (rustic) as it shouldn't be anything but pavement to get you to the shoot site; otherwise, wear shoes that you can walk in because the *lower road, grass, and wheat will include a small trek through dry dirt and uneven ground.

MISCELLANEOUS:

NO PETS - the farm has Jack, the farm dog, and others are not welcome; roughly 30-40 images will be edited and burned to a DVD; DVD will be available by the end of September at the latest and will be either mailed or delivered personally - whichever you prefer; images will be delivered in high-resolution (printable files); all proceeds will be given to the Jones' family immediately following the weekend (by Monday, August 23rd) - rental equipment and service fees will be expenses paid by Krista Schei Photography and your 'every penny' will be given so the Jones' can bring home their child from Ethiopia;  feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns.

*see photographs and descriptions for location options

mature corn field















grass


























grass (black and white)


























grass (tire tracks)


























lower road (1)


























lower road (2)


























rustic (1 and 2)








































metal barn


























wheat

Loving me some Lake Chelan.

My dear friend, in from London with her family, rented a house on Lake Chelan this week. We were invited to go join in the fun... and I have forgotten how refreshing and wonderful it is to just jump into a big body of water carefree and spend all afternoon getting exhausted in the sun. Oh... wait, THIS time there was zillions of kids running up and down the dock, jumping this way and that into water over their heads... but thanks to Aaron MacKenzie (a friend of Brad and Jamie's) the kids became quite acclimated to the water and the Mom's sat back and let Aaron do what he seems to do best and teach kids how to just 'be kids'. Katie swam around in her life jacket -- William was dipping in sans flotation devices and Benjamin was up and down in the water with his floaters on his arms... it was wonderful.

Tomorrow's another day... and I can guarantee the kids I won't want to leave.