Eli Meets The Pitchfork

Mrs. Dawn introduces Eli to his pitchfork in rehearsal at Creative Arts Camp yesterday. He will play the role of the farmer as introduced in the famous painting American Gothic. "The pitchfork is very dangerous."

Waiting For Autumn Rains

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord.

My heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have their hearts set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.--Excerpts from Psalm 84

Valley of Baca....the place of deepest grief ever known to man, a valley of tears, adversity.

This person found God turning tears into a well of water.

We are to set our heart on the journey.

Do not turn from the Valley of Baca for your promise awaits on the other side.

The Strange Beauty of Autumn

Beauty is not caused. It is. --Emily Dickinson

Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future. --Oliver Wendell Holmes

Somehow, uniquely, God desires to use those difficult moments of our lives to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful. Even the natural creation attests to this truth. In fall, we marvel at the gorgeous, lush colors of burnt amber, burnished orange, brilliant red, and bright yellow leaves, even as that beauty belies the slow and gradual death of those leaves. Winter buries those leaves under the cold, dark blanket of snow and frost. And yet, death brings forth life. Spring bursts forth year after year with jonquils, iris, lilies, and all the beautiful pastels of new life. --Jill Carattini, Slice of Infinity


Fall is coming. My favorite time of year. I haven't felt it in the air just yet, but these words above from Jill Carattini reminded me that there will be another October soon. I'm glad. I come alive in October. It's the best month God ever created.

If the Lord is willing, I will be burning candles, cooking soups, and riding horses. I will be nesting and putting burnt orange silk arrangements on my front doorstep in this fair time. I will listen to the music of James Taylor and Eva Cassidy and sense the strange beauty of life again. The sign on my door will say, "Welcome," and I will paint my walls hues of amber and laugh with the ones I love.

Dinner at Five Sixty

Pan fried sea bass. It's what's for dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Five Sixty Downtown Dallas at Reunion Tower. My friends from New York treated me to a nice dinner on the town, compliments of AMBI Skincare line for women with richer toned complexions.









Liz and Ty.
Joy Marcelle gives a back stage tour to the wig room of DREAMGIRLS starring Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones.



Tracking down Syesha after the performance, I get an exclusive interview with her. To read more, click here.

Johnson and Johnson Does Dallas

Brandi Chambless and Ty Tradelius smile for the camera before attending the Dallas Summer Musicals DREAMGIRLS production at Fair Park starring Syesha Mercado. The evening was sponsored by the The AMBI® Brand Skincare line of Johnson and Johnson.

A Special Message From My Friend On A Special Day

Today was extra special as I was able to visit with a blast from the past, former NFL Defensive Back Scott Turner. I met Scott Turner after hearing him speak to the Lewisville Chamber of Commerce in August of 2008. His message and subsequent prayer was so compelling that it has been a major impact on my life over the last couple of years. He is a "way" guy when the world is telling you "no way", a man of great faith.

Over the weekend, I have been working on my feature column for the Cross Timbers Gazette. When I heard Scott's message this AM, it was such a confirmation that I am on the right track. He used some of the same exact words and references that have made impressions my work throughout the last 48 hours. Today is also the third day in a row that Psalm 139 has been brought before me. You know my concerns, God.

Suffice it to say that my race has been run with greater fervor because of experiencing Jesus Christ through Scott. He has been a major part of my testimony. To read more about my initial meeting with Scott, click here.

Nicole Murphy Honored Today

Blessings to the Murphy family today as they honor their beloved Nicole's life, a young woman with great dreams and ambition, a life cut short.

May all who mourn the death of Nicole Murphy today be comforted and blessed. May she dance in the arms of her Heavenly Father. You are all in my prayers.



How can I help??

A Message To Ava From Syesha Mercado

Gobble Gobble Chicken

What you need:

Chicken a Bowl
Olive Oil - 1 Cup
Minced Garlic - 1/2 Teaspoon
Minced Onions - 1/2 Tablespoon
Ground Thyme Leaves - 1 Teaspoon
Smoked Paprika - 1/4 Teaspoon
Oregano - 1/8 Teaspoon
Parsley Flakes - 1/2 Tablespoon
Lemon Pepper - 1 Teaspoon
Kitchen Paintbrush
a Fork



What to do:
1. Get a pan.
2. Put the chicken on the pan (breast side up).
3. Grab the bowl & the spices.
4. First put the olive oil in the bowl.
5. Add all other ingredients to olive oil and mix with a fork.
6. When you are done mixing, grab the kitchen paintbrush and paint the chickenʼs belly.
7. Flip the chicken and paint itʼs back side.
8. There should be a hole on the back side of the chicken that shows the
chicken's inside.
9. Then, paint the inside.
10. Carefully grab the chicken by grabbing it from itʼs hole and put it in your oven.
11. Roast it for about an hour at 350 degrees. 12. Take it out and gobble it up!

Returning To The Dance

A few nights ago I returned to my friend Monica's dance class. I felt like I had visited an old friend again. Not just Monica...my friend, the dance.

The Beautiful Joanna Herman

Mary Ann Haynes and Joanna Herman

Sweet Joanna Herman from the "children's choir" at FBC West Monroe, Louisiana....all grown up. Sweet memories. Precious young lady. Always showed a love for the Lord and an obvious talent for using her gifts to honor Christ.

To hear her sing click here.