tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17694638561826610242024-02-19T01:17:40.771-08:00most richly blessedrecognizing god's goodness in daily lifeLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-58545660614477521922011-04-17T15:15:00.000-07:002011-04-17T16:28:48.957-07:00Autism Speaks: June 5, 2011<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >[As a precursor to this post, I have to mention that I received permission from T's mommy to blog about, and re-post, the "I Walk" poem in this. I have chosen to refer to my client as "T" to further protect his confidentiality.]</span><span style="font-size:100%;">
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Jeff and I are excited to participate in the Autism Speaks walk in New York City on June 5, 2011 with one of my client's (T) and his family. We are walking because children and individuals like T, who have Autism, have made a profound impact on our lives here in Brooklyn and our heart for individuals with special needs.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">On a personal level, there have been many days when I don't feel like rolling out of bed at 630am for work (we all have these days, don't we?) Having 100% energy for 8 hours a day can be exhausting, but-oh-so-fulfilling. As one of my first clients out of graduate school, thinking about T and the big hug I get from him upon entering his home has frequently served as my motivation to do my job, and do it well. What a blessing it is to serve children and families, enabling them to communicate, for a full-time job! No cubicle, office politics or computer screens for me!</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">T's family has also blessed me. His mommy is an advocate for her son, never settling for services (or service providers) who are just average. She fights for her son, and all other individuals who have Autism. She is an encouragement to me. His grandmother, grandfather and uncle attend team meetings and actually carry out strategies, goals and objectives in their daily routine and interactions with T.</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Admittedly, after graduating from school I really wanted to be a Speech Pathologist in a hospital setting. Maybe it was a selfish desire - a desire to be a part of "healing the sick." I have wrestled with God a lot on this issue - isn't being a speech pathologist in a hospital more prestigious than a speech pathologist who works with 0-3 year olds? God has transformed my heart, and I am proud and honored to not "heal the sick", but "enable the able".</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">So, I will leave you with "I Walk" - T's mommy wrote this and it touched our hearts. I will also leave you with a link to our team's donation page... If anyone who has Autism has touched your heart, please feel free to donate... Money collected will help fund research and provide support for families of Individuals with Autism.</span>
<br />
<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I Walk</span>
<br />
<br />I walk because you are my boo-boo. My first child. The 2nd grandchild.
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I walk because you are mine.
<br /></span>
<br />I walk because I am a scientist. I'm aware of the significant findings that are produced in research.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />I walk because I am your mother.
<br />
<br /></span>I walk because everyday you make me proud. You face your fears and don't even know it. You encounter sounds, sights and textures that make your body uncomfortable, yet you continue on.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br />I walk because you are brave.
<br />
<br /></span></span></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span> <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link style="font-family: georgia;" rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/jbchin/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>188</o:Words> <o:characters>1077</o:Characters> <o:company>University of Michigan</o:Company> <o:lines>8</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>1322</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.257</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><b><o:p></o:p></b></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><b><o:p></o:p></b></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I walk because people still look at us when we are out in public. They do not understand the narrating, the hand flapping, the escaping, and the lack of eye contact.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I walk because you are strong.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I walk because you are a gift. You have made me a better mother, a better person. You look at things from another perspective and give me insight and never cease to amaze me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I walk because you are smart.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I walk because I do not know what typical is. Your stimming, your honesty, your perfectionism is now a part of me. I must think ahead and always think "what if". I have become a planner, a researcher, an emergency dispatcher, an advocate, an educator.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I walk because this is my life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I walk because Autism has affected</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">ALL OF US.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">I walk because you are my hero and I love you!!!
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: right;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Love,</span></p><p style="text-align: right;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mommy</span></p><div style="text-align: right;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >CEO of Team T</span>
<br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:georgia;" align="center"> <span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></b></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></b></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="font-family: georgia;"><o:p></o:p></b></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></span></p><!--EndFragment--><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">DONATE HERE!</span>
<br /><meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/jbchin/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>16</o:Words> <o:characters>92</o:Characters> <o:company>University of Michigan</o:Company> <o:lines>1</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>112</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>12.257</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; 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margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><a href="http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/nyc/ariesrock"><b style=""><span style="font-size:18pt;">www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/nyc/ariesrock</span></b></a><b style=""><span style="font-size:18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <!--EndFragment-->
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<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><o:p> </o:p></b></p>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-16636150434944709742011-04-03T15:39:00.000-07:002011-04-03T16:09:48.996-07:00On Mommyhood (and letting go)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">As a precursor to this post: NO I AM NOT PREGNANT - although I did recently become a momma to an 8-week old Portuguese Water Dog, Barnabas.<br /><br />My mom came to visit me a few weekends ago. Although we didn't have Barnabas yet, we were able to go visit the puppies with her - it was so much fun! Per usual, we had a perfect weekend. My mom and I enjoyed some yummy dinner and drinks together on Friday night, followed by a Saturday morning run in the park, a visit to see 6 Portuguese Water Dog puppies and a relaxing evening watching movies with Jeff. My mom's visits are always short, but oh-so-sweet. Some of the things that I particularly miss about living near her are not monumental, but actually, small things like saturday morning jogs, watching trashy television, trips to Marshalls/TJ Maxx, delicious salads and Einsteins Bagels.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200330_10100409927294233_2203824_62651157_5223485_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 457px;" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200330_10100409927294233_2203824_62651157_5223485_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Momma and some of the puppies :)</span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />Something my mom is a pro at is having a healthy "letting go" relationship with her kids. I'm confident that my mom misses me and hopes that we will soon move back to Michigan, but she has never made me feel guilty about moving away (despite my intense separation anxiety.) In fact, she consistently encourages me by telling me that she's proud of me for living on my own, away from her, in a big city. This "letting go" mentality is actually quite biblical. The Lord tells us that sometimes we will have to leave our families behind in order to follow Him. He also calls us to fully entrust Him with our family. If He calls me to live in the 'hood, a place that is not family-friendly, I am commanded to trust Him with my child's safety. This is a mentality I'm not yet capable of.<br /><br />How do I know I'm not capable of fully entrusting my future children to the Lord? Sadly, my dog has taught me a lot. I can't even put him in his crate for 20 minutes without feeling "mommy guilt." In other words, I can't even trust God with my darn DOG, let alone a precious child. I know that I would not be able to have healthy boundaries with my children at this point in my life - I fear that I'm going to be an overbearing, over-protective mother that won't let her child take the bus to school, let alone go away for college or summer camp.<br /><br />In addition, I've been questioning my mommy-patience. Because I work with children, and have worked with young children since I was in middle school, I assumed I would be great at fully loving a dog (or baby) despite midnight feedings and potty-breaks amidst barking (or crying.) lies. There have been times when I want to hit Barnabas because of his late-night barking. Does this mean I'm going to be a bad mom? Will it be different with children? I feel like a mommy failure.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCvovCO2JdL9UTn7b_U5TB4_mD85hTSj8tnXR5MPk2qme8iKGzNvcjEhXWa3wnKPWewWqFZr3g18ycgz9-IFNMUHg1DzaHoETNc-VBQ4_uvr07_gv6QEh-M90jyqy3VBT6R6uFRrMqxk/s1600/more+barnaby+017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCvovCO2JdL9UTn7b_U5TB4_mD85hTSj8tnXR5MPk2qme8iKGzNvcjEhXWa3wnKPWewWqFZr3g18ycgz9-IFNMUHg1DzaHoETNc-VBQ4_uvr07_gv6QEh-M90jyqy3VBT6R6uFRrMqxk/s320/more+barnaby+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591498093192699490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">motherhood: barnabas and i :)<br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />In other words, I have a lot of control I need to let go of. When that happens, I'll let you know.<br /><br />Much Love.<br />Laura<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-85301412910346563682011-03-18T13:13:00.000-07:002011-03-18T13:41:48.173-07:00Kindred Spirits<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">hello blogosphere readers - it's been awhile. to be honest, jeff and i have been SO busy with out-of-town guests for the past 5 weekends and, thus, i have been preoccupied with cleaning, cooking and ENJOYING our time here in brooklyn. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">god is funny. in early january i was complaining to jeff about how i was lonely and craved some family and friends from michigan. well, he answered my prayer! not only have we have michigan visitors for the past 5 (well 6, if you count my mom's visit) weekends, but i have also spent time hanging out with my new york friends. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">beginning in february, the exodus of michiganders to brooklyn began with jeff's college friend, nate. the next weekend my brother, pete, and dad visited. four days later, nate stayed with us again while he traveled to new york city for business. my sweet cousin michelle came the friday that nate left. jane, cam and jane's sister also visited us the same weekend michelle was here (although they stayed in a hotel.) cam obviously couldn't get enough of us because he revisited last weekend. and, finally, my momma is headed here now! to say the least, jeff and i have fully lived-in and loved brooklyn...and may have gained a few pounds from all of the delicious food that brooklyn boasts (we had to show our guests a good time!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">onto other things...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">the idea of kindred spirits has been heavy on my heart. there are two ladies the lord has put into my life that seem to have many shared experiences, desires, hopes, baggage as me. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">the first woman whom i feel is a kindred spirit is my cousin, michelle. although i was richly blessed by all of the michiganders, her visit had a significant impact on me. michelle and i make up 2 of the 17 cousins on my mom's side of the family. yes, there are a LOT of us. i used to hear stories about how people were best friends with their cousins growing up. in all honesty, i was never THAT close with my cousins.... her visiting made me appreciate my family. similar to me, michelle is a junior at michigan state university studying speech & language pathology (the BEST career choice, if you ask me.) she is an over-achiever, so sweet, dates an asian man, is indecisive, loves puppies and, most importantly, loves her momma. her relationship with my aunt ann reminds me of my own relationship with my mom. michelle loves to be home (you all know i LONG for home!), appreciates her mom's hard work and hopes to always live near her momma. as we spent time together, both texting our moms about every move we made, i was shocked by how much her own life mirrored mine. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">on top of these visitors, i have also reconnected with a dear friend, caroline. caroline is married to one of jeff's high school friends, alex. like us, caroline is white and her husband, alex, is asian (taiwanese to be exact.) we met about 4 years ago, when we were 19 or 20 and still in college. after an initial email explaining some things i have been walking through spiritually and relationally, i quickly thought to myself, "lord, THANK YOU for answering my prayers." caroline is a prayer-warrior, loves her husband and so easy to talk to. we have similar interests, husbands with similar backgrounds and just clicked... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">okay, i need to go pick my momma up... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">much love!</span></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-7960033703651361712011-02-26T19:31:00.001-08:002011-02-28T16:58:01.161-08:00Sixty!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">My dad and Retep (pete!) visited this weekend to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. The time spent together was too short, but so sweet.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDmntpW_0nu9FotqGDnzXO9hjKY1rmoV2qLcjEF7VDMa_m-hU3QYQxAaG0dW9HuSkwj01BluYrknKYiEEseZWByJgqdjZ-laPIWGJK6yI4ODgIFSIU09oXUV2B9howjURTPu3cpuumfk/s1600/video+games.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDmntpW_0nu9FotqGDnzXO9hjKY1rmoV2qLcjEF7VDMa_m-hU3QYQxAaG0dW9HuSkwj01BluYrknKYiEEseZWByJgqdjZ-laPIWGJK6yI4ODgIFSIU09oXUV2B9howjURTPu3cpuumfk/s320/video+games.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578209197474395858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Tep is so serious...most of Saturday looked like this...video-game bonding</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">we visited "eataly" which is like a GIANT zingermans run by mario batalli (spelling?) peter and dad relished in the fine meat and cheeses. yum.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CcV9lfcVRdQJv8NVcef6cgrprSnwV0VAjcc4ffWgUTQOKu-M9MtgaM-aJ2_uyN5Pl3LyW-X7YmaAqZyagHpsaEX6aSqgwNb9EICdgTGl_00bwKsNThhNhkR_1yFqigAz3z6H8wthqrM/s1600/Cheese.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CcV9lfcVRdQJv8NVcef6cgrprSnwV0VAjcc4ffWgUTQOKu-M9MtgaM-aJ2_uyN5Pl3LyW-X7YmaAqZyagHpsaEX6aSqgwNb9EICdgTGl_00bwKsNThhNhkR_1yFqigAz3z6H8wthqrM/s320/Cheese.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578207352917859314" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTJmTBdStOf3m1r41q7-6bREx4h0dNrFhv_c-XGa9zjKsOiw46LW1FoTQ-tuOFTykCn1QCXr5A6rw_IocTa8b4J0d9zIywxMivtox7ImbN-vou21mviJJ-Si7sULlDdp9fk9kPPHsPCM/s1600/soprasetta.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTJmTBdStOf3m1r41q7-6bREx4h0dNrFhv_c-XGa9zjKsOiw46LW1FoTQ-tuOFTykCn1QCXr5A6rw_IocTa8b4J0d9zIywxMivtox7ImbN-vou21mviJJ-Si7sULlDdp9fk9kPPHsPCM/s320/soprasetta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578207364167190946" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Tep admitted he is finally starting to appreciate mushrooms.. here we are, in front of some delicious mushrooms :)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGlCL6Epj-bbGhwiUr3qCwTwTv0SwE1qzz0oSkSPsICyqDfD9ou_29UWsKWGbXXY4L4ukvSN07_ur-QTUXw_e1azJC4Pkm3h3UOxdt5Q9wtK4w-TBZ98SZwRvtaMX1iDJU2vx03ihDYQ/s1600/PL+Eataly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGlCL6Epj-bbGhwiUr3qCwTwTv0SwE1qzz0oSkSPsICyqDfD9ou_29UWsKWGbXXY4L4ukvSN07_ur-QTUXw_e1azJC4Pkm3h3UOxdt5Q9wtK4w-TBZ98SZwRvtaMX1iDJU2vx03ihDYQ/s320/PL+Eataly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578207360528284530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTuKYGPPPOJtxMFWOv7hjESrkS1RP4bO754v_UeDYfH2xU8fwG97tXKi05RLTg1I9dTXqqOPj-cuY3QOn0WDywlnCng6obla7dEJ5eXICCPXdAF65vgIA0D8Hd0RNTAu-IDVJWQqcrL0/s1600/Eataly.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTuKYGPPPOJtxMFWOv7hjESrkS1RP4bO754v_UeDYfH2xU8fwG97tXKi05RLTg1I9dTXqqOPj-cuY3QOn0WDywlnCng6obla7dEJ5eXICCPXdAF65vgIA0D8Hd0RNTAu-IDVJWQqcrL0/s320/Eataly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578207357335463618" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />happy 60th birthday to my daddio! jeff and i took them to our favorite local place: chez oskar... we enjoyed spicy lamburgers, duck confit and monkfish.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFte2xHLDV98RzgCOVqtybCEmSW9jd6tiDJqjR8UfjidAQhNRqcTGb8uiIP6WcWuFuELKi03RtGsR1vh-NolRQd7xeBowptSanyh8pC_Da7MEEYHhHZn39D4lXy_iihmqmsV5tt2gJvM/s1600/Chez+Oskar+Dad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFte2xHLDV98RzgCOVqtybCEmSW9jd6tiDJqjR8UfjidAQhNRqcTGb8uiIP6WcWuFuELKi03RtGsR1vh-NolRQd7xeBowptSanyh8pC_Da7MEEYHhHZn39D4lXy_iihmqmsV5tt2gJvM/s320/Chez+Oskar+Dad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578207359513961378" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">thanks for coming out, dad and pete!<br /><br />much love.<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-38710605300630595182011-02-22T15:41:00.001-08:002011-02-22T16:08:22.912-08:00Forced Extended Sabbath: Relishing in being a [temporary] stay-at-home-wife<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I mentioned in my previous post that I had a chaotic week. The New York City Department of Health just instituted a new law that bands me from working for the 2-6 week time period after I complete my Clinical Fellowship Year until my Licensure is actually issued. Whoa. This law is ONLY for Early Intervention Speech Therapists working in New York City limits. It doesn't affect Speech Therapists who work with anyone older than 3 <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span> speech therapists who do early intervention outside of New York City limits. So, if I worked in a school or hospital, this new law would not affect me. OR if I worked on Long Island, Westchester or ANYWHERE ELSE IN NEW YORK, I would not be affected.<br /><br />For those who read and are familiar with the field of Speech Language Pathology probably agree that this is utterly bogus. I can't start working somewhere else because I am not licensed (Speech Therapists are licensed in the state of New York, something I was previously unfamiliar with because Michigan recently received licensure and it had not been implemented by the time I completed graduate school.)<br /><br />My company just informed me of this new law last Tuesday. For someone who gets paid per session, this could be completely devastating to my lifestyle. Gratefully, Jeff has taught me about savings, and we will make it through this season of unemployment. In addition, 2-6 weeks without speech therapy can be devastating to children who THRIVE on routine (ie., children with PDD or Autism.) The NYC Department of Health is only putting these children and families at a disadvantage.<br /><br />I feverishly researched other options - but there are none. I'm starting to think that the Lord is FORCING me to take a break and rest until my licensure goes through. Jeff has encouraged me to look at this 2-6 weeks as an "extended sabbath." I've decided to commit to learning how to cook a few more dishes, amp up my running and do some pleasure reading.<br /><br />Today was Day 1 of my extended Sabbath, and I won't lie - I loved it. I woke up at the same time as usual, hit the gym, did some grocery shopping, cleaned up the apartment, took a short nap, video-chatted with my sweet Ashley and tried out a new recipe: <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000522494">Chicken Tetrazzini </a>(cooking light!) The chicken was delicious.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KezixI0JZE3zCyeI2I8iYGtvg3qnhuB2MruppNDuzkDNGC0V1Hbv47KoFlLWcSi0WhfZaZqJixE_TVLQQcCtxkGIDNoANZqUM87-OH_3WuKUjiSKSTswMItchYnyCkMGfxQ9VG_Y1eY/s1600/IMAG0228.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KezixI0JZE3zCyeI2I8iYGtvg3qnhuB2MruppNDuzkDNGC0V1Hbv47KoFlLWcSi0WhfZaZqJixE_TVLQQcCtxkGIDNoANZqUM87-OH_3WuKUjiSKSTswMItchYnyCkMGfxQ9VG_Y1eY/s320/IMAG0228.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576669102325112626" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">topped with delicious, crispy, home-made bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixteYO2ikzTmbtTq7MPoukCsZpUN0K8m1eLgPbWrv-OFGu28e3e2E0w5h70TV2rso2pwPYDQF6u9W8Z4Ho3Jj9ePvfR19-LKmk0-hbX7HedxA9KcYZD9-QOawAIW4wMSkyYOoyzz8n9A/s1600/IMAG0229-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixteYO2ikzTmbtTq7MPoukCsZpUN0K8m1eLgPbWrv-OFGu28e3e2E0w5h70TV2rso2pwPYDQF6u9W8Z4Ho3Jj9ePvfR19-LKmk0-hbX7HedxA9KcYZD9-QOawAIW4wMSkyYOoyzz8n9A/s320/IMAG0229-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576669108354817490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">please note the tulips in the background - gifted to me by a family of one of my babies with a "I MISS YOU" painted card.. so sweet!</span><br /><br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">As a side dish, I sauteed up some green beans - Chinese style (garlic, soy sauce and crushed red pepper flakes.) The two dishes didn't necessarily compliment each other, but Jeff and I aren't picky - and they still were quite tasty!<br /><br />So, I'm relishing in some unexpected time off... but still praying my licensure is approved swiftly!<br /><br />Much Love.<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-73655407791297146912011-02-20T16:22:00.000-08:002011-02-20T16:40:19.182-08:00Sweet Lovin'<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I know this post is a little delayed, but I've had another chaotic week.<br /><br />Jeff swooned me (per usual) and took me to "The Painted Pot" - a ceramic painting place - for Valentines day. We decided to paint a dog bowl in anticipation of our puppy :) I picked it up yesterday, and THIS is our work of art:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjjy27bw4slXM_TaY7OhTdJfuBad78U9ow3sNplziv026JRV8hPcRKoaKEhgSy_0Ow18-jJarGTS9RC-_9CgDNIQ4A5d7kY5HXJSbE3bsh9kFA6IjDxW90FnPVUTkfnDTZv7VFAqsCAs/s1600/IMAG0225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjjy27bw4slXM_TaY7OhTdJfuBad78U9ow3sNplziv026JRV8hPcRKoaKEhgSy_0Ow18-jJarGTS9RC-_9CgDNIQ4A5d7kY5HXJSbE3bsh9kFA6IjDxW90FnPVUTkfnDTZv7VFAqsCAs/s320/IMAG0225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575932577660361346" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">our dog will be a nature-lovin' fool - as illustrated by the dirt and grass....</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn5GxKRPeVP8UspLt4HLpFM4eS1Qr6Mm2m-0oEETwyrXiwUUZ-wK9G2KYzpqbgTSXddJhafIx_rAEi5l7ZGNdSekSyf0NmDJULKT67o_PT1eiGFbowywkjiPL2kBNI-QZZ7IBvOeEiiA/s1600/IMAG0226.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZn5GxKRPeVP8UspLt4HLpFM4eS1Qr6Mm2m-0oEETwyrXiwUUZ-wK9G2KYzpqbgTSXddJhafIx_rAEi5l7ZGNdSekSyf0NmDJULKT67o_PT1eiGFbowywkjiPL2kBNI-QZZ7IBvOeEiiA/s320/IMAG0226.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575932585856829090" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSLnzpXmcNtcJUhuhU6ceGZcfZyaTQZx6LP3oyIUEWtyOhu1VfWRqmjoE4fPokcKpSANnhTWxFcyvmZPxK6eMs1D18IUVCQYHB_bjbqY-JeKHZlJZGFmCU1TTyLgsGesr6g3BEFQyn44/s1600/IMAG0227.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSLnzpXmcNtcJUhuhU6ceGZcfZyaTQZx6LP3oyIUEWtyOhu1VfWRqmjoE4fPokcKpSANnhTWxFcyvmZPxK6eMs1D18IUVCQYHB_bjbqY-JeKHZlJZGFmCU1TTyLgsGesr6g3BEFQyn44/s320/IMAG0227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575932586494093330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">typical laura: including poop into artwork - i am so immature</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />After tapping into our artistic side, we enjoyed a delectable and romantic dinner at Scopello. Scopello is another Fort Greene gem - delicious italian food. I'm sure we will be enjoying it again with my family (whenever they visit.)<br /><br />After stuffing our faces with carbolicious italian cuisine, we took a stroll down the brooklyn heights promenade (a sidewalk that runs parallel with the east river, overlooking manhattan) and reveled in this spectacular view of manhattan:<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegywon9ie1sTEUFkABdMiaag178qAYooPXeanWiUQOYahF1Zd3r3orVGsWAVa2SuYOutP576k4xAVhnsoeueK5uHLTbEDCHoRQkSseAJdyeBv4cP-9yjJaETBdlm_xlxj8hKynbRj6oo/s1600/IMAG0223.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegywon9ie1sTEUFkABdMiaag178qAYooPXeanWiUQOYahF1Zd3r3orVGsWAVa2SuYOutP576k4xAVhnsoeueK5uHLTbEDCHoRQkSseAJdyeBv4cP-9yjJaETBdlm_xlxj8hKynbRj6oo/s320/IMAG0223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575935498849506962" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXORGdHKZ2uMu-tbirCBot444Mp0Z_9UfVKcD_YhTOMKsS7ucrfn6w12CVtmZun07UYDzNx7JCHaN6BiMS3BdzA9cU9WC5ahbqlEl26DJfQSi_MJlvmkJWR8v7jpFTXzdmrJo_jgNyJwM/s1600/IMAG0224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXORGdHKZ2uMu-tbirCBot444Mp0Z_9UfVKcD_YhTOMKsS7ucrfn6w12CVtmZun07UYDzNx7JCHaN6BiMS3BdzA9cU9WC5ahbqlEl26DJfQSi_MJlvmkJWR8v7jpFTXzdmrJo_jgNyJwM/s320/IMAG0224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575935263101250770" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">The Brooklyn Bridge</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Jeff and I feel a transition coming.. We're not really sure what this looks like, but I'm not really ready to write about it.. To be continued :)<br /><br />Much Love.<br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"></span></div></div></div></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-43463600630776466722011-01-30T11:07:00.000-08:002011-02-04T12:27:13.850-08:00Living a Simple, and Fruitful, Life<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNSxl8KMqATIj9Sv53BRN6rixXgwjTqhp3mSuaHOMz0RuCb6Y31QANV-9RoEaSwOfmbqC__G1b4NJO3cIuHaZgPnJ553W25iY8HCYqz6h4YWuWwfsMEj0KPa1BbIQBRgIMllgQ098LwY/s1600/dad%252C+jeff%252C+%253Baura.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNSxl8KMqATIj9Sv53BRN6rixXgwjTqhp3mSuaHOMz0RuCb6Y31QANV-9RoEaSwOfmbqC__G1b4NJO3cIuHaZgPnJ553W25iY8HCYqz6h4YWuWwfsMEj0KPa1BbIQBRgIMllgQ098LwY/s320/dad%252C+jeff%252C+%253Baura.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568060092922240370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Dad, Jeff and I on Christmas, 2010!<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Whoa...we are quickly realizing our February and March are jam packed with weekend visitors. Such an answer to my prayer (as noted here <a href="http://laurainnewyorkcity.blogspot.com/2011/01/tumultuous-new-year.html">Tumultuous New Year</a></span><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" href="http://laurainnewyorkcity.blogspot.com/2011/01/tumultuous-new-year.html"></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">) Beginning February 19, we have visitors through the second weekend in March! I feel really blessed because my Dad and Peter will be coming out for my dad's 60th birthday! Not only has the Lord blessed us with out-of-town visitors, I have felt really blessed by the lovely ladies in my small group. </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br />Jeff and I have been really trying to lead a simple, organized life. It was initially put on my heart when reading Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" on January 26. Ozzie was discussing how Christians have such a hard time maintaining the simplicity in their lives. I know I become SO wrapped up in my job, my goals, moving home, shoveling the snow, writing emails, reading books, church events, small group, making friends, cleaning my toilet.. I just CANNOT live a simple life. Ozzie uses Matthew 6:30, "If God so clothes the grass of the field.. how much more will he clothe you?" to highlight this idea of simplicity. If God clothes the grass of the field, how MUCH MORE will he clothe/provide for me? </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">As we were pondering this point, a few things came to mind:</span> <ol style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><li>we have way too much stuff. not just jeff and i, in particular, but EVERYONE. we have too much furniture, too many boxes of old clothes, too many books, too many blankets, way too many dishes, too much house...<br /></li><li>in order to be simple, i need to lead an organized life. thus, i have put together a new schedule for myself so i can enjoy quality time with my husband and friends - and, more importantly - prioritize time with the Lord.</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">So, Jeff and I have committed to waking up about 10 minutes earlier than normal to have a short quiet time with the Lord. For me, personally, I also need at least 45 minutes 5x/week to exercise. I feel better, more rejuvenated, and energetic when I prioritize exercising. So, my daily schedule looks like this:</span> <ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><li>640am: wake up, 10-15 minutes in prayer, journaling, reading the Word</li><li>655-740am: breakfast, getting reading for the day, organizing dinner<br /></li><li>740am: leave for work (i also get to drive jeff to his subway stop)</li><li>820-420: work! my schedule changes and is flexible, but generally, these are my hours</li><li>445-530ish: work out</li><li>53-630: make/eat dinner</li><li>630-930: quality time with jeff (i go to bed early!)</li><li>930/10pm: bedtime!</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Of course, my schedule is flexible and changes on a weekly basis. For example, if a girlfriend wants to go out for dinner/coffee one evening, i try to schedule it on Monday or Tuesday so it doesn't interfere with my laundry/cleaning evenings...if it doesn't work, no big deal! I can clean/do laundry on a different night!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Also, I have been committed to doing laundry and cleaning our house mid-week, so I have more time for jeff and social things on the weekends. I do laundry on Wednesday nights and clean on Thursday nights. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Saturdays and Sundays are officially cleared for relaxing, sight seeing, date-nights and social time. Today, I got to spend the majority of my time doing this:</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYU4aVcTa9VvBIkvXDvkDfqR-RjSDaO64PkX7mmz1Q_NQOc7b7mEK0Y5VG4KO5vn8GI2vxNImNkUyeVPAluH7JujJlJmzccED30QBnPbiIFlHkPt26IgT_HItoaIVMzKkSI6twIfxN9R4/s1600/IMAG0301.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYU4aVcTa9VvBIkvXDvkDfqR-RjSDaO64PkX7mmz1Q_NQOc7b7mEK0Y5VG4KO5vn8GI2vxNImNkUyeVPAluH7JujJlJmzccED30QBnPbiIFlHkPt26IgT_HItoaIVMzKkSI6twIfxN9R4/s320/IMAG0301.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568070875280007474" border="0" /></a></div> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Time with the Lord, personal reading and a hot cup of tea (sweetened with Silk Soy Chocolate Milk!) (PS: Thanks to Neil Tambe for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Spirit of Detroit</span> photo!)</span><br /><br />In addition to scheduling my time, Jeff and I have also been committed to a budget (although we have never kept our "ideal" budget, we are close! we have been tweaking it since december to better fit our needs and financial goals.) </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I really want this "simple" living to begin to transform the food we eat. Jeff and I love junk, fatty foods.. So I am slowly trying to learn how to make, and buy, more healthy choices. I haven't transitioned to organic yet, but i'm considering it! I know it's something I will want to do when we have children - it doesn't hurt to start now!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On a totally separate note, have you heard about how the East Coast has been DRENCHED with snow? It's true. It's funny that the winter I live in New York City we receive more snow than MICHIGAN (and have set some records!) Snow makes it harder for me to do my job -- traveling from house to house when I can't dig my car out, or when the bus and subway services are suspended, make it VERY difficult. Oh well, I have learned to graciously accept a snow day as a gift from the Lord :)</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs791.ash1/168168_10100364876720943_2240791_61913226_1109486_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 527px; height: 315px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs791.ash1/168168_10100364876720943_2240791_61913226_1109486_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jeff faithfully digging our car out of the snow. Happy snow day to us!<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Happy first week of february, everyone!<br /><br />Much Love.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-36427689434117159412011-01-26T16:25:00.001-08:002011-01-26T16:46:25.586-08:00Expectations<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">jeff and i are sitting in our new apartment, enjoying a quiet night. he said, "whatcha doing? updating your blog? you haven't done that in awhile." eeek, i guess it's time :)<br /><br />I've been learning a lot about expectations.... mostly in my relationships with friends, family and jeff. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I am inept at communicating and often feel let down by people because I have expectations that have been unmet. More frequently than not, my (freakishly high) expectations were never communicated to people I love which results in major disappointment.<br /><br />There's no way that Jeff can know that I expect him to take the garbage out if we never discussed our expectations about whose role it is to take it out. (I assume that he should take it out because I do the laundry and apartment cleaning....not the case.)<br /><br />I cannot expect people I meet at church to be my go-to friends if I've never communicated my longing for friendship <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span></span> if I've never considered that they may already be at their "friend-quota". <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br />I cannot expect my friends that do not claim Christ, or who are not walking with Christ, to live their lives as <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span></span> see fit. Unfair. They cannot be upheld to this standard I've set for myself.<br /><br />(I know this is a really touchy subject but...)<br /><br />I cannot preach about what the gospel says about issues like homosexuality or abortion, and expect to be persuasive, to people who are not christians. although I do believe the bible to be 100% truth, it will only damage a non-christian's heart and their perspective on christianity if i walk around pressing my standards on them.<br /><br />i am 1/2 sleeping as i write this post.. i think i will cuddle up in bed with a book.<br /><br />much love.<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-79293416164229578712011-01-13T14:02:00.000-08:002011-01-13T14:48:14.596-08:00tumultuous new year<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Going Home" </span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Sara Groves</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">I’ve been feeling kind of restless </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />I’ve been feeling out of place </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />I can hear a distant singing </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />A song that I can’t write </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />And it echoes of what I’m always trying to say </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br /><br />There’s a feeling I can’t capture </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />It’s always just a prayer away </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />I want to know the ending </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Things hoped for but not seen<br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"> But I guess that’s the point of hoping anyway<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">Of going home, I’ll meet you at the table<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;">Going home, I’ll meet you in the air </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />And you are never too young to think about it </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Oh, I cannot wait to be home </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br /><br />I’m confined by my senses<br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"> To really know what you are like </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />You are more than I can fathom<br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"> And more than I can guess </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />And more than I can see with you in sight </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br /><br />But I have felt you with my spirit </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />I have felt you fill this room </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />And this is just an invitation<br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"> Just a sample of the whole </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />And I cannot wait to be going home </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Going home, I’ll meet you at the table </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Going home, I’ll meet you in the air </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />And you are never too young to think about it </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Oh, I cannot wait to be going, to be going home </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Face to face, how can it be<br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"> Face to face, how can it be </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Face to face, how can it be </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Cuz this is just an invitation </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />Just a sample of the whole </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br />And I cannot wait to be going home</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I think I've been avoiding writing about the past 3 weeks because I'm not done processing them. I still feel some sense of anxiety and worry - although I can't quite figure out if it's from a new work schedule or residual effects of our move last week.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Move. Yes, I said it -- we moved again. I've been in New York City for one year and have already moved three times: Grosse Pointe to NYC; NYC to Brooklyn; and now, only a few blocks away, we have moved again in Brooklyn. </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">God has really been testing my longing for the perfect, earthly home. As Jeff and I have been discussing the past two weeks, I'm beginning to learn that a "home" in suburbia has quickly become an idol of mine. Not only do I long for a home in Michigan near my family, but I long for a comfortable, washer/dryer-in-unit, nightstand, painted walls, backyard, nice school district, 2 car garage, PERMANENT home. Yes, the girl who has preached about living in the hood amongst the poor secretely wants a white, middle-upper class, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, safe home. Maybe Sara Groves has it right -- what I'm really longing for is my home in heaven...maybe nothing on this earth will satisfy my desire for home.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br />Jeff and I thought we found a good balance of our hood-loving-yet-trendy-safe-apartment-with-character in September. We soon realized it was missing two essential elements: heat and hot water. Along with the annoyance of daily cold showers, we also had a landlord that didn't find it necessary to spend time or money on fixing the hot water heater. After 15+ visits from our super and landlord, privately hiring (and paying) for a hot water company, a few "heated" arguments between Jeff and our landlord, we finally came to the realization that we had to leave...ASAP Unfortunately, this decision came 3 nights before we were to leave for Michigan</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Although our landlord verbally agreed to let us out of our lease and give us our security deposit and last month's rent back, we really wanted something in writing, to assure us. There were many false promises previously made, so Jeff wrote a "Recession of Lease" document that included all terms previously discussed and agreed upon. Our landlord initially said we could have until January 15 to move out, but moved it to January 1. Nonetheless, he did not tell us that we had to move out on January 1 until we had already left for Michigan and had NO boxes packed. Although he also promised he would return the "Recession of Lease" agreement before we left, he NEVER returned it. Alas, we ended up leaving for Michigan with no closure, no place to live and not sure if our landlord would actually follow through with his promises. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />To say the least, the holidays at home were very stressful. Looking for a new apartment from Michigan, over-night mailing documents to the new leasing company and, yet, really wanting to just spend quality time with my family...We did eventually go CSI on our landlord and recorded a phone call with him in which he agreed to the recession of lease terms. </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Throughout our trip, I consistently heard God whisper to me, "Laura, do you trust me? I have you and I have always have had you." I kept responding with, "LORD! ALL I WANT IS A HOME! WHY IS THIS SO STRESSFUL!!?!?"</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">While we were looking for an apartment, we considered moving back to Michigan for one, hot second. Unfortunately, Jeff and I are big planners and thought it would be careless to quit our jobs on a whim. It looks like we will be in new york until january of 2012. yuck.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">All in all, God has been so faithful. We found a home and moved within two days of returning to new york. The Lord opened so many doors to allow the paperwork to be quickly processed despite the big snow storm. we had one friend, alfredo, that was so dedicated to us, our family and friendship. He spent the night with us and helped us move into our new place.<br /><br />on a sidenote: good friends like alfredo really make me long for my girlfriends at home. is it too much to ask for a friend who will be there within a drop-of-a-hat to help me move, have coffee with me or just hang out? maybe i haven't found any of those girlfriends here because god is protecting my heart. it's painful to be away from my dear friends in michigan. </span><br /><br />friends like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v47/53/19/2240791/n2240791_33755154_983.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 539px; height: 404px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v47/53/19/2240791/n2240791_33755154_983.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />and this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v35/53/19/2240791/n2240791_31985329_3857.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 537px; height: 403px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v35/53/19/2240791/n2240791_31985329_3857.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />and her....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs257.snc1/10428_959562452013_2240791_52598175_5965085_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 452px; height: 363px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs257.snc1/10428_959562452013_2240791_52598175_5965085_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />and, most importantly, HER<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v72/53/19/2240791/n2240791_35956475_2192.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 453px; height: 604px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v72/53/19/2240791/n2240791_35956475_2192.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />sorry for the novel you just read... as i said, i'm still processing...<br /><br />much loveLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-72767342616383324542010-12-26T11:38:00.000-08:002010-12-26T11:52:48.799-08:00worst day ever: one year ago.. moving forward<span class="Apple-style-span">just a quick posting about how i was reflecting on december 26, 2009...one year ago. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">worst</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">day</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">ever</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">december 26 is when jeff and i moved back to new york city. it was a rough day. saying goodbye to my family THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS was really hard. i cried all day long.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">now, december 26, 2010... it's much easier. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">i still want to be home for good, but the thought of going back to brooklyn is not accompanied by hoards of tears.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">praying that december 27, 2011 will bring us back to detroit, mi. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">i hope you had a great christmas!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">much love.</span></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-13283987538954392382010-12-21T12:55:00.000-08:002010-12-21T13:14:15.860-08:00amidst the chaos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs085.snc4/35611_10100332659594323_2240791_61123981_4404300_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 353px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs085.snc4/35611_10100332659594323_2240791_61123981_4404300_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i thought our life was busy before...but, our life has officially taken a turn for chaotic.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">sparing the nitty-gritty details, we are planning to move out of our current apartment. yes, we just moved in about three months ago, but we have been living without hot water and inconsistent heat since september. after several colds, arguments with our landlord and frustration, we have come to an agreement with our landlord and will be moving out as early as january 1st. </span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />january 1st. in 11 days from now... 5 of which we will be in Michigan.<br /><br />(if you have tried to contact jeff or i, and we have failed to be available, please forgive us... after our next move in early january, we will return your kind calls, emails and messages. AND if you are trying to get a hold of us for some time while we're in michigan, we are sincerely trying to see everyone...fact is, we are really there to visit with our family and will make sincere attempts to see you!)<br /><br />amidst the crazy moment, i really feel at peace. the lord has really opened up doors, softened our landlord's heart and provided us with a ton of support from our family and friends.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">on another note, we went skiing in vermont this past weekend with our small group. hydie, lydia, dan, cathy, alfredo, jeff and i headed up to stratton for some time on the slopes. i only skied for a 1/2 day - the cute town, shops and coffee houses were calling my name :) jeff and i both haven't skied in years and, surprisingly, did fairly well. jeff even conquered his first black diamond.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs801.snc4/68123_10100332419365743_2240791_61118351_1582685_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 161px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs801.snc4/68123_10100332419365743_2240791_61118351_1582685_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">when you spend time with beautiful friends, in a beautiful mountain town, you quickly realize how sovereign god is. whether it's while you're headed straight down a hill screaming and somehow manage to avoid a spill, relaxing in a spa with girlfriends, or getting ready to move out of the place you recently made "home"....the Lord has you...<br /><br />Merry Christmas.<br /><br />Much Love.<br /><br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-9923416843477581592010-12-13T16:41:00.000-08:002010-12-13T17:00:25.689-08:00"i feel happy"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">jeff and i celebrated our 1 year anniversary on saturday. jeff out-did me, once again, in the romance department. jeff and i are really dedicated to keeping our budget, and have some big costs coming up (visiting michigan, skiing in vermont, buying a puppy) so we promised to not purchase each other anything... i wrote jeff a corny card. the end.<br /><br />jeff, on the other hand, wrote me the most beautiful letter...that included the vows we took one year ago (we got married the 20th of december, but wanted to celebrate early because this time of year is SO crazy!)<br /><br />my handsome and talented brothers did most of the music at our wedding, and my mom insisted that they perform "come and get higher" by matt nathanson. it's a beautiful song...<br /><br />my husband is an accomplished violinist, but SURPRISE, he's great at playing all instruments. i walked in the door on saturday morning after my workout, and jeff was sitting in a chair that faced the door singing/playing "come and get higher" on the guitar. honestly, could he be more perfect?<br /><br />we later dined at Peter Luger's steakhouse (yum!) and enjoyed some mulled wine at a local restaurant. have you ever had mulled wine? it is so delicious - warm, spiced wine... my supervisor introduced it to me at a work function.. perfect for this time of year!<br /><br />all in all, i am blessed to know that i'm jeff's beloved...<br /><br />on another note...<br /><br />i have been working on the identification of feelings with one of my little 2 1/2 year old clients. this particular kid has grown very dear to my heart because i see him EVERYDAY. his mommy is really up on the research, and knows that children with PDD and autism struggle to identify and express emotion.. when this little guy gets excited or frustrated, we stop and he imitates what i say (ie., "I feel happy", "I feel mad".) <br /><br /> the other day, i was explaining to him that it was time to start cleaning up, and that he did a good job talking today. at the end of each session, he gets about 5 minutes of television as a reward while i fill out my session notes. on this particular day, this is how our conversation went:<br /></span><ul><li>me: time to clean up! good talking today!</li><li>litte guy: tv on?</li><li>me: yes! tv on! good talking.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">little guy: i feel happy</span></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">ohhh if he only knew how this touched my heart... not only because he generalized "i feel happy", but because TV also makes me VERY happy...and because, in general, i have felt very happy recently...<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">today, little guy didn't say anything, he just grabbed my face and placed a big ol' wet one on my lips.... hahah</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />in the words of my little guy, "i feel happy" about the past year of marriage, my job and what the LORD has blessed me with.<br /><br />much love.<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-89844647733733018142010-12-05T17:40:00.000-08:002010-12-05T17:41:01.039-08:00Brooklyn Bridge<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmd5ylj8peHakHpMR4uz7_VVVEWcohacTfMOqVBphHQUxuyjrFiRmuV2eukTKcbp9BGOd0pLwKPC-eLZCW575QVa53Vl1ZgFaZ1vksTKTVa1gblkzEgY-I6v-2QEZC8GUHCXoSK0eXIg/s1600/IMAG0239-761040.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmd5ylj8peHakHpMR4uz7_VVVEWcohacTfMOqVBphHQUxuyjrFiRmuV2eukTKcbp9BGOd0pLwKPC-eLZCW575QVa53Vl1ZgFaZ1vksTKTVa1gblkzEgY-I6v-2QEZC8GUHCXoSK0eXIg/s320/IMAG0239-761040.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547378306687408162" /></a></p><p>Jeff and I walked the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday morning together....a touristy thing I wanted to do while living here. Jeff had a bundle of energy --here he is doing "tricks" on our way back to Brooklyn!</p> LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-11387204145110025922010-11-28T17:24:00.000-08:002010-11-28T17:33:21.485-08:00Jeff forced me to rejoice today<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">today was one of those days....where my husband had to force me to rejoice.<br /><br />jeff and i had a little tiff on the way to church...then the pastor spoke about 1 thessalonians 5:16-18 (the verses i referenced that inspired my "rejoice always" blog entries.) who wants to rejoice after a tiff? not me! the pastor had us right down things we were 'rejoicing' over... my bitter heart thought, "NOTHING, I REJOICE OVER NOTHING!"<br /><br />jeff rejoiced over our marriage...he is just too good<br /><br />grr...<br /><br />then, a family shared about how they rejoiced this year after the birth of their beautiful daughter, who was born with down syndrome...whoa.. i have a lot to learn.. i cried through the entire service....<br /><br />we briefly spoke with dan and cathy, who are our dear friends in our small group. cathy said, "did you get your hair cut or colored?" well, little did cathy know that i decided this morning that i no longer like my haircut, so i was wearing it up. it's too short, and has TOO many layers - scraggly is a good word to describe it...<br /><br />cathy jested, "did she give you a chinese mullet?" after she said it, i thought to myself, "yes, actually..."<br /><br />jeff and i ran around for two hours looking for materials for christmas gifts... two hours in brooklyn, queens and manhattan...and we couldn't even find the right stuff..<br /><br />grrr<br /><br />rejoice always..<br /><br />i continued to complain about my scraggly hair, how i have recently gained weight and then asked to go to taco bell...HA<br /><br />when we got home, before jeff would go on a run with me, he FORCED me to rejoice in FIVE things...FIVE things?!<br /><br />I'll do it later.<br /><br />Much Love.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-40563047628582436152010-11-26T18:40:00.000-08:002010-11-26T19:03:24.514-08:00Rejoice Always: My Chinese Family<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Can I be honest with you? When I was growing up and imagined what my husband would look like, Jeff was NOT what I had in mind. Inundated with Disney movies, I think I imagined myself with a man who is white, tall and dark (hey, be honest, you don't usually dream of marrying someone that looks VERY different from you or the people in your family of origin.) God had different, and much better, plans for me. <br /><br />While I'm being honest, I have to admit that when Jeff and I briefly broke up while dating, one of my reasons was, "My kids will never look like me!" I know it sounds egocentric, but truth is that Jeff's dark, Asian features are going to dominate all of the recessive-ness that is ME. And, let's continue to be honest ladies, as a future mother, you long for your children to look a LITTLE bit like you, right? Alas, I'm glad that this shallow quality didn't keep me from marrying my Jeff.<br /><br />Today, I had quite a unique experience. I've been talking about getting my hair cut and colored for months (I have WAY too much gray hair for a 24 year-old.) Jeff's mom was the last person to cut my hair back in June, and I was long over-due. All of my friends, who also happen to be Asian, always tell me, "Go to Flushing, you'll get a great, cheap hair cut/color!" (Flushing is an area in Queens, NY that is heavily populated by Asians.) So, today, Mrs. Chin took me to her hair salon. <br /><br />I don't have high expectations for my hair. As long as it's long, it's manageable. And, in terms of color, I just don't want to have BLACK or RED hair (it's really hard to get a dark brown color without the end result looking black or red.) When I walked in, I was a little intimated because the three hair stylists were only speaking Chinese. It's a little unsettling when you can't speak the main language of the person who is about to cut and color your hair. Eeek. Gratefully, Jeff's mom CAN speak Chinese and assured me that she communicated my desires for my hair to Janet, the hair stylist. <br /><br />The haircut was fast, and exactly what I wanted. Phew, I was relieved. Then, as they started to color my hair, Jeff's mom explained to me that the hairdresser went to beauty school in Japan and they use different products compared to American salons. My anxiety started to grow as the color on my hair and scalp slowly turned purple. I kept asking Jeff's mom to communicate with the hair stylist that I didn't want purple hair - was my hair going to be purple? <br /><br />I think Janet and the other workers sensed my anxiety. So, they brought me back to the hair washing station. I started to think, "Hmmm, are they washing the color out? What are they doing?" They laid me down, put a cold rag on my eyes and brought out a hand-held massager (like the ones they sell in Brookstone) and massaged me for the 40 minutes of hair-processing time. A little weird, yes. Just imagine: I'm in a salon, where no one speaks my language, with my eyes covered and the last visual I have is of my purple hair. There came a point when I thought, "Screw it! There is nothing I can do anymore!"<br /><br />My hair ended up looking great AND I really enjoyed spending some quality time with Jeff's mom. She is so sweet and a great translator :)<br /><br />As I was reflecting on my experiences with Jeff's family, who are obviously of a different culture than I am familiar with, I feel really thankful that I have this time in New York to learn more about Jeff's identity and family of origin. I have begun to understand him, and love him, a little bit better. And, back to the man I once imagined myself with versus Jeff, I am starting to find myself thinking, "Ohh, I truly hope my babies look more like my husband. Asian is so beautiful. My friends are so beautiful. My husband is so beautiful." (Jeff will kill me for calling him beautiful, but it's just the adjective that comes to my heart when I first think of him.)<br /><br />I give my old-self a little break for being so egocentric, I really wasn't exposed to many races or cultures while living in Michigan (I only recognized black and white as races.) As the Lord has provided me with some beautiful friends (inside and out), I have really started to love, and appreciate, the beauty of race and culture that the Lord has created amongst human beings. I feel blessed that the Lord gave me something other than a white man to marry (no offense to my white sisters who are married/dating white men - God has good plans for everyone.) I get to taste a part of His kingdom by having intimate relationships with folk that are different than me.<br /><br />Missed my home and family on Thanksgiving, but am equally grateful for my Chinese family.<br /><br />Today I rejoice in my Chinese Family (and the salon in Queens) :)<br /><br />Much Love.<br /><br /><br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-29965968120177664502010-11-23T14:21:00.000-08:002010-11-23T14:31:25.715-08:00Rejoice Always: Morning minutes, Gym time, and chats with a best friend<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">More rejoicing for this girl...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Rejoice Always: Morning minutes with Jeff</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Jeff always sets his alarm clock for 7:00am. Although he quickly turns it off and falls back to sleep until 7:30, I rejoice in those 30 minutes of quiet with him in the morning. I always find my way into his embrace (or demand it, "cuddle me!") Mmmm, i love it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Rejoice Always: Gym Time</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I used to freak out and feel like a failure if a client canceled during the day. But now, I'm learning to rejoice in those extra minutes I get to myself. I actually have started to head to the gym, mid-day, if I have a cancellation. I am so grateful for clients near my local gym and for some periodic canceled sessions :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Rejoice Always: Catch-up Chat Sessions with a Best Girlfriend</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">So refreshing. Today, during a "break" i had (after the gym), I got to spend 30 minutes on the phone with my sweet Ashley. Catching up on daily things like our jobs, marriage, summer plans (ashely and kyle are headed to INDIA!) and workout routines AND sharing our dreams of motherhood, living close to each other and ministry direction. It was all very, very good.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">How I long for the day when we are only a drive away and can take our kids to the park, grocery store or school. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Much Love.</span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-6584311701319651042010-11-22T15:56:00.000-08:002010-11-22T15:57:41.030-08:00Rejoice Always<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Today I rejoice in New York's "Indian Summer". 63 degrees on November 22. Praise God.</span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-26941622664322883842010-11-22T15:43:00.000-08:002010-11-22T15:53:41.315-08:002 years ago (tomorrow!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v602/53/19/2240791/n2240791_45863131_7713.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 407px; height: 306px;" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v602/53/19/2240791/n2240791_45863131_7713.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><h3 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" id="c-custom-title"><span>The Perfect Proposal</span></h3><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Two years ago (tomorrow), Jeff asked me to be his wife. I said "yes" (of course.) I know many of you have heard the proposal story, but just as a refresher, I thought I would re-share it :)</span> <div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);" class="c-intro"><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> I had been on Jeff's case for a couple of months regarding when we would be engaged. Being the snoopy girl that I am, or that I thought I was, I had decided that Jeff was coming in the weekend of December 5th, 2009 to do the good deed. Jeff had purposefully left a plane ticket to Detroit on his desk dated for December 5th. When I saw it while visiting Jeff for his birthday two months prior, I thought to myself, "December 5th?! He's not supposed to come in on December 5th! Ahh! This must mean we are getting engaged on December 5th! Pretend you didn't see anything!" To my surprise, Jeff had out-smarted me and showed up on November 23 - the Sunday before Thanksgiving. </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Ashley and I had previously made plans to have dinner at the Detroit Athletic Club on Sunday, November 23. Little had I known that it was all a ploy - Ashley was in on the secret proposal. Ashley picked me up, reminding me of the dress code at the Detroit Athletic Club, and mentioned that she had to stop by our church on the way there to pick up a couple of things. Our church is kind of in the 'hood and when we got there, Sue, the church secretary, asked if we would accompany her to the sanctuary to grab her purse -- all of the lights were off and she gets kind of scared going in there late at night by herself. Sue opened up the doors and I was in awe: all of the lights of the sanctuary were off, lit solely by candles down the aisle, on the piano and on the communion table. Along with the candles, rose pedals were covering the ground, piano and communion table. As I began to walk down the aisle, Jeff began playing the piano and singing a revised version of "Annie" by Dave Barnes to me. I sat on the bench as Jeff finished the song--overwhelmed by the trouble Jeff had gone through to capture my heart. After he was done singing, Jeff got down on his knee and popped the question - not sure if I should cry or scream, I yelled "YES!". </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Following the proposal, Jeff washed my feet - similar to how Jesus would wash people's feet to show them He desired to serve them. We talked a lot about how we wanted to serve and love each other the rest of our lives and even had the opportunity to have communion with each other. </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> It really was the most perfect, beautiful proposal :)<br /></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Much Love.</span><br /></p></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-14959683737994270642010-11-21T16:19:00.000-08:002010-11-21T17:59:01.378-08:00Thanksgiving Potluck (and a shower in our kitchen!)<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"Rejoice Always" (1 thessalonians 5:16)</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> When my heart is in a constant state of rejoicing, praising the Lord for his abundant blessings, I instantly become MORE aware of the small ways God is moving in my daily life....all of the things I am grateful for.</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />When Jeff and I started dating (when we were 19!) we started a </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Blessing Book.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> The Blessing Book was a daily compilation of ways the Lord had blessed us on that specific day. I truly believe that it's good for the heart to rejoice in all events daily life brings you. </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">So, I'm committing to write down at least one thing I rejoice in on a daily basis - one thing I am grateful for. Sometimes I may rejoice in the pain, because the Lord is teaching me something good. Somedays I will rejoice in the beautiful things.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Today, I rejoice in the community the Lord has blessed us with. </span>I rejoice in the fact that the Lord has brought me from my beloved home in Detroit, from my "comfort zone", to New York so I can fully know what it's like to have a community of friends that love the Lord and love me.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br />On Saturday, Jeff and I welcomed 7 of our dear friends (9 including us!) to a Thanksgiving Potluck at our home. Fully anticipating the delicious food and a great time, we were NOT anticipating the free-flowing stream of water from our hot water heater just as our guests arrived.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br />Our hot water heater and boiler are conveniently (or not-so-conveniently) locked in a closet located in our kitchen. Jeff and I have had several problems with our hot water heater and boiler. When I first told my dad about our issues, his first reaction was, "Get renters insurance. I think your hot water heater may explode. We had this problem at our old house." Hmmm...</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br />Our Super and Landlord have been to our apartment 6 times (in the 40 days that we have lived here) to "fix" the issue. Initially, we noticed that our hot water heater was not appropriately warming up. After that issue had been dealt with, and it was cold enough to switch on our heat, a high-pitched alarm sound filled our apartment (once every five seconds, BEEP!) Ahh, we thought our issues were solved once the beeping was terminated.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br />but we were wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">On Saturday afternoon while Jeff, Dan and I prepared some delectable food, we heard a shower-like stream coming from the closet where our hot water heater and boiler are held. We immediately called our Super and Landlord ("THIS IS AN EMERGENCY! COME NOW!") The ladies who live below us knocked on our door wondering why there was water coming through their kitchen ceiling. yuck. to make a long-story (semi)short, we ended up forming a line through out kitchen to empty and fill the buckets of water that flowed from our hot water heater while our Super attempted to "cap" the problem. To say the least, our Super had a shower in our kitchen. </span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /><br />Grateful for our dear friends who helped us sop up the dirty water on our floors, our delicious thanksgiving potluck was not negatively affected by this unfortunate event. we enjoyed some yummy deep-friend cajun chicken from </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">jive turkey</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">, a sweet-potato casserole, a green-bean casserole, corn bread, homemade cranberry sauce, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, homemade macaroni and cheese, a big salad AND mexican corn. Jeff is in leftover heaven. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpd2Lc7CZRXfoOun81tmJz9yh77ENUANda8OUCVTmICFINnv4her0MfsxulUeu7MIwlJRhizA_JgI7kmDc1V_0_cBs2ihhhRI9tPiztaMdYu0shre_DXpzcR0A9Q3eB8ddHhOMwSK3Pc/s1600/IMAG0221.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpd2Lc7CZRXfoOun81tmJz9yh77ENUANda8OUCVTmICFINnv4her0MfsxulUeu7MIwlJRhizA_JgI7kmDc1V_0_cBs2ihhhRI9tPiztaMdYu0shre_DXpzcR0A9Q3eB8ddHhOMwSK3Pc/s320/IMAG0221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542173139995976722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">jeff and dan carving the turkey<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYjRkUdNd4A-z-iAjz-JNnuEtb7SEuBkFg6n7UBFj-hYyu8PdC8FqENJlXU0_mV5LN9MQ1XUYQhJfTGU8Strw3qWRcDcoLcROZ4rL2p2mKG5EmS4Vhyphenhyphen5zzomBfXfkjbGWW-1eBg_Er_E/s1600/IMAG0219.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYjRkUdNd4A-z-iAjz-JNnuEtb7SEuBkFg6n7UBFj-hYyu8PdC8FqENJlXU0_mV5LN9MQ1XUYQhJfTGU8Strw3qWRcDcoLcROZ4rL2p2mKG5EmS4Vhyphenhyphen5zzomBfXfkjbGWW-1eBg_Er_E/s320/IMAG0219.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542173136163660546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">the turkey was so delicious, we kept stealing "bites" of it before it was time to actually sit down for dinner</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTFEBJIgYLTaj29u1-9tLsAsDKZ5_HBe_3OmIO2BoSQ9vZh6ONtgw7a-NyOmV4wYDyc0K1PVGqzz0SjEgyJTx291NJ3zXUbkcB_0ioFIZRa_-J7KjHbEhdslEKwYm9VLkQRVHbYF03w8/s1600/IMG_2319.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTFEBJIgYLTaj29u1-9tLsAsDKZ5_HBe_3OmIO2BoSQ9vZh6ONtgw7a-NyOmV4wYDyc0K1PVGqzz0SjEgyJTx291NJ3zXUbkcB_0ioFIZRa_-J7KjHbEhdslEKwYm9VLkQRVHbYF03w8/s320/IMG_2319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542175749470751218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">get it, girl<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGOInUKgGr15cq1ejCp6DhiMw7ec_wY6vWoTWlDdXx718pZk4kX5MUTooithX2nuCwc65ErIKBmud683hEDas8sAz2hn53LWrGk2cpw4f5_RkgVHBGVNDkw4ZM1KbT3lU9bPfC78uHE8/s1600/IMG_2313.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGOInUKgGr15cq1ejCp6DhiMw7ec_wY6vWoTWlDdXx718pZk4kX5MUTooithX2nuCwc65ErIKBmud683hEDas8sAz2hn53LWrGk2cpw4f5_RkgVHBGVNDkw4ZM1KbT3lU9bPfC78uHE8/s320/IMG_2313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542175739587849122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">israel taking a stab at turkey-carving</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeX7yfvaixadEKetgnxLCkPW6atC-gBUrBPcVjV7ieQR2XhTc0gyd2104Z_ZOLYdDJID1tU4ylKeQBWnVt-GH2EOBThPv1MZ7Krc1QgoXggUo7q8J71VrRbigLlRume1EnQdMODHo9StI/s1600/IMG_2309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeX7yfvaixadEKetgnxLCkPW6atC-gBUrBPcVjV7ieQR2XhTc0gyd2104Z_ZOLYdDJID1tU4ylKeQBWnVt-GH2EOBThPv1MZ7Krc1QgoXggUo7q8J71VrRbigLlRume1EnQdMODHo9StI/s320/IMG_2309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542175733673466226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">hydie and i pickin' at the goods!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISBeYh_Fhm_axGhUSZECJkCZxYX-qInmN3NlaXLNOrV1FJvZ3FN6FApwWeUU8rrQw-s5oOv0SoQwJ-o0vZt2bSVWSXdBY1x8v0oWT8epP1P51xyaXj2xquIkKKQjtbKVii1oXtuhwtpg/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISBeYh_Fhm_axGhUSZECJkCZxYX-qInmN3NlaXLNOrV1FJvZ3FN6FApwWeUU8rrQw-s5oOv0SoQwJ-o0vZt2bSVWSXdBY1x8v0oWT8epP1P51xyaXj2xquIkKKQjtbKVii1oXtuhwtpg/s320/IMG_2316.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542175729036474706" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Feast</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KIPBTPLRgF0STaF3xS-VvSdsgmaZ8Dd1gpeQAKk8VXV17cqIDB9oQAToE6S6fif2jsXfpTJe9x4GFFS2w-MY2vw7YXDb7LGsdSJIXaBak62MEfqypV9zkDt1L8JUHcgaz7cBBErTw8k/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KIPBTPLRgF0STaF3xS-VvSdsgmaZ8Dd1gpeQAKk8VXV17cqIDB9oQAToE6S6fif2jsXfpTJe9x4GFFS2w-MY2vw7YXDb7LGsdSJIXaBak62MEfqypV9zkDt1L8JUHcgaz7cBBErTw8k/s320/IMG_2323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542176542536783138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">engrossed in the television..post-dinner food coma</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-aoPQ5MM5t8w43q5W410pl1aVXIeA7WNdAlqQlCsekR9Qc0gHMFfJTpduxYqY1t9vbhIqlyyRUiEj9veeLfhOK-SFF5iHZGEohjJ2lHYMWaRNyjNWi6BTbjfD_AJ2KCofuJhyIAUgi4/s1600/IMG_2326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-aoPQ5MM5t8w43q5W410pl1aVXIeA7WNdAlqQlCsekR9Qc0gHMFfJTpduxYqY1t9vbhIqlyyRUiEj9veeLfhOK-SFF5iHZGEohjJ2lHYMWaRNyjNWi6BTbjfD_AJ2KCofuJhyIAUgi4/s320/IMG_2326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542175749711641794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">end of the night...i was already sleeping...everyone looks so tired!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Thanks Lydia, Alfredo, Hydie, Dan, Cathy, Israel and Brittany :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">As thanksgiving quickly approaches, I just want to encourage you to REJOICE ALWAYS - if you have fallen on tough times, I promise that the Lord is teaching you something good. If you are loving life right now, be grateful and look for ways to bless others.<br /><br />Much Love.<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-36667025287984021262010-11-14T14:18:00.000-08:002010-11-14T14:49:28.722-08:00Mom & Grandma Visit NYC!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlEL3Bu5vZd1my8NOL4ndBNAT7eNJAiy0CMyBk-afDPaXw8R9GrNmv5HfCotxQX_9wCmlemzr9ncbL1-f2rmPeH7x2wpNXpRKFQxp87a18_aL6r38Exf3jlAr_oj6mjRAFFk9L6z3-uI/s1600/Sardis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlEL3Bu5vZd1my8NOL4ndBNAT7eNJAiy0CMyBk-afDPaXw8R9GrNmv5HfCotxQX_9wCmlemzr9ncbL1-f2rmPeH7x2wpNXpRKFQxp87a18_aL6r38Exf3jlAr_oj6mjRAFFk9L6z3-uI/s320/Sardis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539538702142089090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">(mom, grandma and i at Sardi's)<br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">I was so blessed this weekend by my mom and grandma's visit to new york. The last time my grandma was in NYC was when she made a special trip for my mom on her 18th birthday! It was a short, sweet and JAM-PACKED weekend!<br /><br />As noted in a previous post, Jeff visited with fraternity brothers in San Francisco this weekend, so it was truly a "girls weekend." While we explored and enjoyed Brooklyn and New York City, Jeff biked over 20 miles exploring San Fran and visited Nappa Valley (I'm a little jealous of the Nappa Valley part of his trip - maybe we can go back someday together.)<br /><br />Mom and Grandma flew in Friday evening. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, Chez Oskar (the spicy lamb-burger was delish!) Mom and I decided it was time for my grandma to get on facebook - so we set her up with an account. Hopefully someone back in Michigan will walk her through the steps so she can actually keep in touch with all of her family (my grandma had 8 brothers and sisters; 8 children; 17 grandchildren and 2 grandson-in-laws!)<br /><br />We got an early start on Saturday...had coffee at Dunkin Donuts (of course) and swung by Target. My grandma bought jeff & i a coffee maker - something we never bought or registered for because we aren't big coffee drinkers....BUT we are excited to serve our guests coffee - Jeff's parents like coffee with their dessert. After breakfast, we drove to Manhattan (about a 10 minute drive) and stopped by Macy's on 34th street. The inside was already decorated for Christmas :) After our shopping adventure, we headed up to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes! Festive and fun :) After the show, we went to <span style="font-style: italic;">Sardi's</span> for a drink - my grandma took my mom here for her 18th birthday! It was so special :) Later, we went to Long Island to meet Jeff's mom for dinner....delicious Italian food, of course. It was nice to dine with 3 of my most favorite women :) We were exhausted by 7pm and fell asleep watching a movie on the couch.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSviCN4O_WcuSSFDp6BxecbZG6Jx7pywK9Gxk8oE7rOD_IUMgziL-A6C1uBqJUqszuy4d8a1A9sIo6jGsAjSafFdMyInKBiEioFu4mdU6gGJwLml7iOwd1qF6My3F2Uv_cuUDE9K8b-Do/s1600/IMAG0203%255B1%255D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSviCN4O_WcuSSFDp6BxecbZG6Jx7pywK9Gxk8oE7rOD_IUMgziL-A6C1uBqJUqszuy4d8a1A9sIo6jGsAjSafFdMyInKBiEioFu4mdU6gGJwLml7iOwd1qF6My3F2Uv_cuUDE9K8b-Do/s320/IMAG0203%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539540655435131026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">(mom & i in front of macy's)<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGDDdrrgBqwY9aXWnrmMhE4a7NJBaa5Hk4KAdtekX4CYNcYd4Q61Sn1bMmZd-V2tlqPVZCxRCnlFq1eD7LKXbgnduQp0Y1sN1SPdlr2-CmhZuf2ObFEjpThIz37GT0CWl77cCxOwdAJY/s1600/IMAG0204%255B1%255D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGDDdrrgBqwY9aXWnrmMhE4a7NJBaa5Hk4KAdtekX4CYNcYd4Q61Sn1bMmZd-V2tlqPVZCxRCnlFq1eD7LKXbgnduQp0Y1sN1SPdlr2-CmhZuf2ObFEjpThIz37GT0CWl77cCxOwdAJY/s320/IMAG0204%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539540659801661218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">(macy's is all decorated for christmas!)<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dmeC5UYLELB2l7Yn2GZdpVOUebLuPW7bGHofm03sHdQsFc6jBXWcZLfBfjQy2CvwOvsifMLFudGcIbh5Rk83LSUgRNwHIdniBiAu1N_2Szcxe4dSIixipND6FI2LjCl0SPMR7uoPbFU/s1600/IMAG0210%255B1%255D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dmeC5UYLELB2l7Yn2GZdpVOUebLuPW7bGHofm03sHdQsFc6jBXWcZLfBfjQy2CvwOvsifMLFudGcIbh5Rk83LSUgRNwHIdniBiAu1N_2Szcxe4dSIixipND6FI2LjCl0SPMR7uoPbFU/s320/IMAG0210%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539540665650176082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">(officially in the holiday spirit after seeing the "rockettes"!)</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkdKS_1YenUqvYCbA8niSWUTlolT4GznU8KnxYSqdHWvD5zGz1f7cu4J4S6hbrGzhHYlaWLEZrhB1x5ooqkzZySf5LAPadiiRT82uAC-063a4DDO2ZHmDSNzrhCSlPNM0Mpx_4nm9W_w/s1600/IMAG0214%255B1%255D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkdKS_1YenUqvYCbA8niSWUTlolT4GznU8KnxYSqdHWvD5zGz1f7cu4J4S6hbrGzhHYlaWLEZrhB1x5ooqkzZySf5LAPadiiRT82uAC-063a4DDO2ZHmDSNzrhCSlPNM0Mpx_4nm9W_w/s320/IMAG0214%255B1%255D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539540670258585938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">(mom and grandma in times square - i love the advertisement behind them, "grab some buds" - haha)</span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br />My mom and grandma left at 7am this morning - I think it was a good thing that Jeff won't be home until later tonight...I still go through mini-meltdowns when my mom leaves NYC/I leave Michigan...Jeff is probably sick and tired of my emotional outbursts and obsession with home.<br /><br />I think the funniest part of the weekend was when my mom, grandma and I were discussing death at lunch. My grandma said, "Sometimes I talk to Grandpa." My Grandma has Grandpa's ashes in her home. Grandma gestured by pretending to left the top off of his ashes, waved and said, "I say things like, 'Hi! Good riddance!'" I don't know why I thought that was funny, but it was.<br /><br />Next weekend, Jeff and I will be hosting 8+ people (our bible study) for a Thanksgiving Potluck at our apartment. We are really looking forward to it! It so happens that my mom will actually be in town again while Allan attends some training -- so she's going to come to Brooklyn Saturday morning and help me prepare for the dinner :)<br /><br />Alas, only 1.5 weeks until Thanksgiving and 6 more weeks until I'm home for a whole week at Christmas.<br /><br />Much love.<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-41328647516377854032010-11-12T13:32:00.000-08:002010-11-12T13:38:35.077-08:00fulfillment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">my sweet husband is visiting some of his fraternity brothers in san francisco this weekend while my mom and grandma visit. i was a little freaked out by sleeping alone in our new place last night. predicting this would happen, jeff wrote me the sweetest note and slipped it under my pillow.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">in the note, jeff talked about how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">fulfilled</span> he is by our marriage. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">jeff and i both know a marriage cannot <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">complete</span> a person or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">fulfill</span> our deepest emotional needs, only god can...but our marriage can be fulfilling. and it feels good.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i was deeply touched by jeff's note. jeff and i have been digging into the word (1 john) with our small group and hashing out some differences we have on finances. god is forming our marriage into something beautiful. something more than i expected. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">the notes, words or affirmation and gentle touches throughout the day really make me feel loved. not only am i loved by my heavenly father, i am loved by a great man. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i don't know why i posted about this - maybe it's too intimate. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">much love.</span></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-20854369827140708422010-11-11T16:52:00.000-08:002010-11-11T16:53:20.930-08:00Sara Bareillis!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIOiJAv8ZuzGs1VUQZp9curOjIqJZUsGenZhl_z2fM_Y409PhookIcW1jjYDyquD4fn-kR_qn_zYZYinmk2Kb12y3ptAnc0Pyx6mZCMs81fCDwlZOxBvkUdXpPvPtEcJfwrs_7JmG4FI/s1600/IMAG0194-700931.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIOiJAv8ZuzGs1VUQZp9curOjIqJZUsGenZhl_z2fM_Y409PhookIcW1jjYDyquD4fn-kR_qn_zYZYinmk2Kb12y3ptAnc0Pyx6mZCMs81fCDwlZOxBvkUdXpPvPtEcJfwrs_7JmG4FI/s320/IMAG0194-700931.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538459981936098162" /></a></p><p>Jeff took me to see one of my favorite musicians, Sara Bareillis...what a fun night! Thanks, hubs!</p> LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-73870869765584798422010-11-03T17:56:00.000-07:002010-11-03T18:11:05.733-07:00Skating with the Stars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq5qMuVD0Ms6QkQ1e3fWDtg7Xax8kk4KJEsg1CrUbgzpdqHEyvO93TLJwqN90j0g4Vht8wmMyzvxha1Lyrq4rVqW8ry9IV2bzOfqvoDDnWf_OPQxyuDwY47vFIuKdcGYrWWHK3WBjHh8/s1600/brooke+and+pete"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTq5qMuVD0Ms6QkQ1e3fWDtg7Xax8kk4KJEsg1CrUbgzpdqHEyvO93TLJwqN90j0g4Vht8wmMyzvxha1Lyrq4rVqW8ry9IV2bzOfqvoDDnWf_OPQxyuDwY47vFIuKdcGYrWWHK3WBjHh8/s320/brooke+and+pete" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535495702360733682" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">big news! one of my life-long friends, brooke, will be one of the professional skaters on "skating with the stars." the show debuts on November 22 on ABC. i am overwhelmed with excitement for her. brooke has dedicated her entire life to figure skating and has been blessed with this great opportunity to funnel her craft and coaching skills on a national television show. (brooke's mom, denise, used to babysit for my brothers and i when we were young -- i clearly remember long days at the ice rink while brooke trained.)<br /><br />my mom (mary) and brooke's mom (denise) have been best friends since high school. although life took us down different paths (schools, circles of friends, life events, etc.), my family has encountered no major life event without the love and support of denise and her family (i usually don't call her "denise", but am trying to keep some anonymity for their family.)<br /><br />please join jeff and i on november 22 (and the following monday evenings!) as we watch brooke skate on "skating with the stars" (ABC.) please vote for her, too (10x by phone, 10x by internet!)<br /><br />much love.<br /></span>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-81776062779261985902010-10-23T12:27:00.000-07:002010-10-23T12:55:58.329-07:00shattered window<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gaO55kmp1gPkI7U6aOZztad7reVBkmQ_joMDZVG7ZQ9k5ITfFmhrsN2qn8hp-UtJ6hPYUEnWQPPQNu3KHVJ6FcEBgou7Ad7s5oiJcrxUHIoBbZ3hYL66RzZo2PaXzA0ktW4gxM0z5IY/s1600/fall+in+fort+greene.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gaO55kmp1gPkI7U6aOZztad7reVBkmQ_joMDZVG7ZQ9k5ITfFmhrsN2qn8hp-UtJ6hPYUEnWQPPQNu3KHVJ6FcEBgou7Ad7s5oiJcrxUHIoBbZ3hYL66RzZo2PaXzA0ktW4gxM0z5IY/s320/fall+in+fort+greene.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531332691715616482" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">when i first started working in brooklyn, i felt unstoppable. although i had some initial fear of working in the 'hood, they quickly died and i became a little </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">too </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">comfortable. last week was a bad week for me. our car was broken into while working and my purse was stolen out of the glove compartment. most people may say, 'you silly girl, why did you leave your purse in your glove compartment?' yes, i know it sounds silly, but carrying around a purse into low-income, not-so-safe housing makes me a target for crime. thus, i leave my purse in my car. i don't need any extra attention. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i was so discouraged when my car was broken into. i was literally away from my car for about 30 minutes. i thought i was being smart: i parked on a busy street where there were several pedestrians, a grocery store and trucks unloading. as i started to walk back to my car, i saw the passenger's window was shattered into pieces. freaked out, i immediately started to cry. i'm sure i looked like a fool - the only white girl in the neighborhood, crying on the corner of a busy intersection. gratefully, a police officer was driving down the street and helped me file a report and find a glass shop to get my window fixed. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">(please note: the difference between detroit and the 'hood of brooklyn is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">police presence.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> in new york, there are police EVERYWHERE. in detroit, there is no guarantee they will come to help you.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i lost nothing - jeff quickly canceled my credit cards and i only had some spare change in my wallet. the thief just got a cute clutch and a cheap wallet. no biggie. yet, i gained a sense of fear. i am in this exact neighborhood on a daily basis. how will i come back? how will i park my car knowing that someone has already broken into it? initially, i thought, "GOD! why would you allow this to happen! i am doing your work in this crummy neighborhood! protect me!"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">when i called jeff and my parents, i expected a "i told you so - working in the hood isn't that great, laura" response, but they were so gentle and loving. </span> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">anyways, our small group is currently studying 1 john. this particular week, we were studying 1 john 1 which talks a lot about living in "the light". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i was so humbled and blessed because after the car incident, one of the mothers i work with that lives in the area called me and said, "laura, don't give up on us. you are a light in our neighborhood. we need you." THAT was when i knew satan was attacking me when my car was broken into. THAT was when i knew that god is using me in new york. THAT was when all of the fear went away and i felt so much peace. THAT was when i realized that God didn't 'allow' my car to get broken into because "god is light, and in him there is no darkness at all" (1 john 1:5). </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">this incident was satan. but god still used it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">praise god.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">on another note, jeff and i are finally feeling settled into our home and our neighborhood. this morning we enjoyed our local farmer's market, flea market and park (all within 2 blocks of us!) we also got to eat lunch with seth and jax - some good friends from michigan.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">we are now getting ready to head out to dinner with jeff's parents and brother. happy birthday to my best friend (and hubby) and my mother-in-law :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">much love.</span></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769463856182661024.post-37301866832915606782010-10-03T17:52:00.001-07:002010-10-03T18:31:53.249-07:00Brooklyn: The City of More and Less!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsNtRJpaqZO9s0OXY_HPrY_E02LA_M60wkm4_fe7kx2jMSR1ynq73QE_iReUiZsQjZ_Ovnm5RHTl_KseM5V_uxzVP9t1vVaKRkeYe-h43EoeocuHZ-rY6rARpbHAoYmxukfvfeXJQyck/s1600/apartment.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsNtRJpaqZO9s0OXY_HPrY_E02LA_M60wkm4_fe7kx2jMSR1ynq73QE_iReUiZsQjZ_Ovnm5RHTl_KseM5V_uxzVP9t1vVaKRkeYe-h43EoeocuHZ-rY6rARpbHAoYmxukfvfeXJQyck/s320/apartment.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523997502532635122" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">so, we are officially moved-in (see pic above of our living room - so cozy!) we are "brooklyn-ites". jeff and i have learned a lot about ourselves over the past week (learning is usually an unpleasant, difficult process.) i understand why people don't move frequently: it's a pain in the butt and can really test your marriage. my girlfriend, leigh-anne, recently blogged about one of sara groves' songs that says, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">"loving a person just the way they are it's a hard thing. it takes some time to see things through."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> during the moving process, i quickly began to understand some jeff's weird quirks - and he definitely started to learn about some of mine! our exhaustion and frustration led to calloused hearts. gratefully, some quality time this weekend together really forced us to dig into our issues and heal. marriage is good. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">so, there are many things i love about brooklyn. i'm quickly learning how much MORE it has to offer versus manhattan. </span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">space: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">we have more space in our apartment (almost twice the amount of space versus our old place!) and there are MANY more parking spaces (so important!) jeff and i have even found some grocery stores nearby with parking lots! oh, the joys of semi-suburban life. we also live 1/2 block away from a large park. Barnabas (our future dog) will love this.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">restaurants:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"> don't get me wrong - manhattan has some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world... although brooklyn has LESS choices, there are more QUALITY restaurants available within walking distance of our apartment that don't break the bank. jeff and i tend to be cheap and indecisive so brooklyn is perfect for us. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">grocery stores: </span>brooklyn has grocery stores that are more accessible for drivers and cheaper. woohoo! </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">local markets: </span>lastly, there is a fresh outdoors farmers market at the end of our block on Saturdays. fresh seasonal fruits, veggies...YUM. last weekend, jeff also discovered a flea market two blocks away that sells antique furniture, gifts, art, books, personalized knick-knacks. pretty neat!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">families:</span> our neighborhood has a lot of cute, young families pushing strollers around and playing in the parks. it feels so much more "homey" than manhattan</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Brooklyn also has LESS of a lot of things I loathed about Manhattan:</span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">bird</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">: pigeons have infested manhattan streets. they are ALL over the place. since i was little, i have been terrified birds - especially the big, ugly dirty ones. brooklyn has less of those ugly, flying rodents</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">traffic</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">: i drive for my job and have really appreciated the minimal amount of traffic i encounter throughout my day. it's glorious.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">hustle-and-bustle: </span>there is so much pressure in manhattan. everyone is in a rush or competing with someone else. i hate that tension. jeff and i have both experienced less of this here in brooklyn. it's like a breath of fresh air!</span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">as you can tell, i love brooklyn and am excited to experience it more with my hubby. we now have two bedrooms, so please come and visit us! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">i have also learned a lot about how hurtful my bitter comments during a stressful situation can be to jeff. i am really going to spend some time finding the root of this bitterness so i don't take it out on him anymore. i am grateful and he knows it "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">takes some time to see things through".</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); ">much love.</span></div></div></div>LChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11616786125080253649noreply@blogger.com1