Free Hugs

Last week in worship, Our pastor spoke about loving others and loving yourself, and it was a great sermon. I don't remember specifics, but I was definitely invested. Then, he shows this video, which, according to the amount of people who have viewed it, you have probably already seen.

I'm going to post it anyway:



As I watched this, the tears just streamed down my face. My heart just melted around the whole of humanity, and my heart grew 10 times (not that I was so grinch-like before). At the end, to add insult to lovely injury, my pastor stood at the front of the church and held up his OWN sign that said "FREE HUGS". No words, no speech, just a sign. In seconds, throngs of people flooded the pastor. He hugged. They hugged. Others hugged others. I stood up and walked down to the front to get a hug from a total stranger (not the pastor!), and then made my way back to my seat. On the way, I saw a girl about my age sitting by herself, wiping her own tears. So what are two girls full of love to do? We stood and hugged, completely foreign to each other, but connected in a beautiful way.

The point of this long story is...spread the love. You have NO IDEA who might need your hug (or kind word, or smile) the most today. Just in case, don't be stingy. If this video doesn't make you want to run out and hug strangers, then maybe YOU need a hug.

In that case, just give me a call, and I'll be right over. :-)

with a Hug-filled HOLLA -

Ding Dong

About a month ago, my friend Colby came over for a music lesson. No, I don't give lessons to children, much less adults (much to Ben's chagrin), but Colby is an art teacher, and we worked out a deal. He teaches me art stuff, and I teach him music stuff.

So I was sitting at my kitchen table with the stereo playing loudly waiting for him to get here. The doorbell rings.

"COME IN," I yell.

No answer. Then the doorbell rings again, but this time he pushes the button for a reeeeally long time. Smarty pants.

"OPEN THE G. D. DOOR!" Even louder I yell this time. (No I did not say the real words. Still, Lord, I apologize.)

No answer. Now he's just playing around with me.

I hop out of my chair and go to the door to let Colby in. Except it's not Colby. It's a missionary. Wanting to tell me about Jesus and pray for me.

I think I need it.

HOLY HOLLA -

Tuesday Tunes

Here's a song by Dave, dedicated to the lazy days of summer, now drawing to a close. To all children, whose spirits are alive always. And to all used-to-be-children: may you never lose the child within!

Summer's Last Words

Today is my last day of summer vacation. I have to go back to school tomorrow...to early mornings and meetings and emails and hallway conversations and paperwork. And the best part - smiling faces. I miss my kids. I miss their laughs and their skips and their hugs and their funny stories. I miss their voices and their energy and their excitement.

I am ready.

To be honest, this summer was kind of weird. It wasn't the kind of summer that left me with a full, satisfied feeling...more of a awkward, unrested feeling. There was the June camping trip, and a week of summer school, spending time with my nieces for a few days, my daily jaunts to the library and the gym (let's be honest - the two or three, or maybe even one time(s) a WEEK jaunts), my 30th birthday, my 3rd anniversary. Good stuff...great stuff. But all of that excitement didn't even come CLOSE to lasting me a whole summer.

I don't do well by myself. I don't look at a whole empty week on my calendar and jump with joy at the possibilities. It makes me anxious and panicky. I prefer a week stocked full of appointments and meetings, lunches and evening activities. I want human interaction; I need to converse with multiple people on a regular basis.

Inactivity is brutal. Activity is LIFE.

Thank God for transitions, for awkward times and the wriggling out of old skin and into the new.

HOLLA -

Tuesday Tunes

Heard this one on the radio today, then checked my friend Sylvia's blog, and wouldn't you know? There it is again!

I'm pretty sure I've heard this before, but it really caught my attention today. I don't know anyone in any situation in the world that couldn't use this message.

Love, love, love.....



Here's the singer, Matt Maher, explaining the story behind the song. Good stuff.



If there was one thing that I would want people in the world to know, it would be love. God is love. Love your neighbor, love your enemy, love your friend, love, love, love.

With a happy heart,

I HOLLA -

Dirty 30 Recap

Great birthday, folks...great birthday. On my actual birthday, last Wednesday, I woke up to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups all the way down the stairs to the kitchen table, where there was a huge pile of MORE candy, a magazine, and a card from...the love of my life, of course!

Yoga, Lunch with Ben (the love of my life, in case you were wondering), and shopping at Town Center. I'm not a big "spend the majority of my birthday by myself" kind of a gal, but I had enough shopping with coupons and gift cards (thanks Elise! I guess getting a gift card is a close second to you taking me to Worlds of Fun when you're not on your HONEYMOON), so I was pleeeeennnnnty busy.

Home, dinner out, birthday cupcake (that I was too full to eat), and the end of a GREAT day.

Fast forward to Sunday, my birthday party. Ben rented out the skating rink that I grew up skating at, and with the help of fifty or so friends and family, we rocked that rink like a hurricane. Again, props to this guy for putting it all together.

Oh yes, ladies...he's all mine. Mullet and all.

30 is great so far, and I am anxious for what lies ahead, both in my mind and heart, and in the eyes of the Creator who, no doubt, has something planned for me beyond my WiLdEsT imagination.

HOLLA -

Tuesday Tunes

Yes, I realize that I am posting this on a Wednesday, but, better late than never.

I've had Jason Mraz in my head today, from playing my stereo on shuffle, and then listening to him on my iPod while getting ready. By far, Jason Mraz is the most talented singer and most dynamic performer I have seen in a LONG time...maybe ever. (Well, there was that Harry Connick Jr. concert in high school...) (No, that was not a joke.)

Ben and I caught Jason Mraz last summer at Starlight, and I was so honestly pulled in by his stage presence that it took me at least a few days to come down from it. I think we all know what it's like to be in that place, and it's electric.

Here's a little accoustic nugget for your Wednesday enjoyment. It's probably not his best vocal performance, but it's a nice live sample.



HOLLA -