my happy place...

My friend Jenn emailed me a month ago and said, "heads up. Donna Downey is coming to Nebraska to teach a few classes."

Honest to goodness, Donna Downey?!! As in, I read her blog everyday, love her stuff and feel indebted for how she has inspired me, Donna Downey?!! So I signed myself up and got my school supply list. I had to buy some new toys for the classes I signed up for, and today I am off to learn how to play with them! I can't wait to show you what I learn! I'll post pictures on Monday.

And be sure to stay tuned for tomorrow's post. It's a love story that will kick off your Valentine's Day perfectly.

i got all choked up

forget the superbowl commercials...these olympic commercials are awesome!

(insert olympic theme music here)

GREAT NEWS!! I just got back from Sioux Falls where I recruited more summer staff and spent the evening with our friends Mike and Sarah. Sarah and I met our very first day of Gustavus and the rest is history. I am confident we will never ever run out of things to talk about.

Here's the deal: Sarah and Mike are going to the Olympics! FOR TEN DAYS!!! Mike is from Vancouver, and just moved to the states when he married Sarah. So he's a local, and knows his way around (a head start from everyone else trying to take in the olympics and take in a new town...)

They fly out on Wednesday and I have sent very serious instructions with Sarah to keep us in the loop with all of her behind the scenes, day-by-day information. I'll keep you linked up with her blog and we can all live vicariously.

Two words for Sarah and Mike: Lucky Duckies.

hello, dear friend. i've missed you so

While in Sioux Falls, Sarah and I stumbled upon World Market. WORLD MARKET! The four in Omaha closed last year, leaving a small void in my heart. I love it because there a variety of things packed into this store that turn out to all be things that I adore. Classic furniture pieces, throw pillows, fondue sets, books on heirloom tomatoes...

Here. I'll take you on a tour and explain why I love this place like I do. We'll start here with Sarah, showing us the Easter baskets covered in petals and ladybugs. Bright and colorful, some shaped as watering cans and others as white picket fences, I would like one in every color.

This is a wide view of the store, showing the big pictures they sell (I always like what I see) as well as area rugs, curtains, furniture and food from all over the world.
They sell dishes, like these beauties ready for Valentine's Day...

and sparkly decorations. Sarah and I paused at this area and wondered who actually gets to purchase these fancy hanging decorations, and wondered where they live and what do they do. It seems like the sort of thing we adore in the store, and would adore at home, but just have never seen them in use. And olives. Honestly. A store that devotes an entire shelving display to olives, selling every kind of gummies one aisle over is just a store that demands more fans.

Sarah and I left with brand new journals and a valentine card. Their gift bags, wrapping paper and stationary area is also always a delight. And this time I even found Mrs. Meyers DISH SOAP GARDENIA SCENT!!! COME NOW!!!

mpr interview

A good friend just passed this along. It is a Minnesota Public Radio broadcast interviewing Renee and Jonathan, who survived the earthquake. (the picture above is Ben, Renee and Jonathan)

So often the church has such horrible spokespeople saying stupid things on behalf of God. But Renee absolutely embodies peace in this interview, is so thoughtful and seems wise beyond her years and wise even in the midst of this horrifying season she is living through. I am proud of her ability to speak truth in this dark time.

She is inspiring and their interview left me excited to be a part of God's mission in the world.