Delicate Balance

Only one of the many reasons Sandra McCracken is my favorite artist.

An excerpt from a recent interview:

"As an artist, I think it’s appropriate to ask challenging questions or to open the door for people to ask their own challenging questions without feeling like you have to answer them or tie it all up neatly in a bow. I’m very conscious of the idea that there is a thread of hope that runs even in the darkest fabrics. I want to put that in there because in our season in life - where we are as a culture and in the world - I think cynicism can take over so easily. As a follower of Jesus, even, I try to weave that thread of hope into these songs and words. Hope is like a muscle we exercise; we choose to believe in these moments that these things will be made right. This is what we hope for. It’s like a new freedom to allow your heart to be broken because if you didn’t have hope, that would just be a bottomless pit. Those two things have a delicate balance, where we find ourselves living somewhere between the brokenness and the hope."

I highly recommend reading the whole interview
Part 1
Part 2

Lovely - a bake shop

There are some places that just have the right atmosphere.

I have found the most wonderful coffee shop in the world. I would bike by it every day on my way into work and it just looked so inviting.

It has become/will become my Saturday afternoon routine to go and sit and watch and enjoy and drink and relax and read/study Isaiah.

It is so vintage wonderful! It’s the kind of place that you walk into and think to yourself, if I were to design a bakery/coffee shop, this is what I would want it to look/feel/be like.

And it's not just a girly cafe. They play great music (think 80's meets indie and good). All of the tables have mismatching chairs. They sell vintage aprons. They have a bar to sit at. Bottomless coffee. Did I mention that they serve Intelligentsia?

I am so thankful for such a perfect place so close to home.

So... Come to Chicago and visit me?

Rainy Day Reflections

What I am Learning about Myself…

I don’t like not being great at things.

A simple statement. Maybe even sounds like a good thing, but it can play out in a myriad of ways that are not so good.

Let me explain... I don’t do things that I want to do or should do because I can’t do them with the excellence I think they demand.

So...

I am scared to post blogs because I don’t feel I have the time, creativity, artistic flair to make it worthwhile.

I am a culprit of not returning friend’s phone calls because it’s just been so long since catching up and the 20 minutes I have won’t be enough.

I don’t write that e mail/send that note because just a paragraph won’t be enough.

I don’t start that art project because the outcome be anything to write home about- instead of just enjoying the process and joy of creating.

I place all of these standards and expectations on myself that I can’t possibly fulfill. But I fail to realize that no one is asking me to! No one is placing those expectations on my shoulders accept for myself.

Pretty elementary, I know. But realizing things about yourself for the first time or in a new way or on a different level than you had before- profound.

That’s the beginning of change.

Berryblossom White Tea Soy Misto

In the afternoon, when I am freezing at my job, this is my favorite thing to make!

Step 1: Find favorite mug
Step 2: Two bags Berryblossom White Tea (Tazo)
Step 3: Fill mug 2/3 full with boiling water- let steep 3 minutes
Step 4: Add vanilla soy
Step 5: Enjoy!!

**It’s even better at Starbucks because they steam their soy. But when confined to the office, this is still wonderful!

Home Sweet Home

Reasons Why I LOVE Where I Live:

1.When I leave for work at 7:00 (ish), people actually say good morning and smile

2. Trees and grass

3. The cutest Starbucks of all is 1 block from my front door

4. Bike lanes!!

5. My roommates- Mal and Val

6. Our front porch (and back yard)

7. Weekend farmer’s market

8. People set up hammocks, nap and read in the grass on Logan Square Blvd.

9. Close to many (not quite all) of the people I love

10. Trees and grass—(did I mention that already?)

11. I actually know one of my neighbors

12. I can leave my window open at night and not hear a single siren or drunk person shouting

13. “Family” dinners

14. Although I really am not all sure about what is next, I do know that for this season, this is exactly where the Lord wants me and where I need to be.

Heart so full

Have you ever experienced such generosity, you did not even know how to respond?

Has someone ever done something so kind, that you were at a loss as to how to even communicate thanks?

Has someone known and loved you so well that they gave you something that only you would find so precious?

You know how some things are so special that you are hesitant to try and put words to the experience because you are afraid that it would only diminish how special it is? That somehow, words would take away from its meaningfulness.

So many feelings:
Shock

Surprise

Delight
Amazement

Humility
UnbeliefGratitude
Glee!

I am overwhelmed—in the best sense of the word—by another’s thoughtfulness and kindness.

SO undeserved!