Back in Seattle Again, Back in The Saddle Again ...

And we're back. Last week involved a brief interlude with Colorado, which was probably the most fantastic and much needed thing in my life. I was privileged enough to go on an intern retreat alongside other interns from around the country who are a part of the Ascent network. We went to Boulder, CO and then on to Breckenridge for some time to debrief the first half of our internships, and just discuss with one another what we are experiencing, what we are enjoying and what we are frustrated about. It was so good - to simply be around people who understand much of what I'm going through is a blessing. It was also extra fun because I was able to reconnect with a few I haven't seen in a while - interns from Cali and Texas, and also just hanging with the UMin interns, what a blast! Nothing like deep convos, inner tubing and a new nalgene to recharge your batteries and get you goin' in time for the holidays!

Speaking of the holidays, how did they get here already? Talk about a mad-dash for holiday shopping. Yikes. And can I just say, that I hate useless gifts? Or at least thoughtless ones? Really I hate giving thoughtless gifts. Like candles and soap, or junk that can be knicknacks which is equivalent to useless. I like gifts that have potential, or purpose, or practicallity. Basically any gift that can be described with the letter 'p'. I just like giving something meaningful. But then you run the risk of giving a gift to someone thinking it's the perfect thing, and on receiving it they have a kind of 'oh' look on their face with a shelled out thank you that pierces your gift giving soul. But hey, what's showing love if there's no risk involved?

Oh, and holiday seasoning for the soul - I love running into the people I've been meaning to see. Thank you Jesus. Catching up with people is both a favorite and a sadness, because I love sitting with people and hearing about their lives and discussing the process of growing up, but the sadness is it means that I don't get to see these people alllll the time. Which stinks. Nothing like a lack of community to help you see how much you appreciate it when you have it.

Now, please pay attention to the sky. This morning it was gorgeous, in that contemplative kind of way. It made me think about humanity. Is that strange? Okay here goes - Seattle is to overcast as Disneyland is to magical. They come hand in hand. So you can guess, it was pretty cloudy today. But in an especially brilliant way this morning - the Sun was just pushing it's way to be seen through the clouds. And it made me think about us. About how we each have a certain personality, we are who we are. And a lot of times, we are trying to be seen through the clouds - through the things in our lives that seem to be in the way, or seem to muddle the brilliance of our true selves. And how theologically, God has given us this brilliant soul, that Jesus' words about being the light of the world can be seen in us in the same way the sun is seen in the sky. We have blue sky days, there is no question of the warmth and light the Lord provides. On the cloudy days, people might question our light, but it is there - behind the heartache and the frustrations, behind the things that cloud our lives, still shining brightly, and can still be seen fully by the people who travel far enough beyond the clouds to see us - I guess that analogy turns my best friends into airplanes, but hey, that's pretty cool. I'd be an airplane. The only thing is I think sometimes people forget themselves among the clouds, and muddle in the muck and smog rather than wait for the wind to clear the skies and refresh the air. We forget the brilliant radiance that Christ has promised and instilled within us. Don't forget that. And here, take a look at something that cannot fully represent what the morning looked like, but is still a god attempt.
New music update: I don't know how I end up finding more music all the time. I'd say it's a gift if it didn't mean I'd be spending more money, which it always does. Anyway, Jon Foreman, the lead singer of Switchfoot has released some new EP's which are absolutely fantastic, more reminiscent of his 'Let That Be Enough' off of New Way to Be Human. Check them out.

Now friends, I must stop spending money immediately. Fortunately, I think I got all the gifts I needed to get for this season. And as a female at the age of 22, I hereby state it is about time I started budgeting my money. Lord, guide me.