Corner of Monroe

This Blog Is Dusty

2010-01-25T11:41:00.002-06:00

Hello to all of our Corner of Monroe readers!

I'm sorry we've been away from this blog for so long. I actually started a new blog a few months ago that has been getting more attention from me these days. It's a blog all about my life as a 26-year-old, two-time colon cancer survivor. It's full of everything - colon, with a lot of info about organic foods and surviving cancer thrown in there too. If you haven't seen it, check it out at:

www.SemiColonStories.wordpress.com

Mike & I are doing well in 2010! We're enjoying life and excited to hit our FIVE year wedding anniversary this upcoming May! We're keeping busy with church and work. This is Mike's last week of coaching basketball and then he will be done with sports for the year! We're both still serving with The Avenue and feel called to church planting. My health is good, I'm feeling excellent and back to having even more energy than I did this time last year!

Thank you for the many prayers and your friendship. We encourage you to check out the new blog for more periodic updates. In addition, let us know if you'd like to receive our monthly newsletter that we send out about life, ministry, and other random happenings!

The Second Surgery

2009-11-04T19:37:00.005-06:00

This summer, I had two surgeries. I was scheduled for one, but after a few weeks of complications, doctors went back in for a second surgery to patch adhesions and fix issues that were not allowing my GI track to work. After the second surgery, my GI track worked again. I was on the road to recovery. I got well.

Sometimes life hands us issues that require a second, third or even fourth, time of healing and processing. To get past the initial shock or disappointment of a struggle, often we do whatever we need to heal and get well. We process it, talk it out, maybe learn a lesson or two, and move on.

But sometimes there's more to it that will come later, and we have to be ready for that. We must be ready to tackle "part two" when it comes to working through struggles life has presented us. Sometimes they're finished at "part one," but I've learned they rarely are. There's more to unpack, more to learn, and more to grow in.

Part of what they did this summer in my second surgery was fix problems created from an operation I had eight years ago. I didn't expect that, but was glad doctors went ahead and had the second surgery to fix the problems so I would finally heal.

Issues from years ago will try to sneak up on us, lies we've pushed down will pose as truths again. But we must anticipate this, and be ready to fight off the unhealth whenever it strikes. We must strive to truly heal and transform, no matter how many surgeries it takes. I believe that is the only way we will ever get well.

Bookshelf Review

2009-10-30T22:52:00.004-05:00

I'm really into books these days. I guess I was quite the reader when I was a kid, and that love is resurfacing again. Let's hope the love for books comes back and the shy, scared-of-people thing stays away for good.

Anyway, here are some books I've finished recently and my two cents:

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
This is an older book from the early 1960s, but one that I'd always wanted to read. My interest was first sparked by Boy Meets World where they took the idea of the book and turned it into a 30 min. episode. I've been especially intrigued as we've considered interracial adoption as an option for us in the future. I enjoyed this book, and the perspective it gave for what race relations were like before the Civil Rights Movement. It was eye opening to read what it was like 50 years ago and see how far we've come as an American people, yet convicting at the same time that there is still work to be done, and wounds to heal. The book has a very To Kill A Mockingbird feel to it which is to truly know and understand someone, put yourself in their shoes. I'd recommend the book for someone interested in cultural issues, and especially anyone wondering why having Obama in office is such a big deal.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Oh man. So I've seen this 400-paged book floating around several of my girlfriend's bookshelves for many years and finally had the opportunity to go through it with my friend Ashley. I am not typically a fiction reader, but I had to give this highly esteemed and popular book a shot. And I was so glad I did. This book tells the story of Michael Hosea and his new bride Angel, a prostitute he was led to marry upon seeing her walk down the street. The story parallels the Bible book Hosea, as well as the heart of Jesus toward us. I can't rave enough about this book. I didn't expect a long, fiction piece to give me new insights into how much Christ loves us and the role of husbands and wives. Definitely a must-read for any married lady out there, anyone struggling with their past sins, or anyone who's struggled with unforgiveness. I guarantee that it's good.

An UnHealthy Truth by Robin O'Brien
I will keep this short because this book, and the things I've taken away, deserves it's own post. But wow - what an eye opener. O'Brien has been called the Erin Brocovich of the food industry and thank goodness she's out there. A mom who got passionate about what's in our food after her youngest kid flared up with a major food allergy, she dives into what's really in our food and ends up uncovering corruption, greed and other misleading practices by many of our food producers, corporations and government agencies. This book has been a fantastic step toward eating a healthier diet in our household. We've finally cut out the majority of our junk food and made a big step in eating healthier. I'd recommend this book to ANY PARENT of young kiddos, and anyone who just can't seem to eat healthy, although you know you should. This was the final nail in our household's coffin that got us to really start watching what we eat (well, at least most days.) It even sparked our interst in local food and helped us uncover this awesome, local grocery delivery company.

So that's it for me! I've got new books in queue, and reviews to shortly after!

Anyone else have some good reads they've stumbled across lately? Let's hear 'em!

One of those Weeks

2009-10-16T23:13:00.004-05:00

Ahh... well, it's been one of those weeks.

One of those weeks where I thought life would be slower, but it just seemed to speed up.

A week that I tried my best to have the clarity and joy outweigh the sadness and grief that come with working in ministry.

A week where although I HATE encores, I found myself inwardly chanting "ONE MORE SONG" with the rest of the crowd at my favorite band's concert.

A week where I felt the enemy sitting on my shoulder, yet the presence of a bigger and more powerful God kicking him off, over and over.

A week where I expected to drop by, and instead was invited in.

A week of new revelations and new food. (I'm trying to eat more organic.)

A week where I've had a glimpse at how great Heaven is really going to be.

A week where the thought of living there forever doesn't sound so bad after all.

Muleskinner Article

2009-10-13T09:36:00.000-05:00

This Muleskinner article

is one of my favorites ever written even.

Thank you to my alma mater

for making me feel so loved.

My Yearly Pink Soapbox

2009-10-04T20:47:00.004-05:00

Most of you've heard this rant before. But this year's outrageous display of pink EVERYTHING has fueled the fire. It seems even more hyped this year. And it's just Oct. 4th.

I'm not a cancer hater. Obviously, one is closer to my heart than the others. But I genuinely want the world to be rid of them all. I will state for the record, I support breast cancer awareness. I've got family and now two fellow '09 Colondar gals who've fought it. But I support it just as much as I support lung cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer, etc. Anyone have an idea what month brain cancer awareness is? Know what color represents lung? Understand the severity of pancreatic? Realize it's just as important for MEN AND WOMEN to get frequent colonoscopies, especially after age 50, as it is for women to get mammograms? Shocker!

Maybe I wouldn't be so turned off by the ridiculous pink ribbons on every product lining super market stores if I didn't have a marketing communication background. I hardly believe it's a coincidence that the target audience of most of those well-loved store brands are moms who manage the household and do the grocery shopping. How convenient, slap a pink ribbon on your product and give a few pennies to breast cancer research and you've got a loyal customer to your brand and more money in your pocket. As much as I'd love to believe it - I don't think the pink's there for the cancer stuff as much as it is the brand loyalty of the female customers. If that was the case, there would be blue stars all down the toilet paper aisle come March. But butts aren't as fun nor pleasant to hype up than boobs, let's face it.

My point is this: if you're going to support a cause, support it through genuineness. Don't have strings attached. Don't stand behind the cancer cause to really make money or fluff up your brand. Don't go get drunk with a team of people at a cancer crawl and feel better about it because you did it for "a great cause." People are dying from this disease, it's pretty serious. I urge companies and individuals to remember this as we use the "cause" to further our own agendas or pleasures. It can be seen as a slap in the face to many of the 10 million diagnosed each year.

You want to help promote cancer awareness? Get screened and tell somebody. Figure out your family history. Meet people who have been through it, and help them find ways to tell their story. Raise money for cancer societies. Wear the t-shirts, the bands, etc. But don't think slapping a ribbon on something you're trying to sell is going to cut it. Us survivors see right through it. And we're not BUYING it.

Want more insight from another cancer survivor? Read fellow '08 Colondar model Becca's blog.

My 31 Days of Fame

2009-10-01T09:31:00.004-05:00

I remember the day I stood in the McMasters garage-turned-studio at Lake George, preparing myself to open the next chapter of my cancer survival. For some girls, lifting up their shirts to expose their stomachs is no big deal. Heck, some girls show it all to get cheap plastic beads at Marti Gras. But for me, revealing my stomach was a big deal. I'd always been so modest, and I was unveiling to the world the most vunerable and wounded part of me.

I curled up the end of my tank top to reveal the seven-inch vertical scar remaining after several surgeries to fight off colon cancer. As the cameras flashed, a range of emotions rushed in. I felt pride in making it through the battle, but pain for having gone through it. Memories of the wounds, the bad days, and the days where I wasn't sure I could keep going flooded in. It was uncomfortable for me to lift up my shirt to expose my scar, but I knew I had to. This journey and my story had now become part of something bigger.

I stood in that garage and gave it everything I had to show hope. My prayer was that by revealing my wounds, I could offer hope that there is healing, strength that we can get through, and encouragement to anyone else going through a painful situation in life.

My cancer journey has continued since I stood in the garage-turned-studio that day. I've got a lovely colon cancer tattoo now, in addition to four new scars and a thicker, pinker incision line fresh from this past summer. I've now been diagnosed with colon cancer twice, and my world shaken once again. Things can change a lot for a cancer survivor in 12 months.

While my story's changed, the journey and the scar remain the same. And my message of hope and faith hasn't wavered. This life isn't fair and it doesn't always make sense. I don't have all of the answers of why this happened, and I never will. But I know that God does, and that it genuintely hurts Him just as much as it hurts me. He's a relational guy, and is yearning for us to lean on Him through the hard times rather than blame Him.

So today, it's my month. And my message hasn't changed. For the next 31 days, I'll proudly stand in the kichens and offices around the country, broadcasting a message of hope through cancer, and faith in God. And I still have faith today that one day, this will all make perfect sense. Even the part where I had to bare my belly for a calendar.

Check it out ... Miss October 2009

Knowing God's Will For Your Life and Pinball

2009-09-25T11:27:00.005-05:00

Sometimes I treat God like He's a fortune teller. Of course not one of those old woman types with nasty gray hair and un-manicured nails holding a cheap glass ball. A more holy, shiny one - a Jesus figure holding a Bible and glowing as he gives step-by-step instructions for what I'm to do, and be, in life. I'm hoping for His instructions to be carved on a stone through some cool lightening trick so that I can place the stone in my landscaping garden (when I get one) and always be reminded of what God's called me to do. Can anyone else relate?

Yesterday he gently showed me that He works a little differently than how I've been approaching Him. And oddly enough, the visual He gave me is pinball.

Lessons From A Pinball Machine About How To Know God's Will for My Life

1. Sometimes a relationship with God does feel like you're a tiny metal ball that's depending on two annoying flippers to keep you afloat. New Christians especially need to know this. It's not a rose garden all of the time. The Holy Spirit is the spring that ushers you into the new world. It's his strength that gives you the speed and strengh to roll. As you go along, work with Him to stay in play. Expect the obstacles. Some will be starling and cause you to jolt, sound off, spin, or other crazy and uncomfortable things. But others will silently rack up points and take you to a new level and understanding.

2. To know God's will for your life, keep the ball in play. Sometimes you'll bump into something that will 'hide the ball' and then spit it back out. Other times, you'll bump into something and immediately be reflected to something else. Living life with God is what it takes to know His will for your life. Be in play - read His Word, talk to him, etc. Times will then come that you 'bump' into opportunities. Pray about them. Sometimes He'll immediately reflect them because it's not for you. Other times, the opportunity will be for you. Let it take you in and go through the experience. It might be for a long time or a short time. But always remember that it will 'spit you out' eventually not because of you personally, because the bigger picture here is you living a life with the Spirit - not 'bumping into' every experience or opportunity, or hanging out at just one for the rest of your life.

3. Sometimes you'll bump into an obstacle that launches the ball to a tall, metal slide that racks up many points, ups the speeds and puts you on a whole new level of gameplay. In my life, God has occaionally done this. He's had a plan for me that I wouldn't have bumped into otherwise, and I'm still wondering if I heard him audibly when He led me to that path it was so clear. This has happened to me two times out of 25 years though, and neither time involves some of the big plans he's brought me through already pertaining to full-time ministry or fighting cancer.

It's easy when we get nervous or discontent to expect this type of experience so we know His will for our lives. I've been sitting in that boat for many years. But God's yearning for us to start living out more day-to-day relationships with Him in order to know His will for us, His calling on our lives, and all of the other answers we desire from Him.

So that's what I learned yesterday. I've got to figure out how to day-to-day keep the ball in play with Him. I've got to pray about what I 'bump into.' And I've got to always be ready to go to that 'next powerful level' with Him - but not wait around and miss out on what He's already doing here and now because I'm expecting it.

Props to a few groups who've made my life better lately...

2009-09-15T20:35:00.008-05:00

I've had some great experiences with a few organizations/companies lately, and I thought I'd go ahead and give them props on my blog. As a marketing person, I understand how hard it is to effectively communicate the value of your brand to an already crowded marketplace. So, here's some free publicity for them, and hopefully some valuable tips to my readers who might be looking for an added bonus to their days. Here are a few groups I've been blessed by lately and why. Thanks for to the people behind these features who have boosted my days lately:

1. Barnes & Noble's in-store pickup feature on the website. I needed to buy a book by Friday and had a gift card to B&N. However, I didn't want to drive to Independence to look all over the store for the book and then potentially be disappointed if they didn't have it in stock. I hopped online, requested the book online, and then received an email 30 min. later when it was ready for pickup. Perfecto. I'm normally an Amazon girl, but this might have just knocked them out - especially when I need something the week-of!

2. Remember the Milk's FREE task list. I've made mention about this great website before, but I've got to give them props again. Without their free downloadable task list application, I would be out of my mind. This little thing has helped me not only in my work, but at home too. I can set up tasks that recur each week (yes, trash day is on there) and it helps me not lose my mind. Plus, it appears when I open up my gmail account, which I live by, so it's perfect. Their application can be added to your gmail account, phone, calendar, etc.

3. Sprint Store's staff at the LS Douglas location. Now I know some might differ, but I've always had a great experience with Sprint. Even when I didn't know the store rep helping me, I've always felt that I've been offered the best deal and my needs have been met. Whether it's fixing my bill, my phone - whatever, I've had a great experience. This past week I strangely found out that I was acquainted with my store representative (I put two and two together when I saw his last name and realized I knew his wife) who waved a fee to fix and later replace my non-warrantied, non-insured phone. Thank you to Sprint and to the store's great customer service reps who've made this support raiser's week so much easier and pleasant.

4. QuickTrip's fountain drinks and cookie. I'm a general QT fan. The store is kept clean, has many options and low prices. And when I walk out of there with a small coke and cookie in my hand that cost me less than a dollar - I consider that a blessing. QT knows what's up.

5. State Farm's Car Loans. Call it a shameless plug if you want, but I'm serious here. We just switched our car loan over to the State Farm Bank. Not only did they offer us a much lower rate from what we were paying - but the SF loans include GAP insurance for free. We would have had to pay extra for this on our previous loan. That means if someone hits my SUV tomorrow and I owe more on the car than what it's worth (thus creating a gap), SF will take care of the difference. It's a great added perk that I'm appreciative of. Plus, I've got a great agent to work with. :)

6. American Cancer Society's new birthday's campaign. This hasn't really added anything practical or money-saving to my life, but it's given me pride in being a cancer survivor and made me cherish birthdays. I think the new push for ACS to be the "official sponsor of birthdays" is a genius idea, and it's helped me see my cancer survivorship as something to be proud of rather than afflicted by. Thank you to ACS for the morale booster!

7. The Avenue Church. Call it another shameless plug, but I've been really blessed by our church lately. It feels like churches have a really bad rap in America right now. Generally, they're seen as too big, self-centered, judgmental, hypocritical, hurtful - the list can go on and on. Not that we don't struggle with some of the common fault's of churches, but I know it's not our leadership's heart, nor our peoples' hearts, to do so, and especially cause hurts or frustration. I'm blessed by the fact we're just striving to lift up Jesus. We hope to do this through our actions (Mission: Ignitions) and through our words (Sunday services). It's helping me, and hopefully others, see how to "do church" in a new way. It's given me encouragement to stick with it and find the hidden jewels that can come from a local body of believers.

So those are 7 organizations who've made my life better lately. What are some of yours?

A Very Timely Three Cups of Tea

2009-09-11T11:18:00.005-05:00

I finally finished reading Three Cups of Tea this past week. The only reason I came across the book was that I was buying another book off Amazon and needed to add something to my order to get the free shipping discount. I clicked on a "Best Sellers" tab, saw the book at the top of the list and decided to give it a shot. I got lucky with this one, it's a FANTASTIC read.

The book tells the story about Greg Mortenson, an intense mountaineer/hiker guy who stumbles across a remote Pakistani village without anything that us Westerners are accustomed to - including a school for its children. The book tells Mortenson's tale about making promises to build schools all through Pakistan's villages, forming the Central Asia Institute, and how the importance of his mission became even more evident after 9/11. His efforts to build schools and improve communities to promote peace and fight terror is a refreshing take on how to solve the world's problems. Education, he argues, is what's needed to fight terror and provide viable career options for young men who otherwise feel they have no other choice than to join the Taliban. He is also a huge advocate for girl's education (going against some Muslum traditions), which he feels is the sustainability of the villages he serves. I loved that part.

The book had only a few downsides to me. I had a hard time diving into the story, mainly because I was so unfamiliar with the names of the countries, villages, and characters involved. It took me back to the days I was trying to read a 5th grade level book as a 2nd grader. But, after re-reading several pages toward the beginning, I started to get a groove. The book is also crammed full of details, which makes the story seem like it lingers on until the end when time speeds up and you feel the relevance of the book after the attacks on New York.

Despite the two downsides though, I've been challenged in several ways:

Cheer on teachers. I know education is important - I've got a family full of teachers. But not until I read this book did I really understand the value of education on an individual and a community. I know that teachers struggle with feeling valued and respected under the piles of crap paperwork and stupid issues they deal with, but teachers and education are so important. It especially made me encourge Mike, who works in a low income district with some difficult situations. After reading this book, I am able to encourage him better and remind him of the huge impact he's making through teaching. Without education, his kids would be in situations not that different from the Pakistani kids, and have less than optimal futures.
Care about Pakistan and Aghanistan. I admit I'm an ignornt American when it comes to most world issues. I don't read or watch the news, and it's easy to get into my little bubble. But the book's ending coinciding with this week being the Anniversary of 9/11 was perfect. It's become very relevant to me that the work Mortenson continues to do today is huge. It's convicted me to care about other parts of the world, to see citizens of Iraq, Aghanistan, Pakistan and other areas as people who are just as wise, worthy and important as we are. My eyes have been opened to issues happening outside of my suburb. It was refreshing, and I want more.
Drop the "my way" attitude. I'm currently still working out how to take this book, apply it, and yet stick to what I'm called to as a Christian. Mortenson was raised by African missionaries and has a Christian background, yet he's made his life's work about promoting education rather than spreading the Chrisitan faith he grew up in, and personally struggles with. I admire him because he met these people with a clean slate and didn't immediatey try to change them. He instead got to know them and then worked alongside of them. He wore their clothes, learned how to pray like a Muslum, gained knowledge about the intricies and different sects of the faith, and came to understand the customs and beliefs of whomever he was with. He didn't try to convert, but to peacefully co-exist.

Mortenson would not have had the success he did had he reached out with a Christian message or Christian funds. Granted, I realize he had no intent to do so, but it's hard to take such great work like his and not want to imitate it. I'm not sure how to mimic his actions though and leave out the purpose of telling about Jesus. I love his approach of showing love and compassion first, but am challenged by how it just stopped there. It's made me really contemplate how to show Christ's love in situations like his. Ultimately, Christians are here to tell about Jesus. Finding the right way and the right time is what is important, and being patient for God to kick open that door to make Himself known is what we must do. I guess it's truely a matter of faith that God will provide the right opportunity and words, but having a heart like Mortenson's is a great first step in the right direction. He didn't plow through with the "my way" attitude, but instead wanted to serve them. That sounds like someone else I know, and something we're all called to do.

All in all, Three Cups of Tea is a fantastic read. I'm glad to have it on my bookshelf.

Why do newly washed cars attract the rain?

2009-09-09T08:45:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I decided it was time. I washed my car. After a summer of several road trips to Springfield, MO, Lincoln, NE and Des Moines, IA, the car had accumulated a nice assortment of bugs, dirt and some strange sticky brown substance in the cup holders. I've never been great at keeping my cars washed, much less cleaned out. But I'd had enough yesterday, so I dished out a whole $8 for the best car wash in town that includes the use of a powerful vacuum at the end.

When I came home it was sunny and warm, so I left my car parked out in front so it could shine in the sun and be more easily accessible to me. But everyone knows what a nice, new shiny car sitting outside attracts - RAIN. Yep, I go to leave last night for my friend's jewelry party and realize the rain has come. I stop myself from saying a bunch of cuss words in my head (being honest here) and grudgingly drive my now dirty car. I got over it after I realized that my car would have gotten wet even if I would have parked it in the garage because it started raining on me as I drove around town. Oh well, at least the big bugs were off and the inside spotless. It wasn't a total waste and was actually still a good thing for me to do yesterday. I was a steward of my car, and that's all I can ask for.

(our car with "pigtails")

Today is my three month anniversary of having surgery and the "Big C's" return. I've learned a lot this past month as I've continued to heal physically and emotionally. I feel I've made some big steps and started to trust God again. I realized that I've felt like my newly washed car for several months - I was on the right path, started up a church, poured into people's lives, watched my health and worked out - and then BAM - I got cancer again. It's almost as if the "very clean life" attracted the "downpour." I've been mad, angry and somewhat bitter about the whole situation, and have a hard time trusting that God is good and knows what He's doing. It's been tempting to hold out in enjoying things, or pouring into things, from the fear that the good will be taken away again.

Although it's tempting to say "just my luck," and buy into the lie that that's just how life, and God works, - it's just not true. God ultimately is a giver, and through Abraham/Issac's story and the Jesus story, we see God gives back what he takes away - twofold. There was a bigger plan for why it rained yesterday that goes beyond my car getting dirty, and there's a bigger plan for me getting cancer again. While it's an inconvenience to me at the time, God does have a grandiose purpose for it all and I've just got to trust that.

It has been hard, probably the hardest time I've gone through in my life. It has made me question everything - from Jesus loves me to God chose me and wants good for me. But although he questions keep coming, I'm to a place that believing God is ultimately good brings me more peace than when I'm questioning it. And I've got to go with that.

(My brother's wedding day was beautiful! We had a blast!
And no rain!)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Showdown

2009-09-07T22:24:00.004-05:00

I've been on a recent quest to discover the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. Since surgery, I've been eating these things like vitamins. I guess to distract me from what could be emotional meltdowns each time I look at the long list of "no-nos" for my new short colon, I turn to the sugar-coated goodies that help cheer me up. Bring on the regular pop, king sized Snickers and cookies. Scarfing down these treats makes skipping on the baked beans and potato salad no big deal these days.

So, here are the recipes I've tried so far:
"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" baking sticks - chocolate chip cookie recipe on the back of the box.
Hy-Vee's semi-sweet chocolate chips - cookie recipe on the back of the bag
Kitchen Aid Mixer Cookbook's Chocolate Chip cookies
Missional Cookie recipe- came from Kristin Hammett
Ditty Cook's recommendation for Martha's Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

So far, the winner is .... Ditty Cook's recommendation. Although I think that I got the butter a little too warm and compromised my fluffiness, these by far had the best tasting cookies ... and dough. Check out her critique and step-by-step guide here.

A close second would be the missional cookie recipe. These are made with shortening rather than butter and give a unique and different flavor. Email me if you want this recipe!

Burgess Updates

2009-06-03T22:56:00.003-05:00

In 2009, we started emailing a monthly newsletter to update our friends and family about our lives, support raising, and ministry.

We're now able to archive those newsletters. If you haven't received them, or want to re-read, here are links to each newsletter so far.

If you're interested in receiving these each month through your email, please let me know and I'll add you to the list!

May '09

April '09

March '09

February '09

January '09

December '08

Making of the Colondar

2009-05-11T23:07:00.002-05:00

Almost a year ago, I had the opportunity to fly to upstate New York and take part in a photo shoot for the 2009 Colondar.

Part of the weekend included a video shoot to show the 'behind the scenes' and making of the Colondar. If you're curious about what went into making this calendar and a really in-depth look at our stories, check it out!

Here are some links to watch the video on YouTube. It's in four different pieces. Enjoy!
danielle

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiSCszlVbgs

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bsNu3W4Ob0

Part Three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2TUhJEmk_k

Part Four: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjuMI8vtfVE

A Month's Difference

2009-03-24T10:28:00.004-05:00

It's amazing what about a month can do, both for babies and for big people like me and Mike. Last month we watched this little thing for a weekend while her mom & dad had a Valentines getaway. The weekend felt similiar to the sensation of jumping into a cold pool. It was totally new to us and not the most pleasant. I'm sure if she could talk, she'd have similiar sentiments about staying with two kid-less people who don't know how to interpret her cries.

But after a month or so, life is good. We're adaping and able to read her better. She's a little older and more easily distracted from whatever is ailing her to the dogs walking by. Despite Mike's facebook status, last night with the kiddo really wasn't so bad. (After her mom & dad stopped by to calm her down for us.) And after a few hours of kicking on the floor, chewing on keys, going to sleep right away and tons of smiles when she woke up - I think she just be breaking her Aunt B and Uncle Mikey into this whole thing. Or at least I won't feel like I've just been to war when she leaves. I think I actually might miss her a little.

Too Much

2009-03-22T21:20:00.002-05:00

I now have a Twitter. I'm finding it harder to keep up with Facebook now, and very rarely post on my blog. I'm in a little bit of electronic overload at the moment.

This past week was wonderful. Staying with our traveling hobby of visiting state capitals, Mike and I ventured to Oklahoma City for a few days to take in the red dirt, good eats and relaxation. Thanks to priceline.com and a generous boss/Dad who shared a piece of the yearly insurance agency bonus with me, we were able to take a super-affordable and much needed getaway.

Something I've learned lately is the difference between sleep and rest. I get plenty of sleep each night. That's actually one of the biggest blessings that has come from working flexible hours. However, I don't get enough rest.

I was reminded this past week to stop. To not just sleep in, but to actually let my body rest. To shut down my brain, my computer and my task list and enjoy life. It's hard not to focus on to-dos when it feels like there are so many. But I'm finding it's a must when I'm trying to make sense of it all. If God can take a break in the midst of putting the whole world together, surely I can take a few days and power down too.

She's Not a Mean Girl

2009-03-12T13:29:00.003-05:00

Last Tuesday several girlfriends and I huddled around Leah's TV to watch one of our favorite sisters, Beth Moore, teach us about Jesus, Esther and mean girls.

My long-time friend Leah kicked off the discussion by saying that she thinks she is a mean girl ... or that she used to be. She then talked about her and I's friendship history. We've both done 180's from our college days - she's stopped a crazy lifestyle to follow Jesus, I put an end to my legalism and judgmental spirit to follow Jesus. We went from teammates on a 6th grade volleyball team, to friends, to enemies, to 'stop stealing my friend' acquaintances, to band-rats, to 'let's hang out some', to good friends again, to roommates, to good friends again and now to super close, 'I'll always have your back' sisters in Christ.

When I think of transformation and one of the biggest blessings in my life, I think about my bud Leah. We have both grown so much, and experienced the power of God alone bring us together. He used us to change each other. Leah told the girls that God used my constant presence in her life to change her heart. She kind of was a mean girl back in the day, but she's changed. God has used her to teach me about unconditional love and how to follow in obedience and love like Him.

As sisters in Christ, it's been awesome to continue walking and growing together. We're still different, but what bonds us together is our history and reminder of what God's done for us. I'm so proud of her as I've seen her grow so, so much. She's a wonderful leader, mom and friend.

She's had a very interesting, ABC Saturday night drama-type of life lately. And it just got even more interesting this week. But despite it all, she's stayed sane, calm and turned to God every step of the way. Sure some days are harder than others, but I am so proud of her and thankful for God's hand in it all. This life isn't easy. But that's not our guarantee. And despite the crazy, unexplainable craziness of it all, we're to find hope in a God who can relate, and people who can walk alongside of us through things that are hard. I'm going to be praying for my bud Leah all weekend, and I encourage you to join us on the journey too.... http://mamalochiano.blogspot.com/

What Not To Spend

2009-02-21T15:13:00.003-06:00

I kicked off my lazy Saturday afternoon nap today by watching cable TV. There's no better way to waste time and slip into slumber by watching pointless, yet addictive, shows about dressing nice and decorating.

The first show that stopped my channel surfing was 'What Not To Wear.' I'm not a faithful follower but have seen several episodes. Today Stacy and Clinton helped a cute 30-something mom of five find something appropriate to wear to her kids' sporting games and out on the town. A victim of trying to cram her body into something too small and skanky, the hosts gave her several tips about layering and knee-length hem lines that took her on a shopping spree. She entered a store, found three items, went to the register and paid the over-$900 bill with a credit card provided by the producers. The show transitioned to Stacy and Clinton watching the mom outside of the store tear up during an interview about spending that much money on only three items. The hosts then reckoned "Yeah, that must seem like a lot of money to a mom of five who watches every penny, but you have to realize that you deserve to spend that kind of money on clothes that make you look great."

Stacy and Clinton's reasoning sent me back to channel surfing that landed me on an HGTV show about redecorating one room in your house on a budget. A fantastic team of designers gave a woman her dream bedroom through redecorating from floor to ceiling. The walls were painted a beautiful peacock blue and accented by black & white and gold extras. Everything from new chairs, pillows, bedding, vases, rugs, tables, mirrors, window treatments made the room look like an old-Hollywood palace. It was beautiful and came in $1 under budget at $999! It looked just like what the woman had always dreamed.

In what's being called the worst economy since Great Depression, I watch these shows and have even more of an understanding of what got us here. There's a lot of talk about lenders and buyers, federal bailouts, stimulus movements and more. And while that might contribute to understanding some of the problem's roots and what can help - there's another layer to this whole thing.

There's a lie going around that we deserve the best. Whether it's our bodies, bedrooms, cars, vacations or houses, the notion that we are glorious enough to spend that kind of money on temporary things for ourselves has taken our minds totally off of the creator and to the created. Call me a conservative Midwestern gal who considers $1000 to be a lot of money, but in times like these, $1000 is a lot of money. And it will always be. Especially when compared to the amout of people it could feed verses the amount of high-end clothes it could buy.

More money and things won't solve our economy's problem. But a check on our pride and self glorification will. We're told to not store up our treasures on Earth, but to store up treasures for heaven. That doesn't mean we never have nice things or that we never spend signifigant amounts of money. But it does mean that we should spend wisely and humbly on things that will last. It means we don't buy our happiness or our status. We're all tempted to not only spend funds (or wish we could spend funds) the way the two shows recommended today. But in the end the clothes will tear and peacock blue will eventually go out of style. What will remain is humility we practice and the treasures we store up in heaven. Those will forever be the best bailout and stimulis options this life has to offer.

Man oh Man

2009-02-03T08:52:00.003-06:00

Last weekend Mike & I took a little road trip to Lincoln to visit my family and get away. Part of the weekend was attending their Sunday church service which was fun and very different from our church planting routine. The sermon was about womens' and mens' roles, both at home and in the church.

I could take off and blog about topics in several directions from here - but one of the points that stuck the most was the theology behind God making man and woman. He said at the end of the day, the way a husband treats a wife should reflect how much Jesus loves us. And the way a wife treats a husband is how we as people should respond to the church.

Mike definitely took this to heart as he blew me away yesterday. He took off work in the morning to go to my surgeon appointment with me, and remembered my 'surgeryversary,' a fun holiday he has made up in rememberance of my big surgery. We went about our days, but yesterday was fun because he got to come home after school and not coach. I was getting home later than usual, so with his spare time, Mike made us dinner. I went off to a meeting after that, but when I got home I walked in to a dozen roses in our dining room and some cookies, since before I left earlier in the evening I was on a cookie hunt. I was blown away. His surprises rock.

I definitely feel the love of Christ through Mike. If his actions toward me are only a fragment of how much God loves us, and what Heaven is going to be like - I can't wait. I am so greatful for his servant's heart and his thoughtfulness. I know that marriage can be rough and have tough places along the way, but I'm learning early on that the secret to that is knowing who God created us to be is having an audience of One. When our focus is not being the best friend or spouse, or getting our own needs met, but being the man or woman God called us to be, life is good and Heaven seems even better.

New Years Queen

2009-01-02T15:39:00.003-06:00

Every year at the COM New Year's Party, we award a king and queen based on the top five things that happened to them the past year. Everyone submits a ballot, then we vote, and a coronation happens just after midnight. Sounds silly, but it's way fun and a great way to reflect on what has happened in the past year.

I almost didn't submit a ballot this year, I thought as the host I'd help facilitate the voting. But my lovely husband made me enter, and I ended up becoming the queen.

Here were the Top 5 things I wrote on my card:

1. I made it through a year of support raising
2. I watched a live birth and had no pain
3. I modeled for a calendar
4. I took up hiking and kickboxing
5. I started a church

Last year was a wild ride. I knew 2008 would be exciting, challenging, busy, fun, hard, and so many other things - but it turned out to be so much more. About a month ago I would have coughed up the year to be 'really friggin hard' - but after a last month and some time of reflection, I would now cough up the year to be 'extremely exciting, hard and full of change.'

This year I actually became a frequent exerciser. I got back on track with quiet times. I met with a few girls each week and finished two Beth Moore studies. I maintained past friendships and built new. I hiked two mountains on opposite ends of the country and read over 10 books this year. I modeled for a calendar, traveled all across the US, helped start up an organization and dove into ministry.

There were plenty of things that were less than exciting, trying and really exhausting - but God's taught me the lesson that I wouldn't have these victories without the challenges that come with them. I could have avoided the hard times, but it would not have brought me the good. Sometimes the good things will come after the risk is taken. I have learned that when I sit on the bench and play it safe, I'll be left with a boring game.

This Old House

2008-12-29T22:48:00.003-06:00

Here at the Corner of Monroe, we've had some great times. Being in the old house on the corner has been fun for several reasons. We enjoy the several people who drive by and honk, we like having a large basement that works for worship practice, and mostly we love having the room to host our life group and an annual New Years Party.

But, with every fun thing comes its counterpart. We can't figure out where the mice are coming in, and are not happy that they've made the nooks and crannies of our house a small mouse maternity ward. We can't seem to get grass to grow in the back (and we do lock up the dogs now), and today we had to pay a guy $125 to snake our plumbing ... again.

I remember when we first moved into this place, I heard a short devotional on the radio talking about old houses and the history they have as I stripped off two layers of nasty kitchen wallpaper and painted the walls a light lime green. What stood out to me about the message was to think back and try to just imagine what has happened in the place before you.

I can't even imagine everything this old house has seen. It was built in the late 1920s, so it could probably compete with anyone's precious old grandma's stories about the 'good old days.' It's seen the Great Depression, several world wars, presidents, social movements, recessions and more depressions, and so much more. It's gotten central heat, a new bathroom, electricity, remodeled kitchen, cable, and other enhancements since it was born.

As a new year approaches and this 80 year old house sees yet another year come, may she continue to keep us warm, sheltered and entertained. And may we learn from her as we keep standing in a scary economic time, adapt to changes and improvements, and realize the times when we need a fix and have the prayer and humility to do it.

2008-11-19T16:26:00.002-06:00

Lately I've been wasting a lot of time on this site.

Maybe I'm getting old, or maybe it takes my mind off of things. But whatever the case, I think I'm addicted.

Unacceptable

2008-11-07T08:44:00.004-06:00

The past few days I've thought about and discussed many of the reactions to the Presidential election outcome on Tuesday. I do admit that I lack a passion that several of my peers had for the outcome of the race. I will admittedly say that we were on the fence up until a few days before the election, so either way of the outcome, I was going to be content.

I knew that several others had strong views about one side or the other though. It was encouraging to see our generation rise up and take ownership in how we will be governed. To see people research the issues, form an opinion and then communicate why they felt how they did was encouraging. I respected the many views that came from both sides of the race.

And then Tuesday happened.

While I laughed at first and actually had a 'make up the most outrageous Facebook status game,' what has since followed Tuesday night and Wednesday morning has been a great sadness and concern for our community - mainly I mean the church community.

To read posts full of hate, worry, fear and lies coming from those who were Anti-Obama have been discouraging. He's a politician. He won fair and square. And to post statements that attack not his policies but more his character is wrong. I understand what it is to disagree with Obama's politics. But to publicly post such rude and hateful comments because your guy didn't win is unacceptable - and especially when it's coming from a group of Christians.

We are called to love. We are called to serve. And we are called to pray. There is a way to disagree and be disappointed with tact. Many red flags have been raised this week, but it's not because Obama was elected into office. Instead, it's been the overwhelming outcry of the conservatives and the statements that have come from either their mouths or their keyboards. I've been burdened and disappointed with where we're at as a community, and hopeful that this might be the spark to get to real change.

I encourage us all as we move forward to be careful of what we say. If you have an argument, state your argument. It's okay to disagree - but it's not okay to slander and bash another person, no matter who they are. I encourage the church to take a good look at itself and address these issues. I'm usually one that likes to keep the peace, but on this issue I could not keep quiet. There's a bigger problem than having Obama in office when Christians will be known for their rude and hateful comments following results night, and I do hope that Change is here.

Tag I'm It

2008-10-28T22:54:00.010-05:00

Thanks to Jen for spurring me on to update this blog. She tagged me on her blog, so here I go.

Here are the rules for this tag: *Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog. *Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. *Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog…

FACT 1: I play Fantasy Football and my team's name is the danielleagories. I also tend to always drop in the fact I won the first year I played and beat all of the guys. I like to think of our league's traveling trophy as the "Danielle Ripley Trophy."

FACT 2: I've recently started grocery shopping at Aldi. I have avoided this for a few years, but when gas went up and I was tired of spending almost my entire grocery budget in one trip, I started looking for some other options. I've been truly amazed at how much money I save.

FACT 3: I've started boxing and kickboxing at the Title Boxing Club. I started this workout in late August and have loved it.

FACT 4: I cannot stand the show Price is Right. No reason, it just annoys the crap out of me.

FACT 5: I have several nicknames. I'm Angel Face to Mom, Punkin to Dad, Yells to Andy, Diva to Em and Leah, and B to Mike and now my growing list of nieces and nephews.

FACT 6: I took piano lessons when I was a kid. I can still play a few songs by ear.

FACT 7: Mike and I started dating 8 years ago today - October 28, 2000. Happy Anniversary Babe!

YOU'RE TAGGED:

Sarah

Kelley

Natasha

Luckie Leah

Randzig

To Ella

2008-09-29T08:38:00.005-05:00

To Ella,

Dear baby girl, I was honored to see you born the other day. To see you enter the world, hear you take your first breaths and watch you become more loved in your first minutes than you'll probably ever realize.

You were prayed for way before any of us ever knew you were on the way. Your mom and dad were faithful to seek God's face every night because they desired you so much. Your aunts, uncles, grandparents and other friends pleaded with God to bring you here. Even when we thought there was a chance we might not ever meet you, we had faith and God answered our prayers and the desires of your mom and dad's hearts. Your name carries that legacy.

As your Aunt B, there are so many things that I want to teach you. As a little person, I wish there was a way to give you a crash course on life right now, before the world comes in and tries to convince you otherwise. And while I know that's unrealistic, here are a couple of the most important things I want you to know:

You're beautiful and you have been from the very second you were born. Your skin tone, hair, eyes, mouth and nose are absolutely perfect. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. Don't compare yourself to the other girls on the billboards or TV. They're not you, they looked differently when they were born, and you're absolutely the way God intended you to be.

Your mom and dad love you so much. I know that as you get older, you might not believe it all of the time, but it's true. Your dad locks the doors not to prison you in, but to protect you (he was doing it before you got here.) Their rules and guidelines are there to help you grow, even though they might not feel like it.

Live for your passions. Find out what you're good at and what you love - and focus on that. Don't let the world tell you you're not good enough. Just keep going. If you love to sing, sing your heart out with your mom. If you're into sports, play with Uncle Mikey. If you love to bake, go to Aunt Heather's. If you want to kickbox, come with Aunt B. If you draw, paint, learn karate, love pottery, go fishing, play soccer, or whatever it is - do it with all your might. Don't give up when it seems hard. It will set you back years that you can't get back.

Love Jesus. Little girl, you were born in 2008 for a specific reason. You're here because throughout your lifetime, you will meet so many other people and your job is to keep telling others about Jesus. Know that He loves you. He died for you. And the only thing to make sense of world that gets crazier by the minute is to cling to your relationship with Him. Put effort into knowing him. Be still and let Him talk to you.

Know that everything happens for a reason. Life is hard, and it's easy to see all of the bad and none of the good when you're in pain. But remember that God works for the good of all things, and right around the corner will be a blessing in disguise. Keep the faith. When I got sick and found out I couldn't have my own kids, I could have been really sad and mad at God. But He had blessings in store for me that will far outweigh any loss I feel. Your mom and dad have become lifelong friends who gave me an opportunity that only David and Jonathan-like friends do, I watched you come into the world. To become family with someone who's not your blood-family is a supernatural experience I hope you have one day. I don't wish pain, sickness, grief or anything bad ever happens to you. But know that when it comes (because it will) - that you can make it through and there is a bag of blessings beyond your belief on the other side.

I love you and I will always fight for you. You're precious and I'm so glad you're here,
Love,
Aunt B

Happy Adoption Day Lindley

2008-09-09T21:48:00.005-05:00

This is the first time in two years as pet owners that Mike and I have remembered to celebrate our dog's adoption day. We better get better at this if it applies to our kiddos one day.

Anyway, today we've had Lindley for two years. Oh what a far way she has come since that first day with her. When we met her outside of PetCo, she was pulling the Furry Kids Refuge worker around the sidewalk as he took her for a walk. Her name was Summer. We were amazed at her muscles and gentle, yet ferocious, personality. I was excited at first, but when she got home, I got really nervous. I wasn't sure if I would love her as much as Joey. Silly how I hear that parents expecting their second child feel the same way. That was quickly reversed, as she's become 'my dog' around the house. We named her Lindley to go with our dog-naming theme of Dawson's Creek names. We didn't really think "Jen" fit her very well, so we took a last name from the show.

It's been a great two years with Lindley. We've seen a timid, abused little dog come into our home and with a lot of love, laying on the couch and treats, she's turned into one great pup. She's pretty easy to train, and it actually looks like she's smiling when she's happy. While she still might bark when people come in to help guard our house for us, she really has become a loving little thing.

My favorite Lindley memories:
- Finding a Gentle Leader and actually being able to take her on a walk.
- When we found a used kids swimming pool and she jumped right in and was cracking us up.
- On a walk, she basked in a realtor's really nice fountains for a little splash. We had to pull her out b/c we were scared of the security cameras.
- She bit Matt Hays. Sorry Matt, sad for him but a humerous story. Similiar to the story with my step-dad.
- She was a partner-in-crime with Joey a few weeks before Christmas and ended up completely tearing up our living room in the middle of the night and shredding ornaments, leather wallets, pillows, etc. Bad experience, good story.
- She caught a mouse in our house!
- And my favorite of all time -- she knew Kelley was pregnant before any of us. Crazy!

A Cancer First

2008-09-07T22:45:00.006-05:00

This weekend at the Big Dam Walk, I had a first.

In my cancer journey, I've had many unique experiences. I had to sit in a cafeteria without any food, masking the reason of having a colonoscopy the next day with the lie that I wasn't hungry.
I had a massive surgery on the day of a big test, and worried about having hair for prom more than what dress I was wearing that night.

I can't count the number of raised eyebrows from doctors, nurses and strangers when they learned I had colon cancer at age 17. I've been the "baby" of most cancer groups, and been the youngest person in the room to be diagnosed with colon cancer when I'm with a bunch survivors.

But this weekend, I met a gal who was diagnosed at age 16. She is 29 years old and has been a survivor for 13 years!

When I walked up to be introduced to her, I felt mixed feelings. Half of me was in disbelief that I was actually meeting a fellow teen diagnosee. I was ecstatic that the purpose of the Colon Club had come through for me! I was actually meeting someone else "just like me." On the other side, I was very humbled. My unique age and situation had built up walls of pride that quickly came falling down when I realized I wasn't the youngest in the group anymore. It was a very needed, timely and appropriate experience for me to have this weekend.

Each time I get together for a cancer cause, I am remembered by how blessed I am to still be here, and inspired to live my life with the mindset that I am still here for a reason. Now let's go find it.

Enjoy some pics of the day...

.

Exposed

2008-08-04T19:00:00.003-05:00

My favorite quote from this past weekend's Living Proof Live simulcast:

"Every time you expose yourself to the Word of God, he wants to accomplish something." - Beth Moore

A few runner ups:

"When the season of testing exceeds the season of believing, we are headed toward a season of falling."

"The root cause of anxiety is feeling a loss of control, or fear that we are losing it. Anxiety shows that we are not trusting Christ."

"God will birth your passion from your pain."

"God's not going to change your life if you don't let him change your day."

"Whatever God has you on earth to do, it will take sticking with it. Do not quit before your harvest comes."

My Story - Symptoms

2008-06-09T17:48:00.005-05:00

My side is aching today, I'm pretty sure it's my left ovary that has flared up for some reason.

Taking a lot of prescription medicine without drinking much water can cause a mean urinary tract infection.

The way I found out I had cancer was blood in the stool after I went number two - and for many years.

And why do I say all of this?

Because it could save your life, or someone's that you know.

This past week, I've been processing my weekend at Lake George, New York and how to describe what I experienced on this blog. I was honored to fly to upstate New York to meet 12 other young colon cancer survivors and take photos for the 2009 Colondar.

I've debated writing in detail about my feelings that came up such as pride for being a cancer survivor, relief about meeting others who could relate, or anxiety about the looming thought of recurrence that I try to brush off most days.

But what I have chosen to focus on today is the inspiration it gave me to spread the word about colon cancer and my experience. I've been quiet about it for the most part, but I was woken up to how many lives I could help save just by telling my story - both in the physical and spiritual sense.

MY STORY - THE SYMPTOMS
The reason I underwent such an aggressive treatment when I was diagnosed was because I didn't say anything when I started seeing blood in the stool. I was royally embarrassed which led to me being royally sick. Nobody likes to talk about going poop - or at least what happens when they go. I was in high school when I started noticing a lot of blood, and the least thing I was going to do was bring it up. I thought the blood would just go away.

Nobody likes to discuss when something is going wrong with their bodies - in an embarrassing area. Bowels are off-limits unless joking about farting or telling peeing your pants stories. Girls hate talking about their female problems just as much as guys won't discuss their prostates. But what it comes down to is when there's something wrong - tell a doctor. It's worth it to get it checked out.

Maybe nothing is wrong and things will settle down in a few days. But maybe something is wrong. I was too young for my symptoms to be colon cancer, just as you're too ______ for your symptoms to be _____________.

more of my story to be continued....

The News

2008-05-26T20:17:00.004-05:00

I don't watch the news. I don't read the news either, and now that I don't drive to Crown Center every day, I don't listen to the news. I have my homepage set to gmail, so I don't even see the top headlines of the day. (I'm excluding Sports Center right now as I do watch that almost every morning thanks to Mike.)

I've been overly proud that Mike nor I keep up on the news and have seen some good effects: I'm not as scared. I haven't been exposed to the horror stories of last night's midnight shooting or kidnapping. I can actually drive through Kansas City's Mid Town and appreciate the old stores and history of the city. I am working on forming my own opinion of the political candidates. And I don't get down about the weather forecast because I have no idea what's happening. It's always a surprise when it rains.

But today, I had some bad effects and some big-time humility. My family was hanging out at my brother's house and started talking about a Mormon polygamist colony in Texas and some guy in Europe who locked his daughter up in his basement and had kids with her. Mike and I hadn't even seen traces of jokes about these things on SNL, so we had NO idea this had happened recently. And everyone at the table replied "Don't you watch the news? It's been all over it for weeks!"

A professor in college used to encourage us PR students to read/watch/listen to the news because it makes us conversational. I saw what he meant today. But I was convicted because it also is what makes us missional. Not only can talking about current events help me find common ground with someone for a discussion, but it also helps me find ways to show my friends how needed Jesus is today, and with real-life examples. (I could not have come up with a crazier story than a polygamist colony in Texas to demonstrate our desperate struggle with sin and need for a Savior.)

So friends, today I'm convicted. I am currently looking through good news source websites to decide which one will get the glorious position of my homepage. I'm going to make a more concentrated effort to stay on top of what's happening. I am going to start reading the news.

Kind Regards,

2008-05-13T21:24:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

Sorry everyone, I warned you this would happen. Here's a tangent that has me side tracked for the moment.

Does it bug anyone else as much as it bugs me when someone signs off their emails with "Kind Regards"? or how about "Warm Regards" - that's even worse. But today, I'll focus on the Kind.

What is that supposed to mean? Kind regards - even though I've never met you in person. Kind regards from right now on - but not for the rest of my email? What if the entire email was about how much you had screwed up lately - would you still send it signed "kind regards?" Kind regards because if I don't sign it "Kind Regards" I'll be sending "You Suck Regards?"

And what are Kind Regards? I've never heard anyone say "Hey Mom, it was great to see you on Mothers Day! I'm going to go home now - Kind Regards!" Yeah, I don't think so. Or "Leah, I thought I'd send you some Kind Regards today and hope you have a good day." Doesn't make any sense.

In the spirit of constructive criticism, here are a few suggestions as replacements that get across the same message, but in a little less freakish, yet still unique way:

Hope you're having a good day,
Eat a big piece of pie for me,
It's been great working with you even though we've never met,
I'm really nice,

or really - and old-school Sincerely or Thanks! will do.

Appreciating your readership in a really nice and kind way,
danielle

Behold the Power Of ... The Vacuum

2008-05-11T08:42:00.003-05:00

I don't know if it's the same around your house as it ours - but the vacuum has power. Mike and I equally enjoy using the vacuum, and love it even more after it's been used by the other person.

As much as I love it when Mike surprises me by a quick sweep up around the house, he loves it just as much when he comes home and sees fresh lines on the carpet. It's a small, easy way to show your spouse you were thinking of him/her and helping out.

It seems like something so small and obvious, how can it be missional? First, it's serving one another. If you both get a kick out of having a vacuumed house it's a win-win. Second, it could lead into a conversation where you tell your spouse thank you and how it's just one of the many Christlike actions you've seen in them lately. A lot of times things go unsaid because there's not a comfortable situation leading to those conversations. So get out that vacuum and start talking!

Lunch Box Notes

2008-05-08T13:03:00.003-05:00

I want to theme our blog and have it be a bit more focused. Because God made me sporadic, I'm sure there will be an occasional unrelated post, but I'm going to do my best to keep it on topic.

At The Avenue, we say "missional" a lot, but I'm finding that many people aren't sure about what it means, or really care. I don't have all of the answers, but I have a lot of ideas about what it can mean, and why it's really awesome and important. And then I thought Mike and I could use our blog to showcase an easy, everyday idea. He and I both are all over this missional thing.

Because it's our "Love Week" (AKA our 3rd wedding anniversary was yesterday and we make a big deal out of it for about a week), I thought we'd kick this thing off by ways to be missional to your spouse. Thus,

Idea 1 - Lunch Box Notes
This practice isn't just reserved for the moms who pack soup in a thermos for their elementary school kids and find ways to tell them hello in the middle of the day. No, this long going expression of love and thoughtfulness is great for your marriage too. For starters, you're actually serving your spouse by packing his or her lunch (which everyone loves), and two - you're able to express your heart in a way that you might never say the thoughts in person.
Here are a few tips on writing notes:

Don't let them see you writing the note. Slip it in there as a secret. It's best when it's a surprise.
Place it near something tightly sealed, and try to keep it away from something frozen that might sweat on it and make your XOXOs run together.
It's fun to put it on the same paper each time so when they see the bright orange sticky note, they know exactly what it is.
Make sure to sign your name, or your nickname.

Here are a few suggestions for what to put on the note:

Just a really big "I Love You" or "You're the best _______" (fill in the blank)
A thank you for something specific.
Something you've learned from them recently.
A bible verse you read and are praying for them.
Some sort of inside joke.

Come Dwell With Us

2008-05-06T22:45:00.005-05:00

I am extremely burdened tonight in what feels like every area. I have situations going on with my friends, my family, my church and my culture that have caused my heavy heart, and the only thing I can reason is that God has something to say.

I just finished a 10-week Bible study from Beth Moore that taught the history and significance of the Old Testament tabernacle. The point of the study was simple: God created us so He could dwell with us, and Christ is how we experience that today.

Our generation is missing that point as a whole. The simple truth that our job as humans is to be in God's presence is lost in the midst of a mess. There's a lot of problems going on, and several things that aren't "right" at this moment. We've got severed relationships, false idols, misguided focus, unforgiveness, financial issues, bitterness, and much more that's getting in the way - all Satan's attempts to get our eyes on this world and not on the one to come - and especially not on Christ.

Tonight I'm humbled as I find myself in a boat that's been floating on top of things of this world. I've been numb to the emergency that Christ is not being made known to our culture because of the sin issues that I've been trying to personally deal with, or help others walk through.

As I look back on the words of encouragement, support and hope that I find for myself and others, the only anchor I see that's going to keep all of us afloat is repentant hearts joining in unison chanting "Jesus, you are enough. Come dwell with us."

Working From Home

2008-04-29T11:15:00.003-05:00

Benefits:
1) I worked in my pajamas until 11:00 this morning.
2) No lost time in commuting, I can get straight to work.
3) I can master multi-tasking by eating breakfast, feeding the dogs and reading emails all in a few minutes.
4) I can play music as loud as I want.
5) I get to hang out with our dogs all day.

Disadvantages:
1) I was working in my pajamas until 11:00 this morning.
2) What's work and what's not work?
3) My dining room table is also my desk at the moment.
4) I keep finding home improvements to do.
5) Dogs just aren't the same as co-workers.

My First Dundee

2008-04-11T13:09:00.009-05:00

THE OFFICE IS BACK
Last night I celebrated the return of NBC's show "The Office" at the Burns' The Office is Back Party where I played many fun office games and won a Dundee for having one of the best costumes.

Me as Pam on Diversity Day

The party was way fun. I would definitely do it again. That's what she said.
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Here are a few more pics of the party guests and hosts , and some fellow Dundee winners.....

Danny as Michael Scott

Emily as Karen on Sales Call Day

Ashley as Angela on the day of the big race

Billy as 3-hole punch Jim

Jill as Dwight. Every great party needs a Dwight.

A handy trunk organizer

2008-04-09T13:24:00.004-05:00

I've seen cash, blenders and autographed baseballs. But the North American Savings Bank has gone above and beyond in the world of desperately trying to get new checking accounts by offering a FREE trunk organizer. What a deal.

FREE JUMPER CABLES
These days, us marketers are scrambling for the latest, greatest and most nitch thing we can think of in order to get people to give us a chance. I admit, I did it with jumper cables at my dad's office. I was thinking "maybe THIS will be the grand hook that turns heads, gets our office noticed, and gets people into the door. Maybe jumper cables are the key to getting people to see just how genuine we are, and how much we really do care and want to help with insurance!" It hasn't worked - yet. But I'm still trying.

FREE JESUS
But what happens when I think about how to market the church? What if we offered FREE Bibles, coffee, or bobble-head Jesus figurines? What if everyone who came to our new church left with a t-shirt, a CD of the worship team or a neat poster to hang on their wall?

That would be really great, and maybe even put us on the list of "cool churches" - but unfortunately we'd be missing the point. Sure those ideas are useful in small doses, but you have to look at the meaning behind it. Where's the relationship, where's the quality in what you're offering, and how is it going to change a life? Peter Drucker says "The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well that the product or service fits him (or her) and sells itself." I think that the church most definitely has a product or service that can hit any person who comes through our door, and sell HIM-self. My job as a church marketer is to help know the person, and give others inside our church tools to do the same.

We sell Jesus. Actually we don't sell him, He's FREE. And he's absolutely enough to get people to come through the door. We make relationships, we invite people to know Him like we do, and He'll do the rest. He's the best thing we can offer them. He's the best thing they can leave with.

So sorry, we won't be offering a trunk organizer this year.

One Girl Army

2008-04-07T14:40:00.003-05:00

It's interesting to be a woman in the ministry, and especially a woman who does not focus on children or other womens ministries. It's a unique calling, one that makes me think that I'll be kicking back with Nehemiah or Esther one day in Heaven over frozen fruity drinks and telling stories about how God called us to something we had never seen happen before.

Here's a glimpse of what I've learned so far as a woman called into the ministry to help start a new church, yet not primarily focus on children or women, and raise my own support:

1) Pray a lot. Pray for patience, vision and the strength to keep going even when I'm not sure where to go next. Or- when I've forgotten why I'm in this spot in the first place. God has called me here, hang on to that and just keep running.

2) Rest. Yeah, I suck at this, but I'm learning more and more why God rested on the Sabbath. You get tired, sick, not fun to be around and those dark circles under your eyes when you don't. And yeah, even if at age 24, I can't hide from those dark circles. So rest up.

3) Ask. I can't do this by myself - I've been trying but it's not working so well. God's teaching me each day to ask for my needs and my wants. It starts with asking Him first, and then other people.
I need help from others to do my job with excellence.
I need help financially as Mike and I step out more and more in faith and rely on support. (I'm asking everyone who reads this and feels God nudging them to help to email me. I'll give you details. Ahh that was hard, but I've put it into practice!)
We need friends to hang out with us, and to call and check in.
I need humility and patience as time goes on.
We need God to put an amazing and anticipated musical opportunity in Mike's path that allows him to fulfill his calling and rock his heart out.
And I need to ask other friends how they are doing.
I need time to be still, listen and know that God is most definitely up to something and going to provide.

Uncle Sam

2008-03-02T21:34:00.004-06:00

I've recently gotten to know Uncle Sam. My parents held the relationship with him for most of my life, and I never took the time to know him. But, since we've gotten married, Mike and I have become acquainted with him.

The first year he visited us, my mom helped with the introductions. I was actually pretty pleased with his visit, and felt he was quite generous. He must have had pity on me as a college student. But, last year that was not the case. I'm not sure why, but his generosity ran out with us two full-time working kids and he didn't return any favors. He actually made us pay for his trip. Luckily, I met with one of his consultants who gave me some tips on his visit for this year.

So after this year, we're friends again. He really liked our house. After his visit, he decided to be very kind to us again. But I'd like to think it wasn't just Uncle Sam's generous heart. I think that God was up there looking over us, and using Uncle Sam to bless us. With our support raising journey in process, he couldn't have come at a better time.

So I look forward to meeting with Uncle Sam again next year. Too bad he doesn't visit at Christmas.

A Few Wonderful Things

2008-02-19T15:08:00.004-06:00

Here are a few things I've come across lately that I think are just wonderful:

1. www.freerice.com - Bored at work? Play a vocab game and help the world, all at the same time. Incredible!

2. Google Reader - thanks to my friend Sarah, I've learned how to subscribe to the blogs I read so they all feed into one place, and I don't have to visit each site individually. Man that saves me time.

3. iGoogle homepage - I sound like a Google freak right now, but what I've stumbled upon lately has really improved my quality of life. From iGoogle, I can check my mail, use a calculator, read great date ideas, keep a to-do list, a prayer list, and access my google reader! Now that's a homepage.

4. Doozens coffee - a cute and artsy coffee shop over by Raintree off of Ward and 150 Hwy really has me hoppin these days. Their drinks are great, particularly their Irish Nut.

5. Beth Moore's study 'A Woman's Heart.' I've been going through this with some of my girlfriends for about four weeks now and it's blowing me away. A study of the Old Testament tabernacle really has given me an eye opener as to how God really desires to dwell among us. Incredible!

6. My red Kitchen Aid mixer. I liked making cookies before, but I love it now. And for some reason, I'm convinced they taste better too.

Spontaneity is Good

2008-02-15T09:48:00.003-06:00

I tend to be a planner. I really, really like to be organized and be prepared. I feel like I can do my best work when I have a good foundation set before me and I know what I'm doing.

But last night, for the first Valentine's Day since I've been with Mike, we were not prepared or planned out. We didn't have any plans. We didn't have anywhere we had to be, tickets we had to use, or food we had to cook. I wasn't sure about it at first, but I just sat back and trusted Mike that our night would turn out okay.

And it was more than okay, it was awesome. Maybe even the best one yet.

We stopped by a couple of restaurants but quickly left when we heard of the over 30-minute waits and settled on a new Thai restaurant here in our city. After dinner, we went to a new ice cream shop in Downtown LS and had some awesome homemade ice cream with very cool and unique flavors. Then it was on to home where we watched an old movie we DVR'ed off of TMC (The Odd Couple) and finishing off the night with a bag of microwave popcorn and Asti.

It paid to sit back and not plan out anything. It was great to hop from place to place and focus on the time spent together rather than the agenda. It was so great, I don't even have any pictures of the night.

Lesson learned: Let Mike plan many, many more nights like this. It couldn't have been better.

Go Ahead - Google Yourself.

2007-12-27T21:40:00.000-06:00

Something really funny happened to me today.

This afternoon I began working on an application for the Colondar - a calendar modeled by young colon cancer survivors created to raise money for colorectal cancer awareness. All year I've had my heart set on applying, and so today, with only four days left in the year, I decided to apply.

One of the questions asked if I had ever shared my story with anyone, especially the public. I wrote a nice paragraph about how I have done several media interviews. Then it asked if my story was anywhere on the Internet.

I didn't think my story was - it used to be after I did an interview my Freshman year of college, but I was sure it wouldn't be popping up anymore, it was so long ago. But much to my surprise, after a nice Google search of myself - or the old me, Danielle Ripley - I found that I am indeed on WebMD! Crazy! Check it out: http://www.webmd.com/video/kids-with-colon-cancer

The New Adventure

2007-12-23T09:45:00.000-06:00

So I've been in a whirlwind the past few months. Some of you have known bits and pieces along the way, and some of you I haven't had the chance to share with you about what's going on in our lives!!!

Mike and I joined a church plant team at our home church, LSCC, almost two years ago. We had checked out a church plant in LA and were prepared to move out there to help with that. But upon our return home, we realized that we were being called to stay around home and be a part of this church plant.

The core team has been meeting for a couple of years, without a lot of activity going on. We've been patient and waiting for God's perfect timing in all of this.

This summer, some movement began when Nick Kendall (my youth minister for years, the pastor at our wedding, a close friend mine) began praying and seeking out God's will if he was being called to launch out and be the lead pastor of the church. After several weeks of praying, he and wife Leslie said they were being called and would lead the plant.

In the meantime, throughout the year, the tug on my heart to be doing full-time ministry continued to grow. While I LOVED my job, the people at work, and so much about it, I knew God was asking me to leave it in order to pursue what he *kept* me here to do. As the church plant team began to meet more and more this summer, I felt very confident that this was the right opportunity, and the right timing to dive in.

I began to talk to Nick about what this looked like for us. It's been a perfect fit for me to dive in now, and at this timing, because now is the time to start thinking about what we want the church to be, how we want to project who we are, and how to go about that. The marketing experience I've received after working at the advertising agency will really help with this. I'll also get to use a lot of my PR knowledge from college as I help produce our newsletters, weekly bulletins and other things like that.

So that's what's up with us. My last day at the agency was this past Friday,and I'll begin working the first of January. Mike and I are in place where we've begun to raise my support in order to do this. My dad has been an incredible blessing and has hired me to work some hours at his State Farm agency and help him with marketing as I raise the full-time funds I need to work at the church. It's a scary time, but also very exciting. And I am sure that God will provide.

Thanks to you all for your support and encouragement already. I would have loved to have lunch or coffee with you all and tell you about all of this in person but that just wasn't possible. But now, give me a call or an email and we'll get together and have coffee or something like that - and we'll keep talking about what God's going in our lives, and yours!!

Bless you all, and Merry Christmas!
danielle

Al-bu-quer-que

2007-12-11T07:58:00.000-06:00

Oh going to the desert is so much fun, especially when your home is getting hit with cold weather and snow.

Our New Mexico getaway was very fun.

We did some hiking (okay, so it was about an hour or so our last day, but it still counts and it was way fun!);

eating New Mexican food - green chili please (they say green is milder, but it's still HOT!);

shopping along the street;

touring the town and the stadiums;

browsing the gallaries and churches in Santa Fe;

checking off the state capital from our "lets see all of the US State Capitals" initiative;

and rooting - for the Scorps, the hockey team;

There were a few of the photo highlights, Mike has the rest of them on his facebook.

In other news, I have less than TWO WEEKS left at the advertising agency. Man how time has flown! I've been working on writing a letter to send out to everyone as a Merry Christmas/Here's what's happening with us greeting. If I get all of this done in a couple of weeks, it really will be a Christmas miracle!!

No Not Greys...

2007-11-15T12:48:00.001-06:00

Scrubs!

To several of my lady friends' disappointment, yet to a lot of our other twenty-something friends' delight, Mike and I were from the show Scrubs, not Greys Anatomy, for Halloween this year.

Here were some other rocking costumes we encountered.

My Debut

2007-10-24T13:31:00.000-05:00

So I thought it was time to make my debut on the Burgess blog. My hope is that the overarching theme of Corner of Monroe is Mike and I living radically for God, following his call, and sharing with you about where that leads us.

It's only fitting that my first post be about the vision God's put before our heart, and where that's leading us right now. As our small group could attest, for several months now I've been asking for prayers about my vision. Mike began listening to Mark Driscoll's sermons on Nehemiah, and soon I began listening too. The book of Nehemiah is about a man who gave up everything, moved back home, began to rally people under one purpose (which happened to be a wall), underwent a lot of criticism, and led God's people to the place where He intended for them to be. He was gutsy, he was bold, and he's become a huge influence in our lives.

Following his lead, Mike and I too began a season of praying about our mission and God's begun to show us many things. One of the largest being that I was not kept here on this earth to work in the advertising business.

As much as I love my job and especially my co-workers, God has very much revealed to me that I need to follow the nagging feeling inside of me that I was made for ministry. While theoretically staying at my job would not be "wrong," deep inside I know I need to give it up in order to keep growing and become who I was made to be.

I planned to tell my boss I would not be returning in January on a Tuesday morning, which happened to be the morning of our staff meeting. I received an interesting curve ball when in the middle of our staff meeting - I was promoted. I wasn't expecting that, and soon feelings of guilt and fear for leaving sank in. I felt so horrible about telling them I was going to leave, but in the end, I'd rather have Jesus, so I went through with it and told my boss the next day. Everything went smoothly and the peace that came afterward was worth every bit of worry.

God is so big, and I've learned that he can't wait to show us how big he is. He's already worked out a new job for me - at Dan Ripley State Farm! My dad had a staff member leave this fall, and needs someone to do marketing and communications for him. So, soon I will complete the circle and all four of my immediate family members will have worked for State Farm. And honestly - I cannot wait to work with my dad. The daddy's girl inside of me is jumping up and down that I'll be able to spend more time with him again. Plus, he has really good mints at his office.

And for those of you that are still like now wait Danielle, what about the ministry thing ... stay tuned! There are some things in the works that are too early to communicate, and I have an exciting feeling there are even more things in the horizon that I don't even see yet.

Time of Nick

2007-09-22T15:01:00.001-05:00

Early Tuesday morning we got a call from Emily Loving. At 6:00 am. Nick Martin was in an accident on 470 at Raytown Road coming home at about 1:30am from his girlfriends house in KS. It is speculated

that he fell asleep at the wheel, his car swerved into the ditch and flipped end over end. Nick's been at Research Medical Hospital since in a coma.

When Emily initially called she said it was bad and they didn't think he was going to make it. Well, now it is Saturday and he's still with us. He has some brain activity, like when people talk to him, but he has not been breathing on his own.

The initial swelling in his brain has gone down and he had a temperature that broke on Wednesday.

This has been very hard. At first I was sad from the call cause all day Tuesday I thought we might hear that we would lose him. But Tuesday night B and I visited the hospital and I was full of great hope and faith after the visit.

I went back on Wednesday. And on Wednesday I went back, to see him. At first I walked right by his room, because when I looked in I didn't see Nick. It was definitely someone else. His face was largely swollen, but everyone told me he looked better than he did the day before. I just sat in the chair in his room and looked at him and prayed. Several people had been in and talked to him. Gary (his dad) and another lady came in while I was in there so the lady could say bye before she left the hospital. I just sat. That was good for me. I typically don't do well in hospitals, especially ICUs.

On Wednesday, when I first arrived I did a lot of sitting around and talking with Derek (Nick's brother) and others. Especially with Josh Sliffe. We went down to the Cafeteria in the Hospital to eat. He told me that he and Nick had been hanging out a lot for the last six months. He shared with me his dreams basically and how much he wants to do music. He said that he was working on some songs and hoped to record them come December. Then he mentioned me when he was talking about people who would be involved. I was thrilled, though I didn't show it. All I can think about is how I want that, but it would be hard to do it without Nick because he has been so involved with Josh recently that it would just be hard. I have also always thought that Nick would be a part of my musical future. It sounds so right, but I have to hold on to God and to faith in this time.

When Josh and I went back to the waiting room, Bryce Anderson, Ben Campbell and Adam Chiarelli were there, among others. I hugged Adam and we talked a little bit. Then Bryce asked if there was a chapel and I told him there was and how I had been waiting for someone to go with. I grabbed Josh and the three of us went down. We started praying aloud. Slowly others joined us. Ben, Derek, Ben and Alyssa Bricker, Leah and Luke LoChiano, Brandon Loving and Aaron Bickell.

I was very encouraged when Derek started praying. Derek is always very quiet with his opinions and such but he just opened up and asked God to bring back his brother. He said, "We want to see him breaking cymbals like glass, again." I guess when the accident had happened Derek had said, "Its going to take more than this to kill Nick." Who knows a single man better than his own brother?

We spent a good long time praying for healing, glory, peace, patience and understanding. The patience has been the hardest part for me in this.

It was after the prayer that I went in to see Nick. Then I left.

I blame seeing Nick for the hardest day yet, Thursday. It was just very difficult. I went back up to the hospital after work. There were family and older people, but no one I was really close with, but Adam. It was good. We got to talking about a lot of things. I was glad when he asked me what I thought about this whole thing. I told him that I think Nick is strong, but that I didn't understand any of God's plan in this. He said that he was thinking about how all day Monday God must have just been with Nick. Even when he was in the car and it was flipping, God was just there with him. And then we talked about how Nick must be kickin' it on the beach with Jesus. Just sitting and hanging out.

Adam said he is moving to Seattle soon to do some work with some music folks, and that he is going to be a road manager for Demon Hunter. Danielle was there at this time and we both encouraged him to visit Mars Hill.

Thursday I went up after work, Danielle arrived later. I went straight to the chapel to pray. Brandon and Brandan Deason showed up while I was in there. We talked a bit and Brandon told me about how earlier that day when he arrived he went to see Nick with Derek and Debbie (Nick's mom). They were telling Nick to "Wake up, Brandon's here." And how they were encouraging him to wave, shake hands and even give him "the bird," (God would forgive him this one time.) Well, they left without any sign. But I guess later when a friend of the family went back to see him with one of Nick's parents the lady said, "Is he flipping me off?" His fingers were actually shaped as if he were. Some people think it was a ploy, that someone had messed with his hands. But Brandon and I were choosing to believe that he did it on his own.

There were no new updates on Friday. They have slowly started lowering his sedative.

There is a group on Facebook called, "Pray for Nick". Over 500 people have joined.

There is a lot of support at the hospital because of how Nick was involved as a kid at FBC Lee's Summit, and now he plays drums at LSCC's 316 and goes to Life Church, in Olathe, on Sunday's.

I have no idea what God is trying to do in this. I told Brandon that it makes since that it's Nick because God's trying to get the rest of us to shape up, Nick didn't need it.

I know this is true for me. I am trying to focus on this situation so much, even when I want a break from it, that I am praying and reading my Bible more. Danielle told me the other night that "God is going to take care of Nick." I couldn't believe it. I mean I can, but just her saying that, we've never said that about anyone but ourselves. I'm not trying to sound self-righteous, but I just had to stop and think, "She's right." It obviously makes sense. That has been our slogan for so long, that it was just hard to think about it for someone else. I told Danielle that this has been even harder on my faith than when she was sick, because when she was sick she could still talk and tell us how she felt. I have no idea what is happening with Nick, I think that is the hardest part.

Some thoughts I've had over the week:

+I've said before, and Josh confirmed it the other day, it's hard to find a drummer, so why might God take one away from us?

+Never leave someone with bitter feelings towards them; you never know if you will see them (conscious) again.

+For every one person that falls asleep (at the wheel), how many people will wake up?

+Sometimes we don’t know what to pray, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

+Nick has been involved recently in three churches, just in the Kansas City area. There are people from these three churches plus more at the hospital. God is calling his family, his body to unite under the head. (Four if you count the year he was living in L.A.).

+All things happen for a reason. Small things happen to bring about small changes. Big things happen to bring about big changes. Extreme, Dramatic things happen to bring about extreme, dramatic changes. This was only meant to happen to Nick, one of the most extreme people I know.

+Why would God want to take a lover? A dreamer?

+It's obviously not my plan.