I’m not sure what this beautiful day of sunshine means.

But around here, we think it means that summer should begin.

Now.

So we went for it….

We (meaning not me, but my Dad) are going to try and run some updates on the blog today.

So it may be down on occasion.

Hope to be fully up and running again soon…

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

(Elizabeth Kubler Ros)

A list.

1. Donald Miller’s Storyline Conference. We liked it. A lot. There were no answers–which is why I love Miller. But it was a powerful process. I will share more in the coming days as I unpack it all.

2. It’s true. Bob Goff (who spoke briefly) is my new favorite person. It’s turns out, he is the favorite person of everyone who has ever met him. So that is something. I’m not sure the book totally captures all that he is…but it’s a good start. I read the whole thing last night.

I knew of him a while ago through 3 words. “Be secretly incredible.” I’ve never forgotten that.

“Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World” (Bob Goff)

3. Mother’s Day. We have some fun Mother’s Day e-cards available here. You can support Moms around the world while loving your own Mom which is pretty cool.

4. Spring Gala. I told you about it. I want you to come with me.

5. AdVenture Balm. Still available. You do not want to miss this. Get it now.

6. Katherine Wolf…a hero. She has literally rocked my selfish world several times the past couple weeks. Love her.

7. This is awesome. Becky is basically a movie star in this series of videos. Go watch them. She’s the real deal. (And seriously, where are all the nice boys?! This girl is amazing!)

And this video #13 is my favorite. It’s true. It’s now official TAP protocol: When in crisis (like a riot), tweet for help.

8. This is a lot of links. I hope you don’t have anything else to do today.

9. Thank you to the village of people who helped watch our kids for 24 hours while we were at the conference. It’s hard not having any family around and we are truly grateful for those who have stepped in to love our kids in the gaps. Truly. Truly.

10. Quincy told me he wrote a book for me at school today. He said, “It’s called, ‘If You Give Your Mom a Cake.’ I used cake because Swedish Fish was too long.” #soproud #healthyliving

Spring Gala

PS. This will be my first gala. Ever. You know, because, I’m 33 and so classy and cultured. It’s going to be all sorts of awkward for me. You should come hang out with me. Really.

PSS. It’s also going to be really awesome. So many fun, fun things in the works.

Tickets are limited and available here.

Spent the last couple days doing thorough and intensive exercises of self-evaluation.

It was suggested that after attending the conference, you take a week-end alone in a secluded cabin to finish the process.

We, however, rushed home to get to a baseball game and then spent the night frantically finishing a science project.

It was good.

Really good.

And I’m still a very confused and conflicted person.

So there’s that.

But we should all have coffee and talk about it tomorrow.

For now, I a bit behind in life…and you literally cannot miss one day of laundry around here….

Oh…and all the cool kids are buying organic, homemade lip balm that benefits well mechanics.

Part of our Tribe in Iowa made and covered all the overhead for this awesome stuff. So now they are selling it to you with 100% of profits going to the mechanics.

Go here:
http://www.tapwater.causevox.com/ADVENTUREbalm

Buy some.

Love these girls.

So….

Saturday was an unexpectedly amazing day for well mechanics and clean water!

One day. $10K. 18 mechanics!!!

I was a bit in shock. And so excited.

And now believing enough for another day.

Today is the last day, folks.

41 mechanics ($550 each) left to get this program in India to capacity.

We would be so, so thrilled to report on a fully funded program.

You can feel free to jump up and down and tell everyone you know that today is the day to join us.

That would be so cool.

And you guys.

You guys are so much fun to partner with.

I mean that with everything I have.

———

I am headed with Andy and a co-worker today to Portland to attend a Storyline Conference.

“At Storyline you’ll clarify your ambitions, prioritize your relationships and learn to manage them, anticipate conflict and learn to engage challenges rather than run from them, and envision climactic scenes that will be more powerful than setting goals.”

So basically in 24 hours I am hoping Donald Miller can help me figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I’ll let you know how it goes….

(More than one person said to me, “Oh. You need to go to that.”

Hmmm. OK.

So glad I’ve been handling my crisis of identity so gracefully.)

——–

I feel like this could be a really fantastic Monday….

We tend to assume that our life is still currently surrendered to Christ because we once-upon-a-time pledged to surrender it o Christ–which is why we tend to live largely secular lives, despite our confession of Christ as Lord. We have theoretically surrendered to the Kingdom, but the majority of our actual life is lived outside the Kingdom.

–

We all make an initial pledge to surrender our life to Christ, but the actual life we pledge to surrender is the life we live each moment after we make our initial pledge. For the only life we have to surrender is the life we live moment by moment.

(Greg Boyd)

Made it home really last last night.

Everything was clean and in order.

There were love notes literally written in Swedish Fish formations on my counter.

They know me well.

And I’m so happy to be here.

—-

The usual transition back to reality and our pace of life today.

But I’m getting there.

—-

And I would just like to take a moment to recognize the wonder of you people.

I’m always so moved.

So inspired.

In the last couple days I have seen several very generous folks step up to help us finish out this Water campaign. (4 days left.)

And I recognize their names from blog comments.

From sweet email exchanges we have had.

Sometimes I wonder if the discipline of blogging and the risk of vulnerability here is valuable enough to continue.

But this crazy world that allows me to be connected to you.

Allows us to know each other, to encourage each other, to love each other.

It’s pretty cool.

And I’m so inspired and so blessed by you guys.

I really, really am.

Got another email this morning from a blog friend who is literally in bed recovering from a major and painful surgery.

Her email said only, “How can I help raise some money in the last couple days of this campaign?”

Um.

I am not worthy of knowing such amazing people.

I really feel like that sometimes.

So all that to say, “thank you.”

Thanks for helping me to attempt to live courageously.

That’s it.

Thank you.

Simply being alone can make us feel vulnerable. Being alone can make it difficult to put danger and fear into perspective. Without the presence of others to balance our perspectives, to strengthen our resolve, and to share our risks, living courageously can feel like a daunting task.

(Scott Bader-Saye)