tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53604812011-07-08T02:51:07.876-07:00Created for MoreMusings about God, relationships, justice, compassion and more.DeAnzanoreply@blogger.comBlogger1251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-54200724413943459772010-01-07T21:09:00.000-08:002010-01-07T21:12:31.947-08:00So with a new year comes new changes and new blog space... If you have followed my blog and been one of the folks who have encouraged me to upgrade and make some changes to my webblog-- good news-- I listened. You can now find my blog here.DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-31039542326276271642009-12-26T11:12:00.000-08:002009-12-26T11:12:42.572-08:00Story.Will I own mine?Will you own yours?I am mixed. I am bi-racial, hoppa-- half.My mom is a Filipina from Hawaii. My father, Norwegian and raised in Seattle. Every school I went to-- every church we were a part of-- there were very few, if any, who were like us-- mixed.Christmas was always the hardest time of the year for me. During this part of the year it was hard for me not to feel just DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-6684172302221946772009-11-30T15:06:00.000-08:002009-12-13T19:52:02.495-08:00That's not enough.The notion that some may not support, believe in or acknowledge women in leadership unless there is a situation where no one else (ahem, ahem-- other guys) steps up to lead seems a little shady. I mean really folks do we want to go down this slippery slope? Now if you're wondering if I conjured this up on my own... I assure you I have not. This is an idea I have heard on DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-18103871916275092122009-11-23T10:49:00.000-08:002009-11-24T19:14:35.264-08:00It's on.I am so thrilled to be sharing in the news of my friend and collegue, Leah Klug who will be starting a church plant here in Seattle... The vision-- reaching new people, reaching more people.Yesterday was Leah's last Sunday at Quest and celebrating this call on her life has been one of inspiration for me. We have been on staff together for approximately 8 years. She was the first cafe DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-29905398478614952292009-11-18T06:50:00.000-08:002009-11-30T15:21:55.179-08:00Women in Leadership-- Is this for real?I know, I know there's been lots of hot debate on the topic of women in leadership. From the political arena where Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin were throwing their hat in the ring of the 2008 elections to our very local Seattle context where a certain hip, cool, conservative, preacher type touts that a real woman's place is behind a stove while only DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-26900561017555970802009-09-01T12:13:00.000-07:002009-11-30T15:22:51.783-08:00To love.In Henri Nouwen's book, Intimacy, he asks about the possibility of love by stating, "Is love a Utopian dream or a possibility within our reach?" As I've been picking up my pen and paper to begin the song writing process this has been the question that I've continued to play out over and over in my mind. Perhaps it is the fact that I am getting older and maybe even growing more cynical,DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-5049404125686598722009-08-03T21:01:00.000-07:002009-08-03T21:34:08.334-07:00I am special.The title of this entry is not meant to be some arrogant exclamation. No, instead it is the descriptor of my personality style measured by the Enneagram personality assessment. I am currently attending a class in Chicago for the denominations ordination track entitled: Vocational Excellence. I just got here today (which hopefully I will have energy and time to share stories of my DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-18568597174762945492009-07-13T12:54:00.001-07:002009-07-13T14:22:50.502-07:00Why aren't we more compassionate? This, a question I've been asking myself for years.Below is a video featuring Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author, exploring his insights on compassionate responses in our culture. It seems rather bleak-- not completely hopeless but definitely disturbing. Goleman speaks to the reality that most of us only respond compassionately when we get something out DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-72092614936459578672009-06-29T10:05:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:35:46.455-07:00Here's to 13.It's hard to believe that 13 years ago today Frank and I were married. I ask myself, "Where has the time gone"? When people see our wedding picture they always ask me if it was legal that we were married. Don't hate-- it was the 90's. Yesterday I was asked what my passion was... I hadn't expected it but I got very emotional as I spoke about the passion I have for my children and DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-26315316859448622452009-06-08T10:34:00.000-07:002009-06-08T11:53:17.100-07:00Our sexuality in question...As a therapist and as a pastor who helps teach the premarital class at Quest I am reminded time and again through observation and conversation how far we are from having a full understanding and acceptance of our sexuality. We are deeply embedded in shame and denial of our sexuality as being a central part of who we are as humans. We've some how dichotomized our DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-5662348377074245882009-06-01T10:34:00.001-07:002009-06-02T11:31:20.988-07:00So it's inevitable that from time to time one will lose their mind, their bearings, their oh so deliberate grasp on life. Sometimes this is evidenced through a scattered brain, unable to get one's mind wrapped around any aspect of the various inputs that are streaming towards oneself while other times it is brought to light when one realizes there has been a whole lapse of time that has DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-64737176363479212222009-05-11T11:28:00.000-07:002009-06-02T11:32:14.604-07:00The Marriage CrucibleThis past weekend I taught the premarital class, a class I've been teaching for years. There are a few things in my work at Quest that I absolute delight in and look forward to-- this being one of them. It is an honor to join in the celebration of lives coming together to covenant and forge a shared path. I see on each face the joy and delight in embarking on the journey DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-26014981506846352732009-05-01T09:49:00.000-07:002009-05-01T11:29:40.185-07:00A couple o' thingsFirst off, I am so bummed that I missed the baptism service at the 5 o'clock last week. I usually do not miss that service when we offer it, because it's one of my favorite services and it is a powerful, powerful opportunity as a community. But I had to miss this past one, because it happened to be my daughters dedication day which meant a lot of family in town and family DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-91471254567419413332009-04-27T11:24:00.000-07:002009-04-27T15:06:15.747-07:00Yesterday we had the privilege of dedicating our sweet daughter, Fiona at a dedication service @ Quest. We feel so blessed to have a church community that has come around us to affirm our desire to raise Fiona to know God, to seek God and to love Him. We were also so incredibly blessed by the presence of our family and closest friends who have chosen to join us in this incredible commitment to DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-38372236429028899182009-03-23T09:30:00.000-07:002009-03-23T10:45:29.846-07:00Chris Brown, or not, it's not okay to beat your girlfriend.It has been disturbing and frustrating to read about people's apathetic responses to the pictures of Rihanna (girlfriend of Chris Brown) where her face was black and blue from an incident of abuse inflicted on her by Brown. The New York Times came out with an article about dating violence where young girls who are fans of Brown stated DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-82302554788495488272009-03-19T08:57:00.000-07:002009-03-19T22:08:21.066-07:00Why the Homeless??? The question that continues to plague us...This past Monday we held the Why the Homeless forum @ Quest. It was a great turn out, a great dialogue and a good start to what I hope to be a challenge for us as a church to care for the homeless. The evening started off with a question, "Can we live into a more compassionate humanity"? After years and years of seeing the homelessDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-22565995842125878932009-03-17T12:09:00.001-07:002009-03-18T10:00:40.165-07:00This week has been one of wrestling. Saturday was Craig's burial and Celebration of Life service. I can't begin to describe how amazed and blessed I felt to hear stories of Craig-- his tenacity for his family & friends, his commitment to investing in people and the love of God that was shown to others through Craig's life. I'll be honest I didn't know Craig very well, but I am honored to say DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-43496826588272361372009-03-09T14:05:00.000-07:002009-03-09T14:27:27.755-07:00 A friend of mine died this Saturday. Craig is a friend and brother of my community at Quest. Over the past two years he had been battling with brain cancer. He honestly, fought it so bravely and tenaciously, as he sought to be a presence to his wife and two small children. Craig made the most of his time-- although, the amount of time he had was uncertain, he fought to utilize his time in DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-74582227016709748782009-03-03T10:22:00.001-08:002009-03-03T10:38:58.513-08:00 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISABELLE ROSE!Today, this 3rd day of March Isabelle is five years old. It truly is hard to believe that it has been 5 years since we first met her. This morning I had the opportunity to share with Isabelle her birth story. I told her how she was two weeks over due and how we were so incredibly excited to meet her. I shared with her the very first time that we were face to DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-5049931118621802912009-02-25T19:27:00.000-08:002009-03-02T11:41:50.381-08:00Ash Wednesday-- a start to lent.Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ our Savior.Today is Ash Wednesday and we (the entire family) attended a 7 am Ash Wednesday service at the church. It has always been important to me to take some real time to reflect on what the lenten season means and what it means to sacrifice or purge oneself DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-39360031488321741292009-02-16T10:23:00.000-08:002009-03-02T11:44:34.714-08:00Forgive me. This is about to become a blog spew. Since my last post I’ve wrestled more in the context of conversations with close friends about the purpose of blogging. Although, no definitive conclusions were made I am encouraged to find out I’m not alone in this significant question. Part of my journey in this quest comes from a place of humility. I mean honestly, what real authority do I DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-52195066470074260232009-02-05T09:22:00.000-08:002009-02-05T10:39:46.750-08:00At the new year I made a commitment to blog once a week... This is the first entry since I made that goal. I have already failed in my attempt to engage blogging more. I will admit that I've had plenty of blog entry ideas cross my mind, but I always struggle with what I should really put out there in cyberspace. I'm always asking myself, "Is that too personal"? or "Is that too negative"? or "DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-25432793889516335882008-12-10T10:43:00.001-08:002008-12-10T17:33:19.051-08:00A time to mourn.This morning my aunt, Chita Braceros passed a way from complications of cancer. The last time I saw my aunt was last September at my brother's wedding. She looked frail and tired. A few weeks later she was diagnosed with bone cancer. It came as a surprise to my family to hear she was sick. It has been a complete surprise to witness how quickly things have progressed since sheDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-3338811573756761422008-10-17T18:54:00.000-07:002008-10-23T10:54:28.925-07:00then three became four...on october 14th at 11:18 am in the morning we welcomed our new daughter into the world. fiona duran was a healthy 7.03 pounds and 18 and half inches long. big sister isabelle was excited to finally meet her new sister and is finding ways that she can comfort and cuddle her as she adjusts to this new world. frank couldn't be more proud. we had our family waiting for usDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-37571122103556228962008-10-13T12:02:00.000-07:002008-10-13T12:17:59.672-07:00The Saga continues...So... after very little sleep and going through the gamut of emotions from nervousness to excitement Frank and I trekked out to the hospital where we were scheduled to be induced this morning. We walked in the door tired but excited when the nurse looked up and said, 'Oh no. (as she looked at other nurses) This was our inducement for today. Oh no.' We just kinda looked DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-12759754373612738622008-10-12T18:38:00.000-07:002008-10-12T19:27:44.514-07:00Baby girl will definitely be here tomorrow!So after seeing my doctor on Friday and going into my 42nd week of pregnancy the plan was set that if I didn't go into labor this weekend that at 8 am on Monday morning I am supposed to show up at the hospital and get induced. Saturday I went in for a stress test and everything looks perfect with the baby-- her heart sounds great and she is not in DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-87963281776115805352008-10-08T09:06:00.001-07:002008-10-08T15:45:27.924-07:00A lesson in patience.So I'm well behind on my scheduled due date to have this baby. It's been a frustrating, unproductive couple of days in the area of labor. I've found myself on several different occasions so upset that more isn't happening by way of contractions and the labor process that the emotions have actually kept me up at night. Every night I've gone to bed praying and hoping that DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-52299417824166014032008-10-02T19:25:00.000-07:002008-10-04T23:07:41.985-07:00Nickelsville and the barriers of homelessness...So I've been following the Nickelsville situation for a few weeks now, as they've been getting more attention and press here in Seattle. It seems that the Nickelsville community which has just been relocated to Discovery Park from South Seattle will be having to move again... to get more info on the situation you can read here.As an advocate for DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-21023785103315379462008-09-27T13:54:00.001-07:002008-09-28T14:33:37.839-07:00the chronicles of the belly: my belly-- a conversation piece.it is a strange and funny phenomenon but when you are pregnant and get to a certain stage in your pregnancy (namely the stage where you are very much showing) every one comes out of the wood works with advice and theories and the insatiable need to touch you. everyone predicts the gender of the baby dependent on how you are carrying DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-64460254876831550582008-09-22T21:07:00.001-07:002008-09-22T21:10:22.808-07:00a blessing shower!so... on saturday, september 13th our dearest friends and family hosted a blessing shower for frank, is and i. i can not even begin to articulate the love and care and support i felt that day from each person. each person left us with words of blessing and care which have been compiled into a beautiful book. i realized through the grace and generosity of my friends and familyDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-13704790402603625572008-09-16T10:37:00.000-07:002008-09-16T10:40:01.318-07:00*** (as baby draws near i've been feeling more and more nostalgic... here is a poem i wrote about a memory i have of friendship in san francisco...)itit's as old as the vintage shoes you once wore.Then the yellow dresses with red and orange peonies splashed across visionsand brick laden sidewalks with walkers and the smell of stale cigarettes.Squinted eyes in furry-- strained-- then waned.DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-83129075707575777792008-09-04T09:58:00.000-07:002008-09-04T10:14:33.648-07:00ready, set, go-- first day of school!isabelle started her first day of school yesterday. it is her 2nd pre-k year at fairview christian. she was sad to learn that her teacher from last year would not be teaching her again this year... so at first she was a little reticent of joining the new class and the new teacher, but once her teacher shared with her that they had new princess gowns she wasDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-16859609623272955552008-09-01T09:50:00.000-07:002008-09-03T09:37:07.546-07:00restricted mobilization...now that i'm in my 36th week of pregnancy 'getting comfortable' takes on a whole new meaning. my new best friends happen to be pictured above. yes, i have an intimate relationship with both tums and maalox and you can find me all throughout the day either popping tums or swigging maalox to remedy the god-awful heartburn and acid reflux i experience all day, everyday. DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-48334020820157680322008-08-15T12:29:00.000-07:002008-08-15T13:21:41.264-07:00date nights= goodso after 13 years of marriage, one kid and another one on the way it is really easy for us to not make our personal connection with one another much of a priority on the to-do list of life. generally, we try to squeeze in some time here or there to spend some quality time together but if things get hectic or chaotic it generally is the first thing to go. and i'll be honest it DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-76310202632407634742008-08-04T16:15:00.001-07:002008-08-19T10:05:57.368-07:00race in the church-- why we must keep the dialogue moving.today opening up cnn i came across this article entitled: why american's prefer their sunday's segregated. it was refreshing to see cnn cover such a story. i was familiar with those that they interviewed for the piece like michael emmerson and rev. rodney woo, as a few years ago i attended a conference in which they spoke on these issuesDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-23653442197650232212008-08-01T11:28:00.001-07:002008-08-01T11:28:59.252-07:00so... i'm nesting. i've been planning, organizing and rearranging AND then starting over and doing it all over again. after the ultrasound of cutieness on monday i have had an extra dose of motivation. that said, i've had to start collecting a bunch of baby necessities for the little one. when isabelle was born so many people from my church community let me borrow baby stuff like a cradle DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-14213219789175398102008-07-28T14:23:00.000-07:002008-07-28T14:24:21.051-07:00so... i had a nice week vacation with my familia! we took a few days and went over to lake chelan. it was wonderful. it was about 98 degrees outside and the resort where we stayed had 5 pools. no one seemed to be taking advantage of the amazing pools, because everyone was going to the lake so we had virtually the entire pool to ourselves. it was great:) my favorite part was swimming with DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-37208614425066695432008-07-22T20:02:00.000-07:002008-07-28T14:29:52.989-07:00Women in leadership conversation cont.So... the other day I came across this article and I wanted to share it with you. It seems that the Catholic church held a ceremony to ordain women as priests. The Vatican made a final statement saying that they would not recognize these ordinations and in addition any woman who participated in this ceremony would be excommunicated from the church. Seems aDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-10606194648413641872008-07-08T10:14:00.000-07:002008-07-23T19:45:24.199-07:00Oh no, I don't have a penis!This past weekend I officiated two weddings-- one on Saturday and one on Sunday. First of all, I just have to say that I absolutely love getting to be a part of a couples lives in this capacity. It's an amazing opportunity to be a part of that journey in some, intimate way. The wedding on Saturday was in Vancouver so it was about 2.5 hours a way from home. It was aDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-60123192423790458512008-06-27T15:26:00.000-07:002008-06-27T16:13:03.198-07:00It's nice to feel wantedThe last monthly or so we've been going through various life transitions. Nothing of magnitude but enough to make anyone feel a little uneasy or anxious especially if you're a four year old person. My daughter has been going through another bout of separation anxiety and usually experiences a tiny break down right before me or my husband leave her. Yesterday I was DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-35124575106056167932008-06-19T10:48:00.000-07:002008-06-19T11:45:50.548-07:00It's good to be reminded...The last few months I've been reading (slowly) through Henry Nouwen's book: Life of the Beloved. I have purposely taking the time to let the book marinate me with words we rarely hear or acknowledge in our lives. It seems there are always more pressing things going on in the world that take the forefront of our attentions then that of hearing and accepting our 'DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-24125056925593535742008-06-16T14:12:00.001-07:002008-06-16T14:14:03.586-07:00I admit it’s been a long time since I’ve blogged. I’d be surprised if anyone even reads it anymore since no one expects any new entries after months of no words. I have to confess that I feel quite conflicted about blogs and the whole blogging sphere. It actually frustrates me a lot when I think about it and I go back and forth on my position of blogs. I definitely think blogs have their DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-92175643744745016912008-02-11T09:01:00.000-08:002008-02-11T17:29:18.645-08:00"i'm caucasing!"the title of this entry was a direct quote from my three (almost four) year old daughter who attended saturday's caucus with her father and i. so yes on saturday frank, isabelle and i headed over to the caucus on market street in ballard. it was the first caucus that we ever attended and it was definitely a learning experience.we got to our precinct and learned that we had threeDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-75969266402945085542008-02-10T20:15:00.000-08:002008-02-10T20:59:43.796-08:00the bus ride over...so on friday i was supposed to go on a staff retreat early in the morning in yelm, but my childcare fell through so it delayed my plans a bit. as a result, we had some time in our day to head over to the big rally at the key arena for barak obama. so isabelle and i got ready and decided to take the bus downtown. the bus ride was worth it all.we waited patiently at the bus DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-40343298165441694652008-01-15T08:43:00.000-08:002008-02-05T10:59:48.585-08:00is it possible??when i was young girl whenever i thought about what i wanted to do with my life when i got older it always consisted of one of two things: being a singer or becoming a counselor. i'm going to just concentrate on the latter and post another site about the desire to sing another time... but i knew at a pretty young age that i wanted to help people and the natural fit for me was DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-90975551561125826992008-01-04T13:07:00.000-08:002008-01-04T16:28:41.193-08:00hope... not blind optimismi am currently reading a book by peter j. gomes entitles, 'the scandalous gospel of jesus'. in this book gomes says, 'dietrich bonhoeffer once warned against cheap grace, and i warn now against cheap hope. hope is not merely the optimistic view that somehow everything will turn out all right in the end if everyone just does as we do. hope is the more rugged, the more DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-75678545796089095582008-01-03T00:12:00.000-08:002008-01-03T13:33:04.134-08:00Dear Friends,This is an announcement to inform you that I am starting a new private practice in the Greenlake area. I want to invite you to check out the new website and feel free to utilize it as a tool to refer contacts that you might know who are looking for a counselor in the Seattle area. Thank you for your support.Happy New Year!!DeAnzanew website:www.deanzaspauldingcounseling.comDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-88542810010201022842007-11-25T20:06:00.001-08:002007-11-25T20:06:54.229-08:00The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of busyness for me… It seems when I pass through one busy season I seem to naively think that the next season will be much slower paced. It’s not long after that thought crosses my mind that I’m jolted into reality and in the passage from one season to the next I realize that the pace remains very much the same as the season before. After 5 years of DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-83740867518848406162007-06-28T18:52:00.000-07:002007-06-28T19:31:06.654-07:0011 years and counting...June 29, 2007 marks our 11 year anniversary. Wow! How the time flies! Just 11 short years ago Frank and I shared vows and covenanted the rest of our lives to one another. I look back at these eleven years and I am completely humbled and moved and reminded of the significant exchange of commitment we made to each other that day.I can't say that the last 11 years have DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-80529014228531477692007-06-10T01:32:00.000-07:002007-06-10T02:07:46.034-07:00I'm sick of Paris.Seriously, the media coverage on the saga of Paris Hilton and her impending jail time is really annoying to me and a huge waste of time. It looks like that although for so long we've sent the message-- if you have money and you're an important person by celebrity standards you can do anything you want and get a way with it-- Paris will not slide under the radar without paying DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-14089950988136757882007-05-29T14:05:00.000-07:002007-05-29T14:37:12.099-07:00here goes...After many months and many long night meetings and different conversations about ideas and theories about a merger between Quest and Interbay church-- here it is this Sunday, June 3rd our first service together as one church. It is an exciting time for the Quest community. We are gaining so much in depth from our brothers and sisters at Interbay. As a pastor at Quest church, I haveDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-48037699664259715322007-05-25T10:41:00.000-07:002007-05-25T11:14:10.850-07:00Bloggersphere and more...So I committed to myself & to you (even though you didn't know it AND i'm not sure if there is a you because who knows who or if anyone reads this thing) to at least have one new blog entry a week. I felt I owed it to the world to get my thoughts out there. I have a distinct feeling that blogs should have meaning and purpose and a reason for being in cyberspace. SometimesDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-78016129676571989682007-04-24T12:54:00.000-07:002007-04-27T14:07:29.957-07:00The Pursuit of HappynessThis weekend while I was under the weather with a severe cold I got the chance to watch the movie: The Pursuit of Happyness. For some reason, I found myself crying like a baby through out the entire movie. It was a sad movie mostly because the main character, Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith), had come on to some heavy times from unemployment, to figuring out a way to DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-91467220530201646802007-04-23T23:38:00.000-07:002007-04-23T23:44:03.036-07:00 for more pics of my daughter and family check out my family blog at:http://lifelovehome.blogspot.com/ DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-6766890724299387862007-04-21T13:58:00.000-07:002007-04-21T16:17:33.413-07:00Picture of 'To the Streets' on 15th and MarketTo the Streets: One person, one heart at a timeToday was our monthly scheduled time to minister to the homeless through our ministry 'To the Streets'. We've been doing this for about two and a half years now. Over the past 7 years of working with the homeless I've always wondered to myself: what kind of change or transformation does this work bring toDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-30751568618138128982007-04-20T13:44:00.000-07:002007-04-20T14:04:35.536-07:00More attacks."Tonight in Mae La Refugee camp 40,000 people are sitting in their dark bamboo huts waiting for the terrible crack of light weapons, the dull thud and explosion of artillery, and the continuation of their displacement and abuse. The Thai authorities have banned all forms of light in the camp, including candles, to give the Burma Army less advantage on an offensive against this camp. DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-12811423484608776892007-04-19T12:05:00.000-07:002007-04-19T13:29:25.604-07:00HOPE AWAITSMentally and emotionally it's been a rough couple of days-- not only for myself personally but for the larger American community. The shootings that took place on Monday at V Tech were senseless tragedies. The last day or so I've been reading the stories of the victims and my heart feels so heavy. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones who are experiencing such deep grief andDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-8093093239571428902007-04-08T15:36:00.000-07:002007-04-08T16:03:39.426-07:00He has risen.Holy week-- this week is such an important week in the tradition of the Christian faith. The opportunity the church has to stop and reflect on the passion of Christ is an important and rich tradition of the faith-- one that must not be overlooked or quickly passed by, but a chance for each person to pause during this privileged time to remember God's grace and the sacrifice that hadDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1168323894471702862007-01-08T22:09:00.000-08:002007-01-08T22:24:54.483-08:00counting blessingsa new year and with a new year comes much reflection and contemplation on life, the future, the past, the present, family and more. i think when you are in ministry there is always this fine line of losing perspective on the growth that has taken place in your life, as well as the maturity that needs to continue to grow in your heart, mind and soul. i know that in the busy DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1166217802605280492006-12-15T11:47:00.000-08:002006-12-15T15:53:38.543-08:00i don't want to give up my car!the other day i spoke at spu's urban plunge breakfast about the issues of compassion, justice and homelessness. it was encouraging to see so many engaging on the topic. urban plunge is a program of spu where they send students out for 5 straight days to live among the homeless in seattle. they are out from 6 am to 2 am. it is long exhausting days, but they get aDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1165885044251775192006-12-11T16:03:00.000-08:002006-12-11T16:57:24.273-08:00advent- the real reason for the seasonthis time of year is always a difficult one with all the high demands from our world to buy and to spend more and more on the newest and latest technologies, on electronics, on clothes, and toys and more. in the midst of all those demands finding time to reflect, to sit and to look on the year past, as well as keeping your eyes on the hope of tomorrow is DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1159392868431673932006-09-27T14:33:00.000-07:002006-09-27T14:34:28.450-07:00Not perfect, but lovely! in my reflections today i realized that it is our values, our world views and our convictions that either draw us towards each other or propell us a way from each other. i sometimes wonder why relationships with different friends from high school or college do not really exist any more. partly i realize that it is due to space and where we are geographically situated, DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1158353059754437982006-09-15T13:42:00.000-07:002006-09-18T09:24:37.856-07:00a word it's been two weeks since i've come back from thailand and i slowly feel my old memory losing bits and pieces from the trip. details of the trip are becoming hazy in this old memory. getting back into the life here in seattle keeps demands on my time that makes it hard for me to remember, but i continue to find ways to hold on to the dear people of burma and thailand.today at quest the DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1157604671790845932006-09-06T21:16:00.000-07:002006-09-06T21:51:13.916-07:00in the presence of greatnessalong our trip to thailand we were able to meet many wonderful people. from lawyers working to pursue the rights of children and women exploited in sex trade and human trafficking to noble peace prize nominees. we met pastors, teachers, education administrators, community leaders and missionaries. it was so nice to hear about each ones experiences, perspectives and DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1157486596766361172006-09-05T12:14:00.000-07:002006-09-05T13:03:19.326-07:00the far-reaching river of lifeit's not even been a week since i've come back from thailand. and life just keeps ticking along as if all that i've seen and experienced happened in some far off dream, but it was just a week ago that i was sitting in different refugee camps and praying that i would be a source of encouragement and friendship to the beautiful men, women and children we met a long DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1155670807519059572006-08-15T11:55:00.000-07:002006-08-15T12:40:11.056-07:00His still small voice.I feel like in some ways i've been coming out of this strange, desolate wilderness. On one hand, I feel excited and out of the woods after a very long time of depression and isolation, but on the other side I feel like i'm some where in the middle of 'coming out' and recovering from the darkness, as well as scratching at the surface to make it beyond that one last clearing.DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1147679985679476422006-05-15T00:41:00.000-07:002006-05-15T01:00:03.390-07:00A Dream...Quest is beginning the process of a long, unfulfilled dream i've had of sending a team to Thailand. It is a very exciting time to think together what work can be done in this part of our world. It will be an opportunity to work with refugees from Burma, to work with sexually exploited children and to bring hope and a reminder that there is a God who remembers the people who have long DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1145865810309266382006-04-24T01:02:00.000-07:002006-04-25T00:22:15.753-07:00good and evil it is hard for us in our society to wrap our heads around the idea of good and evil. and when evil resides in the heart of a person it is especially hard for us to call it as it is. we'd like to think that all in all every person is good who sometimes just make bad choices. but how do we respond when a person or a set of people are evil? how do wrap our heads around that realityDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1145484337468951492006-04-19T14:48:00.000-07:002006-04-19T15:05:37.480-07:00the day after... (a re-post)the day after easter... here i am in my blue bathrobe with my daughter playing in the background and i am reflecting on the remnants of easter day. this weekend wasn't one of those hallmark easter moments for me or my family-- i found myself more awkward, more out of my skin then ever before. i found myself insensitive and moody and snappy and irritable and then i DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1142369314712285652006-03-14T12:38:00.000-08:002006-03-14T15:45:50.533-08:00just a fad?this last saturday quest hosted a prayer for burma service. every year the world acknowledges this global day of prayer... at least the part of the world that knows about burma, the struggle, the suffering and the oppressed. anyway, the service was really amazing. good line up of speakers, video and best of all an opportunity to share in burmese, karen and chin music and song. whatDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1141703537551328852006-03-06T19:50:00.000-08:002006-03-06T19:52:17.560-08:00This weekend was very full. My parents came in on Saturday and spent time with us. Saturday night went to an amazing concert of my friends band: Mercir. Sunday took Isabelle to the Children's Museum and dinner celebration with family and a few close friends. I feel very blessed.DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1141698043663811432006-03-06T18:19:00.000-08:002006-03-06T18:20:43.666-08:00Isabelle's 2 year birthday celebration! Yum! Cake!! DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1141450742580002062006-03-03T21:38:00.000-08:002006-03-03T21:39:02.580-08:00 Birthday Girl!!2 years old today! DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1141450677987701792006-03-03T21:37:00.000-08:002006-03-03T21:37:57.986-08:00DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1141450611920653322006-03-03T21:36:00.000-08:002006-03-03T21:36:51.926-08:00DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1141449280388529642006-03-03T21:12:00.000-08:002006-03-03T21:14:40.396-08:00Happy Birthday, Baby girl!Today is my baby's second birthday. I can't believe it two years has actually passed since I first met her. I'm excited to celebrate with my parents, brothers and a few close friends. She never ceases to amaze and surprise me with all she does and all that she learns.I am so blessed.DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1141343323333694362006-03-02T15:41:00.000-08:002006-03-02T15:48:43.346-08:00From dust you have come and to dust you will return. Be faithful to the Gospel.Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent. We started lent with an Ash service to reflect, stop and 'look up' at all that God has done for His creation. Our Ash services are very intimate. We receive ashes and the opportunity to engage God through communion and then we have silence to pray and meditate. LikeDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1140300023256876942006-02-18T13:59:00.000-08:002006-02-18T14:00:23.263-08:00 The Cutest Girl in the World! This was when Isabelle was about 6 months old. DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1140134422301414292006-02-16T10:20:00.000-08:002006-02-16T16:00:22.343-08:00Reconciling with GodThis past Sunday Eugene preached on forgiveness and reconciliation. Not an easy topic to swallow, as I think it resonates with every human soul: we have all been trespassers and we have all been trespassed against. And the residue that remains after being hurt or hurting can be a challenge to reconcile. It's truly a miracle when people's relationships are restored, because DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1139962766978615862006-02-14T16:01:00.000-08:002006-02-14T16:19:26.990-08:00I've been doing quite a bit of reflecting these past few days. I just read my friends' blog who is living in Korea. She's staying there and taking a position at a university where she'll get to teach some of her core passions. I feel very proud of her. It's strange how God calls us to different places in our lives... sometimes it feels like we just tumbled into it and other times the path DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1139682573706377592006-02-11T10:25:00.000-08:002006-02-11T10:29:33.713-08:00 Here are some favorite pictures that I have of Isabelle. DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1139608731560619482006-02-10T13:58:00.000-08:002006-02-10T13:58:51.566-08:00DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1139608327162210702006-02-10T13:16:00.000-08:002006-02-10T13:59:02.070-08:00Starting FreshI have a really hard time thinking of things to blog. I always think that my entries need to be deep and insightful... unfortunately I don't always have deep and insightful thoughts-- most of the time, but not always ;). So I just don't write anything. I'd like my friends to start coming back and visiting my blog and at this point they have no reason to, because there is never DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1121207111406298962005-07-12T15:18:00.000-07:002005-07-12T15:25:11.410-07:00A week and a half ago, a homeless man that we'd worked with this past year was found on fire. He was taken to the Harborview Medical Center where he died. 90% of his body suffered burns. Tomorrow night we are having a memorial service for him... We've invited his friends... we're going to have a nice service and a meal following. I'm thankful that the community is responding so DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1119570172949803722005-06-23T16:41:00.000-07:002005-06-23T16:42:52.953-07:00This past weekend (Saturday, June 18th) we (Rich, Nancy, Joshua and myself) trekked out to the corner of 15th and Market to meet with the homeless. We had a smaller turn out, but it was an encouraging time, as we had an opportunity to hear people's stories and we were able to connect with people. People are always surprised that we are there... Most think we are having a sidewalk sale and then toDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1112652831475466092005-04-04T14:52:00.000-07:002005-04-04T15:13:51.476-07:00the past couple of weeks have marked major transitions in our lives. as a result, i've been feeling anxious, frustrated and a bit stressed. this normally happens with any big change, but today i've been reflecting on why it seems much more intensified this time... and i think that it is ultimately due to the fact that i'm not trusting god in every aspect of my life. i'm relying on my own DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1108758753691140212005-03-24T11:42:00.000-08:002005-03-24T14:58:45.236-08:00The Theology of BuildingMy father is a carpenter. I never really understood what drew him to this profession, because it's physically demanding work, you are at the mercy of the weather, you work long, long hours, and whether rain, sleet or snow you are required to be on the job. Constructing a house is complicated stuff. You've got this mass of dirt to start with and after many hours, days, DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1108686666152194802005-02-17T09:44:00.001-08:002005-02-17T16:31:06.156-08:00Genesis 45I absolutely love Joseph. This is my second time reading through Genesis and I have to say that the stories, the characters have come more alive to me than the first time through. I have a deeper appreciation, a deeper connection to the depravity, the brokenness and the blessing in each of these lives. As a result, I feel compelled to draw closer to our Father. I feel moved to trustDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1107747344327207892005-02-06T19:16:00.000-08:002005-02-07T10:50:09.320-08:00God's overflowing joy.
Tonight I am just so in awe of God's faithfulness in my life. At worship it seemed to flow out of me and I couldn't contain my delight for His presence. Which made me recall some memories from my childhood when I was a girl. When I was about 10 and 11 I loved going to worship service. My idea of a great Saturday night was attending the prayer meetings at our church. IDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1107387795317111472005-02-02T15:39:00.000-08:002005-02-05T12:23:22.806-08:00Cont. from last post
So I'm left to discern God's calling for my life and how I am to use my calling to simply love more. I think the first step to doing that is be humbled, Everytime I try to figure out how to be important it takes my focus away from how I can serve my family, my community, the homeless, the broken and all those that God brings into my path.
God's revelation has made me DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1107386986909669102005-02-02T15:02:00.000-08:002005-02-02T15:39:38.563-08:00The Lord be with you.
I'm attending a mid-winter conference for the covenant church in Chicago. It's my first conference i've attended for our denomination and to be honest these sort of events are my least favorite to attend. I always get a little anxious before I come to large events where I will not know very many. Yet, I anticipate those that I will meet and find connection with... maybeDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1107207332482235862005-01-31T13:24:00.000-08:002005-01-31T13:35:32.483-08:00My Girl.
I put Isabelle in her play pen so that she could drink her juice and then I heard her quietly playing. So I decided to peak in and watch her. I stood there for such a long time. I am so amazed at the little girl that she is becoming. In about a month, my girl will be a year old. It seems she was just born. I keep thinking back to that day on March 3, 2004 when I first came DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1106873233037287152005-01-27T16:14:00.000-08:002005-01-27T16:47:13.036-08:00I'm in the office today and i'm trying to get some work done. A co-worker forwarded an e-mail from a friend who is in SE Asia helping clean up and serve the victims there. This person met a man from Germany who was vacationing with his wife. While he was jogging and his wife was sun bathing on the beach he looked over and saw something strange in the water. He immediately started running DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1106620326690528642005-01-24T18:08:00.000-08:002005-01-24T18:32:06.690-08:00Surprise.
Today my youngest brother dropped off the Christmas gift he'd been planning for me for quite some time. When I told him I'd like him to consider giving to a charity on my behalf as opposed to getting me something he laughed at me. He said he wouldn't do that. That's my youngest brother for you. He truly humbles me.
So today he surprised me at 9:30 am with a big gift in his hands DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1105383901089298012005-01-10T10:30:00.000-08:002005-01-10T11:05:01.090-08:00Confessing Faith
Last night our church had a baptism service. It's the second baptism service i've been a part of at Quest and I have to say that it is my favorite service here. Six men and women shared their faith story and made a public declaration of their faith in Christ Jesus. What an honor to sit among these men and women and hear how God has and is transforming their lives. It really doesDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1099808676676486532004-11-06T21:51:00.000-08:002004-11-06T22:24:36.676-08:00Loving people.
Loving our neighbors is the second commandment in the Bible. Love God. Love people. It seems easy, but this phrase has new meaning and difficulty once applied to your family. Everyone has extended family that they struggle to understand, to connect with to relate to, etc. Today I went to a family event for a cousin who recently got married. I went with cynicism, sarcasm, DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1098462039074890882004-10-22T09:19:00.000-07:002004-10-22T09:20:39.073-07:00 Surprises
I just returned from taking a friend to the airport. My very close friend, Nicole, is flying to France to study fashion design. I’m very excited for her and proud of the many steps she has taken to follow her dreams. But it was very hard to see her go. This weekend was one of many joyous surprises and revelations into the changes that has taken place in both of our lives over the DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1089809070642047832004-07-14T05:29:00.000-07:002004-07-14T05:44:30.643-07:00Reflections
I am tired. It has been an amazing couple of weeks. I've been really feeling God press on my heart to step it up. I've spent the majority of my life feeling scared and unsure of myself. And to be in a place where I can be confidant in the calling God has for me is truly freeing.
I spoke on Sunday for the first time and it truly was an amazing experience for me. Processing outDeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1088792663669669182004-07-02T10:46:00.000-07:002004-07-02T11:31:51.516-07:00God is good.
Today i've been reflecting on this past year, my story and the people God has brought into my life. It is amazing to see the change that God has orchestrated in the last 2 years. He's brought to us a new community, new family, new baby, new perspective... I'm overwhelmed as I reflect on his faithfulness to us. Today I spent some time with a good friend. She is a friend who DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5360481.post-1088751700371274162004-07-01T23:44:00.000-07:002004-07-02T10:45:02.726-07:00This past month we've (our church) has been in a series entitled 'faith and race'. This has been such an important opportunity for out church to engage our faith and the dynamics of race. We studied and talked about racialization, systemic racism, white priveledge, prejudice, stereotypes... needless to say, these terms have given us much to think about and wrestle with. It is sad to think DeAnzanoreply@blogger.com0