Echoes and Moments

2011 had many highs and lows, many places travelled, and many good times to be had. Here are some memorable highlights that mark my year. Favorite Album: Bon Iver: Bon Iver There's already a lot that's been said  about this sophomore effort by our heartbroken hermit-turned-musician friend Justin Vernon, and so I won't add any commentary of my own. I will say that I truly enjoyed it as my favorite music to unwind to on the drive home from Santa Maria late at night. I recommend a curving night highway or an overcast day to let these melodies and electro-acoustic soundscapes wash through your ears. Honorable Mention: Fleet Foxes: Helplessness Blues; The National: High Violet; New York Hymns: Songs for Lent. Favorite Travel Spot 2011: Sandia Mountains, New Mexico I was in New Mexico twice this summer, the first time for my staff training with InterVarsity (along with new interns from all the western states), and the second time with my family. Since the place i

Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever." - Luke 1:46-56

I know I've crossed the line into abstract absurdity when I find myself reflecting existentially on my relationship to a guy who has been dead for 800 years. I'll let you into my life during my last quarter as an undergrad. The conversation I had with myself goes something like this: Me: Why is it so hard to appreciate anything when I'm so busy? Yesterday I had class until 2, drove to Santa Maria and stayed there until 10:30, and then came back to a pile of projects and commitments to hammer out late into the night. Myself: Man, that was a rough day. But the sun still shines, gives life to us all, and the grass turns green beneath my feet without me working to make it that way.  Me: Yeah, that's right. Way to have a Saint Francis moment, there, man. Myself: How cool is that? Like many western believers, I find something compelling about Saint Francis, something that stimulates my own desire to radically follow Jesus into the unexpected. His example blurs