There has been this button on my link bar... mocking me. Daring me to pick what I consider to be the best of me. I know. I am the one who created it... and I am the one too stubborn to change it. And so I dig... for the best of me. Or perhaps not the best... but what has meant the most to my heart in the process. Each... a window to my soul. So read a few if you like... or just know that I have finally linked some content to that button that sits below Beyond.
April 2008... camping lessons
May 2008... in the light
June 2008... daughter of three
July 2008... splashes of grace
August 2008... my all in all
September 2008... overcome
October 2008... lovely
November 2008... when i can't speak
December 2008... me, interupted
January 2009... i almost didn't go
February 2009... celebrating silver
March 2009... on the edge
April 2009... and so it goes
May 2009... i hope
June 2009... with my whole being
July 2009... about yesterday
August 2009... love and life
September 2009... honestly
October 2009... imaginary friends
November 2009... finding blessings
December 2009... thirty-eight things
January 2010... to be a treasure
February 2010...
March 2010...
March 10, 2010
March 09, 2010
lying in wait
It was with great anticipation that I snuck into his bedroom and nestled a chocolate chick next to his alarm clock. I expected him to find it when he tucked in for the night, but I heard no scream of terror. And so I put it of my head for the evening. But this morning…
here he came, all but shouting. Look what was in my room! And then he took it in his hand and crushed it. Little does he know… I have three more.
I suppose it is kind of sick that I enjoy scaring my kids. But my Mom took great pleasure in it… so I figure, I come by it rightly. At least I am not storing scary Halloween masks in the attic for just such a purpose! And these chicks are not scary… not one little bit. But last year, Camden just decided their eyes were a little too wide-eyed and maybe a little freaky. And I can tell you… that it is part of what makes me fall in love with him day after day. That quirky, funny, joyful mind of his… oh, how he makes me laugh!
I may not hide another chick right away… but I will continue on and plan my attacks accordingly. Just because… it is our little thing. And one more way to say I love you… in the the language of a thirteen year old's heart!
Unwrapping my love today… and, a quirky side of my own personality!
March 08, 2010
the sights and sounds
Have you ever been in the midst of 35,000? Teens? Voices? Believers?
It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Our little group of six (two adults, four teens) in the midst of it all. The city. The song. The worship. The story. We were just the tiniest part of the whole... giving ourselves bit by bit to the experience.
Registration alone was quite something... everyone checking in and digging through the depths of their gathering backpack. We joked about the purple and were amazed that each contained a bible, published specifically for our event. Walking the city blocks back to the hotel we marvelled at the brilliance. Yes. Purple backpacks. On 35,000 backs. The conference had barely begun and already we were making quite a statement of faith within the city that is known for Bourbon Street and the rowdiness that goes on there. No one walked by without wondering... and I suppose they continued to wonder when they gained the knowledge that the Lutheran Church had sent their teenagers to New Orleans. Yes. An unlikely city to gather in. But why not? Why not fill the streets with young life and faith?
On the first night, we gathered in the Super Dome. It won't surprise anyone to know that I cried. Arms raised in worship, and completely in awe of my surroundings. If there are that many young hearts, gathered under one roof, loving Jesus... then just maybe... there is hope for tomorrow. The music began and the song raised the roof. And as we all prayed... there was just the quiet. And it moved me more than the song. In the days to come, the Dome became our home base, with a white cross hanging at the center of it all.
The days were spent at the convention center... attending concerts and classes and digging deeper to know God. We participated in a Servant Event and explored the city by scavenger hunt. We took a river boat ride and a trip to the Mardi Gras museum. There was an indoor carnival and endless opportunities to play. The favorite event was the opportunity to lend their hands to the city that welcomed them.
There were about 60 of us... teens and chaperones. Our mission was to paint an elementary school, but when we arrived, the walls still needed to be scraped. The two dozen scrapers didn't go too far, but our kids... they didn't seem to mind. We chose a section of the hallway and started in. Scraping the walls. With phone cards. For three hours.
I have never seen any kids enjoy such hard work more than those four. Honestly, to me the situation felt hopeless. But those four... they were moved by the less and only let their hearts focus on the hope. They never tired. In fact, they were the last kids back on the bus... and only there under duress. If they could have stayed, they would have. Faith at work. I still marvel at that day. It adds to my faith... and when the world shakes their head at the kids today I think about those four kids scraping paint for all they were worth with only the tools God had given, and the 35,000 that gathered in New Orleans in July of 2001 and I know... that this world will be okay.
Yes... there is a little more to come...
It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Our little group of six (two adults, four teens) in the midst of it all. The city. The song. The worship. The story. We were just the tiniest part of the whole... giving ourselves bit by bit to the experience.
Registration alone was quite something... everyone checking in and digging through the depths of their gathering backpack. We joked about the purple and were amazed that each contained a bible, published specifically for our event. Walking the city blocks back to the hotel we marvelled at the brilliance. Yes. Purple backpacks. On 35,000 backs. The conference had barely begun and already we were making quite a statement of faith within the city that is known for Bourbon Street and the rowdiness that goes on there. No one walked by without wondering... and I suppose they continued to wonder when they gained the knowledge that the Lutheran Church had sent their teenagers to New Orleans. Yes. An unlikely city to gather in. But why not? Why not fill the streets with young life and faith?
On the first night, we gathered in the Super Dome. It won't surprise anyone to know that I cried. Arms raised in worship, and completely in awe of my surroundings. If there are that many young hearts, gathered under one roof, loving Jesus... then just maybe... there is hope for tomorrow. The music began and the song raised the roof. And as we all prayed... there was just the quiet. And it moved me more than the song. In the days to come, the Dome became our home base, with a white cross hanging at the center of it all.
The days were spent at the convention center... attending concerts and classes and digging deeper to know God. We participated in a Servant Event and explored the city by scavenger hunt. We took a river boat ride and a trip to the Mardi Gras museum. There was an indoor carnival and endless opportunities to play. The favorite event was the opportunity to lend their hands to the city that welcomed them.
There were about 60 of us... teens and chaperones. Our mission was to paint an elementary school, but when we arrived, the walls still needed to be scraped. The two dozen scrapers didn't go too far, but our kids... they didn't seem to mind. We chose a section of the hallway and started in. Scraping the walls. With phone cards. For three hours.
I have never seen any kids enjoy such hard work more than those four. Honestly, to me the situation felt hopeless. But those four... they were moved by the less and only let their hearts focus on the hope. They never tired. In fact, they were the last kids back on the bus... and only there under duress. If they could have stayed, they would have. Faith at work. I still marvel at that day. It adds to my faith... and when the world shakes their head at the kids today I think about those four kids scraping paint for all they were worth with only the tools God had given, and the 35,000 that gathered in New Orleans in July of 2001 and I know... that this world will be okay.Yes... there is a little more to come...
March 07, 2010
going for gold
The Olympics are over... all of the medals have been handed out. But here, we were waiting on one more event. Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition. Four of the nicest girls you could ever meet have been working hard... juggling school, homework and their creative minds so that all might find a way into their waking hours. Constructing and costuming. Perfecting lines and lyrics. And my own daughter... has been working hard to come out of her box. That one that keeps her quiet and reserved... proper and safe. We coach her to believe that she can do it, because we know she can. She might just believe it, too. But believing and doing are two different things. We encourage her to speak out with the conviction she has in her heart and the script she has in her head. But her Mama knows that thinking outside the box and going there are vastly different experiences. And that just the thinking about being outside the box can cause your heart to leap up into your throat and baracade the way. Even if you know there is growth beyond the moment.
Yesterday, they performed their hearts out. Laura had big responsibilities to perform behind the scenery they had created... and she managed to juggle each one with success. Enough success to give her the confidence to come out of the box shouting. Literally. Her angry Mermaid character emerged from her hiding spot and made the Shrimp scream. I think she kinda spooked the Pirate and the Jellyfish, too. And I was thrilled. For her. Because I can lecture on and on about growth all I want, but the truth is, until you live it yourself, you don't really know. And I hope the next time she finds herself in the midst of the conversation about boxes and confidence and growing, she will remember this day and this experience and how good it felt to shout.
And these girls, as a team... they didn't just go for the gold.
They grabbed it.
State competition, here we come!
Yesterday, they performed their hearts out. Laura had big responsibilities to perform behind the scenery they had created... and she managed to juggle each one with success. Enough success to give her the confidence to come out of the box shouting. Literally. Her angry Mermaid character emerged from her hiding spot and made the Shrimp scream. I think she kinda spooked the Pirate and the Jellyfish, too. And I was thrilled. For her. Because I can lecture on and on about growth all I want, but the truth is, until you live it yourself, you don't really know. And I hope the next time she finds herself in the midst of the conversation about boxes and confidence and growing, she will remember this day and this experience and how good it felt to shout.
And these girls, as a team... they didn't just go for the gold.
They grabbed it.
State competition, here we come!
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