A-U-B-R-E-Y .C. M-A-R-T-I-N

Aubrey was pretty much the greatest roommate I ever had (don’t tell my other roommates I said that though). She decided to move back to California though in August. I’ve never been to the LA area but I imagine the weather and views to be a bit more appealing than Chicago, so I guess I can’t blame her too much.

Top 5 fave things done with Aubrey C. Martin:

1. Sit on the floor on opposite sides of the kitchen and laugh, then cry about life.

2. Going to see Glee the Concert in 3D. Better than renting the Justin Bieber documentary only because of the cool glasses you can keep.

3. Sitting on the front porch reading.

4. Getting our oil changed at Quick Oil.

5. Eating pizza we ordered (ALWAYS a good idea!)

By far one of Aubrey’s greatest contributions to my life is teaching my how to use itunes. If you could have seen me grasping the concept of playlists and podcasts, you may have confused me with a 60 year old woman. I asked her questions like: “It’s really free?” “You don’t have to have an ipod to use it?” “Then where do you click?” “Are you sure it’s free?” “Why should I load my music to itunes if I already have it on CD?” “It’s free right?” hahahaha. It was one of those things I knew about for a long time but was too embarrassed to say I had no idea what to do with it, so now I know.

Aubrey’s patience paid off however and now I am an avid itunes user. I have made a playlist of songs about God’s love to go along with this season in life. I have plans to make as many playlists as possible for ordinary things (workout playlist, washing dishes playlist, blogging playlist, brushing my teeth playlist, doing my laundry playlist, cooking playlist- you get the idea). Also, I listened to a podcast about how you can sweat colors- it’s an actual medical phenomenon.See how important this addition is to my life?!

I’m thankful for all our times together, Aubrey– I will miss you most when I’m watching guilty pleasure television. Many blessings on your new job at camp!

Mid-afternoon Train to Memphis

It’s been awhile since I’ve been home. More importantly it’s been awhile since I’ve been out of the city. In time, too much concrete can make your soul weary…

In the past 2 months I have felt wearier (if that’s a word) than even college all nighters and the days thereafter.  Mentally and physically the hours at work were demanding. Emotionally I was over invested in my new role at work and in the pain of girls in Bible study. I was anxious over finding a new roommate and there was violence on my block. Spiritually, I felt conflicted about what it means to be loved by God and wrestled with if I had enough courage to believe the truth. There’s a lot more that could be said with all these, but suffice it to say…I am in need of a renewal of sorts. And I’m hoping to find it in the next 6 days at home.

It’s so glorious to sit on the train and watch the city fade and the endless fields come into view. The colors are just beginning to change on the trees, so there are these surprising bursts of red scattered across the landscape. Every single tree seems like a grace from Heaven… so thankful for these good and perfect gifts from the Father.

A list

Also, for those of you kind enough to check this blog even though I haven't updated it over the summer- please know it is not for want of material that I have been blog-less recently.

Be assured I have a list and will use my ample time on the amtrak Wednesday to fill you in on all the details. :) I don't want to spoil anything but the list may include a shopping trip where I terrorized the sales lady regarding percentage of polyester in pants...and the junior highers going to high school...and a man singing opera on the bus at 9pm (there's not really anything more to that story actually)...and so much more. :)

Squeeze

Do not be alarmed by the title of this post! This is not the embarrassing tale of bathroom advice your mom gave you, that malfunctioned at a family reunion while wearing Raggedy Ann culottes. (That's a true story for another time). It's actually the title of a song I hadn't heard in awhile by Eric Peters.

The first time I heard this song was in 2006 at my very first "Behold the Lamb" concert. Everything about that concert rocked my world and I am forever indebted to the Spirit's work in those songwriters life and their courage to share that with a bunch of strangers. I remember this man getting up and sharing about a crisis of faith and what it meant to him to know with certainty that God could handle his doubts. Maybe you have already figured this out about life, but at 20 and in bible college wrestling with so much knowledge; this felt like a brand new truth.  It spoke a freedom into my life I cannot fully express.

I've often thought of this song and even find myself making a fist and squeezing tight as a symbol of holding on to truth when it feels the most untrue. It is a powerful reminder of the refining work God is doing in our hearts and minds and souls- grinding away the rock to reveal the diamond inside.

Even though I don't know that I would have remembered the artists name (sorry Eric!), I did recognize it when I saw posters at work that he was coming to do a concert. And the timing could not be short of divine.

On Wednesday, I'm leaving for a 6 day vacation. A very necessary vacation. There has been a tremendous amount of dissonance in my life this summer, primarily in the past 2 months. I'm so thankful for the ways God is shaping me through that, but all that grinding is painful and exhausting as well.   It is so good for me to be reminded that this grinding I feel is not to destroy me, but to form me more clearly into the image of His Son. That is a hope my soul has been desperate to know!

It would have been cool to hear him sing it tonight, but it wasn't on his playlist and I was too chicken to call it out. :) I did talk to him after the concert though and I hope the story of how God has, and is using his music is encouraging. Take a listen- good stuff!

(And if you like that, check out him and other artists at Under the Radar)

4th Annual Lawndale 5K Walk / Run

4th Annual Lawndale 5K Walk / Run

The God of Peace

Please pray for my neighborhood... we are broken. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-cops-man-shot-killed-in-lawndale-neighborhood-20110906,0,6541481.story

Inspiration Kitchens

Last Friday our church helped out at HomeCourt. (The highlights included managing kids in a moon bounce and collecting tickets for hot dogs.) I took the green line to the Conservatory stop and walked down Lake Street to the court. I passed a restaurant that I remember someone telling me about, but I didn't realize it was open. Aubrey and I went last Sunday for Brunch and it was incredible and I plan to go alot more now. (you should too!)

Inspiration Kitchens has delicious food and a great mission. Make sure to check the hours before going because there are certain times it is closed for training, but it is so worth going!