a poor mans Christmas gift exchange.
stuff found around the house..wrapped in bags and boxes.
Things included:
Becky’s phone
hand sanitizer
frozen burrito
veggimite
shampoo
MERRY CHRISTMAS ROADIE FAMILY <3
… almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
-Steve Jobs
California… I’m going to miss you.
Buy less. Love more.
Here’s an awesome resource for Christmas gifts this season. My friend Seth has a blog with tons of ideas on how you can make a difference this holiday.
SO CHECK IT OUT. : )
Photo by: Lauranne Boyde (my beautiful teamie)
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” These past few
weeks we have trekked our way across unmarked territory in hopes of
laying down a foundation and awaking a generation. In the smallest
towns of rural Mississippi we have discover the largest hearts. In the
busiest cities we have found the most rest and in the most
uncomfortable moments we have found comfort in each-other.
To understand where we are now, like any other great adventure you
have to understand where we have been. These past few weeks we have
said good-bye to our new friends in Georgia and Alabama and made our
way across Mississippi and into Louisiana. Once upon a time these men
and women were strangers and now they have forever wrote a line in the
story we will always tell. We have heard tales from strangers about
sailing across the ocean, stories told by missionaries of traveling
hundreds of miles to share the gospel, and we have met those who have
next to nothing but give close to everything. Laughter has brought
pain to our stomachs and many of these tails have filled our hearts
with a burden for others.
There is a great paradox in this life on road. We have encountered
feelings of great appreciation, and other times we have felt
forgotton. The concept of “high-highs” and “low-lows” has definitely
made itself present in these past few months. We have experienced
several nights without showers, sleeping in the van, and the
overwhelming truth that we are homeless, but still other nights we
have found ourselves enjoying the gracious gift of a cabin to
ourselves on seventy acres of land. This tour has shown us the meaning
of sacrifice. Through this fast paced life and daring adventured, we
have learned one of the greatest paradoxes of love and humility.
Mother Teresa described it best when she said “I have found the
paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt,
only more love.”
The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a common place thing, but burn burn burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars
- Jack Kerouack, On The Road
With Mississippi comes broken down vans, hitch hiking, paddle boats, and 70 acres of land.
With Mississippi comes the daring adventure of driving hours on end not knowing if our van will make it.
I had sobering experience during my two days off in New Orleans.
What we are doing is not normal. It is UnUsUaL. A little absurd and crazy. It won’t last forever, so I want to ENJOY it. We will never live this again so we really must leave it all on road.
When it is all said and done we will look back and say “remember when?” so for now I want to enjoy EVERY SECOND.
“What were we born for? - “For infinite happiness”, said the spirit. “You can step out into it at any moment…” - The Great Divorce C.S Lewis
The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn’t it be? - it is the same the angels breathe. ~Mark Twain
First time I feel at home. Is it weird that driving down the road with the windows down and the heater on, makes me feel at home. Five weeks into tour and, about 2 months since I’ve been away from home and I feel strangely comfortable in this very uncomfortable life. I feel full in this very scarce life. I feel rested in this very restless situation.
Alabama brings cool weather and old friends.
