See-thru

Love is the only thing on earth that lets us see each other with the remotest accuracy.

-Martha Beck

Why are we all so darn afraid of letting other see in?

Unafraid.

Today I followed some sweet leadership,

and I did my devotions on a dock in the Ozarks.

I was inspired by the boats

and the wind

and the sound of the waves,

and the dad who walked behind me saying to his son,

"look, can you imagine walking on water?"

so I read that crazy part in Matthew,

where Jesus walks on the water

during a storm.

It seemed so much more doable on flannel board.

But I just love the words Jesus' speaks to the frightened disciples,

"Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid." Matt. 14:27

Rest in that.

Currently

In case you are confused by my random quotes and Bible verses,

Let me get you caught up on

who I am and

where I am

Currently...

{Because context is everything}

I am...

...living in my hometown,

but not at my home.

...recovering from a sickness I retrieved in Panama.

...spending every morning with the same 10 people,

learning how to live a disciplined and discipled life.

...reading "Radical" by David Platt,

and actually wrestling with the words

instead of just accepting them.

...realizing that in God's strength I can do anything,

even teach 3rd and 4th grade girls Sunday School.

...becoming talented in the art of Ultimate 4-Square.

....(also) reading "Spiritual Parenting" by Michelle Anthony

because I believe in family.

...seeing & experiencing what Godly men look like.

...discovering that I can only limit myself,

because God's plans are always better than mine.

...writing a book about love,

because we are all called to actually love,

not just pretend to love (Romans 12:9).

Sick.

Yesterday I drove an hour (without getting lost, thanks to a talking GPS!)

to spend the morning with my grandpa.

He had been thinking about what we should do for the day,

so he took me shopping. Antique shopping.

You've probably guessed it by now.

My grandpa is dying.

I mean, we all are,

He's just on a fast track.

(But then, he always was-he's an amazing runner).

But that's the most amazing part.

You would never know.

He is the most positive, lovely man I know.

He spent the day giving to me.

Gifts, time, macaroni and cheese,

A running watch.

An article about running back when he was in in the KC Star

(told you so).

And I spent the day memorizing,

the way he breathes when he hugs me,

his arm in mine,

his singer's voice.

If you need a book to read,

Read "Tuesday's with Morrie."

And when you're done,

you'll understand.

In the meantime, pray for my Grandpa.

The leukemia has moved to his right lung,

and he starts chemo again Monday.

Familiar

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow"-Lin Yutang.

I slept in my own (king size) bed last night, crammed between three of my best friends. My marvelous friends were in cahoots with my mom and planned a surprise party for me when I got home. I was completely surprised! I've always dreamed of having a surprise party, and I can't

believe it acutally happened. I was always afraid of what would happen if I ever did have a surprise party...like, would I look absolutely awful, or be wearing my pajamas? Well, I must admit that after like 20 hours of traveling and sitting in airports and lugging huge suitcases all the way across the Atlantic, I wasn't exactly put together. But it was still so so so wonderful

.

The not so wonderful part of being home is this whole jetlag thing. I woke up at 6 AM and it felt like noon. I was so productive though! I baked and I ran a few miles and I checked my facebook and I woke up my mom and made her talk to me. The worst part came at 6 pm tonight, when I felt like it was midnight. I looked like a zombie walking through Target.

But, I purchased this book, upon recomen

dation from a friend.

The movie is coming out soon, and I am so excited! See the preview here. Yes, it has Miley Cyrus in it. Oh, by the way, this is one of my favorite hobbies: reading the book and then going and watching the movie when it comes out. Usually I'm dissapointed by the movie, because my imagination does way better than Hollywood. But I actually like that. It helps me keep believing in the future of writers and the power of the imagination.