"We stand in awe of the ocean,

The thunderstorm,

The sunset,

The mountains,

But we pass by

A human being

Without notice

Even though

The person

Is God's most

Magnificent 

Creation"

:Augustine

{ Camino 2013 }

Today I remember it's friendships and people who bring meaning to life.

The experience of beauty is richer with someone else by your side

delighting in it with you.

This Hymn.

Continually returning to the truth of these words,

the consistent measure of the melody,

and the gentle repetition of the notes

which turn me away from rush and hurry

to the stillness of God's peace.

Real Life: I'm a Student

While it's true that life is note-taking, library-hunkering, presentation-giving, paper-writing, and reading-for-days…

2nd Floor, Billy Graham Center: The place where All Things Grad Life happen.

Days spent studying at the Chicago Public Library...
definitely more productive when feeling like a professional collegiate.

Heritage study dates necessary.

it's also true that grad life survival exists in weekday karaoke, midnight movies, coffee on coffee dates, and fall frolics...

"fireball country" - birthday surprise 

My only regret, leaving the Katniss costume at home.

The night I fell in love with the lead singer of Lord Huron...

Even in the Overwhelming and Stressful, grad life is just too fun.
There's nothing else I would rather be doing than reading & writing the days away...
And to say that is truly a gift.

These Two.

In a few short days, we will gather around the table to hold hands, consume mass amounts of turkey, and give thanks to God in the company of family. Yet it is not encapsulated within this specific moment that deep thankfulness come into fruition, rather in the anticipation of what's to come do I recognize real gratitude. 

In the thought of these coming days, a joy fills my spirit that marks the beginning of a season of holiday. From now until the end of the year, the wave of the Holiday Season sweeps through our lives, overcoming us with shared meals, cookie exchanges, gift purchases, fancy soirees, and a return to the familiar melodies from holidays past.

Brother 1.

Brother 2.

Knowing that I can look forward to holidays with a sense of expectation instead of dread brings thankfulness in itself. I am thankful that I want to go home, I am thankful I have a family to be with, I am thankful for the laughter and togetherness felt when I spend time with my brothers.

My Baylor sibsteins. These two guys. They are my best friends. The holidays are marked by being together with them… a gift I know won't last forever as life takes its turns through marriages, travels, or otherwise. But for now, the joy that comes from thoughts of driving back to Deerfield on Wednesday, a night of family, pizza, and games, followed by a Turkey Trot on Thursday morning and cooking pumpkin pie in the kitchen with Mom brings a smile I can't resist.

Or perhaps better stated in the words of my dear Papa: "Family, family, family. The rest is bullshit." 

Reminders

fall walks.

"In friendship… we think we have chosen our peers.

In reality a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses,

the choice of one university instead of another…

The accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting…

Any of these chances might have kept us apart.

But for Christians, there are, strictly speaking 

no chances.

A secret master of ceremonies has been at work.

CHRIST, who said to the disciples: 

"Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you for one another."

The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out.

It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us

the beauties of others."

:: C.S. Lewis

b&r day of fun.

God intertwined this heart with mine at the exact moment I needed it, when least expected,

in the most unpredictable happenstance.

After only a few hours strolling the streets of Madrid with Britt,

I knew she was not just a friend of the road, or a travel buddy, or a random meet-up

She is a friend of the heart.

From Spain to Chicago, this friend has lifted me up, encouraged me, prayed for me, and loved me

far beyond what I deserve.

She's adventured & done community with me, laughed & solo danced in the corner of an empty room with me, and brought unending & consistent joy to my spirit.

And last night, it was only one simple phone call 

that prompted a surprise note from Britt on my windshield

altering my spirit and bringing life in my darkness.

I am so blessed by the creativity of God to intertwine such lovely friends in my life, 

who daily draw me to see more of Him.