sharing a poem

Nothing So Wise
Jeanne Lohmann

There is nothing so wise as a circle. -Rilke

The arc of an egg
bends hands
to shape prayer,

the shell
unbroken,
the heavy yolk
floating.

Our fingers
curving always
inward, become a cup,
an open bowl.

Prayer is
circumference
we may not
reach around,

space for all we cannot hold,
the rim of Love toward which we lean.

We're back!

We have officially returned from an incredible time of service and building relationships! It's a busy time playing catch-up/keep-up for me now, but thought I'd post a few pics. Hopefully I'll be able to write something more reflective soon!!

I really love these youth and this church!! Praise God for being able to do exactly what I love!!

Headed to Wyoming...

I can't believe it's already the third week of June!!!!

This group of lovely youth and I will be headed out this Saturday, June 20-27th to Wind River, Wyoming on a youth mission trip with YouthWorks to a Native American Reservation to be in service for a week. We know that we will be working to repair homes, do yard work, etc. and work with their kids program they have going there.

Keep us in your prayers!! Most of them have never been on a mission trip or even away from home that long, and this will be my first time leading a trip. I'm blessed because they are a GREAT group of girls with a lot of energy and respectful attitudes.

Anyway, it'll be a while before I update again! Trying to play catch up/keep up while I'm gone.

Thanks for the prayers in advance!

woah.

Last night, I ran (okay, more like a jogging pace), 4 miles!

I do not know how/why that happened, but I think I hit a runner's high and just kept going and going, and it was AMAZING!! I NEVER thought I'd ever say that nor will I probably say that again anytime soon... but it was freakin' SWEET!!

I'm just proud of myself and had to share. :)

Weekend of friends and food

I am SO thankful for friends who flew in to celebrate my birthday with me! Rebecca and I have known one another officially for 11 years now (oy) and Melanie and I have known one another for 15 years! It's amazing to have such close friends over several years that you know will always be with you. Thanks for flying in ladies!

Also, thankful for new friends in California who were able to celebrate with me as well. :)

Thanks to everyone for phone calls, cards, and birthday wishes celebrating with me in spirit!! I feel so blessed.

The weekend began with dinner at the Cliff House in San Francisco and expanded to movie watching, more food, and more food... :) Special shout out of thanks to my fabulous youth group who bought me an ipod nano for my birthday!!! They heard I had lost mine in an airplane, and they bought me a new one. SO NICE!!

Here's to another year of life!

I'm 29.

I am 29 years old today.

My first thought waking up this morning was a little bit of awe that I have made it to 29...awe and gratitude. My heart and mind actually turned to my mom and my dad--29 years ago, they brought me into their world and into this world, and I couldn't help but be super sentimental about that and the love they have poured out on my life and continue to pour out on my life.

A lot happened last year -- a LOT.

For some things I am filled with gratitude, for others, pain, for others, complete joy, and for others, just a lot of love. I guess I'm just thankful that I got to experience the whole range in my "golden" year and look forward to a new year of life and living.

It's my first birthday outside of Chicago in 5 years and I wasn't sure what I was going to do today. Friends I've made here are out of town or busy today and I have 2 fabulous friends flying in tomorrow to celebrate with me all weekend long! WOOHOO!

So, I thought being a loner on my birthday was going to be kind of sad... BUT... I woke up with a thankful heart and so far it's been a good "Irene" day. I woke up, went to an exercise class, showered, got dressed and decided it would be a "lookin' gooooood" type of day. :) I made myself breakfast and then ran some errands--went shopping--and then found a great Mexican bakery in San Jose (The Pink Elephant Bakery) and bought myself two pieces of tres leches cake (mocha & strawberry). For those of you who do not know, I ALWAYS have tres leches cake on my birthday. It's my special treat and the only thing I usually request on my birthday.

Now I'm at a coffee shop, reflecting and getting ready to write my sermon for Pentecost so I can play a little with friends this weekend...

And you know what?

I LOVE IT.

Today, being with myself on my 29th birthday makes me feel alive, independent, happy, and confirms that I am in a good place.

I couldn't ask for more.

Memorial Day weekend

Yay for a great weekend of movie watching, pedicures, GOOD FOOD, shopping, and short but sweet visits from out of town friends!!

(Hannah didn't buy that dress, despite my protests...)

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend as well!! Now to the upcoming birthday weekend!!