I ain't no gold digger

I have a friend who is a concierge here in Chicago. A really good one too I might add! The perks that come with being a concierge are amazing and I only got a little taste of that last night. I think it would be most appropriate to tell you about the evening in song, so here goes nothing:


I ain't high class but I ain't white trash
This song was what played through my mind as I walked into Sunda. This place is classy... clean and elegant. Everyone swirling and sipping a glass of wine. Everyone is networking and adding contacts to their BlackBerry. All the women are wearing black dress boots with heels and discussing reality TV. Waiters are walking around handing out mini take out boxes of chicken salad, sushi, steak on a lemon something stick, tuna, shrimp eggrolls, miniature cookies and more wine! Here I am on the concierge's arm in the midst of all this; Sparkly shoes from payless, tan courdoroy jacket, all the items that would be in my purse in my pockets instead. The one thing I had going for me was that I had the presence of mind to shave my armpits in the shower. :) It would come up inevitably, but I was still off kilter when someone asked me what I do. Uhhhh. I work for Moody Bible Institute. haha. In the Residence Life office. hahaha. I answer nervous parent phone calls. hahahaha. "That's nice" they said and then turned to network with someone else. hahaha. I cannot blame them- I'm a nobody to them. They were nice- very nice, they could not help it I do not belong in that world!



Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii..... I'm hungry (for you)
The food was delicous but came in very small portions. This left me feeling pretty hungry...I did get a gift bag upon leaving.... which included a sample size bottle of very expensive alcohol made from rice. That will be a nice regift. :)


Love me, love me say that you love me
I don't know that the lyrics as much as its association in the movie "HOT FUZZ" is why it came to mind, but this is how I felt at the play. It was Broadway in Chicago, but there was no way to enjoy it if you were over the age of 5. The actors tried- some of them had amazing voices and a few had great dance moves, but there's not a whole lot you can do with a bad storyline/script. I know it may sound harsh- like I am talking about something I know nothing of... and maybe I am. But the dialogue was so painful at times. The concierge and I spotted a few older women leaving the theatre in their FURS!!One of them which was bright red!!! Seriously, did they not know what 101 dalmations is about?!?! It felt good to laugh so hard... and try out some of the new dance moves we learned last night on the sidewalks of Chicago. :) We were inspired to "be a little bit braver... " hahahaha.


I'm Going Home (Michael Buble' or Daughtry... which ever version you prefer)
Before going home, I stopped by the friendly 7-11 and scored a hot dog and fro-co. This truly is where I belong and I wouldn't have it any other way.

It was like a Chicago Social Magazine picture come to life and it is fun sometimes to pretend you live the high life. I'm thankful to the concierge for indulging me in the pleasure of it.

HAPPY PACZKI DAY!

Some traditions, I wonder why they started and how they survived.
This one though I do not wonder about at all, ever- it is a wonderful celebration of sugar and lard and everything that is fatness. So glad to enjoy this day with friends. and make friends by bringing these to work to share. Check out this website about Paczki Day. It is so funny to me.

If you meet a Polish person, thank them for this day!

ENJOY!

Did you ever know that you're my hero?

David Jeremiah.

Really truly this man is my HERO! In my hear of hearts I am most grateful to this man for his faithful ministry.  I had been waiting 6 years to see his name on the Founder's Week program...... and this year it was!

My wonderful Mother took the Amtrak to Chicago for the occasion. We were able to sit near the front and enjoy him preaching the Word in person. Afterward, we stood in line to meet him. I am not starstruck by many, but this is a man I would wait in line for! We met his wife Donna. She was wearing lots of sparkly things and I liked her. He offered a handshake that I miscalculated so instead, I gave him a hug. :) My Mom encouraged me to tell him how thankful we have been and are for his ministry. What a gift!

For awhile in high school I had panic attacks and anxiety. I would never want to relive that year of intense emotions (tears, sleeplessness, confusion, counseling, brokenness and guilt), but I would not give back that year of intense growth either. The LORD really showed me Who He is during that time, drew me close and healed some messed up places. My Mom and I would often listen to David Jeremiah on the radio on the way home from counseling- a couple times we had to pull over because we were both in tears at the truth he was sharing. He was going through a series called "A Bend in the Road" where he shared about some hard roads he walked in his battle with cancer and lessons we could learn from the desperate heart cries of David's Psalms. We ordered that series and there was awhile when I listened to one cassette each night just to get to sleep. It really was through those cassettes that I learned how to cope with pain and how to have faith when circumstances looked impossible; how much peace the Word of God brings and how freeing it is to know God's forgiveness.

I know that the healing was not David Jeremiah's doing. It was totally the Lord's and I'm so grateful for God using David Jeremiah's life and words to grow me up in my faith. If I had a list of life goals (which I often think of writing but can never come up with them on the spot), meeting David Jeremiah would definitely be on it....and now crossed off!