It's a good day

The sun was out this morning when I left for work. A first in several, here in the windy city = cause for celebration!

Right now the best part of my day is pulling together a just right outfit at the last minute because the one I originally envisioned just was not working. A change of cardigan and a different pair of shoes makes all the difference between “I put clothes on this morning” and “put together”. Has that ever happened to you? Momentary panic of “I need to be running out the door 30 seconds ago and I still have to find something to wear. Why isn’t this outfit working in real life??” to “Sigh. Boom baby! Let’s rock this”. Especially when the "boom baby" outfit is not flashy, but classic, comfortable and makes people think you put no effort at all into it. Holla! ( I do recognize this can come across as trivial and shallow - probably true. But feeling comfortable and appropriate in what you have on makes a big difference, at least for me.)

Second best part of my day, inching up to first, would be the free bagels in the break room this morning. I say bagels plural because I may have wrapped one up to go with my soup at lunch. No shame.

And third best, the piping hot coffee that will keep me going all day long. Es magnifique!

May I also add that I heard my boss sing g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s in the break room this morning?! Top that!

D is for Dynamite

I offered to host small group at my place this week.

The plan: rush home from work, swing by the grocery store, make some yummies for the group to enjoy.

The snafu: my spare keys that I took with me because I could not find my real set were good for nothing. They would not open the door. FAIL!

The plan b: run to grocery store and then drive downtown to meet the gracious roomsicle to borrow her keys to get in said house

The triumph: baked, made mulled cider (FAVORITE), lit (38-year-old-mom) Yankee candles and had the place clean and smelling of autumnal goodness by 7:30!!

Annnnnnnnd BOOM goes the dynamite!

Future Things

This last Sunday was a rare occasion. For the first weekend in many I found myself with no plans and able to just relax and be and decide what I wanted to do with the time I had.

I decided to get cozy on the couch with my macbook and do some much needed research on grad programs. Fall 2010 semester seems so far off, but as time goes, this year is going to fly by whether I am ready or not.

With pen and paper in hand, I scoured all websites of the different programs I am interested in. Noting the different deadlines, requirements, etc. Comparing tuition, location, accredidation. It was great to narrow my search and once more be convinced that Denver is still my top choice. I was very impressed with Covenant's application and will be submitting my application there as a backup, for sure.

I just recently moved - (moving in general = something I absolutely dislike). We got settled into our new place just over a month ago. As I was sitting in my living room, looking at all the wonderful things we've been blessed with to furnish our apartment and make it home, all I could think of was: "How in the world am I going to move all of this across the country? What could I get rid of?"!

The sensation that followed left me feeling nearly paralyzed.

I adore my roomie.

I finally feel like I know what I am doing at my job.

I have such a wonderful strong community here. It takes time for relationships to develop and hard work and awkward stages and I feel as though I am just beginning to see the fruits of my labor - in my small group, at my church, with my beloved book group, figuring out life as an ahhhhdult.

Looking into the unknown, I had trouble seeing a picture of what my life would be - I could only see feelings -

Loneliness - moving to a brand new city where I know a handful of people (at best). Starting from scratch when it comes to friends and community.
Uncertainty - not knowing that I actually want to be a counselor and only being able to find that out after actually pursuing my Master's
Difficulty - moving all of my things, finding a roomie, finding a job to pay the bills, all of the logistics of how to make it work.
Inadequacy - Having to be responsible for my life decisions and carry through on them.

And as soon as the paralyzing sensation swept over me - another picture came that brought calm.

I looked around our cozy apartment and thought to myself: I never could have pictured this life one year ago. I never could have anticipated the friends God would provide, the church, the opportunities, even the adorable home that Sarah and I get to live in in our beloved Logan Square. I could not have pictured the specifics, but I could rest in know that God would provide what I have need of.

Of course I can't picture what my life will look like one year from now. I just need to do what I know to do with what I have.

God will orchestrate and intervene and provide and direct my paths. He will make the way. I can honor my feelings in that it is a big step and a significant change and a going forward in a way I have not yet done before -
But I get to be a big girl,
I get to grow in independence and strength and
I get trust that my God is good, sufficient and is so gracious to let me grow through this.

So, here we go. Onward and upward... Or, something like that, but perhaps a little less cheesy/chirpy.

God gives us grace for the moment - here's to trusting who He has revealed Himself to be - the good and faithful God who sees us and gives us what we need in His impeccable timing.

p.s. the pictures of our new place are free - just thought i would throw them in here instead of doing a whole blog of the place.
Enjoy!

Autumn (of the meteorological variety)

A few things:

Today is the first day of September. How did that happen?!

We jumped from spring to fall here in Chicago. Trying to embrace the crisp cold autumn air and not dwell on the fact that we did not get much sun and warmth this "summer".

Starbucks is debuting their illustrious Pumpkin Spice Lattes and muffins today. I may have broken down and bought a muffin even though I brought a bagel from home. Who could say no?

I ordered my very first coffee maker ever. Sometimes the smallest things remind you that you are a grown up (or should I say, ahhhdult? That probably sounds more convincing). I think it was because I had waited so long to "invest" in a Cuisinart stainless steel thermal coffee maker (the kind one might register for). I am counting down the days until it arrives.

Finished two books last month: The Time Traveler's Wife. So wonderful! Takes place in Chicago - namely right by where my old college campus is located. The book dealt with many themes, my favorite being the concept of becoming. The other book I finished (just last night) was Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Disciplines by Lauren Winner. Shortly after college she converted from Judaism to Christianity. She sheds light on the spiritual disciplines in the Jewish tradition and believes that we miss out by not incorporating them into our evangelical traditions. A thoughtful read.

This month is a line up of:
1.) The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard. I began it just last night, and in classic Willard style, it is already so good and challenging.
2.)To be Told by Dan Allender. It's been far too long since I have read anything by him.
3.)Bonfire of the Vanities is our book club selection for this month. I don't know too much about it, but am looking forward to another work of fiction.

I now know (thanks to an exhange on facebook) that there is a difference between meteorological fall and astronomical fall. Today is the first day of meteorological fall, but you have to wait 21 more days for astronomical fall.

Aren't you glad you know that now? Glad I could shed some light on that for you.

Now, go impress your friends with this knowledge over a pumpkin muffin with some coffee brewed in your state of the art coffee maker all September long!

P.s. anyone read any thoughtful sociological studies lately??