Because I Can.

Just enjoy the cuteness. That's all.

ps: Look at those legs crossed. Little Miss Priss, I love you.

For Georgia: A Prayer for the Waters

I dream in prayers. I dream about prayers. And I dream about writing prayers. I can see the words floating before my eyes. The words flow around me. Swirling. They craft themselves into sentences. I see hands reach out. My hands grasp the words. Hold tight. And then rearrange them. Perfecting. Creating holy, sacred texts. Spirit inspired clauses.

Creator God, You parted the waters from the land. And then you let the rains come. They came and covered the lands. The people were hopeless. They waited. And we wait. The sun is starting to peak from behind the dense clouds. The waters consumed the land. The rains consumed our homes. They waited. And we wait. The warmth of restoration is no longer beyond sight. We listen for the flicker of a dove's wings in the stillness of each day. They waited. And we wait. May the branch of peace be ever near. Though the rains were consuming, we know You were with us. Draw us close, to you and one another. Be ever present. They waited. And we wait for the rainbow. In the renewing calmness of Jesus the Christ's Spirit. Amen.

I dream in prayers. I dream about prayers. And I dream about writing prayers. When I do, I sleep well. It sounds restless. Tiring. Exhausting. There is a peace. My sleep is full of peace.

I hope those dreams come more often.

BEAT

Photo Friday

Georgia Belle

Athens, GA

September 2009

These were waiting for me in my inbox last night. Georgia Belle is the Brother's puppy. Georgia, the state this time and not the dog, has been receiving enormous amounts of rain the last few days. Georgia, back to the dog, loves it.

Play on, Belle. Play on.

BEAT

Soundtrack: The A Side

I was recently inspired by a former professor's editorial in the LaGrange Daily News. He called his article, "10 Great Songs: My Life on Shuffle." I have more than 10 songs. Hundreds if I thought it out (even more). If you've read more than 5 or so post on this blog then you know music is important to me. It gives me a reference point. When I don't have the words, I can find a song that does. I have no musical gifts. None. Well, other than appreciation. So, this is the A side. The ones that come to mind immediately. I will publish the B Side one day.

And just so you know, I love albums more than a singular songs. So for every song listed below, I am really recommending the whole damn album. In most cases the artist has a story to tell and that album allows you to encounter, learn, and know the big picture. And just so you know, these are not ranked. They may (kinda sorta) go in chronological order of life lessons. These songs are landmarks. Some famous, some not.

1. Alanis Morissette: "You Learn", Jagged Little Pill (Can we say middle school? Along with my love for Mariah Carey and No Doubt. You can't go wrong with lyrics like, "I recommend walking around naked in your living room.")
2. The Wallflowers: "One Headlight," Bringing Down the Horse (Buy the whole CD! Please! So wonderful. This was the down days of late middle school and early high school. "Three Marlenas" and "Laughing Out Loud" are winners, too. This song allowed me to hide in my room and still have a friend.)
3. Joan Osborne: "One of Us," Relish (I've never been one from Christian music. This is my religious anthem. I did sing this magical tune for my sixth grade solo and got a superior. My voice changed after that moment. I never did another solo, so it holds a special place in my heart.)
4. Burlap to Cashmere: "Good Man," Anybody Out There? (I lied. There is this one Christianish band I l-o-v-e. They are no longer together. This band and this song best characterize the beloved days with my youth group. These were my best friends, and I didn't even go to school with them.)
5. Sister Hazel: "Happy," ...Somewhere More Familiar (My absolute favorite band is Sister Hazel. Each album has been the background music for the last ten years. This song, well, is perfect. It's catchy. It's fun. It's message is true. "Who's content? and who's for rent?" It all makes sense when you think of clicks and insider/outsider fears of school.)
6. Pat Green: "Three Days," Three Days (I still play this song when I am about an hour from my parents' house. I usually only have have three days. And Mr. Green could be my favorite country artist.)
7. Hanson: "Crazy Beautiful," Underneath (Junior year of college was the best. Other than coming into my own skin, I rediscovered Hanson. No judging. This song is best when the windows are down, volume up, and my favorite roommate and I running away from stress with frosties and french fries.)
8. Gladys Knight and The Pips: Midnight Train to Georgia (On a hellish trip to L.A. that involved being stranded in Dallas overnight and a whole bunch of u-turns, this song was played every few hours. My group took it as an omen. We needed to get the hell out of Cali and back to the homeland. Since leaving the G-A, this song has had a special place in my heart.)
9. Ben Folds: "Best Imitation of Myself," Ben Folds Live (Getting ready to graduate and wondering about the next chapter. I knew this song would be my graduation anthem when I first heard the line about losing my Southern accent. Then I went directly to CH, where I was learning to be me.)
10. Indigo Girls: "Nashville," Rites of Passage (Pretty self explanatory. I played this over and over the first two months I moved. I still play this song before every big exam. The album title kinda describes the purpose and plan of being in Nashville, too. And you can't go wrong with the Indigo Girls. Right?)
11. Coldplay: "Swallowed in the Sea," X & Y (I just love this song. "And I could write a song a hundred miles long. Well that's where I belong." It reminds me of my friends and family, especially when we are hundreds of miles apart. Though away, we are so close. And there is always the hope of being reunited.)
12. Dixie Chicks: "Lullaby," The Long Way (If and when I get married, this will make the perfect first dance song. For now, it is what I listen to when I can't sleep. That is more often than I wish these days, but I am okay when I have this song in my life. The ladies of DC consistently provide me with the therapy I need.)
13. Glen and Marketa: "Falling Slowly," Once Soundtrack (This is the most perfect movie soundtrack ever. Not mentioning the movie. If I could describe the emotion of love in words, I am pretty sure I would use the lyrics of this song. Dramatic, I know. The raw emotion is even evident in the honest singing. It draws you in. And Lord knows we need more love in this world. Something about the mixture of forgiveness, time, and hope makes the message of love so clear. And it is not about lasting love. Just love in all forms.)
14. Alison Krauss: "Down to the River to Pray," O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Right now, it is all about prayer. Life is in transition, meaning I am in discernment. It brings comfort. And comfort is something I'm in short supply of at the moment.
15. Joe Purdy: "Sad Clown," You Can Tell Georgia (I'm still trying to figure out why I love this song so much. And not just love it, but why it applies to my life. It does. I just know it will be with me the rest of my days. Enjoy. Just enjoy the incredible voice of Mr. Purdy. Oh yeah, if I had to recommend one album you must buy at this very moment, this is it. It is that good.)

So, I would love for you to share. What makes up your soundtrack? What plays in the background of your brain as you go through each day? What song or artist makes life bearable?

On repeat,

BEAT

Music of the Moment: I'm a Redneck, Y'all

Or I live in the Country Music Capital of the...world. It is probably both. I mean, I am from Georgia. My (childhood) house is surrounded by chicken houses and cow pastures.

Redneck? Right? Right. Bless me and my roots.

Every radio station (because I'm old school, I still LOVE listening to the radio) in the current city in which I reside plays country music. Umm, who knew the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish sings country? Because he does. I do not lie. But I really enjoy his catchy, catchy tunes. Can't help it. And the below song is on every 5 minutes. And I'm okay with that.

And there is this other band that I love. Check them out, the Zac Brown Band! How can you go wrong with a song called Chicken Fried? I mean really. But I am in a sappy mood, so enjoy What Ever It Is. Lovely. Cute. Sweet. I do enjoy a good dose of Southern charm. Like I said, I'm from Georgia.

So here is my music of the moment. Add them to your collection.

I've got whatever it is. (But I'm still trying to figure out what it is.)

BEAT

Photo Friday: Better Late Than Never

Lake Oconee, GA

June 2009

My favorite place on earth. Really. The Mom and I spent the day there. Maybe a little sunburnt. The breeze makes it all worth it.

So lovely,

BEAT

Going back to find...

My sanity?

So close to freedom. Another semester put to bed. When I get in this space, that space of being so damn close you no longer have the energy to type that last paragraph, I have this song on rotation in my mind. But I am not going to Georgia. Georgia is coming to me. Not the whole state, but probably my favorite person who lives in that state. That would be the Mom. Yes, the woman who birthed me. And one of the best friends I have. She is coming to hold my hand, help me clean my apartment (right, Moms?), spoil me, love me, laugh, eat, sleep, walk in the sunshine, probably shop, pedicures are on the check list, and just be. But not until Wednesday. So, I just let this song play on repeat. 

Focus to finish,

BEAT

Photo Friday

Center, GA

March 2009

My mom served as the lovely photog. Nevertheless, I credit myself because I bought her the amazing camera. 

I was not actually in Georgia for Blizzard 09. I love these pictures. Rascal is the cutest cat ever. Even if she hates me when I come home becaue I take the attention away from her. And yes, I am responsible for the break in her tail (can't see in this picture). Long time ago. Total accident. We both went to therapy for the event. 

Spring forward, 

BEAT

Georgia on My Mind

On days like this: cold, raining, overcast, and typing my life away. On days like this I have Georgia on my mind. See I keep a wooden sign over my front door that says this very phrase. Everyday when I walk out of my apartment it is a reminder. Now I love Nashville. I love it more and more everyday, but it is not the place for me. Georgia is always on my mind. Yes, that is where most of the family and friends are, but there is more to the story. It sounds so evangelical, but I think of my great home state as my mission field. It is the community I am called to serve...love...challenge...pastor...

It is the question I get most often. Well, after the oldie-but-goodie, "Minister? You? A woman? But you'll go to hell." Okay, okay. I only get that last part half the time. That other question, "Where? Where do you want to be? Where will you go?" Georgia. Where am I going back to? Where will I serve? Where is home? Georgia. It is an easy place to be Methodist. Well, at least pseudo-Methodist. Don't yell at me. I have reasons for saying pseudo. It being easy is not why I long to return. That comfortable, easy feeling is why. Someone has to shake things up. Someone has to talk about holiness, the Holy Spirit...and dare I say that big, scary Wesleyan word. Dare I say...perfection. 

So, today Georgia is on my mind. It was yesterday. It will be tomorrow. I am coming home. Soon enough. And when I do, I hope to create some waves. Maybe they'll want to run me out after a year. That would make for a good story. To dream. Georgia would still be on my mind. 

Home upon home, 

BEAT

highlights...

Yes. That is how my brother wrapped my iTunes gift card. The sock did have a hole in it. That's why he used the painter's tape. Makes sense, right? My family embodies classiness.

I'm preaching Sunday. I am trying to write my sermon now. What better day to write a sermon about baby Jesus than today? Wish me luck.

Go! Tell it on the mountain! We are in a time of renewing peace.

Merry upon merry,

BEAT

a better attitude

No family trip this Thanksgiving break. 

No beach. No Vegas. No Memphis. 

I head home tomorrow. I do heart Georgia. 

However, I am afraid I'm going to be taking shots

 for different reasons this year. 

I will have a good attitude about being with (extended) family.  

I do miss my Aunt Ruth. 

It will be great to sleep in and not have to plan out each day. 

I have missed the cooking part the last five years. 

I have not missed the cleaning up part.

Ready or not, here I come family. 

Better attitude and all. 

Grace upon grace...I'm going to need it. 

Georgia Bound BEAT

ps: One day I will tell you how my mom outlawed conversations about politics, money, and religion this holiday.  I hope everyone follows her rules.