A little bit of blog love

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My car is stuffed and I'm heading back to Michigan today!!!!! The rest of my week is quite busy so I'll be MIA from the blogosphere. However, during my absence let me throw out some reading suggestions from blogs that have been quite encouraging to me recently :)


I'm forever indebted to Annie for introducing me to the world of blogging. She got on my case when I wasn't consistent and has helped me with every reincarnation of my blog (I think I'm on number 3 right now). Her blog has always been an example for me. Not only in the design but also in the way she pours out her hearts in the posts. Her vulnerability and writing style teach me every time I read a post. When I grow up I want to be a blogger like her :)
Check out her collection of posts about how God called her to Spain. (Fair warning: I cried a couple times)

Erin's heart for encouraging young women is inspiring to me. She has a desire to "inspire women to love God, chase dreams and pursue purity". How amazing, right? When I read her posts I am encouraged by her honesty. God has consistently used her blog in my life to convict and challenge me in my faith. She's also one of the sweetest people I've met via blogging. I don't think I've ever gotten a reply/comment from her that doesn't make me smile. 
You should definitely read this post about pursuing purity, as a Disney princess fanatic it particularly caught my eye :)

I don't even know where to start with Samantha. We found each other through a series co-hosted by the two lovely ladies above with two other bloggers. Since then our friendship has grown via blog comments and numerous emails. As a fellow teaching nerd we have loads to talk about. As is true of all of the girls in this post it is her lovely heart that has grabbed me. She has a heart for the nations and is thinking about teaching overseas one day. It is such an encouragement to have her in my life...she's a gem.
Find out why she wants to be a teacher in this post...the dress she's wearing in the picture makes her look very teacher-like :)

Katie is another blogging friend with a passion for the nations. Her love story is amazing. Her posts are wonderful. Most of all, the encouraging comments/replies I receive in my inbox from her light up my day. She's also a fellow traveler and her collection of travel photos are exquisite. I'm most excited to see how God works in her life as she continues her journey with Empowering Lives International.
Learn how she got there in her series about her heart for Africa... {part 1} {part 2} {part 3}.

Whitney doesn't have a blog button...yet :) She's one of my dearest friends from college. I met her freshman year and we became acquaintances. Thankfully, God brought us back together junior year to become close friends. Recently, she's been through quite a trial and her strength and courage throughout the whole ordeal has been awe-inspiring. This blog is quite new and I can't wait to see how God uses her in this new season of life. 
My favorite post so far is about a topic close to my heart...striving for excellence in everything you do.
That should keep you busy until I get back ;)

Saying My Goodbyes (Chicago Edition)

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

Be warned: This post is photo heavy

Since my commissioning my days have been full of goodbyes. I'm leaving for a whole year and as a result have the difficult task of saying goodbye to my friends, some of whom I may never see again. The past few days have included...

Late night froyo date with Stephanie, one of my fellow interns from last summer

 This is my after-a-full-day-of-work-i've-gone-completely-insane-look

Left: Cake Batter covered in chocolatey goodness Right: Cheesecake with raspberries and chocolate sauce

Dinner at Dawn's Apartment

Yummy vegetables 

Chicken before

Chicken after (Chicken adobo to be exact)

Cinnamon topped oatmeal muffins for dessert

Saturday Breakfast with Heidi

Coffee with caramel and milk

Turkey bacon (there's a first time for everything)

View from the sun deck toward the lake

View from the sun deck towards the west side

Homemade french toast (made with challah bread)

How cute is my Californian friend?

<3

Farewell to Sunday School

We're not very good at group picture taking ;)

I'm leaving them in very capable hands

La Colombiana!!!!!!!!

Breakfast with Esperanzita 

 Delicious Flan and my new perrito :)

One of the many gifts from Esperanzita 

Farewell Chicago...it's been marvelous!

On My Way {Part 10}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My collection of TESOL books

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

Friday Letters

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

Dear Storage Bins,

Did you get smaller in the last 2 months? I was sure I fit more of my belongings into you the last time I packed. Are you conspiring against me? I know I have too much stuff but my current concern is getting it all back to Michigan. Then, I promise I'll get rid of some stuff :)

Dear Fellow Bloggers,

You girls are such an encouragement to me! Even though I'm not able to comment as I would like on every post, I want you all to know that your posts warm my heart and challenge me, as a blogger and a young woman. The way you share your hearts and lives with all of your readers is inspiring. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Dear Chicago Weather,

Can you please decide what season you want it to be? Preferably, something mild. Rapidly changing between blistering heat and violent thunderstorms makes it difficult for me to enjoy the Chicago summer. Is this payback for a practically non-existent winter? 

Dear Students From Last Summer,

Can you believe I'm going to be on your side of the world again in less than 2 weeks! I can't wait to visit you all and see what's going on in your life. Most of you have started university or will be entering this fall. I know you've grown into mature young women chasing your dreams. I hope you are enduring Ramadan well and spending lots of time with your families. I miss you so much!!!!!!!

Dear Macaroni and Cheese,

I became addicted to you during my recovery from my wisdom teeth extraction. You are delicious and comforting, as well as easy to chew :) However, you're not aiding in my quest to get back in shape. In fact you are detrimental to it. So, if you could find a way to make yourself less appetizing and appealing I would be greatly appreciative.

Dear Swim Students,

I can't believe my last class with you is over. I've had a blast getting to know you over this past year. It brings a smile to my face just thinking about you. You were the highlight of my week all throughout the school year. I loved the way you loved swim class and practiced so hard to get everything right. It amazes me how far you all have come. I hope a new swim teacher will come along soon.

Love,

Senior Picture Album

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

This trip is different than any other. I’m not packing for a weekend, two weeks or even two months. I packing for an entire school year. Having just graduated and moved out of college, I have the perfect opportunity to sort through all of my belongs, organize everything and decide what’s coming, what’s staying and what’s being tossed. 

During this process I came across an interesting piece of history, my senior picture photo book. Do you remember those things? The little black photo holder that you collected your friends senior photos? If your friends were anything like my friends they wrote cute and funny farewell notes on the back of their pictures.

As I looked through these pictures I realized I’m not in touch with ANY of these people anymore. I’m not kidding. I have no idea what’s going on in the lives of a single one of these people. For some reason, the people with whom I kept in touch never gave me their senior pictures *cough Annie cough*. 

I got a bit nostalgic, granted high school wasn’t that fun for me, but I did have some great friends. However, I was one of the few people who went out of state for college. In addition, I went to a private school where everyone was training for full-time kingdom work. My life went in a completely different direction than my high school friends. The majority of my friends in high school weren’t Christians. It seems as we went through college our lives went down completely separate paths and we had nothing to talk about anymore. 

I’m friends with most of them on Facebook but social media can only provide you so much information. I’ve seen them at college parties. I’ve seen them on Spring Break. I’ve seen them at their graduations. Yet I still feel completely disconnected.

I don’t think I ever seriously expected to keep in touch with all of these people. Now my circle of friends is centered around college. However, these people are from all over the country and world. Aside from school, there’s no central place to see this amazing group of girls. I’m going to miss them so much while I’m overseas but I hope I’ll do a better job keeping in touch :) 

On My Way {Part 8}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My church in Chicago commissioned me this past Sunday:

Sharing about my upcoming trip

My pastor and the elders

My dear brother and sisters

This experience was like no other. I can't tell you what a privilege and honor it was to be a part of this!

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

miscellany monday

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

1. Wednesday night was spent celebrating the birthday of a VERY special woman from church. She has greeted me with a smile, kiss and hug every Sunday for two years. I felt so privileged to be a part of the celebration of her life. I will miss these ladies so much!

The birthday girl

Some of the small group ladies

My side of the table

2. On Thursday my mom drove all the way from her house to Chicago (5 hours in the car not including stops or the time difference) with my twin brothers to pick up a large amount of my belongings to take back to MI. I'm so blessed right?

3. I got to have brunch with this very special girl on Friday morning. She even got all dolled up for me :) It was so amazing to be able to spend time with her before I leave. She's been such a special part of my life for the past year and a half. I'm going to miss her!

4. I don't think I've every been so thankful for a thunderstorm than I was on Saturday. I was scheduled for my first (and last) double shift at the pool (9:45 am - 8:45pm). Luckily for me, after I got back from my break a huge storm rolled in and I sought refuge inside. No one came for the rest of the evening and I got to catch up on some reading.

5. I found out yesterday that I have three other girls who will be on the same flight overseas as me. This provided some much needed relief. Now I don't have to worry about arriving by myself :)

How was your weekend?

On My Way {Part 7}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

After leaving Texas I began the nerve wracking process of waiting for approval. I was in consistent contact with my application liaison and the principal of the school. All of my forms were in and my references had submitted their recommendations. I prayed that God would open the doors necessary if it was where He wanted me this next year and close the doors if He had me somewhere else.I was stuck in limbo. The principal of the school was expecting me to join the team in the fall but I didn’t have an official contract. I was doing Skype conference calls with the other teaches but I hadn’t been processed through HR. My supporters were praying about the process without too many details about the opportunity.

Then, it all came together very quickly. I got an official email welcoming me to the team, a contract to sign and spoke to the principal on the phone. All of the sudden I was making a list of questions to ask, being included on the email thread and researching the Arabian Peninsula. I wrote, printed and sent out a newsletter announcing this new season of life. Responses started coming in immediately. God demonstrated and is still demonstrating His faithfulness, care and provision through this whole process.After this huge step forward, a trip specific to-do list (quite a lengthy one) began to form. It seems every time I cross something off another task gets added. By God’s grace, I will be able to finish it. 

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

Encouragement (a.k.a. why I love blogging)

Location: Old Town - Chicago, IL

I have been on the receiving end of encouragement lately...

It started this past weekend when I received a surprise in the mail. A real amazing surprise :)

You know that feeling you get when you sort through your mail and it's not junk, bills or something from a mass distribution list? The feeling you get when you you see a hand written address.

When you see a return address from a person, not a company.

When you turn it over and someone's taken the time to write "a note special for you". That's the feel I got this past Saturday when I received a note from Samantha. 

Inside the envelope I found an encouraging note from this sweet blogging friend, a source of encouragement as the preparations for my trip continue. I sat down and soaked up every word of the note, thankful for friends like her. 

I hope one day I can meet this amazing girl in person.

I received quite a similar feeling when I opened my financial management page for my upcoming trip and a new donor's name popped up. Most new donors email me and let me know that they will donate but this name took me by surprise.

It was my dear friend (both via blog and high school) Annie who donated to my trip. This amazing girl who just got back from a trip of her own sacrificially gave to my trip. I was humbled and overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. I can't wait to see her in person (so SOON!), give her a big hug and hear all about Spain.

There are other girls who have done the same who aren't mentioned here but I appreciate just the same. These just happen to be the girls who most recently, in a time of great stress, have blessed me.

I hope as I continue blogging to forge these kinds of relationships with other amazing young women. If you want to know more about my upcoming trip let me know. I would love to share!

*A quick note: I apologize for being so sporadic in my blogging recently. My life has been quite busy with preparations and hasn't left much time for much else. I'll be playing catch up the next couple days :)*


Blessings,

Confirmation

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

I'm quite a poor communicator.

This isn't a joke...my communication skills leave quite a bit to be desired. My thoughts make sense in my head but when it comes to expressing them to other people it's quite difficult. I attribute this to a couple different reasons:

1. Thoughts flow through my head at an incredibly rapid pace. I'm constantly writing things down on post-its, making lists on my computer and setting reminders in my phone. If I don't record something quick it enough I'll completely forget

2. My brain tends to skip steps when it comes to solving problems. This caused many problems in my math and science classes when it came to showing work. It always made sense to me how I got to the answer but some steps were so automatic to me it didn't seem necessary to write them down.

So when it comes to explain my thoughts to other people I tend to ramble, take multiple tangents and forget to connect my thoughts together. This affects the way I do my lesson planning and the way I write my update letters.

This struggle caused some anxiety in the month of July because I was in the position where I needed to ask for financial support. I prepared a letter and decided to send it out hard copy instead of via email. I agonized over whether or not I had made it clear how God had brought me to this place so quickly and why I was asking for financial support. At the time I was reading an amazing book about the support raising topic and it helped tremendously. However, there was still a small seed of doubt within me, wondering whether or not everything would come together.

Just the other day I was on the phone with my mother (who has been incredible throughout this whole process, I heard some horror stories at orientation about other families) and I was telling her about all of the new financial supporters had given. I was so amazed that in only a couple weeks God had provided all of my one-time financial support needs, a third of my monthly pledges and nearly a quarter of my daily prayer partners. Then my mom said something that really struck me:

"It's quite a confirmation"

This revealed two different things to me. One, God has called me to this work. He wouldn't have placed it on people's hearts to give and He wouldn't have provided the way He has if it wasn't His will. Two, no matter how poor of a communicator I am, I cannot mess up God's plans. It reminded me of the story of Moses, who even though he was old and had a speech impediment, God used him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God works through broken, imperfect people to accomplish His Will. God's shown me this countless times and it still manages to astound me every time :)

P.S. I got to meet a young woman who lives about 45 mins outside of Chicago who's going to be teaching at the same school this fall and she's AMAZING!!!!! We spent a couple hours at Starbucks talking and getting to know each other. I'm so excited!

On My Way {Part 6}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

I figured I break my blogging absence (while recuperating from my wisdom teeth removal) with another addition to the On My Way series...

I arrived in Texas on June 12th and I was so excited! I couldn't wait to meet the other candidates and see all of the office staff again. It had been a year since I was at the office and I missed everyone during that year. After picking up some other candidates, short-termers and mobilizers we headed back to the office.

First, we had some lunch and I got the opportunity to say hi to everyone from last year. I also got to spend some time getting to know the other candidates and some office staff I hadn't met last year. Then we started the orientation to orientation :) I was practically jumping out of my seat waiting for the opportunity to talk about the teaching opportunity. God was (and still is) teaching me patience. Afterwards, we spent time sharing our testimonies. It was so amazing to hear how God brought all these different people to this place.

Finally After, I got to speak to the woman who sent me the email as well as a couple who is headed to the same school. The more and more I heard about the opportunity the more excited I became. The next day I emailed the principal of the school and got started on the application process.

It was exhausting trying to fill out the application during my free time at orientation. Our days were packed with training, interviews and meeting everyone. However, by God's grace I was able to finish the application during my time in Texas.

Then began the process of checking references, submitting medical forms and HR putting together a final proposal of the principal.

In other words, more waiting...

*This doesn't really have to do with my journey to getting overseas but I did purchase it because I'm going*

A package with my favorite company name on it was waiting for me when I got home from work this morning...

And inside was...

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! The bookworm inside of me is freaking out. I'm torn between my hard copies and my new toy.

Anyone else have an e-reader? How do you like it?

P.S. 28 days!!!!!!!!!!!

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

On Resting

Location: Old Town - Chicago, IL

I'm naturally a busy body. I have a hard time slowing down, being still and enjoying silence. I like to be out and about and I struggle with taking the appropriate time to rest.

I'm what I've come to describe as an outgoing introvert. There is a common misconception that shy/quiet is synonymous with introvert and outgoing/loud is synonymous with extrovert. In reality the two terms have to deal with from where you get your energy. While I enjoy being around people and being social it takes every ounce of energy I have. For me to be able to recharge and truly relax I need to spend time by myself; even though I still need to be doing something, writing, listening to music or reading a good book.

As a result, I don't rest enough. I go to be too late and I get up to early, attempting to do everything on my own strength. Recently God convicted me with these two verses:

                                                          Unless the LORD builds the house,

those who build it labor in vain.

    Unless the LORD watches over the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is in vain that you rise up early

and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil;

for he gives to his beloved sleep.

(Psalm 127:1-2 ESV)

I have an erroneous belief that if I don't do something it'll never get done, like I'm in control. God is teaching me that I need to surrender my desire for control and trust in His plan. This is lesson is becoming very practical as I prepare to move overseas. Details are changing every day. New problems crop up every time I try to take a step forward. I've learned to leave it in God's hands and wait for the next step He gives me.

What has God been teaching you lately?

On My Way {Part 5}

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

They're here!!!!!! I have a diploma and a TESOL certificate :)

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

On My Way {Part 4}

Location: Bronzeville - Chicago, IL

*I can't wait to be back among the date palms and beautiful mountains*

*Anybody interested in receiving my update emails with more specifics about this trip let me know (via comment or email) and I'll put you on my list*

miscellany monday

Location: Old Town - Chicago, IL

1. Remember last week when I said I aimed to cross everything off these to-do lists?

Take a look at this...

They're empty...YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. I got to have another Skype conference call with some of the teachers I'll be working with this fall. This time we focused more on getting to know each other. I'm getting more excited if that's even possible :)

3. Look what came in my email today...

My diploma is on its way :)

4. I've officially installed a countdown on my dashboard :)

5. I've found a new British TV show...

It's all about being the ultimate bluffer...David Mitchell is hilarious!

How is your Monday going?