Jumping into a pool with your clothes on!

I wanted to give a little tribute to my dad on his birthday today! I thought I would give a little highlight as to why I love my dad and am lucky to be his daughter, here goes!

1. When I was little my dad jumped into a blow up plastic swimming pool with all his clothes on because I asked him to come in swimming with me right then. (he tells this a lot in sermons)

2. My dad let me grow up in a downtown neighborhood where I learned a lot about diversity, downtown culture, and being open-minded. It has helped me throughout my life.

3. He always took us to all the cool (and sometimes hole in the wall) local places to eat.

4. He shared his love of pizza with me and I am forever grateful. Brother's pizza will always be the best!!!

5. His midlife crisis consisted of becoming more radical, he participated in Peace Rallies.

6. He cares a ton about people, especially broken people.

7. He has been doing Youth Ministry for over 25 years and he still is good at it.

8. He speaks his mind.

9. Takes me to the beach every year.

10. Is always there for me, even when I would get mad at him in High School or didn't believe that he was right.

11. He gave me the best advice on a relationship. When I broke up with Kevin he told me to go cold turkey and not talk to him for at least a month. I did and it was the best thing I ever did.

12. He encourages and supports me in my mission work and future plans for ministry, but never pushed me into it.

13. He's not afraid to take chances, and that has rubbed off on me. He even was the one that told me about the US-2 program.

14. He knows lots of musicians and I think that is super cool!

15. No matter how rough of a time I am going through, my dad always knows what to say to me. It might be in an e-mail, a card, or a short phone call. It might just be a sentence, or a hug. But sometimes I might not be better until he says something and then I can get through whatever it is. He has the magic dad touch.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!! I love you:)

11 years old, WOW!

I can't believe my sister is 11 years old today! It seems just like yesterday that she was born! She is now almost as tall as me (this picture was from LAST summer) and she is turning into a cool little tween. I got to spend a week with her this past week and she is turning into a wonderful young lady. We had afternoon tea at the American Girl Doll Store in Chicago and it was the best time I have had in awhile! She was so cute and we had a blast just talking about all kinds of stuff. I like that now we can actually have a conversation. I always regret not being around for her enough once I moved off to college, 3 hours away, and now to Illinois, 12 hours away. It's hard because I want to be there for her and see her grow up, but I also know this is where I am supposed to be. She is great about it though, she misses me but is so supportive of what I do. She tells all her friends that I am a missionary and live in in Illinois. This year she even put my birthday up on her class calendar. She is the best little sister. I can't believe she will be going into MIDDLE SCHOOL in the fall, that scares me! I want to protect her from everything, but I know I am still far away and can't do it all. I hope she knows just how much I love her and will always be there for her no matter the distance. She is a great kid:) I hope to be closer to her after the 2 years are up but you just never know what will happen. I am excited I will see her Thursday too and she wants me to play the new Wii she got for her birthday with her and I can't wait:) So this is my salute to my little sister, whom I affectionately call my Little Princess! (she is spoiled!!!).

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY PRINCESS AMIE!!!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia!

These were the images I got blessed with seeing today! A beautiful Cross with a butterfly, a tomb with flowers, kids & youth (whom some dressed up and it was ADORABLE!), and some balloons! I woke up to a text from my brother wishing me a Happy Easter:) Then I went to a breakfast at church, which was delicious! After that I sat through a 1.5 hour church service that would have not been too bad BUT they did NOT sing, Christ the Lord is Risen Today, which is my favorite hymn. I am pretty sure this is the first year in my whole life I have not sang that song on Easter. My friend Caci and I were devestated. We also had communion, which was different and they and "Were you there?". It was just different for me, but I guess I will survive. Tonight I am going to a Easter dinner at my friend Kristen's and I am going to ask her husband to play Christ the Lord is Risen today, on the piano because I need to hear it!

After service #1, my boss and I ventured to work to begin filling up LOTS of balloons. We had a few issues with finding the key to the helium tank and all kinds of fun things. But after about 30 minutes of wasted time we started filling them up and then had to transport them from the Rec building, to the van, to the Spiritual Life Center, and then to the Chapel. It was hilarious and I have so much static in my hair and body I keep getting shocked! We just barely were ready at 2 when the kids arrived. Things went well for the most part, there were a few hiccups but I think only my boss and I noticed. My favorite part was the balloon release at the end! The kids wrote down something they wanted to, "Let Go, and Let God" and tied it to the balloon. Then we all went out in front of the Chapel and released the balloons. The wind had picked up so they went really fast. I am surprised I even got a shot of them! We all shouted ALLELUIA as we let go of our balloons. It was a lovely Easter:)

I did miss being with family, but they will be here soon! And I am so blessed to have a wonderful group of friends to join together tonight and eat with:) I made some deviled eggs and watergate salad to make myself feel a little at home! HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL! It truly is a blessed day to celebrate the Risen Lord, the empty tomb gives us hope for a new life!

Gone to Carolina in my mind

Oh how I miss the great state of NC. Yesterday on Oprah, James Taylor performed! It was lovely to listen to him sing some of my favorite songs. It took me back even for a moment to NC and the warm sunshine. I always remember my dad singing Fire and Rain with my mom at church things and so when I hear James Taylor I just can't help but get a little sentimental and home sick. Good thing my parents and sister are coming to see my Tuesday and I will be in NC on the 23rd!!! I love it here in Illinois too, but I'm gone to Carolina in my mind...

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind

Karen she's a silver sun
You best walk her way and watch it shinin'
Watch her watch the mornin' come
A silver tear appearing now
I'm cryin' ain't I
Gone to Carolina in my mind

There ain't no doubt it no ones mind
That loves the finest thing around
Whisper something soft and kind
And hey babe the sky's on fire,
I'm dyin' ain't I
Gone to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm goin' to Carolina in my mind

Dark and silent late last night
I think I might have heard the highway calling
Geese in flight and dogs that bite
Signs that might be omens say I going, going
I'm gone to Carolina in my mind

With a holy host of others standing around me
Still I'm on the dark side of the moon
And it seems like it goes on like this forever
You must forgive me
If I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind

In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine
Can't you just feel the moonshine
Ain't it just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
Gone to Carolina in my mind
Then I'm on to Carolina in my mind
Gone to Carolina in my mind
Gone - I'm gone - I'm gone
Say nice things about me
'Cause I'm gone south
Carry on without me
'Cause I'm gone

Feet

Last night at Chapel, as we experienced a Seder Meal, I also got the humbling opportunity to wash my kids feet. Some of course didn't want their feet washed because it was a very intimate and different experience. But the ones that did let me wash their feet I am very grateful to because it impacted me so much. As I washed this one girl's feet, I just had to pause to think that this was such an amazing moment in time because, this girl,

1. is extremely hyper all the time so for her to calm down and let me wash her feet was amazing in itself.

2. This is a girl who has lost most of her family in a house fire a few years ago, she is bipolar, many days she drives me up the wall and I think she might be the kid I struggle with the most.

But as I washed her feet I said a prayer thanking God for letting me be humbled in that moment, to be able to wash her feet, to serve her. She thanked me over and over again, and I told her it was my honor. As I moved around the tables washing different kids and staffs feet, I wish I could bottle up the emotions that were in the room. There was some laughter, but mainly just a bunch of kids and adults all joined together in that moment, all being humbled at the act of footwashing. I think some of my kids felt like the disciples, completely baffled as to why someone, especially Jesus (their leader) or Me (their kinda leader) would want to wash THEIR feet. Especially at Cunningham this was even more of a wild and radical thing because staff really do not touch kids unless we have to. We must do side hugs, and we are always telling the kids to be careful of boundaries. But in this moment we let ourselves be completely vulnerable and let someone touch their feet. Sometimes we need these intimate times within our communities. As we concluded our service last night and our guest muscian of the night, Nate, started singing Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord. I could not help but think how fitting that sound was because that night my eyes/heart needed to be opened and when they were, I saw feet and they were such beautiful feet.

Reflect upon the intimate nature of footwashing and hopefully one day soon you will be able to participate in a footwashing.