Living in Light of Eternity

"Should I seek a career doing what I love?"

2012-02-24T15:00:00.001-08:00

"Don't pay too much attention to that questionable advice--'Seek a career doing what you love.' Ain't nobody looking to pay me to go fishing. Instead, learn to love what you do--the work you must do because it matches your God-given talents with what others need from you." Rabbi Daniel Lapin

old book smell.

2012-02-18T13:54:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentines Day

2012-02-14T21:56:00.000-08:00

I sit on my coach this Valentines Day eve full and happy. I came home from work tonight only to have had my dad and brothers fully engaged in putting on a surprise dinner for my mom and I. What a delight!

Now, for my response to the story that I posted last week: I don’t think it’s wrong. In fact its painful in several ways I find to be dreadfully true.

Rather then pick it apart I want to just state several things I know to be true.

First, I do live in a cultural where it feels hard to actually ever “date” somebody. This is the case because as girls we have set the standard that we will wait for the “perfect date”. The problem is that the boys we would consider actually dating know we are waiting for the “perfect” date. So, they are waiting to asking until they are perfect. It’s a vicious cycle of the boys never being “good enough” and the girls waiting for them to be “good enough”.

This to me is the greatest tragedy. God specifically says in Scripture that it is not good for man to be alone, that two are better then one and that girls are suppose to be a HELPMATE (You know, that type of person that helps them, not the type that waits for them to not need help). Even with these mandates we hold out. Boys waiting to be ready. Girls waiting for them to be worthy.

Second, the “knowing ones” she lists over and over again are not wrong. I have these “knowing ones” in my own life. Guess what? They have dated and know that dating lots of people is not necessary and in fact it is heart breaking. They want me to avoid the pain that they endured. It’s common now to realize that you don’t have to date lots of people to know when you have found the right one. This leads to the awkwardness of having never really dated anyone though, because you haven’t met anyone you would want to marry. Is this wrong? I don’t think so.

However, there is deeply rooted in many girls this idea that they are a “princess”. They deserve the best. They want the best “courtship”. They are going to wait to be pursued. I have literally heard on girl say, “I’m an ice princess, and will stay that way until the right man comes along to melt me.” This is twisted pride. Rooted in the idea that in some way we deserve or are entitled to the perfect relationship because we have been so pure and have waited so faithfully. Good works entitled you to nothing. You should not be waiting because you want the best, you should be waiting because God has told you to. This is what leads girls to settle for the non-christian, lukewarm loser. They weren’t waiting because God told them to, they were waiting for the best and became more and more disappointed because “the best” doesn’t exist.

Third, this story is sad because it’s a true story. And will continue to be a true story as long as girls continue to idealize marriage, people’s opinions and themselves. The root issue is that we have created an idol out of marriage and relationships. We want love more then anything.

So, after reading this story my question to you is this: is the cross enough? I know several of you just screamed and got really mad. You know about Jesus. You love Jesus. You just don’t want to be alone. I get that. But ladies, no husband or boyfriend will ever be able to give you what you want. (Which is why love songs and romance novels are popular.) That doesn’t mean you deny the feelings. It means when the frustration comes up you pour that frustration into a closer relationship with your Abba Father.

And if that frustrates you, you just found the root of your problem.

Liz

The Good Christian Girl: A Fable

2012-02-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

"Once there was a good Christian girl who dreamed of growing up, getting married, and having children. She read all the right books and did all the right things. She read about how she was a princess in God's sight and how he wanted the very best for her. She committed herself to sexual purity, to high standards, and to waiting for the good Christian man that God was going to bring her.

Just as she was getting old enough to start dating, however, she noticed something. Some of the popular Christian books were talking about not dating at all, and just being friends, until God had made it clear that the guy she liked was exactly the right one for her. Her Sunday school teachers taught from a very popular book about how dating was unbiblical, and how a truly righteous young Christian man would initiate a courtship with marriage as the goal, working in tandem with the girl's father and the pastor and others in the church body.

The heroine of our story observed that as these things were being taught, the level of romantic involvement among her peers at church, not very high to begin with, shrank to practically nonexistent.But the knowing ones, the Christians who seemed to have all the answers, told her, "You're young, there's plenty of time, and you need to learn patience."

So she concentrated on her education without worrying too much about men. She graduated from college and found a good job, and then she started to look in earnest for the right man. All the guys in her church were apparently still waiting for the divine signal to initiate courtship (an idea that she had never really taken to), but there were dating websites, and there was the occasional colleague or friend of a friend. So the girl dated around for a while, but nothing seemed to work out.

She remembered her high standards and tried her best to be faithful to them. She wasn't going to settle for a young man who wasn't strong in his faith, mature, well-mannered, and kind.And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, "You're too picky."

So the girl tried harder to make things work. She tried to give every reasonably decent guy every chance she could. She spent as much time as she could with as many Christian guys as she could. And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, "You're spending too much time just being friends with guys. They need to know you're romantically interested."

The girl worked on learning to show she was romantically interested. She tried to smile and flirt and be nice and dress prettily. And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, "Watch it, you're being too forward. Let the man pursue you. They don't like it when you do the pursuing."

So the girl worked on being passive. She was quiet and meek and let the guys start every conversation. And she got fewer and fewer dates as time went by. She had her 30th birthday, and then another birthday, and then another. And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, "You've spent too much time and energy on school and work. How did any of that teach you to be a good wife and learn to follow a man? You should have married young and had children long ago." And guys saw that she wasn't dating very often and scoffed, "Look at her—she won't go out with anyone. She's seen too many Disney movies. All she wants is a Prince Charming. Who does she think she is, a princess?'And the knowing ones heard, and shook their heads, and said, "That Jane Austen craze put ideas in your head. You just want a Mr. Darcy to come sweep you off your feet. Why can't you just marry a nice man whether you love him or not? Who says you have to have feelings for him?"

The girl was given to understand, from various quarters, that it was girls like her, girls who delayed marriage, that were the trouble with her generation, with Christianity, and with the country in general. She was informed that it was her own fault that she didn't have the things that she longed and prayed for. She started to hear words like "spinster" and "bitter" and "self-absorbed" and "career woman" whispered around her. And the girl grew tired.

She was tired of advice. She was tired of waiting. She was tired of hearing about Prince Charming and Mr. Darcy. Perhaps most of all, she was tired of shaking heads.

So she ran off with the first non-Christian man who showed some interest, asked her out, and treated her with respect. And the knowing ones shook their heads and said, "What happened to her? She used to be a good Christian girl."

This story was written by Gina R. Dalfonzo for Christianity Today. I have had several friends ask me for my thoughts on this new, "Princess Theology". I'm forming a response to this article and will post it Tuesday.

Liz

Satisfied only by Eternity

2012-02-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

At first when the "Real Marriage" series started at Mars Hill Portland I was optimistic and, I'll admit, even a little excited. Nine weeks of studying marriage before I was even married?! What’s not to like? I was planning on sitting back, taking notes and watching all the married couples in the church repent. Unfortunately for my grand plans, you don’t get to grow in wisdom without having humility and repentance in your own life. The idea that I was going to freeload wisdom off the married people of the church was ridiculous. But despite my pride, God worked on my heart.

As I've sat in Community Group for the past several weeks my fairytale idea that “marriage is wonderful and my husband will solve everything ” was thrown back in my face. Repeatedly. Listening to the broken relationships in the room I felt my soul fighting two responses.

The first was cynicism. I was tempted to believe marriage was a farce; I should avoid it at all costs; and men are perverted.

The second was the more gradual acceptance that God designed marriage, we were not created to be alone, and most importantly, that God’s design is perfect.

When I was battling against these two different opinions I began to find comfort in the following truth: Marriage is not something that went whack after the Fall. It wasn't like Adam and Eve sinned so now we have this weird way of making babies.

Marriage was around BEFORE the fall, which is why it is rooted so deeply in our nature. My desire for marriage and companionship is God authored. These feelings did not come BECAUSE of the fall. They SURVIVED the fall. All of us, because of how God created us can unfortunately relate to the sonnets of Adele and Taylor Swift.

The struggle now is what are we to do with these God authored feelings? Pastor Mark did not set out to torture all the single girls in this series (even though that may be how most of us our feeling).

Last night as I sat at Community Group and yet again somebody prayed for my future husband I felt like declaring aloud the passage from Songs of Solomon, “… do not stir up or awaken love until is pleases.” The age old battle of being a productive, God glorifying, satisfied in Christ single while not devaluing marriage, feeling entitled to marriage or living in fear of marriage.

The answer to this battle is simple to say but complicated to live out. Tomorrow I will still want to be married and tomorrow I will still not be able to give Jesus Christ as much glory and worship as He deserves. My main priority as a single female must be to submit every aspect of my life to Jesus Christ. The frustration of feeling alone and like I have missed the marriage boat is the exact frustration that should drive me into seeking Christ more.

That’s where I’ve had it all wrong. I expected, as a single, that this desire within me was only going to be fed by the "happiness" of marriage.

I am just now realizing that marriage is just the same battle but with a battle buddy. My new goal: to become the best battle buddy a man could hope for-because this desire deep within my soul for unconditional love and happiness can only be satisfied with eternity.

Liz

Readers are Leaders

2012-02-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

Doctor Noebel would say, "If you want to be a leader you MUST be a reader. Those who don't read are no better off then those who can't."

Pictured above is book origami by Isaac Salazar. Incredible.

Liz

Page 73.

2012-02-02T10:34:00.000-08:00

The following is an except from page 73 of the 632 page book I am reading on courtship and marriage.

"All our reforms have helped strip the teeth of our gears, which can therefore no longer mesh. They spin idly, side by side, unable to set the social machine in motion. It is at this exercise in futility that young people must look when thinking about their future. Woman are pleased by their successes, their new opportunities, their agenda, their moral superiority. But underneath everything lies the more or less conscious awareness that they are still dual beings by nature, capable of doing most things men do and also wanting to have children. They may hope otherwise, but they fully expect to pursue careers, to have to pursue careers, while caring for children alone. And what they expect and plan for is likely to happen. The men have none of the current ideological advantages of the woman, but they can opt out without too much cost. In their relations with woman they have little to say; convinced of the injustice of the old order, for which they were responsible, and practically incapable of changing the direction of the juggernaut, they wait to hear what is wanted, try to adjust but are ready to take off in an instant. They want relationships, but the situation is so unclear. They anticipate a huge investment of emotional energy that is just as likely as not to end in bankruptcy, to a sacrifice of their career goals without any clarity about what reward they will reap, other than a vague togetherness. Meanwhile, one of the strongest, oldest motives for marriage is no longer operative. Men can now easily enjoy the sex that previously could only be had in marraige. It is strange that the tiredest and stupidest bromide mothers and fathers preached to their daughters- 'He won't respect you or marry you if you give him what he wants too easily'-turns out to be the truest and most probing analysis of the current situation. Woman can say they do not care, that they want men to have the right motives or none at all, but everyone, and they best of all, knows that they are being, at most, only half truthful with themselves."

This paragraph was written by Allan Bloom (1930-1992) who was a professor of political philosophy. He taught at Yale, Cornell and the University of Chicago. This excerpt from the book I found particularly interesting. First, it's really good writing. Second, I enjoy how he equally chastises the men AND the woman. Third, this massive book on courtship and marriage from so many different view points is going to stretch my brain. It's a hard read that is taking some effort to get through. I have a feeling that the mental exercise will be worth it.

More excerpts to come,

Liz

Eleanor Roosevelt

2012-01-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

"It takes courage to love, but pain though love is the purifying fire which those who live generously know. We all know people who are so much afraid of pain that they shut themselves up like clams in a shell and, giving out nothing, receiving nothing and therefore shrink until life is a mere living death."-Eleanor Roosevelt

A friend texted this quote to me last Monday. It sat heavy on my heart for a long time. I have recently been struggling with my "love boundaries". My mind would race with questions and doubts: "Should I try contacting them?", "Have I proven myself friendly?", "Would a REAL friend give up?", "Do I text, should I call?" A vicious cycle. A constant cycle. A fact of life.

If you are going to strive to love people well then you will have a constant battle of balancing love and life. The "purifying fire" Roosevelt talks about I believe is the redeeming work of Christ working in our lives. It is the wounded life that is most like Christ. Why then, do we shrink from it?

By God's grace may I be a woman that gives and does not only take. That makes life simpler, not complicated. That loves well, expecting nothing in return. That speaks truth, even if it is awkward. That gives hope because of the eternal hope in my soul.

-Liz

Prayer of St. Frances of Assisi

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen.

632 pages.

2012-01-20T14:49:00.000-08:00

My close friend, who I deeply admire, recently mailed to me a 632 page book titled: "Wing to Wing, Oar to Oar-Readings on Courting and Marrying". I laughed when I opened it. A MASSIVE book on courting and marrying?! Really?! It's a book full of essays. Authors include Plato, Austen, Shakespeare, Franklin, Darwin, Bacon, Homer and Lewis. (To name only a few) There are sixty essays in all and I plan to read all 632 pages. It's going to be an intriguing centuries look at marraige. I'll be sure to post my random pondering and thoughts on it as I go.

Upon receiving the book I did something that I have never done before, I thumbed through the book and then opened it to the last page. Usually I am adamant about NOT reading the last page first. However, simply written on the last page was the following sonnet and once I started reading it I couldn't stop.

"No speed of wind or water rushing by

but you have speed far greater. You can climb

Back up a stream of radiance to the sky,

And back through history up the stream of time.

And you were given this swiftness, not for haste,

Nor chiefly that you may go where you will,

But in the rush of everything to waste,

That you may have the power of standing still-

Off any still or moving thing you say.

Two such as you with such a master speed

Cannot be parted nor be swept away

From one another once you are agreed

That life is only life forevermore

Together wing to wing and oar to oar."

This beautiful sonnet was written by Robert Frost on the occasion of his daughter's wedding. It concludes with a powerful and exquisite pair of images, "wing to wing" and "oar to oar". I found this pair of images blissfully refreshing. I fear my generation often pairs marriage with the necessity to "settle down". Robert Frost however uses the language of speed to show how love may quicken the life of a couple and even far exceed what each partner may have attained alone. Frost beautifully points to the possibility of rest within motion and permanence within change. I love it. I often forget that marriage is not a funeral of singleness but a birth of two lives merging.

Contemplating singleness, marriage and everything in-between,

Liz

New Years Questions

2012-01-11T21:07:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me this list of questions to start the New Year with. I have been pondering and journaling about one of the questions ever day since January 1st. It's been really good so I decided to share.

Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year
1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

Convicting right? I know. God has shown me some incredible things as I have taken the time to pray, journal and ponder these questions. Such an awesome way to start the first ten days of the New Year!

Elizabeth

Top 13 lessons of 2011

2011-12-31T16:01:00.001-08:00

The rain has started in Portland OR. As I sit here in my favorite coffee shop, in my favorite chair I can’t help but feel like the rain is cleansing away 2011 and I’m blissfully hoping the sun will welcome 2012. I read through my journals from this last year and looked over the calendar. Wow, it’s been an incredible year; full of joys and pains, weddings and births, deaths and miscarriages. Maybe that’s how you know that you are truly living. You experience an equal amount of elation and sorrow.

As I studied and read over my pondering from 2011 I came up with my list of the top 13 things I have learned this year:

13. Guitar is fun until you have to learn bar chords.

12. There is something about your sibling getting married that causes people to think they should solve the problem of your love life. They wrongly assume there is a problem.

11. Prague tour guides are the best.

10. Asking the right question is often more important than giving the right answer.

9. Ministry is a lifestyle not an occupation.

8. Developing relationships means developing humility.

7. True loyalty has the heart of self-sacrifice.

6. Funerals are a blatant reminder that it’s not what you get in life but what you do in life that makes all the difference.

5. Great women make life simpler, not more complicated.

4. There’s the pain of getting better, the pain of staying the same and the pain of getting worse. You pick your pain.

3. Discouragement and depression breed off isolation.

2. The work done by a worshiper will have eternity in it.

1. Always keep your eyes and ears open and you will hear and see angels.

While I have learned a lot this year, experience four new countries, learned new instruments and started new things I have failed to be faithful in the little things. Sadly I disregarded that fact that my habits would become my character. How I live my every day is how I live my life. As I greet the New Year I have a new determination to live my life not just for the extraordinary moments but for the ordinary ones. Because I want to be able to see that the small, mundane and simplistic aspects of my life do in fact hold little miracles.

-Elizabeth

Christmas Ache

2011-12-24T22:41:00.000-08:00

I walked into Mosaic Christian Church with a heavier heart then I realized. Grief is like that. The sanctuary had a calm peace about it. Twinkling candles and sparkling trees created a Christmas glow that began resuscitating my weary soul. I sat down with my family and had to shake my head a little.

“Is it really Christmas eve?! Where has the time gone?! I’m so tired…”

My friend and grandfather Chuck Mason passed away two weeks ago today and his funeral was last weekend. It was a sudden and unexpected death. The kind of passing that makes you wish you had done things differently, regretting having not said goodbye and wishing you would have had one last conversation. I’m in that place where waves of grief hit you unexpectedly and sometimes awkwardly. Causing a deep ache you know will take years to subside.

The Christmas Eve service began with the singing of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” I stood up to join the congregation when one of those unexpected waves of grief hit. Tears began to flow down my face as I mouthed along with the words, shoulders shaking the sobs making it impossible to sing.

Finally, a breath of the Holy Spirit sighed across my soul as the congregation sang,

“Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!”

Born that man no more may die. A slow smile began to make its way across my tear stained cheeks. I had forgotten. I do not grieve as one with no hope. The weight of death cannot consume me because I know the truth. Grandpa may no longer be with us but he is literally singing with the angels this Christmas Eve. My heart may ache but my soul is rejoicing this Christmas because,

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

Merry Christmas,

-Elizabeth

Random ponderings from a Seattle road trip.

2011-10-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

It’s gorgeous sunshine here in Seattle Washington and I’m sitting in the back of my parents Suburban. The windows are rolled down and the delightful fall air rushes over me. I sit, baptized in sun, wind and love as I watch my little nephew sleep in the car seat next to me. Afraid the sun will wake him, I am standing guard randomly using my hand to block his face from the rays. He lays peaceful, fed, happy, protected and absolutely no appreciation for the fact that he is in the top 10% of children in the world. Watching his little sleepy face randomly break into an unconscious smile has me blissfully feeling like all is right in the world. Yet, I know it’s not. The world is a rough place. Where Satan brutally wages war. So, as I watch his little chest rise and fall, rise and fall I asked myself: “How am I not going to be depressed that my nephew was born into a sinful world?” That’s when I remembered that the most beautiful people I know are the ones that have been defeated, overwhelmed by pain, known loss, faced rejection and have found themselves in the depths of depression. These people have an appreciation for life, a sensitivity, an understanding of life that fills them with compassion and gentleness. Beautiful people don’t just happen. Beautiful people bask in the ever present glory of God’s grace. As I bask in the sunshine and sleeping face of my nephew I am reminded of the incredible love and mercy of my God.

-Elizabeth

Walking Bass Line

2011-10-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

It wasn't until I was actually in Europe that I realized the tricky aspect of getting the bigger instruments to performance spots where cars were not allowed. How does one haul cellos and basses to a palace that can only be reached on foot? Que the walking bass line.

Last day in Vienna

2011-07-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

My last day in Vienna was absolutely blessed. Vienna is a beautiful city, full of so much history, music and art one could easily spend a month here and still not be able to fit it all in.

Sitting outside the entrance to Beethoven's apartment

The highlight of today was visiting Beethoven's apartment where he wrote his 7th Symphony(my favorite), his only opera "Fidelio" and his Fourth piano concerto. Climbing the circular stone steps to the fourth floor I was overwhelmed. Music came alive for me today. I will never play or hear Beethoven the same way again.

The Imperial Palace

This palace was amazing. Numerous great composers have performed there. The gardens were spectacular. Seeing first hand the history of Vienna kinda made me wish the USA had royals. :)

Saint Stephan's Church

Done in the true Gothic style this church took my breath away. One of the most incredible churches I have ever had the privilege of seeing.

Outside Minoritenkirsche

Being on tour means warming up in random places. The concert today went really well. However, the small chapel we were suppose to use to unpack in had an evening Mass scheduled. You just had to find a space somewhere. I personally liked this one.

The Hofburg Museum

If this museum looks familiar it's because Hitler gave his massive speech off the balcony. We went to the museum to see "The Collection of Musical Instruments" which displays the history of musical instruments as well as personal instruments of composers such as Haydn, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and Brahms.

We are loading the bus at 6am to head to are last stop, Prague!

-Elizabeth

Night at the Movies

2011-07-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

When Vienna decides to do a movie night, they do it right. What other city would put on Mahler's 8th Symphony on a Tuesday night downtown? There were hundreds of people there. This city loves music.

Vienna

2011-07-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Today I visited the second largest cemetery in Europe. I love cemetery. The reminder of the brevity of life and how short of time I have is so good for me. This cemetery though, was incredible. I have never seen such elaborate tombstones. Even more incredible I came upon the graves of great composers. Beethoven, List, Schubert, Brahms... It was the first time ever that when I saw a tombstone I literally heard a symphony in my head. It was moving and life altering.

This afternoon we went to the house of Haydn. Wow. Seeing where he lived, worked and taught was so cool. It was obvious that Haydn loved music and people. You could see it in the way he lived. Incredible.

This evening while walking through the park our guide Julia pointed to this building and said, "That's the summer palace, it's the smaller one." I felt like telling her that I'd have no trouble staying there if they needed me to. Being that it is the "lesser" of the palaces around here.

The highlight of the day was playing in Haydnsaal. This is the hall where Haydn performed most of his works while working for King Esherhazy at Eisenstadt. It's a gorgeous hall with incredible acoustics. Playing there, on the same stage that Haydn performed and directed on...there are no words to describe this experience.

More of Vienna tomorrow. :)

-Elizabeth

Goodbye Salzburg, Hello Vienna

2011-07-11T12:20:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day. Traveling from Salzburg to Vienna with cool stops along the way.

Stopped at the St. Florian Monastery where Anton Bruckner is buried. My favorite part was the private library that was started in 700 A.D. Crazy to see the history. Also saw Bruckner's grave which is literally 35 meters underneath the organ at the church.

Also visited Mondsee which was the church used for "The Sound of Music" wedding. Incredibly beautiful.

Once we made it to Vienna we checked into our delightful hotel and then headed to the home of Dr. Jutta Unkart-Seffert (She has three doctorates!) It was a delightful evening of chit-chat and music sharing. Found out that are concerts here in Vienna will have donation boxes for the orphanage she runs in Romania. How cool is that? Musicians from USA, playing a concert in Vienna to help an orphanage in Romania. Crazy.

Life is good. Looking forward to the chamber music concert we have in Haydnsaal tomorrow!

-Elizabeth

"The Sound of Music" City

2011-07-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, Salzburg is great! Crazy fun day of walking around where they filmed "The Sound of Music", which is based on a true story. Hearing the truth about the story and not the Hollywood glamed of version was great to. For example, at the end of the movie when they cross over the mountain, they just took a train to Switzerland. :)

Salzburg really is a beautiful city though, full of so much history.

A gorgeous fountain that is part of the center of town. (Also where Maria sang her song, "I have confidence in me.")

Mozart's childhood home. Seeing where the great composure was born and raised was incredible. The Mozart apartment was on the third floor. Walking up and seeing the rooms brought music to life for me in a whole new way.

This evening we played for Mass and a concert at St. Nikolous Church in Bad Ischl Austria. They were a great audience. We played two encores. I was also amazed how much of the Mass I could follow along with in German. The church was so beautiful!

View of Salzburg Austria from the Fortress that sits above the city. Every single tower you see has either bells or chimes in it. The city never stopped ringing. :)

Headed off to Vienna!

-Elizabeth

The Bells

2011-07-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

Anybody the knows me, knows I love music. Even more so, when I hear music I have to find it. Salzburg enticed me today with all of it's sounds. From Choirs, to bands, to orchestras to chimes to bells, this city lives and breaths musical sounds. You cannot escape it. Today there was never a break from the bells going off in the city. They didn't just ring on the hour, the bells would ring on the hour and every quarter hour for five minutes, literally.

Here's short glimpse to show what I am talking about.

I loved my exhausting day of chasing musical sounds.

-Elizabeth

Munich

2011-07-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

The flight from Chicago to Munich was uneventful. I even slept for a solid four hours. Once we landed it was off on a crazy couple hour tour of Munich before driving 1.5 hours to Salzburg Austria.

We went to Hofbrauhaus for lunch. It's a really popular beer house in Munich with live music. So much fun. However, all I really wanted when I got there was water so that's what we asked for. The waiter brought it to us...in liter size steins. Yes, I was being mocked. The water tasted so good though that I didn't care.

The main square of Munich is amazing. Pictured above is the massive clock tower with the church in the far left. Incredible to see and hear.

I had meat and potatoes for dinner, walked passed Mozart's house and walked up three flights of stairs to get to my hotel room... It's good to be back in Europe.

-Elizabeth

Oregon Arts Orchestra

2011-07-08T12:00:00.001-07:00

Adventures. I love them. Probably addicted to them. I'm headed off to Salzburg, Vienna and Prague with the Oregon Arts Orchestra for the 2011 American Celebration of Music in Austria. We are playing concerts all over and in some of the coolest concert halls I have ever heard of. To say I am excited is an understatement.

Trip roomie (and soon to be forever friend) Leanne is playing the II oboe with the orchestra. Somebody should warn Salzburg that we are on our way.

Pray for safe travels, energy, leg room on the flights and a gelling between all the musicians. I'll update as much as possible.

-Elizabeth

Maren

2011-05-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

You know those moments when you are totally overwhelmed by the goodness of God? I had one of those moments today. Sitting and listening to Maren's senior Viola recital I was overwhelmed. She is such an incredible woman. Beautiful inside and out. Talented beyond all reason. Plus, she's funny. I adore her. Below is a final clip from the recital today. I am going to be so proud to call her my sister.

Saint Louis

2011-05-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

What a delight it has been to hang out with my brother Josh and his fiancee Maren. Thursday was such a fun day. Maren had her final test so Josh and I took the Metro through St. Louis. It was great to have brother/sister catch up time and see the places I have only heard stories about.

Seeing the St. Louis Arch with Josh was a highlight! The Arch is incredible. One of those structures that when you see it you would swear it was going to fall down.

There was a sweet museum underneath The Arch that told the story of Lewis & Clark from this end. It was funny seeing how Lewis and Clark started out. I always hear and see the opposite story of them finally arriving in Oregon.

Later in the evening we went back to The Arch with Maren and her family. Had a delightful dinner at the Old Spaghetti factory. It was so good to get to know my future sister-in-law and her family better.

-Elizabeth

Red Eye

2011-05-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

I'm currently sitting in the Portland International Airport getting ready to board a 12:30am flight to Minneapolis and then on to St. Louis Missouri. Why, oh why, would one ever get on board a red eye flight?!

I love my brother Josh and this July he'll be marrying his best friend Maren. She's a violist. We ADORE her. (Who can't adore someone that wants to marry my brother?!) Anyway, this weekend is Maren's graduation from collage as well as her senior viola recital. Yep, my brother is marrying a violist. Crazy.

So tonight, (or morning, depending on how you look at it) I am flying to Missouri. I'll spend Thursday-Sunday attending recitals, graduations and parties. Then come Sunday Josh, Maren and I will begin a thirty hour road trip from St. Louis Missouri back to Portland Oregon. Yes, we are doing it straight. Just imagine the kinds of conversation a violinist, violist and cellist can come up with in thirty hours.

I am so excited to be traveling home with them. I think I am MORE excited that they have decided to move back to Portland. The thing that is craziest to me is that in less then two months Maren will officially be a Knopp. It's about time we had more female Knopp's around. Cannot wait. :)

-Elizabeth

P.S. I'll be updating more frequently on the thirty hour drive back to Portland via Twitter @elizabethknopp and facebook.

A glimps

2011-04-20T21:53:00.000-07:00

I admit, I tire of trying to write well. Which is probably why my blog is not visited frequently. I was given the advice to write everyday and if I cannot write to read something well written. This advice has proven to keep me discouraged in my lack of eloquence. :)

In my quest to read something well written everyday I had asked one of my friends to help me in the area of poetry. I'm extremely behind in poetry reading...I haven't done any. Accept for the annoying ones my mother made me read in high school. All that to say, due to this poetry and well read friend I came across the following article. It pulled on my heartstrings and so I felt the need to share it. All of us have an object in our lives that tends to define us or at least gives us the courage to walk with our head high. Whether it be an instrument, camera, tool, car, computer or book. The following article made me think about how my "violin' affects my interaction and confidence. Intrigued I decided to share it with you.

"Usually, when I’m carrying the thing, I’m headed to some ill-paying gig.

But sometimes I carry my viola, ensconced in its imposing black case, just to feel more distinguished. It adds a certain mystique, an aura to my persona which is difficult to achieve by more tradition means. As a teenager, I remember refusing to let my dad carry it for me. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him--I just needed an extra-personal object to validate my existence.

“What do you play?” I hear them ask me on the bus and on the plane, with what I interpret to be awe-filled voices. “Viola,” I reply, nonchalant, but with a hint of superiority. “I thought it was either a viola or a trombone,” they say, thinking this will garner my respect.

“Is it a piano?” the 3rd graders ask me before I begin my presentation about the string quartet. I might as well be carrying a bomb for the hush that falls over the classroom as I cautiously lift the lid of my case in front of a momentarily spellbound audience.

And when my string quartet is leaving a rehearsal, our mismatched cases slung on our shoulders, the thin, uncomfortable straps pinching the circulation from our limbs, I imagine we are on a CD cover, smiling, carefree, and about to add another Grammy to our collective bio.

When I visit my aunt, I pack the viola last, gently resting it on top of the rest of the debris filling the car; which, incidentally, is worth less the contents of that singular black case. Upon reaching my destination, I emerge, take it with me to the front door, and we hug our host together.

After my viola lesson on Monday afternoons, my teacher and I quietly pack up our instruments and leave her office. As we walk down the hallway together, we are equals: two violists. And no one knows she was the one who performed with the visiting artist from Juilliard, and I was just the kid in the audience with the curly hair.

As long as the case is closed, I am smug and safe.

But when I packed up my viola and left the audition a few months ago, rejected once again, I didn’t feel distinguished. A dirge was playing as I walked down the street, a pall-bearer carrying my own coffin."

Written by Micah Behr. I hope I get to meet him someday. It sounds like we have a lot in common.

-Elizabeth

The Home of Six Girls

2011-04-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

I’ve traveled the world, been to many new places but this week I can honestly say I’ve experienced a whole new culture. I grew up in a home of five boys. Little did I realize the significance of this until I visited the Jalbert home this last week in Tampa Florida.

Hollie Jalbert, the youngest of the six Jalbert and an absolute delight!

Julie, Sandie and Laurie Jalbert. Who never cease to make me laugh.

Cindie, Cammie and Sandie Jalbert. They know how to hold their own.

The six Jalberts live in a home on Farmhouse Drive. Six girls, in one house with no males. The differences between their house and mine are rather staggering. I’ve compiled a list of the top ten differences I’ve noticed.

1. There are labels on everything. (including the soup bowl shelf.)

2. My clothes have been misplaced.

3. Every room in the house has a potted plant.

4. Multiple lunches or dinners will be made based on the multiple diets happening in the lives of the females.

5. The nearest thing to an action movie in the family’s DVD collection is Bolt and Monsters vs. Aliens.

6. There are feminine products everywhere.

7. All garbage cans are decorative.

8. Everything smells of floral or fruit.

9. Things get put away faster than you can pull them out.

10. There is a TON of jewelry and not a Lego in sight.

I have so enjoyed being at the Jalbert's house. They have loved on me, encouraged me and introduces me to a type of home I have never experienced before. I cannot WAIT for at least one of them to visit me and see the other side of living in a house with all boys. :)

Headed home to Portland tomorrow,

-Elizabeth

Florida...RAIN

2011-03-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

The goal was to have a week break in the Florida sunshine. Yeah, not so much. I'm trying to have a sense of humor while being drenched and listening to tornado warnings.

Torn in Two

2011-03-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

There is something wonderful about having strong “home roots”. My mother use to bemoan the fact that I was never homesick. One day I finally looked at her and said, “Mom, it’s awesome that I’m never homesick. That means home is secure. I know it will always be here. I never have to worry about missing it because it is a constant.”

I love having strong “home roots”. I’m not even thirty years of age but have friends I’ve known for over twenty years. The comfort of the familiar; the bed that smells of your families laundry detergent, the comforting blend of coffee you cannot seem to find anywhere else on earth and that special meal that only your mom can make. Oh the bliss of the familiar.

Today I am far from home and feeling torn in two. I sit now, looking out at a boat dock, lake and palm trees. Florida has never felt so far away from Portland OR. My Grandpa Knopp passed away a week ago and today they are holding the memorial service and graveside. Due to money and circumstances flying back home was not an option. Being that I cannot be there with them I wanted to take a moment and remember the life of my grandpa.

Grandpa Knopp was always on me to learn fiddle. He loved bluegrass music. My performances of Bach, Beethoven or Barber in his mind paled in comparison to the foot stomping joy of pieces like “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. He loved the outdoors, hunting and working with his hands, square dancing with my Grandma Knopp and was amazing at bowling. (Something that skipped my generation.) Some of my favorite childhood memories are of the Knopp family camp outs. Even when I visited him three weeks ago in the hospital he was still cracking jokes, a beautiful example to me of making the most of every situation.

Today I am thankful. Thankful for my family that loves me and provides that bliss of the familiar. I’m thankful for friends that are loving and encouraging during this time of feeling torn in two. I’m grateful that I serve a God in heaven that knows my every need and knows where I need to be. I can be at peace because He cares for me.

You will be missed Grandpa Knopp,

-Elizabeth

Happy 2011

2011-01-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

Looking out the window at the first Monday of the New Year, full of sunshine, full of hope. 2010 was the most challenging year of my life. I have had challenging days, challenging weeks, challenging months. I feel as if my soul has spiritual stretch marks. As I sat, looked through my 2010 calendar and contemplated what I had learned this year I was shocked. No wonder this year was so hard, this year was FULL. So much happened. Life was given, life was lost. Dreams came true, dreams were crushed. Friends were gained, friends were lost. However, through the engagements, weddings, funerals, births, travels, conferences, school, lessons and performances God showed Himself strong and His mercy ever flowing.

The top twelve things I have learned this year:

12. Easy Cheese is delightfulness in a can. (Thank you, Micale Gillson)

11. International phone calls are a lose/lose situation.

10. Be leery of no parking signs.

9. Rejoicing with those who rejoice, makes you unselfish.

8. Weeping with those who weep, makes you grateful.

7. Toms really are the coolest shoes ever.

6. Do not believe anything you hear in a courtroom.

5. It's easy to take decent pictures, it's hard to create art.

4. Babies save the world.

3. Men are fragile.

2. It's what is NOT said that can make all the difference.

1. Putting your passion into print is super difficult.

With the new year comes new resolve to frequent my blog a little more often. :)

-Elizabeth

2010-11-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about pumpkins recently. They are everywhere. I see them outside the grocery store, in front of peoples houses, in decorations everywhere and more recently at my house. I was sitting pondering the pumpkin and came to a conclusion. I thought the conclusion was rather juvenile until last night, at a Sunday night service the pastor said relatively the same thing that I had been thinking. So, juvenile or not, I am going to share my thought.

Pumpkins are a beautiful picture of what Christ's love does to us. Christ takes us out of the dirt and the rain, washes us, removes the seeds of hate and sin and then carves us into a symbol that glorifies Him. Finally, He puts His Holy Spirit in us, allowing us to reflect and shine for Him.

This analogy was brought to life for me this week when a co-worker sent me home with a pumpkin he had carved. At first glance, I was confused as to what exactly the pumpkin was. I could tell intricate detail had been put into the carving of this pumpkin but I couldn't tell what exactly it was.

It was not until I lite a candle and turned off the lights that the pumpkin came to life. I was amazed at how vivid the carving was. How drawn I was to the light.

Conviction settled in as I sat staring at that pumpkin all a glow.

How often do I settle for just sitting in bright places, enjoying the comfort of my Christian mediocrity? How often do I run from confrontation or personal change? Do I take for granted the beautiful carvings Christ has made in my own life? Do I shine brightly in the midst of darkness?
Do a cultivate the Holy Spirit dwelling in me?

As strange and juvenile as it sounds, I want to be a pumpkin that radiates that light of Christ. Drawing people out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.

-Elizabeth

Birthday Lunch

2010-10-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

Bus Rides

2010-10-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when Jocelyn and I get the pleasure of riding on top of a double-decker bus for two straight days. We LOVED every moment.

Germany Layover

2010-10-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

I made it to Germany. Through passport control. (Got a stamp!) I was chilled to the bone getting off the plane. It was about 75 degrees in South Africa. It's below freezing here in Germany. Brrrrrr.

Ok, coolest thing ever. When I got to the gate to board my flight to Germany I was flying on the NEW Boeing 308-400. (I think that's what it was called.) It's a double-decker plane! With first class and business class on the upper level and economy filling the bottom. The plane seats 500 people! It was crazy. Here's a picture of Jocelyn's hippo, Hector checking out our massive plane. :) It's the biggest plane I have ever seen or been on.

Once on board I made my way to the cockpit. I knew that it was a new plane. I wanted to see how cool the new cockpit looked. I found the steward at the front and asked if there was anyway I could take a look. He smiled, went to the cockpit door and said, "There's a crazy American that once to see inside!" followed by laughter. But guess what, they let me look! The captain was very nice and loved that I wanted to see what it looked like. There were to many switches, knobs, screens and buttons it almost made you dizzy.

Airplane meal #1: Chicken again... The salad and roll were great.

Airplane meal #2: Eggs with mushrooms?!?! Once again I ate the fruit salad and roll.

Hector and I are now chilling at Starbucks. Four more hours here in the airport and then I'll be boarding my flight to Seattle. Perseverance is key. I've got two more airplane meals to endure.

-Elizabeth

Headed Home

2010-10-25T04:58:00.000-07:00

I leave in an hour for the J'berg airport. I have many videos and pics that I'll share once I get home and have better Internet. For right now, my last hours in South Africa have been great. Denise and her family have shown me true South African hospitality. Had "Sunday Lunch" with them yesterday. It was fun to taste new things and listen to a family discuss life in Africa. Denise and I went to church last night. I always love going to church in a foreign country. The worship was amazing.

After church we stopped at McDonald's. I have now had McDonald's in seven countries. Great news: the Big Mac is the same no matter what country you are in. (Granted, sometimes the meat is a little weird. :)

I am packing up and trying to protect all the cool things I picked up here in South Africa. Due to a weight issue I think I'm going to have to carry-on Jocelyn's Happy Birthday Hippo. She named it Hector the other day. During my five hour layover in Germany Hector and I will go exploring.

Ok, so it's almost time for an eleven hour flight to Germany. Followed by a four hour layover. Then a ten hour flight from Germany to Seattle. Then a two hour layover. Then a SHORT fifty-four minute flight to Portland. I am going to go catch a view last rays of sun before a leave this gorgeous place.

-Elizabeth

Birthday and last day in Cape Town

2010-10-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

Today was Jocelyn's 25th birthday. We started off by having coffee in the square here in Cape Town. Surrounded by locals setting up their booths for the market. It was cool slowly watching the crazy market come alive.

The structure behind Jocelyn is made entirely of old Coca-Cola crates. It's massive.

At the square Jocelyn haggled for her wood hippo she wanted for her birthday. We are GREAT at haggling. Of course, if might help that we are beautiful Americans. :)

The South Pole is closer to me right now then San Fransisco. I really am in the middle of the world.

Laying on the beach. I am going to miss, Miss, MISS my buddy. I have great videos from today. I'll post them when internet is not costing me so much.

Tomorrow I head back to J'berg. I am so happy to see my friend Denise again. I am so sad because leaving here means my South African adventures are coming to a close.

-Elizabeth

Seeing Cape Town

2010-10-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn and I have had so much fun touring the city of Cape Town. The city has these amazing double decker tour buses that drive all over. We have had a blast today driving through all of Cape Town on the top level of a bus.

One of the most informative places we visited was the Slave Lodge. The Lodge was built in 1679. The Slave Lodge housed the slaves who belonged to the Dutch East India Company. These slaves worked for the Dutch company to settle Cape Town and offer a respite for the ships traveling to Europe from India. The picture above is a table on display at the Slave Lodge. It is the actual table that Sir William Wilborforce and his friends drafted the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.

FACT: A coke a day keeps the doctor away. :) No joke, a coke will kill anything bad you eat in your stomach. It's my trick for avoiding all stomach issues while overseas. Also, oddly enough, Coke is cheaper then water here. Go figure.

The view from the top of the bus as we drove along the coast this afternoon.

Jocelyn and I at the Waterfront. It was settled by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Full of crazy shops and boats. Bought some great souvenirs. :)

Tomorrow is Jocelyn's 25th Birthday. We are going to celebrate in style here in South Africa!

-Elizabeth

How our adventures always start...

2010-10-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Lion Cubs

2010-10-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

Last flight and First day in J'berg South Africa

2010-10-18T04:28:00.001-07:00

My super long flight from London to South Africa went well. The TV's on the plane did not work. So, there we all were with twelve hours in a plane and no entertainment.Talking was the only way to pass the time. The man sitting next to me was a lawyer in J'berg South Africa. He gave me lots of advice on what to see and do. We had fun comparing American and South Africa lifestyles.

Airplane meal #3: Chicken and Rice...ate the rice and everything that came with it. Did not touch the chicken.

Airplane meal #4: Cold breakfast of meat and yogurt. Ate the yogurt and bread...did not touch the meat. :) (Do you see a pattern?)

The welcome sign at my friend's house!!! It was so awesome to spend time with my shipmate Denise. Her family was so loving and helped me get my mobile and travel to Cape Town all arranged. I would have been lost without them.

Denise and I at the second largest fountain in the world. It was amazing!

The coolest thing I did while in J'berg was go to an animal park with Denise. I saw so many animals SO CLOSE. I'll post a video of me playing with the baby lion cubs! The park was crazy. I LOVED every minute.

I am now in Cape Town hanging with Jocelyn and Rowan. It's a crazy beach city. We went to the markets today. I was overwhelmed by how beautiful all the wood work and art is. More pictures and videos coming!

-Elizabeth

The London Layover

2010-10-14T06:16:00.001-07:00

Well, I have made it to London. Just one more fourteen hour flight and I'll finally be in South Africa. This trip so far is the longest I have ever traveled alone. I must say, I'm not a big fan. Then again, I don't think I hate it enough not to do it again...go figure.

This is four year old Logan. He was my travel buddy from Portland to Chicago. We had several delightful conversations. He was on his way to London for the first time. He was going to visit his Grandad and Nana.

Airplane meal #1: "Chicken with something..." That's literally what the steward said. I didn't eat it.

The sky was on fire this morning as we flew into England. It was breathtaking.

Airplane meal #2: Yogurt with a very dry pastry. This I had to eat, because I was starving.

Currently I'm sitting in a cafe in the London Heathrow airport. I had plans to leave the airport due to the ten hour layover. However, the immigration staff is on strike today. I was told by several people not to risk leaving the airport because I might not make it back . Sad day. So, this little cafe looking out on the cloudy skies of London will have to do.

Top five reasons I know I'm in Europe:
1. Shoes are warn for style not for comfort.
2. Food portion sizes are significantly smaller.
3. The men are taller. (Don't ask me why, they just are!)
4. I was offered three different kinds of sparkling water with my lunch.
5. I've been called "love" multiple times today.

I love England. I must come back. When I'm not on my way to South Africa. :)

Cheers!
-Elizabeth

South Africa, the adventure begins...

2010-10-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am currently sitting in the Portland airport waiting to board my flight.

For those of you that don't know my newly married and best friend Jocelyn Gillson is traveling with her husband to South Africa to attend a conference. I was asked to tag along and always ready for an international adventure I said, "YES!".

I'm excited to see what this trip will bring. I get to visit to shipmates from when I was on board the Doulos, see Flatrock Mountain and a warm beach surrounded by penguins. Yes, it's going to be a grand adventure.

The only downside to grand adventures is the time it takes to get to them. I am traveling from Portland Oregon to Chicago IL. From Chicago IL to London UK. From London UK to Johannesburg South Africa. All that to say, it's going to take me 36 hours to get to Africa.

I would appreciate prayer in the following areas:
-Health, when I left two of my family members had horrid colds. Pray that the long flights would not get me sick.
-Wisdom, as I navigate through airport terminals and try to connect up with Rowan and Jocelyn.
-Leg room, long flights are really hard on my back when I have no room to stretch out.

I'll try to post regularly!

-Elizabeth

Mrs. Sono Harris October 17, 1954-July 4th 2010

2010-07-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

My stomach churned, my palms were sweaty and the black dress suit I was wearing felt like it was suffocating me. I was roughly seventeen years old. The classroom I was standing in was painted a cheerful yellow and bumble bees cut from card stock lined the walls announcing the names of the students that normally dwelled there.

“breath in….breath out…breath in…breath out” I was willing my heart to slow down.

I was about to participate in a speech competition. Watching the judges write on their ballots I was ever slowly feeling less like a participant and more like a victim. I stood there, almost frozen. Positive that I was going to forget my first line, stumble over my words or worse fall flat on my face. I was about ready to turn and run when one of the judges snapped me out of my nervous haze.

“Are you ready?”

Nodding my head and smiling I stepped forward, showing a confidence that was purely superficial but rigorously trained.

I bowed my head for a moment’s pause before delivering my Dramatic Interpretation. Once my head rose I emerged as a different person. My lines flowed eloquently. My voice spoke clearly. My hand and body gestures perfectly matched my characters.

As soon as I was done it felt like a massive rock had been lifted off my chest. I quickly shook hands with the judges thanking them for their time and walked as fast as I possibly could to the safe haven of the hallway and the loving arms of my speech coach.

The Beautiful Sono Harris

My speech coach and friend Mrs. Sono Harris trained and brought out in me passion and courage that I did not know existed. All through high school she fed into my life the importance of having high standards in all things, being the example and the leader in how I would communicate and speak to others. It was never enough to just give a speech. If I were going to talk and people listen my content had to be worthy of it. Having redemptive pieces that would affect souls was priority. Her perfectionism was contagious. Her energy was life giving. Her heart was for my success.

Just some of Sono's speech students hanging on the beach before a competition in Monterrey CA.

Mrs. Harris passed away on July 4^th, 2010. The grief and sadness is acute. However, even though she has gone Mrs. Harris leaves behind an amazing legacy. I do not think we will ever know the affect that Sono will have on the world because of the multiple students she coached through speech and debate. Many of her students have gone on to speak and share at events all over the country and in fact, the world. She developed in each one of us the desire to share the Love of Christ as effectively as possible. Her definition of excellence was that each one of us should be better than we were yesterday.

I have known Mrs. Harris so long that I do not remember I time when I did not know her. Vivid memories of her at my 13^th, 16^th, 18^th and 21^st birthdays are now more precious. She was more than just my speech coach. She was an inspiration in my life. A spiritual mother that spent countless hours guiding me, greatly affected where I am today. I miss her.

While tears fall from my eyes, I know what Mrs. Harris would do if she was sitting next to me. She would reach over, squeeze my hand and say, “Don’t give up Lizzie. Don’t you dare waste this time.”

Her gentle expectations always compelled me towards uncharted waters.

I wish I had the vision for my life that she had,

-Elizabeth

The Elusive Pictures.

2010-07-06T19:53:00.001-07:00

I have a confession to make. I lost my camera the day of Jocelyn's wedding. Between the loading and unloading of her vehicle it disappeared. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting (much like all of you) for pictures to surface from Jocelyn's big day. I'm afraid the wait must continue. Because the photographer from the wedding has still not delivered any and I don't have any of my own.

Here is a snap shot that shows what the day was like. Jocelyn was gorgeous. The weather perfect. The bridal party delightful. I was honored to be a part of it. It truly was a spectacular day.

When I have pictures to show just how spectacular it was, I will post them.

For now, it's time for my blog to venture forth onto new happenings and stories.

-Elizabeth

The Dress

2010-04-11T15:26:00.001-07:00

The Bride's maid dress for Jocelyn's wedding is DONE! No, you don't get to see it. But you do get to see my adorable shoes and the color of the dress. :) Big reveal probably around the 30th of May.

It's a cute one alright...

-Elizabeth

Bridal Vail Oregon

2010-04-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

I will be the first to admit that Oregon has it's quarks. West coasters in general can tend to have a little bit of weirdness about them. I didn't realize how strange we really were though until I was trying to tell an out-of-town friend about Bridal Vail Oregon. The conversation went as follows:

Me: "I'm driving to Bridal Vail Oregon."
Friend: "What?! Why? and who lives in Bridal Vail?!"
Me: "It's a place about twenty miles from my house. You mail wedding invitations there."
Friend: "Can you do anything else there?"
Me: "I don't think so. It only has a post office. I think."

Thus began the realization in my head the Bridal Vail Oregon is a rather weird, West Coast place. A virtual ghost town founded in the 1800 by a logging company. As of July 2006 the only thing that remains of Bridal Vail Oregon is a church, cometary and post office. The only thing being occupied on a regular basis is the cemetery.

So why does Bridal Vail still exist?

Literally, the only stop sign in tiny Bridal Vail Oregon displays a sign for what is truly the only thing keeping Bridal Vail around, the post office.

Bridal Veil still exists because of is its highly sought after postmark. Letters that come through Bridal Veil have their stamps canceled with a Bridal Veil postmark. Thus, thousands of brides bring their wedding invitations through Bridal Veil. During the spring and summer, the height of wedding season, the post office is filled with thousands of wedding invitations awaiting that special postmark. Each stamp done by hand. The wedding business and ardent support from locals every time the federal government threatens shut down of the Bridal Veil post office has helped keep the Post Office of Bridal Vail going.

Anne has worked at the Bridal Vail post office for years. (She didn't want to tell me how long.) Spending countless hours stamping wedding invitations. Each one by hand. She was a charming woman stating, "It's rather fun hand stamping hundreds of wedding invitations. Seeing how far away some of the guest are coming from. I enjoy it." So popular is the coveted Bridal Vail stamp that bride's from out of State and Country will mail their invitations in a box to the Bridal Vail post office. Asking them to please mail their invitations.

Rowan and Jocelyn's invitations looked even more delightful with the Bridal Vail stamp.

There you have it. A quaint, slightly quirky side of mailing your invitations from Oregon.

-Elizabeth

A Pussy Willow is just a Willow with Fur

2010-04-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

I have been getting emails requesting updates on Jocelyn's upcoming wedding. Much like the posts I did for my sister's wedding. I decided it was time to start. Yep, I'm in another wedding. Yes, I am excited. It is a privilege and an honor for somebody to ask you to stand up with them on their wedding day. So far Jocelyn's wedding plans have not been to crazy....and then there was the day of gathering Pussy Willows. Jocelyn was out of town and so it was up to Madey (Jocelyn's sister), Laura (a mutual friend) and myself to gather the Pussy Willows for the upcoming nuptials. We are in to free. We went to the Oregon coast to gather and purge them from the swamp lands. It was an adventure. Enjoy the video that the amazing Laura put together.

Thanks Laura and Madey for gathering with me! You girls are the best!

-Elizabeth