A Happy 4th

Yes, I am one of those who tear up when I hear the national anthem played. I am one of those who gets emotional over a large crowd saying the pledge of allegiance.  After living in Australia for two years, I couldn't wait to come home and see the stars and stripes flying high!  And this weekend, we celebrated our country.  Yes, I know it's not always perfect, but it is the spot in the world that I call home.  I hope you all had a safe and happy 4th.  Here are a few pictures that sum up our holiday weekend.

Dane & I celebrated the 4th in KC at the Parkville Carnival.  Although we avoided the rides (they all looked like vomit comets to me)  we did take a long walk down by the river and ended the evening with fireworks over the water.  

The day before we enjoyed a Wutke tradition by serving watermelon to the community of Girard at their annual 4th of July celebration.  It was a great evening of catching up with friends and family, dancing to a little country music, and eating more watermelon than I ever have in my life! Something new I learned about Dane, he is a PRO at cutting & serving up watermelon!

 

 

 And I leave you with this.  Probably my favorite moment of the entire weekend, watching Dane & Drew enjoy the fireworks with their Grandma Nellie.  Such a sweet moment.  Happy Independence Day Everybody!

Brock + Brittany

I've been picking up my camera a lot lately and had the chance to do my very first photo shoot with    my brother Brock & his finance Brittany!  Seriously we had so much fun and I learned A LOT.  My absolute favorite pictures are the ones that happened when they weren't even posing, but just interacting with one another and showing true emotion.  Those are the ones that made me step back and say YES!  I look forward to shooting more in the future!

Brock & Brittany, thanks for the opportunity and congrats!  Looking forward to your special day!

Hello KC

I have always loved Kansas City.  There has always been something exciting that stirred inside me each time I was making the trip here, whether it was to see family, shop, go to a concert or a game, this city has always had an allure to this small town girl.  

And now, Dane and I are excited to call this spot home!  We moved to KC at the start of May and since then have hit the ground running, no maybe more like sprinting!  What bring us to this city of fountains?  Well Dane recently took a job as a Video Director at the Rock of KC.  We are super excited to be a part of this church family, look forward to planting ourselves here & letting our roots go down deep.

I feel like there is so much more to stay about how this all came to be- the way God moved, stirred and put His plan in motion, but I much rather have that conversation with you in person, maybe over a cup of coffee, here in my city (my city my treat)...so until then we'll just leave it at, "Hello Kansas City, it's great to be here and we look forward to the adventures you have in store for us!"

Thank You Lifetrack

I remember the first time I walked through the front doors at Lifetrack.  The idea that this would one day be our home church wasn't even on Dane or my radar.  At that point and time we were floating between Girard & Clay Center and praying for God to open doors.  Literally, that night, He was opening the front door of the building He would plant us in.

Dane was sitting in on a rehearsal to learn a few tips from the master of sound, Mr. Taylor (seriously he's not going to be happy I have given him that title, but I did, because I believe it is true Mr. T), and I was popping in to say hi.  I remember walking in and thinking, well this place is welcoming and comfortable.

A couple Sundays later Dane & I had the opportunity to attend our first service and be a part of the worship team.  I remember when the moment came in the service for people to greet one another, and I looked around and saw people sincerely hugging, shaking hands, laughing & smiling.  A lot of times these moments in churches can be awkward, but this was different.  There was a genuine sincerity about people.  You could tell everyone cared about each other and they were excited it was Sunday so they could all be together.  I believe that the purpose of the church is to #1 love Jesus & #2 love others.  It was obvious that this was happening here.

So when the opportunity for Dane & I came to do ministry at Lifetrack we were excited to dive in.  Throughout our year here we saw the worship team grow.  We saw people step up into leadership roles,  find freedom in worship, and truly bring glory to God with their talents.  We were pushed- learned to sing with in ears, an MD, and a click track (although I still haven't mastered that one!)  We learned a 15 song set and lead the first ever youth rally at Lifetrack. The team worked hard, showed up for late Thursday night rehearsals & early Sunday morning rehearsals & it was worth it!

And there were other fabulous memories as well!  Leading music at VBS, TRACKER, church picnics, giant water slides, college age (so many memories from college age), fantasy football teams, Christmas Eve, Sunday lunches, candy cane bombing the parking lot, riding out tornado warnings, fair trade market, Telestrations but most importantly the people.

I remember being concerned about being the new kid on the block.  Coming into a small church I figured everyone already had all of the friends they needed.  But we made friends and we made friends fast.  Seriously it has been such a joy to do life with you all.  I don't think we can say thank you enough for welcoming us, loving us, and letting us be part of your church family for a little while.  We love y'all!

One last thing Lifetrack.  Dane & I both believe that your best days are yet to come.  You are doing great things in the communities that surround you.  God is taking ground through you and bringing people through your doors who need Jesus.  Keep pointing them in that direction.  Keep loving one another, continuing to be genuine and real, because you don't find that much in the world today.  Continue to study His word and letting it guide your steps, decisions, words & actions.

We love you Lifetrack and can't say thank you enough!  Now don't forget, if you are ever in KC or ever need someone to join you for a Royals game...we're there!

Much Love,
D+C

Wonderful Works

I so apologize for not posting a verse for March.  It is not because I haven't been learning one, it is simply because life has been so crazy!   This weekend my parents were down, and my mom said to me, "Christy you haven't posted a verse for March, people are waiting."  So here I am.  Right now I am sitting in a second grade classroom subbing during silent reading, and guess who forgot their silent reading book?  Bad Mrs. Wutke.  But the kids are really into their chapter books, so I figured I could sneak a couple minutes to write to you about March.

Lately, my mind has been quite the battleground.  Satan whispers his lies and more times than I would like to admit, I have listened.  He knows our weak spots and how to attack them.  You know the lies he has told you recently.  Things like:  You aren't good enough. You're fat. You're ugly.  You'll never reach those goals.  People hate being around you.  You are worthless.  You will always be alone.  The list could go on and on because Satan lies to you on a daily basis.  

When we allow these lies to be spoken to us, over time, we begin to believe them.  They begin to affect how we live our lives.  How we treat people.  How we treat ourselves. Our attitudes and how we view our future.  I don't know about you but I am sick of lies having such an impact on my life.  My mind has been a battleground, and I want victory, not defeat.  

Here's the beautiful thing about Jesus, He has already won the battle, and I don't have to fight off the lies alone.  I am going to strap on the belt of truth (Ephesians 6) and fight, with Him leading the charge.  I have found that the most potent way to fight off Satan's lies is by filling my mind with truth.

So this month, my memory verse is found in Psalm 34:1

Instead of allowing my mind to focus on the lies, I will instead fill my mind with praises.  Focusing my mind on all of the good things God has done for me and for you:

He has set me free.  He has given me life.  He loves me where I am at.  He is my overcomer, redeemer, restorer, provider, and friend.  He has given me hope in hopeless situations, shown light onto the paths I am walking.  He hears and answers my prayers.  His name is greater than any other name on this earth and that makes him King yet at the same time  He calls me His daughter and allows me to call him Daddy.  

Man when you start making your list of how good God is and the incredible ways He has worked in your life, you will praise yourself happy!  Suddenly those lies running through your mind will begin to cower at the powerful words of praise for your Lord!  

The chorus of this song has also been my song this month.  When I am struggling, I find me singing it over my life.  I hope this verse and this song will become etched on your heart and that His praises will continuously be on your lips.  




You can get your own 2015 memory verse cards here.  Simply download, print, cut, and tape around your home, office, car, barn, etc.  But I also encourage readers to examine their own lives, see what God is writing on their hearts, and feel free to create your own scripture memory cards.  Thanks for dong this journey with me.
January.  February.  March.