Thankful Thursday

It has been a long day. And when I say that, I mean my day began at 4 a.m. and I didn't have a 'real meal' until approximately 8 p.m. I was just going all day long.

But I am thankful for this day. God has been in control, and he has been showing me every step of the way. I am so small, so tiny, so not-in-control...and so thankful for that. Which is weird, because if you  know me I tend to want to control every little aspect of my life.

Thank you so much, God, for being in control and for opening my eyes to your power.

Connect 2010 | breathe (But More Importantly, Dan Kimball Sent Me a Tweet!)

In case you missed it, I had a link on Facebook to our 2010 Connect Conference's YouTube video, which you can see here. I didn't get to be as involved as I would have liked, seeing as I was running back and forth getting the photos and putting the video together. But I do have to say how proud I am of Casey, first of all, and then of all the countless others who made this possible. What a great conference!

And it is pretty cool, but Dan Kimball, who was our awesome keynote speaker, messaged me back on Twitter today to let me know he saw the video: "It was a joy to serve with you! And thanks for showing me the video! Very fun!"

I would still really like to see what he looks like before that morning hair regimen begins.

That's him on the right, with Milton Jones, president of Christian Relief Fund.

Somebody I Know Must Work at This Place

Cafe Press, you know me all too well...

"Pivot!!!"

It's 'Move-In Day' on campus today. What does that mean for me? Not much, really, seeing as I would have hard time maneuvering all those freshmen boxes up and down stairs with a four-year-old at my heels saying, "Mama, I see a spider!" or asking to go home or be picked up or to help with a 100-pound box. Okay, that last one would have been sweet...but not possible.

No, Move-In Day for me means meeting Casey and the rest of the crew at some point near lunch to hopefully capture some of them on my trusty camera. I'm sure they'll love that. But hey, it's my job. They do things, I document, we all watch the show later and laugh at ourselves. Or rather, we all laugh at them. You didn't think I'd end up in any of my shows, did you? We'll see on Monday night...on the schedule is pizza and Rock Band.

I'm hoping that another thing that Move-In Day means for me is a new t-shirt. I saw them yesterday and they are rad.

P.S. If you don't get the title's Friends reference, I'm very sad for you. That scene is one of THE BEST.

Belated...Again

Seems I've done it once again. My blog -- formerly known as Trace Talks -- celebrated its 6th birthday one week ago today. And sadly, it celebrated alone.

So sorry, my little blog. You deserve better. Here's a candle:

The Life That I Have by Leo Marks

I am a sentimental fool. There, I said it. I have been writing poetry since I was eight years old, although I haven't written too many poems. I probably enjoy writing prose-type things more, or just on the blog, but lyrics and poetry can touch me deeply.

I found this poem yesterday and wanted to share it. Maybe it's very well-known, I'm not sure, but in my opinion it is breathtaking. It shares what I feel about Casey, but at the same time I feel it is very much a praise or renewing of that sacred covenant with God. Everyone will take something a little different from it, that's just mine.

_______________________________________

 

The Life That I Have by Leo Marks

The life that I have

Is all that I have

And the life that I have

Is yours

The love that I have

Of the life that I have

Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have

A rest I shall have

Yet death will be but a pause

For the peace of my years

In the long green grass

Will be yours and yours and yours.

 _______________________________________

Knitted With Love

 I started working on my first ever cable pattern, Lion Brand's Tree of Life Afghan, last August or September. I was knitting it for my mom -- not just because she's my mom and I love her, but really it's for one main reason.

When I was in the hospital for three months back in 2006, she devoted two of those months of her own life to watch over my baby boy. Granted, she's his grandmother, but this meant being far from her own home and very alone for much of the time. It was exhausting work, and eventually Casey and my dad and I convinced her that she needed a break.

There is nothing you can do to replace that time and effort and love that she gave to Miles in my place. Of course I wish it had been 'the normal way' -- me being home and her helping out where I needed and saying goodbye after a short time. As it was, I could barely care for myself much less my newborn baby. She stepped in without a thought, and so I knew that one day I would do something that took work with my own hands to show her my love.

It doesn't do justice or show enough thanks -- nothing ever will -- but it leaves with her a small piece of myself just as she did those four years ago in giving love to a baby who was waiting on his mama.

Thanks Mom.

Finding Our Way Home

Not long ago, Miles and I had been out running errands and were on the drive back to the house. We don't live in a very big place, and so he's taken notice of our surroundings and is already learning where we are and if we should turn left or right at certain intersections. But being a child, he still wants to be reassured that his guesses are correct. On this particular trip, however, the wording of his question went right to my heart and it felt like God was -- once again -- helping me to see the world through the eyes of my child.

Miles simply asked, "Mama, is this the way home?" but when he said the word 'home,' it sounded different somehow. It sounded beautiful, and it made me think of heaven.

I thought to myself, This is what God means when he says we should be like a child! I should be asking, "Father, is this the way Home? Should I go right or left? What should I do in this situation?" And it needs to be like this every day, every hour. I am supposed to look to Him for my needs, my direction.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  ~ Proverbs 3:5