I just have this feeling that amazing things are around the corner. I have been praying fervently about the decision to move to Philadelphia. I can't say I know for sure it will happen, but I get so excited about it. When I lived in Philly and worked at Montgomery, I really felt like I wasn't just professing my faith, but I was living it. And I think for the past two-ish years, I've been struggling with what it means for me to follow Christ. What does it mean to love my neighbor? What does it mean to live as Jesus lived? How can I interpret His example into the world I live in? When I sit in my office surrounded by some of the wealthiest people, and go to church and listen to studies of the fruits of the spirit I can't help but be like, Is this all there is? Is this the rest of my life?
I feel like right now, or very soon, I have huge life decisions to make. I will either do exactly what my parents hope I will do (get a "good" job, benefits, my own place, a car, get married, and live in the suburbs) or something different... learn to live by lower standards no matter how difficult it may be at first, make no money teaching kids how to cook, live with my best friend and others in community, and find joy in serving those around me and not in gaining material objects... Again, huge decisions. Ones that will affect the rest of my life. I don't think I felt that way when I graduated college- that the next step was HUGE. This time around, I'm feeling the pressure.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
So uncomfortable...
So apparently when you turn 23 you are immediately ushered into the world of being set up by your parents friends. Perhaps sneak attacked... ambushed... those are better words.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Saddle
Well I am back at work, but just had some of the best days of my life. I got back Tuesday night from Seattle. I'll do a quick rundown of my adventures. There were a lot.
-toured Theo's, a fair trade organic chocolate factory. Ate many chocolates.
-took multiple buses by myself to get to Hannah's work, which I was given the wrong directions to because Hannah doesn't know her left from her right. I still found it.
-several trips to Pike's Place Market. I could live there I think.
-the day long winery-brewery adventure. Hannah and I took 3 buses totaling about 2 hours long, til we were dropped off in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully there's always a Starbucks in the middle of nowhere. I ran in to ask someone if they could tell us where the winery was. The first lady I asked offered to drive us there. Against all advice I've ever heard, I accepted and ran to get Hannah. LeeAnn (bless her little heart) drove us right to the front door and we thanked her profusely. After delicious wine tastings we headed out to lunch, only to get lost several times and start getting cranky with each other in frustration. I'll be fair, I was the cranky one. We finally got into the brewery and had lunch, only to find that there was a beer tour in about 5 minutes. So off we go like little alcoholics to another tour with free booze. Patrick was our guide and he liked me because all his jokes were totally lame but I laughed at them anyways. I'm not afraid to be kind of lame. Then some frat boys came up to flirt with us (15 of them, 2 of us. I can deal but Hannah was ready to peace). They offered to drive us but we drew the line there... but little did we know about the walk that was ahead of us. We walked for what felt like hours on this country highway, cars whizzing past us and laughing at the poor little girls. Finally we found an express bus back to Seattle. And ALL I spend that day was $18 for food, bus, wine, etc. Awesome.
-Clay got us into the Space Needle for free! He knows someone who works in the coffee shop so she let us go up for free. I'm really glad I didn't pay for that. Then we went to Thai Tom's and Ten thousand Villages. A bird pooped on my scarf and then peed on my head. While my best friend laughed at me, her boyfriend ran in to get napkins. It was horrible. Disgusting and I was freaking out while they were just laughing at me. But then it was ok and now it's all I hear about.
-Hannah and I made pasta with homemade pesto, sundried tomatoes and fresh mozzerella, and this was the best one out of the times I've made it. We also made a trifle for my bday with lemon pound cake, homemade blackberry-strawberry jam, fresh whipped cream and toasted almonds. Her roommates devoured it.
-My last day Hannah and I went to the aquarium and back to the market. We took funny pictures and dreamed about owning sea otters and seals. Then Hannah said I look like a sea otter when I laugh cuz I clap my hands. I still don't see it. We had Indian food with Clay for dinner and it was so good. We talked about our dreams for living in intentional community and wished I didn't have to go back to CT. Alas, Tuesday came and home I went, Hannah and I crying at the airport and me all the way down to security. It's okay I wasn't embarrassed.
So back to life as I know it right now. I am in constant prayer for the future, that God would grant everyone discernment and wise judgment, but a renewed sense of hope and optimism in His plans for us.
Such a good week.
-toured Theo's, a fair trade organic chocolate factory. Ate many chocolates.
-took multiple buses by myself to get to Hannah's work, which I was given the wrong directions to because Hannah doesn't know her left from her right. I still found it.
-several trips to Pike's Place Market. I could live there I think.
-the day long winery-brewery adventure. Hannah and I took 3 buses totaling about 2 hours long, til we were dropped off in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully there's always a Starbucks in the middle of nowhere. I ran in to ask someone if they could tell us where the winery was. The first lady I asked offered to drive us there. Against all advice I've ever heard, I accepted and ran to get Hannah. LeeAnn (bless her little heart) drove us right to the front door and we thanked her profusely. After delicious wine tastings we headed out to lunch, only to get lost several times and start getting cranky with each other in frustration. I'll be fair, I was the cranky one. We finally got into the brewery and had lunch, only to find that there was a beer tour in about 5 minutes. So off we go like little alcoholics to another tour with free booze. Patrick was our guide and he liked me because all his jokes were totally lame but I laughed at them anyways. I'm not afraid to be kind of lame. Then some frat boys came up to flirt with us (15 of them, 2 of us. I can deal but Hannah was ready to peace). They offered to drive us but we drew the line there... but little did we know about the walk that was ahead of us. We walked for what felt like hours on this country highway, cars whizzing past us and laughing at the poor little girls. Finally we found an express bus back to Seattle. And ALL I spend that day was $18 for food, bus, wine, etc. Awesome.
-Clay got us into the Space Needle for free! He knows someone who works in the coffee shop so she let us go up for free. I'm really glad I didn't pay for that. Then we went to Thai Tom's and Ten thousand Villages. A bird pooped on my scarf and then peed on my head. While my best friend laughed at me, her boyfriend ran in to get napkins. It was horrible. Disgusting and I was freaking out while they were just laughing at me. But then it was ok and now it's all I hear about.
-Hannah and I made pasta with homemade pesto, sundried tomatoes and fresh mozzerella, and this was the best one out of the times I've made it. We also made a trifle for my bday with lemon pound cake, homemade blackberry-strawberry jam, fresh whipped cream and toasted almonds. Her roommates devoured it.
-My last day Hannah and I went to the aquarium and back to the market. We took funny pictures and dreamed about owning sea otters and seals. Then Hannah said I look like a sea otter when I laugh cuz I clap my hands. I still don't see it. We had Indian food with Clay for dinner and it was so good. We talked about our dreams for living in intentional community and wished I didn't have to go back to CT. Alas, Tuesday came and home I went, Hannah and I crying at the airport and me all the way down to security. It's okay I wasn't embarrassed.
So back to life as I know it right now. I am in constant prayer for the future, that God would grant everyone discernment and wise judgment, but a renewed sense of hope and optimism in His plans for us.
Such a good week.
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