Changes

My blog needed a face-lift.

The old look just seemed a bit less joyful than I wanted it to be. There's no question that it was somewhat a reflection of my life when I redesigned last but now, as always, time has moved me on and things are different and I wanted more color, more life, more beauty, more joy!

I hope you enjoy the new look! I expect it won't be too long before the autumn season will inspire me to make another change but, for today, may this one make you think of long, sunny, summer days where the most important things in our lives are moments spent with friends and family making memories that will last well into the winter and often for lifetimes to come.

Blessings to all!

Texts Gone Awry

Several days ago my phone buzzed and I was excited because I knew it was a text which usually means one of the wonderful people in my life thought about something and wanted to share.

Didn't know the number which was weird...then I opened it:
"What u up to this is brandon"

Huh? I don't really think I know any Brandons who would text that. Whatever.

Later on, another message. This time I get:
"What up sexy what you doing"

Great. My phone is now randomly hooking me up to some guy who I'm pretty darn sure I don't know and I can't figure out how to block his number.

Later that night, another message.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to Brandon:


Brandon and his laundry. Brandon who is probably about 14. Brandon whose parents should perhaps know what he's doing with his text messaging package.

Thanks Brandon. Good to know there are guys like you out there.

The Wonder of It All

Few words, many thoughts, long stretches of time.

I'm not uninspired to write, just unsure of what to communicate. This seems to be a season of life where I'm continually learning more about who I am and being stretched in new directions and put through new paces. It's powerful and stressful (at moments) and incredible.

We do not stay the same. Not a single one of us is exactly as we were yesterday and tomorrow we'll be just ever so slightly different. Whether you believe in God or whether you don't, this is true. Whether you're a guy or a girl, this is true. It really doesn't matter one little bit where you come from or where you've been, this is true simply because we're human beings.

Now here's what's amazing to me today:

My life is always in motion. The characters come and go, the surroundings change, the goals are modified, daily expectations shift, the dreams are bigger, the trials more intense, the joys even more consuming. Motion everywhere.

Yet, in the center of all of it, my identity is found unmovable. Unmovable because almost 16 years ago I made a choice to follow Christ. The journey that began over half a lifetime ago (yes, that's some good math there) has been nothing short of incredible in its movement but has always maintained that tether to the One who doesn't change.

Today I'm just in awe of the wonder around this. That this verse would be true of me leaves me amazed: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)

What an identity. What a future. What a promise.

What a rock to hold on to regardless of what may swirl around.

Life is beautiful in its journeys. Today I'm appreciating that all over again!

Quiet

I have nothing pressing to say, no profound wisdom to offer, no crisis to dissect or celebration to herald. I suspect that's why so many days pass without me finding words to write on these 'pages'. It's a funny thing, when life becomes quiet, the need to share becomes less important.

It's not that things aren't good. In fact, I would venture to say that these have been some of the most wonderful days I've ever walked through. So maybe it'd be just the opposite. In the good, there's not always much that's exciting and that makes me less prone to share!

And now, while I didn't plan to have anything deep to share, I see a correlation that I'll just point out. Often, this same mindset drives my relationship with the Lord. I run to Him when things get rough and I don't know which way to turn. I'll press in, finding security and peace and joy through that relationship. Then, eventually, the pressure eases and I take some steps on my own, not holding on quite so tightly as I did before.

I will never understand this mindset in me. I will never get how I can believe for a moment that I can walk through my life without hanging onto the Lord. Yet I do it time and again and then something happens and I run back to Him.

If this cycle does not reflect only my great unfaithfulness and God's great faithfulness then I've missed the mark completely. That He continues to welcome me back, hold me close, and restore me is utterly amazing. In my pride and self-sufficiency, I deserve no grace. Yet at every turn, I am shown grace.

I hope that I never cease to be amazed.

Needed: One Brain

I think that my brain has officially abandoned my body. I have no idea where I lost it but it seems to be gone. Apparently when I finished class my brain decided that it was done too and left on vacation without taking the rest of me with it.

Within the last 24 hours I have forgotten the names of two people I know well, numerous times forgotten a word that should have just come to mind, and generally been unable to remain focused.

Ah well, here's to summer vacation! If you see my brain though, let it know that we go back to school in a week!

:)