The White's Building

Today was an historic moment for Augusta. For years, we have worked to encourage growth in our downtown district. A renaissance, if you will. Downtown Augusta is a great place to be: skirting the Savannah River, it boasts of historic charm and natural beauty. The problem is that when the malls came in the 70s, downtown's energy died. Stores closed and moved to the 'burbs, leaving big vacant boxes behind.

The White's Bldg, once the site of one of Augusta's premier department stores, has been vacant since 1978. Several developers from Atlanta recently purchased the structure and have painstakingly transformed the 5 story building into elegant retail and residential spaces. They were careful to salvage and restore the building's historic architectural elements, to which they added the latest in green-building technology.

The result is stunning. The ribbon cutting today hosted over 200 people (my guess). Photos can be found here. The White's Bldg. represents the first multi-million $ project downtown has seen in over a decade. Work on White's has spurred a litany of other projects in the district, including landscaping, signage, boutiques, a new road, and tons of businesses relocating to the area.

After a long winter, Augusta's finally on its way back up. Watch out!

Paperwork

Those who know me, know I'm an organizational nazi. I love bins and labels and feng shui. But I think I've finally met my match.

These last few weeks, I've been putting together this massive accreditation application at my job. Basically, the conservation community is starting to certify land trusts with a seal-of-approval (which is a good thing). It amounts to a massive audit of everything we do. I have been compiling policies and cross-referencing them with evidence that we follow them, matching photos with site visit reports completed 5 years ago, and then three-hole punching, labeling, and filing these in triplicate.

The result is 15 inches of color-coded paperwork.

My messy house and dirty dishes attest to the fact that I am at my wits end. I'm feeling a bit twitchy, a bit crazy... like if the process took any longer, I would start walking down Broad St talking to myself, repeating phrases like "no more tabs, no more labels" or something.

Thank the Lord the thing's due on Aug. 1 so come hell-or-high-water, it'll be done by then.

Feeling Unqualified for "That Thing"

I love it when God speaks to us through His people. If you haven't been turned onto the site "Stuff Christians Like" yet, I suggest you take a peek. Just for grins. This guy has God's voice in a very real and human way. Encouraging. Challenging. Graceful. Humble. Today's posting was on feeling "less-than"...something that I think we all deal with in one way or another. It struck me, so I thought I'd share. Enjoy.

God's Promises

I am so glad that Jesus picked this passage in Isaiah (see below) to read when He was in the temple. It is messianic, for sure, but it also speaks of a broader promise, and reveals something of God's character. He is the God of redemption, of second chances, and the God of love. He is a God who sees the plight and feels the pain of His children, and in the right moment, He will come down and proclaim 'the year of His favor'. Translation: The time will come when He turns the tables and begins His redemptive work.

By far, His greatest work was finished on the cross. But He still longs to do smaller, yet still powerful works in each of our lives. Release from addiction, comfort for those suffering, freedom from the lies of the enemy. When God comes, He brings with Him love to comfort, power tools to do the redemptive work (some might call this strength, but i prefer to see him with a powerdrill!), and clarity. He always comes with clarity. Because there is no confusion with God. He is true and righteous. And that's good news.

If you are one of my many friends struggling right now (it seems we all get accosted with life at the same time, doesn't it?! i have theories on that), know this: God is faithful. He will deliver you. He promises it. Read Isaiah's words below and take comfort. Lean on Him, not your own understanding. He is already at the door, ready to save. :)

Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

6 And you will be called priests of the LORD,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.

8 "For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

Breaking Generational Cycles

I read this post today, and I found it really encouraging. I'm realizing that sometimes God sends us through trials not just because we were the ones to do something wrong, but because He wants to break down something that's way bigger than us. We have a part in it, for sure, but it's not just us being losers out in left field. It's the opposite: it's God saying that He believes we're strong enough to stand in the gap and that this pain cycle can stop with us, and He's all about making it happen through us. It's Him saying that He will give us the strength and that He's found us faithful. Please take a minute to read this and see if God has something in it for you.

Mouse

It's weird how they just know. It's kinda creepy. God knew that I'd need a companion in my life right now, so He sent me "mouse", this random little grey tabby cat with a penchant for leaving dead baby mice as presents. (actually, I've been told they're moles, but "mole" is a crappy name for a cat). She just found me one day, and since then she hasn't left my front porch. She waits for me to come home each day, just like a puppy. It's downright adorable. So, here's to Mouse. The real queen of my house. :)

Tuesday Cheffery

So this summer, I have had the blessing of hosting a bible study at my place on Tuesday nights. My good friend, Mike Siegel, is becoming a serious foodie - which is a fantastic thing if you happen to be his friend...because he cooks for you!!

This week was no exception. Mike showed up at my house with two whole fish - heads, tails, scales and all. He stuffed them with couscous, veggies, and herbs from my garden; wrapped the whole thing up in parchment paper; baked it for a while, and voila!

Photos of these gatherings are posted here. I haven't found a good way yet to put lots of photos on blogger (help is appreciated!!), so until I do, I'll just refer you to facebook, which has one of the best uploaders around!

Sanctus Real

You know how sometimes it can feel like that guy on the radio (or the TV) is talking directly to you in a way that kinda creeps you out? Well, I had one of those experiences today while listening to my XM Radio. The band was Sanctus Real and the song was "Whatever You're Doing". Give it a listen, wouldja?

The Miller Theater

A few years ago, God relocated me to Augusta, Georgia - this seemingly-sleepy little town in the deep South. (for the cool lighting-bolt-from-the-sky story about how God moved me here, e-mail me... maybe I'll post this later, but it's besides the point right now).

Anyway, since my move 4 years ago, I have continually been surprised by Augusta's hidden gems. The Miller Theater is my most recent discovery.

In reality, the Miller is nothing new to those who have been instrumental in its survival, and who remember it in its hayday. But for me, I have been working on the same block as this historic Art-Deco theater for the last 4 years without being the wiser.

The entrance is a tiny set of doors wedged between downtown buildings. But once inside, you are surrounded by a grand corridor that screams of classic architecture. At the end of the corridor's red carpet, you enter into the largest theater in the region - able to seat over 1,200 guests - with an 80' fly space, a movable orchestra pit, organ, hand-painted murals, and plenty of dressing room space for the largest ensemble cast.

The Miller was purchased a few years ago by a local philanthropist, who sought to save the building from demolition-by-neglect. He repaired the leaky roof and other critical features, and is looking to donate or sell it to a charity who can use it. Here are some photos from the open house event

Augusta Photography Festival

So last month we had this great photography festival full of shutters and images and textures and people dropping f-stop settings into casual conversation. It was glorious.

My photo was selected as a finalist, but didn't win. It was cool just seeing it up there with all these really great works, in public even!

If you want to see some REALLY cool photos from the contest, go here.

In addition to the contest, the festival boasted of a smorgasbord of classes on photography. Here are a few results from my classes. More can be found on my facebook album.

Technicolor Ravioli

So today my adventures in Florida cuisine continued with a trip down into the weird world of food coloring. Jen has already chronicled the event in all its splendor, so I'll let her tell you. Photos will be forthcoming... promise.

Long Time Coming

The tipping point has finally arrived. Score one for persistent, tech-savvy friends. Within the span of a few hours, I was unwittingly launched from the "dark ages" into the light of gmail, google reader, and yes, blogging. I take it as a sure sign of the apocalypse, so if you're not right with Jesus, you might want to look into it.

Rather than spew more words at you (anyone who's met me knows I can talk your ear off), I thought I'd make this a collaborative space. So many of my best friends live so far away, and I constantly long to spend time with you all, to share memories and experiences. So, consider this your window into my strange, twisted, amusing life. I'll be posting photos, recipes, jokes, stories...and I hope you'll do the same.

Won't you join me on this long, strange trip called life? (and yes, for you sci-fi nerds, that was a veiled douglas adams reference)