peace

to me, this is a peaceful scene. the water, the beautiful fall colors, some rollling hills (even though in indiana) . . . it's like automatic feelings of peace come over me when i'm in places like this.

but the most amazing thing is that i don't have to be in a particular situation or setting to be at peace, because the Prince of Peace is my God and Saviour, and He is the only one who can bring perfect peace! so if i choose to trust Him and let Him be in control then i can be at peace even though in the midst of . . .


looking towards the city from the clinic where i work

. . . a view of the city from the hancock building

living in Chicago where just driving to work every day brings new challenges wondering if people are going to run one of the 30-some stop lights or stops signs I go through twice a day, wondering if i'll hit a pedestrian that darts out in front of my car, or be hit by a car trying to turn out onto the street and then working in a crazy busy clinic where the work never seems to get done and the needs and challenges that our patients face are greater than I can ever even imagine. Then add in grad school, preparing for a missions trip, making decisions about a move out of Chicago, new job, new living situation, thinking about goodbyes to good friends, packing . . . all these things swirl around in my head constantly. I wonder if I'm doing the right thing and making the right decisions. Once I've made a decision I wonder if I made the right one or if I should go back and change something (which I've done occasionally!). But I sit here and wonder if I've really let God be the one to give me peace. Life will always be busy and hectic, situations and circumstances will change, but the craziness will never go away . . . the only thing that will never change is my need to follow Jesus step by step trusting Him completely along the way and allowing His Peace to permeate everything that I do.

one of those days . . .

so, have you ever had one of those days . . . one of those days that starts out great and ends horribly??? it's like crying over spilled milk . . . except it's coffee. there's no reason for it . . . but somehow such insignificant things can have such a great impact. i guess i could be all philosophical and say that the events of life, big or small, can only impact us as strongly as we allow them to. and i totally agree, and yet at the same time here i am at the end of a day that started out to be a wonderful day and ended as a terrible day and what really happened that was so terrible? if i told you, you'd think that i was just being silly and that i have no excuse for having a bad day. the spilled coffee did have something to do with it . . . but there was so much more. i sure hope that somebody else has ever felt like this before. well, i guess the greatest thing is that tomorrow is a new day - another chance to have a great day . . . or as someone i know says, "make it a great day". ya, guess it really is my choice after all . . .

Semana Santa

This time last year I was finishing up my 3 months time of living in Guatemala. I was suppose to leave before Easter but once I realized the celebrations that were taking place I changed my ticket - and oh how thankful I was to be there during the entire Easter celebrations. I learned so much and was challenged a lot in my own faith.

The streets fill with "processions and alfombras", basically parades and elaborate handmade carpets of flowers, colored sawdust, fruit, etc . . . which are sacrifices to the Christ who is carried through the streets during Holy Week almost 24 hours every day until Good Friday. I felt like I was swept back into the past as the life-like drama was happening all around me.
It was an incredible experience that I'll never forget.

I'll also never forget how it felt to see the empty streets on Easter morning and the small, simple celebrations that were taking place. It was Resurrection morning and it seemed like they forgot about the best part.
The other day I heard someone say how happy they were to not have to be bothered with Easter this year. I was assuming that she meant that she didn't have to arrange an Easter Egg Hunt or some other type of event.
But her statement made me think, is Easter a bother?
What about the Ressurrection that we are celebrating, what if Jesus hadn't bothered with us? Do I act like it is a bother to celebrate my Jesus and His incredible sacrifice, suffering, and resurrection that gives me eternal life?
Do I give Jesus only part of the credit He deserves, but not bother to give Him all the glory and honor?

Thankfully God did bother to send Jesus in our place!
Thankfully God's love is unconditional, no matter how underserving I am of receiving it!
Thankfully I can put all my hope in the only One who can give me hope and know that I am never a bother to Him!!!

What's all this about Mary Kay???

Don't worry, I'm not starting to sell Mary Kay, but my friend Anna is! And she has been so great and offered to donate a percentage of sales I bring to her toward my next Guatemala trip! So back in Dec. I had a Christmas Mary Kay party, and have had a couple times of spending time with the girls and doing makeovers. If you are interested in purchasing any Mary Kay products from Anna you can check out her website and just mention my name and i'll still get a portion of the money for Guatemala! Anytime you or any friends want a makeover Anna would be more than happy to do it for you!

Anna giving some makeup tips to Jeannie and Marissa

Sandy

(former housemate)

Alyssa and Marissa

(new Lawndale co-workers)

Freeeeeeeeezing!!!!!!!!!!

So, I guess there are much colder places in the world than Chicago . . . but my apartment is soooooooo cold . . . there is frost covering the inside of one of the windows, artic air blowing in around the other windows, and not enough blankets to cover up with. I guess it just makes me all the more grateful for the sunshine and warm weather that will soon be coming. Until then there will be plastic and blankets and towels and whatever else we can find to keep out the cold and try to maintain some heat in this place. Another problem that comes along with the freezing temperatures and snow is a very, very, very dirty car, but no way to wash it! Don't get me wrong, the snow is pretty, but when it's white, not black and not dried onto my car! The fun thing is that I do have a beautiful flower that is growing and withstanding the frigid temperatures, it's a bright red amarylis (hopefully I spelled it right) and brings a little cheer into the apartment. I quess that i'm just getting a bit of cabin fever . . . spring will be here soon and I can't wait!!!!!!!!

Ready or not . . . here it comes . . .

Wow, 2008 is here! I can't believe it, but what a great year 2007 was. A co-worker has been asking many people about their new years resolutions, actually most people don't have any. And that's fine, but I think that it is important to reflect and set goals. We all have things that we need to change or improve upon, well, I know I do. The challenge is spending the time and energy to make the changes and improvements. But I do think that it's something important that we should all make at least an attempt at leaving behind something from the past year and looking forward to changing something in the new year! If you want to ask me about mine, you are welcome to, just know that I'll ask you about yours!!! Happy New Years!!!

The Thomas Family

Just thinking about and praying for the Thomas Family . . . Jon, Tina, Andrew, Kaleb, Kolby, and princess Sarah. . . wow do I miss them!!! They are serving in a country oh so far away, but right where they need to be!