tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217693592024-02-07T09:05:17.144-08:00REFURBISHED.erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-57479336646550082852011-01-25T15:58:00.000-08:002011-01-25T16:58:29.634-08:00One ThingThe Lord really blessed me in 2010, in many ways, but it is so neat to see how He placed some new people and friendships in my life that have really spurred me on, challenged me, and caused me to live and grow - pushing me to know more of myself, and more importantly, to know the heart and love of Christ. (Bet you can't beat THAT run on sentence!)<div>
<br /></div><div>One of those people is <a href="http://www.gigimuses.com/">Gigi</a>. I actually met her early in 2009. We were on the same team of people from <a href="http://www.fbctn.org/">Fellowship</a>, preparing to go to <a href="http://bit.ly/eoRmrt">Peru</a> in September of that year. I ended up getting really sick on that trip and it was miserable. Sweet Gigi took care of me (she is a Family Nurse Practitioner) ... and that was the beginning of our friendship. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Over the next year we would occasionally meet for lunch or coffee and I found that Gigi's passion for the Lord and love of life were extremely contagious. I was so blessed by her wisdom and counsel, attracted to her humility, and encouraged by her desire to learn. One day after lunch Gigi was taking me to my car and she shared more of her incredible story with me. It clicked - there was a natural connection. It was not deliberate or intentional. And now? Discipleship.
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<br /><div>I wish you could know her for yourself.
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<br />I have learned that Gigi is warm, kind, committed, and intentional. She is hard working, honest, real, and vulnerable. Selfless, funny, a wonderful model of a wife and mother. Dare I forget that she is incredibly creative and a top notch <a href="http://www.gigimuses.com/">writer</a>. And let me just tell you - she WILL ask you the hard questions. You understand? I am so grateful the Lord placed her in my life. <div>
<br /></div><div>Earlier this (new) year Gigi tweeted - </div><div>@gigimcmurray:<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUbHpLX_6ehlQV1-s0pbbSj1onwgvaWJZFhvIJlifNw_p_3FhkcxVGps_zz7XcueK2m4zfBxMtvbhCTUpfNc0ZhC1pZEln3GSEs61Jba0xu9rx-jFzBwsrY2jr8gxSn6DX7k/s200/Screen+shot+2011-01-25+at+2.54.15+PM.png" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566279781285118482" /> </div><div>Happy New Year! This is my one wish for 2011. The first page of my new journal. One Thing http://twitpic.com/3lsp6h
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<br />... I freaked out over the "One Thing" ...
<br />I obviously love the verse. I adored the nest she drew.
<br />And I am a huge fan of her handwriting!
<br />I told her that that (Ps. 27:4) is what I want out of this year as well, so desperately. I asked her if she would make that for me sometime - I wanted a copy/reminder to keep for myself.
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<br />Today, I met Gigi for an impromptu lunch,</div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqI1e7D9cIVMmPdrlnCgEOj-Hz2SDz2O5INuvgqAyBXX_yTohlzmOqa8nrWvTTi7gRE3hQ3NfPF6htvQlsCZ-cPer7QldeJMOQ5Y4ALNXvPZrEnEDrqPBRj29R0BUyZP9gOD4/s200/bookmark.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566277472956551442" /><div> and look what she brought me ...</div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div>
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<br /></div><div>I have it framed and ready to hang on my wall in the place I have already designated in my office. After my walls are repainted, of course. Thanks, Geeg! You should know this is one of the most treasured of any gift I have ever received! Honest! Thank you for sharing your life with me and for pointing me to Christ. Your sacrifice is great and your impact eternal. </div></div></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-33625568091010529762010-09-07T11:13:00.001-07:002010-09-07T11:22:32.224-07:00Today ...<div style="text-align: center;">Is likely one of my favorite days of 2010.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is no overestimating <a href="http://www.sarabmusic.com/">her</a> work. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghErAxfzj5kSoFz-r2xy6NSjGgHg71IFEyR_xxfsiA4L233Qmdd6YKXJ6TMf0n6HY_zTmyq7TbIL-juUh-1iz0rR3O8IHwWFsKExtRov4rCSMIV01xmuzjBMvbcexNloHmwGY/s400/Screen+shot+2010-09-07+at+12.53.20+PM.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 164px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514237136031749362" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >In my very humble opinion.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >If only I could drive Hwy 1</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > all day long</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >in a convertible mini cooper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >blaring this album.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >But alas, I am at the office, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >and I will crank it anyway.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sing it, Sara.</span> </span></span></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-84217743221077961642010-07-29T11:18:00.000-07:002010-07-29T11:35:54.534-07:00Overwhelm-ed.<div style="text-align: center;">"I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed,<br />but can you ever just be whelmed?"<br /><br />Today, I would like to be whelmed -<br />but that is <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> the case with the given state of my Google Reader.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifButw0a-jN4pn4rinkz-0sRqAZM1hr1TMNimbuEfY5rFJ0i9FgY_wnsDDGfv4jUI-4WKKzLYMyhzaZ5R1c2bFObnHeR5n64IYLj4wXvIIxGo7zObUN6izpVmEr7SH-a7jLA/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-07-29+at+1.16.51+PM.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifButw0a-jN4pn4rinkz-0sRqAZM1hr1TMNimbuEfY5rFJ0i9FgY_wnsDDGfv4jUI-4WKKzLYMyhzaZ5R1c2bFObnHeR5n64IYLj4wXvIIxGo7zObUN6izpVmEr7SH-a7jLA/s400/Screen+shot+2010-07-29+at+1.16.51+PM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499396481021994450" border="0" /></a><br />"... I think you can in Europe."<br /><br />Maybe I should 'go to there.'<br /><br />Yikes.<br /></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-86112867188464284972010-06-18T15:00:00.000-07:002010-06-24T08:35:59.207-07:0031 things, the best things.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XfVKa6PrdpV4yqreP2MXYDRHfo60fOHv2vB2k6zoow_Iy55HTDx46sY2rWU10L7kPCq5u2TDcXEyquNMvB8hSgs8oSnBNl75xfEF0UTOVPQnHLELs_jYiFAbvzB66Qz1mCs/s1600/crazygirls.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XfVKa6PrdpV4yqreP2MXYDRHfo60fOHv2vB2k6zoow_Iy55HTDx46sY2rWU10L7kPCq5u2TDcXEyquNMvB8hSgs8oSnBNl75xfEF0UTOVPQnHLELs_jYiFAbvzB66Qz1mCs/s320/crazygirls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486350547062736930" border="0" /></a>I am really blessed to have some of the best friends in the whole world. I am <a href="http://erintumlin.blogspot.com/2010/02/today-i-miss.html">really proud of them.</a> I am sure you know. If you have hung around me for any period of time you know that my<a href="http://hannahkateflora.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20My%20Crew"> </a><a href="http://hannahkateflora.blogspot.com/search/label/Meet%20My%20Crew">college friends</a> are life friends - top notch friends, and I speak of them often. Oh the stories we could tell. My life has been marked by journeying through recent years with these precious girls and I am humbled to have them in my life and look forward to the days ahead.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://heatherconner.blogspot.com/">Heather</a> is a kindred spirit, my best friend. I often <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wOV44SwAr4XcYnfK-K05-arkgYpCs8-yt84faFsZif1qE6BJ1p1vAPHN_ENCVD7dPEseR_WWXGKzei64F8J4pL48ns5G7UKGXX2L2Fkh4j5wOucBDVpK2zs2HD9t1I56-iU/s1600/hal.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wOV44SwAr4XcYnfK-K05-arkgYpCs8-yt84faFsZif1qE6BJ1p1vAPHN_ENCVD7dPEseR_WWXGKzei64F8J4pL48ns5G7UKGXX2L2Fkh4j5wOucBDVpK2zs2HD9t1I56-iU/s200/hal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486347773235665010" border="0" /></a>wonder how many people are blessed to experience rich friendship like this. We have many memories that I am grateful for: like driving to Destin at the drop of a hat to pick up the <a href="http://www.larrivee.com/3_products/products_loadMovie/10%20series/L10/load%20movie/L10.html">Larrivee</a> that was <span style="font-style: italic;">given</span> to me, my sophomore year of college. Going to the <em>Sarah McLachlan</em> concert for my birthday one year, singing paperboy in the car, and endless trips to Dairy Queen that Heather required us to take so she could get a blizzard. These are just a few of the good times, but when I recall many of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my life, there are several that Heather has been around for. The day I found out my parents were getting a divorce, Heather took me (and my destructive personality) to the batting cage. She just sat there with me until I was done hitting.<br /><span id="profile_status"><br /></span><span id="profile_status">Henri Nouwen says, “The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and </span><span id="profile_status">bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares.” </span>That is the kind of friend that Heather has been to me, but she is even more. A mentor, accountability, someone that gets my craziness and laughs at me when I make NO sense. Whats more is she calls me to a higher standard. She is the one friend that I can <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> count on to call out sin in my life, and I appreciate this about her. I love that she esteems my relationship with the Lord more than even I do at times and she is always looking to point me to Christ and His word - and yet, she has more grace than you would ever know. Times of temptation, hurt, anger, defeat, despair - I can call her, and find a loving friend.<br /><br />I had the privilege of standing by Heather as MOH on her wedding day, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58HyrOucPu96eTAVpq93_VNITugKxzhtqFQITIhPCC54MCN6-OiHwWZiQZrqA0cY_RL4u9OXhvRKeGAG7zBPQVd5mbpJ9-S_-q3ojfIPO77cIvHfyZu8PGEZXGbT2zlEC528/s1600/hospital.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58HyrOucPu96eTAVpq93_VNITugKxzhtqFQITIhPCC54MCN6-OiHwWZiQZrqA0cY_RL4u9OXhvRKeGAG7zBPQVd5mbpJ9-S_-q3ojfIPO77cIvHfyZu8PGEZXGbT2zlEC528/s200/hospital.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486347443570196530" border="0" /></a>and being at the hospital when she and <a href="http://bhamsmallbusiness.com/about/">Clay</a> welcomed their <a href="http://heatherconner.blogspot.com/2010/04/we-had-wonderful-easter-weekend.html">two beautiful children</a> into the <span style="font-size:100%;">world. </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br />(I always say that if I can love my own kids a fraction of how<br />much I love my <a href="http://johnandleighphelps.blogspot.com/2010/06/playdate.html">friends kids</a> I will be in good shape.)</span><br /><br />Heather is a few years older than me, and so I learn a lot from her as she is very candid with <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshrCzALHZSfZ2QnauF2CoYq0aiAT5cTITQSXhr4qtTj6y2szR1dLkzJ_smxt9d0orNdqnEobcbJgKMcyD_A4qO2DLLwBIDfTvfB38ytWdkHRIZk01V0eFkKHZePr4Qw4VvPQ/s1600/ticked.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshrCzALHZSfZ2QnauF2CoYq0aiAT5cTITQSXhr4qtTj6y2szR1dLkzJ_smxt9d0orNdqnEobcbJgKMcyD_A4qO2DLLwBIDfTvfB38ytWdkHRIZk01V0eFkKHZePr4Qw4VvPQ/s200/ticked.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485998653532759042" border="0" /></a>me about <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqTD9WCQMCPreU5vZGzKedUntGj4UV_0b9BcFrQTWDkZF5Mm1Gjcp33s6HLqjJXSOlALD6e5Ua6Eod2QUq1f5PVDQoEPd3lUHfFsTRRk-LsClvzMX25pCxTneXmVnCnmSdlE/s1600/Happy.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqTD9WCQMCPreU5vZGzKedUntGj4UV_0b9BcFrQTWDkZF5Mm1Gjcp33s6HLqjJXSOlALD6e5Ua6Eod2QUq1f5PVDQoEPd3lUHfFsTRRk-LsClvzMX25pCxTneXmVnCnmSdlE/s200/Happy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485998643346719650" border="0" /></a>each of life's stages, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LdqdWExfLAnWwgQowqVypWG4Mcmiaw5diNoHE4-TcK-VAAJfVhb9I4cirvrd0aMUQoaOB1HWABHj2pUi8RjU2Wfu-D6JYXrzf_uPR-UvICr43ODxPVY31SndJqlQkIgwwQM/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LdqdWExfLAnWwgQowqVypWG4Mcmiaw5diNoHE4-TcK-VAAJfVhb9I4cirvrd0aMUQoaOB1HWABHj2pUi8RjU2Wfu-D6JYXrzf_uPR-UvICr43ODxPVY31SndJqlQkIgwwQM/s320/IMG_2218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486349539483252658" border="0" /></a>and as I see her handle challenges, joys, fears, and dreams - I am encouraged, and I grow.<br /><br />I will never forget this one day. Clayton was just a baby but Heather began to pray for him, consistently. She made this card that listed 31 character traits that she desired her son to have, and each day of the month she prays, even still, that the Lord would instill these things in him. She made one for me, so I can pray too - and I keep it in my pocket Bible - and although I'm not as faithful as she is, I pray for Clayton. And I pray for myself, that I, by the grace of God, would possess these traits as well. That I would be molded more into the image of Christ with each passing day. I pray these things for my husband, my brother, my cousins, and friends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio56rzVAC5CwN9kjanzQcJ4vnqqydTG3GMSIQFHrhsm2hP6vUg-k6VUJ5e7kGC1WiwTNvy-vMo8iLQZPYAOn_3Mifbv4MMmv57Dgy2_5APbDffCUc8x2dJ0Jk75OWUW1ikGgg/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio56rzVAC5CwN9kjanzQcJ4vnqqydTG3GMSIQFHrhsm2hP6vUg-k6VUJ5e7kGC1WiwTNvy-vMo8iLQZPYAOn_3Mifbv4MMmv57Dgy2_5APbDffCUc8x2dJ0Jk75OWUW1ikGgg/s400/IMG_2219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484249771710378834" border="0" /></a>I guarantee that you will be convicted when you read through this list. I am, every time. Thanks for the example, Hal. Thank you for sharing your life with mine, and thanks for teaching me how to be a Godly friend, wife, mother, and lover of Christ.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheR1N1PhGBVQEIRGVEs9LhxgUkWTnZCU83Vt-GSggmssHvQzjRySiIErtsCrXpvMW1R-pAxRQ3BKq_loGt8nogSV6GL2R4RBvREDrPKiwAVeFiRViLRKQ_8s1vVcsySFvia0k/s1600/Clayton's+Baptism+081.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KFM4A8CY5aDG93w28njdhrWrfg5XBkawr9lJTCUtqZPXbqNwSn6KEpONfdPtc0JfJaJhh99BXcT4N7zJdBN00Wjmfp3eXkil5ok97y76ET6WXIh2wO-Lnd9V4Cof0AqxlY4/s1600/hal.jpg"><br /></a>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-65830330851748308342010-05-31T21:15:00.000-07:002010-06-01T12:20:45.637-07:00"Real Men Say They're Sorry."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Wow. Why am I even surprised? Is there a need to go into how I can't believe how long it has been since I have blogged? Do you even know me? This is what I do but, I need to blog again. So, here is a first attempt. I guess that's it - I wait so long to return that it suddenly feels new again. There might be something to that. Anyways, I digress. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I seem to be learning a lot lately. The longer I live life, the more I find I am </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">really blessed.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> It seems that with each stage of life, the Lord never lets me down. If only I could always remember that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Lately, the Lord is really using my co-workers to teach me a whole bunch. Big life lessons here, kids. I am fortunate to be surrounded by an </span><a href="http://www.fellowshipnashville.org/adults/worship/our-team/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">amazing team</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> at </span><a href="http://www.fellowshipnashville.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">work</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> who are my friends - and even better - like family. I affectionately refer to them as, my </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">teamily</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We care deeply for each other - and I can talk bad about them all day long - but if you try to cross them, you are going down. They have my back in the same kind of way. And because of the precious friendship the Lord has given us, He is using them to teach me, challenge me, and change me.</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Here is a little example: Last week we met off campus one morning for a series of meetings. Somehow I was already in a funk because in a high maintenance moment, I didn't think the guys hustled quickly enough to help me lug a few things from my car (ridiculous, really) - they refer to this as me "tanking." I tried to shake it and decided just to keep to myself so no one would find me in a bad mood. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Moments later we ended up in a conversation during one of our meetings that left my very relational side hurting for some people. We all begin to discuss, and before long, my Boss, </span><a href="http://recoveringperfectionist.typepad.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Rob</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, had officially hurt my feelings, misunderstood what I was trying to say, and dismissed my point. By no means was this intentional. I am learning </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">this</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> is </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">real life</span></i></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We were having a conversation, all sharing our thoughts, opinions, and (God forbid) our feelings. Tears welled up in my eyes and none of us had any clue where this had come from-they all grew silent. I am the one that does not cry, and so when I do, they take it pretty seriously. Rob tried to talk it through with me and after no avail he said we would discuss it later. </span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Great. Conflict Resolution. ANOTHER lesson. </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><em>Ugh.</em></strong></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I masterfully compartmentalized for the rest of the day, as I seem to usually do and we had a blast - but that was not the end of it and I should have known. The next day Rob called me into his office to talk about what happened (talking through conflict in a healthy way was something that was pretty foreign to me before Fellowship). I didn't want to have another hard conversation or try to figure out what was really going on in me to illicit such a response the day before. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">However, I walked in to a room where I was greeted with humility and kindness. Rob, after a few statements, said, "Erin, I am so sorry." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">He began to explain to me how he realized he took his "black and white" approach to life and nailed it to this situation our team had been discussing - and to me, there was a grey area. When we couldn't agree, I felt misunderstood, and things went crashing in a downward spiral. I realized ... he didn't apologize because he did something wrong, he apologized because </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><em>he cared </em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">and that was huge for me to see. It was because he had offended me, hurt me - not that he had broken a rule of some sort. I realized that this was intensely healing for me - I didn't grow up like that. Humility and apologies were not something I encountered as a child - especially not like this, and <strong>definitely </strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">not from a man.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Days later, Kayla and I were at Rob and </span><a href="http://bearsintennessee.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Kirsten's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> for dinner when Ben, their youngest, and Sarah, the middle child, got into a fight. All I remember was walking down the hallway when I overheard a conversation between Ben and Rob. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Rob sat Ben down and said:<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"Ben, I will tell you one of the things my Dad always told me."</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K2uN6YNtS46XTryZKcj8G_i1apnVBC0ioJG78liV3Q4LyMihZh683KqbPKgDCOmqC2X6Pav6K4r5GMjjZd1FGvoFQ2XyGFDJh4dZYweze9UZKHS2aV2i9jiThwXBDMY8ePk/s1600/b7r.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K2uN6YNtS46XTryZKcj8G_i1apnVBC0ioJG78liV3Q4LyMihZh683KqbPKgDCOmqC2X6Pav6K4r5GMjjZd1FGvoFQ2XyGFDJh4dZYweze9UZKHS2aV2i9jiThwXBDMY8ePk/s320/b7r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477886617673416770" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"What, Dad?"<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"Real Men Say They're Sorry."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I hope Ben learns what a difference it makes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The world could use some more </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">real men.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I am beyond blessed to get to work with a few of them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Thanks for the lesson, thanks for caring, and thanks for teaching me too,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Boss.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:78%;" class="Apple-style-span" >*Robs Dad passed away years ago. We all know how much Rob loved his Dad. What I love is seeing a man that lived so well, and loved so much,<br />that his life affected people who never had the chance to meet him. </span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-45922379880946423662010-02-25T16:27:00.000-08:002010-02-25T16:42:14.606-08:00today i miss ...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn97R086FIHReYVU__7ziPFSojdouw7mj9R4-oTJP0_jqu4xCOTn3uohfePvKj5YOCLUFoM4UT1S_vDyEd1RP8Lb8-JT4CItoqFTIqdG0-hVYdViA2STD9HsnsPx8Oa6LOVc/s1600-h/imiss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn97R086FIHReYVU__7ziPFSojdouw7mj9R4-oTJP0_jqu4xCOTn3uohfePvKj5YOCLUFoM4UT1S_vDyEd1RP8Lb8-JT4CItoqFTIqdG0-hVYdViA2STD9HsnsPx8Oa6LOVc/s320/imiss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442344084690749794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Xymo33gBB5ODau4rPBVRNl1VxqubIPNJbgRl-f1sVFVtp02UOMy2yA19gBdhDru3pCxGKMXgcsAGgZsKu5jfLsFvXQlgfw-9vZ-uL0MizDDN5oft1UmaqAI2AxTSC89dCi4/s1600-h/imiss2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Xymo33gBB5ODau4rPBVRNl1VxqubIPNJbgRl-f1sVFVtp02UOMy2yA19gBdhDru3pCxGKMXgcsAGgZsKu5jfLsFvXQlgfw-9vZ-uL0MizDDN5oft1UmaqAI2AxTSC89dCi4/s320/imiss2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442344082598646834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRR3RLY3IKN-rW6tFEsO94cIfMfRwuwG2zRAYtXssqUtC9n1jWq97zMtxaQuPMx0WXS7De_dYoI-5qyY-e8MeJTqQZC8HERDFUjP2bGlqxZygu5tsBU-O5is3QsMi-xxX3uw/s1600-h/imiss3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRR3RLY3IKN-rW6tFEsO94cIfMfRwuwG2zRAYtXssqUtC9n1jWq97zMtxaQuPMx0WXS7De_dYoI-5qyY-e8MeJTqQZC8HERDFUjP2bGlqxZygu5tsBU-O5is3QsMi-xxX3uw/s320/imiss3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442344073454482866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjlanTsNytUpCPufspPDwYfj5cQpzlw16g0HZgCRH_elo5E5hbG-hu-8-pt2Lzgtl-e2qDjwlqXkZE7bqsbETXZ2x76qeP9tmxrup5Xvr20u75wY4tPr_7KWkD4Gar2nfzs4/s1600-h/imiss4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjlanTsNytUpCPufspPDwYfj5cQpzlw16g0HZgCRH_elo5E5hbG-hu-8-pt2Lzgtl-e2qDjwlqXkZE7bqsbETXZ2x76qeP9tmxrup5Xvr20u75wY4tPr_7KWkD4Gar2nfzs4/s320/imiss4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442344070659772018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWNpBQNIxs4sjTewew5fEQiuRxfMahKkmY-iNmCW05eXzjmnZW_LzaP5IBycHUe0OTYu3qB0_JBNW9IY5Nr8zAcGo9uupWGtGyMFX9tIny3F1TO95acZX1FWho7ORLY4p26w/s1600-h/imiss5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWNpBQNIxs4sjTewew5fEQiuRxfMahKkmY-iNmCW05eXzjmnZW_LzaP5IBycHUe0OTYu3qB0_JBNW9IY5Nr8zAcGo9uupWGtGyMFX9tIny3F1TO95acZX1FWho7ORLY4p26w/s320/imiss5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442344060507600530" border="0" /></a><br />So, my friend, Kelley, posted <a href="http://orderly-conduct.blogspot.com/2010/02/today-i-miss-them-so-much.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">this</span></a> about missing her friends, and of course... what did it do?<br /><div style="text-align: center;">made me miss mine<br /><br />SO<br /><br />since she asked ... I'm showing who it is that i miss<br /><br />please meet or reacquaint yourself with the people in my life who make me better<br /><br /><br />maybe one day someone will teach me how to format pictures.<br />until then ... deal with this.<br /><br /></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-28751523620211335722010-02-24T12:41:00.000-08:002010-02-24T12:50:15.464-08:00pick me up<div style="text-align: center;"><br />I keep saying that I will stop drinking, again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw4EqITWqWzib31oq-ZeHCpr4igbScvXZUAx39VbF1MLyOstgjzXuKMfs2JLtuWoal-1_b5huisE0e-AN_HLtP1h-bztrczTvRM_MsYR0vTV0uysuedyqtcKuPbGTXJnGcjU/s1600-h/dietcoke.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw4EqITWqWzib31oq-ZeHCpr4igbScvXZUAx39VbF1MLyOstgjzXuKMfs2JLtuWoal-1_b5huisE0e-AN_HLtP1h-bztrczTvRM_MsYR0vTV0uysuedyqtcKuPbGTXJnGcjU/s320/dietcoke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441914837733850866" border="0" /></a><br />But, when 2:43pm comes everyday, its <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>hard to stop.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvgs5hjQWU2xu-ikxLRhKWWfrE1u1QovtYJmctV84ItWhAKDhxAJMQ-KD8PkURM5v34T6EJg-Wy32aqBJoXwpVMZhVpBgQ8FN_HlplQVBAJU2tX-yH88cJ45yTAs_uqhDNmY/s1600-h/tiltshift.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvgs5hjQWU2xu-ikxLRhKWWfrE1u1QovtYJmctV84ItWhAKDhxAJMQ-KD8PkURM5v34T6EJg-Wy32aqBJoXwpVMZhVpBgQ8FN_HlplQVBAJU2tX-yH88cJ45yTAs_uqhDNmY/s320/tiltshift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441914629166221490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry, Mom.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-2469884531830554502010-02-14T20:03:00.000-08:002010-02-14T20:08:08.922-08:00How Cute Is He?Smacking and All. Best Valentine's Day Ever. <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQ50rH1ytn7TYZidym1QnKhmGrZiJ1O1dPXsiI1a_EPwbVNbmL6DBe1aw6IQ_LozUgndUjrtW0ZNY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-70199881782474668322010-01-08T14:16:00.000-08:002010-01-08T14:21:30.414-08:00Hypothermia<div><div style="text-align: center; "><br />Today?</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Today I fell into a lake.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_OeYS_VUU6Smf2u2U3kq4e4zwdlstLSPGcjJUdRh1hk6fhEbsy4bC4Bv7ASSRT98lJZjModm3yzD838XxLvO1k8FjE8seDI-1RIjNLWSKEcKchOmc8wi-tVo-COG_kaccJg/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_OeYS_VUU6Smf2u2U3kq4e4zwdlstLSPGcjJUdRh1hk6fhEbsy4bC4Bv7ASSRT98lJZjModm3yzD838XxLvO1k8FjE8seDI-1RIjNLWSKEcKchOmc8wi-tVo-COG_kaccJg/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497481314373026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MX7Bx7DmL54z7hsINBblxid4sAhdmN8ze4hJQyipTBmEu6Dpp48fdI9v2Xvv_U9hARBQLKOdls6PIN6vF-Cuvuwabue6lsUQ2s-l9zenRYPpm8mxcMfCszyayM75ZSCVqCo/s1600-h/photo+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MX7Bx7DmL54z7hsINBblxid4sAhdmN8ze4hJQyipTBmEu6Dpp48fdI9v2Xvv_U9hARBQLKOdls6PIN6vF-Cuvuwabue6lsUQ2s-l9zenRYPpm8mxcMfCszyayM75ZSCVqCo/s200/photo+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497483579355298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e4RDyGKXgOJGabIpmnk_uNQfUNLtqCvVtAurHiE2_aVzpXlL7MD-HKrCeHP9PU_RM8HHXyH3qaVI5Fxa_Ry5xxrXy0IIPnBddREEhjHg3UqDO6EJGQekFUIoeVRHHddIWYk/s1600-h/photo+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 43px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e4RDyGKXgOJGabIpmnk_uNQfUNLtqCvVtAurHiE2_aVzpXlL7MD-HKrCeHP9PU_RM8HHXyH3qaVI5Fxa_Ry5xxrXy0IIPnBddREEhjHg3UqDO6EJGQekFUIoeVRHHddIWYk/s200/photo+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424497477286921762" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center; "><i>T'was COLD. </i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CZPv475KzbOylzp_bHS4YpxDfLymIMf_mbUmXIbB8JvWuXK1yZCI02c4Vcls6wQJSjoEZtiPWYi4m_4MTg2u4y-W3ZKJBCHAL5ITpY1kLXqj9fXlGfG97rC0H12PGqsPalw/s1600-h/a23x.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CZPv475KzbOylzp_bHS4YpxDfLymIMf_mbUmXIbB8JvWuXK1yZCI02c4Vcls6wQJSjoEZtiPWYi4m_4MTg2u4y-W3ZKJBCHAL5ITpY1kLXqj9fXlGfG97rC0H12PGqsPalw/s200/a23x.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496659105319938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWg9rbECv_J4Ldmrstp3UNTPvJWDO2KUj4SYqPyJu29fF1CtYCRiBvQpUvstWYSmtbs9JwU52-kfpUuaqmcJEuo3zfJShVUTrHlSjDN0fCdGRkj1_ycgAlhTn8GgrXwj1eNc/s1600-h/95yy.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWg9rbECv_J4Ldmrstp3UNTPvJWDO2KUj4SYqPyJu29fF1CtYCRiBvQpUvstWYSmtbs9JwU52-kfpUuaqmcJEuo3zfJShVUTrHlSjDN0fCdGRkj1_ycgAlhTn8GgrXwj1eNc/s200/95yy.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424496654182509138" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-71257845890281255602010-01-07T09:40:00.000-08:002010-01-07T09:43:17.487-08:00the great snow debacle<div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">this is all we have to show for a "snow day?"</span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgEfuNhQq8J-AmRvcAE9u6fMEfeG_2hfqndp2Td09FBpaZl40I_E43oBr7v3iYZa_btwb95DnPohi47JJ6dFgAKhEUqf4Bu2r-Yd3JWi8Qw3b9fVuIBju6mw0h4mNefQNYqk/s1600-h/Seriously%3F.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgEfuNhQq8J-AmRvcAE9u6fMEfeG_2hfqndp2Td09FBpaZl40I_E43oBr7v3iYZa_btwb95DnPohi47JJ6dFgAKhEUqf4Bu2r-Yd3JWi8Qw3b9fVuIBju6mw0h4mNefQNYqk/s200/Seriously%3F.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424054577180878370" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>really, </i>Nashville?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Really?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i>watch your step, everybody. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-12077684883227137792009-11-03T09:35:00.000-08:002009-11-03T09:50:41.796-08:00The End of the Firsts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYL304vAvf68KQb4HJgpT6og2CfwkE7I90BBoaJace8H53EYZZnm8udd5gRK4iRNdwx1LzjKC2ywl_MXXFpXkCkcro8fpz1Q5yXBIzY_lRloZGlcVgypNir6f_4C3nc3YbGM/s1600-h/film+strip.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYL304vAvf68KQb4HJgpT6og2CfwkE7I90BBoaJace8H53EYZZnm8udd5gRK4iRNdwx1LzjKC2ywl_MXXFpXkCkcro8fpz1Q5yXBIzY_lRloZGlcVgypNir6f_4C3nc3YbGM/s320/film+strip.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399933429930675090" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family:arial, sans-serif, 'Arial Unicode MS';font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I really cant believe it has been a year. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was overwhelmed to the point of tears today thinking of how special our time was in Dallas last year as 13 of my very best friends from college gathered to celebrate the life of Sweet Hopkins. After the day of the service, and a feast of food and friends - we told stories and laughed and cried and then ... we played cards. It was an unforgettable scene. </span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ1_agYgPReu77q7Aq4jJcjo7XHxIm73EB0tTYYnS0RDV9LOftqQD9j2uhmEHDgH_RjZDTU1REBBEjvYWyy8sxyjaMKwCgzBOuc-A449xIDfZwQmdLrzIIrA13Whfq3L7Bi4/s200/lastyear.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399934971324024418" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I have recently read Donald Miller's new book and it has rocked me. There is part where Miller speaks of a dear friend dying and he describes the scene of being at the friends house, late - the night of the funeral. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He says,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Later, at around two in the morning, when there were only a few dozen people left at their house, I looked across the deck at Steve and Ben sitting and talking to Jim (whose wife had passed away), and as they laughed and drank their wine, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I wondered how much it costs to be rich in friends and how many years and stories and scenes it takes to make a rich life happen</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You cant build an end scene as beautiful by sitting on a couch, I thought to myself. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And I also knew that while this group had experienced devastating loss, the ones who remained were </span><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ri</span></span></i><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cher</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> still because of her passing, as thought Janice left an emotional inheritance of stories that would continue to be told</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, stories that would be passed down to her children, and theirs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I looked across the deck at Steve sitting and talking to Jim, and as they laughed and drank their wine, I wondered about the story we were writing and wanted even more to write a better story for myself, something that leaves a beautiful feeling even as the credits roll."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I hope that through the years we continue to fight our schedules, distractions, and comfort to commit to one another the time needed for the scenes and the stories that we must have in order to be rich in friendship. I am so very thankful for how far we have come - for the stories I can tell and the scenes I can see. I am thankful for a person like Sweet who was in our lives, and showed us what it is like to be a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">masterful scene maker. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The picture above is what we sent Ivy today to remind her of our love and support and care. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We also sent her a letter, here is part of it for you to read. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Ivy, we thank God for the woman you are in each of our lives. Together as we look back over the the events of a year ago in remembrance and forward towards the future with hope, we pray that the One who gives us His light burden and easy yoke will hold you tightly in His arms. We trust that He will continue to shape you, grow you, and mold you into the incredible woman that He has created you to be.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We love you so much, Ivy. We are praying with you and for you. We rejoice in the Lord for the works He has done in and through you in the past year.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Grace and Peace,</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 10px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">13 Auburn Friends"</span></span></p></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>*to read Ivy's post about her mom, click here: </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, serif;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size: medium;">http://theladyinthestreet.blogspot.com/2009/10/365.html</span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div></span>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-39625021081839533762009-10-23T06:07:00.000-07:002009-10-23T06:25:13.746-07:00Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPfHS8T6m0v_CZ4dhMJO9HboP9Uj4cH7qEXJ-OotJMahD5Hsvg7VzCHCuKV_nqc-zh6cWmeICZmPwDeG4w7_lXCHnpX4grAFe9UNZaAu_KrEBFJcHi7M6OGYuCEMV8nLt0EI/s1600-h/IMG_0885.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPfHS8T6m0v_CZ4dhMJO9HboP9Uj4cH7qEXJ-OotJMahD5Hsvg7VzCHCuKV_nqc-zh6cWmeICZmPwDeG4w7_lXCHnpX4grAFe9UNZaAu_KrEBFJcHi7M6OGYuCEMV8nLt0EI/s320/IMG_0885.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395784593195481202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oQK5BRhK7uDQCHGXPs7VAJhFFUjNVurNGVLQ8lTHpLb3l7l_zzKgjvcSksAHY0zKHAr4MBInTezjBZd5JcO0JvWfqUoa7IpwxtgXJ9tpkLI2p_nz9cTtxlv1YxNwCa5dFIQ/s1600-h/IMG_0876.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oQK5BRhK7uDQCHGXPs7VAJhFFUjNVurNGVLQ8lTHpLb3l7l_zzKgjvcSksAHY0zKHAr4MBInTezjBZd5JcO0JvWfqUoa7IpwxtgXJ9tpkLI2p_nz9cTtxlv1YxNwCa5dFIQ/s320/IMG_0876.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395783547278530114" /></a><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF49qCwz6k2C6QzoR4uk3FqWMWoPAurqqSyPyBkXZBD8FBcuNOHs3q9L4Zbofq22OHDZcHZhSHB-mgeq2DVB5H1NyRdhV7Uk3rFvB6ke2peq15GWfbVesBKbuEkZP6wNWqZ20/s320/IMG_0867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395782144972135090" />Still no clever title, and no real reason for this post, other than the fact that I have these cute pictures of my best friend and her family and I want to introduce you to them.<div><br /></div><div>I am so grateful to have Heather, Clay, Clayton, and Turner in my life. These kids bring so much</div><div>joy to me and many good times. I miss them bunches, but try to get back and visit</div><div> often. Crazy how fast they grow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Clayton is already an avid iPhone and Auburn</div><div> fan, before long he will be drinking boutique beer is he hangs out with his Dad long enough.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2LF0pMzuCG_U4SVb9ZygX-gnZ8MLtv-7AUJwDMzJpz9VxK0QAeB0EEq-fl72hhkEzlvlymo22KRqoCsaSzosMGphL2vDE1wu-QKwNw-wuYva4qdRtcq2eNZ1M8RZy97XJiQ/s320/IMG_4068.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395782151413285474" /><div>Thanks Conner</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0SQhvdC_PxugpFqssWE11qqEHqvtq8bUaQveRvQ7iwTvLD7TrhwF6SxK9SnYwZi6HSeg4H3XdNTTvLpzgnbHfyOrbxglDThXgAYj3bi2B9oZ9PjvzeLPUyDS65CKwFbfcck/s320/IMG_0883.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395782155918351378" /><div> Family for blessing my life! </div><div>I am so thankful for each of you!<br /></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-71383659921154386182009-10-22T07:36:00.000-07:002009-10-22T08:49:34.738-07:00Oktoberfest & Friends<div style="text-align: center;">I give up. I wont even try. Im just NOT a clever blog title maker. </div><div style="text-align: center;">How do you people come up with such creative titles? I dont get it. Ill just be plain jane -</div><div style="text-align: center;"> its okay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I had to dedicate this blog to the wonderful Oktoberfest in Nashville a few weekends ago,</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR1o-y3nvWIodhWjBlAeFqQyvcZSUBksnd0n1rdO_nRFpsCJ5S_-T4UXJKvBKKU3Ikj0QC_xFZYKjKJf1vgKM2bwHjv7rLqjPtGCTyBEAKJnH1QkgNOpnZhSiG4tVHVe-kak/s200/IMG_0934.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395450400936972322" /><div>and visits from great friends! Sarah and Kortnie came in town for an </div><div>audition</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBWkBGfSI9Q6ZdXXPDGCmOYBhDfD_qNoOBKXyPpe1E5PRlpyt2eI7eZYjY8HtDNRplMcHefGlMV4ToYEyJxw9uexHs2XLiJC42E9u-FOyNV_Oty3fonUFzQ70GaZv86rD0r8/s200/IMG_0952.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395441829468139714" />Kortnie had, and also for a visit with me! It was sooo good to see them. For those of you who dont remember or did not know, Kortnie is my friend who battled colon cancer this past year - she is now free and clear! Praise the Lord! We went to Virago forSushi and tried to talk Kortnie and Kayla into Karaoke, but it didnt work - maybe next time. Oh, and yes, we<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswqHucOeVMxbhDFOBAWF0S82BjafBfafD6LqviugGnTKpHXfNYD6_bXMMdPX4IX7M4Zfia5F6pCesKzdu0okM_VvcmEO74vjPmjxFmACDV-2n1sjJebzgQxepxTo5d_i5Bjo/s200/IMG_0941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395450403766907922" /><div> made Kayla wear those glasses allll night.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The day after Sa and Kortnie left, John and Lana came in town to hang out with Katlin and me. It was such a good weekend to have friends in town. We hit up Oktoberfest, Next Big Nashville Music Festival, Peter's (more sushi) and even the Pancake Pantry - fat kids! Of course, somewhere in there I drug Lana to the DMV with me to get my Tennessee license. She decided after that excursion that she wants to work there if she ever moves to Nashville. Hilarious.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpN94fWFZED5l3rgiTKOufUD69NJdMj0VotU45IGoOF8tTRxg0CvW9IYRaeCYm-aC-BKAvwgyS4d7I1_FLXHJXClFSkr41vNLjpGBWMM7IE5JdIpIFCC6z_Oy9slzu2Ugdj8/s200/IMG_0993.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395449381293493906" /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOydfumH-FmaUBHNHvV0GhM23jRFai5CT-HH1pXVME1F5zWUtym6XuXi2MHmIBcP7rVdbGH-tnE2MIF-TRU9PUbcUJHDtoNZJcA5ClMu3VpAIfessXInI7sdE7QoJqdO1SNu4/s200/IMG_1012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395449379669460290" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzXRZBgiJXBJHpQJW0Aw70jWI9r6uXnN1ZbR9FLprS1m06qNj9JsIP7qj5K9ahk3ZbXD5IxDlbIievHYypyAWsAnBbjJTwbfgGSC7YQfWhP43I5q19jie8EfHPUChgHJV8Jo/s200/IMG_0986.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395446466078112706" /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgfCY5D0_2KVRNZT9liJdrrwBI9QorIywgUGxleREZohHSkDFX4cHzYpuKAdY09ZcZnrnt_r6KnBZPw90TsKd1RsZVhUp52TJVwgM76Xpx_8gfnYm2PQY7NgtyUqF4BI-ccc/s200/IMG_0990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395449365814806546" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bVNGJRtdXRSlQ3RCzslDWfOXt0N2lHt_FlAFT7ojUORbyvc0nYt5f9W3gBLTjWS_ae6AvN8xFhT9ay-uqKBZWpOPNHLIM8Rcm9wm940TlcHXpNOZy0oslIOs3puD4mCTrhc/s200/IMG_0096_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395446454235859858" /><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjnunwkzERlP9H-zcFPvDNVAYH68WO1OzPUJlao5vAVc8LbokW8779HyQxuPrmK3j7toltTCcEljVhrKNe5j5oORVQSIZEEsTL8rELJ0FjvPFiQA_bY7X-ie_zqtkmMHSwdQ/s200/IMG_0982.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395446462344861650" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfe97_TrWmqt5uGcs3jyg2NhtZUG5UKeu98eMxDVDzKju5amIzwM4ymaWR-d4BMpgO3nxTYWVQ3lcR9gXsqfuYyPxHhg6wXI7ZB1Qshaw2u5wYB7-7UP5SHn6cyce5xzAQGxg/s200/IMG_0102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395446462566160866" /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhhP9Z5zSOFVa5YRsCERkuZ0jBBJ__0I5-fH3HFyIl2TQi0AFJaOFdVXUr9k7UqlH0O_zhCpVeTEFD17lbhyQ_lQ6QfJxIAhvFi5WJnE4u528kSvPmCyyL8wvGHmIhv2rNDU/s200/IMG_1011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395449371044280098" /></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-88188982027830224892009-10-22T07:13:00.000-07:002009-10-22T08:05:30.557-07:00Recent Fall Fun<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLsynkiubp810mvNW4jp2weVxtZF3VyVZA0hdEF4gZiMN1KUJTWFSgK_B8n_90LMvVODY_3G4P3L4xyngATvNRk50YJxIGXZFR-LY18rDcMzX4lQdsRB4af07mZ5Z_nqj8GA/s200/MillionMilesCover3d_TransparentBkng_600-231x300.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395428158525888082" />So, I know I have slacked on the blog lately. I have been too busy living life to tell stories about it. Don Miller would be so proud of me right now. I am reading his new book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" - and it is rocking me. He talks about the whole concept of 'story' and characters in the story and how they chose to live their life. Its simple, but profound. I cant do it justice. Go see for yourself how much it will challenge you. Its perfect for where I am right now.<div><br /></div><div>Though I have been MIA lately, I didnt want to</div><div> skip over some of the fun I have had. Several weeks ago, after recouping from Peru on the couch, I was able to go with Kirsten to shop for </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHG_wG4F-5JuJ0zvRXvTQw_sInoenx9BtHPC2PL_Dv9i01EifyZEglj64eOXAfaYeXJ2RwYWKwXXzwdfZQHcYaec5gb3mD0TFO6lKJGl6flzlz4YrklF90DbDjsm3oUPmkbI/s200/IMG_0018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395428663228088514" /><div>her 20th year High School</div>Reunion at Lake Highland, in Dallas.<div>She is like me, and HATES to shop.</div><div>We had a blast. Oh, and she had a great time at the reunion. Chris Harrison (Bachelor Host) said she looks just like his wife. Hmm. </div><div><br /></div><div>Two weeks ago, Worship and Arts had our annual Staff Retreat.</div><div>This was the first one </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgBbeHn2QBH5byjbc3xOI5_awqzUQC2Euda4o0tRDeDD7alY79l5n4SXd5r-RAUZESHpfkbuhnd6xHZC_Cim-8zywbfMYduUoToEZE6g7IlKxMlcCgh-6NPM8ax_wJynaIEc/s200/IMG_1055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395431105553926802" /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lI1cvpeuJ11RYu3V2cqE2fIFuWNwxcGn2GxB-VjJJ8xDMvN81aaSTx2lkAFYuq5ZDBLyImJNCGHbR4JP4cnR28YpaoizAbGsraJYy8FxGPllO7uXRzBIwNDMmnAvj71J3Co/s200/IMG_0205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395431097359448930" />I have been on and it was a blast. I am so thankful for the people I work with, and that we are friends - not just co-workers. We fished, canoed, hiked, went spelunking (caving, silly), and ate lots of good food. We laughed so hard and it was great.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Last Sunday was a blast! Sante Fe Soup, Sarah's Soccer Game, Titans Game, Chili, and</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9QdtRJvtgfPd-0Mam4pQZiGHswMUkbveiz5s4ojRjYrjSncjM6Y7OV-7yAjpXj8AM8MQJW4guRD8S6WqGWyKbVRJrbt-hqErN068HVXMpGWJ8E1MC_30SuycJhFGdYs6J1E/s200/IMG_1126.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395439216753481554" /><div> homemade cookies with friends. I wrapped up the day with a great night</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1unxcBWO-O2VO09zWOhQmcdafhNyGcKQbczgUVR3-tmi0X4NcBz1AvmPtsJGqcVuuCwouPKIT9EJR9RuSE2vLbLkkrmGBRCxp0_ysQvwVqiUh_ehKNv0Om-AVMAQz2j8ot8/s200/IMG_1132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395440351374747250" /><div> with my Community Group, meeting John and Molly's new puppy,</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw4xzwozWqNCZ3hN_vADp3kCFRjrLvKnLxy5xIWyPNqDz-y8j2z12RdM5iXYDyI4kU-uDNremAfMzR0j8RCW_1XA4k0tA099YYOXuJgBKubSXyZ4f_01JfcG60Vw7V0hSvwA/s200/IMG_0273.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395440346232350962" /><div> Murphy - and then going to see Where the Wild Things Are with great friends. I love days like that, spent with people I love, doing things I love. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love Nashville in the Fall. It is my favorite. The leaves are really starting to change around</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mlOLTIgwakQt733PdRgIohv4SOd_-kVIBttOuKvUvJLnma_fL66PQJt-kV285J-TeIXyoNNu7QQRdFYdsLZpbYNWgLN8QF68gxiotblw_uRO0BiijC-j0y-JJi0vY7_ShWw/s200/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395432336482822338" />here, and it has been sooo much fun to wake up to all the pretty colors everyday.erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-32549178989122668922009-10-05T20:55:00.000-07:002009-10-05T21:33:10.957-07:00Where the Heart IsSometimes it is hard for me to go to<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5I4b9COPUi7o1j23xnVmbhOv_kIrPRY_OWcUaLqpL8aLlXHbP45nlNxWBNeUDgg6TkmFCfXbVOmkPiARTcDgB1pMy-cUIeORzt7mvFDJN4KfnSOlENTUjbvyCU9Ffpk5crk/s200/photo+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389336186824462338" /> Birmingham and face the changes of life, but that is life. I don't really adjust to change as well as I would like to think I do. Im kind of sour about it. I am thankful though, that even in the changes, relocations, and all the surprises life brings ... home is still where the heart is.<div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ip7zFPPx95ynAScUi64P1ADUng4sPYDE7H7hJYrcXgUJZasEgNj85ULpSbsH2sPy2TUoUUBRPIH53OHSNzMZPB1cocN_64VghGEJuK5oe2gcyB5r55wqgx5K-THfKzD9sRs/s200/photo+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389337100400437314" /></div><div>This weekend home to me, life to me, was:</div><div><br /><div>Watching Clayton run to the door when I arrived with all smiles yelling, "Enin!!!!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing my brother play college football and welling up with pride for him.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYwV_nYiiywNh-kjVstD77D6j_KE8pC32dO44QjKFUJHgUq6LXp7cybWcongl4HrhuSMo7g3M8xjI67WrEDjRAfZhLm5HQrUyIW13rqfbMgCWEChwIpjlHl2jcVM8vtEgz8w/s200/photo+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389336718123742370" /><div>Talking with friends about life through glassy eyes and the next minute laughing until it hurt.</div><div><br /></div><div>Visiting with my Grandparents about my trip to Peru and telling them how it changed me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Going to lunch with my Aunt and talking about the future, the joys & pains life brings.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKusGicx4rXgXVAHpfZ3zsHZYcHqCTKICrg0YdD5VQdXCQpTTSsChgf6jVP9WryPmXyY1n5SQ1dJHG_x0HkfODFf6QY77LnhhndSYKibEc285aGYFU5QFGRoqtjmJ9lLM_7xM/s200/photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389337511703813970" /><div><br /></div><div>Hugging a friend really tight that I know has been hurting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Driving familiar roads late at night with my best friend, just like old times. </div><div><br /></div><div>Holding 10 week old Turner as she slept, in peace. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am thankful for the good things in the midst of the hard things. </div><div>I am thankful for change that never allows me to stay the same. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 21px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Heb 13:5</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div><div>But I am thankful that HE never, ever, ever changes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Home is <i>there. </i>Home lies in <i>Him. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-77573624620111181252009-10-02T18:23:00.000-07:002009-10-02T21:54:04.648-07:00The End of Peru<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9AHXk_1t9plu_ZrGa4HRMXe60B6r8cIuLENVAFJ91wNxsQzGWFgZHiodMy-JSCMf1VFNv-P3ePZDGc0hlhRK-9hDN7oFPyFc8BDmAsvigK6ATRfUTm9tymduRnXF_QdL2hQ/s1600-h/IMG_1451.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9AHXk_1t9plu_ZrGa4HRMXe60B6r8cIuLENVAFJ91wNxsQzGWFgZHiodMy-JSCMf1VFNv-P3ePZDGc0hlhRK-9hDN7oFPyFc8BDmAsvigK6ATRfUTm9tymduRnXF_QdL2hQ/s320/IMG_1451.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388230297131519442" /></a>I cant believe it has been so long since my last post. To all of my supporters, forgive me. I know I left you hanging. My sickness only worsened the last few days of our trip and it became increasingly more hard for me to blog. I did, however, make it through the week. Gigi McMurray, who was on our team, used to be a nurse, and were it not for her sweet nurturing spirit and all of her knowledge, I would not have made it through the week. The Lord was faithful to not give me more than I could bear. The kids did an amazing job with the worship service on Thursday night, and there were more than 40 people that wanted to know more about Jesus. It was very humbling. I felt like a proud mom as I stood by the stage and watched my drama kids recite their scripture and parts from the week. I was blown away at how well they did after being to challenged with their behavior all week. The Lord showed up and we were encouraged.<div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Below you will see the art project that the kids did. Gigi had them write on</div><div>sheets of paper words in Spanish that they use to describe God. We compiled the papers and put them in this collage to display Thursday night. It was so powerful to see their view of the Lord.</div><div><div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxtf9VJGqqlAj07X5wTdI9zn01dxqy21yMNaQ5ptQs6m2AAZD2AuB8m-p24smq4s4aOGIDNXvoRoagrTB9-djTo6POnCSuDnzhOFBWeYGH4IRV5vhZNmJPbo3018PTCs59sM/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388225333345158674" /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3hR9HoNcWPpZobw64Nfi8flM5inmuPLmg9IoHGBaT3Bsg9IugoFmVjWT7nvyiNAwFpT5fFo4cxCPAVZzRwSfbqnAzlinH2umUE0DNunlc06mG-Fft0DN_Ry8fRdjuFngo_Q/s320/IMG_1455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388230520756136946" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Friday we went to the orphanage. It was unreal to see these kids working for their food, learning music, and sewing and carpentry - even baking! Again, I was faced with wrestling with the reality of me being born in America, and these children being orphans in Peru. I could not reconcile it in my heart or mind.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2smCfwxuvN-cO6XbvQoiBKRbPhJAL1CRQk-Yv_d_33SeLNxhIn_SqCIPnQQFIIAnr1nZl2pylQzHw36PV2CbfsexPX5K4UdWURScPq9UTZ2_xdRpGKtQZFlzvzPADkaNk9K0/s320/IMG_1471.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388226744432422898" /><div>I am just grateful to the Lord for the blessings He has lavished on me that I don't deserve. I could not help but think how real the verses in the Gospels about the ravens must be</div><div> to these children. They must trust that they are more valuable than the birds and that the Lord will certainly take care of them. We sang with the kids for a while and then left to head into Lima to eat at a restaurant in the city and go to the market.</div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OQOIdxYK24MWRZxVWkfb11Zd_DUJ4OUl5e1_53izWbFrevvSxdSB7UIvsxoIGFWPfe-BRNA-mQVc7fNJe2vT-JZAkEytUB5C-TP59CnHM1lR9XiSGjCw7fWC10gq-NlSe5s/s320/IMG_1463.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388226737383730754" /><div>I was pretty sad because we went to this restaurant called Mango's that I have heard about for so long. Everyone that has gone to Peru with Fellowship comes back raving about this place. Turns out I was really sick that day and this was all I could eat for lunch. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqNqlMXJimnQZSyAYroJMkQFs3VC0s3fR4eJpodlcrfqLbrfnxYpy0lgkkmqYqNIZIqGp3jrAPVYyEyFHw1uSzDoG4FAaIUGAy_BtCYUvFbndVPMcyKV91i4-epJeTEs_qnE/s320/IMG_1494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388227747841921954" /><div> It was so hard to say goodbye to all my new friends in Peru. I miss them already. Those people taught me so much about community, commitment, service, love, and giving your life away. It remains true that I needed Peru more than Peru needed me. This trip left a mark on me that I will never forget. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to go and serve and love on this people, but also to learn from them. Thanks so much to all of you who made that possible. I cannot thank you enough. Below is a picture of me Pastor Juan Carlos, the worship pastor at the church in Comas, and his children JJ, Natalie, and Jonathan.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PBBaoh5tN-_H041tJ0JkXcWPbL9dm3MFbcQ5M6jm189i-mIeBObmuQV6cnYB4cJ06gpCC-akDciARor9Eb7fpVF2Vt2LOcO0cDJ4V4YmwuOH6svh8-EtZN9Z5n8lO10bUwo/s320/IMG_0798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388230000995561730" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am so encouraged by all the Lord is doing in Comas and Lima, and I am so thankful to be a part of His greater story there. I am so grateful for the ways I am different, I am humbled by the things I learned, and changed because of all I saw. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. </div><div><br /></div><div>*sick update: I went to the Doctor last Monday. He gave me medicine and said it seemed I was hit pretty hard with a series of things while away. His main concern was a parasite or amoeba. After blood work and testing, I am glad to report that he called me today to say that I do NOT have a parasite. It seems as though I actually will have to join the Y to lose weight. Bummer. Just Kidding. I am glad to be recovering, I assure you. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern. </div></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-51237216566742181292009-09-24T11:38:00.000-07:002009-09-24T12:48:30.425-07:00Some things that hit hard...Yesterday was a great day of rehearsal and break outs for the kids. I love my class and how social they are, even if it is difficult to teach. It has been somewhat frustrating to not feel well because my personality is to not miss out on anything. So I want to keep going, even when I need to rest and settle down-and that is hard. The Lord was good though, and I made it through the day and night last night. I loaded up with TamiFlu, IBU, and a sleeping pill and hit the hay. Everyone is shocked at the medicine I can ingest, but that is what happens when you grew up with a parent that was a pharmacist!<div><br /></div><div>I had to take this time at lunch to blog and tell you of two things that have really hit me hard since yesterday. Ellen and I helped the Chef was dishes after lunch yesterday, and he was so grateful. We talked about his family and how his daughter needs clothes. When we asked him what kind, he emphasized her need for t-shirts. How convicted I felt about my tupperware container of t-shirts under my bed. (I know Anna will really tell me to get rid of them now.)</div><div>A few moments later, David walked by to tell the Chef what a great job he did</div><div> with lunch and how wonderful it was. The dialogue went something like this:</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dPY0Dg6H3JNKC7Oi0gKM36-X8VYWYDBvELfoBOUZzg1MjyJ3-GwtpZRICNlkzCmac8EF4w3QLm4lEyXq2LlgWqC8dWBWO04rKl49gqJaUQXxzkN4r-ltxjWKv8QfMJIgjmc/s320/peruchef.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385109252531071522" /><div><br /></div><div>David: Muchos Gracias! That was muy delicioso! </div><div>Chef: Ahhh, Gracias, really?! Well, I find your worthy of such food. </div><div>David: No, no, we are not. </div><div>Chef: Well, you are not, but you are in Christ, and because of Him you certainly are!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been so broken this week as I compare the difference of dependence upon the Lord between Americans and Peruvians. The more I hear them pray, engage in conversations, and see how selflessly they </div><div>serve - the more I am faced with the fact that they <i>understand <b>and</b> live out the Gospel </i>in a way that I do not. Several members of our team wear the Mocha Club Shirt that says, "I need Africa more than Africa needs me." That phrase has become my motto for Peru. </div><div>I NEED PERU MORE THAN PERU NEEDS ME.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQudFmWpZRD4z0m_fHCHZgaZMzp3gcjzTCnsfphR7wCC0AsmdEBUE3xcH9o6Y6jPlUucXgOhWdaLY8ECiCmqgcFd7q0d-Xh4f4RBYeiyjnTAvxuPD8p0b4Lo0cIv5Aud6YBw/s320/menpraying.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385112986569018562" /><div><br /></div><div>When we arrived to the Guzman's, where we are staying, around 9:00 last night, we were greated by a stranger telling us to come in quietly. When we walked in, I was in </div><div>complete shock at the sight I saw. We entered a room of about 20 men on their faces <i>crying out to God</i>. I dont think I have ever seen such fervent prayer. As we got ready for bed we noticed the men <i>stayed on their knees. </i>We dont know how long they had been praying before we arrived, but it carried on for at least 2+ hours. As I drifted to sleep, I was encompassed by the sound of these men praying, then singing, then praying, then singing. Later, their wives came up to meet them and they all joined in together. I could not help but try and think of the last time I got on <i>my face before the Lord</i> and what it would be like to happen upon the men of Fellowship in such a prolonged posture. It moved me beyond belief.</div><div><br /></div><div><!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family:Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today is the “e-camp” worship service with the kids. We have been preparing all morning for this service tonight. Please pray for our last breakouts with the kids this afternoon, and the service tonight. Many of the children's parents are not believers. It is our desire that the Lord uses these children to lead them to Christ as they worship tonight. The service is at 7pm – so please pray during that time. </span></span></span> <!--EndFragment--> </div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>*sick update:</b> I am making it. The ladies on our team prayed for me this morning, and since then I have felt better. I still have a fever, chills, and am weak - and I also still have some digestional issues, but the Lord is sustaining me. I am taking TamiFlu and IBU and napping when I can to keep things at bay. Your prayers are much appreciated. I want to participate and serve as much as I can, please pray the Lord would heal me. </div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-31552054717373470682009-09-23T07:41:00.000-07:002009-09-23T11:13:43.210-07:00Mid Week Low Down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFbGpdf50VGElI103_5yHMgi6Ipmrli06_wSa38iJuclvqVsxglV12smKMhoryD5cWS25OBsn4K32EKiwlnqNrCBUop10CKNINUQbRkNwnVT6jPPHiKNb73gYydKxOgE7HyM/s1600-h/IMG_1321.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFbGpdf50VGElI103_5yHMgi6Ipmrli06_wSa38iJuclvqVsxglV12smKMhoryD5cWS25OBsn4K32EKiwlnqNrCBUop10CKNINUQbRkNwnVT6jPPHiKNb73gYydKxOgE7HyM/s320/IMG_1321.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384726231219999826" /></a>I just worked on a great update and lost it. Now I do not have much time, so I will have to make this quick. Our time here has really been amazing so far. I continue to be humbled and more grateful for what God has blessed me with. It seems wrong that I have so much.<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w4bz7Jc2A5cRXv0w8e3zaat8F6hv_z6KrOTYkw44_hO6YvN4A0Qud8hevtSkhyLC8hw-605Fb8A5_O797AkTpjCtXuBnHR5nNV765-KdG20ZQcebqeX9abGFlGVsG0W_LAk/s320/IMG_1375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384724387654441714" /> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYGCCcJEqO6-6vH92DnXe3kYQObaKmpOhxchcA8x5G0fnOf0ILwH-FS1NO1yVeYXURjiNGNz0HgahYc-o8WBgAcp17kt_0GtCbyTnqmGhZr59OkknvSvS4m-lpkpTLa8pmks/s320/IMG_1386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384725163441204322" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Our last few days have been packed. I am about to post videos</div><div> (if possible) and photos of events from the last few days:</div><div><br /></div><div>-beginning of camp (kids are much more rowdy than we expected, but so fun)</div><div>-feeding the children in Chillon (absolutely heart breaking)</div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig30aRQbwViIoDZ3YfGKK1ZdgxnhxLn_kTAwAGzQ0lm3EsuJfhmUPQHylnaOERlYtFIkREWtByAGa6mBk0D5DZp98-Fnuzx6VQWFWpFvBbuNf2hPmZGt1Gd8-fZ6VjvnSez04/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384726227188554322" /><div>-Peruvian Folk Band (unbelievable) </div><div>-house (pictured left) and school visits (below)</div><div>-shots from the roof of the church</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_6-7D7-F56tk2vOZhJRAVXynCohxHlT2A_rCumoTQKZ_1ZmMXFzmJdvLwaA_frOZi9p_DlfC9X1xl13Lmd2D6TsuqOuVqtxqF27bENTEYoKMKJIbA_e0edMKscUpUJRdqEc/s320/IMG_1381.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384725171679840530" /><div>Last night gave everyone a bit of a scare. I was trying to go to sleep and got up to take some medicine. The ladies insisted on taking my temperature, and found out I had a fever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to some sleep, and many prayers, I feel much better. If you read this, please pray my fever does not return and that I stay well. Today is our 3rd day of camp and tomorrow is the "big day." Please pray for us as we continue to teach these kids about what it means to worship God, and as we join them in leading their friends and families in worship tomorrow night.</div><div>Friday morning we will go to the market, and see other parts of Peru. Saturday morning we will go to an orphanage, I am eagerly expecting this trip. It is truly amazing that the people of Comas live like they do. We are far, far too blessed.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIrW4FhihZHKGwrUhSq_EHTKYJmHyt5rl2BQk4GAsfmOzN2c3caa2VQWKupfNhLdfHsvUvaNwsGzu0sGMhKkI0ByjKA1naZNAyhPXx0GBIy-qw1oV5PQktnDczZCsNm1bPgE/s1600-h/IMG_1237.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIrW4FhihZHKGwrUhSq_EHTKYJmHyt5rl2BQk4GAsfmOzN2c3caa2VQWKupfNhLdfHsvUvaNwsGzu0sGMhKkI0ByjKA1naZNAyhPXx0GBIy-qw1oV5PQktnDczZCsNm1bPgE/s320/IMG_1237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384723676796932322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: Peruvian Folk Band</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVybnqY9u7XaVzd9_v_OTxdqts2iFasmQVssd0utdMqYOjE_EDIBYJHD0huJhwPQQnshcMg7PFubVhjja5faUpjgbijipz0qXqzR55d6aVQG5keJ4q0yHWnoAgAgUeqs8jOmk/s1600-h/IMG_0603.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVybnqY9u7XaVzd9_v_OTxdqts2iFasmQVssd0utdMqYOjE_EDIBYJHD0huJhwPQQnshcMg7PFubVhjja5faUpjgbijipz0qXqzR55d6aVQG5keJ4q0yHWnoAgAgUeqs8jOmk/s320/IMG_0603.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384723669964086130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: Oatmeal type drink we fed the Kids</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5DE9fQGj1oNPatbxTx0l-juvyEqsx62MXEG6_nv1S9RhmdgAs_tR4cl4U2wmrJ5br87NGWfmxKTtHidZVUaU27kP4Bx9-6qHzUXadxd2MnF20PPr3Saavcir9NLZ8q5Hyq0/s1600-h/IMG_1277.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5DE9fQGj1oNPatbxTx0l-juvyEqsx62MXEG6_nv1S9RhmdgAs_tR4cl4U2wmrJ5br87NGWfmxKTtHidZVUaU27kP4Bx9-6qHzUXadxd2MnF20PPr3Saavcir9NLZ8q5Hyq0/s320/IMG_1277.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384723662623364546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Above: Children being placed on stage for camp rehearsal</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For more pictures and details about what we are up to, please visit Jessica's blog:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">http://e-camp-fellowship.blogspot.com/</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>HASTA MAÑANA!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">(I hope)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-83958660715176872042009-09-19T15:22:00.000-07:002009-09-19T16:30:10.571-07:00Day One::Blown Away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Sj8n4NLRrIEtmeLWfBfd3qhVi4MNNvLjPpCczzS-fRxss4qU6EFQzKFbK4W1-BqkgQG_G6P7rz_qtHN27zAtk0C1tht0rA1TknZlflmnKXbEbDGJ7DgRLNgQxEQxuTsUTlw/s1600-h/IMG_1050.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Sj8n4NLRrIEtmeLWfBfd3qhVi4MNNvLjPpCczzS-fRxss4qU6EFQzKFbK4W1-BqkgQG_G6P7rz_qtHN27zAtk0C1tht0rA1TknZlflmnKXbEbDGJ7DgRLNgQxEQxuTsUTlw/s320/IMG_1050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383321726151077394" /></a>Wow. We are finally here in Comas. I had tears in my eyes when greeted at the airport last night. These people were so very excited to see us and welcome us to Peru. I was very excited to meet Angie (pictured right), a translator of ours, and a friend of many of mine. I am at a loss for what to say because I am so overwhelmed. My heart is already bursting at the seams with love for these people and this culture. I have never witnessed such extreme poverty,<div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h7iiMRejxrk5qA2wMWiACGF3LeId3U21IjpzueBMurK-TOBnIOlkGpL0ksLOOe7TZtKrfrsFcRa8HyYAMRXR_37F67P9U2hyPsEpicY-mft8o4UlsNzkq_d3yCuymQRag00/s320/angie.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383309257034091010" /></div><div>and I have never been more embarrassed to have a North Face jacket. Already, I am extremely humbled, and grateful. We had breakfast at the Church this morning and then went up the hill to look out over the city.</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk87OYyPl3FkOZ9Qn7kVoezgBJBy3Oa2TDigqrB4Nd6ZfGMKV2oL3yQNU2AZZ7t8xeNCqhkI8AT7kxv05O-Hg9CBsRwKtngqkE9FkR36NN4FvqfgmUOchayDvde7upYKI9hEs/s320/IMG_1073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383324800081271666" /><div><br /></div><div>We met many women and children that I immediately wanted to take home with me. I am afraid this trip will only increase my desire to adopt. These children were content, kind, and warm hearted. The kids in Peru hardly have anything. Funny how I suddenly could care less about the safety of my camera so long as it meant they could play with it. I met a girl named Nicole (pictured left) and told her that was my middle name, she was so excited. Pastor Enrique prayed for us on the mountain and talked to us about the importance of it in the Christian journey. Its really neat to see how close you can feel to people you have never met, because they know the Lord.</div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>After our trek up the mountain, we came back to the church for a welcome party, amazing food, and dancing. This afternoon we have had rehearsal for the 5 worship services we will conduct for the Church tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please keep praying for us. We begin our day tomorrow at 6am with the first service. I will update again as soon as possible. I wish words could give enough justice to tell what all the Lord is doing in my heart, but they do not suffice . . .</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy1hT-ndOiWr1iiCxBxcdFKntdcJb-zQCjmhql_5ZNlwnyhM9VFTBAl5d7_QF6ft78ze0RN5pBluXM' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-47913566364856408082009-09-18T13:00:00.000-07:002009-09-18T14:05:32.188-07:00bienvenidos a miami<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm7ASpvMP-ie4__RYwMBs2XU8GFekeKek7WtmhkuO3gttXgpN-EmE1BxZv9smrKZ4m02hXnKuUyFgfJkr-KMCX5mt40t5YI-WOixrF6cmSG7UUX7ssE5N_vOnLCfTkyUSbUw/s1600-h/airport.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 30px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm7ASpvMP-ie4__RYwMBs2XU8GFekeKek7WtmhkuO3gttXgpN-EmE1BxZv9smrKZ4m02hXnKuUyFgfJkr-KMCX5mt40t5YI-WOixrF6cmSG7UUX7ssE5N_vOnLCfTkyUSbUw/s320/airport.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382906174597675570" border="0" /></a>Greetings from Miami!!<br /><br />Boy. It has been a looooong day. I went to bed at midnight last night and woke up at 3:20 to leave for the aiport by 3:40 this morning. Needless to say, I am exhausted. Good News: I do not require much sleep. Bad News: I have hardly gotten any this week. I am not one to sleep on various modes of transportation. So I sit and watch as others slumber. Bummer.<br /><br />We are on the home stretch of our 8hr layover in Miami. I know, seems crazy, but it saved us lots of money, so we went with it. Our team enjoyed a nice, authentic Cuban lunch at La Carreta today. I ate like a boy. Shocker. It was so good though. I now know how my friend <a href="http://partyinthecitywheretheheatison.blogspot.com/">LeighAnn</a> feels living in Miami. I could hardly order my food because I did not understand a word the lady was saying ... because she was speaking in Spanish! Am I already in Peru?! Feels like it! I have only heard Spanish all day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sG19yWAcV1lXYgJ9g4VXd9j4qtuVaJIgf5wKoOLZy7sBaFj32th43_wxyxYCX_jwRb6IrTLVcck47YToYQkjC8grLgdICVQgoDfVdPCHHBz324tOQGvcRRgQgy4f3G3dEo4/s1600-h/lacaretta.JPG"><img style="margin: 20px 0pt 10px 30px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sG19yWAcV1lXYgJ9g4VXd9j4qtuVaJIgf5wKoOLZy7sBaFj32th43_wxyxYCX_jwRb6IrTLVcck47YToYQkjC8grLgdICVQgoDfVdPCHHBz324tOQGvcRRgQgy4f3G3dEo4/s320/lacaretta.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382907210234478018" border="0" /></a><br />After lunch we spent time preparing and reviewing songs, dances, verses, scripts, etc. I am just hoping I can sleep on our flight tonight. Lucky for us, there is no time change between Nashville and Peru - we are due to arrive in Lima around 10pm. Thank you all again for your prayers and support. I am so excited to see what the Lord does in and through us! Time to board the plane ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHlriqAEt92EoEkrv818ne234yLvkIzDUAMz9KzlEMsrhs5GznYQGd9OoE-9tZOh93wHIrob0muyz9ppG9ZKN6Cm7bNBxNjbglR7IVhzzRTluGxlezNVWUbiTm44Pdve9_8I/s1600-h/preparation.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHlriqAEt92EoEkrv818ne234yLvkIzDUAMz9KzlEMsrhs5GznYQGd9OoE-9tZOh93wHIrob0muyz9ppG9ZKN6Cm7bNBxNjbglR7IVhzzRTluGxlezNVWUbiTm44Pdve9_8I/s320/preparation.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382907294738854402" border="0" /></a>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-44252398922560554042009-09-14T17:56:00.000-07:002009-09-18T14:01:16.107-07:00shooting for the soul<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRY6NwwlNOD2guBFnZ3HCddgwXdf5NMtfYRwhRls2bIz963TPztCBZhJPro261KOolBkI7cklDCvU_MTqDgSSosbVp1ViTy4B3x9GfzTcZ3gKoTTfvbLQ1a-H0XaBZ-4fV6I/s1600-h/DSC_0271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px; text-align: justify; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRY6NwwlNOD2guBFnZ3HCddgwXdf5NMtfYRwhRls2bIz963TPztCBZhJPro261KOolBkI7cklDCvU_MTqDgSSosbVp1ViTy4B3x9GfzTcZ3gKoTTfvbLQ1a-H0XaBZ-4fV6I/s320/DSC_0271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381496398624658978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgpB-FgEggxGXF4FdDB5RR4Ju81QPozAcxJimXfqmX9b2iRnDcNrQDw_vhHp3sso880R4shyd4uMqyxZHMEsRrtlp78THOypU8iVpZDRo0mRv2_gA2vmxesMsOwT8pZbpC3M/s1600-h/DSC_0062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgpB-FgEggxGXF4FdDB5RR4Ju81QPozAcxJimXfqmX9b2iRnDcNrQDw_vhHp3sso880R4shyd4uMqyxZHMEsRrtlp78THOypU8iVpZDRo0mRv2_gA2vmxesMsOwT8pZbpC3M/s320/DSC_0062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381501600050461458" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>This past Friday I had more fun than I have had in a while.<div>There are many reasons for this.</div><div>I will give 3.<br />1. I was outside.</div><div>2. I was engaging my creative side.</div><div>3. I did not look at my phone for 3+ hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>I helped assist and produce a photo shoot with some friends of mine in Franklin.</div><div>I learned alot, but I am still <i>quite the amateur. </i>Here are some of my favorite shots.</div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9iBSoEz8mCO3DtO3g0oi758hFlZzZSrQbTKQoxy_5ZrOD9oBhd7JaGkRfoOB80dEm70Tr_NwNL0W8GgloUq32YyuWRFpi2Su6K6KeE9i0OfDioAFbvZEdrTDjq8qBfVOyzQ/s1600-h/allnatural.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; clear: both; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9iBSoEz8mCO3DtO3g0oi758hFlZzZSrQbTKQoxy_5ZrOD9oBhd7JaGkRfoOB80dEm70Tr_NwNL0W8GgloUq32YyuWRFpi2Su6K6KeE9i0OfDioAFbvZEdrTDjq8qBfVOyzQ/s320/allnatural.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381496378457312098" border="0" /></a><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxybKWzsbSo3gEeNlYE4030mx6qujx1HYg3wmUkRUo7rXJP8r6W9KIPCvCrBRvW7vgf3oA40iOoupKWyyW_VIoNkTUSCSkHSfGNN3mbDXkm7QDoDV3z4iNvjkA9olQ1uhCFU/s1600-h/DSC_0120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxybKWzsbSo3gEeNlYE4030mx6qujx1HYg3wmUkRUo7rXJP8r6W9KIPCvCrBRvW7vgf3oA40iOoupKWyyW_VIoNkTUSCSkHSfGNN3mbDXkm7QDoDV3z4iNvjkA9olQ1uhCFU/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381496395100059634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3cnDs6D6y0XFr3Xz4VkcGSBNNyNDtgd9GsfPWECuSVxO_bbm435dpKbeffnflXFbkWqCA7sXaZ4GEdSq_Mk_rjpDHoi9FAvh5980aRvOBoh51NyaG_LC_nCZNYAX7iENUIg/s1600-h/DSC_0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3cnDs6D6y0XFr3Xz4VkcGSBNNyNDtgd9GsfPWECuSVxO_bbm435dpKbeffnflXFbkWqCA7sXaZ4GEdSq_Mk_rjpDHoi9FAvh5980aRvOBoh51NyaG_LC_nCZNYAX7iENUIg/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381496385518361042" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Zq7W6Mwym36UnMVWlvJQteUV8PNbTdLFu7SmBF8MdrVTyo7B5yuQ-wAR292BYm8xiJ7gmH5-flWoqE8gOz8wI8J1vUS45S2mX2RaZwE7svGvC3HI019WXxVeFpgke_P1cQ/s1600-h/DSC_0409.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Zq7W6Mwym36UnMVWlvJQteUV8PNbTdLFu7SmBF8MdrVTyo7B5yuQ-wAR292BYm8xiJ7gmH5-flWoqE8gOz8wI8J1vUS45S2mX2RaZwE7svGvC3HI019WXxVeFpgke_P1cQ/s320/DSC_0409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381495285321820338" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4Zq7W6Mwym36UnMVWlvJQteUV8PNbTdLFu7SmBF8MdrVTyo7B5yuQ-wAR292BYm8xiJ7gmH5-flWoqE8gOz8wI8J1vUS45S2mX2RaZwE7svGvC3HI019WXxVeFpgke_P1cQ/s1600-h/DSC_0409.JPG"></a><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWaIdePfJX6ZLnH6zdJcC0mC7nECaNYRGfNu1UyflHJ6DeoU3xjWtnbRT2gGXafGVSyVSiKo43sn4jYS7TA7jbotsukIXMT7LqHhPpPKit27mryuRiFrVGF84QLhd_rg4FPU/s1600-h/DSC_0264.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWaIdePfJX6ZLnH6zdJcC0mC7nECaNYRGfNu1UyflHJ6DeoU3xjWtnbRT2gGXafGVSyVSiKo43sn4jYS7TA7jbotsukIXMT7LqHhPpPKit27mryuRiFrVGF84QLhd_rg4FPU/s320/DSC_0264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381495278106344802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UXz5_hWSCqz-t_t5MRcAdZh_D2PkIFsU8anqXzW-cC__AzO2TJBZVKolxQAd5ClnrKS6M6BqGOBlkGREWM83tELClfvE7Spf7yf4HvLu2DZJgavAwgaXupGl6jBqVqymB_s/s1600-h/DSC_0283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 30px 10px 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UXz5_hWSCqz-t_t5MRcAdZh_D2PkIFsU8anqXzW-cC__AzO2TJBZVKolxQAd5ClnrKS6M6BqGOBlkGREWM83tELClfvE7Spf7yf4HvLu2DZJgavAwgaXupGl6jBqVqymB_s/s320/DSC_0283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381495267413870514" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-60321456600725918412009-07-28T18:08:00.000-07:002009-07-28T18:24:39.674-07:00get over it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_PEmp-K4QktaL-O3HindGR3uWSlKxsGxl4-qTbiXFMTwRMrWTjQgqoAm3l5VNvmJyTbCHQwyubfwFY-KnhYhOpIV5J2WSPzoL5EyihaZyqBu4NW3jgGoFDObPi2_SXeegWI/s1600-h/bad_day-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_PEmp-K4QktaL-O3HindGR3uWSlKxsGxl4-qTbiXFMTwRMrWTjQgqoAm3l5VNvmJyTbCHQwyubfwFY-KnhYhOpIV5J2WSPzoL5EyihaZyqBu4NW3jgGoFDObPi2_SXeegWI/s320/bad_day-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363686904863507410" border="0" /></a><br />you know those days?<br /><br />the ones where the glass is half empty, everything is wrong in the world, and nobody can do anything right? the one where you just want to scream at the top of your lungs?<br /><br />today was that day. i would like to say its not often that i get in <span style="font-style: italic;">these moods</span> but today? bingo.<br /><br />well, awesome <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">erin</span>, that's just <span style="font-style: italic;">perfect.</span><br /><br />several weeks ago i took a very thorough personality test called the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">enneagram</span>. <a href="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/">http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ </a><br />(excuse my lack of blog <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">savvyness</span>) ...<br /><br />my roommate and i laughed at how the analysis of my personality type (6, 'the loyalist')<br />describes me to a T in some ways:<br /><br /><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;">"...They are both strong and weak, fearful and courageous, trusting and distrusting, defenders and provokers, sweet and sour, aggressive and passive, bullies and weaklings, on the defensive and on the offensive, thinkers and doers, group people and soloists, believers and doubters, cooperative and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">obstructionistic</span>, tender and mean, generous and petty—and on and on. It is the contradictory picture that is the characteristic “fingerprint” of Sixes, the fact that they are a bundle of opposites."<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Now I always say, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Im</span> sweet and sour, Sarah!" ...<br /><br />well. today. i was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">unfortuneately</span> VERY sour.<br />so much so that i missed:<br /><br />-a free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">screener</span> ticket to the only movie i was excited about seeing all summer<br />-a friends surprise birthday party<br />-good time with my mom<br />-a meeting that i needed to attend<br /><br />i could not shake my bad mood so instead of making everyone suffer, i decided to just stay home if i was going to pout. what is my deal?<br />i am one big contradiction. today i was all the bad things.<br /><br />these are the days when i am most aware of my need for Jesus.<br />i cant shake it on my own. i need my savior.<br /><br />good thing my personality also needs something bigger than myself ...<br /><br /></span></span></span><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;">"They are the type which is most conscious of anxiety—"anxious that they are anxious"—unlike other <span class="il">personality</span> types who are either unaware of their anxiety or who unconsciously convert it into other symptoms."</span></span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;">"At the root of their anxiety is a continual feeling of being unsupported. Most fundamentally, Sixes doubt that they can support themselves. They do not trust their ability to know what to do, especially when their decisions effect their security. At the very least, they tend to second-guess themselves, making a decision and then fearing that they made the wrong choice. Because they feel unsure of themselves, Sixes look outside themselves for something to support and reassure them."<br /><br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12px;" >"Because “belief” (trust, faith, convictions, positions) is difficult for Sixes to achieve, and because it is so important to their sense of stability, once they establish a trustworthy belief, they do not easily question it, nor do they want others to do so. The same is true for individuals in a Six’s life: <b>o</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">nce</span> Sixes feel they can trust someone, they go to great lengths to maintain connections <span style="font-weight: normal;">with the person who acts as a sounding board, a mentor, or a regulator for the Six’s emotional reactions and behavior. They therefore do everything in their power to keep their affiliations going. (“If I don’t trust myself, then I have to find something in this world I <i>can</i> trust.”)"</span></span></span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;"></span></span></div><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;">"...they think—and worry—a lot! They also tend to fear making important decisions, although at the same time, they resist having anyone else make decisions for them. They want to avoid being controlled, but are also afraid of taking responsibility in a way that might put them “in the line of fire.” </span></span></div> <div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;"></span></span></div><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;">"If Sixes feel that they have sufficient back up, they can move forward with some degree of confidence. But if that crumbles, they become anxious and self-doubting, reawakening their Basic Fear. (“I’m on <span class="il">my</span> own! What am I going to do now?”)"</span></span></div><br /></div><br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-size:130%;">note to self: GET <span style="font-style: italic;">OVER </span>YOURSELF.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-75483878482366456122009-05-10T17:25:00.000-07:002009-05-10T18:12:17.638-07:00penned again.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i will refuse to give into to pressure for this to be a good blog post. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">the way i will do that is by posting a random assortment of things. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1. ray la is playing in the background. ray always takes me back to fall. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Be here now. . . </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">2. i just devoured the</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> batter bowl to the magnolia cupcakes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hayes</span> is</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> making.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(see attached pic)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR670EEgmv6p3ok7Fsi83b2-sC23itcbWWZePWlgwmdndBfLZ_VUpILiHRjD0p1C7w1MfGkcuFyves78_54jkr_OsIF39fqS7HevEcFZkGQPpOAILO0VKKjU60gqIHKf7Ggc/s320/Photo+36.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334364701418240674" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">3. i went on a walk before i devoured this batter bowl. i </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">am so counteractive.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">4. all i can seem to think about these days is my 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">auburnfriends</span> reunion in a few weekends and for this i am <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sooo</span> excited.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">5. sometimes i feel like i cant live life without something to look forward to. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">thats</span> an extremely dramatic statement. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dont</span> judge, you know what i mean. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">6. my mom is engaged.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">7. my dad just had hand surgery and my brother sent</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">me pictures ... we are gross like that ... </span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AqAjJdROsaJe52qsmswNp_sSrRPtwT8jqDG4jnJdqe4mCKpuC7KnavXkczEaGqcrNdH8YQwyUgUvPKuEHoF0alQeYj5HbPh5IZC-U_oTldO38pGnyOoCzKqvypsIzeISFC8/s320/4177_1084574706858_1001070245_30395860_2458639_n.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334365451758433474" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">8. my brother is almost done with his freshman year of college. i remember when he could barely talk. what in the world?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">9. when i called my grandmother to tell her happy mothers day she said, first thing, "well, i hope i can say that to you sometime in the near future."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">no comment. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">10. i am dying to go so many </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">places right now. namely: NYC, the ranch, horse riding, the lake, the beach, Charleston, and Austin. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">11. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">im</span> pretty sure that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">nashville</span> has seen more rain in the last month than <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">seattle</span> has in a whole year. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">12. i have learned this year that it does not matter what you do, as much as it matters who you do it with. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">13. i have no sense of style and i hate shopping for myself, but i like shopping for boys. why?! ugh. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">14. i want an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">african</span> child right now. (not really right now, but i do)</span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1EQup9yYKrh-upSwe6PTNT8PQPHrlbtbn6DCf27iAUCna8Ct2zvhaMBtUIxtzanfYYFv5vL2UnToKlU_8qaf1qX8-Z48wOl4ZW7KEslPr9WIsO8trCWRuX9VGkZYO6jaA2M/s320/MjAwMC0tLTQwODM4My0tLTgw.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334367341218859410" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">15. i miss my childhood neighborhood. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">16. i get to play a show this weekend with some amazing musicians in SC and i could not be more excited ...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">17. i miss college/road trips. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">18. i <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">dvr'd</span> about 4 shows this season that i did not watch one episode of. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">19. i want to go rollerblading with my mom, at the beach, right now. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">20. i was told today that i have a bob ... i hate the word bob when used in reference to hair. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">21. i went to visit my grandmother this week that has a brain tumor. she still offered me sweet tea. that tea never tasted so good. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">22. i have recently revisited my high school diet coke addiction ... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">23. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">matt</span> dean convinced me years ago that this (my diet coke addiction) is why i suffer from chronic memory loss (short and long term) awesome. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">24. i will be 24 in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">july</span>. oh <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">geez</span>. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-13057790915841638292008-11-12T11:26:00.001-08:002008-11-12T11:28:01.827-08:00penned my soulwho? bebo. always.<br />here are the latest two that speak right where i am these days ...<br /><br /><br />tell me now, when does this start feeling <br />like I understand everything I’m dealing with<br />first I was young, now it’s all just happening<br />and what about the way I said that <br />made you turn around and shake your head<br />like I don’t even know what I’m asking for<br /><br />this could be all about just letting go<br />this could be all about just holding on<br /><br />I can’t get my feet off of the ground<br />I wanna run but I don’t know how<br />can you reach down here and pull me out, can you pull me out, yeah<br />I wanna scream but there’s no sound<br />I wanna fly to you somehow<br />can you reach me here and pull me out, can you pull me out <br /><br />remember when I was young and hungry,<br />I could take it in, without much money, <br />I had nothing at all but dreams and time to kill<br />and now I feel like I’m treading water <br />and I’m hardly real - I’m just trying harder <br />to make my way on the earth by standing still<br /><br />this could be all about just letting go<br />this could be all about just holding on<br /><br />I can’t get my feel off of the ground<br />I wanna run but I don’t know how<br />Can you reach down here and pull me out, can you pull me out, yeah<br />I wanna scream but there’s no sound<br />I wanna fly to you somehow<br />Can you reach down here and pull me out, can you pull me out<br /><br />not a moment too soon You will be my rescue<br />but tell me how long will it take?<br /><br />I can’t get my feet off of the ground <br />I wanna run but I don’t know how<br />can you reach down here and pull me out, can you pull me out <br />I can’t get my feet off of the ground<br />I wanna run but I don’t know how<br />Can you reach down here and pull me out, can you pull me out, yeah<br />I wanna scream but there’s no sound<br />I wanna fly to you somehow<br />can you reach me here and pull me out – can you pull me out<br />can you pull me out? can you reach down and pull me out?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">and the next one...</span></span><br /><br /><br /> <p>I want to run, it's my nature to run<br />And I want to fight, it's my nature to fight<br />And I want to live, but you tell me to die<br />I have resolved that I'm much better off<br />In your hands than mine<br /><br />I'm begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to take my life from me<br />I want a crumb, but you are a feast<br />I want a song, but you are a symphony<br />I want a star, but your a galaxy<br /><br />And I have resolved that I'm much better off<br />In what you have for me<br />I'm begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to take my life from me<br />So tell me you won't let go<br />Tell me you won't let go<br />Cause you are the only hope for me<br />Take my life from me, It's the only hope for me<br />Take my life from me, It's the only hope for me<br />And I'll never want for more<br />I'll never want for more<br /><br />I'm begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to hold on tight<br />Begging you to take my life from me<br />So tell me you won't let go<br />Tell me you won't let go<br />Cause your the only hope for me<br />You're the only hope for me<br />Yeah, your the only hope for me</p><p><br /></p>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21769359.post-34074701321854894412008-11-12T11:02:00.000-08:002008-11-12T11:21:50.661-08:00a word from the wise.today is just one of those days where things are off.<br />i woke up feeling like the Lord was a million miles away.<br /><br />in a moment of desperation, i called my grandmother.<br />shocked to discover that my complaints and trivial, ridiculous woes<br />would be a 'blessing' to her and my sweet grandad, who somehow<br />found it necessary to stay on the phone the whole time.<br /><br />there is something that makes you feel really special when 2 people<br />are on the other end of the same phone line. or, at least it made me<br />feel special today. but, its just one of those days.<br /><br />i called because my grandmother is known for her prayers and the results<br />she gets. when she prays, things happen. i had that lump in my throat and<br />i just knew that as soon as she started praying for me, i would come undone.<br />that's when grandad joined in on the call ... so instead of praying for me then<br />and there, she promised she would later and spoke these words in response to<br />my current situation and fears ...<br /><br />"you know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">erin</span>, its like that old quote,<br /><br />night is always darkest as just before dawn."<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />wow. so true. thanks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">g'mom</span>.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>then i read that familiar verse:<br />Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.<br /><br />BUT, the verse before?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trust in the Lord</span></span>, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness<br />(my Bible says at the bottom "OR: and feed on faithfulness OR: and find safe pasture")<br /><br />I am comforted today by the reminder that my duty today is not to figure out my future,<br />but simply to <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">trust and delight in Him.</span></span> Easier said than done, for sure.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I believe Lord, help my unbelief. </span>erintumlin.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12818487277996481384noreply@blogger.com0