Whoa Mama Wednesday- Leslie Alba

Do you ever think of your friends as animals? You know, like Zach is a fox or Lauren’s a lion or Boone is a dog? I have a friend that reminds me of a butterfly. If you’ve ever watched one of those PBS specials about the life cycle of a butterfly, you know they come from caterpillars. At some point in their life, they decide it’s time to do work and they get all spun up in the cocoon and from the outside, it looks like they take a long nap. Being a well-educated adult, you now know that they are, in fact, transforming. The thing is, no one really notices how hard the little guy is working until he comes out as every child’s favorite winged creature. That’s why Leslie Marie Alba reminds me of a butterfly.

If you look at Les you see style, creativity and passion. What you don’t see is what is going on internally. After walking closely with our glittery butterfly for years now, I feel compelled to give you a little peek into the cocoon from my point of view. Mostly because, like the butterfly, it’s what’s going on below the surface that is the true miracle.

Leslie’s ever-morphing nature may be seen in a plethora of ways. For instance, she’s gone from tie-dye to Anna Sui in only a few short years. But, underneath the fabulous clothes, Les is a deep thinker. She contemplates how to bring the beauty of God into every part of life. She deliberates over the perfect way to celebrate her friends and family. And, while that may seem that like enough to consider, she’s also got dreams galore bouncing around her cropped-fringe, capped noggin. With all that thinking comes a lot of questions and Les is a great question asker. I think it’s her questions that most often show off her genuine humility. She keeps herself open to input, correction and wisdom from others. In keeping with the other invited change-agents, Les presses into challenges. As long as I’ve known her she’s fought for a way to get to the heart of every trial in her life to see how it can make her better. And though I’d never try to make you think she hasn’t made mistakes along the way, every time she has made her way back to the center where it’s her and Jesus in the cocoon. She believes in her core that He is after her highest good and won’t give up until she gets it. Her heart is tethered to one thing that always gives her life.

That’s probably what makes life with Leslie enjoyable. Even though she’s constantly changing, it’s in a peaceful way because she looks more and more like the beauty that she was created to be. I think if she really were a butterfly, her metamorphosis wouldn’t be complete until she turned into a bird. Leslie is made for the highest heights and her wings are getting stronger day by day.

Leslie, I salute you!

Tunesday- Sugar & the Hi Lows

If you need something for your sweet tooth, try this on for size.

Whoa Mama Wednesday- Jenn Sunderland

Ever met one of those people that as soon as you introduced yourself you immediately thought, “I’ve gotta be her friend”? Perhaps it’s because you have a similar style. Maybe it’s because they possess uncommon charisma. Most of the time for me, it’s simply a “vibe”. Sometimes it’s a vibe of confidence. At other times, it’s passion. With Jennifer Louise Sunderland, it was both.

Only a sophomore at our first encounter, Jenn radiated confidence. People told me that she led dynamically, planned things like a pro and could probably change the world with one arm tied behind her back, but I had lots left to discover. For instance, Jenn has 2 styles. One side is a Chaco-wearing, Patagonia-toting, trail-riding hippie. The other side is a well-groomed, J.Crew-loving, tailored and trim lady. While you may be thinking that this is a girl with an identity crisis, it is in fact quite the opposite.

Jenn gets more comfortable in her own skin by the day, it seems. In fact, over the 4 years I have known her, she’s only grown more into the paradox that she is. Not only does it make her flexible and relatable, it makes her “Jenn”. This “Jenn” is also full of surprises. You may expect someone with such confidence to be proud or self-important. Not this girl. Her MO is hungry, humble, and teachable. Over and over, she positions herself to serve those who should be serving her and honors those in authority above her.  Courageous, uncomplicated, vulnerable, encouraging and refreshing, she’s simply an amazing friend.

Jenn, I salute you!

Tunesday- Birdy

Imagine you’re in north England in the cutest little pub you’ve ever seen. As you sip a J2O and chat with one of your sweetest gal pals, you notice something. The song playing throughout the lounge sounds familiar, but you know you haven’t heard it. All the sudden it dawns on you, “That’s Bon Iver’s Skinny Love”, but that’s definitely a lady voice. The British definitely have true love for covers. Lucky for me, the one I heard was a voice that’s become a favorite of mine. Birdy is a beauty and has a fabulous voice. Check out her full length album.

Tunesday- The Fox and the Bird

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to be entertained by this band. They have definitely become a new favorite. Surely, their laid-back sound and unique style have something to do with it, but honestly, I think they are just plain cool. Enjoy!

Whoa Mama Wednesday- Ally Steiger

Everyone has adventures in college. Whether you move far from home, change majors twenty times or take a few road trips, everyone’s university years are jam packed with new faces. New faces equal new adventures. Life has definitely been an adventure since I met Ally.

Right off the bat the noticeable thing is that we had the same name. We both had dark hair, about 63 inches of height and a habit of getting up early once a week to pray with our friends. The similarities, at that time, stopped there. Allison McKenna Steiger hailed from a suburb of Chicago called Arlington Heights. Being a tried and true northerner, she felt the need to prove her cold weather immunity by donning sandals and refusing a jacket in the dead of winter. She seemed never to tire of comparing “back home” and “down here” in her then thick Illinois accent. As time went on, I got to know Ally for much more than a dry-humored sassy girl from the city.

Steigers know loads of things, partially because patriarch, Joe, challenges then to learn something new each year. Generally, they are well learned in academics, music, athletics, and any number of random skills. Ally is no exception. Her cooking skills are excellent, she knits and sews (and not just because it’s trendy), and she is a die-hard Cubs fan. Foreign Affairs is her only magazine subscription. Washington DC was the site of her research internship. And though you may already think I have painted her as a sort of super woman, those are only a few things she likes and the things she can do.

Sometimes when the newness wears off of those co-ed faces, you find shallow and insecure girls with little purpose. Not this girl. Year after year, I’ve watched her become more sure of her worth, more passionate about real issues and more aware of God’s hand on her life. When others would shy away from correction or challenge, Ally grabs it with both hands ever-believing she’s made to look increasingly like her Maker. She risks bravely in the hardest places, dismantling every wall in her heart to receive the fullest and most beautiful freedom. With the same determination she lives to see others obtain that same freedom whether that is on the Hill or in Lawrence, Kansas. Allison Steiger is a champion of freedom.

Ally, I salute you!

Tunesday- All Delighted People

To merely call ADP “a band” would be like minimizing an accomplished artist to “a painter”. This “painter” brilliantly strokes color, passion and brilliance onto the canvas bringing to life not only art, but a true artist. In the same way, ADP must be considered a collective of divinely inspired musical minds, collaborating to lure the sounds of heaven to earth. Be they from different backgrounds, unique heritage and diverse talent, they unite. You see, musical preference, skill and excellence are not their common bond, though, that they share these things is true enough. This community finds its center in Jesus. He is their creativity, their fuel and their lives. For ADP, music is simply the best way to express their affection, hunger and longing for a face-to-face encounter with the Living God. The thing is, whether you understand what I mean and find yourself in the same space or you simply appreciate innovative and beautiful music, “When the Morning Comes” will likely take it’s place at the top of your playlist. Enjoy!