do you know what grasshoppers do?

they jump



Spotted the grasshopper as I moved in for a closer look at the bright berries on this little plant.



a wind in the door

When you open the door, be ready. When you allow possibility to drift in, be ready for it to linger and swell. Be ready for it to follow on your heels, fill space while you drive, sit beside you at dinner and whisper stories as you fall asleep. Be ready to not know how to entertain it, unsure of what to do with it. But be ready for it to tell you. Then be ready for it to stare back at you from the mirror, asking you to be brave.

When you Believe, Be ready.

bananswers

Dole has launched a marketing campaign for things you can do with bananas after the sun goes down.  I know because there was a sticker on my banana that says Go bananas after dark!

I love going bananas! anytime of day, so I checked out their website.  They offer P.M. recipes that include ways to incorporate nanners into your backyard bbq, salads, desserts and s'mores!

See that picture?  Dole.com calls these Grilled Bacon Maple Banana Bites.

Dudes, whatever.  Those are straight up Bacon Wrapped Bananas!

Genius.

harmonious combination of elements

tweet tweet

I read this today and thought it was just so lovely I had to share.

Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.
~Tagore

THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP

photo via

Does anyone else get teary eyed over Folgers commercials?

You know, the classic where Peter comes home from college at Christmas. Or the 2009 version where the brother comes home from West Africa and his sister says "you're my present this year." Which, actually, is a little bit creepy. That one doesn't really make me teary.

But the one with the dancers makes me want to get up and stretch gracefully then clog around with extreme purpose... dundada dundada DUN!

I saw one I haven't seen before, where a young girl tells her dad she's engaged, and he says her fiance is a lucky man. They sip their coffee, then he glances at her with that sideways "Dads always know" look, and adds "I told him the same thing when we talked last week."

Oh Folgers, you really are the best part of waking up.

2010: Year of the Jump

1. Jump for joy
2. Jump in with both feet
3. There's always more after the Jump
4. If you don't like where you land, Bounce
5. Rely on your safety net
6. Hold hands and skip
7. Expect the bungee effect now and then
8. Careful not to jump around too much
9. Hold the rope sometimes so others can jump
10. Become good at jumping hurdles
11. Higher! Higher!

Life is like a trampoline, you gotta jump on it.
~Angela

DELIVERANCE

Do you know how long it takes giant Chinese bamboo to grow as tall as a building? Some might answer it takes six weeks for bamboo to grow 90 feet, which is true. But they would be forgetting something.

Bamboo spends four years as a tiny plant, being watered and fertilized as its enormous root system is developing under the ground. Then in the fifth year, it shoots up to the sky, growing 90 feet in just six weeks. The plant must survive four years before it can grow at that rate.

On the other hand, do you know how long it takes an alfalfa seed to sprout and grow into one of the few known complete foods? About four days.

I can't really tie those two illustrations together except to say, I think I've been bamboo, but now I want to be a sprout.

The last two years for me have largely been about surviving. Not the cut-off-my-own-arm-with-a-pocket-knife kind of survival, but the survival of my spirit, the survival of my self, the survival of my soul. It hasn't been easy. Sometimes I felt like cutting off my own arm would have been easier, but I think we're finally coming to the other side of it, new and stronger and hopefully brighter.

{But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9}

Funny thing, though, in all the surviving, there was a lot of dying. So many things I had to come to terms with and let die, many things I had to completely surrender, many sacrifices (luckily, no appendages).

{Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18}

When you're in survival mode, you learn a lot about who you are and who you want to be, what you're made of, what you believe in and what is important to you. There's a stripping down of things to bare bones, to the very core, to the vulnerability of nakedness.

I've also witnessed miracles in a new way, both great and small, most all of them beyond my comprehension.

I experienced grace and mercy and heartache and joy, all in waves that brought me to my knees.

For all of this, I am thankful for my time of surviving.

{“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17}

I don't think I fully realized that I've been just surviving until recently. But I hope that seeing things from this perspective means I have, in fact, survived. I feel like I have. And so have decided the new year will be one of thriving.

{For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6}

Things may not go my way. I may not get what I want. I'm certain I will continue to struggle and face trials, learn and grow. And that's all okay.

I believe my life will have seasons of quiet ripening and seasons of surviving. But this January we are entering a season of thriving!

Will I look back on this post in a year, six months, even two weeks and think "good grief, that was that day I drank four cups of hot chocolate and got kind of crazy"? Ehn, maybe.

But for now, today, I'm going to be a little crazy and know God is faithful beyond my wildest imagination. I'm going to be brave, believe big and expect great things!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD... Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year, dear friends. Believe big. Be well.

IT'S GETTING BRIGHT IN HERE

Happy Winter Solstice!

On this shortest day of the year, the sun is at its lowest and weakest, a pivot point from which the light will grow stronger and brighter.

Following the time of dormancy, darkness and cold, the coming of lighter days is a time to rejoice.

Silent night, holy night. All was calm, all was bright around the virgin mother and her child, the Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleeping in Heavenly Peace.

Shepherds quaked at the sight of glories streaming from heaven above as Heavenly hosts sung Alleluia! Christ, the Saviour is born!

For He was the Son of God, and love's pure light shone radiant beams from His holy face, as the sun rose on the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

So I cried in the car on Saturday as Aaron and I were headed to Houston. I was serenading Aaron with Christmas songs... Jingle Bells was great, Joy the World was inspiring (I put my own little twist on it, if you can imagine) but I choked when I got to Drummer Boy... then totally lost it when I tried Silent Night.

It's said to be the most famous Christmas song. Isn't it beautiful?

I can picture that night... imagine, the entire world quiet, not even the hours-old infant is crying. Mary holding her child close, pondering His sweet face. Do the animals know they share their stable with a King?

And somewhere in a field, Shepherds are tending their flock, heavily cloaked against the cold, staff in hand quietly moving among their sheep, their breath showing warm in the night air. Maybe they've been wondering at the stillness of this particular night. Maybe even commented to one another that it seemed peculiar.

Then an Angel appears! It is good news, a child has been born, Immanuel, who would change the world.

For you see, until then, God had been in Heaven and we on Earth, separated by our inevitable sin. {Long lay the world in sin and error pining.}

But God didn't want to be separate from us.

So He sent his Son to walk among us, to live on Earth as we live, to teach us how to love, and ultimately die as we die. And for the ransom of Jesus' life, if we believe in Him, we are redeemed of our sin and no longer separated from God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

WHAT IF

AdventConspiracy.org

The Generosity Experiment and Day 10 of The Generosity Experiment

One Family's Giving Tradition from Ann Voskamp @ a Holy Experience
"In our home, the gift-giving is solely for the Child on His birthday. And in giving to the least of these, we humbly give gifts to the Christ Child.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16

FAH WHO FOR-AZE

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
Christmas came without ribbons. It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.



This Christmas I'm trying:
Less money, more time.
Less stressing, more blessing.
Less wishing, more thanking.


"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Timothy 1:15-17

POOF! BE SNOWFLAKE!

This post has no point, other than to tell you I love Heat Miser and think he is one of the most hilarious Christmas movie characters; a close, close second to Clark Griswold. Sometimes Aaron reminds me of Heat Miser - stubborn and hot-headed, but ultimately harmless. And I mean that in the nicest way.


And also to tell you I've decided that if I could have one super-power it would be that of Snow Miser, which is the ability to cause objects to burst into snowflakes with a touch.


See them in action in their movie, The Year Without a Santa Claus. It comes on t.v. next Tuesday, Dec. 8 on ABC Family as part of their 25-Days-of-Christmas.

A PERFECTLY STRANGE DAY

at halcyon, hearing the cure, randomly thinking i'd like to remember what i looked like today



there was nothing in the world
that i ever wanted more
than to feel you deep in my heart
there was nothing in the world
that i ever wanted more
than to never feel the breaking apart
all my pictures of you



And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6

A COLD AND BROKEN HALLELUJAH

Be forewarned, this may seem a long and disjointed entry. I haven't written in a while. Sometimes there are so many things going around and around in my head, it's hard to get them out in a coherent way. Courage.

Life is like a trampoline. You gotta jump on it. - Angela

I've been listening to the album titled East, from a collection of four -- North, South, East and West -- that my dear friend, her wise soul and beautiful heart, created for me two (or three depending on how you count it) summers ago, for our drive that ended in me leaving her 1,500 miles out of arm's reach. My, how time fills up. I'm sitting here, looking at all the prints of clouds she's given me. Clouds...a frequent subject of her photography, ever-changing, becoming something different, moving. Transfigure.

East may be the most melancholy of the four albums, which may explain my mood. North is good for long driving through wide spaces, listening loud and singing louder. South is comforting, sounds like home. West is invigorating, progress. East is good for reflection. Being.

I'm sure I didn't think this up, but I can't remember where I read or heard it: the idea of being broken and healing. I must be broken to ever know the full grace of healing. I must first be shattered to be put back together. Like a seed in the circle of life, wholeness only comes once I've been planted, cracked open, take root, watered, blossom, grow fruit, ripen for the harvest. We must break the bread to share and be nourished by it. Our hearts break open only because we know the fullness of love. Cultivate.

I have become like broken pottery. - Psalm 31:12

I am ready for this time in my life to be over. It was suggested recently that I try to live in it, not through it. After noodling that, I'm not sure there is a difference. It's like telling a fish to live in the water, not swim through it. I get the point: live in the now. But, living in the now also means living through whatever Now happens to be. Emerge.

Diamonds, roses, I need Moses to cross this sea of loneliness, part this Red River of pain. I don't necessarily buy any key to the future or happiness. But I need a little place in the sun sometimes or I think I will die. - Moses, Patty Griffin

Fall is upon us. Cooler weather. Longer nights. Harvest.

I could go crazy on a night like tonight. Summer's beginning to give up her fight. When every thought's a possibility. Voices are heard but nothing is seen. - Mystery, Indigo Girls

I was cleaning out my closet last night, and remembered this quote, although I can't remember who said it. "In some seasons of life, I forget who I am and throw away all the wrong things." I hope I'm not throwing away any of the wrong things. Prune.

...a time to keep and a time to throw away... Ecclesiastes 3:6

There are things in my tiny world, like every person's world, that suffocate my heart. They are not my circumstances. They are not circumstances that I loath, nor circumstances without Hope. But the things I wish others simply did not have to bear. Because I know how it feels. The weight of Love. The heft of Hope. The hardness of Pride. The burden of Faith. The cold of loneliness. The warmth from the light of Truth. Share.

Strange how hard it rains now. Rows and rows of big dark clouds. But I'm holding on underneath this shroud. - Rain, Patty Griffin

Life is not all dark clouds and brokenness. My world abounds with blessings and thanksgivings, miracles and provisions, light and joy. Healing. Wholeness. Bits and pieces coming together one by one. My prayers of late are whispers of hallelujah. Diligence.

I'm dying to put a little bit of sunshine in your life.
Soleil all over you, warm sun pours over me. - The Shining, Badly Drawn Boy

DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH

This is on some steps I pass almost every day.
It's been there at least all summer, maybe longer.
Neat.

NOT FREDDY KRUEGER

What does it say about human nature that the universal, stereotypical worst nightmare consists of walking into a classroom/a meeting/the grocery store and realizing you are naked?

Is it surprising that barely three chapters in to the Bible, there, right there, is a story that explains the universal worst nightmare?

The first question was not Why did you eat the fruit? Why did you disobey? Why are you afraid of being naked? It was Who told you that you were naked?

Is that because He did not create us to know what is naked? He did not want us to know what naked felt like?

Disclaimer: These are only my thoughts and opinions. I am by no means the first person to have these ideas. There are absolutely holes in my ideas. Take it or leave it.

THE TRICK

I randomly started looking up one day while sitting on a bench. Then I thought it would be neat to look up occasionally and take notice of things from a different perspective. Kind of like Carpe Diem in Dead Poets Society, only with less standing on furniture.

If you try it, don't just lift your eyes. You have to tilt your head way back, until it's hard to keep your mouth closed.

You might notice a beautiful sky. You might notice the attention to detail of an architect. You might only notice the dust on your ceiling fan.

You might notice you can't see what's in front of you any more.

Last weekend our family gathered to celebrate our precious Reid's 1st birthday. We were walking along the path behind my sister's house; I was carrying Aubrey so we could have some special time. And I decided to look up. So I stopped and told Aubrey to look up into those gloriously tall East Texas pine trees that line the path.

And that beautiful child who loves to share experiences called ahead "Daddy! Uncle Bus! Stop walking! Look up!"

So there we all stood. Looking up at the blue of a late afternoon summer sky filtering through all those lovely branches. Quiet. Still.

And I realized...that's the trick.

You have to stop walking to look up. (Or at least it's fairly dangerous to be moving and looking up at the same time.) And it's hard to speak when your head is tilted back, stretching out your vocal chords, I suppose.

When I'm looking up, I'm still. And my mind is quieter and focused on seeing what's above me. The whole world seems calmer because I can't see all the busyness going on around me.

Maybe you'll take a minute today and Look Up.

looking up at Halcyon

WISH FOR OUR HOME

Welcome to our home.
I see you've been greeted by our welcoming committee, Sadie and Scoop.
I hope you don't mind their slobber.
Come on in here.
Here, where cobwebs hang in the corners.
Here, where sitting on the couch means getting a little dog hair on you.
Here, where "clean floor" is a relative term.
Here, where we hold hands when we say grace.
Here, where the food isn't the best, but it's good enough.
Here, where we all contribute to the nourishing of one another.
Here, where unkind words are sometimes spoken and so we are good at forgiveness.
Here, where the table isn't big enough and there aren't enough chairs, but there is always enough room.
Here, where the plants aren't thriving, but they're surviving.
Here, where the best light fixtures we have are smiles.
Here, where tears roll freely, fears can't hide, where the truth hurts; but you are never alone.
Here, where joys and good news are cause for dancing.
Here, where laundry piles up and so we are grateful for hampers.
Here, where music is enjoyed, but laughter is the best soundtrack.
Here, where the t.v. is on as often as books are open.
Here, where the grass is tall and the weeds are taller.
Here, where there's not always a lot of money, but there are always plenty of hugs.
Here, where we learn from our mistakes...a lot.
Here, where the rooms are small but the space to be is big.
Here, where there are angry dents in doors.
Here, where the beds aren't always made, but there's always a pillow for a night's rest.
Here, where you help yourself.
Here, where we share dessert and life.
Here, where on the darkest nights, we can see the stars.
Here, where no one is perfect, and we like it that way.

SAID THE LITTLE RED HEN, CLUCK CLUCK

If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
2 Thessalonians 3:10

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands
1 Thessalonians 4:11

WHAT IS SO RARE AS A DAY IN JUNE

AND what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays;
Whether we look, or whether we listen,
We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;
Every clod feels a stir of might,
An instinct within it that reaches and towers,
And, groping blindly above it for light,
Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers;
The flush of life may well be seen
Thrilling back over hills and valleys;
The cowslip startles in meadows green,
The buttercup catches the sun in its chalice,
And there's never a leaf nor a blade too mean
To be some happy creature's palace;
The little bird sits at his door in the sun,
Atilt like a blossom among the leaves,
And lets his illumined being o'errun
With the deluge of summer it receives;
His mate feels the eggs beneath her wings,
And the heart in her dumb breast flutters and sings;
He sings to the wide world, and she to her nest,-
In the nice ear of Nature which song is the best?

Now is the high-tide of the year,
And whatever of life hath ebbed away
Comes flooding back with a ripply cheer,
Into every bare inlet and creek and bay;
Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,
We are happy now because God wills it;
No matter how barren the past may have been,
'Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green;
We sit in the warm shade and feel right well
How the sap creeps up and the blossoms swell;
We may shut our eyes but we cannot help knowing
That skies are clear and grass is growing;
The breeze comes whispering in our ear,
That dandelions are blossoming near,
That maize has sprouted, that streams are flowing,
That the river is bluer than the sky,
That the robin is plastering his house hard by;
And if the breeze kept the good news back,
For our couriers we should not lack;
We could guess it all by yon heifer's lowing,-
And hark! How clear bold chanticleer,
Warmed with the new wine of the year,
Tells all in his lusty crowing!

Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how;
Everything is happy now,
Everything is upward striving;
'Tis as easy now for the heart to be true
As for grass to be green or skies to be blue,-
'Tis for the natural way of living:
Who knows whither the clouds have fled?
In the unscarred heaven they leave not wake,
And the eyes forget the tears they have shed,
The heart forgets its sorrow and ache;
The soul partakes the season's youth,
And the sulphurous rifts of passion and woe
Lie deep 'neath a silence pure and smooth,
Like burnt-out craters healed with snow.

James Russell Lowell