Portland #1

Ok...  Guess I better post about our trip to Portland before I forget everything!

Can I just say how excited I was to be leaving town the day after Easter?!  I've always wanted to do that (when you work in a church, this sounds like Heaven...).  But I learned my lesson.  With all the work that goes into Holy Week, adding the preparations for vacation into the mix?  Not helpful.

Still totally worth it, though.

So we headed out - to the city I would call home (if I were ever to move again).  Ha ha ha.  Don't worry.  My better half is securely rooted in the Midwest.  We're not going anywhere.

So our first day, we got checked into our hotel in the afternoon after taking the train from the airport.  So nifty.  I love mass transit in cities that know how to make it easy!  Our hotel was in the Pearl District - I think that's my favorite neighborhood in all of Portland!  Although we are still exploring...

We settled in and decided to start exploring.  We walked through some of my favorite areas, stopped in some shops, sat in Jamison Park and watched the families play, and people walk their dogs.  Totally relaxed and lovely.  Then, we headed out for dinner at Brix Tavern (a recommendation I found on another blog - GREAT pick!).  Yum.  We had a mushroom pizza that was fabulous!  And of course some yummy local brews...  Including a coconut porter that was delish!

Next we made a stop at the Rogue Brewery Brew Pub.  We've been there before, so had to stop by.  In the process of getting the bartender's attention, we met the couple at the table next to us.  She was a new-er transplant from Conneticut, and he was an old high school friend of her's - a truck driver passing through.  They were so fun!  Full of recommendations, comparing beers and whiskeys, and reminding us to live it up while we're "young"! 

Tuesday, was the Blue Like Jazz premiere, so we did a little exploring during the day.  We walked to the Nob Hill neighborhood and enjoyed a quiet stroll through some pretty and colorful areas.  We never did find the cute shops and boutiques that were talked about in the tourist book, but we still liked that area!  Lots of cute restaurants and pubs.

We ended up eating lunch across from our hotel at Kenny and Zukes Deli.  Yum.  Best pastrami sandwiches!

We got back to the hotel, took a little nap, and got ready for the premiere!  I had a little black dress and blue wrap... and wore heels for the first time in a long time!  Hubby looked great in his shirt and tie.  I'd say we were lookin' good!  Our cab was on time and off we went!

When we got dropped off at the Bagdad Theatre in the Hawthorne District, the line was wrapped around the building to get in - everyone was waiting for the red carpet arrivals.  Of course, as soon as we jumped out of the cab...  It started raining.  Of course.  And no - I didn't bring an umbrella.  All of us ladies, with our hair done, dresses on, make-up - standing in the rain.  Good grief.  But what are you gonna do?!  We all laughed and said, "oh well."  (Hence, really no good pics of the evening...)

(And the dark clouds roll in...)

(Just call me "Mary.")

(This is the best pic we got that night...  Oh dear!)

(The line - and we were pretty close to the front!)

Don Miller, the writer; Steve Taylor, the director; Marshall Alman, the main actor; and a few more of the actors all finally arrived and did the red carpet thing - and THEN we started making our way in the theatre!  We got a stop on the red carpet, too, for a quick photo, and were greeted by Steve Taylor, himself.  He introduced himself to every single person - and asked everyone for their names as well.  And then he offered us Twizzlers and thanked us for being there.  (Kind of a cool touch.)

The theatre itself was a classic.  Old and full of vintage character.  We sat towards the back and just took everything in.  Very fun.  The cast and Don and Steve took time for a little introduction before the movie - once again telling the story of how this movie came to be, and thanking everyone for coming!

(Just playing around before the show began.)

(Steve is on the left, Marshall is in the middle with the red tie, to his right is Tonya Raymonde from "LOST," next to her is the "real" Penny for those of you who have read the book, and Don is on the right.)

The movie was great.  Of course.  And afterwards, the whole cast and Don and Steve once again came out for a Q&A session.  It was about 10:30 by the time we were leaving...  And Mike and I realized we never had dinner!  Apparently, the whole crew was going to the Tavern next door for drinks afterwards, so we headed there, too.  It was fun to watch all the movie people hang out, play pool, and relax...  We didn't bug them, but enjoyed the people watching!

And can I say, I loved our Taxi driver on the way back to our hotel?!  I never caught his name - but he was about our age and told us his story on how he ended up in Portland (another person from the East Coast).  When he asked what we did for jobs and I said I worked for a church - he thought that was cool and started telling me all about his church (kind of unusual in Portland!).  So we told him about Blue Like Jazz and I gave him a postcard with all the movie info on it.  He said he couldn't wait to see it - and as I got out of the taxi, he turned to me and said "God bless you guys."  One of those moments I wish could have lasted longer.  I keep him in my prayers still today.

More to come about Oregon, tomorrow!


Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Rain.
2.  Amazing opportunities.
3.  Faith.
4.  Pastrami sandwiches.
5.  Loved Tony Lucca on "The Voice" last night!
6.  Bailey's cuddles.
7.  Mike's on the hunt for morels...
8.  Sneakers.
9.  Pinterest ideas!
10.  The orange wall in our loft.  It makes me smile.

On the Farm

Don't you love when you wake up and have no idea what your day will have in store for you?

I had plans today to have lunch with an old friend, a former pastor of mine.  She was my pastor when I was in high school.  I worked with her for a summer when I was in college.  And we've kept in touch throughout the years since.  She lives about 3 miles from my house, on a lovely farm... and we haven't seen each other in about 7 years!  Terrible, I know.

I was at an event in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago, listening to Parker Palmer (wonderful!), and I looked up, and saw Betty sitting in the balcony, happily listening and knitting!  I was with other friends and needed to feed the parking meter, so I didn't get to say "hi."

So, of course, when I got home, I "facebooked" her!  Ha!

We ended up making plans to meet for lunch today - out at her farm.

Delightful.  She's always so warm, so curious about my life, so understanding of the ways I don't fit into the ministry world, and so willing to debate the things we may not see eye to eye on.  She's a strong, passionate woman - with a heart for God and for people - and it's always a lovely visit!

And she makes me laugh.  We waited to have lunch until her hubby came home from running a load of corn down to the loading area (where they put the corn on the barges that go down the Mississippi and then shipped all over the world!).  He's always sweet, and so cute.  In the middle of lunch he invited me to ride along on the next delivery, after lunch.  I figured, "why not?!"

So we did!  I got to ride in his "straight truck," loaded with corn; got to watch them sample the corn, measure the corn, dump the corn - and meet some of the other local farmers.  I don't know what it is about being around big trucks - but I immediately turn into a little kid!  Curious, impressed, and having loads of fun!

It reminded me of spending time with my grandpa.  I loved it.

I figured when I got back to the farm, we'd be saying our good-byes and I'd head home - but no!  Betty met me at the truck with bags in hand and guided me to the "mule" (a little vehicle) and we rode out to the outskirts of the property to pick rhubarb - LOTS of rhubarb!  YUM!

The last time I visted, we got to pick apples.  Gotta love having a friend with a farm!

It was a wonderful few hours.  So different from my daily life.  So good to spend with a wonderful couple.  Those little breaks from "the normal," those little glimpses of God, smiling down on us....  Made me grateful for the life I have.  Right here.  Right now.

Thanks, Betty and Wayne!

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Surprises.
2.  Feeling like a kid.
3.  Understanding friends.
4.  "Furry" tulips!
5.  Rhubarb - oh, the possibilities!
6.  Muddy shoes.
7.  Pot pie, without the chicken...  and the giggles that followed.
8.  The TV Show "The Voice"! 
9.  Time to read...
10.  Warm milk with a dash of vanilla...

Blue Like Jazz

"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." ―Donald Miller

In Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal.
Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God.
In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God.
For anyone wondering if the Christian faith is still relevant in a postmodern culture.
For anyone thirsting for a genuine encounter with a God who is real.
For anyone yearning for a renewed sense of passion in life.
Blue Like Jazz is a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption.

A few years ago, I read this quote about the book, "Blue Like Jazz - Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality" and went out and bought the book off a bargain table at a Christian bookstore.  I loved it!

It's a memoir, written in short essays about Donald Miller's growing up in a Christian home, but eventually coming to his own understanding of God and spirituality.  He openly talks about the parts of Christianity that he doesn't agree with, the parts he questions, and the parts that fill his life with grace.  It's funny, clever, and honestly written.

And it made me feel like I wasn't alone.

I love God.  I love Jesus.  I feel led by the Holy Spirit.  But I don't always have all the answers.  I don't always agree with my denomination.  I don't always agree with the most respected of theologians.  I'm liberal.  I believe God loves all people - no matter what. 

I believe God is bigger than we could ever imagine or describe.  And I will never pretend to know all the answers.

And, at the heart of it, I think this book says the same thing.  Which is why I loved it.  (It's not something you hear very often...)

So when they decided to make the book into a movie, I was pretty excited!  Don Miller followed up with the book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years," which was about writing the screenplay - and how his journey in helping to write a movie made him realize that life could be so much more!  He realized that all of our lives are stories - and we have the choice to make them stories worth telling!  (It's a great book - maybe even better than BLJ!)

Anyway, shortly after I read that book - it was announced that the movie would not get made.  The Hollywood producers didn't want it, because it was too "Christian" and the "Christian" production companies didn't want it because it wasn't "Christian" enough...  Blah blah blah.  In the end, it meant they couldn't raise the money to make the film.

Till two guys in Memphis decided to start a Kickstarter campaign online!  They put the word out that they only way to get the movie made, was for those of us who wanted to see it, to chip in! 

So I did!

For the small amount I gave, I got a signed poster; phone call from the director, Steve Taylor; a mug; my name in the credits as "Associate Producer;" an "Associate Producer" t-shirt; and two free tickets to the premiere in Portland, OR!

Awesome.

I was invited to a free screening and Q&A here in the Twin Cities.  Very fun.

And yes, we went to Portland.  A funny experience - but once in a lifetime, right?  (I'll write more about that when I post about the trip!)

So...  In a nutshell, if you've ever questioned your faith.  If you've ever felt like you didn't fit in because of your faith.  If you've struggled with how your faith compares with today's views...  Take a chance and read or go see Blue Like Jazz.  I'd love to hear what you think!

(By the way, the movie is very different from the book - it had to be, to translate the message to film.  I'd suggest experiencing them both.  The one scene that makes both of them worth every penny and every second is the "confessional scene".  Amazing.)

For more info on the movie, check out the website here.

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Awesome youth group kids.
2.  Getting through another sermon!  Phew!
3.  Very nice responses to the sermon - even better.
4.  A wonderful Sunday nap!
5.  Reading several good books at once.  Ha!
6.  Anne Lamott.
7.  Paying off debt!  Woo-hoo!
8.  Ephesians 2:19-22.  I bet Don Miller likes this verse...  Just a thought.
9.  Authors who make us think, and inspire.
10.  Being part of something bigger than myself!

Simple Saturday

Just a few things I'm thankful for today:

1.  Sleeping in.  Wowzers!
2.  The hubby offering to make me breakfast, even though he already had his.
3.  Manatees and sea lions.  Love them.  (There was a kids' show on this morning, highlighting rescues of these animals.)
4.  A cold dreary day to stay at home with sweats, slippers, and hot tea!
5.  Finishing my sermon before 10pm.
6.  A spontaneous ice cream run!
7.  The hubby gave the staff at Coldstone Creamery a tip... Meaning they all break into song, right?  Their "thank you song" was to the tune of "The Addams Family"!  They didn't even realize our last name was "Adams" til we told them!  Too funny!
8.  The movie "The Blind Side" on tv tonight!
9.  The book, "An Altar on the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor.
10.  My "Powell's Bookstore" hoodie.  Love it!

Friday Fun - Catch Up

Ok...  Since I've been missing in action for four months, I'll start with a quick recap of the fun stuff:

January
* Not really "January" - but close enough...  My new nephew was born on December 28th!  Zion is quite the handsome little dude!

(How cute is that little guy?!)

*  Took the hubby to a glass-blowing and beer-tasting event for his Christmas present!  Very fun.  Here's what we created...  Lessons needed if we ever hope to sell our wares!  (Don't worry...  We don't!)

*  My new little car finally came home!  "Half Pint" is my new Fiat 500 Sport.  She's lots of fun with great gas mileage!  But my favorite part about driving her?  ...Catching the people gawking, wondering "what the heck is THAT?!"  I just smile.

(Having a little fun on a snowy day...  How many cars can park sideways in the garage?!)

*  And...  We went to my god-daughter's first dance recital.  So funny!  4 year olds in tutus?  Adorable!

February
*  Started attending Financial Peace University (FPU) with the hubby.  Yep.  Dave Ramsey is getting our finances in order!  Debt snowball is in full effect!  (Don't know what I'm talking about?  Check out the website - everybody should take this class.  ESPECIALLY young adults!  We wish we had started this process 10 years ago...)
*  I got to take 3 remarkable young women to the United Methodist Senior High Youth Conference.  It was a great weekend - and really reminded me why I love working with youth so much!  Such great faith conversations...  Thoughtful questions...  New ways of looking at things and experiencing life.  Loved it! 

March
*  Got to spend an entire day at Afton Alps, a local ski hill, with several of my youth group boys and my hubby.  What a great day!  So fun to see the boys having fun - and one of them learned how to snowboard with my hubby teaching him.  (Which was quite a gift to both of them, I think!)

*  I got two free tickets to a screening of "Blue Like Jazz" the movie.  This is the movie I got to be an "Associate Producer" of (along with 400 others!).  My friend, Jill, and I went to check it out - a wonderful film, a fun Q and A with the writer, director, and main actor, and free popcorn!  (I'll write more about the movie in a future post...)
*  The hubby was out of town for St Patty's Day this year - but that didn't stop me!  I cooked a yummy dinner and was happy to spend the evening with Jill and my parents!  Good times.

*  My church presented me with a beautiful birthday gift!  Many people sent in one word describing me, to the office and our lovely Administrative Assistant, Diane; who took those words and transformed them into a portrait of me!  Crazy, I know - but so cool!  And the words were so thoughtful.  It makes me smile everytime I look at it.

* And the Hubby took me to see the "David Wax Museum" band at the Cedar Cultural Center for my gift - perfect. So fun!
*  Amanda came for a visit over my birthday weekend - and joined us for a night on the town with a few more friends!  So fun.  Gotta love the Town Hall Brewery!

So that's the quick recap - I'll write about April soon.  We took a short vacation this month, so there's lots to tell! 

Here are the things I'm thankful for today:

1.  The last 3 months.  Pretty fun!
2.  Good friends to spend happy times with.
3.  Burgers on the grill!
4.  Paychecks!
5.  Inspiration.
6.  Orange walls. 
7.  A hubby that cooks.
8.  Pictures.
9.  Pinterest.  Yep.  I got sucked in!
10.  Funny comments from bank tellers about my little car.  Gave me a good laugh!

I'm BACK!!!!

Just a quick note - to say "Happy New Year!"  "Happy Groundhog Day!"  and "Happy Easter!"

I'll be back later with an actual post...  But I'm still here and thrilled to be on a computer that will allow me to blog again!  Woo-hoo!

For now, what are you thankful for today?!

Here's my 10 things:

1.  Sunny days.
2.  My fun little car.
3.  A dog that can't resist the squeaky tennis ball.
4.  Funny friends.
5.  A new work computer!
6.  Cool water.
7.  Jason Mraz's new song "I Won't Give Up"
8.  Hummus.
9.  Friendly gas station workers.
10.  Good books.

Merry Christmas!

Ahhh...  Dear friends and family, I'm so sorry I haven't been here lately.  My computer died in September, and I've been "making do" with some old relics that don't quite have the toys that I'm accustomed to for my photos and blogging...  So, I've taken an extended break from this place.  BUT, hopefully, after the holidays we will be getting a new computer and I can get my blogging mojo back! 

In the meantime, I couldn't not post a Christmas letter!  So here goes:

Well, it's Christmas Eve Eve.  (Smile.)  And I'm sitting on the couch, Christmas lights lit, a fire in the fireplace, a poodle cuddled next to me, and my Christmas pjs keeping me warm and cozy!  I've already had a glass of egg nog, and am looking at our tree with thankfulness in my heart.

It's been another wonderful year.

Mike and I are still loving life in Minnesota, and loving our life together!  I can't believe we've been married 8 years (and together 12!).  Everyday is a blessing to my life - laughing together, exploring new places, and learning as we go.  It may be cliche, but I really feel I married my best friend - and couldn't ask for anything more.

My job is going well - and as busy as ever!  Our church merged with a smaller church this fall and we have gained another 80+ members!  Such fun to get to know these new faces and personalities!  (And such a challenge for our ministries to keep up!)  Our whole church feels really blessed to be healthy and growing - and excited as we look forward to what comes next...

And of course, we've been squeezing in lots of fun with family and friends!
**Lots of visits with our god-daughter and her family - especially making crafts and eating cookies!  (And a fun day at the zoo!)

**We got to see Mike's sister, Kerry, get married, buy a house, and have a baby - all in one year!  It's been so fun celebrating with her and the family!  (This is Gillian and her daddy - just a couple of weeks ago!  How cute are they?!)

**Saw a few concerts this year:  Civil Wars, Corey Chisel and the Wandering Sons, G Love and Special Sauce, Fitz and the Tantrums, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Amos Lee, Ray LaMontagne
**Enjoyed Mike's nephew, Brandon, visiting over his Spring Break for the second year - so fun!  (The boys enjoyed a day at the skate park...  Uffda!)

**The Huck (my Dad's side) Reunion was in Colorado last June.  It was such a wonderful few days - seeing family I hadn't seen in years(!), and getting to know the cousins that are my age.  Mike and I had a great time exploring beautiful places (mostly Denver and near Vail, CO) and spending time with some entertaining family!  We loved it.  (Dad and I in Vail, at the top of a gondola ride!)

**Got to go on my second mission trip to Rosebud Reservation in Mission, South Dakota.  Always a humbling and thought-provoking trip - and a joy to travel with the ladies from my church.  (Our fun day was spent at Mount Rushmore and Bear Country USA!  Too fun.)

**Spent a weekend in Wisconsin with Mike's sister, Shelly, and her family.  All kinds of trouble to get into there!  Here's Mike, his niece and nephew - playing nerf tag...  Trouble, I tell ya!

**Went sky-diving again (after an 11 year break)!  Our local food shelf/clothes closet/many other services for the underprivileged, Neighbor's Inc, held a fundraiser for their new building - get people to sponsor you if you jump out of a plane.  So, of course I did!  Ha!  It was a blast - and I hope to do it again this May!

**Mike and I had a wonderful vacation out West this summer.  We flew into Seattle, drove through Olympia National Park in Washington, and then down the Oregon coast, into Portland, and then back down the Pacific Coast Highway - all the way to San Diego!  It was a whirlwind trip - only 10 days - but so worth it!  Great memories!

**We began to buy our meat "straight from the farm" through True Cost Farms.  It's been really eye-opening learning about the practices of factory farms vs sustainable, humane farming.  And it's really intriguing how different the meat tastes!  We're loving the experimenting with recipes!  (And we're still loving shopping at the farmers' markets during the summer, picking berries at local farms, and doing our own canning - there's just nothing like fresh food in the dead of winter!)
**We were able to sneak in two trips to Minnesota's North Shore this fall - near Grand Marais.  If there is any place we love to get away to, this is it!  So relaxing and beautiful!  (On one of the trips, we went into Canada and walked across Canada's longest suspension bridge - just for the heck of it!)

**My sister, Emily, and her family visited Minnesota in August - what a wonderful treat!  My niece, Fin, is almost four years old - and they're expecting a little brother for her anyday now (actually, the due date was today!  I have my phone with me as I type!). 
**My other sister, Kayla, transferred to the University of Minnesota-Duluth this year.  Emily, Fin, and I got to join the caravan in moving her up there this fall.  A busy day - but the first time all three sisters moved one into the dorms! 

**Mike and I found a new hobby - Beer.  Sounds funny, but very true!  You'd be amazed at how complex and interesting the brewing process can be!  We go to tastings every month, have been to beer festivals, toured the Surly Brewery, taste craft brews every chance we get, AND Mike's going to be brewing his own batch this year!  (Go ahead, make fun...  I'm becoming a "beer connoisseur.")

I guess that's our year in a nutshell.  We were laughing at the dog the other night - and I realized, not a day goes by at our house without something to make us bust out laughing.  Even on those days when life is trying to get us down - we can always come home and find peace and love and joy.

As I look forward to tomorrow and all the festivities of Christmas - I think it's a day when we all come home.  Home to family and friends, home to faith, home to love, home to generosity - home to all that is good in the world.

Merry Christmas, friends!  And may the peace, love, and joy of the season find you wherever you may be this season!

Love,
Megs