Life in the Lone Star State: September 2008

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

Pretty awesome, prophetic stuff eh? Aren't you all glad that you have access to such poetic, theological imagery? Yeah, so I plagiarized it right out of Isaiah 43:18-21. I also can't lie--these last few weeks have been a lost battle, not the kind of weeks you want to blog home about. My brave face amidst this crazy Texan misadventure has been stripped off, a mere mask for the pain and feelings of failure, abandonment, anger and despair. Behind the sunny weather, cockroach massacres, baklava, and reams upon reams of ribbon is a woman hidden in sarcasm and shame. Where is the purpose? Why am I here? I want to go home!

But, I know there isn't any going back, not at least in the spiritual sense. I've always known and believed, even when trust has worn thin that God has a purpose for my time in Texas and from a macro perspective, for my life. What I so often loose sight of COMPLETELY however, is why he has a plan for it all. It's not for my happiness, comfort, achievement and satisfaction--it's for his glory. I chuckle to myself as I contemplate how God himself cannot deny his own glory--he would be a heretic. He rocks, he knows it, get on board, or miss out on the REASON WHY YOU WERE CREATED HONEY.

I do apologize for the all caps. It will be a rare literary style I'll defer to in the future for only these truly worthy divine subjects.

This holy text also blesses my proverbial Nike dry fit socks off with its mention of ostriches; a violent, thigh-normous, flightless bird of which I am bound to by familiar reference. Thanks are due to my sister Alli for bringing this to my attention so persistently throughout our adolescence.

Lastly, to Mom. Thank you for your patience, your prayers and your life-giving wisdom and, with it's own power of healing, so often also--your silence. God could offer me no more tangible demonstration of grace. In case you're wondering, I still want to be just like you when I "bloom" up.

Okay, everyone go get a tissue--I promise you a blog by the end of the week that will literally Segway back to a more familiar discourse on the craziness that is life in the DFW Metroplex.

I was recently introduced to a southern high school homecoming tradition; the giving and wearing of "mums." Through casual conversation I learned that I should expect to see mums appearing in grocery stores for purchase. Naturally I assumed that mums were corsages that I'm used to seeing in the Northwest. That, however, is entirely incorrect. Mums are perhaps the ultimate manifestation of all that is truly gaudy and over the top in the South.

You may think I'm exaggerating, but I think you may agree with me once you witness photographic evidence. As you see, mums consistent of literally reams of ribbons, bows and assorted trinkets. Mums are customized for the recipient, typically with the name of the wearer's date and possibly accented with school colors and activities the date or datee may be involved in. The male versions are, of course, entirely understated, worn on the upper arm and proceeding not much lower than the elbow. A lady mum, on the over hand, has it's own zip code.

How much do these beauties cost? I'm told somewhere in the range of $80 per pop. Don't worry though, they're worn with pride and then preserved in boxes long into the wearer's adult years. Priceless. There are some things money can't buy, but apparently frivolous, tacky ribbon pom pom badges aren't among them.