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.