If not for You,
to whom would I go?

If not for You,
hope could ne'r be found.

If not for Your words,
Your presence,
Your touch.

I believe Your promise
to never forsake.

I believe those who sleep
will one day awake.

I believe this life
is not the end.

I believe - for You promised -
that a new life begins.

Happy Birthday, Nora

Yesterday at about 12:30pm, my good friends Drew and Caren had a baby - their third.

Meet Eleanor Quillen (being held here by her older sister Annica).

I was actually in the room when Eleanor was born, which not part of my original plan. :) But it all happened so fast. I was in the room talking with Caren's mom, and I look over to Caren and suddenly there's the doctor and nurses setting up all this stuff and the doc's like "Ok, let's do this."

I was a little nervous to be in the room, but it was really cool. The best part was after the baby was born and Drew said her name for the first time.
"That's Eleanor", he said to the nurses who were cleaning her off and clearing her lungs. I didn't get emotional or teary until that moment, but there's something powerful about hearing a person's name spoken for the first time. It's like you're witnessing the beginning of an epic story.

Thankfully, mom and baby are both doing well. Annica and Garrett both seem excited about having a baby sister. And I think Caren's probably excited to not be pregnant anymore. :)

Welcome to the world, Eleanor Quillen. We've been anxious to meet you.

When, to their airy hall, my father's voice
Shall call my spirit, joyful in their choice;
When, pois'd upon the gale, my form shall ride,
Or, dark in mist, descend the mountain's side;
Oh! may my shade behold no sculptur'd urns,
To mark the spot, where earth to earth returns:
No lengthen'd scroll, no praise encumber'd stone;
My epitaph shall be, my name alone:
If that with honor fail to crown my clay,
Oh! may no other fame my deeds repay,
That, only that, shall single out the spot,
By that remember'd, or with that forgot.

A Fragment, by Lord Byron

I'll take my cold, cold heart,
I'll take my unrenewed mind,
I'll take Your Word in my hand
And then I'll give You time to come and melt me.

I can't even love You lest You call my name.
I can't even worship lest You anoint my heart, God.
I can't even want You lest You want me first.

Come fan the flame.

And just let my heart be alive!
Let me be living deep, deep on the inside.
Just let my heart be alive!
Let me be living deep, deep on the inside.

Come fan the flame.
------
"What Only You Can Do" - by Misty Edwards

join us

I'm not a graphic designer/marketing-type person so I don't usually share the things I create. But I like the way this turned out, and the message is important.

If you're in Southeast Michigan, join us next Tuesday and help us raise awareness about and support for homeless youth in America.

you HAVE to watch this!!

I'm not normally a two-a-day blogger, but you've gotta watch this!!

Paul Potts - Britains Got Talent

It's the video of a contestant from, essentially, the British version of American Idol. Not only is this guy amazing, but he's so humble and unsure of himself. But you'll see.. when the music starts, it's like he goes to a whole different place.

I had tears running down my face at the end. Nothing gets to me quite like seeing someone achieve their dream, or get the boost of confidence they need to take the next step. Few things are as beautiful...

Into the Wild

and when I say "the wild" I mean "my backyard".

The pic isn't very good, but if you look close... there's a hawk sitting in the tree.

A hawk.

In Royal Oak.

As I was getting ready for work the other day, I looked out the bathroom window, and there it was. If you look closely, you can also see that it's eating something.

I know.. ew...

It was the strangest, most fascinating thing to see. I don't know where he strayed from, but I hope he found his way home again.