Nate's Blog

New things

2012-02-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

Not a lot of new things going on right now- lots of the same old thing. I had a really rough week last week, work was extremely busy and I thought I could feel a cold coming on. It was a lot of pressure and a lot of stress, I haven't had to deal with a lot of that here, so it was a rough time.

There has been a lot of stress and change in my department lately, and I fear it is about to get worse. Lots of big changes coming, and there's no knowing what will end up happening.

But in my free time... I finished the book Redwall some time ago (and I LOVED IT!), then started on a book called "The Search for WandLa", by Tony DiTerlizzi, an author/illustrator that I just discovered. I loved his illustrations and thought I'd check it out. It was a very interesting sci-fi children's book that provoked my imagination. Now I'm back to 20,000 Leagues under the sea, which I started some time ago and got sidetracked from. I have always wanted to read it and am just now getting to it...

It makes me wonder about other things- what things have I thought "I'll do that someday"?- and haven't done? It brings up all kinds of things that I haven't accomplished! My 27th Birthday is 1 week away... it is a weird realization.

STORY! ILLUSTRATION!

2012-01-17T11:28:00.001-08:00

Hey guys! So I just told you guys about my love of illustration and storytelling, right? Well, I've been going to Salvation Army a lot lately (or "the Salv", as I've come to know it), and last night I bought 5 books for $1.75. That is ridiculous, right? I love cheap books.

But, this is just a byproduct of my desire to read and understand more "adventury" stories. I'm almost through the book titled "Redwall" and I love it! I've been devouring it at every opportunity.

I've been loving the feeling of reading these books, but it also awakens the storyteller in me! I feel like when I'm at work, all I want to do is get away and read and draw- I'd LOVE to be able to be an author/illustrator of a book. Rachel (my sister) and I have been putting a story together for over a year now (we haven't had lots of time together to work on it), and it is inspiring to me!

So here and now, I'm making a mental note: I'm going to do whatever I can to make this story a reality. I'd love to co-write and illustrate this and then have it published. Sounds simple enough, right? Ha...

Anyway, my hopes are high and I'm loving it.

Weird day!

2012-01-13T11:35:00.000-08:00

So I'm having a weird day today. I've been in a bad mood on and off since this morning. I'm not exactly sure where it is coming from, but I feel frustrated about things that shouldn't frustrate me. I'm doing what I can to drop the attitude, but to be honest, this bad attitude has me thinking about things...

I'm back to wondering if I'm really cut out for graphic design at all. I've done it here for more than a year now and I like my job (and I know that is more than most people can say right now, and I AM so greatful), but sometimes I just don't feel like I make the cut. Things are changing in my department here, so there's some added stress and that sort of thing, but I think it'll calm down.

Just having a bad day I think. I am looking forward to the weekend!

It is snowing a little outside.

2012-01-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

Dear friends! I am not dead. Clearly I am back from Israel now! And it was a trip like none I've ever taken. If you want to see some pictures, check me out on facebook, I have TONS of photos uploaded.

This is just an update and another hopeful step toward actually being a regular blogger. But for now it will have to be a pretty short post.

I'm doing the same job, living in the same place and still loving it. In the last 2 weeks, big changes have been made in my department. Included in these changes is this: A good buddy of mine (and co worker) has decided to go out into the rest of the world and make something of a career for himself! I wish him well, but I'll miss him dearly.

I've been doing a lot of "story writing" and such lately, and I wonder from time to time if writing/illustrating books would be a good fit for me! I did a lot of reading over the summer, including the Chronicles of Narnia (An old favorite) and others. I just got into the Redwall series as well-which is great so far! Anyway, I've taken a big liking to that genre, and I'd love to do some illustrating for that sort of thing!

I've also recently become the owner of a 1995 Jeep Cherokee which is AWESOME! But sadly it means that the Raider gets to sit for a little while : (

Anyway, the Jeep is called Babe (the Blue Ox) because she's blue, and, lets be honest, it's an ox. I'll upload a picture soon! Keep up with me, I'm going to try and be a better blogger!

2011-05-15T20:25:00.000-07:00

It is 6:25am in Jerusalem, and I am sitting at the public computer in Citadel Hostel, which they tell me used to be some kind of tower. We flew in to Tel Aviv early yesterday morning and this is the first full-ish night's sleep I've had in 3 days or so. But we're here and it is beautiful! Yesterday, the 15th, was known as the Day of Independance for the Israelis and the Day of Catastrophe for the Palestinians. There was a little tension in the air for our first day here, but there was nothing to worry about. We had several long flights, starting in Detroit, then to Chicago then to Warsaw, Poland, and finally to Tel Aviv.

We did a little touring of the city yesterday and went to a Palestinian Christian church, it was great to see and talk to the Christians in this area. We went to the Wailing Wall and the various quarters of the Old City. Today we'll be meeting with a group called Musalaha (that is likely spelled wrong). There are other things on the itinerary, but I don't remember at the moment!

We have a beautiful view from the roof of the hostel, we can see the Dome of the Rock and can almost see the Wailing Wall, along with most of the city. Last night before going to bed, Chris, Karl and I sat up on the roof of a building and ate hummus and bread as we watched the city. I've found this to be an amazing experience already! Keep checking back here for updates!

Nate

2011-05-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

I'm finding more and more that this trip will be unlike any I've ever taken. I went to Mexico in high school on a mission trip, I also went to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota on another, then to Greece in 2008 (though that wasn't exactly a mission trip). This trip is going to be crazy, I just feel like this is that area of the world that I'm always hearing about, the centerpoint for perhaps the biggest worldwide controversy ever, and a crossroads for human history! Chris was telling me the other day that there are Christians there that trace their family back to the time of Jesus in that area! How amazing!

And yet I have an uneasy feeling about what I'm going to experience. Most of the time, I think mission teams are really well received, because they are there to increase the quality of living for the people. However we'll be there to talk to people on both sides of the controversy, in hopes of showing people that they're loved (by us and by their Maker) and plant seeds for reconciliation. We're bringing a message that some people aren't going to want to hear. Not that I'm afraid for my safety, I'm almost excited to face some adversity on the trip (though I'm sure I'll regret saying that). I'm just... anxious about it. But I think it is a good anxious.

In other news, I'm kind of sick... Please pray that I get over this bug quick! I can't afford to be sick right now!

Things are progressing pretty well for the trip, we leave a week from Friday! The whole group is getting excited and anxious as final plans are made. We have a meeting tonight to discuss things like what to bring/not to bring and other important last minute details. We'll also be watching another movie!

It also seems I will be cutting my hair like Mr. T! My fundraiser has been pretty successful! So in anticipation of a victory, I have ordered a shirt:

God is good!

2011-04-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

MR.T HAIRCUT CHALLENGE FOR ISRAEL!

Go to this link on Facebook and check out my event!

(Copied from the Event page on FB)
I am challenging you, facebook friends, to raise $500 for my mission trip to Israel! If you can reach that benchmark, I will cut my hair in the classic Mr.T mohawk/beard combo. That is less than $1 per person if all of my facebook friends gave! You get to help out a really good cause AND see me look like Mr. T!

Now, I know what you are saying, "NATE! But you already look JUST LIKE Mr. T!" And you're right, I do, however, my mohawk is a little less defined than his.

So here is the plan: You have until May 7th to donate online @ www.kensingtonchurch.org/global/israel_may12.php (Just create a login and password- it is really easy) Then send me a personal message telling me that you donated online for the MR. T CHALLENGE! If I raise that $500, I'll cut my hair like Mr. T.

Now comes the fine print: As I don't want to be stopped at the airport and held for questioning, I probably won't wear the mohawk on the trip itself, but I will post plenty of pictures of it before we leave!

2011-04-26T09:22:00.001-07:00

/Users/nate.woods/Desktop/Snakes....jpg
"Snakes... Why'd it have to be snakes?"

Found this on top of my computer at work this morning. We've been passing the snake around from cubicle to cubicle for a couple weeks now, it was only a matter of time before he found Indy! I love working here.

Things are progressing well for the Israel trip! We're all getting to be one big cohesive group! Things in the middle east continue to be... tumultuous. Please continue to pray for safety for our trip! With the trip nearly at hand, we're all getting very excited. AND, I'm about to launch another fundraiser idea, stay tuned for details!

2011-04-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

World Next Door

This article shows why we're going to Israel SO well! I'm really excited. Please take a few minutes and read this if you can, it will really make you think, and may challenge you!

2011-04-17T11:22:00.001-07:00

Well, I just got back from the last service ever at Kensington's Rochester campus. (They're merging with Lake Orion campus and getting a new building!) Though this was my first time at that campus, it was an emotional experience, there were a lot of testimonies being shared about what God has done through this campus- what a blessing it was to be there and see people open their arms to embrace the change that God is bringing.

Well, this has been a great weekend! Friday night I spent some time with some of the others going on the Israel trip, we played games and had a great time! Last night I helped out some with Kensington Kids in Troy, which brought back memories from my days of substitute teaching and camp!

Tonight I will be watching a documentary about the history of Israel as a country with the group- should be a good time!

God is good!

Israel trip!

2011-04-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Dear friends! I am going to Israel! (Notice the new look?)

I mentioned this trip in a previous entry, but now I will give you more details! I heard about this trip through Chris Shea, a friend of mine at Kensington and the leader of the trip. It is for a group of "Quarterlife-ers", roughly college aged. Being 26, I barely count, but that is more of an attitude/state of mind, right?

Well, we'll be leaving May 13 (one month from today!) and it is getting intense! We've been having meetings to watch documentaries and check up on our preparedness for several weeks. The trip is very experimental, the first of its kind at Kensington. It will be very relational. Chris went on a scouting trip for this mission trip a few weeks ago and talked to the people in that area and found that they wanted to be understood. I found, rather regrettably, that I had ignored Israel thinking "Jesus was there. Surely there are lots of Christians!" When in fact less than 2.5% is Christian (and that number is dwindling). But in a place tired of war and hurting from decades of it- people STILL need Jesus! So, we get the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus.

We have a really good group of people- I'm pretty stoked for this trip! God is going to do amazing things! Please be praying for us.

If you are interested in helping me raise the $2600 that I need for the trip, you can give online at www.kensingtonchurch.org/global/israel_may12.php (Just create a username/password and you're set!). Just let me know if you have any problems!

Love you all!

2011-03-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends. Sorry I've been MIA... again. As a quick update, I've still been working in Troy at Kensington Community Church. Like any job there are good days and bad days, but I didn't think that this point in my life I would be doing a job in my field and enjoying it! I am so blessed.

So I'm going to Israel! A buddy of mine is leading a mission trip and I'm going with him. I'll post more details later, but I'm pretty stoked.

I wanted to post a photo, so here it is. Sadly I've been putting a lot of money into the Raider lately. This weekend I came home to my parents' house to get a little work done on her, but it has been considerably more than I expected. But she'll be all the better for it.

2010-12-16T14:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Blog, I have not forgotten you. I apologize for my ever problematic absences! I have been living life here in Troy, I haven't taken pictures though!

But quick update: I've moved and I'm living with a couple of great guys north of Troy. We live in a house out at the edge of the woods! It is a great situation in most ways. (We don't have internet yet though!)

I'm working hard at the job, still enjoying it for the most part! I am looking for a new car... which is a post of it's own.

But I'll update again soon, and I'll try to have pictures.

2010-09-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

So here was today for me: Slept in too late, went to the NOON service at Kensington Troy- it still amazes me that there is a noon service! Got myself a toffee coffee frappe and went into the service, actually sat with my supervisor/boss, Karl. Great service- the series is called "Things they never told you about ____" This week was "God", revealing common myths about God, it was really a great service. Lots to learn. Then Karl took me around Detroit, he told me I was going to have a "real cultural lunch experience", and he was right. Sort of.

We went to 2 coney island places, in order to decide which was best. The first was American Coney Island, the second (next door) was Lafayette Coney Island. Both were very good! I was impressed, however, Lafayette did have a heartier chili and I would say it was the better dog. But both places were famous to some extent- apparently the new Detroit cop show (Detroit 1-8-7) was filmed (partially) in American Coney Island- I was impressed! The other place, Lafayette, had been visited by Man Vs. Food! There was a picture of the guy and everything! (the second had also been visited by various political dignitaries who interest me far less, haha).

So then we were on to the Detroit Institute of Art. I love art museums and had been to this one before, but it was great going with Karl, who it turns out actually took classes through Wayne State at the Institute itself. He is quite the art historian. But we spent some time there before moving on and driving around Detroit a little, he was attempting to help me understand the area (which didn't work).

So then back to Troy, where I went to Kroger and got some dinner stuff- Italian hard-crusted bread, marbled cheddar cheese and some red grapes- it was a feast! Anyway, I felt very artistic. So to end the night I watched Sherlock Holmes, which has become one of my recent favorites. Next is some reading then to bed. But that isn't even why I was going to make a post.

I am really looking forward to having a place of my own. So that I can do things like have an art area set up- my easel, some paints and a drop cloth. Having a big comfy chair to sit in and read... I'm excited for it. Also singing loudly. Anyway, I am looking forward to that. This is all that my post was really meant to be. Goodnight!

New job, new life

2010-09-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

I am in Troy now, living with a couple whose kids have all left the house and who very charitably offered their home to me. I'm going to live here for a short time while I find an apartment and possibly a roommate. I'm liking the job, there is something amazingly satisfying about doing the thing I went to college for! And the people I work with are great as well. I "moved in" on Monday night, and have been here for just about a week.

Troy and the surrounding area seems very nice! I'm liking it here, but (as expected) it is tough starting over in a new place. It always is- for sure! I'm excited for the day that I have a group of friends here with whom I can do stuff. That day will come soon enough!

Here are a couple pictures of my cubicle on the 3rd floor at Kensington Community Church:

The "Fall Fest" poster design there is my first design series- it was originally a folding mailer, but was easily changed into a 11x17 for around the church. I had someone tell me that the stuff I design (which goes out to all 6? of Kensington's campuses-5 of them mobile) will be seen by roughly 5000 kids per week. Isn't that ridiculous?! Awesome though.

So, my office/cubicle needs some decoration, I'm working on that. But I'm pretty excited about it all.

Also, on my second day of work, I got rear-ended by a van, while at a stop waiting for traffic, roughly 50 feet from my destination. This was the damage:

Sad day, huh? Truthfully, it isn't a huge deal. Could have been a lot worse.

In other news- with the new job coming, I decided to get an eye appointment and some new glasses- a LONG time overdue! I also got some new clothes, which make me feel very artsy. Observe:

Pretty excited for things to come.
God has been so good.

For real this time.

2010-09-07T19:11:00.001-07:00

I stand (figuratively) before you with an announcement. As of this morning, I have accepted an awesome job as Student Ministries Designer at Kensington Community Church in Troy, MI. And I'm pretty excited about it! I have been praying, along with much of my family, that something perfect would come along, and here it is! God has really come through! I don't know when I start yet, but it will be amazing. I have my own cubicle! I'll also be either sharing an apartment with someone else from the church or getting one of my own- but it is a for real career! If you want more details, let me know!

In other news, I've been busy Nannying for my brother/sister in law in Grand Rapids. They've been trying to get a Home Daycare ( http://www.sweetpeadaycare.org/ ) set up for some time now, and it is finally coming together.

I've also recently picked up Sailing a little bit. At the end of last summer (2009), I was given a small sidewinder sailboat from a friend at camp. It needed a little cleaning up, but it is a great little boat. So my dad and I have been working together on it in our spare time, and just this Labor Day we took it out- for our 3rd time on the little lake. The wind was stronger than our first 2 encounters, and at first we were doing well, really moving across the lake, then disaster struck and we tipped over. Everything was fine, we got it righted eventually, but it was certainly an experience! I'll post pictures soon. So much has happened, I'll do what I can to be better about regular updates! More to come soon!

Okay, FINE.

2010-05-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

So it has been a month since I updated. My bad. I've been planning on putting some pictures up, but haven't gotten around to it, I'll get to it soon though! Be ready for a sizeable update as well. I have not forgotten you, dear blog, so calm down.

Reason to celebrate

2010-04-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

I was in Grand Rapids last weekend, spending time with my dad and brother mostly, working on "the Labyrinth"- it is a sort of experiential thing we've done at my home church for Easter- Dad and I were helping my brother set it up at his church (which was pretty cool- check out my other blog for details on that- http://natewoods.wordpress.com/)

ANYWAY- we also celebrated a little, because my niece Anna had just accepted Jesus as savior! (A pretty big deal : ) )

It was great just to see Anna! Note her cheesy smile with the cake. She also loves taking pictures, I let her take a few with my d200 (I helped her hold it, but she aimed and pushed the button)...

...I think she might be a better artist than me.

Recently my friends from around here and I decided to watch the movie Zombieland. Now, I'm not a zombie movie kind of guy generally, but I'd heard a lot of good things about this movie, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Now, we decided to have a "make your own pizza"/Zombieland night. Let me preface my opinion of the movie with this: It had a lot of profanity, a fair amount of zombie-gore and some violence. But it was HILARIOUS! And there was no sex- which is huge in my opinion. So, since the first Zombieland/pizza night was so great, we decided to make it a tradition and held our second one just the other day.

The pizza was delicious, the company was great, the movie was good- what else could you ask for?

What else can you ask for? Twinkies. That's what. If you've seen the movie, you'll get it : )

Here's to you, Tallahassee. You've got to enjoy the little things.

And one last thing... My friend Daniel has this awesome Indiana Jones-esque jacket... It is a little small, but I couldn't resist...

2010-03-26T17:12:00.000-07:00

So I feel like kind of a chump, because it has been almost a full year since I updated this! Sorry guys! But, I'll give you a quick recap of the last year:

I graduated last may (or walked at least), then worked at Center Lake Bible Camp for the summer (my 5th summer there) as the Media Director (I did photos and video along with a little of this and that). I had a wonderful summer, and I kept in touch with a friend I'd met at SAU throughout. After the summer was over we dated for a couple months but it didn't last. So I have been substitute teaching since summer ended and haven't actually had a lot of luck getting sub jobs lately. So a couple weeks ago I worked out details with my dad (worship/comm pastor at my church) to be a "Creative Media Intern" at the church- doing a lot of different "media-oriented" things. Sadly this is an unpaid internship, but I love the experience! I'm really enjoying it. (I'm also doing a blog specifically for that- http://natewoods.wordpress.com/ follow me if you'd like!)

I've been hoping to do design/video/art stuff for a church as a career, but they're hard jobs to get, and most churches can't afford to pay a guy for that kind of thing. After getting shot down quite a few times, I decided in-church real experience would be a good idea- so the internship materialized.

So now I have the problem of having a part time internship that doesn't pay, and a part time job that doesn't pay. So I recently applied (and have been hired- paperwork on monday) at a shoe store here in town. It isn't my dream job for sure, but I can handle a job like this since I'm doing the internship- otherwise I'd be pretty ticked to do a job I could have done in high school.

So... Life is good! I'm certainly not where I want to be right now, but I'm becoming content with my situation. God has been good.

This is whats up.

2009-03-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

Alright, surprisingly, there are a few updates in the last month. Still seriously thinking about film school- but haven't decided yet. I wanted to go to this one here in Michigan, but they don't do personal tours anymore I guess- kinda lame.

And- ready for this? I think I'm working at camp again this summer. Again. This is my 5th year- the 4th year that I said "I can't afford it", and I still probably can't, but we'll see what happens right? God will provide if he's for it. Can't even believe it. Sam Tan is kinda upset about it, sorry Sam. Didn't expect it to happen! I really didn't. I'm having trouble keeping focused to be honest. I've got a lot on my mind lately. This summer just won't be like last.

I was supposed to go to camp with Laura and Kris the other day (then Kris backed out- she has to teach sunday school) and Laura called this morning to let me know that Sarah (at camp) has a fever, so we won't be visiting. Rough day.

Why does life have to be so complicated? God is good.

2009-02-16T21:43:00.000-08:00

I'm 24 now, thats different. Well, a quick update on the film school idea. I've put a lot of thought into it (though not nearly enough, I'm still way off from making a decision). I talked to my parents about it and really got a much better response than I expected. They just expressed concern for financial aid. Who knows how that'll work. But, as I'd anticipated, my dad said "I told you that 6 years ago", which he did. But who knows what is to come?

Here is what's new

2009-02-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

Figured I'd update, its been almost a month. School started up and I'm feeling pretty good about this semester, I have one class a day (all but monday) and wednesday I also have a guitar lesson. I'm finding myself deep in thought a lot lately wondering about the future, reflecting on the past and wondering what is to come. I'm almost done with my graphic design degree and have been planning on finding a job in a church after graduating. I've wondered about a lot of ideas- living abroad for a while, doing a variety of things that I won't be able to do later in life. My experience in Greece has me wondering if living out of the country for a while would be good for me.

I hesitate to even type this next part out, because I know how dangerous this idea can be (and how upset it might make my parents...haha) but in the last few hours, I've started wondering (again...) if I should think about a career in film. Before I started school at Spring Arbor, I seriously considered going to a film school and getting a degree in "video production" of some sort- directing or writing or everything. Suddenly I'm wondering if that is something I should still consider. I'm in no shape to pay for anything right now, so financially its a ridiculous thought, but somehow I wonder if its something I was born to do- cliche as that sounds. A lot of these film programs are a little over a year to 2 years, so it wouldn't be another 4, but more school debt is not something I'm enthusiastic about. I just don't want to be 10 years from now, thinking "I should have gone for that". Anyway, its just a thought, don't put it in stone, but somehow its working its way into my mind. I'm going to be praying about it, I'd love it if others would join in.

Life is pretty good right now, no real complaints. My mind is so wrapped in this film thing that I can't even think about what else I was going to update on. Maybe later.

2009-01-14T20:46:00.000-08:00

School starts up again soon, I haven't been taking a Jterm- a January term (if you don't go to the select few schools that have them). I've been doing some drawing and a lot of relaxing. To be honest I'm getting some cabin fever, not a ton to do in Jackson. But I'm heading to my parents' house tomorrow (I've been here for a week, staying with my housemate). My life is not as adventurous as I'd like, but I'm working on it.

On another note, I only have 1 class remaining that I must take before I graduate. However, I may fill up my schedule in order to get the financial aid I need. Long story. But I'm so close to graduating, isn't that crazy? And it only took 6 years... oh my.

Here goes.

2008-11-16T17:52:00.001-08:00

I'm starting a blog. Here I will write about my praises, prayers, frustrations and failures. I think about a lot of things, really- a lot, I just don't always remember them or think about them later. So this is the start.