Seeking Cohesion

I don't like presenting blogs that aren't a unified whole in some way, shape or form (at least in my head), but in order to get thoughts down, here we are. Maybe someday I can expand and be more thoughtful. If anyone can spot an underlying theme, I'll give them a cookie.

And here we go:
-Had coffee with Vanessa yesterday. She's on a 4 day vacation in town so we had a chance to catch up and grab some Caribou time. What amazes me is how easy this friendship is now. What was, at one point, a friendship that seemed more forced by proximity (at least to me) has, as it has been given space, grown into a relationship where I find that there is true care and concern on both parts. We have been through three years of living together, something that at this point only one other person outside of family can say about me (and it's not my husband!). It would be easy to say that it's easy because we only see each other a handful of times a year at the moment, and there may be truth in that. But in reality, I think that we've grown up. We've come more and more into our own. And it's just easy. Not forced.

-I feel like the past few days have been a wash of new information and chances to learn about doing student ministry in an urban setting. I feel humbled by how much I am still learning, how much of what I am comfortable doing is within my context from growing up (white, middle class, suburban) and how my experiences at Bethel have prepared me for what is coming and what I am doing. We are all in this learning, learning from one another and trying to live out our calling. I have been convicted that we talk so much about where we are lacking and don't pay attention to the resources that we do have (particularly, male leaders and our location to local schools) and as such, we haven't used them as well as we should. Lots of thoughts percolating.

-In light of all of these thoughts, however, is my list of things that I really must do this week here at work. I'm trying to list out, intentionally, what I need to do during my work week. As a way of being more accountable to my time and the ministry's needs. I'm almost overwhelmed already. This is a busy season for all of us. I am also incredibly excited.

-We rearranged the living room this weekend. I really love it. It feels homier. If that's a word. Anyway. It hadn't been rearranged since the wedding, since Dan moved in. And really, that wasn't rearranging, that was fitting his things in as best we could. This was more collaborative and feels better.

-I'm working 3 out of 4 Mondays now. It's a different feel, well, the first hour of my work day has had a different feel. My Monday seems more like a Friday so far...but I know that things will pick up considerably. Speaking of which, my self-allotted time to blog this out has come to an end and I must really start my day. So I'll end with these three closing, short thoughts.

-I think that Christian is going to win Project Runway. And, the more I watch it, the more I think that Jillian is an alien. I wish she'd show some emotion. Or change her vocal frequencies. Something. Throw me a bone, Jillian!

-Lost blew my mind this week.

-Dan and I are going to the Matt Costa concert tonight. It's a combination birthday present, and Valentine's day dinner out. I'm really looking forward to it and hoping that Dan enjoys his gift.

-Why the heck does blogger let you use webdings as a formatting font option? It just doesn't make sense!?!?