When I'm Alone, I Sleep Late, It's Crazy I Know...

Warning: It's too far past midnight to expect this to be lengthy and indepth.  Just a simple note tonight.  


I came home from work tonight, and had the privilege of sharing dinner and conversation with my two beautiful friends Evelina and Nina.  They're such great people.  And they really are beautiful, but they're also the kind of women that you don't understand how truly beautiful they are until you get to know them.  I could on, but really, I think that simple idea is best for now. 


Then after they left, I finished cleaning up and flopped on my bed to skype a friend...or two....or three.  And in the middle of two conversations I jumped up to go wash my face and brush my teeth and all those things that normal people decided to do when they realize it's starting to get late and they may be getting tired soon.  Anyways, it occurred to me that maybe I should be doing something with my evening.  And then the ridiculousness of that thought hit me.  I am doing something with my time. Something of the utmost importance: loving people.


Somehow, I had found myself skyping with two of my best friends, emailing another best friend, reading a facebook message from another friend, facebook chatting with one of the girls from the summer camp I helped with last summer.  And it wasn't just small talk. 


Two of them were pouring out their hearts with such honesty about the challenges they are each facing.  I could encourage a little and point them to Christ again and again, but I don't have the specific answers to their situations.  Yet somehow, it helps to just listen.  I love them, and I love how even as they write to me about what's going on, they begin to remind themselves to cast it all on Christ. I am so grateful to have these two sisters who are willing to travel this journey of life with me! 


The little girl from camp was telling me all about her life in the way that only a twelve year old does, with excitement and the openness of a child that sincerely trusts that I care.  Can I just tell you how incredibly humbling that thought was?  


One friend wrote just a short email but the message of what she has learned and is learning, is an answer to prayer.  One of my best friends was encouraging me to take a leap of faith (and have a "Peter moment" - that willingness to jump as soon as God gives the word) as I begin the job hunt.  


And then, just in case you think I'm implying that only philosophical or emotionally doused conversation are worthwhile, let me assure you that one of my favorite moments is when my other best friends messages me that she's bored, and we joke about the trivial things, and discuss the craziness of weather, and our distaste for biology.  We're close enough friends that every conversation doesn't have to be so intense.


I flopped back down on my bed with a new appreciation for the opportunity and privilege, seriously, privilege, of being able to spend time with each one of my friends.


So what did I do with my night?  Well, I loved :)




Oh, and one quick note, Wednesday is the final day to vote in the Chase Community Giving on Facebook.  One of my favorite organizations, Water Missions International, already won $25,000 in the first round, but in the second round they are competing for a shot at $500,000 to establish a Global Water Center to train people from around the world in "the best practices in the fields of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene." So to vote, go HERE.  









Title taken from "When I'm Alone" by Brandon Heath

It's Over.

Yes.  You heard me right.  It's over.

Coffe and I have gone our separate ways.

No good was coming from this relationship, so it seemed best to just end it.

Don't worry, I'm not too devastated.  Back to my first love, water and ice cubes.

I'm a big ice cube fan.  Have I said that before?

It's not easy being an ice cube fan in Europe, but it's possible.

On and On We Go, Time and Time Again...

It's only been a week since I last posted, I think, but it seems like longer.  I've been meaning to tell you about Easter weekend (such fun), but it's been a long, long week.  Lots of work, little sleep, planning trips, and trying to be there for friends, and oh yeah, starting to look for jobs.  Let's just say, I could use a really big hug and my neck could use a really good massage.

Crazy things about this weekend: most of the rest of my friends at CSU graduated yesterday.  Today officially marks a day since I graduated.  And now, it's like I'm no longer ahead of the game.  I know, sometimes my perspectives are a little unique, but hey, I'm just being honest.  It's strange to think that they were still there to begin with, but now to know they are entering the world as graduates is a little wild.  Did I mention, I was supposed to graduate yesterday?  Of course, that would have been following man's plan.  God had other ideas, and I have no regrets of following His plan :)

And while I'm rambling, I'll throw this out there too....if you're bored in your prayer time, or have a few extra moments, please please please pray for God to lay out the path before me for where I am supposed to go next.  I have no idea where to go.  I have a vague idea of what I'd like to do, but how to find those positions is quite the task.  Having to analyze my past year, update my resume, and compose myself in more cover letters seems like a daunting task (yes, I know it's ironic that I fear doing this for myself, but I love doing it for my friends).  There are a lot of desires and hopes in my heart that maybe only God needs to know right now, but "the heart is deceitful above all else" so pray, please, for my obedience to where He leads me next, for closeness in my continued walk with Him so that my heart and thoughts are consumed with Him, and that He'll bring the right job before me, because honestly I'm scared of a lot of things.  "For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7

Other exciting news: I'm getting a BEACH DAY SOON!!!!  I LOVE the beach.  It's rather fundamental to my sanity.  Or at least, I like to think so.  At any rate, I'm heading out to Italy, Friday,  with another friend.  We'll spend a few days in Rome, then we have a cruise booked to explore the Mediterranean including Crete, Ephesus, and Athens.  Greece has been on the top of my list of places to travel to, for quite a while....  But I have another confession, I'm trying really hard to be purely excited about this adventure.  Hopefully it'll be a refreshing time before this next season of life.   But it's honestly hard to leave knowing there is work to be done, but even more, that this is a opportunity many of my dear friends here in Moldova won't get.  Italy and Greece are two of the hardest places for Moldovans to get visas to, and they are required to have visas even if just traveling as tourists.  

Tomorrow is yet another holiday for Moldova.  This makes our third Monday off work.  I'll be doing some work from home, anyways.  Hopefully, I'll be able to write a little more and tell you about Easter in the Dova.

Since it's still Mother's Day in the States, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, Mama!!! I'm so incredibly blessed by you and your constant support  (even when I do crazy things like move to Moldova). Thanks for standing your ground, even when I didn't think you knew best.  You taught me how to be strong.  Thank you for showing me what hospitality looks like, what love looks like, what commitment looks like.  I love you!!!

Oh and a gift should be showing up in a few days....you know how I am with timing ;)


Title taken from "On and On" by Tenth Avenue North