š» Lil Treasures #68: Smell-Based Memories and Mini Mix Tapes
Plus Baby Cy going through his tortilla phase, faith de/reconstruction, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Zac Efron swimming with dolphins...
The joy of my LIFE was seeing all the fun introductions in the comments last week. Thank you for stepping up and saying āhelloā ā and if you didnāt comment last week but the SPIRIT IS LEADING YOU, then by all means, the comments are open forever and ever.
LIL SWIPES Q+As
Q: What is your most cherished smell-based memory? - @mharris2016
A: Once when Cy was really little (with his long hair!š), Ben got him out of the bath and was sort of playing at styling it with a sample of hair clay. Later when I was putting him down for the night, I caught a whiff of the hair clay and nearly dropped him. A combination of tobacco and some other manly scent from the 70s stopped me dead in my tracks and I was immediately transported to the recliner where my Papa Bill sat in Odessa, Texas. It was the most visceral experience Iāve ever had with scent. One of my great sadnesses surrounding Cy joining our family was that my grandfathers (Papa Bill and Papa) never got to experience him. It felt to me like a little wink. I also kept the bottle of the (VERY FANCY) Bath and Body Works perfume (Moonlit Path, if you must know) that I was wearing when I had my first kiss. I have no idea why I kept it originally other than Iām just a sentimental freak and always have been, but now I canāt bear to throw it away. It is mainly just alcohol now. Pictures of long-haired Baby Cy (going through his tortilla phase), and me and my little brother with Papa Bill on a camping trip for reference. š
Q: How do I figure out my favorite Bible translation? - @catelbaum
A: Something that was very helpful to me was learning the backstory on how these translations were created. I actually have a whole episode on this in the Bible Binge Patreon, but itās fascinating to study the whys and hows that create environments for new translations. Something thatās also important to me is diversity on the editorial board, so doing some Googling and looking those up is also extremely illuminating.
Q: A hint on the new project youāre working on? - @haleyrichards_
A: See the answer to the last question in this section.
Q: What would be your five-song picks for Brene Brownās mini mixtape? - yāall I lost the box for this question and I canāt find who asked it. Iām so sorry.
A: Passing White Daisy by Rocky Votolato, Whatās Left to Lose by The Format, I Have Made Mistakes by The Oh Hellos, I Wanna Get Better by Bleachers, and Sweet Lorriane by Patty Griffin. Iām sorry these are generally depressing songs. Now I wanna know everyoneās mini mixtape! Tell me in the comments!
Q: Help me navigate family relationships now that my political leanings have changed. - anonymous
A: The best advice I can give you is to go read I Think Youāre Wrong (but Iām Listening) by Friends of the Newsletter Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland (AKA Pantsuit Politics) AND Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk by Eugene Cho AND start giving them as gifts to those with whom you disagree.
Q: Is faith deconstruction favored or forsaken? - @kelly.work
A: Something Iām really passionate about is not only deconstruction (note: I know this phrase is ātrendyā right now, but deconstruction is a completely normal and really very important part of your faith), but reconstruction (I know not everyone will reconstruct after deconstruction, and thereās no judgement from me on that: itās just my experience). After you tear everything down to the studs, how do you build it back up again? But for Christians, may I gently point out that our own faith essentially comes from deconstructing and reconstructing Judaism? And that there were little pockets of deconstruction until 1054, when the massive deconstruction of the Church took place as The Great Schism, separating Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy? And then again with the Reformation 500-ish years later? And that Protestant denominations are the detritus of deconstructing and reconstructing? It is so favored and such a crucial part of living a life of faith of any kind. I donāt think de/reconstructing means you land in a certain camp (meaning: progressive or conservative or moderate in your theology): itās just always okay to ask questions and take in new information and interpretations. You will do this for your whole life (I hope), and sometimes you will come from a question back to the same answer youāve always held, or something completely new, or you will look at the question and have to learn to live with not having an answer. I am convinced 4000% that this is what it means to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. The Message version of Philippians 2:12 says for us to be āenergetic in our life of faith, reverent and sensitive before God.ā This is your faith. It belongs to you. You have a responsibility to ask questions and consider options and give it the weight it deserves. It is scary, because it often accompanies deep doubt or painful behavior, but I want you to know that stepping outside of the bounds of what you thought you knew is not stepping outside of where God lives.
š Thank you to everyone for the questions! Now, some treasures, lil and big!
š Iām heading to the mountains with my family for Spring Break BECAUSE BABY GIRL IS TIRED. Weāre going to a place Iāve never been to before, and I knew I would need some expert guidance. Good news, my darling Courtney Clark Cleveland at All the Best Days is creating custom travel itineraries based on budget, kid ages, delights of the soul, and our goals for the trip. GUYS itās like she came into my brain and understood exactly what I was hoping for. If youāre not following Courtney for her travel tips, what are you even doing with your life? And then next time you want to get away but need some help, she is 100% your girl.
š¬ If you havenāt seen this video of Zac Efron swimming with dolphins, please make that happen ASAP. Was I worried for his life? Yes I was. Did this keep me from watching it a ridiculous amount of times? No, it did not.
šĀ Iāve been perplexed at some of the backlash (specifically here in the U.S.) against Meghan Markle for being honest about how she was mistreated and the faults within the British monarchy. Dana Schwartz at Bustle wrote an article that gives a good explanation at how one could arrive to this kind of conclusion.
š When I tell you I screamedā¦
š Some Links from the Week
Olive and June code (from @smccook14)
Good Childrenās Bible (from @shelleysmithdeal)
Favorite Sneakers (from @theheathergirl)
š„ I have delicious Tweets, served up hot just for you.
Alright friends. We did it. We made it to another Friday. We are doing this thing! Love you all. Mean it much. Happy weekend!
Gentle reminder that some links here are affiliate links and when you purchase using them, you support The Swipe Up at no extra cost to you. It makes Ben Moon really happy when you do this, so thank you.
It's Tuesday now - we've almost made it to Friday ;). I am working out of town this week and thought I'd make it to the beach. Oh the bridges are still out from the last hurricane that blew through. Guess I'll stick to watching my porn...pimple popping at Vietnam spas! (It's a sickness, really. Anyone else??)
My treasures this week in part have been being vaccinated and spending part of my birthday celebrating Mr. Rogers' birthday https://thankyoumisterrogers.com/.