..writing

So at the age of 18, on a rainy day off, I began writing a story on a friends computer. Over the next couple of years I slowly stacked a few bricks on one another but never picked up a pace that would bring about a finshed product. Recently I unwrapped this loosely arranged bit of script to find myself somewhat disgusted. O the lack of enthusiasm and sheer absence of literacy I found before me. At 18 I must have been enthrolled by the idea and far from concerned with the process. Not to mention that the many, many transfers between computers and programs that it underwent stripped it of any punctuation and even of much information.

Finding myself unable to do away with the story as a whole, I've begun rebuilding it. Partly for the criticism of friends, and partly to fuel my finishing the work I began(though it's far from it's horizon), I've decided to post it in a blog. I will post a chapter every few days. Of course the posts will soon slow, as I have kept little of what I originally had and having little to start with, I will be writing and posting as I have time. Also, an entire book on a blog seems a little much - not to mention unsafe for my own good. I'm not saying that it's good enough for someone to want to steal it but I suppose one can never be too careful; I've seen some awful stuff with great publishing deals, haha.

Here's the link if you are at all interested.

http://www.thetalesofenberlot.blogspot.com/

...new life

So I've been out of internet, due to the ice storm, for about five or six weeks now - unable to post anything. So many 'post-worthy' things have happened in those weeks that I don't even know where to begin. Also, the most recent of those things is so amazing that whatever I had planned to blog about seems of no matter now...

Bella

This past Wednesday night ,my sister, Nicole, was taken into the hospital to prepare to be induced for labor. You see, Nicole is a little person and the doctors were quite concerned that had she carried baby Bella any longer that there would be complications getting the dear child out. She was in labor for twenty something hours and after some minor difficulties and much time in prayer, she gave birth to a healthy 7 1/2 pound baby girl(Bella), probably the cutest kid in the world.
I don't even know how to describe to amount of joy in the many, many friends and family that were there to lend their support and, of course, try to get a peek at Bella. I didn't get to see Bella for more than a minute before they whisked her away to be cleaned up and prepared for her new life, but it was grand.
After spending some time with Nicole(who to my surprise looked as if she had just returned from the mall instead of just given birth), friends and family in the delivery room, I headed home to attempt some rest - which I hadn't had since Monday or Tuesday.

Difficulties

After getting home, having a little Skype time and getting ready for bed, I received a phone call from Mom - at this point is was very late. To my horror, I could not make out what she was saying, her voice was mostly drowned out by the sounds if Nicole screaming in pain. I quickly got my shoes on and after another gut-wrenching call from mom(stating that no one knew what was wrong and no amount of drugs were helping), sent out a mass text for prayer and headed for the hospital.
The response to my cry for help on Nicole's behalf was very encouraging. I even received a phone call from a friend who, through tears, prayed with me and assured me that others had been alerted to the situation and were praying as well.
Upon arrival, I ran through the door to find Nicole tucked comfortably into bed(no horrid pain), being given some reassuring words out of Ephesians from a kind nurse by the name of Susan. It seems that at some point Susan arrived on the scene, pinpointed that problem and neutralized it. We were all relieved and I was able to send a response of praise and thanks to the army of pray warriors that toppled the battle in Nicole's favor. God is good.

p.s. I then got to feed Bella before putting the precious little thing to bed. Stoked.

p.p.s Nicole, if more people knew how well you did and how cool you stayed you would be a huge hero to more than just I and the rest who were there!

..turned over and contents spilled

There have been allot of twists and turns in my life lately that I would have never expected. Some have been good and refreshing, some have been hard, humbling and strengthening - even the negative have a positive outcome(I'm always reminded of the verse my mother quoted so often as a child: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" - Romans 8:28).
I really don't know where to begin. I know that I will write in more detail as more unfolds but let's see...

I sold my jeep and have a complete peace with not searching for another car right now.

There was an ice storm that completely ravaged north Arkansas, leaving thousands upon thousands out of power - many still are. It brought an unnecessary amount of panic and disorder, but it also brought lots people together, sharing food or heat, and that was so nice to see.
The enevitable nearing of departure for wherever distination for however long for whatever reason has me excited and scared at the same time. "Be anxious for nothing" Phili - 4:6 The doors that have been opened are completely astounding.
Watching how God has been working in the lives of those around me(and far from me) has been equally astounding. I'm so thankful these days for those in my life and the unending ways God has blessed me.

I could go on for days but my internet access is limitted right now and I must go prepare for a show that I didn't know I was playing until an hour ago. Exciting!

...

I found a myspace:blog scraggler...

The Day I Walked the Earth:

Alas the wall of kings came down
And all the people gathered round
Triumphant was the waking sound
The day I walked the earth

A sea of shining, crystal tears
Filled with lonely, searching years
Cries that I'd forever hear
The day I walked the earth

Mountains sang low and deep
The gates to passes, forever keep
The greenest hillsides cradled sheep
The day I walked the earth

Glorious in all it's sight
To all the earth would look like might
But Empires strength can only fight
The day I walked the earth

Shaded forests slumber sweet
Dreams horizons bring a fleet
Ships with guns and I'm on my feet
The day I walked the earth

Valleys vast in green and gray
Moonlit by night and bright by day
So many places I wished to stay
The day I walked

Gardens lay beneath night sky
Deserts burn forever dry
But no land came and wondered why
The day I walked the earth

The smiles I saw in lands of truth
In lands where children had no roof
Spoke an all resounding proof
The day I walked the earth

I found refuge beneath your hand
My heart is glad here, where I stand
I wish to bare your servants brand
All the days I walk the earth

I woke to find my feet at rest
They had not traveled east or west
But a calling lay within my chest
And I will walk the earth

[Here where I am or where I've never been. Lead me, oh Lord]

...blessed

Listen

I think this song could ring forever in my ears and I would not tire of it
This blue mountain trail could stretch to the sea and I would walk it
These pages could turn for all my days and I would read them
These pictures could lay before me and I would gaze at them until they lost their colour
These trees could touch the sky and I would climb them
This river, I would float, should it never end
These words could pour over the years and I would listen
And all of these could end this moment but my thanks to You, oh Lord, would be always
For I know that gentle hands play a song out beyond my ears reach
Feet fall gracefully along the path on the horizon
A pen, painstakingly traces words on paper each passing hour in a kind heart
Smiles will be captured everyday in my mind through my trusty lenses
The wind softly searches these branches and soft, searching eyes will find me
I should wish for no end to this soothing current
Nore the end of comforting words, set to the sound of a beating heart
Oh what blessing you have brought to me, my God
Oh what praise I will give you in such joy that I have never known
Should I awake and all be gone
Should I be taken far from any such thing
I would sing of them still and of the love that I should be graced with such

...climbing

God has not given me a spirit of fear
But of power and love and a sound mind
So I will be silent so that I may hear
And take action with strength, take action in time
These arms are not pillars that hold up the sky
I have my vices and night
Fail though I might, I will always try
And when the day comes, I will fight
Broken ankles and broken knees
These will not be few
You've heard my cries and distant pleas
I fear not the valley, for You lead me through
I will grit my teeth, I will not let go
My back will last as it will
You've given me strength and each day I grow
Oh bring me another hill...

...for my climbing has just begun.

...a song...at times.

Well, here I am
Once again with blood on my hands
I've fallen on my face...
...in the river. Wash me clean

Here I stand
A failed and broken man
Of worth, there's not a trace
O savior, please hold me

What can I say?
What can I do?
You see me through...like you always do
And tomorrow...will be a glorious day

Let us walk
And hold our hands up high
Our Father be glorified
His grace has washed us clean

The world will talk
But let your life be loud
And let your voice cry out
"Our God has set us free"

What can we say?
What can we do?
You see us through...like you always do
And today...is a glorious day
Is a glorious day