Things have been busy around my household.

I have been designing the the new Fall Awake site, which is almost done (check it out here). I am hoping to get a few clients so I can work from home more.

One major change has been the direction of my schooling. I finished up all the requirements for my B.S. and thought I was moving in the direction of my masters, but I decided to take a detour. I am attending design school starting July 9th. I will be studying graphic design and digital photography (starting in Aug). This is quite the departure from Biblical history, but I feel it is the right step right now. I am sure design school will bring out interesting thoughts. It has been a long time since I have been dipped in that much of a creative area. I am excited about the outcome.

I have been redoing my office so it is more conducive for working on school and projects. Also have been clearing out stuff that I do not really need. Old books, movies, clothes, etc. I donated a lot of clothes to Thrifts Mart. Last night I sold enough movies to get a new 4gb iPod nano without much money out of pocket! I loaded music on last night and included the song “Grace” by U2…it has been my song lately.

Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace…
It’s a name for a girl
It’s also a thought that, changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she’s got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She’s got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma, karma
She travels outside… of karma

When she goes to work, you can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace…
She carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings…
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Grace finds beauty in everything

Today was a hard day. One of those days when you wake up and question everything. My compass got turned and I just blew in the wind. I think my pride is getting in the way, but I am not sure how to set aside what seems like the only thing I have right now. How is it possible to be so unsure of what I am supposed to be doing?

Today made me think of a Sheryl Crow lyric:

We got loud guitars and big suspicions,
Great big guns and small ambitions,
And we still argue over who is god
And I say, hey there, miscreation,
Bring a flower, time is wasting
I say, hey there, miscreation,
We all need a revelation,
And its hard to make a stand,
And its hard to make a stand,
Its hard to make a stand,
Its hard to make s stand
Tonight I am waiting on my revelation and realizing just how hard it is to make a stand.

I just got back to the hotel from the Presidential forum on faith and values. Clinton, Edwards, and Obama participated in the event that airs on CNN. The questions were candid and to the point. Questions ranged from how will prayer effect their decisions in the white house, abortion rights, to how does faith play a role in their lives.

Edwards was the most outspoken about his faith and growing up a Christian. He pulled childhood stories of faith and stories of helping the poor. In response to how he would handle what was going on in New Orleans, he stated that He would have someone who reported every day what they had done they day before to improve living conditions in New Orleans.

Obama was next and was somewhat outspoken about his faith (though he has already made that stand in the past). He talked about reform to help children get a better education. He stated that starting from birth and identifying at risk families and assigning nurses to help families get through and to love and teach their children. Obama had a very clear cut path for education and it was clear it was a passion.

Clinton was last on the bill. I was personally looking forward to hearing Hillary talk. Soledad O’Brien (the forum host) cut straight to the point and asked Hillary if she was a praying person and if that helped her get over her husbands very open affairs. Hillary talked about the situation and about how her prayer chains helped her get through the time. Abortion was also on the table for Hilary and she answered a pastors question by offering to work with him to help eliminate the need for abortion. She wanted both sides of the abortion issue to step forward and set aside differences to work together.

All in all tonight was a great time and very informative and interesting to hear the candidates speak so openly about their faith and where they stand on issues that matter in the realm of social justice. I am excited to see how the campaign will continue to shape this country over the next year and half.

Here are a few pictures from tonight: Also check out more on my Flickr Account