Extreme Makeover Part 2: Home Edition

As I sit here and write my house is undergoing an extreme makeover...I'm so excited! It is getting a new paint job and a wheelchair ramp built onto the front entrance.

When the truck pulled up and dropped off the wood is when I really knew it was actually going to happen.

Earlier this year I heard of a program that offers free home repair services over the summer months. Students from all over the US, supervised by professionals, volunteer their time to participate in this program. Supplies are donated, houses are selected, crews are sent out and...viola!

Early this morning I huge charter bus pulled up and unloaded the students and all their supplies...it was like a TV show. I was waiting for the film crew to pop out from behind the bushes!

All of this is more than a blessing...it is faith manifested. The unknown is scary sometimes, especially when there is a need and you have no idea if and when it will be fulfilled. But God knows His plans. He knew that my mom (who lives with me) couldn't go through another winter season without a wheelchair ramp (she has MS and steps are not her friend). He also knew affording a new paint job was something I didn't need to spend my personal finances on. So, like always, he came through in a way that was far more wonderful than I could have asked for.

I'm excited to see the progress when I get home!...

Extreme Makeover Part 1: Life Edition

My trip to Atlanta was bittersweet. I saw the beauty of Stone Mountain, ate more fabulous food than I can even talk about, spent time with my brother, sister and nephew, met new artists and caught an exhibit, and received news of my grandmothers passing. She was 94.

Almost a century she saw in her lifetime. I think about all the things I have studied in history and how much of that she actually experienced! She traveled the world, had a meaningful career as a librarian and provided substantial opportunities for myself as well as other family members. However, our relationship was a strained one. She was a very difficult person to love and be in relationship with. But God has used that circumstance, in each member of my family, to refine and shape us. That's how He works you know...giving us beauty for ashes

It has been years since all of my immediate family has been together in one location. Here is a snapshot of our memorable moments together...

The Family

The man cave

My sister, Nikki, getting ready to cook. Probably where I should have been also but my duty remains to the camera

My sisters,Nikki and Latoya

My brother Austin and nephew Keinen. Keinen had his first dirt bike lesson...in which he ended up upside a tree!(no injuries)

Auntie Bird stealing kisses from Austin Jr.

....and Jr not feeling the love!

That was the first time I have felt that vulnerable and fragile. So many emotions surfaced following the days of my grandmothers death. I didn't know what to do with them all. I can see how people can make rash decisions during emotional times such as that. I learned the importance of building emotional stability on a daily bases so that when situations arise I am not enticed to reach out to things or people for comfort. I made that mistake and it almost cost me a friendship.

It is hard to be friends with an ex-boyfriend, past lover or ex anything. In my case I have actually pulled it off. My ex-fiance is one of my best friends (and has been a tremendous support during this time, thanks Pete!) so I know it can be done. It took us years to get to where we are. It was very hard in the beginning and required much effort from both parties but I know from experience that it is possible. My most recent relationship is now going through the same phase. It has been bumpy trying to be friends and I expect it will take quite a while for us to get used to the idea. Learning and exercising boundaries, respecting privacy, not playing games...it takes a while for all of that to mesh and lots of forgiveness. My emotions got the best of me one evening during my mourning process. I reached out to him and reacted harshly when he was unable to be there in a time of need. Fortunately he was able to recognize what was happening, my emotions running wild and all, and respond in a mature way. I appreciated that (I won't mention his name in this instance but you know who are you are...thank you). From this experience I saw something that was very real: the capacity of love to reach beyond the obvious, what is seen, and extend to what is hidden, the unseen.


Coming home and having to face the reality of my grandmothers death made everything in my life appear to be new. What was once surreal has become a reality; what was in the background has propelled into the foreground. I have a charge to finish the work that has been entrusted to me. I have more than a reason to now...I have a passion renewed.

Sweet As A Georgia Peach part 2

 Great things can happen when you take risks. Taking a break from the norm and not having an agenda was so relaxing...and the view isn't so bad either!

View from the plane




Midtown Atlanta view



The first thing I had to do was get some good food. My brother Chaz, sister LaToya (Bird) and nephew Keinen headed to Chow Baby's shortly after my arrival.

On our way to Chow Baby's ready to grub!

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Browsing around Atlantic Station, we finally found an art exhibit I read about in Creative Loafing, a local art publication. Dubelyoo is the name of the artist and his work was representative of hip hop culture reflecting social issues. Great work and good vibe!

Artist: Dubelyoo exhibit at Atlantic Station

  





 

A nice discovery with 200 beers on tap..



The only time I will have a seafood dish of this caliber will be in ATL! Highly cost effective and the flavor...Oh, the flavor!



Keinen getting the crabs ready!Time for the real cuisine.

 






A dish like this takes full concentration...stay focused Keinen!



Stone Mountain was an awesome sight! City life is great but to be able to have this beauty to experience was breathtaking.



Sweet As A Georgia Peach

As I was having time with God this morning, I read over a familiar scripture Psalm 139. The last verse reads, "Search me God and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." I have prayed that as a prayer for years and I now see that that is exactly what God has been doing. Through situations and people he is testing me in areas that make me anxious and require great faith. There are very specific issues that stir up the most anxiety in me; money, family, career and men. In each area, over the past 7 years, I can recall very specific tests. Especially the tests regarding matters of the heart that would pertain to my devotion and committment to Christ. I have recieved what I prayed for and am better because of it. Some of those tests I feel like, "Man, why did I have to go through that!" or "Why did I have to experience it that way?" But after my emotions subside and the pain heals, the value of the test becomes more clear.





Flying the friendly skies to Atlanta


This morning I thought to myself, "How do you want your life to be?" Getting away from Grand Rapids, where it's all hustle and grind, always helps me regain my perspective. When your so close to a thing, near sighted, you can't see anything but what is directly in front of you. In certain circumstances that's good but other times it disables your ability to see the bigger picture. Being out of my norm  this week/weekend reminds me of what is most important and shifts my focus from what's frivolous to what matters.

I have an appreciation for home and also for the "get away". This weekend marks the 2nd anniversary of purchasing my house. Things have come a long way and there is much to still do. I am so thankful to have so many different opportunities to grow. If God wasn't all in my business, aggravating me out my comfort, then I would have reason to worry. But I am definitely being shaken up right now and for very good reason. Since I was about eight or nine years old I have always known what I wanted to do in life; to do something great with my life and my art. Fulfilling that is a life long journey and along the way will be so many experiences that mold and shape me. Right now, I see where my focus needs to be and it's difficult in some ways because it will mean that I have to take my attention away from things that have previously held it. But in the end it will all be worth it. Nothing is wasted, every sacrifice has value. Even if all I see is smoke and ashes...there is beauty that will arise.

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Beautiful night skyline of Midtown Atlanta

So, my very relaxing get away has been quite a treat so far! Being in a stylish room (that I don't have to pay for!!!), reading under a bungalow at the pool and complimentary breakfast in the morning is a feeling like no other. What is it about sleeping on a bed that's not yours that somehow makes going to bed exciting?!