Implications

An interesting article by Oliver North on what could be for the world financial system of the future.

The New World Financial Order

Imagine the extended control governments will have not only over business and commerce, but individual constituents in the future. This is no small thing to consider - the global and very personal implications are huge. I think this past election has re-energized my belief that the constituency needs to be intimately acquainted with decisions government makes on their behalf. What this means for me is that I need to be more involved and ensuring that I use the freedom of my voice to challenge and encourage leaders of our great nation.

Parking People

When walking around the city or near my house I often think of the parking people. Rarely will they make eye contact with others and I'm guessing it's because they're the "enforcers" and aren't the most popular kids on the playground. This morning, I grabbed my favorite tea from the BCC (lemon poppy seed muffin top, too!) and rounded a corner, office bound. There, I encountered a parking person and made my best effort to 'stare' her down (in a nice way!) simply for the purpose of smiling at her and saying, "Good morning." She seemed surprised! :)

Here's to more happy encounters with PP! Hopefully she has a good day.

More Thoughts from Dennis Prager

I continue to appreciate his writing and all it causes me to consider:

Why the Left Wants to Change America

Thought-Provoking

I had to sit back and think after reading this one and I'm glad I did...

There Are Two Irreconcilable Americas

Avoiding Antibacterial Soap

This has been one of my "soap boxes" for the last couple of years. I have avoided using antibacterial products as much as possible and here's another article explaining 'why.'

Click Here

Wanted: Life Mission Statement

Tonight, while perusing friends blogs and websites, I came across this statement a friend makes about her current hobbies in life:

"...excavating human hearts from the rubble of a materialistic culture..."

And, I stopped. What a statement. What a purpose.

As I'm tossing about in my new decade of life and musing about the things ahead, I'm inspired by her statement. It moves me.

Lately, I'm giving in to the creative side of my life and I'm beginning to like it. I'm beginning to discover more of what is true of me. I'm edging around a dark room with only my fingers to guide me. Small, slow steps, overwhelmingly aware of every noise - it's deafening, the sound of my breathing and my heart so evident. It feels scary, but I know it's safe.

Soon, I hope to arrive at such a well-stated version of what I am doing on this planet... In the mean time...

With Gratitude...

In memory of those who perished and their loved ones today, on the seventh anniversary of 9/11. With tremendous gratitude to our troops who are a living example of love and bravery - the men and women protecting our nation and fighting for our freedom so that others might be free.

More Paint

In late August, I grieved the loss of a great roommate - she's totally fine, just had a fun opportunity to move in with a good friend IN (!) the city - and the loss of a paint color I loved. The room she lived in has housed quite the variety of women since I moved into my place four years ago. Roommates have come and gone like the weather changes in New England. And, each was a sad goodbye in its own way.

Saying farewell to my latest roommate also meant saying adieu to my favorite wall color in the house. I couldn't help capturing the change as I reflected on the people that have lived in the room - I was a little sentimental about the color because of the friend and former roommate that chose it a couple years back. Here's a pic of the progress I made in painting over the gorgeous blue for my new roommate who desired green instead. I call it, "Transitions."

It Has Begun...

The people that know me understand that the past four years have been marked with suffering and brokenness. Not, perhaps, in the way I would classify them as such - suffering and brokenness belong to those far, far away that have very different problems and issues than those I face. In this process, I think I have longed for God to be near to me. He has seemed very far away.

It really isn't so dramatic, I have experienced him in this place because he's never left me, but my soul has felt dry. At times, I have been so cynical - a perspective that I was unfamiliar with in my life until recently. My heart has doubted and wondered about God's goodness. I've wondered how to trust him not knowing at times what that looks like, how it plays out, what he thinks of my thoughts about him. My desire really has been for him, but I've tried to find satisfaction apart from him in a number of different ways.

I feel compelled to write today because I sense the dam breaking again. My heart is moving toward tenderness and my ability to love and show compassion is beginning to grow. I'm certain that I've said similar words before - part of the process, I suppose - but, I'm seeing it fresh eyes today.

What exactly am I seeing?

Simply: God desires a relationship with me.

My first leg of my homeward flight to Boston last week came with some interesting seat mates. Jeri and Wayne were both making their way up the coast as well following business meetings in Orlando. I've never laughed so hard with strangers! She was like a seated comedian - people should pay money for her quips about the airline industry! Wayne told us that he never spoke to people on planes, yet throughout the flight, found himself conversing with us about this and that (maybe he was forced into it... He WAS in the middle seat!). I found that interesting. As we talked about work - mostly systems related chatting, he even offered me a job - He works for Microsoft.

After a while, I did turn to the book my Dad bought me before I left Colorado the week prior. "The Shack" proved, even in its earliest pages, to grip my heart. I was laughing and crying as I read (couldn't help it!) as our flight progressed. I was reminded of God's love for people and his longing for relationship. I wondered if Jeri and Wayne knew him. We said little about God on the flight. Just a few moments when I told Wayne what I do for a living and he brought up the "Christian" thing later in the flight. It was refreshing to talk openly, not about religion, but about this Jesus who wants a relationship - and how the novel was speaking to that.

The week before, in Colorado, I connected with ministry partners, family, friends and closed the project in Vail. A sweet woman from my home church gave me a devotional book called "Streams in the Desert" after learning of the dryness I've experienced in my walk with God. That book, coupled with "The Shack," has been like water to my soul. It has been speaking the truth of God's word into my life in a significant way and I find that the soil of my heart has softened during the past two weeks.

This morning, I got out of the house and headed to Starbucks to read. Sitting in an overstuffed deep purple chair, I took little notice of the elderly gentlemen sitting next to me in its twin. He did, however, take notice of me for a few minutes later, he leaned over and asked me, with a mouth full of missing teeth, what I was reading. I told him it was a book about a man who experienced tragedy in his life and the ensuing conversation he had with God about it. He couldn't quite hear me, so he asked me to speak up. Admittedly, I felt a bit self-conscious, but repeated, more loudly, my original description.

He went on to tell me how he thought I should avoid this sort of a read. "Tragedy is everywhere - you don't need to add more to your life," he stated. He then pointed out this raggedy young man sitting outside at a small table. This young man (who, in fact, I avoided eye contact with on my way in), had a tragic story. His parents had abandoned him when he was younger and he lived on the streets - "a vagrant," according to my new friend. Apparently, he had purchased a coffee and donut for him and sat to hear a bit of his story. Inside, I felt ashamed that I showed no mercy in my thoughts about this young guy.

He continued to share that I should only add good things to my life - happy things to carry with me. With that, we stopped chatting; I returned to my book, he to his watchful gaze of the people coming in and out of the store. Being a little more in tune with him now, even as I continued reading, I noticed that he knew many of the regulars. He asked questions about their lives, showed interest in a father waiting in line with his baby boy, greeted friends and made conversation. Here and there I'd glance outside and focus on that young guy at the small table. I spent time praying for him as I read - the perspective of my heart had changed.

A while later, I stood to leave. I greeted a man that joined my new friend and he responded, "How are we supposed to get to know you when your nose is in your book?" I chuckled, apologized and introduced myself. He is Bill. I then officially met my new friend, Jim. They both waved and said goodbye. I smiled as I left and thought that I must remember that... How are we supposed to get to know you when your nose is in your book?... Such a sweet, genuine community that engages and invites others into it. I love it.

What does all of this have to do with anything?...

Life is about relationships. So often I make it about something else - my work, proving myself, my competence, my pride, what I have to offer... Me, me, me.

I think this is why Jesus said to love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; love your neighbor as yourself. It's about so much more than me.

This isn't new, but my awareness of what is of true value is growing. And, within that, God is at work making hefty changes to life as I know it. Much of this really has to do with freedom. He wants to free me from my coping mechanisms - the ways I operate and "get through" life, my independence, my sin. He wants me to thrive and be free. He wants me to experience true relationship.

Somehow, I still don't get this. Honestly, that reality is super annoying. Yet, here I am in process and enthusiastically awaiting the things to come. Gratitude exists in my heart today because he has softened it and is at work in the midst of this mess I like to call, "My life." :)

Reflecting

Tonight I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. It's quiet in my apartment. Sitting atop my new eggplant-colored chair, laptop perched upon my lap and listening to the sounds of the cars drive by on the dampened Boulevard, I reflect.

Moments, several moments, too many moments, this past week brought me back to the reality of the brokenness that exists in the lives of people that I love. Just minutes ago I sent an email that was challenging to write. Part of the larger story is that I don't know where these two friends are or what has happened in the recent months. I feel left out and unaware, but not so much wounded by the lack of inclusion in their affairs as the limited knowledge of how life is for them and what has transpired between them. Email is never my choice communication medium especially when the circumstances require greater sensitivity and care. And, this added to the degree of stress I felt as I typed. I wanted to be careful and loving and available and grateful.

It's not just this circumstance, but as I mentioned, many. People are broken. People make good decisions. People make poor decisions. People seek wholeness. People hurt others. People are hurt by others. People grow. People remain stagnant. People want to control their own lives. The list goes on and on.

As I have continued to grow in my relationship with God, one thing I've noticed is a increasing awareness of my own brokenness. For some, this might sound miserable - "Becoming more in tune with how messed up I really am? Why would I want to do that?" For me, it has been so encouraging and freeing. In the midst of seeing my junk and dealing with it (not running from it, avoiding it, ignoring it), I have an immense gratitude for the work of Jesus in my life. I don't have to do this on my own! I am completely loved and accepted for who I am! I am forgiven! I am secure! I am in process! I am made whole!

Yet in my humanity, I am still broken. I still fail. I still hurt others. I am still hurt. That's life...

Where does the nostalgia fit in to all of this? If you know me, you know that I see the glass as "half full!" When life tosses you lemons... Well, I make lemonade. Though, as I get older I've noticed my tendency to "sit" longer in the grief of the brokenness. At times it is overwhelming. I don't think I ever considered how the actions of those that I love would impact my own heart and life. But they have... Deeply. Even when it had nothing to do with me. I'm learning that the decisions we make take their toll on those that we most care about - for better or worse. The challenge is this: How do I live rightly?

For my part of it, I know that I have to trust God to continue to show me how to do so beginning in the smallest decisions of my life. I have to ask him to show me the potential repercussions of my choices and I need to choose the road that may be most challenging to walk down in the present, but that which will most bless and encourage the people that he places in my life. After all, it's not just about me. My hope is that I will finish well.

Painting = Peace

I've loved my day. I woke up fairly early this morning after achieving a limited amount of sleep (I have a head cold that has hung on, allowing me around 6ish hours of sleep these last few days; I'm sure the transition back East hasn't helped the situation), enjoyed some Ruby Red grapefruit juice while paying bills and going through stacks of mail, headed to the Post Office to send things off and came home. In that moment, I felt done for the day. I'd accomplished a ton and wondered how I'd spend the afternoon.

Not long after, my roommate and I were discussing our days and both stated a need to go to Target. I mentioned that I'd been thinking for weeks about the area rug I've wanted to find for the living room (my roommate's musings these last months about the missing item has become a prominent idea in my brain for the room) and we both thought it'd be good to head to Home Depot to check out some options she'd seen a while back.

Somehow, in the midst of this brief conversation, the topic of paint arose. I've been dying to paint the bathroom since I moved in three years ago and my roommate has been unsettled by a certain living room wall that has maintained a basic off white color (an old roommate and I painted several other walls, but unsure of how to approach the largest that connected living and dining spaces, left it) for years. She pulled out swatches she's been considering for her new apartment (sad! losing another roommate!) and all of a sudden, colors for both rooms stood out among the pack. It was completely unplanned, but there they were - the PERFECT bathroom color and the other to tie the living and dining room areas together in color harmony!

We couldn't believe it!

Finishing quickly at Target, we headed to Home Depot. Took a look at the rugs, but finding nothing exciting, moved on and purchased the paint, pans, edger, etc. The bathroom would be a sort of honey yellow and the wall in the living space would be a pearly gray. We moved on to Harvard Square to look at a couple more shops with area rugs - found a steal on two lamp stands (!) - stopped into Starbucks (of course!) and headed home a few hours after our departure.

The last hours have been well spent. It will sound weird, but I am so grateful for the gift of these two colors. Seriously, my house is more of a home tonight as a result of the changes and I feel so peaceful. There is something to be said about the process of painting. Some people love it, others abhor it; I'm in the "love" crowd. To paint and create change in a space that makes it more inviting, provides continuity and leaves you with a sense of wholeness in the environment is a thing of beauty. I'm always amazed by the overwhelming feeling of rest I experience when I paint - like deeply inhaling and releasing that air. Breathe in. Breathe out.

We sat and enjoyed the space for some time after completing the projects. It was sweet to discuss our perspectives on the process (we've discussed this stuff many times this year) and how it felt to complete it. As she moves out next month, I'm left in my beautiful condo with more of a sense of completion and "home." It's a gift and significant that her input has brought this to bear. I'm going to miss this roommate so much, but I'm so thankful for the opportunity to learn from her and see something completed that we both had hoped for in different ways.

Next on the list: well, that area rug that is still escaping me and more wall art. That said, I'll soon have a Wendy White original hanging somewhere in my house. I can't wait to see what it looks like and will share that story sometime in the near future! In the meantime, feel free to pop over and see the changes. :)

Sunset

I captured this image on the way down the mountain from a process learning exercise with our students. Loving my Vail life...

Blog, What?

Today is the first time in a while that I've actually had a moment to blog. I've almost forgotten that I have one. :) Life has been full the past month or so preparing to close things out in Boston and head to Colorado. It's been fun to be "home" (I'm trying to think of Boston as my official home right now) for a time.

I arrived in Vail on Memorial Day and have been cruising through staff meetings, preparations for student arrival and then the actual arrival. We have 41 students with us this summer and it's been a treat to begin knowing them. They're so enthusiastic about life and walking with God. What a JOY to be able to process and journey the Christian life together. Our hope is that they'd leave the Valley more in love with Jesus than when they first arrived. And, that they'd be challenged as they step out of their comfort zones, build great relationships with people here (that fruit would remain), have a bigger picture of God and HOW VERY worthwhile it is to walk with him for a lifetime. Sometimes I can't help but LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my job! :)

For me, I've seen that my dependence upon the Lord is growing. There have been challenges here - adjusting to a new team and a different summer - that have left me feeling empty. Yet, it's the BEST place I can find myself... I NEED him! When at the end of myself, there I find him. I don't always understand why it is so difficult to trust, to relinquish control and to just lean on him, but I'm seeking to do that daily. If you're a pray-er, I'd love your prayers! I want to depend on Jesus, listen to him, obey him and find my satisfaction in him.

I'm grateful that God designed this believing life as a journey - he knows my weaknesses, insecurities, pride and my desire to walk with him, love him, become more like him and make him known. He's not afraid to engage with me in the process and shows me grace as I experience his truth in my daily walk. It's humbling to lead, to serve and to depend.

More soon....

Oh the Joy!

... Of Spring!!! I think today is my favorite yet of this season I'm experiencing here for the first time since my move to Boston. Spring has Sprung (as a friend wrote to me on Facebook the other day) and I couldn't be a lighter more ecstatic participant in the world today. In fact, I just skipped out to Starbucks to add to my joy with a delightfully refreshing Americano (iced, decaf with vanilla and room). I met Marilyn, an apparent "regular" who works up the street and told me that the friends at SBucks know her name and her drink.

I must pause to appreciate that someone else in this city cares about that like I do. :)

There is no menacing humidity in the air, the sun is shining, the sky is clear and people are, well, happy. What difference the weather does make! Upon my return to the office I told my friend that we should forget our to-do lists and work and frolick in the city. Truth be told, I can't do that today, but it is a nice thought worthy of the statement.

Back to work for now, but I'm smiling as I go.

And So It Begins!

The Boston Red Sox returned to Fenway Park today for our home opener. Boy, I'm glad baseball season has begun! The new World Series 2007 Champions banner hanging Boston red on the Green Monster is a welcome sign promising good things to come... We hope! :)

I'll use today as the "official" start to the season.

A personal aside... I think it's rather funny that Bill Buckner threw out the opening ceremonial pitch. The guys in the office use the phrase, "He pulled a Buckner!" to describe my dating life at unfortunate moments. Sweet Bill Buckner... I do feel compassion for him.

Here's to the Sox and my favorite player and future friend (I keep praying!), David Ortiz! Go Big Papi!!!

Two Words Remain: Play Ball!!!

Over-Time

Kansas and Memphis are in the first over-time with around 45 seconds left. You might wonder why I'm blogging, but remember, I am a woman and good at multi-tasking. I was just sitting here thinking what a good, but long day it's been and now I'm up at a quarter to twelve, watching the Championship and eating my new favorite treat... Wallaby Organic Yogurt - the Pineapple Coconut flavor! It's amazing - reminds me of my Grandma B.'s "Hawaiian cake recipe... delicious!

Life is good.

Oh, gotta run... 12.8 left on the clock. Kansas is up 73 to 68 and at the line. My bracket was "over" a while ago (UCLA lost, but ultimately, my Kentucky Wildcats made it a short tourney season for me this year). I'm rooting for Kansas due to my connection with many good friends who love them.

So, Go Jayhawks!

Dude, Memphis DENIED with mere seconds on the clock... It's OVER!

What a comeback!!!

CONGRATULATIONS KANSAS JAYHAWKS - 2008 NCCA MEN'S BBALL CHAMPIONS!

Ahhh... until next year...

I've Got Some Work to Do

It's Friday. When I get home this evening, I'm going to see how many push-ups I can do. I'm sure it will be less than I think. What about you?...

An Enduring Measure of Fitness: The Simple Push-Up

Restless!

New England winter goes on forever... or so it seems. This reality is compounded by the flu. Yes, the past week and a half I have been home. On the couch, in my bed, on the phone, watching movies, sleeping and drinking lot's and lot's of fluids. While I began to feel better over the weekend - my voice returned which is always a good sign - I was still quite lethargic.

The past few days I have made myself stay at home. Normally, I would have already been up and at um' in the office, but I decided to actually take care of myself and fully recover before jumping back into life per normal. This, I believe, has been a good decision, but boy have I been restless. On Monday night I thought I was going to jump out of my skin. Restless energy.

So, that's my story. Not much more to it than that. I did have to leave the house today to go to the dentist of all places. It was a fun excursion. I was happily greeted by WARM air on the other side of my front door which reminded me that spring is on its way - Daylight Savings Time is this weekend: Spring Forward Everyone! Hopefully, we'll experience a true spring this year... That said, my restless self is not getting her hopes up quite yet.

Irony at its Best

The first time I visited Vermont I was overwhelmed by its beauty. It was just two years ago and I was searching for a venue to host our upcoming women's conference. I drove through charming towns on a small, winding two-lane highway and fell in love. Sunroof open, windows down I smiled at the Green Mountains and felt at home. I remember calling my parents while I was on the road and telling them that I had never been to a place so like Colorado, but so different all at once. Vermont carved its way into my heart and took first position as my favorite state in New England.

Years ago when I was still living in Boulder, I visited my then-boyfriends' family here in the Northeast. One sister lived in Burlington, Vermont and provided an interesting factoid: Church Street (Burlington) and Pearl Street (Boulder) were designed by the same people; I filed that information away for a rainy day. Not long after, my relationship ended and God surprised me tremendously in asking me to step out in faith and move to the Northeast. That, in and of itself was well, ironic.

So, on Saturday when I had the opportunity to visit Burlington for the first time (the overarching reason was quite sad...the loss of a co-workers mother), a friend and I were able to take about an hour to visit Church Street before driving back to Boston. It was so strange to witness how alike these downtown areas are and brought back memories of home. Church Street sits just above Lake Champlain and just below the University of Vermont (UVM). It is picturesque and even in mood, much like Boulder. In fact, I just had to take these shots... so reminiscent of home...

Here is where I find the irony of Burlington. Moving to the Northeast a few years back, I quickly learned that Vermont is a very principled place. There are no billboards lining the highways, only four Starbucks locations in the entire state (as of 3/2007) and in all it's legislation is considered very "progressive." Don't get me wrong here, as I have already stated, I love Vermont. I just found it extremely ironic as I walked down Church Street to find many of the businesses falling into the category of non- mom-and-pop type shops. Banana Republic, JCrew, Urban Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Macy's, Borders Books and yes, one of the state's four Starbucks locations. Church Street, in fact, feels like a very capitalist place. For me, it doesn't dispel the charm. It just makes me chuckle.

I felt the same way when I heard that the City of Boulder, after the City Council refused to allow Crossroads Mall to be revamped or torn down and rebuilt as a new entity, approved the building of a Home Depot (gasp!) in the center of Boulder. The revenue that the city lost as Flatirons Crossing opened in nearby Broomfield made its mark. The park the City planned for the location of the closed mall never came to be and eventually, in addition to the Home Depot, an open-air mall opened.

Let me be the first to admit that principles are important. And, I appreciate what some of those principles have meant for my favorite New England state. I just couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy some of the irony, that's all.

American Greatness

My friend Ryan recently posted this story on his blog. A young college grad decides to start "fresh" with $25 in his pocket and the goals of gaining a job, a car, an apartment and $2,500 in savings within one year without the use of his education or contacts. A worthy read.

McRyanMac: American Greatness

Free Rice + Vocab Practice = Good Stuff

Here's to expanding my vocabulary and helping others... Check it out! Warning, it's a little addicting. But, I just scored 3,040 grains of rice! :)

www.freerice.com

The Rain... Over It.

It's been raining for weeks... Well, maybe just days, but it certainly feels longer. This sun-starved transplant of a Coloradoan is missing the glaring warmth of the Rocky Mountain sun tonight in a very bad way. The gloominess is getting to me and I'm remembering that this is what February feels like for me in New England. What an encouraging realization though! It's not me... It's the weather! The last few days have brought higher temperatures amid the rain, so I am grateful and see the blessing in it. Yet, the idea of heading to a tanning salon has crossed my mind frequently (even though I'm not completely "pro" that strategic step).

This morning when I awoke to torrents of rain, I was pained by the reality that I had 9 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM meetings. In fact, I arrived at the office with pants soaked to mid-calf wondering why I've yet to purchase some stylish rainboots from JCrew or Urban Outfitters (note to self, this is a very good idea!) and told my boss after a quick "Good Morning" that I couldn't believe I actually came to the office today. I know, I'm delightful. :)

In the midst of all of this, I passed Park Street Church on my usual route to the office; I saw a sign on the steps reminding me that today is the beginning of the Lenten Season. Ash Wednesday, in fact. I quickly forgot about this and went to work. Mid-day though, a friend emailed saying we had our monthly "Night of Reflection" at church which jogged my memory... Oh right, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Easter... All day I debated whether I should go or not (more to the story) and finally decided to attend.

There is something about Lent. Never in my life, prior to my move to Boston, did I consider it. My Baptist upbringing did not seem to draw attention to the season before Easter with the exception of Palm Sunday and honestly, I did not know or care much until three years ago. This is not a judgment call, just my experience, but life has been so much richer with an understanding of the Lenten Season.

It came without warning this year. Maybe that's how it happens though. You're moving along with your life per normal, have barely had time to consider that the New Year is here and now, quite suddenly, you are thrown into a season of introspection. If this isn't you, I'll just speak for myself because wow, this is me. I arrived at church tonight (we meet in a hotel in the city for now), took a few moments to catch up with friends and we launched into this...

"By asking for thrones in glory, James and John were wanting comfortable security in addition to honor and power... The spirit of James and John lingers on, especially in us who have been cushioned by affluence. It is true that inflation and unemployment have brought many to a new experience of insecurity. Yet we still regard security as our birthright and 'safety first' as a prudent motto. Where is the spirit of adventure, the sense of uncalculating solidarity with the underprivileged? Where are the Christians who are prepared to put service before security, compassion before comfort, hardships before ease? Thousands pioneer Christian tasks are waiting to be done, which challenge our complacency, and which call for risk."

John Stott The Cross of Christ

Talk about being jolted out of the self-misery of the past few days... Welcome Lent!! In a way, I was elated to hear these words tonight. I think this is the reason: I remembered that it is not about me and more so, there are so many better things to put at the forefront of my life. For instance, worship. Something inside me could not help but worship God tonight. We read these words and as we moved into a time of singing, my heart felt light and free to appreciate God for his goodness in showing me that it's really not about these small, yet complicated dramas in my life or the world around me. He is active in the midst of it - he sent his Son to redeem me out of my gloom - he cares so deeply and loves so freely, speaking truth with grace so I can be free. And, he wants more for me than I want for myself... like getting over myself and moving past complacency and the comfort of security in tangible things to embrace the unknown and to risk.

Does that not inspire and bring life in the midst of my weariness? Absolutely. I love the idea that I have forty days to think about things like this and move toward action as I see the Gospel transform my cynical heart. This season acts as a reminder to refocus and reconsider the amazing truth that Jesus came and lived a perfect life; he offered himself as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for my sin, through his death on the cross, and rose again to give me new life. To ponder, question, wonder and worship.

While the rain turns to sleet, then snow outside my window right now, I'll leave you with these words to an old hymn that I've grown to love in a modern context/version. I'm unsure of the author and my search online has come up empty, but it encompasses the hope I have for own my heart this Lenten Season... To remember to worship God because he is true.

SATISFIED

All my life long I had panted
For a drink from some cool spring
That I hoped would, quench the burning
Of the Thirst I felt within

Feeding on the filth around me
Till my strength was almost gone
Longed my soul for something better
Only still to hunger on

Chorus:
Hallelujah He has Found me
The One my soul, so long has craved
Jesus Satisfies, all my longings
Through his Blood I now am saved

Poor I was and sought for riches
Something that would satisfy
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul's sad cry

Well of water ever springing
Bread of Life so rich and Free
Untold wealth that never Faileth
My Redeemer is to me

...

HALLELUJAH HE HAS FOUND ME

THE ONE MY SOUL, SO LONG HAS CRAVED

JESUS SATISFIES, ALL MY LONGINGS

THROUGH HIS BLOOD I NOW AM SAVED!!!!

A New Reality?

My hope is that their testing proves that this is a very good idea.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/080123/starbucks.html?.v=4&.pf=banking-budgeting

Low Key

Tumultuous and whirlwind are two words I've used recently to describe the past month. I've been so happy this past week to have my feet firmly planted on the freezing cold Massachusetts sidewalks (perhaps more so, however, on the hardwood floors in my apartment). Yes, it's cold here today... again. BUT, it's sunny! What more can a girl ask for? I'm thankful.

I've taken the past week to catch up on my life and have not missed the office for a second. Proudly, I've refrained from email (well, maybe I sent one... but, only one!) and have stuck to a regimen of sleeping, accomplishing some very overdue items on my personal to-do list, cleaning the apartment (which I happen to love... I know that might sound crazy to some of you), seeing and calling friends, reading and catching up on my DVR. Love it.

Yet, my suitcase isn't completely unpacked. I think I'll do that today. Somewhere in my brain I think I might actually believe that I have to leave again on another trip, but nope, I should really unpack! I'm staying put for a few weeks at minimum and it is a glorious thing. I've decided that this is a good way to begin 2008.

Oh, Happy New Year! Can you believe it's 2008??? Amazing.

I don't know what I hope for life this year, but I'm excited about what God has in store. Given what the past month has brought, I'm waiting to see what the Lord has for me in and through what has happened. I do love the idea of a new year. Not because of resolutions or anything like that, but maybe because there is potential in the months ahead for something new, surprising, challenging and growing. Whatever the case, I am grateful for the way I've begun it - first a little hectic and now looking back over the past week realizing that I've done something well... I chose to rest when I knew I needed it. That is a good first step for a hopeful New Year.