welcome back

God has been teaching me a lot about relationships in the last few months. I have been struck by His goodness, willingness, and desire to restore certain relationships in my life that I had given up on. You yourself may have personally experience a time when for one reason or another, some kind of relationship was severed. It probably wasn't comfortable, it probably wasn't a mutual decision, and it probably left an ache and/or festering somewhere within your heart. Or maybe you just lost touch with someone- simply having drifted in different directions.

Whatever the case, if you ever think a relationship is beyond repair, take heart. If you ever assume that you'll never have a certain relationship again- don't be so sure. God's plan for us is one that involves a continual refining of our hearts and minds so that we become more like Him. And if that refining has anything to do with a past relationship, I think He is going to bring that relationship back to us, in one way or another. Forgiveness and restoration are worth it, anger and resentment are not. Thankful today for my God who gives second chances to relationships.

bright idea

How whimsical, intriguing, and unexpected are these light fixtures? Here's to new, interesting, and illuminating ideas....(haha)

Andromeda Lighting

my kind of gossip

I am a wee bit obsessed with the CW show Gossip Girl. My roommate and I got DVR just so we would never miss an episode and we even sometimes discuss the characters and their problems like they are real people. On top of the over the top drama and witty banter, the fashion on the show is out of this world- or at least Waco world. Preppy doesn't even begin to classify Mr. Chuck Bass, I sigh at the sight of each and every one of Blair's headbands, little J Humphrey is the young fashion ingenue many girls wish they were, and Serena is the envy of all. It's an absolute feast for the eyes as these Upper East Siders take to the small screen every Monday night.

freedom: a poem

Freedom
by Paul Eluard
(translated into English)

On my workbooks
On my desk and trees
On the sand on the snow
I write your name

On all pages read
On all the white pages
Stone paper blood or ash
I write your name

On the golden images
On the weapons of warriors
On the crown of kings
I write your name

On the jungle on the desert
On the nests on the brooms
On the echo of my childhood
I write your name

On the wonders of night
On the day’s white bread
On the engaged seasons
I write your name

On all my sapphire cloth
On the pond sun mold
On the lake living moon
I write your name

On the fields on the horizon
On the wings of birds
On the windmill of shadows
I write your name

On each meal of dawn
On the sea on the boats
On the mad mountain
I write your name

On the fluff of clouds
On the sweat of storms
On the rain deep and drab
I write your name

On the twinkling shapes
On the clocks of colors
On the true shape
I write your name

On the awoken path
On the displayed routes
On the places that jut out
I write your name

On the lamp that aluminates itself
On the lamp that blows itself out
On my reunited homes
I write your name

On the fruit cut in two
The mirror in my room
On my empty bed
I write your name

On my greedy dog
On his pricked ears
On his awkward paws
I write your name

On the stepping stone of my door
On the familiar objects
On the flood of blessed passion
I write your name

On all my given flesh
On the foreheads of my friends
On each hand held
I write your name

On the surprise windowpanes
On the waiting lips
Well above the silence
I write your name

On my destroyed refuges
On my faded lighthouse
On the walls of my worry
I will write your name

On the absence of desire
On the naked solitude
On the walks of death
I will write your name

On the returned health
On the vanished risk
On the hope without remembering
I will write your name

And by the power of a word
I begin again my life
I was born to know you
To name you

Freedom.



It is for freedom that Christ has set us free... Galations 5:1

getting on the bus

Yesterday, a wonderful friend went for her dream. She is applying to appear on Extreme Makeover Home Edition as a designer and as a part of her application, wanted to make a video to show the people at Extreme Makeover exactly how much she wants this.

So picture this: a gorgeous afternoon on Baylor campus. A crowd of sixty or seventy students with balloons and signs cheering on the side of the street. A chant of "Lisa, get on that bus" (a la "Move that Bus"). Then one of Baylor's giant campus tour buses rolling down the street with Lisa waving from the open door. President Garland even happened to stroll out of Pat Neff just in time to make an appearance in the filming. You better believe a Sic'em was thrown in the mix too.

So much love and excitement in that scene- all because of Lisa's dream and her willingness to chase after that bus- with all she has.

For many people I know (including myself), a bus of their very own will be coming in the somewhat near future. I just learned yesterday about another friend who will be moving to Austin after graduation. Plans are starting to form. Routes being drawn. Where in the world will my bus be headed? I have no idea, but thoughts and dreams are beginning to sprout up.

Baylor, my bus may be on it's way, but it's nice to know that for at least a few more months, I'm staying right here.

Girl got on that bus!

*Photos by Ryan Brinson*