Lots of Homework

so last night I told myself, well and Rachel and Joe :), I need to be doing my homework. I even had it out. Well I did a little but not enough.

Today was full of homework. It was a beautiful day. It is starting to take on the fall weather. It has that chill in the wind. It was refreshing though. Went to class. Came home and did a little exercising and have been studying (with a few interruptions, thanks Megs :) )since 1:30 ish. I have a paper for tonight. Group project for tomorrow morning, and a Midterm tomorrow night.

I did get a call about Thursday and that is a go. I will be babysitting and I get to take the cab to their house (that will be a new transportational experience). Also I got a call about doing some after school tutoring and I will start doing that in a few weeks on Tuesday and Thursdays from 2:30-4:30 in Albany Park. Albany Park is a very diverse neighborhood and I am looking forward to the experience. Also got a call about an ongoing babysitting job every Wednesday at the least. I am meeting with the family Saturday. Life will start to get a little busier. Maybe :)

Rachel is out getting groceries. liz drove her out so we can get them at a better price. I can't wait for some good food, although I enjoyed my shells and cheese for supper tonight. Thanks Rachel and Liz.

ok. well back to midterm studying and I need to proof read my paper one more time.

Awful Day in Chicago.

very rainy and windy. Bad for the umbrella (if I remember it).

Yesterday was a wonderful wedding. Andy and Tori Schick. I got to sit with my old room mate Liz in the morning. (and afternoon in our "party of 6" David Wuth. Livy Wuth, Mark Roth, Liz, Marcy, and I). Reception was simple and elegant. Mark and Laura took me back up to the Metra Station. Always good to catch up with them.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: well first I thought I would take the buses back... welp they don't run on Sunday nights. Next I went back and the tracks were all switched for the brown line so the first el I watched go by on the wrong set of tracks. oops. but it was ok. at least the weather was nice.

Got back and Rachel had some people over (Justin and Joe)and that was fun.

Today... nothing really worth blogging about. I went to an orientation for "Youth Outreach Services" I am going to start tutoring I think within the month. And a lady e-mailed me about babysitting Thursday (<-- don't know if that will work because I don't have a car) but... yeah. now more homework. Gearing up for mid-terms soon.

Weekend

I'm tired. So why am I blogging instead of going to bed... I have no idea.

Thursday night was wonderful. I enjoyed going to a friend of Rachel's, Liz's, house. It was for the Office premier.When I left I didn't remember the directions Rachel told me 2 minutes before I left. I walked about 15 minutes the wrong way and then got on the el heading the wrong direction but the doors opened one last time before it started to go so I slipped off and went on the other side. When I got to the other side there was a woman there who had left her phone at a friend's house so I was able to let her borrow my phone. I love it when God's timing is so evident.

I got back into the city and met up with Marcy (about 9:15 p.m.) she let me drive around the city and show her a few different areas. Then parked on the street over night.

Marcy quote of the weekend: 7-11 without gas is like a Starbucks without coffee.

Friday. Breakfast.

GOD STORY: So Marcy had told me the night before that she wanted to grab her money from the car but I told her we could just get it in the morning, well in the morning I just took care of moving her car and I left her money in the car cause I didn't want her to have to pay for anything (the gas is a hefty price alone). Anyway. We found a cute little diner right down the road for breakfast. We had just got our meal when a gentleman came up and told us he had paid for our meals. He proceeded to give God the glory and remark on God's faithfulness in bringing us through times that are not always easy and listening to the spirit's voice. It was so special. God always out gives us but sometimes he is more obvious than others. Thanks Pablo.

After brunch Marcy and I walked to the beach and roller bladed up Lake Michigan's shore line. It was a beautiful day. Then we headed home around 1:00. I got to drive out of the city. Traffic was not bad (can't image a few hours later though). Got home and Landon and I (well really Landon and dad but... ) hosted a Bible study at our house.

Bible study was about Samson. A good point brought up is the fact that he had his eyes poked out. His life was driven by his eyes and satisfying them.

Today I got to go visit some people I haven't seen for a while. (some people were not home so I just got to talk to them on the phone). Grandma and Grandpa Jim. Grandma Dorothy. Alma Wackerle. Jane and Jerry Schumacher. Roy and Norma Hangartner. Ted Schick. and Charlene Schumacher.

this afternoon I helped make mint for my mom's wedding in 2 weeks with my Grandma Marti, and aunt Tina. Tonight a bunch of us girls from Roanoke got together and enjoyed a pizza party and a fun evening at Heather Leman's. Now it is time for bed.

Wedding in Morton, Altadena, and Washington (I will be in Morton). I wonder if there will be an engagements tomorrow?

Good night.

Museum of Science and Industry

2 posts in 2 days. Craziness. I know. Maybe I can keep it shorter.

Today the weather was beautiful. We turned on the air, probably around 80. Started my day in Social Work class. nothing special that I remember. Next um...

I got to go to the Museum of Science and Industry today. It is free the month of September so. I went. When I got there they let me know they were going to have a fire drive. It wasn't until about 3:00 so I walked around for about an hour. I really enjoyed it. There are some fun exhibits, although the farming one has a little too much green for my liking.

Some of my favorite exhibits included: the little doll house, the forward in the future (there are some crazy things people are trying to do out there). The circus eye spy area (but life size I spy), the U-505 submarine was incredible, and on my way out I had to enjoy an interactive shadow screen. If you stand 2 feet away from this screen it has bubbles that my shadow can bounce. I don't understand but it was so fun!!!

Tonight's class was good. We talked a lot about politics (It is American Polotics 101). Freddy Mac and Fanny Mae. It was really interesting. A lot about the economy. I don't know what I think about all of it. Also talked about Mc Cain not wanting to keep the debate on Friday but wanting to go instead to Washington D.C. and help with economy issues?! Anyone know much about this stuff?

Also tomorrow morning my teacher is going to be speaking about Same-sex marriages verses unions. It will be an interesting class. This is in my Philosophy of law class. And to top it all off my teacher wrote the 20 page text on the subject. He feels it is not appropriate that America does not honor same-sex relations equal to marriages.

I have been able to talk to a few friends and got some encouragement about it and I still am not sure exactly what will happen tomorrow.

I am very excited to have Marcy coming tomorrow night!!! She is sticking around until Friday and then she is bringing me home and I have a Bible study at my house and Sunday looking forward to Andy and Tori's wedding.

so much for being a little shorter.

I am blogging from MY computer.

My cousins Traci and David gave me one of their laptops. Thank you guys so much. I love it! Such a blessing.

Well I have class in about an hour but I thought I would take a break and bring you all up to speed :). Sunday was a beautiful wedding. check out Heidi Knapp's blog for pictures. (it is one of my connected blogs on the side). I got to carry a tray of coffee cups (glass mind you) while Elise Pfaffman poured them for me. Good arm exercising.

Sunday afternoon I got to go see my "Grandma" Doris, she is technically by blood not related BUT in heart and otherwise her and my "Grandps" Jim are a wonderful set of Grandparents.

GOD STORY. PRAYER TESTIMONY: About 5 weeks ago today she had a stroke, or something. Grandpa took her straight to the hospital. She was unresponsive for at least 8 days. They were draining blood from her brain the whole time. When I went to Chicago she they had just put the trachea in. At that point she started to get better but slowly no one knew if she would wake up and if she did what kind of damage her brain had endured. Well she came home Saturday after many long weeks in the hospital!!!! I went over to see her and she was walking and knew me and remembered that I had stayed at Boyd and Lois's and asked how that was. It is truly a miracle!

Sunday night I got to go to a Young Group family picnic at Wayne and Julie Leman's (and Heather, Travis, and Ryan's) :). It was so good to see all my friends. I love my home!

Sunday night I went back with David and Traci to Valpo and got into the city and went home and .... it really was good to back.

Last night was so much fun. I GOT TO VACUUM our apt. It had not been vacuumed since we moved in because we were waiting for it to get shampooed and we didn't have a vacuum. I had to borrow one from our great neighbor Joe! Although, I almost got done and it stopped working. I thought I had broke it, which would have been really bad because it was actually Joe's room mate's , not good. But about 30 minutes later it turned on. Last night some friends of Rachel's (now my friends too. I think) came over.

Today was another beautiful day. I got to spend the afternoon with Lois and a lady named Peggy. She is physically handicap but has a wonderful sense of humor and good spirits. We got to watch her and her husband's wedding which was 3 years ago (they are probably about 65 now). It was so precious to see them. It reminded me of the way God uses people in so many different ways.

I CAN DRIVE STICK

so this evening on the way home my brother taught me how to drive stick shift. This is a really big deal. It went well. I really enjoyed it. I could use a little more practice. I only killed it when I was coming into the driveway (my friend Amy E. did the same thing except for it was parking for the Leo sale. lol.). Anyway.

Thursday my mom and her Fiance, Cris, came up to Chicago for a design show thing. They got into the city around 3:00. Earlier I was not feeling very good. My teeth were throbbing. very strange. and I just felt really wiped, so for a while I just went to the park and took a nap and a good book, Waking the Dead. I also got to talk to some good friends. Suzy K and Amy K (they are sister's in law)!!! I miss them. then went back to Central IL with mom and Cris

With mom and Cris we went to the Lake Shore and walked. I can't wait to take my roller blades out to the lake sometime. It was perfect weather Thursday! Thursday night I got to spend the night with my cousin Christi at my Grandma Marti's house.

Friday: I had called Polly to get together sometime while I was home, she mentioned that she was going to a concert Friday night (Art Music Justice with Derek Webb, Sandra Macracken-Webb, Charlie Peacock, Brandon Heath, and Sara Groves). I was praying about what to do and was really torn...

GOD STORY: So I still don't have any source of income. I told myself that I would enjoy extra luxuries i.e. going to concerts, eating out by myself, museums... when I get a job. I wanted to think about going to the Art Music Justice concert with Polly and company... but I didn't want to spend God's money on that. I prayed God would show me what to do and when I got home Friday morning He did. I had an e-mail that I had been accepted to take notes for pay in one of my classes! God is so faithful. TRUST HIM.

Friday I also was able to enjoy tearing out some lava rocks in our landscaping at home with my dad while my brother was running a skidster (Yeah, my family is cool).

Last night's concert was good. And of course the 2 1/2 road trip was memorable. :) always fun. I spent the night at "the crossings" (Polly's apt).

This morning my lovely friend Nat came over to go walking BUT I forgot to put my phone on ring so I didn't hear it and I didn't hear the door bell (nor did anyone else in the house) but my persistent friend found a way to get in and wake me up and we enjoyed a much needed walk.

10:30 my cousin David W. picked me up and we were off to my Grandma Marti's house for lunch with my family (about 10 of us). We get to her house and there is no one there. A few food items but no food. I knew something was not right so I called her on her cell phone. Grandma picked up and told me she was on her way home from the hospital. SCARY! She had been cutting up watermelon earlier and sliced her finger to the bone, even chipped it, so they stitched her up at the hospital but they aren't sure if it will heal or not, Please PRAY for her swift healing. We still had lunch and stuff though and she was doing pretty good when I left.

Today brought a wonderful supper with my family, I made some bread, Landon worked on some beef dear jerky, Claire got home from a volleyball tournament, we watched the clubs vs. cards game and looked for Caleb and David in the stands but didn't see them :( and that was definitely not in order of the events. lol. oh well.

went to a singing and now I am home with a scrapbook page I need to finish, well start too (it is for the wedding tomorrow, in Washington, IL Katelyn Fehr and Mark Stoller), and finish their wedding card, and GET SOME SLEEP. THE END.

Coming back from a wonderful weekend~

Today...

well first I need to catch you up to today.

Sunday. Seth and Ang's wedding. It was so encouraging. Talked a lot about God's faithfulness and trusting Him. For me personally, it was just what I needed. I haven't had a hard time trusting that God wants me here in Chicago, but I know Satan will come and it is good to have some verses from Psalm 37 ready to defeat him.

GOD STORY: I wanted to be at supper with my family around 6:00 on Sunday, but I was signed up to work 2nd shift at the reception and I thought that might be cutting it close. So I went to church and didn't find anyone (Megan said she would though, if I couldn't find anyone to switch), went to the reception and needed to find Livvy to switch with. I hadn't seen her all day so I just went out to see if I could find her in the line, nope. About 15 minutes later I went back to the kitchen and Jackie (Livvy's mom) asked me if I knew of anyone who wanted to switch to 2nd shift because Livvy was on her way here from Cissna but was going to be late.

[well I still didn't leave til 4:30 (I could have worked 2nd shift.)]. We had a wonderful birthday (it was for Landon's birthday) supper.

Monday Erica S. brought me back to Chicago and I was able to spend the morning with my Grandma and mom. Monday night Rachel made supper and we spent the evening playing card games (I taught her to play Kings-in-the-corner, speed, super speed -Traci, and rummy (refreshed)).

Tuesday... enjoyed sweeping the floor and listening to Sarah Palin's acceptance speech finally. Then my aunt Donita came up to visit me. She picked me up and we went for sushi, visited the Lincoln Park Zoo, and ate at Ed Debevic's. Then some "friends" (<-- they are actually Rachel's but now they are mine :) ) came over. Joe (our neighbor), Mariam, Weston, and Chelsea. We pretty much just talked and laughed for about an hour. That is what I love to do, so it was a great ending to a BEAUTIFUL day.

Today... nothing much. except I got my library card. WAHOO!!! I haven't had one for a really long time, now I can "borrow" free museum passes (I think limit is 2 per card).

I am now "listening" to Mc Cain's acceptance speech and (ok I am boring) making super tonight. Spaghetti, salad, lime jello, and bread. Come on over 5:15! All are welcome

My Weekend +

oh my. so much to catch up on. I will try to make it brief. First cause I have homework and 2nd cause I am sure you guys can only handle so much of my life :).

Friday was good. Finished a lot of homework in the morning. It was a gloomy day but to terribly rainy yet. to save 90 cents I road the bus and el out to where the science and industry museum is to catch the South shore Line to Dune Park where Traci picked me up. (I found out at the station before I got on that the museum is free the month of September during the week, so I am sure you will be reading about that adventure sometime.) Then headed to Purdue with Traci and David. So good to be with them. It was good to be in Purdue again. I enjoyed singing and worshipping together. It really is an encouragement and gives me a renewed sense of energy. On the way, I felt it was going in vain, that there were so many other things I could having been doing that had more physical helpfulness, but I realized I needed the encouragement after the weekend. We had the 2nd singing on the parking garage. Went out to IHOP with a small group. It was so good to see so many friends.

Friday I was hoping to go to bed in good time but didn't happen, a little hanging in the hallways had to be done and then I did get a good 4 1/2 hours of sleep. Saturday morning the guys made a wonderful breakfast full of fruit, biscuits and gravy, and ... it was so good. Bible study was challenging. The part that really stuck with me was talking about the woman at the well. She was so excited that Jesus "told her all her sins". It gave me a renewed encouragement to connect with people. It is a glory to God when we invest in other people's lives. Also talked about feeding of the 5,000. The disciples just wanted their needs met but Jesus met all the people's needs and had leftovers for the disciples. So many good points.

Played volleyball in the co-rec center after Bible study for about 3 hours, Hannah Feller let me borrow her shoes otherwise my feet would have not made it. It was a lot of fun and such good exercise. Then headed home with a wonderful car load of girls Leah Gerber, Megan and Emily Kieser. Leah and I talked the whole way home and Megan and Emily took a nap. Then went to my mom's for supper and headed to Megan's from there. Almost had a little accident due to flooding and hydroplaning, but it was OK. All is well that ends well. I was extremely slap happy.

I'm sorry this is too long to keep going. I will fill you in on the wedding and yesterday later. Also looking ahead my aunt Donita is going to join me today. I don't really know what we will be doing, but it will be fun to have company. the end for now.

Faithfully Amazing.

Another beautiful day in the wonderful windy city, Chi-town. Thanks to all those who are leaving comments. I appreciate them. I miss you all and wish I could just see you in person. So keep the comments coming.

Today was another day of Philosophy. A lot of different court cases and focusing on the job of the courts. It was good. I am always so amazed at the Professor's timing. He is faithfully there right on the dot and finishes his lectures exactly at 11:15, and always ends it so tactfully.

The afternoon was full of some homework in the park. I went to a park a few blocks from here. It is beautiful and peaceful with a big fountain and beautiful flowers. I read my social welfare text and answered some questions. The book kinda dampened the park setting but it was good :).

Now the fun part. I got back to my apt. and I had an e-mail from the contact person for my certification results from a sign language test I had taken in May. I have been waiting for a long time for the results. He told me that he tried to send them, but they got returned. I e-mailed him back and asked if I could just pick them up ASAP. So I got to pick them up today at the CAIRS' (Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Service) office. While I was there I talked to the referral agency lady about putting my name on the interpreter list. She said to do it as soon as possible because they are in need of interpreters!!!! So this weekend I will be working on finding my resume' and printing up some business cards and other professional things. I am excited but WAY out of practice and my scoring was not the greatest on the ISAS (the professional test), but it is ok. I can still work. Always room for improvement and I can always take the test again.

Also in one of my classes they mentioned there was an opportunity to get paid for "note taking' and tonight I went to Moody's Thursday Night Praise and Erica picked up an e-mail for babysitting 1 day a week. Isn't God amazing. SO FAITHFUL.

Tonight Erica Sauder came into the city to see me. I really appreciated it. She is such a blast to be with. We went with Joe (my "Moody" neighbor) to get slurpees (and I definitely spilled a box full of baseball-like cards on the floor. then Erica spilled a bunch of lids on the floor) oops. And then went to Thursday night worship and finished off the night just chilling and talking and of course a little politics.

Looking ahead: tomorrow I get to go out on the Train to be picked up and transported to Purdue with my lovely cousins Traci and David. Then head with my precious friend Megan to Illinois to go to my Christ focused friends's wedding Seth and Ang. Then spend some quality time with my unmatchable family and head off on the train Monday morning.

Question of the night: If God was a color, what, in your mind, would it be and why?

my day...

I feel like when I blog my day sounds so much more exciting! So hear we go...

well I got up. went to Social Work class. I don't remember a lot from it. Just that the lady gave us some homework :P (don't worry mom and dad your money is going toward a wonderful education :) ). Then after class Loyola had a complimentary lunch for the students, teachers, and faculty. It was so good! I had a veggie berger, BBQ ribs, watermelon, corn/bean salad, and a diet dr. pepper. <-- blogs are weird, who talks about this kind of boring stuff... welp, you just read about it.

then I came back and worked on looking for a job. After about 2 hours and 5 phone calls, I got nothin'. well I did leave a message with the Chicago Public Schools about sub interpreting. so please pray that God's desires will be the focus of my desires as my funds deplete and I look for a job.

Then I read for my night class tonight (2 hours, and the teacher will never know, gotta love school). It was an interesting book actually. ok the title sounds awful. How Democratic is the American Constitution? It was critiquing the American Constitution. It had some valid points and I was able to understand it. (unlike my Philosophy classes material which I still need to read for tomorrow).

Went to class. Tonight is out at the North shore campus. I always enjoy the ride though. Gives me a chance to read. FYI: I have used the brown (to give blood), red (to go to school and Boyd and Lois's), and blue lines (to get out to Scott, Neal, and Troy's), buses, Metra (Mark and Laura's), and Amtrak (HOME!!!). Anyway class was interesting. I really am not a big fan of the teacher. Then the second half of the class we talked about the election and voting percentages. I am definitely in Chicago. I am surrounded by Palin bashing, and at this point I really don't know how to respond. I would love to hear some points from you. There were a few people in the class that had some supporting thoughts, but mainly not so much. (Same in my Social Work class, except they were ALL negative toward the Republicans).

Also in this American Politics class the teacher brought up the point that Illinois makes it difficult for citizens to vote. It was interesting to hear the different views. In the end, I concluded, It is just that we are lazy, irresponsible, and want to be hand fed everything. Anyway, I was a little heated when I left that class.

On the El/subway I read a little bit of my book, Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. I would highly recommend it. Actually, it is Cori's book. I don't even remember when she let me borrow it, I will get it back to you Cori. Anyway. He was talking about the point of asking yourself and your God "Who am I? What do you think of me? What is my real name?" God wants my honest, he already knows it anyway. It was good to be refocused to my reason for every breathe and that God's glory delights in shining through me when I let Him. So I guess I would just like to end on that note. I encourage you to shine God's glory and remember you are God's (if you have chosen Him) and so beautiful and desired by him.

A Tuesday in the Windy City.

Well today was a completely different day weather wise. It was a beautiful fall temperature. I enjoyed sporting a light jacket, well sweatshirt but the jacket sounded better. There was not a cloud insight. (Yesterday it rained ALL day).

I started out my morning with my Philosophy class. Today we studied the Riggs vs. Palmer. It is a case about a grandson who poisoned his Grandfather to gain his inheritance. It was a trial from 1880 in New York City. The judge ruled that the grandson was not able to claim his inheritance after such offenses. duh. But then, of course, it took about an hour to explain the philosophy behind it. Including the differences between policies, rules, and principles. ok well you are probably so bored by now...

After class I enjoyed the afternoon at the beach. It was perfect. I took my new beach bag, a blanket, and my Bible. God and I had a date. I do have to admit, I did take a nap on the beach. It was about a 20 minute walk. (I was suppose to be looking for a job, just like right now :) )

Then this evening. Rachel came home, got to meet her old room mate Ali, she is sweet, a potential new friend :). Rachel had some more great stories from her day. (she always has the best stories!) Then we headed off to a suburb (I think) for supper. We were invited by the Penley's for supper. They are a couple that Rachel met because the husband, Paul, is a professor at Moody. Christy, his wife, made an amazing supper and we spent the rest of the evening just chatting about everything. Paul, is hilarious and so is Christy and they have a little baby Soran, almost 13 months, beautiful blonde little boy! (Kyle H, I thought of Brodey). so precious.

First Blogging Experience.

So. I always said I would never have a blog and here I am starting one.

I am current a full time student at Loyola University in downtown Chicago. Crazy. I never imagined God would bring me here, but then there have been many experiences God has brought me to and through in my life.

School is going good. I have a lot of classes that are looking at politics and then a class about Philosophy of law. Very different studying compared to my Sign Language at ICC. So far, so good though.

Residency: you should all come up and see me and my great room mate when ever you can. My room mate is Rachel Monfette. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute this past spring and is now working there full time. She is such a blessing. I did not know her very well, (met her maybe twice) but we get along so well (at least for the 4 days we have lived together). I moved all my stuff in yesterday. My dad and all my wonderful siblings and all my stuff (which included our dining room table and 2 chairs) squeezed into a minivan. Claire got to sit in the middle of the captain seats. We tried to make her a comfy seat but apparently it didn't work. After we got everything unloaded we went out to eat. Scott and Neal came up to the city and helped me move in and went out to eat with us. Then Scott headed to New Jersey (hope he made his flight).

Location: Our apartment is very close to Moody on Superior and La Salle. This is also close to school for me. I mainly go to the downtown school which is a 7 minute walk, but do go to the North Shore campus 2 times a week which includes traveling on the red line for about 45 minutes. Our apartment is in a fun little 4 story building with a flower shop on the courner. It is pretty quiet around here except in the nights they are doing construction on the building next to us. It sounds like they are shattering pounds of glass into a dumpster. We don't really know what they are doing, but it is really loud.

Previously: I started out, my first week of school, living with Boyd and Lois Metzger, they are from Chicago church. I had the best time with them. Such an hospitable couple. Lois took me with her nephew, Darin to the Shed Aquarium one day and one day we went to the beach. Then on Thursday, Maggie came into town and we went to a few fun museums, Chicago Cultural Museum, The Art Museum, and a fun little Cafe' for lunch. Friday Julie Herold came into town and we went to a fun little pastry shop and shared a fruit/blueberry tart.

Well I am going to let this be all for now, although I do have some good stories from my travels home this past weekend. I will save them for later though. That's all for now...