A New Year, A New Hue

Apparently, No. 18-3943 is the color of the year. How does one decide what color will represent a whole year that hasn't happened yet?
Moreover, how do I get a job on the 5-person "Color of the Year" selection committee? These people are getting paid for this.

A Light Shines in the Darkness

To think of how it could have been

If Jesus had come as He deserved

There would have been no Bethlehem

No lowly shepherds at His birth

But Joseph knew the reason

The love had to reach so far

As he held the Savior in his arms

Song: Strange Way to Save the World

By: 4Him

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

-John 1:9-13, ESV-

Movie Premier

My dad decided to oblige my mom's Christmas list and get her what she really wanted - our home videos converted to digital format & stored on DVDs. He went on to surprise her by secretly doing the conversions himself, recording them between classes at school and during athletic events he was supervising. When it came to giving her the gift, he didn't disappoint - he set up a private screening of her favorite home movie at the Performing Arts Center in the high school where he teaches (and where all of us kids attended - Ali still does).

After a family (plus one) dinner, we had my poor, nervous, sick-to-her-stomach mother put on a blindfold and drove her around in the most confusing manner, back to the school. Dad & Fred went inside and set it all up while Jake & Alison slowly walked her into the PAC. I photo-documented and giggled. Mom was completely surprised and thrilled. And the sickness subsided.

Ali, Jake, & Nervous Nellie in the car on the way to mom's surprise.



Jake & Ali get Mom out of the car - I leave the shutter open for a while to catch the action.


The blind leading the blind?


Jake & Fred walking ahead to secure the school.


Dad's silhouette, running to open the other door.

Surprise!


My proud dad, playing the converted memories.


A thank-you hug.



Jake & Ali, enjoying the embarrassing moments we captured on film FOREVER.


(I made them take these) Ali's boots.


Jake's "I can't help but look cool" shoes.


One can only wear Christmas socks one time a year, so I make the most out of mine (even though they don't match).


Fred casually (ha!) got in on the shoe-photographing party, too.

I've been elfed!
(from left to right)
Meg Topping = the coy elf
Emily Manning = the reluctant elf
Meg Gilmore = the surprised elf
Emily Nelson = the overly-exuberant elf

Sunsets & Sushi (& Surprises)

What a whirlwind weekend! I have not have so much fun packed into such a short amount of time since... last weekend. I can't deny it, this time of the year is one of my favorites. As if Christmas wasn't enough, my birthday seems to happen around the same time every year. Funny how that happens.

Here are a few shots from my "surprise" sushi dinner @ Sushiya. Sorry they're all of the food, but it was pretty. And tasty - the star roll (in the middle) was the best, but the Red Dragon was the most comely.

Anyway, I was able to see many friends & loved ones this weekend, and felt so treasured by all of them. I tell you what, some people just know how to love. And they happen to be my friends & family.

Thank you to all of you who made my night, my day, my weekend - and who have really "made my life." I can't really express what it has meant to have you as friends, but I can thank God for you because it is all to His glory and in His love that we have each other.

Blessings all mine, and 10,000 beside.

Faith, Hope & Love Abide

If you get a few moments would you please pray for my college friends Matt & Nicole Kennedy? Matt is 2 years older than me & led a mission trip that I went on (2003 Spring Break to Appalachia). Nicole hung around the art building, Wilson Hall, where I had the opportunity to meet her. They married shortly after graduating from NPU. The couple are hilarious, kind, good people who love God. They recently had their first child, a baby girl named Evangeline "Evie" Marie just before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately she was born with heart defects and they have been at the hospital ever since, going through a TON of tests, procedures, surgeries, and recovering. Evie died this week when they took her off a machine that was beating her heart for her. (see the blog they made for her)
I know it's impossible to do, but I have tried to put myself in their shoes to best of my ability and I am AMAZED, astounded at their faith, their hope, and their love for Evie & others. To think that less than a month ago they were worried about changing diapers properly and are now planning a memorial service for their little baby girl is beyond unfortunate. It is so clear, however, the maturity and the desire that God has for a deeper relationship with Him and for this couple & their baby to be used as a beacon of light. It is clear because in this cloud of uncertainty, chaos, and destruction, the very faith, hope, and love portioned for Matt & Nicole has been openly shared and distributed to all who meet, know, or love them.

This too, shall pass, but not without glory being to God and the hope of Jesus Christ being shared joyfully among a sorrowful people. Truly, 1 Corinthians 13:13 is being manifested in this situation, in this time, and in these obedient people.

Why So Serious?

This might be the most appealing "scary thing" I have ever seen. Based on this slideshow, I have never been so torn about seeing a movie.

Swedes & Sweets

After several years of wishing and hoping, I finally got to steal my dear friend Tess away to my favorite city. Tess is originally from Sweden, and I have long been amazed at the bravery and perseverance she has shown in moving to the States. She only goes home about once every two years, so whenever she finds something that reminds her of Scandinavia, it is pretty special. Our weekend was no different - we visited the Swedish neighborhoods of Chicago and took in a few sights, smells, and sweets from around the city.

Tess had visited Chicago briefly before, but had never spent much time, or had a slightly more inside perspective. I loved taking her to the Signature Lounge and shopping around State Street, I learned from her as we enjoyed the Sankta Lucia pageant at my alma mater, laughed and cried with her all weekend, ate a bunch of fantastic meals at various restaurants, shared her with another dear friend, and just had a gorgeous, God-breathed mini-vacation that was such a treat. We had an ongoing conversation throughout the whole weekend that has been a tremendous blessing and I am stunned with God's goodness.

Happy birthday to a sweet Swede & thank you for being my friend, my mentor, and my sister!

P.S. Special thanks to Gilmore (haha, I can't believe Dogbe called you that all 3 semesters!) for letting us stay with her & basically making it possible for us to visit. You have such a generous, hospitable spirit & it is not only appreciated by me but also by the Lord!

Sufjan's Best

I'll spare you the boring detail and the extravagant gush & just say that the song, Holy, Holy, Holy means a lot to me, and that Sufjan Stevens' version of it is thus far my favorite (followed closely by Phil Wickham). Stevens' arrangement is on his "Songs for Christmas" box set, the Peace disc. May it ever please the Lord.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee

There is a sign at the side of Thee

God in three persons, blessed trinity.

Holy, holy, holy, though the darkness hide Thee

Though the eye of the sinful man Thy glory may not see

Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee

Perfect in power, perfect in power, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea!

There is a sign at the side of Thee, there is none beside Thee

God in three persons, God in three persons

God in three persons, God in three persons, blessed trinity.

-Holy, Holy, Holy, arranged by Sufjan Stevens-

All the Eagles Were In the Nest

Thanksgiving Review & Other Thoughts

First of all, I added photos to an older post. Another teacher that I met at our workshop emailed her set of photos to me, so thank you Chrissy!

Secondly, I am considering making another blog, a group blog with the purpose of posting scripture that the group studies, meditates on, and prays over and posts discussion and the Lord's revelation to them. Basically, as close to a blog Bible-study as you can get. As I ponder this, I am questioning 2 things:

1. Is this a bad idea in some way? Is there a better vision for it?

2. If this isn't a bad idea, who would like to be a regular contributor?

I'm pretty sure only my friends read this, so I'd like to open it up to anybody for commenting, but have a few dedicated contributors (who would basically pray over what scripture to post every so often & commit to checking the blog, updating comments, and minimal discussion). Please respond with your interest or input.

Lastly, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know a lot of us think of the people, situations, and things we are thankful for during this time of year, and I am no different. It hit me like a ton of bricks last Thursday night, how good I have it. My portion is just right for me, and I have a beautiful inheritance in eternity. Thankfully, many of my family share in that inheritance!