Light will shine. | Hillsong United

Three weeks ago, Ian worked late, coming home at midnight several nights. Three weeks ago, I put in an unusual amount of overtime thanks to a couple big projects. Three Fridays ago, I finalized six contracts and eight trips. And three Fridays ago, we met up with Fox and Sara and headed downtown for Hillsong United's last North America stop on their Aftermath tour.

We wanted to catch them in Singapore on our year-and-a-half-moon, but scheduling didn't work out. So when Ian saw Boston was on their schedule, he quickly ordered tickets for the Orpheum Part 2 (concert? show? service? gathering? worship event?).

We arrived at the Orpheum as Part 1 was getting out, and the alleyway entry to the theatre was spilling over with people leaving, people arriving, people collecting for a food drive, people handing out flyers for upcoming events, people strolling by on their way to the bars and wondering what was the commotion, police officers directing traffic and people.

Unlike our last music event, it felt like a big family reunion. Many people knew each other, many did not. No one was a stranger — interactions were full of life, love, joy — the way God's people are supposed to be. We aren't perfect, but it's a beautiful thing to catch a glimpse of God's kingdom as it's meant to be.

Ian and I love that we got to worship through some of our favorite songs with the songwriters. Joining someone as they worship in their creativity deepens the experience — we get to do this at [REUNION] with our songwriters, and songs seem to resonate more when you're in the community that inspired them.

Joel Houston had some amazing thoughts. I really wish I could have recorded the whole thing, because I know already many of those words have faded in my mind.

The thing that did stick was Joel's mention that God deserves the best — not just the best Christian music, or the best preaching, but the best in whatever we spend our lives doing — science, music, architecture, writing, and more. It was a beautiful reminder that we can make a difference where we are, and what we do matters.

The experience was amazing, and has reinspired me to carry that joy and worship in every moment. I want to shine with His glory.

for Japan

Less than two years ago, I was captivated by this view out of the plane window as we flew into Narita, a layover on the way to the Philippines. While we spent only a handful of hours in the airport, I was amazed by the beauty, technology, and courtesy of the people. Their security was thorough, but thoughtful. They said please and thank you to everyone, and I will never forget one officer gently tucking a little girl's baby doll into the bin before sending it through the scanner.

When I heard about the earthquake, I couldn't imagine that beautiful scene shaken and buried under water and debris. Then I saw the media coverage. We listened to our Japanese coworkers who are still trying to reach friends and family, hearts broken.

Ian and I aren't entirely sure how to respond. Haiti, New Zealand, now Japan. When do we give? Where do we give? What do we do?

We don't have answers for these questions, but I do know we are called to pray for the people who are hurting and the land that is broken. And I'm encouraged by the compassion shown so far.

There are many ways to help, but a few caught my attention.

01. World Vision has served in Japan for over two decades and has an emergency response team on the ground. They are paying particular attention to the needs of the children uniquely hurting from this disaster.

02. Text support — I learned via @WorldVisionUSA, AT&T and Verizon are waving the fee for text donations to various relief organizations. For a list of options, click here.

03. Architecture for Humanity will be offering assistance with reconstruction. Your donation will go towards the "last response" wave to build meaningful and lasting solutions. If you're in the design profession, you can also donate your time and expertise to this cause.

"We are now facing the most tragic disaster in our country's history."

Kenjiro Ban, WV Humanitarian + Emergency Affairs Manager

a March thankful list

01. Hulu when Ian has to work on weekends
02. a late night movie date with Erin at the Coolidge Corner Theatre
03. Trader Joe's orange strawberry banana juice
04. Financial Peace University and our renewed commitment to following a new budget
05. Google Docs to make a spiffy budget spreadsheet
06. strawberry mochi ice cream
07. air plants
08. vacuum cleaners
09. Pinterest
10. music at [REUNION]
11. last Sunday's "after 21 weeks we made it through Exodus" celebration
12. a God who loves me no matter how many times I break His heart
13. the new message series on the Lord's Prayer
14. people who fight, and enable others to fight, slavery around the world
15. open washers and dryers right when we head downstairs to do laundry
16. method cleaners — eco-friendly + amazing scents (almond! eucalyptus mint!)
17. bite-sized chocolate chip cookie dough bits in the freezer
18. Ian — always.

Ian's morning shave goes green

Ian always has been intrigued by an old fashioned shave — like Sweeney Todd but less deadly. So when he found out our friend Micah had made the switch, he started his research. And on our Valentine's stay-cation, he took the plunge.



We hopped in to The Art of Shaving. Ian tested the safety razor handles, examined the different grades of badger hair brushes, sniffed the pre-shave oils and shaving soaps, and picked out a stand.

He checked out and I nearly passed out. We sat down on a nearby bench in the mall, and I made Ian go over the numbers with me again. In two years, we'll have saved enough in pricey razor cartridges and shaving cream to cover the cost of his purchases — and Ian will be shaving much longer than two years. Which means every two years after that, we'll be saving over $300. I started breathing again.

The environmental impacts are also minimized. Shaving soap, in a reusable sandalwood container, can last for several years and generates no empty aerosol cans. Dirt cheap razor blades are plastic free. The hardware will last a lifetime. Not a bad investment.

Reassured, we headed back to our hotel room and Ian unpacked his shopping bag. Not patient enough to take the recommended pre-shave, whisker-softening hot shower, he splashed his face and jumped right in. I was reading on the bed, but when he asked me to document in photos, I came in to investigate.

As I examined the razor, I noticed a drip of red on my finger. The blade — when had Ian assembled it? — is sharp. Very sharp. I had sliced a sizable gash in my left pointer fingerprint.

Ian grabbed the W-provided first aid kit (we're still waiting to see if we get charged for that) while I ran my finger under cold water. Then I applied pressure with a Kleenex and watched Ian attempt his first shave.



Because it's a fixed blade instead of a movable razor head, it does take more technique. Which takes practice. And fortitude.



A couple weeks in, and his number of cuts has decreased tenfold. As he gets better, the pre-shave oil + shaving soap + badger hair brush will provide a super close shave with less irritation (as the salespeople inform you, instead of removing hair + layer of skin, you are removing hair + pre-shave oil). Plus he feels macho.

Micki is sending him his great grandfather's shaving kit she dug up. His dream is to someday use the straight razors. But if he starts singing "My Friends" and suggests we make meat pies, I'm calling the police and temporarily going vegetarian.