Chinese New Year

A new year is approaching, and this new year brings with it a new adventure.  Ever since I've graduated college I've talked about going to China to teach English.  Through a variety of circumstances, it looks like it's going to happen.  And soon!  It is still slightly surreal, but God has a way of working out the details while I just stand back in awe.  I've talked to two dear friends of mine today who are both living in China.  I'll hopefully get to meet up with them and see their lives across the ocean.  I also have a friend who is doing the same program that I will be doing, and he is setting me up with insider tips, and advice from one who is where I will be!  Though I feel like I know nothing, I've plenty of people who are giving me guidance and wisdom for when I go.  I have my fears, hesitations, and anxieties - but I'm surrendering them to the Lord and praying for direction, strength, and peace.  

So here is to a New Year...a Chinese New Year.      

A Burrito Fairy Tale

Once there was a burrito...

I brought him (yes, for some reason my burrito is male) home hoping to eat it while sitting down for a quick newspaper read.  

I grabbed a plate to hold my meal 

 but the plate was too small.

So I grabbed a second plate...

but that plate was tooooo smallll! 

So I grabbed a third plate...

and it was the right size!  

The burrito had finally found a plate that could hold his gargantuan-ness!

And three meals later the burrito was gone, and I lived happily ever after. 

11 Days

I am currently house sitting for a family that lives around the block from my house.  They have two beautiful New Foundland dogs (pictures to come, I'm sure).  After one night in my new house I drove home and picked up a few things I didn't know I missed...After raiding my fridge, bedroom and bathroom I walked out equipped for the next 11 days...

1. Ground flaxseed for my oatmeal and yogurt (you mean, not every house has ground flaxseed?!)
2. Pillow
3. The quilt Aunt Peggy made - it's just so pretty, and I wanted a little "home"
4. The purple throw Andrew got me for Christmas a million years ago.
5. My favorite mug from Montana  (there are only white mugs to be found in the house)
6. Black bean burgers - Chipotle style
7. Bible
8. Journal
9. "Desiring God" by John Piper (yes, I'm still reading it...)
10. Arrested Development. Season 3.  Disc 2.
11. Christmas Dress - just in case I need to dress up. :)

Stand Firm

Leaving Montana I knew I would be entering into a new season, a season of familiarity, rest and waiting.  True to my suspicions the last couple of months have been a blessing.  Doors have closed and opened.  Just recently in church the Pastor spoke on Isaiah 7.  The verse that rang loud in my ears is v. 9 

..."If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."

So though the door to moving to Oklahoma has closed for now, I remain standing in faith.  The faith that knows that even if everything I have planned does not work out, I will still be taken care of, loved, and protected by a God who is so much bigger than my plans.  

A Savior is Born...

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone the whirlwind of Christmas is drawing me quickly away from the Fall and into Winter.  A couple inches of snow has reiterated the fact that Christmas is on its way.  Bring it!

Susan and the big family tree.

My small tree - with bear ornaments!

A beautiful nativity scene made by Jo proudly displayed in the basement.  

in the past 12 hours I've...

One never really knows what is going to happen before walking onto a shift at Starbucks, today was a prime example.  

• I walk in and before any words are exchanged I receive the "It's been CRAZY today" look from Josh
• Boxes are stacked to the ceiling - it's our weekly order from Seattle...coffee, straws, cups, the important things
• The brand spanking new software on our registers is broken.  Everyone is cranky because of this.
• There is a new (never been told about) buy one get one 1/2 off special on all Holiday drinks (make note, get coffee with a friend this week...only till Sunday).
• We are short-staffed.  A new-hire decided to quit this week.  Sure, do the training, then quit!
• Yet in the midst of all of this it is this night I decide it necessary to go to Subway for dinner and pick up sandwiches for us all from a fellow Starbucks barista, who also has a successful career at Subway in the evenings. (Mine was meatball, hadn't had it in awhile.  Extra olives and that spicy stuff)
• The IDENTICAL ..." twin" of a good friend who just moved away walked in.  Making me feel happy and sad, and finally just warm and sentimental for the rest of the evening.
• After a very slow close, Josh and I decide to unpack all the boxes that are stacked to the ceiling
• It is in this moment a small desire to run a coffee shop someday rises with in...
• At 2:06am (three hours before our openers come open the store) I am in my car on my way home.
• On a whim of spontaneity and adrenaline, I decide to stop at the 24 hours Walgreen's, just because.  
• Unfortunately, most of the store was closed due to floor waxing. :(  So I just looked at make-up.  
• I drove home with no purchase from Walgreen's.  Made my bed.  And sat to write this post.  :)

I feel like brother Andrew who talks of how he is more of a nocturnal creature.  Tonight.  I am too.  

    

Autumn

I have loved Autumn this year.  It has been unusually warm, and slow to leave.  There has been a certain amount of relishing in the season this year.  Friends have come and gone, my heart has been in a steady movement towards hope.  The newest opportunity of a move has resulted in loving the present even more.  At this time last year I was in the midst of frantically trying to keep control of my life in the face of the unknown.  This year, I am faced again with the unknown, but this time I am daily letting go of control and resting in the hope I have in Jesus Christ.  As I read 1 Peter Paul talks how our hope is not in perishable things, but our hope is in an inheritance that will never fade!  That inheritance being salvation- salvation from fear, control, and self.  The more I wrestle with fear, contentment, faith, and the unknown the more I am reminded that I really can't put my hope in things here.  They leave, fade away, disappear.  The only place I can put my hope is in God.  He is the only one who does not leave, fade away, or disappear.

So be encouraged, friends.  Though the leaves are falling and the weather is changing, there is still a beauty in it all.  There is a beauty because our hope is in the Lord, not on things that will change.

 

Fall Retreat 2010

Autum has always been one of my very favorite seasons.  The colors, clothes, and food!  Most years I'm involved in some type of ministry that goes on a "Fall Retreat".  This year, my friend Mandy hosted her own "Fall Retreat" by inviting some of her friends to a lake house.  It was so lovely and fallish. 

Fall Pairings

Autumn is in full swing in Chicago.  As the weather has been changing I have found myself spending more time nestled in to a good book with something hot to drink.  After many days of reading, and cups of assorted beverages I have found some delectable pairings for the books I am currently reading.  Please feel free to enjoy.

Desiring God by John Piper - A philosophical book that states "to glorify God is to enjoy Him forever"

 + Chocolate Cake - The "enjoy" part of the book.

 + Americano - A strong espresso drink that gives the brain energy to think philosophically and theologically

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy - A complex, and brilliant book about family and relationships

+ Chai - Sweet and a little spicy, just like the characters

+ Pumpkin Bread - I just love pumpkin bread.  And I just love this book.

Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster - I'm yet to start this book, but the title is self-explanatory

+ Green Tea - Delicious, simple, and oh, so good for you.

+ Chocolate covered almonds - Just because it's good for you doesn't mean it can't be delicious! 

Now the next one might be obvious...but must be stated nonetheless

Must I really say more?

So cheers to more books, hot drinks and delicious food as the seasons change!

Scope for the Imagination

There is something about Anne of Green Gables that slows my world down and makes the world more beautiful.  Maybe it's her desire to make everything more romantic and tragic (in the romantic way, of course).  Fall seems to be a perfect time to bring Anne back into my imagination.  A friend gave me a audio recording of the first book, and as I've been listening to it tears come to my eyes in reminiscence of the wonder of romance.  The kind of romance that calls for one to slow down, find the beauty in the day, and believe that there is a unseen hope in tomorrow. 

Good-bye's

What is it about saying 'good-bye' that makes people feel closer?  As I drove away from my families house with tears in my eyes I felt that we had become closer in the process of saying good bye.  Maybe it's the tears.  Maybe it's the acknowledgement of good times, love, memories.  As much as I don't like saying good-bye, I like feeling closer to those I've said good-bye to.  

Tuesday night farmers market/family fun

Happy counselors!

The Mountains

one of my favorite pics - happy campers!  :)

family singing at dinner

from Bozeman to Portland and back

Awhile back I received a phone call from my friend Susan inviting me to go to Portland with her and Josephine.  Susan was running a crazy 197mile relay race from Mount Hood to Seaside, Oregon and she wanted me to hang out with Josephine.  This was my chance to have a vacation after a full summer.  Andrew joined Josephine and I as our partner in crime and chauffer.  It was a amazing race.  Andrew and I were also able to see our favorite Oregonian Aunt & Uncle.  I was also able to reconnect with some dear friends from undergrad.

On our way to Mount Hood

The relay team ready for the next 197 miles

Andrew, Jo, and I all went to a outdoor activity park while the runners were running.

Our favorite activity of the day!  A bunjee/trampoline!

 Andrew and I wandered our way home stopping at a rose garden, camping in Idaho at an RV park and stopping at an old used bookstore. It was a great trip of reconnecting with old friends and family.  My hope is it's only the first of other trips to Portland to come....