In the Bible, God guides people through stories. Stories is how He teaches people about themselves and Himself. He doesn’t get the children of Israel out of Egypt instantly. God drags it out, creates plagues, guides them through positive and negative turns, all to shape their faith. He does the same with Joseph, giving him a vision, then immediately letting him be thrown into a well by his brothers.

If we think we are going to grow in faith by sitting around at a Bible study, we are wrong. That stuff is fine, but without a story, without diving into something really difficult, something that requires us to look to God for support and wisdom and comfort, it will be more difficult to become a person of great faith.

- Donald Miller

These paragraphs provide momentarily relief to seeing teens/kids suffer from their parents decisions. His purpose is to have us turn to Himself, children or adults, oppressed or in ease .. [exhale]

Lauren Larsen Photography

Just SO Proud of Lauren

Vague Ambition

I've read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years several times and whenever I'm between books I like to come back and read a few chapters. I think I'm drawn to the authenticity of it, whether its pretty or not, and how it leads me to ask honest questions. I underlined this passage the first time I read it:

"I was watching the movie Star Wars recently and wondered what made that movie so good. Of course, there are a thousand reasons. But I also noticed that if I paused the DVD on any frame, I could point toward any major character and say exactly what that person wanted. No character had a vague ambition. It made me wonder if the reasons our lives seem so muddled is because we keep walking into scenes in which we, along with the people around us, have no clear idea what we want."

It reminds me of the passage in Romans where Paul urges "think of yourself with sober judgment". Soberly asking what you want out of your relationships, work and spiritual life quickly leads to being more intentional doesn't it? My friends Abby and Jon are great at this, at asking questions and being direct. I want more honest evaluation, more intentionality, vague ambition seems wasteful. Thanks for allowing the guest post.

scott

quad cams...lately....

Thank you to all who donated time/items to The Mentoring Project's garage sale.

In total, $1125 was raised!

We are ever so grateful for that day :

for hard work, community, a cause, and hope for the future.

A job well done.

Andrew Root's The Promise of Despair

"But hope stands in an altogether different orientation to time. Hope is born in the future - a future that is not out ahead us, but that is completely new reality, even now in small ways breaking into our lives. Hope is trust that though the monster may take me, though death may strike me, it cannot destroy me, for a future is on its way that stands in direct opposition to my present. A future is on its way that has no place for death, where death has been extracted and destroyed, where death has been evaporated by the white hot heat of God's Love. This future (in its finality) is not here yet, but hope knows that it is on its way."

Garage Sale for The Mentoring Project

This Saturday June 26, 2010 a group of us are putting on the funnest garage sale that has ever occurred ever. ever. We're putting it on to benefit a group called The Mentoring Project started by one of our favorite authors, Don Miller. This group does great things for young guys who are growing up without a father, and hopefully we can raise a little money for them. It's going to be at Jon Wasson's house and we hope to have a crazy amount of stuff. So spread the word to all you know and feel free to make outrageous rumors to get the buzz going. I heard Jon is family friends with the red-haired kid from Harry Potter and he will be at the garage sale making hot dogs. Here's a flyer and the link to The Mentoring Project's homepage. Also, don't be fooled by the flyer its actually 6230 Annapolis Ln.
http://www.thementoringproject.org/

Puerto Penasco, Mexico

"Rocky Point"

..only photo I have that isn't an iPhone photo

Campbell & Cara

Love my dad's smile..

ciiiiigarrrs

Jonny

99% sure they were dancing to the blaring music.

epicurious.com

Made this recipe a few days ago and it is delicious!! Love goat cheese. Love fresh foods.

Summer Tomato and Bell Pepper Soup

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups tomato juice
1 1/3 cups finely chopped tomatoes (about 11 ounces)
1/2 cup (generous) finely chopped roasted red bell peppers from jar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared white horseradish
1 garlic clove, pressed
Generous dash of hot pepper sauce
Fine sea salt
4 1/3-inch-thick rounds soft fresh goat cheese
6 grape tomatoes, cut in half
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
Additional extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

Preparation:

Combine first 8 ingredients in large bowl; whisk to blend. Season soup to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled and flavors blend, at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 6 hours ahead. Keep chilled.
Ladle soup into 4 bowls. Top each with 1 goat cheese round and 3 grape tomato halves. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and basil. Drizzle with oil and serve.

below are some interesting fixtures from various sites i look at for inspiration on projects. some are old, some are new, love all the different styles. love lighting. love design.

image from o'lampia


image from urban electric

image from urban electric

image from west elm

image from jayson home and garden

image from holly hunt : alison berger design