Thank-full

Today was a ray of sunshine.  The past week or so has been "cloudy" so to speak in my life...and today was a beautiful ray of sunshine.  It helped that the literal sun was shining and it felt like Spring.

In no particular order here are a few factors that contribued to the sunshine day...

1. Finishing a mid-term and turning in three projects; and feeling good about the work turned in.
2. Getting to work for the 1st time in a week with people I like and with customers who I missed...and leaving feeling like a job well done. 
3. Receiving a copy of my friends book, there's just something wonderful about a new book!  Especially from the author! 
4. Coming home to a new room fully rearranged and decorated by my lovely friends Susan and Dusti!  If I had a camera I would take a picture...it is so great!
5. Coming to the end of a day feeling like  it was a full, good day.

I heart Illinoise

I'm back from Florida.  Back to my lovely Toyota Corolla, clean clothes, the cool Chicago weather,  the little blue chair in my room....back to my life.  I love this life.

There were a lot of questions that were raised this week such as...What am I doing when I graduate?...What do I want to do?  How does my theology integrate with psychology...or does it?...I know the future will answer some of the questions.  So for now, I'm trying to do what needs to get done for today. 

p.s.  If anyone knows of a good job working with children, possibly in the classroom, let me know!  That's currently what I'm looking into...location is up for dibs...Chicago, Tulsa, Bozeman, China, Colorado, California... 

The winners are...

Now, I realize the Oscars were a couple days ago...but I can't shake these dresses.  And it was still part of my Davie, Florida experience.  We were up late watching and rating the dresses.  

Below are a few personal favs.

Pefect Color:

Best "Young" Dress:

Quirky... but I like it...I think...

Davie, Florida...part 1

This Spring Break I have the opportunity of coming to Florida to take a class, Integration of Psychology and Theology, for school.  The whole planning process was slightly stressful, but I'm here!  I'm staying with a wonderful young couple who I just met.  They are family of an aquaintance...God is so good at providing for his children.  :)

Frustrating moment:
Accidentally taking 94 instead of 294 to the airport...extending my time in the car by about an hour...I still caught my flight!  (Thank you to the lady at continental who let me go in the Express Security line!)

Forgetful moment:
As I was leaving I called my friend and told her "I know I'm forgetting something embarassing...I'm just not sure what it is!".  Sure enough...I forgot two things I use (and need to use) every single day...1.) Bible 2.) Toothbrush.  Lame.

Funny moment:
Walking through the airport I realized my shoes, backpack, and suitcase were all red.  Slightly embarassing, but totally fun.

Adventerous moment:
Picking up my new Nissan Versa...it was in that moment I thought "What in the world am I doing?!" yet filled with so much excitement! 

Blessing moment:
Meeting the couple I'm staying with!  They showed me to a room with a beautifully made up air matress...including decorative pillows!

Needed moment:
"Randomly" running into my friend from Deerfield who is also taking this class in Starbucks this morning.  There's nothing like seeing a friend from home in a far away land... :)

Class

Right now I am sitting in my class "History of Chrisianity in China".  I wish I could show you a picture...so instead I'll just describe to you the setting. 

• We are all in a large U shaped desks in comfy desk chairs.  There are 9 students.  5 chinese 4 Caucasian.  6 male 3 female. 7 laptops 2 notebooks.
• I'm in my all black Starbucks clothes ready to go to work after class.
• I'm the only counseling student in the class...in my counseling classes when the teacher makes a good point the students will agree by making some sort of "hmmm" noise.  It's a counseling thing.  Made known by my participation in this class where I am the only one that makes the "hmmm" noise, and the professor turns and looks at me every time. 
• I have my favorite gold Starbucks travel mug.
• I think my professor has arthritis...early stages...his hands are often curled.
• I really am truly engaged at points, because the intellect/thinking required is so intriuging!  I love it!

It's just a little glimpse, but a glimpse nonetheless....

Lent.

Since the introduction by my friend Katie in High School, Lent has been an inconsistent part of my Easter celebration.   For fourty days before Easter the Catholic Church designates a time to sacrifice something in order to practice discipline and concentrate on the cross.  Throughout college and High School I gave up things like coffee, soda, sweets etc.  This year I have given up some semi-ambitious things (meat, caffiene...) but I quickly find myself replacing the things I have given up (with cookies, sweets...).  This seems to cheapen the experience.  I think I'm mainly writing this so I can be aware of what is going on.  Part of this year too I've challenged myself to some disciplines that are proactive.  I find that being disciplined in things such as prayer, other parts of my life seem to become more disciplined as well. 

Let me just tell you, the fact that Girls Scouts cookies were delivered right at the beginning of Lent has not helped my cookie intake!

Full.

Life is full.  It's in these full times that the moments of joy seem even more...joyful.  Today walking with an 8th grader outside...just enjoying being with her.  Talking on the phone to my friend in California who is 6 weeks away from having her first child.  Playing with some children at practicum trying to ready them for a transition to a new home.  I feel as if each day is so full with so much potential, all I can do is surrender the day to the Lord.