Convocation of Baklava

Tuesday was convocation at Moody Bible Institute. I have been to many convocation's here before- 13 actually. There is something about them that never gets old though, something timeless. Seeing professors that you love marching down the center aisles in their regalia, hearing the rousing organ tune, the crowd singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness”; it all feels like magic to me.

Magic is difficult to capture in words… It’s not fairies or “abracadabra!” It is this mingling of the richness of the past and the freshness of the new year. It is the converging of learned professors and ambitious freshman. It is the jumble of emotion that comes with your first day of classes and your last first day of classes. It is the hope growing in every person that this year will hold something new, that they will be changed for the better. It is being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…and keeping your eyes on the prize set before you.

Anyway, maybe that seems dramatic coming from someone so young- it’s not like I have been here for 20 years or anything. I can’t help it though- I am enamored by this place! More than that, I am indebted to the many places around this campus where the Lord’s work has transformed and stirred me in my deepest part.

Every building, every dorm room, every classroom, every plaza bench could probably tell an amazing story or two of how God has been faithful. Maybe that’s the true magic of it. We are not just a part of a beautiful story or singing a pretty song, but we are caught up in the realness of a God Who has proven Himself over and over and over again. It’s the layers of God’s faithfulness here that I savor… kinda like baklava. :)

Blogless August

I have not been blogging lately because frankly my brain feels like it will explode at most points throughout the day and that kind of pressure really crowds out creative ambition.

I've never felt like a grown up as much as the last week at work- staying an extra 6 hours because literally I have to in order to be prepared instead of staying an extra 6 minutes to rewrite a color coded to do list for the next day. :) So thankful that the end of this crazy season is nearing it's end. (I leave that last sentence as further proof of my mental state at present... you know what I was trying to say!)

Kinda pathetic, but these are the highlights as of late:
1. I called someone and said "Residence Life, this is Rachel" as if I was answering the phone.
2. I put down the phone and was sure I had a conversation but had no idea what was said since I was "multi-tasking."
3. I almost got on the Orange line to Midway instead of my train home at the end of the day.
4. I ran a mile unprovoked to zen out.
5. I literally could not remember which set of keys was for home and which was for work.

Although, God is so gracious and provided such reminders of His rest and grace too.
1. Like a ride home, getting lost and laughing about it with my coworker at 10:30 at night.
2. Like reading Anne of Green Gables in it's entirety- some on the front porch, some more on my window seat.
3. Like playing banannagrams.
4. Like eating dinner and cosmic brownies on my window seat with a friend.
5. Like meeting "Jesse" in the park yesterday after running and getting asked for my number & told I "is a real good lookin woman" while sweaty.
These priceless things are truly such gifts from above!

The Mamas and the Papas (not the 70's music group, but the freshman parents with a fragmented reference to a song in the beginning of Fiddler on the Roof) continue to call with crazy pants questions. Sometimes they are such a bright spot in my day- such eagerness. I really do mean it when I say that! I remember that feeling and even now it comes over me sometimes- to think of this place you are being swept up into... this story...these people that God has been using throughout the last 150 years.

You should all buy Andrew Peterson's new CD. It's rockin awesome and I essentially listen to it 4 times a day. :) It is so good- so full of the life of the Gospel. Track 9 is my fave....

There are dishes in the sink that I should do... boo! I hate being a grown up. hahaha. not really, only grown ups can have as big a bed as me! It's huge... and finally the frame is put together!

Take this post for what it's worth and I will try to put something insightful out soon. :)

Carmine Ragusa

I have been watching season 1 of Laverne and Shirley. Carmine Ragusa has got to be the best character. :) I love how he randomly bursts into song....

Once Upon a December....

When I was about 8 (the age when everything seems to have happened as I reminisce), I had a dream about the floors in our house being made of mattresses. It was such a fun dream that I have always remembered it and think about it from time to time... even now.

On Monday I went to pick up a mattress from a co-worker who was selling it in the 'burbs. I was blissfully unaware of what was involved in picking up a QUEEN SIZE mattress and just assumed that since I had a truck; I was golden. Thankfully my neighbor came with me and helped- and by helped I mean pretty much just handled everything! So glad that he is a man! :)

When we unloaded the mattress into my room- it was right next to the twin and the mattresses filled my room- just like in my dream! I am not ashamed to say that I may have bounced on them for joy a few times. Hooray; dreams do come true!

Residence Life

This time of year in Residence Life is one of the most stressful, but also one of the most fun.
This is dedicated to all the mom's out there of college bound students. Please call and ask your son or daughters housing department these questions! It will make their day as it has mine. :)

1. Should I mail my son a refrigerator?
2. What are the window dimensions so that I can crochet curtains for my son?
3. If orientation day is my birthday, do I have to drop my son off?
4. If I am staying in the area the first night, can my son stay with me instead of his dorm?
5. Can my son have a george foreman in his room? How about a magic bullet? How about a hot pot? How about a candle warmer? How about a toaster? How about a toaster oven? How about a blender? How about any of the appliances they sell on infomercials?
6. Can I stay with my son in his room the first night?
7. What kind of shower shoes do you recommend?
8. What are the under bed dimensions? Maybe his dad can make drawers.
9. What would be a good weekly amount to budget for our son?
10. I bought my son a humidifier. Do most guys bring one or should I return it?

That's what I'm sayin...

1. Lil Liz asked me to be in her wedding! YES! I love her and Sean... so excited about their special day in May 2011!

2. My new favorite hang out near home is CICERO! It has a Target and a Taco Bell. What more could you need?

3. I was dog sitting a couple weeks ago for 2 little dogs- mostly well behaved. One got a little nervous about the fireworks and pooped all over the house... AWESOME! They had a very rigorous 4 walk per day schedule. :) The thought of all these wealthy people downtown picking up a dog's warm poop in hand (well with a baggie) just blew my mind. Think on that today huh?!

4. While I was dog sitting I got addicted to cable- ANTM and Cake Boss. Such fun shows! Pretty sure it's a good thing we don't have cable at home. I would never leave. :) hahaha. I have caught myself in the mirror several times trying to lengthen my neck and smile with my eyes... Thanks Tyra.

5. Kids Bible Study has been going well- I have really enjoyed teaching again and singing CEF songs. "Stop! and let me tell you" I think the kids are enjoying it too. We are going through the 10 Commandments and after learning about the Sabbath little Matthew said: "I am Sunday full!"

The cost of a story

Stories are rarely free- they often cost me my time or dignity, sometimes both. This time however it also cost me the cold hard cash, the pesos, the dollar dollar bills, y'all get the idea.

Objective #1: Park at 441 E Erie
Objective #2: Go to Doctor at 680 E. Erie

Objective #1 was a piece of cake. I found the building. I got a parking ticket- I did a number of 3 point turns to get up the ramps because Kaitlyn's truck struggles in the turning radius department. I parked. I went out the wrong exit and had to walk all the way around the block....no problem!

Objective #2 was a little more difficult. I approach what is the right address... I confirm the sticky note I wrote very carefully. The nameplate next to the door reads: Playboy Enterprises. I look around for Candid Camera, hesitantly starting up the stairs. "Is this Dr. Evil's idea of a sick joke?" I wonder, "Is there seriously an OB/GYN in the Playboy Enterprises building? That just seems ironic."

One of the elevators is starting to close as I come in and I run to catch it. An older man is the only other passenger- he asks if I am sure I want to go to floor 12. Suddenly I am not sure and consulting my neon green sticky note- it says suite 1200. My head is swirling with visions of the elevator doors opening and seeing Hugh there in a velvet smoking jacket puffing on a cigar and a freak show of nurses and doctors...

ding ding

moment of truth

doors opening.....

It was just a bunch of Doctor's offices. :) hahahaha.

I found out a few moments later that my doctor just had to leave to deliver a baby and we would have to reschedule the appointment. I trekked back to the garage, un-parked the truck and tried to convince the woman at the booth to let me out without paying. I pleaded with her that I had only been there long enough to find out my appointment was cancelled. She was less than amused and just pointed at the sign that said 0-3 hours: $14.00

$14.00 to not even go to the doctor. $14.00 to have a panic attack in the elevator of the bunny lair. $14.00 for a real funny story about my new fave doctor office location. :)