in remembrance of me

-While serving homeless men breakfast at Clifton, I noticed a communion table in the corner of the room that 30 men sleep in. It was littered with bags and belongings. I found myself tearing up for a moment, as I realized that this is exactly what the Table is for.

-When one of the men we were serving said he thought I was one of the kids, I jokingly said, "well, they are all taller than me!" Then, Rebecca (the tallest girl) came up behind me and gave me a great big hug.

-Glancing out my window into complete darkness and seeing one bright star shining back at me.

sun, moon and stars

-At afterschool chapel, I read the kids Mr. and Mrs. God in the Creation Kitchen, and we talked about Genesis and how God made us because God loves us. When I asked for a child to pray, a little boy prayed, asking God for an end to "the polluting" and prayed that we would "stop messing up what You have made." It was the greatest prayer I've heard in a long time.

-Playing my guitar outside with the sun on my face and my eyes closed.

-Watching my first drive-in movie. It was so relaxing to sit outside with good friends and snacks galore, watching a movie with the stars overhead and the moon glowing softly on us.

we're after the same rainbow's end...

-I had the youth at Bible study go outsied and think of places they saw nature praising God (like in the Psalms). They saw this in birds singing, in sunlight through trees, in a pile of rocks in a ditch and in sunlight reflected off of the surface of a lake. Some of them took pictures of these things (see above).

-Katy calling me to let me know that there was a beautiful ranbow outside. I rushed outside, and we both stared at the bright colors that danced with the sunset-brightened clouds.

-Pat giving me a quick back massage at church, not because I asked, but just because I said I was tired.

a penny for your thoughts

-Finding a lucky penny that was oxidized and colored in an intersting pattern.

-The student in the computer room who was listening to music with headphones and singing rather loudly. He was not exactly on key, but he made up for that with the joy in his voice.

-Having a friend explain to me that her day had a common thread throughout it, where she kept thinking about what she wants ministry to be. She told me that she doesn't want to "do" ministry. She wants to "be in" ministry, holding people's hands in their sorrow, joy and everyday lives. I can see the Spirit working in her.

I Y NY!

How do I begin?? New York was amazing.

-Performing in the middle of Times Square (down the narrow street pictured above). Our first piece was the opening act of Project Dance--what an honor. We later discussed that we've never felt more freedom in our dancing than performing in the middle of the City, looking passers-by in the eye as we danced. It was so powerful.

-Walking across many, many crosswalks and noticing the quick pace of everyone's feet.

-The cultural experiences of Little Italy and Chinatown.

-Hailing a taxi in the middle of New York, and feeling like I blended right in (which I'm sure I didn't).

-Breakfast with Robin near Central Park at a quaint and brusque little place, where we enjoyed authentic, fabulous New York bagels and coffee and great conversation. I was thrilled that they put my coffee in the same bag as my bagel (just like Audrey Hepburn's in Breakfast at Tiffany's).

-Getting $20 tickets for RENT the musical!! We walked up to the theatre and asked for tickets for that night, which were $100 each, and then the man at the window said someone just returned 4 tickets for the 2:00 matinee, and that if we could make it, we could have them for $20 each. We ended up being on the second row in the middle. Rent is one of my favorite musicals, and was better on stage than I could've ever imagined. It was so surreal to be sitting in New York and hearing Seasons of Love sang so close to me that I literally got spit on. Honestly, I didn't mind.

-Watching the cars and people whiz by below us as we looked out from the balcony of the Novotel Hotel.

dancing and yum.

-Diane surprising me with a CTS-"Called to Serve" monogrammed sweatshirt that she had made for us for Project Dance New York. It was such a thoughtful thing to do. We will be attending Project Dsnce over the weekend, part of which includes dancing in Times Square! I will not have internet access while in New York, so I will post new glimpses from New York when I return.

-The sun shining through the blinds to cause beams of light to dance all over my computer as I typed my theology paper.

-An impromptu dinner with Sandra at the delicious Watershed. It was so relaxing to eat the best pork chop I've ever had, have a nice glass of wine and enjoy edifying conversation.

i heard it through the grapevine...

-Noticing that Catherine's raisin box had writing on the top. It said, "Stay curious and you will travel to the ends of the earth." I really hope that's true.

-Being offered (and accepting) the Youth Director position at my church for next year. I love working with these kids, and can't believe I'm going to get paid to do it.

-Pink clouds against a dark sky as we drove home. A single bright star also added some drama to the sky.

winks and wisdom

-While I was checking out a woman at the bookstore, I told her the total price and she winked at me to affirm that she had heard me. I can honestly say I've never had that happen before. It added a little joy and silliness to my afternoon.

-The smoky smell of a candle lit for the first time.

-The Virginia Tech grad student who had also been a freshman at Columbine High School. She was interviewed by Meredith Viera, and spoke with such wisdom and courage. Her wisdom was expressed in her explanation of the grieving process. She said that, when thinking about the future after such a tragedy, you first think in minutes, then hours, then weeks. Her courage was expressed in her assertion that she had hesitated to participate in the interview because she feels the media does not help the healing process in such places. She said that anytime students gather to come together as a community after such violence, the media is always there. She told Meredith that the community sometimes needs space to grieve and heal.

music & dancing

Please be in prayer for the victims of the Virginia school shooting and their families.

-A random and nostalgic kazoo box outside the choir room at church.

-Seeing two women dance to the music playing at the gas station as they pumped their gas.

-While driving home after an intense 2 1/2 hours of practice for Project Dance NY, Robin and I heard a song on the radio that had the exact same intro as one of the songs we're dancing to. We screamed and laughed, and then realized that it was just John Mayer.

remembering kindness

-The texture and color of a wicker plant box that has blue paint peeling to reveal bright orange.

-After getting a haircut (which I like but is considerably shorter than I requested), having friends tell me that they love it and couldn't imagine a better suited cut for me.

-Forgetting to remind a friend that I needed to borrow a dvd for confirmation class and then, just as I was texting her in desperate hopes she was still awake, I heard her bring it to my door.

stirring Spirit

-The liberating feeling of leading worship through dance. We enacted Ezekiel 37, the Valley of Dry Bones. I felt the power of that text in a way I never have before.

-Singing the words, "Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, Wind, Wind on the sea" and realizing that perhaps my restlessness of late is a gift from the Spirit. I've been looking at my restlessness as a burden, not a gift. To see it as a gift from God changes everything.

-The sound of leaves being blown by the wind while the sun shone through them.

picking up where we left off

-A tiny drop of water captured within a petal on my windshield.

-Talking to my good friend Pierce after way to long, and thoroughly enjoying the conversation. We didn't waste much time talking about why we hadn't called. We just picked up where we had left off.

-Wearing old, comfy shorts that I think were my Dad's at some point. They're from Mazatlan, although they are so well-loved you can barely read the lettering on them.

inconceivable scents

-The phantom smell of freshly baked cookies in the air.

-Fred's hilarious impression of the little man from The Princess Bride. It was amazing.

-Seeing the tree that always marks me getting close to being home after babysitting. I had never noticed it before, but when my sister came to visit, she saw it, and I've been noticing it ever since. In the last week, it has turned from golden brown to bright green.

Easter rising

Sorry about erratic posting--my computer is sick, so internet access this week is minimal.

-Bright flowers that sparkle with fresh water drops on their petals.

-My sister waking me up on Easter morning and saying, "I had a dream that you preached really well!" It was the perfect encouragement.

-Feeling at home in my own shoes as I preached, helped lead communion and gave the charge and blessing at the Easter contemporary service at my home church. Seeing my old youth group kids (in college now!) again was also a plus.

reading, peeling and whirring

-My Mom reading from her Irish book to us in the car. Why don't people read to each other any more?

-The colorful peeling paint and rust on old Texas grain silos.

-Hearing the faint whir of the coffee grinder and knowing that coffee was sure to follow.

light and flavorful

-Preparing a delicious dinner with my parents: grilled asparagus, shrimp on rosemary skewers and rice. Everything tasted smokey and flavorful.

-A relaxing night spent watching movies.

-The bright morning sun streaming through the french doors and reflecting off of the wooden floors.

fascinating dreams

(Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I've been traveling and getting over a bad cold. I've included some extras to make up for it.)

-The little girl on the plane who kept playing with her overhead light. She was so fascinated.

-Green grass and wildflowers as far as the eye can see that can only mean Texas.

-The Holy Spirit working despite my cold to help me get my sermon done for Easter. Whew!

-Telling corny knock, knock jokes with my family and laughing way too hard.

-The way large, graceful oak tree branches always end parallel to the ground a few feet from it. They're shaped like big mushroom caps. I wonder how they know when it's time to stop reaching down to the ground.

-Hearing a train whistle as I fall asleep and again as I wake up in the morning.

-Dreaming of finding sand dollars on African shores.