Saturday, December 27, 2014

The Holiday Insanity Continues

Hello All!  The past two weeks have been a whirlwind.  We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we're not there yet.  I thought I'd just write a quick post to update you on Snodgrass happenings.

Late Dec. 16, I got home from Hawaii (see my last post).  On Dec. 18, we headed to Spokane (we did not want to take the trailer over the pass, so we stayed at a hotel) for a very busy weekend.  We had Christmas concerts Thurs., Fri., Sat., and Sunday morning and evening.  It was a very busy but very blessed weekend.  We enjoyed our time away as a family during the day and then enjoyed serving at 5 different churches.

On Monday, Dec. 22, we left our hotel in Spokane and headed home.  We made it to Ellensburg, and then our truck engine passed on to that big junkyard in the sky.  We had not been having any trouble that we were aware of, so it's passing was very shocking and difficult for our family to deal with....ok, I apologize for my dramatics! :)  Our engine's death was a complete surprise to us and left us sitting in Wendy's for three hours trying to figure out what to do.  In the end, we left our truck at a mechanic temporarily and rented a car.  I'm sure we were quite a sight to see as we emptied our truck (the bed was COMPLETELY full) not knowing if we'd ever return to it and stuffed our belongings into the cute little Jeep Liberty which was the only vehicle available at the rental place.  Don't tell them but I expect we were riding a little low!  The boys sat side by side with a tower of belongings on the third back seat and their feet resting on other stuff.  I had my knees against the dash with more of our junk in my lap.  If it hadn't been such a long exhausting day for him, I would have envied my husband and his comfy driver seat.

Tuesday evening Josh had a Christmas concert and then Wednesday we did a Christmas Eve service at another church!  We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with my family on Thursday.  It was fun and relaxing!  Then, yesterday after much prayer and counsel (and because we were running out of time - rental due back on Monday and new tour starting on the 8th) we bought a new (to us) truck!

Needless to say, we are a bit pooped!  We rested today in preparation for tomorrow morning when we have to leave the trailer at 5:15am in order to get to the church we're ministering at by 8:45 (much driving and a ferry ride are involved).  Josh will play at The Lights of Christmas on Monday and Tuesday evening and then we will be done with ministry events until January 10th! Phew!  We are ready for that break!

We love you all and appreciate your prayers through this crazy holiday season!  I'll try to post more pics soon.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :)
p.s. Next Friday (the 2nd) Josh and I will celebrate our 11th anniversary!  It has been the best 11 years of my life and I'm still madly in love with him.  Josh is my best friend, my hero, and love of my life! (just in case you were wondering ;)

When you finish reading this post, be sure to head back to my new blog at www.stilllearningtofollow.com  :)

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Living Room Paradise


Sometimes we are given a gift that is extravagant!  This kind of gift brings tears to our eyes because we know the cost and we know the value.  Sometimes the givers have no idea how much that gift will mean and we have no way of really putting that into words…

A few months ago a couple dear friends bought me a ticket to Hawaii.    Of course, this seems extravagant, because it is.  Here’s the thing though, it isn’t the beach or the sun or the heat or the ocean that made this gift so valuable.  The value came in the people who were waiting for me with leis when I got off of the plane.

I just spent one week in paradise.  My paradise looked like a living room with two little ones who call me auntie (and not just because we were in Hawaii).  My paradise involved rocking a sleeping baby, bedtime stories, fantastic Bible teaching from one of my favorite pastors, late night conversations, and prayers with a family that have been “family” for several years…okay, I’ll admit the tropical fish, lagoon swimming, and sun bathing weren’t half bad either! ;)

I am beyond grateful for this precious week of refreshment with sweet friends! 
 the view from my morning run



 Our Luau date

 Flamingos at the zoo and a Sea Turtle on the Beach


What an amazing week!  Now, back to real life. ;)  We have five ministry events in the next 4 days!  Looking forward to worshipping the King!

When you finish reading this post, be sure to head back to my new blog at www.stilllearningtofollow.com 

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Let the Christmas Insanity Begin

I am sitting at Starbucks alone right now.  We've been staying at my sister's house, which is always a blessing and allows for lots of special sister and cousin time...but does not allow for much quiet. :)  5 kids 8 years old and under means lots of noise!  I decided that before the busyness begins tomorrow, I should take a few minutes to get some work done and that meant leaving the house.

Sunday morning we were at our home church, Renton Bible Church!  What a gift it was to be there!  There is nothing quite like being surrounded by those who have known and loved you for years.  It was refreshing to my heart!  Also, the boys got to go to "their" Sunday school class with their friends which they were super excited about too!

Tomorrow we head to Puyallup for the Victorian Country Christmas.  If you're in the area, come find us!  We'll be there tomorrow and Friday.  Then we head to Portland for the weekend.

Next week I leave town for a week to visit a dear friend.  I'm so excited to see her and her family, but it's always really hard to leave my boys.  Please pray for the three of them while they are "mommy-less"! :)  And pray for me while I'm away from my guys!

We have very busy schedule this month.  Be sure to check out our schedule if you're in the "Seattle" area (or in Portland or Spokane - we'll be in both of those areas this month too).  There's a link on the right side of my blog to our tour schedule.

Here are a few fun pictures from the past couple weeks.  (ps. the prayer page is updated)

 

 Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 10K with my Baby Sis
 Snowman with the cousins and Daddy
 Helping Auntie Decorate
 Sunday morning at "home"
Snowflake Lane

 


Friday, November 28, 2014

Happy Black Friday

I am writing you from the comfort of my parent's dining room! :)  If you are out shopping, more power to you, but you won't find me out there! :P

We arrived home safely this past Sunday.  God is so generous in the way that he blesses and protects my family!  Sunday, we had a church service in Yakima, WA.  What a blessed morning that was!  Then we drove across Snoqualmie pass and the roads were just fine.  Praise God!  There had been some snow over the weekend in the pass and it had looked like we might not be able to go that way, but it turned out great.  The road was wet but no snow or ice!

We have enjoyed time with my sister, and her kids the past few days and then spent Thanksgiving with the rest of my family.  It was a very happy thanksgiving! :)

We will be ministering at our home church this Sunday morning and then have our first Christmas concert Sunday night.  I can't believe it's that time already!?

Well, that's all for now.  Going to enjoy some more "cousin time" today.
Love to you all!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

A little more Boise

Hello again from Boise.  We're here for a little bit longer.  The days are ticking away until we're "home for the holidays", and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't counting. 5!!!! :)

We are having a good time here, though.  This is the longest we've stayed in one place other than the Seattle and Billings areas (where we have family).  It has been interesting being in the same place for so long.  I think we'd know the area very well if it weren't for the arctic blast that froze everyone into their homes/trailers.  When we got here a couple weeks ago the weather was beautiful.  We went to the zoo and it was around 65 degrees and sunny (absolutely perfect weather if you ask me).

                                                                                        (yes, those are bats...yuk!)
 I think the reflection of my little guy in this pic is so cool!
 

So, after this fantastic weather we said, "This is amazing!  Let's come to Boise every year in November."...Famous last words...Last Thursday the temperatures plummeted and the snow fell and we thought to ourselves, "Let's never come here again!" :)
 Good morning to you too.


 the snow didn't make these two grumpy
making maple syrup candy "Little House on the Prairie" style
 

  Just kidding.  It hasn't been that bad.  Our trailer has handled the cold rather well, the kids love the snow, and we haven't had any concerts canceled, so I shouldn't complain. :)

It has been a wonderful couple weeks of ministry.  We have our last event here in the area tomorrow evening, then we're headed to Eastern Washington next weekend before heading back to Seattle.

If you've been following my blog for long, you know that when we're home I don't update the blog often.  I'll be honest, our time back is precious!  We add to our always busy ministry and family schedule, time with family and friends.  We have a particularly INSANE Christmas schedule, so we ask for your prayers for strength, energy, health and balance in addition to powerful ministry where people are pointed to Jesus.  I'll do my best to keep you up to date.  Love to you all and as always, thank you so much for your prayers! 

Here are a couple more pics just for fun.
 
 on our way to ID
 Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!
 A legit cattle drive in nowhere land, ID.  I totally did not know these still happen. 
(confessions of a city girl) 
There were two cowboys on horses and a dog following this herd.
 "Why, hello there Mr. Cow.  You are uncomfortably close to my window. 
Please go back to your pasture somewhere.)

 I'm always so proud of my hubby. 
What a gift to be married to a man who so boldly shares the Gospel. 
He is "all in" for Jesus!  There is no doubt!
 

My sweet friend who lives in Hawaii was kind enough to send me a picture from the beach.  This was my response to her as I was out shopping in the 12 degree weather. ;)

Friday, November 14, 2014

snow, Snow, SNOW!

It is 27 degrees and snowing here in Boise.  I know some of you are where it is much colder, but for this Seattle girl it is downright FREEZING!  Yesterday we stayed inside all day.  It was so bitter cold and wet and COLD!  I let the boys go out to play in the snow today, though.  The wind isn't blowing so hard and they couldn't be contained any longer! :)  They are having a blast!  I am so grateful for a warm, dry trailer and no planned travel during this weather.  God held back the bad weather until after our mountain traveling was complete and this should all be melted and clear before we travel next weekend.  God is good!

It has been a hard week for me emotionally.  I am homesick, lonely and weary of traveling.  Ministry is going so well though, so I expect a lot of my discouragement is simply an attack of the enemy.  I am trying to treat it as such and spend more time in prayer and the word!  Yesterday, I escaped to the RV clubhouse hot tub (talk about a sweet surprise - we had no idea that would be here when we made the reservation!) to relax, have some "alone" time, and warm up.  I ended up chatting with a woman for nearly an hour about her traveling music ministry and God's miraculous gifting to her the ability to sing late in life.  What a beautiful divine appointment! :)  Then, I chatted on the phone with a couple dear friends.  I returned to the trailer feeling more encouraged and emotionally content than I've felt in many days.  God is so good!

This morning I found myself reading/praying these verses:

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.  Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you.  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.  For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.  In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant."  Psalm 143:8-12

What a blessing to know that from the beginning of time, God has loved his children.  He hears us when we cry out to him.  He comforts and protects and guides.  We are safe in his arms.  "Thank you God for your goodness!"

We have concerts tonight, Sunday am and pm, next Wednesday, and Sunday am.  As always we appreciate your prayers for God to work in the hearts of those who attend, that they might know Him better! - I also updated the prayer page of this blog as well, if you'd like more specific prayer requests.  Love to you all!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Our Life is SO Weird

I'm sitting here at the dining room table/food prep counter/homeschool desk/computer desk in our trailer.  Josh is sitting about 10 feet away from me in his office, the truck.  It is a really nice day today, so I have a window open.  I can hear the boys playing happily outside on the little patio on our campsite.  This feels very normal.  Earlier the boys and I worked on schoolwork in here while Josh made booking phone calls in the truck and in just a little while I'll set this table with dinner and we will eat as a family.  I have a few brief moments by myself in the trailer right now, and I am relishing them.

When I sat down to update my blog, the first thing that came to my mind is the number 17.  Seventeen days until we're "home".  I am so excited to see family and friends and to begin our holiday celebrations.  Then I began to think about how very, very different this visit "home" will be.  This will be the first time we actually stay at an RV park in the Seattle area.  We'll be there for just over 6 weeks and we have no house or apartment, so we'll park our little trailer and live at the RV park.  This is bittersweet.  On the one hand, it will be a blessing to sleep in our own beds, cook in my own kitchen, and continue to have a place of our very own.  On the other hand, this won't be so different from our time on the road and in the past I've looked forward to something different when we go "home".

This time will also be different because we have such a busy concert schedule.  Two of the weekends we'll actually leave town and the rest of the time we have a ton of concerts/church services locally.  It is wonderful to be able to continue the work of the ministry God has called us to through the holidays!  Of course, that means that this is yet another way that life will not be so different from our time on the road...

So I find myself re-evaluating this word "home" again.  That seems to happen every time we are on our way back to the Seattle area.  The reality is -  Renton is where our friends and our church are and North of Seattle is where my family is, where I am auntie and sister and daughter.  But, wherever this little trailer is, is where I am mommy and wife and most importantly, it is where I know,beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am doing exactly what God wants me to be doing.  I am in the center of His will here and I think that means that here in this trailer, with my family, wherever we go I am home.


 Fun with the Ignite interns :)
 
giving a quick guitar lesson to an Ignite intern after chapel
 


Friday, October 31, 2014

God Knows!

Good morning from Missoula, MT!  We spent last week in Kalispell and Whitefish with our Potter's Field friends and now we're in Missoula for the weekend.  Monday we head to Boise for the remainder of this tour.  Three and a half weeks until we're "home for the holidays". :)  I am anxious to be home with family and friends, but God is blessing this tour so abundantly it's hard to wish it away.

I have a ton of pictures to share from our time in Whitefish, but I also wanted to write a bit too. So, I'm going to post a few pics at the end of this post and then I'll post more in the next few days. :)

A couple weeks ago, Josh and I were discussing our need to be more diligent about listening to our pastor’s sermons online and even finding other sermons to listen to/read.  We are in church several times every week, but we are almost always doing the speaking.  Although, this is an incredible privilege and we are very grateful for the opportunity, it does leave us without an important piece of spiritual nourishment.  We need it and we miss it! 
God is so gracious in the way that he meets our needs so perfectly.  Before Josh and I even made any extra effort to download sermons, etc… we found ourselves blessed with a few different opportunities to be “fed” this past week!  I have been so encouraged and challenged by these messages, I am anxious to share about them.  I pray you are blessed by these few short notes from a couple of the teachings that so blessed me.
First, last Sunday we were in a Sunday School class (we don’t usually get to attend S.S., but last Sunday it worked out) where the teacher was speaking on Matt. 6:25-34.  The lesson was primarily about how we tend to prioritize money and put our trust in it.  However, the verse that most impacted me was the second half of verse 32 which says “…and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.”
The question the teacher challenged us with was “What if we lived like God knows?”  As a follower of Christ, I would always tell you that I believe God knows.  He is omniscient – all knowing.   And yet, how often do I live as if I truly believe that God knows…

He KNOWS what I need!
He KNOWS my fears, my worries, my weaknesses, my regrets!
He KNOWS my past!
He KNOWS my future!
He KNOWS my husband, my children, my friends!

What if I behaved, thought, spoke in appropriate reaction to the TRUTH that GOD KNOWS?!


Second, Tuesday night we attended chapel at the PFM headquarters and heard a powerful message/testimony on Acts 20:24 which says,

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” 

Before I share briefly what so touched me about this message, I have to point out that I quoted this in the King James Version because this is the version the pastor used.  I do not usually use the KJV, mostly because I grew up on the NIV and I often have trouble understanding the KJV J.  When I went to find Acts 20:24 in my Bible it doesn’t include the first part about not being moved.  That bothered me because that is the portion of the verse that most impacted me.  So I went searching and could only find that phrase also in the NKJV and the Amplified versions, not in any other version.  I will admit that the understanding about different versions of the Bible, where they came from, why they have differences, etc… is not something I know much about.  However, what I do know, is that whether that phrase “should” or “shouldn’t” be in that particular verse, the same concept comes up over and over again in Scripture and I found a very similar phrase just this morning in my personal time alone with Jesus in Colossians 1:22-23a  NIV which says,

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” (emphasis mine)

Okay now that that's out of the way, back to the message.   That pastor pointed out that before Paul made that statement in Acts 20:24, he had gone through an insane amount of suffering and persecution AND he knew that he was nearing the end of his life and would almost certainly be killed for his faith in the very near future.  So, at the end of his life, with all of the suffering in his past and the suffering he was about to endure, he said “none of these things move me”!!!  Can you imagine?! 
He stood firm!  He was confident in who God was, in God’s faithfulness, in the far greater glory of eternity in Heaven - and so impending torture and death did not “move” him!  That is the kind of follower of Jesus I want to be.  Someone who, when my world is falling apart around me can look to my Savior and say, “I will not be moved!”
 
Now I find myself repeating these two questions over and over in my mind:
"Do I live as if God knows!?!"
and
"Will I be moved?!"
 
I pray these thoughts encourage and challenge you as they did me.  Thanks for letting me share! :)
 
Here are a couple pictures from the past week.  I'll post more soon. :)
 snow just barely above us in the mountains
 My two guys doing what they love to do most!
(these pictures was taken just moments apart)
 Glacier National Park
 
 
 
 

 

Friday, October 24, 2014

A Quick update on Snodgrass Happenings

Hello friends,
We are in Kalispell, MT now.  So far on this tour we have had fantastic weather, but the past few days things have taken a turn.  It has felt more like a typical Seattle fall lately.  We've had quite a bit of rain and the sun has been hiding.  I think all of our summer sun spoiled me because I have been particularly sensitive to the cold.  Brrr. :)

This has been a busy traveling week.  We try not to do much traveling mid-week, but it couldn't be avoided this week.  We drove last Saturday to Butte, Wednesday to Lincoln, Thursday to Kalispell and Sunday we spend most of the day in the car driving to and from our morning and evening services.  The drive's have been beautiful, though, so I won't complain too much.

Tomorrow we'll be leading worship at the Potter's Field Ministries chapel service.  We're super excited because the four ignite interns who were serving in Guatemala when we were there are doing their re-entry right now in Whitefish (just a short drive from Kalispell).  We will be able to reconnect with them and meet the rest of their class!

We'll be spending most of this next week in Kalispell and Whitefish.  Then we're headed to Missoula for the weekend and then on to Boise for a couple weeks.

As always, we appreciate all of your prayers as we seek to follow Him on this wonderful adventure!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

From Up Where The Air is Thin and Cold

We have wandered a little deeper into the Wild West. :)  We are 5500 feet up in Butte, MT.  We were here this time last year and there was snow.  It was about 28 degrees this morning, but no snow yet!  Praise the Lord!  Montana autumn is so funny.  There was frost on the truck this morning when we got up, but it is nearly 70 degrees now.  The sun is shining and it's beautiful. 

Butte is probably the most fascinating city we've been too.  They call it the richest hill in the world.  It was a major mining town and extremely wealthy during the copper boom but eventually the population plummeted.  Now you can tour the mines and see tons of big beautiful historical mansions and buildings, but the city is small and financially struggling.  We look forward to doing some sight seeing tomorrow - another "field trip" day! :)

Our week in Bozeman was busy catching up on homework and booking.  We did have the blessing of visiting with a couple friends and enjoyed the gorgeous weather and scenery!


 I couldn't resist stopping my run earlier this week to take a few pictures!
I took this when I was out running errands one evening.  I love the sun just barely still visible on the tops of the mountains!
 
Yesterday we drove to Butte and then had a home concert outside of town.  It was a very intimate group with meaningful conversation and a rich time of worship!  What a gift to be consistently meeting new brothers and sisters in Christ and partnering with them in ministry!  I was especially blessed by my conversation with one of the women after the concert.  She shared with me the story of how God led her and her husband to move their family at a time and to a place that they never would have expected and about how He has faithfully and graciously confirmed that decision and blessed their obedience.  It is so awesome to her stories of God's work in other's lives! 
I took this from the care window on our drive from Bozeman to Butte.
This is the view from the "upper room" where we did the house concert -
this picture does not do it justice!
 
Today we had two services.  Both were at new churches and went really well.  God continues to grow our circle of partnering churches, which is so exciting!
 
Tomorrow is our day off and we look forward to exploring Butte and relaxing together as a family.  This week we travel Wednesday, have a concert Wed. night, then travel again Thursday and have events Saturday night, Sunday morning and Sunday evening.  It will be a long week and we'd appreciate prayers for strength, energy and traveling mercies.  Thanks!  
(I also updated the praise and prayer request page today :)