at the gardens.

oh how i'll miss the muggy Carolina air

after a rain shower, before a rain shower.

in the early morning when there are few people in sight.

the wind stirs and your face feels slightly sticky.

you hear bird calls and bees buzzing between trees.

oh, how beautiful it is!

i would proclaim is so, but don't want to disturb the peace

my air will be fresh out west,

but oh how i'll miss this.

leaves on the branches bobbing up and down

in rhythm to my creaking swing

back and forth, back and forth

i can smell the green

can almost taste its sweetness

this air is home, has been home.

a bit of blue peers between the clouds

adding a palette of different colors to the scene above my head

below my feet, the brown leaves of winter have given way to the grasses of spring.

the grasses of summer.

and while the Sound and so much grand and natural beauty await me out West,

oh how i'll miss this.

right now this is perfection. this is life-giving. this is my carolina home.

oh how i want to hug you, my carolina home.

unfurnished.

It is the saddest thing to sell your childhood furniture. And further, that in the end, the money is going towards a plane ticket to a place it can't come with me.

where does the spirit rest?

"the spirit is the truth" - 1 John 5:6

i say, to you and you and you

joy is very much alive

in that place of isolation

in that place of fear

joy is very much alive

in that place of discontent

in that place of distortion

i say, dwell in honesty

and you will find your joy

you will find your answers.

you will find so much love, you know not what do with it.

be consumed.

and then, let it out.

pour onto others. as it has been poured onto you.

i say, to you and you and you

you each have gifts

you each have passions

see these. trust these. love these.

allow for redemption. allow for goodness. allow for compassion.

release the spirit.

she stood.

she stood face to face with love today.

When the morning sun hit her face. When the first cup of coffee touched her lips.

she felt the joy and hope that today brings to so many millions of hearts.

she felt clean. Washed and fresh.

All around her the earth was in bloom, the fields yielding to budding trees.

the cherry blossoms. the bradford pears.

In her ear she heard bells. Bells from the hilltop church, ringing forth throughout the valley.

she was among family and among laughter. suddenly, she blinked, finding herself inside the hilltop church- looking upon the eyes of her savior. Knowing it was his day, she smiled. the priest's thunderous voice made her smile. The mother in front of her, singing hymns into the ear of her infant child, made her smile.

another blink, and she found herself on an airplane, alone. She knew little of the place she is headed, but she knows that today she stood face to face with love. And this knowledge, she is certain, is all that really matters.

lesson learning.

the boldness to go forth and live out your passion.

how unmotivated it would be to not go forth...

contentment.

a culmination.

Is this a time of refreshment?

Learning to be content with glimpses, rather than clear images?

Learning to recognize the consistent opportunities that he is granting me to act. to move.

In this early morning there is joy, great joy. Because I am being taken to great places.

Great places because they are purposeful. Because they house community. Because they were faithfully and creatively made.