We have a thousand photos or so of our Hawaii trip; mostly photos taken by Amy and me, but a few others were taken by strangers, like this one.

This photo was taken on a black sand beach on the southwest end of Maui by a man who sat with a woman videotaping the sunset.

I have no idea who took this picture.
They had no idea who we were.

Life’s like that; we move through some days barely connecting with people.

Amy sat for hours Inches away from people who had been complete strangers.

In the quiet can learn that we are lovable and that we can be and need to be loved.  When we rest in God’s love — truly allow God into our being — we can acknowledge our imperfections, we can feel our wounds, we can see our scars and admit our sins. When we rest we can be quiet. In the quiet is God waiting for us.

“Be still, and know that I am God! Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God!” 1

Today, this is my quiet whisper.

1 – Psalm 46:10, NLT, CEV

It’s the 13th; the 13th of the month.

It’s FRIDAY the 13th. 

For some of you that conjures up images of Jason Voorhees, and others a superstitious fear of Friday the 13th. 

My Friday the 13ths are neither a horror story, nor unlucky.  Just the opposite! 

Amy & I started going out on Friday the 13th.   
We married on the 13th.
Amy’s birthday is on a 13th.

Today is the 313th 13th that Amy & I have been “going out.”

It’s been 1361 weeks.
It’s been 9527 days.
And, I’m still counting my blessings!

As I’ve said, I don’t believe on New Years resolutions I believe in New Years gifts. Gifts that we give ourselves. 

Resolutions that I had made in the part were well-intentioned, but often I gave up or got distracted. 

I believe in action.  I don’t want to just plan to do things, I believe in doing. I’m ambitious and encouraged others to have ambition.  

Trap

I am a notorious multi-tasker. As some women in my life have said, I can multitask as effectively as a woman.  I’m certain that’s not true, but I am a notorious multi-tasker.

Taz, our dog, usually ran into his “dog run” to take care of “his business.” 1

In his last months, despite his best intentions he didn’t always make it. That’s inconvenient, but it’s not a problem when it’s outside, someone notices what’s going on and she or he responds promptly.

On-the-other-hand, it can become a big problem if:
– Inside, not outside, well, hopefully he made it into the kitchen.
– Someone fails to notice, and there is now an unforeseen minefield awaiting.
– Someone fails to respond, and now there the minefield is caused by neglect too.

Welcome to all the new mysilentscream readers who joined us yesterday!

Here are a few holiday stress-busting suggestions:

Take a warm bath or a long relaxing shower.

Take a walk. Bundle up with a buddy and get your body moving.  Walk outside. Look around.

Take a five deep relaxing breaths. Exhale slowly.

Take a nap. Nap – not to hide from your responsibilities, but to retreat, recharge and recover.

I almost never remember my dreams. Yesterday I wrote to my friend Anastasiya, “I wish I had pleasant dreams”. This morning, just before I woke up, I was dreaming of hanging out with musician Dave Matthews after a show.

While there are several reasons not to like Dave Matthews’ music, but I still love most of his songs.  I and Paul Thyren, a friend and fantastic co-worker of mine, love the Dave Matthews Band.   One of our favorites is “Two Step.”  Listening to the extended jam that often accompanies Two Step played live brings me peace in a surreal, mellow, “I’m just glad to be here” kind of way.

I love listening to my old music.  I love breaking out a Bruce Springsteen concert or playing Rush’s La Villa Strangiato.

I also love learning about newer artists. 

Recently my son Josh’s girlfriend Taylor introduced me to metalcore bands I hadn’t heard.  Now I listen to Acacia Strain, Asking Alexandria, Dead By April, and Motionless in White.  I admit, they won’t make the daily list, but they will spin in my media player.

By the way, what music are you listening to that I should consider listening to too?

Deep Music

In the past I mentioned my appreciation for singer-songwriter Sara Groves.  This week Amy and I are going to her CD release concert so I’m highlighting some of her great songs.  They inspire and encourage me.  I think that they will do the same for you.

A couple of months ago I mentioned how moved I was by Sara’s compassion churned by the pain and hurt she saw in Rwanda.   I Saw What I Saw expresses that she could never be the same after her trip.

Most people want to relieve or avoid pain, and understandably so. 

What is something that amazes you?

In our garden we planted a watermelon plant. From one single seed amazing things happen:

- Watermelon seeds have the ability to drawing resources from the ground.
– Watermelon seeds develop a hard armor that looks a work of art.
– Watermelon seeds create a 2nd line of defense, a white rind.
– Watermelon seeds rest in a red heart inlaid with black seeds capable of reproducing.

Each of those watermelon seeds is capable of becoming a watermelon 200,000 times its weight.