Summary of Sept-Jan

This is the obligatory post that says "I haven't blogged since... July? August? who knows when, and now I'm back." You'll notice that I left out that I'm sorry I left it so sadly neglected.

The fact is, that when real life gets too busy to chronicle it in the digital life, that may be a sign to pay attention to reality. Notably, so many things are worth recording, and sharing- and there are many things I wish I had! But I am not that great at juggling so many things, so I had to choose.

So, what happened since my last post?

She always wanted to see lava in Hawaii,
so my dad took her there last Christmas. 

- September: I visited my mom in Colorado, didn't go so well. Ended up having to leave early and returned discouraged and frustrated. Once I returned, a major opportunity opened and I became a small group leader for young women in our church. We currently meet Wednesday's in Jason and my apartment. The immense joy, growth, and blessing that comes from this is beyond words, and clearly beyond summarizing.

-October: my grandmother, Lois; passed away from a heart attack and stroke. I flew up to Alaska just in time to be with her and family when she died, and to help take care of some of her affairs. I learned a lot about the legal and medical side of death, and again witnessed the further evidences of my family being broken apart.

-November: Celebrated a relatively quiet month- meaning no flying and relatively no travel. Had a very nice Thanksgiving with friends and their family. Meanwhile, my parents divorce was scheduled to be finalized literally the day before Thanksgiving, and due to my mother having to go the emergency room- did not finalize.

-December: My father's Christmas gift to Jason and I were tickets to Alaska. So for Christmas and New Year's we got to fly there and spend time with my dad's side of the family, whom Jason had never met- since he had never been to Alaska and none of them were able to come to our wedding. It was a love/hate trip: I was so excited to see family and to show Jason Alaska, which will always have a part of my heart. I am tied to that place more than any place on this earth, though these past two years have been God growing me; to the extent that saying I am tied to any place on this earth really doesn't mean much anymore. And yet the trip was one of the most stressful I have ever experienced, as continued sin leads to pain,  hurt, discouragement, anger, frustration, brokenness, blindness, stubbornness, and further destruction of my family.

-January: Jason and I returned home to Chicago, both remarking on the miracle that Chicago is, indeed home for us. We returned exhausted, struggling to recover from the emotional and physical weariness, and yet full of joy. Returning to our church, our friends (mainly from our small groups)- was the most encouraging thing that could have helped us. Once again, God was clear in that our time here in Chicago is focusing on our growth, His process of sanctification in our lives and that our church is why we are here. We've been unpacking, sleeping, working. This weekend Matthew, Jason's younger brother is in town visiting so they can attend our church's Men's Conference together- what a blessing!

Reading those posts, it sounds so incredibly- without hope or without joy. And I need to be absolutely clear that that is not the case! The past few months have been busy, full, sometimes with good and often with pain. However, through them we have only seen more and more of how faithful God is. That He has revealed Himself to us in new ways; His truth, provision (financially, with mentors and leaders, a church body that constantly convicts, edifies, encourages and prays for us, with friends who help us) and most of all: that He has lead us through all of it. Scripture tells us that life is difficult, that we will have trials! And that these are to grow our faith.

I can testify that my faith is growing. I know that through every single painful conversation, through every single incredibly awkward moment, through the bleak state of things- that God is with me, and is bringing me through all. I know that He is building in me a powerful testimony that I have faith will be used to inspire and help others, just as He used others to help and inspire me.

 I know that Jason and I would not trade these months for anything.
I'd also like to share the testimony of a guy I go to church with. May it bring you hope and remind you of the power of the God we serve.


God at Work - Alex Callaway from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

Coming soon: my first Assyrian Wedding! Preview...

Coming soon! My blog about my first Assyrian wedding and what I noticed. This will make the second wedding of the summer, and the second in Chicago. To tide you over... and to share some photos of my adventure right away... Enjoy! More to come as soon as possible. So much to say about this wedding... what a wonderful experience tonight was.

Super Pretty Dress... details soon!

God-honoring ceremony: thing that came to my mind: service.  

Assyrian traditions!

Learning... how to dance...

Things you need in a friend.

One of the many things I love about being a Christian is that it's so unifying. To a Christian, the most important thing and person in our lives is Jesus Christ, and the bond between people who love Jesus doesn't matter if they've ever met before. 


We all stand equal in God's eyes, no matter how long we've been a Christian, no matter what we've done in the past or will do in the future, our backgrounds, our circumstances, nothing puts us on better or worse standing in the presence of God, and in His church. 

Tonight I had the lovely experience to gain a new Christian friend, who reminded me in so many ways of how precious friends are. A true friend is one who loves; one who sees your triumphs and failures and still loves you completely out of the grace of Jesus Christ. And you don't have to have known people for a very long time to know if the love of Jesus is the driving power in their life. 
And, if it is- it's a wonderful foundation of a friendship. When you have in common the most important thing your life, the things you may not have in common are far less important or divisive. Age, culture, education, careers, even language barriers! etc- far less essential than knowing, loving and following Jesus and serving Him. 


 Being focused on the world to come puts this temporary world in the correct perspective. Christian friends help you keep that focus. Seek them out! They are so valuable, and essential. We cannot fervently follow Christ by ourselves: we need accountability, encouragement, and to work together for His kingdom. 

Lord, keep our eyes heavenwards as you direct our hands and feet towards this world. 

A change in Perspective: An Event I can't ever Forget

They (statistical scientists) say it takes Americans about 3 months to forget things that occur on a national scale, including momentous things. By forget, this study meant- move on in a somewhat daily routine, returning to a pattern of behavior where the momentous event is not part of thought. 

I heard this 10 years ago, meaning that I learned it right before 9/11. I remember wondering if in 3 months how much would have returned to resemble the pre-9/11 USA, and to a certain extent it happened.  To an extent it's natural, inevitable- healthy. To some extent, it reveals the selfishness of our society and lives. 

We live in a world so inundated by forms of news- television broadcasts, newspapers, magazines, and all forms of internet social media that push word of mouth happenings at seeming lightning speed. I myself regret to admit that I get most of my news first from twitter. I'll stick to that though, because it works surprisingly well, though it will never be reliable or replace well done journalism. But the amount of news we have, updated by the second- it's always pushing us forward- what will happen next? How does this impact the next steps? In a globally connected world- any event is the springboard for a whole web of "what's nexts?" I wonder how soon the 'what's nexts' overshadow the original event. 

But today, I'm not talking about 9/11 or the news that Bin Laden is dead that our President announced last night. I've realized that I've made a step in incorporating a momentous event in my everyday lifestyle. And it's thrilling me! 

What I'm talking about is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! 

By all standards, this should have been forgotten long ago. Our lives should go on without really thinking that God became man, took our sins upon himself, dying as a pure sacrifice, and rose from the grave. 

Even for myself, this was something that I "knew" but have had so much trouble really believing- meaning that it's a belief so hugely essential to who I now am- a Christian.  My daily life should be defined by reflecting the love of God who provided grace and mercy to provide a new verdict for my life: no condemnation for those found in Jesus Christ.  

This past Easter celebration Sunday some things "clicked" in my perspective. Joining with thousands in joyful shouts that our Savior is ALIVE, and that Hell has no victory, and death no sting... I felt as if the eyes of my soul were opened further to the Truth of Jesus Christ. Never have I been so joyous, so bursting with excitement, hope- life.

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

Christ is Risen From the Dead- Matt Maher

Nothing else is as wonderful as this.  The Gospel is priority One. There are a ton of other things in my life- some are good, some are less good- but regardless, none are as valuable, as beneficial, worth my time and efforts as Jesus Christ is, and the things of His Church. Something I'd known semantically, but intrinsically- my priorities have always been wrong. It's always been a battle, and it always will be- but now I'm further equipped, out of joy and love to cast aside all else. 

I can finally see things much closer to how I should: instead of seeing a thing for if it's good or bad, I see things in "how much is this about Jesus?" My energies should be about Jesus. He's indescribable. I want to spend my thoughts and energies working on describing Him, instead of on lesser things. He saves us- I want to proclaim His Glory rather than things that don't. 

The most obvious change I've seen in myself is that I've been seeing a boldness I didn't know I possessed, and it's one that is stemming naturally out of a mind that is more and more enthused with my Savior. I've been cutting things out of my life that aren't about Him; and as a result all I want to talk about is Jesus. I'm also more and more using His Name: a name of Power, of Salvation- so much more.  I'm less and less worried about my coworkers who would be made nervous about knowing and interacting with a crazy Christian, but more and more concerned that they don't know Jesus. 

Not very traditional: but amazing- are these photos from Mars Hill Church in Seattle, which held one of the largest church services in the country- at Quest Field. Multiple Mars Hill campuses came together, along with thousands of new attenders, reaching over 17,000. Over 600 baptisms occurred. This is a church that I'm well familar with: solid doctrine, solid Gospel preaching: solid Scripture. And it's these faithful churches that are being blessed- and Jesus Christ is growing His Church. 

Flickr stream of service photos: baptisms!

Christ is Risen: Can you See it?

My own church campus had over 40 people speak to pastors about beginning a new relationship with Christ. There is nothing more wonderful than being part of a thriving, healthy- solidly built upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ. I am excited to be a witness to the baptisms that are coming! 

A momentous event that is still remembered. 

And for me- now more and more tied into my daily attitudes and actions. 

This is the work of Christ in me: " He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

"'Why are you looking for the living among the dead?' asked the men. 'He is not here, but He has been resurrected!'" Luke 24:5