Literally Living

I'm currently living in Birmingham,Alabama. It's the third month at the ministry school im attending here(Twentyfourseven Ministry School). It just dawned on me how many awesome opportunities I've gotten. And I'm wondering... Is this normal? Is it normal to regularly travel the country, and anually travel the world? Is it normal to absolutly love what you do while being fulfilled by it? Is it normal being surrounded by such great friends who are always thinking of how to better themselves and others around them?

It's like I'm literally living. Literally doing the things I was created to do.

Anyhow, it is my goal to document some of the opportunities throughout the rest of my year here. There is just so much I'm learning right now, in my heart and my head...I'm about to burst. Bear with me as I upload some thoughts. Hopefully it will download into you :)

This is a few pictures from Atlanta last weekend. I went with my friend Seth,a crazy brilliant, and creative bearded artist along with Adam, a music guru up for anything . The drive was a veiw painted with brilliant fall colors and leaves dancing in the road, the smell of pumpkin spice lattes,and eclectically chill music serenading our ears. It turned out to be a pleasantly warm day downtown Atlanta, and after a good hunt through Ikea, and H&M (a perfect shopping pair) we spend it walking through Peidmont park snapping pictures like professionals and watching all sorts of interesting people. The day couldn't of been better. It was topped off by a glorious myriad of colors in the sun setting sky.

"But I trust in your unfailing love;my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me."

Ps. 13:5-6

I hope today you think of one thing that burns within your heart. What makes you cry? Change it. What makes you hurt? Fix it. What makes others laugh? Do it. God will joyfully give you what you need, without holding back.

Dreaming Big,

brooke

Robert

Land of the Free, home of the homeless.

It rained today at the beach.

I work at the beach.

Rainy day=day off...

Despite the cut in my paycheck, I was alright with the shortened day because I had been craving going on a little photo adventure in the city. I slapped on my hat,strapped on my backpack,slung my camera slyly around my chest, and squeaked down the sidewalk in my wet (bedazzled) crocs. As I begun this impromptu venture I felt adrenaline pumping. It was like I was about to steal something. And I did. I stole captured images on my trusty camera.

HOLD-UP,

this journey actually started first thing in my car after leaving work. I turned on the camera, and immediately started shooting drizzly pictures. As I drove I had one hand on the wheel and the other on the shutter button on continuos picture mode.

(Mom, I promise it's not as bad as it sounds.)

I stopped at a light, where a homeless man was standing on the corner. Nothing new. Forgetting that my windows are completely see through I tried snapping a few pics of the man. I thought "hey, the light is red, i've always wanted to document this sort of stuff." I did a few sly ninja shooting moves and got some not-so-secret shots of him.

I should get a job at Jiffy. I'm nuts.

Thankfully the light changed, I was almost sure he saw. I quick turned the corner and parked a block down.

Now the story returnes to the squeaky crocs. Feeling bad about stealing this homeless guys mug...I took the two bucks in my pocket and bought two double shmeezers from Micky D's. I headed towards the corner. I gave him the shmeezers and introduced myself. His name was Robert. I quickly gathered that Robert was very intelligent under his unshaved beard and scronny limbs. A war vet, he has no family, no home,no transportation, and no friends.Robert hitchhiked to Minneapolis from Arkansas in November and misjudged the Minnesota winters. As I listened to a little more of his story he was quick to joke and squashed our idea of the hopeless "homeless". He had a good chuckle after seeing my camera," Hey, are you the one that tried to sneak my picture in that car??"

"Yes Robert,I can't lie to you, it was I that took those pictures." I couldn't help but join in at my silliness. He shared of the surreal difficulty of living with nothing. I lost track of the times he said,"it's not easy." I asked Robert what makes him happy, he was quick to say young people having a good time, with no one bothering them. I asked Robert what is it that allows him to get up in the morning, having nothing. He said with a smirk, "the birds." Can you say good attitude? Or maybe sick sarcasm? But funny.

Robert continued to fill me in on his experiences in shelters. They sound like terrible places. After asking him how he would help people without homes, and without hope...Robert gave a beautiful answer as if he had thought of it a thousand times. If he was a millionaire he would build a huge buildings with different levels. The first level he would open would be for women and children. Security would be enforced to ensure its resident's safety.

In awe of his insight I asked if I could take his picture on his terms this time. He gladly complied. Honored at what he shared with me, I thanked him for sharing with me and promised to tell his story, and ensured him that his openness and ideas would make a difference. Anyone...ANYONE can make a difference.

He enjoyed his Micky D's, we prayed together, and I bid Robert farewell.

The photos of him are simple. I felt rushed and a little awkward blatantly taking his photo on the corner of a busy metropolitan street. If only I could obtain a script of the thoughts running through peoples thinkers as they drove past in their shiny cars (by the way my car is shiny, it's okay.)

I will never forget his face. These pictures are significant, because it's the start of something fresh. In ten years I will say," it all started with Robert." Thank you Robert!

'Common, dream big with me muddy people :)

I couldn't get him off my mind while I was trying to snap for the next thirty minutes. But I gave it a shot. Here's to Robert, dreams being fulfilled, and a splendid day off...

this is reality.

i couldn't fit my hair products in that backpack...but it's his everything.

drip drop.

i hope Robert finds a bike.

i can't resist boots.

After stuffy city smog, a breath of fresh air...

tidBITE*

Don't donate to homeless shelters, buy them shmeezburgers and chat a bit.

If you're really interested in local homeless here's a great ministry to get plugged in with:

http://urbanhomeworks.com/

Neon Carrot

Someone recently asked me how I have been effected from different experiences out of the country to impoverished places. It didn't take me long to blurt out a confident spew of how. One thing I'm not, is guilty or apologetic for what I have here in the states. It's okay that we have comfy beds to sleep on and toothpaste coming out of our ears alongside clean water to brush. Now am I suggesting that we take them for granted? Don't be so naive. There's no need to mention the nuts-zo stats like, 24,000 children die everyday mostly due to malnutrition and disease, or that 80% of the world's population lives on less than 10 dollars a day, or that nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to write their name. Because we don't care. Our oil needs to be changed and our hair needs a trim. Day to day "necessities" fire at us like an unexpected bomb squad and the reality of these stats seem to fade into white noise.

Don't stop reading...hope ahead!!

In a quick conclusion I'm not going to ask you to donate 50 dollars a month to a worthy organization (but I won't stop you either.) I'm not going to ask you to go on a trip somewhere far overseas (but I won't stop you either.) And I'm not going to ask you to eat only rice and beans for the next five years ( you couldn't do it if you tried.) What I am going to do is share with you a few secrets of my travels and experiences that I am so honored to have been apart of. Maybe inspire you to get muddy...

1.) Joy

There is no excuse to not have joy.

In Haiti we played with these beautiful children in a village. They were wearing only shirts. They couldn't count on a next meal. They had no TV or MAC. They slept on the dirt. But they had genuine smiles that would put the Orbit girl to shame.

2.) Contentment and Peace

In a little town in the remote mountains of itchiuayan , Mexico, there is no buzz of the radio, or closed doors. People live to be older because of simplicity;lifestyle and food. Give the kids an old ball and a duck. Pure contentment. Stress free.

3.) Prayer Works

Now if you don't believe in God...I still want to be your friend. I however do, and when you are in an unsafe place seeing unusual things, I had to rely on God for physical and emotional strength. We prayed for blind people-they saw. We prayed for stomachs-healed. We prayed for lame legs- we saw them walk. Prayer works.

That's a longer answer than I wanted. Take it or leave it. These next few photos are from a weekend in Duluth,MN. A favorite vacation spot for me and the fam. Right by Lake Superior it's gorgeous! You don't need to spend any money to have the best time of your life. There's honestly nothing I would've rather been doing than hanging out with amazing people in a lovely place. Simple joys...like neon carrot. It's a crayola crayon color introduced in 1990 (the year I was born.) This color has nothing to do with anything besides the fact it makes me laugh. A simple yet over rated joy.

If these colors don't scream summer...I don't know what does.

My brother Kody is obsessed with sewing. He is incredible with making all sorts of packs. We got a private tour with world renown 'Duluth Pack' to see how it's done. Their USA hand made, and have a lifetime guarantee. Kody was in the zone.

It's not just the angle making his legs look 10 feet long. He's ginormous.

Let m introduce you to our new kitty Charlie. (Me and Kody hate that name because it makes you think of that dum little kid with the bit finger, so we call him Mogley.) Mogley is too small to stay home alone so he tagged along. He just chilled like the coolest dog would. Minimal meowing. He went on walks with us, and never pottied in the car. We raise the best animals.

Simple beauty.

These souvenirs my mom were holding were 100% free. They are a simple joy. Just like the color neon carrot.

tidBITE*

3 pointers on how to handle people:

1.) Don't criticize,condemn, or complain

2.) Give honest and sincere appreciation

3.)Amuse in others an eager want

Credits:

tidBITE (How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie)

World Facts http://www.globalissues.org/

Muddy Boots

Here it goes...

Bare with me as I jump "boots first" <----(lame) into this whole blogging thing.

So you're asking yourself, "What the heck does muddy boots have to do with ANYTHING?" Well...boots are worn on your feet right? Guess what? Feet take you places. Unless your in a wheel chair, for you, this blog should be entitled muddy wheels.

Anyways, I LOVE boots. Boots say, "Hey, I'm here to party. Hard." Boots are tough, they allow you to do intense things without worrying about your feet getting hurt. Think about it. Army boots are worn in combat. Cowboy boots are worn around the ranch doin' strenuous work, snow boots for conquering ridiculously low temperatures. We have hiking boots...the list goes on. Here's another added bonus-they look awesome. Boots can be worn with anything, at anytime. And if you're thinking otherwise? That's fine-wear your ugly shoes instead.

Ultimately muddy boots means living all out. Not afraid of hard times and pain. Not afraid of exploring and taking risks. Because I know that my feet are protected. Living unashamed of a God that I believe in. Using the passions that are inside, and doing them with fervor. Who wants to spend their lives' sitting on the sidelines, combing their eyebrows?

ICK

Nope. Not for me. I'm here to party...

Hard.

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."

psalm 40:2

*tidBITE

call that random person you missed today

(and tell them to follow this blog ;)

Beautiful Feet in Haiti...