LA to Kenya: An Unexpected Turn in the Life of a Work in Progress, Part III

Sorry for the hiatus friends! I'm sure you've been sitting on the edge of your seat with baited breath since you finished reading Part II...OR the only people that read it are my mom and sister so never mind, haha. A combination of work, Christmas, and stomach flu contributed to my long absence. With Christmas a day behind me, I'm suddenly confronted by the reality of how soon I am moving. to. Kenya. Deep breaths. I can feel a physical change around my heart. It's a little bit excitement, a little bit fear. Not the bad kind of fear, like "what have I done???", but the good, inevitable kind. I have NO idea what it will feel like the day I arrive. I already miss my friends in LA so much, and I'm just a few states away. Let's not even talk about what I feel when I contemplate not seeing my niece and nephew for at least 6 months or the scene I will make when I say my goodbyes. Yikes. And why do I have so much to buy? If anyone has a spare $300 REI gift card, feel free to send it my way. :)

Back to the story. The reason I am where I am today, standing on the precipice of known. We pick up the story mid-2009. God had taught me a lot about contentment, and I was starting to really feel and act differently in response. I wanted to be more involved in my church, so I joined a community group. REALLY good decision. Not only did I make some incredible lifelong friends, but the Lord began to do some huge things in my life. And I don't mean just in my heart or mind (although both were definitely affected)--I mean BIG literal changes that would dramatically alter the course I was taking.

The first study I did with my new community group was on the book of Judges, and focused on idolatry. At first I wondered how interesting this would be. I'd read the stories, I new about the judge that stabbed the fat king, etc etc. I also knew that I had idols in my life...not big gold statues, but I knew without a doubt that I had things in my life I put before the Lord. I guess I just felt like it was inevitable. I'm a sinner, I'm selfish, I'm a work in progress. I honestly wanted to destroy those idols. I had tried to break habits, change my heart, I had prayed and hoped for change. I wanted Jesus to be the most important thing in my life theoretically. I've loved Jesus my whole life, I've had ups and downs, growth and draught. But I had grown stale in my mid-twenties. A bit jaded, I had heard the same stories over and over again. I had hoped for chains of sin and cycles of doubt and unbelief to be broken, but some things seemed too big. Too deeply rooted in my sinful nature. But somewhere in the midst of this Bible study, my attitude changed. I wanted to do some changing. I wanted to try to make Jesus first.

Now this part is a bit tricky, and I want to make something absolutely clear (keeping in mind that I am no theologian): I had asked for the Lord to help me change many times before. And he had answered, and done many amazing healing changes in my heart/life/mind. I'm referring to a few specific areas of struggle, and I absolutely, without a doubt think the only difference this time around was that God decided it was time to break those chains. This wasn't about me finally being good enough, or meaning it enough. How can any man or woman, so selfish by nature, ever really want to put the Lord first unless God wills it in us? This was God. His timing. His plan. For some divine reason, this was the right time for conquering. Although I was instantly redeemed and made new at the point of salvation many years ago (under my yellow blanky!), the sanctification process is a lifelong one, and this was the Lord's day of sweet victory over a few specific areas of idolatry. It wasn't an instantaneous victory, it was over a period of about 6 months, and don't get me wrong--although ultimately this was ALL God's strength and conquest, it did take a lot of work, prayer, and trust on my part. I will always struggle with sin, and with putting things before my Lord, but let me assure you---God CAN do miraculous healing. He can break the pattern of sin and addiction. He can free you of burdens that you have carried and tried to lay down time and time again. He did this for me, and I stand as a witness. I have found freedom from several things I thought would have a hold on me for the rest of my life. And they aren't coming back. Praise the Lord. Our God is a God of healing, or redemption, forgiveness, mercy, and deep deep personal love. He is huge, but he can be so close.

I can't claim to understand why God doesn't instantly heal us from all things that we ask him to save us from. But I do know that we should keep asking. That we should try to grow, hope and ask for freedom, and surrender ourselves to his perfect will. I know that God gave me the desire to change, and that it was him, not I, who smashed those idols into oblivion. I also know that those "idols" as I call them, probably wouldn't be a big deal to 99% of the world. I wasn't on drugs, or having an affair, or anything like that. But I was desiring the world more than my Lord. I was seeking my own dreams and desires, instead of what he has deemed for my life right now. I was dulling my mind with empty things, instead of seeking his word and his companionship. And when all of that started to change, OH my how different my life started to be. The joy. The freedom. The new adventure and challenges. I was changed, and hungry for more!

Read Part I and II of this story.

Merry and Bright

What a Christmas! The day was really perfect, especially knowing that I might not be in the country for next year's Christmas. I was definitely appreciating every moment. The kids were delights, the adult company was so fun, the food was yummy and plentiful. We laughed, we cried, we sang, we read, we played, we snacked and we thanked God for sending his Son. Thank you Jesus for being God with Us! 

 Kate Spade: always practical, even when you're moving to Kenya.

 The annual mom's-present-wrapped-as-an-animal tradition. This year: hippo.

 All played out.

 Zoey and I both received Beauty and the Beast on DVD, which meant we had to watch it. 

 Becky's beautiful table, my beautiful macaroni and cheese. 

 Even the dolls were reverent, hands raised and heads bowed. 

 LaLa, do you see my candy cane? 

 I glance away to take Pop's picture. 

 I look back. Where did my candy cane go? He really wasn't sure. 

Found it! But it's stuck. OH no. 

And that was Christmas! Merry Merry Christmas to you.

LA to Kenya: An Unexpected Turn in the Life of a Work in Progress, Part II

Read Part I here.

Disclaimer: This story starts three years ago...I promise it won't be a 9 part series covering every moment of my life since then. Hang in there! :)

In the fall of 2007, I had one of those rare, profound God moments where you know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord is speaking to you. In that moment, in the mountains of CA, the Lord asked me if I was willing to come up higher. It was deeply stirring, personal, with the magical quality that comes from a close encounter with the One True God. I was humbled that the Lord would ask me a question, as if I was the one calling any of the shots. My answer to him was yes Lord, I will follow you anywhere. I sensed that whatever he was planning would require major sacrifice, a lot of work, something BIG. I wasn't scared, I was invigorated by the intensity of the experience and ready to start the climb up the proverbial mountain. I was ready to meet him on that higher plane. Oh, bless the heart of that eager, girl!

I'd love to tell you that my life immediately took a turn for the better, that I was flooded with a constant joy and humility, that I sprung away from sin, that I took huge steps forward in my faith. None of those things, friends. What followed was perhaps one of the most difficult, darkest seasons of my life. Adversity in my close relationships. A challenging work environment. A deep loneliness and a barren community. I felt attacked on every side, and I was challenged daily not to fight back with my human anger and pursuit of justice. God was there, and I still felt a closeness to him, but I was taken nearly to my breaking point before things started to improve. In the middle of this I visited my best friend in my favorite place in the world (Scotland!) and had one of the best weeks of my life, only to come back to a city that was breaking my heart. I had finally encountered peace amidst the storm, and the only way I could think of to get back to it was to move to Scotland (logical, haha). Thus began my campaign to make my long time dream come true of living in Scotland, with one of my favorite people in the world. Hey, if you can't beat 'em, move halfway across the world right? So I applied for a graduate school program, and beating the odds, they accepted me (after telling me it would NEVER happen, past the deadline, Americans are dumb, etc etc). I was FLOORED. This was God's plan. My escape. My higher calling. I waited in anticipation for some rich benefactor to send me $50,000, or for some amazing grant, so that God could get busy fixing up my life. Yup. Didn't happen. Not God's plan. Instead he decided to teach me about contentment. It's not a very fun lesson to learn, but I am oh so glad he took me on that journey at the age of 25. It was a long road, one I'm sure I'll be on for the rest of my life.

The past two years have been a continuation in that vein, and they were filled with joy, healed relationships, a bountiful community, a new church that rocked my spiritual life to a new level (more to come on that), and rapid personal growth. I started to understand and put my faith in God's sovereignty, despite the fact that my life wasn't necessarily what I wanted it to look like at every moment. It was a time of blessing, of growth. To an outsider it may have seemed I was simply working and living in the same place, living life day in day out without a lot of change, but God was moving. There was a rich and mighty undercurrent that I myself was only vaguely aware of.

I think ALL of that story is deeply tied to this LA to Kenya story. I truly believe (and it brings me to awed and joyful tears to even think about it) that that night in the fall of 2007, when the Lord challenged me to a new journey, the road he was leading me to was the whisper of Africa that brought me to my knees in March, 2010. I can't wait to tell you the rest of the story!

Isaiah 25:1
"O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure."

Psalm 30:11-12
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever."

LA to Kenya: An Unexpected Turn in the Life of a Work in Progress, Part I

A year ago I was living in LA, contemplating a big move to NYC. I was dreaming of adventure, of new places, a new job, and adding new friends to my community. I felt a stirring to move, not just locations but a movement within. I was about to turn 27 and I'd had the same job and apartment for three years. I'd lived in LA since starting at USC in 2001. Life was very stable, and I mean that in the best of ways. I was thriving, I loved my city, my friends, my church, and I was (for lack of a more sophisticated term) happy. I'd thought about moving at other times since college, but always with the motive of escape and with an undercurrent of discontentment. Thankfully God kept me in the same spot, although at times I wasn't sure what if I was moving forward at all. Ahh hindsight! Now I see that the past three years monumentally affected where I am now, and where I am going.

You most likely know that I'll be moving to Kenya in February, and many of you know a lot of the reasons why and the road I've taken to get where I am right now. Even so, it's been on my heart lately to explain in more depth what has gone on in my heart and in my life this past year, if for no other reason than to bear witness to the insurmountable provision, love and joy that God has poured into me, and a new purpose to which he has called me to. I also know I'll have people join in on the journey at different points, and I wanted a reference point to be able to "catch them up" when they say, you're moving to where??? WHY? I will be the first to say I was not who you might first think of when it comes to work in Africa. :)

But it's happening, and I am thrilled/excited/uncertain/determined/at peace and riled up all at once. Over the next few days I'd like to paint you a picture of this adventure I'm on--past, present, and future. I'm excited to share it with you--it will be a personal and in depth journey as fair warning, and it's bound to include no less than 3 major life analogies, at least one Lexi motto, and perhaps a reference to a unicorn or narwhal. Would you expect any less?

Psalm 18:28-33

"For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God--his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?--the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights."

The Daily Bunny

Being a proper girly girl, I am besotted by baby bunnies. I have, in fact, always wanted to own a bunny...now once a day I can pretend.

http://dailybunny.org

and if that weren't enough...http://dailyotter.org

Things are looking up!

Oh. My. (Happy).

A new Jane Eyre movie. My most favorite story. The enchanting girl from Alice in Wonderland. The epic and passionate tale told once again, on the big screen. But then I saw the release date is post move to Kenya and my spirits sank...I'm doubting it will make it to Nairobi. Sigh.

http://focusfeatures.com/jane_eyre

But I don't want to

I've spent quite a bit of time around little ones lately--and not just any little ones, but my very favorites! There's nothing quite like a hug from a precious three year old, or making your nephew laugh, or having your friend's daughter want to follow you around and jump on your bed. No matter how well behaved or adorable these kids are, spend any amount of time with little people and you are bound to hear your fair share of "no," "I can do it myself," and my personal favorite, "I don't want to." I don't bring this up to highlight the behavior of any particular child, but my very own behavior and attitude. We all expect these words and feelings from a child--it's a part of growing up, experimenting with boundaries, authority and obedience. But do we expect these responses from ourselves? Do we recognize our innate selfishness on a day to day basis when we're all grown up? When my niece tells me she doesn't want to put her shoes on, it's kind of funny--I mean, who wants to stop playing and waste time like that when Pops will be carrying her to the car anyways? I can sympathize. What about when God asks me to lay my pride down and admit to my faults and I simply don't want to? Not so cute, right? Or when I think I can deal with a situation by myself and shut him out. Even worse--when I simply say no to him. To my king, my leader, the creator of the universe who knows infinitely more than I do what is right for me, for his plans, for the world. It is so easy to roll my eyes at the black and white reactions from kids--they are for or against everything, and frequently don't have the depth or maturity to see beyond immediate gratification or sacrifice. If something is fun, they want to do it. If not, forget it. Giggles or tantrums. How humbling to realize I am often the same way, albeit it you won't see me flailing in a grocery store aisle--but don't let that fool you, there are lots of things I "don't want to do" or think I can do myself. Now is the time to grow up, time to see with perspective, time to obey--and when I know and love and commune with the one who made me, it becomes ever easier to lay down my childish resistance, knowing I am safe in his arms and on his path. 

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

Atlanta Revisited

It was so great to spend an extended amount of time in GA last month. It was the longest I have been back since we moved away in 1999, and I had a great time exploring new and old haunts. Most of all it was great to be with friends that I don't see often enough. I am so blessed to have remained close to them after more than 10 years away. Crazy! Here are some pictorial highlights.                                

My dear friend Melanie's daughter, Lyla. So adorable, and SO happy!

Me and Ty--sure wish I had taken a picture of him in his Raggedy Andy Halloween costume!

Anna and Robert's daughter, Elizabeth Grace. Can't believe how grown up she is! It was SO special to spend three weeks at their house as a part of their family. She calls me "Yexi". Awww.

Stone Mountain, per my request. How can you not love that big ol' rock!

A fireside evening with Jody and Anne!

Longtime BFF Katie was in town from Italy and Brazil with her lovely Italian boyfriend, Andrea. What a life! So wonderful to see the whole family. Wish I had a picture of them all!

 Anna and I. What a joy to have a best friend of 16 years. Love!!

Non-pictured highlights: Seeing Sope Creek and the Chattahoochee lined with fall foliage, driving through the old neighborhood, despite missing Higgins, drinking Caribou coffee, the maple sugar cotton candy at Ormsby's and discovering I'm pretty good at bochi ball, epic sandwiches at Alon's, lots of Chick-fil-a and Georgia Bulldogs. 

What a View

I'm not pregnant, but my dear, witty, beautiful friend JJ is. She took this picture and I found it to be hilarious. Rest assured she looks fabulous and fit, but this picture is oh so hilarious. I can't imagine what that must be like!

Home

Being home is an interesting thought to me right now. In the past few months I have had many homes. I've said goodbye over and over again, packed and unpacked more than I'd like to remember, and driven over 4,000 miles. I've moved out of an apartment after 3 years, lived on a boat, stayed in hotels, friends places in LA, Nashville, Atlanta, and Mississippi, and lived in a crazily decorated mountain home for two weeks in Rome, GA. And now I find myself at my parents' condo for three months, teetering on the edge of a move halfway across the world where I'll make a new home for a year and half. I've been living at warp speed, from one moment to the next, and it amazes me to take a glance backward and see how the Lord has carefully picked me up and put me down into each hour, minute, and second.

Historically I have not done well with goodbyes, which made huge transitions like moving to a new apt/city/state, starting a new school or job, or enduring a break in any relationship harder for me than most. I would retreat emotionally, fearful that in letting go of something/place/one, I would lose all ground and a part of myself. The irony is that I am really great at adapting to new people and places-making friends and a new home is easy-it's the letting go that sent fear to my soul. Thankfully, the Lord is so gracious, and has spent the better part of my twenties slowly weaving new yarn of his strength into me to cover up those fearful, self-reliant parts. One thing I love about God's work in our lives is that nothing is one dimensional, meaning I don't think for a second that He was only preparing me for a move to Kenya, nor do I think I'm a piece fully restored. But I do know He has gone ahead, and that the person hopping around from place to place this year is amply more prepared and suited for having a conceptual home than the Lexi of my past. Although the stress of moving is never enjoyable, I can say I've had fun these past months, and seen all the packing, planning, traveling as a joy and an adventure that I am lucky to take. I've learned to carry my home with me. I guess I'm like a happy little turtle (I don't want to be a snail), with my history and story etched on to my shell, along with God's promise that He knows where I've been, where I'm going, who I am and that I never go alone.  I know and hope I won't arrive unchanged, wherever I am going.

Roadtrip!

Hi Blogworld! I've been MIA for months as I was winding up my life in LA, and hauling myself and possessions across the US and halfway back. The last month in LA was chaotic to say the least, but the end of September came quickly and I was feted in a delightful (though extremely hot) goodbye party in the Malibu hills.


The Besties and Fabulous Party Hostesses! (Sign by Whit, Baby by JJ)


I was SO happy my parents could come to my party! Feel free to see the rest of the pics on facebook.

After a whirlwind goodbye, my mom and I were off on our LA to Dallas road trip, or MAMA: WOW. That's right, I name road trips. Me And Mom's Adventure: Women On Wheels. We saw the Grand Canyon, ate at yummy restaurants, listened to a fabulous book, and even saw a double rainbow!!! SO vivid.






I found this man's form mid-fall to be hilarious

3 days later we made it to Dallas and were greeted by some of my favorite people




My stay in Dallas was short-lived, 2 days later the road trip continued: commence, WALL-E! Whitney And Lexi's Lifelong Expedition! Oh the laughter. I seriously felt like I would have 6-pack abs after my weekend in Nashville with Whit and her boyfriend Big Ben who was armed with an official list of activities to keep us entertained and well fed (awwwwww). We ate delicious popsicles at Las Paletas and were nearly killed my a creepy woodsman with an axe at a Harvest Maze (or something like that) among other things. I also decided over the weekend that Nashville is at the top of my list of cities I could live in eventually. Since the list pretty much says LA, London, and NYC I thought this was a breakthrough...





And that brings us to my 3 weeks in Atlanta! More to come. It's good to be back!
xo

Farmer's Choice

I am so in love with my new produce grocer--Farmer's Choice. Yesterday I purchased everything you see above: strawberries, blackberries, green, yellow and Serrano peppers, mixed greens, green beans, broccoli, bananas, vine and cherry tomatoes, mint, lemons, avocados and a lime for...$21.83. Seriously. I don't know if you can tell by this picture, but that bin of blackberries is huge, and it was $2.99--I don't even want to imagine how much that would cost at Whole Foods, or even Ralphs! And this is not just any produce--it's fresh, local and mostly organic. So not only are you saving money, but you're supporting CA farmers and eating really healthy. Best of all, it's in the same parking lot as Trader Joe's--whose produce leaves something to be desired, so you can make both stops in one trip. I can't wait to eat all my yummy produce!

Farmers Choice. 3250 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. 310.450.0707. Mon – Sat: 8 am – 8 pm. Sun: 9 am – 7 pm.

Cinderella...and Me!

Being an aunt is the best job I've had to date. Not only do you get to love some little ones as if they are your own minus the great responsibility, but you get to be loved back and in a way that you haven't been loved before. In two (long) weeks I'll get to see my two favorite little people, right here in Los Angeles! Nothing gets to my heart like those two Z's. My sister has been prepping Zoey for Disneyland, and she is OH so excited about seeing Cinderella, her castle, and the teacup ride. So excited in fact that she has made a paper chain to count down the days. My sister and I used to make paper countdown chains for Christmas, vacations, birthdays...and now I am at the end of a little dreamer's countdown! Here is an excerpt from my sister's email yesterday:

"she is SO SO SO SO SO excited about the whole trip, she prayed tonight for one thing only: 'Thank you for seeing LaLa (that's me!) and the castle when I get to the top' (of her countdown chain)"

Not lost on me: I ranked before the castle. Oh to love, and to be loved in return!

Please Pray for Daisy Love

I'd love it if you took a moment today and tomorrow to pray for this precious little girl.

Jesus is able.

I heart NYC

Today a very dear friend of mine is moving back to NYC after many years on the West coast. It wasn't very long ago that I considered a move to the Big Apple myself, but alas, that is not to be (for the time being). For now I see the city through the amazing, whimsical artwork of Caitlin McGauley. I follow her blog where she writes about her day to day life in NYC--the big difference between her blog and the many others I read about life in the city? She depicts her happenings in beautiful watercolors! For example, when she bought a chair, she posted this picture of it.



When she saw Grace Coddington, she posted this picture. (Go see The September Issue right now!)



If only I could depict my life happenings through cupcakes. Or paper dolls.

pictures used with permission, thank you Caitlin!

PS--I found Caitlin's blog on my friend Cannon's blog! Cannon-loving the Forever 21 posts!

hi there

I just watched this trailer. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little emotional. The music, the conclusion of an epic journey, the fact that I want to BE Emma Watson...


Not to mention that I'm sipping my homemade iced coffee which I now bring to work with me each day (take that Starbucks, can't believe how much money that saves) and glancing dreamily at my new iPhone 4.0 wallpaper. Sigh...

summer

Summer means:

Lots of daylight post work, yay!

Work outs on the beach

Peet's iced coffee...better and cheaper than Starbucks and Coffee Bean

Pinkberry and Yogurtland know my name again

Visits from a few of my favorite people and some very special little ones!!!



Camping

She and Him at the Hollywood Bowl



Eating at lemonade on Abbott Kinney...serioulsy, it's changing my life. Cucumber Mint lemonade, huge amazing French macaroons, and delicious cold veges/salads.

Crushes



Hollywood Farmers Market after church

Dresses and wedge sandals

Coveting nautical home decorations and wishing I could cover some chairs in this fabric

Dreaming of this ring that my gorgeous and talented friend Cannon Lewis designed

Bike rides on the beach

So you Think You Can Dance and the Bachelorette

Dreaming of Africa



elseachelsea.typepad.com
weheartit.com
fatalistichues.tumblr.com
shittingrainbowcolors.tumblr.com
boston.com/bigpicture/2009/11/national_geographics_internati.html

Magic!

Last night I read The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selzneick. It's a magical, delightful tale, that is interspersed with lots of drawings--it's kind of cross between a graphic novel, and a typical children's story. I highly recommend it (So do the people over at The Caldecott, incidentally). The story revolves around an automaton, which I had never heard of before. It's basically a machine, sort of like an old clock with sprigs, gears, etc but it ends up looking like a little doll, and when you wind it up it draws actual pictures and writes words. You'll have to watch the video to see how amazing it is--seriously, I know there are iPads, and Roombas, but this is AMAZING to me, not to mention it was happening hundreds of years ago! Check out the demonstration, and never stop believing in magic!
PS-the above pic is not the automaton in the demonstration

The Heights

Last night I was overwhelmed. By prospects of change. By decisions on hold. By deadlines approaching. By the heights I see looming ahead. I decided what I needed was a nice bath, with candles and everything a la Chandler Bing somewhere in Season 8. I asked my sweet roommate if she had a book I could read and she handed me peace. Well she actually handed me "Hind's Feet on High Places", but she might as well have handed me peace, hope, and a huge arrow pointing to Jesus (how annoying would it be if when people asked us for help we just handed them a huge arrow with the word JESUS on it? Yet it wouldn't surprise me to find one at a cheesy bookstore somewhere in TX). I cannot tell you how much this books spoke to me. The title comes from a verse in Psalm 18 that had jumped out at me early in January, and sort of became my verse motto for 2010, so it was so fitting that this little book (I already finished it) fit so well into my heart at this moment. It's a simple, but beautifully crafted allegory about a girl named Much Afraid and her journey to the High Places with the Shepard. I am begging you each to read this book. Of course the book itself is not a magical solution, but it's all about the real solution to any and every problem: Jesus! I pray that it will speak to you of the Lord's compassion, His wisdom and provision, His deep, unending, limitless and epic love for his children the way it spoke to me. I came home last night a broken, trembling, fearful wretch and by the grace of God I woke up this morning calmly peaceful, brimming with hope, sure of His love and His sovereignty in my life. Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus!

Psalm 18:31-33
"For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?--the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights."

Freedom

Today was free breakfast sandwhich day at Subway in LA. I stopped by right before the deadline, got my egg white on light wheat english muffin with green peppers and tomoato, along with a free cup of coffee, and went to work. I saved the sandwich for lunch, re-heated just a smidge and it was delightful! AND FREE! And, best of all, it was only 2 points (Weight Watchers). So basically their marketing idea totally worked. I am definitely stopping by for that sandwhich in the future.

To make things even MORE exiciting (Dare I even say that is possible?) I filled out a survey for Starbucks and get a free tall drink. I never get the tall size, I mean it's the size of a sippy cup, but since it's freedom day, I'll embrace it enthusiastically.

On a more serious note, I am also embracing the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus as my savior. Oh, how sweet it is to trust in Jesus. He is mighty to save! He knows exactly what is going on in my life, and I can trust that He will lead me and guide me for His name's sake (Psalm 31:3).

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Amen!

Oh my cuteness

Little Z having a ball. Counting the days until I see him and Big Z! (11!)

Tumblr

I've started a Tumblr! It goes with this site, but is more a photo/thought stream of consiousness. I'm working on re-vamping my blog to streamline all my internet wanderings. Stay tuned!

revolvingrevolution.tumblr.com

Olympics!

So I know they are over (sigh), but I had to belatedly post about how much I love the Olympics! I was lucky enough to live in Atlanta during the '96 games and I've held on to the love ever since. Thanks to Tivo (LOVE it) I got to watch a lot of these winter games. Here are some of the reasons I love the games...

1. Lots of opportunities for cheesy crying--SERIOUSLY people, I cry at every. single. medal ceremony. Every race ending, every little side story that NBC so cleverly attunes to inspirational music. Much like those dang Sylvan Learning Center commercials, the Olympics get me every time.

2. I love how when watching almost every winter sport, the commentators go on and on about how dangerous the sport it, how many times each athlete has almost died, etc...kind of ironic that we celebrate such danger, isn't it?

3. As a former (I didn't say talented) figure skater, I am glued to the TV for all the figure skating. This year I discovered I actually like the ice dancing thanks to the Canadians (they win the beauty award) and the cutesy Americans Davis and White. Could they be any more adorable? I guess the only way I could have liked either couple more was if they were an "off-ice" couple as well...why? Because...it just makes it better! YAY Shen and Zhao!

4. The Canadian beauty shots of glaciers and cute fuzzy snow animals they show at the beginning of each segment. I had to google to figure out what the adorable white yak thingys were that they kept showing. Turns out they are mountain goats. I prefer to go on thinking of them as the illusive White Olympic Mountain Yaks. That alone made me want to jump on a plane to Canada. Well that and the fact that Anne of Green Gables lived there.

5. Mary Carillo segments. Love her.

6. If you missed the Tom Brokaw piece on Gander, Canada, and the role it played in 9/11, you have GOT to check it out. It seriously rocked my world. Long story short there town doubled in size when about 50 planes from Europe were diverted there on 9/11 and everyone in the town banded together and opened their homes, stores, lives for the next three days in a really inspirational way. It is a really beautiful reminder that goodness endures despite the evil in the world.

7. No matter how old I get, I always wonder...will I ever be an Olympian? Time will tell!!!!

Petticoat

Driving home from church on Valentine's Day, my friend M and I saw this tree and I had to stop to take a picture of it. I noticed how pretty the bottom half of the tree was and M brilliantly said "the tree has a petticoat". Perfect! It looks like the pink flowers are just pushing the green leaves up and out. Can't wait for Spring...

So I love the Olympics and enjoy watching the skiing but SERIOUSLY...the women's downhill is like a horrific parade of insane crashes...on ice...the podium is pretty much the 4 people that didn't almost die on the way down. Worth it?

"Whatever the course of our lives, we should receive them as the
highest gift from the hand of God, in which equally reposed the power
to do nothing whatever for us. Indeed, we should accept misfortune not
only in thanks, but in infinite gratitude to Providence, which by such
means detaches us from an excessive love for Earthly things and
elevates our minds to the celestial and divine."

-Galileo

Brilliant!

Lovely

Today on my walk I saw a balloon caught in a tree and I thought, flight delayed, or just a tree having a party?



I'm listening to THIS and it just makes my day every time. What I wouldn't do...sigh.

I was waiting for the elevator to take me up. A dapper young man was waiting to go down. They arrived at exactly the same time and said "BONG" simultaneously. With a boyish smile he said, "We both won!". I didn't know we were racing, but it was CHARMING.



How is your day?

Newport

I know a very fashionable and witty person named Earrings. Here is my version of a Sartorialist entry on Earrings:



We hung out in Newport this weekend, at a place I like to call The Vortex, because once you hang out there, you have a LOT of trouble leaving. Bike Rides. Every movie you've ever wanted to watch. Hot tubs in grottoes. Beach walks. Porches made for sunsets. AND...



One of my favorite dogs. I call him Brinkles.

It was a beautiful weekend.



A weekend that some people could have spent time taking down their Christmas llamas. But I'm glad they didn't, so I could enjoy seeing it.



It was amazing. Just what I needed. I think Brinkels was worn out by all the extra attention, but I know inside he hopes I'll come back soon.