Go Andrew, it's your birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday, Buddy!!!
Don't grow up too fast! :)
Your auntie loves you!

*Insert witty/symbolic/serious title here*

When it's too hard to come up with a title for your blog, maybe you shouldn't, but I am anyway :)

IT'S THURSDAY!!!
The day when I work my last early shift for the year 2008!
The day I check my school mailbox for the last time in the fall 2008 semester!
The day I am still not fully packed and leaving for TEXAS!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!
It's a good day :)

Every Christmas (for the past 2-3 years, ha) my roommate and two of our best friends (basically roommates) celebrate Christmas together. We hang stockings, which are gradually filled, set up our 2.5 foot Charlie Brown Tree, make hot chocolate and brownies and enjoy each others' company.

Merry Christmas, girls :)

On my walk to work this morning...

...the sky was a brilliant teal color. This cell-phone picture does not do it justice, by any means, but use your imagination :) It was beautiful.

Enjoy the day!

Faithfulness

This post is a mix 'n match of stories from this week...

Post office faith...
Yesterday was my last opportunity to get Christmas packages mailed out to my siblings! Oh what a day... After my 8am final, I grabbed my 4 big packages and my wallet from my room and scuttled to the campus post office. When I got to CPO, I opened my wallet as they weighed the packages, only to find $27 in cash and some change. Now, the cost of mailing A package at Christmas time is about $15 from Chicago. You do the math...4 packages...$27...not enough (mind you, it's a cash only post office). I stood at the counter, wishing/hoping/praying that somehow I wouldn't have to take some of the packages home, trudge out in the snow, find an ATM, withdraw money, and go back to CPO before work at 11am. God likes to laugh with me sometimes. They rang up the bill...$27.21. :D Dingdingding! Packages sent!

Conversations...
A few nights ago, Jesse and I were meeting two of our homeless friends to celebrate Christmas with them. They weren't able to show up, so Jesse and I had dinner together. As we were getting ready to leave, a woman sitting at the table in front of us gets our attention and smiles so calmly :) She asked if we had a few minutes to sit and talk with her, so we did. It was providential that our friends did not show up--we spent the next hour or so talking with this lady, Ava was her name. Her Bible had been open to Genesis. It was one of those texts that had be scribbled over with years of wear, highlighting, special dates, prayers, and sermon notes in the margins. Back and forth, we shared Scriptures of God's faithfulness to the people in the Bible as well as His goodness to us. She is walking through a "dark valley" as the Christianese would term it, but her hope is so strong. Ava is homeless by way of identity theft. It's a very hard situation for her ethically--she's not sure if she should sue those that did this or if God would have her forgive and make due. Please pray for her wisdom and that she would not seek her own revenge.

Real life, real world...
I work for Moody's Customer Service Center and answer phones. These are some true story examples.

Speaking slowly...."Hello...I had called once before to ask for prayer...I need it again. My name's Bernice...I just became a Christian...I have no Christian friends. The man I'm living with is not a good person...a very controlling man. Please pray for me...I have no where else to go." This was from one of my calls yesterday at work. Please pray for her. She was in tears over the phone by the end of our conversation.

A Pakistani gentleman named Habeeb called today. He told me he is a Muslim but he listens to WMBI all the time when he can. "I wish we (Muslims) had people like Moody Bible people in our religion...we need them!" There was a program on the radio a few days ago that was talking about the organization Jihad Watch and some books about Islam from a Christian perspective. He was so excited and wanting to learn what the Bible would have to say about faith. Truth is so appealing, yet so hard for the lost to find. Pray that God would reveal the truth to Habeeb and bring him to salvation.

Thoughts from a silly college student...
I just put Christmas lights up in my cubicle...they twinkle :) I'm happy.

BE BLESSED.
Em

Little bits of winter

In the fall...

my walk to work...

snowing...

the city :)

Merry Christmas :)

So this is Christmas...

I am such a romantic. Have you ever watched all those old black and white Christmas movies where the main character contently crunches through the snow, passing by window displays of toy trains and porcelain dolls...or how about those fabulous (over-dramatic) hallmark movies where tragedy takes hold of a couple's life, they grow apart the days before Christmas, then after decorating their trees alone and realizing their need for each other, they get back together in time for Christmas eve :) *sigh*

Every time I take a walk in the city, I think, "Why can't real life have a soundtrack?" The chorus of violins never seems to take my cues: "Okay, this is a sad moment! Play something depressing!" A taxi honked once, though! ;)

Where are you this Christmas? I've tried to get in my usual reflective mode to evaluate where I've been these last few months--have I learned and if so, what? How have I impacted people? Where do I go from here? I think these questions are good and serve their purpose. Be encouraged to really learn the art of reflection. How can you move forward if you don't know where you've been? God gifts us this gift of memory and a processing mechanism to work through it. Take advantage of such.

As you think through, be mindful and watchful of people near to you--not necessarily just those you know. I read an incredible book last night titled, "Days of Glory, Seasons of Night." The daughter of a famed missionary described her families struggles through life and rejection. Her older sister was an outward example of everything a Christian young woman should be, yet her journals and letters reveal an open wound of a life. She committed suicide at the age of 28, not because she doubted God's love for her, but because her anxieties were so overwhelming that she could not hold her head above them. No one knew of her struggles until after her first failed attempt to take her life. We all have heard that suicide rates rise during the Christmas season, much due to the fact that it's hard for people to be alone during these special times. OPEN YOUR HOME TO THOSE THAT ARE ALONE. No one should dread Christmas or "celebrate" it alone.

Be glad for this season. I know it's hard for non-snowed folks to understand the concept of winter ;) but the idea of a season for things to die off and wash out seems sad. Spring comes soon, though, and new life grows. This is the whole idea: regeneration. God gives us some wonderful visible examples for what He does in our lives.

This morning, Mike Kellogg, one of the famous radio voices of WMBI, is coming to chapel. Every year, one day at the end of school, Mr. Kellogg sits in his big leather chair, the auditorium lights dim, and he reads us Christmas stories :) A room full of young and old adults reverts back to childhood as we listen to stories of snowflakes and Christmas cookies :) Create Christmas traditions in your families...they provide wonderful memories for your kids when they are grown.

Blessings,
Emily

Turkey Day!!!!

Legacy

It's finally turned winter in the city. I'm learning to appreciate the cold, as it makes me that much more grateful for things of warmth: a home, blankets, socks, a hot drink, friends to snuggle with. When I was little, my mom wanted so badly for me to be a "snuggler." She'd make me crawl up on her bed with her for nap-time so she could hug me or make me scratch her arms. I wanted to be an independent brat then so I rarely obliged her and when I did it was out of "have to" circumstances. "SNUGGLE OR YOU CAN'T GO PLAY!" ;) I've always had a great mom...but she certainly has gotten cooler over the years.

Do you ever smell something that brings back memories from years ago? Camp fires, musty books, cedar and pine trees...these remind me of my dad. Our family didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up so instead of flying, we road-tripped for most of our family vacations. We drove to Redlands, California to see my grandparents several times a year. I remember, the final part of the drive was climbing through a forest on one of the mountains. Pine cones would sometimes hit the top of the car and squires would dodge across the road. It always smelled of Christmas with the pine and cedar decorating the slopes. If it was near winter, there would be patches of snow on the tops of trees or in the rock crevices. My dad would get this smile across his face as he rolled down the windows and put his head into the wind. This was home for him.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

College students are an interesting bunch. Young adults all about to begin their "real lives," some single, some starting families. Each one returns to their past for a glance at what has gone before them. Their parents play such a vital role, be that bad or good. Sadly, a great majority look back at broken marriages and families...failed relationships and hurting family members. It's so easy to see the hurt and not beyond.

I have come to grips with the fact that there will be hurt and brokenness in my family's past that will just remain, like a picture framed in someone's house...it just hangs there as something you may see everyday that acts as a reminder for you. But as I look at it and wonder why it's still around, I've realized that healing doesn't come until we can look at those people and situations and see the redeemable elements of them. It's easy for me to pick out flaws in my family, but how little I have sat to think of the good they have taught me...the qualities they have passed on to me.

As we interact with people, I think it's important that we don't judge them for where or what family they've come from, but we should be encouraging them to seek the redeemable things from their past. What is the good of the past if we do not learn from it?

Every day enjoyment...

I love the city. There are times when it is difficult to remember that. It's easy to complain about the smell...sirens...people...crime...cold...business...etc. But I forget all too often its beauty:

The people,
Fall trees,
Church steeples,
Christmas lights,
Cathedral bells,
Crazy sights,
The cool breeze,
Tall buildings,
Snow flurries,
Starbucks,
Kind friends,
Thrift stores,
Rivers,
Parks,
Beaches,
Musicals and plays,
Bookstores galore,
Art galleries,
Ethnic foods,
and so much more.

I don't ever regret moving to the city for college. What a good choice that was. I admire those that plant roots in this constantly-growing and moving place. What a hard place to minister to people. There's a scary oppression that covers this city, but it does not quench God's work throughout. How precious are the prayers of His children to Him.

Cell phone pictures!!!

City favorites :)

In a compromising culture....

"If you feed a monster, the monster growls and bites!"

Times of learning...

This morning in my Missionary Relationships class, the topic was about priorities. How many people get so frustrated with themselves or others because they think their priorities are out of whack?! I raise my hand high to this and say that I am certainly one. I get frustrated, mostly with others, if I think their prioritizing things above other more pertinent or important areas of life. Here's how most people (at least in the ministry world) think life SHOULD be prioritized:

1) God
2) Wife/Husband
3) Children/Family
4) Ministry
5) Community/Church

"This is a setup for frustration and guilt." -Dr. Liz Lightbody

Things cannot ALWAYS be the way we like them. We cannot ALWAYS have a devotional time from 8-9am. We cannot ALWAYS have family night on Thursdays. We cannot ALWAYS go to church on Sunday mornings. The only ALWAYS is that CHRIST LOVES ALWAYS.

FLEXIBILITY has to happen in ANY relationship. There will be times that we will need to be flexible and need to ALLOW for our spouse/partner/friend/etc to FLEX where they need to, even if it takes away from us. HOWEVER, DO NOT ABUSE THAT FLEXIBILITY WITH ONE ANOTHER. It will turn to bitterness, hurt, and frustration.

Instead of looking at priorities as a list, try viewing it this way:

Spouse------Children/Family

CHRIST

Ministry-------Community/Church

EVERYTHING STEMS FROM CHRIST.

A wrinkle in time...

ever wonder what a tesseract looks like?

"There's no time for romance...it's football season!"

Moody is famous for it's intermural sports. It's pretty much the only fun outlet most of the Moody men have :) Well it's football season here at MBI and today was the opening day. My boyfriend plays on his floor's A-team (Dryer 2!)

Today was great. First game was at noon...at which time D2 whipped the opposition 30-0. The second game was at 3, also a win at 12-6, but a few more twists...






Jesse was going for the ball just as our friend, James, was also. Pictures speak for themselves. Jesse got knocked out for about 10 seconds and couldn't remember the 10 minutes following. We had a fun 4 hour ER visit tonight :D He was discharged with head trauma and tylenol. Gotta love hospitals :)

What an adventure. We followed that visit with a visit to Portillos for some shakes and french fries :D good stuff.

Not what you get, but what you can give...

One of many nights I miss my family. Be well, wherever you are. You are close to my heart.

SO many thoughts rushing through my brain...mmmmmmmm...so good :) Praise God for the power to think!

I'm reading through Ezekiel at the moment and today was chapter 8. Ezekiel is given this vision...he goes to the temple in Jerusalem and is commanded to dig into a wall. He does so and finds a door...a door to the room of the people's idols. The walls give witness of the abominations of the supposedly pious people...burning incense to other gods, worshiping the sun, women weeping for Tammuz (Babylonian god), etc... Then comes this key convicting verse...

"Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, 'Yahweh does not see us, Yahweh has forsaken the land." (vs. 12)

How many of us have committed sin, maybe thinking in our minds, "I know God sees all, but maybe He can't see this..." Do you notice how sin is so much easier when brought about in darkness...the human eyes may not see as well, but God's eyes do not require light to weep at the sin He sees us committing.

How many sins have we hidden in our hearts, thinking God cannot see them there?! "Search my heart, O God...", reveal the sin in it, and teach me how to repent.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Moody's chapel speaker today is beginning a series on "Relating to One Another." I wrote down some great quotes...mostly just a bunch of thoughts to process:

"In relationships, communication is key. Assume nothing--talk about everything."

"Biblical love is ACTION not EMOTION."

"Live by the consistency of the word of god, not your emotions."

"Develop a sensitivity to our differences."

"We shouldn't let all the things we believe cause division in the body of Christ."

"See people as who they can be and who they can reach. Don't ignore those around you."

A sacred song for the purpose of worship...