Danke

Yesterday was a good day with friends and yummy food. My second Thanksgiving away from home and there was some sense of normalcy as I spent it with the same folks as last year. I bring the sweet potatoes and this year I included a carrot cake. When I brought the sweet potatoes upstairs all bubbly with brown marshmellowy goodness, Mac Barnes said, "Oh Liz, thank you SO much for bringing those!" It was in the funniest most earnest tone. Needless to say, there wasn't much left of them. Everything was delicious.

After eating we played a couple rounds of Blokus (the men played the Wii, of course). Have you seen this game? Its great - and fun with kids, too. The evening was finished with a movie downtown (Four Christmases) and then some talk time with Sister Sarah.

I guess Thanksgiving will just never be the same again, but it was a nice day and I'm thankful for that. I go home for Christmas in 21 days and I can't wait!!!

Unemployment Chronicles, Day 51

Lots of employment news to share today!

Yesterday I had my phone interview with SWSG. It went really well and I'll know next week if I'll be moving to the final round for an in-person interview with the board. I asked her how many candidates there were at this point and she said 8, but that they started with 90. NINETY candidates and I'm in the top 8! They will select three to present to the board on Dec 15. I really can't tell what my chances are of moving on since I've been baffled at every level thus far. I think I can only say that this process has been completely in God's control and that if this is the job for me, I'll have it. If it isn't where my life will bring him the most glory, then it won't be mine. Plain and simple. Isn't it nice when things are plain and simple?

I will say, though, I was shocked and excited to hear that they had 90 candidates and were still interested in me! That's so wild!

Today I went and met with a woman at a youth development program run through the Salvation Army. They're in need of a substitute teacher for the month of December and a friend of mine in their office recommended me. So, if all the paperwork goes through I'll be starting there next Wednesday. The schedule is pretty great (30hrs/week) so I'll still have time for interviews, etc, if any come up. Its also doing something I love - working with youth. The program is really cool. They have a full curriculum they work through with urban teens that focuses on character building, social skills and communication skills. They're a Christian non-profit, so sharing the gospel is a part of their mission.

I would have a co-teacher and we'd have one class on M T W from 12pm-3pm and then another class on Tu Th from 3:30pm-6:30pm. The T/Th class has a family style dinner together, too. They spend one day of the program each week on classroom curriculum and the other day doing either a service project or doing site visits to interesting places. SO COOL. I'm pumped about working with the teens and really excited about the program itself.

Anyway, its just for December as one of the teachers is out for medical reasons. She did say that if anything else opened up or if she heard of anything she'd connect me if I still hadn't secured a position somewhere. I'm really excited!

So, it was a good day in the land of unemployment! I went and had lunch at the church office after the interview (courtesy of the generous, Elizabeth Joy) and now I'm home working on a consulting project that needs my attention. I'm on the brink of being employed - at least temporarily - and I couldn't happier!

I've also been feeling a little better about Boston this week. A couple of fun weekend events reminded me of my first year here. I know there's more here for me if I want it, so right now I'm going to be patient and see what God has to say about where I live and what I do for a living.

If I don't talk to you beforehand... have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Unemployment Chronicles, Day 50

Fifty days of unemployment! Holy cow.

The first big news from the weekend is that Saturday the HR rep called and said I was chosen to move on and have an interview with the president/founder of SWSG! It will be a phone interview today at 2:40pm for about 30-40 minutes. She said, "She's (the pres) really excited to talk to you. She really liked your stuff." My stuff! I have no idea what my "stuff" is, but someone likes it!

I've also got something in the works for a few weeks in December, so hopefully that will work out and I won't have to panic (as much) about moolah. I had a fun weekend, though!


Today is my Mom's birthday. I'm not entirely sure how I feel. I've felt a little emotional in the last few days and I'm homesick, but the problem with that is the only cure for my homesickness is my Mom. I get a fix when I go home to Texas or talk online with my sisters, but there's nothing that ever really quiets the deep longing to see my Mom again... actually to talk to her again. I do see her from time to time in my dreams, but I want to talk to her so much. She would have been 58 today. (the pic is her as a girl)

In the nearly three years she's been gone I have changed so much. I wish she had the opportunity to know this version of me. I wish she had been around to benefit from the sanctification God's worked in my heart. Although, I suppose, lots of it has come as a result of the suffering I've experienced since her death. What a bummer, huh?

This week is Thanksgiving. Another family favorite and I'm here in Boston again. It feels easier already than it did last year, but I still wish I were in Texas. There's something about missing people that becomes a heavy weight if you allow it to. I think about my Mom at some point every day, but the days when I can't breathe or would rather stay in bed are more rare. I thought of her yesterday as I helped out with the Day of Thanks at the Boston Rescue Mission downtown. Some of our friends from church work there, so a few of us went to help serve meals. It was really fun. I forgot how much I enjoy volunteering and serving people I don't know. We actually served them at their tables like a restaurant - isn't that cool? (the pic below is Thanksgiving 06 w my Grandma Barbara)

I spent a few summers in middle school volunteering at a nursing home near my house. Have I told you this? Maybe. Well, anyway, it was so fun. We did activities with the residents like singing, crafts and reading to them. They also had a little ice cream shop we worked and had to be sure the diabetic residents didn't try to come back for seconds and thirds. I loved knowing these people. I haven't worked at a nursing home in a while and definitely not in the last three years. We tried to Christmas Carole in one Christmas of 06, but I only made it through one song and had to excuse myself to sit outside and cry until they were done singing. There was something about my Mom before she died that was very elderly and like some of those residents and seeing them tore me open. I hadn't expected that because I love elderly people. I'm not sure when my heart will be ready for that again, though.

Anyway, I'm babbling. The holidays are a tender time of year for me. I love them because my Mom taught us to love them, but that can make the sting of her absence more intense. One day at a time...

Sister Sarah is 35!

My sister Sarah is one of the most amazing people I know. Seriously.

She's talented, generous, friendly, open-minded, kind, trustworthy, trusting, creative, intuitive, wicked smaaat, strong, compassionate, thoughtful, courageous, witty, and a damn good mother!

Today I am celebrating YOU, Sarah!

I LOVE YOU!!!

A Day in the Life of an Unemployed Twenty-Something

Here's what my typical day looks like right now:

7:30-8:30am Wake Up
8:40am - eat breakfast (oatmeal and yogurt)
8:45am - watch show from the night before on DVR
9:00am - 10:30am - job search and send out resumes
10:45am - workout
12:00pm - run an errand (which I don't really have at present)
12:30pm - lunch (soup or a sandwich lately)
1:00 - 3:00pm - job search and send out resumes
3:30pm - read
5:30pm - rejoice the roommates are home!!!
6:30pm - dinner
8:00pm - 11:00pm - watch tv with roomies
11:00pm - 12:ooam - read
12:00am - fall asleep

Can you believe this is my life right now!? Trust me, it may sound nice to sit around all day and just go workout, but it is verrrrrry boring most days. Although, I didn't put in there the hour or two a day I get sucked into facebook + the blog world vortex.

Next week is Thanksgiving, so I'm guessing there won't be a job then either. I need prayer. Yesterday I forgot my headphones and had to workout without watching a show (eek!). The problem with that was it meant I had time to think. Well, you should have seen me on that elliptical machine - my heart rate was higher than its been in a while because I was starting to freak out about finances while I worked out. Not good. I need to watch a show so I don't have a heart attack at the gym.

Yesterday my schedule looked a little different because I spent the day at the Sawyers' house, got to see Carol, Susanna & Daniel (fun fun!) and then had dinner and watched tv on the Barrs' couch instead of mine. It was a really nice day, actually! Thank you, Lord!

Alright, enough complaining. I just need a stinkin' job. Starbucks gives their employees health insurance after 3 months of only working 20 hrs a week... hmm....

Unemployment Chronicles, Day 44

The sun is shining this morning, but the high is 38. I have been unemployed for over a month. When will it end?! I'm trying not to panic over things that God has ultimate power over, but its getting harder!

The past two weeks have been crazy. Texas was wonderful and leaving there made me feel like I wanted to run back to the safety of my family and friends there as soon as possible. Coming back to Boston I spent last week taking care of the Barnes kiddos while they were away. It was a lot of work, but I'm glad I did it.

Friday, Meghann and I escaped to NYC and had an awesome weekend. Her company on the car rides alone made the trip worth it, but I also got to see her life in Brooklyn. So many things made more sense about Meg, and I couldn't help but feel that Brooklyn was her home. We came back and yesterday I searched for jobs in NYC.

I'm waiting to hear if I'll get an in-person interview with the non-profit I had the phone interview with last week. I should know something Friday or Saturday. I'm not sure if this is the job for me, but if I don't make it past this round I think I'm going to temp until I can figure out what the heck to do with myself.

Where is my home? Where is my city that feels more like home than Dallas? Maybe there isn't one, but I can't see myself back in Texas yet. I'm in a position to travel and try something new again and the itch to do that is getting stronger. Currently there's nothing in Boston keeping me here - although I imagine that could easily change in a matter of weeks or months - but for now I'm daydreaming about the new life I could have in another fun city. Why not, right? You'd come visit, wouldn't you?

NYC... cha cha cha!

Meghann and I are headed south when she gets off work. I am SOOOO excited to go to the city this weekend. It came up when I got back from Dallas, but we just decided last night to just do it and get away for the weekend. I can't wait! A friend of her's will be out of town, so we'll have an apartment to ourselves, too. Nice, huh?

I love love love NYC. I haven't been in AGES... well for fun anyway. I was there numerous times in the spring and early summer, if you remember, but I didn't get to play. Plus, we're staying in Brooklyn and I've never been there!

So, I will pack my camera and make mental notes of all the awesome and hilarious things that I see/do so I can share it with you! I hope you all can do something spontaneous and fun this weekend, too!

My new favorite thing.

Early this year I asked a friend to do a painting for the Atherton house. After months of great anticipation, I picked up the painting before I left for Texas. It is awesome! He painted it on an old window/door. I love the detail of the door knob at the top and the hinges on the bottom. This is definitely my new favorite thing!


Below the picture is the description from the artist, Mac Caldwell. We are so thankful for this beautiful and thoughtful piece of art! Thank you, Mac!

“Redeemed”
November 3, 2008

This painting intends to reflect the idea of being redeemed. In Psalm 1, David writes, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.” So also is the man who is redeemed by the blood of Jesus blessed; so also does he delight in the law of the Lord; so also is he like a tree planted by streams of water. Out of this psalm flows the inspiration for this picture, the idea being that the trees are firmly rooted by streams of water, and, although the seasons have changed, although autumn has come, although the leaves have changed their color, they have not withered, they have not fallen; in a way, the trees continue to bear fruit by keeping their leaves.

The river flows as a stream of living water, the fountain of life. There are three rocks in the river, an accidental occurrence, but could suggest – subconsciously, perhaps – the steadiness of the Triune God as that of a rock in a raging river.

The picture is depicted on a window that was discovered in the garbage – a diamond in the rough, you might say, or as some more poignantly have stated, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” So it is with this particular window, as it now bears this painting. The process of finding a piece of trash and establishing it as something even more glorious than its original purpose contains within it something miraculous – the ability of the garbage to be restored and then even to be made better is something only to be attributed to grace.

Therefore, this painting in many ways and in my seasons resounds the theme of redemption – may it be an ever present reminder of our own redemption.

Pictures! Pictures!

My friend, Kelly, I've known since 1st grade (longer than I've known any other friend!).

Below is her latest addition, Emerson.

Aren't they cute?!?!?!

Both of these expressions occur regularly.

WE'RE HOME!!!

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of me & leslie. :( We did, however, get to hang out almost everyday!!! I'll post some oldies but goodies of us later...

tisk tisk

So much to write about and no blog posts for days! I got back to Boston last night, slept in my own bed (!) and then headed to the Barnes' house today to stay with their kids while they're away until Thursday night. Am I crazy? Maybe. So far, though, they're so wiped out from being with their buddies the past two days (THANKS, KIT!) that we've been chilling all afternoon. nice.

They're currently playing Wii and I've promised to order Chinese food for dinner from Yummy Hut. I think at one time I swore I'd never eat food from a place with a name like Yummy Hut, but I must admit its good. Someone just ran into the bathroom to pee and I swear I have NO idea how they managed to do that so quickly. Like a pee and run. amazing.

The trip to Texas was great, as usual. I have lots of pictures I'll post as soon as I can get on my laptop. Jake is getting so old and he's so dang smart it kills me. He can school grown men on history, folks, the kid is a genius. Not to mention really handsome and stinkin' funny... but I'm not biased or anything.

I have to say I'm disappointed the Sawyer ladies did so well on the flights that I don't have any good blog material from the travel part of our trip. Crazy, huh? I did get in lots of nice snuggle time with all three, though.

Seeing the Polks was awesome and sad. I miss them being in my neighborhood. Being able to see Abby less than 24 hrs old was so special. Christmas isn't too far away, but there's nothing like visiting your best friend in the hospital with her new baby. I definitely had to keep myself from bursting into tears when Abby was placed in my arms.

Nathanael is getting bigger and is really funny. Lots of words and very animated - I love it. He has GREAT curls that I constantly tell Kristen not to cut off. They're doing really well and I'm so excited they now have a daughter! ...and a little freaked out - I mean, seriously, this is the same girl I used to spend the night with every weekend and talk about where in the world our husbands were and what they were doing right that moment - I always liked thinking about them at their guy friends' houses being guys (clearly confused as I envisioned the boys having slumber parties). Well, I don't know if that was what Matthew was doing that night in the 8th grade, but my match is yet to be revealed, so there's still a chance I was right. :)

Being in Boston feels harder now. I don't have a job, my peeps are far away and winter is arriving. I need to see how this all makes sense for me right now. I need something to remind me I'm where I'm supposed to be ... otherwise I need a new opportunity to open up elsewhere and the courage to pursue it.

Speaking of work - that executive director position I told you about a couple weeks ago ... the one I had to fill out the scary questions for ... well, they asked me for a phone interview! It will be either Thur or Mon. I need to study those questions and answers. Hopefully I was honest enough to grab their attention without showing all my cards leaving me with nothing to say in this interview. I'll let you know how it goes.

Alright, there's the gist of what's up with me. I've got to call "The Yummy" as its affectionately referred to here. Pictures coming soon!!!