Favorite music artists/bands:

Mostly love classical, folky/acoustic stuff and old time radio jazz...such as: Mumford & Sons, Punch Bros. (including mandolin player Chris Thile's latest project with Yo-Yo Ma, "Goat Rodeo Sessions"), She & Him, The Weepies, The Civil Wars, Old Crow Medicine Show, Eddie Vedder's acoustic albums, Joni Mitchell, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Anything Gershwin, Anything Copeland. I have a soft spot for U2. My fav Christian artists are Fernando Ortega, Sara Groves, James Ward, & Sons of Korah (Australian band who only play original compositions of the Psalms - Amazing!)

Favorite pastors, authors, and speakers:

My pastor Rick Greene, Tim Keller, C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright (find him provoking, but don't agree with everything), Emily Dickinson, Roald Dahl, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott, A.A. Milne, Beatrix Potter, John Steinbeck, John Piper, J.R.R. Tolkien, E.B. White, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Francis Schaeffer, Abraham Kuyper

What I'm watching:

Currently: Downton Abbey, West Wing (my roommate has the seven season set...so I'm slowly working my way through)

Formerly: Mad Men, LOST, The Office, The Cosby Show

Favorite movies:

Recently: Tree of Life, Inception, The Help

All Time: A River Runs Through It, What About Bob?, Shadowlands, What's Up Doc?, Lars and the Real Girl, Three Seasons, Little Women, Mansfield Park, Room With A View, Jane Eyre, Magnolia, Revolutionary Road, Holiday Inn, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (original), An American in Paris, LOTR, The King's Speech

I do not remember a time when I did not know God or His salvation through Christ. I am overwhelmed just writing that...what amazing grace God has shown to me!!! I grew up in a Christian home where my parents displayed a vibrant faith in Jesus, and from a young age I tried to emulate what I saw them saying and doing. I think this was a genuine work of the Holy Spirit in my heart, and my faith has continued to grow through all the stages of my life.

Some significant growth spurts were junior high/high school when I had a strong desire to make my public profession of faith, witness to friends, and begin using my gifts to serve in the church. Then in college I wrestled with an understanding of my faith, Scripture, doctrine, theology, and made my faith "my own". Since college, my faith has grown the most through testing and suffering. In my own sanctification and struggle against sin, God has given me (daily!!) victory and new life. When my dad suddenly died and my siblings and I were left to care for our mother*, God was my refuge and strength. In my current challenges with career and singleness, I hope and wait in the Lord and find contentment each day in my relationship with Him. What a good, faithful, and loving Father!

* I should mention that since then God has blessed my mom with a second marriage to a godly widower who lost his wife...and there has been much rejoicing in our family over their "romance" in their 70's =)!!

Yes! I'm not really a morning person...so I enjoy a Psalm and a portion of a Gospel at that time...but I spend more time in the evening before bed studying. I'm studying "The Meaning of Marriage" by Tim Keller for Sunday School, Colossians for Women's Bible Study, "Desiring God" by John Piper for a Book Club, AND "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller for my Home Group.

Martha, of course! She displayed true faith in Christ when Lazaraus died. She shows the fruit of a life transformed between "Martha, Martha..." in Luke 10, and "I believe you are the Messiah..." in John 11. And, my favorite verse is..."Now Jesus loved Martha..." Luke 11:5 :)

Creative, Genuine, Intelligent, Sweet

My roommate wrote a reference letter for me...

I have never had a better roommate. Martha is sensitive, considerate, reasonable, and wise in the way she manages her life and relationships.

Martha is fun. She is the one who scopes out new places and experiences. She'll find out when and where a favorite band is playing and get everyone to go, even if it is hours away. Road trip! She'll be the first to try a new restaurant, or suggest everyone see a new hit movie that has just come out. At the same time, she doesn't mind a good book and a quiet evening at home or a cozy corner of a coffee shop with her laptop.

Martha is a great teacher. I love watching her create lessons about art and nature and literature for children. I imagine their eyes getting wide as she shows them new worlds.

This is just the beginning of what is great about Martha. Just the very tip of the iceberg. The rest is for her friends to continue to enjoy and for those who wish to befriend her to find out.

My mom also wanted to share:

Hello this is Martha's mother! I just want to say that I love my daughter and I'm praying every day for the Lord to bring her a godly husband. She's desiring this herself by God's grace, and we are waiting on the Lord. Martha is a good teacher to children and loves to serve the Lord in His church. Martha is a good cook and very hospitable in her relationships with other people. I'm open to conversation with anyone who might be interested in talking to me about Martha.

My church specifically, and the body of Christ generally!

I cannot express how much my church means to me. I have experienced such a beautiful and authentic faith from my pastor, elders and their families, and they have invested in my life with hospitality, friendship and love. They truly are my family!

Since we are smaller in size, I have had many opportunities to get involved and to serve from children's ministry to hospitality and fellowship to music. I also love planning and organizing events to host missionaries or outreach activities, especially our community garden (ask me!) and Bible club with the kids in the neighborhood!

P.S. I'm open to any denomination of Reformed-persuasion...but at the moment, I do think the PCA rocks! :)

•My Loved Ones, including the Body of Christ

•Nature, enjoying the wonder of God's Creation

•Art, making and appreciating all forms of creative expression

I'm looking for a man after God's own heart. I love how the Bible describes David this way, even with his brokenness and sin. No perfect man wanted here! Just a man who lives in GRACE day by day. There is nothing more attractive than seeing the difference Jesus has made in someone's life!

I am choosing to ignore the preface of this question, because my dad has blessed my life in such a profound way that to dedicate this answer to anyone else would dishonor the memory of such an amazing father and friend. He lived a life transformed by the Gospel, inspired others to think Christianly about all of life, and yet faithfully loved and provided for our family above all else. Yes, sometimes a person's impact seems greater after they have died. But I've learned that this is the joy that comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

I am an elementary teacher. I feel called to work with at-risk kids. I love teaching art, directing children's plays, encouraging creativity and imagination, and integrating faith with learning!

I long for marriage and family and I would joyfully pursue these same passions in the church, as a volunteer, and with my own children.

"There is not one square inch of the entire creation about which Jesus Christ does not cry out, 'This is mine! This belongs to me!'"

~ Abraham B. Kuyper

I long for every inch of my life to be transformed by His grace, and to daily walk with Him in loving obedience. I get excited about what God is doing through the local church, and around the world. My heart especially goes out to at-risk kids, and I desire to see them have access to education and mentors. I enjoy God most through spending time outdoors in His creation, and discovering His amazing world through academics and the arts. My passion is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!

I've been given some amazing friends. I enjoy nights "in" together making meals, playing games, & just relaxing from our busy weeks. True community time. I also love going to the movies, the beach, on hikes, or into the city for an art exhibit, play or concert. I'm both artsy and outdoorsy, if you can believe it! My ideal place to live is somewhere close enough to a city for culture and the arts...but also close enough to nature for times of beauty and peace. I go on hikes regularly when it's nice weather, and when it snows I replace that with XC skiing and snow shoeing. I sincerely love snow and winter! This can be quite annoying... =) I also enjoy reading, painting, and gardening. I wish I made more time for these hobbies...

I'm open to relocating!

Fun Fact: This artsy, somewhat non-athletic girl ran her first 5K this past Thanksgiving!