grace eventually.

I just found out today that one of my dearest friends, Kari Godel Curtis had her second baby, little boy Everett, 2 weeks ago! Kar, I hope you don't mind that I'm posting your very first family photo:) Kari and I met in May of 1999 in Chicago. We both accepted a position as summer hosts for Center for Student Missions (CSM). At first it seemed we were as different as two people could be. I was from the deep South of Louisiana, she was from the Northwest state of Oregon. But in no time we were the best of friends sharing some of the hardest parts of life together and praying together almost nightly. We called each other "soul mates". Generally I guess that term is coined for the one you commit your life to in marriage but as friends go, Kari was definitely one gal who knew my heart and soul better than anyone. After 3 months of living together and working together, it was quite an adjustment going back to our parts of the world, but we remained great friends. She moved to China for a year; I moved to Kentucky for seminary. It's amazing how a friendship rooted in the Lord never changes. I made it to OR a few times, the most important being Kari and Nate's wedding. Kari came to KY right after our apartment fire and helped me get settled into a new place. We were there for the important moments. As life seemed to move more rapidly for both of us, we started losing touch. That's why I love the blog world so much...it's how I stay connected to so many people I love and even though it's not as good as sitting in the same room with them, I still feel like I am a part of their life! Kar, I wish so much I could've been there for the birth of Claire and now for the birth of Everett. I promise I will make it back to OR to meet your little ones! You know, next May will make it 10 years since we first met...crazy! I love you and I'm so excited for you!

I initially came to my blog to actually reflect further on what the Lord is teaching me, but alas, I'm distracted by the bike lady that is sitting across from me sniffing her wheat soy milk. Now typically I don't like to stare at people, but this lady is something else. She rode up to Starbucks about half and hour or so on her bike. No biggie...people ride their bikes here all the time. Of course, usually it's my co-workers and usually it's during the day. She immediately walks in with her groceries. I kid you not. She sits down at the booth table across from me and begins to unpack all kinds of things....a couple of bottles of some type of drink, maybe?, a styrofoam cup that I'm guessing also contains a beverage, a Wendy's baked potato, and some Mrs. Dash-type seasoning. Now here's where I'm confused. Why did she ride her bike to Starbucks to partake of her dinner? She hasn't ordered anything since she's been here. She's just happily enjoying the contents of her grocery bag of food. A few minutes later I watched as she headed out to her bike again and brings back her box of wheat soy milk. Maybe she'll use it for a specialty latte.

I've recently been reading Restless Faith by Winn Collier. If you haven't ever read anything by him, I highly recommend it. He's one of those authors that I love because he's honest about those things that we would rather not wrestle with...like faith. In this last chapter that I read he talks about how we prefer to focus on those whose faith led to great things, such as Abraham and Sarah, Noah, Moses, Rahab...but what about those whose faith led them to suffering or death? I've been wrestling with the concept that although God is good, that does not mean he's safe. On Sunday, Andy talked about this, quoting The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

I started a blog post about 2 weeks ago, right after I got back from vacation, however, I was using my used/new to me macbook and I couldn't figure out how to manipulate my pictures the way I wanted so I gave up. I figured since I was all alone in the office after work hours, I would attempt again. I must say though that this post doesn't hold the wit and creativity that it once did 2 weeks ago.

The rundown of my vacation included Mobile, Perdido Key, Navarre, and Marietta or to simplify, AL, FL, and GA. I spent 10 days with great friends, mainly from seminary. Here are a few highlights.

Sunday in worship I was overwhelmed with missing my friends from seminary. Finding the space to worship has been quite a challenge since I started working in the church. Andy, my pastor, and I have had many a conversation about it. Sunday, for us, is work. Now don't get me wrong, the act of worship is never work but it's everything else that we have to do to give everyone else the gift of worshiping on Sundays. Often I am running around before, during and after Sunday School getting teachers different supplies, making copies, trying to find a sub for a teacher who didn't show up, stepping into one of the nursery rooms to help with a screaming child, etc. And then when I look at the clock, I realize I've completely missed church and my own chance to worship. I try not to let this happen often because the truth is, I become cynical and resentful that I have to work while others get to worship. Then the Lord reminds me that I don't have to be in a worship service to worship him...I can worship him anywhere. Thankfully this last Sunday, after a week of mayhem knows as Vacation Bible School, I got to go to the Refuge, our contemporary worship service. As I was worshipping, the Lord brought to mind each of my friends and I remembered what it was like to be in the same room worshipping together. That's what I really miss. There's something so powerful about standing next to someone in worship that you've walked through the depths of despair with or laughed with or shared your most hideous sins with and know that all that is forgiven. Even though they weren't there with me physically on Sunday, I was comforted to know that they were all worshipping somewhere else and because of the bond we have in Christ, we were and are still worshipping together. It's moments like those that make me giddy to get to Heaven. Our God is mighty to save...

Mighty to Save
by: Hillsong
Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
Shine Your light
and let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory
of the risen King

My friend, Hannah got married this weekend. It was beautiful. She's only 20 which seems so young to me but then again, I know I wasn't ready to get married that young. After the wedding I went back to the hotel where some friends were staying. Now many of my friends these days are younger than me...Starbucks tends to hire college students. I don't mind this. I've met some great people but it's always funny to me when I meet new people and my age comes up. It's usually the same conversation...one of my friends will say, "Guess how old Cynthia is." Then we wait for their response. I usually get 24 which is fine by me...I mean, who can complain when they're told they look younger than they really are. On Saturday, however, I was really surprised when I was told I look 22! I only wish I felt 22! This past weekend has kicked my butt more than normal. My body just doesn't feel up to par. I can't really explain it; I just know that I may look 24 but my body is definitely 31. Today I was supposed to head to Annual Conference but instead I chose to spend the day in my bed in hopes that I can shake whatever this is. I've been watching movies and trying not to feel guilty thinking about all the things I need to be doing. What's weird is that usually when I spend a day watching movies I choose things like Pride and Prejudice, Hitch, 27 Dresses...you know, those girly movies. Today I've been watching Batman Begins and Swat. Maybe I'm getting in touch with my masculine side.

I think I'm finally finished with all my home improvements. Of course, the painting wasn't planned until after I got the light fixtures up so there's no telling what I may do next!