Roommate (and guests) Christmas Party!

Oofta

That's such a fabulous word. It expresses so much in just two syllables. :)

I have returned to Chicago. My final return as a STUDENT, granted that I finish the semester okay :) I am glad to be here. It is so different! I've moved into an apartment with two of my girl friends, right at the edge of campus. It's so pleasant to be sitting, typing this on my coffee table...with a couch behind me...a tv against the wall...a sandwich that I made in my kitchen....AH! Brilliant. It feels very fun, though a tad bit kiddish. Well guess what!? I can still be kiddish! No rulebook has it written that a 20 year old can't be a little immature every now and then ;)

One thing I love about being a student is that every semester is a new experience...a chance to BEGIN AGAIN at something. For me, a person that likes to set a goal and accomplish it, this is a great thing. I wonder how "real life" is? I fear beginning life after college and getting myself into a "stable" job or situation where there are no fresh beginnings....only big long-term goals...like retirement. I don't like the thought of retirement yet. Check back with me in 2 years and see if I say the same thing then... ;)

The idea of "ministry" continues to excite me. Though I definitely believe that the life of a Christ-follower IS ministry in whatever capacity, I am so thrilled at the prospects of full-time ministry in a setting completely dedicated to the discipleship of believers and love of the lost. What a cool thought.

In the love of the RANDOM...
At church today, pastor was giving us an example of PERSPECTIVE. He asked us to put punctuation in the following sentence:

"woman without her man is a savage"

What do you think? Please comment with your punctuation... ;)

Addicted to sunshine.

It's 60 degrees in Chicago today. The sun is out. It's beautiful. So beautiful and warm...I probably could cry out of joy if I let myself. *sigh*

I'm awful at this blogging thing. I go through short spurts of inspiration and long droughts of writer's block. :P

I came to a realization about myself today--one my step-dad will tell me he's noticed for years (and he's right). When I know what to expect and how things are supposed to go, I'm great. But when things are unknown or shaken up, I get flustered and frustrated. The world caves in.

There is something to be said for that cliche phrase, "Roll with the punches..." I need to learn that.

Founder's Week was amazing. Go to to download the sermons. Crawford Loritts did a series on Rest, Courage, and Restoration...by far my favorite.

I love sun chips. They remind me of days living in California...shopping at Zannato's (sp?) family grocery store where mom would never let us get chips or sweet things because we always got cavities. :)

Alright...there are my random tidbits.

There's a HUGE butterfly above our front door...

I'm glad life keeps moving along. It's not always what I think I want, but it always ends up being good. A lot changes with perspective and a good attitude. I'm hopeful for the semester. It's the beginning of the end for school. I'm excited for the end. But the process will be challenging and stretching.

I hate leaving my family and my church in Texas. I think I'm addicted to them. Despite our flaws, drama, and even mundane-ness at times, I love living life with these people. I will miss them all. I'm convinced that "real life" outside of college should revolve around our families. God put us in them for a reason...immediate ministry from the day we're born.

Pray for me as I return to Moody tonight. I'm looking at a heavy course load and a lot of hours, but the preparation and study of God's word is so valuable. These are my classes...

Classic and Contemporary Ethics
World Religious Systems
Strategic Planning and Research
Systematic Theology I
Early Childrens' Music Ministry
Tropical Diseases
Directed Study--Muslim studies

My PCM (Practical Christian Ministry) is at the SouthAsian Friendship Center. Not sure what I'll be doing yet, but I get to interact weekly with Muslim and Hindu people. I'm hopeful for some "hands on" ministry training for when I'm doing my internship in the Philippines this summer. (more to come on that)

That's all for now, folks. Time to be with the parents in the last couple hours I've got at home.

Blessings!

*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!

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.

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.

"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.

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."

Final times with Dr. Easley

It's been a huge privilege to be a student under his leadership. I had heard such great things from my aunt and uncle, past members of his previous church, that I had high expectations for how he would lead. My expectations were surpassed, but not by his great oratory or diplomatic manner, though he has both...I was more impressed with the quiet way he spoke. I admire Dr. Easley because he never communicates any scripture to the students that has not first made an impact on his own life.

This morning was the final president's chapel that Dr. Easley would be preaching as Moody's president. His charge to the audience was this:

SEEK THE LORD ALL YOUR LIFE.

"What voices are you listening to?" he asked. "Radiate the wisdom of Christ. Be wise as you age."
May God prepare him for whatever ministry he is brought to next.

Random thoughts...

Last night I learned that there is such a thing as "dirty chai." Chai tea+a shot of expresso. I've not tried it yet, but it must be something amazing.

I got my curfew exemption sticker today :) Much to my parent's dismay, I can stay out all night and party if I decided to turn my life that way. But thank goodness for everyone's sake, I like to be in bed before 11. :)

My favorite author is CS Lewis (like a billion other people's favorite). I found a quote of his in the preface of a textbook...

"There is a kind of happiness and wonder that makes you serious."

That's all for now, folks!

Things are shaping up nicely...