Mountains beyond Mountains

"Art washes from the soul the dirt of every day life."

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:51:19 -0400

““Art washes from the soul the dirt of every day life.””

- Pablo Picasso

Some days you just need to enjoy an amazing cup of cafe con...

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:12:00 -0400

Some days you just need to enjoy an amazing cup of cafe con leche whilst watching a torrential rainstorm out the window.

it’s been an overwhelming day…really an overwhelming week. and next week will probably be just as crazy. and I’m simply too tired to even write about it. c’est la vie. But God is good. and He is faithful. and He will do mighty things for me.

I'm in a new york state of mind...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:07:28 -0400

So as you can see, I may or may not have posted too many photos of my trip. I got a little iphone happy. (mostly because I forgot my charger for the canon. oops.)

but it was amazing, and exactly what I needed. I spent 90% of my time with Christine, her wonderful family, and that beautiful peninsula called Manhattan. We shopped, we ate, we saw some sites, we ate. you get the picture. being lovely, Christine surprised me with some late, but much needed, birthday celebrating. we got massages, went to my favorite restaurant Republic , had amazing dessert at Max Brenners, and then people-watched in union square. perfection.

then I made my little journey to ct to spend some quality time with my mom, dad, and little bro. we kicked it the only way we know how to. hard. we laughed, ate, cooked, watched movies, played games, I even got to take my brother to his first high school football game. yep, livin the life. My madre & I found time for facials, and even managed to uncover some buried treasures.

I had a wonderful time. but mostly, I’m glad to be home. even though I have to start packing everything in preparation for the next adventure in life, it feels good to just be here. to breathe, relax, and enjoy the goodness of Him who does mighty things for His children. boom.

(1) the stairwell in a friends fabulous nyc apartment. (2) girls...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:52:00 -0400

(1) the stairwell in a friends fabulous nyc apartment. (2) girls night in a belated celebration of my birth. (3) the most heavenly dessert on the planet. if you’ve never been, go to max brenner’s on the corner of 14th and broadway immediately. (4) me with the most talented 12 year old. (5) unprepared. waiting for the path train. (6) on the way to connecticut, special visit with the fam. (7) my mom & I, getting our facials on. (8) found some vintage dishes of my mom’s, circa 1982. amazing. they will be mine someday. (9) home at last. I missed this.

(1) new WTC building. (2) ribbons on church gate in remembrance....

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:45:00 -0400

(1) new WTC building. (2) ribbons on church gate in remembrance. (3) pray for peace. (4) festival in little italy. (5) delicious pasta & wine. (6) caleb, wonderful friend. (7) cannoli king. (8) saturday night in times square. (9) me and the beautiful christine.

sharing is caring

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:46:33 -0400

I thought I’d share a little bit of what’s going on in my life lately…

Received the best phone call last night around 11:30. My little friend, Wilson, in Haiti called, as he said, to see how I was doing. We chatted for as long as his english & my creole allowed and then, with lot’s of “I love you’s” we reluctantly said goodbye. But not before I was assured that he had a special gift waiting for me when I returned & I assured him I had a sweet backpack/notebooks combo for him for back to school. man I miss that little guy. (also received another call from some other boys today asking for school supplies, news travels fast)

On Monday, I started recording the second track for my EP with the amazing Carter Manke. beyond talented man. I’m not sure how I lucked into working with him. (You can check him out on Facebook at Commuter Recordings) I’ll post a sneak peek of the EP a little later.

I’m spending this weekend in New Jersey visiting my amazing friend Christine. She is a joy to have as a friend, so I can’t wait to spend the next few days being encouraged by her. We’re going to throw it down in NYC, kayak & picnic at one of the most beautiful lakes in the state, and play music with her 12 year-old guitar prodigy little brother. so excited! And then, as if that isn’t enough, I get to spend a few days in CT with my parents and little brother. I’ll try and post some things while I’m there. (only con about the whole trip is the sketchy chinatown bus I’m taking)

Lastly, on a side note, I’m going to try and NOT think about my sister actually being in the states for a few days & I am unable to see her :( boo. I miss her. freaking bad. I promise that all my post’s won’t be about how badly I miss her. I promise. ?

Photography by the amazingly talented Alicia White

I’m currently making the most HEAVENLY homemade chocolate...

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:45:13 -0400

I’m currently making the most HEAVENLY homemade chocolate chip cookies ever. I found the recipe on a blog called not without salt. yum yum yum.

Photo

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:43:21 -0400

Life lately, according to my iphone

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:38:00 -0400

Birthday presents, sent from Haiti.

House church. getting worship on.

unintentional matching.

Really great books & even better coffee.

the greatest people I’ve ever known.

Practicing for shows.

spending time with this guy.

espwa. hope.

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 17:50:00 -0400

As a musician, I’m always searching for inspiration. It can come from ordinary things like pictures, poetry, a good book and then it can come from personal experiences; emotions, relationships, revelations from the Lord. Today I am feeling inspired by my sister’s photography. She lives in Haiti which is beyond hard for me. She is my best friend, and I’m so proud of what she’s doing. But I’m selfish and want her here sometimes. Here are some of her photos that have captioned my heart today and sent my on a songwriting frenzy:

If you want to see all the adventures she is up to and be inspired as well, check out her blog: Lara Coleman Photography

It’s almost 3 in the morning here, and I can’t sleep...

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:49:09 -0400

It’s almost 3 in the morning here, and I can’t sleep when my heart is hurting. I miss Haiti.

"Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty."

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:47:30 -0400

““Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.””

- Mother Teresa

"Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?"

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:30:52 -0400

“Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?”

- Just Kids By Patti Smith

vingt-deux.

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:23:45 -0400

Hurricane Irene took a good chunk out of my birthday this past weekend. Although I’d like to feel bitterness towards her, she actually made it even better. Being cooped up for a weekend with your favorite people is never really a bad thing.

Deye mon, gen mon.

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:16:00 -0400

Someone once said that an adventure starts when everything goes wrong. I spent some time living in the Republique d’Haiti, and they have a saying there “Dye mon, gen mon.” which roughly means, mountains beyond mountains. Life is one thing after the next. We laugh, cry, grow, and change. We are in constant motion. James said, “Your life is like a mist, it is there for a moment and then vanishes.” I’m not sure why we feel like chronicling our lives is necessary, but perhaps it helps us understand ourselves better. Perhaps it helps us actually grasp God and His movement in our lives. Or perhaps we need to know we are connecting with someone or something. Regardless, here is my chronicling of the someday vanishing mist known as life.