The Month is Gone again.

Once again the month is gone. It is the end of May and not much blogging so we will get to basics.

I am spending the summer in Chicago. Working with my babysitting jobs and tutoring.

I am looking forward to some down time here in the city. Since I have moved up here, it has been full of getting to know my school, finding friends, getting acquainted with the city, finding work, and falling into a "way too busy" lifestyle.

I have made a little list of summer goals and look forward to slowing down and prioritizing life. Here is a little preview of my goals. Not in any peculiar order.

1) Sit through a court hearing. I have heard you can go to the county court house and observe a trial.

2) Go to Pilsen and other diverse communities. Pilsen is a mainly Hispanic community and my friend Adam and his fiance will be moving there after they get married next month.

3) Ride the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier.

4) Invest time with people on the street and those in different situations. (Pray for God's guidance in this area)

5) Dance in the Park (Rachel has talked about a little dance instruction in millennium park and some music) and different festivals.

6) Go to one of Nick's (the kid I tutor/babysit) baseball games

7) Go with Jayme to a taping of news ch 2 (Jayme is Nick's mom and she said I can come to work with her some time.)

8) Ride on the Yellow line of the El. (It goes out to Skokie and only runs at certain times)

9) Visit the Field Museum (only big museum here in Chicago I have not gotten too, I think.)

10) Watch fireworks at Navy Pier (they have them twice a week and I am going to be around for the fourth! so that shouldn't be difficult)

11) Play my guitar at a nursing home (I have to find one first :) )

12) Play chess or checkers with a friend on the lake front (there are permanent stone boards along the lake)

13) Make Sushi

That is all I can think of for now. Last weekend I went canoeing with my family and friends. It was such a fun time. (although I think I got sicker from it). Derek, Claire, and I were together in a canoe which was super fun. Claire was our emergency alarm. Anytime she saw a ripple she would scream and get scared. but we just had fun with it.

Landon ended up riding with Steven in a canoe which had previously got wrapped around a tree. They bent it back but still Steven had to bail the whole time while Landon rowed. Oh the memories. And one of our other canoes got caught in the current and a log and is still at the bottom of the vermillion.

I made fudge yesterday. well it was an adventure. Joe helped, but I still forgot 1/2 the ingredients. lol (I guess I can't multi-task that well-talk and cook). I only forgot a "dash" of salt and a little vanilla. Dad would have hated that recipe.

In the end, it tasted really good and I even turned a few into truffles. When I took it over the our after-school program Lynette (the lady in charge) hid the fudge in her drawer (I guess it was good)

Looking forward to my friend Val coming into town this weekend. Hope to keep more on top of this blog thing.

It's about time.

Well the first school year at Loyola is wrapping up! I can't believe it! I have one last final Wednesday night.

Today is a beautiful day. (I should be typing this outside). I got up around 6:45 and prepared for a 4 mile race to support 4 organizations that support women's health here in the City. I did not expect to run the whole thing but wanted to support my friend Megan.

Well back up- Last weekend I ran a 5K with my cousin Traci. <--- this is an event I have been training for for about 2 months or so. The 4 mile race was a random suggestion Thursday night.

I was actually able to run both the 5K on the 25th and the 4 mile run today. It was a beautiful day and both races were run by the lake. That is my biggest accomplishment besides finishing school stuff!

Other news: This week was full of Friends. Last weekend Traci came in for her birthday and run the race with me. Tuesday one of my friends was here for a conference and we went to California Pizza Kitchen <-- good food. Wednesday I got to go to Moody's chapel. Thursday some friends from Tremont were here (Tyler Thompson presented a monologue drama of the Biblical story of Mephibosheth). Friday my friend Val came in and was here til last night.

Moody chapel: gave me a new appreciation of the past God has brought me through. Sometimes I get so focused on the future I forget to praise God for His presence in my past.

Yesterday we (Rachel, Val, Joe and I) took the after school kids Joe and I hang out with to fly kites. (17 kids+6 "adults"+a Chicago park full of a million kids=PANIC and craziness). It was a full day but so much fun. When we initially got to the meeting place there were no kids and then about an hour later there were 17!!! 4 2-year olds and a few other younger ones, but we came back with 17 and some great pictures and memories.

Here are a few pictures of the last week. Never mind, they won't upload. Maybe later.

It snowed again...

SO... Sunday was like a sleety, snowy day. I really enjoyed my Sabbath, though. Saturday night I sang praises with some fellow brothers and sisters in Christ from Moody Bible Institute. It was a reminder of the Holiness of Sunday. ("Lady Sabbath" for all those who are familiar with Shiloh)

Saturday night I took a minute to read a paper my friend had written about Sundays and the need to keep them separate and holy. It is difficult when I am pulled from my home and have a million other things to catch up with. This Sunday though I made a special effort to reflect on the gift of Sundays. I was able to go out for breakfast with some ladies from church. Enjoy a day of fellowship and teaching at church. Enjoyed after church "snack" with my wonderful cousins and friend. Got a little nap and reading time in. Had a wonderful supper with some church friends. Safely made it back into the city. Chatted with my roommate and Joe and got to meet their friend. To wrap up the day Joe and I plotted to start a business because the government claims to give $50,000 for new business owners. :)

In reflecting on the day I praise God that he reminded me of His presence. I enjoyed the day and felt it was a good reflection of Heaven in the sense of community and fellowship. I can't wait to one day be able to talk and enjoy everyone's company FOREVER.

No more homework. No more cleaning. No more work.

No more insecurities. No more hurting hearts. No more petty over-analyzing moments. No more stressful relationships.

Just Jesus and me and all of my sisters and brothers. I don't even know what I will feel or how I will love and glorify our God, but I am Excited!

(playing on the radio is "Better is One day")

Amen Lord Jesus Come.

Happy Birthday Derek

So what have I been up to for the last 3 weeks you ask?!

Well I got accepted in the BSW/MSW Program meaning: I will be finishing my Bachelors in the Fall but the classes will count towards my Master's degree and I will be completed by May 2011 with my MSW. That is excited.

Today was a beautiful day in the city. I took a jog to the beach this morning (I am training for a 5K I am running with Trace in 3 weeks). It was perfect. The sun was out and warm.

Then I spent a lot of the day cleaning. I enjoy it so much though, especially when I am putting off doing my homework :). It is such a productive activity and so much better than writing papers. I pulled out Scott's Dance Cd (number 4), gotta love some good techno, windows open, and the smell of pinesol and soft scrub in the air.

Tonight my room mate and I made a delicious supper if I do say so myself! It involved Salmon, rice, and corn muffins.

I recently discovered that my roommate didn't eat sea food because she was nervous to cook it, not because she didn't like the taste. So I have tried to learn a new skill and so far so good. I have no made a tasty Tilapia and Salmon. :)

Otherwise I really can't think of much else, the other day I went to Fleet Feet (it is a super store.). Margaret helped me find running shoes and analyzed my feet through watching me walk and run (although I didn't buy them because they were a little pricey). She even had me try on these socks made of Bamboo. They were $12/pair though, so I had to pass, although I have been thinking about them a lot since. How are socks made of Bamboo?

I really think that is all for now.

Lost Generation

I know I haven't blogged in a while so I won't even try to catch up Nothing terribly new,

Trying to look into the summer, I will be in the city, just trying to figure out my babysitting hours.

I sent my Social Work Master's Application in on Wednesday. I am not really nervous. I made popcorn balls for Joe and I's after school program. <--- I have always associated popcorn balls with teeth falling out because once in Kindergarten my mom made them for the class and my tooth fell out in one and I swallowed my tooth, but I decided to conquer my fear and I think they were pretty good.

The reason for this post is I watched this youtube video and wanted to share it. It is less then 3 minutes but I think it is prfound. Enjoy...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

Home Sweet Home

Well last week was way too long ago so we will just start with this weekend...

I got the opportunity to go home to central this past weekend. There were some friends from Moody that convinced me to come home with them. I am so glad I did. God really used the the weekend to His glory! I was able to do my sister's hair for homecoming and get excited for my brother taking his girlfriend to homecoming. I know these seems like little things, but it was a time to show my siblings I love them and care about their lives. That is one thing about living away from home... I have to learn to communicate with my family in a whole new way.

Also 3 of my friends were baptized this weekend in Washington. It is always good to hear how God works in lives and to be encouraged in the basics of my own faith. I was able to see 2 of my great friends from Phoenix. I miss Phoenix. Also 2 of my good friends Livy Leman and Caleb Zobrist announced their engagement!!! Very Exciting!

I got to spend a lot of time just chilling with my dad and mom too, and my puppy dog!

Last night was hard coming back to the city. There is always a distinct feeling of sadness but peace. I love this city and I love the things God is doing in my life here, but I do miss growing with my family in everything they do.

Tonight was great. I enjoyed just chilling at the apartment. We went to 7-11 and got slurpees. Yum yum! Pina Coladas. so good.

Tomorrow is Paczki day?! well we (Rach, me, Joe, Tom, and Liz <-- I don't know who that is) are going to some Polish place to get these "Paczki" donut things. Leaving at 6:00 AM. I haven't gotten up that early in a while. So I am thinking about going to bed soon. The end.

10 days and no posts...

SO sorry. Hope you are still alive and well. I know you are probably holding your breathe for the next post from me!!! :) well here it goes, you can all breathe again.

What have I done the last 10 days? Well I started yet another endeavor. I now volunteer at Catholic Charities, right across the street. It is such a good experience. I love the people I work with and I am able to help those who are "economically challenged" get food.

After school program: I made dirt cups for the kids, that was a first time recipe. It isn't too difficult :). The worst part was transporting them over to the program. Last week I made finger JELLO. That was also a first time. The unflavored gelatin does really help (they were heart-shaped for valentine's day). The kids loved them.

After last week I was kind of doubting my helpfulness at the program, though. I felt there were other opportunities for these kids to be learning. I expressed this concern to one of my friends. They encouraged me to keep being involved. They reminded me that ministry is not always "doing" but "being". Just being available to connect with the kids, even if it doesn't happen every week, is important. So I encourage you this week remember to truly be where God has placed you.

I got to run outside for the first time on purpose :D. I have started running on a treadmill but last weekend the weather was so beautiful I got to "take it outside". It is a different experience mentally and physically. I had some sore calf muscles! So Tuesday I decided I would run to work (I had read in Runner's World about a guy who runs 22 miles to work.) I can do 2. Well I didn't know exactly how to get to work on foot and ended up a little too far North, but it was funny. I want the 50 degree weather back :(!

Last weekend my Good friend Natalie came up to visit me. We got to spend time together Friday and went to a fun little Italian restaurant called Scoozi's. So good, and zero calorie bread (they were very proud of that). We then had the chance to go to Moody's Founder's Week and I got to see a bunch of other friends from back home.


ok... I am sure there is stuff I am missing but let's skip to yesterday. Rachel and I hosted a Velentine's Day party for the girls from Rachel's church. It was so much fun. It consisted of a lot of yelling and 8 girls (ages 2-10) running around the little apt. Lots of sprinkles on the floor from decorating cookies. We opened the sprinkles and they had no shaker top!!! A parent's worst nightmare. The girls left around 3:00. Rach and I cleaned up. We didn't do too bad. We sent one home without a sock (It was lost somewhere in the apt.) and one with her shoes on the wrong feet. Well what can we say... it was an experience.

Then in the evening I went out to Lincoln Square (such a fun area) and met up with Erica Sauder and Charla Zollinger. We went to Jack Rabbit and then got to see the film "Slum Dog Millionaire". I would highly recommend it. Finished off the night by joining some friends at "Shiloh" and sang praises to our Awesome God together. Life is good. My God is Love and I am in Love with Him. Until next post...