More than 30 seconds?

My brother recently commented that it only takes 30 seconds to read my blog. Have I been lacking substance? Too many pictures? (What? I like pictures.)

Maybe I am tired of words. Yes, I know I am a talker. (Go ahead. Laugh.) I write constantly. I think continually. And I talk. Constantly and continually. Put those things together and I arrive at disliking words.

I want to share those thoughts. I don't do all this thinking for nothing. Maybe you didn't come here to hear about God. Well, find another blog. I'm going to talk about God because I think about God about...80% of the day. Let's all remember, I am getting a degree about the Divine. Getting kinda tired of reading about my friends? That is about 7% of my thinking. The other 13% is consumed with family, future, and food. (I like food. I really like good food.) The future thoughts are starting to take up more and more time as graduation and the hopes of commissioning loom nearer and closer.

Maybe Photo Friday will be joined by Thursday Thought? Or Soapbox Sunday? These thoughts will consume me if I don't get them on paper...err screen. I am tired of words, but the words are not tired of me. This is the tension that I struggle with when blogging. I have substance. And I want my words to be worth more than 30 seconds.

Working on it.

BEAT

ps: These pictures are some highlights of my birthday dinner. Oh the laughter. And the trash talking. Plus the lovely kissing and hugging...and grabbing?

Tell Me About Your People

Who? These people?

I've got this person, too.

And let's not forget about these folks.

I kinda like these people, too.

I got lots of people.

I have some new duties this year at my internship. I will be making pastoral visits and calls. This mostly involves older adults and the homebound. Yesterday I visited three different assisted and nursing care living centers. I even gave a homily at a communion service. Is it strange that I feel more...comfortable? Energetic? Joyous? When I am with the older folks. Not because they are old(er), but because they get it. Life is for living. And for sharing. Smiling. Laughing. Honesty. They tell it like it is. I appreciate that. I really, really do.

My last visit was with one feisty lady. Walking in her apartment, I thought I was meeting the Godmother. She was sitting at the end of the room, surrounded by photos and plants. She was sitting high in her chair. She waved me over. Told me to sit. (And I did.) I was with another minister, but the Godmother focused on me. Looking me up and down through her good eye, we carried on a casual conversation. About 15 minutes into the visit the Godmother abruptly says, "Tell me about your people." My response, "My family?" The Godmother huffs and says, "Yes. Your family. What is your background? Their trade?"

My people? My background? Their trade? The Godmother is a unique blend of Southern Belle and elitist socialite. I loved it. I love her. After answering her questions, she looked me up and down again through the good eye. She declared, "I'm going to pray for you."

That's my job. I'm the one supposed to pray. I'm the one supposed to listen. It was a nice turn of events. I got to talk about my people. People I love and adore. And I was blessed with a sincere prayer.

I've got good people.

BEAT

Just one?

Growing up I would always say, "But you can only have one best friend." I meant it. From an early age, I would only allow myself to have one best friend. And I made that clear to others. I would declare, "No, This is my best friend. You are not."

The word "best" denotes special, extraordinary, better. Most think of that in a singular form. One best friend. One.

What a fool. I'm talking about myself. Unless of course you hold the same notion. Foolish.

I went to college and the world changed. I changed. I brought along Amber. Well, not really brought along. But we were roommates for four years, yet we've known each other since sixth grade. Amber and I, attached at the hip for those first days at LaGrange, met some folks. It started on our hall, Hawkes 3. Our neighbors would be the first contacts; then quickly followed a curly haired girl down the hall. By the end of that year I was connected to Amber, the neighbors, a curly haired girl down the hall, a girl the floor below who loved turtles, another red head the floor above, and then another set of roommates who just happened to live in the next dorm over. Count it up, that makes nine.*

The next three years created a bond that has lasted. It has not been easy. We moved away. Some got married. Some didn't. Some are still in school. Some work 50 hour weeks. Different stages. Different steps. Different.

But there is a bond. I call these ladies my BFFs. And I mean it. Forever. Always. I know, I know. Sounds even more foolish to say forever than just having one best friend. But I have a feeling. It's okay; call me a fool. Even crazy.

I have some other BFFs. Good BFFs. One recently visited. I'm lucky. I might even call her my sister before my best friend. Her family is my family. My family is her family. Yep, we'll go with sister. And still there are more.

As you can see, I've been pondering this whole BFF thing for awhile. One person in particular has been on my mind. We've been friends since my birth. (Literally.) Our history is deep and wide. We fall a part from one another, but we always find the paths that lead back to the rhythms and patterns of friendship. We'll find our way back. I've got this thing called hope.

The moral of the story, don't be a fool. Have a whole gaggle of best friends. It makes life special, extraordinary, better. And tell'em if you have them. Tell'em you love them. And if you don't have them, well then, I will be praying for you.

Not just one,

BEAT

*There were a few that ebbed and flowed in and out of the circle, but they did not stick around. I mean it, they made the decision to quit us. We can be a hand full but well worth it. Something you want to hold on tight to and never let go. Promise.

Photo Friday: Parthenon Edition

Centennial Park

Plus Fake Parthenon

Nashville, TN

Summer 2009

The last three weeks have allowed me to enjoy the fake Parthenon of Centennial Park in downtown Nashville. FREE big band music and dance lessons-check (twice). $2 snow cones-why not (twice). Picnic-food is a must (twice). Absolutely amazing weather-we call that luck (thrice). Friends-blessed beyond believe (always).

Come visit and we will hang out in the park...

BEAT

ps: You thought I meant the real Parthenon? Didn't you? Yeah, I'm not that cool. Hey, this one is to scale.

Loveless

My bestest buddy and I went to the Loveless Cafe last night. This is a famous restaurant in Nashville that has been featured on the Food Network and the Travel Channel. The Biscuit Lady did loose to Bobby Flay on Throwdown. I would disagree. The Loveless has the most amazing biscuits. And the jellies and jams to accompany them are to die for. I think the peach preserves would be my favorite. You know, because I am from Georgia and all.

I had fried catfish, fried okra, and cucumber and onion salad. Something light and airy for summer. The bestest went for the yellow sides plate-hashbrown casserole, creamed corn, mac & cheese...and then changed it up with some green beans.

So, so good. I need to make the Loveless a bigger priority in my life. If you want to come visit, we can make the Loveless a priority together.

got biscuits?

BEAT

One Happy Hour

Me joyous.  Me in sunshine. Me laughing. Me less stressed. Me drinking (just a little, Mom). Me at the end of a semester. 

I like to consider this my natural state. What a Happy Hour! Thanks to all who celebrated with me. 

Salud,

BEAT

Low on Words

Dearest Blog Buddies,

I have been low on words of late. Not that I don't have a thousand things going through my mind. Like how I am now meeting with the new president of my undergrad because I sent him a congratulatory email. I mean, he does live in Nashville. So the meet and greet is no stretch, but how do I get myself into these situations? Bright side? I get to reminisce about one of my favorite places on earth. I want to write about the recent email exchange with a professor. Didn't end well. I was a little hurt by his analysis of tradition...and some remarks he made about my tradition. Or I could go on and on about my email exchange withPeacebang. (Look back at the post about the blog who "comments" on clergy clothing.) Let's be honest, these were not just exchanges. They border on mini fights. Spats of sort. 

But I've been short on words. Let me get through the semester. And then I will still need a week. I write all the time. Paper after paper. Outline after outline. Word after word. Most days that is all I do...use words. So, once again I offer a little glimpse into my life through pictures. Not words. Good old visual stimulation. Enjoy. 

The below come from our end of the year dinner at school. Local grown food. Earth day theme. Art making. Beer drinking. Sustainable minded. Nothing says spring like flowers and beer. Oh yeah...and fellowship. I am part of one great community.

Low on words,

BEAT

Gala 2009

Kick ass dress?- Check!

Dancing shoes?-Check!

Fancy earrings?-Check!

Damn good time?-Check!

Stress free...if only for one night...

BEAT

I dedicate this to the ones I love...

If you ask me who my family is, I will probably make a list in this order: (to be revised at any moment)

Mom

Dad

The Brother, Andrew

The Nine 

(In no particular order: Amber, Megs, Marg, JM, Noe, Katie, Laura, and Court)

Chapelwood UMC

And the rest of the extended family...

The Nine are the focus of this post. (Sorry Mom.  I will dedicate a whole post to you soon. Promise.)  Another  friend's recent post inspired me to share about these wonderful people.  The Nine (or the Girls or Mondays@9 or my besties) are my best friends from college.  We all met within our first week in the magical land that is LaGrange College.  Our friendship developed during a weekly Bible study, where we barely discussed the Bible.  During the years, we lived together in overlapping forms. We have celebrated together: engagements, weddings, job promotions, adopting pets, vocations, and the list goes on.   We have mourned together: endings, deaths, changes, break-ups, and the list continues. 

Because of these experiences, each of you continue to teach me about: God, life, love, failure, success, family, and friendship. We are servant leaders: teachers, preachers, students, missionaries, doctors, and disciples.  We disagree. We are different.  Yet, we are family.  You show me the best of humanity.  Renewed energy. Creativity and imagination. Laughter. Intense dialogue. Flowing tears.  Honesty. Sarcasm. Grace. Joy. You mess up my normal existence in the best ways.  Thank God, we are friends. 

Loves, thank you.  I know it sounds silly, but you do complete me. You know me. For some reason, you love me. Away or together, we are family. Agree or disagree, we are friends. Married or single, we are family.  Conservative or liberal, we are friends.   Damn, we are lucky. 

Soon.  We will be together soon. 

Grace upon grace,

One of the Nine