joie de dance

DPP Day 17, 18 oops...Day 19

2011-12-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I kinda forgot to post pics Saturday and Sunday! But here's a toast to today! Sharing a christmas ale, gluten-free mind you, with a few intellectuals in my life. One is no longer living among us, hence his presence is remembered by the massive photo of his face that we have sitting on our desk in the study. Slightly creepy but mostly amusing. The other is the man I love. I often find him here when I come home, a favorite spot of his, almost always accompanied with a book in hand and sometimes a pipe as well.

Day 16

2011-12-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

Artist at work! She had SO much fun and so did I!

DPP Day 15

2011-12-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

signs of winter....

DDP...catching up

2011-12-13T23:05:00.000-08:00

Jake and I went on multi-celebration trip with his parents this weekend to Kansas City. Hence my backtracking on the DPP. The multi-celebration included his parents 27th Anniversary, a happy memorial to last years December 9th when Jake proposed to me, and just the fact that it is a wonderful time of year as we remember the incarnation of Christ. It was a truly fabulous trip. Beginning with a yummy BBQ dinner at Parker's in Nebraska City and finishing with a meal at the newly opened Pepperjax in South Lincoln. In between all of that, we manage to squeeze lots of other fun stops: a local burger joint, a pastry shop, a used bookstore, a local coffee shop, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art and a sports bar that we found so that we could all, I mean so that Jake, could watch the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona soccer game. Closing our Saturday we went to see A Christmas Carol performed by the Kansas City Repertory Theater. It was a magnificent performance, complete with hymns that were sung so beautifully it filled me awe and a thankfulness that here in this story is being told the hope that Christmas brings.
We also got to enjoy the cities many lights strung just for the season. And so, here are a few of my favorite pics. I will resume the daily posting tomorrow!!

Our cozy and fun hotel room:

Enjoying the lights--

Saturday Brunch at Hayes Hamburger & Chili Diner

A quick stop for some amazing pastries!

My new parent (in-laws), still in love and still super fun :)!

DPP Day 8: 365 days from engagement

2011-12-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

a new tradition begun
a commitment renewed
a life enjoyed
together
one day
at a time

DPP Day 7 New books, New obsession...

2011-12-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

I recently started Lit, a memoir by Mary Karr. Within a week, a friend gave me The Liar's Club, the second of her three Memoir's. I soon added a few more of her books to my wish list. On Monday when I picked Jake up from work, he kissed me and then pulled two more of her books out of his bag saying, "Here's an early Christmas present!" So fun! I am thankful for a very sweet husband!

Drinking and Taking Photographs....

2011-12-06T21:32:00.000-08:00

It is the only way to celebrate my friend Rebecca's birthday. Happy Birthday dear friend. You are loved.

DPP Day 4

2011-12-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

I struggled today with our little camera because it wanted to give me too much light or too little light but I suppose that is the limitation of a uncomplicated point and shoot. Amongst my efforts I learned a little about the camera and a little more about what I like in a picture. I like color. Lots of it. So today I chose this picture.

We put up our Christmas tree today.It is our first Christmas together as a married man and woman! This week last year we got engaged one wintry night outside of St. Paul's cathedral. A moment I will never forget and forever cherish. Many of the ornaments here carry the stories of my childhood. What was once a Lovette story will now become a Meador story. Here's to the merging of Christmas ornaments, traditions and the sharing of our families forever.

Another Snowy Day Pic from Lincoln!

2011-12-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

A pause in the winter walk to work with Jake. A perfect saturday.

DPP Day 1 & 2

2011-12-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

Day 1
One of my favorite things about my dear friend Renae is that she can burst into a contagious laughter at any given moment. It's the kind of laughter that you can't help but joining in even if you don't know what it is exactly that your laughing at. And here is one of those moments captured for you!

Day 2

This is the little friend that I get to spend every week day morning with! She is precious and dear. She is full of energy and love that tugs at my heart and reminds me everyday why life is good. I feel extremely blessed to be her friend.

New Name, New Season, Re-newed hope to blog again!

2011-07-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

It is coming on a year since my last post on this here blog o' mine. Dear oh dear. What have I been up to? Well, I have moved three times. My computer went kaput so I carried my hard drive around (not really, it sat on Jake's desk) but the loss of a functioning computer did coincide with my abandonment of blogging. I have changed jobs. And, well, as you might have guessed from the name change, I became Mrs. Joie Meador.
I love writing, saying and sharing my new name. I love it because I love Jake. And when I get to write, say or type "Joie Meador", I am reminded that my life has been indelibly and covenantely joined to his. There isn't a thought in the world that could make me happier. I love him. I love marriage and I love being Mrs. Meador.
In our marriage counseling, Denis shared that for him, marriage came as a convenience. Being married was simply easier and better than dating: trying to figure out when to see each other, having to say good night and drive separate ways, not being able to share finances and groceries and space together, well at least not fully. Of course those things overlap while you are dating but there is an uncertainty that is, for me and for many others I have talked to, happily removed upon taking vows and committing to marriage. There is a new community that comes about when two people get married. A new family. A shared belonging to one another that includes the big and the little things of life, all of it. And I have to admit, I agree with Denis that marriage is more convenient. It wouldn't be if we didn't love each other, of course and if we didn't believe that God is God and that He is good. Saying that it is convenient isn't to say that it's gonna come up roses all the time nor is it to say that it doesn't require effort and sacrifice. It is to say, that so many of the day to day insecurities that come with living individual lives is replaced with this amazing sharedness. Our burdens, weaknesses, joys, strengths, disappointments, hurts, hopes and dreams are not carried alone.
And so, my broken computer? Well, it wasn't able to be fixed without it costing me more than it was worth, but now that I am married I conveniently have access to Jake's computer. "What's yours is mine." Our debt and our bounty, all of it is shared. So, since I have hope that I will be able to hop on a computer more easily and because the wedding planning is D.O.N.E (praise God!) and because I have a new energy and happiness from being able to share life with my amazing husband, I am going to tend to this here blog o' mine. It will be good to be back in the loop and back to writing. So here's to new names and re-newed vows to blog.

Day 7: Becky Hampton, also known as Bercky Hamtron!

2010-09-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

High Fivin' it, Eli And Bercky playin' some soccer!

Becky and I at Amelia's Soccer game!

Becky, Eli and I....ooooh!

My friend Becky is beyond a doubt an irreplaceable joy about living in the Twin Cities. I remember meeting her at a CityLife lanch team meeting over a year ago now. There are some people that you meet and it hardly takes any time at all before you feel like they have "refrigerator rights", a Mike Hsu saying for friends that feel like family. That's how it was with Becky. An easy connect and a deep one at that. There were some days in this last year when I didn't know what I would've done without Becky's friendship. She's the kind of friend who when she asks you how you are, you know that she is okay knowing the truth....because how often are we ever really completely "fine"....I mean we might be fine but there's always more to it that than. I am thankful for the kind of honesty I have in my frienship with her, the fun we have when we are together and the ways that we have shared a common road in this journey of life which makes it feel like we have known each other for quite some time.

Day 6: CityLife Church

2010-09-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today is CityLife's One Year Anniversary!! CityLife began having weekly Sunday worship together a year ago today. It is quite a marker and especially meaningful for those that have been here from the beginning stages---from launch team meetings, to weekly worship together, the formation of Lifegroups, and KidsLife. I am thankful for the work God is doing here among CityLife, in my own life through the body of CityLife and in the Cities at large through this community.
From then until now....

Gifted musicians we are very blessed to have!!!

Bart Moseman and Chad Brewer, an amazing team!

Launch Service 2009

Our Logo....ON A CAKE!!! Last year's launch service! AMAZING....yes, it was done by the talented Carrie Moseman! (my sister :))

Summer picnic, Meredith and Abby!

Summer picnic, Carrie, Becky, Tess....green was the color of the day!

Abby, Holly, Vanessa, Meredith!

Bekah Jones, joyfully serving and host of the wonderful bounty of yumminess tonight!!

Bart Moseman and Jake Meador, solving the worlds problems one conversation at a time.

Day 5: Kate's Piano

2010-09-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

My recent move to 27th Ave brings with it many things for which I am excited and thankful, one being this piano! I have long desired to play the piano and though I don't have any illusions about becoming a great pianist in the near future, I do have hopes and plans to learn and explore this amazing instrument. And I am excited to have it close by, always ready to hear its music by those who play it.

Day 4: Zenon Dance Company & School

2010-09-24T06:31:00.000-07:00

I am extremely thankful to be able to be involved with the opportunities at Zenon. I began taking classes as part of a scholarship program last summer when I moved here. Since, I have met other dancers, including my good friend Non (Shannon) who I have been able to go to many shows with, including one tonight. Zenon offers classes in a wide-range of dance techiniques, from modern, to jazz, ballet, African, afro-modern, hip hop and the list goes on. The really great thing is that they have Advanced Modern classes in which many of the professional dancers around the cities come take. It is a unique opportunity to be able to learn alongside very gifted artists and from amazing teachers. I am looking forward to going to their 25th Anniversary Show soon!!

Day 3: The Southern Theater

2010-09-22T17:28:00.000-07:00

The Southern Theater is a favorite theater in the Twin Cities for the dance community, and I am no exception. The space is unique with an antiquity type atmoshere. Many local dance companies in the area perform at the Southern. I saw my first show here last summer, performed by TU Dance and I have seen many others since. I also have had the opportunity to perform in the space twice!
I am looking forward to "Meet the Choreographer's" in which established choreographers from the Cities will discuss the process for creating work. http://www.southerntheater.org/2010_10-04_meet_the_choreo.htm. This is just one of the many great things about being a dancer/choreographer and getting to live in the Twin Cities. Check it out!

Day 2: Caribou Coffee...White Chocolate Mochas

2010-09-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

So, I got a little (well, 4 days to be exact) off schedule in my desire to post one thing I enjoy about the Twin Cities for the next Twenty days. Let's just say, I moved this weekend and that's my excuse. Finding the computer, finding the computer cord, finding a place to pick up a wireless connection and so it goes. So, Day 2 September 21st and onward!

I like good coffee. And I like local coffeeshops however, good coffee is good coffee even if franchised. I have become attached to one drink in particular, and I believe that Caribou Coffee makes THE. BEST. WHITE CHOCOLATE MOCHA. EVER! Seriously, it is delicious and has become a favorite treat of mine. It is made with shavings of white chocolate at the bottom of the cup, hot espresso right on top to create a perfect bittersweetness toped with steamed or cold milk. Stir and enjoy the delightful dessert of a drink! Hmmm!

I found these flowers on the bus & when I told the bus driver someone left them, he took them but then looked at me and asked if I wanted them?! A wonderful surprise that goes nicely with my chocolate coffee combo!

Twin Cities Twenty Project

2010-09-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Definition of AMBIVALENCE

1: simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings (as attraction and repulsion) toward an object, person, or action

Over the past few weeks I have been taking note of how often I find myself in a state of ambivalence. It can be over something simple like a cup of coffee---

Voice 1: "Oh, I love coffee! White chocolate mocha's are so yummy!"

Voice 2: "I can't believe you just spent $3.94 on a cup of coffee and can you really afford those calories?!"

I love it and I hate it.

But the experience of ambivalence also goes deeper. To the point that I believe that we live in an Age of Ambivalence. An age in which our hearts are always pulled in opposing directions. In transit. Unsettled. At war. And yet, at complete rest in knowing God's goodness. Standing firm that His promises are true. At peace.

It reminds me of a very old Caedmon's Call song, "This world has nothing for me and this world has everything. All that I could want and nothing that I need." I think before I really understood or contemplated, thanks to Dan Allender, the reality of ambivalence I often just felt like a confused liar or a flake at best. I am not letting myself off the hook here, I do admit to having some flaky tendencies but of course I blame that on my parents and on being the youngest of four. But, understanding that feeling two opposing things is an actual, legitimate (even Dan Allender Phd. says so) experience has made me feel less schitzo and given me an ability to trust myself a little more.
I find it extremely helpful in situations that could easily turn into self-pitying nightmares. Like hearing about two engagements of people all younger than you in one day. Or finding out your good friend is going to be dancing the role you were wanting. Before the reality of ambivalence entered my understanding I think I would have assumed that the negative feelings, those of self-pity and jealousy, where my "true" feelings and that the ones of me rejoicing and feeling happy for my friends that were engaged or whatever it may be were only ones I was trying or wishing to have. Now that I realize I can feel two things at the same time and that sometime those can be opposite feelings, this has brought a freedom to be honest and not to miscount my emotions as easily. Not that I should dwell on and nurture the negative feelings but I should also know that the happy, rejoicing emotions are true too.
So, is it hard to go to weddings? I have to admit that it often is. Because a longing is stirred in me. A longing that is good yet for now, unfulfilled. But is it fun to go to weddings? For sure, because it is so freakin' beautiful to see people love one another and be able to commit to a life together. And it is truly amazing to be able to celebrate this with people that I love!
I have felt this way about my move to the Twin Cities this year. It has been so wonderful and yet it has also been so hard, often being anything but full of wonder. I miss Lincoln like crazy. I miss my friends, I miss the city itself-- the places that gave life to so many precious memories and yet there are good things here that keep me unsure of the next step and experiencing that ever-winding path of ambivalence.
Today was a particularly hard day. One of those days when it feels like the "break-up" is really fresh because everything you see reminds you of when you were together. One of those days when the break-up feels more "real", more permanent, and you wonder if it really is gonna be forever. When you wish you could take it back and make everything go back to how it was before. Oh the pain of grief and the fact that the sun still rises and sets despite our longings to stand still.
And the tears flow.
I was a bit inconsolable. I do hope to spend more time in Lincoln someday. But I don't know if that will be a reality. So, for now, I want to embrace the joy of life here. The ways the goodness of God has been so near to me and the incredible, gracious ways that He shows me His love. For a while now, I have had an idea to do a "Twin Cities Project Twenty" and today seemed an appropriate time for its inauguration.

What: A project in which I will post twenty things that I enjoy about living in the Twin Cities. One item in the next twenty days.

So, here's to embracing the joyful emotions in an age of ambivalence....

Day 1: The Mosemans, though they are each deserving of their own place in my list of "twenty" I think it would be cheating slightly and so I present them all as the most precious thing about being in the Twin Cities. (BUT, there's NO way I can put just ONE picture!)

Roller Blading Santa

2010-09-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

On one of my recent adventures with Dr. Kate (I am sure that she doens't always want me referring to her as Dr. Kate but it is fun to make use of this newly official title), I wish, oh wish that I had, had a camera handy when Santa skated right past us on his roller blades. Yes, it is true. On the off season, Santa comes to Minnesota where it is a little warmer and enjoys the regular activities of many other Minnesotans: biking, fishing, and yep, roller blading through parks. It was news to me too; first that well, he actually is real, and second that he spends his summers in Minnesota. I had know idea. And because of some recent health issues, he has been given some medical advice (unfortunately it wasn't from Dr. Kate, that would've been very cool) to get in better shape. So, he has taken up roller blading.
Now, I know you might be a bit skeptical which is why of course I wished I had, had a camera because then you too would be convinced that this jolly fellow was indeed Santa. His white beard was what I first noticed but, there are many grandpa's with a white, fluffy beard encircling a rosy grin. So, the flowing cream colored shirt perfectly paired with bright red spandex was the next give away. However, I believe what sealed the deal was the little twinkle in his eye and contented cheery smile he gave us as he comfortably rolled past Kate and me on our bikes. It was all Kate and I could do not too giggle too loudly and as she put it, "well, it's not every day that you see Santa roller blading in the park." Minnesota summers I tell ya, they 're full of excitement!

Why I dance, you ask?

2010-08-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

This morning a friend asked me why I danced?
This was my answer sent via email (with a few edits to protect the identity of the innocent inquirer).

Friend of Joie's ,

So, even though I could honestly write a book on this topic, I will, for your sake (at least for now) keep it to a short essay. Why do I dance? It's the kind of question that makes something inside of me jump. It'd be like a non-believer asking you why you loved Jesus, or why you read the Bible. Though I am not trying to convert you to become a dancer, it is nice to be given the chance to share with you about something that is intricately woven to who God made me to be. So, with all my giddiness, I will make a first attempt at answering why I dance.

When I was 12, the summer before my 6th grade year, I went to Ecuador with Carrie. We were visiting my Mom's cousin and her family, who were missionaries in Quito with MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship). I remember very vividly a remark Kelly, the youngest of their two girls, said to me at dinner while music played in the background, "You are always moving when music is on. You move a lot." I think at first I wasn't sure how to take her remark. I think I remember it still now because she expressed an observation about me that I hadn't yet realized about myself. To me, it was instinctual. Moving to music, whether its music in my head or music being played on the stereo, wasn't something I thought about doing, it was something I just did. Yes, I had already at that point been in dance classes for 7 years but I don't think I would've lasted into my 30's with this crazy drive to dance if I only moved to music because my mom put me in dance class when I was five. So, without trying to be annoyingly whimsical, I dance because I am moved. I am stirred by sound, and rhythms, by emotions and words. I am awakened by the life around me and my response is that I want to dance. So, why dance and not play the piano? or write poetry? or sing a song? I do those things too, though not very well all the time. I suppose the short of it is that God made me with a particular physicality and passion that NEEDS to express bodily what I feel and think. Often this goes beyond what can be said with words, much like the expression of a hug goes beyond any words of comfort that you could offer a hurting friend, or the expression of joy you feel when seeing someone you love but have been separated from. How awkward it would be if when parted lovers came together they didn't touch?

My identity as a dancer expresses itself in these ways that are less formal. Such as the fact that a strong expression of love for me is a hug. It is a rare occasion for me to be sad or hurt and not have tears. My body is responding (is moved) to what life has brought before me. Of course a great deal of self-control has had to be learned in my life because of this...and a great deal more needs to be learned. Perhaps my struggle with depression is due to the fact that I haven't figured out how to express anger and so it all gets stored inside of me. Someone told me that depression is frozen rage and I think this is a good description. But this is another topic for another day.

However, there is another side to it, in that just because I have this impulse, this desire to move and dance and express doesn't mean that it is always easy, nor does it mean that I am always "obedient" if you will, to this voice. I must have been 4 years old or so when I was bounding and twirling and leaping about the living room completely free of any care in the world. I caught sight of my parents crouching in the corner trying not to be seen. They knew as soon as their presence was known, the moment would dispel into something else. And it did. I ran and hid as if I had been caught doing something wrong. A few moments later I glanced at my parents and we all were caught in a smile. Delighting and being delighted in. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful memories I have of my parents because it is one of the only I have of them being together, being close to one another, and smiling. When I dance I am brought into a world in which I share an intimate expression of myself. Though I love it, it does not always feel safe to dance. Vulnerability requires risk and risk is not always easy. Dance teaches me to be be vulnerable, to be okay with being intimate with others, with God and with myself. And sometimes, I would rather be more stagnant than a rock and stay in bed; pull the sheets over my head, lock the door and keep the shade down so no light can get in. And believe me there have been too many of those days that I would care to admit. But when I don't. When I choose to live and dance, I find a place of freedom. A place beyond my bound self-protection and fear. A place where I am free to love and worship. A smile from God in which I don't have to run from, but can dance to. I wouldn't say it like Eric Liddle from good 'ole Chariots of Fire: "When I run, I feel God's pleasure." I would say that when I dance it's because I have this longing that won't go away. But I know how to name it now. It's the longing to be with God. Perhaps it sounds cheesy, but its as if I really need to tell Jesus that I love Him and since I can't touch Him or hug Him, or see Him, I dance because when I do that I get a glimpse of what it will be like when I can do all those things someday. And I really want that day to come. So, until then I will dance to express the longing, the hope and the joy that is the promise. But then, I will dance because IT WILL BE. And there will be nothing that can contain the joy that will be ours on that glorious day.

So, there's more to it I suppose. But since there is this reality of living in a world where its hard to make a living and be a dancer, I must respond to that pressing reality and fill out a few job applications.

Ciao for now,
joie

ING

2010-08-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

Waiting for my #12 Beach Club from Jimmy Johns!
Delighting in JJ's delivery service for days when I wake up late & don't have time to pack my lunch!
Listening to some really awesome music on Pandora...Penguin Cafe Orchestra Radio
Hoping...lots of things I am hoping!
Praying for a job with benefits soon!
Missing my friends in LINCOLN Nebrasky!
Thanking God that I have such amazing friends even if they are near and far!
Wondering what I will be doing in the next year
Planning to get lots done this week
Mourning that the Choi's are leaving the Cities tomorrow! :(
Contemplating when Abigail and I can go on a coffee date
Thinking I would like to make some cool journals or cards or something crafty soon
Doubting that it REALLY is time for my little Andrew Moseman to start Kindergarten!
Wanting to do some painting with my sis sometime soon...the kitchen walls that is.
Getting back to work soon!
Wishing I had time to write a longer post!

August 1st already?!

2010-08-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

      Aren't we about to come up on July 4th soon? Oh, yeah, it's August 1st which means July 4th was almost a month ago. Right. I'll try to let that sink in for a bit. July has been a bit of a crazy month. July 15th was a deadline for me to let Springs Dance Company know if I would be joining them in London in the fall. After much prayer and letters, phone calls, the challenging reality of raising support, I emailed Claire, one of the directors for the Company, to let them know that the funds didn't come in and I wouldn't be joining them in September. The gears have shifted a bit painfully but quickly to what the Lord has next for me and I have been applying for full time jobs working with children. My move to the cities has solidified that even when given the opportunity to dance, I still want to work with children, I still want to be part of helping them unfold the creative souls God has made them to be. I hope I get to keep dancing too...that hasn't gone away. I got to attend a Musikgarten Workshop http://www.musikgarten.org/ and become a certified Musikgarten Instructor. I loved every minute of it and am excited to be able to broaden my teaching to more than just Abigail, Amelia, Drew and Eli!
    Other July ventures have included selling chicken and pork chop sandwiches (not the same sandwich), burgers, fries and 33 oz. pop at the Minnesota State Fair grounds. My most recent event was a "Car Craft Show". Translation: Lots of testosterone, lots of loud cars, lots of ridiculous rims and large tires. There were contests for the loudest (i.e. most obnoxious) engine around, as well as some pretty sweet paint jobs on just about any kind of car you could imagine. My favorite was a bright orange Bronco that was parked near our stand. I would've bought it but oh, wait, I am the one selling the burgers. Not in the budget. :) Who knew that my move to the Twin Cities to be part of the arts scene would also include a intimate introduction to the world of concessions at fair ground events. I love it! It keeps life absolutely interesting and keeps me learning about all sorts of things I would've never known about. Not to mention that Doug, the owner of "Hansen Foods", is one of the most-respected bosses that I have ever had. It speaks volumes to pay people well and to treat them well even when they are doing something that required 5 to 10 minutes of training.
    A highlight of this month has been that Dr. Kate Venable is now HERE! Such an incredible blessing to have an old and dear friend in town! Our first Sunday together we dined at Fasika, one of the local Ethiopian restaurants in St. Paul. The next day we met miss Molly Piper with 2 year old Marrow at Maria's where Kate and I enjoyed Ripe Plantain Pancakes! Delicious!! Kate is moved in and started her official life as Dr. Venable on Monday! Amazing!! It's so encouraging to see God's faithfulness in the lives of my friends and especially celebrate the end of one chapter and the joyous beginning of a new one. A sleep over at her new house that she is renting is soon to come! A bike ride by the river, some cooking, some vino for Kate and sparkling Izze for me (I am dry these days). It will be splendid!
I guess that's where July has gone. And August is here. Unannounced and just like that. I am hoping August might be even more of an adventure as I pray for and pursue a full time job...and perhaps a move....
We'll see.

2010-07-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Some recent favorite and notable comments from the Moseman children...

"What's a personality?"
Amelia's response to my explantion:
"Oh, so your personality is forgetting things."
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"No offense, but do you not have very many summer clothes? You need to go shopping jojo." (guess who that one was from??)
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I was holding Eli after we'd just finished our bedtime stories and he was looking up at me. "Eli I am so glad that your my nephew. I love you."
To which he responds in this tender moment, "No, I am mommy's nephew!"

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Five year old Drew..."Mommy, I forgot to tell you that you look really pretty tonight." Whoever gets to marry this boy is a lucky woman!

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Kids. You gotta love'em!

CityLife Picnic

2010-07-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

Summer in Minnesota IS absolutely gorgeous. Does it make up for the incredibly long and freeeezzzing winter? I don't really know if I am ready to go that far but I am immensely enjoying the beautiful 70-80 degree weather, blue skies, gentle breezes, and any number of lakes to choose from for a walk. On Sunday we had our first CityLife church picnic outside. It humored me a bit that somebody asked me if I thought it was too hot out. It was not more than 85, if that, so I had to encourage him that we should keep the plan to picnic outside. It was lovely...and here are a few of my favorite shots from it...(thanks to Jenny for her camera!!!)

Eli and I decided to bust a move...

Drew didn't want to miss out on the action!

I love my sister, she is beautiful!

This just makes me smile all over!

Eli the Cool!

2010-06-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

What more does one need to make them smile?!

Tutt Tutt Looks Like Rain!

2010-06-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

Well, from this picture you can't really tell that I am SOPPING wet! On Mondays and Fridays I commute from St. Paul to St. Louis Park via Minneapolis. This is all done by bus of course as I am no longer driving my car. My little Passat wagon is receiving it's last touch ups before I will bid her fairwell forever. So at 7:15 this evening, I stood watching the rain rage across the parking lot, the sky light up with lightening and the trees blow 'till they were horizontal with the ground. At which point, I opted to wait for the 7:43 bus. After it cleared a bit I ran to board bus 675C to Minneapolis to catch my connecting route just in time to then take me to St. Paul. All was lovely and I was just the slightest bit wet from the moisture that remained in the air, when all at once the down pour began all over again! But now I was in St. Paul, smiling and shrugging as I thanked the bus driver and stepped out to take my wet stormy walk home. There was no other choice but to embrace such an adventure. Backpack on and flipflops off, I gallivanted through the wet streets and into the soft, sinking grass with my bare feet. It was lovely indeed and I am glad for every moment of laughter it afforded me this evening. I had know I idea I would be so satisfied that I hadn't thought to bring an umbrella with me this morning!

Dreaming & Praying

2010-06-24T07:35:00.001-07:00

London might be in my future. The waiting is a bit hard. Raising support is a bit harder. But I am encouraged when I am reminded that God has a plan and that He is at work in all of this. Tuesday I had an interview with Richard and Ruth Hughs, parents of 5 month old Chloe Hughs. Ruth is the Artistic Director for Springs Dance Company http://www.springsdancecompany.org.uk/ in London and she is looking for an apprentice (I was accepted to be an apprentice (http://www.springsdancecompany.org.uk/apprenticeship/elevate-dance-company/) with the company this coming fall) to provide a few days of childcare for Chloe. When I got off the phone tears were streaming down my face as I plopped myself down on the swing set (outside was the only quiet place I could freely talk at the Mosemans) and contemplated God's hand and work in my life. They were tears of joy and amazment at how well our conversation went and excitement about the possibility that lay before me. By the end of the interview, I felt I had already made a friend. Sometimes when I think about being in London doing ministry through dance, even with all it's seeming "awesomeness", I worry about being lonely. This was a good boost for me to know that there are people there that will be my friends and even a family with a lovely little girl for me to dote on and care for. And she is LOVELY...I got to see pictures of her on Facebook...red hair, blue eyes and an absolutely killer smile!!! So, I will keep praying for God to provide for me to be there if this is where He wants me!

2010-06-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

So, I have to admit that I think this is one of THE. CUTEST. KIDS. EVER. and... he just happens to be my nephew. Right now I get to live with all 6 Mosemans and they all charm me and delight me with who they are (even Bart when he whips out ALL the lyrics to just about any 80's tune you can think of) but I would say Eli is by far a hit in the family at the moment (Carrie might slightly disagree but that's because she's the parent that stays home with him all day...and well, we all know what it's like to get any two year old to co-operate when they don't want to...). I love coming home to his laughing and his curls and most of all I LOVE that he has taken to calling me "jo". My nickname "jojo", was started by my oldest niece Catie who is now almost 16! It has been adopted by my seven other nieces and nephews and is used just as often by my adult friends as well. But the youngest of them all has chosen to break out of the old ways! Way to go be your own man Eli! Often it goes something like this: "Hey Jo, where are you going Jo?" or "Hey, watch me Jo!". I love it. I love it for many reasons. One of them being, that my grandpa called my grandma Jo. Her full name was Joanne and she is my name's sake. I loved both of my grandparents very much and miss having them around. So, when Eli Emmett (Emmett was my grandpa's name) calls out in his little voice, "Jo", it just gets me everytime! Hmph! I love that kid!

Psalm 91

2010-06-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have been reading Psalm 91 lately. These are a few verses that I read over and over. At a time when my heart aches for home, I am seeking to understand what it means to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. This is where a true sense of safety may be found. More thoughts on "Home" and "Safe Places" to come. But for now, a few verses that astound me.

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place---the Most High, who is my refuge---
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
14 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will anser him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

it has been too long

2010-06-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

Shall I follow through with this second attempt at a blog?
We shall see.
The need to write is as great as the need to dance, as the need to breath.
Poor little soul I pity you,
it seems you have had a sinus infection,
been all stopped up and cooped up for the winter.
Summer is here. It's time to write.
To take a walk around the lake and breath in all its charms.
Or shall we say.
It's time to blog.