This is making the rounds today. And I love it. Though when I honk it usually isn’t about loving Jesus.
NOTE: Brother, Joe, left for Peru today with 9 others from his church. They’ll spend the first week doing ministry off the YWAM base in Iquitos and then take a 15-hour boat trip up the Amazon River to a jungle village for a week of totally-out-of-contact ministry time. Pray for him when you think of it, will you? {He is Elise’s dad}
Father’s Day 2010, Dave and his family.
“Celebrate the little things in life, appreciate tomorrow, love your neighbor…never condemn yourself to a life without cause to celebrate and be thankful for what you have. Never forget the people you love and love them when you have an occasion to do so. Celebrate their life and celebrate yours.” ~Unknown
Feu de joie, a French term meaning “fire of joy,” is actually a gun salute, described as “a running of the guns” as they are fired on occasions of public rejoicing and celebration. It can also reference a large bonfire being lit as a token of national joy.
But we have just navigated our way through our very own rapid-fire of joy and celebration. For during a 12 week period between Dave’s birthday (March 23) and Father’s Day (3rd Sunday in June), we do a whole lotta shaking! There are 9 family birthdays during that time…no wait! Amelie was born a few days after Dave’s birthday, so now 10! This is immediate right-here-local family, people! Plus, there was a HF fundraiser, a big baby shower or two, the aforementioned birth of a new grandbebe, some travel among us, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a couple of theater productions for the patriarch, a holiday, tax-day and some end-of-the-school-year plays and programs. Oh. And cakes.
I think I feel a summer cold coming on. A little worn out, but whew! Still, mostly intact.
Oh, how Averi loves her little Flintstone-esque car; Gemma said of her big sister, “Guini is so nice.” Hunter is a great big-cousin to the girls!
Dave with original 5, and with the 6 grandbebes. On Father’s Day.
Scenes from good times: Jovan and Aunt Dessa with baby Amelie. Gemma and the cone.
The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck
Dave with grandbebes, left-right: Hunter (5), Amelie Belle (almost 3 months), Gemma (3), Guinivere (almost 5), Averi (2), and Gavin (7)
Birthdays, anniversaries, firsts, promotions, making the yellow light, getting the good parking spot, your husband’s first novel getting published (buy here!), a moist spring, summer arriving, a full moon in an azure-blue sky, the first sip of amazing morning coffee, a grandbebe tying his own shoes and riding without training wheels, tomatoes ripening on the vine, and a new granddaughter. Also, achievement and success, failures we made it through together, a good movie, really green freshly-cut grass (that deserves an ice cream cone at the very least), a completed project, an upcoming festival, finding out some one is praying for you, healing for dad and brothers in light of heart junk, first teeth, first lost teeth, seeds that sprout, weeds that pull out easily. Moms. Dads. Brothers, sisters, neices, nephews and grandbebes. Aunts and Uncles and family in the faith. Growing love and re-ignited passion. Good times. And even hard times with people who won’t leave.
For these and many other reasons, throw a party. It can be filled with lavish decor and a seemingly endless buffet of tempting tidbits, or as simple as a blanket on the grass with milk and cookies as the stars come out to dance. Find your reason.
I guess that remains to be seen. On our deathbeds, when total clarity and perspective comes to us, we may realize that some of the extra fancy cakes or over-the-top decor wasn’t themost important thing, but I doubt I will ever regret using every possible chance I could to show the people I love the most their great worth to me by planning, scheming and finding ways to celebrate their lives and existance. And if it should disrupt “normality,” or be a little taxing, so be it. I’d rather know I did it because I loved them. And not regret missed chances to say so.
My family always complains that when I take pictures, I never count and give them warning. See left. Well, when I FINALLY did a one-two-three count, this is what I got (see right). Improvement? Not sure. My photographic philosophy: just snap away and hope for the best.
Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away.
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Hunter* and Gavin: Best Cousin-buddies. On Father’s Day
*NOTE: Hunter’s shirt, a gift for his poppa on Father’s Day, references Dave’s main character in his first novel, Altar, which is available on Amazon. CLICK HERE.
He is currently performing in both High School Musical and High School Musical 2 (Prairie Playhouse Productions) as two different characters.
Hanging with the high-schoolers (that is a COSTUME in the middle picture…you know I wouldn’t let him out of the house like that!)
Saw it last night. Very cute, high energy and yes, Dave even dances in it! Kinda crazy!
CLICK HERE to order from Amazon
All this in the wake of ridding himself of Type 2 Diabetes and about 50 pounds. He is getting younger and more prolific by the day. Two more novels almost done. Very proud of him.
Mood music for reading about Dave!
If you could dream the perfect man for a daughter you love, if you could order up qualities you’d want your daughter and the children they’d have to enjoy their whole lives through and a personality that was made to bless and challenge and delight the whole family, if you could choose a man of character and one with as much wit as wisdom, if God would have just written across the sky, “Oh yes. I created him to be in your family,” the choice could not be more perfect than Dave Powers.
[Picard, Data and Worf are attacked and pursued by Kolaran natives] Picard: I think it’s time to try some unsafe velocities.
Dave Powers. I still remember the first time I heard your name. It echoed around in the halls of my heart along with a spark, me wondering, “Would Tara ever be interested in a guy like him?…” {WOULD SHE EVER!!! was the answer!} Before ever even meeting you, before ever even laying eyes on you, your name just sort of plopped into my mind and if wishing you’d love Tara could have had anything to do with it, then no wonder it happened. I still love that you were born the very day Dad was proposing to me. As you said yesterday, in the way only you can, “God was hookin’ a sister up!” He was. He was looking down the road, knowing what we’d need.
For I am of the persuasion that the children we get are as much used by God to form us and train us as we are in their lives, And you, son-of-my-heart, are a shining example of it. You are courageous and bold and have invited to me to go places I never would have gone, didn’t even think I wanted to go and sometimes have been crazy-uncomfortable. Most of it, I wouldn’t trade. Some of it I am waiting for the day I can say, “Oh we can laugh about that now…” Haha.
I wouldn’t trade you for anything, though, Dave and since the day I met you and for the months we spent getting to know you before you and Tara met and then after, I always knew you were meant for greatness and that I would one day say, “I knew Dave Powers when…” I just didn’t know I’d get to hang out near the path you are walking so closely. You were born to make an impact and you are blowing up the universe. You were born to terrorize the devil and you annihilating his strongholds. {throwing in some DP-talk there}
[In the attempt to find an alternative exit, Picard intends to blast with a shuttle through the inner shuttle bay doors and fly through the Scimitar] Data: Do you think this is a wise course of action, sir? Picard: We’re about to find out, Data
Picard: Captain’s personal log, supplemental. We’re heading toward Federation space at maximum warp. The crew has responded with the dedication I’ve come to expect of them. And like a thousand other commanders on a thousand other battlefields, I wait for the dawn…
You are such a great daddy to our little Hunter Magoo!
Praetor Shinzon: Were we Picards always warriors? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think of myself as an explorer. Praetor Shinzon: Well… were we always explorers? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I was the first Picard to leave our solar system. It… caused quite a stir in the family. But… I’d spent my youth… Praetor Shinzon: …looking up at the stars, dreaming about what was up there; about… Captain Jean-Luc Picard: …new worlds…
And for all your giftings, for the strong anointing on your life, for your natural abiliies and Holy Spirit-empowered insight and works, for the sensitivity you have with people and your way with words, because you can capture a conversation with one or with hundreds, though you have a voice that does not quit and the power of God rides into a room on it, and you can lead and protect and empower thousands of people, and even because I believe God is calling you to not only bring the Church together in unity, but He is making a way for you to impact governments and jurisdictions, and because I will never ever forget 2 years ago when He told me He would not let your foot slip – for these and many other reason, I know you are a great man, destined for amazing opportunities.
But I am most thankful and love you best for loving my daughter, for raising Hunter to be what God has called him to and for joining this imperfect family and calling us your own. When you’re just “ours,” it is lovely.
photos by www.lilacphotography.com
NOTE TO HF LEADERSHIP: You can trust him, his heart. I do.
Jovan posted this picture of Averi on Facebook recently. Love this little girl and her pretty blue eyes. And it made me laugh, too, to remember her new pediatrician asked if her head had always been this big. It is her gorgeous HAIR, I tell ya! Or perhaps her extraordinarily tiny shoulders. Seriously.
This has been one of my all-time favorite songs since I was 14 (“My eyes adored you”). So pretty. So…sweet.
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful to Me So beautiful, so beautiful to me And the fragrance of your love it is so sweet to Me The fragrance of your love anoints Me And I will pour it back upon myou I will pour the oil of My love upon you
This is the song I am hearing for you, sweet Dess. It’s a song of love from the Lord to you (Laura Rhinehart, Isa’s Song). I can hear God singing with delight over you, I can hear Him singing strong. I am humming along.
From your birth, you possessed a quiet serenity, a sure confidence. From your tiny beginnings, the blessing of God and His call on your heart have been apparent. Deep calls to deep…even at three, your main topic of conversation was “And the Bible says…” and your love for God and for His word have been the hallmark of all the days of your life so far. How pleasing it is to me to see how strong that remains in you. You are woman who is to be admired. You have my awe and respect.
And it’s through your love and through your life I will pour my anointing out over all the nations I have not forgotten you I have not forgotten even one tear I have not ever left you alone And I am showing Myself strong to you
And you’re my little girl, too. Sometimes I hear you giggle and I get to see that ornery twinkle in your eye. Your ultra-wry sense of humor is so fine-tuned, yet not often what you are known for, as capable and gifted as you are and sometimes maybe you hide it a little, fearful that it is a frivolous part of you. But I think you crack God up and when you are lighthearted and a little silly, when you set out to make God smile and wind up making the rest of us laugh? You are in your strongest place. You will never be considered a silly airhead, my sweet. Not possible. The fact that you could run a small nation – or even this nation (Obama would be wise to offer you a position) is what makes it OK for you enjoy some frivolity and cause some laughter. Your joy is a strength to us, as it flows from above. You are so plugged in to the Source!
Today is the day of My love poured out over you like you have never known Today is the day of my love being poured out all over you And you will see all the desires that you have had You’re going to see them fulfilled!
O, baby number three {thus: Tre}, I know God is dancing over you, but I am so pleased to see His delight dancing through you. You are in your groove, yet, it is only the beginning. God is the Writer of your story, the Author of your very faith. We all wait with eager anticipation to see how the grand drama will progress. What will the finish look like, I wonder? What plot does our Father have in mind for one Tredessa Christine, a true heroine of the faith?
It is hard to say because I think it will be beyond what any of us could even imagine, but certainly, when you were three and we were dirt-poor and would buy one drink at the drive-through for you and your older sisters to share after church – we saw an inkling. When you’d ask, “Can I be in charge of the drink?” in that raspy little voice – your giftedness and call were already at work and you are a woman in charge. You, darling and amazing woman, are a Grace Kelly ~ without a doubt! You are Arwen Evenstar (Liv Tyler) from Lord of the Rings, a grace and strength giving warrior-princess.
Arwen: Do you remember when we first met?
Aragorn: I thought I had wandered into a dream.
Arwen: Long years have passed. You did not have the cares you carry now. Do you remember what I told you?
Aragorn: You said you’d bind yourself to me, forsaking the immortal life of your people.
Arwen: And to that I hold. I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.
[hands him her pendant]
Arwen: I choose a mortal life.
Aragorn: You cannot give me this.
Arwen: It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart.
Tredessa and her sister at HF Sunday at NHC; Tredessa addressing the HF leadership at Union reservoir recently; Tredessa during a video shoot for HF. She dies a lot of HF. {smile}
All the dreams of your heart, all the dreams of your heart They will be fulfilled, they will be fulfilled As I dance over you, as I dance over you they will be fulfilled As I dance through you… My love is increasing… I am breathing on the fire The desire in increasing… I love you, I will love you, love you*
You are wise beyond your years. You are thoughtful and kind. You are deep and strong. You are intelligence and ability, capable and giving. You are grace and vision and worth much trust. Wildly lucky, deeply blessed will be the man who wins you.
So, Worship and the Word Movement, the ministry led by Dave and Tara Powers (my very cool and anointed kids) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3). The national artists and bands, my son-in-law is fond of saying,are a piece of meat on a stick. We are working to get the Body of Christ together in one place under one name for the purpose of making that name glorious! And because together? All of us? We can impact the world for Jesus! www.worshipandtheword.com
Contrary to the way some may see it, this isn’t some huge operation full of glitz and glamour. It is a handful of incredible-hearted people GIVING their time and talent because we have chosen to go on this exciting Kingdom-mission together. This whole sha-bang is volunteer-powered and run on the sacrificial sweat and strength of godly people. They have become my family. This is what Body life is supposed to look like!
Left: Jen getting those sign-ups; Middle, not posed, really! Right, Stephanie and her materials lists
And what I L-O-V-E the most? We have leadership from tons of different local churches. And churches, local congregations big and small, have opened their doors to us to have “Heaven Fest Sundays.” These are just cool opportunities to disperse information about Heaven Fest, sign-up volunteers for the day of (we’ll have 1600 this year!) and collect donated items – everything from Kleenex to generators – loaned or outright given (we don’t accept loans on Kleenex, tho…that must be given outright, please ;p ).
This past Sunday we were at Northern Hills Church, our very own HF birthing room and incubator, the safe spot Heaven Fest began in 2008: 70 bands on 7 stages on 70 acres = 12,500 people…then again a year later with 23,000 (!!). It is home. It’s “our” church. And even though Heaven Fest is moving to a new location this year (Union Reservoir in Longmont), HF will always love and continue to partner with NHC. That is a given!
The cafe: an exciting place to be on a Sunday morning.
“The blue hour comes from a French expression, l’heure bleue, which refers to the period of twilight each morning and evening where there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness. The time is considered special because of the quality of the light at this time of day. The blue hour is considered especially flattering for people with blond hair in photography and is often also when the smell of the flowers is at its strongest during the summertime.”
I can’t remember the blue hour anywhere else I have ever lived, even though I am sure it was there. And some say it cannot be experienced with the naked eye, only by camera. But here in Colorado – I have seen it, touched it, breathed it and taken it in. I see “the magic hour” sky as a blue with such great depth, such varied levels of intensity and such deep saturation that it stops me in my tracks – whether I am in the yard inhaling the pungent, floral scent of the early evening flowers or walking a country road or leaving Target with bags on each arm. It just arrests me, intoxicates me. The blue hour with a full, bright moon completel…dazes me (I slipped away for a moment…).
It isn’t actually an hour long, this richly saturated moment in time. It is fleeting and may only last 20 minutes, during which it is ever changing and kaleidescoping across the sky in breath-taking beauty. But when it happens? Oooohhhh-la-la ~ it puts me in a mood. Mesmerizing.
L’heure bleue is…Suspension in time. I am not young, but I am not old. I am not running from anything, nor to anything. It isn’t sad, but it isn’t grasping for happiness, either. It’s not event, it is a moment, a sense. It is breathing the atmosphere. It is floating in the ocean as if you belong there. It is standing on the summit after a long climb as victory strength surges through your body. The blue hour is a feeling. It is a sound. It’s a taste. It is the rhythm of your breathing, the steady pound of your heart. It is the fleeting memory flash, recognition flickering, then passing quickly. It’s coming to consciousness, then fading again just before your mind can become overloaded. It is an emptying out, a filling up. And voices from another room, muffled, but sweet laughter. L’heure blue is a mix of the darkest sleep under heavy quilts and the brightest morning with a gentle breeze on a sheet-covered sleeping porch. It’s angelic choirs and total silence. It is knowing you’re loved and knowing you love. The blue hour is beauty. The blue hour captures me, it holds me. I am suspended when the hour is blue.
This song from “The Big Easy” starring Dennis Quaid and the pre-surgically-enhanced Ellen Barkin (sung here by Dennis, Bonnie Raittt and Aaron Neville), captures my l’heure bleue mood beautifully, perfectly, maybe. This is a summer’s eve drive under the heavy-romantic blue-hour sky. Twilight. This is the song of l’heure bleue. Oh, yes.
NOTE: This song is my brother Joe’s favorite because it is about “the smell of morning in a rainy land,” Louisiana. We lived there as kids and Joe carries the bayou in his heart. He very sweetly shared this song with me not long ago and I am loving it. But it is his. It is only on loan to me. And you can’t have it, either. But close your eyes aand listen to this… Thanks, Joe-Joe.
RECENTLY SEEN: The Blue Hour in decorating at www.houzz.com
NOTE TO SELF: June 26, sometime after 9 o’clock pm….the magic hour & a full moon. Watch for it…
Pictured: Black Spiderman Cake
Yes. Spiderman is hot-glued to a non-stick spray cap. That’s right, what of it?
I hand-carved the small Spiderman figurine using from-scratch fondant… NOT! Bought him at WalMart.
10″, double-layered chocolate cake with chocolate icing, tinted black. I used pre-made icing and augmented DH mixes. I cut notches in a piece of cardstock and ran it around the side to create the comb-effect ridges. A little white icing from a tube. A little red icing from a tube and voila!
And to think: my first “specialty” cake ever (or at least since the ridiculous venture into Wilton-type cake decorating in the 1980s…maybe someday I will have the courage to share those pictures…) was for Gavin’s 4th birthday when his mommy requested a dinosaur cake. I plotted for weeks-it nearly did me in. {sigh} June 2007. Time flies…and I get a little more laid-back about the cakes with each birthday. Nicer for everybody!
Click on thumbnails for a larger view
