A toast... to today

It's going to be a great day! I just know it.

When the toast popped up it actually launched out of the toaster this morning. For some reason I just love that. It's like a tiny little joke between me and my breakfast. So anyway, that happened. And I think today's going to be good.

It turns out art matters

Yesterday I faced a giant fear. It wasn't really the public speaking. It wasn't the pressure from what people would think of the four of us in front of them sharing experiences and answering questions. It wasn't even the thought that the artists panel wouldn't "go well." The fear I faced was that no one is interested in art anymore- at least not as it relates to the Church &/or society.

I knew people care about art. I knew they want to express themselves. I knew they think beautiful things matter. I just didn't know they (especially college students) believed that art matters to our church and our society. Thankfully, my fears were assuaged. Even if not explicitly, the panelists and attendees revealed that art changes things. It matters to our Church, our society, our Lord.... and we have a responsibility and an opportunity to be a part of it. Through their attendance, their questions, their answers, their response. I was shown that others are thinking about the role of art and beauty and the church and it's a large role, as it turns out.

I have no idea what the fruit of the panel will be. I don't know who has been inspired or who has been empowered, but I do know I was built up and reminded of my identity as a co-creator with God. As Rachel told me, I have an artists soul and I know that soul will not be content without living out creativity and without the suffering and joy that art inspires. Father Peter said that "without a renewal of the arts there will be no renewal of the culture" and I couldn't agree more with him. I just hope I have a role to play.

A Random Smattering

Today I didn't read much. In fact, other than a few emails, I think I read less than 3 pages of text.I think that's a good thing to do sometimes. Not that I don't love to read, but there is such thing as information overload and I think I was on the brink of it. So this is not much of a synthesis of what I learned, instead it's rambling about some things that have happened in my life today and lately.

I took the day off from work to recover from the Saint Paul FOCUS conference (which was AWESOME!) The benefits of taking the day off included, but were not limited to:
1. Getting 10 hours of sleep
2. Going to the movies with Sarah and all the retired folks
3. Cleaning my room and the bathroom

Number two from above is referring to The King's Speech. HIGHLY recommended. In fact, new favorite movie. The portrayal of friendship was authentic and moving- something that you don't often find in a modern day movie. The character development was extremely well done. You instantly identify with the quirkiness and eccentricities of Lionel as well as the fear and woundedness of the Duke. Their qualities, history, and different perspectives come together marvelously to highlight the value of friendship and the hope that exists even in the face of tremendous setbacks. See it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

One last thing- here is a picture from my flight out to St. Paul. It was so much fun. I sat with 8 other FOCUS/CLM folks and we had a rockin good time on the plane. Praise the Lord for wonderful people.

Preach it, Papa!

From Pope Benedict's address to artists November, 2009:

Saint Augustine, who fell in love with beauty and sang its praises, wrote these words as he reflected on man's ultimate destiny, commenting almost ante litteram on the Judgement scene before your eyes today: "Therefore we are to see a certain vision, my brethren, that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived: a vision surpassing all earthly beauty, whether it be that of gold and silver, woods and fields, sea and sky, sun and moon, or stars and angels. The reason is this: it is the source of all other beauty" (In 1 Ioannis, 4:5). My wish for all of you, dear artists, is that you may carry this vision in your eyes, in your hands, and in your heart, that it may bring you joy and continue to inspire your fine works. From my heart I bless you and, like Paul VI, I greet you with a single word: arrivederci!

Photo: AFP/GETTY

No more begging

Have you been downtown on a Saturday night lately? Or any night of the week? Have you seen the late-night prowl? The look in people's eyes when they see the object of their desire pass by? How do you account for this? A friend of mine articulated it perfectly- They want....what they want.....when they want it…

I agree with his summation and I’ve been thinking a lot about it.

This phenomenon and an article I read recently from Six Stone Jars are pointing to something that is desperately lacking in our culture, an understanding of God’s hand in our lives and His desire for our good.


God wants our freedom, our happiness, and ultimately for us to be set apart for Him.

Even though He has promised us a feast we walk around begging and telling those we encounter that we have nothing to eat. We are a broken and wandering people. So confused we don’t even know what will satisfy us, we just know we are starving. But God knows. He knows what we need. He also knows when. And how. And His understanding of the situation is far more accurate than our own.

It’s time to start living like children with a loving Father. I, for one, am sick of begging. Especially because I’ve been promised a feast and He who promised is good for it.

{feast image}

Why remember?

Today's copyblogger post titled Defy Convention (or be forgotten) speaks about Frida Kahlo, a Mexican folk painter who is known for her raw self portraits, complete with unibrow and faint mustache. I read the post along with a myriad of other emails as I started my day this morning. But Pamela Wilson, the article's author, hit close enough to home that I am still thinking of her as I get ready for bed this evening. Wilson asserts that we can all be memorable if we give people something to remember us by. And, she tells us, this doesn't just happen by accident, "She [Frida Kahlo] went against the conventions of the day and left her brows and upper lip au naturel in order to stand out. Those were, of course, just a few elements of the overall style that made her unforgettable. Everything about her — from her appearance to her paintings to her personal life — worked together to create a powerful message." She goes on to say that by speaking truth, taking a stand, having a distinguished style, and not going over the top for shock value's sake you can be memorable in your online marketing. I believe she's onto something, and it doesn't stop online. If we want to make a difference, to be truly excellent, and to accomplish our goals- displaying that desire in one single aspect of our life is not enough, it must be expressed in every area. May we be bold in our convictions and allow them to purvey our whole selves.

Thinking light

I don't know that I learned anything today or read much worth while. Sorry to say, there's not much to synthesize.

At Mass Father Nathanial talked about three kinds of power according to Pascal. He said there is political power, the power of knowledge, and charity. I think Pascal's distinction will be helpful in assessing my own motivations and methods for doing things. Obvi charity is the best, but it is easy to fall into being motivated by knowledge or politics/money.


After Mass we had a lovely morning here at the 2241 dream house. My roommates and Justin (Jen's bf) had breakfast. It was what a Sunday should be. Kim later came over to work on her quilt. Then my cousin and her friend picked Kim and I up and we went to the Bronco's game. De-light-ful!! We had our faces painted, enjoyed food and libations, and my uncle generously sponsored the whole ordeal. Clearly he was motivated by charity. It was a great time!!


A Sunday this great can only be followed by an equally great Monday. Here's hoping!