She said, “I hope when people think of Iraq they think of bumper cars.”

I’ve never told her how profound I think that statement is, but it’s one of those quotes that pops into your head and makes you still.

Yesterday, President Obama declared that we (the United States of America) will be withdrawing by year’s end from Iraq. We’ll leave them with a fledgling government, millions of dollars of damage and oddly enough, millions of dollars of repair. Troops will be moved out of the country that I fell in love with this summer and many of them, as well as most Americans at home will remember Iraq as a series of pictures. Pictures of sand. An image of a man in Arabic clothing that to them equates to a terrorist. They will remember a still image from Shock and Awe – I know I do – I was at my grandparents house watching on a giant television as Baghdad went up in flames.

So I know that when people think of Iraq those images will form what they think of exactly. They will think of war, they will think of Saddam, they will think of Arabs, and maybe even a few will think of Kurds. They will think of oil, they will think of failed intelligence reports. They will think of chaos. They will think of desert – both physically and metaphorically.

And yet, when I think of Iraq. I think of my friends there. I think of the springs and green parks that give life to the country. I think of bumper cars.

I write this knowing that I can’t make everyone in the world think like this. I can’t expect that – people haven’t seen what I truly feel blessed to have been able to witness. But I can share with the few of you who will read this that behind every AP photo, behind every YouTube clip, there are real people who live life for the same reasons you do: to do good, to live in community, to be in the presence of something bigger than themselves, and to make a living doing what they love.

I write this because I hope that when the headline reads, “USA No Longer Has Iraqi Presence” that you think of bumper cars.

So two things before I begin:

1) I have been reading Les Misérables.

2) I flew into New York City on Monday.

On one of my (several – thanks Irene!) flights to get here I read the above quote. I don’t know if I’ve ever been hit quite so hard by a piece of writing that isn’t scripture.

Of course, it’s obvious that Hugo has read a fair amount of scripture, so that probably was what empowered the blow I received. In fact, at this point in the story, I’m almost willing to call it a journal in narrative form over Hugo’s understanding of the Gospel.

All this to say, my year has been a forrest.
Iraq. Turkey. New Orleans. Oklahoma. Texas. New York City.
Never in my life have I done this much traveling.

I am doing my best to fully appreciate my circumstances, but I feel as if my appreciation pales in comparison to the truth of God’s graciousness in my circumstances. (Yeah, I know – this bit sounds like a previous post)

Now, from here I could walk you through a lot to get to a point, or I can just get to the point – so I will.

If I’ve learned anything about traveling from this last year it’s this: Love where you’re at, love the people and culture you’re a part of, and evidences of the Gospel will become alive in your life and the lives of the people around you. Even when you are not traveling, in fact especially when you are not traveling, as those are the people in whom you have most fully invested yourself for life.

But as for me now? I’m…

Loving New York City because this is where I am,

Ted

All my past posts will obviously remain, but I’m not going to take the time to reformat them. So if you read any and wonder why pictures and/or videos are halfway missing then you’ll know why.

I’ve got a variety of post types planned. From my videos, to other people’s creations.. I just want to talk about things I think are awesome. I walked into one of my favorite places today, the iThemes offices, and was greeted by a new addition to the entry room: A sign which read, “Make People’s Lives Awesome.” I hope this contributes.

I also am excited to see this change over time. I know that from my past blogging experience, the way the content evolves over time is just fun to watch unfold.

So, welcome to my blank slate. I hope you enjoy it as much as I will.

To get you started, I’ll end with this clip – the inspiration for the game everyone now loves to play when I’m around.

- Ted

Yesterday, a few of us decided to undertake a hike. We knew of a trail that was on the other side of the mountain across from our house and so we hopped in the car to make the scenic trek up the mountain to then drop into the valley below and then start our hike up a beaten path. Naturally, I took my camera and when we got near the top I decided to pull into the built-in scenic lookout to get a few pictures of everyone plus the beautiful New Mexico landscape.

After a couple of minutes of photo snapping, we turned around to find what might best be described as a very steep hill that capped the mountain. Our original hiking plan was quickly fading and a new idea was presenting itself: If the Mountains and hills of New Mexico looked great from here, what does it look like from up there?

I slung the camera bag over my shoulder and began the ascent with my friends. We stopped halfway between the bottom and the first line of trees to catch our breath because not only was it steep, but as residents of flat states (Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas were represented on this hike) the thin Mountain air was not being kind to our lungs.  I looked back out over where we had already climbed and it was already a much more magnificent view than the one from below.

We pushed onward and got to the first line of trees. I told my friend Matt that I wanted to go all the way to the top.

“It’s a lot farther up than it looks, you know that right?”

“Yeah, I know. But if I’m this far…”

I really wasn’t very far at all in relation to the top of the mountain, I truly thought I was a lot closer than I really was and ignored Matt’s advice guised as a question. I continued up the mountain on my own, as the rest of the group looked out over New Mexico from that tree line.

My journey to the top continued similarly to how it began. I would hike a little higher. Stop. Turn around. Be in awe of the view. Question going further. Finally turn back around.

“I bet it looks even cooler from that spot.”

And onward I’d climb, with each stop possessing it’s own unique viewpoint that would ultimately pale in comparison to the next.

Finally, I had one more hike to reach the top. I tucked the camera back into the bag and trudged up, excited to see what the new and final vantage point had to offer.

I reached the top and the first thing I noticed and took me by surprise was the lack of wind, and the peaceful silence at the top of the Mountain. I then turned around to see the full picture of what I had been getting pieces of along the way.

I was surrounded by an overwhelming silence broken only by the loudness of creation.

This is a Panoramic shot of what I saw and it doesn't even fully capture the moment.

Life seems to me much like my trip up the mountain, we reach different vantage points, face the landscape of life and exclaim “surely this is it!” Then God turns us back around, directs us higher up the mountain and says, “Just wait.”

It isn’t a material thing God has in store for us at each junction either, but rather a better understanding of His grace – something that truly grows in beauty alongside growing understanding. One day when we, fully sanctified, stand before God, the peace of His grace and mercy will only be broken by the loudness of His holiness. For it is not our climbing, nor is it our toiling for good works that brings us to the top. It is God’s grace, extended through His Son, that pulls us up the Mountain.

When I came to school at Baylor it was a major change in my life. I left Piedmont, Oklahoma with the same idea I had on my trip to the top, “I bet it (life) looks even cooler from that spot.” This is not to say that I didn’t have my reservations. Life looked good from that vantage point, “what is the use of gaining a different perspective?”

God prodded me, forced me to move forward. It wasn’t always grand, adjusting to life away from everything you have ever known doesn’t come without a few bruises. However, the view from here was worth it and I have gained a broader perspective of God’s will and grace because of the journey.

Now my time at Baylor is quickly fading and God is once again pulling me to a new vantage point. Iraq this summer, New York City in the fall, graduation in December, and more life (God willing) after that. I am sad to leave my current understanding, because “what is the use of gaining a different perspective?” Especially when I’m so comfortable with the relationships I have formed here. But I’ve been through that drill before and am trusting that God has it brilliantly planned. For better or for worse, I slave for Christ knowing that I need not work another day because He has already done the work. He has already made a place for me at the next stop, and beyond that, at the top.

I’m at a point in my life where I’m moving another step higher on the Mountain and I’m not anywhere close to the top yet.

“But if I’m this far…”

Ephesians 3:14-21 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

- Ted

Skip to the third paragraph if typography bores you

Now for the life-type connection

Ted

Besides doing lots of work for iThemes this summer (Yeah, every word to this point is a link to something I’ve made, so pick a word and check it out), I’ve been gorging on movies and music. Also, I’ve found some time to do some reading and audiobook listening which is always a bonus.

To help break it down more for you and to make sure you’re spared the boring details here’s a simple list of things that apply to my life currently based off some inspiration from a blog post by my friend, Nathan Reynolds.

Movie Posters
Passion Pit
Titus
New MacBook Pro : )
Dwelling
Commutes
Future
Positively Overwhelmed
Compassion
When does football season get here?
Friendship
EmperorZurg.com

___

If you want more detail you’ll have to ask below, otherwise – why give you information you don’t want/need?

Last thing – I was messing with GarageBand and my brother’s musical ability, and have put together a pretty catchy 45 second audio clip you can download/listen to here.

See ya this week!

- Ted

I’m working for iThemes.com – doing video, motion graphics and whatever else Cory Miller decides I need to work on.

When I’m not working, I’m going to be working with my brother, Caleb Harrison doing an Internet video series through Pearodies.com and YouTube. I promise you, we will bring you nothing short of ridiculous so be sure to check that out and follow Pearodies on Twitter for more details on that soon. (one will star my good friend, Jonathan Kennedy and you should just go ahead and get excited for that)

Then, when I’m not doing the other two aforementioned things, I’ll be writing a book. Will anyone ever read it other than me? Probably not – but I have an idea in mind and I already have the outline as well as the first two pages or so written which is much farther than I would have ever expected to get.

So when I’m not creating, which is what all three of the above are, I will be spending some time in Scripture, reading various literature, and training to run a half marathon by the end of the summer while finding some time to hang with friends.

If it sounds like a lot it’s because it is. Do I expect everything to go as I have it laid out in my head? Two years ago I would have said yes – today I already know that life happens and I’m going to be okay at the end of the summer.

Thanks for reading, and if you would, answer the question, “What are you doing this summer?” in the comments. I’m interested, promise!

- Ted

The more I find myself browsing through the increasingly infinite web, the less I feel I can come up with something unique.

Or, I should say I thought this.

I was wrong. This beautifully done video turned that idea on it’s head and then some. Is the video entirely original? No. Is the animation the best there is? No. The world has already been created (everything from ideas and thoughts to trees and oceans) so creativity is rarely (if ever) in developing an entirely new concept, but rather in finding a way to contrive something new out of the old. Those who can make what already exists relevant are the people who are going to find success. The one who spends his/her time trying to be outside of the self will only find frustration and disappointment.

This whole post may not be a new concept, or something you have never heard, but you have never seen it presented this exact way. You have never been presented with this combination of video, words, and minimalistic blog design that I hope is an invitation to go create something. Seriously, go do it.

Don’t get stuck 91 centimeters away from creating something.

Honestly, this semester of college was probably the most difficult semester of school I have ever had. Oddly enough, it was not because the courses were difficult, or that the workload was astronomical, it was just simply hard to stay motivated.

Hard to stay motivated because I’m ready to begin doing what I’m going to do with my life.

Now, that may be a bit ridiculous considering I honestly have no idea what I’m going to do with my life, but I can almost guarantee you that my career will not involve things like Geology. Anyway, I’m hoping to process all of what happened this past semester (including the transition from one website to five) while also doing a lot of self-teaching and experimentation with web code/design and video over this Christmas break. I just purchased a Sony HVR A1U that should arrive soon and I’m currently writing a 3-5 minute short mockumentary to produce before my break is over – you will probably see more about that than you can handle over the next couple of weeks. Also, I am going to be doing some speaking and promoting of Heavyladen.org (you should definitely click and check it out) while also working on the site itself over this break.

Now that I look at that, I wonder when I’ll do my reflecting.

“Have mercy on me oh God – according to Your unfailing love – according to Your great compassion – blot out my transgression”

Asking that daily ^^

Ted