What I didn't listen to: Heavy and Light

Saturday, the 7th, To Write Love on Her Arms hosted a concert in Orlando, FL called Heavy and Light as part of their Welcome to Midnight campaign.

If you're not familiar with TWLOHA they are something of a grassroots nonprofit organization that exists to offer hope and help to those those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.

To be perfectly honest, about 20% of my affinity for this group probably has to do with the fact that they're a young, verbose, artsy crowd with a knack for inspiring videos and modern graphic design (I love that font). But the foundation of this organization is closely tied to idea that you, as a friend, can do something to help those who are hurting. And I freaking love that.

Read the story that started everything here.

They've done a lot of cool things since then, but nothing inspires me like this story. Imagine if you were the one to stay up all night fighting back the lies that tell someone that they're alone, to have the audacity to step into someone's story to tell them that they matter, to wipe away the scars and write love on her arms.

They are not explicitly a Christian organization, although the founders are Christian, but they are certainly doing the work of Christ.

You were created to love and to be loved. You were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you're part of a bigger story. You need to know that your life matters. 

The best days are ahead of us. to write love on her arms

This video was the intro to what I'm sure was an amazing concert featuring the (amazing) David Bazan of Pedro the Lion and a lot of other really great (if slightly less amazing) musicians.

Looking ahead

Forgetting what's behind and straining toward what's ahead: here's something exciting for the new year! 

Ah, but what is it?

"My neighbor is blowing beaver dams."

I just jumped into a spy movie...

Collecting Stories

One bite at a time...

You know that proverb about the tiny Japanese man who ate 8 feet of sushi (Seriously, who eats an elephant? They're endangered.)?

I have been learning an important and similar lesson these past 8 months: one does not become a movie-making, web-designing, photographing, philanthropic, digital-story-catching sensation overnight. 

Or over 250 nights. 

The process of learning to see people for their stories and translate those stories into a tasty medium happens one laborious step at a time. One tiny, lady-like bite at a time.

And, if you will indulge me, if one chooses to take an over-large, Guy Fieri sized bite, unpleasant things can and likely will happen.  With that in mind, I give you my 48x48 pixel bite...

That stupid little button represents 4 hours of my life. In pain, sweat, and the occasional bout of mild profanity, I brought it into existence. I drew that "f" out of all the love that is in my heart.

And then I looked and said, it is good. Enough. Good enough for a first try.

And for fun...

Niece #2

Stories: Here's Your New Life

Back in January, I talked about my nephew Isaiah and his diagnosis with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. This is a short story I created for a journalism assignment that gives you a glimpse into everything that happened.

I have to give very big credit to my sister-in-law, Heather, for being such a huge part of this process and sharing her story with me so freely. I hope that, in 2 minutes and 44 seconds, you can get just a small impression of her incredible faith and strength. I can't wait to share more of the story with you all.

Here's Your New Life

I apologize, I am not able to embed the slideshow at this time.

Further reading on Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome:

• The Foundation for Children with Atypical HUS
• Hemolyticuremicsyndrome-hus.com
• The Atypical HUS Website

Stories: Pause and Soak

I love scripture.

But, like everything, it can become dusty and dry. The accounts of promise, pain, miracle, and heartache can become encyclopedic. We are pelted by stories, even in scripture, there's so much to take in that you can forget to pause.

The bible is an ocean, a vast deep pool, and sometimes we need to swim laps. Sometimes we need to reach and pull, exert, count our breaths, pace, and sprint.

But sometimes we need to turn on the jets and soak.

Kalyn Comings at (in)Courage gave me a good 3-minute soak this morning.

A Unique Perspective

The fluttering of her heart beat faster as she crept from her pallet, clutching prized flasks of perfume to her chest. Careful, so as not to wake the others, she tip-toed across the room and slipped outside as quietly as a gentle breeze.

The path before her lay enveloped in shadows, causing her to stumble and wince occasionally as a sharp stone pierced her foot. Maybe it was foolish to set off by herself, but she needed to face His bruised and battered body alone.

Read more...

Thanks Kalyn.

Happy Friday.