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ADVENTure is here.

So, here we go. It's a new ecclesial year; it's that season where we cannot avoid even the subtlest reminder that a long, long time ago-the world was changed for ever. Believe it or not, it is true that as soon as that little baby was born things have never been the same. When I fell in love with the writings of Flannery O'Connor in one of my undergraduate literature classes, I think it was partly because of her piercing approach to understanding who Christ is. I remember we took apart the following excerpt from A Good Man is Hard to Find:

And on the subject of Jesus he continues, "Jesus was the only One that ever raised the dead and He shouldn't have done it. He thrown everything off balance. If He did what He said, then it's nothing for you to do but throw away everything and follow Him, and if He didn't, then it's nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can by killing somebody or burning down his house or doing some other meanness to him. No pleasure but meanness."

Once I thought about it, it made such sense. We are either with Him or we are against Him. Though I have often thought I have been with Him, I sometimes realize that I am more like the Misfit. No, I have never murdered or set fire to anyone's home, but I certainly have done "meanness." We all have.

This advent season is a season where we begin to hope for that coming or visitation of the man who as arrived to establish peace. It is a journey away from our clutter, our fears, our meanness, and our loneliness towards the humble manger where the bread of life awaits. Pope Benedict once described it as, "a time to mean God is here, he hasn't retired to his world, he hasn't left us alone." Many times when we want to destroy evil or pain we rush to action. Now, we have a chance to trust and be calm and wait. We can start a new adventure in following that life that changed the world for ever. It is our opportunity to keep trying to throw away everything and follow Him.

Thanks Saints!

We were lucky winners, had delicious dinner , and didn't get any thinner this thanksgiving. Looking forward to scarf and sweater weather, some christmas music, and that little glimmer of spirit that starts trickling in this time of year.

Thanks Living

If there is one thing I am going to try and take from this holiday, it is the truth that every day we should be thankful. Even though we lose those we love, we get sick, we get hurt, we feel broken, we feel frustrated, we feel empty or we feel alone, even after all of that--we still have alot. Look at the rebirth of new orleans. If we would have pouted and felt sorry for ourselves, we would have never recovered. The human heart is capable of immeasurable love and forgiveness. It is of our own volition that we can allow this love and forgiveness and, ultimately, gratitude to catalyze in our relationships. I heard this the other day: "The easiest way to get to heaven is to forgive." I don't know if that is true, but I know it helps us to live more thankfully. Yes, it is a process, and yes it takes time, but so what if you have to start small. Go ahead and start.

all you do is win win win

no matter what you do! The tiger band proudly pumped up the student section with that fun song and we had it stuck in our heads all night!  It's true that this past weekend was triumphant in the food, the football, and the company. The Cooks came to visit and we kicked it off with a lovely evening at Dante's Kitchen. Our bellies thanked us after! Then, a back to back victory in Tiger Stadium and the Dome topped off the weekend. I also got to see my precious little sisters in Baton Rouge and visited with Darby and Matt on Sunday. It was a great starter to this thanksgiving week and got me thinking of one of my favorite reflections on gratitude. Hope your family celebrations are fun and filling.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”-Melody Beattie

a marching band on canal st.

So, last night my class ended early and I wandered around canal place for a little while. After a depressing visit to Anthropologie(where even sale items are outrageously out of my budget), I ended up finding some boots on sale elsewhere. When I went to purchase them,I stumbled upon a group of women from Finland that were in town for a pharmaceutical convention. They conversed about how they were happy the convention was over and how they were ready to see the crocodiles tomorrow and visit Bourbon Street. While both of those touristy ideas could be exciting for some finnish females, I wished I had had time to give them a hand drawn map and a few lists of neighborhoods and other venues to explore. I wanted them to go back to their country in awe of this unique city (with more than photos of a crocodile and souvenir cups from their Pat O's Hurricane.) Unfortunately, I was unable to catch them to itinerize the rest of their stay.
    Walking back to my steal of a parking spot, I thought I heard the far off drumbeats that often fill the air during carnival season. Once I headed down Canal, I was sure that I heard a full blown marching band. Rolling down my windows and stretching my neck out, I was excited to find just that! There they were...in the middle of November... drawing a crowd and a mini-parade behind them.There was music and dancing in the streets as if it were a holiday. I have no idea what event was being held. But, it doesn't matter really. What matters is maybe, just maybe, the Finns and other tourists of New Orleans were able to see what this city is truly about. A marching band on Canal St. might have changed just a few visitor's opinions last night. And there is another reason why I love this city.

Magnolia Eletric Company

Hold On Magnolia
Hold on Magnolia to that great highway moon
No one has to be that strong
But if you’re stubborn like me
I know what you’re trying to be
Hold on Magnolia, I hear that station bell ring
You might be holding the last light I see
Before the dark finally gets a hold of me
Hold on Magnolia, I know what a true friend you’ve been
In my life I have had my doubts
But tonight I think I’ve worked it out with all of them
Hold on Magnolia to the thunder and the rain
To the lightning that has just signed my name to the bottom line
Hold on Magnolia, I hear that lonesome whistle whine
Hold on Magnolia
I think its almost time

Peace Walk

   A few weekends ago, I helped out a friend who is producing a documentary about this city of crime that we live in. The central city Peace walk was a fitting piece for them to include in their project. Check out the making of the film here: http://www.crescentcityfilms.net/index.html
  It was wonderful to see children of all ages, parents, teachers, local musicians, and community members gathered together in prayer,discussion, and a united goal: peace. I also learned of a new up and coming artist named Dee-1 who is featured on MTV's Freshman picks. He has an incredible story. Check him out here: http://www.bestmusiconcampus.com/band/default.aspx?bandID=201 and vote for him if you believe in his message. After the peace walk, I am motivated to do more to help transform the Crescent City to a more accepting, peaceful place. Unconditonal love and perserveramce will make that possible. Please support more movements like this and let peace be your loudest instrument.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

To see some pictures form the walk...click here: with some snaps

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Also Known as Love

http://akawelle.com/

What an amazing story of a courageous woman who listened to her daddy and created beauty out of destruction. I am inspired and cannot wait to share her message. Africa, I will make footprints in your lands one day!!!

Mumford & Sons - Awake My Soul (Toad Session)

Mumford & Sons

Can't wait to see them play tonight. The first time I ever heard them I was at a really low point. Their heart, depth, and sincerity brought me to tears and I have appreciated their art since. Check them out. and awake your soul!