Life Here

A day in the life with 2 spunky girls.

(Doesn't her scar look amazing?!)

Weekend Recap

It's the Tuesday after the Mockingbird conference.  So much happened in such a small time frame that I'm having trouble digesting it and sharing it.  Old friends, new friends, thought-provoking talks, helpful break-out sessions, and some outstanding food (and clearly drink as well).

With dear old friends.

So I will describe what Mockingbird is in the words of Dr. Paul F. M. Zahl.  Mockingbird as a ministry illustrates the following points on their blog.  We are helpless people in need of a savior.

Paul Zahl

1.  We do the opposite of what we're told.

This is true.  In fact, on Sunday night Alex and I had dinner with a friend and her 27 year old son.  He attended a religious school growing up that included mandatory chapel.  I asked him if he liked going.  He laughed and said "it made me want to go even less."  Direct quote.

It's a human condition (read: rebellion).  That is human nature.

2.  We have a bound will.  We do things we don't want to do.  We can't do what we want.

I want to get up early to read my Bible but I can't get my rear out of bed.  I want to have patience with my daughter at bed time but most often I don't.  I don't want to be short with my husband after a long day, but I can't help myself.  I can't help my selfish self.  I'm helpless when left to my own devices.

And knowing this about myself, I can have compassion for others because they can't help themselves either.  As Paul Zahl said, "you can't have compassion on someone who has a free will."  Do you get that?  Amazing insight.

3.  God speaks to us through the bad junk in our lives and in this world.  He resides in those dark places offering a way forward.

Life doesn't get better, then God shows up.  We don't create a neat, orderly situation and then invite God there.  We don't just have tea parties with God.

You know those feelings of inadequacies, the fear of losing your husband to another woman, the paralyzing situation of not knowing what your supposed to do with your life, that is where God is and that is where he comes to the rescue.

I once heard that "God meets us at the end of our rope."  And "The obstacle is the way forward."

Hey Ethan.  Thanks for posing for me.  The Rangers are winning in the background.

So, that is Mockingbird.  A group of Christian people who believe that we are rebellious, depraved, shackled people who worship a God who meets them in the darkness.  And when you meet God in that darkness, it tastes so sweet.  The embrace is warm and secure.  And light shines.

Check it out, if you haven't already.  Check out Mockingbird's blog.  Next year I plan to be taking some of you with me to NYC.

More dear friends, Mary, Liza, and Aya with our speaker Mark Galli, the senior managing editor of Christianity Today in the foreground.

My good friends' children

We're home from a nurturing trip to NYC.  Alex and I went to the Mockingbird conference where we heard some insightful speakers, caught up with some old seminary friends and met some new ones, enjoyed some delicious food, and stayed out as late as possible.

I'll give more conference details later, but for now I want to share some special kiddos with you.  Some dear friends' children.  2 sets of siblings.  Big sisters and little brothers.  And it was fun and they are precious.

Good Morning

The Grands come to visit

We've had a great visit with our Neena and Pops.

We've really enjoyed having them here.  They bring us so much excitement, good food and cheer, but they did not bring their Florida weather this time.  No, nope, it snowed on Sunday morning.

Snow or shine, though, we had to see the cherry blossoms.  And even in the strangest picnic conditions, the blossoms are awe inspiring.

The monuments never disappoint.  It really is sacred ground.

And strong winds, cloudy skies, and blocked roads were not going to keep us from enjoying our brie and prosciutto, crackers, and chocolates under the magnificent blooms.

Thanks for coming to visit Neena and Pops!  It was a fantastic weekend.

Newborn Photo Shoot

Meet this little 5 day old.  She's perfect in every way.  A sweet spirit, gorgeous features, and a snuggle bug who loves her Mommy and Daddy.

I met her Mommy, Kristina, 6 years ago when she came to interview at Wears Valley Ranch, a Christian children's home where I worked and lived for a year.  It's a powerful ministry that I love dearly.  And as I left the Ranch, Kristina came to work in the same house as I did.  We share a strong bond that anyone who has lived at Wears Valley Ranch shares.  So this shoot was very special to me.

Every life is a gift from God.

Lots to say

We have a lot going on over here at our house.

This little girl in on the mend.

Neena and Pops are visiting. 

I'm editing a beautiful newborn family photo shoot from yesterday that is beautiful.  Did I say beautiful?  because I meant beautiful!  Here's the sweet new mom rocking her baby to sleep like a natural. More photos to come soon.

And I just awoke from a Sunday afternoon nap.  (Thanks Neena and Pops!)  I think I'm tired from all that's going on.

I hope you're having a peaceful Sunday as well.

8 stitches later

Eight stitches later, she's going to be okay.  What a warrior!

It was just a bizarre accident.  We were at a museum today and she fell and hit a step and gashed her sweet little head open.  My friend went running for some towels for the blood that spewed everywhere.  Eloise screamed at the top of her lungs "I'm scared!  I'm scared!"  Her little friend just stared with her mouth wide open.  And I wrapped Cordelia's coat around her head to try to stop the bleeding.

From there we quickly went into the museum office where the staff was incredibly helpful.  They called 911 for us and called Alex for me.  A police man came in fairly quickly and stared into her eyes and said he hoped she didn't pass out.  Thank God she didn't!  She is so strong.

So off in the ambulance we went.  Poor Alex didn't know what was going on and his heart was beating so fast until he met up with us.  The museum director forgot to tell him we were ok, he just told him we were in the ambulance.  

8 stitches and we're as good as new.  Or will be soon enough.

We love you, Cordelia!  You're the strongest (and smartest/sweetest/cutest) cookie we know.

Mother's Helper

I have a mother's helper so I'm hiding downstairs and being productive.

NOT!  No, no productivity here.

But I am having fun.

Monday Morning Inspiration

It's Monday morning which is the the most peaceful time around my house.  I only have my littlest with me.  It's a time for me to regroup from the weekend.  Do some major laundry.  Look at the week ahead.  And of course, blog.

My sister visited us for 5 days and it was splendid.  We went downtown to the butterfly garden and the carousel.  We enjoyed the animals at the zoo--especially the octopus and Gibbon monkeys.  We enjoyed a of outdoor time in beautiful Spring weather.  My sis went to a bridal shower and then church with us.  She consulted with me on my photo editing.  And we watched a lot of nonsense tv at night.  It was lovely and relaxing and we wish it was Spring Break forever and she could stay here longer.

And then, to top off the weekend, Alex and I had the distinct pleasure of dining with some of the most inspiring and encouraging Christian leaders.  For the past year and a half, we've treasured our time with our interim rector (which means senior pastor) who is also our overseeing bishop who is also the retired bishop of South Carolina and his wonderful wife.  Then, yesterday, the archbishop of the Southern Cone came to preach and teach at our church.  And he and his beautiful joined the clergy of the church for a nice dinner at the rectory.  (Anglicans/Episcopalians have bishops.)

And it was inspiring because this wonderful Chilean couple is leading a so many South Americans to Jesus.  They are planting churches like crazy.  They are leading the mission field.  I shared with them about my time in Bolivia.  I spoke some Spanish.  And asked them a lot of questions.  And yet to be in a such a gathering, it was not pretentious.  It was normal.  And bad jokes were told and people laughed and talked about movies.

I was inspired to continue to reach out to my neighbors.  To continue to be a missionary in my neighborhood and in my church.  A global perspective is so healthy.  I'm just a tiny tool in a giant project.

And to top off all this inspiration which is "beyond inspiring" which is what I told Alex this morning who is keeping a tally of how many times I say "beyond" because it's a little annoying and I agree... is the story of Anthony Robles.  The NCAA national champion for the 125 pound category Anthony Robles.  He is the best wrestler in our nation at that weight today and he was born with 1 leg.

It reminds me of a camp t-shirt I received in high school.  On the front is an image of a river winding through rocks and reeds.  On the back it says The impeded river is the one that sings.


I had no idea what that meant at 14 but I liked it because I loved canoeing at camp.  It's like the lyrics of Amazing Grace.  Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved.  As a teenager I thought about this phrase and didn't get it.

But now as a 29 year old, I'm starting to understand both of those more.  The impeded river is the one that sings.  Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved.

Congratulations to Anthony Robles.  You are an inspiration to me!

What a great way to begin a week.

A Newborn Family Photoshoot

Yesterday I had my second photo shoot of my "internship."  (That's what Alex calls it.)  I'm not sure what I loved more about my visit with this family, capturing this special period in their lives or meeting them as people.  Both were wonderful!

They have a 1 week old baby boy and twin 3 year old girls.  It's truly a family full of love!  I came home from the shoot and quickly went to work editing them after my girls were in bed.  I was full of anticipation, like opening a present, uploading the images and seeing what I got.  I think I have some pretty ones to share and can't wait to finish going through them all.

Enjoy!

Inspiration

My love for Mumford and Sons continues.  Eloise can carry a really nice tune and sings phrases of their songs all the time.  When they use the f-word, we just say "mess" so no need to worry there.  I can can no longer go without printing their lyrics here.  But where do I start?  


Let's start with track #1.


Sigh No More

Serve God love me and men

This is not the end

Live unbruised we are friends

And I'm sorry

I'm sorry

Sigh no more, no more

One foot in sea, one on shore

My heart was never pure

You know me

You know me

And man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Love that will not betray you,

dismay you or enslave you

It will set you free

Be more like the man 

you were made to be.

There is a design,

An alignment to cry,

At my heart you see,

The beauty of love

as it was made to be

I've been lacking in inspiration lately when it comes to the blog.  What to write when our routine is becoming too predictable.  There isn't much to say when I'm just putting one foot in front of the other going through life.

But right now, my husband came home and then promptly took the children to our neighbor's house to see all their wild animals.  And I've been given a window of time to listen to M&S, upload some new photos, and tell you that I'm dreaming a lot about photography.  I'm reading some good books, developing and refining a vision, and hoping to take some gorgeous photos of many of you this Spring and Summer.  (I'm always confused as to whether Spring and Summer are supposed to be capitalized.  And I'm too lazy to look it up.  I always capitalize them because they play important roles in my life and I love the different seasons so much.  I'm a Christian.  Don't worry.  No mother earth worship here.  Just lovin' on the seasons.)

Serve God love me and men

This is not the end

Live unbruised we are friends

And I'm sorry

I'm sorry

Sigh no more, no more

One foot in sea, one on shore

My heart was never pure

You know me

You know me

And man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Oh man is a giddy thing

Love that will not betray you,

dismay you or enslave you

It will set you free

Be more like the man 

you were made to be.

There is a design,

An alignment to cry,

At my heart you see,

The beauty of love

as it was made to be

It's Lent, you might know.  And it's such a great time to get back in touch with our divided natures.  The self that wants to do good but can't or doesn't.  And then to remember that blood was shed so that we can be freed by a pure love that does not enslave.  A love that frees us from the evil inside that ensnares and traps and destroys.

And that's inspiring to me.

I Heart Faces

This is our little buddy N.  I just love how the sunburst is framing his sweet face!  It leaves a magical aura that is perfectly suited for a child.

To see other great sunburst photos, check out I HEART FACES today.

Always keep our camera handy

This is what happens in the span of a minute.

So I always have my camera ready for when the headband is actually on her head.

Parenting is tiring

Starting at about 9:30am, Eloise starts asking when is Daddy coming home.  

And I say, you know when, you tell me when Dad is coming home.

I'm clearly not enthused by the repetitiveness of the question.  It's about 5 times a day and it's usually asked when she is not happy with something we're doing.  Being the mom with the children all day means I'm more often the bad cop.  I'm the meanie who makes my children eat food, put their shoes on, and take them to ballet class, swim lessons, play dates, park dates.  I know, I know.  Such a meanie.

But the irritation of the day washes away when he walks in the door.  

Eloise goes crazy and Cordelia is quick to follow.

And then I come running after them, slap a kiss on his cheek, give his neck a big snug, and then I sigh because reinforcements have arrived.