The Show

The concert was awesome!! Thanks so much, those of you who came, and those who sent prayers from afar. I think it is probably the first of hopefully many more. Lots of prayers and lots of God's goodness and mercy went into the night, and John did an amazing job as the event manager! For my part, I was proud of myself for not throwing up!! It was emotionally intense for me--lots of expectations and hopes for the evening.



If you'd like to see more videos of the show, go here. Pretty cool. John is awesome!

Neil's photos of the show (all the ones here) and of the folks who came were great. My dad did sound, mom was there being supportive and supplying cash boxes. Joanna came early just to help set up and lend a hand. It is a gift to have such talented and generous friends and family.



I think the night--the beautiful music, the friendship, the cause--were reflective of the Kingdom. Restoration of shalom--the rebuilding, the planting of gardens, the rescue of the oppressed, freedom from slavery, freedom to love and obedience.

Psalm 72:2-4

"He will judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor."

My friend John wrote a nice reflection on beauty and justice in thinking about & getting ready for Saturday's Freedom Night. I'm really thankful for the little IJM group that I've been able to be a part of this year--discussions, prayer, attempting to advocate for justice on campus. I often get pretty antsy with where I am in life, wanting to fly off and get my hands dirty in the ways I see fit without really seeking what faithfulness and obedience look like right where I live my days. It's good for me to wait, to see God's faithfulness and calling in new ways. It keeps me on my toes.

photo courtesy of Dassler.

It has been a crazy few weeks...I'm having trouble coming to terms lately, I guess because these times feel full. Wednesday night after a lovely dinner with a dear friend, I spent about an hour in the perfect evening sitting at the Grand Basin in Forest Park. Just sat praying and watching ducks motor around the brightly lit fountains, listening to the night birds and the water. It was good to slow down and listen.

Last night after a long day of classes and studying there was fellowship, bavarian chips, good discussion, and even some much needed processing and prayer on a sidewalk in the Central West End. I see God meeting me in the desperate places with surprises. It reminds me of things I had forgotten about from around this same time last year. I have lessons I seem to always repeat, but God is patient and faithful.

Venue Change

Freedom night will be here. Rad.

Earthquakes, baseball, last call song

So the big news is that today many of us here in St. Louis woke up to an earthquake (5.2 at the epicenter, somewhere in Illinois). In spite of growing up in California with years of "duck & cover" drills, I sat in bed thinking, "Oh my, I'm having heart palpitations...Oh...My bed is shaking, the walls are shaking. Oh, it must be an earthquake." Just sitting there. No running to a doorway like a sensible, earthquake safety trained person. My instincts didn't kick in. I think the funniest part is that my mom thought to herself, "Why am I shivering?" Hahahaha. It made me think of elementary school, when we had to make sure each year we had our earthquake kits, complete with tiny tins of canned fruit & water, and those little sausages, and emergency blankets.

Yesterday I played hookie from day classes and went to the Cards game with Linz. It was lovely to catch up, soak in the sun (& receive an embarrassing sunburn) and watch people...and the game a little bit too. Linz's favorite part is the "last call beer song" that they play on the organ, and to which they show a video of the prancing clydesdales. Linz did a nice little dance...sitting down....with kicks and jazz hands...to the whole song. I especially liked the "bring it home" section. I liked the whole thing, actually, but I think the fellas behind us liked it even more.

Marriage and family was particularly good last night. Dr. Zink made the comment that the good marriage is not based on excellence or doing things right, but on faithfulness. That'll leave us something to chew on.

When I look at the painting of the girl watching the trees, I think of Renae and Heidi H, which is happy. The leaves are pushing the white blossoms off of the trees and they catch the fluid edges of the wind. It is a snowstorm of blossoms today.

emile bernard. madeleine in the bois d'amour.

conjuring hope. sometimes it requires looking up at the newly blooming trees and praying desperate prayers. here's to trusting a God who answers. here's to praying for miracles. and believing they can happen.

Psalm 4:4-8
"In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah
Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.
Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety."

it's on!

The Cathedrals--take a listen at their myspace page!

I'm totally excited! If you are in St. Louis, please come!!