HansonTrek

Logos 4 Mac Giveaway

2010-09-30T22:36:00.002-04:00

Logos Bible Software is giving away thousands of dollars of prizes to celebrate the launch of Logos Bible Software 4 Mac on October 1. Prizes include an iMac, a MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPod Touch, and more than 100 other prizes!

They’re also having a special limited-time sale on their Mac and PC base packages and upgrades. Check it out!

Dedication...

2008-11-08T19:01:00.004-05:00

... is the act of waiting patiently and sacrificing what is needed to reach the goal set before you.

1st Anniversary

2007-10-23T23:00:00.000-04:00

Well... sorry to any and all who might have been trying to keep track of this couple on the East Coast. I know that this is way late... but we had enough free time to take a trip up to NYC for our first anniversary... and life has only been a flurry of busy activity since.

It was a great trip since we were able to take in a Broadway show (Le Mis'erables), sailed past Lady Liberty, visit the Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Art. Many nice long walks in Central Park (by far our favorite place), time square, ground zero, and many subway stations ;).

So one year is completed, and the verdict is that life is good... and we can't wait to see how much God will grow, challenge, strengthen, stretch, develop, and love us in the next year!

is it relevant?

2007-06-15T15:05:00.000-04:00

Is the post-modern mindset as relevant as people within the movement claim...?

And how has that effected the up-and-coming generations within our churches?

Family came to visit (round 2)

2007-05-27T15:04:00.000-04:00

Darla used to live out in this area in PA a few years ago, and has several friends still in the area. She had come out to visit some of them... and while she was in the area we were able to spend some time with her!

It's always nice to see family, and now that those times are few and far between, it makes them more special.

So anyone who wants to drop in, your more than welcome.

Just call first!

Family came to visit (round 1)

2007-05-26T23:25:00.001-04:00

I know that I'm a little behind the times... but my little sister Andrea got engaged a little while back to friend of the family, Steve Skaron, that she's gown up with.

Well it just so happens that his grandfather lives out here in PA... so they decided to come to visit him. Since we were in the neighborhood (only 4 hours away instead of 18), we thought we'd say hello to family!

It was fun to spend time with family (and future family) when at this stage of life it will get fewer and farther between visits.

So a congratulations, best wishes, and prayers are in order for the engaged couple... and we can't wait to see them again!

A true temple...

2007-05-25T12:53:00.000-04:00

We are reading through the Bible, specifically the Old Testament. Just starting into 2 Chronicles where Solomon takes over the kingdom from his father David. He has just started work in building the temple and it is amazing to think of what it was he actually did...

"... and inside he overlaid it with pure gold. He overlaid the main room with cypress wood and overlaid it with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains. Further, he adorned the house with precious stones; and the gold was gold from Parvaim. He also overlaid the house with gold-- the beams, the thresholds and its walls and its doors; and he carved cherubim on the walls. Now he made the room of the holy of holies: its length across the width of the house was twenty cubits, and its width was twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold." (2 Chronicles 3:4-8 NASB)

It would have been a sight to behold, gold completely covering everything. God's dwelling place, the place His presence would reside.

How much more should our lives reflect this dedication. These acts which were preformed in molding a building into a perfect, glorying, and completely dedicated to one purpose... should be reflected in the way Christians live.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB)

"... so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:10 NASB)

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14 NASB)

God's temple is no longer a building made by human hands but is spread amongst His people in that God dwells in us, we are His temple. So just as Solomon's temple was build to reflect the God He served, let us do the same with our lives as God's temple.

On condition of anonymity...

2007-05-23T23:00:00.000-04:00

"On condition of anonymity..." is the line much of the news media seems to be hiding behind these days.

In nearly every article I read about political escapades or the war in Iraq, it seems there is one condition, "anonymity."

Everytime this phrase appears in the article or story, it is always followed by "because he was not authorized to discuss it publicly." And yet the story must go forth. The reason for things remaining unsaid is laid aside.

The Bible even says that "for everything there is a season,a time for every activity under heaven." This is true, there is a time for everything. But for there to be a time for something, there must be a time for it not to be. You will never have the harvest if you do not have the season of planting... and the season of waiting.

The word wait does not seem to be in the vocabulary of the media. If someones mother's surprise birthday party would sell their story, there would be no surprise. This is so glaringly evident in the coverage of military activity. There are many reasons people should not publicly announce the internal goings on of military endeavors.

If the Greek media had proclaimed their tactics in building their hollow Trojan horse, do you think a "anonymous" informant would have gone over very well? Dare I say that such an act would fall within the realms of treason, and the punishment of long ago is far different from what we find today.

(Disclaimer - The reason for the Trojan Horse is due to it being a recognizable example. The place where this does not fit exactly is that the media should investigate when lying is being covered up, but not devulge important information that should be withheld.)

So this is a call to all within the media:

Let that which is to be discussed among the select few remain there. If it is not for public knowledge, then don't make it. There is a reason it is not meant for public knowledge. Let all of us treat the lives of our fighting men and women with the value they deserve by foregoing our own personal curiousity.

Frist Year Done!

2007-05-22T22:50:00.000-04:00

Sarah and I have just finished up our first year of graduate studies at Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary. It was at times long and arduous, but in the end was challenging and stimulating creating a hunger to continue learning.

Having a desire to know God, and learn more about Him is always expanding nad growing into something deeper than when it began. As soon as you learn something new and amazing you realize that you have merely scratched the surface and so much more lay beneath.

A couple of classes over the summer will keep us on our toes, but not before a few weks off to enjoy summer as God meant for it to be.

looking past people... to SEE PEOPLE

2007-03-13T12:45:00.000-04:00

A few thoughts:

"Every culture is unique..."

"... finding differences and similarities... eventuall we find ourselves looking at and understanding and individual person, rather than simply a postmodern or an African-American or a professional or a baby boomer."

"Individuals are complex...."

"Demographic segmentations.... oversimplify people into artifically categories."

"America has not been the mythical melting pot but instead has been marked by its diversity."

God has created this world with its various forms of culture. But when you get past all the traditions, clothing, geographical regions, and differences... you find that we are all human. And every man, woman, and child needs to know the God who created them in this world He created.

God is no respecter of persons, He made them all. We need to follow suit and show love... to all men... oh what love we have experienced through Christ from God.

Ephesians 2:4 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...

1 John 4:10 - In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the take our place for our sins.

Ephesians 5:2 - And walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us,

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

1 John 4:11 - If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

2 John 1:6 - And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.

1 John 3:23 - This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

Are we showing love? A true demonstration of love, comes when that love is tested. May we be challenged to be loving today... and may we pass the test looking to Christ as our example.

Church-goer or Missionary?

2007-02-24T19:41:00.000-05:00

Reading Planting Missional Churches has given me a new focus on what the purpose of being a Christian is...

"To be a disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of his body is to live a missionary experience in the world." - Ed Stetzer

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20

... a challenge for all of us who simply go to church. Our responsibility is not to go to church, it is to go and make disciples. So let's do it by God's grace... and may I be the first to lead by example... here at home touching the lives around me, and perhaps someday to the far reaches of the world.

Dream Church...

2007-02-10T23:19:00.000-05:00

I had a dream...

But unlike Martin Luther King Jr., it was a little disturbing.

It was a dream that started out with a communion service and glasses of wine raised in the air as a toast, and Chex Mix passed around in bowls in place of communion bread (please don't take offense to my un-orthodox dream). In the front, on the platform, they had fireworks going off during the whole service. And when it was all done they watched videos on the projector screen. I know, it didn't make much sense to me either...

This was the first part of my dream, which I watched it in a third-person view. As I was pondering the meaning of all this when it switched...

It switched to a picture of a couple, a man and woman walking towards me heading to church. They looked very happy and intently focused ahead to their destination. As they got closer their faces started revealing a blue haze, like someone was watching a TV. As they continued forward line dots of light appeared on their temples, forehead, and cheeks. The view started panning around to the side, and then to thier backs so I could see where they were going. All of a sudden they appeared to be in a tunnel of light flowing from a point in front, almost engulfing them. Inside this sphere of light was a church service. The couple stood there the whole time acting as if they were a part of the service even though they were standing up and sperated from it.

I woke up and realized that these people were part of a virtual reality church. There was no expectation of them, they could enjoy it exactly as they thought it would fill their spiritual needs. They never had to be confronted. Never had to deal with relationship and interpersonal communication problems. They could go whenever they felt a need, and stay only as long as they wanted. It would be the perfect world.

I hope my dream never comes true. I hope people never get to the point of thinking that "church" is just something that fills your time, or soothes the guilty soul. Unfourtunately some people view it like that. People don't realize that God is building the church. That building is constructed of people who need to be supported, first and foremost by the Cornerstone which we find in Jesus Christ. But secondarily by the rest of the structure in those people who are "the church." We all have a responsibility to care, confront, encourage, and exhort one another. It's called interaction. That is a HUGE part of the church today, and something that would never happen in any virtual world. And something that is often lacking in the real one.

So let us not make the real world a virtual one by neglecting our responsibilites to be a body of believers. Let us all take some time to be a family who interacts and shows genuine love for one another face to face.

Truth in Context...

2007-01-18T23:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just have to wait and be patient... sometimes things deserve a second look.

Truth always deserves a second look, because sometimes we miss it the first time around.

Random New Year Update

2007-01-10T23:18:00.000-05:00

We had flurries today! Missing the Midwest winters was brought back full-force today with the chilly air and snow drifting out of the sky. It was nice to be working on second shift today so we could experience the few hours of snow in the daylight.

Classes started up this week so we have a very full schedule with class from 7:30 - 12:15 and then work from 2:00 to 10:00 and 2:45 to 11:15 respectively. it makes for a rather short night and hardly any free time since its a block class for the whole week. That will contintue on into next week for one more block class, then one week off and the spring semester starts up.

It's fun so far, but the sleep schedule hasn't become routine quite yet.

Christmas 2006

2007-01-06T21:12:00.000-05:00

Heres a couple pictures from our trip home to visit our families over the holidays!

This last one is my favorite I think ;)

WEEKEND - Thanksgiving in NY

2006-12-28T18:25:00.000-05:00

Since home for us is more than 1,000 miles... we decided to not make that journey for Thanksgiving. But, our friends (J, J, & K Buisch) invited us up for the weekend. Most of Jonny's family turned out for the occasion. Farm chores, games, and eating were the top activities. I also brought along one of the traditions from my family in making candy turkeys. So that was fun to have a part of what my family does come with us to NY.

It was also cool to see baby Kate growing by leaps and bounds, being awake and aware of her surroundings.

We had an awesome time visiting with friends, relaxing, and helping with chores. The weekend went all to fast, but was enjoyed every minute. Other than speanding time with old friends, seen only in a great while, the highlight of the trip was the birth of a calf. They were expecting several calves in durign that general time frame, and we were present for one of them. It was amazing to wonder about God's design in procreation and the continuance of life on earth.

So it was a Thanksgiving to which we have much to thank God for in how he has wonderfully provided above what we ever have think or hope.

Quote - Dr. Charles McLain

2006-12-07T21:07:00.000-05:00

It doesn't matter who the audience is. It doesn't matter what the occasion is. What does matter is that God has given us this Word to present for Him. This is what makes the occasion solemn. This is what makes it serious. This is what provides us with the need to study.

- Dr. Charles McLain TH500 Hermeneutics

Quote - Theodore Roosevelt

2006-12-04T20:39:00.000-05:00

"There is not in all America a more
dangerous trait than the deification
of mere smartness unaccompanied
by any sense of moral responsibility."

-- President Theodore Roosevelt

Kenyan Proverb

2006-11-29T22:33:00.002-05:00

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed...every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.

It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle...

when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."

- Kenyan Proverb

WEEKEND - Home!

2006-11-21T07:36:00.000-05:00

We braved the 18 hour drive up to the Mid-West to visit family a few weekends back. Some might wonder why since its like the middle of the fall with Thanksgiving just a few weeks away. It was actually for my college alumni basketball game. My brother is on the team and I wanted to play with him at least one more time before he's done. He does have another year left... but we really do not know how long or short a time God has purposed for us on this earth... so we took advantage of that moment.

So I was able to play basketball with my brother, which is always fun. It was way to short, and we lost to the college team 94-89. So it was close, and I had 3-point basket for our team in the last minute which brought the score to 89-92. It was a close game, but we fouled they made their shots and time expired. Good hard play all-around. The coolest part is that my college team is very Christ centered, even in athletic activities. So before and after the game we had prayer, and it was good fellowship before, during, and after. After the game my college siblings posed for a picture. I sure do miss them.

Spent some time with the fam... then headed ot Michigan to spend time with all the In-Laws! That fun too... just isn't enough time for everyone.

While we were at Sarah's parent's home the kids had a costume party and we joined in...
we were Preston and Penelope. She was the nose-in-the-book librarian with wrinkly knee-highs. And I was the captian-of-the-chess-club geeky nerd. We had crushes on each other but were kinda embarassed to admit it, openly anyway (most of the time ;)

So it was a whirlwind trip, but it was great to see family, they are greatly missed... yup... life is a lot quieter missing those 17 siblings. But love spans the greatest divides, no matter how far, and thats what we have for all of them.

WEEKEND - N.Y. Trip (Upstate)

2006-11-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

We had a free weekend so our friends the Buisch's were on the agenda. They had recently been introduced to their first child, Katherine... so we thought it would be a perfect time to drop in and say hello. It was a beautiful fall drive with all the changing colors of the Appalachian's.

This is their lovely farm home. Jonny and Jess were awesome friends in college, and still are now that life has carried us off into adulthood. It's rather funny to go and visit friends in their homes rather than just traveling down the hall and popping into their dorm rooms.

So the real reason for the trip was to visit the new Buisch baby...! It makes one grasp with gravity the shortness of life, the importance of family, and the joy of gifts that only God can give.

(isn't she cute??? >>>)

So it was an awesome weekend up on the farm. It brought back many good memories of the Midwest farm country which is missed greatly in the culture shock of living in the outer-reaches of Philidelphia. We were able to help with chores... and it was the first time working with dairy farming... which is a good bit of work itself.

So here's proud Ma and Pa... along with good friends who enjoyed every minute of it.

WEEKEND - Philadelphia Orchestra

2006-11-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

A couple of weekends ago we were able to travel down to the Kimmel Center and attend the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. Two other couples from seminary joined us in our venture down into the city. As usually the girls wanted to dress up, and show off their true royal selves, so naturally the men dressed to match our better halves accordingly. It's a little over an hours drive, but we took one wrong turn and ended up heading the wrong way in downtown Philly. It was literally on the other side of the tracks. Being all dressed up to attend this classy event and ending up in the downtown getto area which looked very rough, was needless to say a little unnerving. But after crossing back over the SEPTA line (a.k.a. - "the tracks") we were in the downtown Philly business side of things and everything was contrasted starkly with what we had just experienced. Instead of low-rise, rundown... it became high-rise, ritz.

The concert was phenominal. It was really, really well done. The performers were suburb and the sound carried itself as if alive throughout the whole hall. It was our first concert we have attended together, so we now have some nice cultured dates under our belts in case anyone thought otherwise. Live preformances have something magically about them. The way you can "feel" the music, the way you know that its the "real" thing. All in all... it was a fine evening to spend having a little fun, getting out on the town... and trying to experience the interesting aspects of life out East.

WEEKEND - Gettysburg

2006-10-14T00:19:00.000-04:00

What follows are the past few weekends of our traveling adventures.

The first in this series is a trip to Gettysburg, which is about 2.5 hours from where we live. It has been a dream of Sarah's since she was a little girl to go and visit, so... we did. It was really a perfect day, slighty overcast, yet mild weather. We borrowed my friend Dustin's CD guided tour which we listened to in the car and it guided us around the battlefield giving discriptive narrative all along the way at the various points of major happenstance. As well as the a collective overview between those points with interesting background information. The highlight of the trip was that the day we went there were Civil War Re-enactors for both the Union and Confederate sides. We were able to see a great demonstration of some Union infantry show us the techniques used for the musket lines. It was very well done, realistic and loud. Here is a video of the reinactment... it was almost mind-numbing to think that they would line up across from each other and fight like that.

So here we are... on the illustrious battlefield. At the point of Pickett's Charge where they breached the Union lines, and where the this battle's tide was at it's peak and in the final moments of deciding to whom the victory would fall.

All in all, it was a fabulous weekend. And it will always leave a remeberance of the time when our country was once divided and the price that was paid keep it intact to this day.

SEMINARY - Calvary Baptist

2006-10-13T07:23:00.000-04:00

This is the real reason we moved half-way across the country, to further our understanding of God in seminary.

Calvary Baptist Church established this seminary as a ministry tool to help teach and train ministers of God's Word. I came in contact with the seminary during on of the church's National Leadership Conference they hold in February. After that I also was a pastoral intern at the church two summers’s ago and was able to take one of the seminary courses through that program. I loved the teaching and how everything was made practical, applicable, and relevant to understanding the whole Bible as a whole in relation the how one would live this life.

So that is why we are here, both Sarah and I are taking courses this semester. She has 6 credits and I have 8. And we trust that God will allow us to us the time effectively so that we can be as adequately prepared as a human can be for His service.

Busch Gardens

2006-09-22T12:09:00.000-04:00

The next fun thing we did was go visit our dear brother Ben - who was just completing some army training out near Virginia Beach. We went camping over the weekend and then on Saturday went to explore the famed Busch Gardens! It was totally fun!

It was a great weekend to get away and travel down the coast. Driving to Virginia was about 5 hours from where we are a little north of Philadelphia. The weather was warm but not oppressive, cool yet not cold. Just right one might say. To clarify lest anyone think we're spending willy-nilly (Busch Gardens is quite pricey), Ben found that they offered military discounts (i.e. - free tickets) for those in the Armed Forces so we were all able to visit a place otherwise regulated to those with a large amount of disposable income. Ben enjoyed himself quite thoughly even when we forced him where everyone has always dreamed he would be restrained...

It was quite the multi-cultural experience within the realm of these United States. With different areas of the park dedicated to different countries. We both had varying opinions... but in the end opted to visit them all.

I can honestly say that I've been in England... but didn't have a good chance to find a stero-typical red phone booth... so we both made sure to take the cursitory picture with one since it was handy.

We visited several different countries with various cultures and enjoyed spending time with family when they happened to be half way across the country at the same time...

Ben came just for the Big Band music... but all of us found everything enjoyable.So anyone who wants to come and visit just let know... and we'll have a ton of fun... just ask Ben!

Home Sweet Home...

2006-09-17T21:47:00.000-04:00

So... after the move of persons, possessions, and onto different places... WE are finally home. Our home. An interestingly strange new place that neither of us had been anywhere before locationally, emotionally, or relationally.

This post is simply to show all of those interested what the features of this newly created home look like...

So we have the decorated door... the exterior apartment shot (with our blue Jetta in the foreground. Our apt. is the bottom row of windows)

Over here on the right is our living room... nice and homey.

And this is our couch... (and it was FREE!)

Moving on through the house we find the kitchen... which is a little crowded but allows our table to fit perfectly in the space that we do have.

Turning and following our quaint hallway...

... making a slight left we find ourselves in the office which is where all our grad-level, diligent studying happens (well... will happen).

Now if we travel back into the hallway we shall explore the last area of the house... our bedroom. And there you have it... our new home!

A nice home. All we need... just enough room for two, and the occassion company. And close to school, work, and church... so God has been good... and for that we are thankful.

Moving...

2006-09-10T20:18:00.000-04:00

So the marriage is underway... the honeymoon over... what's next? The move. We moved to Pennsylvania to begin our pursuit of our graduate degrees. We packed up all my stuff in MN and drove to MI to pick up all of Sarah's stuff that we had accumulated at her parents house. Along the way picked up the moving van and had the Borth kids make sure it was sturdy enough for the long haul. Ensured of it stablity, we loaded it up, said our last goodbye's and headed out on the road to PA!

2 days, 2 nights, and 28 hours on the road... we finally made it safe and sound 7 states later, all the way to PA!

So now we are moved, settled in, and adjusting to live life in the East, enjoying it as it comes... and as God gives in the ways that He deems best.

The Honeymoon...!!!

2006-08-21T22:09:00.000-04:00

Well... just in case some of you might have wondered what we did for our honeymoon... we brought a few pictures back to let you have a sneak-peek on our trip to Duluth...

It was a great trip. One in which we took our time relaxing and enjoying the sites, sounds, and sun of a carefree week of life. Completely enjoying the one time of life when responsibility seems to fade away from all thought.

-- SATURDAY --

Was the basic arrival and "Whew! I can't believe we're married!" stuff. We found a cool ski lodge at Spirit Mountian to live in for the week and enjoyed it thoroughly.

-- SUNDAY --

Sleeping in took on a whole new meaning ;), recovering from a very long, full, and happy day from the wedding. Taking time to spend with God instead of trying to find some random church was very much a comfort and a blessing in the first complete day of being married... and comes highly recomended as an awesome experience. So we kept it simple...

-- MONDAY --

Ah... yes, Duluth in the summer... what shall we do? We started off by strolling the lake lock (which we frequently did) and then taking in a movie. But not just any movie, no, this was the Omnimax. We're not talking big screen, we're talking REALLY BIG SCREEN. Thus superman became much larger than life (approximately 300 times larger).

-- TUESDAY --

As we would come to find out, this day was typical of the week, 80-ish and perfect sunny weather. We opted to take in some of the natural habitat and wildlife and visited the Great Lakes Aquarium. Fish are always fun, but they happened to have an exhibit on the Great Abyss and featured a plethora of information on the watery depths. http://www.glaquarium.org

-- WEDNESDAY --

Started out the day with omlette's for breakfast... the only way to start the day! We decided that we were getting the hang of this one activity a day thing... so we attempted two, back-to-back. First we started off with a North Shore Scenic Railroad train ride along Lake Superior, and followed that with a cruise on that same gorgeous body of water, on a perfect day, with the perfect person! And for dinner we finished off the evening with Mark grilling steak out in the fresh, open air.

-- THURSDAY --

We wanted to get out and explore the country... so we took off up the North Shore. If you ever get the chance you should take the trip up the North Shore of Lake Superior. Gooseberry Falls, Two Harbors Lighthouse, and Split Rock Lighthouse were on the agenda for the day. They were ranged from the hiking trails of the falls up and down the river, the pier out of Two Harbors, and the historic scenic information of Split Rock. The day in which we covered the most ground by far, over 100 miles up and back viewing these grand displays of both natural wonder and man's attempt to adapt to the wild, untameable water. After our grand tour of the broad expanse of the North Shore... we went back into Duluth for a fine dinner at the Radisson's revolving resturant and enjoyed quite a unique, once in a lifetime dining experience.

-- FRIDAY --

Wow the week when by so fast! But we loved every minute! We finished the week with both the refinement of high city class culture, as well as the enjoyment of complete bliss in vacationing. It was decided that for the majority of the day we would just leisurely take our time at the beach, enjoying the 90' weather and the cool refreshing water of Lake Superior. And then finished the day, and ultimately the week in style by visiting the Duluth Playhouse for their version of "Once Upon A Mattress"... which was an outstanding preformance.

It brought to a prefect conclusion, a perfect honeymoon... and is entirely the best way to start the (well... most of the time ;) perfect relationship!

-- SATURDAY --

One last part to this story that makes life interesting and keeps one humble happened to us on our way back from the honeymoon. We were traveling down I-35 from Duluth to the cities in no-man's-land Minnesota and were about 2 hours out of Duluth when one of the cars tires blew out and went flat. We had to unload all our travel bags and wedding clothes and dig out the spare. Taking it in stride, we had the tire changed in 10 minutes and then drove on that for the next 100 miles until we made it to Minneapolis where we could find a place that was open that had tires and could change it out for us. What a way to start out... nothing like a little faith in God to keep us focused where we need to be.

The Wedding...!!!

2006-08-20T18:57:00.000-04:00

July 22, 2006

You could not have asked for a better day! It was goregous, warm, bright, and beautiful. God answered many prayers for an outdoor wedding.

It came together splendedly and moved as though one was in a dream. Almost surreal in nature, but it most definitely became reality. And this reality started early, right around 6 a.m.. Getting dressed, fixing hair, makeup, flowers, and the normal final preperations were the standard fare for the morning.

And so thus... all the
beautiful "things" that go along with
weddings were included...
dress and flowers...

... of course the
radiant bride!

... and we did remember the rings...

was an outdoor ceremony, with perfect weather, just the right number of guests, the bridal party - complete with bride and groom - (and yes... we both happened to be present and on-time.)

Best Man ~ Jonny - Mark's college roommate
Maid of Honor ~ Rachel - Sarah's sister

Ben - Mark's brother
Hannah - Sarah's sister

Dustin - Mark's college roommate
Naomi - Sarah's sister

Josh - Sarah's brother
Abigail - Sarah's sister

... isn't it nice that everyone smiled?

Levi and Esther preparing the way...

... and here comes the bride...

with a special song sung by
Brittany, Andi, Rachel, and Hannah.

The challenge delivered by
Pastor Tim from our church in MN.

All in all it was a very nice ceremony, focused on God, His plan for marriage, His challenge for us to live and love as Christ exemplified. So it looked just like this...

So after all that... we couldn't forget the KISS!!!

And now we are Mr. & Mrs. Mark Hanson...

enjoying one another's company daily...
and currently, continually living...

Starting life - Marriage

2006-08-14T17:05:00.000-04:00

The beginning...

A very good place to start.

Well, once upon a time... a boy met a girl and fell in love. Over several years that love grew until it became the biggest commitment two people can make to one another.

Now... they are married. And this is the beginning of that trek, this journey of life, no longer single - rather two who have become one and joined life's adventure sharing all its struggles and joys. So this is where we begin, combining the lives of a girl named Sarah and a boy named Mark into a new and different life that is one of fullness and completeness.

This blog is a combination of two others by the titles of
www.markjameshanson.blogspot.com & www.surfthemetro.blogspot.com
for any an all who wish to catch up to this point in time.