old fashioned letters.

There's just something about it. You go to the mailbox, open the door, and see it laying there. A letter. Perhaps it has a fun stamp, someone's handwriting in a distinct pen, and maybe a fun return address stamp or something. It was written out of love or thoughtfulness or care or all three. Someone took the time to write out their thoughts and encouragement and send it your way like a surprise. There is just something so magical about that. So rich and meaningful.

I received a letter in the mail today. A card really, but it had the writing inside to make it seem like a letter. My sweet friend, Kari, sent me a thank you card for some things I gave her before her wedding. And rather than write the necessary thank you's and move on, she really took her time and wrote down a few thoughts, person-specific encouragement, and very un-canned responses. And it meant so much to me.  

Consider this: 

Sir, more than kisses, letters mingle souls; 

for, thus friends absent speak.  ~John Donne

Kari and I haven't been able to see each other in a few months because of her wedding and all the transition that follows that, and yet today I felt closer to her than I have in a long while. The power of the letter, the written word, is immense and is a power we often neglect. Perhaps it is this power, this enduring quality that the written word holds, that allowed God to choose it as the form in which He left us His Truth. In fact, much of the New Testament is written in this very form: the letter.  

In many of his letters included in scripture, Paul begins in the very way that our own letters often appear. He encouraged its recipient. 

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with 

joy in my every prayer for you all." -Philippians 1:3-4 

"We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

praying always for you..." -Colossians 1:3

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you 

in our prayers..." -1 Thessalonians 1:2

"We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because 

your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward 

one another grows ever greater..." -2 Thessalonians 1:3

May we continue this practice of writing letters to one another. In this digital culture of emails and text messages and Facebook and even blogs, it is my hope that we continue to put pen to paper and reach out to one another in an old fashioned way. There is no sweeter surprise or greater encouragement than finding a letter in the mailbox written just for you by someone you love.

bittersweet.

Okay, y'all know how much I love Shauna's work. For me, reading her words is like reading insights into my own mind that I hadn't yet connected. She writes the way I think. Her words inspire me to do the things I kind of think about, but don't dare do. Her words inspire ME to write the way I want to write. And homegirl loves Jesus and stirs my affection for Christ in constantly pointing to Him in her writing. She's coming to Dallas in November and is doing an event at Irving Bible Church that my friend, Aubrey, is organizing. Ladies, y'all need to come. You know it will be fantastic. Talk to me for details if you're interested.

Her latest work is wonderful, challenging, honest, and inspiring. Here are a few thoughts I have about it...

There are many words that could be used to describe Shauna's recent work: raw, gritty, funny, sarcastic, inspiring. However, the one word that most encapsulates the tone and the brilliance is this one: honest.

Writing about a personal season of heartache, change, and struggle, Shauna lets the reader into very raw and honest places in her life. She shares the pain and feelings of isolation following a miscarriage, the struggles that arise in marriage when listening stops, and the challenge of accepting and moving with change. It is all at once a beautiful tapestry of wisdom and a felt pain shared between reader and author in the communicating of these experiences.

Through it all, Shauna constantly points back to her faith in Christ as being the stronghold that carried her through the season of deep difficulty she experienced. Interweaving Biblical truths in her own refreshing language and style, Shauna provides insight and wisdom that does not terminate on herself but rather points the reader to a greater Answer.

In blessing or mourning, this work is one that is essential. The combination of its honesty and hope in the presence of hard circumstances is something that will provide encouragement to the reader, regardless of the season they find themselves in.

Shauna, thank you for letting us in, pointing us to Christ, and running the race before you well. Inspiring.

"...one day I'll stand before God and account for what I did with my life. There is work that is only mine to do: a child that is ours to raise, stories that are mine to tell, friends that are mine to walk with. The grandest seduction of all is the myth that DOING EVERYTHING BETTER gets us where we want to be. It gets us somewhere, certainly, but not anywhere worth being." -Things I Don't Do, 'Bittersweet'

moving.

Contrary to what the title might make you think, I'm not moving. I did move. About a month ago. But I am not moving now. Just wanted to clear all that up. Thanks and gig'em.

The title is indicative of what I feel like the Lord is doing right now. HE is moving. I see things happening around me that can be one thing and one thing only: the sweet, mighty, and providential hand of God is stirring, swirling, and softly moving amongst people in my life. And I am so excited. I feel like, if possible, my soul might burst open. I want to tell everyone about it. I want to tell them that He is good, that He saves and is saving, and that He loves us. 

I am humbled at the idea that I get to play some small role in the hugely eternal work that the Lord is doing of saving souls. My gosh. Life can never be boring when we realize the great drama of life that we get to participate in and the urgency that awaits every relationship, every interaction, and every conversation. 

So writing this is my attempt at keeping my soul from exploding, an outlet of excitement if you will. And the picture is to give you readers, or reader in the singular perhaps, a visual representation of this excitement. Just can hardly contain it...

a new england weekend

My weekend in New England was quite the experience and far too fun to completely synthesize to an appropriate length for this blog. It included a 12-hour trip to NYC on 4 hours of sleep, walking in on a wedding on 5th Avenue, the car battery dying and standing around at a Pep Boys, getting trampled in Philly on the 4th only to be protected by random strangers, getting lost in Philly on foot, standing in the Atlantic Ocean, and then almost missing my flight back to Dallas. Through it all, AC and I loved being together and were determined to see the humor in everything that happened...almost. All in all, excellent weekend I'd say. Here are a few pictures to capture it...

Love you, AC. Get back to Dallas pronto!!!

new york, i love you...

One week from Saturday, I will be arriving in the city that I have longed to visit for years now: New York City. As a huge fan of pop culture, I feel as though I know New York inside and out, but have yet to walk the streets. In a week, that will no longer be true. And I. can't. wait.

This blog is dedicated to prepping my excitement for the places I'm hoping to see. I'll only be there for 24 hours, so this will literally be a little amuse bouche of the city. Or a small tasting for you non-foodies out there!

Broadway

I don't think I'll be able to take it if I go and don't take in a show on this street. The Great White Way has been calling my name for years now. Strong vocalists that can dance and act all in one theater...yes, please!!

Serendipity

I would love to sit and drink a frozen hot chocolate at this New York  staple. Ever since the movie brought the name to us Americans who don't frequent the city, I've been dying to try it!

Gray's Papaya

The hot dogs of Gray's Papaya are legendary and their acclaim was brought my way via the 1999 production of 'You've Got Mail.' Needless to say, I've wanted to go for over 10 years...

Cafe Lalo

This is another 'You've Got Mail' destination. It is the place that Meg Ryan meets NY152 while reading 'Pride and Prejudice.' It was because of that movie that I read that book, which is now my favorite, and I've always wanted to visit this shop.

Central Park

And last, but certainly not least, is this beautiful place. You cannot visit New York City and not visit this park in its heart. In the future, I would love to go back with a blanket, a book, and a great big cup of coffee. For next weekend, I'll just settle for a stroll through...

New York, I already love you and absolutely can't wait to meet you.

grace...

grace for one.
grace for many.
grace that saves.
grace that covers.

paid for.
unmerited favor.
freely given.
it alone.

undeserved.
unmatched.
justifies.
forgives.

only through Christ.

the women of genesis

Since the beginning of the year, I've worked at a place called Genesis Women's Shelter. It is a place that provides counseling and aid to women and children who have been victims of domestic violence in the greater Dallas area and is dang good at it. I took the job not knowing much about domestic violence, knowing more about counseling, but not knowing anything at all about the incredible women that I was about to work with. That has since changed.

The picture above is the clinical team of Genesis Women's Shelter and Outreach and they are strong, intelligent, and funny, funny women. They listen well, care deeply, and laugh loudly. It is a joy and honor to work alongside each of them.

I could tell you things about them...things they wouldn't mind me sharing. I can tell you that Callie, the lone redhead in the picture, has the best one-liners and dry humor I know. Hilarious. I eat several meals with her during the week and she never ceases to make me laugh.

I can tell you that Kim, second from the right in the back, absolutely loves 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette' and can talk all the details with absolute incredible memory. This talent makes for really, really fun lunch conversations. This memory is also something that makes Kim incredibly thoughtful. She's a sweet one.

I can tell you that Kelly, top left, has the ability to put anyone at ease instantly with her compassionate presence. Instantly. I'm not kidding. It's incredible. Gifted, gifted clinical director. And she's brilliant. Go ahead...be jealous. And if that wasn't enough, she loves 'Glee.' Get outta here.

I can tell you that Michal Anne, to the left of me, has a sweet soul that is evident immediately. She also hides something from you for a while, but I pulled it out of her. The girl's a singer. A good one. And she's hating that I published that for anyone to see.

I can tell you that Mary Kay, with the white jacket, is a free spirit with an exuberance and zest for life that is contagious. Lots and lots of fun and a GIFTED therapist.

I can tell you that Jessica Callahan, to the right of me, is my office next-door-neighbor and we sit in each other's offices and confide and process sometimes. Thankful for her. And we share the same name. You knew I'd like her.

I can tell you that Gina, Brandy, and Susan K, ends of the bottom row and top right, bust their booties at the shelter and do an amazing job. I just get to see them on Friday's, but they are all very wonderful.

I can tell you that Patty and Penny, second from the right on the bottom row and middle in the blue, are fabulous interns that are fearless in their learning of the counseling world. Get it, girls.

I can tell you that Jessica Callicutt, purply-pink, just left last week and I am so very sad. See, all the Jessica's populated the west wing office for a while and it was fun. Jess was the adolescent therapist and dominated at that. Homegirl loves her fresh fruit and riding her bike in the mornings.

I can tell you that Joanne and Eunise aren't in this picture...they weren't at Mother's Day Luncheon...but both are fabulous. Joanne is a seasoned veteran of a therapist that is so incredibly kind and steady. Eunise is a new mom that is spunky and fun and speaks her mind.

And last, but most certainly not least, I can tell you that Susan, green dress, has the world's best laugh and she uses it often. It's the best...seriously. She is my supervisor and I have definitely cried in her office a few times, so you know I trust her. She too...gifted therapist. AND, she can talk almost all things pop culture and has no fear about re-creating songs from the previous evening's episode of 'Glee.' Rockstar.

There they are. The clinical team at Genesis. Obviously, there are so many more wonderful things about each of them, but for now, there's a little snapshot of who I spend my days with.They are my colleagues, they have become my friends, and I am honored to serve the women and children of Dallas alongside them.