In honor of summer

written a few days ago

Yesterday was a long work day, and not very warm; so I'm celebrating the Beginning of Summer today instead. I've spread out my sunning blanket (cool fabric, light and fluffy, and I don't mind getting tanning oil on it) and a beach towel, and grabbed my water bottle, notebooks, and laptop. I even began cutting up the watermelon, but haven't brought it outside yet, for fear I'll eat the entire thing.

This year has been long. And short. Tight-packed with all manner of lessons and growths, fellowship and friends, ministry, food, hard moments, breakthroughs, and many stretching experiences. I realize I haven't done very well on the posting-every-day which I started out trying to do. But over all, this whole Year-In-The-City thing has been a great success. And I hope you weren't expecting to get rid of me, Big City, 'cause I'm sticking around for a while.







Thoroughly enjoyed this article this morning.

And while we're on the topic of childhood... my seven year old nephew's birthday has renewed my love of planes, as I search high and low for awesome ones like I grew up with. I forget periodically how nerdy I am about WWII aircraft. And how much airplanes just get me, every time. I've been wearing my prop earrings the last couple of days (that I got at the Air and Space museum--love you Smithsonian!). You know they have the Wright brother's actual plane?

And while we're on the subject of nephews, I just got another one! Rejoicing all around. I get to see him soon, and spend some time with the precious (not as) littles!

Learning every day more of who I am in Christ. Spirit, heart, voice. Thank you to all who are journeying with me.

fill your lungs and run

I dance in wonder

At scattered stars across the sky

My eyes shine with joy in reflection of the glory I see every day:

A swallow’s flight, a footprint’s depth

the sound of water ripples

and birdsong pervading the morning

the scent of tea

and the breath of God in the rise and fall of wind

The taste of buttered toast, and ocean spray on your lips

I fill my lungs with air and my heart overflows

Profusions of dandelions growing in the roughest spots

destined and determined to find the light

death and resurrection stitched on their existence

in colors of the sun 

Every shimmer and lullaby of trees, a song for me

Every light and shadow telling a story:

sorrow and hope

grit and glory

the grave and the conqueror 

death for a moment

life for eternity

Each line of song from Chris Rice, Adam Young, John Mayer

That struck a chord to my heart’s depth

Every book, every word that recalled the one true story resounding in every corner of the universe…

They play together in my spirit, daily.

Truth. Hope. Longing.

Harmonizing with Aslan’s story for years and years to come

As my feet pelt the earth beneath me——ordinary dirt, teeming with life, supporting every footfall for centuries——my eyes lift up to the expanse of sky: moon, sun, galaxy on galaxy, wealth of wonder and unknown,

(all that I may learn some day or never need to know), 

I look beyond the mountains and horizons to the Maker beyond our time and space

With my eyes fixed higher, I hope to see new wonders every day; to see clearer what I’ve known.

And I confidently wait to see a charger, to see my promised returning in more light than I can see.

Pour out your love upon the ground

And see Him returning on the clouds

Fill your heart with the scent of roses and thunderstorms,

with big hugs, long stories, campfires, starry skies, and old jokes

This beauty, love, and laughter is more armor than your enemy can penetrate

You are ready for war

You are an artist of peace

Joy is your strength

You are a cup overflowing

Invited to the biggest wedding feast earth and heaven have ever seen…

As the bride