if i could live anywhere...

these would be the top 5 options (most likely):

willamette valley (preferably ptown area)

south ireland

new zealand

wales

southwest germany area

[if you have been to these places you might be sensing a pattern...]

cultural teleporting

i jumped from vienna--narrow, european streets, caucasians galore, high prices, cold weather, austere palaces

to dubai--super clean, arabs galore, camel's milk, wide open spaces, oases, moderate warmth, desert

to bangkok--tropical warmth, crowded city, street vendors hawking everything from live birds to fried bugs, signs for "blind masseuse", "turn left through" (left turn permitted without stopping), --> made out of fluorescent tube lights glued into the shape, and traffic that increases my prayer life (how you make a right turn/U-turn by inching out into oncoming traffic--and there's a lot of that--until the traffic has to stop or hit you and so you can go)

so much to absorb--next stop, australia!

no fun

the "new church" in delft is a towering architectural masterpiece, grey stones complete with buttresses. yet its ornate exterior belies an austere interior, as this once gaudy catholic church was stripped of its pretentious frivolities in the zeal of the protestant reformation. i felt a pang as i read how almost every grave marker had its intricate memorial artwork scrapped off and wondered why the reformation endeared itself to killjoys. now don't misunderstand me, i do prefer a simple place of worship to the idolatrous leanings of the average high church. yet it seems that the zeal to get rid of anything that might come between me and God can easily slip into the misapprehension that all things of light, laughter and levity are wrong. darkness and gloom, somber aspects are not the way of Godliness. reverence has its proper place, but joy should be the mark of a true Christian, not dour melancholy.

the question is...

today a lady spoke on asking the right questions.

not ones that miss the point. not ones that deflect attention from the issue. not ones with ulterior motives.

but rather ones that seek Him.

who do You want me to be? not what do You want me to do?

how can I glorify You in this situation? not how can I get out of this trial?

if He is not answering, maybe you're asking the wrong question...

snowy thoughts

i’m sitting in the window sipping earl grey while outside in the growing dusk snowflakes dance down. the street lamps have come on, casting an unearthly yellow glow on the whitening landscape. i feel the chill, in spite of the hot radiator to my left sizzling. the soulful christmas music leads my thoughts to home, that iconic ideal that evades my grasp. where does the lonely road lead? in the stillness of the snow i strain to hear beyond the noise, beyond the voices yelling in my ear about who i should or shouldn’t be. in this lovely world i want to walk simply, hand-in-hand with the One who made me and washed me whiter than snow. my sins aren’t simply blanketed like the frozen falling water blankets the earth, no, they are completely cleaned. may He be my joy this winter season.

missing thanksgiving

this was the first year without Thanksgiving for me. even the year i lived in spain we had a big dinner, yesterday cold meals and work all day felt like anything but a holiday.

yet, i am still thankful...

...for all God has taught me during this time at OM.

...for the small and big ways He heals my heart.

...for the friends here (even if T-day isn't celebrated!).

...for hope of adventures to come.

...for family, especially new arrivals!

...for music, art, life!

....for so much more....

new birth

yesterday was an amazing day for me. a spectacular first. i became an aunt! my little sister, after a long and strenuous labor (way to go Diana!) gave birth to a little boy, Jack Leon. and, as each birth must be, a miracle happened. i was excited for my sister, but when i looked at the pictures of my little nephew, i cried. i felt emotions bordering on ecstatic and thrilled--and i can't wait to hold him and love him and be the best aunt ever (ok, i may be a little crazy).

new birth. the miracle of a life beginning. a little boy who is looking forward to potty training, his first day of school, puberty, first love, angst about a job, uni, middle age, kids, grandkids...!!! wow. all that in a cute little 7.6lb bundle. it staggers the imagination.

may God bless Jack, wrap His hands around him and shape his little life into a shining light for Him.

Amen.