a handful of miracles

So this last week has been a bit of a unique one.  Last week Monday I started feeling a bit off.  A little bit of a scratchy throat and the whole bit.  Immediately I began to pray because when my spirit claims the sickness then it's as though I were giving the sickness permission to make its home and I did not want that. 
These first couple weeks of the quarter have been hectic for me.  Like I said before there are 4 teams going on outreach in 2 months, but the same amount of people going on a mid-lecture phase outreach next week-----so that means my heavy prep work begins early.  We have a school going on up in the mountains....at our mountain campus 'Eagle Rock'.  They join us down at the Arvada campus every monday. 
So....like I said I started feeling off on a Monday, the only day that I can possibly communicate face to face with the leadership from the Eagle Rock school.  Push through Erika!!!  I felt something like a wind of the Spirit pick me up and give me clear thoughts about what I needed to do that day...during the time alotted.  I was like a freight train!  In God's perfect timing, I actually finished what I NEEDED to do then began to feel weak again.  Should I go home now...and rest?  I felt like it was time.  I had overwhelming grace for the moment! Thank you Lord! 

This bug just kept me on my toes all week.  YES.....all week.  It is Monday again and I am not well still.  After hundreds of prayers from family and friends all believing for full healing....I am still coughing, blowing the shnoz, taking meds, and wondering what to do next.  There were times in this last week that I pressed anxiously into a cure, but pulled back just letting the Holy Spirit comfort me.  One of these moments was Friday night.  (Oh did I tell you we had house guests from Thursday to Sunday?)  Will insisted that I stay in our bed, but there were not many options because Kevin was sleeping on the couch and his parents were in the basement.  I knew I would cough for an hour...and cause Will to lose sleep.  So I just prayed that God would show me a miracle.  This is what He told me.

I felt like the Lord said 'Do not make a provision for being sick.  Lay down just like you would any night.  When an urge to cough comes over you....just lay your hand on your chest and pray quietly about my healing, my peace, and my promise of life for you.'  I really went out in faith on this one.  It was so personal....no one else (but Will....my bed buddy) would be awaiting the results.  I went for it.  No more sleeping with two pillows elevating me, no more getting up to read for an hour in the other room, no more vicks on the feet with socks, no more tea with honey.  I just rested....and prayed.  In the morning I awoke and realized I had slept that night.  It worked!  God was faithful to bring me rest!  It was a miracle!

The next couple of days I struggled to hold the faith that I would be healed because I felt like all the symptoms were getting heavier.  I had totally cut out all sugar and dairy...only drinking water and Emergen-C! 

Saturday I prayed about heading up to the Eagle Rock campus for a staff couples wedding and I got the go ahead.  I may have pushed myself too much.  When there are good tunes being played and little girls asking me to dance with them who can turn that down.  Nevertheless, I was bushed!   It's been almost a week.  Everyday I thought the next day would be the ending day....where all the mucus would break up and I would feel less pressure in my face and head.  Nope....not true. 

Sunday was a day of rest with Parker Posey--in--You've Got Mail & Josie and the Pussy Cats.  My favorite Parker outfit had to be this feather collar she wore.....it was amazing! 
Our house guests left us a a thank you card and $100!!!  Serious provision and graciousness....they were staying with me (coughing and under the weather), and still gave us a gift!

Monday now, time for the visit to the clinic.  So how much is it gonna be to do all this?  Can we afford it without health insurance?  75 bucks for the clinic and 26 for the medicine.  Hmmmm.....that's $101 dollars!  Seems like God provided everything we needed before we needed it.  MIRACLE!

So, yes I am a little behind on work, but it will all fall into place when it needs to.  I did get to read some...which I have not done in like 5 years.  I started AND finished the book 'Is That Really You God' by Loren Cunningham.  It was a a book I read while doing my DTS in Norway.  But that was a long time ago...and God was doing a lot in me.  I felt like now would be a good time to read it...and really understand the story.  I drew a ton from the book including some principles to hear God's voice.  I have started reading 'No Compromise' by Melody Green.  The book is a biography of Keith Green's life written by his wife.  It should be great although it is 500 pages long.  YIKES!

I have my meds.  And I am on the mend.  I just wanted to give God the glory for His provision and comforting ways.  Thank you Jesus!

Life on the Weekends

Now that the new quarter has started off smoothly, we're back to our normal weekend outings, and have added about 20 or more students to the mix each time.  Last Saturday we went to the Denver Art Museum and just loved the opportunity to be inspired, challenged, and awed by the creativity of this and past generations.

An entire exhibit of chairs... both modern and old. 
This was a personal favorite. 

I like to call him iron man.... however I'm not sure what it's proper title is. 
The best way to describe it is a sculpture mosaic of metal.

We stopped for a little snack break on one of the balconies. 
I sat in the shade, and in typical "Erika fashion" she chose to soak up some rays.

"View" by David Schnell

There was a huge installation piece called Fox Games, by Sandy Skoglund
of only grey foxes and red dining room tables and chairs.
It was definitely a favorite!   

Kevin Looper, a dear friend of ours, came with and stuck
with us the entire time through the art museum, despite our slow pace.

Please check out some of the other art we saw at the Denver Art Museum
The Violin by Roy Lichtenstein
Horse by Deborah Butterfield

Last Sunday we were able to help a good friend (who was out of town for a family funeral) by leading worship her local church downtown.  We missed our own community at Hillside, but it was great to have the opportunity to serve somewhere new and lead a new group of believers into God's Presence.

This past week has been a good one for the both of us I believe.  I've been seeking to look at what things in my life are renewing for me and focusing on purposefully putting those things into my schedule.  Mostly, I've found that they're having to do with me creating... painting, drawing, photography, music.  Previously, those would be the first things to go, in the business of the day to day, but I now see their vital relevance in my life in order for me to stay healthy.  Erika has been working hard to organize local creative musical outings with the Musicians DTS as well as getting everyone (70 students on 4 teams) creatively organized and prepared for a Dec to Feb outreach.  She's doing a great job with discipling her small group girls and really is making a difference in forming new ideas and opportunities for the school.

Yesterday, we hiked the Three Sisters with the DTS.  It was a beautifully fall day and even though the hike was easier than expected, the bouldering we were able to do was an added treat.

On her way up!

A good friend and fellow musician of ours,  Julie Tiehen, came along for the hike!

Almost there!

Kyle... took the hard way up

Kevin, the resident monkey, made it to the top in seconds and
was already taking enjoying the view.

 We are hoping for another week full of challenges, accomplishments, discipleship, and revelation.  As time allows we'll fill you guys in on the details.   

week 1 Report

Day 4 in week 1. 

We have had a busy week.  Week 1's are always busy.  They are filled with new jobs, new responsibilities, and new people.  I think they are overall very fun, but when the week is done---we could use a break.  We will drive in the mountains and see the yellow aspens after church.  YES!

I have been enjoying the Musicians DTS students alot.  I was thinking they would be a bit more drama-ish....being artists and stuff, but it seems they all have a great head on their shoulders.  Today we finished our 5 minute testimonies.  We all come from different backgrounds.  30+ people all in one place...alot of pasts that are filled with divorce, drugs, sex, hate, alcohol, cutting, and rejection.  I see that God has already brought so much healing to each person even before the school starts.  I am even more sure that God is going to be faithful to walk people through deeper healing as the teachers start coming in, and we worship 3 times a week, and pray, and journal, and read great books, and just hear Him speak.  The students will really see a transformation in their lives.  I am excited to be a witness of it all.  This really is the best job ever! 

I have a lot of thinking and planning to do for the Outreach Prep though.  70+ students from both DTS's and a secondary school all need some preliminary training before Christmas.  I have to organize all of that.  Pray for me!!!

Will is enjoying the Phase 2 as well....I think.  I am writing this and guess by the fact that he is chipper on a daily basis and that he did not say otherwise....he likes to be a staff member in the school.  Actually I think he REALLY likes it.  He will have to tell you why in another post. 

This weekend we are bringing some Musician DTS students to the Denver Art Museum.  It costs 30 bucks to see King Tut, but it is free for the other parts.  Seriously....$30!  They are still making money on that guy....just carting his dead mummified skins around like a freak show and charging for it.  What a circus!   But, I wanna see it still....somehow I still wanna see it.  But won't pay $30.

The Summer Eye View

We know that the summer has just come and gone.  We wanted to fill you in on some of the things that we have been up to.  I think it will help you get a better perspective of our life in Denver.  Just to add to this too...we work full time at the base PLUS all of the things we post photos about.  Just to make that clear!  If all the things here could be our full time jobs....that would be awesome!


ART ON A SUMMER SUNDAY

 Kevin and Jess came over and I taught them how to batik.  We were successful with hot wax & colorful dye!

We of course did a few tie-dye projects too.

I am rinsing the dyed fabric in water
before hanging to dry.  The process is lengthy
with -dry to wax & wet to dye- repeat.

Jess' headband              Kevin's  tree

Christa, Erika's sister, came to visit in July.  She is back in Honduras teaching those kids!  Erika' mom and dad came at the end of her visit and there were a lot of new adventures in Colorado-mountains, camping, and cleaning the house. Love you all!!

AUGUST 14th!!    WILL'S 27th BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST!
Scrambled eggs, coffee, grapefruit juice, sausages, cheezy grits, brown cheese & jelly, and biscuits.
I held the mail so he would get his cards on the special day!

A week later we had a backyard party for the School of Worship students and staff.  We got to enjoy the evening with delicious steak, corn on the cob, asparagus, and acoustically performed songs written by the group.  It was a delightful time.  We got to use our new wedding dishes and silverware.  We love hosting a pretty party or two!

Later in August we went with YWAMDenver on a mountain trip for an all staff retreat.  Throughout the spring there had been many specialized retreats for wives, singles, couples, and husbands too.  We just had a great time all together.  Almost everyone got to go on the retreat because of generous giving within the staff.  An offering was taken so no one would miss the bonding that would happen over the weekend.  We played volleyball, biked, had a belly flop contest, watched movies, and played board games.  It was really refreshing to see that even though we work full time we still like and love each other!

Helina, our beloved Estonian friend, left the states after a year in Colorado
It was so nice to spend some quality last days with her. 

At the beginning of September we taught for 3 days in the School of Worship.  It was a scary event in some ways because the topic was on Prophetic Worship & Art.  I don't know about you, but the topic is so huge and so mysterious that it seems we would really not be able to capture the thoughts of God on it.  We actually needed to get passed some insecurities and ask the Lord for His words and His guidance!  The teaching days were great!  Will taught for a day and a half and Erika did the same.  Will taught on the Biblical perspective of prophetic worship and Erika switched gears and taught on the basics of prophetic imagery and art.  The students were given a project and time to work on it as well.  The assignment was to pray and ask God to show them a visual picture of two things about a specific audience (christians, ywam, their school, youth).  1. Where are they right now in the eyes of God and 2. Where are they going according to the design God has planned.  In their discovery and toiling on this topic all of the students found new revelation in abilities to communicate through other means than just music and at a Worship Art Gallery for the whole community the Denver YWAMers also felt God had spoken to them as well.  We are so proud of the students!

This is only one of the projects presented at the Worship Art Gallery

 The quarter is over!  September 17th was the graduation and adios to the students headed to Panama for their DTS outreach.  We also said goodbye as we took our first married vacation (minus the honeymoon) to Kansas City.  This quarter has been long and busy with visitors and plans...we were well in need of a refreshing time with friends.  Our dearest couple friends Erin and Caleb Paxton were just the oasis we needed.  We flew in under the radar.  We were Caleb's birthday surprise!  We enjoyed coffee, art, music, baking, kittens and episodes of Smallville!  Thank you Jesus for the finances to take this trip!  It was so great!

Erin is so radiant!  She will be a mommy in November!

She actually tried to get up inside this large piece of museum art.  She got yelled at by a microphone and hidden camera near by.  She probably won't be let into the area again....they have her fingerprints!

Caleb is just creepy and funny.  Will and Caleb laughed all weekend!

To begin and end our time together with the Paxton's we drank coffee at a local cafe.  It was called Broadway Cafe.  It was such good coffee and as the story goes the rest of Kansas City likes it too.  It put Starbucks, just up the street, out of business because of the delightful quality enjoyed at this quaint little cafe!  

 As we wrap up this weekend with tv shows, baking, resting, and reading we prepare for the next YWAM quarter to begin!  Tomorrow is the first day of 100 new students, 5 schools, and new jobs.  Will is working with the Leadership School--- Phase II/School of Ministry Development.  I am working for the first time ever with the Discipleship Training School.  This quarter the school is focused on Musicians.  So we hope to have some interesting and new challenges as a couple and individually.

Thanks for reading this.  Please send some words our way!

it's been long, but we're back

so I've been working really hard today on this blog.  I figure this is sort of a way to keep my artistic skills up to date.  how did I do?  it's fun, but I realize it is totally consuming.  today I have been just wishing I could somehow document my life so I realize how blessed I am by lovely friends, good food, music, art, and a fulfilling job.  i realize that I can not give you a full picture of what that looks like.  I can not even begin to catch you up to what has been going on.  we sort of fell off the map for 6 months.  i guess that is what a new marriage will do.  we just stare into each other's eyes all day instead of eating and breathing.  ahhhh.   well, as nice as that sounds we did a little of that a little of setting in to life.  We have had non stop visitors this summer.  It was wonderful and exhausting.  We are taking a long break from full time hospitality for a while. 

Enjoying the Old and the New

So we'll start with the old.

Meet the newest member of the Strickland musical ensemble!

We found this treasure at a yard sale on Saturday for $5! Sounds like a combination of an accordion and an organ. I (Will) have been writing some new songs lately and you had better believe that this little treasure is going to have it's time to shine.

This past week the Wagle's (some beautiful friends of ours that live in Colorado Springs) graciously invited us to join them for Saturday and Sunday up at a condo in Breckenridge, CO... and so we DID! Here are a few pics of our time up there which basically included the beauty of new flowers blooming EVERYWHERE! We couldn't believe how it looked and felt like spring up there! The 72 degrees was a welcomed change from the triple digits we had left just hours before. This was our first little get away since getting married and we were so grateful.

Poppies are my new favorite flower by FAR!

Our state flower... the Columbine!

For those of you who love people pictures, I'm sorry for the lack, but trust me... We were there!

welcome to our new married people blog. we are so excited to share some in action pictures of us with you. here you will see a very excited William with the Norwegian gift of brown cheese. Anne Randi visited us and had more than just gifts to bring us. She stayed for 10 days and it was a blessing to have her in our home. We love visitors. come and stay with us in Arvada!