Meeting a Mad Scientist

So Jared and I finally took an expedition up to Green Bluff here in Spokane. This area is known for awesome fruit and veggie farms that seel fresh stuff at much cheaper then the grocery stores. So we went around the area stopping at a few different places before finally stopping at Strawberry Hills...
We walked up to the barn and this old guy comes over and asks us if we've ever been there before. "I'm the Mad Scientist!" he tells us. He then proceeded to not only tell us where we could find the different produce, but takes us row by row of the u-pick farm explaining how everything is "more then organic" (I didn't know that was possible!) He let us sample everything we wanted, but he just kept talking and talking about how he studied in Australia to get special certifications and everything. It was amazing. He's our new best friend. We plan on visiting the mad scientist with the best strawberries in town soon!

(not actual photo of Verne)

~Angela M.

Friends of Mine


So the other day my bro Alex posted an amazing video "Jesus is my friend". Through a little online searching I found an interview with the lead singer and a few snapshots of my friends from Jesus is a Friend of Mine. If you haven't yet seen it, PLEASE go to my brother's blog right now and watch it!

~Angela M.

Gandalf's Whistle

So for the last few days, ever since Mariah Crydo told me she was watching Lord of the Rings, Gandalf's whistle was been stuck in my head. I've been practicing over and over again, but Jared just has that natural touch and sounds just like Him! Can you whistle like Gandalf????

~Angela M.

-Church Family-
So I've been thinking about the phrase church "family" for about the last week or so...
We had a prayer service last Monday night for Mitch Thomas-a friend battling leukimia for about the last 16 months or so-in desperate need of a miracle. I'd say there were over 200 people there pouring out their hearts to the Lord-seeking His power and grace and healing upon our Brother Mitch. We spent hours praying, worshipping, and praying some more. And the thought occured to me more then once-what a beautiful picture of unity--maybe we're just a little closer to what God wants us to be like right in that moment. It was a night I will never forget, and we still pray and wait upon the Lord to heal Mitch.

Last Thursday night, Jared and I were invited to come to a couples small group at our friends Nick and Jillian's. All of us had been at the prayer night and somehow seemed very unified. When we left the house a few hours later, we kept commenting on how much of a "church family" we have here at Timberview.

Today at Timberview was Opening Day as we called it. I was priveleged to be on the worship team today singing up front with my mama and the rest of the team. Dad spoke wonderfully always...but there was just a sense of unity among everyone. So many people volunteered hours to get everything set up and ready-there were lots of new faces-and everyone seemed genuinly excited about what God was doing in this church family we have.

I'm so thankful God is showing me more and more through those around me what the church family is supossed to look like!



~Angela M.

Moving Boxes

So Jared and I have been here in Spokane WA for about a month and a half--which has gone by so extremly fast I can't believe it. I just got done moving some more of our boxes from mom and dad's garage to their basement so we can actually use the garage for the car (we've living with mom and pops in case you hadn't heard).
Strange how something as mundane as moving boxes reminds me of some great memories, and how far God has brought me.

I can recall sitting in our old apartment, going through each room of "stuff" and putting absolutely everything we own on the floor and saying "each room only gets 2 bins worth of stuff"--I can't even begin to express how much "stuff" we got rid of, stuff that I don't even remember, miss, or think about, but I'm sure I thought it was very important in the moments that I stored it away.

I remember sitting in the Crydo's living room with them, helping them purge from their household items, and Mark writing some pretty funny return address labels on our boxes as we all prepared to move. Somehow we all helped make the moving process so much fun for each other although it was extremely difficult-we were able to laugh our way through most days no matter what.

Seeing the few things I have kept from being young reminds me of when I was a child and Alex and I would play all day long riding our bikes, coloring, pretending there were alligators on the carpet, or building the tallest lego towers possible (please great grandma, please great grandma). I can hardly believe sometimes my brother actually has kids of his own.

Most of all, as I carry these boxes back and forth and continue to snoop through what we have, I am reminded of how far the Lord has brought me in so many ways. I can't believe I am married to the most incredible man in the world, have made some extremely amazing life-long friends, have been so welcomed into the Timberview family, have such a deep love for my family and friends that I am able to feel so much loss just being away from them, have made such wonderful friends here in Spokane already, and that I can live today in the truth that God's mercies are new this morning.

Thanks Lord for the chance I had today to move some boxes.

A Pic from a coffee shop in Seattle...

Spring Break 09 Baby!!!!

So most people are not planning their Spring Break this far ahead, however, Jared and I have VERY special plans that have to go on the calendar now so we do not miss this exciting event!
Last year we were fortunate enough to travel with our very dear friends the Crydo's to St. Pete Florida, camping at the KOA site for a few days-it was so much fun, and more importantly the Crydo's are so important to us, that we are making the trip again this April! We've practically started the countdown already-can't wait till April for Cramerine time!!!!!

The "Bitter" out of the Bittersweet of Moving...

So today I am feeling some definite sadness that we are not in Michigan right now. My bro Alex and his wife Becky just had their 3rd child 2 months ago tomorrow-Ashlyn Ann-and she is just perfect:) Today they are having her dedicated at her dad's church, and I'm feeling so sad that we aren't there! I've been so happy that for the last few years we have been able to live really close to Alex and Becky and their boys--we've done some really funny and stupid things together (spiderman premiere, spiderman costume contest, chucky cheese and chucky cheese again), and their boys Evan and Aaron really do know and love us. I am so thankful for the plans the Lord has for us, I just wish it included being nice and close to those I love so much-especially little Ashlyn!

Best Manaquin Ever

Jared and I saw this last night at the mall and couldn't stop laughing...

"do you have a baboon in your pocket?"

Praying for My Friends:

For more then a year now my friend Mitch has been battling with Leukemia. It sucks. There have been many ups and downs, and my newly engaged friend is in an extreme down time right now. Many prayers are being sent up by myself and the entire Timberview family-and lots of others who know (and probably don't know) Mitch. Please join me in prayer for Mitch and his fiance Chelsea and his family.

Stupid Adidas
And the New Asics

Running Shoe Update...

About a month ago I saw my dear friend Mary go through the difficulty of trying to find new running shoes that worked for her. I think she had tried about 5 different pair before she finally found some that didn't hurt her feet!
Well my asics have done me well for the last year and a half, but recently I have noticed they were needing to be replaced-thus the hunt for new shoes began.
I wanted to have an open mind--"I don't have to stay with Asics...don't be a running shoe snob." So I branched out, trying on many different brands and styles within my price range. I found a pair of Adidas and thought..."Hey, I think these might work!" Unfortunately they did not have my size in the store, so I had to wait patiently for a week before my new shoes showed up on our front porch.

I had a great run with my new shoes-didn't think about my feet at all while I was running which is great! When I got home however, I looked down and saw they the tongue of the shoes had rubbed my ankle raw! I was hoping I had maybe laced them wrong or something, so I tried them for one more day...where it only made it worse, creating a lovely scab on my leg.
So yesterday, we took the shoes back, and traded them in for...
Asics! Asics TN776 to be exact. I love how they are tighter in the middle of my foot, but very open at the toes. I am about to go out and try out the new shoes, so hopefully I return as a satisfied customer once again of Asics!

Floating down the River...

So with Jared and I currently jobless, we are trying to enjoy our "forced vacation" as we like to call it :) For the last few days, not only have we been job searching, but we have been enjoying getting to know the area of Spokane.
Our new favorite spot is the Little Spokane River-in our own little raft!
Yesterday was an absolute riot as we had purchased a "2 person" raft...that was the smallest thing in the world which was really made for 2 5 year olds. So there we are, trying to get into this little tiny raft with 2 life jackets, a backpack with 2 towels in it, and our sandals, not to mention the oars. I could not stop laughing--the more frustrated Jared got, the funnier the situation was to me!! Although he did not find it as humerous as I did at first, he eventually saw the hilarity of everything:)
Today, we took the stupid raft back, and purchased a new larger 3 person raft that actually fits 3 people! We then went back on the river and about half way through the ride, totally ran into a mama moose and 2 babies!!!! It was AMAZING!!!! I was a bit freaky at first since a mama moose with her babies has been known to be kind of scary and fierce--but this mama just let us go right by while she fed them with some branches:)
Love the days we are enjoying together!!

My New Favorite Movie!!!

I LOVE Bride and Prejudice!!

Tonight marks the 2nd time I have seen this movie and I just love it so so much! This will definetly need to be added to my DVD collection:) If you haven't seen it, please do! It has wonderful music, color, and culture-love it love it love it.

The Cramerines...

Week 1 in Spokane:
Sunday:
Went to Timberview Christian Fellowship
Lunch with Aunt Judy and Steve and peeps from church
Bouce Ball

Monday:
Picked up a billion packages we sent to ourselves-Yay now we have clothes!
Bought hangers for clothes
Picked up Application for Starbucks
Swimming
Work Out

Tuesday:
Went running outside-Boo ya-oh ya, high altitude made my lungs want to expolode
Banked
Coffee and Ice Cream with the fam
Shopping

Wednesday:
Work out
Met with Whitworth University Peeps
Jared met with Job opportunity peeps
Swimming
Puzzle

Thursday:
Running Outside!
Went to Timberview to use computer/printer/fax
Batman-The Dark Knight. Good, but I was tired!

Friday:
Visited with Timberview peeps
Went to Grandma's house
Swimming at Sun Lakes
Grand Coulee Dam

Saturday:
Running outside
Washed cars
Weeded mom's garden
Wrote Letters
Swimming

Finally Home...

Late last night Jared and myself with my parents along the way, arrived at Spokane Washington our new home! It was an incredible trip for so many reasons and in so many ways.
Night #1 was spent in Colfax Iowa...very exciting town.
Night #2 was spent in Wall South Dakota right next to the famous Wall Drug! Boo Ya!
Night #3 was spent in Gilette Wyoming since we spent the majority of the day driving to Mt. Rushmore and around the area.

Lots of driving and lots of great conversations. Jared and I also finished reading "The Shack" which brought about some excellent convo and even some emotional moments. Arriving in Spokane last night was a very unifying time for us as husband and wife as we prayed ourselves into the city. I told God "You had me at hello, it's always been I'll do whatever You want, and it's still the same".

We are so excited to be here!

Packing Up and Moving On

It's hard to believe Jared and I are moving again. It is so strange how quickly the last 2 years of my life have gone by, and yet it is truly amazing how close I feel to the volunteers, students, and many other families here at CrossRoads. I consider it such an honor that we have been able to serve the students of CrossRoads. We have had so many really fun moments, probably some of the most fun in my ministry career. I have learned so much from these 12-18 yr. old students about God and about relationships, and I know I am a better person because of them. My office "cube" looks so bear empty and boring-not even remotely resembling the few years I have had here. But I am very thankful that although I will not physically be here anymore, God is bigger then that. He gives us relationships as a gift that we can take with us no matter where we go.

Tonight is our Farewell Party with the students. Part of me is really excited to see everyone again like I've come so accustomed to over the last few years, but the other part of me does not want to face the fact that this is the last time we will be having a youth event. The last time we will see these people who I love so much. I hope tonight that we are able to convey to everyone just how much they mean to us and how amazing God's plan is for the students at CrossRoads.

It's a Good Day

So you know it's a great day when...

You wake up early to the man of your dreams...

Drink coffee together...

See your brand new baby niece when she is only a few minutes old...

Hang out with your 2 nephews with cool shades on...

Have a great staff farewell party...

Watch your husband drive around on the scooter of his dreams...

And camp out with a bunch of 6-12 grade students...

What a great day! The Best part for sure is my new niece Ashlyn Ann Teal! Love this girl to pieces already! Can't wait to hold her tomorrow! Alex and Becky said the song "Isn't she Lovely" came on right after she was delivered--Thanks God!

Late Father's Day and Birthday for Dad!

My dad recently had his 57th birthday--the day after Father's Day!

Why I love my daddy:

-He is a good laugher
-He always puts a smile on my face
-He "gets" me
-He shows me and others His huge love for God
-He is a fabulous pastor
-He is an amazing leader
-He drinks eggnog with me on Christmas Eve
-He lets me sing as long and I want to and never asks me to stop
-He always smells like aftershave
-He is fun to be around
-He is adventurous
-He loves me and our family so so much!

Thanks Dad for being the best a girl could ask for:) Sending love to Washington-

Ang