The Weekly Wrap-Up: April 29 - May 3, 2024

I am sad today. 

I have been sad for a few weeks, actually. In my last post, I mentioned that there was some family news. That was three weeks ago. In that time, the family member in question (my Aunt) deteriorated rapidly and passed on Wednesday, May 1. This was completely unexpected and such a shock. That seems really trite and cliche to say, but I don't know how else to describe it. My family has rallied around one another and around my Uncle, but I'm always conscious of the fact that this doesn't go away after the funeral. Life will be different from this point forward. There will always be an absence. 

My consolation right now is the fact that my Aunt and I shared a faith in Jesus. I am confident that I will see her again. But I still miss her.

And in the real world, work goes on. Last week, we had our church multiplication conference. I was busy running tech and being a gopher for the event. I think it went well. There were some hiccups on the audio/visual end, but I don't think most people noticed, which is the goal. From what I heard, we had a good response to the event, so I'll take it as a win. 

I have been trying to catch back up this week. We haven't had many projects come in, but I'm still working on templates. There should be some new languages starting soon, so we have to prep for those. 

Next week, I will be out most of the week for the funeral. I hope to be a support to my family, so I will ask you to pray for me in that role. Pray for my Uncle as he learns to navigate this new life. Pray for my cousin as he figures out what life looks like without his mom. 

Know that I love you.

Call your family. 

The Weekly Wrap-Up: March 27-31, 2017

So. Crazy week.

I did warn you.

For some time now, I have wanted to take T&M training. We do it twice a year in Greenwood, and usually I'm behind the scenes. I should already know how to use it, right? Technically, yes. But I wanted to actually sit in the sessions and hear what we're telling people so that I can be clear on what I tell people when they send email inquiries. This week, I finally got the chance.

Let me tell you, I got a ton of information this week. It was really inspiring to meet people from so many countries and backgrounds who are passionate about church multiplication and wanting to see how Train & Multiply can help them.

Here, Paul is demonstrating the backbone of Train & Multiply - the Generational Cycle. This repeatable process takes people step by step through the phases of planting multiplying churches, beginning with prayer and circling around to enrolling new workers. It's such a simple concept, and it really can be used in any context.

I drew this to illustrate what it takes to have a healthy church. Truly, my artistic talent is being wasted here. 

I don't have a photo of my part in this particular roleplay, but essentially, there were two evangelists who were trying to ignore the distractions in order to find the Person of Peace (yours truly). I was so distracted by the distractors that I nearly forgot to welcome the evangelists into my home. Quite funny. 

In the midst of all of this, I was dog-sitting for a friend. This is Kira. She tolerated my presence, but spent most of our time together pining for her owner. 

Immediately after ending my dog-sitting stint, I started cat-sitting. This is Lily. I've taken care of her before, so we're great friends. She's not normally so stand-offish. 

And now, a blast from the past!

Anybody know who that is?

Next week, we hopefully finish Portuguese so I can move on to Tagalog!

December in Colorado

Uh, so, last December I went to Colorado with my sister, nephew, and parents to see my other sister, other nephews, and brother-in-law. I'm just now posting these photos. Go me. 

This is the view from right down Julie's street. Not a bad way to wake up in the morning. 

The grandparents and grandkids. Caleb and Zane loved having Jeremy there, and I think Jeremy enjoyed having a couple of shadows. 

The sisters. It's obvious to me that we're related. Anyone else?

Jeremy and Jennifer

 

We went up to Estes Park and got some amazing photos of the mountains.

Elk. Multiple elk. Elks?

There's a little place called Georgetown that we love to go to. It's a very quaint mining village, and I took this just for Foster. 

These birds remind me of the little sandpipers at the beach. I forget what they're called, but I love the blue!

It still amazes me that people crossed these mountains, without roads, for years. 

We also went to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. They have an X-wing! It's something like 3/5 actual size, one of five created for the release of the remaster, I think. It's signed by most of the cast. I spent a lot of time with this Incom T-65. 

The X-wing series by Michael A. Stackpole and Aaron Allston is one of my absolute favorites of the Extended Universe collection. Part of the reason I made it all the way through the Yuuzhan Vong debacle is because of my love for Corran Horn. And I know you have no idea what I'm talking about, but if by some miracle you do, we need to be best friends. kk?

End of the Line (361-366)

At the beginning of the year, I set out to take 366 awesome photos in 2012.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I started this because a) I needed a hobby; b) I wanted to improve my photography skills; and c) I really, really needed a hobby.

And it's been a good ride.

I'd like to thank my coworkers; my parents; my sisters; the states of Idaho, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado and Michigan; and my abnormal brain for contributing to this endeavor.

We'll get to the last few photos soon. But first, some of my favorites from the past year.

#1

Here it is. The picture that started it all. I took it very shortly after midnight, January 1, 2012. It was the first time I staged something and was happy with how it turned out.

#26

We have Foster to thank for the fantastic wall decor around the office. These bells are my favorites. You always know I'm around when you hear the bells.

#40

I like it when the sun just does what I need it to. These flags can be found in one of OMS' conference rooms.

#45

Another of my favorite wall decs. I decided early on to manipulate hues when needed.

#65

This moon was a little like staring into the abyss. I read Dante by this moon.

#83

This photo is all the more impressive when you understand how difficult it is to take photos in the Cyclorama at Gettysburg. Despite that, it is one of my favorite places in the world.

#98

You can't plan shots like this. They just kinda ... happen.

#112

You can find this roof in a hotel in Florida. It appealed to me.

#131

I spent a ridiculous amount of time in the back field getting this and other photos.

#152

I walked down a street in Idaho for this photo.

#171

I only thought about the possible ramifications of this action after the sparklers went out. Fortunately, my hand is still attached.

#204

Favorite book, awesome day. Special thanks to Emily J for this idea.

#214

Getting this photo very nearly killed me. St. George better be grateful.

#227

If you're ever in St. Ignace, take the Vesper Cruise on Friday night. It's your best view of the bridge at sunset. Oh, and there's a church service, too.

#235

I usually find sunset photos cliche. Unless I take them. Then they're pretty.

#255

If I cared about composition, this would be pretty fantastic.

#283

I took this one from a car in Shipshewana. It sparked a desire to do a study in silhouettes.

#295

A semi-evil cat who let me hang out with her for a bit. This photo was the first time she was still long enough for a good photo.

#313

My first practice with my new mini photo studio. My thanks to Elida for buying me the hand.

#334

If I could install this lighting in my house, I would.

#337

My dad was standing off to the left. I was complaining about the walk. I looked up, knelt down and snapped the photo.

#354

This is a fantastic building. I love this photo because it looks like a mirror image or something supernatural.

#358

I love snow when I don't have to drive in it. I also love lights. Put them together? Match made in heaven.




So those are my top pic(k)s. Are you ready for the last six photos? Here we go.

361

This is my favorite family Christmas decoration. There's going to be a huge fight over it when my parents are gone.

362

Also a favorite family artifact. Heirloom. Whatever.

363

One finds all kinds of things in the woods.

364

I bought a cannon in Colorado. I'm buying them in stages. Next is one that reaches my knee.

365

Took this tonight while the snow was falling. It's a lot easier to reach the creek without leaves on the trees.

366

My adorable nephews. Why is this my last awesome photo? Because I bought those cameras for the kiddos so they could carry on my photographic legacy. Stay tuned for a blog of their photos.


And that's it. Three hundred sixty-six awesome photos in 2012. Granted, I may have cheated somewhat. But it was totally within my rights.

Now ask me how many photos I actually took this year. If your answer is less than a thousand, you're way off.

Happy New Year, friends. I'll let you know what my goal is for 2013.