For Micah Cryderman:

Mourning the Loss of Maria Sue Chapman

I was so sad to hear the news that one of Steven Curtis Chapman's adopted daughters was tragically killed last week. You can find out more information at the blog they have set up.

Our Newest Nephew: Aaron James Chance!

The worst part about living across country from your family is not being able to be actively involved in their everyday lives, which also includes missing out on really special moments. Our newest nephew Aaron James was born this last Friday to Dan and Annette, making Tommy a big brother! We love our family and can't wait to meet the newest addition!

The Big Move:

Well since my last post was about us selling everything and moving, I realized that not everyone who reads my blog may know about our most recent adventure God is taking us on--so here's the latest in the life of the Amerine's:

Jared has officially been accepted in the teacher certification program at Whitworth University in Spokane Washington! He wants to teach High School Math (I don't know how many people out there actually want to do that, my husband is one of a kind!) and will be excellent at it! Upon looking for the teacher certification programs in the area, we quickly discovered that it would take between 2-3 years for him to obtain his certification if we stayed here! Gross! I knew there had to be a program somewhere that would take about a year to complete. So we started looking-and began our search where my parents live in Spokane Washington. It only took looking into 1 school there: Whitworth University when we realized it would take him 9 months to complete the program! Not only that, but each person from the University that he spoke to was so helpful and welcoming. After weeks of searching, prayer and seeking out wise people (wisemen...get it) we decided this was the right move for us to make!

The move comes with sadness and grief of leaving our CrossRoads family, and the many students we have poured ourselves into, but we are very confident this is God's direction for us.

We're looking to move at the beginning of July, so if you want to buy any furniture...just stop over at the Crydo house Thursday or Friday!

Selling Everything We Own:

So Jared and I made the decision last night to sell basically everything we own-all our furniture is going bye bye. With the cost of moving it across the country, it's just not worth it..sad, but happy. It's a very freeing feeling-so the Garage Sale is on Thursday and Friday at the Crydo house if you need any furniture, clothing, or other misc. items:)

My Newest Reading Material:


Like they say at McDonalds: "Ba Da Ba Ba Ba, I'm lovin It"

Mother's Day

For the 2nd year now I get to celebrate not just 1, but 2 mother's on this special day! Nancy Teal and Cathy Amerine are both in my life for 2 very different reasons, however I know that God has blessed me so much with each one in different ways.

Cathy Amerine (aka my mom "in-law") is just about the best mother in law around:) I know without a doubt that she loves me not just because I am married to her son, but she loves me for who I am. I am amazed each time we talk on the phone, send e-mails, and when we are actually lucky enough to see each other, how natural our conversations are. I love getting to know this woman who is my "mom" more and more everyday. She is caring, encouraging, fun, thoughtful, prayerful, and a wonderful example of how to be a Godly woman.

Nancy Teal (aka my mom) is probably one of the most selfless people on the planet. She gives and gives and never seems to tire of sacrificing for me, our family, her church, and most of all, our God. The list of things she has done for me would be far too numerous to write down, and the thanks she has gotten from me has probably been far too small. If I can be even slightly the woman that she is, then I know I will bless others.

These 2 special women have been crucial to my life and continuously have an effect on who I become. Thanks God for placing them in my life-I am blessed with 2 great moms:)

Hawaiian Luau!

At SURGE this Sunday night we are having a Hawaiian and I couldn't be more thrilled about it! We've got a lot in store for all the 6th-12th grade students who attend including butt volleyball, costume competitions, photo booths, watermelon eating contests and more! I'll post some of the amazing pictures next week!

Social/Biblical/Global Justice???


Recently, Jared and myself have been thinking a lot about what God has called us to as His children-His ambassadors here on earth. Tony Campolo is and has been a huge advocate on this for years--and after hearing him speak when I was in college, that was when I first decided to sponsor a child through compassion international. At the most recent conference I visited-the Student Ministries Conference at Willow Creek-basically every speaker we had hit this issue--not just touched on it, but hit the nail on the head. Several like Shane Claiborne, and Dan Kimball and Kara Powell have even written books on this.
I seem to be thinking and praying each new day how I can serve God by serving others. How I can help show the love of God to the world through the choices I make, people I talk to, and the purpose with which I do things. I pray that as God continues to shape these thoughts and ideas in my own heart, I can pass on the same things to the students of CrossRoads--Love God--Love People--Desire to Change the World.

The Biggest Loser wins Inspirational TV of the Year award!


Ok, maybe not technically, but of any TV show I've ever seen (and that's a lot), The Biggest Loser inspires me to push myself harder-there is always another goal to be reached.

Hard to believe this is the same person in these pictures! Wow!!! Ali the 1st Woman to win the title of The Biggest Loser looked incredible, and extremely healthy.

As I look at my upcoming birthday milestone...the big 27...I'm feeling more and more inspired and encouraged to really work hard for the goals I've always set for myself, but always seemed just shy of. This year will be different.

I WILL run a marathon. I WILL be happy with how I look. and I WILL work harder then I ever have to obtain it!

Counting Crows...

So last night Jared and I were walking around downtown Chicago having a good time going from store to store when we come to one of our favorites: The Apple Store.

Upon our entry, we realized the upstairs was blocked off and there were a ton of people upstairs and an exciting bustle. I asked the nearest employee what was going on when they replied..."Counting Crows is going to perform." I'm thinking to myself...does anyone even listen to Counting Crows anymore?

Needless to say, we did not get to "see" them, but we heard them starting to play. But no, that was not the best part of my evening.

Jared and I had dinner at the fabulous Grand Lux Cafe--and we both had the most amazing food! Salmon with stir fry and rice--wow it was incredible. Of course, I was not able to finish the entire thing...inspired by the speaker Shane Claiborne earlier that day, we decided to take the leftovers and give them to someone on the streets who needed food.
We did not have far to walk to our car, so I was praying we would find someone in need between here and there...we had only walked a few blocks when suddenly a man with a son about 3 yrs old came up to us and said, "Can anyone help? We need some food" Wow! Talk about Jesus being right there in that moment! We happily gave them the food and felt like we were able to be used by God in a little way.

So there's a little taste of our day spent downtown.

NEW EVERY 2!!! BOO-YA!

So I'm not sure if anyone else has experienced the curse of having a stupid phone that doesn't work half the time--partially because I've dropped it down flights of cement stairs...and partially because it was the free verizon phone they give you because they no longer want to have it.

After 2 long years (well more like 20 months since they let us change a little early), we decided to get new phones...nice ones you actually pay for, as birthday gifts for each other! We ended up getting identical phones except the color is different, so we will finally be able to tell them apart!!!


Check it out!!

MOCK ROCK

So tonight at SURGE, we had 5 Mock Rock Groups perform, 3 Rock Band Groups, and other surprise guests such as Keith Urban, Hillary Duff, Slash, K-Fed, and Axel Roses sister. Oh, and of course Hannah Montana:)

It was an amazing night with some pretty unforgettable acts done by the NC Rockers and LCM5--and R!, HLTT, and the Randoms. Job Well Done everyone-thanks for the amazing night!

QUIZ ALERT!

What I was doing 10 years ago:
Living in Temperance MI, attending CrossRoads, about to turn 17 years old and had a bad case of senior-itis.

Five things on my to-do list today:
1. Work Out--accidently slept in
2. Staff Meeting
3. Meeting with Lisa
4. Youth Group-60 Jr. Highers--ahhh!!
5. Drive to Dearborn to see the fam-including mom and dad!

Snacks I enjoy:
1. popcorn made on the stove:)
2. fruit leather
3. Coffee Drinks
4. Chips and Salsa
5. Sour Gummi Worms

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:...
after tithe......
1. pay off any debt
2. buy 2 new cars
3. buy a house
4. Give tons of money to the fam.
5. Travel

Five of my bad habits:
1. biting my fingernails
2. Misplacing my shades
3. throwing lady bugs in the toilet
4. checking facebook too often:)
5. forgetting laundry in the washer.

Five places I have lived:
1. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
2. Temperance, MI
3. Spring Arbor, MI
4. Long Beach, CA
5. Sylvania, OH

Five jobs I've had:
1. Cleaner at Lifestyles for Ladies Only
2. Dungeon Servant in the Library-Spring Arbor
3. Student Development Office-Spring Arbor
4. Camp Leadership-Spring Hill Camp
5. Youth Pastor-Midland, Long Beach, and CrossRoads

Reflections on Good Friday


The weather today is overcast. snowy. cold. It's very dreary. It kind of reminds me of what this day was like about 2000 years ago on that horrid day at Golgotha. I find it interesting how in Matthew, it says that "The earth shook and the rocks split" when Jesus breathed His last. (Matt 27:51) When I think back to that moment, it seems as if everything in heaven and on earth stopped to mourn the death of its King. My King.
How odd it seems that my life does not seem to stop enough to remember. I am thankful for the dreary weather today, because it makes me stop. Today I choose to remember and be thankful. Thankful for the death Jesus took away from me. Thankful for the gift of Forgiveness--given out of Grace--not an ounce of it deserved.

Thanks Lord for this day to remember.

DISNEY WORLD!!!


So last week, Jared and I had the opportunity to have a impromptu trip to Florida...a much needed trip I should also add. We were able to stay with the Crydo's on their camp site--and thanks to the nice lady at the KOA, we got a sweet deal!

Our days were spent becoming masters at the game of Shuffleboard and Nuke-um, swimming in the pool and hot tubs, running with Mariah, and finding great places to eat for the Early Bird prices.

Jared and I were able to spend a day at Disney World too! So $150 later, we were headed to Disney for the day. We had a great time and even got to sneak in an hour early--sorry I can't give away my secrets. We didn't have to wait more then 30 min. for any ride which was great. It was such a blast just to be there together.

So there is our whirl-wind trip to Florida. We are so thankful it worked out for us to go!

For Alex:

Rrrrroll up the Rim to Win!

It's that time of year once again! Tim Horton's (or Tim Hoopla's as Jared likes to call it) is offering it's roll up the rim contest. They are giving away 100 boats, 5000 Garmin navigation deviced, 35 cars, 20,000 $50 gift cards, and lots of "food prizes". So far Jared and I have won 4 free coffee's! The coolest was the 2 times when we used our "free drink" and then won another free drink! We are still holding out for the boat. We noticed on last years giveaways that most of the big giveaways were in Canada. So we have a plan:

In a month when we go to visit my grandparents with my family, we plan on hitting up every Timmy's we can see, getting sick off of coffee just for the chance that we might win big!!! I think it will work;)

A Man After My Own Heart

Me...a Vegetarian??????


So Jared and I have completed the Daniel Fast as of Tuesday night. 21 days of just fruits, veggies and beans. Needless to say, I think my system was really appreciative of the wheat bread I ate this morning.

For a few years now, I have rarely eaten red meat. I think it started the one day I was eating a burger at Burger King while staring at a cow field next door. And especially since they have found that hidden camera footage of cows being forced to stand to pass inspection, just made me feel sick. So I've called it an official-NO-on red meat all together.

The question remains whether or not I will eat chicken. I'm known in my family as the chicken hoarder--I seem to order it every time we go out. I don't have a really strong conviction about it, I'm just thinking about not eating it.

Fish I will eat. And eggs too. So what does that even make me? A partial veggie? half asparagus?