Twelve Months : Zwölf Monate

Everything is changing. In the span of twelve months we have stepped into a divide, into a season of prolonged transition from Chicago to Berlin. I didn't update my blog regularly in 2014, so I thought you might like to see a month-by-month snapshot of our year!

January : Januar  Ice, snow, and record temperatures in Chicago. Josh and I decided to pursue the opportunity which had been presented to us in November—to serve as communications coordinators in Berlin, Germany! After a blur of personality tests, theological questionnaires, doctor visits, and reference forms, we submitted our application materials to ReachGlobal.

We both ache to explore a new environment together, to tell the stories well, to finally have the luxury of devoting our waking, working hours to creative endeavors. Is this what you have for us, God? Are we ready to leave our friends and church to immerse ourselves in German culture? 
– 29 January 2014

February : Februar  Josh and I packed our suitcases and drove to icy Minneapolis for three days of interviews. The ReachGlobal staff made us feel affirmed and deeply cared for, and we left with a sense of peace.

March : März  We were accepted as long-term staff members with ReachGlobal!

April : April  I spent weeks rehearsing a cantata to be performed at a Maundy Thursday service, and Holy Week stirred my soul for the first time in years. I turned twenty-four. Josh surprised me with a gorgeous hotel room in downtown Chicago and a brewery tour in Wisconsin. (Yes, I'm a good German.)

May : Mai  Josh and I took another trip to Minneapolis for an intense week of training. Later in the month, my dad came to visit us in Chicago!

We have truly turned a corner in this journey. From today onward, nothing will be the same. 
– 10 May 2014

June : Juni  We celebrated three years of marriage! Josh transitioned to a part-time job, and we began to ease into the fundraising process.

I kind of resent that You're asking us to do this—approach family and friends and coworkers and churches for money. It is strange and uncomfortable and almost... impetuous. I keep finding myself glaring at You with a knot in my stomach, hating every minute of this. 
– 02 June 2014 

July : Juli  Josh and his dad took a trip to the West Coast and I continued working full-time at Moody. It was a relatively quiet month, complete with plenty of grilling, porch-sittin', and late nights with friends. Josh and I booked our flights to meet the Berlin team!

August : August  Josh's sister got married in Maryland! One week later, we were off to Berlin to meet the team and explore the city. It was our first time visiting Europe (let alone Germany), and we absolutely loved it. You can view some of my photos from the trip here.

September : September  Josh and I came home from an incredible week in Berlin. A few days later, ReachGlobal officially finalized our placement with the Berlin team! I began to wrestle with the idea of being a missionary.

I want to run away from You and Your call and Your care but you have gripped me. The liturgy, the melodies, the warmth in the eyes of a friend, the stories handed down. Despite my doubts and fears and guilt and anger, I think my heart still beats for You.
– 09 September 2014

October : Oktober  Josh and I worked through a six-week, online class for ReachGlobal. As the days grew darker, time spent within my close community seemed all the more life-giving. I began to realize just how deeply I am rooted in Chicago.

These days seem tender. Tonight I flipped through my ever-growing binder of sheet music from our church to read the words and liturgy, and I paused occasionally to sing some of the songs. Then, I started. Pangs of grief shot between my lungs, and I glanced at the map on our wall. I measured with my eyes the inches between push pins, the miles between Chicago and Berlin. The romance of the adventure has cooled in my heart, at least for tonight. I don't know if everything is going to be okay. I pray for courage, for peace of mind, resilience and renewed love for You.
– 06 October 2014

November : November  We traveled to North Carolina for Thanksgiving! It was great to be reunited with our families, and Josh and I had the opportunity to give a presentation to the church we attended as kids. After the church service, we hopped in the car and knocked out the 16-hour stretch to Chicago. We collapsed into bed at 5:00 a.m. to sleep for a few hours, then I returned to work and Josh hopped in a different car for a road trip to the West Coast.

December : Dezember  While Josh was away, I took time to reflect on our trip to the South, on the past few years, on the diverse experiences which have beautifully layered under my feet to hoist me to this new ledge. Josh returned safely home to me, and we settled in for a quiet Christmas in Chicago.

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We would love for you to follow our story as we prepare for ministry in Germany. If you'd like to receive a little update from us once in awhile, sign up for our newsletter here!

Everything is changing, v. 1

In case you haven't heard, Josh and I are headed on quite the adventure to Berlin. (Insert ecstatic squeals and a mild panic attack here.) If all goes as planned, we will have raised our monthly support and be headed overseas by the end of next year. I am starting to grasp how soon that is, how little time we may have left in Chicago.

Our first three years of marriage have been beautifully interrupted by change after change within these city limits. We have grown. Our conceptions of community and love and hospitality and salvation have been reshaped by this bustling, transient culture, by the warmth of the people who call this city home. I don't want to forget these days.

There is a sense of peace and steadiness here, in our community. I am learning that hospitality is not an event, but a mindset. It is the daily re-opening of my eyes, heart, and home to others. It is Kingdom-building. It is a wild chase, one which is taking us to another corner of the world. New friends await us in Berlin, creative souls who may or may not have spoken to Jesus before. That excites us.

We will continue to grow. We will continue to learn how to give, and in a new city we will make our home.

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We would love for you to follow our story as we prepare for ministry in Germany. If you'd like to receive a little update from us once in awhile, sign up for our newsletter here!

Two.

Photo Credit: Devin Hayward Photography

Tuesday was our anniversary. We have been married for two years now! Yay! I would marvel, "I can't believe it's been that long," but actually, I can believe it. These two years have been long and full in the very best sense. We have traveled a lot, finished college, worked several different jobs and even moved to a new place. It's been busy! I love doing life with Josh. He is generous and spontaneous, always looking ahead with optimism and creativity.

Josh also builds me up. This past year, he's encouraged me to grow in confidence and to keep on singing. He even bought me a beautiful little guitar for our anniversary! I was floored! (I tried to teach myself during high school, but gave up after learning a handful of chords.) Last night, I sat in the bedroom and spent over an hour on this website, practicing chord changes and singing made-up melodies until my fingers ached and my heart was full.

I have no idea what this coming year will bring, but I'm excited to take it on with my best friend. To year three!

Caaaake!

We got married in North Carolina last year. After the honeymoon in Tennessee, we drove straight back to our little home in Chicago. The drive made it impossible to carry the top layer of our wedding cake, but my mom saved the day by wrapping it up perfectly, freezing it, and bringing it to us in her suitcase this past May! (Our cake has literally flown across state lines!) Last night, we dug in.

The best part? We don't have to share.

One.

Our wedding was one year ago.  Time flies, doesn't it?  We celebrated by eating dinner at our favorite little café on the Gold Coast, taking cheesecake to go, exchanging letters and opening mail from loved ones, and completely forgetting to cut into our frozen wedding cake... hehe.  (Tonight, it is!)  Our first year as husband and wife was phenomenal, packed with travels and time with friends, new jobs, a new car, a college graduation, and so much more.  Everyone said that our first year would be hard.  Really, though... it was a breeze.  We are blessed, we are in love, and as we toasted in the lamplight last night...

"To year two!"