Fabulous Five on Friday

This week I've had a lot of awesome things to look back on, and the weeks to come are full as well! New York City in the summertime is something really special. I've gone away the past two summers, and it's been so great to be here this year, especially knowing I may be headed back home for good next summer (but that's for another day). I'm trying to get into a habit of posting a weekly wrap-up, because it reinforces my awesome ability to reflect on blessings, and I love that! Hold me accountable!

So here are a few things that made my week fabulous.

1. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue - Monday night in a very rainy Central Park, my very favorite music artist of all time performed live, and I got to see him for the bazillionth time. If you are unfamiliar with Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and his band Orleans Avenue, please click here or here YOU'RE WELCOME

Troy and I at the Maple Leaf last summer.

It's always  awkward talking about Troy like he's a big celebrity, because we run in the same circles in New Orleans, but I met him AFTER he was famous... Before we took this picture to the right one of our mutual friends was joking around telling him about how much of a big celebrity crush I have on him [blush... but look at him...] and he was laughing and telling me how he's just a good 'ole New Orleans boy... and he's right, which is why I love him more and more every time I see him. And he's seriously like, the sweetest guy ever. Also, I'm giving you one last chance to click on a link to see him if you havent. So.... click HERE now (that's troy on Conan, and probably my favorite of his TV performances ever).

[I'd also like to point out that the this picture was taken on what was the coolest night ever in the history of any job I ever had - but that's another story for another day, one that involves Lenny Kravitz, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Ricky Williams, otherwise known as "The Night I was Working for a Grammy Award Winning Band and got to Hang out with a Grammy Nominee, a Four Time 'Record of the Year' Grammy Winner, an Academy Award Winning Actor, and  Heisman Winner"]

Troy on Monday Night

2. Amazing Weather - For whatever reason, minus Monday's rainstorm (which was actually quite fun...) the weather has been FANTASTIC this week. It was like Fall. After last week's heatwave, and the never-ending winter that lead up to a summer of extreme hot, I was really thankful for a couple of days in which I could wear a dress but still break out a cardigan. Tuesday and Thursday mornings on my way to work there's a farmer's market in Cadman Plaza, and I always stop in for some fruit and berries. On this particular morning, I happened to have a little extra time to enjoy being at the market rather than run straight to the berries and buy them. One of the vendors was a little bakery, and they had WHOOPIE PIES!!!!!!!!! Good ones. From fresh ingredients. So I got to enjoy a sweet delicious pumpkin whoopie pie as my mid-morning snack later on :) Perfect treat for the perfect "Autumn" day in July. 

3). This fabulous skirt from Target.  I pet-sat last weekend and I forgot to bring some essentials to my friends' apartment, so I ran to their closest Target, which of course meant I had to check the sale racks... and I came home with this skirt. NOT ONLY THAT. I didn't realize it was reversible until the next day, so it was like, double happiness. I now intend to go back and buy it in a few more colors, because it's actually even cheaper in store than it is online. I'm thinking green(???) And the plum/pink one as well, for football season. So comfy, so airy, and so versatile!

I'm not usually one to post fashion... but....

What I woke up to today....

4. Brandon and Tyler - I love love love love love those little boys. Oh so much. Seriously. For those that don't know, I lived with a friend of mine from church last year for a few months when I was between apartments. She's a single mom of two of the cutest little boys ever, and I fell so in love with them that I just can't get enough. I realized the other day that I hadn't seen them in a couple of weeks, which is crazy. Their mommy wasn't feeling well, so she asked me to come over and spend the night last night in case she needed help with the boys. gladly. So when I woke up this morning, those little cuties were sleeping across the room from me. We had folded out the sofa bed so we could watch a movie last night, and at some point in the middle of the night both of these little stinkers had snuck out of their room and back onto the sofa bed. Before leaving for work today, Brandon jumped up in my arms to give me a hug goodbye, but he was all cuddly and sweet and I just couldn't bring myself to put him down. I told Karen I think I am starting to get what it feels like to be one of those mom's who has to leave her kids for work each day. These aren't even my kids and I was almost late because I didn't want to put him down, which is usually the case whenever I stay over - unless it's one of those days where I have to walk them to school, at which point they try to make it difficult and I'm usually okay with leaving them by the time I get there.... Also, I find myself at least once every time I see them whining about how they're getting too big and I don't like it (Brandon is five, Tyler turns four next month - I think they can stop growing up now). 

"Young boys should never be sent to bed, they always wake up a day older"- J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) in Finding Neverland

5.Youth Outings -Saturday we took the kids to the Guggenheim Museum and to Shake Shack. Tonight we took them to see a string quartet in Bryant Park and to Dallas BBQ.  Our summer missionary planned all of our youth events for the summer, and since we don't have anyone to run a full-time program, we've been trying to soak up these little events and make them awesome. I love spending time with these kids. They are, after all, the reason I moved here. It's been kind of heartbreaking to see how our group as sort of fallen apart with all of the changes we've been through in the last four years, so it's nice when we can get a few of them together and just pour into them for a few hours. What a blessing it is. Pray for us at Graffiti as we search for a new youth director. We don't have a ton of funding for the position, so it's hard to fill the job as no one wants to have to fundraise almost their entire salary - and it's really hard to keep a group of teenagers afloat with no leader. 

******  Trombone Shorty's new album is going to be released September 10th!! (same week the Saints open the season against the Falcons - good week).  I highly recommend getting his old ones and buying this new one when it comes out. If you want suggestions for favorite tracks from the old ones to download individually before committing to a whole album, please ask!*****

Returned Blessings

I've had time for a social life lately. This has been amazing. In the midst of that, I've had much more time to spend in the Lower East Side. This has provided opportunity after opportunity to try new places, see new faces, and really plug into the neighborhood of my beloved church. It has also made me have a strong itch to move into the area. This is one of my most recent prayers: that God would provide a way for me to have affordable housing near Graffiti, as I have really, more than ever, seen the importance lately of living near my church. I'm starting to see people we minister to out and about, and have also had the opportunity to open up conversation with some folks who are really interested in what goes on there. It's been beautiful.

Tonight, I had an experience that really shook up the way I feel about what I do at Graffiti, in a good way.

Mackenzie and I had decided to spend the night shopping for cupcakes and visiting Chris at work, but when we met up after my super-awesome mani/pedi/massage time, she was hungry for dinner. Me, having just had my nails done, and knowing we were going for both cupcakes and ice cream, suggested we get something cheap and light.

We ended up at the neighborhood favorite, Odessa. I've been there a thousand times, and each time I love how it makes me feel at home. How I feel like I have a place where the faces are familiar and the food is comfortable.

After ordering our dinner, in walked Eddie. Eddie is a guy who is at Graffiti's Wednesday Night Meal every week, and has been since long before I was at Graffiti. If he goes missing for a little while, I make sure I give him a hard time about it. We tease each other often. As he sat down, I shouted across the diner, "Hey Eddie, are you in here to cause trouble?" He turned and made some sarcastic remark I couldn't make out (Eddie is sometimes really hard to understand). We talked across the restaurant a few more times during dinner, making jokes, cutting up.... At one point, I saw him pointing at me and Mackenzie and whispering something to the waiter . I joked, "Eddie, what on earth kinda trouble you trying to start??? Who you telling that guy about us??!!"

"Aww hush," he responded. "Nothing, I'm not telling him nothing."

I found myself at one point wondering "Hmm, maybe it'd be nice if we paid for Eddie's dinner, I mean, he comes to our free meals and those sorts of things, it might be nice to cover his check for him." Judgmental of me, I guess, assuming that eating out was probably something he couldn't afford to do. After all, it's really not something I could afford to do.

As Eddie stood up to leave, Mackenzie and I were still waiting on the waiter to bring us our bill. She had slipped away for a second, and Eddie turned to me and said "Don't you worry about your food, neither of you, I got it covered." Puzzled, I looked at him and said, "huh?" (like I said, sometimes Eddie's hard to understand).

"I said, both of you, your meal is paid for, don't worry about it."

As he walked out the door, I looked at the waiter and said "Did that guy just buy us dinner?"

"Yeah, he did," said the man at the counter.

All these years of ministering to this person, and on a night when I was worried about dinner because I'd spent my money on something frivolous (mani/pedi/massage, remember?), he buys me a meal. My heart was bursting. I cannot believe that here I was, worried about him paying for his own bill, then worried about mine, and he covered both. It's amazing how God takes the little things we do and turns them into blessings.

Lots of people have bought me food over the years. Many times, it has been meaningful, and at times of need, but no meal that was purchased for my by any other person has ever meant as much as this one.

I want to ride my bicycle

After a year of living in New York, I have FINALLY begun biking again!

I have had the bike itch since I moved, seeing as how it's pretty much one of the best-equipped cities for bicyclers in America, but I never had the resources to purchase a bike. Thanks to a generous friend who just happened to own a bike that still had the tags on it, I am now a bike-owner.

Sunday, I picked up said bike in Harlem. I then proceeded to ride it down the East River to the Queensboro Bridge, then came the adventeure: Second Avenue. The bike map is a bit confusing, and the bike paths in midtown Manhattan are not well-marked, so I ended up riding from 59th to 14th via 2nd Avenue. Fortunately, New York drivers are much more biker conscious than those in Baton Rouge, so it wasn't as dangerous as it could have been.

After a stop to thank the previous owner and return his apartment keys to him, I rode down the river some more, under the FDR (where I had a minor spill), and then to the Brooklyn Bridge. I forced the little bit of energy I had left to get me over the bridge, and managed to get home safely. The whole trip from Harlem to Carroll Gardens took about two hours. I'm hoping that as I get into better shape and my legs warm up to biking with hills, I will be much faster.

Our Graffiti Staff Fun Day was in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this morning, so yet again, I ventured out on my new toy to Prospect Park. I really have to say that I LOVE Brooklyn in ways I cannot describe. I am very proud to live here. It's one of those places that really sticks with you if you let it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Graffiti family, then I browsed the main branch of the Public Library before taking a mini-tour of Prospect Park and its trails. I am now pretty exhausted, as my body is still not quite used to all this biking, but I'm excited about the new places I will get to explore. Exploring is so much easier when done on wheels :)

So here's to a new adventure as a Brooklyn Bicycler! (thanks to Dr. Chris)

The Lord is Good

Due to the wonderful provision of the Lord, we have kicked off the 2010 spring semester at Graffiti. I am super excited about what he is doing in the lives of these kids. They truly amaze me and are a blessing to my life each and every day.

In my own life, I started a new journey recently, one that involves letting go of some of the things I've been holding back from the Lord in my own life. I now see my life as a circle, kinda like a pie. And in that circle, there was a large chunk that I was trying to control myself. The rest of the "pie" was what I was letting God handle. I had given it all to him, but that small piece, I kept thinking was insignificant, because, after all, the Lord had MOST of my life, so why couldn't I have some of it?

STUPID

That's all I can say. I was trying to fill that little pie with things that I thought would remedy the problem at hand. A personal problem I've been working on for years. In that, I was allowing things to try to fill that piece, and those things were, against my knowledge, spilling over into the part that God controls. This is how it works. This is the way our lives are.

I've learned that without giving God EVERYTHING, we are contaminating ourselves. I also learned that it is entirely possible to be trying to control part of your own life without realizing it. I had no idea I wasn't giving that to God. I just kept trying to do it my way and SAYING God is is in control. I was wrong. Lying to myself, and to others.

The Lord spoke to me through a few wise friends, and some quality reading, and told me I need to stop trying to take over ANY part of my life and give it all over.

And what do you know, it works. Immediately I feel like a new person. I finally feel complete and satisfied in him alone. BUT, in order for this to happen, I had to consciously hand this over to him. I had to come to a point where I let go of a few of my own loves, that I didn't even realize were harmful, because, on the surface, they weren't. BUT in terms of MY life, they were barriers. Stumbling blocks. I had to give them up.

ever since, I haven't looked back.

I now feel like everything the Lord is telling me to do is coming in much clearer than before. I feel complete without some of the earthly desires I always thought I had to have. I've stopped rushing my life, and now I'm taking every day as a blessing and each trial as a building point.

God is good.

So i've been Lazy

I don't have internet at my apartment, nor do I have a lot of time on my hands, so I've been pretty lazy with the whole "blogging" thing.

It's been great watching the Lord provide more and more as Christmas approached. I've been super busy, but at least I have money, even if I am behind on some bills. I have faith that he's taking care of that.

I've also gotten to see his provision in the Graffiti youth ministry. As our youth minister is leaving, we have been worried about what next semester would look like. I have not had the time or resources to commit myself to taking over, even if only temporarily, and it's been bugging me. After lots of prayer, God has allowed some doors to open to fix the time and resources issue, and I am super thankful for that. Programs should continue as always, and it's all because of him.

I've been dealing with some personal issues of my own in the last month or so too, in an area of my life I've always had trouble giving over to the Lord. I have decided, that since I can't seem to rely on him AND make it a part of my life, I'm totally giving this to him and not allowing it to be a part of my life at all for a little while. I'm essentially going on a "Romance Fast" as I am calling it. Every time I start to daydream, every time I want to watch a romantic movie or read a romantic book, I'm going to take that as a time to pray and focus on the Lord. I'm not doing the whole "Every guy I meet is potential" thing for a while. I'm not going to allow myself to lose confidence and be sad, I'm just going to totally turn it over. No more doing ANY of it on my own. None whatsoever. I think this is the only way I can stop allowing myself to get so sad over this one stinkin' little thing. I know he has it all laid out, and it's been hard for me to accept on a number of levels, but I'm giving it all over. That said, I'm going to need prayer as I do this. Lots of it. I've always been a hopeless romantic, and I'm giving that up for a while. It's a rough road, but I know that it's for the better and I'm going to be much happier. No more emotional masochism.

Soo, 2010 is going to be a year of change in my life and in the life of my church. I'm anxious to see where the Lord is taking it.

Houseguests and Such

So, life has been super busy this past week or so.  It reminds me of why I love living in New York.

Last Tuesday, I worked a total of 14 hours between Barnes and Noble and working for Tricia, got home at midnight, went to work from 9 am to 5:30 pm the next day, then to Wednesday night stuff at church.  That night, I relaxed with a cup of cocoa, a warm blanket, and a John Krasenzki movie.  

I went on to work Thursday and Friday, and welcomed houseguests Friday night.  They've been here ever since, so I've spent a lot of time getting to enjoy New York, including a broadway show, and a room full of LSU fans watching the amazing Georgia.  We also went to the Brooklyn Bus Festival, and free admission to the transit museum (ummm, yes please!).  It's been great.  

Today was after-school, and of course, it made me smile :)  Those kids just warm my heart so much.  I wish I could just be with them every day.  Tuesday is the only day I dread my Barnes and Noble job, because it means I am missing the after-school program.  We talked about making sacrifices and turning away from ourselves today, which was really cool. Chris and I are trying to come up with ideas for our Sunday afternoon outings for the semester, and it is a lot harder than it seems, but I've been praying that we find some fun places to go and things to do where we can really spend time with the youth and pour love into them.  

The joy I have from knowing I am following my calling to be here at this phase of my life is overwhelming. I cannot express it in a way anyone can understand.  Taylor called me into his office today just to talk, and we talked about what it's been like and the emotions I've dealt with and just how hard it really is to step out on faith, but the rewards are so great and I am so thankful.  I really have the best and most supportive church family a girl could ask for.  I love them so much.  

Discipleship

The new semester is in full-force now.  This week we kick of Connections on Wednesday nights, which will be yet another opportunity we have during the week to reach students.

We've decided that our theme for the semester will be Discipleship.  We're talking about what it means to be a disciple, how we can become disciples, who are disciples we can look up to, etc...  This goes for Sunday small groups, after school program, and Wednesday nights.  

Of course, in the process of planning lessons and praying about what to teach these kids, I'm learning more and more about being a disciple myself, and it's been great.  The Lord has helped me to translate these thoughts in ways that the kids can understand, and I have to say, that is 100% NOT my doing, it's all him.  Random stories and examples pop into my head, and I cannot thank him enough for them. 

Yesterday in small group we talked about how much I love my job, to the point in which I go above and beyond to do my best.  I do this because it is something I'm passionate about, and because I know that the more I put into it, the more my  managers will appreciate my being there, and they will be on my side when needed.  I got a call the other day from the 86th street Barnes and Noble, who said they had talked to Baton Rouge and they desperately wanted me in their store because, apparently, BR gave me raving reviews (something I'd heard from Brooklyn as well....).  This only happened because I had done my job to the absolute best of my abilities when I was in BR.  I am doing the same in Brooklyn, and already, it pays off.  I can tell I've won favor with those above me in the rankings.  This could lead to a number of things like additional hours, lead positions, etc... I love my job and don't feel like I'm going above and beyond simply for these reasons, I do it because I love it, not for recognition. 

That said, there are people who get paid the same as me, and do just enough to get by and keep their job.  I could just as easily do that, and be fine, and no one would care, but I am passionate about what I do, so I do more.  

This is how we should be with Christ.  We could easily go through the motions and do the basics, but there is such joy in knowing you're serving him to the fullest capacity humanly possible.  This is how true discipleship works.  To want to go above and beyond.  To want to serve as best as possible.  To want to learn more and do more.  This is the theme I'm trying to relate to the students.  I just hope I can relate it well. 

My prayer is that Chris and I have the wisdom to teach these students this concept in a way that they will embrace it, and go with it.  I pray they will have open hearts, and that they will come wanting to learn more.  

Back in the Groove

Yesterday I interviewed for another job, and basically, they didn't even ask any questions, they just offered it to me.  I quickly accepted.

It is seasonal work, but it could also lead to some tutoring positions in the near future.  I'll be working for a government-funded academic agency as a Field Representative.  What this means is that I'll be going to school fairs and expos and such trying to recruit clients for the company.  I get paid per fair, and per client.  They do free tutoring (but they pay the tutors), and so recruiting clients shouldn't be too difficult.  The lady I spoke with told me she would put me down as being interested in tutoring as well, so that when they start hiring on new tutors, I could possibly join that team.  

The cool thing about this job is that it gets my foot into the door at schools, literally.  I'll be interacting with teachers, parent coordinators, principals, etc...  That's a big deal.  Praise the Lord. 

Though that seems like it would be yesterday's biggest event, it was not.  The whole experience, including round-trip transportation and the interview, took less than an hour of my day.  What yesterday REALLY revolved around was the first day of this semester's Graffiti After School Program.  We've been waiting a long time for this to get going.  I cannot even explain how much I've missed seeing those kids each day.  

One of them came in very winded and threw her arms around each of us and said, "I was so excited, I ran up the stairs to see you guys, and I am out of breath."  That made my day. 

Things went very well.  They were all super hyper, but it was mostly because they were so excited to be there, which really made my heart happy :)  We got a couple of new kids, but most of them were back from last year.  We're going to be revolving all of our Bible studies and devotions this semester about what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  This goes for all programs.  My prayer is that the Lord can use us to speak to them and to help them grow, while we grow ourselves.  

So yes, I'm behind

Life has been a bit crazy.  I apologize for the whole four of you that ever read what I write for being behind.

After returning from Louisiana, we were pretty much  non-stop until after Puerto Rico.  

Children's ministry, as many of you know, is NOT my thing.  I LOVE the babies until they are five, then I don't want to see them again until they're about twelve.  So, for two weeks, I was working with the children's summer camp, and it really pushed me.  our summer camp for kids is from 9-6, so it's a full day.  

The first week was fantastic.  We were out in the city for "See NYC Week," where we took the kids to museums, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Central Park Zoo, etc...  Despite having to get used to a bunch of kids who don't listen the first (or second, or third, or fourteenth) time you tell them to stop walking or to stop talking, I really enjoyed this week.  It made me think I could possibly work with kids more often.  

Then came cheerleading camp, which REALLY tested my patience.  I don't think it helps that I was completely exhausted on the first day, which pretty much set the tone for the rest of the week.  The weather was bad, I was extremely tired, and working with 20 little girls all week really really pushed me.  I'm much better with little boys.  I don't put up well with the whining and crying.  That said, by the end of the week, I was starting to enjoy myself, and wishing I would have started the week off on a more positive note.  

Then came Puerto Rico.  

Can I go back?

I LOVED PR!  The kids loved PR, and after a really rocky start, that made it all worthwhile.  

Our trip down there was horrendous!  After staying up all night, catching a shuttle the airport at 2:30, getting the to the airport before it opened and having to wait outside for forty-five minutes, we finally got on a plane, which took us to DC, where we had to wait two hours, then fly to St. Thomas, where we had to sit on a plane for an hour, then fly to San Juan, wait an hour for our ride to arrive, and drive an hour and a half to Juna Diaz.  So, in total, we ended up traveling something like, 16 hours.  THEN, the kids were a little disappointed that they weren't exactly staying in luxury suites (okay, let's be for real, it was NOTHING like a luxury suite).  Many of them broke out in tears and couldn't wait to go home, but after sleeping, checking out the facility a little bit more, and getting settled in, they realized that they all loved it there. 

Over the course of the week, we got to interact with them and teach them about being true disciples of Christ, as opposed to simply believers.  As always, with working in youth ministry, God used the lessons we were teaching them and helping them to understand, and used them to help me grow in my own faith.  I was dealing with some internal struggles throughout the week, and God really worked on my heart.  

To top all of that off, we were on a beautiful beach of volcanic sand, out in the sun getting a tan, and interacting with some amazing people.  On our last day, we drove out into some woods to find a secluded beach with the clearest water I could ever imagine, and then we ate at a fantastic seafood place.  We shared great conversation, and good downtime.  I could have stayed another month.  

Now that I'm home, I've been trying to job-hunt, which is easier said than done.  I am also preparing for another trip, to Chicago to see Jess.  I leave tomorrow.  We're going to play around in the Windy City for a week while she gets used to her new home.  Considering I've never been and have wanted to go since the fifth grade, I am super duper excited. 

So yes, that is all that has been going on.  I could use some prayer on the whole job-search thing. 

Purple

My bedroom is purple.  I will post pictures soon.

Cody is here in place of Chris, while he is off adventuring on work-related trips for the next two weeks (camping in Colorado, mission trip in Puerto Rico--- hard life...).  Anyway, she came by on Saturday and helped me settle on a color, and then put it on the walls.  We had a great time, and considering I was planning on painting alone, I'm glad I got her help.  I think if I'd have been by myself, I would have gotten lazy and stopped somewhere to break, only to never finish.  

The craziness starts next week.  Kids-camp, summer programs for the teenagers, outings, etc...  I've still got to find a job for the fall, and possibly even something to do in the meantime while I am here.  

Prayers are appreciated...

Next week, I'm going home for a few days and I am SUPER excited.  It's my first trip home as someone who lives away.  I'm looking forward to seeing the family, lovin' on the babies, and visiting friends in Baton Rouge.  The trip is short but I am very thankful for it nonetheless.  

Upon my return, I will be just two short weeks away from Puerto Rico!  I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in the lives of our students while we are down there.  

After Puerto Rico, I'm off to Chicago for a while to see Jess, then I'm gonna go home and spend a week or two with the family before the craziness starts back here.  

Basically, the next two months of my life are jam packed with lots of things to do and see.  

In the meantime, I've been trying to get up and go running to explore my new neighborhood.  I woke up an hour later than planned today, so I'm not going to get to go as far as I would like, but I'm about to go back and do one of my new favorite runs - the Williamsburg Bridge!  From that bridge, there is a view of both Lower and Midtown Manhattan, PLUS, the two bridges south of it.  Really, I think it's the best bridge to run across in New York, and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with an apartment so close to it.  

The location of my new purple-room couldn't be more perfect.  My train ride to work is only five minutes long! The walks to and from the train can be long at times, but you really cant beat a five minute train ride when you live in Brooklyn and work in Manhattan.  Well, I guess if I lived at the Bedford stop instead of Graham I could... but still... it's a quick trip. 

Off to run!

Less than five

I've never in my life thought five weeks seemed like such a long time.

When first considering the sudden move, I felt as though six weeks was the shortest time period possible.  Now that I'm ready to go, the remaining four weeks and five days feel like an eternity.  

I can't wait to step off the plane and realize that it I will be stepping off as a New York resident, no longer a frequent visitor.  Chills run down my spine just thinking of it.  I am excited, to say the least.  It blows my mind to think that, after all these years, I'm going.  No turning back. 

I will miss my friends down here, but when I think of all the things I miss in New York, I can't wait to be with them.  My New York friends are really under my skin.  For those of you who read this, please note that you are tremendously missed and I can't wait to be with you all the time.  We're almost there.  

I cannot wait to be at Graffiti every Sunday.  For the past two years, I thought of that church each Sunday, and dreamed of the day I could join them for good.  Even more exciting, I cannot wait to see how God uses this summer to shape my life.  As much work as I plan to do for him, I know he always seems to outdo me in terms of returns...  that is why he is God and I am not.  

It is super difficult to focus right now, knowing what I will be doing shortly.  Chelsea is good at helping me feel like I can quit :)  I thank her for this.  Each time I call, I ask "Can I move today?"  She always responds with a yes. Chris, on the other hand, likes to remind me that I have to stick around to get the paycheck so that I can afford to move... and that my kiddos still need to learn whether they want to or not. I don't like being reminded that I have to be responsible.  I want to be working with the youth, and being with my friends.  Not to mention all of the prep work I still have to do between now and then...  Truth is though, that is exactly why I need to be reminded. 

These next five weeks need to fly by.  This one is pretty jam-packed: Hornets game, Dinner with Laura Little, Jazz Fest, etc.... not to mention all of the events at school this week.  Despite that, this feels like the longest Monday ever.  

Please continue to pray that I can focus on finishing out the year properly, and getting these kids through the material they must get through.  Also pray that the funding would be available for me to get through the summer.  I'm doing a great job at being financially responsible right now, but the summer is when it must pay off.  

Also, pray for guidance in what I do with my life.  I like teaching, but I'm not so sure it is what I am supposed to do forever.  I would really like to work in ministry full time, but until I know that's a calling for me, I can't afford to jump into it without the money.  I have lots of loans to take care of.  

I'll Be Back...

I love how God works sometimes.

I've been needing a pick-me-up, and a reminder of why I'm moving to New York.  A trip up there was the perfect way to do this, and boy oh boy did it change my plans.

Drastically. 

I've been trying to work out the details of my big move in my head, and the closer it got, the scarier it got.  When I landed at JFK, I was exhausted from having stayed up all night, then I had to fight the MTA as always to get to Ruth's to drop off my things.  I tend to doubt my desire to move to the city every time I get on the trains for the first time...  

As the day went on though, my exhausted delirious self began to change my opinion.  I had some quality time with Ruth, which I haven't had in a long time, and we got to talk about the joys of teaching.  Then I went into the city to show up at church, only to find out that no one was at church for the day.  I called Chris to come hang out with me, and while I waited on him, I sat in Thomkins Square Park, and it all started to come back to me.  The flowers were preparing to bloom, something I've never witnessed.  My first exposure to this park was in the middle of winter when there was NO vegetation, much less beautiful flowers. 

I had dinner with Chelsea, but by that point I could barely function.  I slept 12 hours that night...  

THEN the week really got started.  We found out that all of the Graffiti summer missionaries fell through.  This broke my heart.  We jokingly discussed the idea of having me come up for the summer, but I didn't think anything of it. 

The next day, I was waiting on the subway by myself, and admiring the people (if ever you ask me what is a must-do in the city, I will tell you people watching).  Suddenly, the wheels started turning (thank's God, I love how he does this!).  What if I saved every dime for the next month, and funded myself as a summer missionary!  No, that's not possible, right?  

Not only that, but that's only SIX WEEKS away, and I don't know that I'm ready to leave yet.... right??  

These thoughts stuck with me throughout the day, and for some reason, I kept thinking maybe God was telling me something.  I prayed about it a lot over the next couple of days, and what do you know, I started to feel comfortable with it.  So comfortable in fact that I couldn't imagine going back home and NOT coming back in a matter of weeks.  

So after much prayer, and consideration, I am now OFFICIALLY moving at the end of May.  Scary, yes.  Awesome and exciting, yes too.  

My flights kept getting cancelled before I ever even left for the airport, and I got an extra day in the city as a result.  A full 28 hours actually, which meant I got to stay for two days of after-school.  It was sooo worth it.  I may have missed a little bit more work than I would have liked, but God works in the most beautiful ways, and it even provided the opportunity for me to run into one of my favorite families at the airport before I left.  

Please keep praying that I will have the discipline to save my money, and that the doors will continue to open.  Please also pray for wisdom and guidance as I take this next step.  

I Guess I Should Show up for Graduation...

It's my last full day in the city for a while, and I am super sad.

I should be happy, seeing as how on Friday I get a college degree and all, but it seems anti-climactic since I am having to leave the place I want to live in order to get it.  I figured out that, at this point, if I hadn't found a job yet, I'd be going home, getting my car, and driving back up after Christmas to stay until I got on my feet.  

I am ready to move. 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE New Orleans.  I love the random jazz bands on the street.  I love the river and the bridges that cross it.  I love the ferry.  I love the smell of whisky and beer mixed with humidity that permeates the air (and I don't even like whisky and beer, just that smell).  I love the broken sidewalks and the cast iron balconies.  I love Canal Street at Christmas.  I love streetcars.  I love St. Charles Avenue, any time of year.  I love the strange accent that has come about from the mixture of ancestries of that great city.  I love listening to those accents and trying to figure out what part of the city people are from.  

I love my family. 

But, even loving all of this stuff, I feel like I should be in New York.  This church family of mine has really gotten to me, and I am going to miss them like crazy, once again, until the next time I find time to come visit.  It won't be Mardi Gras, it won't be Spring Break, so who knows, it might not be until I move up here this summer (though the thought of waiting that long stabs me in the heart... I haven't gone that long since I was here that summer).  

Last night, I made one of my favorite memories of all time.  I'm pretty sure it tops the New York list of memories, and it's right up there with the random pre-Katrina Christmas snow on my list of winter memories.  Ashley and I decided, after both of us had  been wanting to for a while, to go up to the roof of the MNYBA building (this is where I lived when I was here, and where she lives now).  The snow, which had barely stuck to some of the cars on the street, had COATED the roof.  We got the idea to then start making snowballs and tossing them at unsuspecting objects below.  So, first we aimed and parked cars, then moving cars, then bikers, walkers, dogs, etc.... We never meant to actually hit people, but we liked to land them right in front of them and see their reaction.  Mackenzie came up and joined in on the fun.  We laughed for about an hour straight.  It made for an amusing way to come home.  

Today, I'm going to go out, enjoy the city, get some shopping done, show up at the Graffiti Christmas dinner with my best caroling voice ready to go, and walk around Alphabet City singing to strangers through restaurant windows and down the sidewalks of Tompkins Square Park.  

Then, I'm going to pack up, and hop on an early morning flight to go home to the place that made me who I am, and dream of the place that's changed my heart. , snow

Cooper Union and Starbucks

I am imagining that there cannot be much better in the world than sitting in Starbucks, looking out the window, listening to the Elizabethtown soundtrack, drinking a signature hot chocolate, and thinking of all the blessings in my life.

Day after day two summers ago I walked by the Cooper Union, and thought how funny it is that you can be sitting in one Starbucks, looking at the other one block away, and how, at one time, there was also a Barnes and Noble in view, which contained a cafe serving Starbucks coffee.  I guarantee you if you pump the blood of most New Yorkers, it contains 10% espresso.  

I've had a lot of time to think these past few days.  I've spent most of my time walking around aimlessly (literally, with no aim or direction), thinking and praying, and being thankful for the blessing this city has been on my life.  

It was here that I fell in love with Jesus all over again my freshman year, and discovered just how much I love serving him.  It's where I met many of my best friends, both from LSU and from NY.  It's where I found the joy that comes from teenagers, and where I learned that I thrive on lights and sounds.  New York City has had an unbelievable influence on my college years.  I, in fact, cannot imagine what my life would be like had I not come on that trip freshman year.  I'm not really sure I want to. 

Joy is truly the only word I can think of to use in describing how I feel when I am here.  I cannot wait to be here all the time.  Really.  

I love New Orleans, and I don't think there could possibly be a more unique and interesting place in all of America, but New York has gotten under my skin, and I don't see it leaving any time soon.  

City Love

I am once again, in New York, and wish I could be here for good.

I am in love with my church, and all of the things they do in the name of Jesus to reach the people of New York for him.  I am, as always, humbled by them.  

I came up with no plan, no places specifically to go, and I am loving the results.  I went to Connecticut for two days, and spent some time relaxing with the families who took me in this summer.  I forever thankful for those people in my life.  God has blessed me so much with families and friends all over this area, and their value in my life is indescribable.  For the two-and-a-half hour bus ride home, I relaxed and took in everything that was going on around me with some much needed thinking and prayer time.  I got a chance to refocus and prepare for the week ahead.  I haven't felt that blissful and relaxed in a while.  I-pod + warm scarf + sunset over New York City = a beautiful way to spend the afternoon. 

I came back from Connecticut, and immediately went to the Bowery to greet the LSU mission team, and to have dinner with them.  I have been pretty much nonstop since then.  After church today, we went ice skating with the youth, and I got to chaperone.  I cannot express the joy I get out of spending time with those youth, even if it gets to be stressful at times.  After wrangling them all up at the end of the night, we went back to Graffiti, waited around for parents, and then decided to go debrief.  So Christopher, the youth minister, and I, went to the Strand bookstore and enjoyed browsing one of New York's greatest shopping treasures - 18 miles of books.  We also explored the Union Square Holiday Market.  These are the kinds of days I look forward to whenever I am not here.  

I have no doubt, that even with no plans, the rest of my week will turn out just as eventful. 

Upcoming Adventure

I am two days away from being finished with school forever (well, until grad school at least).  This is a little scary but quite exciting.

I will check out on Wednesday, and in grand Danielle fashion, I am flying to New York Wednesday night.  I am hoping not to have to run off to NY all the time after this summer, because I will already be there :)  

I have been so busy it really doesn't feel like I'm going on a trip, but I am super excited about it as it is approaching.  Now I only have to get started on that packing (see below...) and find out where I'm going to get enough spending money.  

The weather report predicts lots of snow in Connecticut, where I will be on Thursday through Saturday.  Snow is something new and interesting for me, so I am super excited!  The Laws have warned me that there will be lots and lots of it...  

I am also, of course, thrilled to be going to see my Graffiti family.  I miss them like crazy.  I can't wait to be around them all the time.  I am staying with Ashley in my old MNYBA apartment, so that will be lots of fun too!  

I really am going to be sad to leave my kiddos, but I am ready for the next adventure. 

Home Away From Home

Sunday night, I went to New York.

Bible Study was cancelled, and Mondays are pretty free, so I decided to drive the back-roads to New Haven and take the Metro-North into the city. Chelsea was kind enough to accomodate for me last minute by letting me stay on her couch, even though she already had a guest in town. I had the opportunity to have coffee and go shopping with Ema, my supervisor from last summer, at the same Starbucks where we parted ways last July. We then went to my pastor's house where my friend Ashley was housesitting. It was wonderful just sitting around the living room and catching up with two of my favorite people, and feeling so at home. Ashley and I then went to dinner at Max Brenner, and ordered the amazing tutti fruitti waffles (probably my favorite dinner in the world... if you can call it dinner). I felt like I had never left. This trip was a definite necessity. They almost convinced me to come back next week and help with the kid's program, which I willingly volunteered to do and very plausibly could have accomplished (with the help of people back home who would pay for my plane ticket back to New Orleans), but I decided it's definitely time to get back and get things settled in the BR. I will have many many more chances to help out at Graffiti in the future.

Yesterday I drove four youth up to Boston for the day. After some last minute changes of plans, we ended up having a successful day in the city. I absolutely adore Boston, and am looking forward to being there againt his weekend for debriefing (even though sadly it means I will be saying goodbye). The kids really seemed to enjoy it. I brought along someone from the church who goes to school up there to help us get around and show us some of the "insider" things in Boston, which he willingly did. It was great to see these kids enjoy things like their first subway ride, and their first taste of Indian food (mmmmm!), along with educating them in pop-culture history (two of them had never heard of Cheers!). Through this trip, God definitely showed me how things that dont necessarily go the way they were planned can still turn out to be a great experience.

While in Boston, I recieved an email telling me my student-teaching placement. I am going to be at Westdale Middle School teaching with Mrs. Davidson. From what I gathered, I think it will be the first half of US History (yay!). So walking around Boston, it was quite neat to be observing sites I was going to be teaching about in just a month or so! Though the EBR schools system's early start date may prevent me from going to New Mexico next week (I am working on getting another place to observe the first-day-of-school), I am thoroughly excited about going back at the end of August to be there full time for the next four months.

Less than a month to go

It's amazing how one group of people can really get under your skin.

I miss Graffiti and the people there SEAUX much I cannot express.

Last semester, I missed them, an the city, but I had football to distract me and remind me of how wonderful it is to be in South Louisiana in the fall. This semester on the other hand, I am spending my week wishing more than anything that I could just graduate and move up North already! GRRR I cannot wait!

In less than one month, I get to go visit for a week, which I guess will have to do for now. I am pretty excited, considering Charlotte, Ashley, and I are all visiting at once. Leaving is always the hard part though. At least when I get back I will have Easter crawfish waiting for me.

This is it

Tonight is my last night in the city.

I am trying not to be sad about this. I don't think it's fully hit me yet though.

Rather than looking at all of the things I'll miss, I'm trying to look at all of the things I am looking forward to upon my return to Louisiana. I get to see the family, I get to see the friends, I get to drive (!!!!!!), and I get to reunite with the great city that made me who I am.

Today was a sad day because I went to Graffiti for the last time. I didn't do much of anything but sit around and put off leaving. Theresa left without realizing that we never got to say goodbye, so I was pretty sad about that, but we had a nice over-the-phone goodbye. As Taylor kept saying, it's not goodbye, I'll be back in December.

I went to Carnegie Deli with the mission team. Surprisingly this is only the second time I've gone since I've been here, but it was definitely a nice way to say goodbye to the city. I then went to 34th street- which has become my place to go when I get bored or sad.

Now, I must pack....

Things are getting a little sad around here

Saturday morning, after having spent a wonderful Friday with some amazing people, I got up to say goodbye to those who were leaving for youth camp. By the time they get back, I will be gone.

Friday, Charlotte, Kyle, and I went to Staten Island and rode the railroad all the way out to the end, just to see what was there. What we found looked like Baton Rouge, bridge and all. We then went back to Manhattan to meet up with all of the other summer missionaries and supervisors for a great dinner. Since the only missionary we were missing was Lydia, because she was working, we decided to go visit her at work. There's never an occasion where I turn down the chance for Magnolia Bakery, especially when Lydia is working and we get half-off. On the way to Magnolia, we stopped in Macy's to use the bathroom, and Charlotte found ten dollars on the floor, which she then so graciously used to buy our cupcakes. It was a great last-night-out with the crew.

I went back up to the Upper West Side exhausted, but then packed my bags to go back down to the church (on the Lower East Side- yes the exact opposite side of Manhattan) and spend the night so I wouldn't oversleep to say my goodbyes the next morning. One last sleepover with the friends before we all went our separate ways.

After they left Saturday, I was lazy all day, lounging around the house and trying not to be sad. Ema and I had tickets to the Mets game, so I went down to 34th street just to get out of the house beofore heading out to Flushing for the game. Sadly, the Mets lost, but I am definitely more of a fan than I was before my visit to the great Shea Stadium. I developed a big crush on David Wright, just like every other non-Yankee fan woman in New York.

Today was my last Sunday at Graffiti, so I had to say alot of goodbyes. I'll still be at church all week (as always), but not all of the people will be there. It was sad to be meeting with my smallgroup for the last time until December. They've been great encouragers this summer and definitely will be missed. After church, Ruth, who was one of the first people I met in NY but has been in Michigan for six weeks, invited me to lunch with her family. Her dad had his car, which was nice (the subways are getting super old, I can't WAIT to drive). We went to Brooklyn to see where she is moving this week, and then went to Juniors for lunch and cheesecake (and despite all rumors that it is better, Carnegie cheesecake still beats out Juniors). I then had to say goodbye to here too, because I don't know if I'll be seeing her for the rest of the week, and she just got back!

I'm going to be really sad to leave this place. I didn't think I was going to be, but the closer it approaches, the more I realize how great living in New York can be. I don't know if I necessarily want to move here full-time or anything, but it's going to be sad to leave.

(this is not to say that I am not SUPER excited about returning home to the people I love and miss- I'll see you all this weekend!)