11.29.2007
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
OK...so on the way back from Atlanta we got to watch a little tv (planes are amazing things). Noah, he watched Man vs. Wild and Dirty Jobs (he' loves those, plus Myth Busters, Survivorman and How It's Made)... Kaylee watched Deal or No Deal...I flipped around quite a bit when my tv was working (it was out for about half the flight), but Steve and I both caught a bit of Christmas with the Kranks, which motivated us to get back and go ahead with Christmas decorations! So...Friday - up went the lights and wreaths...and Saturday we were off to find the Unwin family tree (cue angels singing). We went to a tree farm in Oregon (did you know they have trees here? actually it's the largest Christmas tree producing state, just in case you were wondering) - actually we passed about 30 tree farms on our way to "the" tree farm. We did the classic of looking at trees from every angle and scrutinizing every inch to make sure it wasn't dead, losing needles, had gaping holes - you know the drill. Now, I have a tendency to pick a tree that is too big, so I really wanted to be sure to get it right, so we didn't have to cut half the tree off and leave it outside in the recycle bin (ask Steve - we did that one year when I picked a tree that was so big, it literally looked square by the time we trimmed off the top and bottom to make it fit). But...low and behold we succeeded! A family tree that really is our favorite family tree yet. So...we still have physical preparations to make - finding more Christmas deocrations to unpack, pulling out Christmas dishes, make pierogies, bake, listen to Christmas music, watch Christmas movies...but then we get to my favorite parts of Christmas...setting out the nativity sets, reading the Christmas story over and over and over, thinking about characters in the story and trying to put myself in their shoes and thanking God over and over for the gift of Jesus. Are you ready yet? I've still got a ways to go...but I can't wait!
Our Trip to Atlanta...
So...we got to go back to the ATL!! WOO!HOO!!! The weather - beautiful...the people...more beautiful! Man, I really miss our family and friends in Atlanta. I can't even type the words without being teary eyed. What a gift those days were to be back with those who we have lived life with to the fullest. Honestly, when I climbed into my dad's car there was part of me that just felt like I had been on a long vacation. Instantly I knew exactly where I was (of course...I'd lived there for most of my life, so why wouldn't I, right?) But it was more than that. Just being with my parents was good for my soul - it's been hard on all of us to not be minutes away from each other, so just to be in the same room was such a gift...
We got to see many many friends. I was only at church for about 2-2 1/2 hours, but got more hugs with the fewest words spoken. You know that saying a picture is worth a thousand words...so is a hug. Each one said I love you, miss you, thanks for everything, and so much more (remember, 1000 words). And all of them obviously were different. You could tell who was doing well, who was having a rough time. You had those who you wish you could see and hug. Lilburn Alliance is clearly family to us. We started going to church there just before we got married...and last Saturday Steve and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary...so...basically we were there for 16 years. Many of the students in the youth group now were infants or born while we were there. We've literally seen them grow up. And the leaders in the youth ministry, many were former students from the group. I just listened to a seminar download, and it says that we'll never see the full extent of the work we do for Christ, which is true - but it's a blessing to see these friends walking with Christ and leading this next group and impacting them and the world for eternity. We also had the friends we got to spend some extra time with - those we had to apologize to for not getting to really say good-bye when we moved last March, those we share the love of hockey with and go to see a game (which the Thrashers won!!), those who we met with every week, those we finally got to mourn loss with, those we celebrated with, those we laughed and cried with, those who we've known and served with for years and years who are friends, confidants, family...the list goes on and on...I wish I could list them all by name...and spend time telling you really cool and amazing stories about each one. They all hold such a special place in my heart...they've made me who I am today, and I am truly grateful...
Then...came the time to leave...sigh... One of the most frequently asked questions is how is Oregon different from Georgia. Honestly, here it is in a nutshell - big city vs. smaller town, in need of a few more modern conveniences (a few more shops, a few more restaurants - like Chick-fil-a), but not totally out of touch - we just have to drive further to get them; cooler & rainy-er (wish we would send the rain to GA); beautiful scenery here vs. construction/traffic in GA; but...we just miss the people. The rest we can get through without too much feeling of loss...that's just "stuff"...but people are irreplaceable. They are unique, amazing, gifts. As are our new friends and family in Oregon. People keep telling us it will take a good 2 years to really feel like Oregon is home. I guess I'll let you know in another 15 months if that's true.
I've never doubted for a moment that moving to Oregon is what we were supposed to do. We are convinced of it, even moreso now. That doesn't mean it hasn't been hard - there have been some tough times...but...we are a family - those 4 Unwins - we're stuck like glue to one another that's not coming apart. I've got the best family ever! I've got the best friends ever! I've got the best life ever...because God for some reason has blessed me beyond my wildest imagination...and I have the hope of what He has for us...and for our new friends...as well as those friends we had to leave in Atlanta. It's so not about me...it's about Him... Do I miss Atlanta --- sure...but...I don't want to miss what He has for us either...so...
We got to see many many friends. I was only at church for about 2-2 1/2 hours, but got more hugs with the fewest words spoken. You know that saying a picture is worth a thousand words...so is a hug. Each one said I love you, miss you, thanks for everything, and so much more (remember, 1000 words). And all of them obviously were different. You could tell who was doing well, who was having a rough time. You had those who you wish you could see and hug. Lilburn Alliance is clearly family to us. We started going to church there just before we got married...and last Saturday Steve and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary...so...basically we were there for 16 years. Many of the students in the youth group now were infants or born while we were there. We've literally seen them grow up. And the leaders in the youth ministry, many were former students from the group. I just listened to a seminar download, and it says that we'll never see the full extent of the work we do for Christ, which is true - but it's a blessing to see these friends walking with Christ and leading this next group and impacting them and the world for eternity. We also had the friends we got to spend some extra time with - those we had to apologize to for not getting to really say good-bye when we moved last March, those we share the love of hockey with and go to see a game (which the Thrashers won!!), those who we met with every week, those we finally got to mourn loss with, those we celebrated with, those we laughed and cried with, those who we've known and served with for years and years who are friends, confidants, family...the list goes on and on...I wish I could list them all by name...and spend time telling you really cool and amazing stories about each one. They all hold such a special place in my heart...they've made me who I am today, and I am truly grateful...
Then...came the time to leave...sigh... One of the most frequently asked questions is how is Oregon different from Georgia. Honestly, here it is in a nutshell - big city vs. smaller town, in need of a few more modern conveniences (a few more shops, a few more restaurants - like Chick-fil-a), but not totally out of touch - we just have to drive further to get them; cooler & rainy-er (wish we would send the rain to GA); beautiful scenery here vs. construction/traffic in GA; but...we just miss the people. The rest we can get through without too much feeling of loss...that's just "stuff"...but people are irreplaceable. They are unique, amazing, gifts. As are our new friends and family in Oregon. People keep telling us it will take a good 2 years to really feel like Oregon is home. I guess I'll let you know in another 15 months if that's true.
I've never doubted for a moment that moving to Oregon is what we were supposed to do. We are convinced of it, even moreso now. That doesn't mean it hasn't been hard - there have been some tough times...but...we are a family - those 4 Unwins - we're stuck like glue to one another that's not coming apart. I've got the best family ever! I've got the best friends ever! I've got the best life ever...because God for some reason has blessed me beyond my wildest imagination...and I have the hope of what He has for us...and for our new friends...as well as those friends we had to leave in Atlanta. It's so not about me...it's about Him... Do I miss Atlanta --- sure...but...I don't want to miss what He has for us either...so...
11.28.2007
I'm so behind...
Man...Am I behind or what? It's been about 2 months since I've been here. Sorry for it taking so long to get back. Even now I can't come up with a good reason. Just the way it is...not a good reason huh?? I could say busy I suppose. Instead of making excuses, let's hit some highlights from the last 2 months:
Kaylee's 7th Birthday! WOO!HOO A chocolate party with her friends - a dual party with her dear friend Grace (who's birthday is 2 days earlier) - was SOOO much fun! The kids all had a blast, almost as much fun as the parents (Steve said it was the funnest kid party he'd ever been to...) From a chocolate fountain, to dancing Cha-Cha Slide or Chicken Dance, to Pin the Tissue on the Chocolate Kiss...to...did I mention the chocolate fountain!??
Noah & Little Gym - Noah is taking classes at Little Gym once a week. He hasn't gotten to do any "organized", well, anything. And so, with Hannah, he is going one morning a week and LOVES it. They do such a great job there. They have a theme each week - he loved Inside Out! and he is having a blast!!! The hardest part is that it takes place while Steve & I are both at work, so we don't get to see him flip, spin, balance, jump, dance, play...Chele gives great girl details, which we are grateful for...and Noah loves telling us when he gets home just what they did. He's growing up so fast...
Quest - Middle School Retreat! My 2nd venture to the state of Washington...with amazing middle school students. We had a great time talking about relationships - our "Fav 5" - God, parents, friends, enemies, and the world. It was a great time to build relationships with the students, to stay up super late, play Moose, laugh about Operation Big Brother, watch kids on the blob, learn how to do DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) and be truly amazed at how good the students were, have deep conversations, and...the cherry on top was getting to see a long-lost friend from Atlanta - Jason Bollback was the speaker for the weekend, and he used to be a youth pastor at an Alliance church not far from us, and we used to do retreats and special events together "back in the day." It was such a blast from the past to see him...and helped me remember just how small this world is...
Baptisms - ok...this was really cool to be a part of... All year I've been getting used to this whole being a youth pastor thing - something I never thought God would have as a part of my life - that I am humbled, awed, shocked, empowered, grateful for every day since I started. One of the perks (I'd say) is getting to baptize our students - to be there in the water with them as they make a stand before God and hundreds of others to say - Jesus is Lord and Savior of my life, and today I want everyone to know I am going to follow strong after Him the rest of the days of my life...and then...I get the honor of placing them in the water and pulling them up...and watching the smiles on their faces as they experience in a tangible way the presence of God on their hearts and lives. Whoa...it was truly an honor to do this...can't wait until February.
Jog-a-thon - Kaylee participated in the Jog-a-Thon at school and ran 13 laps in the tim allotted (I think it was 30 minutes)!! We were so proud of her! Daddy of course sees a runner in the future...she could really kick it too!!
Hayride 07 - Big events are always a blast...they always have their "opportunities"...but we always enjoy the ride! Hayride was no different. The first opportunity was that we determined fairly close to the event that the hayride wasn't going to be a possibility ... so we had to put on our creative caps and come up with a few new things. So...introducing shucking corn with your toes, jousting, and the favorite...giving away a new iPod Nano, and cleaning out pumpkins with your bare hands. Imagine 150 students all on the floor of a barn, cleaning out 80+ pumpkins of all the seeds and gunk. OK...you are probably smart like our parents, and see what is coming. Me --- just didn't even think about it... Yep - soon the gunk was flying through the air and was creating an orange hue throughout the barn. Everyone was covered. But wait there's more. We then dragged out the tarp that was covering the floor and created a slip'n'slide with the pumpkin guts at the end. I'd say the slide was about 30 yards long. It was freezing outside...but these students were diving head first and far and fast into the muck. It was great. Then we headed back into the barn to watch a Francis Chan video (you can see it at http://www.stopandthink.com/) with a very clear message of just how much God loves each and every one of us...enough to send Jesus so we can spend eternity with Him....it was a great night for all the students (and leaders) that were there...having a chance to make new friends and introduce some of them to church for the first time...and letting them have a chance to hear, some for the first time, about Christ was just the best!
A Trip to Atlanta - this was AMAZING!! I was heading back to attend the National Youth Workers Convention with the Student Ministries Team (5 others) from church, so of course got the thrill of spending time with family and friends... I'll have to write more about this one in a separate post...because it'll just be long...let's just say, I'm so grateful that I had the chance to be back in the ATL. I cherish the people there so much, and it did my soul well to be there.
Noah's 5th birthday - YIKES!! My little boy is 5!! I can't believe it! He's just so cute! Steve made the most amazing cake that was a rocket ship (the birthday had a space theme). This rocket ship, literally, was about as tall as Noah is. We actually have pictures of him on the ground next to his cake - oh, wait I can post that too...ok, let me see how to do that? That gets us through October & November. It was truly a whirlwind...and here we are in December. I'll make a separate post for some things that have happened already this month. We're only half way through, and yet, we've done SO much...but first...I promise I'll explain the trip to Atlanta.
OK...I'll get caught up...give me another day or two...but I will do it...
Kaylee's 7th Birthday! WOO!HOO A chocolate party with her friends - a dual party with her dear friend Grace (who's birthday is 2 days earlier) - was SOOO much fun! The kids all had a blast, almost as much fun as the parents (Steve said it was the funnest kid party he'd ever been to...) From a chocolate fountain, to dancing Cha-Cha Slide or Chicken Dance, to Pin the Tissue on the Chocolate Kiss...to...did I mention the chocolate fountain!??
Noah & Little Gym - Noah is taking classes at Little Gym once a week. He hasn't gotten to do any "organized", well, anything. And so, with Hannah, he is going one morning a week and LOVES it. They do such a great job there. They have a theme each week - he loved Inside Out! and he is having a blast!!! The hardest part is that it takes place while Steve & I are both at work, so we don't get to see him flip, spin, balance, jump, dance, play...Chele gives great girl details, which we are grateful for...and Noah loves telling us when he gets home just what they did. He's growing up so fast...
Quest - Middle School Retreat! My 2nd venture to the state of Washington...with amazing middle school students. We had a great time talking about relationships - our "Fav 5" - God, parents, friends, enemies, and the world. It was a great time to build relationships with the students, to stay up super late, play Moose, laugh about Operation Big Brother, watch kids on the blob, learn how to do DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) and be truly amazed at how good the students were, have deep conversations, and...the cherry on top was getting to see a long-lost friend from Atlanta - Jason Bollback was the speaker for the weekend, and he used to be a youth pastor at an Alliance church not far from us, and we used to do retreats and special events together "back in the day." It was such a blast from the past to see him...and helped me remember just how small this world is...
Baptisms - ok...this was really cool to be a part of... All year I've been getting used to this whole being a youth pastor thing - something I never thought God would have as a part of my life - that I am humbled, awed, shocked, empowered, grateful for every day since I started. One of the perks (I'd say) is getting to baptize our students - to be there in the water with them as they make a stand before God and hundreds of others to say - Jesus is Lord and Savior of my life, and today I want everyone to know I am going to follow strong after Him the rest of the days of my life...and then...I get the honor of placing them in the water and pulling them up...and watching the smiles on their faces as they experience in a tangible way the presence of God on their hearts and lives. Whoa...it was truly an honor to do this...can't wait until February.
Jog-a-thon - Kaylee participated in the Jog-a-Thon at school and ran 13 laps in the tim allotted (I think it was 30 minutes)!! We were so proud of her! Daddy of course sees a runner in the future...she could really kick it too!!
Hayride 07 - Big events are always a blast...they always have their "opportunities"...but we always enjoy the ride! Hayride was no different. The first opportunity was that we determined fairly close to the event that the hayride wasn't going to be a possibility ... so we had to put on our creative caps and come up with a few new things. So...introducing shucking corn with your toes, jousting, and the favorite...giving away a new iPod Nano, and cleaning out pumpkins with your bare hands. Imagine 150 students all on the floor of a barn, cleaning out 80+ pumpkins of all the seeds and gunk. OK...you are probably smart like our parents, and see what is coming. Me --- just didn't even think about it... Yep - soon the gunk was flying through the air and was creating an orange hue throughout the barn. Everyone was covered. But wait there's more. We then dragged out the tarp that was covering the floor and created a slip'n'slide with the pumpkin guts at the end. I'd say the slide was about 30 yards long. It was freezing outside...but these students were diving head first and far and fast into the muck. It was great. Then we headed back into the barn to watch a Francis Chan video (you can see it at http://www.stopandthink.com/) with a very clear message of just how much God loves each and every one of us...enough to send Jesus so we can spend eternity with Him....it was a great night for all the students (and leaders) that were there...having a chance to make new friends and introduce some of them to church for the first time...and letting them have a chance to hear, some for the first time, about Christ was just the best!
A Trip to Atlanta - this was AMAZING!! I was heading back to attend the National Youth Workers Convention with the Student Ministries Team (5 others) from church, so of course got the thrill of spending time with family and friends... I'll have to write more about this one in a separate post...because it'll just be long...let's just say, I'm so grateful that I had the chance to be back in the ATL. I cherish the people there so much, and it did my soul well to be there.
Noah's 5th birthday - YIKES!! My little boy is 5!! I can't believe it! He's just so cute! Steve made the most amazing cake that was a rocket ship (the birthday had a space theme). This rocket ship, literally, was about as tall as Noah is. We actually have pictures of him on the ground next to his cake - oh, wait I can post that too...ok, let me see how to do that? That gets us through October & November. It was truly a whirlwind...and here we are in December. I'll make a separate post for some things that have happened already this month. We're only half way through, and yet, we've done SO much...but first...I promise I'll explain the trip to Atlanta.
OK...I'll get caught up...give me another day or two...but I will do it...
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