this muscle is genius

I just learned the basics of the human cardio-pulmonary system, and that information has me in awe that I am alive.
For every minute of the last 24 years, my heart has worked constantly to pump oxygen-needy blood to my lungs, then bring it back--bright red and full of life--and send it all the way to the very tips of my fingers and toes. Then it starts the cycle all over again.
This muscle is genius.
My choice and consciousness have nothing to do with the process. It just happens, and it has just been happening absolutely perfectly since before I was born. Thank you, dear heart. You're doing a great job. At beating.

One time I put on my mom's stethoscope and listened to my own heart. It was jarring; that unfamiliar, quick, regular little drum I got to hear. My vitality in a sound I could plug into my ears, like a song on my ipod or something.
Hearing someone else's heart is a trip, too. It's an intimate thing. Only the privileged get listening access to that sacred rhythm. My friend Laura is a nurse, and she had a patient whose wife grew worried when she leaned her head against her husband's chest and noticed that his heart beat sounded didn't sound the same as it usually did. He went to the hospital and found out that he needed an immediate quadruple bi-pass surgery.
I love that story.

Reactions to "Runaway" video by Kanye West

Watch the full length video here.

Okay Kanye, here's what I think:

Your new video is a stunning work of art, no doubt about it. What you've done in "Runaway" is going to be important for a long time. I'm pretty sure my kids will be writing history papers on the social commentary you have going on here.

I just have a few questions and comments:

• Your phoenix girlfriend is very pretty, but what's up with the extreme sexual objectification of the woman you love? Thanks for letting her express herself with spoken language for 48 seconds of your 35 minute video, but I feel like she's really just present in this film to dance provocatively to your remixes and celebrate your appreciation for breast implants. Also: that little bit you sang about slapping her around pissed me off.
• Please just tell me what you're saying about race relations in this film. I'm seeing glorification of the Ku Klux Klan and the N-word and I just don't understand. Is this progress?
• Thanks for the ballet scene. It was incredible. I appreciate the honesty in the lyrics of "Runaway". That's some tough subject matter, but it's relevant to your target audience.
• About that Michael Jackson moment: you're saying you're the next MJ. Am I right?
• Your idea of community with all the friends at the long table breaking bread together was beautiful. I loved it. Now, your lyrics to "Devil in a New Dress" are rumored to be offensive to Christians: "You love Jesus, but you've learned a lot from Satan...I see good Christians makin' brash decisions...May the Lord forgive us, May God be with us." As a Christian myself, I'm not offended by your criticism of hypocrisy. I would be offended if you criticised my God, but you didn't. So we're cool.

I know you're always feeling misunderstood by the world, and this video is an expression of that. You're the phoenix who is awesome and complex and constantly needing to reinvent herself. I get it.

Mr. West, you're such an incredible influence on young people in the world. I know you care about the next generation or you wouldn't have had that scene where the free spirit child is running with that gorgeous red cloud behind him. But here's what I think: kids actually don't have to trade their free spirits for cult driven hate costumes like you portrayed by putting a KKK hat on little kid's head. The influence of your media makes a huge difference in how kids see themselves and who they grow up to be, so why use your talents to lock them into a prison they didn't know existed in the first place? You know? Leave the bad stuff for the history books and write something new and inspiring for the kiddies.

no bad news

Friends, I have something exciting to tell you.
Remember how I had an idea of a new career I wanted to pursue a few months ago? I'm doing it. It will take me another year to learn what I need to know and complete requirements for it, but I am on my way to becoming a Child Life Specialist.
I had this job once for about 5 years where I got to work with young people, and I loved it very much. I would like to do it again. There's no kid in the world who isn't going through major transition--all the time--and the best parents and teachers need help from others to pour time and attention into them so they can make it to adulthood in one piece. I want to do that for kids who are sick. So I am going to.
I found out this weekend that I got accepted into a practicum program at one of the finest children's hospitals in the country. It starts next Spring and it is right here where I live.
Now, that's no bad news.

community college

sunday is for singing

no power of hell

no scheme of man

can ever pluck me from his hand

till he returns or calls me home

here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Some bedrock parts of my faith are hymns I can only recall in my grandmother's voice.

bethany vs. fat stack of medical terms

Place your bets.

Hey Sis;

Don't forget. We're going.  If you can get time off of reporting on crazy stuff.
I'm thinking August? Otherwise it might not be hot enough/smell bad enough for an authentic experience.

I can already taste the pains au chocolat and hear the awful French version of my name being spoken. So excited.

How great is my day?

This is what happens when I take a vacation day: homemade macaroons for breakfast.

Review of Aaron Hale's new EP "Ghostly"

Here's something new: my friend Aaron Hale is about to release a new EP and I think you should know about it.

After spending the summer leading worship at various events throughout the southeast, Aaron Hale is ready to settle into fall with the release of a new EP. Although the title may sound appropriate for late October, the theme gives a fresh perspective on what it means to be Ghostly.

The first track majors on ethereal purity and the weightlessness available through forgiveness. "Ghostly" lands in the ear as a pleasant and original tune. The end of this song has a slow swell into repetition of the line "there is hope for me". This message is an inspiring, fuss-less theme that encourages the listener beyond the circumstance of heavy brokenness. "Ghostly" has a deeper personal meaning with every listen.

The second track, "Got a Lot to Give" may have been written as a personal anthem for Aaron and his wife Heather (who are in the process of adopting a little boy named Arthur from Ethiopia), but the message is applicable to anyone who wishes to emulate the teachings of Jesus into their lives in order to love those around them in a truer, more self-less way. Aaron captures the struggle to do this. This song communicates the feeling of having much to offer while simultaneously facing the complicated red tape of not knowing "the right way" and not "having the words" to bring about the desired change in one's self and surroundings.

"Wake Within Me" was co-written with Robbie Seay. This talent combination results in lyrics made of alluring poetry about finally reaching light, warmth, and a familiar love after traveling through darkness and despondency. Aaron's voice is the strongest instrument here, set against gentle guitar and keys. This song is simultaneously delicate, beautiful and strong. Aaron's limited patience for over-production serves this song incredibly well. It stands on its own as a lovely conclusion to the EP.

Please visit Aaron's website for more information on his ever-promising music career, adoption story, and of course to purchase your copy of the new "Ghostly" EP as soon as it it released on October 12th!

the best

One year ago today my friend Nanette, the closest mother lady I have out here, was diagnosed with breast cancer. We spent the fall squeezing hands and deciding to smile, then we all got together to pray for her to be healed. I will never forget hearing her husband, Woot (who had lost his sister only weeks before) tell the Lord out loud in front of everyone that he loved her and begged Him not to take her away just yet.
Nanette had me over for tea some time around then and we sat on her back patio and asked each other what we thought about how God does and doesn't heal people when we ask him to, and how He is still good regardless.
Then came surgery, then all the radiation, and then the Winter.
Woot let her sleep in late every morning and brought her breakfast in bed while her stitches healed and the snow fell.
In February Nanette had a birthday and we celebrated with her as she found out there was no cancer left in her body. We sang lots of songs about strong love that day.
And tonight, one year after it all began, Nanette and I ate salads on the Plaza like ladies do and talked about everything in the world but cancer.
How about that?