Perks & Benefits

This might not be one of my job "benefits," but it's undoubtedly a perk and I always benefit from it - 

today is a SNOW DAY!!!

It's our first of the 2007-08 school year and it couldn't have come on a better day. Well, except maybe a Friday. Or a Monday. Or both. 

Whatever, the point is, thank you Jesus! Today's day off gave me extra sleep, and extra time to do a host of random, nagging errands and things that I "have been meaning to do" (but of course haven't). I even had time to make a list* of things I have to do. Annnnnnnnnd that is what I should get back to doing. Maybe I'll get down to the part of my list marked, "Blog with depth." Heehee.

*something I LOVE to do. lists of any kind = satisfying & helpful.

Life Imitates Art?

Have we seen this movie before? I vote we send a team of rag-tag oil drillers up to the satellite and have them blow it up before it gets too close to earth and comes plummeting through our atmosphere in one large, uncontrollable, chunk.

Seriously, my favorite part of the article was:
He would not comment on whether it is possible for the satellite to be perhaps shot down by a missile. He said it would be inappropriate to discuss any specifics at this time.
Did some reporter propose this at the press conference?

My second-favorite part was:
In 2002, officials believe debris from a 7,000-pound science satellite smacked into the Earth's atmosphere and rained down over the Persian Gulf, a few thousand miles from where they first predicted it would plummet.
Faithfully proving the skeptical saying, "Close enough for government work."

**Added 1.31.2008:
Things just got crazier. Now we're talking Donnie Darko.

I'm a Bronze Medalist!

Sort of...

My school is pretty awesome. Go Panthers!

Stormy Weather

It is currently 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and there have been a string of thunderstorms pushing through the area all night. The high today was 65.

Did I mention it is January 7?! 

Only in Michigan.

(Which is why you should move here, Em. Or any other friend who might be reading this.)

Resolute in 2008

I was tagged by a friend to share my 2008 resolutions. It's funny that she tagged me because I had been thinking about whether or not I was going to formalize any definite resolutions for myself this year. On the one hand, resolutions can be a list of things we should be doing anyway, but slacked off or gave up on them at some point the last year. On the other hand, a new year can bring out a great desire to start fresh and not be tainted or corrupted by the bad habits that seem to set in unintentionally. 

With all that said, I resolve to:

• Pray Without Ceasing. I want to go deeper, acknowledging Christ in everything I do. I want to "practice the presence of God."

• Read More. My goal is to read 10 books this year, 6 by July 1. (No, not picture books.) I'm starting with this one.

• Regularly Practice Creativity. By disciplining myself to use the skills and the brain God has given me for 1 hour a week, I aim to allow the Holy Spirit time to fill me up and enrich my life via various forms of creativity. 

• Enhance My Understanding of Photography. Though it's possible to learn a lot through practice and experimentation, I think it's time I further my education related to photography. It has intrigued me and I remain interested in pursuing it, to see how I can get better at it and how the Lord can be glorified in it. I'll either take a class or look into some type of apprenticeship.

• Establish a Budget (& Stick to It). I am at a point in my life where I have a regular paying job and have to be a responsible steward of God's money & gifts. I hope to establish a basic living budget and develop a lifestyle of humble living and giving to those in need. You can't take it with you!

In posting my resolutions publicly, I hereby give you, the reader, permission to hold me accountable to my intentions. Please feel free to check on me, keep me in check, call me out, and encourage me as I seek more of Christ's Kingdom in 2008.

Meanwhile, I hope Jesus comes back tomorrow and finds us hard @ work.

P.S. It's a little late now, so I won't be tagging anybody to share their resolutions. The buck stops here.

P.S. I'm Obsessed

With my new fish-eye lens.

Sorry!

Snowy (not Puppy) Surprise

It snowed. And snowed. And snowed.

And by Monday it will be 50 degrees.

We weren't expecting much in the way of inches over the New Year, but it is gorgeous. There is a pristine blanket of snow over everything. My camera loves the contrast and I love the eye candy! Tomorrow morning a friend and I are going to go out on a photojournalism excursion. I can hardly wait (hence this post @ 11:39 p.m.).

As I thought about the forthcoming 30-degree temperature swing and the complete change of the weather, I was really struck by the sweetness of God's surprises. I love the seasons of life He gives us, but the way He surprises us within the expectations of each season is pretty amazing, and all His. As my relationship with Jesus has come to be more real to me - and less about the rules I had chained myself to in the past - it's become apparent that He cannot be put in a box. Just when I think He will be working in one way in my life (and thus start to take the reigns over, "I can take it from here, thanks..."), He throws in a striking surprise. The surprise is a small gift that reminds me of Jesus' sovereignty and personality; it doesn't necessarily mean a change in season has to happen, but an unexpected surprise within that season can penetrate my humanity and create an understanding of His will in any area that I might be lacking.

All this from about a foot of snow.

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!

   

Farmhouse-Sitting

I am house-sitting for a family from church, the Abbotts. Actually, I'm small farm-sitting. Mr. Abbott works a 9-5, and his wife and kids tend a huge garden, keep bees, raise 12 goats and 20-some chickens, and generate homemade products from all of their livestock and agriculture. Thankfully I don't have to milk the goats (I tried, I'm too slow) or have anything to do with the garden (I can't even keep a real houseplant), but this is quite a taste of farm life for me!

Reasons Why I am Grateful God Has Not Made Me a Farmer:
5:55a: Alarm goes off; I hit "snooze."


6:00a: Snooze alarm goes off, I hit "snooze" again, this time with guilt.

6:02a: I feel equal parts guilty and angry that I am up so early and get out of bed, then dressed in my chore clothes. I hear a rooster crowing.


Big ol' boots
6:10a: I strap on Mr. Abbott's boots and let the dogs out of the garage for the day.

Vanilla & Cocoa, jealous sisters

6:15a: The goats are screaming at me as soon as I turn the barn light on; I feed all 9 goats, empty the leftover water and refill the buckets, cover their "berries" (I know, I hate that term too) with hay, and give them fresh veggie treats.
A neighbor arrives to milk 4 of the goats.



Peg Leg & her twin

6:35a: I clean the barncat's litter, then refill her food & water. It's been 5 days and I've still never seen her, but she keeps leaving me her messes to clean up and eating the food I leave for her, so I'm holding out for a sighting.

6:40a: Get ready for work.

6:45a: Strain the goatmilk, put it in the freezer, and sanitize the milk pail and jugs.

It is illegal to sell goat milk in the state of Michigan.

7:05a: Leave for work.

6:30p: Return from work.

6:35p: Feed, water, clean & check the goats. Neighbor milks 4 goats.

7:00p: Strain the goatmilk, put it in the freezer, and sanitize the milk pail and jugs.


7:15p: Warily go out to the chicken yard, close up the hen house if all chickens are inside. Collect eggs.

The All-Seeing Eye

7:30p: Seperate eggs into cartons.

Fresh, free-range chicken eggs of every variety.

7:35p: Prepare dinner & eat it.

There are shelves and freezers full of homemade salsa from homegrown veggies.

10:00p: Call it a day! (Repeat the next day.)


As if the 12 goats, 20-some chickens, beehives, two dogs, and cat weren't enough to keep the Abbotts busy, they manage to homeschool the four children and have a complete line of organic honey/soaps/ lip balms/ lotions that they market & sell.