High Fidelity - U2

U2 is one of those bands who changed the music industry, not only are they amazing musicians and lyricists, they are advocates for numerous charities and are outspoken against AIDS/HIV, poverty and hunger in our world.  They are also deeply spiritual and many of their songs clearly speak to the struggle of man dealing with the world around him and faith - be it in a Heavenly being or simply in mankind. U2 started the ONE campaign and Bono is currently the ambassador for the Millennium Development Goals (part of the United Nations)

One of my favorite U2 songs is "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - it speaks to my constant struggle with knowing God's plan for me and that feeling of knowing there is something more out there... (how fitting that the video was filmed in "Sin City"!)

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

I have climbed highest mountain

I have run through the fields

Only to be with you

Only to be with you

I have run

I have crawled

I have scaled these city walls

These city walls

Only to be with you

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips

Felt the healing in her fingertips

It burned like fire

This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels

I have held the hand of a devil

It was warm in the night

I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I believe in the kingdom come

Then all the colors will bleed into one

Bleed into one

Well yes I'm still running

You broke the bonds and you

Loosed the chains

Carried the cross

Of my shame

Of my shame

You know I believed it

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for...

Other favorites include "Beautiful Day", "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "Walk On". 

One of the coolest video's is "Where The Streets Have No Name." U2 filmed their video on top of liquor store in downtown LA freaking the police out and drawing fans in to watch by the hundreds.   :)

U2



 Lyrics to U2's song "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" are the property and copyright of their owners.

In the name of love....

U2 music as a way to celebrate Christ's love?  Sure, why not?  On Saturday, June 23rd I attended a special "U2charist" service (spirituality+justice+rock and roll) that was brought to Resurrection Lutheran by our fantastic intern, Vicar Ray McKechnie, who will be leaving us in a few weeks after a year of awesome service... sad :(

Vicar Ray McKechnie - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide  

The service was an inspiring combination of U2 music performed by our enthusiastic Resurrection Praise Team and messages about equality, justice, humanity and faith.  It was a service based around the Eucharist (hence the clever name) which is also known as the Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and had a very thought provoking message shared by the Reverend Dr. Dan Brunner, professor of Christian History, Formation, and Earthkeeping at George Fox Evangelical Seminary.

The missions of the ONE campaign and Millennium Development Goals were shared and a free will offering was taken to benefit the Lutheran World Relief/Lutheran Malaria Initiative and local non-profits focusing on hunger, HIV/AIDS, and environmental sustainability including SnowCap Community Charities, Outgrowing Hunger, Cascade AIDS Project, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. 

U2charist - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide

The message from Rev. Dr. Dan Brunner and an audio clip of the Praise Team performing "Pride (In The Name of Love)" are available here for a limited time.

Please also check out Resurrection Lutheran Church's webpage as well for additional information about our ELCA based Lutheran church, our stewardship, ministries and events.

I dreamed a dream...

It's incredibly dangerous to peruse this site "just for fun."  My "just for fun" jaunt has now developed into a full-fledged obsession with an adorable little townhouse nearby.  I NEED it.  (Okay, so I don't need it but tell that to the little devilish redhead on my shoulder.)

The price is fantastic, its in a great location and would be a super starter home, especially for a single woman.  That is also where the problem comes in.  As a single woman who is racking up student loans as we speak and is still trying to unearth herself from some poor monetary decisions while she was in her 20's and clinically depressed (retail therapy anyone?), I have found that qualifying for a loan on my own is not a possibility right now until I have enough money to eliminate some bills.  It would be different with a second income coming in but alas you need another in your household to bring that money in the door and that does not appear to be in the cards any time soon (the cat's a lazy cuss and refuses to go to work).  It's funny how people always dream of winning millions in the lottery but in reality winning $25,000 would make one of my biggest dreams possible.  Oh how your perspective can change as you become more and more adult like... :)

So here are a few pics of the house - its not super fancy, it certainly isn't my dream house but it is my dream "right now" house...

$ 109,900

3 bed 

2.5 bath

Front of town home

Bar and fireplace

Bar and open kitchen

Kitchen, dining nook and deck

Kitchen, nook and view!

Deck off the master bedroom, yes please!

View toward the Columbia river - would be super pretty on a clear day

So cute, sad it's not feasible...

What I have to keep on telling myself is that there are plenty of other people my age who aren't able to buy a home either, that I have a nice rental right now and that I am most likely in a better position financially than some my age... these self-affirmations however don't equate a home of my own or a nice deduction on my taxes.   Alas, patience is a virtue Sara... remember this.  

I do admit, however, that I look forward to the possibility of marriage someday - not only for the companionship and love but also the possibility to purchase a place of my own (or, our own).  I am also reminding myself on a daily basis that the right guy will come along some day and that it must be God's plan that I have yet to meet a man who is capable of loving me just the way I am.  Surely there's someone out there, right?

This verse was shared with me at my confirmation as an "adult" in the Lutheran church, it has always held a truly special meaning for me.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make you straight in your paths.

                               -Proverbs 3:5-6

Another that brings hope:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.

                              -Psalm 143:8

High Fidelity - Eric Church and Springsteen

I love Eric Church's unique sound (which, I admit, took me awhile to like at first) and I'm really digging this song right now.  Doesn't hurt that he's perty to look at as well.  ;)

I took a cue from the title of the previous song, "Springsteen" and have included a couple of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs. :)

While I'm not a big fan of 'the boss' in general there are a few songs of his that have a special place in my heart.  

The first two were released in my formative music years - middle school.  The first is "Streets of Philadelphia" which was from the Tom Hanks movie "Philadelphia" released in 1993.  

The second is "Secret Garden" which was the theme to "Jerry Maguire" starring Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger released in 1995.  

While both songs were indeed from movies that isn't why I like them (heck, I didn't see them until I was in college!). I enjoy these songs because whenever I hear them they take me back to that feeling of being 11 to 13 and so at awe with the world, so hopeful for the future, for love.  I love how certain songs can take you right back to specific moments in time - there are a lot of early 90's songs that do that to me. 

The third I just personally discovered a couple of years ago even though it is from the mid-1980's.  It just happened to pop up on a Pandora station one day and I immediately took note.  I love how the percussion sounds like a train, the song just sounds like it comes from a raw place.  Love, love.

Eric Church

High Fidelity - The Temper Trap and Miranda Lambert

My boss said this afternoon, after I randomly decided during the last half hour of our day that our entire department needed to boogie to the B-52's "Love Shack" and proceeded to play it for everyone to enjoy, that I have a very "eclectic taste" in music.  He then proceeded to translate this more clearly into "Sara likes some crazy, random stuff".  I took it as a compliment.  :)

I couldn't make up my mind this evening about which song to feature so you get both.  :)   This will probably happen more and more cause there are so many great songs out there to share!

The first is a song that came out in 2010 but gathered air play in summer of 2011 here in the US.  It is from The Temper Trap and it still remains toward the top of my playlist.  I just love it.  Here's "Sweet Disposition"

Miranda Lambert is one of my favorite female country artists right now, she's just so real and a total dork (check out her twitter feed @Miranda_Lambert for evidence!) not to mention her songs are so great!  This one really speaks to me right now, I love the reminder that God does not require you to be perfect - he loves you just the way you are.  The thought of  being worthy of just kicking back and drinking a glass of wine with Jesus cause he accepts you and all your faults is awesome.  This is "Heart Like Mine"...

High Fidelity - The Farm

I hadn't heard of this band until I went on the Halloween 'Boo' Cruise put on by a local country station last October.  The concert, which was headlined by Danny Gokey and also featured "Somethin' 'Bout A Truck" singer Kip Moore, was opened by this new trio called The Farm.  

My friend and I were super lucky to be literally in the front row of the concert and I was very impressed by this band - they are awesome musicians and really entertaining to watch.  They were also very down to earth and mingled with the costumed crowd before and after the show (Kip Moore did the same).  

I really hope their single "Home Sweet Home" eventually takes off cause they are super talented and I think, given the chance, could really make it big in country music.  

 

And here is Kip Moore's "Somethin' 'Bout A Truck" which is hitting it big on the charts right now...

The Farm - Nick Hoffman, Krista Marie and Damien Horne

Salsa!

So last Friday was our Salsa Showdown competition at work in honor of Cinco de Mayo.  I decided to take a chance and try and make salsa, it was a risk as I have never even contemplated making it on my own... Pace was good enough for me.  :)  So I started perusing one of my favorite recipe sites, www.TasteofHome.com and reviewed a few different recipes trying to get an idea of even where to start.  So I used this recipe as kind of a model (with a few changes since I wouldn't be canning it) and made my own modifications.  

While I didn't win the competition I did place third in the mild/medium category and the second place winner only received one more vote than me and the first place only one more vote than her so really I was only two votes from winning.  ;)

This is just a small sample, recipe will make upwards of 8-10 cups at least

Here is my recipe for Smokey Mild Salsa:

• 15 medium tomatoes (I used a combination of Hot House on the vine and Roma, diced and peeled if desired)
• 1 green pepper (chopped)
• 2 medium sweet onions (chopped)
• 1 sweet red pepper (chopped)
• 1 celery rib (chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced) or 2 tsp. pre-minced garlic from jar
• 1 can diced jalapenos, drained (4 oz)
• 1 can diced fire roasted mild green chilies, drained(6 to 8 oz)
• 2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes (14.5 oz), drained
• 1 can plain diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• 2 Tbs. white vinegar
• 2 Tbs. graduated sugar
• 2 Tbs. tomato paste
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 teas. hot pepper sauce (I used Tabasco)
• 1/2 teas. paprika (smoky Paprika if you have it)
• 1/4 teas. cumin
• 1/4 teas. chili powder
• two light shakes of red pepper flakes (if desired)

Directions:

• In a large stockpot cook the fresh tomatoes, uncovered, over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in all other ingredients, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for one hour, stirring frequently.

As you can tell, I made it pretty chunky - simply chop veggies in smaller pieces to make a smoother salsa!

 Enjoy!