Motto for the Weekend

This weekend I'll be driving down to the Outer Banks for a time of relaxation, sun and sand for the THIRD ANNUAL HATTERAS TRIP! My motto:

"You do too much. Go and do nothing for a while. Nothing."

Lillian Hellman

I'm not sure who this Lillian lady is, but I like her style! If you need me, don't call...it can wait 'til Monday!

Wild About Harry!

The Library of Congress has launched a very exciting initiative partnered with Sony: The National Jukebox. Here's a little history on the project:

"The Library of Congress presents the National Jukebox, which makes historical sound recordings available to the public free of charge. The Jukebox includes recordings from the extraordinary collections of the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation and other contributing libraries and archives. Recordings in the Jukebox were issued on record labels now owned by Sony Music Entertainment, which has granted the Library of Congress a gratis license to stream acoustical recordings.

At launch, the Jukebox includes more than 10,000 recordings made by the Victor Talking Machine Company between 1901 and 1925. Jukebox content will be increased regularly, with additional Victor recordings and acoustically recorded titles made by other Sony-owned U.S. labels, including Columbia, OKeh, and others."

Anyone in the mood to make a playlist from the 1920's? Well, now you can! Just go here and you can listen to others' playlists or make your own! Along with executives from Sony and Mr. James Billington, the Librarian of Congress, Harry Connick Jr. showed his support for the project by speaking to the group and playing "Wild About Harry" by Eubie Blake (written in 1921). Connick Jr.'s father was the DA in New Orleans and this song was his dad's campaign song. When little Harry was 9 years old, he had the privilege of playing with Eubie (they showed us video footage of this). After he played, our office was able to meet and get a photo with him! He was extremely nice (unlike some of the other celebrities I have met) which was refreshing.

So how's that for a start to the work week? Be sure to check out the National Jukebox and make a playlist. This is an incredible resource that has been made available for everyone to use!

My Mama

Happy Mother's Day! This is my mom's 25th Mother's Day (THANKS TO ME!) and I am sad that I am not with her! I am thankful to consider my mom to be one of my best friends. Even thought we live 1000 miles apart, we talk and email every day. I like staying current on the "little things" in her day and keeping her updated with my life.

When I'm happy, sad, frustrated, sick, have a "light bulb" idea or just want to talk--Mom is one of the first people I contact. She is a great listener and full of wisdom. I pray that one day I will be as wise and Godly as she is.

Each mother is unique and wonderful in her own way. My mother has played a huge role in my faith. Not only has she taught me straight from the Bible but her life is a living example of Christ's love and grace. Growing up and even today, she is quick to point me to Christ when I am struggling with an issue or upset about a situation. Because of that, she has helped me build a habit to turn to Jesus with everything--first.

Mom--thank you for all you have given me, taught me and sacrificed for me. I am awed and thankful for the ways you continue to do all of these things. I am blessed to have you as my MOM and FRIEND. You are my project partner, shopping buddy and coffee drinking friend. I look forward to the years ahead. As you always tell me, I love you through eternity!

Prayer

"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God- it changes me."

C.S. Lewis

The power of prayer--how many times have you heard that in your life? Enough times to dismiss it as a cliche? C.S. Lewis (again) conveys a very powerful thought about the importance of prayer in our lives. It can be tempting to think that we don't need to pray because God knows our thoughts and he knows the outcome of our lives. However, if we neglect prayer we are only hurting ourselves. Prayer is our direct line to the Creator and sustainer of the universe! What a wonderful gift and privilege to be able to come to Him at any moment of the day or night.

I keep thinking about the last sentence over and over: "It doesn't change God - it changes me." So will you choose to be changed?

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer! Please take a few minutes to pray for our nation, leaders, families, communities and our family and friends.

There is some great information on WHY we pray on the NDP's website.

Psalm 91:2

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

All I Need

This glamorous bike ride is captured by none other than Kate Spade New York and includes all the necessary elements for a blissful afternoon: a bike, a dog, gorgeous outfit (shoes!!), cupcakes, four-square and of course, a French song as the sound track.

I wonder if this afternoon is for sale in stores? I'll take ONE, please!

Adrenaline vs. Oxygen

Tonight's reading at Grace DC was from Luke 14:25-33.

There is a difference in believing in Jesus and following Jesus. Our faith should be more like oxygen (something we crave and need to survive every moment) instead of adrenaline (a mechanism that kicks in when life is going wrong).

So how do you view Christianity? Too many rules? A burden? Jesus promised Christians that they would have troubles, but he also assured them that his "yoke was easy and his burden was light." So how can this be?

Jesus was a realist with his followers--this is because he loves them (us) and cannot lie. He tells his disciples on the front end that life believing in him will come with struggles and also states that unless a person is willing to give everything up, they cannot follow him. That certainly sounds extreme and it is easy to feel put in hard place thinking: do I choose Jesus or do I choose death and judgement? God puts us in the middle of this hard decision for a reason--he knows that if we choose him there will be immense joy on the other side of the decision. In terms of giving up everything, it is a good time to ask oneself: "what is captivating me? Is it Jesus?" If it is not Jesus, the PERSON of Christ, the relationship you have with him--then you will not make it.

So what are the costs? Well, there is a relational cost--those around us will be affected by our decision to follow Christ. This bring us to the point that we must love Jesus more than we even love our family. Jesus puts this stipulation on us not just to burden us, but to also protect our family. If we love and prize family over him and idolize our loves ones, we will smother them. Our first love must always be Jesus--then we can properly love others. There is a personal cost. Jesus will get into our identities and challenge the way we view ourselves to be sufficient without him. For example, I consider myself to be very organized and therefore many things do work out well for me because of forward planning. One way I can tell I am getting to "self-sufficient" is when my plans fall through and I am left with nothing--except to rely on the Lord. These times are often the sweetest in the end and I usually learn so much more than I would have if my "perfect" plan worked out.

Popular culture tells us that we should find a religion that works for us. Well, if you subscribe to that mindset, Christianity is the wrong religion for you. If you commit to follow Jesus, every area of your life will be invaded and turned upside--in the most beautiful, hard, unexpected, loving and mind blowing way you could never imagine. It will be difficult at times. It will be joyful at times. It will always be fulfilling.

Be Still My Soul.