Looking Up at Stars

Seems like every day there’s a new star in the news. Just a quick glance at Google News includes stories about Chris Brown, Ronnie from Jersey Shore (really??), Victoria Beckham, Lady Antebellum, and Selena Gomez, just to name a few. Some of these stars you can look up to, and others not so much. But there are a group of stars you can always look up to, or at. Just have to wait till the sun sets!

One of my favorite things to do at night is look at stars in the sky. If you’ve never driven away from city lights, set up a blanket in a field, lay down and look up, you’re missing out. At first, you’ll see a lot of stars. But when you let your eyes adjust, maybe 10 minutes or so, you won’t believe the breathtaking amount of stars you’ll see. It’s absurd and absurdly awesome.

So I’ve got a couple of questions as this short post wraps up, why do we call famous people stars? And isn’t it ironic that society uses the word “star” to make us feel big, but looking at actual stars makes us feel small.

Have a great week!
-Out of the Wilderness

Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez

Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee

Thousands and thousands of people are running in the Country Music Marathon this morning. It reminds me of one of my favorite memories from the past year. It was last year’s race. I was taking Flat Stanley all around Nashville and was even able to get a shot of him running in the marathon. I created a little bib for him and everything. I remember being shocked by how many racers saw my Flat Stanley cut-out and recognized him. So many comments like, “Oh hi Flat Stanley!” or “There’s Stanley!” It turned out to be a fun morning watching the race and taking pictures of Flat Stanley. For the Stanley photos, click here. Also check out the video I made including Stanley at the marathon.

Wacky Wednesday: All I Have To Do Is Dream

Most of the time, my dreams are about one of these 3 things: alligators, Taylor Swift, or Hawaii. The only one I like is the alligator dream because at least when I wake up, I’m happy it wasn’t real! What do you dream about? Confess below in the comments!

Taylor Swift in Hawaii.
Taylor Swift in Hawaii.

Jogging A Week After the Boston Marathon Bombing

I knew there was going to be a moment of silence today at 1:50pm (Central time) and I very much wanted to be a part of it. So during my lunch break I left the office to jog through downtown Nashville. I love afternoon jogs in the spring because I don’t have to wear layers of clothing, there are lots of people outdoors enjoying the elements, and I have time to think. Most of my thoughts today were consumed by a pretty girl in Franklin, Tennessee, but a couple of other thoughts stood out as well. One: I relate more to Taylor Swift than Carrie Underwood. At least, their songs. Whatever, that’s neither here nor there. The second thought occurred at the worst time, right when I was most exhausted. The cinnamon challenge. The teenage fad is this; trying to eat a spoonful of cinnamon as fast as possible. Evidently, it’s very difficult due to the nature of cinnamon. So as I was gasping for air near the end of my run, I thought about a spoonful of cinnamon which didn’t help me at all.

But then at 1:50pm all that was history. I stopped in my tracks and for 1 minute, I stood in place and prayed for all the people affected by the Boston bombing, especially the ones that lost someone they love. So because the three that died can no longer run, and quite a few others are probably in that same boat now, I didn’t run. For a whole minute. Then at 1:51pm I took off. Call it my little way of pausing to honor those who’ve suffered followed up by running hard to honor those who’ve suffered.

Write or Wrong: A Story About My Family

My brother and sister-in-law are not writers by profession, but they are both published and soon-to-be published authors. You can find my brother’s book on Amazon: EQUIP: Building Student Leaders. Multiplying Disciples which is super cool.

equip

That’s how the world will know my family is amazing. What the world hasn’t seen is what I present to you today; the email chain including the first one that revealed my sister-in-law (a teacher) was about to publish her first book. Read on!

Email 1:

Years ago, I wrote a children’s book for a class. I was so proud of that sucker, and it even made it in the glass display case in the TE building! Anyway, a couple of years ago, I wrote another children’s book. Well, after much pushing from my sweet, hyper, driven, glass is half full husband, I secretly turned in the manuscript/application to Liberty University Press. Surprisingly, I guess they liked it b/c I received the letter of acceptance for my book! Yea! God is good!!!

Reactions:

Sounds like you’re doing the write thing! Get it?

Write on!!!

Write to Life!!!

Write back at ya!

I will be with you “write” away!

Amber proves again that God’s mission for our lives is “write” around the corner!!

You got that “write”!

Writeous!

I think Jeff Gordon will win on Sunday at 12:30.

Go Jeff Gordon!

Jeff Gordon never makes a write turn…

Jeff is the write winner!

Oh yeah, if that’s not enough proof, there’s also these clips: