Gentlemen

After work I made the long hour and a half trek to Moody to meet up with an Avant friend for dinner.

I was waiting for my second bus, finally it came, I scooted my way to a comfortable spot between other standing people, and did my normal 'scan' over the bus, just to familiarize myself with those also on the bus and so that my radar is aware of any sketchy such individuals who I need to avoid. (ok, I never actually think all of that through, it is more just a natural thing as I step onto the bus or el).

My eyes caught on a familiar face. I gasped "Jon!!". We exchanged hellos, and he being the gentleman he always is, offered me his seat. As we caught up and the bus got close to Moody, Jon said "I'll just walk you to Moody." So sweet. He then crossed the street with me and opened the door for me. I was so happy to run into him today!

Then had dinner with Josh, who I am so thankful for and the big brother input and advice he gave tonight, much needed! I appreciate him and Meghan so much in my life, especially in the last two months. You guys have been such an encouragement and help to me, probably more than you know. Thank you!

As I was then leaving Moody, I saw Adam. Oh dear Adam. He greeted me with a big hug and wanted to know what I'm up to now. I told him about my run-in with Jon on the bus, to which he decided that the three of us need to hang out just like 'old times' before Jon leaves. To which of course I would be delighted to reunite with two of the boys from the back row of Hebrews class last fall. I guess I just missed Sam today, oh well, he's getting married soon, that's good. These three guys are some of the top gentlemen around, seriously. I am honored that they would allow me to sit with them for an entire semester. I am sure it is not because of them I flunked that class, I'm sure it was more the fact of my lack of discipline. I probably learned more from them in that class than from any of the textbook I did read.

Thank You Lord for these gentlemen who have really just encouraged me today. You have given me such wonderful friends. Help me to be a good friend in return, please!

The Little Things

Today was one of those days. one of those GOOD days.

Because my God is so good, I was able to relish in the beauty around me and find rest and refreshment in Him today.

I woke up and one of my roommates made me coffee. My other roommate brought me a muffin yesterday, so I ate that (for lunch-ish).

Then I proceeded to watch Sweet Home Alabama in my PJs and ate some pancakes, dried mango, and almonds. SO nice to just not have to do anything.

I jumped into the shower, and then whipped up some brownies for church.

It amazes me how simply putting on a skirt, wearing a cute top, applying mascara, and wearing my hair different can just make my day a little happier!! Even though it was pushing 90 (or more??) outside, I looked cute & felt cute! :)

Church was incredible. I love these people so much. I love how vulnerable the environment is when we gather. There were times tonight catching up specifically with Alan, Cory, Kelsey & May that I felt very uncomfortable. But they listened on and even prayed with me. I just love them. I'm glad they are all back. I missed them so much. We all miss Nate so much too. And T&T. These wonderful people have helped me see more clearly who God is.

The last little thing that I get to end my day with is mind blowing. I did not want to move from Franson (the building I lived at this summer), I thought it was the most logical place for me to live, because of the incredible opportunity to continue building into the lives of the kids I worked with last year with our church. But tonight I learned that the one girl I have the closest relationship with through our little church body lives closer to me out here at my new home than the previous place! God does know what He is doing when He had me move out here. I just hope He finds me faithful in being intentional with her to help her grow in her faith too. Oh how I desire this so badly! Lord use me to be a light to her and to love on her. Teach me through her more of who You are and how much You love.

My God is Good. HE provides. His goodness can be seen all around us. I want to so badly rejoice in the small things. Today could be 'the last day', did I live for Him alone today? Will I chose to live for Him tomorrow and rejoice in what He has for me? Will I walk into work tomorrow with joy because of who He is and not dwell so much on all that I don't like? Lord, keep me focused on YOU.

Thirsty Guy from Florida

After a delightful time of catching up with my good, Godly friend Evan this morning, I went to the thrift store that is close to the little coffee shop we were at. I picked up a few books for a few cents each and proceeded to the check out line.

Standing there, the following conversation took place with the guy behind me:

Thirsty guy: Excuse me, your height is just so cute to me. I mean like, wow, how tall or you know, how 'short' are you?

Me (knowing that sometimes people think this type of thing to me is offensive, even though I don't even think about how 'short' I really am): Well, I'm not offended, and I'm 4'10".

Thirsty guy: Wow. Ok, so wow, your boyfriend must be like (and he raises his hands up high).

Me (thinking, um yeah, duh all the guy's I've dated have been taller than me...): Well, I don't have a boyfriend...

Thirsty guy: Oh oh ok, yeah, that's what I was wondering. So you live around here?

Me: yes. Do you?

Thirsty guy: Yeah, I just moved here from Florida. My buddies and I are trying to get that couch over there because we want to have a party and need a place for people to sit. Could you give me your number so I can call you?

Me (a little shocked): Um, I don't give out my number to strangers (!!).

I then turned around because it was (thankfully) my turn to pay at the register.

Thirsty guy: Oh ok. Yeah, I understand, I understand one thousand percent.

Wow. I could only laugh at this when I walked out the store and said "have a good day" over my shoulder.

I have NEVER had some random person hit on me like that or even ask for my number. I've been hollered at and such, but never a situation like this.

I am not sure if I should be complimented that some guy thought I looked 'cute', or if I should be insulted that that is the type of guy that is attracted to me. :( Gag.

I thought afterwords how it would have been so funny to have given him my dad's number. Haha. Or even one of my guy friends. Should I be more prepared for situations like that and come up with something better to say? Do I just look easy and that's why he hit on me? I hope not, that's not what I am intending at all when I go places!

Honestly, to me that guy was not even a man. I don't care how old or young he is, he is not a man. A real man would never do that. I'm not interested in some guy who has to ask girls out in thrift stores. I kind of feel sorry for him that that is what his life consists of.

Thank You Lord for the confidence to stand up and be strong in this situation today and for Your protection over me each day!

Psalm 23

Loneliness and self-pity have been the sins I found myself guilty of this day.

What a mockery to my Savior and my God that I am too wrapped up in feeling sorry for myself to acknowledge the One who is always with me and who is the One who will not let me down. He knows me more deeply than anyone on this earth, yet some reason I desire to be with others more than with Him? Why? Forgive me O You, the Lover of my soul!

Tonight as I walked back from taking my dear friend Kira to the train, I began down that path of feeling sorry for myself again because I was there all alone, walking down those dark streets at 11:45 pm... when the words of Psalm 23 that I memorized in the KJV as a child rang through my head. I repeated it over and over, soon I was saying it out loud. Repeating verse after verse. Growing in confidence and believing the statements as I walked along.

What a comfort and what a declaration this Psalm is. Even more so since being in Israel and seeing the paths that sheep walk along, and hearing stories of shepherds. I understand how much sheep need a shepherd because I have raised sheep. I am a sheep and God is my Shepherd. That is the most perfect picture of who God is and how much He cares for me and how much I reject Him or forget that He is ALWAYS there. I'm stupid, it doesn't make sense to me. But the Shepherd is smarter than His sheep, He watches out for their every need, every need. He LEADS.

Read this, slowly, even in the KJV, there is just something about it.

Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Commuting Thoughts

The man who was still digging his lawn up this morning on my walk to work. He was there last night too. Sod is still laying outside his fence. He was using the wrong shovel... maybe that's what is taking him so long?

I saw a cat chasing a bird yesterday. Made me smile.

A little boy smiled at me as I walked to work today, that really made me happy.

On the train, I couldn't help but notice all the plots of land that are sandwiched between houses that would make great vegetable gardens... but alas, they are all overgrown with weeds or old, dead cars.

More and more men these days have their noses pierced.

People who ride bikes here are crazy.

I always hope that people can't see me looking at them if I have my sunglasses on.

Some man waved frantically at me when I got on the bus today, I racked my mind trying to remember if he was a 'regular' on that route.

The Gospel should be in the Red Eye because EVERYONE reads that in the morning. Seriously, EVERYONE.

I love when little babies get on the bus and smile at me. One little one did this today, her hair was in a little pony tail, sticking STRAIGHT up... she was too cute.

I'm trying to sit up straight for the two hours I'm traveling during my day. It worked today.

I love bilingual children and overhearing their mothers speak to them and then the response is in another language.

I know more Spanish than I thought. I could hear the basics in a conversation today, that was encouraging.

Some people really probably should not wear skirts or dresses.

One man on my morning route seriously wears the same thing every day, and one of the essentials is a green fishing vest... no, he isn't even old, he's probably late 20's early 30's. With a LONG pony tail... longer than I've ever had.

In this neighborhood it I am so out of place because I do not have tattoos all over my body... or even one.

I wonder about these people who are my fellow commuters. What are their lives like? Do these business people enjoy their jobs? Do they feel stuck in an endless routine?

I don't think I always want to do the same job Monday thru Friday 9-5 for the rest of my life. I think that would get old. I guess I do need change.

Iron

Proverbs 27:17 (yes, in the good ole NKJV) :)
As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

I thought today about what has transpired in the last three months for me. So much, but today I focused on two people who God has used over the last few years to shape me into who I am today.



This is a picture of Nate & I back-in-the-day when we first really started hanging out ALL THE TIME.

He stretched me and challenged me more than any other guy on this earth ever has. I am so thankful for his friendship, company, and all the learning we got to do together. He is such a good brother and man of God. I said good-bye to him back in June. Oh but the memories remain. Many, many memories. How could I not remember him? He is the one I shared PCM, work, church, and the majority of my classes with, how could I not miss him?

I'm praising the Lord right now, he just got engaged this weekend, and I could not be happier... I KNOW this man NEEDS a wife... lol

Then today...

....aaaarrrrgggggggggg....

.....today.....

Has it hit me yet??

No.

Will it?

Probably. :( However, it may take a bit.



Today this beautiful, wonderful, amazing, Godly woman left me.

I lugged her 100lb suitcase down three flights of stairs in my PJ's and gave her a brief hug at 7am this morning. That was our good-bye. Will I see her again? I have no idea on this side of Heaven, that's for sure.

Shannon has been one of the most sharpening people I've ever been with. I did life with her for the last two years at least. She has challenged me in virtually every way of my life, thinking, and doing things. Seriously, from hanging out with people of other cultures, to not letting the air out of a zip-lock bag... she has stretched me time and time again out of my comfort zone and forced me to be less selfish. I don't think she realizes half the time the stretching the Lord uses through her in my life, but few people in my life affect me like she does.

So I guess the grieving begins (or continues) as I begin to process and adjust to two of my closest friends moving on with their lives. I cannot help but wonder who will be the next person in my life God will use to sharpen and mold me? Will I be willing to allow someone else in at that level?

Oh Lord, please make me Iron in someone else's life, and help me allow others to be the iron I need too.

People

Britt is staying with us this weekend. So fun to have one last weekend, just the girls, before Shannon leaves. Tonight we are going to get drinks (real drinks ;) ), eat chips and salsa, and maybe watch a movie. Then tomorrow we will hang with the others who are arriving back on campus. One last sha-bang. Yeah, I'll miss my scattered, laid-back, simple, creative, funny, compassionate, daring roommate. I think I'm in denial that she is leaving. It has not hit me at all. I'm just not thinking about it.

The rest of this day has been filled with seeing people from Moody. I stopped by to meet up with Jenn because she was helping me move, and Mel & Sean were sitting in the plaza. So good to catch up with them.

A bit later Diego, Naomi & Angelica came. Then Hector. Then I saw Dre walking along, caught up with him. Talked with Alan for a bit. Then off to Jimmy's to pick up my things. Jenn is awesome, and got everything from Jimmy's into her car, and then everything from this apartment... all one trip. She is so great.

After many times up and down three flights of stairs at both apartments, and many heavy boxes, most of my things are in the new place. I even met the neighbors across the hall.

Jenn and I went back to campus just to chill before she had to work. We went to our favorite spot, the SDR, and I saw some of the boys. Dan, Colin, Michael and Big James. Colin greeted me with "Hey LITTLE GUY!!!!!" And ran to give me a big wet hug. Dan was all smiles just like always. I just love them. Then walking through the servery Big James came through the door and we both just ran and hugged! How refreshing to see familiar faces and be in one of my favorite places in all the world.

A while later the crew started to arrive. Kristina, Krystallin, new people. Then Anna showed up!! What a treat! I got to talk with Hailey for a while and catch up with her. Saw Linnae, and chatted with Tiffany. Ate with dishcrew and laughed just like old times. I felt a little funny knowing that I had been on dishcrew longer than anyone at that table, going around and remembering when all or most of them started. A little weird.

As I left campus I ran into Kyle, Cristina, and Kelsey.

Oh I love these people. It is so weird to go back to campus, but so good to see and be around people that know me and I can just be myself. It amazes me sometimes the people who are my friends, I know it is only because of the common bond of Jesus Christ that makes us friends, and that is so wonderful and beautiful. I would not have it any other way. These people have helped me become who I am today because of Christ working in us all.

I am thankful that they are not all gone, I am thankful I can go back and visit and still know a few people. That is encouraging to me. I'm glad I live here for now. I just wonder what is next.

Lord, please help me to rejoice with where I am at now. Help me to live each day as it is my last and to love those who are in my daily life.