Unlikely Advocate

“Life is good”  is what the front of the t-shirt reads.  However, on the back it should have a disclaimer that simply says “but not always”.  Life is endlessly challenging, disturbing, disappointing, exhausting and just plain old hard.  That is most regularly felt within the context of the decisions that we are faced with making at every moment, throughout each of the 365 days of the year that we breath in and out of.  That’s a lot of decisions.  Some are easy, mindless and are barely even given a thought, while others feel like the weight of the world is resting on our shoulders: unwanted, unexpected choices, going with an unpopular decision, going with a popular decision or waiting, waiting for the answer as patiently and contently as possible between that uncomfortable and ever so familiar “rock and a hard spot”.

It seems that in trying to get out the message, God repeats himself over and over like the incessant beating of a drum.  That’s the one that most of us are familiar with and more than likely seem to often  ignore.  It’s interesting how easy it can become to block out something so loud.   Then there are the more rare moments when He chooses to make Himself known by using bold, size 48 font, in red, followed by an exclamation, hoping you/I won’t miss or overlook the “word”.  I’ve found this to be what I call my “unlikely advocate”.  A person or thing that was so obviously used and orchestrated by God, to assist me, at a time, when I find myself in a difficult place.  Reminding me that, for Him, nothing and no one is to unconventional.  

Is there really such a thing as an “unlikely advocate” or just our box with the lid securely shut that hinders us from seeing true possibilities in general?

Blooming Woolly Daisies

It’s not just one big blessing but many little simple ones that happen throughout each and every day,  that make life so exciting.  You just never know what cool things you are going to happen upon as you begin a new days adventure.  Things like the warm sunshine in Michigan, finding your lost earring in a Big Boy parking lot of all places, having your talents and strengths acknowledged, strangers speaking kind words, unexpected opportunities, perfect lighting for a photo shoot, finding misplaced money, friends who talk late into the night just to keep you company, willing grandma’s living close enough who will babysit, the lulling sound of a fan and the relief it brings, new friends, Nap time and Vacation Bible School; not sure if that’s more for them or me, friends offering to  have a play date, $20 someone gives you for gas, smiling faces stopping by to visit or a joyful voice on the other end of the phone,  and the hope for more “Woolly Daisies” to bloom.

Junk

A hobby of mine is finding and re-purposing things that have been discarded as junk.  We have all been confronted with those items in our possession, that no longer serve their purpose, have lost their luster, charm and allure.  It’s time to replace them with something new, modern, trendy and let’s admit it there’s a certain satisfaction about pealing a price tag off of your new treasure, that you just pulled out of the shopping bag.  However, I have discovered that for me, it lacks a certain creativity that I only get from junking.  As they say “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure” and that is certainly the truth in this case.  Looking beyond the rust, chipped paint, dented and often disfigured pieces is half of the motivating challenge, the other part is imagining what possibilities and new purpose it could have.  More times then not it is resurrected with more personality, charm and attraction.  The average passerby often stops to take a look and says “how creative, I used to have this part but threw it out, not thinking it could be used for anything else.  If I had known I would have kept it”.  

Recently some friends bought a home to demolish and allowed me to go in and take whatever I wanted.  Their comment “It’s just junk and we don’t want anything from that dump”.  My thoughts “Sweet…when can I go”!!!   I found some really cool items and my creative juices were going as fast as the electric screwdriver I was using.  I couldn’t wait to get home and start.  

That statement and being at the home made me think of another kind of junk.  The type that I seem to currently have a lot of in my life (strong willed child, marital, self satisfaction, financial, health, etc.).  As you know most junk takes a while to become junk.  It doesn’t just appear that way over night, it often takes years to manifest.  Even though you may occasionally do a light cleaning and mending of issues.  For example: seeing a counselor here and there, having one of those all out, stand up, arms flailing, eyes rolling conversations to get each others points across (while nothing is ever truly settled), or reading a self help book that you put down after the 5th chapter and never pick up again.  It still doesn’t touch the underlying cracks, that if not  addressed and continually tended to will eventually become like an illusive spider’s web that takes over every corner of your heart and your life preying on the unexpected…you.  Before you know it, you are entangled in a mess that you never saw coming.

Lately I’ve felt like cleaning house and getting rid of the things that I once treasured and am now considering “junk”.  It’s funny how that can sneak up on you.  I’ve been challenged by scripture, good friends and family to look beyond the brokenness, that it’s not what has been done to me but what He has done for me.  To stay focused on the true treasures in life, because even the new things that bring joy will become old and viewed as useless in time.

I think it’s time for God and I to go junking; to re-purpose the struggles, burdens, idols and lies in my life, to allow them to be made into “a one of a kind” piece of work.  Ones that I can be proud of and others will look at and say “I want that”.  I hope I’m up to the refining process?  There’s usually a lot of scraping, pounding and bending before a new shape, a new purpose is revealed.  I know if I can hang in there, the end result is going to be a true conversation piece.

The Angels Sing Sweet Victory

These are the only two things that are certain…life and death, a beginning and an end.  Neither of which we have any control over.  Only God knows the number of our days.  Romans 8:36-39 says As it is written:  ”For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  This past Saturday (April 18th) marked the sixth death that has touched our family since February 12th.  Today was the funeral of the youngest of those, just missing his fourth birthday by less than a month.

The weather was so fitting for the day, what a reflection of the emotions that were pouring out.  It would rain and then the sun would shine or the sun would pierce right through the dark clouds and rain. It was almost as if the weather was confused, torn and caught in the middle, not knowing which way to turn.  That of immense joy coming from the heavens, the sun beaming out and then the crying out of sorrow on earth, the rain clouds releasing their heavy burden.  Until at last they both retreated and there was a peace. 

 I have to say beginnings in comparison to farewells, are by far, so much more fun to be a part of.  How envious I am of those who are celebrating a new beginning, where ends never come.  Revelations 21:4,5  says: He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  He who was seated on the throne said,  ”I am making everything new!”  Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  I am reassured, even though my heart is heavy, that when I have finished my race, I too will be greeted by angels singing “Sweet Victory”!     

In Memory and Celebration of New Life 

Milan Capobianco, Sydney SpaDorcia, Ann Baker, Rich Haven, Don Hamilton and Braeden Burgess

 

 

20′s

When we went to Mars Hill, I spent every other Sunday volunteering in the children’s ministry.  I became friends with the small group that rotated together in the toddlers area.  They were funny, caring, real and had mad skills singing kids songs and oddly enough often resembled a human jungle gym.  It was a great way to spend the morning, other than the poopy diapers and incessant crying that occured like clockwork by the end of the hour.  Funny how having that one Sunday off in between, was enough to make me forget and go back.  It’s kinda like giving birth.  It’s trying at the time, but about 5 minutes after your done, you’re thinking I could do this again.  Well maybe not quite 5 minutes.  However, if you have more than one child your “5 minutes” obviously came at some point.  

During that time we were down to one vehicle and were really stuck having to drive back and forth to Grand Rapids for work.  The cost of repairs was not an option for us at the time.  Seeing as how I was close to my co-volunteers, they new this was a struggle for us.  On one of those Sundays that I worked, which also happened to be my last, my father-in-law had picked the kids and I up to bring us to church.  Before going in I contemplated writing a check for $15 or $20, for the offering.  As I started to write it for $15, for budget reasons, I felt this nudging that it should be for $20.  So I changed the amount, not out of obligation, just obedience.  When the hour ended (actually it was always a bit longer when Rob spoke and the kids knew it!) ,Patrick, our room leader handed me a card and said it was from all of them.   Thinking it was a farewell card, I didn’t open it until I got in the car.  I was totally shocked when I opened it and there was $500 inside and on top of that, it was all in $20′s.  I know your thinking “that was one thick card”! 

I later called Patrick to thank him for his generosity and ask him to pass along the message to the others.  I ended up talking to his wife, Heather.  I told her about changing the amount of my check and how moving that was for me, that it was all in 2o’s.  Heather began to laugh, wait until I tell Patrick she said.  She continued to share that when he went to the bank, he was handed the money and as he began to walk away, felt that he should go back and have the teller give it to him all in 2o’s.  

I gave Him what was His anyways and He gave it back to me tenfold.  

A Woolly Daisy in the desert.

Dream

I have this little dream that I’m working towards…slowly.  I thought I would share it with you,  since I’ve heard that the more you talk about your dreams, the more real they will become.  Besides you may see parts of it coming to fruition for me, before I realize it myself.  If you would be sure to tell me when you do, it would be of great encouragement to me!

It involves living on a farm along side a river.  Alright, I can hear the sarcasm coming from Jen and Greg right now…Did you say you want to live in a barn, on a farm, down by the river?!  Although, I have to say the inside of my house does currently resemble a barn, with all my little piggies running around.  Moving on.  I would like to have a piece of land out in the country with a few pristine old barns, that I can revamp to use for events such as: kids farm camp, crafting parties, youth group game nights, fairies on parade, educational events, Easter egg hunts, tea parties, movie debuts, harvest celebrations, canning classes, reunions, speaking engagements, inner-city outreach, weddings, women’s day retreats and guys too, photo shoots, Art in the Word, birthday parties, wine and cheese socials etc..

Some of the barns will remain rustic, while others will have an added chic-ness.  Envision rustic meeting shabby chic, such as: chandeliers, fine white linen covered tables, silver, china, strings of lights, a movie screen on one of the large walls, a band, DJ, small orchestra and videographer  in the upper loft, rafters draped with flowing fabrics, surround sound, fresh floral arrangements, lights…camera…action.  Sorry I got carried away there!  

When the main sliding doors are open, the view will reveal a pasture full of ponies and  lavender fields, footpaths lined with Greg’s arbors covered in vine tomatoes.  The silo will be used for offices with an inner winding staircase, that will bring you to each platform work space (funky windows will be installed for all of you getting claustrophobic).  The chicken barn will be converted to house homing Doves, for weddings and memorial services.  There will be a kayak livery for those longing to enjoy God’s creation, while drifting down the river.  For the kids there will be cart rides pulled by ponies or Bernese and Swedish Mountain Dogs, for an added twist.  There will be vegetable and flower gardens used to teach guests about the wonder of creation.  In the summer draft horses will take families out for hay rides, while they sing along to music being played on the guitar and in the winter bells will be ringing, as the sleigh takes off over white snow covered pastures.  A converted livery stable will house our workshop and crafting area on the second floor, while the main level will serve as a storefront for local artisans.

My dream ends, with my kids growing up in this wonderfully unique and most magical place.

Sounds doable, don’t cha think?

Woolly Daisy

I thought you might be curious, as to why I chose the name Woolly Daisy for my site.  A Woolly Daisy is a wildflower, in the sunflower family, that grows in the desert.  It blooms in the Spring for only 3 months, March to May.  It is is often overlooked, as it blends into the gravel, sand and also because of it’s height, of 4-6 inches.  It has a white woolly stem with white or yellow rays and yellow clusters in the center and can sometimes be 3 lobed.

 I see a similarity between this flower, myself  and the journey that I have been on.  First of all it’s a wildflower, which pretty much says it all right there!  It is also in the sunflower family.  A sunflower is strong, durable, provides nourishment, is colorful and has a warmth about it.  I would like to think that is how I am perceived by others.  It grows in the desert where nothing should, in sandy, rocky and non-fertile ground.  My life has mirrored that footing but our God is so Great, that He gives us that same Hope, that we can grow and flourish even in adverse conditions.  It is easily overlooked, which is surprising with it’s bright color, beauty and intricacy.  However, for many of those in the desert of life, His blessings seem so often to have the same fate.  Are you overlooking the beautiful blessings in your life?  

The Woolly Daisy blooms only 3 months of the year, so if you’re not looking for it, you may miss it.  Perhaps that is why some people remain in the desert  for so long.  They keep missing the simple yet often profound message that God is trying to share with them, so they must stay yet another long season until it blooms again.  That being said start living life with your eyes “wide open”!  

I thought it interesting, that it is 3 lobed.  It reminds me of the Trinity (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), man (mind, body, and soul and I’m not talking R&B or funk!), that Jesus died and rose again on the 3rd day.  Then there are things like decorating, the umbilical cord (contains 2 arteries and 1 vein), the stomach of a camel or lama, baseball (3 bases and 3 strikes your out), the branches of government (Legislative, Executive and Judicial) just to name a few.  It’s God’s fingerprint that we live life in, with and marvel at everyday.  

I have traveled in and out of the desert many times throughout my life.  It is in the desert though that I have always felt the closest to God, seen Him more clearly, witnessed His provision more abundantly and been less distracted by it’s simplicity.  Isn’t it ironic that we try, so desperately, to leave as quickly as possible.  I have questioned if perhaps the desert “is” truly my promised land.

Woolly Daisy

Valentine’s Day Princess

 

 

 

 

Girls putting their "Be Mine" necklace together

God's little princess

Be Mine Craft

This year I decided to do a Valentine’s Day party for my girls and their friends.  Prior to that I was feeling really convicted, as to the purpose of my events.  This has become my challenge…”parties with a purpose”.  How was I going to work God into a Valentine’s Day party without sounding churchy or awkward?  These are the things I loose sleep over, I realize it’s silly but it’s true.  Just so you know, for the most part, nothing I do is totally original.  It’s just all modified or built upon to make it work for me and the event.  After searching around I found a template for Shrinky Dink Valentine’s in a Hallmark magazine.  This is what we did:  I e-mailed my wonderful brother-in-law, Eric, to change up the 4 templates and also include a scripture verse.  We baked them ahead of time for safety and time constraints.  Our craft began with a story, which my girls, Elle and Danika were more than happy to participate in.  The girls came out dressed in princess dresses and this is the conversation that ensued:  What are Elle and Danika dressed as?  Guest response “Princesses”!  What other things do the girls need to make them a princess?  (I had a bag filled with items that a posing princess might need: a tiara, jewels, wands, boas, feather fans and fancy shoes.  They all guessed every item in the bag…what little girl wouldn’t!)  What if you took all of these fancy things away, underneath what is left?  Guest response:  Just a girl.  That’s right a girl just like you.  What makes a princess different from other little girls, who does she need to have for a father?  Guest response: A king  Have you ever heard of the greatest King of all time, ruler over all things?  Jesus, all who believe in Him become his children, making each girl young and old his little princess.

 This “Be Mine” craft is to remind you that you too are a princess.  The words Be Mine: tell you that Jesus wants you to be His;  The pink heart: that you are a treasured jewel;  The ribbons: that you come from a family of royalty; The scripture - Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love: That God has always loved you and always will, no matter what  

This party was really a faith growing experience for me, sort of a full circle thing that doesn’t happen often.  First of all I only invited girls, as not to get out of control with the invite list.    I have a hard time limiting the guest list, I never want to leave anyone out.  That being said there were already 20 girls invited.  I hadn’t asked anyone from Dani’s speech class, for fear that some of their special needs may not be met during the party, due to the large number of girls attending.  However, the more I thought about it, I just couldn’t “not” invite them.  Besides, I told myself, like most school friends in the past they probably wouldn’t come.  Well shortly before the party, I stopped into school one morning to drop Dani off.  The mother of one of the girls was sitting there in the classroom.  She quickly told me she was sorry that she hadn’t RSVP’d but they would be there and her daughter was excited to have been invited.  I was a bit shocked and pleased at the same time.  When Friday rolled around I started to second guess myself and exactly what I would be sharing the following day.  I had no idea the religious background of this family.  I wasn’t sure how they would take being invited to a Valentine’s Day party where, unbeknown to them, the gospel was going to be subtlely shared.  That night I prayed for boldness, wisdom and  for clarity in my words.  At 11am Saturday the little girl arrived along with her mom and dad, who came in to ask what time they should be back to pick up their daughter.  I couldn’t believe it, they had never really met me and they were leaving her here…alone.  Inside I was doing the happy dance!  She had a great time, she spoke little but when she did I fully understood her and she watched wide eyed, as I shared the story about the princess, the King and the “Be Mine” craft.  When her mom came in to pick her up she told me that the following Tuesday would be her daughters last day, as they were moving and changing schools.  As we said goodbye and closed the door behind them I thought to myself, what if God worked all this out for “that moment that she will take with her, now knowing that she is a princess, forever loved by the King of all Kings?  

That following week her teacher told me that Dani’s classmate had had a wonderful time at the party and talked about it in class.  Her teacher was so happy that she had been invited and thought it was a first for her.  When I told her teacher that the girls mother had left her at the party, she was totally surprised.  Her comment to me was “she never leaves her alone”.  I may never see how the story ends, but it’s enough for me to know that I was obedient in sharing the joy that comes with knowing Jesus and that He was in the details.

Easter Egg Hunt

 

 

 

 

Cymbals of Easter

Bunnies

This past weekend we had our annual “Ohlman Easter Egg Hunt”, 5 years in the running.  I started this, like I often do many of the other events I host,  out of a desire to set the stage for the making of meaningful, positive, life changing moments and memories for my own children.  However, it has grown far beyond the 4 little  loves in my life (Sachel’s not so little now).  This past weekend we had over 230 friends and family in attendance, it was all out awesome!  We all know that what we experience, as a child, has a monumental impact on how we interpret, react and interact with others and the constant changes in life.  My hope is that the children (and parents) who have  attended these Easter celebration events, will look back and remember the resounding message that was shared through puppet shows, crafts, goody bags, magic or whatever tool has been used to tell them about  the Gift of NEW LIFE and the Great LOVE that they can experience through Jesus Christ.

First Things First

 

This photo was taken 10 years ago when everything about each other was fresh, new and exciting. It's encouraging to know that there is always something new to discover about one another and that it is more often than not, worth the wait.

First of all I’d like to thank my husband, Greg, for believing in me enough to set up this creative outlet. He is a very social and wordy guy but for some reason when it came to my areas of interest and what I have always felt to be my gifts, he has been somewhat silent and removed. I’m sure my strong will has, at times, been a hinderance to him in that area.  There were moments it would bother me but overall I would take it in stride and move on. That’s my MO for those that know me well…take it in stride and move on. After being a single mom for seven years, I sorta became of the mindset, that if you want to “get er done” then do it yourself and there definitely is no need to hold out for affirmation from those around you. If you’re basing moving forward on that, well you might be waiting and waiting and just plain wasting precious time. For those of you who are or have been a single parent you know these ways of thinking often just become a normal survival tactic.

A few weeks ago Greg told me I should run for office and that I’d probably win, not based on what or who I knew but just because of who I am. I was quite taken back by that. That was the first of many other sweet remarks that were to come. The interest shown towards my ventures and dreams has increased as well. So after nearly 10 years of marriage I am discovering that those kind words of support and encouragement from the person who is supposed to be your biggest fan, are worth “wasting time” and waiting for!  Thanks Greg for having the courage to tell me and not allowing me to miss out the things I “really” do need to hear, from my Biggest fan.