Sacred In The Ordinary - Part 3

1. Sharing a bottle of red wine with close friends, Iowagirl and Irishgirl. I had two and a half glasses of red wine and they insisted that I was a bit "happy". Not. :D

2. Loud and raucous laughter with said close friends.

3. Close friends who take an interest in yours trulys love life. Or shall we say, lack of a love life? Irishgirl and Iowagirl signed me up on Christian Cafe. Oh. Joy. Nonetheless, I must say that these two crazy women are my lifelines and I am so blessed to have them in my life.

4. When you're living and working in the city, parking is one hot commodity. Especially at my office. Fortunately my office has some parking spaces, although limited, they ARE spaces where social workers can park for FREE. The thing about these parking spaces, in order to grab a spot close to the office building, I would need to arrive at the office before 9:00 AM. Or else I would have to park at the parking lot two blocks away (which is almost always full!) or drive circles around the vicinity in order to find a parking spot. The latter is most frustrating, especially when the only available spots are meter parking. And naturally the longest you can stay parked at a meter parking spot is abut 4 hours. Which brings up another issue...I mean, who carries enough quarters to feed the meter so you can park for four hours? But I digress. So yesterday I arrived at the office around 9:30 AM and lo and behold.....I found an empty parking spot right next to my office building!!! RIGHT NEXT TO IT!!! Now that's what I call sacred! :)

5. A scrumptious dinner out with my sweet Irish friend, Laura, at the Olive Garden where we only had to pay $12 for a $35 dinner because of the gift card I received last November for being social worker of the month at my job. :D

Sacred In The Ordinary - Part 2

1. A long conversation with my dearest friend, Helen, who inspires and challenges me. She is an incredible mother full of grace and much love for those around her. She is my biggest cheerleader and my best friend.

2. Wednesday "Lost" nights with Kim and Bethany. Tonight was an especially sweet time of fellowship as we shared a meal together before the show and exchanged knitting tips. Yes, we are a bunch of old ladies!

3. A memory of my very first mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico when I was 16 years old. "Serve '89", what a life-changing experience.

4. Sharing my M&M's with my crazy cubicle mate, Roy, who has the most impeccable timing in making me roll with laughter with his crazy antics. It always comes at a time when I am most stressed and in need of an outlet.

5. Finally receiving in the mail the cookbook I ordered from half.com, Super Natural Cooking, by Heidi Swanson. My friend Becky has this cookbook and while I was visiting her in Chicago, we made many a meal from this cookbook. I can't wait to try some of the great recipes from this cookbook!

Sacred in The Ordinary - Part 1

So the last year or so has brought me to a place full of cynicism and apathy. It's somewhat depressing....no, it IS depressing to be so incredibly stoic and full of passivity. It's like I've shifted into some kind of survival mode. Not good. Not good at all. I currently live and work in a world that is harsh and full of demands which robs me of seeing how God works in even the most ordinary of circumstances. I don’t want to just see God in the mountain peak experiences, but I want to see how He brings to life the holiness hidden in the ordinary places of my life: through friends and family, through a walk along Kelly Drive, watching Georgie play at the dog park, through a delicious meal, a hug from a child, etc…I want to see beauty, truth and holiness illuminated through my everyday life and to see the ordinary circumstances as instruments to see God, even through the most frustrating moments. I guess the challenge I am posing for myself is to look at life's simplest circumstances and everyday moments, to find the Sacred in the Ordinary. So in essence, as I discover the Sacred in the Ordinary, I will start posting a list here in my blog with hopes that my heart will change from its cynical and apathetic state into one that is full of hope, joy, and passion. Here goes.....

Sacred In The Ordinary - Part 1

1. Kisses from my dog, Georgie. (Well, more like licks.) An obvious show of affection and unconditional love. Makes me think of God's love.

2. Listening to a foster parent’s life story of the circumstances surrounding his placement in foster care as a child and how he overcame adversity through a community of caring and strong individuals. He is now giving back to the community as a foster parent and an adoptive parent to some very challenging children. What an inspiration!

3. Attending my church home group for the first time since last June and feeling so blessed by the people in the group. I was somewhat nervous coming back to the group after such a long hiatus (From September through January, I did a book study every Monday evenings with a small group of women from church). The discussion was rich and the fellowship sweet.

3. Yummy leftover beef stroganoff, which was made from scratch! Hey, what can I say? Physical sustenance is also part of maintaining one's spiritual well-being! ;)

4. My ghetto-assed Toyota Corolla. As old as this car is and the amount of mileage I've put in it, driving all over Philly, I want to say that God is so good with his provision of this car. I am so thankful for this vehicle and how it continues to keep going and going and going. Kind of the Energizer Bunny. Seriously.

5. The privilege of getting to work with one of my closest friends, Iowagirl. It almost seems so wrong that our agency allows us to work together. Let me describe us in one word: Trouble.

Update

So I did get away and it was COLD. Nonetheless, I had a deliciously relaxing time with my wonder-friend, Becky. Two and a half days of girl time before her husband, Lars, arrived back to Chicago from a ski trip in Tahoe. Later in the visit, I was able to spend time with my very long-time and dear friend, Jana, jaunting through her favorite parts of the city and showing of Chicago's fine architecture and art. A few pics.....

Hanging out with Jana in the Windy City

Oh the sheer silliness of it all!

The Bean at Millennium Park in Chicago. It looks like a bean
but it's actually British artist Anish Kapoor's, "Cloud Gate".

Cold much? A very white Lake Michigan behind us.

A lovely family photo of Becky, Lars, and their sweet pup, Drexel.

It was so hard to leave but alas, real life was calling me back to Philly. I'm thinking that another visit this summer to Chi-town should suffice.

I really, really miss Becky.

Time To Get Away....

....and I wish it were some place hot. I'm flying out to Chicago tomorrow morning to visit with my good friends, Becky and Lars. Yes, I'm going in the midst of winter. And yes, I will more than likely freeze my ass off. Nonetheless, seeing my beautiful friend Becky's face and sharing a sweet time of laughter, hugs, great conversation, and just plain being together, is all the more worth enduring the frigid mid-west weather. Chi-town, here I come!!!!

Jet Setter

So I'm flying home to British Columbia for the Christmas Holidays in approximately six hours. It's 1 AM now and I need to be awake by 3:15 AM to get ready and be at the Philly airport by 4:30 AM. Crazy I know. Call me a glutton for punishment.

Waiting With Expectancy

As I anticipate the celebration of Christ's birth, this song has been near my heart as of late....

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley, 1745

Musings

"Musings", so cliche-ish and a word that's often thrown around haphazardly in the blog world. I suppose I'm kind of in a musingish, reflective mode at the minute. It's 12:30 AM and while I really ought to be in bed, I'm sitting sitting in front of my laptop, hoping for the flow of creative juices to shift from my brain to the computer screen.

About two months ago I drafted a post reflecting on the season of Fall, but of course, never actually published it on my blog. So here it is in all its unfinished glory....

"I love the fall. I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

One of my favorite lines from that movie, “You’ve Got Mail”, which of course is so appropriate to this current season of fall. The vibrant colors of leaves, the crisp cool air, the warmth of butternut squash soup coursing down your tummy, and the many fall festivities taking place throughout the city, makes me want to break out in song and dance amidst the vibrant, colorful leaves. Cheesy, I know.

I am currently enamored by the small group of women that I'm doing Sonship with on Monday evenings. This sixteen week study has encouraged me to greater faith, repentance, and love. And these five women, that I have the privilege of walking alongside with these sixteen weeks, have been an incredible lifeline in my walk with Jesus.

One more week and I fly home for the Christmas holidays! Let's hope the meltdowns won't be to debilitating. Yeah, yeah.....just call me the resident drama queen.

Peace out.

I'm here! Really, I am!

Is November really over? I can't believe it flew by so quickly! And I cannot believe that I've slacked off with updating this blog. Well, I am alive and well, adjusting quite well to life here in Philly. While I do miss the familiarity of my old neighborhood, I do love living in Philly, close to everything: my job, center city, my church community, and good friends. It's super late and I really ought to hit the sack, but I just thought I'd write an entry to let those who continue to faithfully read this blog that I am alive and well, with hopes to continue blogging on a somewhat consistent basis. (Let's hope!)

God's Address???

I found this article online a few minutes ago: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27201871/?GT1=43001

Some idiot state senator from Nebraska filed a lawsuit against God because He has made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha. Really? I mean, REALLY? What planet is he from? Someone is a little paranoid.

Since it's late and I'm still on a high from the Phillies winning the NLCS, I'll hold off on my rant.

Phillies are going to the World Series! GO PHILLIES!!!!

I'm Here! I'm Here! I'm Here!

It's been over a month since my last post and so I figured that I probably ought to let those (all one or maybe two of you) know that I am alive and well. The months of August and September have been relatively busy, settling into my new place and acquainting myself with the new neighborhood, which I LOVE! It's great to be so close to everything and everyone, giving me the freedom to walk everywhere. What's great is that I don't use my car all that much on the weekends since most of my friends live in the neighborhood, my church being a few blocks away, and there are a myriad of restaurants and bars within walking distance. I love being an urban dweller!!! Now if only my job didn't require me to drive all over the city, I'd ditch my car, join Philly Car Share, bike, and/or take public transportation. Yeah, just call me a granola girl at heart.

As much as I'd love to continue writing, I really need to hit the sack. I can barely keep my eyes open. Have good-night y'all!

DUN DUN DUN........

Because Zach says so......
My bad for keeping y'all hanging.

I got it.

Hello Philly!

Now the moving madness begins. Despite of all the stress and anxiety I've been through in the last two weeks, I must say that God is good.

I'll be back sometime in August with more details of the drama that took place about a week ago and with pictures of my new digs. So stay tuned...

So......

Two days. That's what she said. Two days until they make the decision on whether or not I get this place.

So the next two days will be spent in anticipation so..... the waiting, praying,nail-biting begins...

The big P.....

As in PROCRASTINATOR. I am the Queen of Procrastinators. Really I am. While I should be packing for the big move next week, this evening was spent in front of the TV watching MTV's "Made" (how sad am I?) , stalking friends on facebook, reading through blogs, and now blogging on my own blog. I think part of my lack of motivation is the fact that I do not have anything definite yet. Yes, I know, scary. There is one place I am hoping to get in Philly and am waiting word from the owner as to whether or not I actually have the place. I really, really, really, hope I get it! It's in the neighborhood in Philly where I want to reside and it is near most of my friends, my job, and my church. I'm praying! However I know I shouldn't put all my eggs in one basket so I continue with my search for a new home tomorrow evening after I get off from work.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

I'm trying not to freak out here, but how do you tell an individual with "control-freakish" tendencies to relax and calm down? This is definitely a faith-stretching time as I continue to surrender this madness God. I am hoping for the "evidence of things not seen" to come into fruition at the end of this month.

June???

Is the month of June almost gone already? And of course I have lapsed in blogging. It's been a busy month with friends visiting from out of town, a quick trip out to DC to visit with my best friend who was visiting with her sister's family, with more friends and family visiting over the next few weeks, and of course, looking for a new place to live.

I'm finally making the move into Philly.

I can almost hear the cheers and "it's about time!" from my Philly friends. For the last 5 years my life has literally been in Philadelphia - work, friends, and church. Georgie's vet is even in Philly! Don't ask how much I spend on tolls on a monthly basis. Nonetheless, my neighborhood in Camden has kept me from moving into Philly. My landlord decided to sell the house I currently reside in and the new owner wants to move into where my roommate and are living in. So with all that said, I am in the process of finding a new home as I need to be out of my place by the end of July. It's a crazy time right now but I'm leaning hard and resting in Jesus through all this. And as my dad always likes to remind me in these times of insanity, "And this too, shall pass.".

This Makes Me Smile

Discovery Channel: I Love the World

Random Musings....

So a few things...

Last night I finally switched to the new Blogger layout. Seriously, WHAT WAS I THINKING IN WAITING SO LONG TO MAKE THIS SWITCH??? So much easier than dealing with the damned HTML thingy that made my blogger life a living hell. Thank you Blogger!!!

Another thing, I just want say that dogs are not accessories. They do not belong in a purse. I was at the mall with a friend this past weekend and saw a woman with this tiny canine resembling more like that of a rat. She had this little frou-frou dog in one of those purse carriers. Later on that afternoon I was at the grocery store where this woman had her little frou-frou dog in a purse sitting on her grocery cart.

Really? I mean, really?

Dogs are not meant to be carried around in stupid $500 bag, decked out in a diamond studded collar. So wrong! Alright, rant finished.

One of my closest friends is getting married this July out here in Philly. She's one of my "Iron Sharpens Iron" friends whom I love so dearly. Anyway, she asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding soon after she got engaged. My friend has seven bridesmaids in her wedding and naturally, we are all of varying shapes and sizes. Yeah, can you imagine trying to find one dress that will suit all seven of us? Talk about a dress shopper's nightmare! My wonderfully thoughtful friend knew this would be an issue, therefore told us to just go out and buy a knee length, black dress that would serve as our bridesmaid dresses. Sweet idea, right? Well, it took me almost two months to find the dress and I won't even bother to delve into the gory details as it stresses me out when I think of even trying explain it here! However tonight I went shopping with a friend and fellow bridesmaid at the King of Prussia Mall where I finally found the dress!!! Yeah, yeah, I know....curious minds wanna know. For your viewing pleasure, here's the link to the dress: http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=39292&pid=564243&scid=564243002
I am so relieved!!!

Alright, I'm finished now with my random musings and am heading off to bed. Good night!

Confession Of The Day....

I'm addicted to "A Different World" re-runs on BET.
There. I said it.

As Promised.....

I recall sometime in March I promised to post pictures of some ooey, gooey, yummy goodness from The Naked Chocolate Cafe. My friend Julie and I were in chocolate heaven that evening!

The Naked Chocolate's Signature drink to eat,
"The Drinking Chocolate".
This hot chocolate is no Swiss Miss. It's far more intense than your
run-of-the mill hot cocoa. It is pure, molten, unadulterated bliss.

It's The Naked Chocolate's signature dessert called the
Chocolate Nudo. It's a new, funkedified kind of brownie!

Long Time.....

So we're coming into May and I know I have been a certifiable slacker with posting in here. Haven't I shared this before? I'm a self-proclaimed lazy ass when it comes to blogging. This really needs to change! The sad thing is, I haven't even posted about my trip home to Vancouver/Surrey, BC in March!

I am anticipating some changes to take place in the next few months, changes that I do not look forward to. What is it with this battle that I tend to have with change? Why can't I just accept change and gracefully transition into what I know will eventually be good for me? Sometimes I wish I knew what God is doing as He "conducts" this grand orchestra called "my life". As I ponder this, I am reminded of Isaiah 55:9:

As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I guess that pretty much says it all, huh? This is reminding me that regardless of how difficult these changes may be, He is worth following, trusting, and leaning on when life takes these crazy turns and twists. In these moments, there is nothing else worth resting in.

Pictures to follow. Enough said.