Nicole Marie

2011-06-24T13:51:00.003-05:00

GollyGeeWiz!!!

I'm a big grown up married woman as of 20 days ago!! Funny how one white dress, a sparkly ring and some precious vows to my best friend make us one forever.

Speaking of being one and starting a new family together. I have officially decided that days of posting here have come to an end. Never fear, dears, as a brand spankity new blog is being updated as we speak!

Use your typing fingers and find { www.theneesbylookbook.blogspot.com }

Click the {follow} button so you don't miss a moment of our crazy adventures together has {hubs & wifey} and enjoy the journey of our new life together.

Love all of your amazing peoples!!

California's Wilderness Park

2011-01-25T10:58:00.004-06:00

The super amazing fiance {eeeekk!! kinda like the sound of that!} always has such amazing date ideas. For example our bittersweet celebration of our one year anniversary, January 11. Bitter because my flight out of town was leaving that afternoon. Sweet because I have had one whole entire amazing year with the super duper hunk of a dude!! BooooYAH!!

We got up early and had breakfast at a little cafe. Then Adam whisked me away to show me the local 'Wilderness Park'.

Now before you bust a gut like I want to, read this whole post and see all the amazing pictures of pure wilderness. Seriously guys. It's worth a trip to California to just experience it!!

My hubsy-t0-be practices signing our names together. He says I should get used to it. Riiight on Captain.

- - - -

Ok guys. Do you see all these trees?! I mean, come on. It was amazing. We searched and searched and searched {for a whole 5 minutes} to find the perfect kissing tree to take our kissless pictures in. {Yeah, kinda a let down I know. I mean, what are kissing trees without the full-on kissing that goes with it?!}

{super patience man models for me while I set up the self-timer}

Yeah. Can you see the breathtaking wilderness in this photo?! {Ok. Try to mentally block out all those houses and smog in the background... yeah?! No. Ok.}

- - - -

Enter perfect tree. And the {slightly less than perfect} saga that follows:

{Boyfriends climbs tree} {waits for Girlfriend to set up camera} {Both bustin' a move trying to get into places}

Sad to say, we never made a successful go of that photo attempt. Instead I massively cut up my fingers while trying to scale the tree in the 6.298 seconds the camera waits before firing. This is the second time I've cut myself while climbing trees with Captain Awesome. He really ought to ban me from the activity.

OR .... maybe we should have read the wilderness park instructions before we roamed the area. How did I miss the part that clearly states:

"Climbing in trees is prohibited"

Here we thought they were going all Nazi on us. When REALLY they were only trying to protect us from their killer, cutting trees. If I had only known.

- - - -

Seriously guys. Hanging out with this guy rocks my world every second of every day.

And I really think I {L O V E} him...

He said {will you} I said {yes}

2011-01-25T09:56:00.004-06:00

On January 5, I was standing in a shack, beach restaurant, waiting for my amazing man. He walked around the corner and my heart stood still as he came towards me with happy, nervous smiles. With his arm around my waist, he lead me outside and we started walking down the beach.

My heart was pounding.

{T O D A Y was the day!}

We came to a trail of sparkly, blue stones and one corked bottle sticking out of the sand. Inside was cream paper with gold trim. The scrawling writing said all kinds of sweet things and ended with

"maybe it's bribery, but this is my attempt to keep you around..."

As we followed the trail of two more corked bottles. One had a list of things he loves about me and one had a list of his favorite memories with me. I laughed along the way and told Adam "I really think I want to get to the end of the line!"

{Random note: Who the heck calls you when you are being proposed to?! Seriously. And no. I didn't answer it.} ;)

When we came around the corner, there was a table with roses and candles and a picnic basket. And one more corked bottle. Inside was a poem. It said he was a lovesick boy. And the only cure was an answer to one question...

He got down in the sand on one knee and a gorgeous, sparkly ring came out of his pocket.

{And how could I say anything but Y.E.S.}

{Follow this with lots of laughter, jumping, hugging, and stares at my brand new glam. Notice the motion of hair. Did I say LOTS of jumping and laughing?! Yes.}

I love this amazing man so much. I feel humbled that he wants to be my husband. I am unbelievably blessed by God. Adam is the best gift He has ever given me.

We are so excited to get married. June 4 seems so far away. But in the next 126 days, we are going to rock the world by thoroughly enjoying being engaged... until we can rock the world as the amazing Mr and Mrs Neesby.

{B O O S H}

- - -

Speaking of rocks, check this little beauty out. Didn't my man do amazingly?! He picked this out on his own. Wow. Have I mentioned that I love him?!

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

2010-12-02T13:40:00.003-06:00

{I shamelessly copy this sensational idea from this blog for awkward and awesome moments from my week. enjoy!!}

{bundled up for the annual Christmas parade}

{A W K W A R D}

:: Pulling up to the 'credit' lane to pay my parking lot ticket and after trying to feed the machine my ticket about 37 different ways, it still read "Unrecognizable ticket". I have to back up my poor little car and tell the lady at the 'cash' window that I can't get their machine to work.

:: My computer screen that still doesn't work. "Hello people, why is this awkward that I am hovering over my laptop with the screen at a 20 degree angle. What's not normal about this?!"

:: The horrific screeching a random belt in my car makes when ever it starts. Sounds something close to a witch being boiled in hot oil. Lovely.

:: Standing at the security line at the airport with huge tears running down my face. Trying to make that last hug last forever...

:: Having my boss ask me to turn on the baby monitor, which I promptly do. Upon hearing no noise, I switch the channel from 'X' to 'Y'... doesn't that loud noise sound like a fan blowing?! Several hours later when we are sitting down to eat, I ask which channel it should be on and as I switch it, baby's screams come across the line loud and clear.

:: Bad time management which makes me 110% positive I will make my man miss his flight. Kick start my lightening fast driving and asking God to make the sun stand still.

:: Introducing Captain Awesome to plethora's of people whose names I can't remember {"This is my boyfriend, Adam and this is ... ..."}

{A W E S O M E}

:: Helping Captain Awesome pick out a brand new snazzy shirt and having him handsomely escort me to a wedding. Happy happy day...

:: Listening to my favorite aussie songs that have such good memories from my awesome trip last month

:: Shopping with my amazingly patient man for the much desired tall boots and random cute necklaces {Ok baby, which brown boots?! Should I really be spending my money for this?! The silver leaf necklace or gold?!} He really is my hero.

:: A sappy card with lots of loving, sweet scrawling notes that is passed to me just as {H E} walks through the security line

:: 3D showing of Tangled with the whole entire theater to ourselves {which means we can laugh, talk and makes jokes all the way through the showing}

:: Christmas favs blaring across the radio station

:: Getting an outfit inspiration as I lay in bed and getting a {bowchicawow} from Captain Awesome the next day

:: Dates to the children's section at Barnes and Noble and reading our favorite kids books to each other

What are your awkward and awesome moments from this week?! I wanna hear them all!!

I Think That I'm Falling In Love

2010-11-17T06:41:00.002-06:00

Falling in love with {Adam Dane Neesby} to be quite exact. As K and I were walking around the gorgeous city of Sydney on Monday night, this song kept poking into my thoughts "It's a grand night for singing, the stars are bright above. The earth is aglow and to add to the show, I think that I'm falling in love. Falling, falling in love!" {sigh} How true that is. I know you are all here to read of my adventures in the wild and wonderful land of Australia, but indulge me for just a moment.

Last night, I was quite distraught with my overwhelming feelings of missing my Captain Awesome. Los Angeles is so far away, as is Monday when I get to run into his strong arms as I bust off the plane. But that's besides the point. I am missing our two hour {plus}, nightly conversations, I am missing being able to text him whenever I want. And all coupled up with that is my plain 'ole missing him in general. Missing just being together. Missing laughing over stupid things with each other. Missing holding hands. ... ... {Yes, yes, I hear you. I will stop now.}

A N Y W A Y S. After typing a rather long, depressing monologue email for him and getting ready to cuddle down into bed, these sweet words popped up on my Skype chat

hey my love! r u still up? u wanna skype really quietly for 5 minutes? skype and type? I miss u soo bad. i love u....

{Insert lots of awww's and maybe a little teary eye.} My sweet, loving, sacrificing man woke up at {what was his} 4:00am just to talk to me. And what was suppose to be 5 minutes turned into well over an hour. How amazing is he?! Seriously. I was touched to my pinky toes and soon my depression turned to sappy delight as we talked and prayed together. {Sigh} I love him.

{Note to my single girlfriends out there. Never, never, P L E A S E never settle. Never settle for second best. Never settle for less than God wants to give you. Never settle for a man who does not want to love you like Jesus loves His church. The waiting is crazy hard. And never fun. But it's so incredibly worth it. And when that hunk of a man comes along and sweeps you off your feet. Treats you like the princess you are. Loves you and sacrifices things for you like Jesus does for His church. You will be smiling at the fuzzies around your heart. And will be so glad you waited. Ok. End of soapbox!}

- - -

I am also falling in love with Australia. The beaches. The cities. The brilliant blue sky. The lights at night. The people. The food. Here's a snapshot {or two or twenty} of our two day trip into Sydney.

It was quite funny how, the city that we thought should come alive at night, actually went quite dead around 8:00pm. We were desperately looking for some delish place to have our dinner, but unless we wanted to pay posh prices for posh food, we had to settle for McDonalds. In Sydney, Australia. Go figure.

The next day, we had breakfast at a tiny sandwich/coffee shop we found near our hostel. Like their tee-shirts said "Come for the coffee, Stay for the service". Our super friendly friend, Harry, had us in stitches as he served us our coffee and carrot cake.

After breakfast, we headed to Manly beach via the big green ferry.

{Note to self: Return to Australia with Captain Awesome after getting married. Return to Sydney. Return to ferry. Go to destination stop 1 on 'My Ferry2'. Stay there for a long time.}

{No, I cannot think summer. It's November for crying out loud. Christmas and Summer will N E V E R be synonymous. Period. End of story.}

{We passed scores of school kids taking part in surf education. Are you serious?! Surf education. I would go back to school in Australia just to be a part of that. Top coolness for sure!}

{If I had to be a pigeon, I would want to live in Sydney. Pigeons are treated right there. You would be allowed to enter the open McDonalds and eat fallen french fries. Awesome. You would be allowed to fly onto the ferries and skitter around til you reach the other side. Adventurous! It would be a good pigeon life to be sure.}

{C H I N A T O W N!!! And my favorite red tea. A little bit of heaven!}

{Eating real aussie food: Kebobs! With open air music by the local police band. Thank you, Manly!!}

- - -

This made me so happy. Just like Brian Reagan talks about, the 'Sprinks-Mix-For-Lunitics'!! I'm still trying to figure out the logic behind this sprinkle design. Hmmm....

Today I'm {Loving}

2010-11-13T03:27:00.007-06:00

... Enjoying the early morning while tucked into a blue kayak and paddling around an island

... An egg and bacon wrap fresh off the barbeque grill. {Nothing better than the smell of bacon frying in the morning air}

... The color on my arms and legs from this blazing Australian sun {No pastey Midwestern girl for me!}

... Watching my handsome man get all distracted by our Skype date. {He's super cute when he's tongue-tied}

... Blowing him kisses from the land down under

... Talking in excited voices about our upcoming nine days together {nine whole glorious days!!}

... A comforting peace from {Psalms 42}

... A cozy nap and the whole world goes dead around me

... Climbing a big hill and gawking at the blue-green ocean on all sides of me

... Laughing with K as we crumble to the ground in hysteria

... Spoonfuls of cool refreshing {lemon} sorbet after dinner

... Hanging my wet laundry outside in the delicious night air

{what i'm N O T loving}

... Being over {7000} miles from my handsome man's arms

... The kink in my computer screen which makes it only work when opened at a 35 degree angle

... My hair that has gone spastic on me the last week

... The lack of working out with my bro, Tim {my would-be-muscles are disappearing}

... Lyrics of a new song that will N O T leave my head {I actually don't mind this, it's just getting a little over the top}

... Not having hugs from my adorable sisters

... The last {tim-tams} that disappeared from their package this afternoon {I actually am really loving this. It means I can no longer be tempted to eat them}

Wild Air :: Peaceful Heart

2010-11-10T06:00:00.004-06:00

Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

- - - -

It's amazing how the organic, wild, untouched natural beauty soothes my soul. Being here in Australia has reminded me of that truth all over again. As I look out on the crashing waves of sea blues and greens; as my eyes catch a glimpse of huge humpbacked whales; as the soft clean sand sticks to my feet; as the huge white clouds offset the blue sky and water; my heart is refreshed. It's like God comes down and whispers in my soul that He is big. He is in control. He is not confused. He is watching me, loving me, holding me.

One would think that being in such an amazing place as Australia would make you forget all your worries and troubles. Funny thing is, that although I am experiencing things that people spend their lives dreaming about, God continues to allow brokenness to be a real part of my life. I suppose those who read this blog are getting tired of hearing me talk about it. But since that is where God has me now, I cannot ignore it.

Sometimes the brokenness hurts so bad, I huddle in a corner and sob my heart out. Sometimes the brokenness makes my heart angry. Sometimes the brokenness makes me cringe and wonder if it will ever be over. But most times the brokenness makes me turn my face to Jesus and cling to Him in utter desperation. Brokenness causes me to see my daily need of His grace, love and forgiveness. Brokenness makes the Word come alive in ways it can't when everything is right in the world. Brokenness reminds me daily of my utter depravity without God. Brokenness shows me I am nothing without Him. Brokenness makes me love Him more.

Although I hate this feeling of brokenness, I love the feeling of knowing God is right there. I have had so many moments of knowing if God is not there to hold me, I will surely go insane. It's also amazing because I can feel the prayers of the people God has put in my life. That is a humbling, yet incredible feeling. To know without a shadow of a doubt that at this moment, someone is interceding for me. Thank you Jesus.

Why do I share all of this?? Like any of you really care anyway, right?! ;) I just want my blog to be a place where I can know God and make Him known. I want Him to be lifted up and exalted. I would not be here without Him. I also hope that somehow my journey can be a blessing to someone. Some of the best advice I have received from my friends, is this. Read the Word. Press into God through prayer. Don't stop. Keep reading and seeking. {I love you girls... you know who you are!!} Many times I am afraid to encourage people who are going through suffering with 'all the right answers'. But I have been so encouraged by the girls who constantly remind me of this. And deep down inside, we all know it's true. Jesus is just waiting for us to run to Him. To declare our need of desperate dependence on Him. That is when He will answer. When He will come through for us. He is waiting...

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in an ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. - Mother Teresa

There's a wideness in God's mercy like the wideness of the sea. - Frederick William Faber

If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. - Psalm 139: 9-10

There's always a hole in my heart and the empty place by my side in all my travels... I miss my Captain Awesome!!

Magical Moments

2010-11-05T01:04:00.004-05:00

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.

-St. Augustine

The Captain Awesome and I had two days together between my Canada and Australian tours this month. I am reminded again and again what a gift those precious hours are together. We were laughing as I was thanking God for two whole entire days together instead of just one. :P

The day I left for Australia, we had a picnic on the sunny beach. The blue of the sky, the blue of the water and the blue of his eyes was quite dreamy.

{i love this man}

We always love feeding the nosy birds that come by to visit. There always seems so be a bossy brat among them.

The little sandwich shop had a jar full of these amazing pickles. This photo is for my sister, Bethie, who madly adores {big pickles}

God has been showing me in such real ways that life is made up of trails, struggles, conflicts, heartache, and pain. And rather than running away from it all, we discover Him in a new way as we run into the pain. Along the way, He sprinkles these magical moments. Moments of love. Moments of peace. Moments of Him reminding us that He is God. He is in control. And that He is loving us through it all.

{O Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear.} Psalms 10:17

An Attitude of Prayer

2010-10-30T00:37:00.003-05:00

How can I daily forget the most basic things? God continues impressed on my heart the obvious, yet needful quality of prayerfulness. I hear a sermon on prayer. The pastor reminds us that we need to shut up and pray. {Something I need to do more often} I see the way God answers a specific pray and I get all fired up. {YES! Prayer really changes things} I read a challenging blog post on the need for more prayer and less anxiety. {I could definitely cut down on anxiety in my life}

How is it so easy for me to read, hear and feel these things yet in the moment of stress, my morale and courage melts? Worry creeps back too quickly. Doubt wraps its cold, curling fingers around my heart. The warming love and deep settled peace of Jesus ebbs away.

I am thankful that Jesus is ever patience with me. I am thankful for a man who reminds me to go to Him in prayer. I am thankful for verses that bring the peace washing back in. I am thankful that my future, my money, my plans, my life, my family, my work, my ministry, my friends, my fears, my failures, my accomplishments, my everything: is all in His hands. He is not confused. He is not perplexed. He is completely and forever in control.

And that is a deep quiet peace in my heart.

- - -

I’m back on the road again… touring for Bring Me Hope. This time my travels brought me north to Ontario. {Side note: I LOVE TOURING. Sometimes when I think about the incredible blessing Jesus has given me, I shiver with thanks and excitement. Seriously. How many people get to travel and talk about the kids in China?!}

There are so many things I love about Canada. Not the least of which is the plethora of their famous coffee joint ‘Tim Hortons’ where I could eat honey cruellers all day; the quaint brick home neighborhoods; my dear friends, the Andersons, who joined us the last three years at camp; the raw beauty of Niagara Falls.

Between our speaking engagements, TV interviews and lots of hanging out time with people; Lacey Scott {my amazing traveling girlfriend} and I have had so many good talks and have eaten incredible food. It's also been amazing being with my chum, Bethany. Her and I spent almost six months together in Kunming last year. We've spent the last several days laughing over our crazy adventures.

On the subject of food. Seriously. I think on tour all we do is two things. Talk and eat. I should not complain because I seriously {L O V E} both those things. It’s amazing how much relationships revolve around food and talking. I’ve told Lacey I need to kick my exercise regiment up about 50 notches. It’s such a privilege to be a voice for the orphans. To speak on their behalf.

- - -

It was fun visiting Niagara Falls for the second time. Ok. Not even lying. When I see the enormity of those falls. When I hear the roar of the crashing water. When I drink in the beauty of the double rainbow. I feel this surging love in my heart for God. For His greatness. For His incredible beauty. Have you ever thought that if God can create such powerful beauty, what must He be like? Someone who can create the beauty of Niagara’s crashing water. The irresistibility of babies’ soft cheeks. The alluring nature of blue eyes. The contrast of colors in nature. The humbling awe of a star-studded sky. Begs me believe that {H I S} beauty must be infinitely bigger. Better. More awe inspiring. More to make me fall in love with Him.

- - -

It is simple: Pray. Give Thanks. Repeat.

It covers all of life: Don’t be anxious about ANYTHING. Pray about EVERYTHING.

And it comes with a promise: God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
- Nicole Whitacre

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)

"...Thirsty souls yearn for His nearness. Nothing else satisfies. All else seems meaningless without the Lord’s presence with them. This is not a “let’s pretend” presence. It is real and living and comforting and invigorating. Lord, please give us foretastes of heaven now — on earth — and by this cause us to thirst more for You..." J. White

My New Year's Resolutions... in October

2010-10-05T14:25:00.005-05:00

The last week, I’ve had a million blog thoughts running through my mind. Verses I’ve read as I cuddle under my covers just before drifting off to sleep, songs on the radio that bring tears to my eyes and a prayer to my lips, crazy things I’ve done with my siblings, and memories with my Captain Awesome that make me smile and miss him even more. So bear with me as I spew these random ramblings at you all.

- - -

I always have high hopes of making sweeping changes in my life every year when January rolls around. Never mind the fact that I rarely – ok, never – see those changes still intact by March.

In September, the most brilliant of ideas hit me. Why not start my resolutions in the fall?? If somehow they manage to stick, I will feel like I’ve conquered the world on January 1^st, rather than just starting.

Remember the list from two years ago here? Well, I still have high hopes of someday accomplishing those things. I believe the list went something like this; Exercise a little more, Try to eat more healthy, study Chinese, make prayer and Bible reading a bigger part of my life, etc. Do you wonder what is on that list of changes I’ve been chipping away at now??

The first thing has been exercise. I know. Shocking. And completely unbelievable. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I {H A T E} exercising. And what I hate with an even more passionate passion is running. Uggh. Even the word makes my muscles burn.

But for some reason two weeks ago, I decided to tackle what I loathe more than anything. I started on such a small scale that it’s almost embarrassing to vocalize it here. I had a mile-plus section on our road that was my project to tackle several days a week. And in an effort to not come across better than I am, I should say that I couldn’t even run the whole mile straight.

Correction: when I say {run} it’s more like a jog, if I was really honest. Somehow calling it running makes me feel better about the whole charade.

I would start by power walking and then set off at a jogging pace. What seem like two thousand steps later, which was actually only about ten yards, I was huffing and puffing embarrassingly. I wanted to lie down on the concrete and kiss my beautiful life goodbye. Every muscle in my puny body was screaming in sheer terror.

Since then God has been impressing thoughts on my heart that is often slow to learn. The biggest is that of endurance. I’ve read this verse in Corinthians over and over in life, but it’s come alive for me since I’ve started ‘running’.

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;”

- 1Cor 9:24-26

Running is hard work. Especially for me. Every night when I get dressed up in my cute black and purple shoes and head down the road, I growl and remind myself how much I {H A T E} running. But it makes me think of my life. It reminds me that character growth takes tons of painful, hard work. Loving people who are unlovely is not fun. Holding my tongue from nasty words hurts from all the biting. Serving in unrecognized ways cuts my pride down. It takes steady, consistent work. Over time, changes are slowly made. Results from the hard work finally pay off. And hopefully I reflect Jesus in a better way. All for the purpose that He may be honored through my broken lives.

Since I started running, I’ve missed days. I’ve not always completed a full mile. But somehow have begun to build up my ‘running’ tolerance. I even had one day where I survived running the whole mile! {Yes, you have permission to insert laughter here} It’s even beginning to feel like I could go a little further each day – by further I mean about 20 more steps. And I hope that eventually my weakling muscles will show off the miles run.

- - -

On a completely different track, I just have to talk a little bit about my crazy fall. It started off with Bring Me Hope’s tour in Medford, Oregon. It was really awesome to travel to northwest America for the first time. The mountain/hills reminded me of North Carolina.

I stayed with the Scotts, a family who have traveled to China and been in incredible blessing at camp. The first day I arrived, it literally poured down rain ALL. DAY. LONG. But we still tromped around the quaint town of Grants Pass sipping coffee at the famous Dutch Brother’s Coffee, window shopping, and drinking 25 cent phosphates {aka. sodas} at the ‘ole fashion drug store while the rain poured down outside.

These are the things that I {L O V E} about touring. Meeting with friends. Seeing their corner of the world. And together sharing our heart to reach out to hurting children around the globe.

We also had rousing games of round robin all weekend long. It was totally awesome because the Scott’s have an ongoing ‘family feud’ with another family in the area. It totally came out at the ping-pong table. Problem was this other family was sick-amazing at ping-pong. The Scotts could totally hold their own, but it was a battle. They were gracious enough to graft me into their family team for the games and my competitive side came out with a passion. We played game after game after game.

A note here on my ping-pong skills. They are zip, zero, nada. I struggled the whole time just to stay in the running for at least two rounds. Way too often I would end up on the wall of shame. {Somehow I can never pull off the dejected face when I need to.} In my defense though, I did make it into the finals {O N C E} and scored a big one for the Scott family!!

Tomorrow I head north to Minnesota for another tour through the weekend. I’m super excited to see old friends and I’m hoping to sneak in a visit across the North Dakota border when I visit a family in Moorhead.

In other traveling news, God given me the {H U G E} blessing of being able to travel to Australia in November. I will go with my co-worker, Kristen {check out her awesome photog blog here!} and we will meet up with our Aussie friends who have come to China the last several years. Believe me, I’m freakishly excited to see the land down under. {A W E S O M E!!}

Sometimes I look at the blessings God has given me and feel completely unworthy. I feel like He continues to remind me of the lesson I learned while traveling to Oregon just two weeks ago. Whether He brings blessings or trials, I will still choose to bless Him. To serve Him. To love Him.

- - -

One last random thought and then I’m gonna go to bed… the alarm always blares way to early and soon.

I was sitting in the bus this afternoon after driving the 8^th grade football team to a game. I had my Bible and was trying to read in somewhat of a comfortable position – which is virtually impossible on vinyl bus seats. A verse in the first chapter of 2 Corinthians jumped off the page and made me smile, not only at the goodness of God, but the practical application in my life.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.

- 2 Corinthians 1

How true that was of my six months in China last year. I know that I have not shared much of my experiences, but those verses could have been right out of my own mouth.

Someday I hope to share more of the events that transpired, but until then, I have to publicly thank Jesus for bringing me through that dark valley. He was always beside me. Always faithful. Always loving. And as I look back, I don’t know how I would have survived without Him. Prayer works. His timing is good. He delights to give good gifts to His children. And He can see the bigger picture. I’m thankful that though I doubted and wrestled with my faith and questioned His sovereignty, He never left my side.

And I love Him for it.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty… He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge. His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. He will call upon Me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

- Psalms 91

- - -

As you think of it, please continue to lift up Spring. She is one of the girls who lived at the Ranch with us. She is in Beijing receiving counseling and help for her struggles with suicide. Jesus has saved a life again and I can’t thank Him enough.

Continue to lift up all the forgotten hearts in China and around the world. They need us to tell them of Hope.

Of Riddles and Love

2010-09-22T16:43:00.003-05:00

I never knew that 21 hours could be so amazing. Or how it could end so quickly.

After the end of the Oregon tour {which was great by the way} I flew down to Los Angeles Monday afternoon. It was like a dreamy event that went by in the blink of an eye.

Adam kept informing me the few days before I arrived that he was planning a special surprise date for us. I was super excited to see what he had concocted. Like I’ve said before, he surprises me over and over and over. And this was no exception.

If anyone reading cannot tolerate blissful sappiness, you might want to go on to whatever boring task you were doing just before opening this blog page. But if you think you can tolerate it, read on. Be awed. Ooo and ahh. And if any guys are reading this, you might want to take notes. ;)

After picking me up at the airport, we somehow managed to find our way back to the car; after lots of hugging and admiring looks at each other. {Readers should be awed by this feat. It took a lot of walking back and forth between parking garages, because a certain one of us gets easily distracted when trying to find his car. Super cute by the way!}

The date started by Adam pulling out a card from his pocket. And the story went something like this.

“This date will be a series of riddles that will lead us from one spot to the next. You have to figure out the riddles before moving to following location.”

The first was about cold, sweet treats… Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt. YUM! When we got there, Adam pulled me around the corner of the building and there hidden in a flowerpot was the next clue card.

With a stomach full of watermelon flavored frozen yogurt, Adam read me the next clue. As soon as I heard the bit about watching the setting sun, I knew we were headed for the beach. {Note: This guy is amazing. He did all of his homework, all the way down to checking the exact time the sun would set. No details were left undone. He’s just that good.}

Here’s one of the many things I love about Adam Neesby. He has a plethora of places around his home from coffee shops, to parks, to cliffs overlooking the ocean; where he goes to read the Word, pray and talk to me. I love when he lets me into his world and takes me to his ‘spots’.

Last night he took me to another spot I’d never seen before. A rocky cliff over looking the ocean. The grey waters and foam rushed into the small inlet far below. The next clue was hidden behind a sign that said something about flying model airplanes in the designated areas only. {I LOVE this guy’s attention to details.} By this point, I was already so giddy with love and respect for my man’s superbly romantic date; my spirits couldn’t be dashed by the sunset that was severely masked by thick fog.

That third clue led us to a seafood restaurant on the pier. The atmosphere was amazing; a dimly lit, fishing cove type building with an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the waves crashing on the pier. {My favorite thing about seafood restaurants is my lack of knowledge when it comes to the menu. Adam is my obliging translator.}

One side note on Adam and I at restaurants. We always like to sit on the same side of the table, with our chairs pulled as close as possible. As we sat in this fashion that night, whispering secrets in each other’s ear, our sweet old-lady waitress said, “Do you want to move over to a booth? You might be more comfortable there.” Needless to say, we tipped her well. ;)

We finished our night with a stroll along the pier. The last clue, which had been hidden under a park bench along our walk to dinner made me laugh and dance out loud.

While still in China, I had a dream one night about chocolate truffles. I told Adam and it became this huge joke about him trying to find me truffles in Kunming. He even said that one night he flew to Ecuador to search for them, but to no avail. I tease him occasionally about this unfulfilled dream. The last riddle said that because he is a man of his words, the truffles would be found, purchased and consumed.

And that is how the most amazing date ever ended. Then again, we never quit dating. It’s almost like our relationship is one constant, glorious date. The loving looks. The prayers from the heart. The laughter over crazy games and jokes. The tender care and love. The sharing of hearts. The bearing of souls. The dreams of our future together. The constant thanks to God for His unspeakable gifts. {And if what my married friends say, it can only get better.}

As I desperately hugged my Captain Awesome goodbye in the airport this morning and headed for that cursed security line, an older couple behind said these words. “This must be your first time away from each other?”

I sadly answered that we are apart most of the time. The man, looking back to where Adam was standing, said, “He looks lonely already.” And the wife laughingly stated her husband only drops her on the curb to say goodbye.

I realized again what a gift I have been given. The Bible talks about a man who finds a wife, finds a good thing. I wonder where the verse is that says a woman who finds a man who loves and tenderly cares for her, finds a very very good {and awesome} thing!

My plane is just beginning it’s descent into Des Moines, as Captain Awesome and I enter yet ANOTHER stretch of time away from each other. Sometimes I think I won’t make it. How can I manage to keep myself away from pure awesomeness?? But until I look into his blue eyes again, I’ll keep thanking Jesus for the incredible man he is… and I’ll live off those memories for a long time of our perfect 21 hours together.

Fly a plane to Medford

2010-09-17T17:46:00.003-05:00

I’m thousands of feet up in the air… on my way to Denver for the second time today. You wouldn’t even believe the story if I told you. In about an hour I will top over 12 hours of travel for today. I will {hopefully} arrive at my destination four hours later. It’s been my crazy {and so far} unsuccessful attempts at kicking off the 2010 Bring Me Hope tour.

My day started by the rude alarm at 5:25, which took a while to register with my sluggard brain. Grabbing my two grossly over-stuffed carry-ons {or rather what I was hoping would pass as carry-ons!}, I rushed through check-in and security and boarded my 6:28am flight in Des Moines. A short 80 minutes later, I landed in Denver.

Denver is really not that bad of an airport. I rather like it. Fossil imprints on the floor, great food selections like Jamba Juice and Starbucks, and not to mention free wireless Internet. Oh yes, how can I forget the sparrows that fly around in the food court area?! {Seriously scared the heck out of me the first time they swooped towards my table during a layover in April!}

I sat in the boarding area, waiting for my 8:30am flight to the next leg of my journey, Phoenix. {Which would be followed by a flight to San Francisco and finally on to my tour stop in Medford, Oregon.}

Over the loud speaker I heard the attendant asking for volunteers to give up their seats for $200 of free flight vouchers. Gathering my mountain of stuff, I volunteered my seat. SO LONG as I could catch my flight to Phoenix early in the afternoon. She said yes, clicked a few buttons on the computer and out came my new boarding passes with my {NOT $200} but $400 free travel vouchers! SCORE! Then she reseated me in rows 2-4 for the remaining flights.

Could life get better?! I submit that it could not… well, unless of course my Captain Awesome would have been also donating his seat with me. {Sigh} Moving on. I was pretty pumped. I killed the next two and a half hours with some Internet surfing and movies. I was feeling pretty good about my high life of traveling.

The flight to Phoenix was short and sweet. I had what felt like a million miles of legroom right behind first class. Even the looming two more flights couldn’t wreck my good spirits. After grabbing some lunch at the {surprising small and poor selection} in the Phoenix airport, I got ready to eat up the miles between me and San Francisco.

That’s when that next fateful message came over the loud speaker. “Ladies and gentleman, unfortunately due to weather delays in San Francisco, our flight has been delayed until we get clearance from the tower. We have an estimated time of wheels up at 3:58”

NOOOOOO!!!! With that flight being two hours, there was no way I would make my 5:15 boarding time for that last flight into Medford. Once again I gathered my million pounds of carry-on luggage and headed for that infamous counter.

To make this very long story short and to spare you the gory details {cuz it was very painful}, I decided to avoid the chance of spending the night in the San Francisco airport and take the next possible route to Medford.

Can you believe where they sent me?!

“Ma’am, you can catch the 1:50 flight to Denver and from there, catch a flight to Medford arriving at 8:15.”

Seriously? Denver again?? I don’t really love it that much. But somehow that appealed to me more than a hard airport seat for sleeping. {Sigh}

I feel like today has been a vivid picture of my life. Well, all of our lives, really. Exciting adventures and unexpected blessings. Only to be followed by set-backs, detours and disappointments. I have moments when I feel like my life is finally coming together. I finally have things figured out. I get a big break. I start dating the hottest guy around who loves Jesus so much and I get to feel that love overflow to me. I have a job where I get to travel the world. Finish my fourth year of summer camps. Hug what is probably the 100^th orphan. Watched them scream and shout for joy in the pool for the first. Hug my friends who just got secretly baptized in a hotel hot tub. Life makes sense. God is good. His blessings are so real. His love so evident.

Then the next morning I wake up and it all seems to have fallen apart. I have an argument with someone I love. I let my parents down. My times in the Word seem dry and like I’m going nowhere. My heart gets hurt and I wonder how I can heal. Some friends loose the baby they are desperately trying to adopt. An email comes saying that Spring {one of the orphans who lived with us at the Ranch} is talking about committing suicide. Suddenly nothing makes sense anymore. The world closes in and I feel like I’m going nowhere. I cry. I burry my head in the proverbial sand and wish it would all go away. That life would just fall into place again.

What has changed? Nothing. The God who blessed me with $400 of free travel vouchers, is the same God who sovereignly allowed me to come back to Denver. I’ll be the first to admit, many of the things God does in my life don’t make sense. {Of course my strange detours don’t really have that much weight in my life} But for the things that do, I’m thankful that as I wrestle with the questions I ask God, He is always lovingly drawing me back to Himself. Reminding me that He alone sees the bigger picture. He will not forget me. He will not leave me alone. He will keep His promise to work all things for the good of those who love Him.

So yes. I will soon be landing in my beloved Denver airport. I will enjoy the free Internet. I’ll dance over the fossils in the floor. I will thank Jesus for loving me. Always remembering that He is up to something good. Something heavenly. Something that will, I pray, bring glory and honor to Him through my life.

PS. And when I finally get to Oregon, I’m gonna rock every minute. There’s gotta be something amazing there for ALL the trouble the journey has been! ;)

one cool thing and a promise of more to come...

2010-09-14T16:13:00.003-05:00

Ok guys. You gotta check out this awesome blog. They people at Vintage Pearl make the most beautiful necklaces out of silver. They are doing a great giveaway today... check it out here

In another vein, I've been thinking a lot about my muchly overlooked blog lately... I promise I will be back soon with lots of new stuff.

Hugs to you all!!

Beautiful Craziness

2010-05-10T10:22:00.012-05:00

I was telling Captain Awesome on Friday that; be it right or wrong, I live for the weekend. Since coming home from Cali, my weekly schedule has gotten progressively crazier and craziest. Saturday and Sunday are my haven-days. Time to spend with my family, sleep in, run errands or just do beautiful-nothingness.

Growing up in a diligent, home schooling, large family, doing nothing is often discouraged. Granted there is always a bazillion things to keep every person busy. Always someone to talk to. Hang out. Etc, etc, etc.

But especially since my time in China last year, I have grown to value and see the need for down time. It is so healthy and good. Time for God. For thinking. For physical rest. Hmmmm.... {I'm getting all excited and it's only Monday} :)

God has been very good to give me a couple weekends like this. Two weekends ago I took the little

girls to Washington. Probably the funnest thing we did was stopping by the grocery store where a massive slide had been set up. Something about celebrating the warm weather and kids getting out. {Curiously enough, it was badly overcast and chilly.}

The little girls taught every kid watching how to really enjoy a blow-up slide with somersaults, high jumps and just plain awesomeness. I stood at the bottom of the slide, cursing the fact that I couldn't get away with looking like a middle-schooler. {Being 23 is so overrated!} I did get a little sticker tattoo on my hand... which did nothing to console my heart. I really wanted to flip and slide. {sigh}

THIS week was beyond hectic. Bring Me Hope's annual, Night Walk fundraiser is Friday and I was working through the ominous task of following up with people in preparation for the event. In all honesty, I had one day I thought my brain would seriously explode. Too much information. Too many people. Too much to do. Even though I knew I would have to put in some weekend hours, I was determined to take some time with my sisters.

After waking up at a halfway, slept-in-hour; Tiff and I packed up the little girls and took off for Iowa City. We did some rushed shopping, which was, surprisingly, very successful. The huge find of the day was the muchly coveted sun-dresses at Old Navy. In Tiff's words, 'They are cute, but not $35 cute!' With a clearance sticker reading $16 and an even bigger sign reading "Half off already clearanced items", we were quite besides ourselves with happiness.

- - -

Looking feminine and beautiful is one of my life-projects. Not just for the sake of being beautiful, but for the fact that beauty and eye-pleasing things are part of God's design. Look around at nature. Tall, snow-capped mountains; delicate, white clover; cotton-candy clouds; red strawberries buried in minty, green leaves; fuzzy, scrunched kitten faces. He has created a universe of beauty so we may take it in and in turn, declare what an awesome God He is. How much more should we, His prized creation made in His image, strive each day to present ourselves in an honoring, beautiful way to the world?!

This doesn't happen just in the way we dress, though visual presentation is important. But also in a deeper beauty.

-Am I preparing my heart to spill out unconditional love?

-Is my face showing forth a beauty deeper than the pink lip gloss and black mascara?

-Are my hands reaching out with a loving touch?

-Is my mouth speaking words that build up?

"By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another ~ John 13:35

"I have been anointed with fresh oil ~Psalms 92:10

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in Heaven ~ Matthew 5:16

"As believers, our greatest impact is through joy and enthusiasm.

- - -

Yesterday was probably one of the most incredible mother's days I can remember. It started out with Dad's famous, Sunday morning breakfast of eggs, biscuits, and cinnamon rolls. Then we caravanned off to church. {taking 3 vehicles to church for one family of 9 is ridiculous} After the service, us big kids decided to take Mom out for lunch. At her request, we bombed Old Chicago Pizza... poor poor people. Using Grace's camera, we started snapping pictures while we were waiting for our deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza to arrive. It quickly turned from normal, family poses to these crazy things...

THEN Mom had one of her hair-brain ideas to make napkin art. Ok. Seriously. Dude. My mom is {A W E S O M E} If you wonder where we get our crazy ideas... you need wonder no more!

Our table turned into a big craft room and pretty soon we all were posing for these shots...

I seriously love my family. Not one of us is perfect. Not one of us loves perfectly every day. Never once is our house perfectly clean {sorry Mom}. Never once is there perfect peace and quiet {except maybe when all 9 of us are sleeping}. But the glue that holds us together is God's perfect love. Even then, we struggle at times to be channels of that Love. But everyday is always new and fresh, without any mistakes as Anne Shirley says.

I'm thankful for the love and forgiveness of Dad, Mom, Tiff, Chris, Timmy, Grace, Beth, Aubrey and most of all God.

- - -

After a dance party with the little girls before they went to bed; one last mother's day treat with Mom; a Skype date with my Handsome Captain Awesome; and a late episode of a Chuck with Tiffy, Chrisy and Timmy; I went to bed.

It was a perfect Mother's Day.

{and I'm not even a mom}

- - -

PS. On the subject of mother's day, how could I forget to brag on my Amazing Man?! He planned a whole brunch for his mom yesterday. {with help from the sis-in-love} Pancakes, fruit, juice, breakfast casserole.

What an incredible man. I told him I wish I was his mom. Then after realizing the implications of that, I changed my mind.

Being the girlfriend is WAY BETTER!!!

My 2010 China Adventure

2010-05-03T08:55:00.009-05:00

Dear Faithful Friends,

Wow. I sit here on my comfy, American bed and marvel at the fact that three years ago this whole China adventure started.

On July 7, 2007 I arrived in Beijing for the first time. So many firsts ensued in the following ten days. Real Chinese food, walking on the Great Wall, that first Chinese word I used incessantly: ‘Ni hao!’ {hello… I was such a linguist}, bartering at markets for cheap junk, meeting fellow Americans who have become some of my best friends, and spending five days with my first orphan buddies that stole my heart and left me changed forever.

Like true love, I couldn’t keep myself away. In the summer of 2008, I spent 6 weeks in Xinzheng, helping on staff to run camp. That fall I came on board fulltime with Bring Me Hope, taking on volunteering coordinating, promotional tour planning and staff/volunteer logistics. July 1^,2009 found me packing my bags and moving to the city of Kunming for nearly six months. After staffing the 2009 summer camp there, I stayed on to help with a pioneer project called ‘The Ranch’ {a mentor/discipleship program for older Chinese orphans}

By the time I arrived home for {a very happy} Christmas last year, I knew that God was telling me clearly that China will always be a part of my life. From best friends {Chinese and American} to continued ministry in country through the summer camps to future plans of long-term ministry there. Of course the part I’m most excited about is the Amazing man God put in my life all the way back on that first day in 2007. Adam and I met that day I arrived in Beijing and we have built a strong friendship over the years. In January, he asked me to be his girlfriend. The chance to minister together in this new capacity is a beautiful thing. Adam’s love for China, orphans and ministry is just as big as mine. Truly two are better than one.

I am humbled as I look back and see God’s sovereign hand over the last three years. China has been one of the biggest sources of growth and change in my life. God has been so incredibly patient with me, leading me along and teaching me what it means to surrender all to Him. I love the ministry of reaching out to the hurting children of China. Thank you for everything you have done to make the last three years happen. Many of you have been there from day one, others have jumped on board somewhere along the way. For all of you, I am humbly grateful. Your financial support,

encouraging emails, and countless prayers have been the channels God has used to carry me through the tough days. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

On June 20, Adam and I will take off for Kunming and spend the summer there, splashing in the pool, getting colored marker all over our fingers, singing crazy camp songs and everyday we will hug all the precious kiddos who have been forgotten. We will tell them they are loved and they DO matter.

And it will all be for Jesus, who invented adoption and demonstrated it to us in the first place.

~ nicole

PS. My travel costs this year will be around $2000. I am needing to raise this amount before July 1st. If you are able to support me this year, you can send your tax deductible gifts to Bring Me Hope, 2169 Green Canyon Rd, Fallbrook CA 92028 with 'Nicole Chmelar' in the memo line. Thank you!!

A Ping Pong Life

2010-04-28T08:48:00.008-05:00

Last weekend was the best weekend I've had in an eternity {minus my weekends with Captain Awesome*} It was the best weekend because I literally did nothing.

Now before you judge me for my horrific and very apparent laziness, I think I've had this weekend coming for a long time. Life has been hectic, crazy since getting home from Cali and taking 48 hours to enjoy my family {sisters in particular} all while doing a lot of nothingness, was just what the doc prescribed.

Sleeping in til 10:00, dance parties in the bedroom with the little girls, no cleaning {sorry mom} shopping at Goodwill for lots of junk-nothings, and cozy afternoon naps. It was AMMaaaaaaaaaaaazing!!

One of my mostest favoritest things we did on Saturday happened while we were at Goodwill. We were standing the book section, perusing for any volume that merited spending $.88. Tiff and I were laughing over some of the stupid books there, when suddenly this hair-brain idea for a game was born.

Tiff and I would hand select and buy, one book for the other person, and we would each {H A V E} to read that book in one month's time. Tiffany had one book in her 'consideration pile' on "Finding the Connection Between Humans & Dogs" and I had one for her "Dealing with Fibromyalgia". The zanier the better.

There is something incredibly healing and comforting about that moment. Laughing hysterically over random books on a rainy, Saturday afternoon with MoH**. After much serious {laughing} contemplation, I bought a book for Tiff on one man's gleanings from teaching golf his whole life {G A G} and Tiff bought this titled book:

Work Would Be Great If It Weren't For The People - Making Office Politics Work for You

"Ronna Lichtenberg, former Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Prudential Securities, shows us that not only is it okay to be good at negotiating office politics, it's essential. In fact, if you're not playing politics, chances are you're forgeiting that work game. You're risking not getting that nicer office, that better account, and the recognition you deserve..."

Seriously. Like I have a lot of office politics to deal with. I work by myself, in my cyber office, with my coworkers who work in their cyber offices across the US. So yeah... this next month is gonna be some fuuuun reading!! {Needless to say, we have both have yet to crack the covers}

* * *

The state of tranquility last weekend was short lived. {sigh} Back to reality early Monday morning.

The last several weeks {especially} have felt like all I do is swim around a bathtub full of ping pong balls... trying desperately to keep them all under. It's a rather exhausting job. There's my cyber office job at Bring Me Hope, nannying two days a week in Iowa City, occasionally driving school bus when they lack warm bodies to run yellow vehicles, and just this week, a second nanny job on days I have nothing to do.

Curiously enough, this 'new' family is not really new. Remember these kiddos?? After being gone for two years, I'm back at to the happy chaos of the mad-good-photographers. With a new addition to the family since then and another on the way, it's good to be back at my 'old-new' job.

* * *

Being busy is a good thing, in light of my constant state of missing Captain Awesome. God is teaching me so much that 'just dating' doesn't fix my problems... though dating it is amazing. I am reminded {daily} what it means to wait on Him. Practically. There is something very helpless about not being able to make time go faster.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requestsbe made known to God.

T H E N:

The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4: 6,7

Sunday we watched a video sermon from Mars Hill talking about worship through suffering. One of the points mentioned was that through suffering, God can show us the idols in our heart. He described worship as "pouring oneself out unceasingly for something or someone" and like Martin Luther said, despite what or who we say is our God, our truly "functional God is that person or thing on which our heart entirely rests or trusts". I felt like God asked me to search my heart for any idols that might be taking preeminence over Him. As I looked at myself honestly, I saw that my idols weren't {bad} things, but when taken out of proper balance, become wrong.

"Take away the dross from the silver and there will come forth a vessel for the refiner. Prov 25:4

* * *

Nothing says love like big chocolate chip eyes {unless they are puddles of blue}

Baby is learning so much everyday. It's like her vocabulary doubles daily. Yesterday she said park and swing and can say all kinds of crazy animal sounds. {fish, snake, lion, bunny}

* * *

Last night when I got home from work, Mom served us an awesome taco salad dinner and then hauled us up to the attic for an overhaul. Personally, I think attics are meant for mess, junk, and treasures. I mean, how else can you get that nostalgic feeling like when you watch Little Women?

The little girls have built houses, stores and forts in our big, four-eves attic. But last night was clean up time. We hauled down all kinds of broken furniture, empty boxes and abandoned stuffs. I found the big desks that MoH and I did school on, an old 2007 Bring Me Hope group photo {where curiously enough, Adam and I W E R E standing next to each other!!} and my boxes and boxes of things that are for my {non-existent} hope chest.

I guess these projects are good. In Grace's opinion, this means we are moving for the 14th time. "Come on Nicole, Mom wants to move so she is getting this all organized so when the time comes we don't have to do this."

Poor Aubrey has been at this house for 8 years on Tuesday. When the other 6 of us were her age, we'd moved at least three times. What can we say, adventures don't happen to this younger generation like they used to in our day! :) Maybe we should shake things up...

* * *

My favorite quote today for Captain Awesome:

"Missing someone gets easier everyday because even though you are one day further from the last time you saw them, you are one day closer to the next time you will.

{which technically isn't 110% true. it's still hard. just like that dumb saying, "parting is such sweet sorrow" whoever said that obviously knew nothing about true love. grrr. it is wicked sorrow.}

* * *

* Otherwise known as the Amazing Man... or to the rest of the world, Adam Dane Neesby

** My besty Tiffy

Back again...

2010-04-20T09:07:00.009-05:00

It's crazy how much my life has changed in the last 89 days. {when the amazing Man started dating me} Exciting, {at times} scary and thrillingly hopeful changes. It's been so good. I'm humbly blessed at the incredible Man that God has given me. Sometimes I have moments where I giggle in sheer delight. Pinch myself out of awe-struck wonderment. Marvel at the goodness of God. He shows me over and over and over how beautiful His plan is.

God has used Adam to show me what unmerited favor and grace looks like. I wish each of you could know my amazing Man like I do. I wish you could see the moments where he quietly serves. Watch his strong arms hug an orphan close. Know all the sacrificial times he has spent ministering to countless people with his listening ear and tender heart. If you knew Adam the I know him...

Then again, I am beginning to believe that is part of the mystery of dating and {someday} marriage. The opportunity to know one person like no one else knows them. The opportunity to love someone for who they really are... even for their flaws and quirky ways. What a beautiful thing.

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." -Dr Suess

* * *

God has been laying a lot on my heart lately. Things that pertain to my personal walk with Him. Things that relate to my relationships with family. Friends. My amazing Man. A lot of times I have a hard time getting those things from my heart, to my brain and then practically into my life. One way to attempt to make that transition is to begin blogging here again. It will also be my own way to document what God continues to do in this crazy, exciting adventure of being my amazing Man's girl! {because my journaling skills are pitiful}

Part of my inspiration for picking up writing here again, was a blog that a friend showed me over a month ago. It's one lady's online journal of her family's life. But instead of just writing about daily events or posting her beautiful photography, it's a journal of sorts. Scripture verses, quotes and thoughts from her personal walk with Jesus. Her humility and vivacity for life is a challenge for me.

We can all learn from each other, from the things God is teaching us. This will be my attempt at simply being a link in that chain.... for anyone willing to weed through my long monologues, funky stories and attempts at good photography.

* * *

On the topic of funky stories:

I have a very strange fetish for old dressers. Don't ask me why. Or how it started.

My first dresser I bought was a white, paint chipped wardrobe with spindle legs and two little drawers on top. It was love at first sight at that antique shop. It wasn't 'til I got home that I realized it wreaked of cigarette smoke. Talk about a crushing moment. After baking soda, flower scented drawer liners and lots of time to air out, it's finally normal. Not long after, I found a brown, rather crummy piece on sale for $35. On principle I couldn't leave it behind. If I could only get around to giving it a new coat of paint, it would look light years better.

But Saturday was my dresser-fetish high light of all times. Tiff and I were in a second hand store and as I was walking through the rows of furniture, my eyes happened on this beauty. A tall, five-drawer dresser. Funky handles and awesome wood details. What could make this picture even better?? The price tag which read '$19.99' coupled up with the storewide 25% discount. {Boosh}

Before anyone else came to tackle me down in an attempt to steal my find, I grabbed the price tag, paid for the goods and Tiff and I loaded the hunk of beautiful wood into the back of the van. Definitely the second biggest highlight of my year...

* * *

Speaking of highlights. My {of course} number one is my amazing Man. We have a funny dating relationship. Our daily dates consist of phone calls every night, spanning the 1825 miles between us, sometimes lasting as long as four and a half hours. We actually seen each other a grand total of 21 days out of the 89 we've been dating.

Like my adorable Man said last night, "this long distance thing is way overrated!" Not that the ratings were that high to begin with. :( In a desperate attempt to be positive, we have learned so much about communication. A skill which will benefit us long after the cell phones have been put away for good.

One of my favorite dates while I was out in California the first two weeks of April was this day...

Dating a pilot is such fun. One afternoon Adam took me on a date high above the city and ocean. We flew over Catalina Island, the painfully, gorgeous blue ocean and even Disneyland.

It's a very good thing planes can fly themselves in the air... no hand-holding minutes can be wasted.

Back on the ground again, we hit up the coffee shop and then took a long {romantic} walk on the beach.

From the skies to the sandy beach, it was the perfect date. Then again anytime, anywhere I can be with my amazing Man is a perfect date!

* * *

We also spent 5 days down in Mexico helping at a summer camp for orphans with a wonderful organization, Genesis Diez. It's also funny that around 90% of the time Adam and I have spent together since we first met in the summer of 2007, has been on the mission field. I am thankful that God has given this man an incredible heart of service and love for the hurting all over the world.

We did find a few minutes to slip away during free time to enjoy the incredibly beautiful view...

* * *

Now that I'm back to the {lonely} land of Iowa, I'm desperately attempting to keep myself busy until the next time I can be with my amazing Man.

While sitting in the hanger that Adam works at, a girl I know there gave me a 20 minute crash course in crochet. I immediately went out and bought yarn and a crochet hook to make... something. I have finally decided I will make a small purse for old Thresher's. Who knows. At this point it looks more like a little Jewish kippot.

* * *

Lastly, but definitely not leastly. The past 12 months have felt like God has given me one crash course after another in healthy conflict resolution. I must not be getting it.

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger" Proverbs 15:1

"He that handles a matter wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he" Proverbs 16:20

"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies" 1Cor 8:1

House Cleaning

2010-03-03T12:42:00.003-06:00

A couple weeks ago while Grace and I were doing our Saturday house cleaning, we had the hair brain idea to switch a ton of stuff around in the house and see how long it took Mom to notice.

We did things like:

:: turning photos upside down::

:: changing the 'let it snow' sign to 'let it rain' ::

:: turning all the nativity people backwards ::

:: tilting the wall decorations crooked and the willow tree figurines backwards ::

WHO SAYS CLEANING CAN'T BE FUN?!

Absent...

2010-02-23T12:15:00.002-06:00

:: because I am {hopelessly} distracted ::

Winter Wonderland of Love

2010-02-11T15:14:00.003-06:00

Roses on a cold, snowy day.

And from a {secret} admirer?!

{to that secret admirer... wherever you are}

You are the betterer bestest

{can you top that}

Woot Beew Fwoats

2010-01-25T16:02:00.003-06:00

A couple nights ago, Tiffy and I went to this whole-in-the-wall, hick-town-diner for some dinner. She got her favorite 'popcorn chicken salad' and I had a dinner that would make any homeschool mommy proud of her daughter's choices.

:: French fries and a root beer float ::

As we sat there eating, we looked at each other and said, "It's only old people in here. Seriously." The bell about the door would jangle and another cute white haired hubby and his wife would walk in.

As I sat there sipping my root beer and crunching on {what turned out to be} yucky fries, I smiled and hoped that someday when I'm old, wrinkled and bent over I can sit next to my best friend, my hubby.

We'll cuddle on the same side of the booth.

Talk about the good 'ole years.

And sip on big root beer floats together.

Playing

2010-01-25T13:05:00.002-06:00

:: At the staff summit, we played like big kids before working like adults ::

Sometimes I shock myself with doing stupid things. For example: taking a zip-line across a massive pond overgrown with {huge} lilly pads. They strapped some pathetic replica of a harness on us...

We climbed the rusty, rickety tower...

And went bouncing across the pond.

We also rented go-carts and I was a blaze of lightning around the track. Ok, not really.

To top the night off, we celebrated our country's day of {freedom} Once again I shocked myself by lighting a {massive} round of fireworks. They were the REAL DEAL and I felt so proud of my skills.

SPECIAL THANKS

2010-01-20T17:02:00.003-06:00

:: I need to be sure that credit is given where credit is due ::

Basically the pictures you have seen lately are the creations of {Grace} my beautiful, talented, gracious, adorable, amazing photographer of a sister.

I mean. Seriously. If it wasn't for {her} how could I even be what I am??

But then again. If we really want to give credit where credit is due, should we thank {Seth Haley} who taught her all she knows?

Should we thank my {mom} for helping her buy the camera??

Should we {really} thank me for allowing her to practice her skills on me???

I mean. When you really think about it.

Who should we be thanking?!?!

- - - - -

I guess though it would hurt to thank the photographer.

If you appreciate it, leave a comment to tell her {so}

:: baking in our igloo ::

2010-01-20T16:52:00.002-06:00

We had a big ice storm this morning so I decided to be house-wifely and make a lot of baked stuffs.

We pulled out all kinds of ingredients and several hours later had four loaves of {french bread}, two loaves of {cinnamon} bread and a big {apple cake}.

Anyone want to come over for some yummies??

{i never leave his hands}

2010-01-19T13:32:00.000-06:00

2010-01-18T11:30:00.001-06:00

One Team :: One Family

2010-01-18T08:17:00.005-06:00

It's so fun to watch the boys at their basketball games.

Their teamwork as brothers warms my heart every time.

:: family teamwork ::

:: Chris was king of the court with rebounds ::

:: Timmy is an incredible point guard ::

{buddies}

Friend{s}

2010-01-15T09:20:00.003-06:00

:: jesus, thanks for the won-trifical people you have brought into my life... i am humbly blessed::

{2009} Amazingest Persons

2010-01-13T15:23:00.004-06:00

My first week in China was spent with the entire staff team in XinZheng.

We {laughed} prayed {played games} studied the Word {bonded} spent time getting ready for the next six weeks.

2010-01-08T14:03:00.004-06:00

Current Location: Fallbrook, California

Operation {Surprise Bethany} : SUCCESS

:: a new day ::

2010-01-07T13:15:00.003-06:00

Thanks to the skillful work of Amos Haley, my blog has a new face.

It's the start of an exciting {new} adventure.

Exciting {changes} in my life.

Come along for the ride...

I'm such a girl... can't make up my mind.

2010-01-04T13:53:00.005-06:00

:: While I'm so happy to be with them ::

:: I can't get them out of my mind ::

Full of stories... but nothing to say.

2009-12-31T12:46:00.003-06:00

now that i'm back to a land where one's rights to blog aren't obstructed, i realize how much there is to say. but i don't know where to start. i probably have no readers left so it doesn't really matter anyway. but if people care to come back along for the ride, the stories are starting today!

Goodbyes

2009-06-28T00:31:00.001-05:00

I hate goodbyes... and I'm not even out of the country.

A little update...

2009-06-26T22:56:00.003-05:00

I have been in California since Monday... just relaxing and recouping before headed off to China on Tuesday. It's been fun days of sleeping in, hanging out, eating lots of stuff that I know I won't be enjoying for many months, and being with lots of my amazing friends.

I just found out that blogger is once again no working in China... so stay tuned for where updates will be posted. I am thinking about getting a wordpress blog since that is still in operation.

On the notes of prayer requests... we are continuing to find out more details about the China's swine flu concerns and quarantining in the country. When we fly into the Beijing airport, people come onto the plane and take everyones temp, we have to go thro several heat sensors, and fill out paper work stating we have not been in Mexico in the past 14 days. Pray that we all make it thro the airport with no problems... since the thought of being quarantined in a chinese hospital for a week is not too appealing!

Miss all of you peoples on the homefront... bigs hugs!!

China Update Email:

2009-06-19T22:46:00.002-05:00

* Do you want to receive these email updates? Please email me and ask nicole@bringmehope.org

* * * *

Hey Friends!

I can't believe that in 3 days the first leg of my journey begins as I board a plane in Des Moines. It's been a crazy, stretching last several weeks! I never knew that it could be so much work to coordinate over 75 volunteers, plus get myself ready for 6 months away. :) It has definately been a pleasure planning for the camps this summer and I look forward to being in China again.

I will be leaving for California on Monday to spend a week with friends there before leaving on the 30th for CHINA!! I am flying into Beijing with a group of other staffers. When I first arrive in China, we will be having a Staff Summit in Xin Zheng, the city where I was at camp last year. From there, I will be headed to Kunming where I will be helping to run the summer camps. In several sentences, that is the summary of my next six weeks. I can't wait to see all the stories that will fill in the blanks in between. All the kids I will meet. The stories I will hear. The hugs and high-fives that will be given. I also look forward to the lessons God will teach me. The ways He will stretch me. I pray that He will continue to burn up the dross in my heart and make me more like Him. May each day bring glory to His beautiful Name!

Right now, God has provided enough money for me to fly to China and remain there for the summer. I still have $2300 to raise for my stay at the ranch, plus about $1000 to attend Chinese classes while I am there. God is teaching me to hold my plans with an open hand. At this point, I plan to stay in China until the money runs out. If that means not being a part of the ranch or going without language school, I am willing to do that. Pray that I will wait on God while I am serving there this summer and that if God really wants me to be a part of the ranch, that He will provide the funds before then.

For those of you who have supported my trip already, thanks so much. You are helping to make so many smiles this summer possible. Pray with me, that God will provide the rest of the funds,as He sees fit and that I will rest in that.

I love all of you guys and want you to know that "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy" (Phil 1:3,4)
- Nicole

New Beginnings....

2009-06-19T15:14:00.003-05:00

I have been pondering a lot lately about new beginnings... I find over and over again that I am desperately in need of God's new mercy and grace each day. I fall short so often. I fail my family. My friends. My job. My God. I praise Him that the promise He made never fails:

The Lord's loving kind

nesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lam 3:22, 23

* * *

Each day finds me seeking God a fresh. I am so thankful for the new beginnings He gives us!

Along these lines, this blog will soon be getting a new beginning too... stay close for the great unveiling!

My beautiful sisters...

2009-06-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

Oh how I'm gonna miss these girls!!

The Journey of the Purse

2009-06-18T16:16:00.007-05:00

I bought this awesome over the shoulder purse in China last year that I have literally worn out in the last 12 months. I realized that it's been all over the country with me. Here is the some of the purse's journey:

The zipper has ripped, it's filthy dirty... but I'm determined to make it last until I get to China in 2 weeks and buy a new one!! Stay tuned for the new and updated look!!

Where's Nicole?!

2009-06-15T17:14:00.002-05:00

2009-06-03T22:16:00.002-05:00

It's killing me that I've been gone for so long. You have no idea how much it pains exceedingly!

Some unidentified persons actually cracked my computer screen a little over a week ago. I immediately shipped it on 3625 mile journey to Dr Jason who fixed it brand new.

Of course while it was being fixed, I had to manage my computer activities on library computers which really kills me when I'm used to my own 'baby-Mac' while lounging in a coffee shop.

Praise to Jesus, the precious package arrived home in the nick of time before I headed of on my last tour of duty for Bring Me Hope.

As I type, I'm sitting on the edge of some mountains in North Carolina. It's amazing. It's beautiful. And today, amazingly enough I was in 4 states in less than 12 hours.

It's a crazy, wonderful life!

A Fresh Start...

2009-05-23T17:22:00.002-05:00

So today Tiff and I gave our room a massive overhaul. One of the big things that was redone was our misc picture/stuff board. This puppy has been collecting random stuffs for close to a year. We decided to start fresh... but first give you a peek at the contents:

*click the photo for details!

- - -

It's all empty now... just waiting to be refilled!

Wordless...

2009-05-19T13:42:00.001-05:00

(*Tuesdays)

China Updates....

2009-05-12T11:31:00.003-05:00

I sent out my China Update letter last week... very exciting!

I am trying to compile a list of people who want to stay in touch during my six months in China. I know there are lots of you blogging friends who I'd love to stay connected with. If you want to get my updates from my adventures, send me an email and I'll be sure to stay in touch.

nicole@bringmehope.org

{hugs}

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

2009-05-08T10:48:00.003-05:00

Treats are always good bribes for not running away!

54 Days

2009-05-07T15:58:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T13:45:00.002-05:00

Two Randoms

2009-05-01T18:00:00.005-05:00

I am continually amazed by my sis's -- both by their innocent beauty and mad, amazing photography skills.

How did I get so blessed??

* * *

I am humbly, proud to say that today I made my inaugural drive in Dad's sporty, 5 speed car. I only died a handful of times.

Which really, I think is not that bad!

* * *

I think, next to babies, kittens are the cutest thing God created. On my list of things to do in life is having BOTH in my house someday!

* * *

Today I've been at the coffee shop for over 4 hours... and frankly, I'm sick and tired of it. Can't wait to be picked up and taken home.

Any takers?!

Heroes

2009-04-28T10:27:00.001-05:00

Where's Nicole?!

2009-04-23T13:57:00.003-05:00

This is the beginning of a new series on my blog similar to 'Where's Waldo'... except 'Where's Nicole'. I'll randomly be checking in from all over telling a highlight of the day. The first part of this series was here.

Brokenness

2009-04-17T11:58:00.002-05:00

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

- - -

Brokenness is the mark of a person who is qualified to be used by God. If you are not broken then you are using yourself for your own personal efforts, your own personal dreams and your own personal passions. At the end of the day, people that are actually being used of God in a crazy way and in an off the meter way are people that have been cracked up, who have been lunged at by God. And God has done something to them.

-Eric Mason

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."

1Corinthians 4:7-12

Blessed Ministry

2009-04-13T16:45:00.004-05:00

"Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown to us, we do not get discouraged."

2 Cor. 4:1

"But I don't place any value on my life, if only I can finish my race and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus of testifying to the gospel of God's grace..."

Acts 20:24

What a blessing it was to get to know so many of the kids on the mission trip in New Mexico. I was so blessed by their hearts to serve God in a deeper way.

They opened their hearts to me... we cried, prayed and shared together.

It's amazing how even a small amount of time spent together, can make such an impact on lives.

I'll always remember these happy faces... their laughter... their stories... their hearts.

What a blessed ministry to be able to work, pray, grow and serve together!

Love you guys!!

* click here for more pictures

To Know.

2009-04-13T15:43:00.002-05:00

I always like to be informed about people... as some of you may know, the ban on gay marriage was overturned here in Iowa a little over a week ago. It was concerning to see the conflicting thoughts that Pastor Rick Warren had on this issue. It seems as though he is speaking out of both sides of his mouth.

I present this to you readers so you can be better informed.

(here he says he took no stand on the Prop. 8 issue in CA)

(Here he endorses it.)

Remembering...

2009-04-03T10:53:00.005-05:00

I got this crazy idea to have Patti stand on her head for an AMAZING picture...

Plan the method...

Whoops! Dropping her probably wasn't the best idea...

Get situated...

CHEESE!

Thanks Patti for still being my friend... even when I drop you!

You da bomb!

The Ranch

2009-03-31T13:14:00.005-05:00

So here's the first installment of The Ranch documentary... for those of you who don't know what that is, you need to watch so you have a better idea of why I'm moving to China...

I would humbly ask you, is there anyone who is willing to be a part of this project by supporting my trip? It takes a lot of money to fly to China and live there for six months, and three of those months I will also be supporting my two orphan buddies and translator.

I know that God has a thousand ways to answer my prayer for funds and so I can't wait to watch Him provide. If you feel like you are able to help in this area, you can see below a few options:

I need the following monthly supporters to cover the costs during the 6 months:

20 ppl - $10 monthly

10 ppl - $25 monthly

6 ppl - $50 monthly

4 ppl - $100 monthly

I also need one-time supporters with gifts of any amount.

If you are willing to join me in the adventure by financial support, you can email me for details.

nicole@bringmehope.org

Thank you.

Today's Activities

2009-03-27T17:04:00.003-05:00

Get up.

Cough and eat cough drops.

Drive one kid to school on a 76 passenger bus.

Cough and eat cough drops.

Go on four deliveries with Dad... only sitting in the truck napping, coughing, eating cough drops, etc.

Answer emails at the Java House while listening to the live music.

Cough and eat cough drops.

Eat warmed up chili in the truck for lunch.

Cough and eat cough drops.

Drive a bunch of kids from two schools to their homes.

Cough, eat cough drops and try to stay on the road.

Go on one last delivery with Dad.

Eat supper with the fam at the Brown Bottle restaurant.

Cough and eat cough drops.

Go to bed. (Try to get better.)

* I never realized trying to get better is such a tiring, full time job!

Thoughts on Kissing

2009-03-26T12:39:00.002-05:00

These lips can't be touched...

... til it's time to tie the knot!

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine."

S of S

Goodbye Michigan....

2009-03-24T12:44:00.000-05:00

Michigan Recap 1/2

2009-03-18T20:48:00.004-05:00

So tomorrow afternoon we head off to the second half of the Michigan tour... it's been such a special time here in the Grand Rapids area. I love this place!

So here's to our new friends and all the memories! I 'heart' you!

The Touring Tour

2009-03-18T17:00:00.002-05:00

So today we spent the day seeing some of the amazing things in Grand Rapids.... like statues, a huge tire swing, yummy restaurants and a bubble tea that I've not enjoyed since I was in China.

It was a good day.

Stay tuned for a hilarious video recap of the first part of our tour in Michigan!

How can I miss these people already?!

2009-03-17T21:45:00.001-05:00

Friends Tour 6.0

2009-03-16T23:42:00.004-05:00

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Patti and are having a great time in Michigan. We've been seeing all kinds of cool Michigan things, meeting great people, eating insanely amazing food, and talking to people about the kids in China. What more can you ask for??

Today we spent the afternoon/evening with my friends, the Haleys. While waiting for a ride from Seth, we bummed around Target and found multiple things to amuse ourselves with -- not the mention all the important shopping we got done!

We decided to have our own little sunglass-fashion show. Which do you like best??

- Huge -

- Aviators -

\ Crooked /

- Highschool Musical -

(my personal favs!)

On Sunday we went to our host's church, Crossroads. People from all different walks of life were sharing how God is using them at their 'street corner' - the place God has placed them to minister. It was such an encouragement and the worship that was sprinkled all throughout was just what I needed!

I was stuck with what the pastor said. He said the problem with America is that we are a bored people. His reason for this was so powerful and true.

We are bored because we have bought into the American dream and when that doesn't deliver, we become bored. And despair follows boredom. When your life is turned over to Jesus Christ, it is an exciting adventure.

I am so blessed to be part of this adventure!

Long Lost Pals

2009-03-16T23:03:00.004-05:00

Today is one to go down in history. I finally got to meet our friends the Haley's. Our ties go back a long way when we first met Mr. Haley here and then Dad and the boys saw them again here.

This afternoon was my first time to meet Mrs. Haley and the kids after Mr. Haley stayed at our house 12 years ago. They had the most incredible hospitality, smiles and food!

Crazy stuff, huh? I love all the adventures that God's throws into our path.

So yeah, today was pretty much amazing fun with the newest family I have fallen in love with!

* I heart you guys!!

Nicole + Horse = ... wow.

2009-03-16T23:00:00.001-05:00

A Hike

2009-03-16T22:53:00.000-05:00

A Celeb

2009-03-16T22:46:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited that today was the day I finally got the meet the amazing photographer that's only been a face on a screen in the past.

I feel almost famous myself!

My Twin

2009-03-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

Just wanting to say 'Hey'!

2009-03-10T12:39:00.002-05:00

Faith. Daily.

2009-03-09T15:33:00.002-05:00

When all around me starts to fall

And when my faith it seems so small

Even in my darkest hour

I will believe.

- - -

Even when the sun begins to fall

Even when I feel nothing at all

Even if I'm all alone

I will believe.

Good Times.

2009-03-04T17:04:00.005-06:00

The Canadian tour has come and gone... and we are left with so many amazing and precious memories. God is always on the move -- whether we can see it with our human eyes or not. We were privileged to watch Him move these past two weeks.

He is amazing. His calling is fulfilling. His service is the best place to be.

2009-02-26T20:21:00.003-06:00

He's so tall... has strong, rugid features... and has blue eyes that melt me to puddles.

Meet Mountie...

America vs. Canada

2009-02-25T21:55:00.002-06:00

David and I comparing the size of the American part of Niagara Falls....

... and Canada's part of Niagara Falls!

Big dif, huh?

Niagara Falls

2009-02-25T21:34:00.003-06:00

An Announcement...

2009-02-25T21:33:00.001-06:00

I've met someone here in Canada... anyone care to know?!?!

Friends Tour 0.tourist

2009-02-25T00:44:00.001-06:00

Friends Tour 5.0

2009-02-23T20:20:00.004-06:00

100 HUNTLEY STREET

CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN TV

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO

God has opened crazy, amazing doors for us here in Canada. And the venue of Christian television has already touched many lives today.

But before he could go on the set... this happened

David had to be done up in the makeup room... which was priceless to see!

This was the highlight of us girl's day!!

Tonight at 12:30am we are headed back to the tv station to shoot again for a 2-4am show!

It's gonna be a long, exciting night!!

Friends Tour 4.0

2009-02-20T23:23:00.005-06:00

Mississauga, Ontario

CANADA

Amanda Tan and Lilly Xia who came to camp this past summer arranged for us to speak at their public school for two morning assemblies.

Our day started early in the cold car.

David is still adjusting to the weather with the help of his random winter clothing articles like this huge, thick scarf!

The response from 240 attendees of the morning assemblies was amazing! There are many kids who are interested in helping with the Night Walk this spring and even volunteering this summer!

God is on the move. Keep praying for us up here in the frozen country!

Love and miss all you home-bodies!!

2009-02-20T23:08:00.005-06:00

We had dinner tonight with our friends the Tan's. Their entire family volunteered at both camps this summer.

We spent a lot of time retelling the stories from the summer, laughing, eating, laughing, telling stories, and laughing. I'm sure the Chinese in the restaurant thought we had escaped from an insane asylum.

We were served a very Chinese-y Chinese meal which included, but was not limited to, Peking Duck, Jellyfish, Pork, Chicken, and Fish.

Here is the waitress carving the skin off the whole, cooked duck.

(She was carving right behind my chair. When I saw it out of the corner of my eye, I was tempted to not even look for fear of what I would see.)

The duck skin was eaten in little corn tortilla shells with a sweet sauce and onions.

After serving the duck skin, they took the naked duck back to the kitchen and this is how it returned. Finely diced with little veggie pieces to be eaten with the sweet sauce and wrapped up in lettuce blankets.

Friends Tour 3.0

2009-02-19T16:03:00.003-06:00

BURLINGTON, ONTARIO

CANADA

The Bring Me Hope team has arrived in the grand country of Canada. We were welcomed by a gorgeous snow 'storm' and warm hugs from our friends Bethany and Sharon Anderson.

So far our 24 hours in the country has consisted of sleeping, eating and seeing the amazing Lake Ontario from the comfort of our heated car seats.

David and I have been catching up on emails and other odd things from our new satellite office in the ship-themed basement of our host's home.

So... tomorrow will be the big kick-off for the 2009 Canada Friends Tour!!

Stay tuned for pictures and stories of the adventure...

2009-02-17T18:56:00.004-06:00

McDonald's seasonal Shamrock Shakes are pretty much what I look forward to the most this time of year.

On my lonely car ride from the Moline airport to Chicago, where I leave for Canada tomorrow, I stopped to get some supper and was overjoyed to see the delish treat is back for a while!!

Shamrock Shakes are my 6th love language!!

You know you have issues -

2009-02-16T22:02:00.003-06:00

when you consume an entire box of fruit gushers in less than seven hours.

That's a freakishly large number of calories... 540 to be exact.

You may not recognize me when I get home. But I sure did enjoy each gush-y bite!!

- - -

Amanda's and my theme for this week in Minnesota:

'A moment on the lips is an eternity on the hips'

Friends Tour 2.0

2009-02-15T15:44:00.005-06:00

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Amanda and I were hugely blessed when we were invited to join a former youth group team from China this past summer, in attending the annual youth conference Acquire the Fire.

Tickets at the door that should have cost us over $70, God provided for $25

We were blessed with worship from the bands Unhindered and The David Crowder Band

and with messages from speakers like Mike Guzzardo and Meghan Stoddard.

Plus I got to see old friends from camp like Chong,

and Cerise.

* * *

I love how God provides on all levels for His children. We have been so blessed the past several days!

Friends Tour 1.0

2009-02-12T22:56:00.004-06:00

HAMBURG, MINNESOTA

Here we are having a bonding moment with our amazing host family, the Mahoney's.

My BFFN , Amanda Varnell, from the great state of Cali. She's my right hand women on this trip.

Our beautiful tour guide, Megan, took us to Lake Waconia. It was Amanda inaugural walk on water.

It's been an amazing 48 hours...

- - - -

* You only get this if you're a Chmelar.

2009-02-07T16:41:00.004-06:00

Ok.

You know how lame-o it is when you loose your cord to connect your camera to your computer?!

You know how even more lame-o it is when you feel like you have no life worth posting about?!

You know the lame-o-ist thing of all is when you feel like your blog is hitting the tubes faster then you can get it back on track?!

So... in order to try and fix these depressing problems, I am going home after this little trip to town. I'm gonna search high and low through out my room to find that cord. I'm gonna reevaluate my current life status and then I'm gonna try to come back and safe this blog from the black pit of EX-treme boringness.

Until then...

2009-02-05T11:41:00.000-06:00

I have been humbled.

2009-02-04T15:50:00.005-06:00

Lately I've been complaining that I will be sitting alone again this Valentines Day. As frustrating as it is, I read this horrifically sad story and

decided to start counting my blessings instead of lack. How much worse to be sitting alone because of that.

My Valentines Day will come where I can light candles, cook a dinner, and get all dressed up for my man. But until then, I choose to revel in the goodness of God today.

2009 Tour

2009-01-30T16:35:00.003-06:00

Anticipation

2009-01-23T17:06:00.002-06:00

I never knew how much I would look forward to sleeping in on a Saturday morning after waking up at five thirty for five straight days.

Who woulda thought these few letters...

... could entail so much!

Oh well.

It's the weekend and I'm not gonna think about anything else for two whole days!

FYI (very wordy, but worth being informed about!)

2009-01-23T16:25:00.001-06:00

President Obama is expected to sign the executive order one day after the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.

President Obama on Friday is expected to lift a ban on federal funding for international groups that promote or perform abortions, reversing a policy of his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Obama will sign the executive order one day after the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.

The move, long expected in the Democratic president's first week in office, will be welcomed by liberals and criticized by abortion rights foes.

The so-called Mexico City policy requires any non-governmental organization to agree before receiving U.S. funds that they will "neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations."

It is also known as the "global gag rule," because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that even talk about abortion if there is an unplanned pregnancy.

The policy was first instituted by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and continued by President George H.W. Bush. The policy was reversed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and re-instated by President George W. Bush in 2001.

Both Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who will oversee foreign aid, had promised to do away with the gag rule during the presidential campaign. Clinton is to visit the U.S. Agency for International Development, through which much U.S. foreign aid is disbursed, later on Friday.

Organizations that had pressed Obama to make the abortion-ban change were jubilant.

"Women's health has been severely impacted by the cutoff of assistance. "President Obama's actions will help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, abortions and women dying from high-risk pregnancies because they don't have access to family planning," said Tod Preston, a spokesman for Population Action International, an advocacy group.

Obama has spent his first days in office systematically signing executive orders reversing Bush administration policies on issues ranging from foreign policy to government operations. On Thursday, he signed three executive orders to rein in secretive U.S. counterterror policies and end harsh interrogations.

2009-01-20T14:15:00.002-06:00

"And will to the best of my abilities preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America..."

May we not forget to keep our new First Family before the throne of The One who can change hearts!

Inauguration

2009-01-19T16:27:00.003-06:00

For an unknown reason, we always make our new friends jump through several sets of game hoops. Friday night was no exception.

We raised the roof with a rousing game of SPOONS.

Tagged

2009-01-15T14:29:00.003-06:00

So here's this new tagging thing-a-ma-jiggy.

The tagging is going to the fourth file of pics on your computer, and post the fourth pic there. (With no cropping or editing.) Since my fourth file had only two pics, I am posting the fourth pic in both the third and fifth file.

* The first four to comment are tagged!

A Phenomenon

2009-01-12T14:14:00.001-06:00

Amazing that I can go from

- THIS -

and amazingly, I love it.

The San Diego Pier

2009-01-07T22:37:00.003-06:00