Legacy

 

Two and a half weeks ago one of the neatest men I've ever known went to be with Jesus. After a grueling four month battle with cancer, his life was cut way too short and his time on this planet with his precious family came to an end. 

Keith Borne is my best friends daddy. When anyone mentions someone being Larger Than Life I picture Mr. Keith. Cajun to the core, sweet Mr. Keith's laughter alone lights up a room. When that man talks, folks listen...and not just because he's hilarious. A powerful attorney, Mr. Keith's greatest accomplishments were not in the office. Though many in Lafayette, LA knew him for his successful career...I didn't.

I knew Mr. Keith because of the way he loved his little girl. When I met Claire in college, one of the first things she told me was about her Cajun family. Every other story I heard contained a hilarious antidote her dad had used to soften life's circumstances. When we talked about her ambition to do well in school it was attributed to her incredible father's encouragement. Every time a crass joke came out of Claire's mouth we remembered what Mr. Keith ALWAYS SAID..."the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." His baby girl is so much like him in so many ways!

A few days before he passed away I wrote a letter to Claire and Mr. Keith. I shared with them how much their relationship affected people...namely me. Watching the way one father loved his little girl showed me Jesus. No matter how large/loud/hilarious/successful/hardworking Mr. Keith is...what's spoken louder than anything else about him to me is the way the he has abundantly/gently/sacrificially loved his daughter.

It was epic. The kind of relationship people write stories about. I dream of marrying a man one day who loves my girls the way this one loved his. I'm convinced that much of the reason my best friend trusts and obeys Jesus is because of the provision, support and love her daddy displayed to her every day of their lives together.

A week before his death, God gave Claire the sweet opportunity to talk to her daddy about forever. They wept over the song below. Mr. Keith knew that it was Christ's blood that covered him and gave him heaven. I'll never forget how graciously he went to be with our savior.

Because the sinless savior died, my sinful soul is counted free. That God the just is satisfied to look on him and pardon me.

Thanks for showing me that kind of love, Mr. Keith. Thanks for teaching me about Jesus. I tell you what, I will thank God always that I was so blessed to know you, FRIEND!!!

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Mr. Keith's Obituary

Claire's Blog

My Last Trip Up North

A comment on my last post suggested it's clear that this blog has been slow rollin' for a few months. So twice in one week ought to convince people I'm still alive and kicking and this blog hasn't died... 

Tomorrow evening I'm headed to visit some very dear friends in NYC. That's right...I'm fleeing the fires to see another spot where rain is not a thing of the past. I'm so stinking fortunate to have good friends that live in such cool places...in part because I can convince my good friends from this cool place to travel with me to visit them. 

That said, in honor of my trip to the Big Apple this weekend...and the 10th anniversary of September 11, I thought I'd finally post photos from my April trip up north today. 

It's pretty incredible what God's done in my heart for this city. When I visited for the first time five years ago, I'd have told you it was great, but I had no real desire to even visit again. I'm an outdoor, green landscape, fresh air kinda girl. 

Since then several of my best friends have made their home in NYC. As I've prayed for them and heard  stories of how God's using them there, he's changed my heart. Though I'm not sure I'll ever live in Brooklyn or Manhattan, something stirs in me for this city. When I get to visit I am excited for the work God's doing there. I'm now passionate about the arts, the stage, and the corporate world there. 

Over and over in my life...God proves he's in control of even what makes my heart race.

Alright so looking through these photos, it's insane to think how much life has changed for me in the last five months. For one...I'm an aunt. Sad Rachel won't be joining us tomorrow, but so so glad to know my precious little bug - Maggie Beth!

 

 

I'm not sure I mentioned....my friends are kind of a big deal. While we were there, I visited Broadway Dance Center where Megan works and we also enjoyed a night at the Gershwin to see Katie in Wicked. Yeah you read that right, I have ridiculously talented friends. Megan nearly runs BDC (yep the one seen in the movies and on shows like SYTYCD) and Katie sure is the lead in Wicked. It was SO SO fun to see them both!

A Dominican Vacation

Last week I traveled with one of my best friends and a couple of amazing families to the Dominican Republic. We played, we swam, we ate, we read, we rested...There's really no way to sum up how grateful I am for such an incredible week. The beaches, the weather, the people...the Dominican does it WELL!

Though Hurricane Irene might have wished otherwise, we had a fabulous time. I really love both of these families and their precious daughters (You may recognize Addison and Olivia from the biz blog.) And as I sit now watching the devastation that this super drought has caused our state this week, I must say we were kind of thankful to see that unfamiliar thing called rain for four of our seven day vacation.

 

Have I mentioned that I have the best friends in the universe?!

 

E Weds

I'm alive. I've risen from the rubble (or at least am beginning to).

Incidentally, due to all the photos I've taken over the last two months of not blogging I have a lot of catching up to do. I might lose friends if I don't start posting the photos I've taken from different life events.

Warning: the coming blog posts will inevitably be out of order. I apologize.

These are from one of my very best friend, Erika's wedding. This was a BEAUTIFUL day! I literally kept looking around thinking, "this is how I would do it, just like this." The details were perfect and personal. The party was fun, and Erika and Kyle enjoyed the people they love...perfect!

I only took pre-wedding photos that day. You'll have to check out Erika's awesome wedding photographer's blog for pics of the wedding. 

Mostly these showcase the awesome job hair and makeup artist, Erica Bargell did. If you need somebody, she's your girl. The morning of the wedding was super laid-back and restful...just like Erika! We laughed a whole lot!!

Hott bride! No really...she is GORGEOUS (and her hair is not finished in this one)!

E, it was so much fun to be with you on March 26. I'm so thankful an honored to have stood with you as you began your MARRIAGE!! Crazy! Love you, friend.

laughter - it's what's for dinner.

A few weeks ago we celebrated my sweet friend's final days as a bachelorette in a cozy cabin out in Burnet. I love living in the hill country, where there are BEAUTIFUL places to retreat within an hour's drive.

The weekend was fabulous. Getting to know Erika's college friends was great. These girls know how to have fun...and be fun. 

When I replay the activity, all I remember is laughter. Turns out, that's all I documented as well...LAUGHTER! 

Enjoy!

Teachers bein' teachers:

brrrrrrrreck

Traveling is one of my favorite things. I love hotels, I love airports...I even love rental cars. 

Now I'm not sure I'm ready for an "Up in the Air" lifestyle, but the amount that I get to travel keeps me wanting more...and I'm thankful for that.

Back in September Stephanie, Rachel and I took our (nearly) annual trip to Breckenridge, CO. You remember our last trip.

What an incredible weekend we picked to go too. It was Breck's Octoberfest! So we enjoyed costumes, sausage and more. I tell you what...those Coloradans (?) sure know how to throw a party. 

If that weren't enough, Steph, Rach and I hiked, drove to the peak of the town to enjoy the aspen tunnels, had rich intentional conversations...and genuinely enjoyed each other.

I LOVE MY LIFE!

God's so faithful to make me feel so well loved. This trip was an excellent example of that.

We had the PLEASURE of driving a CUBE as a rental car for the weekend. One word = incredible



The streets of Breckenridge feel more and more like home to me every trip. I love this place.








Love love you girls! I'm so blessed to call you best friends.

My Best Friend's Famous!

I don't know what it is about fame. Maybe it's the power, respect, and awe that comes with it, but I must confess...

I'm fascinated by fame.

Yep, I just put myself in that box...judge me if you must.

Really, I'm mostly amazed by how people gain a following and therefore power and control that is seldom merited. Isn't that how our culture functions?

I'm partially confident that Brad Pitt could run for president and be elected...because why? He can act?

It's fascinating to me.

Regardless, I'm a sucker. I'm way too interested in all things pop culture, and I'd be lying if I denied that my google reader contains Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine's blogs.

That said, I was so excited when my bf, Claire, told me that she'd be on national television this summer...and not the "I got interviewed at the scene of a crime for the news" kind of television...

the "I'm on a guilty pleasure MTV show" kind of national television.

Yep...can you believe it?

No she was not caught on Jersey Shore hangin' with The Situation.

This is at least a tad moral.  

Reality TV - Yes. 

Shady folks, with fake bodies in bikinis all day - No.

Claire's a fabulous* high school Chemistry teacher in small town California. Her high school was selected to be featured on an episode of this summer's If You Really Knew Me.

MTV and big name directors came into the school for a couple days and documented their Challenge Day.

Don't know what that is?

How about you just watch the episode.

Click here to view the episode!

*I'm not just bias...she literally wins the "best teacher in the school district" award in every school/school district/state she teaches in. Claire relates to people like no one you've ever met before...students, co-workers, teachers, etc....for real. 

CEW, you deserve to be spotlighted (spotlit?) for your unbelievable work in a much bigger way than this silly show...but I still think it's cool.

E's got a Fiance!

Yep, my very sweet roommate, Erika, is ENGAGED! We've been so excited about seeing Kyle make E his bride...and now they're on their way.

Their engagement was so much fun!

Kyle trusted "Team Not Very Sly" to help get it done, and we did just that. We went ahead and scoped out the spot and made it right. 

I mean who could resist getting engaged with that outstanding ATX skyline in sight? These two jokers definitely couldn't.

Next...they arrived.

He read 

They prayed.

They kissed.

He gave. 

He asked. 

She accepted.

She gushed.

They hugged.

They kissed again.

They laughed.

They kissed again.

...and the rest is history!

I really wish I could express what an honor it was for me to be a part of this day for a couple of my very favorite people.

I can't wait for you two to become Mr. and Mrs. Blair!!!





and though, the festivities were picturesque...it didn't come without a cost.

As I mentioned, three's company wasn't very successful at being discrete. Erika definitely saw us before she saw the ring (though we sure did pretended she didn't).



"great big grin"