Cider House Rules

1. Have plenty of apple cider, cinnamon sticks, and mulling spice on hand (4-gallons of cider, 2-dozen cinnamon sticks, and a couple of mulling spice packets to be exact).

2. Ask your sister to bake and decorate dozens of cutout cookies.

3. Fancify the garage.

4. Purchase an assortment of 100+ full-size candy bars.

5. Order a dozen bars from your favorite bakery (a.k.a. Bailey's® Bars from McHatties).

6. Dress warmly and put on your best smile for the trick-or-treaters and their parents!

hold fast.

I love this song and wanted to share it with you. Someone used it in creating the video featured above. It speaks to my heart in a number of ways; though too private to blog, it will be in my album. (Tip: You might want to adjust the volume button before playing!)

Hold Fast - by MercyMe

To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope
Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast
Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope
You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes

special projects

Albums touch lives, I've seen it time and time again. Pictures and words are a powerful combination - together they create a beautiful reminder of things past. Something to hold on to.

I treasure those who have crossed my path, the albums I have helped create. It's difficult for me to put into words what it is like to serve a family in this way. Lives touched by cancer, others marked by unimaginable loss. Little ones taken before even having a chance to spread their wings. Only God could use something as simple as an album to make a difference.

Pastor Bill said a few things at the service this weekend that really struck a chord with me:

• You reveal God's excellence and beauty through your service.


• God does extraordinary things through ordinary people.

Serving others is to be a FREEDOM, not obligation!

a sweet model

The "sweet model" I am referring to is my sister Stacey. She loves to bake and share her treats with others - mom and dad, friends at work, siblings, and even my friend Tilly! Here are some of the fringe benefits of sisterhood:

• Homemade SPICY Pizza
• THE Toffee Bars
• Biscotti
• Chili
• "Special Recipe" Cookies (loaded with toffee bits and other yummy chunks)

These cookies are just a sampling of the treats we'll be sharing on Halloween (yes, Stacey's lovely handiwork). Halloween is the perfect excuse for meeting neighbors; there's nothing like a cup of hot cider and cutout cookie to woo them to the top of the driveway!

I'm just modeling what I learned from my sister, of course.

more photo fun!

My friend Tilly let me tag along to one of her photo shoots! The family was beautiful and Tilly was full of great ideas. What a fun and inspiring afternoon!

I'll post a few more photos from the day on my Flickr page, which you can get to by clicking HERE.

on the road.

Yesterday was a day of CRAZY CHAOS on the road and it made me wonder if there was a connection between driving and personality. Is the person who seems really angry and impatient (swerving in and out of traffic, cutting others off), really angry and impatient in real life?

I notice a lot while I'm driving and am often prompted to pray. Sometimes, it's simply a car full of teenagers that catches my eye. It could also be the more obvious road rage scuffles or even the person sitting next to me at the traffic light that gets me thinking: I wonder what is going on in their life today.

(In case you were wondering, no lives were endangered by this shot! My hubby was the photographer during our drive yesterday.)

Journaling Ideas: What does your driving say about you? Do you have any driving pet peeves? Have you ever received a speeding ticket? Have you ever been involved in a car accident? How many times did it take to pass your driver's license exam? What do you do while alone in the car?

Did you see this tonight?

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Psalm 8:1

my favorite mom @ my favorite place

I know the photo is slightly off-center but I wanted to make sure you could see where we were at... yes, another coffee shop! My mom at Caribou - how could I say no?

We had a nice, spontaneous visit after my haircut yesterday and a few things stood out to me. First of all, she knows things. When I was living my secret (eating disorder) life years ago, she would always end our phone calls with, "If there is something you need to tell me, I'm here." I remember her also telling me that she knew something was wrong and that it had even gotten her into church to pray for me. It was uncanny; everyone physically close to me was clueless to the hidden life - but Mom KNEW.

There are other stories with siblings as well. We occasionally joke how it drives us nuts but truthfully, I am thankful for Mom's discernment and boldness in speaking out. It is a gift.

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." ~Abraham Lincoln

Journaling Ideas: What about your mom will you (or do you) miss most? What things drive you nuts? In what ways are you similar? Different? How has your relationship changed over the years? What about your relationship are you most thankful for?

life-changing message.

I watched a message like this one nearly five years ago; my life has never been the same.

Beth Moore fans...

You need to check **THIS** out. I found myself laughing so hard, I almost wet my pants! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I was the *cool* friend today!

Another coffee date with my hip & cool friend Sharon and it was my turn to choose the place. Oh, the pressure! I suggested The Black Sheep Coffee Cafe in South St. Paul, an independently owned shop fairly new to the area. They have a knack for "coffee art" - check out the butterflies below! Sharon called me the cool friend today.

This is turning into a thing for us and I like it!

Journaling Ideas: What do you like to do with your friends? What traditions do you have in place? How have those traditions changed over time? How do your friendships vary from one another? Do the traditions vary as well?

when no one is looking...

Joyce Meyer spoke on integrity yesterday - being honest to the best of your ability and keeping commitments. Paying attention to everyday little things. Here is her "integrity checklist" from the broadcast:

1. When you receive too much change at the store, do you return the excess?

2. When you were undercharged, did you voluntarily pay the additional amount?

3. Have you called into work sick and then used the day for personal pleasure?

4. Have you "permanently borrowed" your employer's office supplies?

5. Have you paid a bill late when you could have paid it on time?

6. Have you told someone to tell a caller you were not in, when you really were?

7. Have you lied about a children's illness to keep them home from school for some fun activity?

8. Have you taken care of personal business on company time?

9. Do you make your personal long distance calls at work to avoid paying charges?

10. Do you spend time at work on the Internet when your boss isn't looking?

11. Do you break the speed limit as long as there is no police officer in sight?

Ouch!!! It reminded me very much of Pastor Derek's sermon on stealing (for details, see article entitled Prayer and Faith in the News). He asked many of the same questions and prompted us to return what we had stolen. It is so easy for us to rationalize small things but they have a tendency to build up and weigh us down over time. Though painful, I appreciate these "sharp and pointy" messages!

and then there was LIGHT!

This caught my eye the other day. After several days of darkness, the sun appeared on the horizon - just in time for a magnificent sunset. This was its reflection on our house. Isn't it beautiful?

I found this cool thing today. It makes me wish I had a need for cold lunch, especially after seeing these! Yum.

little boy look-alike

I love watching this bugger tool around, he reminds me SO MUCH of Meeley at that age. You may recognize him from an earlier post as the cutie who loved golf balls.

Is your PLAY button broken?

Sometimes I feel like mine is. On this particular day, Ren was begging for attention - desperate for some Mommy and Me time. I received several verbal requests before he finally slipped me this note, written in invisible ink. Our house was a disaster with remains of the October Faithbooking Crop scattered upstairs and down. How could I play when I was stuck on FAST-FORWARD?

I have had too many days like that - rushing about, trying to get things done. Thankfully, reminders like this one help me to slooow dooown!

"Cease striving and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

life imitates LEGO art

Webkinz shopping at the MOA with my boys. I managed to find a little something for myself as well!

more from the party...

Ren is our youngest child, silly and sociable by nature. He is outgoing and adapts easily to new situations. That is, until yesterday.

Something came over him at Meeley's birthday party. He felt intimidated by the 9-10 year old boys and wanted nothing to do with them! He even skipped out on pumpkin painting and almost ditched the "decorate-your-own-cookie" activity until we told him he could do it alone. I took this picture of Ren sneaking a peek at the fun through our dining room window. Isn't that sad? He wasn't happy watching from afar but fear kept him from enjoying all the fun.

How many times have your fears kept you from enjoying life? I lived for years with a nagging sense of discontent and unease. Fear could have been my middle name! Here are some things I was afraid of:

• Losing relationships close to me.
• Failure. I'd often sabotage myself because I couldn't fail if I just quit.
• Success, so naturally I'd sabotage myself.
• Being "found out" - there were a lot of secrets and lies in my life.

I never realized the weight I carried until it was gone! I still get scared at times (for my children, speaking in front of large groups, during transitions) but one thing has changed. Though I may still feel incapable of handling what is before me, Christ gives me the strength I need (Philippians 4:13). When fears, worry, or dread come poking around, I pray. Instead of rehearsing the worst-case scenario, I fill myself with verses on courage and strength:

• "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand," says the Lord. Isaiah 41:10


• "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go," says the Lord. Joshua 1:9


• Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36.

Don't let your fears prevent you for enjoying all God has to offer!

apples and worms and kitty litter, oh my!

Meeley celebrated his first decade with friends from school and football. Birthday parties are a little more complicated these days. No longer do friends come over for simple cake and ice cream. They celebrate BIG at bowling alleys, jumpy-thing places, and movie theaters. This can be very helpful to parents - little preparation is needed (aside from invitations and cake) and there is virtually no clean-up. Unfortunately, it can be a bit pricey. After trying it BIG one year, The hubby and I and have since opted for old-fashioned birthday parties. Well, old-fashioned with a twist.

Here is where the kitty litter comes in.

We theme the parties to add a little zing for the boys. The Family Fun website has been a very helpful resource for game, food, and other party ideas. Meeley chose a Harvest/Halloween theme which included bobbing for apples, worms on a bun, and kitty litter cake. Perfect for a bunch of ten year old boys!

they no like-a my jingles...

There is this thing I do that my kids HATE. Well, they say they hate it but deep down I think it's something they secretly enjoy and would miss terribly if it no longer happened. I sing jingles - little tunes that are supposed to rhyme (but never do). They usually begin something like this:

Jingle, jingle, jingle

it's time for another jingle
it will make you tingle
more than a can of Pringles.

Once warmed up, I make up lyrics that relate to whatever it is we are doing. The boys scream and protest, telling me to STOP. I don't - in fact, I usually sing even louder! This happened the other day at lunch and I tried to capture their reactions on camera. We were dining on Spaghettios (remember that jingle?) and afterwards found this fun link I wanted to be sure to pass along. It made me realize that our generation was raised on jingles!

Journaling Ideas: What are some silly little things YOU do in the privacy of your own home? Is it hereditary? What kinds of things did your parents do to make you roll your eyes? In what other ways do you "let loose" with those you love?

more blog posting issues!

The system is down again and I am unable to post any photos to my blog. Ugh. Hopefully, this issue will be resolved quickly. I have a couple of posts ready to go and will add them once the system is back up. I'll continue adding photos to my Flickr page if you'd like to check that out in the meantime!

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful sunshine today :-)

Which way?

God promises to guide those who walk with Him. He says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go" (Psalm 32:8). Jesus promises to lead and guide His followers: "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... His sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:3-4).

God has a good plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Just as a father loves a child, He loves you! His plans reflect that love; they are full of hope. Hope. Several words for hope include: desire, bright, reward, longing, expectancy, confidence, anticipation, achievement. It sounds good, doesn't it?

He will never force His plans; it is your choice whether or not to follow. We are open to God's guidance only when we are prepared to do His will rather than our own. Perhaps one of the following situations strikes a chord:

• Your finances are a MESS despite the careful planning.
• After spending years watching your diet and faithfully exercising, you're diagnosed with cancer.
• Despite every preventative parenting measure, your teenager becomes addicted to drugs.
• You have everything you ever wanted and still are not happy.

When you find yourself in a tight spot, unable to navigate your way out - remember that He is there! He has a plan and knows what to do even when you don't.

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5

they DO have faces...

and sweet ones at that!

a few more shots...

Now that the kinks have been worked out, I thought I'd post a few more images from our rainy day session. Many of my favorites are the not-so-traditional shots.

I found myself drawn to the little things - the curls, flowers and dainty cups. Again, getting absorbed in the details! It was tricky trying to catch the little one, she did her best to stay away from me and the camera. You can find a few more shots on my Flickr page, just click on the photo collage button to the left.

I'll follow up with a few more in my next post!

photos from the annual meeting...

I went in search of the boys after dinner (it was a little too quiet) and found them in the bathroom - with the door closed. Nothing spells TROUBLE like two boys in a bathroom. I peeked my head in to see what they were up to. Meeley said, "This is where the Webkinz hold their annual meeting." The bathroom of all places. Only boys.

i like it fuzzy.

I've spent much of my life swimming in details - it's the way I'm wired, my personality type being an INFJ. My 9-year battle with an eating disorder was nothing more than an obsession with details. I would critically assess every inch of my body, never looking at the whole - only parts. My eyes seemed to zero in on and magnify every imperfection.

Though my wiring hasn't changed, thankfully I have. Though, occasionally, I still find myself absorbed in details - I don't get stuck. I no longer have the desire or drive for perfection; I am human and will never be perfect. My shortcomings keep me close to Christ; I'd like it to stay that way.

My family laughs as I get ready in the morning because the bathroom light is always OFF. I don't want to see every new wrinkle and gray hair! Natural light is just fine, I like how it makes things look a little fuzzy. It's funny how this seems to carry over into my photography!

By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. 1 Corinthians 15:10

rainy day photo shoot

I've been experiencing some technical difficulties (some bug in the Blogger system) and this is the only photo I am able to post! I spent yesterday morning with these little cuties, after looking forward to it for a week. Unfortunately, it was a dark and stormy day - even the street lamps were turning on! So much for natural lighting and the possibility of outdoor shots. Oh well, we had a lot of fun with bed jumping (sorry Kamy), a tea party, and fancy dresses. I'll be posting a few more shots when the kinks are worked out of the system!

What's with the name?

When Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God gave Joshua the following instructions:

Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from every tribe, and command them, saying, "Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan, from the place where the priest's feet stood firm. You shall carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you lodge tonight." (Joshua 4:2-3)

These stones were to serve as a sign to the Israelites.

... that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, "What do these stones mean to you?" Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever." (Joshua 4:6-7)

These stones were to be a reminder of a mighty act of God on behalf of His people.

These stones became a physical marker of a spiritual encounter with God.

These stones provided an opportunity for people to teach their children about the activity of God on behalf of His people.

My scrapbooks serve as these "stones" - tangible reminders, physical memory markers, tools for teaching. Thus, the name Stones of Remembrance.

October Faithbooking Lesson

Here's the lesson from our crop on Saturday (just click on it to enlarge). With each monthly lesson, I try to offer ideas that are light and fun with the option of taking it deeper. Something for everyone. Those who attend the monthly crop receive the lesson, along with a photo of the page I've created, and supplies to create their own. Since you don't have the benefit of seeing my page, I will explain what I did and how the idea came about.

I wanted to do a page that showcased my oldest son's fashion sense. Meeley is very particular about what he will and will not wear: no blue jeans, no stripes or funky sayings/expressions, t-shirts are better without pockets, football jerseys and track pants are always okay. To top it off, he really wants a mullet (the jury is still out on this one). He clearly knows what he likes (and doesn't) and I really wanted to capture that on a page - it hints at Meeley's personality and growing sense of style. You could do this page for anyone, including yourself - just think how fun it would be to look back on!

I decided to take it deeper by coming at it from a parent perspective - by taking a look at the things shaping (fashioning, influencing) him. We put a lot of thought into what our children are exposed to - for good reason. As I was preparing the lesson, a few things really hit home. I shared these personal reflections on the page I created.

I want my kids to know me. I want them to learn from me. Someday, they might realize we are a lot alike or that we have faced similar struggles or that the world is a completely different place. I want my albums to touch the lives of my grandchildren, great-grandchildren and beyond. Who knows how long I'll even be here? Maybe these albums will be the only influence I have on my children as they face life's challenges. I have many hopes, dreams, and prayers that I'd like them to know when the time is right. What if I'm not here to tell them?

love notes

I had to leave for my crop in the wee hours of the morning. It made me sad knowing I wouldn't see the boys all day. I left each a note, tucking it under their bedroom doors. They were sweet notes filled with love.

After arriving home, I stumbled upon this note in front of our bedroom door. Apparently, Ren had been inspired to leave one for the hubby... Just click on the picture to enlarge!

Everyday Answers

I spent the entire day preparing for tomorrow's Faithbooking Crop. After finishing up, I decided to browse through Joyce Meyer's website. What a wonderful resource! Just click HERE to find a list of 50+ articles. If you ever find yourself feeling stressed, depressed, overworked, worried, crabby, bored, sad, scared, or frustrated, check it out! You'll find tons of biblically-based, practical tips for dealing with the woes of everyday life.

Everyday answers from an everyday God.

my hip & cool friend

I met my friend Sharon this morning for coffee at the Spyhouse Espresso Bar and Gallery in Minneapolis. She laughed when I told her she was my "cool friend"... some of you may remember my blog entry about the "hip, cool & extreme" purse. The purse was, of course, hers. The choice of today's venue was, of course, hers. Oh, and did I mention her husband is in a band?

Our entire morning was one, giant God Moment. Talk about cool.

I see Amy, I see Teresa, I see Molly...

I might be dating myself but do you remember the show Romper Room? My sister Stacey and I used to sit in front of the television for hours, just waiting for our names to be called. I also had a thing for The Shazam!/Isis Hour, The Land of the Lost, and my all-time favorite Electra Woman & Dyna Girl. I seriously think I need to create a scrapbook page about each of these shows - my kids get a kick out of things like that. As I've been preparing this post, adding links and video for each of these shows, it has stirred up a lot of fun memories. Mainly feelings... how it felt to be a young girl. Carefree, creative, and playful. I am still creative but have seriously lost touch with the carefree and playful parts. Although some of that comes with age, I don't think it needs to stay that way!

Journaling Ideas: Take a trip with me down memory lane! What are some of your old favorites? Was there a television or radio show you were completely wrapped up in as a young child? Take some time to journal about those shows. What did you enjoy most about them? What feelings do they stir up? What do you like to watch now?

lunch on the fly

O taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who trusts in Him. ~Psalm 34:8

A faithbooking lesson from the remains of lunch. Who would have thunk it? The phrase "trust in" comes from a Hebrew word that means "to take refuge in" or "to hide in" or "to hide with." It suggests a secret place of concealment.

When life rages around you (a friend has hurt your feelings, your child is sick, you miss a deadline), bring it to God in prayer. Instead of wallowing in fear, pain, or pity - take it to Him. The Lord will be your refuge.

Here are some great verses to pray over your situation:

• Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life, O Lord. Psalm 138:7

• You are my hiding place, Lord; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

• The Lord will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11

Remember.

I came across the following excerpt in my Life Application Study Bible:

How strong is God? It is easy to trust God when we see His mighty acts (the Israelites saw many), but after a while, in the routine of daily life, His strength may appear to diminish. God doesn't change, but our view of Him often does. The monotony of day-by-day living lulls us into forgetting how powerful God can be. As Moses learned, God's strength is always available.

This speaks directly to my faithbooking heart. Most of us have a difficult time just noticing God's hand in our daily lives. Unfortunately, even when He moves powerfully, the memory fades. We forget how thoroughly the Lord provided for us and instead of trusting Him at the next hint of trouble, we moan and complain.

This is what God calls us to do:

• Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you life. Deuteronomy 4:9

• Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children and their children to the next generation. Joel 1:3

• I will praise you O Lord with my whole heart; I will recount and tell aloud your marvelous works and wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

• Earnestly remember the marvelous deeds that He has done, His miracles and wonders... Psalm 105:5

• Let this be recorded for the next generation and the generations to come so they will praise God. Psalm 102:18

Several years ago, I experienced a season of loss that dramatically changed my life. Looking back, I can now see how God gently prepared me for what was to come. Here's my story:

I wasn't really sure of where I was with my faith but wanted to try my hand at faithbooking. There was a buzz about it amongst my consultant friends and I wanted in. I began with a "prayer album," writing down my prayers and leaving the opposite page blank. The intention was to complete it once the prayer had been answered.

Over time the pages began to fill and my faith began to rise. The prayers became detailed requests that were answered time and time again. It was then that I experienced the first of three devastating losses. It seemed natural for me to pour my grief out into an album. I filled it with verses that spoke to my heart and used it to record my God Moments - purposeful connections, acts of love and kindness, extraordinary coincidences. God used that tender time to open my eyes and heart to His Son. I wrote it all down.

In the difficult months that followed, I turned to those words. They were written in great detail so I was able to recall and remember all that He'd done for me the first time. It gave me strength and encouragement when I needed it most. He became bigger than my circumstances.

God means to be noticed and wants to be remembered.

"When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware that God is enough." ~Maude Royden

still learning...

We had a photo shoot with our friends next door. It was a beautiful location (Schaars Bluff). I couldn't wait to get home to upload the photos but was sorely disappointed when I did. The camera settings were off. I didn't use enough flash. Missed moments because of my many mistakes. Ugh!

On the bright side, I learned a lot from yesterday's blunders. Expect the unexpected. Try new things. Adjust and readjust. Step out and try something different. Hmmm... sounds a lot like life.

can't help myself...

Here's one more! Leo is such a fun cat - he reminds me so much of Roxy. When I was a little girl, I really wanted a cat. I remember once even taking a wild kitten from the woods near our home and begging my parents to let me keep it (all while it hissed and scratched from the box). I was desperate for a fuzzy companion.

My dream came true after moving out on my own. A friend gave me a gorgeous black and white longhair for Christmas; I named her Roxanne. Roxy for short. We had many years together before she died at the ripe age of fifteen.

My sister loved Roxy but was hesitant to become a cat owner herself. She wanted one with Roxy's striking personality and was afraid of being disappointed. Who would have guessed the two would be so similar?! Leo likes to play hide-and-seek and has a thing for toys (both strong Roxy characteristics). He's also very vocal and takes kindly to being spoken to in baby talk.

It's nice to be reminded of my dear companion.

Journaling Ideas: Take some time to think about a favorite animal in your life. What kind of relationship did (or do) you have? What have you learned from the experience of owning a pet? Have you ever suffered the loss of a family pet? If so, what was the impact on you and your family? Do you have any goofy pet stories? Did (or does) your pet ever cause mischief?

photo shoot w/cat

My sister Stacey was kind enough to let me photograph her cat yesterday! Here is my favorite photo from the day but there were several others if you'd like to check them out (just scroll down and click on the Flickr photo button on the left-hand side of the page). This is Leo, my kitty nephew.

I am still looking for more subjects to photograph! Let me know if you're interested...

*scratch*scratch*

Are you itching to scrapbook? If so, the October Faithbooking Crop is right around the corner! Join us at Hosanna! Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 13 from 9:00 am-9:00 pm for a fun, FREE day of cropping (I'll even throw in some candy corn snack mix for good measure).

You'll receive tips and ideas for making your albums even meaningful through journaling. Beverages, snacks, and make-and-take supplies are included. Just shoot me an email at www.acvega@frontiernet.net to reserve a spot. Anyone. Everyone. No experience necessary! You do not need to be affliliated with Hosanna! to join us.