just do it

I cast my ballot yesterday.

because i had fun with the first one...

Tucker plots.

something different

Why? Well, because it's a Monday, and I feel like being silly.

what does 10 inches look like?

Something like this:


A large portion of my hair is now on its way to becoming a wig, and I have a new short 'do.

I still haven't decided if I love the new look, but it's growing on me (pun not actually intended there). I definitely used faaaaar too much shampoo this morning--it is always the first shampoo after a drastic haircut that makes you realize just how short it is.

On another note, I now have a whole lot of ponytail holders that are no longer useful to me, so if you need them, just let me know.

If you would like more information about donating your hair, check out Locks of Love or Wigs for Kids.

run-run-run-run-run-runaway...or, Fort Tucker

Well folks, it's official. Tucker has now figured out how to jump the 6+ foot fence that we built just a few months ago--the fence that we built really tall and with the "pretty" side facing in specifically so Tucker couldn't jump it. We knew it was coming, because we've caught him a couple of times just hanging from the top of the fence, his front paws barely holding onto the edge, his nose peeking out over the top, and the look in his eyes making it clear that he was thinking "just a little bit more...almost. there."

So, I think Todd is going to try to construct some type of overhang that will keep Tucker from being able to jump up and grab on to the top of the fence. Geez...our backyard really is going to start looking like a fort. Next thing you know, we'll be rolling out the high-security barbed wire (ok, we would never really do that--so don't go calling the humane association or anything).

Honestly, though, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Tucker eventually figures out how to get past the overhang as well.

Heck, it wouldn't surprise me at all if I look out the window one day to discover that Tucker has dragged Todd's climbing equipment out of the garage, and he is scaling the fence with Levi on belay.

That dog is crazy.

just keep going

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

Sometimes, during the really busy times, I have to remind myself of the basics.

But, there's a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's so close, I can feel its heat. Just a few thousand more breaths, and I'll be there.

when faith is beautiful

I don't talk a lot about my faith. Some of my friends appreciate this about me, and other friends would probably see it as a shortcoming. Because I am surrounded by a lot of people who believe differently than I do, I am very sensitive to and aware of the way that Christians are perceived. And it honestly doesn't surprise me--although it saddens me--that Christians are often derided or even despised, because, let's face it, there are a whole lot of Christians out there who aren't very Christ-like.

I will be one of the first people to admit that sometimes, faith produces ugly things. I have seen it often, where people of faith will push an idea or legislation that is hateful, basing it on a so-called "Christian" agenda. And it makes me cringe. It saddens and angers me. And it discourages me.

But then sometimes, I am reminded in amazing ways that faith can also be, and should be, beautiful. In its purest and truest forms, faith produces beautiful things. I found one of these reminders recently, and I thought I would share it, because it encouraged me.

In one of my blog-to-blog link clicking episodes, I stumbled upon a blog of a girl that I used to volunteer with at CCC. She now works for World Vision, where she helps secure sponsorships for children in Africa. She recently went through one of those introspective periods of contemplating "why do I do what I do?" and she blogged about one of the defining moments that helped her answer that question. I have copied her entry below, slightly edited for length.

"I remember a defining moment, my "This is what I want to dedicate my life to" epiphany. It was roughly 11 years ago. I had just moved to Nashville from Los Angeles to work full time with World Vision. Three days after arriving in Nashville, I climbed on a tour bus with a band called Big Tent Revival. We had 3 shows to do in 4 days, one of them being a 10:00am show for a Junior High Lock-In somewhere outside St. Paul, Minnesota.

I thought to my skeptical self... we aren't going to get one single sponsorship at this event. Now, don't get me wrong. I adore junior highers. I really do. And though I enjoy their energy and verve, I knew producing any results for my "job" was sketchy, at best.

[At the lock-in] I returned to my World Vision table set up, filled with a few dozen picture folders of kids' faces and stories. Already at my table was a young "lock-in" victim... apparently not interested in the festivities happening in the other room. Darla (she'd told me when I asked her name) had a wildly-matted mane of thick copper hair, shiny silver braces, chubby freckled cheeks with dense, coke-bottle glasses that wedged a permanent red crease into the crest of each plump apple. She was shy, quiet, awkward. But she stayed at the table... picking up each folder... reading each child's story... studying each of them closely.

I simply chalked it up to her boredom. Or needing something to do? Possibly she was friendless? Or simply uninterested in the activities? But suddenly, she picked up one of the folders she'd studied earlier and with great determination... handed it to me. "Here", Darla said. "This is the one I want".
"Ummm", I offered. "You know that to sponsor a child takes $30.00 a month."
"Yes", she said matter-of-factly. "Here, I have $30 right here". And she handed me several sticky, wadded up bills.
"But you know, it takes $30 every month to sponsor this child. Are you prepared to do that?" I asked somewhat condescendingly.
"Yes", Darla repeated patiently... as her chubby finger pushed her smudged, thick glasses back up her nose, only to magnify and bulge her pretty green eyes. "You see, I have $352.48 at home. I've been saving for a long time. But I guess my contact lenses will have to wait another year. I wanna help her instead [pointing to picture]. I think God would like that."

I was speechless. Tears flooded my eyes and my bottom lip started dong that quiver thing. I immediately felt shame for my quick judgment and assumptions. But as Darla proceeded to fill out the sponsorship paper work... a light went on inside me. A light that filled my soul to the very brim. This shy awkward girl had every reason to spend her hard-earned savings on herself... to boost her self-esteem... to bring about a more confident Darla. But she understood something I apparently was still figuring out. It's not about her. It's not about me. It's about our Great Father, and what He wants to do in us and through us and around us.

When I joined the BTR guys on the bus later that day... I told them the story. And five grown rockstars wept... and then took $400 out of their weekend's earnings... and sent Darla a gift certificate to LensCrafters.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. But it was also the launch of a deep, deep passion. Not just for getting kids in Africa (or anywhere) sponsored... but a passion to discover Christ in unexpected and unlikely places. In the face and story of a small child in Uganda. In the chubby-cheeked smile of Darla as she happily sacrificed for another. In the tears of a rock band moved to compassion and generosity."

Thanks, Debbie B., for the reminder.

for real?

In keeping with my new year's resolution to do a different service project every month, I have been utilizing the services of a local organization that specializes in matching up volunteers with non-profits that need volunteer help. They have a very handy calendar of volunteer opportunities on their website, and I have used it to sign up for a multitude of fun projects, discovering many wonderful non-profit programs in the process.

Today as I was browsing the calendar, one project titled "Cooking for the Coaches" caught my eye. I imagined that it might involve cooking brownies or some other treat for coaches of inner-city youth teams, or providing dinner for life coaches at a non-profit organization, or something along those lines. So, I clicked on the link to read the description.

"Description: Volunteers are needed to assist with preparing and serving an evening meal for the Titan coaches every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 1:30-4:30pm.
Impact Areas: Homelessness/Hunger: Meal Service"

Um, I'm sorry. Did it say that I would be cooking dinner for the Titan's coaches? Like, the pro-football team Tennessee Titans? Maybe I'm mistaken, but can't the Titans' coaches afford to buy or make their own dinners...probably even more so than I can???

The dinners are organized through 2nd Harvest Food Bank, which is a non-profit that serves the low-income and homeless community. I know that 2nd Harvest's offices and warehouse are just down the street from the Titans' practice facilities, so maybe they are trying to be good neighbors, but I severely hope that they aren't using the organization's resources to provide dinners three nights a week for pro-football coaches. I'm pretty sure they don't qualify as low-income or homeless.

I mean, dude, if you're a Titans football coach and feel a little hungry, get Vince Young to go buy you a burger.

Crazy.