summer thoughts

Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen??!! ......eeeehhhhh........

This is Jeff wearing my 80's prom dress for an 80's night at camp! It was completely open and unzipped in the back, that little hussy....!

This summer I took ownership of my position in life. I could sit at the merch table, sulk and pout, looking pissed at all these dumb strangers that I am ALWAYs surrounded by.

OR I could minister.

I could smile and talk to people, novel idea! It has been a very refreshing summer, it feels good to take ownership and engage with those around me. We met some amazing people this summer and I am so thankful that I got the chance to do so. Jeff and I have always had this vision for me to step right in and minister right along side him, it just took me 2.5 years to get there! And that's ok, it was a HUGE adjustment for us in so many areas of our life. Newlywed, newlyhouse, newlyroadlife, newlycats, nearly newly-everything!

I have realized that it is much more rewarding to jump in with both feet and minister to those that we meet on the road. And be ministered to in return. These people love us, accept us, support us. And I have grown to love them. This summer, I have been challenged to live for others, and learn how to make decisions NOT based on my comfort, my desires, my selfishness. I'm getting over myself, and it feels real good.

In the past, it has been difficult for me to reach out to people that we encounter on the road, because who am I to them? What does it matter if I have a bad attitude, nobody knows who I even am? Unlike the guys in the band, I don't have an instant cool factor and platform. And I've just realized that's OK! I can show the love of Christ, even if I am a SOMEBODY, or a NOBODY. It's a beautiful and freeing revelation.

when things were pretty tough for jeff and i on the road, i would sometimes hit him with an unfair," I hate my life". I hated it cuz it was mostly about me. I am now finding myself in the opposite predicament, i might love my life too much!

MollyMade

I am launching a new blog for the purpose of showcasing my handmade crafts that are for sale.

I plan on updating with each new creation =)

Feel free to stop by anytime!

MollyMade

Coloardo

I made the 18 hour trek to CO with good friends Emily and Ryan Holliday. Ryan drove us the entire way out there! Upon arriving, it was amazing to be re-united with great friends Rachael and Daron Short. The Shorts were great hosts. We enjoyed the breathtaking nature all around and went on a few hikes around Colorado Springs, where the Shorts live.

The Short's dog, Belle. She is expressing perfectly

the way that Em and I felt after going on a hike.

Maroon Bell Mountains.

Near Aspen, where we stayed for two nights. Well, we camped a few miles outside of Aspen. We woke up early on Saturday morning to do Buckskin Pass Trail.

The trail was 8 miles round trip and was SO scenic.

This is me in my happy place,

a meadow of wildflowers,

on the side of a mountain.

Looking quite dorky, but not too concerned.

Look at this place?!?!

It was a much needed time with friends and nature and God.

Praise him, sun and moon,

Praise him, you morning stars;

Praise, oh let them praise the name of God-

he spoke the word, and there they were!

He set them in place

from all time to eternity;

He gave his orders,

and that's it!

Praise God from earth,

You mountains and all hills...

psalm 148

Summer, Week 5

Baraboo, WI

Managed to not take a single pic all week. oops!

This was an outdoor adventure camp, i had been looking forward to it all summer and it lived up to my expectations.

Two firsts for me:

1. Rock climbing on real rocks!! cool!

2. White water rafting.

Spent the night in tents, woke up and went white water rafting. Got to swim/be carried down a rapid- it was fun! It helped me to conquer my fear of falling out of our raft. it was like going to God's waterpark, much better than any man-made one. It was just Jeff and I in a two person raft- no guide?! We went through 4 or so rapids and off 2 waterfalls. eek!

it was terrifyingly fun- kinda like a roller coaster, i freak out before and during, but love it when it's over!

Jeff said the most unpredictable part of the whole thing was me! haha. i can get pretty intense.

This was my last week of camp this summer, since the next two weeks of camp don't invite family members....arrrggg. don't get me started on that issue. Luckily to keep me busy, i've got some adventures up my sleeve ;)

Just a Band Wife

Sometimes I get the vibe that people think I am a loser.

Don't judge me! *finger snap* You don't even know me! ;)

It never fails- at most venues someone will say,

"So you're like a roadie?!"

or

"So you're like a groupie?!".

I know they mean well, but i'm kinda over this talk. I don't think they understand.

They ask me if I like being on the road, well yes, i like being with my husband, so yes.

I really don't struggle with my purpose until I see it in someone else's eyes, or face, or reaction.

Why does she do this?

It's a difficult motive to explain and I often must remind even myself of it:

At the end of this experience, I want to have shared everything with Jeff. That's why I married him. To share life. It just so happens that our life takes us rockin' across the U.S.A. ;)

my struggle: Am I less of a wife, woman, or person because I am not pursuing my career? or following my so-called passions?

From the outside, it may seem that my life is void of some of the 'importants' that compose a person's identity.

But conveniently enough, it just so happens that my true passions lie right here,

right where I am.

Those passions that lie closest to my heart,

my family and my Savior.

If that makes me lame, then OK.

I don't know who I am trying to impress. I sit there and think, "I gotta be someone cool..." I guess i've always wished that i had a glamorous passion, one that will:

1) Make me stand out and be recognizable

2) Make me money

3) Give me popularity and a cool factor

But as hard as I try, i have unglamorous passions. There are actually people out there that have genuine glamorous passions, but not me. my silly passions that will:

1) Not make me recognizable

2) Make me poor

3) Make me UNpopular with the world

Thanks for your concern everybody, but I DO have purpose and passion,

unglamorous as it may be.

so, phooey- I am NOT just a band wife, I am Jeff's wife and he is my husband!

and we make a great team!

Summer Week 3

We spent the 4th in Chambersburg, PA with a weekend in between camps. Enjoyed some traditional spectacles: grillin, sparklers (my fave!), fireworks in the backyard.

Our drummer's family hosted us for the weekend and we much appreciated their hospitality =) It is a gift to relax and feel at home when you rarely find yourself actually there.

Tattoo/Gas Station- don't see that every day?!

We went from last week's "commercial-cheeseball-corny-town USA" to "country-mountainside-cowtown".

Opposites. This week we are in Beaver Dams, NY.

Please notice the cows across the street=)
We are surrounded by green hills. They look more like mountains to this Indiana girl.

it's lovely.

I am torn between longing for convenience or searching for solitude. I would REALly like to live less than 5 from a Target and Hobby Lobby ;) But in the same breath, my soul is alive in nature. I like challenges, and I think it would be challenging and extremely stretching to live in a rural area. Rural life seems to lend itself easier to simple living, living by necessity, not convenience. Maybe those desires to shop, consume, waste would eventually shrink in comparison to the desire to cultivate and relish nature. Or are those desires already a part of me.

Atta-news

My talented husband released his latest CD with the band Attaboy. It is their best album, to date! If you want to see more about Attaboy you can check them out on their website, facebook, or myspace. You can listen to all of Attaboy's newest album on facebook!

Also, I'd like to introduce the newest member of Attaboy, Matt Siewert (with the hat). He is a 2010 grad from Huntington University with a major in worship leadership. He is a great guy and a wonderful, fresh addition to our team. We are truly excited for the part he will play in the evolution of Attaboy as he will take over the role of lead singer in the fall of this year.

Every day, we are thankful for this adventure. Jeff is grateful to be doing his dream job and I am grateful to be experiencing it all together.