A Road Trip in Pictures

Lauren and I just got back from our East coast road trip -- kind of a last hurrah before our baby comes in December (God willing). 2900 miles, 4 stops including 2 major cities, 31 rest stops, and almost 50 driving hours later we're back. We had an incredible time -- exploring the capitol, eating popovers and everything blueberry in Maine, running around the Big Apple, and coming into Charlottesville through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most importantly we got to connect with so many good friends -- laughing, eating, speaking hope and life to one another.

Lauren has already done a great job documenting our trip, so I thought I would give you a taste of our trip in pictures (with a some commentary along the way). Hope you enjoy.

The capitol is pretty stunning in person, going to D.C. reminded me the U.S is legit!

Lauren in the library of congress. We got to see Thomas Jefferson's library, very cool.

Justin and Erin taking sailing through some crazy wind.

The stunning result of said wind.

A beautiful view of the Washington Monument and Capitol from the Lincoln Memorial.

Random guy that made for a powerful picture.

Stellar group of friends in front of the WWII memorial.

We had so much fun in D.C. This was only topped by the Krispy Kreme donuts that followed.

Welcome to Maine -- foggy, stunning, and rugged.

Another beautiful shoreline.

My beautiful bride in the Azalea gardens.

View from almost the top of Cadillac mountain when the sun finally came out. Click to see this one blown up.

The Hansens and their home in Cville!

Our good friends the Colliers.

Curses and Clay

After reading Blue Like Jazz, I jealously wanted a nickname like: Austin the Beat Poet -- I even got me a beat poet hat. Instead, I've been given strange nicknames over the years, like Zeek, or Tater, or Salad (you'll have to ask Danny about that one). If I can't be a beat poet, I'll settle for gardener.

My good friend, Kyle Jones (map maker, professional ice cream taster, coffee connoisseur/shop owner, tree house contractor, gardener, recycled pallet carpenter, radio tower repair man) encouraged me to start a garden this year, so Lauren and I took up the challenge. We planted zucchini, squash, onions, cantaloupe, green beans, lettuce, and tomatoes -- all from seeds.

And today, I'm pleased to announce: we harvested, cooked, and ate our first zucchini! Weighing in at 3oz, 8 inches long, we're so proud of this beautiful green vegetable. Our squash and zucchini have taken off and our other plants are finally starting to dig in.

I cleared the plot for our garden, lined it with downed limbs, and tilled the soil. It feels good to toil with the earth a little, throw your back into something and stand back to watch it yield a crop. Sometimes I wonder if we need a tangible reminder of the curse -- a reminder to toil, to repent, to sow and reap.

With the push from a friend, advice of a well-seasoned grandfather, and stain of Georgia clay between my fingers, a garden was born -- and with it good food and well-worn metaphor.

A New Name in the Family Tree

Many of you have heard by now, some of you I either forgot to call due to the fact that I can't remember anything, or didn't answer your phone, or you somehow stumbled on to this blog by accident for which I'm terribly sorry (but, now that your intrigued, please grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair)...

I'm going to be a father!

You may have heard rumors that my beautiful wife and I were talking about starting a family, and they were true. Lauren is almost 10 weeks along and we got to see our little peanut (that's about what it looks like) on an ultrasound which was really incredible. We feel very blessed, and excited, and that healthy scared-out-of-your-mind fear.

We've already been talking about names, but we can only come up with girls names -- we'll see if that is a sign... apparently Lauren is a fifth generation first-born girl, so... We've already banned the men on Lauren's side of the family from making suggestions, otherwise all of our children would be named after Andy Griffin characters. Also, Lauren has some peculiar names on her side, I'll share a few: Roxy, Menona, Eunice, Ouida (pronounce Wida), and Alfonzo ... need I say more. If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment and we'll put them in the mix, or let us know of any crazy names in your family.

The countdown is on, check out Lauren's post for more info and pictures from the ultrasound.

Meditation

First, I apologize for my absence in April, it was a good, busy month. There is some catching up to do, but first some thoughts on meditation.

Last night I was invited to a Symposium on Faith and Art, titled Beauty and Splendor, at Trinity Vineyard Church by my good friends Kyle and Ashley Jones. Kyle and Ashley both are talented photographers and Kyle has a particular gift for music. He plays the fiddle, guitar, and probably others along with always introducing me to new, beautiful music.

I stepped into Trinity and it didn't take long to know I was in the company of friends. It is a simple, elegant place, rich with liturgy and thoughtful people. We took in visual art, heard music from a talented singer-songwriter, saw a short film, and listened to good poetry. Most moving though, was the community of artists and their honest wrestling with their passion and the difficulty of their trade.

Driving back home to Canton, I turned off the music and embraced the silence -- remembering the importance of quiet and thought. The artists I met last night painted, created, and spoke out of a place of deep wrestling. They did the hard work of listening and questioning and trying to flesh out incarnation in this broken world. It reminded me of the desperate need we have to wrestle with the Gospel and its implication for every area of our lives.

Hoping, questioning, wrestling.
Austin

4 Movies You Should See [And 2 You Shouldn't]

I'm not a huge movie buff, but I love a good film and loathe a dry, plotless one. Here are few of the ones that have redeemed my faith in good films and a few that have perpetuated my disdain of Hollywood.

Movies Worth Seeing Again

This is not a complete list of classics or favorites, but simply some I've seen recently that were enjoyable, thought-provoking, and sometimes even inspiring.

Vantage Point
While the cover initially turned me off (read standard blow-stuff-up-CIA-espionage movie) the movie was actually very captivating. A great cast and a unique way of developing the plot made this movie stand out. I won't give anything away, but you get to see the central event of the movie from each main character's perspective, gaining new insight and a new piece of the story with each retelling.

On a side note, while looking for a movie to watch with our youth group, Lauren and I looked up this movie review at the Dove Foundation. Below is Dove's summary for the movie:

Sex: None
Language: F-1; S-10; A-1; D-5; GD-3; OG/OMG-8; J-4; JC-1; H-4; SOB-2; Friggin’-1
Drugs: None
Nudity: Shirtless man.

Why does "Christian" culture value safety over rousing our desires and getting us to think more deeply about the brokenness and redemption of life as a good film should? I want a film to make me feel, make me cringe, make me cry. You have to laugh at yourself if you qualify "Shirtless man" as nudity and "Friggin'" as a profanity.

Secondhand Lions
This is the movie we ended up watching with our youth the other night -- phenomenal. The acting by Michael Caine and Robert Duvall was spot on and really created a moving, believable movie. This movie tells a good story; I'm going to have to watch it again soon.

Australia
This was one of those movies that you hope is going to finish well (unlike some) and it does. In fact, it I thought it might end about half way through the movie, but it came through and delivered. Great story with powerful cinematography that is weaved into the historical context of World War II.

Once
Recommended by my sister, this movie is simple, slightly strange, and delightful. I found myself smiling and connected to the characters by the time the film was over. The soundtrack is moving.

Movies Not Worth Seeing on a 12-Hour Plane Ride to Zimbabwe

Wanted
I had high hopes for Wanted, but in the end it was very disappointing. The hero is very unbelievable and plot is shallow.

Quantum of Solace
This one actually isn't horrible, it just didn't finish well -- it was about a half-hour too short. I mean, it's James Bond, so you've got to love the action and swagger of Bond, but the plot just seemed unfinished. If you do see it, I would recommend seeing Casino Royal before you watch it because it does build on that movie a good bit. For the record, I think Daniel Craig is an excellent Bond -- hopefully they'll give him a movie worth acting in next time around.

I hope you enjoyed my reviews and maybe you'll have a chance to delve into one or two some time soon.

Peace to you.
Austin