Words

Lots and lots of words
Talking used for words
Or words used for talking?
Running for the sake of going
Or going for the sake of running?
Smiling to create laughter
Or laughter to create smiling?
This can be that, and that, this
Sometimes I want to talk just to be heard
But often I want to be heard just so I can talk
I have nothing to say, but yet in my silence I say so much
The rain falls to produce life
But I've found that life often produces rain
The sun shines to warm my heart
But how often does my hear warm the sun?
How do my actions effect those around me?
Too much though, others effect my actions
I have an urge to run and skip and frolic in a field of yellow
I want to scream and dance to the rhythm of the drums
Forget this life I've made for myself
When will this become that, and that, this?
I have no purpose, I just want to write for words
I hope beauty flows from my pen, but for now me pen flows from beauty
When I am here I want to be there, and when there, here

To Walk in Eden

To walk in Eden
Where life begins and the earth is shaped
To walk barefoot in the lush grass
Comforted by the soft padding of the earth
To stop and breathe and let your lungs fill with the sweet air
Inhale
Exhale
Breathe
To breathe in the Maker's exhale of love
It tastes sweet on my lips
It restores my strength
It quenches my thirst and voids my hunger
It tastes familiar, yet new, exciting, mysterious
It takes my breath away
Inhale
Exhale
Breathe
Repeat
To walk in beauty, surrounded by new life
A flower blooming, a tree growing, a bee hard at work
To walk in spring
To be a tree rooted in the replenishing soils of Eden
Blossoming flowers drape from your branches, filling the air with a sweet, unfiltered scent
Incapable of loosing even a singe leaf
Lost in beauty, in the wonder of new life
Always filled with this scent of sweet air, the Maker's exhale of love
To walk the narrow road
To journey and toil and preserver on the road less traveled
Sure it's rocky and difficult
But the reward is greater than any prize
And the air, the sweet, mysterious air fills your lungs
To surrender to the path not your own
To live in beauty and rest in sunshine
The warm breeze calms your soul, restores your mind
Inhale
Exhale
Breathe
To walk in Eden brings restoration
Takes us back to our roots
To run into the arms of Eden

To Rebuild Your New Orleans

Admist the despair, the terror, the destruction and horror
There lies the love, the hope, the joy and the grace

Among the tears and the cries and the fears of her wake
Brings the healer, the comforter and the king of all kings

Love
Love is patient, love is kind
Love is Meg and is Sue. Love is me and is you
Love is Christ who is here and is now
Love is strong and won't disappear

Hope
Hope is Roy, with water streaming from his eyes
Hope is N'walins, unshakeable by her wrath
Hope is hears of all who mourn and who cry
Hope is never backing out, even when it seems the world will die

Joy
Joy is Beth, who lost it all, but still held on
Joyful of the day she returned home
Joy is Brother who still came back
Back home to his N'walins, to his city and friends

Grace
Grace is the team who taought me to laugh
Grace are the girls who struck a match
And started a movement which spreads like wildfire
Untamable, indescribable, unfathomable and eternally bound

Oh to rebuild your New Orleans takes a reciepe of hope, joy, love and grace
To rebuild a city haunted by her face takes a movement above our own strengths

Haunted by a ghost who hangs on everydoor
A daily reminder that she shook every core
Haunted by the calm, the quiet, and the stillness of day
New Orleans still stands wary from its dismay

But still hope, joy, love and grace
Are instilled behind every face

To rebuild your New Orleans
We will rebuild New Orleans
As tears of hope stream down our face
Our New Orleans

Trucking along

Hmmm, so I haven't written in quite sometime.... but to my credit, I don't really think anyone is reading these.... so I feel like I am just updating myself on what is going on.

The INN is going great. It has been a huge joy to be there week after week. I am in a bit of a lull right now with projects at UMin, but am getting really excited for the New Orleans Mission trip I am helping to plan over Christmas break. This will be an awesome opportunity for me to take more ownership in a trip. Kind of scary, but it will just be me and the other female intern who will be leading the trip. Thankfully we will have the help of an amazing student leader, who will help make everything go smoothly. I am for sure ready to get going on planning more of this trip, and to head on down there.

I am reading Sex God right now by Rob Bell. I am enjoying the book so far. He definetly has a different take on things, that at least get me thinking. The thing I am most intrigued by right now is his definition of sexuality. He says that sexuality deals with our need to connect with people. Often times the people that are the most "sexual" are not having sex at all. They are just very present in their relationships, and connecting with people and serving them where they are at. I like that idea. It helps me to be more consious about the relationships I am in, and know that I can be satisfied in those relationships.

Hmm... so I guess that is about it for now. I would love to hear how all of you are doing, so feel free to email me and let me know about the ins of your life! kelleyd@upc.org

First INN of the Year

Hooray!! The first INN of the year.

There is going to be a sick staff video I will be in. I'll post the link when I figure it out!

Please be praying the the 4000 plus soda cans we handed out today will make students want to check out the INN tonight.

Pray for the students that will be coming and that God will prepare their hearts to hear from Him.

I can't wait to get things started! More to come...

Thanks again for all the prayers and support! Love you guys!

Student Leadership Retreat

We just spent the last few days at Mt Baker on our student leadership retreat... it was awesome! What an amazing group of people that I get to hang out with all year long. I can't wait to get to know everyone even better. I think I spent more time this week laughing then I have in a real long time. But along with that, it was amazing to see these leaders step up into their roles as leaders at the INN. It is going to be an amazing year working with them!

One funny thing that happened at the retreat was that, in an effort to make Ryan Church feel welcome in his new postion as director, we do skits of his life. Hilarious I tell you. We had everything from his Jr. High experience, on to his first date, on to how he prepares sermons, and finally to the birth of his new son. If any of you know Ryan Church, you would have appreciated it all.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that the Student Leadership Retreat was amazing and give you some things to pray for:

1. First Fall INN is this Tuesday - pray for the students that are on the edge to come and that they will show up and hear from God
2. Campus Blitz is happening this week. We are trying to get the word out about the INN on UW's campus - pray people will be responsive of the flyers.


Thanks so much for you support and love! You stay classy bloggers!