My family - what a crazy organism.
Don't get me wrong, be in my presence for 15 minutes and you'll pick up on the fact that I absolutely adore my family.
BUT, we're a little crazy. Or, our family as a system is a little crazy. Spend a weekend with us and it will be apparent. You would not even have to experience a whole weekend, just try and participate in a lively dinner conversation and you'll see what I mean :)
At the same time, I could not be more proud of my family!
My sister has become my best friend. You will be hard pressed to find a more loyal friend or a more trustworthy confidante. She is married to one of the most wonderful guys I have ever known. Pursuing God, community and building their family. Cosi Mae is due in just under 2 months now!!
Brevin is one of the kindest individuals, is loved by so many, but manages to keep a level head. He is "so cool", but has fun being one of the goofiest, creative, hilarious guys you'll come across. I can only imagine where God will lead him. Oh, and did I mention he is planning to major in psychology? That of course wins him extra points!!
My mom is one of those people that you just feel more at peace when you're around her. Just looking into her eyes you know she knows the Lord deeply and loves with His love. You won't leave her presence without feeling heard, understood and valued.
My dad is so stable. He provides for our family without compromising. I attribute my "dad" sense of humor to him. He is a pillar of strength, but has never been ashamed to let us see him cry. He does an incredible job of assuring me that he is my biggest fan and could not be prouder.
I like to think that my family is evidence of God's grace. So much chaos and dysfunction (if we're being honest), but so much joy experienced just in watching the lives of the people I am related to. Far from perfect we are, but He has begun a good work in each of us and is working to bring it to completion. He is faithful and HE will do it!
He is present and He is restoring and He is changing us in our mess.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Henri Nouwen's Thoughts on Lent
Ever the more profound in his simple words than I could hope to be.
Lent is the most important time of the year to nurture our inner life. It is the time during which we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the death and resurrection that constantly takes place within us. Life is a continuing process of the death of the old and the familiar, and being reborn again into a new hope, a new trust, and a new love. The death and resurrection of Jesus therefore is not just an historical event that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place in our heart when we are willing to be attentive to it....
Lent offers a beautiful opportunity to discover the mystery of Christ within us. It is a gentle but also demanding time. It is a time of solitude but also community, it is a time of listening to the voice within, but also a time of paying attention to other people's needs. It is a time to continuously make the passage to new inner life as well as to life with those around us.
When we live Lent attentively and gently, then Easter can truly be a celebration during which the full proclamation of the risen Christ will reverberate into the deepest place of our being.
Lent is the most important time of the year to nurture our inner life. It is the time during which we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the death and resurrection that constantly takes place within us. Life is a continuing process of the death of the old and the familiar, and being reborn again into a new hope, a new trust, and a new love. The death and resurrection of Jesus therefore is not just an historical event that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place in our heart when we are willing to be attentive to it....
Lent offers a beautiful opportunity to discover the mystery of Christ within us. It is a gentle but also demanding time. It is a time of solitude but also community, it is a time of listening to the voice within, but also a time of paying attention to other people's needs. It is a time to continuously make the passage to new inner life as well as to life with those around us.
When we live Lent attentively and gently, then Easter can truly be a celebration during which the full proclamation of the risen Christ will reverberate into the deepest place of our being.
Friday, February 12, 2010
A bit of an update is in order
I don't think I have done any sort of update since before Christmas. Here are a few highlights of late:
I was accepted into Denver Seminary!!! I think I finally decided on July 1st as my departure date from the windy city. I will arrive in the lovely mountains to begin what will most likely be a 3 year program. I will be working toward my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For those of you who have been around me for the last 4 years know that this had been a long time coming. I first had my interest piqued in '06, visited in '07, put plans on hold for the last two years just to live and be and grow. I am so pleased that I have been accepted, am going and for all that this next season holds!!
Visited my sweet sister and her wonderful husband in OKC. I thank God that I can say with all sincerity that my sister is my very dearest friend! I am so grateful for how close we have become. The time at home was spent lounging, playing games, seeing the cute areas of OKC and mostly just being family together. I got to bond with Drew over some Arrested Development while Amanda was napping from exhaustion due to the prengancy. Felt my sweet niece move all around inside Amanda's tummy. I am so eager for her to come out and meet her favorite auntie!!
Participated in the Biggest Loser competition sponsored by my work. 30 competitors over 4 months (November - February). I signed up for this because I thought it might be that little extra push to get to the gym each day. I am very pleased to say that at McTigue Financial I was the Biggest Loser!! The cash prize was wonderful, but the feeling of being healthier and stronger is even more rewarding.
After much encouragement from Rachel, I signed up for an 8K - the Shamrock Shuffle. It's one of Chicago's oldest races. I am still wondering how I am going to do it in just 1 month!! I am not a stellar runner. 3 miles and I am beat. I hope that the crowd, the free T shirt and this last month of training will be all I need.
I have been going to trivia nights with my book club girls and their beau's recently. They're real low key and take place at a pub nearby. I don't know that I can necessarily contribute too much as far as providing correct answers, but it's always a fun time.
I got to drive home one weekend to help my brother Brevin write and prepare his essays for college. It was so fun to just go to a coffee shop and have some one on one time with him. I could not be more proud of my brother! I am praying that God provides a way for him to attend Colorado Christian!! He would be just down the road from me.
It was also on this visit home that I lost my voice at a double overtime basketball game in which Brevin scored 31 points!!! You can check out one of the write ups about him here. How clever is McVictorious?! Also, did I mention her is the captain of the varsity team? I know, shameless bragging.
Some other events going on include...
Game Nights - pictionary telephone is one of the funniest games to get the party started. Laughter is so good for you - especially in the midst of a Chicago winter!
Pot Lucks - a low key way to invite new friends over.
Documentaries - the best way to unwind after a long, stressful day at work, while still learning :)
Brunch at Lula - I am at this place just about every Saturday that I am in Chicago.
Baking- I love to bake!! Sarah recently bought me a cupcake
carrier, so I can now transport 24 cupcakes on the El at any time! It's fantastic. I have noticed that all of the commuters want to be BFF when they see pink frosting and sprinkles. Today's specialty was my first try at red velvet cupcakes. This made me dream of the day when I might have the pleasure of owning a retro red Kitchen Aid Mixer. Motivation to get married and put this on the registry, I suppose.
Occasionally, I entertain the thought of moving to St Louis and opening up a coffee shop and organic bakery. In my mind it would be very Anthropologie/Shabby Chic and would make people very happy. I would hope to think that I could possibly pull this off swimmingly... Baristas would be trained to the highest degree, every latte would have a heart on it, people could come in and just relax and be at ease. Perhaps if Denver is a major flop, this will be my next pursuit. I can't whisper this too loud to my mom - she is all on board for me to do just this!! Who knows. Perhaps one day...
Tyring new recipes - my most recent favorite was a Moroccan Chicken served with a tomato cucumber salad with yogurt cumin dressing. I stuffed this in pita bread and paired with pinot grigio. Anything that can be stuffed in pita bread is a WIN in my book - it's fun to have with friends, served family style. The whole concept of breaking bread and putting together what you're eating all around the table.
Another good recipe that Sarah and I made the other night (and makes stellar leftovers) are Apple Chicken Quesadillas. I would revise the original recipe by lightly seasoning the chicken with taco seasoning, and adding more cumin and cilantro in with the other ingredients. I recommend serving with a medium to hot salsa.
Books - read the Great Gatsby for book club. Reading Little Women for my personal enjoyment. Reasing In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan and Bringing It To The Table: On Farming and Food by Wendell Berry. Both of these books compounded with the recent viewing of Food Inc have really challenged me. I will have many more thoughts on this in the future. Right now I am just trying to figure out the implications of all I have been made aware of and what it looks like to live responsibly and ethically... If you have not yet seen Food Inc, it's a great starting point!
PODCASTS!!! My commute has improved tenfold as I have discovered the riches of NPR podcasts! I currently listen to
Talk of the Nation,
Wait Wait Don't Tell Me,
Radio Diaries,
Stuff You Should Know,
and This American Life.
Anyone observing me on my commute probably thinks I am mildly insane as I can't help but burst out laughing when listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. It's like what Who's Line Is It Anyway would be if their goal was to deliver what happened in the news that week.
I am heading home to StL tonight to cheer my heart out at Brevin's last home game of his senior year! And tomorrow I am throwing Amanda a baby shower to celebrate the soon arrival of sweet Cosette "Cosi" Mae! Then plenty of quality time with the whole McVicar clan under one roof! I am also thrilled to get to see Melissa (best friend since birth) who lives in Washington and her sweet baby Haylee Ann!!
Well, have a wonderful Valentines Day Weekend!! I'll try to update more soon about the last remaining months in this grand city and more on my transition to the mountains - hallelujah!!
I was accepted into Denver Seminary!!! I think I finally decided on July 1st as my departure date from the windy city. I will arrive in the lovely mountains to begin what will most likely be a 3 year program. I will be working toward my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For those of you who have been around me for the last 4 years know that this had been a long time coming. I first had my interest piqued in '06, visited in '07, put plans on hold for the last two years just to live and be and grow. I am so pleased that I have been accepted, am going and for all that this next season holds!!
Visited my sweet sister and her wonderful husband in OKC. I thank God that I can say with all sincerity that my sister is my very dearest friend! I am so grateful for how close we have become. The time at home was spent lounging, playing games, seeing the cute areas of OKC and mostly just being family together. I got to bond with Drew over some Arrested Development while Amanda was napping from exhaustion due to the prengancy. Felt my sweet niece move all around inside Amanda's tummy. I am so eager for her to come out and meet her favorite auntie!!
Participated in the Biggest Loser competition sponsored by my work. 30 competitors over 4 months (November - February). I signed up for this because I thought it might be that little extra push to get to the gym each day. I am very pleased to say that at McTigue Financial I was the Biggest Loser!! The cash prize was wonderful, but the feeling of being healthier and stronger is even more rewarding.
After much encouragement from Rachel, I signed up for an 8K - the Shamrock Shuffle. It's one of Chicago's oldest races. I am still wondering how I am going to do it in just 1 month!! I am not a stellar runner. 3 miles and I am beat. I hope that the crowd, the free T shirt and this last month of training will be all I need.
I have been going to trivia nights with my book club girls and their beau's recently. They're real low key and take place at a pub nearby. I don't know that I can necessarily contribute too much as far as providing correct answers, but it's always a fun time.
I got to drive home one weekend to help my brother Brevin write and prepare his essays for college. It was so fun to just go to a coffee shop and have some one on one time with him. I could not be more proud of my brother! I am praying that God provides a way for him to attend Colorado Christian!! He would be just down the road from me.
It was also on this visit home that I lost my voice at a double overtime basketball game in which Brevin scored 31 points!!! You can check out one of the write ups about him here. How clever is McVictorious?! Also, did I mention her is the captain of the varsity team? I know, shameless bragging.
Some other events going on include...
Game Nights - pictionary telephone is one of the funniest games to get the party started. Laughter is so good for you - especially in the midst of a Chicago winter!
Pot Lucks - a low key way to invite new friends over.
Documentaries - the best way to unwind after a long, stressful day at work, while still learning :)
Brunch at Lula - I am at this place just about every Saturday that I am in Chicago.
Baking- I love to bake!! Sarah recently bought me a cupcake
carrier, so I can now transport 24 cupcakes on the El at any time! It's fantastic. I have noticed that all of the commuters want to be BFF when they see pink frosting and sprinkles. Today's specialty was my first try at red velvet cupcakes. This made me dream of the day when I might have the pleasure of owning a retro red Kitchen Aid Mixer. Motivation to get married and put this on the registry, I suppose.Occasionally, I entertain the thought of moving to St Louis and opening up a coffee shop and organic bakery. In my mind it would be very Anthropologie/Shabby Chic and would make people very happy. I would hope to think that I could possibly pull this off swimmingly... Baristas would be trained to the highest degree, every latte would have a heart on it, people could come in and just relax and be at ease. Perhaps if Denver is a major flop, this will be my next pursuit. I can't whisper this too loud to my mom - she is all on board for me to do just this!! Who knows. Perhaps one day...
Tyring new recipes - my most recent favorite was a Moroccan Chicken served with a tomato cucumber salad with yogurt cumin dressing. I stuffed this in pita bread and paired with pinot grigio. Anything that can be stuffed in pita bread is a WIN in my book - it's fun to have with friends, served family style. The whole concept of breaking bread and putting together what you're eating all around the table.
Another good recipe that Sarah and I made the other night (and makes stellar leftovers) are Apple Chicken Quesadillas. I would revise the original recipe by lightly seasoning the chicken with taco seasoning, and adding more cumin and cilantro in with the other ingredients. I recommend serving with a medium to hot salsa.
Books - read the Great Gatsby for book club. Reading Little Women for my personal enjoyment. Reasing In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan and Bringing It To The Table: On Farming and Food by Wendell Berry. Both of these books compounded with the recent viewing of Food Inc have really challenged me. I will have many more thoughts on this in the future. Right now I am just trying to figure out the implications of all I have been made aware of and what it looks like to live responsibly and ethically... If you have not yet seen Food Inc, it's a great starting point!
PODCASTS!!! My commute has improved tenfold as I have discovered the riches of NPR podcasts! I currently listen to
Talk of the Nation,
Wait Wait Don't Tell Me,
Radio Diaries,
Stuff You Should Know,
and This American Life.
Anyone observing me on my commute probably thinks I am mildly insane as I can't help but burst out laughing when listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. It's like what Who's Line Is It Anyway would be if their goal was to deliver what happened in the news that week.
I am heading home to StL tonight to cheer my heart out at Brevin's last home game of his senior year! And tomorrow I am throwing Amanda a baby shower to celebrate the soon arrival of sweet Cosette "Cosi" Mae! Then plenty of quality time with the whole McVicar clan under one roof! I am also thrilled to get to see Melissa (best friend since birth) who lives in Washington and her sweet baby Haylee Ann!!
Well, have a wonderful Valentines Day Weekend!! I'll try to update more soon about the last remaining months in this grand city and more on my transition to the mountains - hallelujah!!
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