God is love. And He loves me.
He is bigger than the world,
Yet, in the small things, too.
He is everywhere all at once,
Yet, with me moment by moment.
Though I may neglect it;
I can not deny it; Amazing Love.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Cake: Take 5...I get by with a little help from my friends
Here is the latest cake creation. One friend to bake the cake. One friend to leave pretty flowers. And a cake that otherwise would have been not so cool...well...takes the cake! :)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
the seven (or a few more) wonders of my world
At a recent conference the speaker talked about ideas like they are a train, in the sense that when ideas come to us, sometimes they come quickly in and whoosh by so fast we need to be intentional about catching them. Her encouragement was to write them down as quickly as possible before that train flew by and left only the sound of its engine passing by.
The scrap paper of my e-ticket just didn’t cut it and after this last trip, I was convicted that I need to get a travel journal. Not just for long vacation travels, but for the everyday journey. But for now, here are a few of the highlights that I rambled about in the previous entry…the seven wonders of my world in the last week:
1.Hiking this trail up a beautiful (yet steep) trek….and the view 1,000 feet down. And going to a Warm Yoga class. (It is like Hot Yoga, only the temp is at 80 instead of hotter...in my opinion 80 was good enough.)
2.Hearing the announcement over the pa system at the airport, “Would the passenger who left their cell phone at the security check, please return to gate C.” No, it wasn’t me but was so random in the great MN accent, it just made me giggle....The latest alarm clock in the sky mall magazine, “Civilized Butler Awakening Device”...” Good morning madam. I am so sorry to disturb you, but it appears to be morning. Very inconvenient, I agree, I believe it is the rotation of the earth that is to blame.” Again, just makes me giggle. Who comes up with this stuff.
3. "Introducing" (on the facebook screen) my friend to my friends (from the in between last two years) that she has not met. And just reconnecting, yet getting to know new things about each other in the recent years, somethings never change, yet somethings do...we are both so similar, yet so different.
4.Seeing an eagle up close and realizing the span and strength “on eagle’s wings” at the preserve on the Mississippi River...And perusing a display about Abraham Lincoln, there was a lot that I had forgotten since my third grade book report and I am inspired to research again.
5.Being asked by friends, “what I’ve learned in the last three years,” and being able to answer confidently that this is the place that I am suppose to be and articulate the great life lessons that I am learning, while realizing there are more than I know.
6.Hearing my friend sing beautiful songs to calm her baby. And the love that a baby gives...it’s just a sense that is given off. And just being able to love on her.
7.Authentic conversation, unconditional love, and meals together...be it cooking together or a tapas dinner out (Classy...corn dogs made with crab meat and cooked plum wrapped with bacon, surprisingly good, yet decidely difficult to recreate)
...this and so much more.
The scrap paper of my e-ticket just didn’t cut it and after this last trip, I was convicted that I need to get a travel journal. Not just for long vacation travels, but for the everyday journey. But for now, here are a few of the highlights that I rambled about in the previous entry…the seven wonders of my world in the last week:
1.Hiking this trail up a beautiful (yet steep) trek….and the view 1,000 feet down. And going to a Warm Yoga class. (It is like Hot Yoga, only the temp is at 80 instead of hotter...in my opinion 80 was good enough.)
2.Hearing the announcement over the pa system at the airport, “Would the passenger who left their cell phone at the security check, please return to gate C.” No, it wasn’t me but was so random in the great MN accent, it just made me giggle....The latest alarm clock in the sky mall magazine, “Civilized Butler Awakening Device”...”
3. "Introducing" (on the facebook screen) my friend to my friends (from the in between last two years) that she has not met. And just reconnecting, yet getting to know new things about each other in the recent years, somethings never change, yet somethings do...we are both so similar, yet so different.
4.Seeing an eagle up close and realizing the span and strength “on eagle’s wings” at the preserve on the Mississippi River...And perusing a display about Abraham Lincoln, there was a lot that I had forgotten since my third grade book report and I am inspired to research again.
5.Being asked by friends, “what I’ve learned in the last three years,” and being able to answer confidently that this is the place that I am suppose to be and articulate the great life lessons that I am learning, while realizing there are more than I know.
6.Hearing my friend sing beautiful songs to calm her baby. And the love that a baby gives...it’s just a sense that is given off. And just being able to love on her.
7.Authentic conversation, unconditional love, and meals together...be it cooking together or a tapas dinner out (Classy...corn dogs made with crab meat and cooked plum wrapped with bacon, surprisingly good, yet decidely difficult to recreate)
...this and so much more.
Sometimes we forget to live
Sometimes we forget to live. I’ve been filled with this overwhelming feeling as of lately that makes me smile from the inside out. You know, that deep warm sense that you are loved and living the life for which you are created…truly living. I’ve just returned from one of the best and most needed vacations and one in which I was reminded how to live.
On the final leg of my return flight, I read this snippet in the airline magazine:
Of course the article was focused on the seven wonders of the world and such….not to downplay those magnificent things, but as I read that article the question for me was answered with a “yes, that is here and now,” everything from my week away and even the week before (and hopefully the week to come). As I nestled back in my airline seat, I reflected on the previous hours and that although my flight had been delayed – it was the best gift ever—to have an extra few hours at my favorite airport to pause and enjoy a few more sips of slowing down (and a few sips of the seasonal pumpkin latte of the great Caribou Coffee.) I didn’t have this in mind when I had prayed for my departure from visiting friends to be a peace-filled goodbye. I was thinking more in terms of the “until next time” moment of hugging them goodbye. Now I realize that I was given so much more…peace filled…yet overflowing with joy.
This is it. Me living the life I was created for. Happy to have had an amazing time with cherished life long friends, yet simultaneously so happy to return to my every day things. It was at that moment, when I peered out my wing side window upon the beautiful horizon and floating clouds (I am not exaggerating here…it was the best I’ve seen in a long time.), that my tear filled eyes, hoped that as I return to the busy life, I won’t be so forgetful of all for which I have to be thankful and live. But for now I will pause and enjoy this moment, after all that is what living is about.
On the final leg of my return flight, I read this snippet in the airline magazine:
Of course the article was focused on the seven wonders of the world and such….not to downplay those magnificent things, but as I read that article the question for me was answered with a “yes, that is here and now,” everything from my week away and even the week before (and hopefully the week to come). As I nestled back in my airline seat, I reflected on the previous hours and that although my flight had been delayed – it was the best gift ever—to have an extra few hours at my favorite airport to pause and enjoy a few more sips of slowing down (and a few sips of the seasonal pumpkin latte of the great Caribou Coffee.) I didn’t have this in mind when I had prayed for my departure from visiting friends to be a peace-filled goodbye. I was thinking more in terms of the “until next time” moment of hugging them goodbye. Now I realize that I was given so much more…peace filled…yet overflowing with joy.
This is it. Me living the life I was created for. Happy to have had an amazing time with cherished life long friends, yet simultaneously so happy to return to my every day things. It was at that moment, when I peered out my wing side window upon the beautiful horizon and floating clouds (I am not exaggerating here…it was the best I’ve seen in a long time.), that my tear filled eyes, hoped that as I return to the busy life, I won’t be so forgetful of all for which I have to be thankful and live. But for now I will pause and enjoy this moment, after all that is what living is about.
There are two exits to the airport...and other travel adventures
I am forgetful. I forget that what I ask for, Christ has heard and taken care of – what an epiphany. As I was getting ready to go on vacation, I had just had that epiphany in the things of my everyday life that were not of this trip. So, you would think it would be fresh in my mind. That was not the case, however. Forgetfulness set in as I set off to navigate this vacation experience.
There are two exits to the airport—which is good and bad. It seems like every time I travel, I miss the first exit which is most familiar to me. This time, they were doing construction so it was closed. My reaction is the same each time. Initially, a calm freak out, followed by looking for semi-familiar landmarks from the last time this happened or at least a sign that says ‘airport this way.’
Regardless of the fact that I know I have enough time, I feel an urgency to just be done – to be there already waiting for my flight at the terminal. If I pause long enough, I will realize these issues are a flash back from the time I almost missed my flight. Yes, when I say ‘almost missed’ that is me hearing my name paged as I am at the security gate, then flying across the terminal, shoes in tow, as the gate attendant comes over to verify my id, then quickly shows me to the gate, looking back to me with a “mam, if you want to make your flight, we are going to need to run,” followed quickly by a “what happened,” why are you late? But that is not today (yet). So, I block out that memory and push forward.
Finally, I see the signs, both literally and figuratively with a plane taking off in the horizon, I know I am going the right way. Then I arrive at the eco-parking, lot B. I pause, realizing the need to choose my parking location wisely so I will remember the space combination on my return. B4 and B9 are my first attempts, as bingo calling phrases are ringing through my mind, but unfortunately those are full. B12 seems like the next logical option, although I can’t seem to remember specifically why – maybe it’s a vitamin or an element on the periodic table? Regardless, I think I will be able to remember it next week. So it’s off to the terminal on the blue bus, as it drops me off at the door, I have a second dose of the calm-freak out moment, as I cant’ find my airline, but quickly realize some airlines have merged or partnered up or however you say collaborate in the airline business (I am so out of that business world loop).
I tend to frequent a preferred carrier for most trips, but they didn’t fly the route for this travel, so I had to go with another option. That being said, their check in process was different in that there were stations all over and a floating attendant. It was a bit crazy, but after she assured me that my contact lens solution would be an approved liquid as it is considered a prescription item, I decided for sure to keep my bag as a carry on and save some money. As I went through security however, my fears sank in that I was being that difficult customer. They searched my bag because 3 oz liquids were not in an appropriate plastic bag and apparently toothpaste is not acceptable. Regardless, the staff was kind and with a friendly reminder sent me on my way.
Finally, I am to the terminal gate where I could sit for a few minutes before boarding. I feel like in general I am a responsible person, but when it comes to travels, I am so ready to just go and am so focused on planning and preparing in other areas of my life that I check out on vacation a little too soon, which in result creates many mini-calm freak out moments of the day. But now I can take a deep breath, as I sit down in my not-so-comfortable seat (yep, need to switch back to that other airline). I hear the subtle elevator type music coming through the speakers in between flight announcements. A familiar tune from Christian radio comes over, for sure not one I was expecting to hear on this secular flight:
“To where you go, My hands are holding you. Please don’t fight these hands that are holding you. You’ll be by my side….”
Then there in that still small voice, that whisper, that tells me even if it is a calm-freak out…it is still freaking out and not trusting there is a plan and He is with me. I sit back in my seat to enjoy this epiphany and moment, that He was with me all along. Suddenly, the flight reading I was hoping to do doesn’t appeal to me. It’s time to just be still and enjoy this moment and maybe next time I won’t be so forgetful.
There are two exits to the airport—which is good and bad. It seems like every time I travel, I miss the first exit which is most familiar to me. This time, they were doing construction so it was closed. My reaction is the same each time. Initially, a calm freak out, followed by looking for semi-familiar landmarks from the last time this happened or at least a sign that says ‘airport this way.’
Regardless of the fact that I know I have enough time, I feel an urgency to just be done – to be there already waiting for my flight at the terminal. If I pause long enough, I will realize these issues are a flash back from the time I almost missed my flight. Yes, when I say ‘almost missed’ that is me hearing my name paged as I am at the security gate, then flying across the terminal, shoes in tow, as the gate attendant comes over to verify my id, then quickly shows me to the gate, looking back to me with a “mam, if you want to make your flight, we are going to need to run,” followed quickly by a “what happened,” why are you late? But that is not today (yet). So, I block out that memory and push forward.
Finally, I see the signs, both literally and figuratively with a plane taking off in the horizon, I know I am going the right way. Then I arrive at the eco-parking, lot B. I pause, realizing the need to choose my parking location wisely so I will remember the space combination on my return. B4 and B9 are my first attempts, as bingo calling phrases are ringing through my mind, but unfortunately those are full. B12 seems like the next logical option, although I can’t seem to remember specifically why – maybe it’s a vitamin or an element on the periodic table? Regardless, I think I will be able to remember it next week. So it’s off to the terminal on the blue bus, as it drops me off at the door, I have a second dose of the calm-freak out moment, as I cant’ find my airline, but quickly realize some airlines have merged or partnered up or however you say collaborate in the airline business (I am so out of that business world loop).
I tend to frequent a preferred carrier for most trips, but they didn’t fly the route for this travel, so I had to go with another option. That being said, their check in process was different in that there were stations all over and a floating attendant. It was a bit crazy, but after she assured me that my contact lens solution would be an approved liquid as it is considered a prescription item, I decided for sure to keep my bag as a carry on and save some money. As I went through security however, my fears sank in that I was being that difficult customer. They searched my bag because 3 oz liquids were not in an appropriate plastic bag and apparently toothpaste is not acceptable. Regardless, the staff was kind and with a friendly reminder sent me on my way.
Finally, I am to the terminal gate where I could sit for a few minutes before boarding. I feel like in general I am a responsible person, but when it comes to travels, I am so ready to just go and am so focused on planning and preparing in other areas of my life that I check out on vacation a little too soon, which in result creates many mini-calm freak out moments of the day. But now I can take a deep breath, as I sit down in my not-so-comfortable seat (yep, need to switch back to that other airline). I hear the subtle elevator type music coming through the speakers in between flight announcements. A familiar tune from Christian radio comes over, for sure not one I was expecting to hear on this secular flight:
“To where you go, My hands are holding you. Please don’t fight these hands that are holding you. You’ll be by my side….”
Then there in that still small voice, that whisper, that tells me even if it is a calm-freak out…it is still freaking out and not trusting there is a plan and He is with me. I sit back in my seat to enjoy this epiphany and moment, that He was with me all along. Suddenly, the flight reading I was hoping to do doesn’t appeal to me. It’s time to just be still and enjoy this moment and maybe next time I won’t be so forgetful.
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