Yesterday was a yearly health screening at work. It is voluntary with a perk of $10/month discounted off your health insurance cost. So pretty much everyone does it. And really, why wouldn't you? $10/month off and a road runner band-aid... life is good!
Last years screening I remember all too keenly. Very attractive man nurse + heaviest weight of my life = embarrassing! Not too long after I went to see Dr. Evil and she whipped my perspective and my behind into shape.
Lately, I've been stalled in my weight loss and overwhelmed at how much farther I have to go. It was such an encouragement though to see how far I have come. Dustin looked through my results and said, "Wow! I can tell you are a very active person. What kinds of workouts do you do?" I think I was grinning at him like he was chocolate cake. That's right! I am a very active person... huh huh huh! (said in sexy french accent, of course) So thankful for the changes I have made this year and am looking forward to Dustin being even more impressed next year!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Falling.
"Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!"
Remember these commercials?I can't help but love it.
I felt kinda like Mrs. Fletcher yesterday on my way to class when I wiped out in the freshly fallen snow.
I was wearing my silver sparkly ballet shoes... They are not exactly winter wear, but I was revolting against this miserable season. Winter had the last last laugh however as I tumbled to the pavement scraping my hand and bruising my foot. Some valet guys stood around just looking at me and shaking their coffee cups full of salt in my general direction.
More seriously... later last night I also felt the hardness of falling- this time bruising my pride and self-righteousness instead of my foot. I hate falling. Hate the reality of failing. Hate being humbled. Hate asking for forgiveness. Hate being offered grace. Hate being needy. I am weary of myself and my sin. I'm sure many others are too. Andrew Peterson song lyrics spring to mind: "Falling down ain't graceful, but I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace." I echo his sentiments tonight.
Remember these commercials?I can't help but love it.
I felt kinda like Mrs. Fletcher yesterday on my way to class when I wiped out in the freshly fallen snow.
I was wearing my silver sparkly ballet shoes... They are not exactly winter wear, but I was revolting against this miserable season. Winter had the last last laugh however as I tumbled to the pavement scraping my hand and bruising my foot. Some valet guys stood around just looking at me and shaking their coffee cups full of salt in my general direction.
More seriously... later last night I also felt the hardness of falling- this time bruising my pride and self-righteousness instead of my foot. I hate falling. Hate the reality of failing. Hate being humbled. Hate asking for forgiveness. Hate being offered grace. Hate being needy. I am weary of myself and my sin. I'm sure many others are too. Andrew Peterson song lyrics spring to mind: "Falling down ain't graceful, but I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace." I echo his sentiments tonight.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
98...99...100!
Happy 100th post!
I'm not sure if this is as big a deal as I am making it, but we can pretend it is. I just feel like there should be some epic announcement or at least cake to celebrate this milestone. The biggest announcement that I have right now though is that I am eating (to be more accurate: attempting to eat) frozen guacamole. Now I know that the top shelf of the fridg at work keeps things extremely cold. Check.
Actually here's something that I don't think I have mentioned on here before. I am praying and planning on moving. Not out of Chicago, but out of the downtown. I love my roommate and my cozy apartment and my "commute" to work, but over the past year or so I have felt the Lord nudging me closer and closer to this decision. I wasn't ready to even entertain the idea seriously until Christmas break because I knew that making a move would require some changes (even some sacrifices) and we all know how much I looooooove those. hahahaha.
Well, since Christmas break it seems something has shifted in me. The changes and sacrifices that will be a part of making this idea a reality are now worth it to me. The excitement about what the Lord has for me during the next few years far outweighs the despair the CTA causes me (and as you may know; it causes me much despair!)
The basic plan is move closer to my church- to East Garfield Park or a surrounding neighborhood sometime in later summer. That's it. That's all I got. I am definitely not doing this on a whim, however I am doing it on faith. So, if you think of it, you can pray for me and send me any leads about apartments or roommates. Thanks!
C'mon... you didn't really expect me to pass up a hairy man cake, did you?
I'm not sure if this is as big a deal as I am making it, but we can pretend it is. I just feel like there should be some epic announcement or at least cake to celebrate this milestone. The biggest announcement that I have right now though is that I am eating (to be more accurate: attempting to eat) frozen guacamole. Now I know that the top shelf of the fridg at work keeps things extremely cold. Check.
Actually here's something that I don't think I have mentioned on here before. I am praying and planning on moving. Not out of Chicago, but out of the downtown. I love my roommate and my cozy apartment and my "commute" to work, but over the past year or so I have felt the Lord nudging me closer and closer to this decision. I wasn't ready to even entertain the idea seriously until Christmas break because I knew that making a move would require some changes (even some sacrifices) and we all know how much I looooooove those. hahahaha.
Well, since Christmas break it seems something has shifted in me. The changes and sacrifices that will be a part of making this idea a reality are now worth it to me. The excitement about what the Lord has for me during the next few years far outweighs the despair the CTA causes me (and as you may know; it causes me much despair!)
The basic plan is move closer to my church- to East Garfield Park or a surrounding neighborhood sometime in later summer. That's it. That's all I got. I am definitely not doing this on a whim, however I am doing it on faith. So, if you think of it, you can pray for me and send me any leads about apartments or roommates. Thanks!
C'mon... you didn't really expect me to pass up a hairy man cake, did you?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Do-Dads
- Elizabeth (Lil'Liz) was here with boyfriend Sean yesterday. That was fun to see them… for like 20 minutes, but still good.
- My Mom will be here in 9 days! I am ssssssssssssssssso excited!!
- David Jeremiah will be here in 10 days! Mom and I are ssssssssssssssssssssssssooooooo excited!!
- Pearl is done for as of 1/24- they have nothing left and the doors are locked forever. So sad. RIP Pearl.
- On Saturday I learned about a new massage technique called "cupping" (I know the name is bizarre and needs to be changed for the immature such as myself but it actually sounded like the process is pretty cool). Your skin is somehow stretched into these tea size cups on your back and then toxins are drawn to the surface. That way your body can flush them out quicker.
- I went for a run to Lincoln Park and back... that was rough, but also good. The Shamrock Shuffle is creeping up on us. March 21st....
- Mark and Joe and I made Samoas on Sunday night. They did not turn out 1/2 bad...mmmm how could you go wrong with toasted coconut and caramel?!?!
- Since it is so cold outside I wore my PJ pants underneath my real pants. All day I have had a delightful lounge aura about me.
- Tonight is GAME NIGHT. I love this night... when all my friends come over and we have slurpees and make much laughter!
- (Intentionally blank)
This one is intentionally left blank because I feel as though there are so many more things in my head but cannot pin them down right now. This one will comfort me when later tonight I am lying in bed thinking about how I should have included... (fill in the absurd story/information)...I can ease my mind that it was #10.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Gospel according to Isaiah
Monday I had the day off work... to celebrate a hero in our nations history- Martin Luther King Jr. So glad that we honor this man, but also selfishly thankful for the day off to rest and watch JAG. :)
In the afternoon, I lit some candles and curled up with my Bible to read through Isaiah. I read chapters 1-35 in one sitting. Reading about the Lord's power and His holiness, reminded me that our God is no teddy bear. Even though I believe that God is mighty and just, I often choose not to think about the fierce aspect of these qualities. Instead, I find myself content to worship a God of my own making- one whose grace extinguishes His hatred for sin. It was overwhelming to see so much death and destruction and judgment and wrath being poured out.
As I headed to SLAM, my mind and heart were swirling with the weight of this message of punishment. I was not feeling ready to intercede for the night or talk to anyone really. Somewhere in the opening time, the Holy Spirit gave me such a Spirit of praise and understanding that this same wrath could have been poured out on me, yet God has withheld it. And knowing the depth of God’s power caused me to appreciate all the more the depth of His grace to spare me from that and pour it out on His Son instead. I was overwhelmed in such a sweet way with how great our God is. And also feeling a deep sense of reverent fear rising in me. And thankful to be at SLAM. Dave brought the Word and it was all about the Gospel and what it truly means to be repentant. He also had this guy share his testimony- 2 years ago he was a heroin addict and now he’s clean and a ref at SLAM. Only God’s power can do that and it is so spectacular!!!
Seeing a glimpse of the true nature of God has caused me to reflect on the way I think about worship. So many times I have thought of worship as being very familiar with God... and there is an aspect of knowing Him that I do not want to diminish; we do worship Him because of what we know about Who He is. But it would be a tragedy if in becoming so familiar we lost our sense of awe and wonder that this God would show any regard for me at all... that He would call me by name... that He would ransom my soul through the sacrifice of His own Son... that He would know the number of hairs on my head...that He would have plans of a hope and a future for me...that He would give me breath...that He would not strike me dead when He hears my thoughts...that He would know my every move... Like the Psalmist I could not help but be overcome with the reality of this. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it." (Psalm 139:6)
In the afternoon, I lit some candles and curled up with my Bible to read through Isaiah. I read chapters 1-35 in one sitting. Reading about the Lord's power and His holiness, reminded me that our God is no teddy bear. Even though I believe that God is mighty and just, I often choose not to think about the fierce aspect of these qualities. Instead, I find myself content to worship a God of my own making- one whose grace extinguishes His hatred for sin. It was overwhelming to see so much death and destruction and judgment and wrath being poured out.
As I headed to SLAM, my mind and heart were swirling with the weight of this message of punishment. I was not feeling ready to intercede for the night or talk to anyone really. Somewhere in the opening time, the Holy Spirit gave me such a Spirit of praise and understanding that this same wrath could have been poured out on me, yet God has withheld it. And knowing the depth of God’s power caused me to appreciate all the more the depth of His grace to spare me from that and pour it out on His Son instead. I was overwhelmed in such a sweet way with how great our God is. And also feeling a deep sense of reverent fear rising in me. And thankful to be at SLAM. Dave brought the Word and it was all about the Gospel and what it truly means to be repentant. He also had this guy share his testimony- 2 years ago he was a heroin addict and now he’s clean and a ref at SLAM. Only God’s power can do that and it is so spectacular!!!
Seeing a glimpse of the true nature of God has caused me to reflect on the way I think about worship. So many times I have thought of worship as being very familiar with God... and there is an aspect of knowing Him that I do not want to diminish; we do worship Him because of what we know about Who He is. But it would be a tragedy if in becoming so familiar we lost our sense of awe and wonder that this God would show any regard for me at all... that He would call me by name... that He would ransom my soul through the sacrifice of His own Son... that He would know the number of hairs on my head...that He would have plans of a hope and a future for me...that He would give me breath...that He would not strike me dead when He hears my thoughts...that He would know my every move... Like the Psalmist I could not help but be overcome with the reality of this. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it." (Psalm 139:6)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
3 Dinners and a Baldie
Yesterday was an epic fail for me... in regards to alot of things... the funniest of all these being after SLAM.
I went to grab a double cheeseburger and McChicken sandwich at McDonald's after SLAM. I usually get that because I don't like french fries and one or the other just doesn't seem enough. For some reason when I got to McDonald's I wanted french fries though, but then couldn't decide which sandwich I wanted. I decided to get them all: A double cheeseburger mightykids meal and a McChicken sandwich. Whew! That was a perplexing one....
Right before I order, Baldie walks in with a woman... a beautiful one... who only planned to order a bottle of water! (I may have made that up) Suddenly I feel self conscious about the amount of food I am ordering. I fake like I didn't see anyone and mumble my order under my breath to Hosea. Another woman from SLAM shows up with some of the girls she is mentoring. She invites me to eat with them. Ordinarily, that would be so fun and I would stay, but I was overwhelmed with awkwardness about the man standing behind me and the amount of food that Hosea was going to hand in me in a moment. A bright flashing red light in my brain is screaming "Get out of here! Abort!" The next thing I know I hear myself make up some lame story about taking food home to my roommate. MY ROOMMATE... the one who is out to dinner with a friend from out of town...????? oh my word! Seriously, Rachel?
I don't know why I was in such a tizzy. Independently of Baldie and I not having spoken words to each other since the hanger incident, I had decided that "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." I guess maybe it was just the irony of it all... I hope that's all it was cuz it was ridiculous.
Hosea hands me my food and I jet for the door, making eye contact with only the floor tiles- as I come out I bump into this man who is asking for food. I hand him one of my bags and cross the street. I reach into my bag of food and pull out chicken nuggets! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! I hate my life! There's no way I am going back in there. Long story shorter.... After this I picked up a bag of gummy bears and a cheeseburger at Portillo's and ate it all until I was sick last night.... Grease dripping from my fingers, I related the story to Mark at home, who was amused.
Awesome. Good response. Way to make healthy choices! :)
grrrrrrr. Next time Baldie... I'll be ready for you!
I went to grab a double cheeseburger and McChicken sandwich at McDonald's after SLAM. I usually get that because I don't like french fries and one or the other just doesn't seem enough. For some reason when I got to McDonald's I wanted french fries though, but then couldn't decide which sandwich I wanted. I decided to get them all: A double cheeseburger mightykids meal and a McChicken sandwich. Whew! That was a perplexing one....
Right before I order, Baldie walks in with a woman... a beautiful one... who only planned to order a bottle of water! (I may have made that up) Suddenly I feel self conscious about the amount of food I am ordering. I fake like I didn't see anyone and mumble my order under my breath to Hosea. Another woman from SLAM shows up with some of the girls she is mentoring. She invites me to eat with them. Ordinarily, that would be so fun and I would stay, but I was overwhelmed with awkwardness about the man standing behind me and the amount of food that Hosea was going to hand in me in a moment. A bright flashing red light in my brain is screaming "Get out of here! Abort!" The next thing I know I hear myself make up some lame story about taking food home to my roommate. MY ROOMMATE... the one who is out to dinner with a friend from out of town...????? oh my word! Seriously, Rachel?
I don't know why I was in such a tizzy. Independently of Baldie and I not having spoken words to each other since the hanger incident, I had decided that "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." I guess maybe it was just the irony of it all... I hope that's all it was cuz it was ridiculous.
Hosea hands me my food and I jet for the door, making eye contact with only the floor tiles- as I come out I bump into this man who is asking for food. I hand him one of my bags and cross the street. I reach into my bag of food and pull out chicken nuggets! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! I hate my life! There's no way I am going back in there. Long story shorter.... After this I picked up a bag of gummy bears and a cheeseburger at Portillo's and ate it all until I was sick last night.... Grease dripping from my fingers, I related the story to Mark at home, who was amused.
Awesome. Good response. Way to make healthy choices! :)
grrrrrrr. Next time Baldie... I'll be ready for you!
Friday, January 15, 2010
You know you work at Moody when...
...this is news!
For Free: 36 #2 pencils (never used) free to anyone who wants to pick them up. The erasers do not work very well, but an eraser cap could be added. Please pick them up at the Distance Learning front desk (Walton 2) if you are interested.
For Free: 36 #2 pencils (never used) free to anyone who wants to pick them up. The erasers do not work very well, but an eraser cap could be added. Please pick them up at the Distance Learning front desk (Walton 2) if you are interested.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
TIDBITS
5. I went to my first grad school class tonight. Isaiah with Dr. McCord. I loved it.... The workload definitely seems more relaxed than I remember even my undergrad classes being, however the assignments do seem to be more applicable to life. I am looking forward to digging into this complex book and being amazed even more at how faithful our God is. So thankful for His holiness and His fiercely gentle restoration; how He wounds us so that He can heal us.
sidenote about the class: 4 women in the class, 1 who is married. 6 men in the class, 5 of whom are married. Bum odds. :)
sidenote about the class: 4 women in the class, 1 who is married. 6 men in the class, 5 of whom are married. Bum odds. :)
4. Something I have not done since Thanksgiving: Shave my legs. That's always fun to find out in the pool locker room. oops!
3. Season 2 of JAG arrived in the mail today. I was so excited to find out how Harm proves that he did not commit this murder.... but OH NO! Part 2 is nowhere to be found in the second season. Why? you might wonder, as did I... Well it's because NBC dropped the show after the first season and CBS picked it up for the rest of the time. CBS did not feel obligated to explain what happened especially since the victim from "part 1" is Harm's PARTNER in season 2! It is unbelievably nerdy that I know all this and just put it on my blog so that now you know too... Those special features can be so dang informative. :)
2. My dear friend Alli threw me a surprise party to celebrate my birthday this past weekend. It is my first surprise party ever! I liked it. We ate delicious food and cake (homemade by Sarah) and played our fave game of all time... telephone pictionary! Many hysterical memories were made including the infamous 4 legged chickens. Phil and Lem from "Better Off Ted" will be developing them in the lab soon. hahahaha.
1. Favorite Christmas Card- from Meeeeegan Yoho
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
JAG
For my birthday I got the first season on JAG on DVD. The real old ones- where Catherine Bell isn't in it yet. At first I thought maybe my love for the show had waned, but it was nostalgic and David James Elliot was just as dreamy as I remembered from high school.
Since I got back to Chicago I have been watching it pretty constantly... I am on disc 3.
The language in it almost makes me want to join the Navy or Marines. Somehow I don't think my co-workers would o along with me saying things like "scuttlebutt" or "screw the pooch." (Though I do know at least one who would appreciate being called "Sir/Ma'am".)
Note: Yes, he is married. Good for him. Better for his wife. In finding this picture, I also noticed that he runs triathlons and he renewed his vows in a kilt! I'll be researching if he has a twin next.
New Favorites
Happy 2010!
(even though I am still gonna party like it's 1999!)
Before I dive in to my hopes and dreams for the future, I will catch up on the events of the past couple weeks while at home for the holidays in Michigan.
This year the holidays feel like starting over in terms of traditions. Our family always used to get together with the Scally side of the family at Grandma and Grandpa's. Since Grandpa died last yea we have disbanded to celebrate in our individual families. It is so sad to someone as sentimental as me to see such a cherished tradition die (particularly since it's one of the only times I see the Scally's). However, it is also neat to see my Mom and Dad and sister's start to make our own.
On Christmas Eve this year we played Clue. It was a new version that has yet to win my affection. Each of the girls also picked out a favorite book from childhood to read together. It was the joy of my heart- and (no surprise) my contribution to the Monfette holiday legacy. Then we played Wii. As I recall I won everything. :) hahaha. Leah and I left Santa and Mrs. Claus a note about how good we were this year and some Pepsi and cookies. (That's how to really get on their good side I found out!)
Fast forward to December 31- my birthday! Imagine me and the fam passing around a plate (a silver platter to be more accurate) of cookies. Pretty sure they were gone before that ball dropped in New York. We also enjoyed a couple episodes of Better Off Ted, which is my newest favorite satire. Think Arrested Development and The Office and 30 Rock smashed together. It's so good.
Shortly after midnight Leah went to get something from the freezer only to find it was a little softer than usual. Sure enough the freezer and the fridg were not as cold as they should be. There was alot of food in there for Genna's shower the following day... so at 1am after the fridg has been examined and dusted underneath and poked and prodded, our family loaded up a couple of rubbermaid totes and put them out in the van. :) Glad it was winter. The next morning as Dad was cooking breakfast, he called out for one of us to get some eggs and bacon from the van... as if it was totally normal to keep it there! :) Some may accuse me of making up stories to make my life sound more interesting... but after that happened all I could ask myself was, "Did that really just happen?"
(even though I am still gonna party like it's 1999!)
Before I dive in to my hopes and dreams for the future, I will catch up on the events of the past couple weeks while at home for the holidays in Michigan.
This year the holidays feel like starting over in terms of traditions. Our family always used to get together with the Scally side of the family at Grandma and Grandpa's. Since Grandpa died last yea we have disbanded to celebrate in our individual families. It is so sad to someone as sentimental as me to see such a cherished tradition die (particularly since it's one of the only times I see the Scally's). However, it is also neat to see my Mom and Dad and sister's start to make our own.
On Christmas Eve this year we played Clue. It was a new version that has yet to win my affection. Each of the girls also picked out a favorite book from childhood to read together. It was the joy of my heart- and (no surprise) my contribution to the Monfette holiday legacy. Then we played Wii. As I recall I won everything. :) hahaha. Leah and I left Santa and Mrs. Claus a note about how good we were this year and some Pepsi and cookies. (That's how to really get on their good side I found out!)
Fast forward to December 31- my birthday! Imagine me and the fam passing around a plate (a silver platter to be more accurate) of cookies. Pretty sure they were gone before that ball dropped in New York. We also enjoyed a couple episodes of Better Off Ted, which is my newest favorite satire. Think Arrested Development and The Office and 30 Rock smashed together. It's so good.
Shortly after midnight Leah went to get something from the freezer only to find it was a little softer than usual. Sure enough the freezer and the fridg were not as cold as they should be. There was alot of food in there for Genna's shower the following day... so at 1am after the fridg has been examined and dusted underneath and poked and prodded, our family loaded up a couple of rubbermaid totes and put them out in the van. :) Glad it was winter. The next morning as Dad was cooking breakfast, he called out for one of us to get some eggs and bacon from the van... as if it was totally normal to keep it there! :) Some may accuse me of making up stories to make my life sound more interesting... but after that happened all I could ask myself was, "Did that really just happen?"
The freezer being defrosted with the camping heater....
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (the last ones before Genna gets married)!
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