This Good Life

I think oftentimes (TOO often) we live in our own little world.  Our own little bubble.  Our own little shell. We don't realize what awaits us and what surrounds us -- if we'd only escape and open our eyes to a life that is far beyond our comprehension. I know I do this. I live in my shell.  It's so easy to slip into my comfort zone and...just stay there.  But I don't think that's what I am called to do.  I am called to live out loud and live uncomfortably.  If I'm not uncomfortable, then in what ways am I growing? This topic, this harrowing subject, has come up for me many times recently and I know it's being put on my heart for a reason.  I think as I get older, I get less enthusiastic about changes.  But deep down, I know that I need to make myself uncomfortable.  It's super hard.  And I'm not good at it yet. But I need to live outside my shell. And that may require change...or that could just require awareness of the moment. ...

Pursuit is something that's really been on my heart lately. Pursuit in the English language means "to chase" or "to follow".  It's encompassed by "persistence".  Pursuit is deliberate and pursuit is motivated by passion . Pursuit is pretty incredible . Everyone knows the Coyote and the Roadrunner, right?! The Coyote never gave up in his relentless chase of the Roadrunner (poor Roadrunner).  The Coyote was always there, at every turn, in every new place.  He may have had selfish motivations, but his pursuit was obvious and let's be honest -- impressive.  The sheer intent of the Coyote to not ever give up is admirable. The Princess Bride has it's 25th anniversary this year.  Male and female alike, how can you NOT love this movie?!  Through the kidnapping of his " twue wove" , Wesley went to extensive lengths to get her back.  But then when Wesley could physically do no more, the princess reversed t...

I have been out of town for a few days – 'twas a great trip!  Sometimes it’s good to get out of the “Bible Belt” and/or your comfort zone for a while and be reminded of God’s children in all other walks of life that are so different from your own, and unique and interesting. On my way back to home, I of course must go through all the stages of air travel that we know so well...check in, baggage, security, more security. And they ID you at every one of those stages. What is your name?   What name do you wear around on your ID?  What’s your identity?  Are you sure that’s your identity?  Do you claim your name? Seemingly monotonous questions, yet I was reminded today in a roundabout way of the importance of them. I go through the process of security preparation…it’s FUN, isn’t it?!  :)  and somehow I’m shuffled into the very LONGEST security line of them all.  Of course I am.  Waiting in this line for a while, I start to notice ...

I am one.  You may not see me immediately, though I am present.    You indeed may look past me.  You may not recognize me 10 years into the future; where will I be?   Will I be?  I am only one.    What is the significance of such a number?   I am so close to zero; am I not nothing ?  But that’s when I hear whispers.  I am one.    But my ears are two.  And my two ears hear quiet murmurs. I hear the love of a stranger.    The mumble grows.    I listen to the God of this place and of this race.  The voices increases.  I am one.    But my eyes are two.  And I see writings on the wall.   The teacher gives of her knowledge and… it’s marvelous. WAIT.    The noise stops --  Where did it go?  I am just one.  There are so many of me.   I am lost in a crowd.   I am alone.    I am only one...

This little guy has my heart!  (I mean, come on -- look at that face.  It just gets me.) I found some older pictures of my brother.  As you can see.  We have plenty more pictures from his childhood and he's always been stinkin'  adorable . (See previous nostalgic post .) But stumbling across these pictures in particular ^ that really weren't SO long ago have made me reminisce on the boy he was and the man he now is. I am so proud of him.   Happy first day of your sophomore year of college, my precious brother.  I always have and always will love you!! 

I've sooo loved this song since it came out.  Go ahead, turn up the volume!  Listen and be blessed.   The words sung are entirely true.   We are surrounded by His glory and we delight in His blessings....   Yet how much more does HE delight in US .... . ...whom He made from dust?   all photos by Aleisha

  The Lord is speaking to me today.  He loves me.  So much more than I know.  

So in my car the other day, a light comes on in my dashboard.  I haven't even seen this light come on before and stay lit -- it's a little concerning.  (Even though in a previous car, the "Check Engine" light stayed on 100% of the time and I wasn't too concerned with that....hmmm...I should rethink my priorities??) The light is the "AIRBAG" light: I feel like I caused the light to come on because I sub-consciously tamper with a silver strip on my steering wheel that blatantly says "Air Bag" on it...  However, I was assured by multiple parties that my tampering had no such effect on causing the warning light to appear.  Okay, if you say so!! So as I'm driving down the road, this light starts to mess with my head.  It's like talking to me:  "Aleisha...I am red and GLARING at you...I may just be a bag full of hot air, but my deployment is not something to be taken lightly...I am alllllways watching you..."  Seriously, ai...

Ok, so we are all hot these days, right?  I mean, look at this weather!  It's a  ! (For all those that truly know me and ALSO know the Muppet's --very few of you I'm sure-- know exactly what song I'm singing in my head/aloud? right now  ....Heat wave!  This is my island..in the sun.. oi oi!....)  So my challenge is this:  Find a person some time during the rest of this week (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) that is working outside in this heat and just give them a bottle of water.  A drink.   Sounds simple?  It is.   However, it's amazing how far one drink....one bottle of water....one Powerade....one tea....will go.   Not just the drink itself in this hot weather, because that might not last long at all.  But rather, the longer effects will stem from the act of a total random stranger handing over an unopened essential as a gesture without expectations of...

Just a snippet of some of the people I love so so so much. 

So.  I like to dress up.....  if you didn't already know.  It's fun.  :) And I'm not talking about daily dressing up for work or weekly dressing up for church...but rather dressing up in enjoyable and amusing, sometime ridiculous costumes.  Come on, it adds some spice to life! Here are a couple events in the past months that I either initiated, planned, or just participated in that required an out-of-the-ordinary clothing ensemble. When : Team Judy Tshirts were made/November-ish.   Where : all over!   Of note : Thank you to all who are wearing tshirts in support!  This picture is of the family :)  Check Mom's website for more pictures of others! : When : Halloween.   What : Star Wars.   Where : At work.   Of note : Yes, I had a [really-hot-that-made-my-face-sweat] bear on.   Last year I was Wolverine at work and hand-made my own [massive] claws that had to be removable so I could type.  My Hu...