Fences

Jesus said that in his Kingdom the first shall be last and the last shall be first.

These people are neighbors.  But something separates them:  a fence.

A fence to keep poverty out.  If you walk along it you will see that it is placed specifically blocking every view  that borders a neighbor's yard that looks less than desirable.  Perhaps it is easier to live in wealth while your neighbors live in ruin when you don't have to look at it.  The thing is, my heart is broken for both of them.

Because those big, fancy houses are prisons too.

The poor may be imprisoned by institutions that hold them back, by the shame comparison, the uncertainty of whether or not daily needs will be met.  The rich may be imprisoned by a tight grip on stuff that moth and rust will destroy,by the isolation of comparison, and by a belief that their value comes from their status.  

Maybe the first will be last because that is what they really need.  To be humbled.  To realize that they are broken deep down inside.  Maybe the last will be first because that's what they really need.  To see that they have infinite value.  To realize they are not junk, because God doesn't make junk.  May God help us to realize that we are wretched sinners, but we are also original masterpieces.  May we tear down the fences that keep us from seeing pain and delve into the messiness of the lives around us.  May we humble ourselves so that those around us can be lifted up.  Like Jesus did.

Thrift Store Finds

A good friend of mine introduced me to a new thrift store in the area.  And it turned out to be a true gem.  Everything was cheaper than thrift stores in Pullman/Moscow.  Which is cheaper than cheap.  It is one of those places where they don't know what's cool so they practically give away treasures.  Other stores I've been to seem to mark up trendy items/vintagey things.  I feel weird getting so excited about it because it's just a Goodwill.  But check out the goods I scored.

A pretty teacup.  I have some plans for this that include wax and a wick.

Isn't this key a beaut?  I can't decide if I want to leave it as is or give it a coat of black spray paint to make it look more like those antique keys.  What do you think?

I couldn't resist.  ND is my husband's favorite movie of all time.  It's a lot like pictionary except you have to draw two animals (from cards that you draw at random) combined into one.

Here are some of the masterpieces we came up with:  A horsebunny, jellyfox, a turkowl, a fllama, a hedgeull, a frogbra.

I got all of this for under $5!  

The Introvert Fell in Love with the Extrovert

I bet that no one that knows Phil and I would guess that there are moments in our marriage where in my head I am saying, “Please just stop talking!”  But it’s true.  My husband is what we lovingly call a “reserved extrovert.”  Yes, he is quiet.  But he gets energized by being around people.  He loves being around tons of stimulation.  He’s happiest when he’s out an about—preferably somewhere with lots of people and sounds and flashing lights.  I have learned that I, on the other hand, am an “outgoing introvert.”  I know, it sounds bizarre.  For the most part, when we’re in a group setting together I am the one venturing out and talking to people.  I love people.  I am very feelings/people centered.  Many tasks/goals fall at the wayside because of this.  However, I must confess that being around people kind of wears me out.  I’m happiest curled up on the couch watching a movie with Phil or during coffee shop conversation with a small group of close friends.  Now that we’re commuting a lot we have seen this come to a head.  On the long drive home from hanging out with friends Phil starts chatting up a storm.  To me, it sounds like he’s going 500 mph!  (With his words, not our van, although he has been known to drive fast and furious).  All the while I am trying to connect deep thoughts and internally process the conversations we’ve just had.  I can get pretty frustrated because I just can’t diffuse with all that talking.  I am thankful (I say this by faith) for all the ways that Philip and I are different.  I am glad that we are constantly forced to compromise.  I am glad that we have to sacrifice in order to meet each others’ needs.  It is so good for me to constantly be stretched—to constantly have to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.  Marriage helps me be less selfish and for that I am continuously pissed thankful. :)

Fridays Letters

Dear Rockstar, You don’t know it, but you are so going to love dinner tonight.  Hint:  it will be very manly.  Dear Teach For America, please accept us!  We are going to be awesome teachers and we care about the same things you care about.  So what if we might not know how to write a professional resume?  Dear Clarkston, did you know it’s almost fall?  Maybe you should consider cooling down so I can sip tea and wear scarves in peace.  Dear Mom, thanks for reading my blog and loving on everything I write and photograph.  You have always been my biggest fan (and that’s not a fat joke!  Seriously, my mom weighs like 100 pounds).  Dear NYC, there is something coming your way in the mail for one of your cutest new residents.  Dear weekend, we have no plans for you and I am so happy about it!  Here’s to watching movies, window shopping, going on walks, and probably trying another restaurant in our new town.  Dear Phil, come home so I can kiss your face already!

Fair Photos

Last weekend I was a little disappointed.  It was a great time, all in all.  Got to see one of my favorite people and peruse a park and get a Cub meal at the-one-and-only Cougar Country with her.  Then Phil, the in-laws and I hit the fair, which as a small town girl I adore.  I love the small community coming together and presenting their crafts, crops, and animals.  I love the greasy somewhat-unsanitary food.  I'm trying to love the rides since that is my hubs absolute favorite part of the fair.  This year I decided to enter some photos.  Photography is just a hobby for me.  I do it for fun.  I never claimed to be an expert. So I don't want to sound snobby when I say this, but I've entered before and usually I get mostly blue ribbons with a few reds.  The last time I entered this particular fair I even won a best in show.  This time I entered five pics and came out with one blue, one red, and three whites.  That's more white than I've ever gotten before (except maybe my legs during the winter harhar).  I think the judges (sweet little old ladies) just didn't get it.  I took some risks.  I had a some safe-route photos, but I wanted to enter pictures that were difficult to take.  I wanted to enter photos that meant something to me--photos with a certain uniqueness about them.

Title:  Friendship.  This was my blue ribbon winner.  Ironically, I almost didn't enter this one.  It's cute and all, but I just feel like I've seen it before, you know?  

Title:  Against the Grain.  This won the red ribbon.  I like it because it is a picture of wheat, but as a silhouette.  Usually the thing that stands out about wheat is the golden color, and that color is actually in this picture (the sunset) but instead the focus is on the unique shape of wheat.  I also like that it has a lot of depth to it.

Title:  Hunter at the Office.  This is my lovely father-in-law while he was out hunting.  I intentionally focused on the log, and let him be blurred into the background even though he is the real focus of the photo.  I really like the colors and how the lines on the log draw your eye back to Leo.

Title:  Dancer on her Toes.  This was exceptionally hard to take.  My sister was a clogger in high school.  That's a fast-pace dance done wearing shoes similar to tap shoes.  Here she is doing a toe-stand which lasts for about a split second.  

Title:  Snowflake Stowaway.  Yes, this is an individual snowflake.  I was pretty darn proud of this one.  With my little point-and-shoot, it's pretty difficult to get this close.  The snowflake is on a kitten's fur so I was also wrangling that squirmer in order to have it still enough to capture that small detail.

I was upset at first.  But judges don't define my worth.  I still think I am a fair photographer (get it? harhar) and will keep doing what I love and finding small ways to share it with others.  

P.S. Here's me holding a chicken.