The Real King of Starbucks

One of Tim's employees, Loris, came over for dinner last night and to watch the Princess Bride, since he's never seen it and he loves Andre the Giant. Loris is one of the sweetest, most innocent people we've met and always speaks purely and truthfully about things. Loris had a brain aneurysm when he was 12, and although this has greatly affected his life, he is always the first to encourage customers and partners at the store and serve them.

He also loves to write poems and today he presented Tim with a special poem. Everyday it seems he comes into work with encouragement cards and poems for everyone on the team. This guy is for real! Check it out:

He loves Michael Jackson and TuPac and anything rap. He's also Dominican and took us to eat some mean Dominican food last year in Boston. We think Loris is the REAL King of Starbucks! We hope if you visit you can meet him.

He is a reminder of to us:
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

New Song By The Eyes

We have handcrafted another little tune from our tiny, tiny apartment in Boston. We are glad to share the result of a couple of cold nights, some warm cups of tea, and two happy voices singing into our faithful Apple laptop.

I originally wrote this song for Abby 5 years ago. This seems to be my big idea from back then: Love frees us from worries about what to do and so we are able to freely act. Love frees us from the need for explanations and so we are able to simply be. You'll be happy to find out those aren't the song lyrics, but I think that's what is behind the song. I feel quiet and content in Abby's love. Her love is a beautiful picture of something entirely Divine.

Click here to listen to Colorado's Princess. Or click on the tab to the right "Listen to our music".

Monadnock

Thanks to my friend Denise, I had a great day snowshoeing in New Hampshire today on freshly fallen snow. It was a much needed refresher trip to a nice little mountain. Apparently, the most climbed in the world?? Just behind Fuji? curious. But delightful.

It was very windy at the top, but the sun came out as we started and everything had started slushing and melting by the time we were down. Perfect timing.

Last week I started my last two classes: Program evaluation and Nutrition in Developing Countries. I have 3 months of class and then that's all, folks! Hard to believe. But still 3 months to go. I'm still working in the emergency department talking to teens about alcohol use and dating violence, still working on certain aspects of gang violence prevention for a community in Massachusetts, and still a part of organizing pieces of a dental study helping female victims of partner violence. Tim is kicking booty at his store, everything is running great, and we are enjoying great fellowship with some amazing people out here, all while missing those further away.

We are thankful for this season and are hanging on until the end with thanksgiving. God is good. In the midst of suffering, uncertainty, hardship, and blessing, He is good.

see ya, 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009 was a great year and gave us tons to celebrate: a full year in Boston, solidifying friendships, favor with jobs and school, trip home to see friends and family in Washington, and other fun adventures. 2010 is only going to get better.

This week we arrived in Naples, FL to spend the end of it with our family. Movies, manatees, dolphins, sunsets, good food, and a little bit of skimboarding (on baby waves) have kept us busy so far.

We got good use out of our 2010 Times Square New Years glasses we got in NYC. Here's to the tenacious tens!

It was even snowing (i.e. soaping) in Florida

More to come!