as i was saying...
My trip to Pittsburgh was fantastic! I had myself thoroughly stressed out the week before with "trying" to plan the logistics and all. The thing is
I was trying to plan it all, and I didn't even
think to ask Jesus to take control and help me until I was a few days into planning and fraying at the edges. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit! That statement sounds trivial, but it's true. Makes me think of a verse in one of my favorite passages in Galatians that says, "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." (Gal 4:6) That is just so awesome to me, that I have the Spirit of God who cries out for me,
even when I don't feel like it, or want to, or can't think of the words, or have no words...The trek on the
Pennsylvania Turnpike was a bit different than the past. There is a new bridge across the Susquehanna (yes, mom, you've been over it many times ;)), Sideling Hill rest stop is closed until May 2008 for major renovations (that was traditionally the place we always stopped on trips to Western PA), and there's a section of the highway that once wound through the mountains and is now completely straight. And, as usual, the roads were dry the entire trip until I hit Somerset, in the mountains. It was a whiteout for about five minutes and it snowed pretty heavily for about 30 miles. Yay.
Without boring you all to death, I am SO thankful that I made the trip and am planning on returning for a week in April. There are so many people that I didn't get to see. I stayed with my friend Mart on
Geneva's campus on Monday & Tuesday; with my friends Budd & Christina at their
Waterfront apartment on Wednesday & Thursday (here's a
random map); with my friends Zach & Joanna and their baby girl, Haven on Friday & Saturday; and my friend Melissa on Sunday. Basically I met with a ton of friends over that time, witnessed and pledged my prayers and support at the wedding of my friends Ryan & Alicia, and spoke at my "home church" in Western Pennsylvania,
Chapel Presbyterian. It was truly a wonderful week! Thank you for your prayers! xo
Mart & I
penguins and other collector's items
I found these delightful coffee mugs on
this blog. You can order them from
Art Meets Matter. I think it's my new favorite site (except that it seems most things are unavailable or out of stock. Hm.)
you know you're too into LOST when...
...you're sittin' in the tub, taking a bath, staring at the shampoo and you think it says, "Dharma Clean" until you blink a few times and realize is says, "Drama Clean". Yea.
I'm back from Pittsburgh. Pulled into my driveway a couple of hours ago. And now I am going to sleep for a long time. It will do my body good.
Lord willing, I'll blog a tiny bit about my week out "west" tomorrow.
:)
pittsburgh
I have to admit, I love this city. Can't say I'm a big fan of Western PA (sorry friends), but Pittsburgh holds a special place in my heart. Something random that I love about it - coming through the Fort Pitt tunnel at night and "BAM!" it's Pittsburgh an the three rivers right in front of you. Love that.
Something random that I HATE about it - it's one of the worst cities to get around in. Example, I was going back to my friend's house from downtown Pittsburgh. There's all kinds of road construction going on and I needed to get back on a particular highway that runs along the city. I was coming up on a light and had my usual "feeling" (I have a bit of a gift with direction) that I should turn left there, but since there was no sign for the major highway I needed, I opted to go "just a bit further". Bad idea. I was about to drive through the intersection when I noticed those signs I was looking for. They don't help at all when they're practically ON the intersection and there's no way you can get over into the left hand turning lane with out blocking the entire intersection. Hm. So, I thought, hey, no biggie. I'll go to the next intersection and turn. Here's where it's a unique-to-Pittsburgh deal. I was suddenly on a bridge crossing one of the rivers going in the opposite direction that I needed to be. Grrrrr. (For those of you that know the area, it was Hot Metal Bridge.) Anyway, it wasn't a huge deal b/c I knew where I was, but it just added 30 minutes to a trip that should only take 15 minutes. Ah, the joys of a city with a ton of rivers and bridges. You're guaranteed to get "lost".
road trippin'
I'm in Beaver Falls, Pittsburgh, and all point in between this week.
Here's a view from the PA Turnpike on my way out.
It's been a wonderful trip so far. I've been able to reconnect with a lot of old friends and roam around the Geneva College campus checking out what's changed - and stayed the same.
Rose & I.
Mart & I at the Blue Marble.
adventures in snow
I'm sittin' here workin' away, listening to random music. I can see a gang of the Jr. & Sr. Highers running around the church parking lot getting ready to leave for the big "Breakaway" weekend. It used to just be called the "Ski Retreat" way back in the day, which was funny because there was only skiing on one day and I never bothered to go. It cost extra money, and I couldn't be bothered. That makes me think of the one time that I have been skiing. I was a sophomore in college, and a group of five ladies went. It was SO FUN. Two of us had never had a pair of skis on in our lives, and by the end of the day we were going down Black Diamonds (if my memory serves me correctly). We had the BEST teachers! (Thanks Carrie, Allie, & Christina!) I remember them making us put on our skis and get in line for the lift. I was so scared. And yes, right before the lift vomited us onto the top of the mountain I yelled, "Everyone, get out of the way! I have no idea how to stop!" haha Very good memories.
galatians 2:20-21
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
some honest thoughts (that have nothing to do with Valentine's Day)
I recently found a post that I had started many months ago, never finished, and thus never published.
So I was thinking today how I don’t really write much of what’s REALLY going on in my head on my blog…like, when I’m so tired of raising support, or how working AND raising support is driving me crazy, or going to wedding number 68 may put me over the edge, or if one more married friend gives me “advice” on the single life it might send me into frenzy, or how excited I was to turn 28, or how much I love the smell of popcorn, or how much I’m already boring myself as I try to write this entry and sound “spiritual” or “witty”. HA! The very thought of it makes me laugh out loud.And that's as far as I got. In fact, I think I wrote it in July 2007.
Well, raising support is HARD. In fact, it's the most difficult thing I've ever had to do. For some people, it wouldn't be quite as difficult, but for me it feels like death. Of course, there's a silver lining in it too. For example I
love the fact that I get to meet with so many different people and have the chance to get to know them.
That is so worth it, and so much fun. And, after it's all said and done, there will be an army of people praying for me, the people I work with, London, Camden, etc. And there's nothing like an army of people
praying! But, in general, it's painful. Talk about sanctification! As a "world class" people pleaser, not-humble woman, this task has driven me to my knees. And well, it's also made me realize how little I really am "on my knees" and relinquishing control to Jesus. I just want Jesus.
my room with a view
Today. The view out of the window in front of my desk.
it's not a cubicle!
I have an office! My church has ok'd me to use an empty office, so now I don't have to work from home and battle the million distractions that are there. Praise the Lord!
Please pray for me, that I will be able to use the space and my time wisely and efficiently.
My own corner office.
hope
To continue to DREAM when failure and disappointment cloud the sun is the radical gift of HOPE.
d. allender
be honest about what you long for
Listen.
6 January 2008
