kevin-orris-mountains
 

I am a faith-forward male living in Chicago, Illinois.

I spend my days crafting detailed digital content strategies to help brands and people share stories of impact. You can usually find me journaling at a North Side coffee shop, listening to Mike Kinsella records, leading a men's group, or thinking about hiking.

I also enjoy deep conversation, making wood wick candles, books, jeans, and leaning back in any and every chair. I am perhaps most known for eating like a 5-year-old child.

Want to connect? Grab coffee? Talk about Jesus? I’m in! Click here to get in touch.

 
It’s been a long week, one of those where I find myself spanning the gamut of emotions. Though I’ve moved too fast, been too active, to really feel any of them. ⠀ There’s been tremendous joy yet growing sorrow. Heaps of hurry, yet occasional crawls through tar. ⠀ A few years ago, a friend asked how can I find 0 if I’m always between 60 & 100? My soul reminds me of those words often. ⠀ — ⠀ Recently, a client asked what it would take for me to join their team full time. ⠀ Last month, I officially started as Director of Content for @Awana, the global leader in child & youth discipleship. To say I never saw this coming is an understatement. But my passions, skills & experience feels like a perfect fit for the ministry at such a crucial time. ⠀ Only God could orchestrate such a thing. ⠀ I’ll mostly work remotely from here in Arizona, but once a month, I’ll head home to Chicagoland for meetings & intense productivity. This was one of those weeks. ⠀ Amid cross-country flights, presentations, off-site retreats & general office work, I tried to cram in everything possible. Family. Friends. Bird’s Nest. The city & the suburbs. ⠀ Believe it or not, it all worked! I was fortunate to further so many relationships. Except I really missed my wife. ⠀ — ⠀ Last night, my return flight was steadily delayed for hours. Like sardines, my fellow travelers & I crammed the terminal. Garrett’s was out of carmel corn. I just wanted to get home to my wife. ⠀ As the delay drew on, @_sam_orris sleep was in jeopardy & I assured her I’d get a ride home. Then God showed up. ⠀ — ⠀ I can think of at least two, maybe three deeply spiritual Uber rides I’ve experienced. Each is a unique gift. ⠀ Last night, my driver shared a story of her grueling, stagnant marriage & an ongoing 13-year bout with cancer. She imparted immense wisdom about perseverance & finding peace. ⠀ 25 minutes later, she pulled into my driveway & we slowed to 0 mph. We prayed together & exchanged heartfelt goodbyes. ⠀ Only God could redeem such a night, and boy did He. I missed Sam, but instead I came home with a brilliant testimony to share. ⠀ I feel rested. I feel joy. I feel grateful for the ways He continues to show up.
Camping solo here tonight. God is so good.
Yesterday I drove a few hours north to Flagstaff to wander among the aspens and chase some space. The mid-70s temp was too enticing for a midwestern boy like me, who was on my hands and knees in worship of a high of 95 on Wednesday. ⠀ I assumed that three weeks in the desert heat (ok, it’s really not thaaaat bad) would’ve conditioned my body by now. And as a man whose entire life is spent in pursuit of wearing jeans and a hoodie, I was determined. ⠀ But then, shortly into my hike, I realized 75 does not make for jeans weather. I also realized I forgot to refill my water after the drive and only had two small gulps left. This hike wasn’t long, but it’s the type where you sign a book so if you go missing, there is at least have record of which backcountry trail you died on. ⠀ Alas, I made it out alive, yet sticky. I ate a burger. I drank the hottest cup of coffee ever made (shut up about your cold brew) and drove home. ⠀ Let me tell you about the drive. I-17 is one of the coolest drives I’ve done. The roads caress mountainsides, carrying you up and down 4-6% at a time. Reception is spotty at best, so for someone who loves companionship as much as I do, you’re all but forced to be alone with your thoughts. ⠀ Yesterday’s thoughts were good. Really good. ⠀ I last completed the drive three weeks ago, the final leg of our cross-country move from Chicago to the East Valley. Then, I was anxious, tired, and somewhat uncertain. ⠀ Yesterday, I felt a new anxiousness: a desire to return home to the people and place I’m starting to love. ⠀ I may still (and forever) need to acclimate to the heat, but Arizona is pretty great. God is even better. ⠀ I suppose I’ll settle for jean shorts for now.
@samcralli & I are moving to Arizona next week. This guy is to blame. I shared the story at the link in my bio.
This tree fell. Now it looks like an alligator that’s about to eat me.
Precious cargo onboard.
I’ve spent the past couple of weeks listening to/ soaking in / meditating on this album and I can’t keep it to myself any longer. I have to share it with you. ⠀ The album’s title speaks for itself. It’s raw in content and production, yet perfect. It’s exactly as it should be. ⠀ Few, if any other, works of art have so wonderfully reminded me of God’s endless love and constant presence. Turn off the lights and listen to “Here” and you’ll quickly see what I mean. ⠀ If I could, I’d visit each one of you one on one to indulge together. This record has brought that much meaning and joy to me recently. I pray it will do the same for you.
Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek to @samcralli, the world’s best teacher (and assistant principal)! Except this week, you won’t find her basking in the appreciation. Rather, you might spot her running around to make sure each and every one of the teachers at her school feel loved and appreciated. Isn’t she wonderful?!
God gave me a story to share this week. ⠀ On Thursday, I headed to the NW Suburbs for a series of client meetings to begin a new project. Hoping to organize a few final thoughts and pray, I searched for a coffee shop along my route. How can you say no to a place called Hugs & Mugs? I had no idea what I was in for. ⠀ I entered the cafe intending to keep to myself and make sure I was reeeeally prepared for my meetings. Then I met Sharon. ⠀ Let me tell you about Sharon! First, she joyfully asked how I found Hugs & Mugs and hardly believed me when I respond “Google.” She kindly paid for my coffee, then insisted on a tour to show me around. I had no idea what I was in for. ⠀ Sharon started by telling me it’s only her third week on the job. Her expressions and tone alone displayed passion for her work and the cause. After a quick explanation of the cafe’s offerings, we entered GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center. If you don’t already know about #GenerationG, please stop reading & Google their story. It’s far better than this one. ⠀ She showed me a huge playroom, 1-on-1 speech rooms, exercise classes, and so. much. more. Then she asked what I do and who I was meeting with. I had no idea what I was in for. ⠀ Sharon not only knew of the organization I was meeting with, but was a passionate participant as a child. She guided me to GiGi’s offices as she sang my client’s song. Staff quickly emerged, recognizing the song from their own childhood with nostalgia. ⠀ She introduced me to the team, still amazed I stopped at Hugs & Mugs, and had me share a bit of my story. I met the team, received so many hugs, and couldn’t have been more awestruck by their hospitality and warm greetings. I had no idea what I was in for. ⠀ On my way out, I stopped back at Hugs & Mugs, interacted with a local special ed class designing custom mugs, and chatted with Sam, the barista. He insisted I put more cream in my coffee. I love this place. ⠀ I never did any final prep for my meetings, but I did get to share the lifelong impact my client’s programs had on Sharon & the team. It turns out this story - this thin place moment - was all I needed. I had no idea what I was in for.
If you only knew how many stories I’ve intended to share on Instagram. ⠀ I snapped this picture in September 2017. Immediately after, I dropped my phone and shattered the screen. ⠀ The irony is not lost on me.
One. Year. That’s how long I’ve been blessed to know @samcralli, the world’s best woman. That first night, we spent six hours talking about our faith, families, friends, jobs, travels, insecurities, dreams, and so much more. I didn’t realize someone like Sam could be real, much less want to be with me. - In our first year together, we’ve laughed, cried, prayed, celebrated, mourned, and fell deeply in love. We’ve made separate trips to Arizona, Indiana (shoutout Albanese), Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin, all the while growing closer together and devouring copious amounts of snacks. - Sam is so incredibly caring, loving, kind, fun, interesting, patient, compassionate, and of course, beautiful. The best part? Somehow, I’ve convinced this amazing woman to marry me (in less than four months, no less). - Looking back at the goodness of the last year, I can’t wait to see what God has in store for many more moving forward.
I wrote about the range of emotions I’m battling with the @rams in the Super Bowl at the link in my bio. #nips