Friday, December 12, 2008
So It's December
Despite our lack of blogging, there really have been some things going on. Let's see... Some highlights of November were Sara's trip to Chicago and 27th bday, the beginning of fun holiday parties in December, and more updates to come. We hope you are enjoying your Christmas season and reflecting on the gift of Emmanuel during this time!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Check
Check it off the list; Ben accomplished a life long dream this weekend by running the Columbus Marathon. He and Matt have been training the past several months and their hard work paid off. While he trained separately, Doug joined Matt and Ben the day of the race giving us another person to cheer for. As a spectator I kept thinking two thoughts: How do these people do this? and Why do these people do this? While running a marathon is not my idea of a good time, I'm so proud of my husband for this truly remarkable feat. See pics here.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Extreme Makeover Home Edition- Toledo
Well, for anyone who didn't hear, Extreme Makeover Home Edition was in Toledo about 2 weeks ago. And if that's not exciting enough, a family from Washington Local Schools was chosen for the show! This particular family has 11 boys, 5 of them adopted from Haiti and inner city Toledo. I had Joadson (Joe), in the bright blue shirt, in class 2 years ago. You can see the before picture of the house behind them; I don't know how they did it. There wasn't even a basement! The show will not air until November, but I walked down to the site with some co-workers one afternoon and took some shots of the close-to-finished product. What an amazing thing and such a boost for the pride and unity of Toledo.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Swallow the Sea
Hello friends,
Things are starting off very well for the fall for both Sara and I. Fall is always my favorite season, crisp air, changing leaves, hoodies, Black Swamp, football...some of the many things I love about the fall--how about you?
Just wanted to pass along a little music review. One of my favorite artists Matthew Perryman Jones has released a new album recently, Swallow the Sea. 10 excellent tracks that rock and roll with a little depth. I've seen MPJ in concert several times and he is always nice enough to say hello and give a big hug. So yeah, excellent music, cool name, big hugs--you should consider buying his music. (and if this isn't inspiring he & wife have a new daughter--so help feed her!)
Things are starting off very well for the fall for both Sara and I. Fall is always my favorite season, crisp air, changing leaves, hoodies, Black Swamp, football...some of the many things I love about the fall--how about you?
Just wanted to pass along a little music review. One of my favorite artists Matthew Perryman Jones has released a new album recently, Swallow the Sea. 10 excellent tracks that rock and roll with a little depth. I've seen MPJ in concert several times and he is always nice enough to say hello and give a big hug. So yeah, excellent music, cool name, big hugs--you should consider buying his music. (and if this isn't inspiring he & wife have a new daughter--so help feed her!)
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Anniversary x3
Ben and I were able to sneak away for our third anniversary at the end of last month. It was a great escape from reality :) Click here to see!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Bye Bye Summer
As summer dwindles down I would be remiss if I did not blog about my trip to Echoing Hills.
Echoing Hills is a camp for the MRDD (Mentally Retarded/Developmentally Disabled) population. It's a trip that our church youth group usually takes in the summer and I thought I might tag along this year. After all, I have always had a heart for people with disabilities. Well, little did I know that working with the campers there would not be my main priority at the camp. In fact, my worse nightmare came true: I was assigned to the kitchen and cleaning crew. On the outside: Lots of nodding and smiling. On the inside: What in the world? I'm way qualified to be working with these people and would be such an asset. They want me cleaning what??? Little did I know this was just the beginning of my pride being torn to shreds.
Monday was by far the worst day. It was actually like starting a new job: nervous about getting there on time and having a TON of new things to learn. We set up for, served, and cleaned up breakfast, lunch and dinner. After breakfast we were off to clean the campers' cabins from top to bottom. Sweep and mop the floors, clean the showers, sinks and mirrors, toilets, take out the trash, restock supplies- you name it. Thank goodness for rubber gloves. After dinner there were 3 other buildings to clean and don't cha know that each one of those buildings has their own set of restrooms. Completely overwhelmed, tired and embarrassed, I called Ben in tears that night.
Tuesday things got better. I was able to grab 30 minutes to reflect and write in my journal. I thought about the chapter in Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World that I had been reading the week before I left. The author spoke about how each of us has our various spiritual giftedness, but how sometimes we can use that as a handy excuse. One example she gave rang loud and clear: "I'm an exhorter, you know- I don't do toilets!" Busted. Then I thought of the Bible. Jesus, as the King of kings washed the dirt and manure covered feet of his disciples. Busted. Service may not be my "gift", but it's certainly something I need to be willing to do if Jesus is who I'm looking at as an example.
Needless to say, I learned some very valuable lessons. Servant hood is the obvious one. Who am I to be resentful of serving others food and taking care of their every need and demand without getting paid? Who am I to be think I'm too good to clean someone else's toilet? I have always prayed to be broken of my pride, so in actuality, this was an answer to prayer. Another thing I discovered was my desire to be free. There were many occasions when music would be playing and the campers would dance so freely. Cheesy as it may be, they lived out the phrase "Dance like no body's watching". Why can't I do that? I thought. I live such a self-conscious life and it is such a burden. I want the freedom that those campers had.
If I have the opportunity I will go back. But next time, hopefully God won't have to re-teach these lessons that I have learned. As I wrote in my journal that week, "Sara, don't forget what this feels like".
Echoing Hills is a camp for the MRDD (Mentally Retarded/Developmentally Disabled) population. It's a trip that our church youth group usually takes in the summer and I thought I might tag along this year. After all, I have always had a heart for people with disabilities. Well, little did I know that working with the campers there would not be my main priority at the camp. In fact, my worse nightmare came true: I was assigned to the kitchen and cleaning crew. On the outside: Lots of nodding and smiling. On the inside: What in the world? I'm way qualified to be working with these people and would be such an asset. They want me cleaning what??? Little did I know this was just the beginning of my pride being torn to shreds.
Monday was by far the worst day. It was actually like starting a new job: nervous about getting there on time and having a TON of new things to learn. We set up for, served, and cleaned up breakfast, lunch and dinner. After breakfast we were off to clean the campers' cabins from top to bottom. Sweep and mop the floors, clean the showers, sinks and mirrors, toilets, take out the trash, restock supplies- you name it. Thank goodness for rubber gloves. After dinner there were 3 other buildings to clean and don't cha know that each one of those buildings has their own set of restrooms. Completely overwhelmed, tired and embarrassed, I called Ben in tears that night.
Tuesday things got better. I was able to grab 30 minutes to reflect and write in my journal. I thought about the chapter in Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World that I had been reading the week before I left. The author spoke about how each of us has our various spiritual giftedness, but how sometimes we can use that as a handy excuse. One example she gave rang loud and clear: "I'm an exhorter, you know- I don't do toilets!" Busted. Then I thought of the Bible. Jesus, as the King of kings washed the dirt and manure covered feet of his disciples. Busted. Service may not be my "gift", but it's certainly something I need to be willing to do if Jesus is who I'm looking at as an example.
Needless to say, I learned some very valuable lessons. Servant hood is the obvious one. Who am I to be resentful of serving others food and taking care of their every need and demand without getting paid? Who am I to be think I'm too good to clean someone else's toilet? I have always prayed to be broken of my pride, so in actuality, this was an answer to prayer. Another thing I discovered was my desire to be free. There were many occasions when music would be playing and the campers would dance so freely. Cheesy as it may be, they lived out the phrase "Dance like no body's watching". Why can't I do that? I thought. I live such a self-conscious life and it is such a burden. I want the freedom that those campers had.
If I have the opportunity I will go back. But next time, hopefully God won't have to re-teach these lessons that I have learned. As I wrote in my journal that week, "Sara, don't forget what this feels like".
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Milestones
These past months have been filled with milestones: Ben's graduation from his master's program, Gina and Chris's wedding, even Whitmer's graduation this past weekend. I remember watching Ben walk off to campus into the great unknown, being out of school for a good 5 years. Tears filled my eyes watching him with his backpack on make his way down the street.
Gina and I lived all four years in college together; we were a match made in heaven. Or as Gina would explain it: "my first college experience." It was such an honor to stand up for her and Chris as they made their commitment to marriage before God and their friends and family. Chris was the first one of his friends to "take the plunge" and I was so impressed with him for that.
Lastly, the students who were freshmen during my first year of teaching graduated this weekend. Hearing their names announced and seeing them walk across that stage made every moment I ever complained about far, far worth it. There may not always be fruit from labor, but Saturday, it was plentiful.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
House Cats
I kinda just wanted to see if I could figure out how to upload video, but this is a really beautiful thing. Don't be fooled by their domesticated habits here!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Good Times
Just a quick update...I passed comps!! Yee-haw. I'm almost done with my last grad school assignment! Sara just brushed Buster's teeth--a new experience that he seemed to like. I had a peanut butter sundae tonight--yum. And Josh Coy is sitting right beside me!! It's been a good two weeks or so.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Talkin' Blogs
First of all, Happy Easter! Today is a celebration day. Christ is risen, the foundation, hope, and power of the Christian faith. Best day ever.
I spent an enjoyable time with my mom's family today: Grandma Grandpa, aunts & uncles, cousins, food, food, and more food. (Now I am spending a not so enjoyable time studying for comps and missing my wife.) I talked at length with my family about the wonders of blogging. It was a rough go at first talking about web blogs versus Facebook.
We finally reached a cordial understanding that it was an online journal, though most of them were sad that it's not the most intimate of journals--though for some I'm sure it is. I plugged the blog heavily. I thought most of them would already be enthralled only to find my cousins family are the only occasional readers right now.
So, if you are apart of the Daily clan checking it out for the first time feel free to say hello. I'll try to think of something witty, entertaining, or cerebral in the meantime.
I spent an enjoyable time with my mom's family today: Grandma Grandpa, aunts & uncles, cousins, food, food, and more food. (Now I am spending a not so enjoyable time studying for comps and missing my wife.) I talked at length with my family about the wonders of blogging. It was a rough go at first talking about web blogs versus Facebook.
We finally reached a cordial understanding that it was an online journal, though most of them were sad that it's not the most intimate of journals--though for some I'm sure it is. I plugged the blog heavily. I thought most of them would already be enthralled only to find my cousins family are the only occasional readers right now.
So, if you are apart of the Daily clan checking it out for the first time feel free to say hello. I'll try to think of something witty, entertaining, or cerebral in the meantime.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Florida- Here I Come
Woke up this morning to 4 inches of snow. All the more confirming of the reason I'm leaving for FL tonight. This week's forecast in Sarasota:
Sun: High 79, partly cloudy- 20% chance precip.
Mon: High 76, partly cloudy-10% chance precip.
Tues: High 76, sunny- 20% chance precip.
Wed: High 80. mostly sunny, 20% chance precip.
Thurs: High 81, sunny, 10% chance precip.
Fri: High 82, sunny, 10% chance precip.
Sat: High 84, mostly sunny, 20% chance precip.
Hecks yeah. Peace out T-town.
-Sara
Sun: High 79, partly cloudy- 20% chance precip.
Mon: High 76, partly cloudy-10% chance precip.
Tues: High 76, sunny- 20% chance precip.
Wed: High 80. mostly sunny, 20% chance precip.
Thurs: High 81, sunny, 10% chance precip.
Fri: High 82, sunny, 10% chance precip.
Sat: High 84, mostly sunny, 20% chance precip.
Hecks yeah. Peace out T-town.
-Sara
Friday, February 29, 2008
A surreal lunch
So, a colleague of mine offered to take me to lunch today on campus. We ate at the Kriescher Sundial. Surreal. That was the residence hall I lived in for 3 years as an undergraduate student at BGSU. I ate breakfast (when I could make it up), lunch, and dinner (except pizza & movie Friday nights) everyday for 3 years. I just couldn't get over being back in there. I enjoyed a salad and slice of pizza. Apparently iceburg lettuce at the Dial is still equivalent to the going rate of gold (who knew?). As we enjoyed our lunch I studied the undergrads around. I could see Rich, Erich, Matt, Brad, Dave, Pete, Jeff, Jared, Bryan, Craig, the twins, myself...it was crazy. But good.
I'm officially on spring break. I have BIG plans. Mostly it involves studying for my upcoming comprehensive exams (2 years of class material, 3 questions, 6 hours, one Saturday in April, 0 pressure--right). I may also get the taxes taken care of too. So, don't expect crazy break stories from me.
That's all for now.
Ben
I'm officially on spring break. I have BIG plans. Mostly it involves studying for my upcoming comprehensive exams (2 years of class material, 3 questions, 6 hours, one Saturday in April, 0 pressure--right). I may also get the taxes taken care of too. So, don't expect crazy break stories from me.
That's all for now.
Ben
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The other fun happening
You may have noticed in the last post I promised a couple of fun happenings to fill you in on and only blogged about one. What was I thinking?
This past Sunday Sara and I drove to Cleveland to witness the baptism of her brother Joe. Fun. It has been amazing to watch Joe respond to God's pursuit these past few months. God's grace and Joe's obedience are enough to bring tears to your eyes. It was such a blessing to be there. I have to admit it was slightly comical to as our good friend Brett Yacovella (about my height) baptized Joe (much taller than me). We weren't quite sure that Brett would be able to bring him back up. But he did.
Indeed, I've been thinking a lot about new life in Christ since Sunday. It's amazing to me to think about a God who pursues and rescues us in the midst of our broken lives. He's just not scared away by anything we are.
Ben
This past Sunday Sara and I drove to Cleveland to witness the baptism of her brother Joe. Fun. It has been amazing to watch Joe respond to God's pursuit these past few months. God's grace and Joe's obedience are enough to bring tears to your eyes. It was such a blessing to be there. I have to admit it was slightly comical to as our good friend Brett Yacovella (about my height) baptized Joe (much taller than me). We weren't quite sure that Brett would be able to bring him back up. But he did.
Indeed, I've been thinking a lot about new life in Christ since Sunday. It's amazing to me to think about a God who pursues and rescues us in the midst of our broken lives. He's just not scared away by anything we are.
Ben
Monday, February 25, 2008
Matthew Perryman Jones
A couple of fun happenings to fill you in on. Most of you know I (Ben) have an affinity for music. Especially acoustically driven, dark, melancholy, and deep music. Matthew Perryman Jones would be a perfect example.
So any chance to see MPJ in concert is one I (and Sara) must take. Beginning of February we drove to Cincinnati to catch him open for Ingrid Michaelson. Just Matthew and his acoustic guitar--and it was beautiful. He played Meghan's Song (for his wife), Motherless Child, Refuge, Rainbow Connection (with parts Kermit the Frog, Eddie Vedder, and Aaron Neville--scary good impersonations), and Beneath the Silver Moon. A small set but worth every penny and mile.
So yeah, for those of you who listen to anything I might say buy Matthew Perryman Jones' music.
Ben
So any chance to see MPJ in concert is one I (and Sara) must take. Beginning of February we drove to Cincinnati to catch him open for Ingrid Michaelson. Just Matthew and his acoustic guitar--and it was beautiful. He played Meghan's Song (for his wife), Motherless Child, Refuge, Rainbow Connection (with parts Kermit the Frog, Eddie Vedder, and Aaron Neville--scary good impersonations), and Beneath the Silver Moon. A small set but worth every penny and mile.
So yeah, for those of you who listen to anything I might say buy Matthew Perryman Jones' music.
Ben
It's been a long long time
Hello friends and family (I think there are like 3 of you who check this).
Sorry it's been so long. Our computer was dead...(it was resurrected and in possession of my mother now). We now have a nice nice Macbook. It's been a real joy learning how to use it and we have much more to learn.
I am in my final semester at grad school! I cannot wait. Comps April 5th, graduation (if comps go well) May 2nd. Yee-haw. I'm sure I'll have a nice paintball celebration or something.
Ahh...we are back.
Sorry it's been so long. Our computer was dead...(it was resurrected and in possession of my mother now). We now have a nice nice Macbook. It's been a real joy learning how to use it and we have much more to learn.
I am in my final semester at grad school! I cannot wait. Comps April 5th, graduation (if comps go well) May 2nd. Yee-haw. I'm sure I'll have a nice paintball celebration or something.
Ahh...we are back.
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