The girls (and the goose that Brina's husband insisted be in our pic). These are the ones I spent every free moment with in my four years of high school...and often in college! Today we decided to hang out. So this morning we took off for DSM to Brina's house.
We went to two of my favorite places...Cheesecake Factory and World Market.
What a fun day to be together again...even if just for a few hours.

L stylin' in World Market.

Stylin' like her big sis. :)

Sweet A...she's cute as can be. :)

Baby J...he's a pretty happy baby!

Last night, amid the struggle of the evening and a big choice...there was incredible beauty surrounding us. These images don't begin to capture the beauty.
But I loved it. This is my favorite time of year.


An incredible sunset last night

This was amazing. A harvest moon.
Also, a perfect E.T. moon!

So, perhaps you will notice from last night's post that there is one state very specifically missing from my updated list. If you frequent this site, you may have noticed it...South Carolina is not on that list. The land of bad drivers, cockroaches, and fire ants was one place I was determined not to go back to.

This morning I was sleeping in a little when my cell rang. I ignored it when I saw the 803 area code (SC) because I had no idea who would be calling me from there and figured I would see who it was before talking to them. They left a message and no more than a minute later, the house phone rang. Mom hollered down to me that I had a call...I knew it was that same 803 person.

Trying to sound awake, I answered. Yep, you guessed it. It was a lady from Cola, SC offering me a job in the northern area of the state doing exactly what I want to do. It is not full-time, but close...so I would have to find an additional job. I have to let her know tomorrow if I want it.

I hung up and just thought to myself, "You are not funny, Lord...I'm not laughing, but I know You are!" Ah, the perfect start to the day.

Here are the latest additions for the list of places where I have applied...I guess we'll see what happens...tomorrow is another day of job hunting!

• Virginia
• D.C.
• North Carolina
• Colorado
• Des Moines, IA

...it continues. Today I finished out another temp job. It was supposed to last 5 weeks...instead, it lasted one. I guess that's how it goes in the world of temp jobs.

Tomorrow I have decided to spend the day at Panera job hunting. There are too many distractions here at my parents' house. I would appreciate your prayers.

God is stretching me through this. But I feel like I'm about ready to break.

It is time to move on from this place. For so many reasons.

So today I realized something...

THIS is the First Day of Fall. :)

This is also what happens when you are living a life of complete chaos. About 2/3 of my stuff is in storage awaiting the day when someone decides that I am employable...and I have very little routine. Therefore, it is difficult to keep track of anything, let alone the date.

So...I decided instead of feeling dumb about being off by a day...that I would simply extend the celebration of Fall into today...so instead of just one day of celebration...I now have the joy of celebrating it twice!! :) Nothing wrong with that...

So grab a mug of hot chocolate and nibble on a piece of pumpkin pie. TODAY is the First Day of Fall. :) And its a beautiful one! (As was yesterday!)

Happy First Day of Fall!!
This is my very favorite day of the whole entire year.
More than my birthday, Christmas, and Easter all put together!

Yesterday, my friend, Becky, and I met Kasey in Omaha and the three of us went to our dear little Matteo's wedding. I don't think any of us really believed it was actually going to happen...not because Matt or Becca isn't worthy or wonderful...but just because he's our little Matt. So many hilarious memories with this kid in Uganda. The wedding was lovely. It took place in a little mansion in downtown Omaha.

Here are just a few pics from the evening.

And because it is my favorite day, just a few from the way home.

Enjoy!


The wine and the bread.

Anxiously waiting.

I love the look on his face as he waits to take his bride.

The families praying over the new couple.


The look after the first kiss.
Little Matteo is married!!

This little mansion was full of these figures.
We decided they were friends of Matt's.

We decided to hang out with Matt's other friend, Caesar.

Kasey being very serious in the $3 million chair.
Or at least we decided that's about how expensive it was.

The cake and toasting glasses. Fun colors.

The guest "books".

My personal favorite....gerbera daisies.

Becca's Dad making the introduction of the couple.

Vibrant colors.

The toast.
Literally...if you look in Matt's hand.

The rings.

Matteo trying to charm his adorable niece.

The couple's first dance.

Stealing a kiss while dancing. :)
Never thought I'd see the day.

Matteo telling us to get up and dance.
But we were taking pictures.
We danced later. :)

Only two men comfortable in their masculinity could do this.
And we all just laugh hysterically.
The dip was the best part.

U(ganda) Crew 2002...or the few that made it to the wedding anyhow.

The whole Iowa City gang.

Iowa.

I love this place.

It's as if the earth knew
The First Day of Fall
And the colours were enriched
And I was in awe

Being the night owl that I am, it is forever a challenge for me to get up for work in the morning. Not because I don't want to go to work, but because I can't make myself go to bed at a decent time and I'm tired. This morning was no exception...I was running rather behind. I have made a habit of checking my email before walking out the door. Today, I had one from a dear friend of mine in Senegal who works at Dakar Academy (the school I taught at for two years). However, I did not have time to do anything but skim it. My friend mentioned reading his blog for a spiritual boost...and I didn't have time before I left for work.

The beauty of having a temporary mind-numbing job like mine is that it gives one much time during the day to ponder on a variety of issues. Today I kept thinking about how badly I wanted to get home and read his blog...because I knew it was something about my dear Senegal.

A few minutes ago, I got the chance to read it...and I was humbled and proud at the same time. Proud because DA kids are constantly amazing me and humble because they are amazing.

Before I post a letter written by the assistant-director (who steps in as a relief dorm-parent one night a week with a boys dorm)...I have to ask you to keep Senegal in your prayers. Last week, my best friend, Cori, wrote me and told me that she feels God is really stirring things up in Senegal and is about to do something big.

For those of you who don't know...this is the season of Ramadan for our Muslim cousins. It is a particularly strategic time to pray for Senegal and other Muslim countries. If you are not sure how...read THIS. (A basic guide of how to pray during this month.)

But now for what blew me away...here is the letter written by Dan, the assistant-director of the school...

On a normal Monday evening, I take the boys on the roof for attayah and a devotion. Last night was no different, except that one of the boys asked if we could have an extended prayer time on the roof after the devotion. . . . As we ended our time on the roof, the rains began to come down, and WOW, did it pour, and then the power went out.

Shortly thereafter, the boys came to me and asked permission to all sleep in the living room. They cited two reasons. (1) With the power being out, it was cooler and (2) they wanted to continue their time in prayer.

By 9:00 P.M., every boy was in the living room and it was pitch black. They began to pray. They prayed for each other, for DA, for their parents, for their parents’ ministries, for the administration, for their dorm parents, for the Senegalese people, for God to crush Satan’s power in Senegal. They prayed and prayed and prayed.

Then they began to pray one-on-one with each other; each boy going to all of his dorm mates. Several of them even prayed with and for me. I was absolutely blown away. At around 10:00 P.M., the power suddenly came back on. Several of the boys got up and turned off all the lights while the others continued to pray. . . .

They prayed for the Holy Spirit to empower them to share the Gospel and to give them the courage to love each other and everyone they came in contact with. They prayed for strength, they prayed for God’s armor, they prayed for the Holy Spirit to take control of their lives. . . . They prayed for over two hours!

. . . Your children are . . . a bright light in our lives. . . . They are a testament to your loving affection and guidance. They are a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit. . . . They are a testament to what young boys can do for a world in need of God’s love. . . .

May God bless your day as your boys have blessed my night!

In His Service,

Dan

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently before Him..."
Psalm 37:7

A very beloved friend sent me this verse today.
It was a good reminder for me.
I sense myself becoming restless.
Ready to get moving on with my life.
Rather than treading water here.

Yet, here I remain.
No door has opened yet.

Like a toddler sick of sitting on the lap of her Father.
I am starting to squirm.
Ready to get down and walk.
Exploring as I go.
Finding new adventures.

But He's holding me here.
And I have to believe that He has His reasons.

Tonight I decided to get a few things in order...so I FINALLY updated the "Photos" link with some pics from this past year. Feel free to check them out if you are bored. :)

Here are the updates (ideally, you can click on any of the words and go to THAT album...):
Photos
CIU
Senegal Visit -- 2006
Random Fun Times -- 2006-2007
Spring Break 2007
Florida Trip 2007
Uganda

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to get together with three of the four girls who had a huge impact on shaping my faith...we were in a Bible Study together from 1999-2000...it was my first Bible Study...and these girls were and continue to be amazing. As you can see from the pics...we had a blast! :)

After watching the rest of the sad Hawkeye game, we went to Red Lobster.

True colors shining through. ;)

This might get confusing...but this is Becky and Missy.

And THIS is Becky...and me. :)

What is Girl's Night without ice cream!?

Big yum!!

And the crash after the sugar rush!

The next morning, we got up and met Becky's husband and daughter at Perkins.
Noelle made us laugh a lot. :)

"The Girls"

The girls and a boy (Becky's husband).

I've been listening to a song lately.
And it has captured my heart.
It has challenged me.

I want to live on the other side.
Beyond the status quo.
Not somewhere in the middle.
Simply because....He's worth it.

Fearless warriors in a picket fence
Reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end
And we are caught in the middle

With eyes wide open to the differences
The God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His
Or are we caught in the middle
-Casting Crowns

Today Mom and I stopped in TN. Because we were in the same town, I went out to see my friend Bekah who has taken up much space on this blog in the last few weeks. She was my roomie who just got married. So I went to visit her and her husband (and dog) for a couple hours this evening. Fun times. And the ideal place for newlyweds to live!!


House.

"Fish."

Playtime.

Newlyweds.

Roomies.

Cooper.

Not to confuse you, but I am in SC after my interview earlier today in NC. :)

Update #1: Thanks for praying about this interview today. It went well. However, regardless of that, I have decided NOT to take the job. If you want a long list of reasons, let me know...but the overwhelming factor is that it just isn't right. So...the job hunt continues.

Update #2: I got to spend the evening with my beloved friends here in Cola...and THAT was a true gift. Hugs, prayers, chats...all of it. It is treasured in my heart forever. This evening was perfect...except for being a bit short. ;) As much as I don't miss Cola, I miss these people who have forever made an imprint on my heart. They are beautiful.

Update #3: Mom and I are heading back toward Iowa tomorrow. We've been on the road for three days and are exhausted. However, we have two days more in front of us. Please pray for safety and endurance as we make the rest of this trip. It's been fun and stressful...and I think we are both ready to be back home. :)

Finally, the pics from my trip last weekend. :)

The happy couple. :)
Married all of two weeks!

Dad and daughter. :)

I know, I know...white dress and BBQ...but hey, it worked out. :)

Roomies!

The water was a bit cold on the big lake. But it sure was pretty!

Thanks to Lisa for these pics from the beach. The lighthouse in Grand Haven.

And I couldn't resist my pics from Ikea. :) I've been waiting four years to go here!

I agree completely. :)

And yes, I bought a few things...including two mixing bowls, four dishtowels, a mortar and pestle, two "rubber scrapers", and last but certainly the most important...my long awaited cheese graters. :)

Confession:

Sometimes I watch shows (Alias, 24, or Lost) on my computer rather than on the TV...
Simply because it makes me feel like I'm back in Senegal...
Just for those 45 minutes...
And sometimes I'll drink kool-aid while I watch...
Because that's what we always used to do...

It's the little things I remember...
And the little things I miss. :)

Goals.

Mom and I had a chat over lunch today about goals. As expected, her definition and mine are very different. Regardless, tonight I sat down and made a list of "goals" for tomorrow. Most would call it a to-do list...but in my world, these are my very short term goals.

I'm a big picture person, so I struggle with the details of my goals...but I definitely have them. I was informed today that I need to write them down. Since I am also a procrastinator, I will simply say that I will get around to it eventually and maybe even share them for the world to see. But until then, I thought I would share this little quote I found while reading through some old stuff from a friend tonight - goals are important so we have a direction...even if it changes along the way:

"Alice in Wonderland came to a fork in the road. Icy panic stung her as she stood frozen by indecision. She lifted her eyes toward heaven, looking for guidance. Her eyes did not find God, only the Cheshire Cat leering at her from its perch in the tree above.
"Which way should I go? blurted Alice.
"That depends..." said the cat fixing a sardonic smile on the girl.
"On what?" Alice managed to reply.
"On your destination. Where are you going?" queried the Cheshire fiend.
"I don't know..." stammered Alice.
"Then," said the cat, with its grin spreading wider, "it doesn't matter...""

I finally got to a new state this weekend! More than one person was shocked to hear that I had never been to Michigan. I figured my frustrating time spent in the Detroit airport last year didn't count.

Last night on my drive home, I was fighting sleepiness as I drove directly into the setting sun. So I decided to throw on a sweatshirt so I wouldn't freeze to death when I opened the window and sunroof. I still have my thin African-SC blood. A long time ago, a friend showed me the beauty of the heater on the feet while driving with the windows down in cool weather. As I drove in between those cornfields, I breathed in deep...and smelled the coming of Fall.

You have to understand that I have not been in the Midwest for the onset of Fall for four years and this was a sweet smell of being home. People driving by probably thought I was hyperventilating as deeply as I kept breathing just so I could soak in the smell. Fall doesn't officially start for another 20 days, but it is well on its way. This is the one I day I look forward to all year long. I love harvest in the Midwest.

I don't know if I will get to have my annual "Fall Party" with more than enough hot chocolate this year simply because I don't have a place of my own and all my hot chocolate mugs are packed and in storage. However, you can be sure that I will be celebrating it regardless.

By the way, pics from the Michigan trip will be coming soon. :)