usmc ball, home, & my best homegirls.

so...

this weekend was lovely. first, i headed to moundsville, wv to attend dan's usmc unit's family day. it was nice. very informative about the upcoming deployment and what dan's job as a platoon sergeant looks like. i am incredibly proud of him. seeing how his platoon respects him, looks up to him - it's amazing to me. he was born for this, and he is a wonderful leader. after the family day was the marine corps ball. i got to get all gussied up, see dan in his dress blues, and meet a lot of the marines that dan works with. we had a great time. dan was in the sword ceremony, which was amazing. i am so proud of him. i love the spirit of duty, courage, and honor that just rises out of those ceremonies. there is something about fighting for the land that the lord has knit us to that just pulls at my heart strings. it makes me think of braveheart, the patriot, 300, king david, jesus when he returns to the earth for the last battle with the wicked. it gives me the chills.

the day after the ball, i got the privilege of attending my home church. i love it. i love how i can be gone for months and go back and feel right at home. i love that i can always stand in "my spot" during worship. i love seeing my church family.

ALSO, i got to see katie's new house. and hang out with my best friends. i miss them so. it's amazing just realizing and reflecting on all we've been through together, how many times we've offended each other, prayed with each other, seeing each other cry over guys, movies, dislocated kneecaps, songs, scary-i'm-gonna-die dreams, etc. etc. and we can still get together on a sunday afternoon, knowing that no matter what - we're going to be best friends. knowing no matter what, we can't get rid of each other. 

love it. 

  

i took the kirk cameron "will i go to hell" quiz

You're a Christian, and you're certainly trying.

But, according to Kirk, you ARE NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH!

Progress schmogress, you're still GOING TO HELL and being "Left Behind," according to Kirk.

You're out so late breaking commandments.

Your best chance is to repent on your deathbed. 

kirk knows all. 

ickywicky blek

i'm having one of those evenings where something just doesn't feel right, although you aren't quite sure what it is.  i just feel unsettled for whatever reason.  i always wonder if it's god trying to tell me something. 

be more clear, lord! 

sooo...i set up recycle bins today, and found out where my city's drop off location is.  bummer that they don't pick up recycling for you...but it's worth having to drop it off.  

i have always been environmentally conscious, well at least i had good intentions, but i'm actually convicted now to act on those beliefs rather than just believe in them.  i'm reading this great book (for the second time) called serve god, save the planet and it blows my mind.  also, i spent some time on the west coast recently.  if that doesn't get you ready to be a good steward of the earth, i don't know what will.

so sick of being tired

why am i so exhausted lately? i should say we, dan has the bug as well. it doesn't matter how early or late we get to bed - when our alarm sounds, we feel the same way - absolutely exhausted. last night, after reading a few chapters of our book, we headed to bed a bit before ten. we were still unable to drag our butts out of bed before eight-fifteen. it's ridiculous. 

lord, give us brilliant energy.

please.

georgia & james

i am so tired.

but i just have to note, 

today i went back to work - wonderful, i missed the residents so.

one of the women who was in the healthcare center with her husband, 

lost him the week that i was gone.

they were married 72 years. 

SEVENTY TWO YEARS.

i got the privilege today of talking to her about her grief.

hugging her, and kissing her on the forehead. 

72 years.  wow.

she told me that dan and i would do well.

she believes if you can get through just the first year -

you can get through it all, if you really want to.

i'll take her word for it. 

she's got experience.

MAID

PLEASE HAVE 

THIS ROOM

MADE UP SOON

AS POSSIBLE

the west coast, flying, and friends

so, if you were to ask me if anything new and exciting has been happening lately, i would be able to say yes! 

i returned yesterday from a fabulous trip to portland, oregon to spend some time with two of my favorite friends, one of them traveled along with me, while the other is living there until august. my friend, mary, is the one living there for  a year. she is volunteering through an organization which i believe is called jesuit volunteer corps - if i am not mistaken. her job is basically preschool teacher and homework helper of somali refugee children. it's really awesome and she is great with the kids! i admire her servant heart! 

so the trip began with a shaky & nervous me, crying to my husband because i was afraid to fly alone, and ended with a new love of flying, new realizations of myself, a massive crush on the west coast, and strengthened friendships.  it was lovely.

i would have to say my most favorite part of the trip was riding the train back to Portland from Seattle (we decided to head up there for a day & a night). it was absolutely beautiful. the train had a lovely observation car, with floor to ceiling windows and cushioned benches to sit upon so you could comfortably take it all in. not only was the scenery beautiful, but so was the conversation. we talked about dreams, the meaning of beauty, and how the west coast seems to have no limits. we talked about home and we talked about family. we met a traveling girl from south korea who God used to confirm our heart's intentions. 

we also went to the coolest place, you should check it out, kennedy school.

i have to tell you, portland is so great for the following reasons (and more):

1. there is a cafe that has bragg's liquid aminos on the tables instead of the typical ketchup.

2. nearly everyone had wonderful gardens

3. biking

4. friendly people

5. hybrid cars

6. mountains

7. bridges

9. martini/dive bars

10. $1.50 PBR

11. the beautiful houses

12. unexpected palm trees

13. the ability to take train rides to seattle

14. awesome vintage shops

15. people's food co-op

so anyway, thanks mary, for the most awesome week. 

i had a blast and a half. 

make that two blasts. 

get your purse and let's go.

shit yeah bitches.

  

so, somethings got to stick.

projector - keynote presentations.

well designed - good music.

when finally set free, by copeland.

TV mounted to the wall.

burn presentation onto CD each week.

music playing before & after.

country, hip-hop, indie, all genres,

showing deep, human emotion.

not typical.

not "seeker friendly," in the way the book refers. 

Christ speaks truth, even when it's uncomfortable.

spirit led.

real.

active.

alive.

alive.

alive.

alive.

the book, "a word from the spirit of the lord to the churches,"

is correct about many things.

but, the part about music is so incorrect, i feel.

god can love hip-hop, rock, r&b, all genres,

if it is composed by one that is in love with Him.

if His spirit is invited.

God inhabits the praises of His people.

when it was over - by sara groves.

mail that cd & lyrics to b & m.

tell them how love washes over a multitude of things.

above minneapolis, i noticed all the houses.

you could tell which ones were big & expensive.

you could tell which ones were modest.

you could tell which ones were dumpy-ish.

but i realized something, from my upward perspective.

they were all the same. all the same.

big ones weren't bigger.

small ones weren't smaller.

nice ones weren't nicer.

cheap ones weren't cheaper.

when i was above them all, they were all the same.

when i could see the big picture, so to speak,

not only was there hardly any difference,

but i could see what a tiny portion of the earth they inhabited. 

how can i obsess so much about the house or land i own, 

how can we...

when i just saw with my own eyes that they are all the same?

they are all so small & insignificant when it comes to

the grand scheme.

we get so caught up in our little universes

that we can't see the forest for the trees.

amazing, really.

this bit of traveling has already taught me so much.

and i haven't even arrived.

i'm learning about myself lately.

i'm not the social butterfly i once was.

it takes a lot to get to know me. 

i don't enjoy lots of attention from people,

unless i know them well.

i tend to divert attention away from myself in conversation.

i don't love making new friends.

but sometimes i like it.

i love r&b and hip-hop & rap, even the violent kind.

it can be so poetic.

i love indie rock. 

i don't really like the beatles all that much. sorry.

although, there are a few songs that i enjoy.

the words to etta james' at last

written on little cards.

heading upwards.

leading to love.

all different frames with pictures all over my office.

a compost pile. a vegetable garden.

a more sustainable lifestyle.

a plant growing out of the sink.

this was written at 36,000 feet, on november 11th, 2008.

but i wanted to add it to this new blog.

i want to blog, hopefully it sticks.