God grant me serenity, courage and wisdom....

So, over all this school year is off to a much better start than most. Surprisingly. Less stress, more going with the flow. Hmmmm. What makes the difference? I'm not really sure. I'm trying to say "yes" unless I have a really good reason to say "no." I'm trying not to let people get under my skin. Trying to remember that they are people too, with joys and problems, and many, many questions. Yes, some are totally annoying. And it makes me want to put their requests on the back burner. But I am making an honest effort to treat each person, regardless of how I feel about them personally, the way I would want to be treated. I'm trying to be more available, yet maintain boundaries.

When I don't have a class in the computer lab I turn out the lights, and turn on some music and just relax and breathe. That in itself helps keep me calm and relaxed. Which makes helping people much easier.

I am trying to live in the moment this year. Be here and present. Not living in the past, wishing I could change it, or wishing I could re-live great times. Not wishing my life away in the future. Asking "what ifs" or worrying. Being patient with anticipation. Remembering today's problems are for today, I don't need to add tomorrow's or next month's. And that is helping too. That is not to say I don't make plans. But I am becoming more flexible and willing to work with conflicts as they arise.

I am also trying to be positive. Even if that means distancing myself from friends who are always negative. Obviously my being positive is not influencing them at all, and they tend to drag me down. Again, that doesn't mean I don't listen to them and love them, and help them if I can. I just don't have to be around them 24/7. Or even eat lunch with them.

Which has also helped. Pulling myself out of the complaint fest that lunch time has become I am choosing to take that time to regroup, read my email, listen to music - whatever enables me to start the afternoon on a positive note.

I'm trying not to be an enabler to chronic complainers while maintaining empathy and grace. Tall order. Not always easy. But a goal.

So, that's it. The start of my school year. And my goals of being kind, loving, grace-filled, positive and above all living in the moment. All of this demands a dependence on God, cuz I sure can't do this on my own. May I be a calm, warm, sane, safe, objective and loving presence in the lives of others around me this year.

Spiderman??

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man 75% Superman 65% Robin 62% Green Lantern 60% Hulk 45% Catwoman 45% Wonder Woman 40% Iron Man 35% Batman 35% Supergirl 30% The Flash 30%

You are intelligent, witty, a bit geeky and have great power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Food for thought......

"...Owing to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetic modification, and a conversion of farming from a naturally based to a highly mechanized production system, the U.S. farmers now produce 3,900 calories per U.S. citizen, per day. That is twice what we need, and 700 calories a day more than they grew in 1980. Commodity farmers can only survive by producing their maximum yields, so they do. And here is the shocking plot twist: as farmers produced those extra calories, the food industry figured out how to get them into the bodies of people who didn't really want to eat 700 more calories a day. That is the well-oiled machine we call Late Capitalism." (emphasis mine)


from Animal Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Alice: "Well, after this I should think nothing of falling down stairs.”

OK - so last Saturday after I took my turn in the Via Christus booth at Hometown Days in Yorkville I managed to step off the edge of the blacktop path. Turning my ankle I was not able to catch myself, and gracelessly sprawled half on/half off the path. Tore my jeans, tore my skin and hit the edge of the blacktop path, that was about a inch higher than the grass, with my leg just below my knee.
It hurt like heck, but I iced it good after I drove 40 minutes home. It didn't look too bad considering. Until two days later. This is the result.



I'm still icing it, taking ibuprofen around the clock and keeping off my feet - and it still looks horrible and hurts. Especially when I had to do some tech work on my knees in the computer lab the other day. And by today bruises showed up on my ankle. Guess I'm not off my feet as much as I need to be.



Well, it was a wonderful excuse to sit on the couch and watch a full season of Heroes!! :)

Think it can get me out of cleaning this weekend???

Thank you for your patience.....

OK - things have slowed down enough I think I can finally write again! The last three weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. And much of it spent sitting - in cars, airplanes, orientation meetings, meals and finally - back to work. Strange as it may sound, I am sore from head to toe from sitting!

Since I am at work, I don't have any La Vida pictures to post - if I think about it tonight I'll try to put some up. But suffice it to say that Carissa had a good, and exhausting, time at La Vida. 12 days in the Adirondack Mountains - 2 of them solo. She was assigned to the kayaking patrol. There were also a couple canoe patrols and also mountain patrols. Her group had 10 kids, including kids from Iowa, California, Georgia, New York - and ironically, three kids from the West Chicago area. Carissa met John in February - he is from Naperville. Carissa has known the other student, Jessica, since they were toddlers even tho their paths took different directions over the years. She is also from West Chicago. John and Jessica were both students at Wheaton Academy. As predicted, this group bonded. Really tightly. LOL. The other night after orientation stuff wore down they got together just to veg. And the next night Carissa said she had meetings to go to, and all she wanted to do was hang with Kayak One. Word is that La Vida patrols are pretty much bonded for life. I am beginning to see evidence of that even at this early stage.
Anyway, Kim and I flew to out Wenham, MA after LaVida and arrived at campus about a half hour before the kids returned. They got a major big welcome from orientation leaders (soph, jr and sr. students who came back early) - signs, posters, cheers; a great big welcome to Gordon College and a congratulations on surviving La Vida.
They were then able to move into their dorms - a day earlier than the general population. Which was nice. Carissa's roommate (Kaitlyn, see pic) was on a canoe patrol and also moved in Thursday night.
One of the girls from Carissa's kayak patrol lives directly across the hall from her.
Their dorm is the newest dorm on campus, Chase Hall. She is on the third floor right next to the kitchen and lounge. Also the stairs and elevator. The dorm even has front loader washers! Two rooms make up a suite and share a bathroom.

Chase Hall
Named in honor of Trustee Don Chase and his wife Barbara, Chase Hall has 162 beds and is organized as a series of suites with every two rooms sharing a shower and restroom. In addition to the double suites, Chase Hall also has a kitchen on each floor, three classrooms and a spacious lounge area that overlooks the campus quadrangle. Chase is also designed for energy efficiency in accordance with Gordon's broader aim to promote renewable energy and resources on campus.

Again, we were very impressed with the campus, the faculty and the philosophy of Gordon. It's too involved to write here, but if you want to know more just ask me! Carissa and Gordon seem tailor made for each other.
Kim and I spent time with Jessica's parents - going out for a lobster dinner in Gloucester on Friday night, and then we spent time with Kaitlyn's parents (Carissa's roommate) going out for a seafood/lobster dinner with them in Essex after we left campus Saturday night. (The first pic is Ned, up close and personal with his lobster. The second pic is Kaitlyn's parents, Sandy and Bill.)






It was a good weekend, but stressful. I was so tired of meeting new people. I could feel myself curling up a little inside and retreating with each new person I had to meet. All were nice, and I felt frustrated with my inability to get past my introverted self. Batteries were dead, no chance to recharge. Fortunately we met Kaitlyn's parents the first night, as well as reconnected with Ned and Linda, so they got in early before I began to check out.....
I could understand Carissa's sentiments that she just wanted to chill with her Kayak patrol, it was becoming too overwhelming.

And, then, Kim and I returned home and we each started the school year. And it has been crazy.
I choose not to vent here, but suffice it to say I was ready to quit after the second day. And so my stress level increases. My neck is in knots, my head is aching, and I basically hurt all over. I'm looking forward to coffee with my friend Betsy in about 2 hours. Enjoy the pix!

Carissa in her room.

Carissa's bed

The other side of her room

A section of the dining hall

Creed for the school year......

Live beneath your means.

Return everything you borrow.

Stop blaming other people.

Admit it when you make a mistake.

Give clothes not worn in three years to charity.

Do something nice and try not to get caught.

Listen more; talk less.

Every day take a 30-minute walk.

Strive for excellence, not perfection.

Be on time.

Don't make excuses.

Don't argue.

Get organized.

Be kind to kind people.

Be kind to unkind people.

Let someone cut ahead of you in line.

Take time to be alone.

Reread your favorite book.

Cultivate good manners.

Be humble.

Realize and accept that life isn't fair.

Know when to keep your mouth shut.

Go an entire day without criticizing anyone.

Learn from the past.

Plan for the future.

Live in the present.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

It's all small stuff.

-from a Quaker newsletter

Crazy busy.....

Sorry guys - I have been really, really busy lately. We were in Massachusetts over the weekend with Carissa - moving her into her dorm, and then yesterday the new school year began so I am back at work. When things calm down a little I'm sure I'll have plenty to say! Be back soon!

Finally! Vermont :)

So - a week ago we were in Massachusettes dropping Carissa off at Gordon College. Let me first say I wouldn't recommend driving 2500 miles in 4.5 days. Ever. But you gotta do what you gotta do. So, we rented a Kia Sedona and loaded it up. If her other two room mates bring that much stuff I have no clue where they will put it all....
We had to store her stuff for the 12 days she is on La Vida. Fortunately we could do that in a designated area on campus.



Then we headed home. By way of VERMONT! Not exactly on the way home, but it was the only state left of the continental United States that I had not been in, tho I have been around it many times. So we took a detour and did a short road trip.
We ate at the Blue Benn Diner in Bennington,
as well as visited some covered bridges and a monument. Nothing fancy, but good food and beautiful scenery......
Anyway, we are back home, very tired - still. And we leave again Thursday for MA - flying this time - for parent/student orientation and to move Carissa into her room.
BTW, I just checked the weather for the area of the Adirondacks she is in, and it is supposed to be in the lower 30's the next couple nights.....





A day after we returned home Jen left for Rio. So we lost 2 kids in less than a week. :( Before she left we took her to The Irish Oak which is in Wrigleyville a block from Wrigley Field.






Carissa and Jen, we miss you!

Personality.....

Pretty expected results.


"creative, smart, idealist, loner, attracted to sad things, disorganized, avoidant, can be overwhelmed by unpleasant feelings..." INFP



The multiple intellengences does not surprise me at all.

Fun test - but I didn't really learn anything new.

Thanks for the link Julie!

Just so you know...

I am still alive, just incredibly busy getting Carissa ready to leave tomorrow for college. Tired, broke and crazy busy. Hope all is well with all of you!

Ladies nite out

Dana, Tina and I went out tonight for my birthday. :)








Do you know how many calories we probably consumed? But we had a great dinner at Big Bowl - Pad Thai to die for, Mango Cheesecake, Pomegranate Sangria.....
and then the night was just absolutely perfect for sitting on the patio at Max and Ermas and having good conversation and good drinks (I only had these two - honest...)) with good friends. The waiter even brought me this huge piece of banana creme pie on the house (actually on him) with three forks.. I highly recommend the banana creme pie at Max and Erma's.....


And I highly recommend celebrating your birthday with your best girlfriends! :)

Sew What?!?!?!

Here is the dress that Carissa made for the Renaissance Faire. This was her first real sewing project.....definitely beginner material. LOL. And trust me, I couldn't help her - I'm sewing challenged!
Anyway - enjoy!

Yep - he really is barefoot!!

So, I was really frustrated that Todd Agnew was at Wheaton College all week doing a youth conference, and he wasn't doing a "concert" per se for the rest of us. Cuz goodness knows, he NEVER comes on tour to Chicago.....
Dana and I were fortunate tho to hear him in Southern Illinois last year and it was a humbling and provocative concert.

Anyway, Kelsey found out he was going to be selling/signing his new CD (Which we already had..) at John's Bookstore tonight so she and I went over and got to hear a mini-concert of 5 or so songs and get our CD signed. (Front row baby. Check out the pix...... :) )

He sang, and talked - about denominations and divisions, about us all being brothers and sisters, about getting along even if we don't agree on all points of theology because we are still in the same family; he got in a couple digs honest observations about CCM and their attitudes and lyrics.... (um, talk about biting the hand that feeds you.....)About not being afraid of the questions, of being vulnerable, of being honest. About being glad we don't understand God, know all the answers... cuz then where would the mystery be? The greatness? The Awe? And you know what? It was very refreshing. And I agree.
He also talked about his sneak attack with his new album, more upbeat songs that they will play on the radio because they sound good, and yet, they have his true, unvarnished, messy thoughts and questions in them. The things he truly wants us to think about. No answers. Nothing wrapped up in a neat little CCM package.....just songs to make one think....

I will survive....

Sorry I haven't posted more. Give me a couple weeks.....I'm really busy getting Carissa ready to leave for Gordon in two weeks. That means tons of shopping and organizing and appointments. Bah. I'm tired - well tired of shopping, and tired in general. And I'm poor. Oh well. In the meantime, I'm still reading your blogs, but my brain can't put two words together, at least on any important subject!

Wanna laugh? Try HUMAN Tetris.....

be back soon.....

Sorry - no time to post, I'm reading Harry Potter......

LOL......

Which HP Kid Are You?

Uh-huh... :)

When I was growing up, I don't ever remember hearing someone preach on their struggles or their questions. I never heard uncertainty from the pulpit. And so, I felt that I needed to hide mine. I felt like my struggles and questions were wrong and that I was the only one with them. But now that I'm on the other side of the coin, I know that's not true. Every one in the building was struggling with issues just as I was, even the people on the stage. But because I felt that it was wrong, I never shared them with anyone. And therefore, no one ever helped me or walked down those roads with me. I think sharing our questions is necessary not just to receive answers but also to create honest community. Now, I find it easier to follow a broken man or woman than a perfect one. Because I feel like I'm following an honest man honestly dealing with his weaknesses, faults, and questions, rather than someone who must have them but is not showing them. And this is the kind of leader I hope to be as well.



-Todd

You can say that again.....

I believe that questions are a natural part of life, because we cannot know everything. It's strange how we've built a Christian culture where we try to have all the answers. Because God is a mystery. Isaiah says that His ways are higher than our ways. Ecclesiastes says that we can never understand all the ways of God. And yet we've built a model of religion based on performance and correct answers. I think God wants mystery in our lives. When God meets Moses in the burning bush and Moses asks Him His name, the response is "I AM THAT I AM." That's not a name. It's a sentence. God intentionally gives Moses an answer that is going to cause more questions, not less. Jesus does the same thing in the New Testament. He defines Himself with such descriptions as "I am the Door," "I am the Good Shepherd," and "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." They are all things that we must dig deeper into to understand.

-Todd

Todd Agnew

Home is the traveler - home from the, um, road...?

All our kiddos are home - back safe in the nest for a couple more weeks when they all start leaving again. Four weeks. That's not very long. To do what needs to be done, say what needs to be said, to finish all the things that need to be finished....
Chris and Carissa got in from their 21 hour drive from Tampa around 5, and Jen got back from her long drive from Lubbock around 9:15. I think everyone will sleep well tonight!
Sweet dreams!