Friday, December 24, 2010

Day 24 White Christmas

I look out the window and it is snowing on this day of Christmas Eve!
This morning I was struck by the thought that Jesus became human. God himself humbled himself to become like us. And all this to save us, to make everything right for us. It is the most powerful, most beautiful, most amazing thing there is, has ever been and will ever be.
I am forever thankful for this gift. Thank you God for sending your son. Thank you for loving us more than we can imagine!

I wish you all a very merry Christmas. This is the end of the official Advent Calendar, but I am sure I will keep on writing about some thoughts and inspirations next week also as we're ending 2010.

White Christmas 2010

Much love

Ramona

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Day 23 The Night before

It is the Night before Christmas Eve and here I am wrapping presents, baking, writing cards to get everything done for tomorrow. I'm excited and this year have really made a choice to be more creative and make some things my own.
So today I decided to share some Christmas decoration around the appartment as well as some of what I've been making.


Hope you're getting all your Christmas preprations done.
Much Love

xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Day 22 Crafting

Only two more days until Christmas and the start of my two weeks vacation. I am so more than excited about getting some rest, spending time with my family, reading, going for walks, sleeping, watching movies that have been on my list forever and spending time with bestest of friends! It will be wonderful.
This year I have somewhat gotten into crafting some Christmas gifts so instead of buying or only printing out gift tags I decided to make my own and share the how-to. It is so simple that even I could do it :-)



These are the things you need. I got the brown card board at a craft shop. Also I made my own stencil of how I wanted the gift tag to look like.

I drew the gift tags on the cardboard and cut them out. Then I printed out some really cute Christmas vintage pictures to glue on there. I got them from here.
So I glued an image on one side and a writeable image on the other side.

Then I made wholes on the end and stuck the white rings around them. And voilá:


Hope you are enjoying every minute of this Christmas season, even the wrapping of presents, the crafting of cards or whatever it is you are preparing. This is a beautiful time of year!

xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Day 21 Layer by Layer

I am really super excited about this post because I waited to write it until I thought the time would have come and did not want to spoil this in the world.
So I found this video of a dance that is so incredibly beautiful and so perfectly describes the journey of my year.
The dance is about how we focus on the goal, how we push through, how we reach the end.
This year has really been a year of stretching and growing and moving forward and I feel like in order to become the woman God wants me to be layer by layer has to be taken off to be refined, renewed... yes naked before God's eyes so He can transform and conform me according to His will. Sometimes we want to go back to some of the old things, because it felt easier and pushing forward feels harder, but we have to focus on Him, knowing that He has the perfect plan, the happy ending, the fulfillment of your dreams, what your heart is longing for and ultimately He has an amazing calling for our life!

So... with these words, enjoy the video (for facebook readers please click "view original post" to see the video)...



Much love on this rainy December day

xoxo

Ramona

Monday, December 20, 2010

Day 20 For such a time as this

Monday afternoon. I'm still tired from the weekend. Tonight the rain washed away all the snow and I can only hope for a white Christmas.
This weekend got me thinking about the time that we live in. I believe God chose a very specific time for us to exist. We were born for such a time as this. We were born with a calling on our life. We were born to make our world, our environment a better place. We were born to be the change and help the people around and about us. There will not be a better time than now. You were chosen, called and equipped.
Don't doubt yourself, but see yourself the way God sees you (Psalm 139, Romans 8).

He is at work even if you don't see it!

xoxo

Ramona

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Day 19 Winter Wonderland

It is already the 4th Advent - time is passing so quickly. I have been enjoying a wonderful weekend and just wanted to share some of the bliss on last Sunday of Advent.

taking Melina out for her birthday dinner - Mexican food in Freiburg



Illuminate, the you(th) Christmas Party and the gorgeous Larissa and I


Melina and I enjoying a Saturday walk through the snow

Now of to a great start into the new week... the week before Christmas!

xoxo

Ramona

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Day 18 Off the cliff

The you(th) Christmas Party was so wonderful yesterday and I just simply ENJOYED it!
Today I want to share a video with you that my friend Joshua showed me today.
I haven't listened to Sigur Rós in a while but when I saw that music video it just inspired me to write about it.
You can interpret it the way you want to, but for me this is just beautiful in the end. Sometimes we have to run up a mountain, jump off the cliff and be in free fall, letting go of everything that holds us back. I love how they let it all go, strip off the things that weigh us down...
I know I have said that a lot this year but seriously, just let go and let God do the work He wants to do in your life!





xoxo

Ramona

Friday, December 17, 2010

Day 17 Illuminate

This week the theme seems to be Light and I love it because we are hosting our annual youth Christmas Party tonight that is themed "Illuminate" and will be so wonderful. I love how everything is coming together.
So... here's the flyer we have for the party and a beautiful Christmas songs that gets you all romantic and into the perfect Christmas mood.


you(th) Christmas Party 2010 flyer




Much Love

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day 16 The extra mile

Christmas lights in Vienna, 2009

This afternoon I treated myself with a sticky apple roll and it felt sooo good.
As I was thinking about today's post I knew that could not do an Advent calendar without at least posting one Sleepint at last song. In their December EP they have a song that is so deep and beautiful and as I read through the lyrics I knew this was it. This describes something I am feeling so wonderfully I have to share, it's called Accidental light.

on your mark, get set...
a million miles past the finish line
my heels lift
at this imaginary starting line.
the trigger slips;
my heart was racing well before it's time.
time's running out, it's always running out on me,
as the road up ahead disappears.

though it's all been said,
and this empty dictionary is all that's left,
i'll try to change the world in a single word.
my hands are shaking, ready or not.
invisible ink well it's all i've got.
so i'll concentrate and pick from these barren trees.

time's running out, it's always running out on me.
and every road i discover disappears under my feet -

some call it reckless, some call it breathing.

have i said too much or not enough?
is it overkill or is it giving up,
to measure out the distance of an echo's reach?

if it's all broken mirrors and a chance roll of the dice,
then i'll risk everything for a glimpse of accidental light.

time's running out, it's always running out on me,
and every road i've discovered disappears under my feet -

some call it reckless, i call it breathing.

xoxo

Ramona

PS: you can listen to the song here

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Day 15 A ray of light

Uuhh... another beautiful December day, candle burning, the smell of clementines in my nose, Sleeping at Last "December" tunes playing. I love the Christmas season and have made choice to stay in the Christmas mood. To purposely plan in pondering moments, to indulge in the beauty of Christmas.

This morning for example I chose to change up my routine as I knew I wouldn't get much down time today and in the next few days.
So I plugged in our Christmas tree and some other Christmas lights, enlighted some candles and had my coffee and Cereal at our actual table instead of the kitchen bar. As I was reading through Psalms I came across a beautiful verse I wanted to share today:

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the LORD and praise his holy name! (Psalm 97: 11)

Just imagine. God is shining His light on us, so why shouldn't people see Him in us. Be the change today!

our Christmas tree in 2009

xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Day 14 Good-bye

Today is the birthday of my beautiful best friend and housemate Melina. Happy Birthday,friend!

I had to say good-bye to quite a few things this year and had to let go of other things, like emotions from the past. Thoughts that I thought I couldn't think anymore but kept coming up again and other things.
The following video for me represents the pain, the emotions and everything you go through when saying good-bye, when letting go. I find it absolutely beautiful and it totally gives me chills.



xoxo

Ramona

Monday, December 13, 2010

Day 13 How to handle a busy life

It is Monday afternoon and we're entering the last two weeks before Christmas, before my Christmas break and I just want to take a couple of minutes to write, reflect and ponder a couple of thoughts.
First of all I have to say that I believe that a stressful life is a choice, a malfunctioning time management and that it doesn't just happen to you. Yes, we may have a lot on our plate to handle, there might be a lot going on but getting into the feeling of stress is something we sort of do to ourselves.
That having been said I want to give you a few how to's in planning and managing your time where you still get to have time for yourself.
And let me tell you, I used to be Ms no-plan, unorganized, crazy person, all over the place... but I have learned... so I guess that sort of gives me a right of a say :-)

1. Make a list
I have become a huge fan of to do lists. Escpecially within the extremely "busy" times of Christmas where there is one party after another I sit down at the beginning of each week to plan what I want to get done each day of that week.
Don't try to do it all in one day or one night but rather structure it so you do a little each day (and that coming from me is a BIG step).

2. Sort through your to dos
Maybe you do not even know where to start with all your to dos. Maybe you have an overflow of tasks required from you. Take piece of paper and go through all your emails, tasks, in whatever way you have them and write them down. Then make a to do list out of them.

3. See the big picture
Sometimes we have the feeling like we're lost in detail and cannot see the end. Take some time to write out what you you want to do, what you have to do and clear your mind

4. Take a break, enjoy the moment
See, when you plan your things well, you will be able to just sit down (without a bad conscience), watch a movie, have coffee with a friend and enjoy the life you're living. Don't let it rush by. Enjoy every precious second of it. Do it on purpose and don't get lost in being busy. You choose to enjoy your life.

at the ONE Christmas Party 2010 - perfect Christmas feeling
xoxo

Ramona

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Day 12 Pondering Moments

via Geoff Benzing - I love his artwork

There have to be moments in our life where we take the time to look into the stars and just be astonished by the beauty God created. It's these moments of pondering, thinking and watching where we become quiet and listen to God's voice.

Happy 3rd Advent!

xoxo

Ramona

Day 11 Commit to the Mountain

Swiss Alps on our Leadership retreat

Sometimes in life a season ends. Sometimes we think that something comes to an end. And maybe it has been something we have been longing for so desperately, maybe the end of a dream, the end of a season in life.
And that end can scare us for we do not know what will come afterwards.
I have been at that moment this year, actually only a couple months ago. But! Oh BUT! When something comes to an end it does not mean that you are finished!
When Jesus died on the cross it was an end, but it was not finished! How I love that!
When this one season this year ended, a season that endured for a while, a season of climbing another mountain I wasn't finished. I didn't have to be scared. Because I wasn't finished! Something ended, but I kept on going, I kept on growing and now I can look back and can see Jesus work in the process!

I guess I just want to encourage you that the best days are still ahead of you. This might be the end of something, but it sure is the beginning of something else. Maybe you have reached a certain point on the way up the mountain and you feel like giving up. Maybe in the middle of momentum, in the middle of a successful climb you have lost hope. There is only one way though and that's up the mountain. Commit to it. You are not finished because Jesus is not only the beginning, he is also the end. He is Alpha and Omega!

xoxo

Ramona


Saturday, December 11, 2010

Day 10 Eternal Memories

Tonight was a beautiful night with the 20somethings group in my church, ONE... campfire, marshmallow roasting, hot chocloate. We were up in the forest and just enjoyed it.
Life is good.

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Day 9 Contentment

I love my life. That is what I have been thinking today. Sometimes I think I could totally freak out about my life and how full it is especially during this time of the year. But today I sat here and a couple of things just beautifully came together and I was so being myself, flowing in creativity, thinking about things, planning and when it comes down to it I was just content and happy in that very moment.
And I love being back at this place because there have been many moment this year where my life felt like chaos and confusion and I wasn't sure where I was going or what would happen.
Yet this moment today still makes me so happy and my eyes well up with tears because I am doing what I am suppossed to be doing. I am following God's plan for my life every day step by step.

So I just want you to enjoy this moment today which is why I am posting this beautiful video of a dance that I love. The dance represents that moment of complete contentment when time flies (for facebook viewers please click "View original post" in order to see the video).

xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Day 8 Be yourself

I had already planned on writing about Being yourself when I found this today:


I must say that I have learned quite my share on how important it is to be yourself this year. When you start comparing yourself or start trying to be somebody you're not, you're losing momentum in your life (see Pastor Brian Houston's messages on Momentum!!! So good).

It is so very important that we are who God created us to be. We have to follow His will for our life and what He has for us and thinks about us. Because only in Him will we ever find true contentment, rest, peace and that will make us feel at ease.

This year I have had quite a lot of moments where I felt awkward, out of normal, not being myself, but once you get back to being yourself... ahh... I prosper, I am creative and God can use me.

So my encouragement today is to just be yourself.

xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Day 7 Boldness

It is 4pm on a grey December day and I just lit my little candle. I'm enjoying some herb tea, Michael Bublé Christmas tunes playing and getting in the Christmas mood.

Recently I found a quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe that I would love to share because it bares truth. But since Goethe was a German writer I would feel utterly bad if posting the quote only in English.
So you will get the beautiful German and the English version.

"Was immer du tun kannst oder wovon du träumst - fange es an. In der Kühnheit liegt Genie, Macht und Magie."


"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genuis, power and magic in it."


Isn't that just wonderful. It reminds me and confirms that we must follow our dream. I know that God gives us dreams for a reason and this year God has confirmed quite a few of them again.
Today I want to encourage you to begin, live your dreams, start them, be bold!

up Pikes Peak in 2009 - I didn't climb that mountain but have climbed quite a mountain this year. But I was bold and went on a journey and learned so much about myself.


xoxo

Ramona

Monday, December 6, 2010

Day 6 Mad World

It's the 6th of December which means it's St. Nikolaus day. When I was a kid there would always be a boot filled with candy and nuts in front of my door. Today I wondered why we are celebrating this day and researched the history of St. Nikolaus.

I guess today I just simply want to point out that we take away our focus from ourselves. Especially during the Christmas time we are so "busy" that we tend to forget that there is a lost and broken world out there. I know all the organisations want money around Christmas time, but this is really something we must think about and act on all throughout the year. Jesus said "The poor will always be with you". He also said "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" (Math. 25:40).

I strongly believe that we have to reach out and be the hands and the feet of Jesus. We are the solution. We as the church are the answer to humanity in its entirety.
So I am asking you. Where are you the change? Where are you making a difference? Where do you reach out to the least of these?
There are so many ways of getting involved in your community and globally. If there is nothing in the context of your church, start something! This is our responsibility and our calling. And every little move will make a difference. Nothing is too small or too insignificant. Even if you make somebody smile. You brightened this person's day.



xoxo

Ramona

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Day 5 Cielo

Hey, hope you all had a great Sunday!
There is a lot going on in my heart that I am not able to share, so I'm leaving you with a beautiful song on this 5th day of Dezember, the second advent!






xoxo

Ramona

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Day 4 Change

on our Leadership retreat this year.


"Change is not a part of your life. Change is your life."

I like that idea, because we should constantly be growing and learning. That doesn't mean not getting rest, it simply means that you always have something to work out, you're always reaching out to get closer to God, to understand His word more each day.

So, are you willing to be changed? Are willing to grow even if it hurts a little?

Much love

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, December 3, 2010

Day 3 Friends

Today's post is about friends.
Every Friday morning I go to prayer at church at 6am. And I just love it because I get to have breakfast with my best friends plus we unite in prayer and make a difference. Is there anything better?

I must say that the friends I have are really something special and rare and I am more than thankful for them. I would not like to do life without them.

Melina's graduation banquet in 2007 - Best friends for life

Therefore I just want to encourage you to surround yourself with good friends, people you can trust, people you are accountable to, people who have full allowance to speak into your life.
Once you have found that. It will be like a treasure in your hand. Keep it carefully, love them, be forgiving.

Much love

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day 2 Christmas Presents

It is 4:17 on a beautiful Thursday afternoon and I'm ready for my second post of the Christmas Calendar. Just lit my little candle on the desk and am enjoying some coffee and chocolate. Bliss.

Today during my lunch break I went to a little shop downtown to pick up some Christmas presents and it got me thinking about the whole buying gifts, commercialization of Christmas and how people just run around to find "something".

I personally love preparing, buying and thinking of Christmas presents for my friends. I usually make a list of all the people I want to give something to and then I try to think of something special.
I believe that Christmas presents do not always have to be something bought. They just need to be something thoughtful. Yes it takes a little bit more effort, but if you want to escape all the shopping-mania, that's the way to do it.
So I guess, this post is just to encourage you and help you come up with a few ideas. So, here's a list of things you can give that are inexpensive, yet thoughtful, loving and special:

- give time. Make or if you're not crafty, buy a card and give somebody time that you are going to spend with this person. A coffee, a shopping trip, a breakfast... whatever it is you guys like
- bake something. That is something I have started 2 years ago. It takes some time to prepare, but people love it. Plus, it shows them that you took the time to create something that they are about to enjoy.
- host a dinner party. This falls into the category of giving time, yet you invite people to your home, you cook something. If you're out of time, this can be great because it can also be hosted within the following year. Just make sure you really fulfill what promised.
- make a photo collage. I've always loved receiving these presents. It's awesome because somebody reminds you of all the great memories you had together.

In my family the whole tradition of giving gifts is a feast unheard of. We gather around the tree and give presents for hours. We laugh, we joke, we're weird and whimsical. We celebrate each gift and enjoy it. I love it. It is always the highlight of the night.

Hope you're enjoying your day taking a couple minutes to ponder about Christmas.
my sister and I joking around the Christmas tree in 2008

Mucho Love

xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day 1 Slow Down

on a walk through the snow.

Today at around 2 pm it started to snow and within minutes everything was covered in a beautiful white blanket.
On my way home from work the earth was so calm and quiet it made me think of this season. This season really should not be about business and stress, but really about remembering what it is all about. And I guess this is why I am doing this calender: To remind myself to slow down and think, slow down and remember that Christ the savior was born and everything should point towards him. Everything is beautiful in this season with snow... everything dipped in white shimmer, making everything glow. Nature praises him - we should too.

xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

T'is the Season

As we're starting off the Christmas season I remembered the Christmas Calendar from last year and have decided to do one again this year.
Every day until Christmas I will take a couple of minutes and ponder about something, share quotes, videos, songs, thoughts. That way we slow down in this busy season and remember what it is really about: Advent... the coming, the beginning, the preparation to the greatest thing in history. The birth of Jesus Christ!

So... stay with me for the next 24 to 30 days... let's purposely take time to slow down.


xoxo

Ramona

PS: Also added some beautiful Christmas music by Michael Buble to the bar on the left side.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Solitude


Taken on a trip to Furtwangen

Sometimes I get into this mood where it feels like I just want to be alone. Like I just want to draw back and hide in my little shell. It's not like it happens often and it sometimes feels strange because I am definitely not the kind of person who needs a lot of "me-time".
Today is one of these days and I don't even know how to find the time to think the things through that are in my mind. I would just like to sit there and ponder and write my journal and just sort of figure it out. I just want to spend time with God, alone in my room.

xoxo

Ramona

Monday, November 22, 2010

Colors of the Wind

I have to admit that I love the old Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast, Arielle and the Lion King, but my absolute favorite of all times is Pocahontas. I've seen it so many times and just recently as I've watched quite a few Disney movies (Pocahontas, The Lion King, Prince of Persia) this beautiful song came again to me... ahhh.. so good that I have to share it:



Hope you have a great week.

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Good food and cookie dough ice cream

A lot of things have been going on lately and I'm sometimes just amazed how much strength and endurance and extra time God gives me. It's miraculous.
Well, tonight was sort of my night off and I decided to treat myself with some good food, some dance stretching, pampering and finally some good old Ben&Jerry's cookie dough ice cream.

I made a joghurt dip with some frozen herbs and curry from India to dip the carrots and cooked broccoli. I love cooked broccoli. It has an amazing taste.



I still had some romaine lettuce left that I tossed with some balsamico and olive oil.


We don't grow sweet potatoes here so to eat them is always a treat. I found this really simple and fast recipe where all you do is cover them in some olive oil and toast them in the oven for like 40 minutes. They were delicioso.


My co-worker told about this. It's chicory sprinkled with cheese that melts in the oven. Man, was it good.

And for dessert I had cookie dough ice cream which I simply LOVE! If I were to pick my favorite ice cream place I would totally say Cold Stone and that although I live in Europe where we get amazing gelato everywhere, but... Cold Stone it is. I have so many good memories of that place.

Anyway... hope you'll enjoy your weekend. I sure will.

xoxo

Ramona

PS: Sorry the photo quality isn't the best... only had my phone camera with me.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Nerdy Bowling, a Wedding and lots of Michael Bublé

I normally don't always post about all the things that are happening on my weekend, but I have had quite an interesting one filled with awesome music, dance recaps, nerdiness and a wedding.

ONE is the 20somethings group in my church which I lead. On Friday we headed out for some nerdy bowling fun.

I must admit I am ususally not the kind of person who is all for bowling, but with the right group of people and nerdy outfits it was total fun!

Oh... I have been listening to the newest Michael Bublé album all weekend long because it is sooo amazing! On Friday I had watched some of my favorite So you think you can dance routines and one of the them is to this Michael Bublé song which totally got me hooked to his music again.



You can also listen to the album in my music widget on the left side. It is sooo good!

On Saturday I went to a cute little wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and my pastor preached really well. Yet... weddings kind of make me sentimental and I had to remind myself constantly of some of the choices I had made last week. It is so interesting that often times you make choices, you move big steps forward and then you take little steps back because it is a fight that you are fighting. But I know I have victory over this. I am not afraid. I move on.

Anyways... so my weekend was fun, yet filled with some sadness, but over all I think I am still stepping forward. I'm excited to see what this week will bring.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, November 12, 2010

Step forward

I am a big fan of So you think you can dance and a lot of dances just simply speak to my heart, express exactly what I might be going through at that time. It is like I wrote in my post about Art in the Church that art touches the depth of your heart.
At the beginning of summer I blogged about Letting go and this week about Giving up and it is just so awesome to see how it fits together and how I regain freedom and clarity and peace and rest and ease. I love it.
So... to round this up I want you to see this beautiful dance that I keep going back to in various seasons because it is one of these pieces of art that goes straight into my heart.
Hope you enjoy it. It's called "Fear".



xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Quote of the Day

Ok... I admit it... Sleeping at Last is one of my absolute favorite bands and their lyrics always struck me. Sometimes in the middle of a day when I listen to them a line might stand out and touch me so deeply I want to cry (seriously!!!)

So the following words are pure beauty and amazing... imagine somebody writing this for you. I would probably melt.

"If time is money, then I'll spend it all for you
I will buy you flowers with the minutes we outgrew
I'll turn hours into gardens, planted just for us to take
I'll be reckless with my days, building castles in your name"
xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Giving up


Sometimes in life we have to give things up. Things come to an end.
I had to do this quite often in my life. Like, giving up this certain TV Show because it was not good for me. Giving up friends or a boyfriend.
If I were to put language over the last couple of months it has all been about letting go and giving up. There have been situations where things from my past would come up and would really tear me down. Things I didn't even know they were still there. Very uncomfortable feelings that rose and that scared me because I thought I was stronger or had overcome these kind of things. But then again it was good that it came up because it gave me the chance to deal with it. I was able to completely let it go and and be freed in these areas.
And then there have been things that I really wanted or hoped for or thought were right and I had to find out that they are not. They just hold me back from becoming the person I should be and so I have given up. And there are still things where I have to figure out how to give them up and move forward, like certain ministries in church where I have put too much on my plate instead of asking God what he wants to put on my plate and he never gives us too much and all these things were probably right. Yet I have come to a place of wanting to move on. I want to be the Leader He wants me to be. I want to minister to people the BEST way I can.
So, I'm still trying to figure it all out, trying to make the right choices. And it is all a process. A process of becoming the woman God wants me to be...

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." ~ Proverbs 4:34

xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Ribbon into Bow




















It is November which means that the new Sleeping at Last EP is out. The EP starts soft and quietly with "Bright and Early", a truly beautiful song. I feel like their lyrics never get old and never repeat themselves. They are always truly beautiful. Always truly authentic and real. And always poetic in a way it touches my heart.

"Cause if trust is ribbon
then patience ties it
in a perfect bow"

These are the last lines of "Bright and Early" and ever since I read these lines I cannot but ponder about them. What a beautiful pictures this makes.
Sometimes we just simply have to wait for things or to wait on things. But in all that there is trust, hope that what is deep in our hearts will find its way to reality.

xoxo

Ramona

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Awake and live your dream

We could call this Day 2 of trying to express what is in my head and in my heart, what I have learned and heard and processed at conference.
But how can you express something that you felt so deep in your heart. Something that God said to you, something you shouted out to Him? It is something so deep and amazing that I feel I don't want to put it online for the world to read, yet I want to express myself, because that is the way I process things. I talk. I write. I dance.
Do you know the feeling when something is best expressed by music? Like it is following you as the Soundtrack of your life. The music your life writes accompanied with the music currently on your playlist?
Well, this song is one of them. It came to me at the perfect moment in time.
Here it is. Enjoy.



xoxo

Ramona

Monday, October 18, 2010

In the Meantime...

So, here I am on a Monday afternoon with so many thoughts in my head that I would like to write out, but cannot seem to gather in a proper way.
I still don't have a new journal to write down all my wild and crazy ponderings, but I'll sure order one soon - very soon because it is so needed now.
This morning on my walk to work all of a sudden I knew I had to finally start writing about some of the things that God has been working on me lately.
Two weeks ago I went to Munich for work and then flew off to London-Town for the Hillsong Conference. It is always a very inspiring and amazing conference with lots to take in.

One of the things which really spoke to me was a message by Judah Smith where he talked about the dreaded "Meantime". It is the time in between, the waiting time, the time where you do not know what is going to happen. All you can do is trust, trust that one day you will find that place you will step into your calling and BE there.
Apparently I have found myself in that place fo a while now, still walking, still trusting, but always knowing that God IS faithful and that He is bringing me there. You go through the valleys and you climb the mountains, but you enjoy every single bit of the journey. You enjoy every single day knowing that you want to be faithful with what God has put in your hands NOW.

So this message just spoke to me and encouraged me to keep on going. At the same time, God has put some pretty amazing things on my heart at conference. He restored some of my dreams and reminded me of some of the dreams he had put there years ago. This in combination with that message was just the best.
It also reminds me of the time when I wrote about The Exciting times of waiting.

I just thank God for reminding me of these things again.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, October 15, 2010

Side by Side

Good Morning people,

ok... don't know if it is actually morning where you are, but it sure is where I am. 8 am. Still cannot write about all of the things in my heart and what has happened at conference, but I will.
But to not spare you of words I want to share the lyrics of this beautiful song with you. It is (of course) by Sleeping at Last (by the way you should totally check out their Yearbook project) and is called Side by Side:

A single voice
In an ocean of constant noise,
But somehow our ears were trained
To recognize when we hear you call our name.

Side by side,
Every movement was memorized,
Choreographed before
The schools of fish were born.
Their patterns and plans align,
All in a glorious effort to survive.

There is no language for what we've seen,
Only the sweetness that bends us to our knees,
And all of these fumbling words
To explain what it means,
But out hearts were buried deep in the sand.

The sea unlocks
Like the lid of a music box.
It shivers with foreign sound,
As long as the gears stay wound
The whales will sing their song
All in a glorious effort to be strong.

There's no need to be afraid,
Overwhelming love cascades.
The melody will rise and swell
As it finds its way inside the shell.

The mouth is a mirror,
The mouth is a mirror,
The mouth is a mirror.
We must watch what we say.

There is no language for what we've seen,
Only the sweetness that bends us to our knees,
And all of these fumbling words
To explain what it means,
But our hearts were buried deep in the sand


Isn't that just pure beauty in words?

Monday, October 11, 2010

Back... not yet

I am back from a week of traveling, first to Munich for a business trip and then to London for the Hillsong Conference.
There is so much on my heart and mind and so many things that I would like to tell you about, write about and figure out, but I just cannot seem to find the words yet.
I think I have to sit down and just write it all out. I feel like I need to take the time to let it all sink in. And then I will write here, share my thoughts...

So... I'll be back soon...

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Shepherd

Recently I have been pondering about shepherds and their sheep as on a recent hike I saw a shepherd standing there in pouring rain, just watching his sheep.
It's kind of a cool story, so I better just start in the beginning:

We (that is 2 of my collegues from work and I) went on a hike at the highest mountain in this area called Feldberg. It is truly beautiful up there at this time of the year, no snow yet. Also, the weather was really stormy and rainy which I actually loved.
At one point of the hike it was just pouring rain when we saw this person standing there like a rock. When we came closer we saw he was a shepherd watching his sheep. What stood out to me was that all the sheep were turned towards him, standing real close to each other:
I loved that picture and just thought about the image Jesus gave us of Him being the shepherd. It was so beautiful to see with my own eyes what He meant in John 10.
I just saw the picture of how we have to hold on to the Shepherd at all times (and weathers) because He will always be there for us. Also we have to have community with each other to warm each other, to be there for each other especially in the cold and stormy times.
So let's go, let's do that!

What have you pondered about recently?

xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Art in the Church

Today I read a great article in the Relevant Newsletter which was called Why Art should matter to Christians.
The article describes how art is losing its worth in our society by reducing it to a product that has only worth if it sells. Art is therefore reduced to a consumer product.
But,
"Modern culture has forgotten that art is worthy without first having to prove it’s worth."*

Art matters - also within the context of the church. I believe often times the church sees art as something that can only be positive and preppy and nice, when art in fact should show feelings, should shake us by showing what is going on in our world. Art, may it be dance, music, poetry, paintings has the ability to speak right to our heart, it touches our feelings and can transcend us.
I believe we cannot abandon art from (especially) our churches. If we believe in a creating God, then we believe in a creative God also. A God who created this earth, who was able to make such beauty as the Alps, such powerful oceans and He cared for every detail. God is the ultimate artist. Therefore art should be appreciated and supported in our churches. This can be done in so many different and beautiful ways.
Sometimes we just have to look around us to find people with amazing creative potential. We must encourage this potential.

"[Art] is an acknowledgement that something eternal and full of truth lies behind the temporal world in which we live. It focuses our eyes on the pain around us, the injustice in front of us, the joy abounding within us, and the pull we feel towards meaning and significance. Music moves us. Poetry connects us. Paintings shout at us. Dance energizes us. Art draws us back into the fold of humanity when we wander out full of pain, discouragement, and bitterness. It whispers, “You are not alone.”"*

xoxo

Ramona


* quoted from "Why Art should matter to Christians" by Melissa Kircher

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A letter to Nature

Dear Nature,

I am sitting in my office looking outside seeing you. I see the beauty of the sun and the deep blue sky.
Right now I wish to be close to you, to dance on your hilltops and to swim in your sea. I want to sleep under the moon and the stars or play in the river.
I wish I could run on your green pastures. I wish I could lie in your grass with the sun warming my body.
I miss you. I miss your sound, the music you play.

I love you nature.

xoxo

Ramona


hiking on our youth leadership retreat 2007 in the beautiful Swiss Alps

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Quote of the Day

As most of you know Sleeping at Last is one of my absolute favorite bands. Every single song is a masterpiece of poetry and I have quoted them so often on this blog. Hence today's quote is by them too:

But we can't dream when we're wide awake
Or fall in love with a heart too strong to break.

Wow... I mean... wow... this is so true.
Do you sometimes feel like you are losing some dreams or like your forget about them?
Is your heart too far hidden behind walls?

xoxo
Ramona

Monday, September 13, 2010

Campfour 2010

As most of you know I have been on camp this summer to work with the youth from my church. Like I said it was an amazing time and it is really hard to put into words when something so wonderful happens.
But fortunately our camp video is finished and ready to watch.
Go enjoy...



this was our camp. The camp that changed lives.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, September 10, 2010

The Nutella blog

Yes, you heard me. I am writing a blog about Nutella. Ok, I'm from Germany, we all grow up with it, eat it since we were little and always have it at home. It is basic food to us.

Anyways, lately there has been some sort of a discussion among my friends whether or not you should eat it with or without butter on the bread.


I personally prefer it without butter. There are two main reasons why I do so:

1. you can use more Nutella and not feel too bad about it.
2. when you use butter it tastes like fat, without butter it tastes like chocolate.

So here you have it... I like Nutella without butter.

How do you eat your Nutella?

xoxo
Ramona

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The book you can do with whatever you want!

Ok... just found the coolest gift idea. It is a book that you write and finish:



click on the book to view it.

For all the English speaking people, the pages say things like, put dirt on this page or throw something colorful on this page and so on. So cool... I love the idea...

xoxo

Ramona

Be with you

I have been listing to Joshua Radin already for a while now and really like his music. It is very soft, sometimes a little mellow, but always good.
Today I want to share a song with you which I really like. I love the words and the feeling of the song, so go enjoy:



xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The last taste of Summer

September, oh sweet September. They are usually wonderful and sunny here in southern Germany. September feels like the last rays of summer sun and the first taste of fall. I love the fall and cannot wait for it to start.
I know I haven't posted much in a while. I have been on Campfour in Tuscany, Italy. It was an amazing time with the most amazing youth. I wish I could tell you all about it, but it is so much and it was so incredibly awesome.
One thing I want to mention though is that we could not have done without the amazing team we are. Best friends, fellow warriors, together!

Here are two pictures, one from each camp:




And now fall is approaching and there is a lot going on and I really feel like God is shaping my dreams, clearing some of the undeveloped polaroids in my life. I feel that there will be answers to a couple of questions soon. And I am excited and cannot wait. All I want is to follow Jesus more than ever before. I want more of him in my life. I want to be closer.

So, whatever Fall may bring, I am ready.

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Summer of Hope


Today my summer hast officially started as I am entering a three and a half weeks break. The thought of not working for this long is not sitting with me yet, but it will sure start tomorrow as we leave for Campfour 2010. I will be at Camp for the next two weeks, so enjoy your summer, enjoy your time.

xoxo

Ramona

Monday, August 2, 2010

Summerrain


Another thing I love about summer is rain... ok, that sounds strange... I love the warm and steamy rain of summer, the sudden flood of water. Just the other week it was one of these really hot days we were all waiting for the thunderstorm and the rain to clear the air when finally around midnight it started raining. So we all went outside and stood in the rain, ran, laughed, got refreshed, it was wonderful.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, July 30, 2010

Summer Love and Festivals

Finally the sun is back and it is supposed to be hot again tomorrow. I'm happy.
Ok, so summer is also festival time and we have a festival here called Kieswerk Open Air. It's the best location ever and so much fun. They show movies every night throughout a whole week. On top of that there's food stands and a band playing and an art show. It's awesome.
I only had my cell phone with me, but the photos turned out ok.
This area has been one of my favorite places to bike recently. It's so open and calm and natural and beautiful.
This is where the festival is at. The sky was beautiful yesterday. It is such a cool area and the screen is huge.

That is an extremely old house that they use as an art room and exhibition room now. The art show was really cool and was called Crossing Borders.
Ok, so that trailer was one of my favorite things of the festival because they sold coffee and crepe and this really nice couple own it. I mean... I would love to travel in such a thing for a summer and see things.
Me and my lovely roomate and best friend right before the movie started!

I love summer!

xoxo

Ramona

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