Sick on Sunday

Do you know what is so incredible?  The fact that at this very moment I am sitting on my bed -- fevered, in my pajamas and guzzling homemade juice -- and watching a live feed of the preacher at my church via Google+ hangouts. 

 Miserable as it may be, I am worshipping and learning with my church family from my sickbed.  The wonders of technology!

Juice: Pears, Ginger, Carrots and Spinach. Yum. (Yes, I know it looks like swamp but it really does taste great.)

The view isn't so bad either. :-)

Family

(Jamie, JoJo Mom & Dad, Emily, Than, Hud) 

It is a bit of a tradition now to take out family photo over Thanksgiving.  I don't know why we wait till it is 20 degrees out.  Summer is kinda a thing too, you know!

So, every year the day before Thanksgiving we sit down to plan who is cooking what the next day and someone says we should take pictures tomorrow.  So we plan our outfits around whatever Jamie brought back from school and decide on a location and time.  Except, come shoot time we forget that there is something in the oven that will burn if we leave before it is done, or we forget when sunset is, or both.  So we abort our fantastic plans and either run to the back yard or the neighbors yard for 15 minutes.

J* puts his camera on a tripod and we huddle as close as we can a take as many pictures as we can before our hands and ears go numb.  And there you have it.  Presto family photo!  For all of their quirks and rough edges I wouldn't trade them for the world.

4 Things

• I'm home!!! and "baby it's cold outside..." Oh, and I love it.  It's hard to express how much I've been changed my my 9 weeks away this autumn, but I'll figure it out eventually and let you know as all my pictures slowly trickle onto the blog.  Slowly, because I'm starting school and 2 brand new jobs!
• Maybe it is just me, but I feel like girls have become more interested with making a lists of qualities they would like in a husband instead of striving to love God and becoming the kind a woman a decent guy is actually going to want to marry.  Ergo, I found this article refreshing: http://goodguyswag.com/the-wife-list-10-qualities/
• Also a good read for those looking to grow up and put off childish things: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/10-ways-do-adulthood-well
• This sort of up beat folk worship song...Check it out!

Surf @ Sunrise

We all got up at 5:30 yesterday so that we could drive out the Haleiwa Al'li Beach Park on the North Shore to check out the unseasonably large surf.

Totally worth it. :-)

The swells were anywhere from 5-11 ft and the waves reached 30ft!

Here the water devours the whole beach!  

Shoeleather Love

^Koolau Mountains, O'ahu, Hawaii^

My Dad used to teach a class at our co-op called Shoeleather Christianity.  He would explain it to me by saying he was trying to give Christianity shoes.  Walking the talk.  What does living this radicalness look like in "real life?"  He'd probably call it orthopraxy now... I should call him and ask.  Anyway, it got his students to think about how they should live their faith every day, hour and minute.


The class I find myself in now is "shoeleather love," if you will.  More and more I feel that love is all that matters.  Hear me out.  If you know me personally you know I could take or leave the romance bit.  I'm talking about real love.  Love that seeks the other person's best no matter what the cost to self.  Love is sacrifice.  Love is patience.  Love is for your enemies and those who hurt you as well as for your friends.  Love is a gift, a word, a back-rub at just the right moment.  Love is time. Love weeps with those who weep.  Love rejoices with those who rejoice.  Love is slow to anger.  Just read I Corinthians 13 folks.  Love never ends.

This is BIG.  So here's the deal.


I know from the Bible that life is short, heaven and eternity is real, and only what I do for Christ matters (forever!).  I also read in the Bible that Christ says the first and greatest commandment is to love God.  I'd say "first and greatest" is a good place to start, wouldn't you? Great.  So...loving God.

What does that look like?  How do I do this with every fiber of my being every minute of my life?

That's the question.  I don't have the answer yet, but I'm going to be sort of journalling through my meditations and conclusions here, and I'd love your help.

Let's put some shoeleather on this and wear it out!

In which I look at myself

^Sharing a leaf and rock taco with River^

I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror. 

Believe it or not, I don't usually do this.(look at myself that is). I'm usually looking at a piece of clothing I've made and inspecting the seams or checking the fit.  I just barely glance at my face when I wash it or I get so close I don't really see the whole thing.  

Anyways.

I realized a couple things.

-I have a sunburn (bummer.  I was determined to not get one and I didn't all summer.)

-My hair is pretending to be red. #almostaginger

-My Eyes are pretending to be green

-One of my eyes is bigger than the other and squints differently.

-My eyebrows are sorta bushy and darker than my hair.

The End.

Ups and Downs

One of the highest honors in this house is to have a "baby" or "honey" named after you.  Somebody named Steven had an incredible influence on the girls so probably 6 of their animals are named Steven.  Other popular names include Melissa, Kinoah, Kianu, and Sarah.

A Puppy dog got named after me yesterday. :-)

We have our ups and downs, the girls and I.  Sometimes I'm their best friend.  They sit next to me or want to hold my hand and play and read books.  Other times, I must look like big time competition.  They don't listen, don't look at, and plain aren't nice to me.  Those days are long.  Really long.  Today was one of those days.

 Life is full of bumps in the road, though.  It's important to learn to roll with the punches and pick up the pieces.  Keep pressing on.  Keep answering the plethora of questions even when you have a headache, keep reading when all you want to do is sleep, and keep quiet when you don't have anything nice to say.  It makes it harder when it's hot and sweaty and your feet are swollen from standing and walking all day.  Makes me appreciate what Dawn does every. single. day.

All I really want to do is chill on the couch with my brothers and chat about anything and everything.  Starting to miss you, Hud and Than! ;-)

Well, back to being a grown-up!  Tomorrow is Sunday, so that means a refreshing morning worshipping my savior and fellowshiping with the Christians!

People are awesome!

Over breakfast we were talking with the girls about Jesus having the name above all names and what that means.  The girls were thinking of their favorite names when river suddenly exclaims

"People are awesome!"

Yes River, yes they are.  Welcome to the Doctor Who fan club.  ;-)  That aside, we talked about one who is the most awesome and most important -- more than every other person: Jesus Christ.

It is so exciting to see little minds work and start to grasp truth.

Reading with Ellie

^love this little face!^

Hawaii Vlog 2: Slow Beginnings

In general, I say it is bad form to apologize when presenting in front of an audience.  Don't get up and do a lousy job.  You undercut your message and strip all credibility you may have had when you begin with "Sorry" and give an excuse, no matter how legitimate.  It is bad form.  Don't apologize unless you've offended someone.  (Then you should beg their forgiveness of course and make things right.)

Anyway...yeah, so nevermind. ;-)  Enjoy this awesome video.




Oh, how nervous I get as soon as I'm in front of a rolling camera by myself!

Sometimes

"We confuse ACTIVITY and ACCOMPLISHMENT"

 -Howard Hendricks

Sometimes we put off dishes a little longer to enjoy conversation around the table.

Sometimes we chase around the house two more times before we do our chores.

Sometimes we dance while we sweep the floor.

Sometimes we just snuggle in the rocking chair instead of starting school right away.

Sometimes we read books.

Sometimes we chase bubbles.

Sometimes we sing.

Sometimes we smile.

Sometimes we rest.

Sometimes we need to BE more than we need to DO.

Always, we trust.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

 The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

                                                     Selah

Psalm 46: 8-11esv, emphasis added

Practiced my free-lensing on some of the flowers in "my" yard here in Aiea.

We were discussing the Trinity over lunch today.  You know, one God in three persons?  Well, River always asks the best questions.  Always. :-)

M: Momma? I have two feet.  Does God have three feet?

Ellie's favorite question?  Why.

You don't realize how little you actually know until a child asks you "why?" or "how?"

What was it Einstein said?  "If you can't explain it simply, you don't know it well enough."

In a span of 60 seconds...

Mom went to use the bathroom, River slipped and hit her head(que tears), Jack started crying, the phone rang, the cheese sauce boiled and started burning, the noodle timer beeped, so they had to be strained, and the doorbell rang.

I thought this only happened in movies.

Hawaii Vlog 1 :: The Intro

Aloha!  

I arrived safely in Hawaii after a 9 hour flight from Chicago to Honolulu!  Note to future travelers: If you must buy a sandwich and water bottle in an airport for $11.63, at least get a sandwich on focaccia bread.  That stuff is incredible(my apologies to everyone who was raised to not call their food "stuff").

Learn to make Focaccia.

Dawn, Ellie, River and Jack came to pick me up at the airport and brought a Lei of fresh flowers.  It was just as exquisite and delicately perfumed as those dollar store ones are cheap and tacky. It hangs in my room still to make it smell nice.  :-)

Now, don't laugh, but the first thing I did when I went up stairs was to smell their front door.  Yup.  Smell it.  They are beautifully carved wood front doors and I felt they would smell a bit like I imagine Professor Digory's wardrobe would smell.  There is a slight scent, but not quite the pungent aroma I was imagining. :-)

On to the vlog!  A sad attempt, I admit, but with just 2 hours from shooting everything to being done, I'd say it's doable and improvable.  Still getting used to the sound of my own voice on tape and deciding how much of my personality and mistakes to seep through.  Probably more than I did this time. :-)  Anyway, enjoy!

4 things

^Park in Colorado Springs, CO^

>I love this.  I won't be leaving facebook for a number of reasons, but I definitely support real living over obsessive/meaningless onlineness. :-) The REAL Reason to Quit Facebook.


>Well thought out and spot on wether you are in a relationship or a "bachelor to the rapture." 5 NOTES ON DATING FOR THE GUYS (girls).


>Listen to Sunshine, by Matisyahu. Your Saturday=MADE


>Went through my journal from around 8 years ago and found this short annotation:

Psalm 73:25
Contentment is a choice.

A timely reminder for myself.

"Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:25-26

Forecast: blogging anomalies

^On the Cog Railway up Pikes Peak^

Due in part to my introverted tendencies and in part to my current travel habits, this blog will temporarily be shifting from a place to document my sewing projects to more of an every-other-daily log.  Posts will be shorter and hopefully more personal.

Someone told me recently that they really want me to update my facebook with more of my life because they want to keep up with me and know how I'm really feeling.  Well, I'm flattered by your interest but my deep thoughts aren't really suited to the facebook medium. :-)  Does anyone else just skip over those people who spill it all on fb? Yeah, see, me too.

So, here's the dealio.  

I'm going to Hawaii for 7 weeks.  

My plan is to keep people(read: family) updated via the blog and an occasional vlog.  (I suppose I better get used to the sound of my voice on a recording pretty quick here!)  If you are a sewing enthusiast, come back in 2 months. :-)

The rest of you are welcome to tag along!  I can't guarantee anything, but it should be an adventure!

Further up and further in, my friends!

Joanna

P.S. Colorado was awesome and the whole packing thing worked great!  Seriously, de-stress your life and pack in a carry-on.  Unless you're going to be gone for 7 weeks...

P.P.S. I'm in love with mountains.

 ^Manitou Springs just before sunrise ^

P.P.P.S.  I cut myself some bangs.  Some days are better than others. :-)

 ^Goofing off with with fellow intern, Kay^

2 Weeks In A Carry-on ❘ Take 2

Well hullo!  The last time I posted about packing was just over a year ago.  I was going to Europe for 18 days and packing in carry-ons exclusively.  If you're curious, you can go back and read it.

Earlier this year I spent 2 weeks in Grand Rapids and once again successfully packed in only a carry-on and my red shoulder bag/purse.

Now I'm in Colorado Springs for 2 weeks.  Doing what?  Interning for the amazing IPS and hanging out with new friends!

The Morning Chronicles...

Reasons you should get dressed as soon as you get up

1. It helps you wake up.  Especially when you have to get up early.
2. It helps you be more productive because you feel ready to attack the world, instead of wander around online till noon.
3. It makes you feel good about yourself.  You feel put together and might even workout and eat a healthy breakfast instead of lounging all day.
4. And, certainly not least, your brothers may have friends staying the night and not bother to tell you.  When they come upstairs you are completely flustered that there is an extra and rush to get dressed.  This results in seriously flawed outfits, fashionably speaking, and multiplied awkwardness.  

One or all of these may have happened recently.   SO thankful my pajamas are halfway decent.

The end.  Get dressed.

Lila Rose Giveaway!

Have you ever heard of Lila Rose's Flexi hair clips?  Well, you're about to!

9/1/13: GIVEAWAY CLOSED: CONGRATS JENNY P.!


To celebrate the beginning of school, I'm hosting a giveaway for my friend Christianna.  Check out her business page with Lila Rose!

Nor The Terror That Comes By Night

"I was eight, and I was scared. I lay in bed surrounded by darkness and pillows, the covers pulled up to my chin--my eyes wide and watchful. I was petrified..." 

Hello all!  I've written an essay for a scholarship contest with CollegePlus!  I would make me so happy if you would go and read it and then vote for me.  Would you share it with your friends as well?  Every vote helps.  You can vote once per day per computer/iPod. :-)  Check it out HERE.

The girls go to Port Franks, Canada

"I do believe the clouds are bigger in Canada."  

In July, Grandma took her girls to Canada.  It was my first time!  On our way to Niagara Falls, we stopped in Port Franks to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle.  My mom's cousin Laura and her two kids met us there.  It was a very relaxing time.  My Mom and Grandma and Laura and Auntie Jan talked and laughed the whole time.  It was strangely freeing to be able to just sit and listen or read or wander off with my thoughts.  I'm good at that. :-)  I took photos just for me.  

Port Franks sits right on the lovely lake Huron.  We beached all morning and went antique shopping all afternoon.  That's what I call vacation.

Honestly, it was the best beach experience I have ever had.  In general I find beaches uncomfortable, but this was completely new.

This is why I take pictures for myself.  I want to remember moments like these.  My Grandma and her sister chatting and laughing on the beach.  My sister and cousins building sandcastles.

Big sun-hats are life-savers.  

As it turns out, the kids lost steam on their castle and decided to come help me decorate mine. :-)

In the afternoon we visited my Aunt's antique shop, Cottage Treasures, and later my Uncle's.  We all got hats (mine is fantastic, but you'll have to wait to see all of it's vintage wonder).  I also picked up a sewing pattern and my Grandma bought me a typewriter!  Score.  Big time.

Oh... yes.  And wigs.  Let's just say I really should never ever ever dye my hair black.  Ick.

Car ride to the beach listening to Hawai'ian Slack Key Guitar?  It was almost surreal.

Aunts and Nieces

Ava is a mermaid, in case you were wondering. :-)

There were antique Barbies and other toys in our room.

Emmy takes her half out of the middle. :-) 

On the last day they all matched!  

Then it is off to meet up with my big brother Jamie in Niagara!