love[ers] in japan.

I recently was forwarded an email from my new friend, Joel. (We’ve met once and hung out, so in my world, that means friends.) He is on a short-term mission trip to Okinawa, and shared some of the things he and his team are doing, and I was really touched by one activity in particular.

“…Instead of a political or business agenda, the signs have encouraging phrases or words on them such as "You are beautiful" "We love you" "You are amazing."  In Hawaii, we usually just stand at corners and wave/shaka/smile/shout at people.  This time, we did all this but we MARCHED!  So if you can imagine over 50 people with signs walking around downtown Naha waving/shouting/smiling/blessing people that pass by whether, they are just walking, hanging out, or in their cars…”

This then led me to another thought I had just read about in my friend Natalie’s blog:

Loved people love people.

Isn’t that the truth? One of the most over-arching themes of the gospel, boiled down into one single point? 

Think about all the things love is: patient, kind, humble, not jealous, believing, hoping, sustaining.

We can not do things with out love. By the same token, if we have received the most epic love of all, we are able to love in the most epic of ways. The world would never be the same if everyone moved and lived and breathed to this realization.

What a gift. 

(take that, los angeles).

Endless Summer (Breakfast): In Search of the Croissant Parfait

I didn’t know that parfait meant 'perfect' in French until my friend said it the other night. Who knew that when you said, “I’d like a fruit and yogurt parfait” at Starbucks, that you were really saying, “I’d like a fruit and yogurt perfection, please”?

Foreign languages are sweet. Finding the perfect croissant, event sweeter.

Honestly, there is nothing quite like a coffee and croissant on a weekday morning. It is the perfect marriage of business and pleasure – business meaning I am dressed in my work clothes, pleasure meaning I am eating.

I don’t know why I like croissants that much. But they do hold a special place in my heart, somewhere in between my grandpa, the beach, and old home videos.

I digress.

Amandine Patisserie. The first time I had see this greenery covered bakery, I quickly entered into my Blackberry notes and promised myself that one morning, I would go.

A turquoise door welcomes you into a space luminated by the morning Santa Monica sun.

The place is cheerful, and mounds of pastries greet the senses as you step into a place that feels all too much like Europe.

A chalkboard appears lively with all that is written on it – things like Tarte Citron, Omelette Lorriane, Fresh Vegetable Pain de Mie, and of course, their freshly baked breads and pastries.

The first time I bit into their butter croissant, my eyes lit up, and a smile swept upon my face. It’s that good. Each bite seems to be autographed with care and artful consideration of the consummate pastry experience. Flaky and smooth on the outside, the inside is carefully woven in butter and air to create something that is truly spectacular.

I love Amandine’s concept:
“Our concept is to bring freshly unique, quality food to your everyday life.

We like to think of it as being that special part of your day, where you can break away from

the hustle and bustle of life

to find a moment of leisure and a savory indulgence that

satisfies your craving.”

Maybe that’s why I love this place so much. Maybe why I love bakeries in the morning. It allows me to take some time to myself or with a friend to fill my heart with things other than the day ahead. Maybe cause for the 30 minutes that I could be sitting in traffic, I choose to enjoy a slow start.

Before the business of the day sets in, I find quiet times to be as valuable as a quarter in the seat when you need money for parking. They’re good for the soul – to be still and soak in the day that is to come.

Couple it with a croissant and a cappuccino with extra foam, and there is no reason a day should ever be bad.

i-love-my-life kind of moments.

We’ve all had them. That powerful surge of the realization that yes, you’re life at that moment, is awesome.

They’re just really special, mind-blowing moments, only ones that your heart can fathom.

Nothing is better than a soul satisfied.

I was reminded the other day that there is a significant difference between joy and happiness. I think happiness can be crafted by circumstance. True joy rests in the fact that we just simply can’t make this moment up. It’s too good, too precious.

I think we’ll find that the i-love-my-life kind of moments do not come from purchasing anything, or maybe relate to anything material for that matter.

They’re the times where you have company over for dinner and realize that you love every single person in the room.

The times where you decide to curl up and read a book because you want to.

Most recently spotted i-love-my-life-moments include, but are not limited to: mornings that consist of breakfasting, farmers’ marketing, and beaching; really well done sunsets; realizing that the people in your life are incredible; running in i-can't-help-but-be-outside weather.

Raw and uncrafted, rare and treasured, the beauty of these moments is a sheer matter of gratitude and appreciation.

Found anywhere, by anyone, in anything.

[insert your own moment here]