Summer's visit

Surfs Up!

Here are a few of my distractions lately...

Better World Shopper reveals where your money really goes when you buy a shirt at wall mart vs REI, and although you have to pay more by shopping at stores with better standards, you'll probably end up spending less in the long run and only what you need. Moderation. great idea.

Kings Of Convenience just released a new album that is ever so pleasant and relaxing.

Design Sponge has a great review of nashville and things to do, as well as millions of amazing Do It Yourself ideas. Great resource.

I'm always on the lookout for really beautiful fabrics to use for quilting and sewing projects (aka my 5 year old unfinished quilt). But Jo-Ann's can only go so far. I found the most beautiful/interesting fabrics here, especially this deer print (david you might like it!).

Tree Fall Design has some amazing ideas for using the fabric.

Molly's Blog is a good way to catch up on her life in Jerusalem! And Emily's too!

And finally, Paper Cut! or Shnerinshnitte as it is lovingly referred to, shows me what I'm up against in the paper cutting world. yikes.

There, That should keep you busy for a while. I gotta go study.

A little glimpse into my life...

Here are a few pictures of what's been going on lately- except that I dont have any pictures that represent the majority of my time- looking at a book or sitting in class. They wouldn't be as interesting anyway. At the top are some shots of an amazing sunset with two rainbows! Its been raining here for almost 3 weeks, monsoon season! Today we had a break and Sarah and I played some tennis. The next shot is of Sarah and I before we went to a free concert at Belmont University next door. The rest are of our apartment which is finally starting to look and feel like a home.

Entry from Last Tuesday.

This was from Last Tuesday

I’m trying to think of a way to tell you about my day in an organized manner. Lets see… well, first of all, you must know im in my apartment on my couch (from davie). My feet are up, im listening to pure moods, and all the happy light are on: aka I’m sitting under Christmas lights and two candles are lit. I got home about an hour and a half ago, and talked to mom and kendall while I reheated a global smorgasbord of leftovers- everything from pad thai, mac and cheese, and sundried tomatoes with basil. I’m still getting used to living by myself and figuring out what cooking for one person looks like.
Today I finished my second day of orientation, and both days have been really great so far. Monday was scary at first, but I made some friends on my way over from the parking garage and that made the day run much smoother. At lunch I met a girl I really connected with, Samantha, and she and I decided to be real friends. That is, after I asked her “can we be friends?”. She’s from New Hampshire (but doesn’t know brookwoods or deer run.) and went to Asbury for her undergrad. Its so weird to talk about undergrad… but I guess I have to get used to the idea that I’m not pretending to be a grown up but that its really happening. I pay bills now and to the electric company and write checks and stuff. So grownup .
Oh I almost forgot, last night sarah and her bro Johnny and I drove 7 miles each way to eat a chick-fil-a. on the way over I realized I was wearing my I <3 chick-fil-a shirt, and I felt like total fast food nerd. I asked if I could get a discount for being a big fan, and they said no! how rude.
So yesterday was great, very encouraging. Today I was running a little late, and on my way up to the 11th floor of the parking garage I got pulled over by a cop on a motorcycle. Yeah, didn’t see him coming, I had cut a corner and driven through some empty spaces, he yelled at me “now how careless was that! Next time go all the way around!!” he was mad, I was scared and sheepish, and he let me go. Whew. Then I got lost walking to my building, and finally got there 2 min. late- sweaty and panting. I didn’t feel so grownup then. But my new friends had saved a seat for me and I slipped in the back.
Today I met lots more girls and one boy, most of the girls were roommates of other girls I knew (jenny from wheaton) who are christians. Its indescribable the comfort I get from knowing that I share a deep soul connection with someone because they love God too. Its like how people like other people automatically if they’re both star treck fans, or love metallica, except that this kind of similarity goes into how you think and move and act and speak. Its so sweet. I think ill find a community here that can really support me academically and spiritually.
The past few nights I’ve had bad dreams, last night I dreamed I was at church and was about to take communion but the pastor was serving ice cream instead and a friend and I were in line but she hadn’t been baptized so she couldn’t get any and I yelled “why haven’t you been baptized?!” and everyone heard it and so she wasn’t my friend after that and I felt so bad. It wasn’t a great night of rest. I think the devil is attacking my dreams- my family and church- because this is a vulnerable time for me. I’m living alone for two weeks until sarah moves in over labor day, and I really hope to continue the devotional habits ive begun so far.
I love my church already, and I’ve signed up for a small group with my church and am looking forward to that beginning. Several people came up to me and welcomed me, and I really enjoyed the service. There are several wheaties there too! But I haven’t met them yet.

Whew, im so tired! Im planning on going to bed early and getting up early and walking. I’m going to play a little guitar before bed too. I miss living with my girls and enjoying each other’s presence, especially while cooking. Its weird to cook alone. Kitchens to me symbolize groups and talking and togetherness, now its scavenge. Haha, ok not that bad, but Im just getting used to this whole ‘im not living with 7 other girls anymore’. Its very different, but I'm aclimating slowly but surely.

I'm getting all domestic on ya

Living with Elizabeth was inspiring in many ways- she showed me you dont have to be a jock to be an athlete, or a prudish genius to be a theology major. The latest lesson I learned from her is that you dont have to be martha stewart (or Mom) to be a cook. Each discipline has several common ingredients: one part determination, 3 parts practice, and a heaping tbsp of patience. These lessons have enriched my life in countless ways, and have freed me from having one or two skills as opposed to a wide variety of hobbies and talents I can develop over time. Ah, The beauty of an interdisciplinary life! It keeps giving and giving. Although I was a little intimidated to try to bake my own bread, I was hungry and wanted to make a PB&J for lunch tomorrow so I went for it. Inspired by Elizabeth's weekly ritual of baking the most good smelling delicious fluffy yet substantial gluten packed loaves, I followed suit. Now I get to enjoy the fruit of my labor all week long. so thanks for all the inspiration E! I wish I could share my first loaf with you all with some of mom's raspberry jam.
go bake bread!

Goodbye for now

Here are some photos of my last day at home. Mom sent me off with a beautiful breakfast spread (thanks so much momma!) and I got to say goodbye in person to my brother, who is off to another adventure himself. I miss you guys!


One last short update about nashville, Sarah and Johnny (her brother) got here last night and we unpacked most of her things. It was great to have someone is the apartment with me! I was getting a little lonely. This morning we went to church, and it was wonderful. I met lots of friendly people and after i mentioned wheaton one lady said there were about 6 other wheaties there. I signed up for a small group and can't wait to get to know people better. I like it here!
Love, Boo

New In Town!

After 10 hours of driving through beautiful countryside, I finally arrived in my new home: Nashville. I got to drive into the city just as the sun was setting, lighting up everything its golden rays could touch with dazzling red light. I unloaded the tahoe pretty quickly, and I even met a neighbor who helped me with my desk. I'm at a coffee shop now, trying to organize my life a little before orientation begins on monday. Here are a few pics of the apt so far...


AHH! Sarah, I promise it wont look like this when you get here!

David helped me move in some of his furniture from Atlanta a few weeks ago. Thanks brother!This is my bedroom getting organized after lots of work.
posed pic.

Happy Birthday Davie!

Dearest Brother, happy birthday! yay you made it this far. Thanks for being the best big brother in the whole world. I love you!

Elsa Joy!

Last Thursday I heard that Summer had gone into labor, hooray! I was so excited to see my newest niece and my (middle) namesake, Elsa Joy. But Elsa was not to be rushed. A full day later, Summer was still in labor with more hours to go. I went to crew banquet on Friday, and during dinner I was getting calls and texts from Mom, Dad, Kendall, David and Grandpa concerning Elsa and Summer. Dad said he was going to Albuquerque on the 6:40 am flight Saturday morning, and after asking me how rough a finals week I expected to have, he mentioned me coming along. Surprisingly enough, the worst of my schoolwork was over, and I didnt have any conflicting commitments, so I decided 8 hours before the flight that I would go to New Mexico with dad and surprise everyone there.
At 5:30 the next morning, I woke up to my phone buzzing and realized I was supposed to be at midway that very moment! Emily saved the day with her quick waking and efficient driving, and I made it to Midway just in time to hop on the plane.
What followed was a wonderful reunion with Mom and Heidi at the airport, and then surprising Summer and Oliver at the hospital.
Elsa is perfectly beautiful, and I am so glad I got to come see her during her first day out. She was so good that S&O were able to come home Saturday night from the hospital.
Everyone is sleeping soundly now, they are all pretty tuckered out from the last few days of hard work- 30 hours of labor takes a toll on the body for sure!
So goodnight, sleep well, and above all, Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Dr. Jeromin!

Woo hoo! Our own Oliver J is now a Doctor! Great job buddy, we are so proud of you!

Life at the Coffee House

La Spiaza Observations:

“Have you eaten your turkey yet?” asked the lady with cane.
The old woman in the brown hat and blue sweater with colored spots in it (both items crocheted) replied, “yes it was delicious. Did you eat yours? I found shrimp in my freezer the other day and i couldn’t remember where i got it from. I asked my nephew to take some to his mother for me.”


I’m sitting at the round table by the bookshelf, drinking my cafe au lait and reading Wesley’s letters to John Newton, but I can’t stop from overhearing the two old women sitting by the window. The one with the cane has a slightly higher voice and is wearing typical grandmother clothes- a grey jacket, those flat soled tan velcro tennis shoes, and big glasses that magnify her laugh wrinkles. Glancing over there her eyes momentarily meet mine and she gives me a big hearty smile.

The other woman wearing the hat comes back with her sugar, sits down and leans toward her friend. “I keep telling him, ‘Kill em with kindness, but always beware, beware of your cousin, they’ll take your right teeth! Don’t tell em, don’t trust any of them!’ ”
Cane woman interjects, ‘Oh yes, I tell lots of things to my nephew that aren’t true”

The door swings open and two fashionable women in their thirty somethings clack by me and order- one asks for a chocolate mint latte, the other for a strawberry banana smoothie. The noise dies away and I can hear my two window friends again.

Cane woman: “You know, a merry heart makes glad. If I didn’t laugh so much im sure I wouldn’t be so healthy.”
Hat woman, “oh yes yes.”
Cane woman: “Oh look its snowing again! look at those little white flakes comin’ right down. We better get going soon.”
More customers stomp in and the ladies voices get lost again in the commotion.

Cane Woman: “Ohh its getting close, its getting real bad says the economist. Its coming real close I think.”
Hat Woman: “yep yep, real close, it gives me the shivers!”
Cane Woman: “well and you know they are building a mosque place down in glen ellyn. The economist said...(noisy) ... Obama..(cant hear them).. we’ve got to get going.”

The woman in the hat stands up and puts on her hand-sewn leopard print purse and her big fur coat. Her skinny legs clad in spandex stick out from under her puffy fur and make her look like a black dandelion.
They leave, the two fashionable ladies take their place. Soon they will leave, and someone else will come. I wish I could sit here all day and hear about people’s thoughts. All of these people in this little shop are brought here by their appetites for food, drink, comfort in a warm room. Each one brings with them history, memories, dead relatives, new babies, passions, hobbies, dusty collectibles. People are beautiful.
More Chai please!

What I did with the superbowl

Don't worry mom and dad, I'm still doing my homework, but from time to time I just gotta release my creative juices in some way or another. Being that its too cold to walk outside and enjoy God's green earth for very long, I've taken up exacto-knifing valentines. So far I haven't cut off any fingers, but I'll keep you updated.

Summer time.

When you got married and I said my toast, I told you that you were the one who put magic in my life. Its still true. You hid letters from the fairies to me at the base of trees, you read George McDonald’s “At the Back of the North Wind” and “Lillith” and countless other fairy tales. You sang the “lion song” to me, and taught me the words to simon and garfunkles “sound of silence.” At the farm under the willow trees I remember laying down in 3 feet of soft spring grass and singing “If i had a hammer” at the top of our lungs.






you taught me how to do my hair and to embrace the whispies. You showed me how to enjoy nature and go camping and to snowboard like a pro.
You listened to my complaints about Grace Christian, my highschool/homeschool drama, my blabbing on and on about horses. You wrote me letters and sent me packages at college and camp, you taught me how to write.
Thanks sis, thanks for caring and loving and sharing. I miss you mucho. Happy Birthday.
Love, the Elf