Trees: My Favorite

 Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.

-St. Augustine

If you don't already know, I created this blog for my senior seminar class, which is required of all Hope College soon-to-be grads. We are instructed to create a "Lifeview" project/paper that is meant to "reflect who we are as individuals and whom we believe we will be as we grow." During the most recent spring semester, I took the "Roots & Routes" senior seminar (definitely one of my favorite courses of my undergrad). This course challenged me to consider, both, where I have come from and where I am going.  It has allowed me to weigh several questions and evaluate my values as a twenty-something year old approaching life apart from school, the only thing that has consumed me up to this point.

So as the constant question of "where have I rooted myself" has circulated throughout my mind, I cannot help, but share my love for the most beautiful image that (in my opinion) embodies the truth of life. Trees. Aside truth, it represents: strength, but also frailty (which life can often be), growth, abundance (while also enduring seasons of scarcity), love, beauty...

[Photo courtesy of my best friend, Staci]

The most enchanting part of it, though, is that is serves as the foundation and source of all things. Evident of the Creator's presence, its roots penetrate deeply into the rich soil that allow it to stand firmly. It is reciprocal in nature as it benefits from spring rain and nutritious soil to providing the source of life to all living things -- supplying shelter, shade, and food.

 I strive for my life to be like a tree -- strong, abundant, and always giving to others. In my class, we mentioned a statement made by author, Annie Dillard, in which there is more of the tree underneath the ground than above the ground. I only can hope that my life is like this; where I am so strongly rooted in the life that I have created, that there is more of the tree securely planted than what is necessarily visible to the eye. 

[Another photo by my friend; she works at a beautiful golf course]

 In one of my classes, we were instructed to bring an epigraph to class that represented who we are as individuals. I brought two Bible verses:

A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. (Proverbs 11:28)

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord...
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit. (Jeremiah 17: 7-8)

As you can see, I hope to model my life this way. I want a flourishing life, just as God created a tree to flourish. 

[I took this picture a couple years ago at Holland State Park]

 That's what I have for you tonight. I know it's not a lot and it's a little all over the place, but hopefully I was able to express my love for God's creation.

Fourth of July Extravaganza

My fourth of July weekend turned from originally having only the fourth off to a four day weekend, which I have had no objection to. The holiday started off by meeting up at my aunt's house on the third where they host a family/friend/work party every year. This is my favorite spot to watch fireworks because my aunt has one of the closest locations to where they let off the fireworks. And I'm not lying, these are probably some of the best fireworks I've ever seen. This year, I was fortunate enough to have friends join us for the night as we indulged in many goodies and caught up on our summer breaks.

[Here's the crew for the night]

[I'm stealing one of Justin's great pictures of the evening. Sorry Justin!]

On the actual fourth, my family partook in our typical activities for the day. Growing up on a small inland lake, we spent the day out on the water sitting around eating and talking (more eating than anything), swimming, jet-skiing, and tubing. This has always been a memorable holiday for me, especially as a child when I was accustomed to having my mom's entire extended family celebrate with us. We'd often have fifteen to twenty people piled on a boat to trail around the lake in the boat parade. Needless to say, lots of great memories on the lake on the fourth!

Later that evening, we slapped some steaks on the grill (well my mother did, to be exact: God bless that lady for her wonderful cooking) and concluded the evening with more fireworks around the lake. However, while everyone else was enjoying the fireworks, I prepared myself for work the next morning. Little did I know that I'd receive a text from the boyfriend's mom at 6:30 a.m. reading Code Red! Due on the fourth, we were already awaiting the arrival of Matt's nephew. So it was great to finally see that labor was in the agenda for the day. I decided to take work off  (leading to my four day weekend. yes!!) and prepare myself for a long, but exciting day ahead. 

Nearly a semester away from being an official registered nurse, Matt's sister was kind enough to invite me into the delivery room with her. I had  completed my obstetrics clinical in the fall of '12, so I  was accustomed to the birthing process. As I am approaching the end of my college career as a nursing student, it is definitely exciting to see what fields most interest me. And of course, who doesn't like love babies! But I'll save this subject for a later time. Like I said, this was an even more special, intimate experience. Not only being with a family that I have come to know, love, and consider my own family, but given my history, it was a precious opportunity to further expose myself to an area of nursing that compels me. 

After what seemed like a short labor (which i'm sure it didn't feel that way for Matt's sister), a beautiful 8 lb. 6 oz. baby boy was brought into the world a little after two in the afternoon. Every birth I have ever been part of is one of a kind and precious in its own. What I most appreciate about L&D (for those of you  not in the medical field, Labor & Delivery) is the energy that is feasted on in the hospital room. Despite the obvious labor pain, there is such a beautiful energy exuded when the baby's head surfaces and the baby is extracted from the mother and placed on her chest skin to skin. As my own eyes filled with tears, there was an abundance of relief, joy, and love on the faces around me. 

I will never forget Matt's face though (yes, he was even present in the delivery room). He originally stated there was no way he was going to watch, ya know, the actual part when the "baby comes out." I was so proud though: he took part in the entire experience and I've never seen his face filled with such joy, surprise, and love. It was truly priceless. I think I fell in love with him all over again just seeing that face. 

Okay...I promise no more rambling. I know you're just waiting to see a picture, so here are a couple.

Here he is! So precious and beautiful!
[July 5th, 2013]

Aunt Autumn (Matt's nieces call me that) and Uncle Matt
I think this is a good preview of the future. Wink wink.
[July 5th, 2013] 

  

Well that's what I have for you ladies & gents! What turned out to be a four day weekend has been thoroughly spent with the ones I love most. 

Adios for now!