Peace of Wild Things

I was feeling a little restless the past couple of days and stumbled upon this poem in a book I should turn to more often, Good Poems, compiled by Garrison Keillor. It's at times like tonight where I remember the word of  the Lord can speak in many different fashions - song, art, poetry, dance and more.  Isn't that a wonderful gift that God can't be contained? 

I think so.

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

Who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

    - Wendell Berry 

Picture Post: Catch Up

¹ It is good to praise the LORD 

   and make music to your name, O Most High, 

² proclaiming your love in the morning 

   and your faithfulness at night, 

³ to the music of the ten-stringed lyre 

   and the melody of the harp.

 ⁴ For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; 

   I sing for joy at what your hands have done. 

⁵ How great are your works, LORD, 

   how profound your thoughts! 

⁶ Senseless people do not know, 

   fools do not understand, 

⁷ that though the wicked spring up like grass 

   and all evildoers flourish, 

   they will be destroyed forever.

 ⁸ But you, LORD, are forever exalted.

Psalm 92:1-8

How embarrassing.  I haven't posted in over a week.  I thought about apologizing, but then I realized all the thing's I have done since posting my last blog:

 I've had a skype date with the cutest little girl niece and best dad.

(The rest of the family was there - this picture was priceless - look at poor Charlie the kitty!)

 Been to the park enjoying the AMAZING sun and fresh (ish) air and meeting crazy squirrels like this one, who have a fondness for goldfish.  

 Completed my Youth Ministry Leadership Initiave course, complete with a ceremony and certificate.  (You know it's official then!)  Look for more on this hopefully this weekend.  It's a long (but GOOD) story that needs sharing.

 Drooled over trying to figure out how to do this to my space...wouldn't it be AWESOME?

 Eaten the BEST (and cutest) ham sandwich ever.  And tried Pimento Cheese (and loved it!)

And taken a moment to look at the wonders our God has created.

In addition to these lovely pictures, I've also been:

-Finishing scholarship applications

- Turning in Hebrew Exegetical Papers (whew!)

- Learned how to type in Hebrew on my computer for said paper

- Filling out paperwork for returning to school

- Registering for classes (Greek Summer 2012!)

- Writing a sermon

- Working on a grant proposal for the CTS community

- Having Inter-Seminary conversations (stay tuned for more!)

- Taking time to hop on the treadmill (feeling good about this!)

- Engaging in AWESOME conversations that make my heart happy and remind my of why God has called me here to CTS

So, I've been keeping busy.  Not the overwhelming "Ican'tcatchmybreathandhavenoideahowIamgoingtosurvive" busy,

 but most sure engaged in my school work and more. 

As the school year comes to a close, I'm finding myself reflecting more and more on this year so stay tuned for some musings.  

Blessings to you all!

Prayer: Heavenly God - it IS good to praise your name.  Help us to never let that name leave our lips or our hearts.  We treasure your great works, your love for ALL your people. and the greatest gift you gave us of all, your Son. It is in your holy name we pray, Amen. 

"When God Talks Back:

Hello friends!  I am back in Atlanta safe and sound and sorely missing Texas.  Much of my day was spent creating a list of "Things I Don't Appreciate About Atlanta" (and most of it was VALID!) and then...

...I heard THIS interview on Fresh Air.  

Friends, I needed to hear this today.  Terry Gross interviewed anthropologist T. M. Luhrmann who recently published When God Talks Back.   The book is "based on an anthropological study she did at The Vineyard (an evangelical church with 600 branches across the country), Luhrmann examines the personal relationships people developed with God and explores how those relationships were cemented through the practice of prayer.

While I am not from an evangelical background, I do come from a place (a home, a church, a family) where prayer and a relationship with God are valued.  I heard in this interview some of my thoughts on God and religion intelligently articulated.

I needed to hear this today. 

A quote from the interview:

"I found it immensely moving to commit to the sense that the world is good in the face of evidence to the contrary. I find it poignant that I saw people being able to make that commitment, and it didn't seem to me in talking to people that they were naive about the terrible things that happened in their lives and in the world. But they were asserting that this was nevertheless a wonderful place to be." - Lurhmann

"When God Talks Back"

I hope you will give it a listen if you can.  You might need to hear it.

Be Glad!

  Be glad, earth and sky!

      Roar, sea, and every creature in you;

    be glad, fields, and everything in you! 

~Psalm 96 11-12

Before the crazy storms of Tuesday here in North Texas, we had a gorgeous day of sunshine and a great breeze! 

I was able to spend the day with both the Jaybird and Lil’ E as well as my sister (and some aunties!).

We had a fun day of stories, sharing, sonic, and silliness. 

And of course we read some books...

And then we headed out to the bluebonnets for a quick photo shoot! 

I have NO idea how my parents took pics with THREE of us…it was a very involved process!

So enjoyable I think for all parties…despite what the faces may look like.  

 All in all, these are sometimes the days I most look forward too…I’ll have to remember that when I’m up to my ears in schoolwork! 

Spring Break (s)

In honor of, Spring Break, I'm just photo-blogging. Being home means many things...food...family...babies...

 This past weekend was a wonderful weekend full of family and my little sister's Richardson Debutante Ball. It was so great to have all the family in one town at the same time!! 

 

And we even had some extended family in-town which made it even more special!

Anytime you have a chance to pretty yourself up in honor of a good time, you should. 

E has a new face she is a fan of. (It makes us laugh!)  

In honor of Gin, Dad threw the hook 'em.  (Can you guess where she is going?)

Needless to say there was much dancing - MarChan are pretty good on the dance floor.

I feel so blessed to be apart of such a loving kin. 

Colossians 3:14-16

 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.

   
 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord