Time Flies

I catch myself thinking "I can't believe it's October" a lot these days. I know it's somewhat cliche but I really can't believe that we are here. Seriously, October?!?! This semester has been incredibly busy and that tends to lead to time flying by. I wouldn't recommend this pace of living though but it is what it is for me right now. I'm finding that I don't like saying that I'm stressed though because that seems to imply that I'm not happy. Well maybe my definitions are off but I'm definitely happy but just trying to not spill anything off of my very fully plate. God has given me many open doors to experience ministry and to stretch myself and for that I'm thankful. It has also felt really good to be here for a 3rd year. A few weeks ago when I walked into someones house to watch the "Office" premiere and was greeted by a group of 20 or so students that I know and that I love doing life with here. And I realized that none of them were students that I had known from CBC, and I thought "Hmm, when did that happen?" That is just one example of how gracious God has been to me this year as I feel like I have found my rhythm here and that I have built a life for myself...there were days that I thought that would never happen. So now in the midst of a crazy schedule I'm just trying to soak it all up before I graduate and have to move again (that's a whole different blog for a different day!)

Here are a few highlights of my life the past few weeks...

In the past week I  have managed to fit in a few really great shows like Sigur Ros, Ray LaMontagne, and Aaron Espe. All of these shows just reminded me how great it is to experience bands and musicians who are all about the music. Don't get me wrong, I love shows with great production too but I have really enjoyed sitting through these musical experiences and taking it all in without the hype and showmanship that sometimes comes with some acts. This is a pic from Sigur Ros...globes, nice...

One of my favorite parts of fall is homecoming and the NP homecoming BlocParty! Our chapel planning team has helped out for the past 2 years by making sno-cones, popcorn, and cotton candy. There are tons of people who come from the neighborhood and there are always lots of great friends that come back for the weekend.

And my days with these two are never boring. It's fun to see how they are growing up and becoming funnier every week! Hanging out with Kyle and Ellie is always a nice break from homework.

Zambia or Bust

My newest adventure to report is a trip to Zambia that I'll be taking Dec 27th - Jan 10th! For the past few years North Park has sent a team there every December and May to partner with Hope Ministries. I have always been intrigued by this trip but never seriously considered going. Then the combination of several things rolling around in my head and the prompting of some people around here pushed me to fill out the application and see what would happen. And after a few weeks I found out that I was chosen to be apart of the team and go on this trip.  

I'm mostly excited, but a little nervous for this adventure. I'm excited to not be a leader and to get to participate. I'm excited to meet new people who are going. I'm excited to get out off of this continent and see how God is working in other contexts. I'm nervous for what God needs to mess up in me. I'm excited to see Tom, Aaron, Rox, and Amanda (NP grads who are living there now) I'm excited because I have no idea what to expect...

For more info on our trip check out the North Park Global Partnerships Website

my first flood day

Front of Von Steuben

I've seen a lot of things on Foster Ave, but this was new 

(This is looking west at Foster and Pulaski for those of you who know the area)

Park, pool, or Lake...you decide

The view from the front doors of Anderson

Anderson Dorm, notice how the river flows under the dorm 

The Front of Anderson Dorm

As some of you may have heard, we had kind of a crazy weather weekend here in Chicago. The short story is that 90 billion gallons of water rained down on our city in about 2 days. Now I don't have any experience with flooding so it never entered my mind as an option, but flood it did right in my neighborhood. My street was not bad but everything around us was. The flooding really affected the North Park campus and they had to evacuate some buildings for the weekend. All in all pretty crazy. So because of all this we all had a "flood day" today...no class! The good news is that the water is receding, the dorms are open again. The bad news is that our neighbors in this Albany Park area were hit pretty hard. 

So Proud

While this week has been eventful on many levels (ie starting the fall semester and starting a new job), more than anything this week have been overwhelmed with pride and appreciation for my family.

There have been some significant things happening in the lives of my grandparents and I'm proud of the way that my family has acted in the midst of stress. I'm proud of my mom, aunt, and dad have worked hard to help my grandparents transition while still honoring them. I'm proud of Ben for helping to move grandma and for being there for my mom. I'm proud of Michele for jumping in to our family and for loving and honoring our grandparents so much, I can't imagine / remember our family without her. I'm proud of my grandma for aging with grace and patience and for making the best of her new home. I'm proud of my grandpa for deciding to have his 2nd open heart surgery for the sake of those that he loves. The fact is that none of these things are easy but I'm thankful that God has been preparing these things ahead of us and that he has given me a family this wonderful. I am also thankful that my grandpa survived his surgery today, praise God!

Another piece of my week was getting to watch Ben this week on the set of a music video that they shot here in Chicago. Now, it is always good to see him and I am always reminded of what a great friend I have in my brother but it is also just really great to watch him "work". I also get a thrill out of watching him play his music. So it was equally thrilling to watch them tape this video. I love how Ben interacts with everyone on the set and how he knows the name of the little old lady that is  assigned to sit next to him in the bus scene. I love how we can have deep conversations about the songs that they have written. And I love that he still has the same sense of humor (you all know what I'm talking about). 

Another source of my pride is that Michele started orientation this week as a graduate student. I'm so proud of how hard she works and how focused she is. I'm also so excited for her to pursue this degree and to have the chance to pursue her career as an artist.

So at the close of this week I am tired and feeling weary but I am also so thankful for my family and just wanted to brag about them for a bit...

My favorite things...

Usually my blogs involve lots of pictures because sometimes I don't know how else to describe what has been going on other than to show you. Unfortunately this summer has been different for me because I haven't been "going" as much as I've been staying put and "doing". Doing the hard work of learning greek (which is over!) instead of taking a bunch of trips was not my first choice for the summer but ended up to be just fine. So in complete Oprah style I decided to share what I would call my Summer Favs, also known as the things that got me through greek!...

Music...

"Take a bow" - Rihanna

" Trying to stop your leaving" - Dierks Bentley

"Love Song" - Sara Bareilles

"Free Fallin' (live)" - John Mayer

"With You" - Chris Brown

"Come on get Higher" - Matt Nathanson

Viva la Vida (album) - Coldplay

Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust (album) - Sigur Ros

Till the sun turns Black (album) - Ray LaMontagne

19 (album) - Adele

Memory Man (album) - Aqualung

Books...

While I did read my fair share of novels these were my favorite

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" - by Khaled Hosseini

"So Brave, Young, and Handsome" - by Leif Enger

"The Glass Castle" - Jeannette Walls

Recipe...

This is one that my mom found and it has been a refreshing a simple salad / salsa to have around and snack on

Black bean & Corn Salad

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained

2 large tomatoes, finely chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1/4 cup minced cilantro

2 garlic gloves, minced

** combine and mix with dressing 

2 T. sugar

2 T. white vinegar

2 T. canola oil (or I use olive oil)

1 1/2 t. lime juice

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. pepper

** refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Serve with chips, enjoy!

TV...

 The "O.C." (such a guilty pleasure but only a few more discs to go)

re-watching "Gray's Anatomy"

THE OLYMPICS

"It's greek to me"

Well folks I'm currently wrapping up my 8th day of intense summer Greek. Now as that might not sound like to much of a big deal to you let me tell you what a big deal this has been for me. I realized this past fall that part of my hesitation of going for the MDIV degree was that I had to take Greek and preaching. I realized that those are lame excuses and so I switched and faced my fears head on. So that brings us to this summer when I'm spending 6 weeks learning Greek.  As much as I expected to learn a lot of new things about this language and about the New Testament, I wasn't really expecting to learn as much about myself as I have. This first week really pushed me and it wasn't a very pretty process. Luckily my roommates were out of town so they did not have to try to live with me. But I feel like I'm finding my pace this week and I feel like I just might make it out of these 6 weeks alive. 

I've learned that...

1) You really do have to take it one day at a time

2) That it is possible to study something for 7 hours straight in the library (this was a new experience for me even though I am 2 years into seminary)

3) That I'm glad I had to learn all that hard stuff about the english language in Junior High

4) That I can get up and study BEFORE an 8:30 class and not necessarily need a nap later

5) That coffee and diet coke are things that I should not give up 

6) That I have never loved the weekend more!

A few weeks off

Winter and this past semester were two things that I thought would never end. That sounds a bit dramatic but seriously there were days when there was no end in sight for either of those things. But the semester did end and I more than survived with all A's and B's (you can applaud...) and the snow did melt and now it rains or is really humid. So there have been a few things going on since the end of school and since a picture is sometimes the best description of these good times enjoy some of the highlights below....

May 18th - Matty and Kris's Wedding

The NPU Gang

Memorial Day - I went home for a week over memorial day which also included a chance to hit up some graduation parties and RV's graduation. And even though it poured on memorial day, my dad found a way to still make it possible to grill and make S'Mores. I like my house and the people that hang out there.

Kristen's big day

The S'More adventure...

Tate's visit - After my time at home Tate come back to Chicago to hang out with me and to get some time with the Van Rossum's.

Classic Chicago bean picture

The biggest tourists of them all...
Tate and the her favorite babies

It's nice to have good weather and some time to relax. I just have a few more weeks though before greek starts and then my summer will look more like flashcards and tests. More to come...enjoy your summer!