I Am An Orphan Girl

My hope is that this pursuit of Advent's meaning can become an open conversation . . . whoever you are, if you read this blog, throw in your two cents. Let's explore this together.

Todays Song . . . .

We all have a wandering place inside. It is in our souls. It has become a part of our DNA, even, I think. Really. I think that somehow, if it is possible, the results of sin (a spiritual reality) have influenced and changed our physical reality. I know this is not a new thought - but it still just kind of mesmerizes me! We are so intertwined - body, mind, and spirit. Those guys at the YMCA really knew what they were talking about!

That wandering place is different for everyone . . . but it all goes back to "the big apple caper" that I talked about yesterday. Let's not blame Eve . . . . if she didn't do it, I am sure you or I would have. That must have been SOME apple . . . no, that was some lie that she believed! She believed that God didn't really loved her - that he was not setting limits to protect her, but rather to deceive her. Oi! So she bit in . . . and now there is a breech between Him and us.

And so we wander.

Like Jacob and his tribe.

Like Moses and his stragglers.

We wander.

Even though we are connected . . . to others. Even, now, connected to God again . . .

We wander.

As we walk into these first days of Advent, I think it is only right to get in touch with that wandering side of ourselves.

The Israelites, after they entered the Promised Land, still had to wait about 400 years before the promised King would arrive. They anticipated. They yearned.
And they had been yearning for generations.
That is an entire lineage - generation upon generation - of wandering and wondering and yearning and even some disappointment.

And just like disease has found its way into human DNA, I believe that after all of those years of feeling unconnected and unfulfilled . . . first in Egypt, then the desert, and finally "safe" but waiting for a king . . . a wandering heart and a constant feeling of being lost has also made its way into our physical makeup.

So, let's not skip ahead to the elation of longing being fulfilled that comes on December 25 . . .

I think we can really appreciate his arrival more if we first get in touch with how much we long for him.

We won't know the impact of his redeeming qualities if we are not aware of what it is that needs to be redeemed.

And now, the creative therapist in me gets to ask some questions . . .

* Imagine that your "wandering orphan" lives in a part of your body. Where would your orphan be? What color are the walls there? What does the temperature feel like? What does it look like? Is there a smell? Any sound?

* What is your wanderer looking for? How would your wanderer know they have found what they are looking for?

Before I leave you with the song. . .
I found this website yesterday . . . looks like they might be writing a weekly advent meditation.
(jennifer, is this where you went to church in nashville????)


Orphan Girl
I am not sure who wrote this . . . it is sung by Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris . . . . and others, I am sure.
I suggest you find this on iTunes . . . it is good to hear the aching in these ladies voices.

I am an orphan on God's highway
But I'll share my troubles if you go my way
I have no mother no father
No sister no brother
I am an orphan girl

I have had friendships pure and golden
But the ties of kinship I have not known them
I know no mother no father
No sister no brother
I am an orphan girl

But when He calls me I will be able
To meet my family at God's table
I'll meet my mother my father
My sister my brother
No more orphan girl

Blessed Savior make me willing
And walk beside me until I'm with them
Be my mother my father
My sister my brother
I am an orphan girl

YUM!

Snow is falling outside my window. Well, all over Denver. But I can see it outside of my window and it is lovely!

I scrubbed my legs and arms with a mixture of olive oil and brown sugar. Ladies, you have everything you need in your pantry to mix up a little something that will help you feel lovely!

Your base is a "grain" to exfoliate:
Choose from things like salt, ground oatmeal, coffee grounds, sugar (brown or white), ground almonds.

Then you add your liquid to moisturize:
Jojoba oil, safflower oil, apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil, even olive or vegetable oil. Don't use mineral oil (baby oil) because it will clog and dry the skin.

Finally, add a few drops of a scented oil.

Other yummy stuff . . . if you are making Thanksgiving dinner this year, check out the current issue of Bon Appetit - there are some incredible recipes inside!

Not so yummy . . . I have some sort of yucky stomach thing going on today. But I would rather have this than have a cold!

The Sweetest Thing . . .

There is a lot to write about right now . . . and hopefully it will get up here . . . a day at a time. But for now, let me say this:

Check out my cousin's new blog! It is encouraging and is certain to bring a smile to your face . . . as she counts her blessings, i bet you will count your own!
It is called "The Sweetest Things Is . . . "
www.barthnfagan.blogspot.com

Yes, her name is also Cara and we ARE cousins . . . YOU figure it out!

If You Want

Boy oh boy, those folks at Cooking Light are getting clever in their marketing.
Here is the deal. Thursday April 27, 2006 at the Grand Hyatt Capitol Peak Ballroom in Denver (1750 Welton St.) 5:30pm
There will be a cooking "experience" in which you can pay $50 to explore the realm of indian cooking - you will sample Indian curries, explore wine pairings, and learn simple cooking techniques using spices.

I think this is a swell idea. Those boogers are figuring out where they have large pockets of readers and then customizing events in their area. Of course Denver is a large market - we are a bunch of Bo-Bo's. I love this term. It means Bohemian Bourgeoisie. Essentially we are a bunch of overpaid creative culturals who think we are hippies but really we are yuppies. We hide our yuppie ways under "cultural and environmental" purchases and choices. So, give us the chance to spend way too much money to enlighten ourselves and appear to be interested in the world around us without leaving our zip code . . . heck yeah. We're there. I don't mean "we're" there. "We" actually won't be going because I can't stand curry. Sorry. I would love to be the kind of person who likes Indian food. I would also like to be the kind of person who runs marathons but that ain't gonna happen either.

But, I think it is a neat thing. So, if you live in Denver and have $50 to spend on curry and wine . . . Knock yourself out! The 50 bucks gets you the tastings, demos, and a four course meal with wine pairings.

Oh yeah. You have to rsvp and buy your ticket ahead of time. 1-800-366-4712 ext. 8551