Friday, December 14, 2012

Keeping the Vision clear

Sometimes you're out there encountering all kinds of obstacles. you're fighting the battles. You're dealing with the day to day struggles. And it is so easy to get caught up with that, to lose sight of everything.
Have you ever felt like that?

I know I have. Therefore over the last two or three weeks I have deliberately chosen to not lose sight of the vision. The one reason why I am doing what I am doing.
And I am keeping this vision really clear, I am reminding myself of it daily.
I believe God gave ma a new revelation about what it means to bring people together around a table sharing a meal.
Something was birthed in my heart and now I have to hold onto that and run with it.

xoxo

Ramona

** my favorite picture from this year from this party

Friday, December 7, 2012

Failure


I have the tendency of perfectionism and althouth many years ago somebody told me to stop trying to be perfect and instead just do my best I still struggle with it. And then if I fail and things don't work out right I beat myself up about it, analyze it, look at it from all angles to find out what I did wrong and why I failed.
Just a few weeks ago I made a choice in my new job which lead to chaos and ultimately failure. I knew I made the right choice when I did it because I had to try it out to see the result. Yet the result was so fatal that I regreted it for a while and kept beating myself up about it. In fact I kept thinking about it for three days straight only to realize that the most important thing is to let it go, to not regret the choice I made for it helped me see and understand and learn. But to take this situation now and learn from it. Analyze it, take action steps and plan better for the future.
And that in itself is called the learning curve.
I love being in this season right now because I keep on learning, keep on figuring things out and most of all I am learning not to worry but to trust the Lord, that He has got it under control, that He will equip me and empower me to do everything He has called me to do.

xoxo

Ramona

Monday, November 19, 2012

Phases of transition

Today I biked out to my favorite spot in the fields. The place where I decided to work at Elemenz. My place of rest, of contemplation and serenity where I spent my summer days having this breakfast and journaling.
I have almost been into my job for three months now and was thinking about how I was transitioning, how I am still transitioning. And that is something which takes time. Time we sometimes don't want to take and as we wish to already be at that point of arrival, that fulfilment we often have to fight through some battles until we're there.
In university I learned about cultural shocks and the different stages there are or when a new team is formed we learned about the different stages until that team can fully perform its potential.
I too believe that when starting a new job or a big live change which brings transition with it there are several stages:

The exploration phase
In this phase you just start out, everything is new. You are exploring the new territory, getting to know the place, the people, the routines. It is a fun phase where you pour yourself into it all. You just give, give, give and try to figure it all out as you go. There is no stopping you, no tiredness, no giving up. Just pure adventure and excitement.

The stormy phase
This is probably the most difficult one because you're out on the sea, you have left sight of the shore and you are sailing to new lands. But storms are coming and you start seeing all the problems combined with you insecurities, your lacking knowledge and you have no idea how to get out there. You would like to hide from the storm. You feel like you can't take it anymore. You are tired from fighting against the waves. You are tired from getting water off your ship doing everything for it not to sink. It is cold, dark, stormy and it is easy to lose vision.
In this phase it is of utter importance to endure, to press through and fight through the tiredness, fight against your body and mind telling you to give up. You have to remember the reason why you sailed off in the first place, you have to remind yourself of that first flavour, that first time, the adventures and you have to remind yourself of the vision you have, the reason why you're doing all of this.

The settling phase
The storm is calming down, you start knowing what you're doing and things come easier. You learn to manage your time better and make quicker decisions. Your new position and responsibility start suiting and fitting you more. You are learning and discovering and taking it one step at a time. You see the goal ahead, you see the work and you just start where you are and keep going.

This last phase probably describes best where I am right now and how things are happening. It is a good phase to be in and I cannot wait for all the things which are ahead and the things yet to conquer and I will just keep on going.
It is funny because I used to laugh at my professor in university who said that when you start a new job as a manager you have to cut down everything else for the first three months. I thought he was so radical and didn't agree with him at all. And although to a certain extent I still disagree I can see now where he is coming from and what he meant.

But new lands are ahead. I have a clear vision and a heart beating full of excitement for all that's to come.

xoxo

Ramona

Monday, November 5, 2012

A German Thanksgiving in the Woods

In Germany we do not celebrate such a thing as Thanksgiving. At least nothing comparable to an American or Canadian Thanksgiving. What we do have though is Erntedank. It is always on a Sunday in the Fall and it's where the farmers say thanks and all the churches are decorated with grapes, pumpkins, bread etc.
For 3 years now I have done a somewhat German Thanksgiving where I invite my closest friends for a dinner. And whenever I cook for my friends or invite them I go all out. I want to bless them and give them the best time ever.
This year I figured the group of people might be too big for my rather small living room which is why I came up with another plan and rented a little hut up in the woods nearby. There is no electricity, no light, no water up there. Just a fireplace, an oven, some chairs and a table and it is beautiful and amazing and quiet and perfect for the occasion.
 
I tried to be really simplistic and natural with the decoration. In fact all I bought and brought in were creme-white candles in different sizes. I collected some branches from outside and wrote words like adventure, friendship, vision, dreams, etc. on them so everybody had a different word on their plate. With chalk Melina wrote the menu on the stone wall behind the oven. Everything looked so cozy and warm.
 We enjoyed a beautiful dinner with an apple-walnut Salad, Chicken on the grill, bread, butter, grapes and sage carrots. Every year for dessert I make some apple squares and we cooked Espresso over the fire.
There is little things more beautiful than sitting around a table with your best friends enjoying dinner. It is these moments which feel like vacation. Time disappears, your soul refreshes and life is full of joy. It is these moments where I well up with tears and thank God for amazing friends, for giving me this life and these talents and this season.
And as we sat around that table we talked about our lives and the things we are thankful for. I am extremely thankful to share my life with such amazing friends who I can call family. Friends who I know I can count on. Friends who are always there for me. The last year and a little more have not been easy when it comes to my friendships and things change, seasons change, lives change. And yet, to have it all back. To sit there, to share life with them, to just take it all in filled me with such gladness and joy that I was lost for words. I just soaked it all in. That very moment of friendship. That moment of knowing that our lives will always be intertwined, that our lives will always be shared no matter where we go or if we stay. These are my closest and best friends. And that is reason enough to be thankful.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, October 19, 2012

You and I in the Wilderness

I dream of you and I and of packing our backpacks and just setting out into the wilderness. I dream of catching our own fish, cooking dinner over the fire and of the sun setting over a lake up in the mountains. I dream of sharing secrets and dreams by the fire and sleeping cuddled up under the open starfilled sky.

xoxo

Ramona



picture via

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Stockholm, Sweden

Last week I spent a few days in Stockholm. I mainly went there for the Hillsong Europe Conference but also used the time to visit the city as I have never been there before.
This trip definitely turned into a culinary tour throughout the city as I wanted to check out as many restaurants and cafés as possible to see how they do it in another country in order to be inspired for Elemenz. So before I went I had contacted Emma from Emmas Designblog and looked through her Stockholm guide and we went to quite a few of her recommended places.
I have absolutely fallen in love with this city. It is so relaxed and beautiful with the cobblestones and the waterside. It was really fun to spend the time with friends and to experience it all together. It magnifies the whole experience and makes it really special.
And so with the map in our hands and winter coats on we set out into the city to explore. What I loved was being there in the Fall with all the trees in colour, the air crisp and the sky clear. We walked from the city center to the Old Town where we wanted to go to Stockholm's oldest Café which was done the way old Cafés in Vienna are. One more reason for me to go.
On our walk to the café we discovered the beauty of Gamla stan where one antique store follows another. We went from oohs to aahs every two minutes. We talked with the owner of one of the shops who told us about how he finds his antiques and about him almost meeting Prince Charles. That night we set out for an amazing meal at one of the places I had researched. The restaurant was called Gastrologik where we shared the most amazing meal. It was prepared with such delicacy and served beautifully.
This whole day was filled with so much fun and great conversation. Stockholm is not a gigantic city which I loved. It stilled felt like a small town and people were so friendly and open that they charmed themselves right into my heart already.
The next day we set out to the neighborhood called Södermalm where we enjoyed a great view over the city. There used to be a elevator up there but is was out of service. Apparently there used to be a law in Stockholm that prohibited buildings made of wood so the once remaining from the time before are special.
Of course I had set plan for a place to go for dinner also recommended by Emma. The lunch place was called Urban Deli and we all loved it! We loved the atmosphere, talked about Elemenz and really enjoyed the food and warmed up after walking in the freezing air for hours. From there we walked a few blocks to a café called Chokladfabriken where we just simply ordered 15 different pralines and all switched trying them whilst sipping on hot chocolate dark, light or light with marshmallows. The atmosphere there was so calm and relaxing and very stylish like apparently everything in Stockholm. I loved how things were really thought through and had a concept and a style to them like this window for a cheese shop. Just a simple cheese shop but it looked so much cooler than that (I mean cheese doesn't have to look cool it is simply amazing!)
 That night conference started and every break we would go outside, enjoy more amazing food or coffee or be like kids, running around, playing hide and seek. I actually loved that so much. I felt free and refreshed and inspired. I once read a quote that the creative adult is the kid that didn't grow up and that is really how I feel most of the time. I always want to have that childlike side to me, that running around, playing hide and seek in a city laughing until your belly hurts, stuffing each other with leaves kind of a person.
The trip to Stockholm was amazing and conference was so uplifting and exactly what I had needed. It felt like coming home from a bubble. A bubble in which I refreshed and was more than inspired. Now I am looking forward to the fullness of Fall. I am looking forward to all that's ahead and I can't wait to set foot into Elemenz tomorrow. I can't wait to see where it's going and what God's plans are for it because they are so much bigger than I can anticipate.
So for now I say farewell to the beautiful city of Stockholm which I carry in my heart now. I shall return to thee one day.

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Thursday Tunes

As promised I am sharing some new and favorite music today. I have just recently fallen in love with this band called SisterBrother. Their lyrics and music is amazing! So I thought I'd share one of my favorite songs from their debut album with you. It is called Things Above and I love how the song builds up. Every time it comes up on my itunes I just stop for a second to take in the song. It is extremely beautiful.
So... here's the music and find the lyrics below:
We set our affections on things above
We fix our attention on the face of Love
We lay our offenses at the feet of Christ
We fix our attention on the highest prize

All that is true,
All that is pure,
All that is love,
I will think upon these
All that is holy,
All that is lovely,
All that is righteous and true,
I will think upon these

We set our affections on things above
We fix our attention on the face of Love
We lay our offenses at the feet of Christ
We fix our attention on the highest prize

All that is true,
All that is pure,
All that is love,
I will think upon these
All that is holy,
All that is lovely,
All that is righteous and true,
I will think upon these

Only You are worthy!
Only You are worthy!
Only You are worthy!

Come on and sing with me all you angels!
Come on and sing with me all you angels!
Come on and sing with me all you angels!
Come on and sing with me all you angels!

Come and behold Him
Come fall in love again

Fall in love again..

xoxo

Ramona

Monday, October 8, 2012

A new season, music and Sweden

I can only repeat myself in saying I love Fall! It is really my favorite season and I love how it always seems to be the beginning of something. I feel like this is a new season for me. It is a season of hope. A season of growing closer to the Lord, falling more in love with Him. It is a season of change in every aspect. A season of growth and a season of learning!

I updated my Soundtrack section of the blog. I know it is only a couple of songs but I am putting together a Fall playlist with some really great new music I think you will all love!

I am leaving for Sweden tomorrow!!!! I'm super excited. I can't wait to be there. If you want to stay updated on my time there you can follow me on instagram @ramonasebald or wait until I post all the pictures of my time there.
Check back on Thursday for some awesome Thursday tunes and lyrics!

Much love

xoxo

Ramona

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Thursday Tunes

This Fall has already brought me a lot of amazing music which I consider to be defining for this season. So I am sure there will be a lot of sharing of songs and I would like to start with this one by Josh Garrels which really stood out to be the first Fall song this year. It is from one of his older albums and is called Children of the Earth. I love this song. So here's the song along with the lyrics:

Children of the earth
once dust but now life
living in times of flesh and bone
Behold, spiritual warfare
set a flame in my heart
Illuminate the darkest hours
where I wait,
before the dawn
to see
the glory and the power
of the Lord

Hallelujah

the older we become
we must become more like a Child
believing there's a Land that lies Beyond
all the things that we've seen
make my mind free from fears
you know I can't do it on my own
the Way is hard, but
we could fly over...
when you hear our wings

we sing

Hallelujah


xoxo

Ramona

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

October Already!

It is really already October. On one hand time is passing so quickly but then again my days seems so long and no day is like the other and everything changes all the time. I try to grasp every moment of what is happening in my life. I try to take mental pictures and try to take it all in.
This past Saturday was one of those days which was just simply defining. It was one of those days that I will look back to as the beginning of something. A dream come true. Another step into the right direction.
I organised my first ever concert in Elemenz and it was amazing. The atmosphere was just wonderful. People loved the music. The place was packed. Organising concert has been a dream of mine for a long time and as I stood there at its fulfillment last Saturday I was full of joy in my heart. Even now I am tearing up again. It just happened for me and everything about it was right and beautiful and the perfect timing. I was dancing on the inside and jumping for joy. I can see more and more of where God is leading me and He is giving me even greater dreams now.
Yes there's still a lot to figure out and still a ton I have no idea about but I know my God provides. I know my God will lead me. I know my God will give me everything to fulfill His purpose for my life. I cannot wait to see dream after dream being fulfilled.
So here are a few snapshots from Saturday and what we set up and how it all was. It doesn't nearly capture it as it should be I hope you still enjoy it:
I love creating stages like that and really wanted to make it feel like a home concert, a living room concert so to say. So I added the lamp and the candles and it just worked and I loved how everything looked and how the stage was surrounded by tables of people eating and enjoying the night!

Can't wait to keep going into this direction and seeing more and more concerts and artists play in Elemenz.

xoxo

Ramona

Friday, September 28, 2012

From 9-5 to 24/7

I have been meaning to write for a while now but just honestly didn't have time. As most of you know I started my new job only a little more than three weeks ago. Now that I think about it and writing about it right here I well up with tears thinking that my new season, the change I was hoping for has arrived. I am here now. I am able to grow and be challenged and move forward.
I have been talking about this now for pretty much about a year and now it is actually really happening. This is the end of a road I have traveled for so long. I have reached a goal and am starting a new journey now and a new adventure.

I have been working a 9-5 job at a desk for the last years and my life has drastically changed managing a restaurant and it has become a 24/7 job. What I mean by that is that what I am doing now is life. It is not only a job. It is life. I am working a lot in the restaurant but it is so much more than just a job. It is so much more than just sitting in front of the computer and leaving work at 5pm. It is connecting with so many interesting people every day. It is serving people, hosting people, bringing them into an atmosphere of love. It is being the hands and feet of Jesus every day. It is walking in my strengths every day but it is also learning my weaknesses and dealing with it. It is such a personal stretch and a moving forward.
Elemenz is constantly on my mind and I dream about making it what God wants it to be. What it is supposed to be.

So as I enter this new season - this fall - I am again full of expectation. Full of dreams and visions and goals. I anticipate everything that lies before me and cannot wait to see God's plans fulfilled.

Here are a few instagram snapshots from the last couple of weeks:
xoxo

Ramona

Friday, September 14, 2012

A modern Wedding with a Vintage touch

Most of you will remember this bridalshower we threw a couple of weeks ago for one of my best friends, Clarissa.
I was privileged to also be the wedding planner for her and last Saturday was the big day. The day Chris and Clarissa got married! And as promised I want to show you a few pictures and explain a couple of things when it came to planning this wedding.
When it comes to weddings or any kind of event it is very important to me that the whole concept works, that every little detail we plan in there makes sense and overall fits the concept, the colours and everything we wanted it to be. The other thing which is important to me is that the wedding/event represents the couple and their style, their personality and what they want.
So after a first meeting with the two of them I sat down and created a pinterest board for them where I continuously put in ideas for their wedding. The second thing I did was creating a inspiration board with colors so that we always had something to give to people contributing to this wedding.
The first two things to look for (after choosing a date of course!) are the venue for the reception and starting the design process for the invitations.
The concept we went with for the wedding was something very modern combined with vintage touches. This represents them both the most as Chris like things to be modern while Clarissa likes vintage playful designs.
As a reception venue they chose a building by Zaha Hadid which is here nearby. It is in a beautiful place surrounded by green, trees and an old gravel plant. The perfect mix for a modern wedding with vintage touches.
For me personally the invitations are one of the most important things in a wedding mostly because it is the first thing your guests will hold in their hands. It is the first impression of a wedding and it shows what they can expect.
The invitation design was done by the groom together with a friend who loves doing designs and he was also the one who drew the map for directions. We included little details like the letter Chris wrote to Clarissa for the engagement into the design to make it really personal.
When planning a wedding or any kind of big event the most important thing is to not get tangled up in all the little details which seem to come your way. It is important to keep an overall picture and to stick with the concept. Once you have that you exclude mostly everything else which doesn't fit with the concept. That helps you being really focused. For weddings I try to put the tasks and things to do in a time frame like 6-8 months before the wedding, 3-6 months, 1-3 months, 30 days before the wedding. That way I only complete tasks which fit into the time frame. For example flowers and decorations are something that is just fun to do and look at and be inspired from but I will not even start planning that until 3 months before the wedding because other things like finding a venue, a church and designing invitations are more important before that.  Of course while researching you find things you like and you pin them but it is just very important to stay focused and complete one thing after another.
When talking to vendors I find it very important to brief them the best you can. Show them pictures, communicate as much as possible so that you get the result you desire and your wishes fulfilled.
We are privileged to go to a church with a lot of very talented people. That is why a lot of the things were done by friends like all of the decorations, the cake, the make-up and the photography.
On top of that Clarissa's maid of honor is a very creative and talented person herself who came up with some great ideas for the night.
But now let's get into their big day and I will try to explain more details with the pictures.
Chris and Clarissa got married in a beautiful church on a hill in Haltingen. The church was probably built in 1139 and is very beautiful and warm from the inside. We kept the decorations very simple and used olive and pistachio leaves and lanterns on the benches. Instead of sitting on chairs the couple sat on a old grey bench surrounded by green plants and a big lantern at their side.
As it is tradition in our region they had a small standing reception right after the ceremony and then drove off to the reception place to take photos.

While the two of them were off taking pictures I used the time to take a few pictures of the decoration and set up before the guests arrived.
 As you can see there is a lot of concrete in the building and so we used wooden elements and very simple fresh flowers for decorations. The round gift tags were tied around the napkins and the favors were wrapped up in beautiful green and pink paper. Guests could put their gifts into a big suitcase. There were two stations for the guests: A desk to write them a card or a letter and a photo station (inspiration from here) where we took Polaroids and hung them up (similar to here).
After a while guests arrived and before they entered the venue we had another standing reception with snacks and drinks and two friends played the guitar and the cajon.
Everybody was just having a good time, taking pictures together or with the couple and hanging out outside on one of the probably last real summer days.
Then once everybody entered the venue it is always so important to me that everything is set, music playing, candles lit, atmosphere right.
And that is how it was - it was beautiful. The food was buffet style and the cake was made by a family friend who is amazing! It had three layers, one with chocolate, one with cream and one carrot cake which clearly was my favorite.
Then guest were asked to take Polaroid pictures and write to the couple, there were a few speeches and a lot of dancing later.
It was really just a great time with tons of fun and good food and friends and made the day really special for Chris and Clarissa.
I hope that this day was exactly what they had in mind for their wedding. I hope that when they think back and remember their wedding it will put a smile on their face. The cool thing is that they have all the Polaroids now to look at and marvel about that time together on a late Summer evening.

Now, if you have any questions about the wedding or how to's or anything, just leave me a comment and I will try my best to answer those questions.
Feel free to pin the pictures if you want to.

xoxo

Ramona


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