Off to Madagascar

Hi! We found out a week ago that the Shattenbergs (missionaries in Madagascar) would like us to come for the month of June. We are very excited to see how God will lead in this journey. I have put all the information in this letter that we have sent out to some of our friends and family. Take a look.....

Adventures in Littleton, Colorado

Brad and I arrived here on Wednesday night, and after taking a few buses we ended up safe and sound at Littleton- at WorldVenture headquarters. The training has been amazing and very encouraging. It was interesting to observe our own culture from a little different perspective- we do things certain ways, and just think everyone else does- or should- too. We learned (not unlike at the marriage retreat,) that just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad. We are excited to start sharing more about what we will be doing for God in Madagascar with all our partners back home.
It has been really cloudy here, but we are hoping it clears up tomorrow or Sunday so we can see the Rockies. I will post some pictures later.

Twins portrait and Madagascar update

Here are the photos of the twins and the commissioned illustration. (The poor quality is due to just shooting it at home with my camera)
---------here's me, squeezing a bunch into one blog entry-------
We have been accepted to go on a 1 month missions trip to Madagascar. We are leaving on Wednesday to go to Denver for our 4 day training at WorldVenture. We still don't know when we will go or how much we will need to raise yet, but we will find out very soon. Just gotta tell you- we only found out about the training 2 weeks ago, and God allowed us to get tickets for only $317.20 round trip total. We have an AWESOME GOD!!! The minor details of the trip will all fall into place, as we continue to put this in His hands. Pray for us as we keep striving to stay in His will and stepping out and using our gifts for His work.
Thanks, Kim

Ronald McDonald attacks

okay. yes, this really happened.
i was eating at the McDonalds playland in Owatonna with the kids last Tuesday. There is a lifesize statue of Ronald McDonald sitting on a bench about 10 inches in front of a big picture window (like the picture i have borrowed here, only right in front of a window). An 8 year old girl climbs up and sits on the back of Ronald's shoulders. My first thought was "wow, isn't that cool- her mom is just talking to her normally and not yelling at her." Then the girl started slowly sliding, butt first, between Ronald and the window. By the time her mom calmly walked over to help her, all I could see was feet and a bit of head. The mother calmly pulled her out, and they finished getting ready to go home. It was all very interesting, and strange. I'm not sure what I think. there it is......

Illustration Friday- feet !?

Hey, anyone else ever rabbit trail when they are thinking? The subject "feet" for me brought up so many options- I had a hard time choosing. My first thought was a blue-footed boobie sitting on the end of a fishing dock splashing his feet in the water. Then, I totally went a different direction and thought of Mary Magdalene washing Jesus feet and wiping them off with her hair. Then I thought of pickled pigs feet, which made me think of a pig, nick-named Pickle, who always seems to be getting in over her head. Well, I settled with the pig idea for now. I spent a lot more time thinking about what to draw this week than actually drawing. Not apologizing for it- just a statement of fact. Lots of new good ideas- thanks to the spark from illustration friday.
(Technical Note- Haven't quite figured out what that little line is up in the left corner of the image. Tried to lose it in illustrator and photoshop, wouldn't work. ah well)

ill friday - tattoo

no that's not a typo- i meant to put ill friday instead of illo. i thought it suited my final choice of creation- a bit sick and twisted, but funny?! my first thought when i thought of tattoo, was the pain of getting one. then i thought of the commitment and insanity of it all. I threw in a little politics with newt and hilary- here's what i got. enjoy. i will try to be more artsy next friday. ;}
by the by- i will upload the pictures of the twins illustration tomorrow. hugs to all...

Madagascar- the country

We are going on a short-term- 1 month - missions trip to Madagascar this year. Might be sooner than later. We just found out the missionaries would like us to come this May. While there, one of my jobs will be researching local art in order to create Christian art that would blend in with what they are already used to. It will be great. It will be cool to see how God will supply the money to get over there in such a short time. He is in control- we fully trust that His will is going to be done in our lives and this adventure.