March 29. 2008
Parker Blane Miller was born to my wonderful sibs, Arthur and Kristi.
Here is the little man with his "Aunt Renee Bird" as his brother Benjamin calls me.
Benjamin being a proud big brother
Benjamin being a proud big brother
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Maggie
This weekend has left me in a state of contemplation and a renewed zeal for life.
A good friend of mine, nik hook, is part of a family devoted to each other, their God, and a full life. Nik's grandmother Maggie was one of those women that, at first glance, you assume is rather fragile in her older years. She may appear that way, but she was one of the feistiest women I have met, at any age. I'm sure she only remembered her age when she looked in the mirror and saw wrinkles because inside she was still a spry and fearless 20-something. During the reception to her memorial service yesterday I watched a slideshow of glimpses into her life and the lives of those she walked alongside. We listened to her family and friends speak of the way she created a home for everyone, the love which was so apparent between her and Ward, the adventures her entire family has treasured from childhood on, and her legacy which inspires celebration instead of mourning.
This family has life. They are outspoken and affectionate, gregarious and joyful, tight-knit and unique. They have their faults, as every family does, but seeing who Maggie was to each of them kept her alive a bit more as we celebrated her this weekend.
Our friend Joe came down for the service. A combination of Maggie thoughts and conversations with Joe about his life over the past few years have sparked something inside that I pray stays with me in moments of monotony and self-doubt. There is so much fear to be absorbed if we let it. Sometimes I am overcome by the fear of taking risks in my professional life. I'm young and inexperienced, but I have lived 24 years and have much less to risk than if I wait till I'm 44 to try something a bit outside my comfort. I said I am inexperienced, but that doesn't mean I have no experience. I want to seek a challenge, even if failure may creep in against all my best efforts. God is good and He will honor my heart and teach me through failures or victories if I am willing to step down from my own calculated life.
There are goals to be set and fullness to be tasted through confidence in God's guidance and greatness.
sidenote:
The story of Nik and I becoming such good friends is actually kind of cool. He and I both went to JBU - he from Colorado and I from NM. One day my mom said she met someone at a social event whose grandson went to school at JBU. It was Nik! His grandparents have had a cabin in Ruidoso for a long time and apparently his dad, aunt and uncle ran around with my dad and his friends when they were in high school and now Nik and I have a history we never knew existed. he's been coming to Ruidoso for holidays and family gatherings since he was born. Crazy! He's a good friend and I was so blessed to be part of the celebration this weekend.
Last weekend he went to prom with me to see some of the girls that work for me.
This is our prom pose.
A good friend of mine, nik hook, is part of a family devoted to each other, their God, and a full life. Nik's grandmother Maggie was one of those women that, at first glance, you assume is rather fragile in her older years. She may appear that way, but she was one of the feistiest women I have met, at any age. I'm sure she only remembered her age when she looked in the mirror and saw wrinkles because inside she was still a spry and fearless 20-something. During the reception to her memorial service yesterday I watched a slideshow of glimpses into her life and the lives of those she walked alongside. We listened to her family and friends speak of the way she created a home for everyone, the love which was so apparent between her and Ward, the adventures her entire family has treasured from childhood on, and her legacy which inspires celebration instead of mourning.
This family has life. They are outspoken and affectionate, gregarious and joyful, tight-knit and unique. They have their faults, as every family does, but seeing who Maggie was to each of them kept her alive a bit more as we celebrated her this weekend.
Our friend Joe came down for the service. A combination of Maggie thoughts and conversations with Joe about his life over the past few years have sparked something inside that I pray stays with me in moments of monotony and self-doubt. There is so much fear to be absorbed if we let it. Sometimes I am overcome by the fear of taking risks in my professional life. I'm young and inexperienced, but I have lived 24 years and have much less to risk than if I wait till I'm 44 to try something a bit outside my comfort. I said I am inexperienced, but that doesn't mean I have no experience. I want to seek a challenge, even if failure may creep in against all my best efforts. God is good and He will honor my heart and teach me through failures or victories if I am willing to step down from my own calculated life.
There are goals to be set and fullness to be tasted through confidence in God's guidance and greatness.
sidenote:
The story of Nik and I becoming such good friends is actually kind of cool. He and I both went to JBU - he from Colorado and I from NM. One day my mom said she met someone at a social event whose grandson went to school at JBU. It was Nik! His grandparents have had a cabin in Ruidoso for a long time and apparently his dad, aunt and uncle ran around with my dad and his friends when they were in high school and now Nik and I have a history we never knew existed. he's been coming to Ruidoso for holidays and family gatherings since he was born. Crazy! He's a good friend and I was so blessed to be part of the celebration this weekend.
Last weekend he went to prom with me to see some of the girls that work for me.
This is our prom pose.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
5 months back. 9 months forward.
I have been back in the US for a month now. the five months of london adventures is complete. I have new friends, music, tastes, memories, etc. but New Mexico is home once again.
I have these friends that wash windows in town. On separate occasions I have heard many of them say how much they love their lives. To the Wal-Mart exec. life as a window-washer may seem really lame amongst other things, but to one of my friends it is his dream job. There isn't much stress. They work on days when the weather is nice and you'd want to be outside anyway. They manage their own hours so if they need to take off for a round of disc golf they go do it.
My friend Craig said he had the best year ever and I asked why, seeing as he had recently left a business as a partner in this great bike shop/import store. He said, "you know I just got really specific. I was specific with what I needed to make and what I wanted to do this past year." He went sky-diving, explored Banff and Vancouver. He said he didn't think he was as effective when he tried to multi-task and window-washing is perfect for that.
Charlie is great too. He bartends with me at Landlocked. When we swap shifts we do the small-talk "how was your day" sort of thing. He always says, in the most genuine way each time, "Leah, you know I'm really lucky because I can't complain about my life. I played a great round of disc golf with the guys yesterday. We washed windows for a few hours today. I really enjoy my life."
Have you heard the parable of the Mexican fisherman? It makes me wonder what all the push for money and status is for if we end up wanting the simplicity we had in the beginning. I am trying to figure out if I need to make a "career-move" or stay where I'm at for a bit. My heart jumps at adventure, experiencing another culture and eating new foods but does that mean these things need to be part of my career? Or do I find a job that accommodates those things as pastimes? Am I being a poor steward of my education if I don't work for some big company for a bit? Where will fulfillment be found? Is it more a matter of my own heart being content? If I were to get really specific about 2008 what would be involved?
- pay off CC bills from the expensive London sabbatical
- save money to put in an IRA or something like that
- learn about the "something like that" options - investments, etc.
- commit to mentoring one or two girls (maybe from LL or the high school)
- mountain bike more consistently (once a week at least. ugh)
- increase spanish skills - go to language school for min 3 weeks or take classes here
- go on an adventure with megan
I have these friends that wash windows in town. On separate occasions I have heard many of them say how much they love their lives. To the Wal-Mart exec. life as a window-washer may seem really lame amongst other things, but to one of my friends it is his dream job. There isn't much stress. They work on days when the weather is nice and you'd want to be outside anyway. They manage their own hours so if they need to take off for a round of disc golf they go do it.
My friend Craig said he had the best year ever and I asked why, seeing as he had recently left a business as a partner in this great bike shop/import store. He said, "you know I just got really specific. I was specific with what I needed to make and what I wanted to do this past year." He went sky-diving, explored Banff and Vancouver. He said he didn't think he was as effective when he tried to multi-task and window-washing is perfect for that.
Charlie is great too. He bartends with me at Landlocked. When we swap shifts we do the small-talk "how was your day" sort of thing. He always says, in the most genuine way each time, "Leah, you know I'm really lucky because I can't complain about my life. I played a great round of disc golf with the guys yesterday. We washed windows for a few hours today. I really enjoy my life."
Have you heard the parable of the Mexican fisherman? It makes me wonder what all the push for money and status is for if we end up wanting the simplicity we had in the beginning. I am trying to figure out if I need to make a "career-move" or stay where I'm at for a bit. My heart jumps at adventure, experiencing another culture and eating new foods but does that mean these things need to be part of my career? Or do I find a job that accommodates those things as pastimes? Am I being a poor steward of my education if I don't work for some big company for a bit? Where will fulfillment be found? Is it more a matter of my own heart being content? If I were to get really specific about 2008 what would be involved?
- pay off CC bills from the expensive London sabbatical
- save money to put in an IRA or something like that
- learn about the "something like that" options - investments, etc.
- commit to mentoring one or two girls (maybe from LL or the high school)
- mountain bike more consistently (once a week at least. ugh)
- increase spanish skills - go to language school for min 3 weeks or take classes here
- go on an adventure with megan
Friday, 29 February 2008
Regulars...
A few of the regulars have asked to take me to dinner or drinks over my last week here. Tuesday night Paul, Gordon and Simon took Nikki, Kristina and I out to Italian. Paul is the one that sent me flowers a bit ago. These guys are great and will be missed.
L to R: Simon (brings in his son on the weekends), Gordon (Scottish man who makes me smile and loves his football) and Paul (bought me flowers because "You're far away from home and flowers can make a person's day." They did)
L to R: Simon (brings in his son on the weekends), Gordon (Scottish man who makes me smile and loves his football) and Paul (bought me flowers because "You're far away from home and flowers can make a person's day." They did)
Last night I met up with Phil. People call him Shrek but he doesn't like it, though he does whisper "Donkey!" sometimes with his strong Scottish accent and its great! When he gets a bit tipsy he requests "cuddles" which is a hug over here. Big teddy-bear Phil:
This one is Paul, my manager, trying to be even shorter than he really is. Phil looks like a giant!
This one is Paul, my manager, trying to be even shorter than he really is. Phil looks like a giant!
best day out
Sunday, after a long weekend for both of us, Kristina and I spent a day in the city together. She'd been wanting to see a couple exhibits at the Imperial War Museum and we decided to make a day of it. We saw the daffodils throughout Green Park, Buckingham Palace, shopped with hundreds of crazed women in Primark and drank good beer (kristina's fave - Steinlager from NZ and I tried a Strawberry Blonde) at a great pub. It was the best time I've had in London and wonderful to share it with Ktina.
our journey begins
Me in the daffodils - they're blooming everywhere. It almost reminds me of Siloam's little patches of wild daffodils in the spring.
It happened to be crazy-windy that day as well.
Alas, the Imperial War Museum!
One of the exhibits was "My boy Jack" about Rudyard Kipling's son. There's a made-for-TV movie about it, but to see the actual letters exchanged between a father and son during the war was moving. I like this quote from Rudyard. I hope all father's feel this way.
our journey begins
Me in the daffodils - they're blooming everywhere. It almost reminds me of Siloam's little patches of wild daffodils in the spring.
It happened to be crazy-windy that day as well.
Alas, the Imperial War Museum!
One of the exhibits was "My boy Jack" about Rudyard Kipling's son. There's a made-for-TV movie about it, but to see the actual letters exchanged between a father and son during the war was moving. I like this quote from Rudyard. I hope all father's feel this way.
Flatmates
Kate and Jon have been great these past months. Jon reminds me of Darin Dueck + my and hannah's dive instructor in Honduras plus other stuff. Kate has been a gem to have around as well. She's a great girl and I've appreciated her insight and general conversation. We met up for drinks the other night at the Coach and Horses and took a few family photos.
flippin' omelet!
A few days ago I flipped an omelet and I was excited. I'm not a big flipper bc I fear I will launch the omelet off and ruin it in the process, but I tried and succeeded! The omelet itself is nothing to brag about, but the flipping was good.
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