I went and saw Amos Lee in concert last night, and it...was awesome. This guy can absolutely write songs. Lyrically he wrestles with social issues, questioning life and relationships, revealing our human connection. And his voice, is well, just unbelieveable. Check him out.

Amos Lee on NPR (Click on LISTEN in the top left corner)

Dear Nathan,

Today, sweet boy, you are three years old! My, how time has flown since you were born.When you were born on September 13, 2005, God made me an Aunt for the first time, and as a friend told me, you "opened my heart up to a new kind of love." I was in Portland, OR while you were making your grand entrance in Texas, and when I met you at six weeks old...well, honestly -- I wasn't that impressed. All you did was poop and cry! But greater still, I felt my heart open to you, a deep love for you overtook my heart.We've spent much of your 3 years separated from one another. I was in Oregon or Texas, you were in Bolivia. But I love that you are getting to grow up in a foreign country, serving God with your mama, daddy, and brother, and learning so many things that will form you as you grow older.Besides, when we do get together, we make the most of it! " 'Om on, let's do! " was your cry to me when you wanted to play. You were 2 years old, and you turned "do" into "Do Do" (read: Dough Dough). I thought you were calling me a Do Do bird, but I let that go, and have loved hearing your sweet voice say your unique name for me. We play at the park, build towers, play soccer, go swimming, and so much more!You have such a kind heart. When Auntie Do Do took you to see Wall-e, you got scared. As I carried you out to the car, I apologized for the scary movie...you hugged my neck and said, "Isss ok Do Do." The tears welled in my eyes as I held you close. I would've given you anything you wanted right then.I have never met such a brave, tender-hearted, crazy, goofy kid like you. You have captured my heart in the deepest of ways. I am so proud of you, and am incredibly thankful for you.

I love you sweet Nathan, hugs and zurberts to you on your big day!!

Auntie Do Do

Oh man...

Well...maybe I should re-introduce myself?? :) Eight months is quite a while to drop off the blogosphere, and I surely fell hard. I mentally tried to get up, brainstorming ideas I could write about, forming words together in my mind...alas, they would not come together.

I am not promising any consistency here, I will only do my best to share thoughts and reflections as they come in day to day life. I'll be working on it, I am anticipating sore muscles after many months of blogging inactivity. :)

In the mean time, I bought some cute t-shirts for my nephews while visiting Portland...and these two boys do something in my heart that I can barely explain. I love them.
Be seeing you friends!

Letting the Bull out of the Gate

As 2007 began, I decided to make an intentional effort to cut back on the television and spend more time reading. Geeking it out as a future English teacher and taking several literature courses sure helped out with that! Here is the list of books that I got to read this past year and a few of my personal recommendations.

Nigger: An Autobiography by Dick Gregory

So the title is the "n" word. You will get weird looks when you ask for it at the store or when you read it in public, you just will. Read it anyway. I put it up at the top because I think so much of it. This was one of the texts for the African-American Lit. course I took, and it is more than worth your time. Dick Gregory does a masterful job of weaving tragedy and humor through the years of his life--growing up on welfare, becoming a track star, becoming a great comedian, and his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. [Contains profanity.]

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

I read this book for an American Lit. course I will take this upcoming Spring semester. It is one of those bizarre stories that shares some uncomfortable realities. Fight Club shares some looks at simple living and "discipleship" in radical ways that Christians and the church could really grow from. [Contains profanity, sexual content.]

Freedom Writer's Diary by The Freedom Writers

Teach with Your Heart by Erin Gruwell

I saw "Freedom Writers" in the movie theatre and went quickly to the library to grab the the previous two titles. The movie used many of the entries from the diary, yetreading these entries was really powerful. It was amazing to read the transformation that was occurring in the lives of the student and their teacher, Erin Gruwell. [Contains profanity, violence]

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This book has won numerous awards and has lessons for multiple age levels. A touching and an idea challenging read reflecting on a utopian society. Lois Lowry can flat out write.

Here's to Hindsight by Tara Leigh Cobble

Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller

I grouped these two books together because Cobble and Miller write in ways that I find very refreshing, like sitting down to coffee with a friend, sharing life moments and stories. Here's to Hindsight navigates stories from the life of Cobble, a recording artist, weaving her humor and faith through her college and 20-something years.


Through Painted Deserts takes you alongside Donald Miller's roadtrip from Houston, TX to Portland, OR with the quirky humor and authentic revelations of beauty, story, and faith that Miller creates so well. Highly recommend both. Work well as bedtime reads or on the road.

A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

This book is the story of Ishmael Beah and his experience as a child soldier from Sierra Leone. Beah and I are nearly the same age, so I was able to identify with the timeframe of his recounts in a very personal way. It was personally a difficult read, I had to push myself through it at times, but the beauty of hope and redemption amidst terror and despair became worth it. [Contains graphic violence.]

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall

A friend passed this book along to me, and I continue to notice its title popping up on the "favorite books" lists of friends. A great read. Shares the story of a friendship between two men, a marriage, faith, race, homelessness, and redemption. Grab the book, then some tissues.

Honorable Recommendations:

Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell