One in 8 Million

I ran across this website a few days ago.

One in 8 Million - New York Characters in Sound and Images






I love the uniqueness of each person, and I love the fact that they are all created by and known deeply by my Father. It makes each one feel like less of a stranger to me.

Listen to the stories and look at their pictures. I've only watched a few, but I'm so glad I did. I'm going to try and watch them all. Whoever created this website did such a beautiful job!

Beach poppy

I went to Seabrook, WA this last weekend with the gals. It was so lovely.

Words

This is one of the more sweetly convicting songs I've heard, and such a good reminder of the power of my words.

You have a choice
You have a choice to make
Are you gonna speak life
Or break the back of your brother?
Are you gonna lift up?
Or are you gonna choose to curse each other?
'Cause it's our greatest weapon
In His image you were made
You have a choice
You have a choice to make
Life or death
Blessing or cursing
Hope or doubt
Faith or fear
Purpose or confusion
Love or hate
It's your choice to make

April, May

Oh man. April, May's Fall 2011 line is gorgeous.

Jungle vs. Woods

Sometimes, when the Holy Spirit is speaking to me, I hear Him right as I'm waking up, in the in-between.

About two months ago I woke up to one of His rhetorical questions, and I've been thinking about it again today.

Would you rather be at peace in the jungle or lost in the woods?

I could come up with a my answer, with good reasons and guesses as to what He means, but I don't think that's the point. I think He wants me to let the question settle in deep. And I think He wants to use it someway, either to point to my future, or to confirm my past. Or to just let me sit in the tension of it, which He loves and I don't love so much, and let it create a deeper trust in me.

So I'll settle into the tension today, and watch Him fashion my life, and confirm my belonging to Him, no matter what it looks like, jungle or woods.

Listener

I woke up with this going through my head.

everything falls apart at the exact same time
that it all comes together perfectly for the next step

His voice is a hard one to forget. I saw this video a couple times a few weeks ago, and for some reason it didn't reappear in my memory until today.

The lyrics are too much to quote, and I can't pick my favorites, so here they are, all of them.

Secrets are My Fave, Part 2

I got another installment of mystery flowers yesterday: this time, dahlias!


Except it's not a mystery anymore. They were from a client's garden. :) How sweet is that?!

Pretty darn sweet if you ask me.

Summer Solstice

"Close your eyes and follow God." [Fenelon]

One day, several weeks ago, I was convinced that a relationship with Jeff would never work. And the next day, God broke through all that and put him in my heart, and everything changed. My hollow reasons turned into a yes of sweet self-suicide. I realized this wasn't as much about Jeff as it was about the tight grip I had on my life.

That day, as the Holy Spirit made His way past my senses, as He unlocked my fearful heart and reminded me who I am, and as He whispered His promises to me, I became compelled to put away my sight, not taking into account what I do or don't see with my natural eyes. I made a decision that I wouldn't be ruled by my own preferences or passing feelings, reaping the bitterness of my own appetite. I'd be giving myself too much credit by saying I just made up my mind to say yes, because my heart change was simply a work of the Holy Spirit - it was a work that was born of pure faith and a sovereign gift from God. I know this.

"...she received a special assurance from God. What God did in this case made it perfectly plain that His purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by His decision, flowing steadily from his initiative." [Romans 9:11,12]

So it suddenly all became very simple: let go of the life I think is mine, reject fear, embrace His wild plan for me and hang on for the ride. And say yes to Jeff.

"But God is greater than our hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves." [1 John 3:18]

I'll spare you the details, except to say this: I'm thrilled to be on this journey with my dear friend Jeffrey. I respect and trust him. I love to be with him, and when I'm not with him, I miss him. He's kind and thoughful. He's full of strength and conviction and depth. He makes me laugh so hard. He's a maze of brilliance. He adds so much value to my life. And he's given me a place my heart can safely land.


"Full of peace and safety, adventure wasn't missing. It pulled through every fiber forming the rugged hills and delicate wildflowers. It existed as an integral part of the peace, and now I could identify it. God's spirit made me safe on the cliffhanging adventure of growing close to the Maker of the universe, the ultimate hand holding my small life." [Perpetua]

The field surrounding Clise Mansion - the place everything changed.

my lazy lunch

Falling asleep on a public park bench in the sun always makes for interesting dreams.

What do you love?

Kinda cool.

I said "secret passages".

we can start moving forward

I like everything about this.

Love's Definition

This song has rocked me since the first time I heard it, but especially lately.

greens and blues

The calendar said it was summer, and I believed it.

So I drove until I found a nice, wide stretch of grass.

I found the perfect spot.

Under a tree.

And as I laid there curled up under the canopy I realized: I find Jesus the most in my failures, mess-ups and weaknesses. When I recognize my sin, I recognize Him even more.

John Charles

I can't remember the last time I called my dad to chat, but I did tonight. He'd been on my mind all day.

It was a sweet, sweet talk. He's so much softer then he ever was when I was a kid. I guess time and pain and weakness change your perspective on life.

I found out that he hiked Mt. Olympus in his younger years (in the Olympics). He could talk about his hiking adventures all night, and I'd do anything to hear his voice so I asked as many dumb questions I could think of to keep him going. The hike to the base of Blue Glacier took 4 days down the Ho River, through fields of wildflowers and rainforests, until they got to where they camped on top of the glacier. He said he could hear the glacier creaking and cracking while they slept. Then they summited. No big deal.

Apparently he's also a fan of horse races. News to me.

And he told me he thinks I'm so smart, and he wished he told me that a long time ago. Oh, dad...

At one point, he told me he used to be a runner. I never knew that! I said "Dad, I'm half you. I love hiking and being outside and playing sports and running because of you. Mom never liked that kind of thing." I think it made him happy to hear that. I love that I'm my dad's daughter.

Here he is, helping me waddle along. Doesn't he have great hair and great forearms?

He's still in pretty good shape. He rode his bike 20 miles just yesterday. I think it's cute to picture him peddling along, because he never rode a bike when I was growing up.

I found some photos from the day he & my mom married. He's so handsome to me. And my mom has awesome legs!! (Side note: she made her own wedding dress. Go mama.)

People were always naturally drawn to him.

Just look at him.... I would've fell for him too. Again, go mom. She knew what was up. She is PUMPED - look at her face!

Some things I got from my dad: my smile, my prankster ways, my ability to put people at ease, my love for nature, my impatience, my desire to be loved, my simple-mindedness and my love for beer.

Happy Fathers Day, Daddio. You are so loved, by your daughter, who is half you.

Francoise Nielly

The man is amazing.

I want to understand the shadows and terrain of the face like he does.

What once was lost...

...now is found.

Kill the fatted calf!! I found my ring!

Seriously - this is a big deal. My little sis the silversmith made me this silver ring and set it with a citrine gemstone. (Say that sentence 10 times really fast.) Lately, if I think about how I misplaced it, I'd get this little stab of sadness, picturing it in some field or parking lot or on some strange girls hand.

I was doing a deep-clean of my room tonight, organizing important papers, putting my paintings in a safe place, and assorting my lip gloss by color...when I found it. What a relief. It's a ring I hope to have forever.



Ignore my alien hand.

Secrets are My Fave

Someone out there is a real sweet person. I got back from lunch today and found these two peonies on my desk. They're huge, and they smell so lovely! No one seems to know where they came from. And honestly, I don't want to know. I like wondering. And I like knowing that someone else out there has a secret to keep...that they gave flowers to a girl today, and she doesn't know where they came from.

Which reminds me of an encouraging word my friend James gave me last summer:

"You are the fragrance of God. You permeate darkness and penetrate the unmoving. With gentleness like a wind, a breeze, you fell great borders and stone gates. You are His scent. You smell like Him. You awaken the vivid memories that turn hearts, bring tears and take us back to the moment of first love."

truth for me today

finding my heart now

peonies on my desk

I wish they never died and fell to pieces.

Fierce was the Wild Billow

Fierce was the billow wild, dark was the night;

oars labored heavily, foam glimmered white.

Trembled the mariners, peril was nigh;

then said the God of God, "Peace: it is I."

Ridge of the mountain wave, lower thy crest;

wail of the tempest wind, be thou at rest.

Sorrow can never be, darkness must fly,

where saith the Light of light, "Peace: it is I."

Jesus, Deliverer, come thou to me;

soothe thou my voyaging over life's sea;

thou, when the storm of death roars sweeping by,

whisper, O Truth of truth, "Peace: it is I."

Best Camera Challenge Results

Last January I entered a photo contest with some of my iphone favsies. You can see my entries here. If you have some time to check out others entries, do it - you won't be disappointed.

The winners were just announced, and sadly I wasn't one of them. Still, I was so inspired by everyone else.

Here is the winners gallery!

My particular favorites are Merit Award Winners Jayms Ramirez and Michael DeAngelis, and Places Winner Philip Drucker.

Congratulations everyone!

Chisel Me

Pastor Norm ended yesterdays talk with this video.
Ahh, I can so relate.

Sometimes this is all I can say.

Accident

Here's a watercolor I did a few months ago that was completely accidental. I was working on a flower, got bored and started a face. The way it ended up looks like the flower is meant to be in her hair, but they started out completely separate.

I want to get really good at faces and expressions.

Who is John Galt?

I've been making my way through a very well-worn Atlas Shrugged (on page 188 of 1084), and Ayn Rand is blowing my mind. What an incredible writer.

Some excerpts that need no context:
_________________________

He glanced at her and did not answer. Then he said, "I like cigarettes, Miss Taggart. I like to think of fire held in a man's hand. Fire, a dangerous force, tamed at his fingertips. I often wonder about the hours when a man sits alone, watching the smoke of a cigarette, thinking. I wonder what great things have come from such hours. When a man thinks, there is a spot of fire alive in his mind - and it is proper that he should have the burning point of a cigarette as his one expression."
_________________________

"Francisco, you're some kind of very high nobility, aren't you?"

He answered, "Not yet. The reason my family has lasted for such a long time is that none of us has ever been permitted to think he is born a d'Aconia. We are expected to become one."

He pronounced his name as if he wished his listeners to be struck in the face and knighted by the sound of it.
_________________________

"Francisco, what's the most depraved type of human being?"

"A man without a purpose."
_________________________

The three of them set out every morning on adventures of their own kind. Once, an elderly professor of literature, Mrs. Taggart's friend, saw them on top of a pile in a junk yard, dismantling the carcass of an automobile. He stopped, shook his head and said to Francisco, "A young man of your position ought to spend his time in libraries, absorbing the culture of the world."

"What do you think I'm doing?" asked Francisco.
_________________________

And I just found out there's a movie coming out. The book was published in 1957, but I love that the story is timeless enough to create the film in a modern setting, 50+ years later. She was ahead of her time. I can't wait to see the movie, but I want to finish the book first.

May Day Clean at Heritage Park

Home

I can't wait to sing with my kids someday!
This video melts me every time.



I've seen this a few times, and I just now noticed that at 1:48, she says "One day I'm gonna whistle??"...too cute.

As a kid, my favorite song to sing with my stepdad was Dance, Dance, Dance by The Steve Miller Band. He'd get out his 12-string every night. I'm pretty sure he's one of the main reasons I love music so much. So I look forward to times like that with my kids. (And they won't care how bad my guitar playing is.)

Here's the original Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.

Me. U2. Qwest Field. June 4th.

"U2 is not a rock band really.. I dont think so, I think its like we're a folk band or something. The LOUDEST folk band in the world... but once in a while.. there's a song, that makes you want to burn the house to the ground." - Bono

I'll be there.
And I'm seriously pumped.

Yeeeee!

Sweet Song

And sweet light through the trees.

And sweet lyrics...

"I just want adobe slabs and four walls for my boys."

Uhhh...

...somehow I deleted my blog template.

%&$@#!!!

So sorry, friends. I'll be working on it the next couple of days and hopefully make it into something you'll enjoy looking at.

Meanwhile, I leave you with this happy song sung by a girl named Rosie who loves bonfires and bike rides and dancing. (uh, me?!)

Wallace Falls

Saturday morning, some girlfriends and I had a nice little hike up to Wallace Falls. I recommend it if you want a day hike with gorgeous views of falling water and lots of moss-covered trees.

Firsts

This week was full of firsts for me, in no particular order...

I ran my first 5k! To some of you, that might not seem like much, but to me, it was a great accomplishment. I run alot, but it's usually a private matter: it's time alone with God; shaking the cares of the day off; sometimes tears; face into the wind; pounding my frustrations into the pavement; people-watching in the rain.

This was different since it was with 100 more people. I really liked the feeling of the healthy competition. I pushed myself harder than I normally would've.




I turned 31. I've never been 31! So that was a first. :)

And I came home this week to a birthday gift on my front porch: Ms. Pac-Man...the mini arcade game! I plan to conquer this thing!




For my birthday, my girls took me out to French food at La Grand Bistro Americain and I had my FIRST EVER champagne lemon drop. Then I had another, so it was no longer a first. But just as amazing!

Listen to me right now. Try it.

Don't question me.

Just do it.




This next picture has nothing to do with a first, but definitely worth a post.

Just look at those sweet eyes. :)




I've been to M's games many times, but this was my first time in the front row.

Picture this: Ichiro, kicked back, sipping a cold beer, crackin' jokes, not a care in the world.

That's basically what it was like. I was that close! Except he was in uniform, about 50 feet away, totally ignoring me because his head was where it should've been: in the game.




I met a terrorist for the first time - named Bob. He had a knife and was very threatening.






I went to my first meeting at the Kirkland Arts Center as the newest Community Leader. Don't ask me what that means yet. But can a girl still be excited?




And lastly, I got my first pair of original Ray Ban's. Doesn't get more classic than that! I love them!

Kirkland Arts Center

I took this photo on a walk this morning with Connie.

There's an opportunity for me to get involved with the Kirkland Arts Center, so we'll see what happens. But I love art, and I love Kirkland. It just makes sense. More to come...

Gone Home

David Wilkerson, a great man of God died today.

As a little girl, I remember reading The Cross and the Switchblade comic book and being fascinated by his story and his willingness to give his life up for the lost and broken. I remember how he so fearlessly gave love away, all for the cause of Truth.

But today, at age 79, he went to be with his Creator.

You can read about it here.

Here's his most recent blog post from just yesterday.

And here's a powerful sermon he preached recently.

The Big Time

Hi guys & gals.
Remember this old picture from my stock photography archives?



Well...it made it into The Colbert Report in March. How hilarious is that?

I can't find the full episode on Hulu anymore, but the clip I'm in made it to the Colbert Nation website.

Check it out here. I'm 43 seconds in. It's easy to miss, so look closely.

[Special thanks to Danette V.W. for spotting me and leaving me a voicemail telling me about her find: "ROSEANNE RUIZ....You are going to crap your pants...!"]

Wings

Walking out on our back hill tonight, this is what Jen and I found. We looked up and there it was! A wild and beautiful sky.

“In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
The earth trembled and quaked,
the foundations of the heavens shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his canopy around him—
the dark rain clouds of the sky.
Out of the brightness of his presence
bolts of lightning blazed forth.
The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy,
with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at the rebuke of the LORD,
at the blast of breath from his nostrils.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.

2 Samuel 22:7-20

ships are launching from my chest

Great filming with an equally great soundtrack makes me want to do things I've never wanted to do....like do 360's on a mountain bike.

Check it out.

Forestry

I'd like it if my running route looked a little more like this.


This would do too.

With the Last of the Mohican's soundtrack on repeat.


{found here and here}

Today...I would go to the Seychelle islands.

{found here}

My Latest Watercolor

I painted this little lady for the CCA auction.


Filtered photo.

I know I'm 30, but I still want one.

Found here.

The Great Divorce, page 134.

{Rattlesnake Ridge//7:30am}


The Happy Trinity is her home: nothing can trouble her joy.
She is the bird that evades every net: the wind deer that leaps every pitfall.
Like the mother bird to its chickens or a shield to the arm'd knight: so is the Lord to her mind, in His unchanging lucidity.
Bogies will not scare her in the dark: bullets will not frighten her in the day.
Falsehoods tricked out as truths assail her in vain: she sees through the lie as if it were glass.
The invisible germ will not harm her: nor yet the glittering sun-stroke.
A thousand fail to solve the problem, ten thousand choose the wrong turning: but she passes safely through.
He details immortal gods to attend her: upon every road where she must travel.
They take her hand at hard places: she will not stub her toes in the dark.
She may walk among Lions and rattlesnakes: among dinosaurs and nurseries of lionets.
He fills her brim-full with immensity of life: he leads her to see the worlds desire.

by C.S. Lewis