The Everyday « octolilly [through the years]

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in all things.

Wednesday, July 6th, 2005

Lately, His fingerprints have once again been all over the place. And in the midst of the learning (which has included Very Low Lows and Gloriously High Mountaintops), I’ve realized four things: His promise to give wisdom when asked is ever true, the little moments of decision are often the most important, the sweet peace after the darkest storm is such a healing balm and He really, truly makes all things new.

About the time that I began realizing that all the corners of my heart hadn’t been completely given to the Lord, unmistakable fingerprints appeared. The more preeminence I gave Him, the more I was in awe.

A friendship that had been dead and buried (yet the mourning had yet to cease) suddenly awoke. In a weird, déjà vu moment, I sat at Gate B and waited to see a soul mate I had thought long gone. I still don’t understand the healing, much less the grace. But I’m ever grateful at a second chance.

We discovered that we could still play and sing that funky little version of “This Little Light of Mine.” We watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, enjoyed Zaxby’s chicken, met with the Heart Strings Society, played Apples to Apples with Jon and Daniel, relished in a late-night music party at my parent’s house (all the kids from church came bearing instruments), toured The Bank, applied Vintage contact paper to my front door and listened to the delicious music of: The Critics, The Afters and Matthew & Liz Bailey.

In other news, it’s 1 ½ weeks until Ben & Kerry’s wedding, Tim and Craig spent Saturday night and Sunday morning with us after a trip to orientation at Trevecca University, it’s 199 days until Daniel and I get married, I’ve made a darling new friend named Jerica, the ground breaking for the New Building has finally happened, I might be getting a puppy in 6 weeks (the litter was born on July 4), and it’s just about a week until Daniel’s family will be visiting in The Valley (I miss them).

So, fingerprints everywhere. Overwhelmed, yet excited.

Posted in The Everyday, The Friends | Comments Closed

elsa, the laptop, exceeds my limitations.

Wednesday, June 8th, 2005

It’s official. I’ve crossed over to the other side. And I’ve heard that once you make this choice- there is NO going back.

And now I’m wondering why it took me so long.

Elsa, my new PowerBook G4, is certainly among the Best Things I’ve Ever Bought. But I would also add my red kitchen dish drainer to that list. So that’s not saying much.

So, you can understand why I haven’t found much time to write lately. I’m in the middle of beefing up iTunes, copying old Cliffy files, arranging photos and learning Dreamweaver.

And early in the morning, I’ve been practicing guitar. (I convinced Daniel that leaving his guitar here was better for both of us. I might have used some sort of phrase such as “what’s yours is going to become mine anyway.” But oddly enough, the minute he decided to leave his guitar here- he’s playing ALL the time. It’s cute. I’ll walk into the kitchen and find him on my couch just belting out serious music.) My fingers are becoming numb again, I’m slowly remembering chords, and I can’t wait to play that funky version of This Little Light of Mine in a few weeks.

In other weird news, I’ve become a Star Wars fan. I’ve seen the last three episodes now and I know three things: George Lucas probably never envisioned Star Wars as being “cute” but that’s the word I’m using at the moment, I would give anything to have my own little R2-D2 that beeps and squeaks whenever he’s wiggly, and I have better hair that Princess Leia.

And for those of you who are interested (or curious), the wedding plans are going well. I’m in the middle of deciding between what meats I want carved at the reception, if there will be lights in the trees that night, what types of candy are going on the candy buffet, and much more. There’s also a small bit of concern that our wedding is going to look like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. (We are having evergreen trees with white lights scattered about the church as well as tall iron lampposts. I hope I don’t start laughing when I walk down the aisle. Hmm. Maybe I should ride in on a sleigh (the whole winter theme and all). 😉

Lastly, if you are a fan of Norah Jones, you really should put “I Don’t Want to Get Over You” on repeat.

Posted in The Everyday | Comments Closed

it scoops us up and makes us brave.

Saturday, May 28th, 2005

In a very God-oriented, amazing and exceptionally wonderful set of events- a door I thought was long closed is opening again. I stand here, not proud or relieved, but humbled. There isn’t any part of this that makes sense but I should know better than to expect a set of blueprints from the Lord. His love is ever-present and surprising. His tender mercies, they have spilled into my soul.

I’ve walked into some dark places with some very dear people, and then back into the sunlight. And they, with me…His love is not at all passive. It is so relentless in its pursuit of our terrified hearts. The love of God will hunt you down until you finally spin around in exasperation (“okaaaaaay!!!”) and admit how cherished you are. It gives our stories context and hope when somebody else recklessly rips out a chapter. It fills in our blanks. The love of God hoists us up on the shoulders of Jesus and hollers out the promise of St. Paul. “I can do ALL things through Christ, who gives me strength!”

– Nicole Nordeman

Posted in The Everyday, The Journey | Comments Closed

ode to the smoke alarm.

Tuesday, May 24th, 2005

It was early when you woke me
No bird had found its voice
I piled the pillows on my head
In hopes to drown your noise

With bitter grumbling, I got up
To see what I should do
And found that what would hush your noise
Was not a sledgehammer or shoe

And even though I’ve taken out
Your dying battery
You still manage to shrilly beep
While thinking that you sing

Posted in The Everyday | Comments Closed

on the far side of the sea.

Sunday, May 22nd, 2005

When I wake up early on a Sunday morning, it feels like I have a few “secret” hours to myself. I raise the blinds, turn up the music, spread out the bagels and juice, and write.

The Secret Hours started at 7am this morning and I’m quite shocked that my eyes were able to open then. Since Friday night, I’ve played over 9 ½ hours worth of Triopoly with a group of Very Fun People. That alone almost fried my brain. Oh, and the game isn’t over yet. It’s still set up in case we find time to finish it this week. (I am recovering from having to mortgage all my properties and planning on coming back to attack them all! Ahem.)

This early morning time is something I cherish. It feels as though I’m setting the stage for my day. Some mornings I feel content and ready to face the day. But there are also times when I feel a bit lost. As though the darkness of the night was too black.

But I remind myself of what a shepherd boy once wrote. He, who was use to being all alone in the hills while watching his flock, wrote of the Presence.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10

It’s a sobering and amazing thought that God walks with me wherever I go. He can walk into my dreams, break through my fears, and reach me through confusion.