S-H-U-L-T-S, It's Dutch not German

Moving!

2011-08-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

So I am part of an exodus of friends who are leaving the blogger-shpere and heading over to Tumblr. It is a bittersweet change. This blog has been my writing home for years, and as a good Lutheran, I am hard pressed to change. In the same way, most of you know that this blog has suffered great neglect over the past year, and since the seperation started long ago, I makes it a bit easier to say good-bye.

A little while ago, Hannah asked if I would be interested in blogging as a group with several other friends of ours. The idea was that we would have a topic twice a month and we would all post at the same time. I loved the idea, but logistically it works so much better on the Tumblr than here. It's become evident that if I want to keep writing and make new writing friends, I'm going to have to transition to a new space.

So this is by no means an end to blogging since we all know it is impossible for me to quite telling stories. This new start, new location, new beginning will hopfully mean that I'll be writing more often and with more focus.

So join me at Tumblr and all the ladies at Via Scribendi .

Thanks for reading and I hope to see at the new home soon!

Finished?

2011-03-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

There aren't many times in my world where things get truly and completely finished. I can clean all I like, but somehow there is always more housework to do. Programs at church run into and over each other, and I find myself running from thing to thing. I understand that as adults there is a perpetual list of things that need to be accomplished and that we never really cross the finish line, throw our hands in the air, and get to sit down.

What we do get is something that dips down so tantalizingly close to finished that we can sit and bask in the cool relaxation of done. And right now, this moment, feels as close to finished as I have in a very long time.

The Silent Auction, our biggest fundraiser all year is done. Sure, there are still thank you notes I have to send out, but there are no more baskets in my office, no more phone calls to make or errands to run.

LEA is done. My speaking gig went pretty well. There are always things I wish I could have changed, but no one fell asleep on me so I'm taking it as a win. I hosted two other sessions and that was easy. The travel and the prepping is complete and it was a joy to be there.

Because I was traveling, my house is actually very clean. I like to leave the house looking good, though I have no idea why. When I got back on Saturday night, I didn't have to look at a pile of clothes or dishes and consider doing something about it. (Note that I said consider, not actually do)

I teach religion class for half of the school year, and I love it. It's one of my favorite things to do and I really enjoy the class I had this year. But I can gladly say that I am done with classroom teaching for the year.

Yes, there are other things to be done and yes, Easter is around the corner. But today, today I celebrate the closest thing to finished as I will probably feel for a while so I'm going to soak it in while I can.

Giving up the "stuff" for Lent

2011-03-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

We have entered into the church season of Lent, a time to consider our sin and the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. During this season, I am in the habit of giving up something that will constantly remind me of the reason for this season. I try to make it something powerful and meaningful, something I will miss everyday. In the past I've given up soda, television, even fasted for the season of Lent.

This year I am trying something a little different. I have given up shopping and purchasing anything that isn't necessary for life sustainment (food, bills, gas, etc.) or for ministry. I haven't put the full stop on food shopping, but I am also trying to eat food that is already in the house first rather than buying more. I have also allowed for using Gift Cards I received at Christmas since that's money that was already spent.

I'm also giving away/throwing away/recycling one item in my house for each of the 40 days of Lent.

I can be honest in saying I sort of thought this was going to be a walk in the park. No shopping; No biggie. Getting rid of stuff; easy peasy. I don't have a lot of money to spend, so if I do go shopping, I do a lot of window shopping until I find exactly what I want. Sure, I have way too many clothes, and I am a sucker for a bargain. But I don't feel like I willy-nilly spend money I shouldn't.

I was WRONG.

I am a week and a half in and I am feeling the loss. Apparently, the compulsion to buy things happens all the time. I get the Groupon email with these deals and I look longingly at them every day. I have had to do shopping for our Silent Auction, but keeping that shopping to just what we are using for the Auction is like pulling against a magnet. I just want to look at the watches, at the shoes, at the whatever. I want a new book on my Nook. I have one more thing to get to finish redecorating the bathroom. I like stuff WAY more than I should.

Suddenly, I feel the need to post this publicly because frankly, I'm going to need the support. I have a feeling it's going to be a long, hard Lent and a time to let go of the physical things that hold me back. My prayers are that Lent is a powerful time for you as well.

Note to my future husband: Apparently, I like to shop. I apologize in advance for buying all sorts of stuff we don't need. I really hope you are good with a budget.

Matchmaking with Kindergartners

2011-02-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

Excert from a conversation at lunch today...

Kindergartner 1: Are you married?

Me: Nope

Kindergartner 1: Do you want to be married?

Me: Sure, but I have to find a boy who wants to marry me and who I want to marry first and that sometimes takes a while.

Kindergartner 2: (Kindergartner 3) will marry you.

Me: Well, he's a little too young. Plus, he is making a face at me that says he might not really be into that idea.

Kindergartner 2: Oh, well, then maybe (Kindergartner 1) will marry you.

Me: I don't think so, since not only is she the same age, but she's also a girl. But thanks for trying.

We went on to discuss how it is possible to be an adult that lives away from her parents but is not married(an unfathomable existance to a five year old), how long the communte would be if I still lived with my parents and how their parents are married. Then we started talking about the grilled cheese.

New Things in a New Year

2011-02-09T06:52:00.001-08:00

Since the start of 2011, I have aquired many excellent new things. For example...

After two and a half years of using a shower curtain so dark that photographs could be developed in the shower, I have a new shower curtain.

Since last October, I've been collecting these little stamps my local grocery store gives out for every 10 dollars you spend. I've been aquiring other people's stickers as well. Then at the end of January I was able to trade them in for some new, very nice pans. One is a deep skillet with a lid and the other is a small frying pan. They are so much nicer than the cheepo pans I got when I first moved out of the house.

But probably most importantly...

This is my new car. While I will save the waxing nostalgic about the old car for another blog, this car drives has power locks, power window, cruise control, windows I can see out of, a suspension, a radio face that lets me read what radio station I was on, four doors, and all four hubcaps.

I am looking for a name for her. If you have suggestions let me know! And do a little celebration for new things in the new year!

New Car??

2011-01-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

So one of the big "Adult" movies I've been planning is buying a car. I've been driving the same little green car for almost my entire adult life and now the "ghetto-mobile" is showing it's age. It eats oil three meals a day, and as much as I love it, it's time to upgrade to a car where I don't have to worry about it disintegrating underneath my feet.

And it's a daunting task, let me tell you. So far I've gone out with my dad twice to dealerships just to look at what is out there. I've had more conversations with him than I can count about the ins and outs of car buying. My friends Matt and Ryan have talked me through the best cars and promised to do all my haggling for me. I know what I'm looking for and what I can spend.

Yet, I feel uneasy about the whole thing. There just feels like too much I don't know. Too much that could go right or wrong depending on too many variables to control. I honestly don't have a clue how to do this.

This feeling has been happening to me far too much for my liking lately. In my work, in my relationship, in my grown up decisions, I feel as if I don't have a clue, like I'm missing key pieces of information everyone else seems to have. So I piece it together the best that I can, hoping to muddle my way through. I call upon friend after friend to help me please. I pray and hope for the best.

And maybe that's all we ever can do. Maybe this idea that as adults we gain some special knowledge of how to do things like buy a car is just a fallacy. Maybe we are all just muddling along, hoping our friends and faith can help us piece something worthwhile together. I don't know if that's hopeful or depressing, but it's all I've got. You have anything better?

The First Photo Friday of 2011

2011-01-07T19:26:00.000-08:00

This photo Friday I wanted to show you the fantastic picture of my newphew dog Mack enjoying the squeeky potato I got him for Christmas, but I will settle for showing off some of the amazing gifts I got for Christmas. Most of the time, I love giving great gifts more than getting them, but I got some crazy awesome gifts this year.

In just a small highlight of wonderful gifts from my family, I got a Nook e-book reader, a Flip camera, and Scribblish which is all the best parts of telephone mixed with all the best parts of pictionary. The best gift, however, was getting to spend time with everyone! I do not see my family nearly enough for my liking.

I have the best friends who got me some amazing gifts, including a handmade tote bag that I have used everyday since I got back, a poster about coffee that I am totally framing for the kitchen, and Pride, Predudice, and Zombies postcards.

And for those of my wonderful friends whose presents have not yet been recieved, well, I promise I'll get them to you soon.

Signs of a Happy New Year

2011-01-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

I don't think of myself as a superstitious person. I don't think that if I blow out all my birthday candles in one breath my year will be discernibly different than if it takes two or three. I don't pay attention to what Punxsutawney Phil does on Groundhog Day. I don't hold my breath over train tracks. I have traditions and habits, but nothing I really do in order to ensure something goes well.

That being said, the first day of 2011 made me wonder if one choice or activity might set the course for a year. I spent the last few days of 2010 in Kansas with my family celebrating Christmas. We saw extended family, played games, just sat in the same room and read. It was glorious.

On the morning of the 1st, I woke up late, hugged my very sleepy siblings goodbye and headed unwillingly to the airport. As I was checking in, I discovered my plane had been cancelled. My initial frustration gave way to what turned out to be an amazing blessing. I walked up to the ticket counter and told the man that if he couldn't fly me out today, he would need to fly me out tomorrow afternoon. Probably for fear that I was on the edge of a major freak out, he was able to rebook me and I gained more than an extra day with my family. I got an extra brunch with my parents, extra game time with my siblings, an extra dinner with coffee beer, and even got to go to church with my family.

As I tell the story, I know it sounds dreadfully dull, but here is the piece that clicked for me. Waiting a day to fly home meant missing Sunday morning and work. It meant I would have less time to go over my religion lessons for the next week. It meant that I might let down the people who I work for by not being present. It meant that I might not be as important or indispensable as I would sometimes like to think. It meant admitting that sometimes I need to be filled up by the people who see me as just Julianna before I can be a good DCE Julianna.

If there was ever I sign I hope brings a new start to a new year, it would be this one, the chance to choose my family, my friends, and myself in a new way without fear or guilt. Maybe its a sign that maybe I can be what my church needs AND have what I need at the same time. Or maybe my flight just got cancelled and the ticket guy was scared of me, I don't know.

Only the rest of 2011 will tell. Here's to hoping for a wonderful New Year to you all.

Living Vicariously

2010-09-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

So recently Hannah has been doing all sorts of new and exciting things. Some with great results and others with less than great results. I've been watching her with rapt attention as she struggles to change up her life in some fairly dramatic ways. I even tease, apparently along with others, that I'm living vicariously through her.

And apparently, she is not all that jazzed about it.

Trying new things is hard, and it's made even harder if the eyes of all are on you. I can understand her complaint. My response to her was that it is difficult to match the level of awesome in her life in order to draw attention away from her. She is pretty stinking amazing, and it would take quite a show to move the focus. Most honestly, I want to live a life myself, not through others. I want to be doing and growing and being more than enough for myself.

So as you see, I have started a list. I've talked about the list. I'm moving things around, adding, and subtracting from the list. I've posted the list on the blog as a list of Crazy, Scary, Fun Things I would like to do. Some are more crazy than fun, others are more scary than crazy. All of them are going to be challenging in a very different way. But as someone who needs a goal and a list, this will hopefully keep the focus. Consider it my attempt to capture the awesome Hannah has so neatly captured and live the kind of life where I don't have to live vicariously through someone else.

Here's to non-vicarious living.

Note to my Future Husband: The one thing I have not yet figured out in my years of living alone is how to comfort myself when I am feeling sick. Unfortuately, this means that I tend to compond the sick with loneliness and self-pity, until I force myself to do "something productive" causing the sick to get worse. I have high hopes that your eventual presence will make this situation dramatically better.

Imagining

2010-09-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have always had a big imagination, for better or for worse. Right now I'm imagining all sorts of new things I've never imagined before.

I'm imagining a plot for the novel I'm going to write for NaNoWiMo. (I'm putting together a support team of people who are going to do this together. Let me know if you are interested.)

I'm imagining starting a new blog with Karen where we take your dares and the follow through with them in order to give our current lives a new kick. (I'd love to hear your potential dares.)

I'm imagining how much more awesome my life would be if I got to see and talk to my family more often. I'm missing them like mad crazy lately.

I'm imagining how my friends must feel when I am so hard to get a hold of sometimes. The particular imagining has led me to some new attempts at being a better, less self-involved friend. I've added this to my list.

I'm imagining what life would be like if I weren't a DCE. Not that I don't want to be a DCE anymore, because I do. I just haven't considered any alternatives in almost ten years, and if something were to happen, I want to have some concept of what else interests me. There are so many things to do out there.

What are you imagining?

Note to My Future Husband:I have absolutely no idea how we are going to schedule holidays when you arrive in my life. Frankly, I don't see my family nearly enough now to fathom seeing them less. It'll be tricky, so be prepared to do holidays twice, or more.

Photo Friday - Really Late Version

2010-08-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

This Friday I present two things that I love:

Brand new haircuts

Partially because now I don't have old-person grey roots.

And piles of really great books

My pile is growing faster than I can read. That's just the way I like it.

I wanted to do this Photo Friday last Friday.

My car (lovingly called the ghetto-mobile) has been having more and more issues. One of the most annoying was the recent loss of the clock/stereo/cigerette lighter. Figuring it was just a blown fuse, I was able to find the fuse box, get a new one, and install it. All by myself...with the help of the guy at the auto shop. Now, if I could just fix the AC.

Truth or Dare

2010-08-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

I have some amazingly awesome people in my life.

If I have failed in many ways as an adult, the one thing I am proud of is the quality of people who I have been able to surround myself with. I know I'm not solely responsible for this, but I am often blown over by the amazing awesome that is my friends and family. They are the most honest, loving, faith-filled, creative, challenging people I could have asked for.

Recently, it's been a big task for me to try and pull myself up out of whatever mire I've been stuck in for the past few years. Working too much, and not really living the life I want. And you've heard me time after time write about what life goal/challenge/bucket list/whatnot I think I'm going to do this week.

And almost universally, I fail. For a lot of reasons. But that's not important.

What is important is that I've noticed that where I succeed it is always become someone in my world is rooting me on and pushing me to do better. Hannah has been insanely supportive of the novel writing (5000 plus words now), and the dating thing (no online dating till there is magically more money). And by insanely supportive, I mean, she doesn't let me get away with any excuses, and she continues to push and ask and push every time we talk.

My parents have their own special brand of support that has always amazed me. They support and challenge with a level of love only seen in parents. I could succeed or lose, what they do for me isn't going to change, but that doesn't mean they don't want me to do better, to be better. They also have this thing where they listen to me talk and yup and uh-huh but I can sense the general tone of their feelings on the issue and I instinctively feel convicted and stop whining and change my mind but they don't actually say anything. It's really quite amazing.

I could go on and on. Tina J and Christina and James do this thing where they just jump, and I stand next to them staring and suddenly feel like I could jump too. Alex has this Yoda-esque quality where he says nothing until he says something incredibly insightful and by the time I recover from the shock he is saying nothing again. Karen finds a way to point to Jesus no matter how ridiculous the situation, and believe me, we have been in some ridiculous situations. Christy and Jamie fill my life with creative stuff everyday without even trying. On and On.

So to everyone in my little corner of the world, I say thank you and give you the credit you deserve for helping me everyday. I'm going to keep trying to be the person you all show me I can be. You are AWESOME.

Note to my Future Husband: People mentioned above are going to be key in winning me over and they understand my crazy. Listen to them.

Focus

2010-08-04T04:43:00.001-07:00

I'm working from home today because the floors down the hallway and in my office are being waxed. I am hoping this does not throw me off and that I can have a perfectly productive work day from my living room. Right. Who am I kidding? There is a reason that I stay in the office if I have to work. I am horrible at keeping focused when I am trying to work at home.

I think the difference here is that there is that in my house are my TV/bed/comfy couch/full sized refrigerator while in my office there is not. Generally speaking that means I can stay moderately focused on tasks in my office while not being able to stay focused on any one thing in my apartment for too long. This is not just true about work. If you are talking to me on the phone while I am at home, generally speaking, I'm cleaning. Why? Because while I'm focused on talking I have just enough brain power to clean, but not enough brain power to be distracted by the TV/bed/comfy couch/frig. Hannah called a few times this weekend, and I had a great conversation with my dad. Apartment is spic and span.

I don't know where this tendency comes from. I only know the few ways I've figured out how to harness it. Good at keeping focus I am not.

What I have managed to keep a focus on is this...
- 3500 words on the novel. Only 46,500 to go.
- Did the Eharmony free communication week. Still in debates if the $30 a month is worth it.
- Dad and I talked about cars for a good while this weekend. I have a few more things on my list of ways to prep for the big car buy.

Note to my Future Husband: I have no aversions when it comes to cleaning the house. We can split it up however, except dishes and yard work. I'm really hoping you don't mind being solely responsible for doing those two things. If you get me a dishwasher, really only the one thing. And if we live in an apartment, well, then I guess you just help with whatever I haven't done when I talked to Tina J on the phone.

Sleep, Online Dating and Missing Karen

2010-07-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has ever served as a DCE or lived with a DCE or even really met a DCE knows that our schedules are a rollarcoaster ride of crazy. One week we might as well pack a bag and bring an air mattress to church because we have so much going. The next week we work something that resembles regular office hours. The one thing our schedules demand is living with an unknown amount of sleep. Depending on the day our bodies could get 4 hours, could be 10, who knows?

I'm beginning to think my body has wised up, got a look at the calendar, saw some open space in the next few weeks and decided it's going to sleep as much as it can as hard as it can. I can't blame it. I deprive my body of sleep for most of the year. It has a right to grab sleeping opportunities anyway it can.

However, my quest to be more participatory in my own life is a teeny bit hampered by my bodies determined demand for shut eye. When after taking a quick nap on Sunday, I settled in to write some and immediately fall asleep for another two hours. Last night I crawled into bed to read at 9:30 and was out before I turned the first page. I am no longer the master of my own sleeping patterns. Ah, well, I have to enjoy it while I can.

For those of you who are single, I discovered that this week is all free communication on EHaromony. I am trying to take advantage, hoping not to find love in less than a week, but rather to figure out if online dating is something worth investing in. Plus, it's good practice. I'll let you know what I discover.

On a sad note, I am not getting used to not having Karen in the office. I still look for her in her office occasionally, and I have done my best to resist talking to her about all things St. Paul. I got to see her for dinner last week and it was awesome as always. God is doing phenomenal things through her still. She is doing some work trying to see how we can support called workers who are without a call for whatever reason. (If you know someone like this, let me know so I can put you in contact with her.) Now that she has that job as Starbucks, I have a great excuse to kill two birds with one stone. Nice.

Photo Friday - Iphone Edition

2010-07-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

So this photo Friday has but one picture for your viewing pleasure.

After weeks of indecision and uncertainty, I present my brand new iPhone. I had long ago dismissed the idea of having such an expensive phone, but a few critical pieces came together for me. First, I was due for a phone upgrade which means that all the phones are as inexpensive as they will ever be. Second, with Apple presenting a new iPhone the old models all went on deep discount.

Yet even with those discounts, I was still unsure if I wanted to really invest $100 plus dollars in a phone. I love my Blackberry, and it does just fine for me. The kicker came when on my third visit to Best Buy they had an 8gig iPhone Refurbished. While it's warranty is a mere 3 months, it's price tag...
$50!

I jumped on that deal. That was as inexpensive as my Blackberry when I got it and less expensive than the Blackjack I had before that. Now that I've had a few days to use it I can say I am enjoying this phone so much! It is insanely easy to use. It has apps for things like my Bible and Facebook. Texting is a breeze. It's a great phone.

I like it so much I got it a cute little plaid case and named it Alice. (I named my iPod Mimzy from the poem the Jabberwocky. The poem plays a role in Alice in Wonderland, thus naming the phone Alice.)

Note to my future husband:
In the phone buying (and yesterday when I went to the mall with Kristy) I was reminded once again that I do NOT like the people who work in the kiosks at the mall. They freak me out. Long story as to why, but in the future, it is best to walk on the kiosk side of the mall when we are shopping. Keeps me from being nervous.

Photo Friday

2010-07-16T06:23:00.001-07:00

Today we finished our Planet Zoom VBS. Not only does this mark the end of an awesome week, but it also marks the end of the "insane part" of my summer. I've taken four trips and run VBS in just under two months. Now, I'm going to rest, recoup, and actually do some grocery shopping.

Here's a taste of our VBS!

Our cityscape inside our hive!

Look, I'm a real bee!

Bee-Boy and some of our donations to the DR

My office now that we are done! ACK!
I am ready for a nap. See you next year!!

Wouldn't it be interesting...

2010-07-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

Trust that little voice in your head that says ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if….” And then do it. – Duane Michals

Today I start four glorious weeks of decently calm prep time before Fall. I've been pining for this time for months now, and I'm quite relieved it is here. I need some time to get myself organized and put back into some semblence of order.

I've been having some really good conversations with a lot of very smart people lately and I've decided in this slower prep time to not just work on work, but to also work on plans for me. Just me. It's actually been really fun. If you read this blog, you know my follow through really sucks. Time will tell if my follow through has improved.

Plans (so far) include:
- Writing a novel (there are actually three starts to this already. We are not going to quality but time dedicated to the craft.)
- Running a 5k again (which means getting back in shape)
- Learning how to work a tight budget in Chicago (taking suggestions on this one)
- Buying a new-to-me car (my first real, huge grown-up purchase that requires a loan)
- Figuring out what I want to get my Master's degree in (too many choices)
- Trying online dating again (I know me having a date will bring about the apacolypse, but I think it's worth a shot.)

I'm taking suggestions. Let me know if you have any good ones. Or if you want to join me with any of these.

Oh, and today I introduce what I hope will be a wonderful new addition to my blog. Sort of like Christy's Daily Bliss. I'm calling it...
Note to my Future Husband: When things around me are disorganized I cannot think straight. Because of this,you can tell when my brain is in a frenze by how much cleaning I do. No cleaning - Mellow Mind but Lots of cleaning - Crazy Brain

Photo Florida Part Two

2010-06-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to put up my pictures of Christina and James' wedding but before I do that I wanted to finish the last few Florida pictures.

I had a lovely day at the beach with the Hartmanns! I miss them so much and it was great to spend some time relaxing with them.

All the kids have gotten so big!

Nick, Candance, and Natalie Moss were fantastic hosts. I got a chance to catch up with them, and they are just as lovely as ever. It took a bit for Natalie to warm up to me, but she is incredibly cute.

I miss my Florida friends so much and it's good to see them doing well. I can't believe it's been two years since I left. In some ways it feels like longer, and in others it feels so much shorter. It's amazing how life moves so quickly.

When I get a chance to upload pics from the weddings, I'll get them up for everyone to see.

Photo Friday - Fantastic Florida First Edition

2010-05-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

I have to start this entire blog by saying THANK YOU! THANK YOU! to James and Christina for making everything in the blog post possible. It was their very generous wedding thank you/birthday gift that paid for the flight and rental car. You guys are awesome and I can't wait to celebrate your wedding(s)!

After two years, I finally was able to visit all my friends back in Florida. I had saved up some extra vacation days, mostly by not taking any all year, and I was pumped to get to see how much things had changed since I left the Sunshine State.

I got in so late on Wednesday night it was actually Thursday morning. Luckily, Jen didn't mind staying up for me. Thursday morning we made a quick trip across the state to Rockledge (Space Coast) to visit Dave, Sonya, and new baby Johanna!

Oh My Goodness!

Look at this baby!

How cute is she!

We rushed back to Plant City to go to dinner with some fantastic kids from Hope's youth group. It was completely unbelievable how smart, funny, and grown up they all are. I got to hear about everything they have been up to in the past two years.

We even played some games!

Friday I made the trip to see my Great Aunt Ruth and Uncle Henry. Ruth is my grandma's older sister and I love visiting her because she and Henry have the BEST stories.

then I got a chance to Christy and her family!

The kids are awesome and huge.

We watched He-man and the Masters of the Universe, ate fantastic food, and talked until late into the night.

I'm going to wait until I can upload the pictures from my phone to show you the rest of the trip. Needless to say, it was amazing!

Photo Friday

2010-05-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

So this comes to you a little bit late, but I think you will appreciate it. This past Friday and Saturday were fantastic days. I got things accomplished, rested, managed to clean, napped and put up my new piece of art!

As I said, the space above the TV has been horribly blank, and the artwork that was on the other walls was so colorfully busy (on top of the busy pattern on the furniture) that it was sort of blinding. I found this at Pier One, but couldn't afford it. I managed to go into the store every time I was in the are just to see if it was on sale. When it finally did go on sale, I managed to snag it for $20. Even the cashier was impressed!

Friday and Saturday were mostly awesome because I got to see these two fantastic people.

Tina J's birthday was last week so I went up Friday to help her celebrate. Adam was driving down to work at the theater in Crystal Lake so he stopped by Beloit on his way into town. Then I got to spend some time in Adam Saturday night after his show. Lovely times catching up with both college friends :)

Not to mention this fun addition to the weekend...

a new haircut for summer.

Keeping hope alive and kicking for another weekend. All is as well as it can be.
Happy Mother's Day!

Hope

2010-05-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has been around me or this blog in the past year or so has probably sensed that things have not been going according to my plans. It's been a battle and every time I feel like I'm starting win, some new weapon or warrior comes into play against me. Couple times I've been cornered. Couple times I've had my cheerleaders worried I was going to lay down and give up.

Regardless of how things have gone, I've managed to get up every day and do what needs to be done. I still have hope that things will turn out alright. I have hope that eventually I stop having to fight altogether. I have to hold on to that because by the end of today, this fight may harder than it has been before. Or maybe it will get easier. Just have to let the hope keep me warm.

Hope by Emily Dickinson
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Photo Friday (or What I did with my Friday)

2010-04-24T06:53:00.001-07:00

So, this is what I've been working so hard on, even on Friday...

And this isn't even all of it!!! Auction on Sunday, and after that, rest, hopefully, for a little bit at least.

Now, return to thinking about what you would do before you died.

Your Bucket List? Mighty Life List?

2010-04-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

I had been ignoring the bunch of rough days have been quietly stalking me for a while now. Yesterday they ganged up and jumped me all at once. I'm still trying right myself, but I am now even more thankful that God has put such fantastic friends in my life. Best words spoken yesterday were from Karen who said, "Man, that feels like a lot of law, doesn't it. You ready to hear the Gospel now?" Wise beyond her years, that one.

In the meantime, and while the quietly ruminating blog on hope continues to marinade, I have a question for you. What do you want to do before you die? How long should your list be? Alaina has one she calls the mighty life list, and she is getting things checked off at a rate I admire.

I've started lists like this in the past, but they have always been either surface-y and shallow or completely impossible. Lately I've felt like I have lost my direction and my purpose. I fill my days doing the things I've always done, in the ways I'm expected to fill them. Yet, my sense of striving for something bigger or better has been lost in the chaos of just getting through each day. So, I'm going to write a list of the things I should be looking to achieve. What do you think? Anything I should put on my list?

Trying to be an Artist

2010-04-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

I have a deep and meaningful post in me somewhere but no time to get it out. In the interim. Let's look at some pictures.

I spent last week at Walcamp as the Dean for one of the NID Jr. High retreats. At Walcamp they have a beautiful pond with three white crosses on the far side. They also have a small amphitheater outside the lodge with an altar and a cross. Inspired by Christy, I took the opportunity for a photo shoot.

This picture almost got me attacked by a goose.

The mama goose in the picture has a next just underneath the cross and when anyone came near, her and her mate would hiss and come at you. I backed away, hands raised in surrender after three shots.

While I'm not as artistic or as great a photographer as so many others I know (coughChristyJamiecough), the artsy part of me loves this pic.

Photo Friday - On Location

2010-04-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

In a mangle of mis-communication and non-planning, I ended up with tons of time to kill up at WalCamp before I have to begin my Dean-ing duties for the weekend. I managed to wrangle an Internet connection when I realized I had not posted these very important pictures.

I watch the Vlogbrothers on Youtube, and one half of the Vlogbrothers is young adult author John Green. John has a new book out that he co-wrote with David Levithan (he wrote Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist) and is doing a book tour. Bethany was fantastic enough to remind me that I actually live in a big city, a fact I sometimes forget, and that John Green was coming to Chicago. So after reserving tickets, getting excited, driving downtown only to discover that traffic on 90 was a parking lot, discover that there is no parking within a quarter mile radius of the small theater where they were speaking, and then showing up a half hour late, I saw this...

and this...

as they talked and shared scenes from the book and such. Which was followed by this...

and eventually this...

The final picture being when I told John Green to wave to Hannah, since Hannah is a nerdfighter like me but she couldn't get to a booksigning. Hannah and I squeed on the phone for quite a bit of the night. It was a fantastic evening, the kind of which I wish would come about more often.

And now to pick up pizza....

A very very late Photo Friday

2010-04-06T10:44:00.001-07:00

Easter was beautiful and crazy. I'm still running on caffeine and the joy of the Resurrection three days later. I have so much in my head I need to rummage around to find a coherent thought. Until then I present what was supposed to be last week's Photo Friday.

Dcs. Karen give me a fun surprise on April Fool's Day! She "egged" my office.

The eggs were just as funny as last year's "spooning", except that I have to pick these up and put them away before the Easter decorations get stored for the year.

Quiet and Celebration

2010-03-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

It's a quiet week in the office because school is out for spring break. The halls normally filled with noise all day are so quiet I can hear the clock ticking down the hall. The quiet has been a nice break to work on some projects I've been ignoring for a while now, so that's been a welcome relief. Not that I don't love having kids around all day, but every once in a while, I revel in the silence.

Easter is quick approaching and with it comes a busy weekend and the welcome return on Aleluia. I'm doing my first Easter Breakfast, so that should be interesting. After several Easters of accepting multiple invitations to dinner, I made the decision to take the first offer I got and turn down the rest. I want to be focused on celebrating the ressurection not focused on fitting in four dinners in 6 hours.

I apologize that my thoughts are scattered and shallow. Too much and not enough all at the same time in my brain. I'll try again soon.

Comic Relief

2010-03-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of working at a church with a school is that several times a weeks you get to experience some sort of comic relief in your day. For example...

The Preschool teacher came and got me out of my office so I could enjoy listening to one of the students singing a made up tune at the top of his lungs while he was in the bathroom, just like Boo in Monsters Inc..

I have made friends with a two year old who comes with her mom to bring her sister to kindergarten here. Yesterday she was standing near her mom on the pew just inside the door and saw me coming. Immediately, and without fear I might add, she threw herself off the pew like a flying squirrel towards me. I just managed to catch her. Good thing I didn't have a coffee mug in my hand.

We made "Thy Kingdom Come" crowns in seventh grade religion today. They were so proud of their creations, they were still wearing them at lunch.

It has become incredibly comical that for the last week and a half every single time I see a fourth grader they have to ask me if I am coming to watch the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe with them. (I just finished reading it aloud to them a couple of weeks ago.) Dude, yes, I am coming to see the movie with you.

I had balloon fights with the kindergartners after school yesterday.

I can't believe I was ever unsure if I wanted to work at a church with a school. It totally rocks.

I am NOT afraid!

2010-03-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

I've always demanded that my bed be pushed up into the corner of the room. Always. Just ask my sister who had to share a room with me for years and had to deal with my constant refusal of any furniture arrangement that did not put my bed in a corner. I don't know if I ever told her or anyone else why until I was much older. I need my bed in the corner so that if I'm ever attacked at night, I can defend myself by putting my back to the wall. It's a comfort to me that if zombies/clowns/witches/whatever attacked me at night, I could instantaneously cover my back and focus on protecting my front. Yes, to this day, my bed is still in the corner

I swear, I am not a fraidy cat. I'm not. I'm just...prepared.

Okay, maybe I'm afraid of some things. My coworkers are keenly aware of my fear of clowns after taking me to my first haunted house. (story for another time) Heights and I have been getting along better now, but I'm still not brave enough to go on a roller coaster that's not indoors. Somehow those fears feel like childish fears. Fears that my grown up brain handles with a sense of confidence because somewhere in me I know that clown is just a teenage kid in a costume. Clearly, that doesn't keep me from crying and swearing, but a part of me does know that, I swear. I can control it. I can master it. They are fears I am comfortable with.

In the last week or so I've had more than a few circumstances where I've been afraid. No clowns or tall buildings this time. This fear isn't about monsters under the bed, or how high the roller coaster goes. I've been afraid because of some big grown up fears. The fear that I was always be alone. The fear of losing close friends. The fear of writing something that will get me kick out of synod. (Okay that one might be blown out of proportion, but still) The fear of losing the pieces of my life that so clearly define me. The fear that I am not good enough or brave enough, or smart enough to face the grown up fears.

So I'm going about my day looking for a way to put my metaphorical bed against the corner. I'm talking to friends and ignoring their calls. I'm trying to write fun, happy blogs and failing miserably. I'm working on trusting God to provide the peace and comfort I need to get past the fears, because in the end that's all that will ever help.

"Do not fear!" is all over scripture, especially when God is about to do a big thing. "Do not fear" God reminds us in the face of little kid fear and big grown up fear. I'm doing my best to be not afraid, but if you have any tips, let me know.

Family Photo Friday!

2010-03-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Photo Friday this week is brought to you by Mama Shults. This week she sent my sister and I an email that when downloaded properly gave me a file in My Pictures labeled "Pictuestobrightenyouday". My mom, she is awesome.

Since before I can remember, we had this set of reindeer we put out for Christmas. I think they are in almost every Christmas picture of us from the time we were little. This past Christmas we were talking about which Christmas decorations we might want in our own houses someday and we discussed who would get the reindeer. (I was willing to give them up in exchange for the Tomie dePaola Nativity book.) My mom suggested that since Grandpa Voss made them, he might just make us two more sets. Then everyone would have some.

Sure enough, my Grandpa is an amazing woodworking genius. He made us two more sets (one big and one little) and my grandma painted them up so they look just like our old set. I am so excited I might put them up a little early, like as soon as they get to my apartment!

This is my "little" brother showing off his tux for my sister's upcoming wedding. He is currently rocking the mountain man look, which I am not really a fan of. (Seriously, Alex, you look like the guys on the Big Bang Theory when they came back from the expedition to the North Pole.) Unfortunately, he is both bigger than me and old enough to have an opinion of his own about his hair. He does look super spiffy in the tux though.

Oh, and speaking of parents who are awesome....Happy Birthday, Dad! Thank you for being the kind of dad who loves me all the time, even when I call you 15 times in two hours while I'm doing my taxes. Enjoy your new record player!

Smarter than the Average Bear?

2010-03-16T06:42:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have come to the stark realization that I may not be nearly as smart as I once thought I was. When I was in school I thought I was a fairly intelligent person. I got good grades. I read big and meaningful books. I could hold a conversation or debate on a variety of topics with ease. I felt confident in my own intellectual competence.

Then I went out on internship and I struggled with putting into practice all the theory I had so diligently learned in school. This felt, for a short time, like I was learning even more as I became the student of real life application. After a few years of studying where the rubber meets the road I began to think I needed to stretch my mind a bit. I was a smart person, or at least I was in my own mind, and I needed a challenge to continue to use my mind. I was all passionate to go back to school, or to at the very least find some opportunities to continue to be challenged and grow. I had many very supportive people who encouraged me to seek these opportunities out.

And here is where I made my fatal error. Instead of listening to those supportive people, I listened to the few who told me I was not capable of going back to school. I was upset and disheartened, but I earnestly believed those people who said I was not good enough or smart enough to require an extra challenge. I spent the next few years accepting this fate, and spending my time watching mindless TV. I didn't read much. I didn't listen to NPR or even the news.

Then I took the call to Chicago under the pretence that I could finally go back to school. All signs pointed towards me being able to finally get the challenge I needed. I was invigorated. I began reading again, albeit in smaller doses. I became more eager to learn. I even got so far as to find a program and get the application. It was so close.

And then things happened, and I readily accepted the fact that I would not be going back to school anytime soon. Something in my head clicked at this point that I cannot describe. I stopped reading classics and started reading crappy chicklit (this is a subcatagory of chicklit, not a description of all chicklit.) I stopped caring about challenging myself. It was all I could do to keep my brain engaged enough to do my job. I lost my mind in the mundane.

Now, I am rethinking going back to school and I am terrified. I see people applying for these fantastic and challenging masters programs, and I think to myself, "There is no way I could get into those programs, no less pass the classes." I try and read these intellectual blogs my smart friends read and they are a huge challenge to get through. I feel dumb as a box of rocks. I think in the past few years whatever extra smarts I ever had were thrown out the window. My brain is so out of practice that it creaks and moans when I try to use it too much. I try and look at Masters degrees and can even decide what I want to study anymore.

Maybe I always overestimated how smart I am. Maybe I lost all my smarts in the years where I did nothing intellectual besides staring at the TV. Maybe I peaked too early and now it's all downhill. Maybe I'm just doubting my own ability. I don't know. What I do need to figure out is what I'm going to do next. If you who are smarter than me can figure it out let me know.

Photo Friday

2010-03-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome back, Photo Fridays! In the spirit of do or do not, I really did a lot of spring cleaning today. The whole apartment isn't clean but it's definately a step in the right direction. Plus, I got a whole bunch of errands run and managed to get a nap in as well. Good stuff.

This is my now very clean living room. Note the new TV stand and the new hand me down TV. My big problem now is trying to figure out what to do with the big white space above it.

Not only is the bathroom clean, but the drain in the tub is finally working again. Now when I take a shower, I don't have to take a bath too.

Spring cleaned bedroom where the closets are now filled with clean clothes. I did 6 loads of laundry until I ran out of quaters. Now I need to go through and sort out clothes I don't need anymore.

And, just for fun...

Karen and I in our Christmas Cracker hats!

Do or do not. There is no try.

2010-03-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

I am so fraking sick of telling people that I am "trying" to be balanced in my life. Pretty much everyone in my world has heard me say it at least a dozen times, yet I fail to change. In fact, some of them (coughHannahcough) have developed an immunity to my insistence that I am trying to be healthy and in balance. I can tell because even over the IM I can see her roll her eyes every time I say it.

It's not that I don't realize I'm not healthy and in balance. My house is a disaster. I have no edible food in my kitchen and no clean forks with which to eat take out. I've had a very mild toothache for a month. I've gained back every pound I lost on Weight Watchers five years ago. My neighbors feel free to park in my parking spot because "I'm never there."

Thus I intend to go all Yoda on my health. There is do or do not. There is no try. Tomorrow I am going to the dentist. Friday has been declared Spring Cleaning day. I am asking the community of my blog (all four of you) to keep me accountable to the idea that it would be very difficult to continue to do the ministry I love if my teeth fall out, I get scurvy from never eating vegetables, I have no clean clothes and can't find the door to my house.

Once a week, I'm going to give you an update. I'm also reinstating Picture Fridays. Let me know what you want pics of.

Writing vs. Community

2010-03-09T11:26:00.000-08:00

On the bookshelf in my room there is a half a shelf of journals going back to my grade school days. Some of them contain more entries than others. Some include the folded up remains of journals that didn't stand the test of time. There is even a binder that contains the sheets of stories I lovingly typed out on my dad's typewriter. Storytelling is in my bones. I am a painter, not a pointer. The words and I are friends. I've written fiction and non-fiction, blogs and devotions, published and stuff that will NEVER see the light of day, by hand and on the computer. I don't sing in the shower, I write in my head and speak the words out loud so I remember it long enough to jot it down later.

My dad said it best when he said, "Julianna, is it possible for you to answer a yes or no question with just yes or no?"

My answer is unapologetically, "No!"

While I've taken a short vacation from blogging, I haven't taken one from writing. I'm still writing as much as I did before this blog, but somehow it felt...I don't know...unfufilling. It took me a while to figure out why. This blog isn't just me writing. It's a community.

It's a teenie tiny community for sure (I only have four followers.) but it is a community none the less. That's what I miss. I miss writing and then hearing from other people in response. I miss writing and then having friends know stuff about my life when I call. (Don't laugh. I call people sometimes.) I miss the back and forth that a blog provides.

So, I've got a new template. I've remembered why I started this silly thing in the first place. Now I just have to transfer some of my crazy to the page here. Hope you are ready for it.

Christmas Annoucement!

2009-12-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

In less than 24 hours I will be able to hug my daddy

(and my mama, my brother, my sister, and my brother-in-law who are all additionally excellent huggers)

for an entire week.

Best. Christmas. Gift. Ever.

(aside from Jesus, of course!)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

You take the Good with the Bad

2009-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

Nothing in life is ever easy or fair. Especially in this year, I've learned to take the good with the bad and keep on rolling. Take the past few weeks for example...

Super Good!! - Thanksgiving was exactly what I needed. Tina and Hannah are two of the best friends a girl could ever hope to have. We drank wine, ate too much food (including a hamburger that was so fresh if you closed your eyes you could hear the cows mooing). Everything about being with Hannah's family felt like being with my own family, so even though I missed my own family dearly, I kept thinking I would turn around to my own grandma coming in to play cards with us after dinner. It was the most comforting another person's family has ever felt. Plus, I never get to spend enough time with Tina. Seriously, this girl should be awarded a medal for being one of the most patient friends when I'm slow to return her phone calls and to busy to come see her.

Super Bad!! - I got a head cold that decided it wanted to stick around to matter how much OJ/coldease/dayquil I would take. It even made friends with a migraine last week and left me down for the count. Today is the first day in almost two weeks I haven't woken up unable to breathe with a head so filled with snot it is hard to lift off the pillow. One can only hope it's almost over.

Good! - The Christmas events were successful and are now OVER for December. Now all my work is focused on what's coming in January. I generally do better work under a deadline, but it's nice to just be working through things at a leisurely pace for once. I'm excited about a lot of the changes we are making in January, so I'm positive we are going to make our way out of the craziness of the past few months.

Bad! - After (mumbled number) years out of the dating world, I'm trying to make a reappearance. This should be a simple task. It is not. It has me stressed to the point of having to run all my plans past Hannah to ensure I'm not acting like a crazy person. Can't I just wake up and be married?

Good! - I got a new-to-me hand me down TV which kicks my previous hand-me-down TV's butt.

Bad! - I need a new TV stand now, and I have an extra TV that I don't have a clue what to do with.

Good! - I have almost everyone's presents done for Christmas.

Bad! - I still have one more thing to knit and it's Christmas Eve Eve.

As I told my boss at the youthesource website, I'm hoping Christmas vacay will give me a ton of writing time. Hopefully more blogs will be enjoyed during that time. Although, I think my boss is onto the fact that while I SAY I'm going to have time to write, I do not always have the time I think to write.

Merry Christmas!

While I Recover

2009-12-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

Have been hit by another cold and am unable to form complete sentences.

While I recover, enjoy this...

Love at Its Best

2009-11-23T09:05:00.000-08:00

This is why people write blogs.

I had spent over a month avoiding my blog like the plague, thinking I had to come up with some funny story or detailed description of what I have been doing. I wrote and deleted I don't know how many starts to blogs that didn't feel right. I tried just posting pictures, but that felt disingenuous. When I wrote last weeks blog, I expressed something that is a rarity in my blog, genuine emotional need. I needed a community. I needed support. And Lord knows I'm not good at asking or talking about any of those things in person, no less over the Internet.

Yet from the moment it posted, this itty bitty community of people who read this thing that I write stepped up in an amazing way.

I got two offers of free housing in two very different locales so I could run away. Thanks Jamie and Phil and Nick and Candace. Now I must decide if I like sand or snow better.

I got great advice and support on how to focus on myself, and not on how my ministry defines me.

I got at least two offers of gum.

I was showered with love and support.

I got a several digital hugs, one in the form of a song.

I got a Joy Bag (a bag with six gifts each to be opened on a consecutive day) where the first gift was a hug from someone who was big enough that he picked me up off the ground and the second gift was sparkly socks. (Julia, you not only made my week but you made me cry for happiness.)

If I have one thing I wish for you, blog people, is that you are blessed to have the kind of people who honestly and lovingly want the very best for you. When you need support, I hope I can be there for you as you have been there for me. People write blogs to feel a sense of community and love even when people are far away. Every time I read your rsponses it is a feeling that is beyond words. It is truly God's love in action.

So this week I'm going to Hannah's parent's house in the middle of nowhere and hiding out with Hannah and Tina J. Hannah has promised me gum. I'm going to eat pie till I keel over at the pie social on Wednesday. I'm going to keep you updated on this gift bag that keeps on giving. I'm going to be thankful to have you in my life. :)

On Being Done and Keeping Confidential

2009-11-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

Do you remember when you were little and your parents would take you out to run errands with them? They would have this long list of places to go and things to do and for the first little bit you would love it. You would enjoy seeing all the new things and sitting in the car and making up games to entertain yourself.

After a while though, you would get bored and frustrated. Your little legs had walked twice as many steps as your dad, so your feet would hurt. You would start to bug your brother and sister. Everything people said to you made you upset. Didn't matter what they said, it was just the tone that would set you off. Before long you are crying and throwing a tantrum. You mom would say to your dad, "She's done."

Now, the fact is that even if you were "done", it didn't acutally mean your parents were done running errands. Even if you were done, the list wasn't any shorter, and there were still other things to be completed before you could go home. But the fact that you were done changed the way your parents dealt with you. They kept your brother and sister further away from you. They were quicker getting things done. They would say things like, "You're doing good." and "Just a little bit more."

Yesterday, it occurred to me that I am done. Not done as in I'm giving up. Not done as in I've completed all the tasks I need to. Not done as in I'm selling all I own and moving to rural Mexico so I can farm and never speak to anyone again. I'm done like a five year old whose mom GROSSLY overestimated how many errands she could run.

Pretty much anything anyone says to me that is anything other than "Thank you for being helpful." or "You're doing so good, I'll buy you gum when we check out." make me want to cry and throw a tatrum. Doesn't matter that I'm a 27 year old grown up professional. I want to sit down on the floor with my arms crossed over my chest ad pout. I'm exhausted to the point of wondering if I might fall asleep in the Target checkout line last night.

I'm done. And what I need more than anything else is for someone bigger than me to hug me and tell me that it's going to be okay soon. I need someone to tell me it's time to go home and rest. Because as any mom would tell you, there is only so long you can keep going once the kid is done before it gets impossible to accomplish anything.

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging lately. Unfortuately, there are times in ministry and in life were all the good stories, thoughts and feelings aren't really fit for public consumption. Not that I don't desperately wish they were. I would be FAR easier to tell some of these stories once and be done, rather than have to relive the chaos ever time a new person calls or emails. It's not that I don't want to blog, it's more about how blogging is the opposite of keeping things confidential.

I've been writing some fiction instead, hoping a bit of seperation from reality would help me find the worlds. If you'd like to read that, I'd be happy to share...I think.

I'm not making any promises about future posts. If things change again, I will let you know. If I don't say it enough, thank you for listening, bloggerfriend. It means more than I can say.

Friday is for Photos!

2009-09-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentleman, a totally clean living room with...

Yes! That is fresh veggies I ate for dinner and new library books

And I managed to get together DK's birthday present (I am SOOO pumped to give it to her.), a make up present for the sucky present I got James for Christmas (I found it and totally needed an excuse to send it to him.), and a box to send my dad my old cell to see if he can fix it.

On a totally unrelated note, I present...

DK and DK 2.0 in my office! Both prominately featured in my latest blog on youthesource.com!

Friday is for Photos

2009-09-18T19:06:00.001-07:00

So, in an effort to promote more frequent blogging, I am beginning Photo Fridays.
Your first photo may come as something of a shock.

Yes, I dyed my hair. No, this is not the color I intended. Jury is still out on if I like it or not.

For more fun, these are pic from tonight's exciting fun at our school's PTL Family Dance. We were supposed to dress according to an decade, so enjoy!

Me in all my '80s glory

Our Staff!

Everyone had a great time!

What's Up?

2009-09-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

I decided to go with a Q and A type blog post just to get me back in the flow. I've been using all the good creative juices on other writing avenues.

Highlight of my week so far: Having a neighbor vindicate my nickname of a fellow neighbor "The Pants-less Lady" by describing her as "You know, I'm sure you've seen her around without pants.

Lowlight of my week so far: Finding a leaking Spam can in one of my storage bins. Seriously disgusting.

Most Frequent Activity other than Work: Guitar Hero

Most Common Phrase Uttered: That's Dcs. Karen's 2.0 cardboard cut out that I created so we could continue to share an office even after we stopped sharing an office. Yes, we like each other a lot.

Best attempt at keepin in contact with the outside world: Talking to Jen on the phone last night!

A New Set of Lists

2009-08-04T06:57:00.001-07:00

Things I've Done to Re-Start "Normal" Life

1) Got Library books
2) Got my oil changed
3) Got a haircut (nothing major. I trim and I decided to forgo the bangs since there were REALLY hard to maintain)
4) Did some of the laundry
5) Got enough groceries so I could feasibly eat at home if I were there to eat
6) Baked for the first time in...I can't even remember. Got Amish Friendship Bread out of the deal. Totally worth it.
7) Weighed in at Weight Watchers for the first time since May and even though I had a gain (seriously, who wouldn't!), I made plans to attend a meeting at a better time during the week so I would have no excuse not to go
8) Skipped Saturday Night worship to spend bonding time with the other staff members (Felt totally guilty, but I did it anyway)

Things I Still Need to Do to Regain My Life

1) Cast something on my knitting needles (looking for ideas!?!)
2) Finish the laundry
3) Actually read the books I got at the library
4) Pain the new office at church (pics to follow)
5) Finish moving into my new office at church (Right now everything is in tubs and crates all over the office and it's driving me mad)
6) Get More Sleep
7) Get the car checked out at a regular mechanic because the Jiffy Lube guys said my car has a "serious oil leak" that needs attention
8) Call Alex and figure out how much a "serious oil leak" is going to run me
9) Figure out how to pay for the fixing of a "serious oil leak"
10) Do the dished before Tina J comes to visit tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!
11) Send out the gifts and thank yous from China that are still in my living room
12) Find one more Sunday School Teacher
13) Write my first blog post for the E-source
14) Figure out a new name for my blog on the E-source (I write about pop culture and media.)

So one list is bigger than the other, but that just seems to be the state of things. I'm slowly getting back to real life, and it feels great! I'll get there...eventually.

P.S. I spellchecked this post after writing it and for the first time in the history of Julianna's writing the box read, "No Misspellings Found." Hannah and Jo, I think you are both wearing off on me. Good Work!

2009-07-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentleman, I am excited to announce the completion of this year's Red Lake WorkCamp AND Crocodile Dock VBS. Someone asked me today how I was possibly still standing. I wasn't actually sure, but the only answer I had was the Holy Spirit, cause man was I done. My legs hurts. My cold has migrated to my chest only enough to cause an annoying cough. I have laundry and stuff all over the house. It's a mess, but now I'm done.

I am currently sitting on my couch with a cup of PT's coffee, comfy PJs on, toenails painted, hair newly died, watching season one of Criminal Minds (Thank you, Alex, for the birthday present you didn't know you got me!) I even used my very best Christy's bath products in the shower. I actually feel relaxed and slightly human for the first time in...well...let's just say it feels nice.

Maybe more soon! Perhaps even the epic tale of moving offices! Thanks for your support, love!

Back and Off Again

2009-07-19T09:06:00.001-07:00

Do you ever have that moment where you look at your schedule and you think to yourself,

"Who planned this schedule? It's insane!!??"

And then you realize it was actually you who planned this schedule. You are in fact the crazy person who decided to go to China AND Red Lake on mission trips. You were the nutso who planned Red Lake and VBS on back to back weekends. You lost your mind thinking Rally Day would be great the Sunday after VBS. You have overestimated your sanity and your patience.

And now you are stuck, unless there is a break in the time-space continuum or unless Jesus comes back to take you home.

So I'm prepping today for VBS starting tomorrow, then going home to sleep for at least 12 hours so I can be up early but not fall asleep at my desk. I will be taking Coldese so this sore throat does not make this week any harder. God will get me through just like he has before!

Lists

2009-06-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Awesome Things Right Now

1) Getting to celebrate my birthday again because Karen wanted a chance to help me celebrate. I have the Transformers card, Diet Dr. Pepper present and Birthday button to prove it.

2) Actually feeling rested for once

3) Finding the big, huge hole in my bank account as I fill out $1500 worth of disbursement forms. I KNEW I wasn't spending that much money on groceries!

4) Watching my little sister plan for her wedding, and more importantly, watching her interact with her finace. They are just so stinking cute together! I am supremely excited for their wedding, and I am overwhelmed at how she managed to find such an amzing guy!

5) Putting together my birthday present...pictures soon!

Top 5 Super Un-Awesome Things Right Now

1) Digital TV is suck-tastic. I can only get 3 chanels (sort of) that I want to watch. It drives me batty!

2) I have no groceries in my house right now.

3) I have just over a week before I leave for WorkCamp get back and go straight into VBS. So Much! So Fast! Not enough time!

4) I left my phone charger in Topeka so I went and got a car charger. This would be great it I had a more than five minute drive to work. Phones do not charge well in five minute increments.

5) We are moving offices in the next month or so. Now, this is a pretty awesome thing in general. I'm actually very excited about my new office. However, I will no longer be sharing an office with the lovely Karen. For someone who was VERY unsure about sharing an office with anyon, I am very broken up our impending seperation. Yes, I know she will be about 10 feet away, but still, it won't be the same.

Life seems so much better after a restful vacation! I can't wait to show you what I'm up to at home!

AAARRRGGHHH!

2009-06-18T06:58:00.000-07:00

(insert loud, cathartic scream here)

I have tried my hardest. Really, I have. I didn't want to let you down any more than I did before I left for China. You just have to understand that no matter what I do the stupid videos simply will not load. They won't. Doesn't matter what I try or what computer or what internet access, nothing.

It doesn't help that my frustration level is already high, as I haven't been home to do anything but collapse in a heap on the couch for an hour or two then crawl myself into bed. You do not want to see the state of my apartment. The laundry has reached dangerously high levels, as I haven't even finished laundry from China yet. (Sorry, mom, but it's true.)

It's been the longest three and a half weeks of my life it seems since I got back from China. I've been working like mad crazy. Last night a meeting here at church got done at 9:45 and I felt so frustrated that I'm was highly unprofessional towards the end of the meeting. I just couldn't stand it anymore.

I am going home for some much needed R&R next week.
I am going to dinner and a movie tonight with friends.
I am going to do nothing but clean and veg tomorrow.
I am going to make it...I think...mostly.

Pretty Picture Post

2009-06-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

585. I have 585 pictures and videos from my trip to China. I have no earthly idea what I am going to do with all of them. I posted some of them onto my Facebook profile. I went to the store and had 150 of them printed up for a scrapbooky thing I'm doing. There are plans in the works for me to combine not just my pictures but the pictures of other people on the trip onto one big mess of pictures.

But I get the sense from some of you...(cough)Jamie(cough)...that you would like to see and hear more about the trip here on the blog.

So I present to you, in no particular order, my favorite pictures from China 2009.

Why do guys wait 3 days to call?

2009-06-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, I can't figure out how to embed this, but PLEASE, PLEASE go watch it.

Funniest. Thing. Ever!

Updating Your Blog in 10 Easy Steps

2009-06-03T14:34:00.001-07:00

1) My Pastor announced his resignation in church and the congregation and I began to deal with this unfortunate news. Please pray for Pastor and our congregation as we look to what God has in store for our future.

2) Traveled across the world to Yunnan Province, China.

3) Spent two weeks doing eyeglass clinics with 15 other phenomenal people out in rural China. We were seriously out in the middle of no where (4 flights and 2 bus rides out in the middle of nowhere). We handed out 1200 plus pairs of glasses to over 900 people! Mind blowing doesn't even begin to cover it.

3) Slept on a glorified wooden box in Chinese hotels for two weeks and desperately miss MY bed.

4) Ate pizza in Asia marking it as the third continent where I have eaten pizza. It wasn't fantastic, but after two weeks of Chinese food it tasted amazingly good.

5) Traveled for 32 plus hours to get back to Chicago freaking my body clock out in the process.

6) Discovered that I no longer had the ability to sleep because my body was fighting to stay on China time.

7) At nearly the same moment, discovered that I had a ton of work to do and nearly collapsed into a sleeping pile of goo on the second day back to work.

8) Finally sort of got my stuff together...in the broad sense.

9) Left to go to Belleville for a conference/meeting on youthesource.com (link in the toolbar). Check it out!

10) Got the message that I needed to update my blog :)

Take a look later for videoblogs from China! I'm not making many promises about how often I'll update, but I'm going to try. LOVE YOU!

She is Alliiiivveee!

2009-04-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Today, as I walked from my car to church, not one but two people stopped me to say the exact same thing...

"You are alive!"

This amused me to know end because 1) Dude, you are standing right in front of me. Thank you Captain Obvious. and 2) I wanted to make several different witty remarks from Young Frankenstien, but I was pretty sure they wouldn't get the reference.

Now, if people who work with me on a daily basis are concerned as to my survival after the past month, I figure you guys must be as well. I am here to assure you that I am alive. I've just had a month of working more hours that I would like to admit. I haven't had time to watch TV, knit, clean house, cook, or really even breathe, which might explain why people are concerned about my mortality.

Last night I called my family last night, talked to my sister about coming home in June (I've been homesick like you wouldn't believe!), cleaned half the apartment, set up a time for the internet tech guy to come by, and slept nearly 12 hours. I'm feeling SO MUCH MORE...alive! I'm planning on posting about the China trip this week, so check back in a few day.

LOVE YOU!

How to explain...

2009-03-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

Every time I've come to blog for the past few weeks, I sit at the computer screen and I try to think of words to describe what is going on in my life. So I sit...and sit...and sit...and stare at the screen until I sigh in frustration and x the screen.

I'm not really sure how to explain everything I've been doing. On one hand, I have these amazing new friends who I get to hang out with all the time now. They are smart and funny, and oddly enough, they don't seem too think I'm too much of a geek to hang out with. On the other, the crazier my life gets and the more I'm with my friends the more I start feeling an ache to have a partner (yes, read a romantic guy type partner, groan) in all of this.

Things are so busy at church that some days I don't even have time to think. Which on one hand is good, because I love the work I'm doing so so much. On the other hand, it means I have so much less time for myself, and for balance.

I didn't give up TV for Lent but I haven't really watched but a few shows in the past few weeks. Maybe my brain is trained for reading during Lent. I've been ravenous to read, reading whole books in single sittings. It's nuts. I've gone through half my library books in a week. Any really good book suggestions?

And I'm leaving to go on a two week Mission Trip to China in SIX WEEKS! And I haven't even told you guys about it!!! I am so excited and nervous I can hardly talk about it. So maybe if you guys are still listening...
You ARE still listening, right?
I'll tell you all about it this week. Since we are caught up...sort of...

Not Dead

2009-02-26T06:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, so maybe I have overplayed the "I'm sick!" card just a tad. When I returned yesterday to work after my Doctor's appt, the staff here seemed very, very concerned about my health. Apparently, prayers were made on my behalf during staff devos because I was so near death. And while I have to say, I kinda love that they would do that for me, I don't think I was ever quite that close to going home to Jesus.

Thus today I am back to my regular routine. I'm feeling better, and more importantly, I promise I am not so quite near death as I have led you to believe. Thank you for your concern.

On another note, yesterday was Ash Wednesday and up until the last minute I was undecided as to what Lenten sacrifice I would be making. The past few years I have given up television, before that soda, and before that food on Wednesdays. Somehow I have become overly confident in my ability to do without things I love.

So this year I am taking something on (actually two somethings, but whatever) as a new Lenten experience. I've never done Lent this way before so I'm interested to see how it goes. I am on a reading plan to read all four gospels in 40 days. I am also going back to Weight Watchers in an attempt to add health and exercise back into my lifestyle. I need a life with more balance. I need a life that is a reflection of the things I want my children, youth, and congregation to possess. Balance and Health. I've never managed it before, so it will be totally a God thing.

As always, I write this not because I want to shout from the rooftops what my big plans are. In fact, that is the opposite of what Lenten sacrifice is about. I do this as a declaration to others of my intentions. I find that you, my bloggy friends, keep me in check. This is simply a preventative measure from me copping out in a week and a half. You may never hear about this again. Or you might. Depends on how it goes.

On that note, what are YOU doing for Lent?

I Hate Taking Sick Days!

2009-02-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

Where did I get this odd hated for sick days? I don't remember not liking them when I was little an in school. In fact, I kinda liked the days I got to stay home and rest with my mom. I didn't like taking sick days in college, but I didn't get sick much in college.

I was out Monday afternoon and all day yesterday. I feel like a totally loser! I got to the doctor this monring, but I'm back in the office even though I stil feel like I got hit with the mucas train. I don't know how long I'll work, but I need to get a few things finished before I collapse in a heap.

Doctor said it wasn't strep, so that's good. And my new doctor is a winner, so that's good too. Now as long as I can keep Karen from getting sick, we'll be alright.

Sick...

2009-02-23T08:41:00.001-08:00

I have had this disaster of a cold for a week now. It has been in my lungs, my sinuses, and now my lungs, sinuses and ears. Now everytime I swallow or cough it feels like a fork is being shoved in my ears.

I haven't taken a day off because I fancy myself stronger than a stupid cold. I went home "early" a couple of days last week (and by early I mean 4:30) and thought I had it conquered.

I'm going home soon and trying not to die so I can make it back for the voters meeting tonight.

Bah!

25 Random Things

2009-02-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

I decided to do it this way because it kills two birds with one stone. I have been overwhelmed Facebook demands to I write 25 random things about myself. I have also been overwhelmed by people demanding a blog update. When I post here, it posts to my Facebook. Problem Solved.

25 Random Things About Me

1. I own WAY too many clothes.

2. I have a fear of clowns, team mascots, Disney characters in costume, and having my fingers cut off.

3. I live in an apartment with a buzzer system to open the front door and it makes me feel like I'm living in a sitcom.

4. My car only has two hubcaps.

5. I ate half a slug once when I was three.

6. I write about pop culture for a youth ministry website so I read People.com, PerezHilton.com, and several other websites every day looking for good stories. This means I know lots and lots about celebs, TV, movies, etc.. I am a wealth of totally useless pop culture knowledge.

7. I spent a whole year participating in a Fantasy Television Network Game and was really proud to break the top 1000 out of over 40,000 players.

8. Pizza has been my favorite food since I was in the second grade.

9. Sometimes I accidentally laugh like Ernie from Sesame Street.

10. I have several pairs of special pajama pants that match pairs that my friends Hannah and Jamie own. Every Christmas we buy a pair for all three of us. It's a way to stay connected since we live so very far apart. For Jamie and Philip's wedding we got them matching pjs (totally un-scandalous)and this past Christmas we added Philip, Jamie's hubby, to our matching pj club.

11. I love being in places with lots and lots of books. It is somehow comforting to have a wealth of information all around me. If the place with books has coffee, it will be very difficult to get me to leave.

12. I can't cook very well, but I still pretend like I could if I had the time.

13. I have only been on one sort-of date since I was in high school. I like to wear it like a badge of honor rather than a dunce cap of shame.

14. I love science fiction with all my heart, but I also love watching the Gilmore Girls.

15. I hardly ever physically fought with my brother and sister, but I once sat on my brother because he refused to help with the dishes. Unfortunately, I sat on him so long he threw up.

16. I am horrible about returning phone calls.

17. I can sleep pretty much anyplace, anytime, Outside, Inside, right after I get up, 25 inches from the ceiling, Mexican Charter Buses, surrounded by rowdy teens, Planes, Trains, Automobiles. I love to sleep.

18. I like everything on my desk to be at right angles.

19. I don't drink milk because I'm lactose intolerant, but I will drink Lattes because I believe they are worth the stomachache.

20. I once wrote a Harry Potter Fan Fiction with my friend Jo.

21. I miss Florida because I really hate snow. I comfort myself knowing at least here I have people to be snowed in with.

22. In the 7th grade I wore a handmade dress with hearts and cows on it to a school dance. Don't ask. There are no remaining pictures.

23. I love the responses I get from kids during Children's Messages.

24. Ever since I was little I have always had to sleep with my bed in the corner of the room. I believe if something tries to attack me at night it will help that I only have to defend myself from two sides rather than three or four.

25. This list is proof positive of what a total and complete nerd I am. Years ago, it would have bothered me, but now I really don't mind. In fact, I kind of like it.

How God Provides for Kindergarteners

2009-01-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

I stopped by the Kindergarten table during lunch today and had the following conversation.

Kid: S (a fellow Kindergarten student) isn't here today. His sister is sick in the hospital.

Me: Yeah, I know. That's sad isn't it.

Kid: A (another Kindergarten student) is sick too.

Me: Yeah, she is in the hospital too. I think her throat is sick.

Kid: Yeah...I like Mac N Cheese.

Me: Really?!

Kid: Yup, I LOVE Mac N Cheese.

It was at this moment I realized how God provides. Not is ways we expect, but rather in little ways.

Like making today Mac N Cheese day.

Things I learned this weekend

2009-01-19T11:27:00.000-08:00

Top Ten Things I Learned This Weekend

1)When you do never come home with enough energy to clean, your apartment starts to smell like a really great combo of sweaty socks and stinky cheese.

2)When investigating the source of the smell in your apartment, do not a lot of your time looking under things for one particular smell causing thing. It may, in fact, be just what is smells like...a month's worth of dirty clothes and that cream cheese you accidentally left out on the counter.

3)When you aren't spending any money because the IRS took it all, you have way more time to clean.

4)Life is better with clean clothes and a vacumned floor.

5)Brain Aneurysms are incredibly horrifying and I hate them. (Please pray for a family at my school. Their 3rd grade daughter is in the hosptial.)

6)You don't realize how much you love the children you work with until one of them is hurt. When your heart breaks for them, God reminds you that you do this job because of how full your heart is of love for them.

7)Picking VBS curriculums is hard! This year's kits aren't particularly impressive.

8)Picking a book to read aloud to the 4th grade class is even harder. (Currently in the top spots are A Wrinkle in Time and Manaic Magee)

9)When you visit your family for a whole week, you remember how much you love them. Coming back to Chicago was hard enough, but now when I don't get a chance to talk to them I really, really miss them.

10)Young adult Game Night is awesome! I love people my own age.

Have a great week!

A Variety of Thoughts on 2009

2009-01-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

I don't have enough brain cells to try and put these thoughts together in a coherent fashion so I'll just give them to you as they come to me.

- I was trying to be stoic about the winter weather. I really was. I kept saying the only thing that bothered me was having to drive in the snow. I like sweaters. I have a nice coat. Cold is no biggie. I discovered today when the weather man said our high was -2 in Chicago that I hate more than just driving in the snow. I really, really, really don't like winter.

- Tina J got me the most amazing mittens ever which have saved my hands from freezing and falling off. They are absolutely beautiful, lined with soft fleece, and also match my coat. This is a small joy in my first winter in a long time.

- My car hates winter too. It screamed all the way to work today. (It's actually a belt that keeps getting frozen, but I certainly sounds like a scream.) The only consolation is that I just got a brand spanking new $200 door handle for my outside driver side door. At least now I can get into the car without pouring 4 gallons of boiling water on it first.

- My Pastor, a lovely and charitable man, bought Karen and I a new, super powered heater for our basement office. It makes all the difference in the world when you can come in from a freezing car into a warm toasty office. Otherwise I would have long ago refused to come to work and stayed curled up in bed all day.

- I am working feverishly on Christina and James' Christmas presents. They should be done by February.

- I got coffee from PT's when I was home. This has been a great joy considering the temperature outside.

- Tommorrow we are having Youth Movie Night and watching the Princess Bride. I am very much looking forward to sharing a classic movie with my kiddos and eating lots of junk food.

- I just paid my quarterly taxes. I am officially broke. I am attempting to not by anything I can't eat or live without for the next month or so to try and remedy the situation. This will be made easier by the fact that I don't want to leave my house to go shopping.

- I am reading a book aloud to the 4th grade class starting in about 3 weeks. I am open to any suggestions you might have.

My Favorite Christmas Things

2008-12-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

So Hannah created a list of her favorite things for Christmas. I thought it was a brilliant idea so I thought I might join in the Christmas fun before it was too late.

My Favorite Christmas Things (in no particular order)

- Giving Gifts!!! I love love to give gifts to people any time of year. Christmas is the perfect time to find the perfect something for the people I love. While this year's budget was tight, I did manage to get some of the best presents ever.

- Melting Peeps into my hot chocolate

- The 35 seconds in the middle of the Sunday School Christmas Program where I stop panicking for just long enough to actually enjoy how amazing the kids are at spreading the true meaning of Christmas

- Food and lots of it

- Delivering gifts to people at Uptown Ministry that couldn't get presents on their own and singing impromptu carols with a group of kids to the homeless staying warm at the shelter

- Wearing the boots I got on sale the day after Thanksgiving. They make me feel like I'm wearing my slippers around town!

- Christmas Eve Candlelight service

- Eating Pizza and drinking beer while watching the Muppet's A Christmas Carol in between the 7 and 11 pm services on Christmas Eve. It's a tradition of mine from my first Christmas alone, and I love it. This year I think Karen and her brother will be joining me!

- My flashy office tree and my lovely home tree

- The incredible warm fuzzy feeling I get when I think about how in just a few days I will be at home home, Topeka home, parent home!

- Knowing I'll see Hannah while I'm at home!!!!!!!

- Getting to see my Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousin's babies, and the farm in Cheney while I'm home!

- Jesus, God come as a little baby

My NOT SO Favorite Things at Christmas
- Overly aggressive kiosk salesmen in the mall. I actually avoid the mall because of these people. I had a bad experience and now I totally panic when the approach me.

- The noise my car makes when the temperature is -2 degrees and being mocked at the shop for bringing the car in because it makes a noise. (Don't I realize all cars make funny noises when it's -2 degrees?!?)

- Not being able to park in my parking spot because there is a foot and a half of snow I ice blocking my way and having to walk a block and a half in the cold to my car - Pants being extra tight because of all the food

- Missing my childhood Christmas because I'm a grown-up with a grown-up job

So wherever you are this Christmas, you are in my prayers. Enjoy and Merry Christmas Eve!

Regret

2008-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the first time I stepped out my front door, took in a deep breath, and instantly regretted ever leaving Florida. A windchill of -30 is wrong. Just wrong. I realiaze I only spent a few years away from winter, but I think I may have blocked any memories I had of this kind of cold. I also can't park in my parking spot because of the uneven snow/ice so it's a block walk to where I can park my car.

On the upside, the Christmas program was a hit. God is good! More after I defrost.

The Joy of the Snow Day

2008-12-20T07:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my first real snow day since I moved back north. Sure, there had been snow on the ground, ice everywhere, and some serious fights to de-ice my car before. This, however, was the first time the snow was great enough that I, along with many others, decided to just stay in for the day. Which meant...

1) I spent the whole day in my pajamas. This doesn't happen often, but when it does it feel incredibly decadent.

2) Baby Natalie's blanket is DONE! I have to weave in some ends and add a couple of touchs, but it should be in the mail by Monday. (pictures to come)

3) I did some much needed laundry so that I can actually wear clean pants in public.

4) I did a little cooking, a little cleaning, but not so much as to be overwhelming. It was totally a restful day.

The only downside was having to run outside to my car to get more quaters for laundry. Now, I have about 48 hours of absolute chaos. Come Monday I have some other blogs to post, including my favorite Christmas thing! Enjoy the snow!

Breaking the Habit

2008-12-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

It's not that I don't love you all, my blogger buddies. Really, that isn't it at all. It's just that I have a very, very bad habit. When something becomes overwhelming (i.e. I fall desprately behind or get overly stressed) I tend to want to ignore it. This is generally when I start to demand a nap or make lists of all the things I'm not doing but really should. Eventually I get it done, but I have to go through the "Woe is me" phase first.

Well, Woe is me phase over.

Life has been really interesting lately. I've been busier than ever with church and the holidays. I've been especially crafty lately working on Christmas gifts. At least this Friday will be slower than unsual, and next week will be all sorts of time for prepping the new year.

I'll post pictures soon of all my recent excitement, and I have a blog ready about some new interesting topics Hannah, Karen and I have been talking about. I pray your Christmas season in jolly!

Seriously?!?!

2008-11-29T15:17:00.001-08:00

I have spent the past two and a half days in blissful, restful vacay with my little brother Alex. We ate. We sat. We did touristy things. It was glorious!

Now, I come back to work and everything is CRAZY. It's chaos. I had everything prepped and planned and somehow in those two and a half days it all went bad.

Seriously?!?!

These are a few of my favorite things...

2008-11-22T10:04:00.000-08:00

It's the little things that make you happy. And this week I have been most excellently surprised at the little things I have enjoyed.

Watching Jr. High students play silly games

My new orange winter coat

Working hard hard hard on Baby Natalie's Blankie (I'm not really sure I love it as much as I want to, but I'm not sure if I should stop and do something else. I feel strongly the blanket should be close to as cute as the actually baby. High standards.)

The most excellent bath product ever in the history of mankind (Thank you to Christy for her most generous gift. My new apartment has a big bathtub is one I can actually fit into as I am not generally a bathtub sized person.)

Introducing....

2008-11-12T11:58:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentleman, I have been remiss in not introducing someone whose awesomeness is now an important part of my life. I present...

Deaconess Karen Rubel
She is the new Director of Outreach and Compassion Ministry here at St. Paul. She is also my new office buddy. I wasn't sure I was going to like sharing an office, however, I really enjoy sharing with her. She is super funny and a good balance to my craziness. I really like her and I think you will too :)

Also, Winter had decided to come and visit here in Chicago. I'm not against Winter on the whole, but he tends to bring a posse of Snow, Sleet, and Ice that are bad company. Plus, my office is in the basement which means my hands are cold all. the. time. This is payback for four years of sunny goodness in Florida!

Best of Intentions

2008-11-11T14:08:00.000-08:00

Don't read this blog yet. Don't look at it or skim. Do not refill your coffee.
Before ANYTHING else...Click Here!!!!

Welcome to the World, Miss Natalie Shea Moss. You are going to be loved beyond all reason. You have some super crazy amazing parents, and I am sad I don't get to see you in person for a little while. Until then, I will keep working on your blankie, which is going really really well.

Now, back to busniess.

I had the best of intentions to post up stories Saturday and Sunday so that when I left for my NID retreat on Sunday afternoon, you would be totally satiated with stories. Once again, the blog got ignored and shoved down the list of things to do. (everyone groan in unison...yeah, I know, I'm a horrible person.)

But I did think I could post once I got to Lake Geneva, WI for my lovely Church Professional Retreat. And a day late, you would all forgive me for. Unfortuately, I couldn't keep an internet connection long enough to post anything.

Enter smiting here.

I will say that now I have stories and postings to fill up the week AND a schedule that will probably allow for regular posting. I am hopeful, but not promising, to be better.

On the upside...
1) Alex the boy child of our family is coming to visit for Thanksgiving! I am pumped to see him.

2) I love the DCEs in the Northern Illinois District. Now, FL-GA DCEs, that doesn't mean I love you any less. I love you both the same, and I promise not to play favorites.

3) Today is Veteran's Day. I happened to leave the retreat at just the right time to be at the right stop light (in the center of this small town) for this.

21 Gun Salute

and Taps.

Thank you to all our troops who fought and are still fighting for our freedom. Especially this day, my thoughts go to my grandfather Jack Shults, a proud Marine, who fought in WWII. We miss you, Papa. Thank you for your service.

Okay, now go look at that baby some more. Isn't she just the cutest thing ever!?!

I'll make it right. I promise.

2008-11-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

I am currently in my pajamas in my slightly messy apartment waiting for my coffee to brew so I can have some breakfast...at nearly 9am...and I am not in a hurry to get anywhere. This is such a novel idea I can hardly comprehend it. I do not need to rush to get into work clothes. I do not need to pack an extra outfit for the youth thing I will not have time to come home to change for. I am not planning out to make sure I have everything I need since there is no room for error when there is no time. I am not stressed out to the point of panic. I am not feeling like a human blur in heels.

This is the first day off in nearly three weeks. And no, I do not count Monday when I came home sick, and laid around with snot pouring out of my nose trying to do work on the couch because I totally taught confirmation that day.

I won't get into all the gory details, even though there are plenty of good stories to tell. Honestly, it's all a blur in my mind and I have a hard time picking out the difference between different events. I appreciate your patience and your concerned phone calls for my well being. I am a survivor and the next few weeks look so much calmer I could just cry for joy.

Today I will be writing a post about our adventure going to see Wicked and the funny stuff from Halloween. I'll back log them so you will have blogs everyday for a while.

I am super excited my little brother Alex is coming to Chicago for Thanksgiving. If you have any good suggestions on what to do while he is here post them in the comments!

To the Clamoring Public

2008-11-02T04:52:00.000-08:00

We regret to inform you that the writer of this blog is, and has been for severla weeks, buried underneath an incredible influx of work, stress, and the beginning of a cold. A new update will be posted to no later than Friday, November 7th. Thank you for your patience in this matter. Have a nice day.

The Last of the Vlogs

2008-10-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

i have successfully gotten internet working at my apartment! It only took me over a month to do it, but done it is. Now I want to present to you the last two video blogs we made while in Alaska. I haven't posted them because I felt bad trying to post them while hacking into my neighbor's internet. So, without futher ado...

Patience...

2008-10-09T06:53:00.001-07:00

I have an extremely long story about how my UPS guy has a personal vendetta against me and refuses to properly deliver packages to my apartment. This story includes how it took 2 trips to the AT&T store, five phone calls to AT&T, one phone call to UPS and one trip to Franklin Park to pick up a package.

On an important note, this lost package contains what I need to get internet going in my apartment. When I FINALLY, FINALLY get internet at the apartment, I will load the last of the Alaska vids as well as detail out this very unamusing story.

Patience, my friends, patience.

New Alaskan Video!

2008-09-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

P.S. A small clarification. There was not really nearly as much drinking as it sounds. There were more than 10 people at Orzo's on that drink bill. Humpy's was awesome, but no one had too much :)

Hannah and Julianna's Excellent Adventure

2008-09-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

Alaska was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It seemed like everywhere you looked there was another photo op. Even Jamie's living room had some of the most amazing views I have ever seen. I have so many pictures that I will post them to Facebook and only give you all the really important shots.

But I took more than pictures while I was up north.

Hannah and I both have cameras that take video, so on Hannah's wild impulse we started taking video of our adventures in Alaska. It is by far a more fun way to experience our trip with us! If you go to Hannah's blog (link on the sidebar) you will see the first two videos we made. They happened about two days into the trip. What you are about to see is the videos we made to cover the days before Hannah got smart and started taping us. Enjoy!

P.S. Yes, I know it's sideways. I didn't realize until we were done that I wouldn't be able to flip it.

Deepest Apologies...

2008-09-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

Know you want Alaska recap.
Came home with the trifecta of exhaustion, jet lag, and a horrific cold.
Currently in state of barely-able-to-function, cold medicine haze.
Will blog as soon as everyone stops saying, "Are you going to make it?" and "Shouldn't you go home?"
Yes, I still taught Confirmation.
No, not exactly sure what I taught them.

Until then, enjoy Video one of Hannah and Julianna's Alaskan Adventure

Click Here

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words!

2008-09-22T11:40:00.001-07:00

Checklist

2008-09-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

1. Work stuff either handled or handed off - Check
(at least I think so. I always feel like I've forgotten something that will ruin the church by my negligence)

2. Office organized in case of untimely destruction due to my idiocy - Check

3. House semi-cleaned - Check
(Let's be real, I didn't dust or mop. I should really clean the shower, but I'm not going to. It is picked up, trash is out, and stuff that was truly icky is clean.)

4. Bag Packed - Um...well right now it's all laid out on the floor so that's pretty close. If I pack the important dress and shoes plus underwear I should be fine.

5. Bag Weighed to insure it is not over 50 lbs - Can't really do this till stuff is in the bag

6. Hotel, Rental Car, and Airline email confirmations - Check

7. Books, DVDs, and knitting packed to entertain me - Check

8. Waking up this morning to remember that I will get to see Jamie and Hannah (and perhaps even meet the fantastic blogger-mocker P-H-I-L-I-P (is that right?) before I go to bed tonight - double check!

I'm taking the computer with me, so we may see some real time blogging. Otherwise, enjoy your week. I know I will!

2008-09-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those rainy, cool days that I live for. With a good book and a warm cup of coffee, this kind of day makes me so relaxed.

On the flip side, our church's community picnic and outdoor worship is tommorrow and the rain which I so love is going to be coming down. So in a few hours I'm going to have to start thinking hard and making plans. Ahhh, the never ending joys of being a working adult.

At the very least, I get to wear this in a week.

P.S. Phillip, maybe you haven't been around long enough to know not to correct my spelling. Yes, I am a truly awful speller, but there isn't anything to be done about it now. Just let it go.

My Goodness! You are all so persistant!

2008-09-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

You know, a girl should be able to not blog for, I don't know, a couple of weeks and still be in the good graces of her friends.

Not me.

I have spoken to not one, not two, not three, but four blog reading friends this past week and all of them have gently reminded (read: harrassed) me about my lack of updating on the blog. Okay, okay, I get it. Message recieved. I will return to the blog with gusto, since you obviously don't have anything else to do when you are bored at work.

Chicago is fabulous. I am still getting used to the big city, which is code for I still get lost while I'm driving. A lot. Jo came to visit her brother and sister-in-law who live about 10 minutes down the road, so I got to see her for the first time in a long time. Okay, we established it hadn't been THAT long, but it felt like a long time. Jo and I have been friends for a long, long time and I love her dearly. It was spectacular to catch up.

Work has been work. There has been a lot of it. It's been a mixed bag of frustrating, interesting, and amazing. Just this week we learned that Karen accepted the call we extended for her to be our Director of Outreach and Compassion Ministries. She is coming down this weekend to look at apartments, so I think she will be joining me in my office soon. Yes, we will be sharing an office. More on that as the story unfolds.

Oh, Added bonus story. I started calling my new office The Bat Cave since it's in the basement with no windows. I wanted to embrace the lack of sunlight with cool name. To my surprise, they actually caught a real live bat in my stairway last week. Apparently bats like to sneak into my part of the buliding at an alarming rate. Thus cementing the name The Bat Cave and insuring that I must dress up like Batman for Halloween.

The blanket had to be put on hold since the yarn I need is backordered. More pics soon.

Most importantly, I leave for Alaska on Tuesday for THE wedding. I'm super pumped. I know I haven't had a countdown like Hannah has. I'm going to blame that on the fact that I haven't had enough left over energy or brainpower to be quite that excited. But I am seriously stoked for the wedded bliss. Jamie found herself a wonderful guy who I approve of with gusto. I promise to blog lots about the whole trip, and bring back lots of pictures. (I promised the Open Gym Boys I would.)

More soon, or my head on a platter.

The New Normal

2008-08-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

So, after blowing off some steam in the previous entry, I have managed to get my life under something closely resembling control. I think one of my big-ish issues with the new call is that I was so attached to my old routines and norms, the new one keeps throwing me all off. Hence the stress, stare, sleep, scurry routine.

So we create a new state of normal.

The New Normal has me biking to work and I am LOVING IT!

The New Normal has me filling up my car with gas twice a month-ish. With the powerful combo of biking and living in a city where everything I need on a regular basis is less than 2 miles away, I don't actually drive much.

The New Normal means I can listen to Chicago Public Radio all the time, and not just when my other NPR station broadcasts their shows. This is incredibly awesome.

The New Normal means that quarters are a rare commodity, just like in college, since my wardrobe depends on how many quaters I have around.

The New Normal is having to do dishes everyday because the new place does not have a dishwasher. This is why you have not seen pics of the whole kitchen. In two months there was about 30 seconds where there weren't dishes all over the counter.

The New Normal is getting a lot of knitting done because I will actually be using it. Oh, and these Chicago people have not already been showered by my hand knits.

Speaking of hand knits...There is an important, brand new person who is currently hanging out and rehersing for the big show inside of the lovely Mrs. Candace. Since I love this baby's parents, I can only imagine how enamored I will be with their offspring. Thusly, this little one should be properly showered in hand knitted stuff.

This is the beginings of what I am hoping to make into the most stupendous baby blanket ever. In my quest to make the blanket of all blankets, I have picked out soft yet washable yarn, colors that match the bedroom, and a pattern which should hold up over time. (Little bro Alex wishes I had maybe considered that last piece with his blanket. Sorry, dude)

I'm considering a few additions to the blanket and I want your input. Ready...
Does the blanket need...
1) Moss the Smallest's name put on it, maybe in the corner
2) Knit or Crocheted flowers
3) A corner with a hood to make more of a blanket/cape combo
4) Nothing, keep it simple
5) All of the above

Place your votes in the comments and I will let you know what wins!

Bit Off More Than I Could Chew

2008-08-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

I have officially bit off more than I could chew.

I had big plans to show off the rest of my apartment and my newest knitting project, but alas, I have been sidelined by work. As much as I love the new church and all the new challenges, I'm begining to get my arse kicked by the number of things I have going. There is so much to do to get ready for Fall, and not enough time to get it all done. I feel like I went through the ministry buffet line, brought my plate back to the table, got halfway through the meal and realized I had taken too much.

And of course, all of you who know me, know my immediate response to this is to fix it all with my meanest stare and attempt to intimidate the work into finishing itself. Then when staring doesn't work, I suddenly need to sleep...a lot. Because certainly sleep will make it better. When staring and sleeping don't work (I always believe they will, but they never do), then I pray and panic like there was a fire in the building. Generally this gets things done, but it is incredibly stressful. I try and by-pass the staring and the sleeping, giving myself more time for work, but somehow it never quite works.

In any case, life and ministry will continue. I will learn for the 45th time that a nap will not find my volunteers for Sunday School, and staring will not produce a newsletter. I will be humbled by the fact that God works wonders when I fail. I will promise to do better next time, which of course I won't. Otherwise I wouldn't have anything fun to blog about :)

A Few Things of Note

2008-08-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your wonderful welcome of all things Chicago. It sounds as though I am going to have to search for some kitchen stuff to match Funky Chicken. The was an overwhelmingly positive response to his funkiness.

In other news...
Barb and I went to go see Wall-E on Thursday. I LOVED IT! Even though one of the very well meaning day camp kids gave away the ending, I still adored it. I also loved the Noodles and Co. meal afterwards. Both the noodles and the conversation were equally lovely.

These are pictures of my now fully unpacked and decorated living room. I was surpised at how well everything from the old apartment went nicely into the new one (at least as far as the living room was concerned).

This is the now unpacked and decorated bedroom. I love having my books so nearby my bed. There has been excessive amounts of reading since I got here. More on that another time.

This is the new Chicago phone with my new Chicago number. As of the end of August, there will be no more Tampa working number. If you have not already recieved the new number, please give me a shout. (and by give a shout I mean email or call the old phone cause if you just shout, I won't hear you.)

This is a picture of the scarf I am knitting for myself. One I will actually get to wear at some point. The yarn is supposed to be remeniscent of Mr. Tummnus is The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The pattern is a bit different, but I think the effect will be the same. Yea! for finally knitting things for me.

Don't worry, baby producing friends. There is much baby knitting in the works as well.

Welcoming!

2008-07-31T10:35:00.001-07:00

Fair people of the blog, I present to you a new group of fantastic friends for you to love and enjoy.

My Day Camp Kiddos, who I can show you only because they are wearing masks. They have day camp next door to my office so I see them all the time. Totally awesome!

This is Bike. Bike and I have become fast friends since the price of gas is nearly 4.50 a gallon here in the Windy City. Bike gets me to work at least two times a week, and gets me around to various other places (the grocery, the bank, Blockbuster, etc.). Bike was a very special Birthday gift from Mama and Dad Shults.

My lovely friends Barb (on left) and Katie (on the right, but not me) who welcomed me so graciously to Chicago and have made sure I am not a total hermit in such a fun town. Alas, Katie has since taken a call to STL, and moved away. Even so, she deserved a mention as a fun new friend.

This is Funky Chicken. Funky Chicken lives on the tiles in my new kitchen, and while I wasn't a fan of the Funky Chicken when I first moved, FC is growing on me. I'm thinking of redoing my kitchen decor just to emphasize Funky Chicken. Thoughts?

These friends brought to you by the City of Chicago, and by AT&T who finally got their act together long enough to give the church office internet for the first time in three days.

It's not that I forgot...

2008-07-23T05:20:00.000-07:00

It's just that it is VBS Week. Please forgive me.

Happy Belated Birthday to the lovely Christy! I miss you every morning when I come to work. Thank you for being an amazing friend!

In other news, as stated above it is VBS week. VBS here is in the morning, which means I'm in the office at...let us call it very early. It's a more polite term than what I think in my head when the alarm goes off. I am also in charge of outdoor games. (Yup, get it out of your system. It's okay. I'll wait.) I'm actually not doing too bad, but it is emensely exhausting. I'm saving my energy and will try to get a more detailed blog in the next few days.

In the meantime, go to Christy's blog and tell her she cannot possibly be 32.

Happy Birthday Jamie!

2008-07-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Jamie! It's always a party being friends with you! I can't wait to see you.

Caught Up

2008-07-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Story of 3 Apartments for One Person
(or more aptly titled "Where the *(&#$( am I living today?")

So when God decided I should move to Chicago, one issue was getting out of the lease to my Plant City Apartment. I discovered I could give 60 days notice and get out of the lease without any extra money put out. Super! So on May 6th I have notice to the apartment people, meaning I would pay for the apartment until July 6th.

I didn't have time to come visit to find an apartment, so I spent a lot of time online looking and sending the lovely Ms. Ginger (the now former DCO) around to places. She managed to find a school family who had a new studio apartment they had avaliable. Great temporary spot, emphasis on temporary. Because it was seriously the size of a matchbox. Anyway, I paid for a month in the very lovely matchbox and spent the better part of that month sleeping on an air mattress and watching TV on a fold out canvas chair.

After looking long and hard, I decided the best place would be where Ms. Ginger had been living for three years. Lovely apartment just across the street from the park. I signed a lease and moved all my earthly belongings on June 30.

Which means that for one morning, June 30, I had paid rent and could be living in any one of three apartments. What's more amusing? The night before I spent in my parents hotel room, like I didn't have enough places to stay.

Okay, so that gets us through the moving stories. It at least gets us close enough that when I talk about my new Chicago life, it will make a wee bit of sense. As a celebration, I will show you what I saw on my birthday (When my birthday falls on the Saturday before the 4th, I generally get Birthday Fireworks! Woo!) and on the 4th of July.

(We went to see the fireworks in Wisconsin. This is the cheese isle at the grocery. Seriously.)

Almost Caught Up

2008-07-13T09:48:00.001-07:00

Sorry, these stories are delayed. Blame Mama Shults who is in town for the LCMS Children’s Ministry conference, which was awesome by the way. I don’t get to see my family as often as I would like, and the possibility of seeing my mom twice in a month is staggering. I have to soak it up while I can.

Speaking of my parents…

The story of Reaffirming the Selling of My Soul to the LCMS

With the new call comes a new installation. Yes, installation like I’m a plumbing fixture that unfortunately doesn’t come with an instruction manual. The date was set for the 29th of June since that was the week my parents could come up. Never mind that it was the day after I arrived back in town from Work Camp. At the very least, I got to stay at my parent’s hotel with them the night before and get some real bed sleep.

It’s always interesting to me what they ask you at your installation. Do I plan to do my job? Are you a Christian? Good, important questions. Then, they ask if you uphold the Lutheran Doctrine in the Book of Concord. This, of course, makes me nervous because I haven’t actually read the WHOLE Book of Concord. I’ve read the highlights, and from what I hear, the rest of it is good stuff. In the end, though, it’s just a book written by some guys. Some human guys. Yet, I pledge to uphold it in my teaching. It feels a bit like selling my soul to the LCMS, without reading the fine print. Which has always gone well for people in the past. So I’m sure this is okay…right?

The story of Turning 26 with just the right amount of Fanfare

On the 28th of June, I turned 26. It was the third time I had a birthday on a Mission Trip. Generally it causes all sorts of mayhem and teasing. This year, the youth sang to me twice (and to Jenna, my birthday buddy, who turned exactly half my age the same day) and….that was it. There was a crown at Burger King on the way home, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. On the 29th, my mom and dad got me a cool new bike and my sister got me a microwave. Both are incredibly awesome. Like I said, perfect amount of fanfare for a new year.

Two Stories

2008-07-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

The Story of Work Camp and the Super Good Time

Now most of you know or can imagine what it is like to take a group of teenagers away from home. Some of you know what it is like to take a group of teenagers away from home for a week to do service work. A few of you know what it is like to take a group of teenagers away from home for a week to do service work with 400 other teenagers and their adults while you all live in a random school totally unprepared for that many people to temporarily call it home.

Now try it when you don’t know any of the teenager’s names.

I was a bit freaked out the days before we left for our Work Camp experience, but it turned out to be without cause. I drove a minivan without getting anyone lost. I got to know all 18 kids and can give you their names, grades, and probably some fun fact about them. I learned my new youth are pretty stinking awesome, and a great deal of fun.

We worked hard, and played hard. We danced the Cupid Shuffle in a parking lot. I became a work camp rock star on the Doumbeck. It was an awesome experience and I wish I could show you pictures. Unfortunately, I don’t post pictures of my kiddos on the blog, so you will just have to imagine what it looked like. Or come visit me and see the pictures in person.

The Story of the New Church and How Much I Miss the Old Church (and probably always will)

While I was off at Work Camp I felt a strange sense of let down that I wasn’t in Plant City for Vacation Bible School. I wondered how they were doing, and I wondered if I had the right to call and ask. It is an odd thing to not know if everything is going alright, and it’s an even odder thing to know that even if things weren’t okay, there would be nothing I could do about it.

I love my new church. I like the staff I work with and the people who I have met. They used a fish truck to get me moved in (another story, another time) and they have taken good care of me. I think I’m going to like it here.

I also know that part of my heart misses my old church very, very much. I find it so hard to write or call because it tears my heart up. I know it will get easier with time. I know I will always have a special place in my heart for those children, youth, and families. I have come to grips with the fact that loving my new church doesn’t mean I love the old one any less. I will always miss Hope, just like I missed home when I moved to Florida.

This is so much harder than I thought it would be, but God has plans so I’ll stick with those.

The List

2008-07-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

I am a storyteller. My dad used to look at me and say, "Julianna, can't you ever answer a yes or no question with yes or no? I don't need the whole story!" Thusly, I will not be able to put the last few weeks worth of stories into one blog. Instead I will give you a list of the stories you will recieve in the next few days....

The story of Work Camp and the Super Good Time
The story of Turning 26 with just the right amount of Fanfare
The story of 3 apartments for one person
The story of Reaffirming the Selling of My Soul to the LCMS
The story of The New Church and How Much I Miss the Old Church (and probably always will)

I will attempt to tell these stories in a timely fashion. If I do not, then I am probably catching up on sleep. Do not wake me.

P.S. For those who read the Yarn Harlot's blog...this is the link to her blog on Chicago. I'm in the first group sock shot on the inside aisle in the green.

A Visit From a Harlot

2008-06-21T07:13:00.000-07:00

So, it's been a successful week. The office has been set up and a lease has been signed. I even got to meet Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the Yarn Harlot herself. (struggles to contain her excitement) I have been an avid reader of her blog since Jo introduced me a few years ago. She is funny, smart, and if you read her current blog a rule-follower like myself.

I headed down to southern Chicago to Nana's Knitting for the second time on Friday, and got to the shop in time to enjoy some yarn shopping before Stephanie spoke. For those of you who aren't knitting fanatics, there were tons and tons of people there so I am so not crazy to be this excited.

These are some of my new fun knitting friends I met while I was waiting!

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Yarn Harlot!

Stephanie and Me holding each other's sock. (Squee! I'm holding "the sock"!)

This is the wonderful owner of Nana's Knitting Shop!
She wrote about me on her blog.

It was a great experience and worth both trips. She is a great writer, and a wonderful speaker. Go and enjoy her blog immediately if you don't already. You won't be disapointed.

Off to Work Camp! More next week!

The Move In Pictures

2008-06-19T06:53:00.001-07:00

My "Cult's" Goodbye Party

My Sister, the packing genius!

The Youth "Packing" Party

The Movers Arrive

My Youth say Goodbye on My Last Sunday!

I wish I had more pictures of my goodbye party, but I'm sure they would make me cry. It took me until last night to really look at the cards from the party. It was so hard to leave, even though it was the right thing to do.

Next week I am at Work Camp with my new youth. When I return, my new Chicago Life in Pictures! Much Love!

"There is a big truck outside that might interest you."

2008-06-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentleman of the blog, we have delivery of all my worldly good. I won't be able to use or get them for another couple of weeks. But they are here and in good order, so I am partially relieved.

Now if my office desk would finally get here, we would be making forward motion.

This Week in Cliff Notes

2008-06-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

Monday: Drove. Stayed at a potentially awesome but eventually disappointing hotel.

Tuesday: Drove. Discovered the apartment I’m renting month to month is less than half the size I thought it would be. Spent the rest of the day alternating between laughing with my sister over the ridiculousness of the situation and contemplating what the new plan should be.

Wednesday: Took Christina to the airport. Cried a little. Got coffee. Spent an hour and a half driving completely and utterly lost. Went to church to use their Internet and formulate the new plan. Got lost coming home.

Thursday: Went to go see an apartment. Got lost and was an hour late. Got a horrible look from the potential landlady when I told her I occasionally have youth over to the apartment. Went the local mall for a few supplies then to church for a few hours. Drove for over an hour trying to accomplish the 10 minute trip home.

Friday: Got to an apartment showing on time and without getting lost. Felt iffy about the apartment. Went to the store for a few more supplies including a very good map. Went to Nana’s Knitting Shop in anticipation of seeing the YARN HARLOT. Made it to the shop no problems and discovered I had the wrong date. Stood there like an idiot as the very nice yarn ladies felt bad I had driven 45 minutes on the wrong day. Drove home feeling sorry for myself.

This week has been nothing like I had planned/hoped it would be. My family has been awesome, but I have reached my max. I would give up except I fear that would result in homelessness and slow descent into madness. Nothing to do but pray God makes this work cause I certainly can’t.

I have arrived...

2008-06-11T11:33:00.000-07:00

I am in Chicago, and while I knew I was throwing my life up in the air with my move, I expected to be able to catch most of it.

Instead, I threw it up in the air and it exploded into a thousand pieces.

Stories to come soon...

This thing is ACTUALLY going to happen!

2008-06-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks I have been in this surreal world of two calls. I had accepted the call to Chicago, but I hadn't yet fixed my mind on moving. I was still very focused on making sure things were okay in Plant City. Somehow the decision to leave and follow God's call hadn't hit home just yet. I was talking about Chicago, but the reality of what that would mean just didn't connect. I had goodbye parties without any real emotion.

Friday it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I sat in my office and just cried (a fact I don't readily admit to). I was leaving. My ministry, my life here is over. I won't get to hang out with the friends it took me THREE YEARS to find. I have seen people for the last time for the forseeable future. I won't be here to see graduations and confirmations. I am leaving.

Suddenly my mind went into overdrive. I had so much left to do! In the past few days I have managed to pass off every big chunk of ministry I needed to pass on. I have cleaned out the email box. I have finalized volunteers. I have secured a moving van and a new apartment. I have cleaned out bookcases and files. I'm not anywhere ready to go, but I'm getting there. Now, I'm getting excited. This thing is actually going to happen. Next week. Seriously. No joke!

More on the new start soon!

Everything is Drama!

2008-05-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am so not into life drama. I was never the drama queen. As proof, no matter how many times I auditioned, I have never been cast in a school play. So, all this life drama is driving me nuts. Let me share a bit...

This is my very cute bridesmaid's dress for Jamie's wedding. I only had to try on what felt like 1000 dresses to find it, but it's for a good cause!

This is the most embarassing plaque I recieved for service to the FL-GA District. I promised to put it on a necklace and wear it as bling at my next church.

I have ONE box packed, but more to come tonight. I also own way too many clothes. ACK! I can't wait to be settled again.

Forward Motion

2008-05-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

I got my first good-bye present today. Bryan is two and he handed me a very pretty bag then immediately became engrossed in the fruit snacks he got during Sunday School. He even signed his own card. Adorable but sad.

In other notes, I will be spending tonight cleaning and packing...I promise...I'm going to post pictures...I swear....tommorrow.

Also, the last blog was designed to be cryptic. If you didn't get it (Mr. Jamie) then you don't watch enough TV. That's the box with the picture. Turn it on and enjoy.

The Carnage is Fantastic!

2008-05-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Fair blog readers, I have promised more exciting updates on my life. So here it is. I don't want to deal with any of it right now. There is an overwhelming amount of things to be done, and I have no idea where to start. I am so seriously freaked out by the move that I have resorted to my third best (God and family topping the list) comfort in life.

Television.

And what a great time to be watching, since it's season finale time. Let me tell you, the carnage has been FANTASTIC!!! Det. Lake killed TWO bad guys and went to jail. House got amnesia and died (albeit temporarily) to save Amber. Warrick got shot by the sheriff, THE SHERIFF! And in the most gruesome of deaths I've seen on TV in a while, Dean was killed by hellhounds and went to hell. (shakes angry yet amazed fist at Eric Kripke) Jim and Pam did NOT get engaged, and Dwight and newly engaged Angela got back together. Most excellently entertaining TV.

In even better news, my year long obsession with my fantasy TV network is coming to a close at the end of next week. Right now I have 9008 points for a Season Rank of 679 out of 35978 players. I have one more week of picks then we take the summer off and start all over again. I so love this game.

So when I decide to be a grown up and do grown up things, I'll let you know.

edit: The last two seconds of Ghost Whisperer were jaw dropping, and the last episode ever (tear) of Moonlight was pretty darn fantastic.

Drum roll Please...

2008-05-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

So I have had a very good reason why I haven't updated the blog lately. I've had more big news that had to go through official channels first, but now I am free to share...

drumroll please...

I have accepted the call to St. Paul's Chicago. I feel very excited and at peace about the decision, even though it has thrown my entire life into chaos. I can't remember life ever being quite this crazy, but it's a good crazy. I guess getting a fresh start always takes a little work.

Now my life is trying to figure out where I'm going to live and how I'm going to get there. I've got to set everything up for my church that I can before I go, and it's all a little overwhelming. However, now that the big news is out, I can spend more time sharing all my fun chaos with you, my lovely blog friends.

More soon!

Can't even make full sentences

2008-04-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Have been running non stop for over a week. No sleep. Too much travel. Burns on my hands from trying to use a hot glue gun while falling asleep standing up. Refrig is full of moldy food. Crawled into bed at 7:30 last night so I'm starting to recover.

I love all of you so much. I will tell you all about LEA and the sectional and the Chi town visit and the call and the pastor being sick soon enough. For now, just keep praying and check back soon.

So the News is Out...

2008-04-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the truth is that I haven't been blogging lately because I have had THIS THING I have wanted to tell you so bad, but I couldn't. I had to wait what seemed like forever until all the right parties were informed before I could post anything about it on the World Wide Web. I couldn't risk letting the cat out of the bag too soon, but now the news about THIS THING is out!

Ladies and Gentlemen of my blog, I present THIS THING that has been on my mind.

I have a Call to St. Paul's in Chicago. The church is a little bigger than where I am now, but the job description is the same. I am going up to visit right after LEA and I should know what I'm doing by May 4th-ish.

It is a terrifying thought that I would be called upon to be making such a life altering decision in just a few weeks. Two weeks...(swoons a bit) God has really given me peace that I will make the right decision. I don't have any idea what I'm going to do. I don't even know how I feel about having a Call. I just know I will deal with it as it comes and God will give me the guidence I need.

Until then, PRAY PRAY PRAY and let me know what you think. I value your opinons. Thanks for your support.