un-emo

I feel strangely unemotional right now, knowing that my life will be changing drastically starting Thursday. Perhaps it's better that I'm not nervous, or out-of-my-mind thrilled... but instead, just at peace. A dear friend's grandmother told me once, "Always follow the peace." Considering that bit of wisdom, I think I'm on the right track.

Much more to come once I'm on my way. For now, adios Maine! I will love you forever!

in-cog-neato!

When we reached the top floor of the old shirt factory,

he hid behind the blinds so that no one would see him.

On a journey...

I'm sitting on the dock at the shore of the lake. The wind is picking up and the clouds seem to be descending upon me. The loons call to each other from opposite sides of the lake. The surface of the water reminds me of a flowing river as it blows toward the northeastern side of the pond. Isaac Meyer's simple layers of acoustic instrumental sounds fill my ears. The crows are out. They never left, actually. I love that it's warm enough to come down by the shore to write again. Last spring, summer and fall writing here was a daily habit. Though it's only a three minute walk from my comfortable and cozy bedroom, this feels like a delightful escape for me.

While I constantly long for adventure and travel opportunities, I can admit that I feel most at home in the rural countryside of Maine. There is nothing I enjoy more than walking alone in the woods or taking the kayak out to the middle of the lake to sit, watch, float, pray. A friend made an observation about me today- that I'm more of an "it's the journey, not the destination" kind of person. While I had never really considered it that way, I think he is absolutely right. It seems as though when the destination is the ultimate goal, I am almost always let down. It is, however, on the journey that the unplanned, incredible and memorable things usually happen. Hiking Tumbledown Mountain, for example- reaching the top is the destination, yet the journey is where we got led off the path only to find the fallen moose carcas; or in Boston a few weeks ago- the Brian Regan show was the destination, but the canoli-feast outside of the Italian neighborhood, walking through the loud, stinky, crowded farmers market just outside of Quinci Market, and getting lost in worship on the ride home were the moments that stood out most to me. I love environments that allow for spontanaeity. I don't mind having a plan, and sometimes having one is absolutely necessary, but some spectacular things happen when we're not restricted to the plan.

I believe that as humans we are called to live with vision- but that we are to aslo live in the present, every day- to celebrate every new day as its own adventure and journey. I want to always live purposefully- whether I'm sitting by the lake at home in Maine, worshiping Jesus in Israel, or studying development in Ireland. I never want to despose the day of small beginnings... and I also never want to stop dreaming. Proverbs says "People perish for lack of vision"... so.... Here's to dreaming, to living each day and moment purposefully, and to enjoying every bit of the journey along the way (and the destination, too). Selah.

the KJ got me

Though I'm not particularly well spoken-for, I made the front page of the KJ... and happily to say that I shared the cover with a fine write-up of the McGee's Selah Tea cafe! We're filling the news!

http://www.kjonline.com/news/uma-student-wins-mitchell-scholarship_2011-05-01.html

season come, season go

With just one week of school left, and all this amazing Spring weather, I find myself more excited than ever for what's ahead. It feels like this season is coming to an end and a new one is beginning. When I woke up this morning I saw a bundle of daffodils growing in the yard and they were leaning toward the eastern rising sun- such a delightful picture of where we need to be- leaning toward the light! I feel refreshed, loved & in love!