All I want for Christmas...

This has been nice…

Millenium Bridge, London England.

But this is what I want right now…

HOME

Hidden in the Text

I open my worn-out wallet and investigate its contents. Library card, postage stamps, and plenty of punch cards I’ll never use again. Ah, there is it. KANSAS DL. I pull it out and look over the information that describes me as a human.

Gender. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved dressing up, trying to look pretty. At times, I failed miserably (Mom, where WERE you?) I’ve desired to be a beauty worth rescuing. Every girl was created with hopes and dreams. Though the world loves to destroy the passion in hearts, perverting beauty and twisting love- I choose to seek out adventure and chase the dreams that were planted inside me for a purpose.

Height. “Yes, I know I’m short.” I wonder how many times I’ve had to say that. I do happen to see myself in the mirror every so often. Perhaps some folks just see height as power? Maybe they are insecure, and feel better when they meet short people. Just for the record, I am perfectly okay with my height. I have more options when it comes to marriage!

Weight. I was so skinny and limber, and then something horrible happened. I grew up, and when I ate, it actually affected me. Going from being able to down nerds and coke weekly and staying tiny and cute to entering an awkward phase in which vertical and horizontal growth hormones got mixed up on their dates is traumatizing! I’ve never really been the same as before, but I’ve managed to cope. Thankfully, after losing the little figure, I lost the appetite for junk, too.

Eye color. The vast ocean, the slender blades of grass, the textured skin on a lime…  green is life, representing growth. I’m not an environmentalist and I don’t worship trees. I enjoy the beautiful creation all around me, and I love to discover. My eyes haven’t always been green-when I was little they were blue. Some changes in life are good.

Birth date. I love the anticipation of that day. Usually, nothing outrageously incredible, or dramatically life-changing happens, but I like to know there’s always the possibility. Who knows what could transpire? It’s silly of me to think this way, when really anything could happen on any given day, and every day is someone’s birthday, but still, I like to dream.

Signature. It isn’t half bad considering it was written with one of those electronic pens. You know the kind I’m talking about. Where after you’re done, you have to make some joke to the teller about how bad you are at using “those things.” Really, I CAN write my name.

Organ Donor. That sunny afternoon in May, driving home from work, I realized just how much control I actually have. I often cruise through life, planning and forecasting my days. I have a responsibility when it comes to using time, spending money, and the words I speak, but control? When I was skidding across the highway, attempting to regain control of the car, I was thinking, “This could be it.” Then, after the car hit the median, I thanked God for his hand over my physical protection, though in a matter of seconds my emotional, mental, and spiritual state was thrown into confusion. That day I learned that I really don’t have control over my life and gladly recognize the one who does. And, because of that, I am here today, telling you about it.

Okay, so I do still LOVE icecream. don't judge.

age and quality.

Some music is wonderful and then after a while, not so wonderful. Some music is awful, then eventually, you love it. some music is great and, after a few years… is just as great.

This is an album I've listened to for years. Still love it.

Sixpence None the Richer's self-titled album.

Check it out :)

blessed.

meet the family.


the parents.
two individuals committed to love, each other, their kids and the divinely perfect God who created all of the above. 
incredible friends, sensitive do-ers of the word, and adventure chasing, world travelers.

brother.

smart, funny, hardworking.

kindred spirit in humor and beast musician.

devoted husband, loyal brother, lover of Jesus.

sister.

best friend, confidante, example setter.

half of the sister-brain administration.

seeker of adventure, appreciator of art, competent teacher.

beautiful, talented, passionate lover of Jesus and truth. 

sister-in-law.

caring, creative, ambitious.

compassionate servant, zealous for morality, gifted artist.

loving wife, understanding sister, sincere lover of Jesus.

Dogs.

silly, cute, fluffy.

unnecessary barkers, nap-time cuddlers, popcorn lovers.

enthusiastic on walks, sleepy in the sun, live for chewchies.

Loyal pets.

       

Yesterday never returns.

"How much of human life is lost in waiting."
                                                           -Ralph Waldo Emerson

November's Narrator

Life is busy. I kind of love it, kind of hate it.
Sometimes I just wish I could quit everything that is mundane, everything that just has to be done.
But, I know, it's those things that build character, encourage creativity, and enforce responsibility.
Life is really good, though I know it has the potential to be way better. We have the power- the knowledge.
Hope things are going well for you, reader.
Here are a few favorites from recent shoots.
Enjoy, and remember to appreciate the beauty in the small things all around you!

Infected by Arrogance

Read this in World Magazine recently. Mr. Belz = great guy.

Let me know me know what you think… if you read it.

Infected by Arrogance

by Joel Belz

The note I got from Vice President Joe Biden last week puzzled me at first. Gregarious as he is, I've never met the man. And I wasn't used to his calling me by my first name.

"Joel," he wrote, "I just wanted to take a moment to thank you. I know you are volunteering for this campaign, giving time that is hard to come by. I know you're also giving what you can afford to fuel our work, even though that's also hard for so many. But you believe in what the President is trying to do to move this country forward. And we believe in you. Thank you again. Joe."

It's not as though I had never received a computer-generated message. I've even been on the sending end of a whole lot of direct mail, and am at least passingly familiar with how many things you can do to make the addressee feel like a friend. Most of them I try to avoid just because they insult the intelligence of the recipient.

But this note was different. It didn't merely pretend that our friendship was closer than it really was. It suggested a friendship that didn't even exist in the first place. Somebody had put my name on a list of donors to a cause I pretty categorically reject. Yes, two years ago I had, in the quiet of a voting booth, for the first time in my life voted for a couple of Democrats I thought to be good choices for public service. And somehow, ever since, I've been getting these insultingly chummy notes thanking me for being so loyal.

The Republicans, mind you, are no better. A friend from church, Robert Persons, decided last month to show the level of his current GOP loyalty by sending a whopping contribution of just one cent to help the congressional committee through the 2010 election cycle. "On behalf of the entire Republican House Leadership," the computer wrote back, "I want to thank you for your Membership Renewal and generous contribution of $.01 to the National Republican Congressional Committee. By renewing your membership, you are part of a reinvigorated team at the NRCC, dedicated to setting a new course for Congress and the nation. By signing up early, you have shown me and my Republican House colleagues that you stand 100 percent behind us as we fight to stop the Democrats' ultra-liberal agenda. . . . Your allegiance is now, as always, invaluable."

The closing to the letter was especially notable. If just $.01 would do this much, the computer wondered, had Mr. Persons considered what might happen if he would match his own gift? "An additional contribution of $.01," the letter said, "will help build the foundation necessary to secure victory." The check-off list on the reply card helpfully included categories of both $.01 and $.02.

Much has been written in recent days about the public arrogance of the current administration. And indeed, a big part of that atmosphere has been produced by the president himself. Arkansas Democratic Congressman Marion Berry earlier this year recalled a conversation he had with President Obama. Berry worried to the president that the Obamacare effort reminded him too much of the failed 1994 healthcare reform effort. The "big difference," the president assured the congressman, "is me." Such arrogance oozes from the Obama White House. During the Bush years, critics took issue with the administration's stubbornness; but stubbornness is different from arrogance. Compare Bush and Obama as individuals, and there's no question who's better equipped to teach a course in personal modesty and who's more needful of taking such a course.

But that's not my main point here. The people writing the fundraising letters—for both parties—all seem to be infected with the same arrogance. They badger us to believe them: Send us to Washington, and we'll straighten things out. We'll make government run the way it's supposed to.

And they expect me to believe that when they don't even know if I'm a political friend or foe? Or when they can't stop long enough to interpret the meaning of a simple penny taped to a reply card?

That's a kind of arrogance we need to watch out for—regardless of what happens on Nov. 2.

red

I am vibrant like the morning sun just after it’s fully above horizon. My bold hue has dominion over all other colors. I am distinguished; unique. I have the ability to change when mingled with contrasting colors. I give life, running through the veins of beings. Death comes when I escape. I am strong and consuming like a flame, but I can be gentle and reflective like satin. When painted on a pair of lips, I make them irresistible. I represent passion. I sneak into the cheeks of the romanced. I rest on the shoulders of the laborer in the sun. I cling to the tip of a chilled nose. Requested often, encountered daily, and always prepared. I am red.

sunshine and doggie love

Agenda for the day:

sleep in ✓
pick up ashley ✓
finish writing small short piece for writing class ✓
compose song about my dogs ✓
take dogs on walk ✓
purchase various neat things at michaels ☐
see family ☐
eat food besides cereal ☐
read lessons for photography class ✓
read more lessons for said class ☐
read lessons for writing class ☐
write assignments for said class ☐
date with camera- assignments for former said class ☐
see hannah marie and maybe eat gelato ☐
visit starbucks ☐
get house ready for fellowship ☐
return garage door opener to gibson home ☐

i have a ways to go, but...

enjoy sunshine and the intricacy of creation ✔

Only.

Some things can only be said through tears
Some things will only be healed with years.
Don't know why I've wasted so many; I should have been living 
Now I've only stacked up wounds and words that need forgiving.

Meet Marisa...

I have a friend named Marisa.
She made this notebook for me. How cool is that?
Marisa is a girl that I really love. I mean, I love a lot of people, but there is something unique about Marisa.
She has a joy and presence that simply indicates the peace of God.
She is quiet and reserved when she sees fit and outgoing and enthusiastic when she's with friends and she feels comfortable- it's called discernment. A quality which I respect very much in a fellow human.
Marisa is kind- not just nice and "caring"- I mean this girl has a love and kindness that only comes from the true source of love- Christ Jesus.
As much as I admire and want to brag about her, I really must give the glory to God and praise him for the character and quality of this woman. Wow, good job, God for creating such a lovely, passionate, artistic being, uniquely designed to live a beautiful, inspired, encouraging life.
Marisa is a reflection of the Lord's love and creativity.
And good job, Marisa for walking on the path he has set out before you, by his grace.
Your life is truly a testimony to his goodness.
And now, good job to me, for somehow being lucky enough to find myself in a friendship with this talented, delightful, young lady!

Good work everyone.

Seriously!? Adorable!

squirrel invasion.

Has anyone else noticed the growing boldness of these creatures? As I was in the TCH parking lot earlier, waiting to pull out, I watched a couple of them darting back and forth across the small lawn right by the sidewalk and very close to passing people and cars. This is a high traffic area and these little guys are just here and there and everywhere. Today is not the first time I've noticed their audacious actions. I recollect countless times of eyeing squirrels running in front of me or fearlessly creeping up the sidewalk to my house. They are everywhere and gaining confidence. Perhaps they are scheming to take over the world. Why not? I'm convinced the one that peers into our kitchen window is a spy. We named him the FBI squirrel. Seriously, the way they act around our house is crazy. Like they know something we don't. Some master plan we are all oblivious of. Almost as though they are laughing at us, as we walk by attending to our business. It makes perfect sense- they are cute little devils. It's always the cute ones you have to watch out for. No one expects it. Well put it on the record that I called it. I suspected them all along.

Just you wait and see.

Dear friends,

How I wish I had some deep insight, some witty expression, some intelligent nugget to share with you…
I feel empty.
Yes, I do have thoughts, I do have revelations, but somehow nothing is just shoving it's way, about to burst forth. You know when you have that word that you just have to share, have to get out? Yeah, not having that right now.

I've been wanting to actually write a decent post for some time now, but as I have been taking more and more pictures, I seem to have the ability to show rather than tell. That's just where I am right now, I guess.

So, you get more pictures.

Two things I love:
My sister and bestie, (with…) Lana.
Starbucks.

Put them together, and this is what you get…

Lana's "sexy" face.

Lana's not sexy face 

Coffee is just good.

oh, a drip.

She is just adorable. 

Mmmm...

Not sure what's happening here, but I LOVE it.

"I have something in my eye." "Oh, here- I'll get it with my camera." 

dance. coffee. YOU. 

YOU.

So many questions.

Oh, look. It's me.

these are a few of my favorite things...

Latte love. 

new hero? yes.

Born during a saline abortion, Gianna Jessen states "I did not survive so I could make everyone comfortable, I survived so I could stir things up a bit." So incredible. Watch.

It's in two parts so make sure you see them both :)

Arty Party

Brian hosted an art party. It was fun. We had a good, messy time and ended up with some pretty sweet pieces for decorating their apartment.

El dropped her phone in paint. then used it as a stamp. genius. i love her.

Is she not the cutest thing?

Hard at work.

yay!

Dominic creating a masterpiece.

why yes, those are coffee grounds :)

El's coffee ground experiment didn't go over so well ;)

Eric would create a perfect picture.