week 1

This first week in Florida flew by! There are times where I think I'm getting used to the humidity, to the point where I might even like it, and then there are times that I (and my hair) just can't stand it. Yay for air-conditioning and swimming pools. Actually, they keep the classrooms so cold that I had to buy a long sleeve cardigan, didn't think to pack one of those (yet another great sale at the Gap saves the day).

Classes are going well, but fast! My first two classes wrap up on Friday - meaning I've got lots of reading, writing, studying, and test-taking to do. But don't fear - I'm still having lots of fun, both in the classroom and outside of it. It's really great being with a big group of people with the World Cup going on. I'll definitely be wearing my bright orange t-shirt as I cheer Holland on tomorrow, so exciting! The only sad part is that the game starts at 10 (7AM Cali time) and I'm in class til 11. . .but then again if I worked a 8-5 I'd miss the game altogether so I'll try not to complain.

Yesterday a group of girls and I went to Brierpatch, a really fun breakfast and lunch place. The meal I had definitely filled me up for both of those - banana chocolate chip walnut french toast. So tasty, and very filling as you can imagine! The cafeteria is closed on the weekends so it's fun to try different things in town, I think we might have sushi tonight.

Ok - I really need to get cracking on my Bibilical Interpretation paper. I selected 2 Samuel 9 (check it out if you get the chance) about the kindness King David shows Mephibosheth. . .took me a long time to remember how to spell that and still not too sure how to pronounce it, I'll call him M. Love that passage! So far we've looked at the historical and literary contexts as well as the scenes and plot development in order to properly understand the author's big idea. Next we'll work toward the theological big idea. Really enjoying it - and trying not to go into school mode (what do I need to do to get the grade?), but trying instead to keep my mind and heart engaged in God's Word and what He wants to show me in terms of my need for Him and His redemptive response.

Have a great week friends!

Florida!

Hello from Winter Park! Yep, that's just outside Orlando and where I'll be for the next 4 weeks. The name cracks me up because it feels NOTHING like winter out here - wow, now I know what humidity feels like. Every afternoon around 2-3PM there's a thunderstorm, often booming away during our Old Testament Survey classes, adding a neat emphasis to what our great professor is teaching us.

Anyways, I haven't taken any pictures yet (no surprise) but here's one of the pool, that some friends and I have been swimming in each afternoon, that I swiped off of the internet. Those boys are having a good time and so are we. The building in the background is the cafeteria and on the other side of the pool is a huge lake. Wonder if there's any alligators in there?

I really should be doing homework before dinner so I need to wrap this up. Quickly, here's what an average day looks like:

- 8:30-11:00 Biblical Interpretation

- 11:00-12:00 reading

- 11:30-1 lunch

- 1:00-3:00 Old Testament Survey

- 3:00-4:00 swim

- 4:00-5:30 homework

- 5:30-7 dinner

- 7:00 on - evening activity/homework

Well, at least that's what the past 2 days have looked like. I'm enjoying meeting people and learning lots about the Lord and His Word. So thankful to be here!

Thoughts on a Thursday

• I am just loving my road bike, went on some fun bike rides while home and have enjoyed biking to various hangouts with friends these past couple of days in Berk.
• Go Holland, they’re playing game 2 tomorrow (being shown at 4:30am, eek!). . .the World Cup is such an intense display of physical strength and team/country spirit. Love it!
• There’s lots of great sales going on right now. . .one at Bath and Body Works that I thoroughly enjoyed. Stocked up on great hand soaps for cheap!
• I’ve really been into making smoothies (ice, plain yogurt, and lots of fruit - I’ve been doing blueberries, strawberries, banana, and apricots) and salads (spinach, romaine, garbanzo beans, pan-grilled mushrooms and onions, hard boiled egg, and lunch meat or salmon (that’s a new one for me!), with balsamic dressing - so tasty) lately. . .summertime naturally makes me want to eat fresh and healthy, feels good!
• Reading for my classes has been great. . .but it’s too much - getting antsy with all the siting that goes along with it, and it’s not going to get done (which is ok, I’ll just have to be reading while I’m there). I leave for Florida on Saturday - excited. . .need to remember to pack an umbrella for the daily afternoon thunderstorms!
• On my drive back to Berkeley from home (had such a great time - lots of time at the pool and lake - my kind of break) I saw the most beautiful sunset. This always reminds me of how my mom used to say “Looks like God spilt lemonade” when we saw sunsets as kids, love that. Here’s a picture I took while waiting at a stoplight:

• And lastly, because I know you’re curious. . .the Trader Joe’s has opened and it’s magnificent - so fun checking out all the goodies, and so far I’ve behaved both in terms of cost and calories!
• Have a lovely weekend.

books, books, books

Yep, here's the reading I need to do before I board a plane for Orlando next Saturday. Eek! Of course, it's awesome reading about the Lord - but it's also lots of siting and focusing, hard to do in the summertime. I hope to share quotes that stand out to me from time to time, hoping they will minister to you as well. So, to get the ball rolling - a compelling reason to study systematic theology. . .and not only for those in full-time ministry:

"The task of fulfilling the Great Commission includes therefore not only evangelism but also teaching. Ask the task of teaching all that Jesus commanded us is, in a broad sense, the task of teaching what the whole Bible says to us today. To effectively teach ourselves and to teach others what the whole Bible says, it is necessary to collect and summarize all the Scripture passages on a particular subject" (Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, 27).

Now, off to read some more and then head to Costco, they've got some great coupons right now!

June 11th

What's so special about June 11th you may be wondering? Well - it's the Grand Opening of Trader Joe's 1 block from my apartment of course! Over 2 years ago, when I knew I'd be moving to Berkeley, one of the first things I did was google to see if there was a Trader Joe's near by. Upon doing so I found out that they were just about to begin a huge building project including apartments and my favorite store closer then I could have ever dreamed (a sweet blessing from the Lord, no?). . .that proceeded to take over 2 years. Man, it's hard being patient! Well, the day has come. The doors are opening this Friday and I'm super excited!

Now, not to make you think I have been Trader Joe-less, there are 2 locations about a 10 minute drive away. . .and here is a list of my favorite products (great blog idea Bethany and Rebecca!) off the top of my head:

- dark chocolate pretzel slims

- kashi harvest wheat cereal

- mediterranean hummus

- chewable adult multi-vitamin

- tissue box

- naan, in the freezer section

- "soy milk extra"

- fat free balsamic dressing

- butter and eggs (cheaper then at the grocery store)

- berries (black, blue, straw, rasp)

- beets (fresh, ready to eat)

- frozen balsamic veggies

- "soy creamy min chocolate sandwiches"

- craisins

- fire roasted guacamole

- white whole wheat flour

- natural peanut butter

- snap peas

- toasted sliced almonds

Ok, wow, this list is getting embarrassingly long. I still do some shopping at a regular grocery store because Trader Joe's doesn't carry everything and their produce can be more pricey at times - but as you can tell, I'm a big fan of this store. Shopping here motivates me to eat healthy and creatively and the portions are just the right size for this single lady. I hate it when food goes to waste! Oh, and their label design and product descriptions are just fun. I'll keep you posted on new TJ finds. . .if you'll do your part and hold me accountable to not spending too much money and calories (though there's lots of healthy foods there are also a lot of tempting not so healthy options) at this store that will just be a hop, skip, and jump away!

From Breck to Berk

What a difference flying in a plane for 2 hours can make. I got back to warm weather and a loud Indian festival happening down the street in Berkeley. Just a little different then what I experienced in Breckenridge the past couple of weeks. It is good to be back though. I tried to unpack and get settled in as quickly as possible because I won't be here for long. Flying out to Orlando, FL to take classes through Campus Crusade's Institute for Biblical Studies (not the definition for IBS that most people think of. . .thank goodness!) on June 19th. Until then I will be reading, reading, reading. I'm taking 4 intense classes and it is strongly recommended that we do all the reading before we get there. I'm doubtful that I'll get it all done in under 2 weeks but I'll try. I also plan on going home to Oakdale for a few days - can't stay away from family for too long!

Beautiful places and faces

Here are the staff and students of Greek Summit Breckenridge 2010!

The end.

Some of the staff and I just watched the last students drive off in a shuttle to the airport. All good things (except for eternal life - yesss!) must come to an end I suppose. What a sweet time. The banquet went really well last night. It was so special to hear students share the things they had learned about the Lord and how to have a ministry in their Greek houses. Each of them are different men and women then when they came - so fun to see transformation happen.

Just a couple of random pictures. We bought decorations for the banquet at Target - check out the scenery, this has got to be the most beautiful location for this great store.

And here is what the table decor looked like at the banquet. We put fun quotes from our time together in small frames. We lit candles and sprinkled candies around, within the color scheme. Each student and staff had a 12x12 sheet of paper with their name on it underneath their plate. Over the corse of the night everyone wrote notes of encouragement and fun memories so that we all had something tangible to remind us of our new friendships.

Oh, and everyone had a little Andes mint at the corner of their place setting - to mask the amazing taste of ribs, beans, and cornbread that we had for dinner. But don't worry - we definitely had dessert too. . .custom ordered awesome cupcakes. The night also consisted of a short charge by the project director, Brandon, and a prayer time. And, of course - lots of fun dancing.

Well, I'll be back in California mid-morning tomorrow. About to have lunch, staff meeting, packing and cleaning, then a fun night with the staff and then we're off. Hope to be back again some day - and if any Cal Greeks are reading this. . .you've gotta come, can't wait to tell you all about it!

Thursday?!

As cliche as it sounds. . .time is flying! It's Thursday night - students leave Saturday morning, sadness. It's hard for me to put it to words here but things are going really well. We just heard a couple great talks from Roger Hershey. I heard him speak for the first time November of my senior year in college - and it's after that weekend conference, and how the Lord spoke through him, that I decided to do an internship with Campus Crusade. That was 3 1/2 years ago - wowzers. It was so special to have him with us in a smaller setting, I had the chance to tell him what an influence he's had on my life. He gave talks, similar to the ones I heard, about eternal perspective, still great stuff that I need to be reminded of constantly. The students LOVED him as well. In honor of Hersh we had an ice cream social last night and I made "Better Than Hershey's" warm chocolate sauce. Here's the recipe - I highly recommend it!! Ok, off to grab dinner with students and then more activities. Banquet tomorrow - I'm in charge and it's coming together. I kinda feel like I'm planning a small wedding, fun!

4 tbsp. butter

¼ cup Karo syrup

7 tbsp. unsweetened Hershey cocoa

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 ½ cup sugar

1 cup evaporated milk

2 tsp. vanilla

*Melt butter in a sauce pan, stir in Karo syrup.

*Add cocoa and oil (be careful not to burn).

*Gradually add sugar and milk stirring constantly; bring to light boil, add vanilla.

*Serve over vanilla ice cream with chopped pecans