source: http://soliroma.tumblr.com/post/64743574240

"The salt of the earth does not mock rotting meat. 

Where it can, it saves and seasons. 

And where it can’t, it weeps. 

And the light of the world does not withdraw, 

saying 'good riddance' to godless darkness. 

It labors to illuminate, but not dominate.” 

~ John Piper

Sometimes I'm asked to pretend like I don't live in the 21st Century. I generally willingly comply.

photographer: Rodolfo Claros

Today is the birthday of this. . .

. . . adventurous. . . 

. . . loving . . .

. . . artistic . . .

 . . . gorgeous. . . 

. . . adorable . . .

. . . little girl that I'm so blessed to be able to call my sister :) 

I love you Midget :) :) :) . . . and miss you so very much. 

I can't wait to see you again soon :) 

"And, 'You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

and the heavens are the work of your hands;

they will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment,

like a robe you will roll them up,

like a garment they will be changed.

But you are the same,

and your years will have no end.'"

(Hebrews 1:10-12, ESV)

“But in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do." 

~C.S. Lewis, An Experiment in Criticism

By The Fading Light, Fall 2013

choreography: Melissa Bobick

photo credit: Maggie Sullivan 

interesting links

inspiration and experience color your identity

"Classical schools are less concerned about whether students can handle iPads than if they grasp Plato."

No, no, no . . . this is ENTIRELY unacceptable.  

adorable :)

totally unnecessary "sweat shine", but still a great way to demonstrate that "athletic build" means nothing (the pictures in the link display athletes with minimal clothing. If that makes you uncomfortable, please don't open the link)

"curiouser and curiouser. . ."

This was brilliant!

wonderful choreography :) 

amazing scenery :) 

perfect score :) 

incredible use of technology without overshadowing the humanity of dance :)

genius costuming :) 

amusing references to past ballets :) 

in everything, excellent storytelling :) :) 

. . . yeah, I kind-of might have really liked it :P 

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2012/12/17/cartoons_20121210#slide=1

a living prayer

"In this world I walk alone with no place to call my home

But there's one who holds my hand

The rugged road through barren lands

The way is dark, the road is steep

But He's become my eyes to see

The strength to climb, my griefs to bear

The Savior lives inside me there

In your love I find release

A haven from my unbelief

Take my life and let me be

A living prayer my God to thee . . ." 

~Alison Krauss and the Union Station 

"When you don't get into an audition, you cry -- tears are fine. Then, you learn how to cry in the next scene." ~Chita Rivera*

*She came to Meryhurst!!! and gave a private interview with the dance and theater majors and then a public interview in the Mary D-Angelo theater :) I may or may not post quotes from her talks for the next few days :)

update on Gracie

Gracie made is safely through surgery and is recovering well :) Hopefully, she and her parents will be home in a few days :)

"Your muscles contain memories . . ." 

Can words ever fully express those memories?

Can words express contact with human beings?

Can words express the feeling of standing in a circle of people with linked hands as you lift up prayer?

Can words express the feeling of holding someone as they cry their heart out?

Can words express the feelings of walking though a neighborhood with your am wrapped around some else's arm?

Can words express being human?

 . . .As I think about these things, I am thinking in words. As I write about these things, I am writing in words. As you read these things, you are reading words. As you read these words, are you thinking of experiences of your own? Can you feel the memories in your muscles? Did you store the memory in words or do the words just trigger the memory?

Gracie

Please be praying for Gracelynn. She is the daughter of friends of mine. She was born last week. Today she has to have heart surgery. Please be praying for own physical strength and well as spiritual and emotional strength for her parents. 

because everyone should have random dance parties

This is unreal. 

( . . . and will not load on my blog for some unknown reason so you'll just have to open the link.) 

and so the week of chaos begins . . .

I stand amazed . . .

" . . . O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

And my song shall ever be:

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

Is my Savior’s love for me! . . ."

interesting links

storms

brainwashing

charcoal

mental health

lollipops