Whoa Mama Wednesday- Erika Kraus

For 12 going on 13 years, I've had the privilege of knowing Erika Kraus. Our friendship was divine happenstance. Both of us had planned to go on a spring break trip with friends from our college group. We met at a training time and for the first few weeks that we knew each other, she called me “Eve”. Naturally, the longer you know someone, the more you know about them and often, you know them better.  Not knowing Erika but for a days, I was slightly offend that she couldn’t remember my name. Nevertheless, she was way too interesting of a person to brush off; am I ever glad I didn’t.

Erika probably seems, to most people, like a city girl. She lived in Seattle for right around 5 years, after college. Every “off the menu” drink from Starbucks is stored in her memory. No bus or subway system is intimidating to her. Live music, small brewery beers, sparkling water and Trader Joe’s are among her favorite things. And even though she likes organic anything, dreams of growing her own garden and sips kombucha, don’t let her fool you. Her roots go deep in East Texas. She secretly listens to country tunes, sometimes lets her accent slip out, and know how to rock a pair of cowboy boots. You may be asking yourself how this dichotomy could exist in one tiny human. When you know “The Munchkin”, it all makes sense. Her titles include but are not limited to: darling daughter, wise sister, favorite aunt, adventurer, boss and dear friend. And even though those things make her amazing perhaps the most remarkable thing about Erika Gael Kraus is that she knows who she is.

Some may say it’s because she was blessed with unusually loving and secure parents. Some may say it’s because her first-born status makes her fearless. Some may say it’s because she’s simply adaptable to a variety of environments. Though all of those things are insanely true, here’s what I know after almost 13 years with this wonder woman.  Erika has been through a million trials, but she doesn’t quit. She’s had victory after victory, loved and lost, tried and failed, dreamed, died, hoped and seen miracles. All these things have shaped her. But the single most identity-giving thing within Erika is, no matter how good, bad or ugly life gets, her foundation is Jesus. Not every choice she’s made has been easy or even best, but her traveling feet are ever-glued to the one soil that goes everywhere she does. Her life with Jesus is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen and I can’t wait to see what else is going to happen in her future days. If I had to choose one Scripture that describes her, I’d have to say “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come,” Proverbs 31:25, just about covers it. 

No matter if she lives in Seattle, Haiti or New York City, she will forevermore be one of the most understanding, crazy-fun, and supportive friends in my life.

Erika, I salute you!

Tunesday- The Lone Bellow

My little bundle of a friend, Erika, introduced me to The Lone Bellow. I think I like them because their sound is pure and just all-around likable. They have solid harmonies, good lyrics and lots of heart. Enjoy!

Whoa Mama Wednesday- Kate Wasion

Most people know her as Kate, or Mrs. Kate if you are one of the tinies in the DiscoveryLand hallway on Sunday mornings. If you are her dad, you might call her "Little Rat". Or, if you are her brilliant older sister Sarah, you may call her "sis". Her mom calls her "Kakey Bakey". You may know of Katelin Jo Shelton Wasion as the wife of Codi, granddaughter of Sterling or previous roommate of any number of girls who's names start with the letter "A" . Others know things about her. For instance, the fact that she was on the golf team in high school, is an avid Dallas Mavs fan or that she loves Diet Dr. Pepper and Peanut M&Ms. You may be privy to the fact that she delights in Lord of the Rings, hates karaoke and is secretly a good singer. But none of this is even a fraction of the absolute marvel that is Kate. So let me tell you what I know.

Everyone's story is littered with trials and tests and Kate's is no different. What is set apart about Kate is the way she perseveres. She would be the first to try to convince you that she doesn't do it right all the time. And while that's true, because as well all know, no one is perfect, Kate shows up. Through every tear, burst of anger, fit of confusion or any of the emotions that come with life, she ever-increasingly chooses the better instead of the easy. 

What you also need to know about Kate is that she insanely passionate. She genuinely loves and weeps over the poor, broken and hurting, especially if they are African children. Fiery intercession, trips to Kenya and South Africa and years of supporting the same Compassion child are just a few of the ways that she shows whats in her heart. In a completely different way, but with the same ferver, she bleeds all things Texas. I halfway expected her bridals to be in field of bluebonnets. No lie. This includes but is not limited to Texas football, Baylor anything, and the Dallas Cowboys. One day she will have a Texas room in her home. I believe it with all my heart.

Humor is also one of Kate's hallmark traits. While she's got "dad jokes" to spare, her timing is impeccable and even after nearly decades of friendship with her, I'm still consistently surprised by her wit. So what if she "tee-hees" at her own jokes. You will hardly notice as you belly laugh on the floor. Her appreciation of humor is also endless and she loves it most when people fall. She is the life of the party and can't be convinced to stop dancing if an old fave pops up on the playlist. 

(side note: she hates when elderly people fall. It makes her quite sad, in fact) 

If you learn nothing else about this true beauty from my little ramblings, know this: Katelin Jo is not just a great friend. If you let her in to your heart, she will set up house and never leave. She might make mistakes from time to time, but she will be one of the best, deepest and truest friends you've ever know. Your heart will overflow with the gratitude of being with her, even if for a little while.

Kate, I salute you!

I Feel It When My Heart Beats

You know that expression, "All dressed up with no place to go"? I think I live my life in the opposite sentiment, kinda like, "Too many places to go with no time to get dressed".  Honestly, I had the best of intentions of keeping this little window to my world open. As the summer turned into fall, the schedule got the best of me. My "real job" took all of my energy, a lot of my time and most of my drive with it. That's not to say that I haven't created, dreamed, designed, and beautified many things since then...I just haven't had time to reflect. 

Until today.

Today may seem like a funny day to start reflecting. It isn't the beginning of the new year. It isn't the beginning of the month. In fact, it's not even the beginning of the day. Nevertheless, today is the day. 

I've decided to begin my contemplating with my delinquency in regular posts. Give me 140 characters or 19 filters any day and I will promptly use them as my "creative outlet" for the day, week, or if I'm honest, and I am, the month. The problem is, I have eternity in my bones. Literal, high-octane, blazing-eyes, met-with-Jesus eternity and I waste it. On our favorite apps. Here's an example.

For actual months, I have deliberated over daily posts. Wednesday caught my eye, in particular. My dear friend is more or less famous for the phrase “whoa mama” said like “whuh-oh-ma-ma”. Not in a Full House “whoa baby” kind of way or even a “whoa Nelly” way, but an intentional and deliberate way, but I digress. In consideration of the days of the week, Tuesday has “tiny” and Thursday has “throw back”. Wednesday deserved “whoa mama”. So today I pulled the trigger, well, actually, a sort of pulled the trigger. Instead of honoring Wednesday for all it was worth, I settled for captioning a photo with only a fraction of what was in my heart. Even though I didn’t give Wednesday enough, I did give myself something. Conviction and accountability.

You see, even though I decided to live a life of discipline almost 12 years ago, I still need help. I still need motivation. I still need to choose what’s best. Everyday I counsel people (insert pat on the back). Each morning, I dream and strategize issues with God (insert pat on the back). Of course, I also know what happened on every episode of Downton this season (insert the list of things I threw at the television, ahem) but where is the more?! All of those things are great, but I spend so much time patting myself on the back that I forget that unseen, accessible riches are available daily. The only thing that keeps me from them are the distractions I allow myself. So, from now on, I’m committing to fill my pockets with the all the glory I can reach. I’m made to celebrate life to the fullest, everything from true redemption to half-birthdays. And I’m gonna.

Johnnyswim has a song called “Heart Beats”. In it Amanda Sudano sings these lyrics:

I want to go where they tell me it’s not possible, fan the flame, walk on water. I’ve got heaven locked up in these bones. I feel it when my heart beats. Every time my heart beats.

Just a little bit of glory I picked up today.