Life lessons...

Sooo... yesterday I was at the Shedd aquarium with my second cousins and their families, which was about 10 people in all. There were four little girls, 8, 2, 1, and a 5-month old. We all got in free because of a thing my cousin's husband got online for a Christmas party there. It was tons of fun- we got to see a bunch of cool shows and see the aquariums all day. But we stopped in at this guest lounge area, and I was playing with the little kids. I guess I was distracted, because on our way out, I was putting little 1-year old Sarah into the stroller, and I completely forgot to grab my purse off the table. We went downstairs to this dolphin area, and I realized I didn't have it. In the course of ten minutes, I had left it in the lounge. Quickly running up there, I had a sinking feeling, and it was indeed gone. I checked all over - lost and found throughout the day, bathroom, upstairs and down, but nothing. I called the banks and my dad, praying that either we would find it or the person wouldn't use the cards before I could called the banks. I also had some checks written out to me and a phone in there, but that's ok because I have an old phone a friend let me borrow that will work. Thanks Reb!!! Sorry Diego I lost the phone you lent me!

Throughout the whole ordeal, I surprisingly was not freaking out as much as I normally would. I know my parents were praying I wouldn't worry about it, and I actually didn't (very much). God allowed each "important" item in my purse to get taken care of, and now I have learned a few things through it. First, purses and wallets are all going to burn at the end of all things. :) I do realize money can be important in life, but God is letting me know that He can take care of all that, giving me a presence of mind (and also a great dad) to take care of the necessary details. Secondly, people are much more important than things! I knew that in my heart, but having to realize it in such a difficult way was good for me. My cousin's husband Dan, after expressing how bad he felt about me losing it was like, "Well, at least you're alive and well, no one was hurt, no one's bleeding..." SO TRUE! :) Third, it's so crucial that we develop a sense of eternity, not the silly things of this life. Whenever we get so emotionally attached to things here, we forget to focus on the Real King, Christ. This might also be a good preparation for living in Sao Paulo, since it's not exactly uncommon to have things stolen right off you on the buses, streets, etc. :)

Anyways, that was my Saturday adventure. In some ways, I'm thankful this happened, not that I'm glad to have to deal with all the issues, but that God taught me a lot through it. Who knows? Maybe someone can get some use out of my Chicago train pass that was also in there. :)

Oh the times of change...

Well, I guess I never thought I'd be saying this, but I officially have only 7 weeks left of actual college classes. All my life I thought college seemed like this looming event in the future that would probably never actually get here. And now it's almost over -weird. Anyways, I guess with the end coming up really soon, I've been pensive a lot lately. Whenever I had to make a transition in my life, which was pretty often, I usually began to take things a lot more seriously and make more of an effort to be sure that everyone around me knew that they were important to me. But why only when I'm getting ready to leave? Why not on an ordinary day when I am stessed out....can't I still offer the most I can for those people I am close to? It seems like, as the old saying goes, "You only appreciate what you had when it's gone." I need to learn to more fully appreciate who's here now and all they add to my life...

Anyways, today was basically hilarious on lunch shift for dishcrew. I was working rack, loading the dishes on, and Mel and Josh were on silver and slop. I had thrown a sponge that hit Josh square on the arm and another that hit Mel square on the ear/face. :) It was pure delight to me. Anyways, Josh decides he wants to get me back, a fair decision in my mind, as it is pretty normal to have sponge fights on silver/slop/rack. He throws it at me, completely missing, while I shriek (something I only do when I'm hyper or working dishcrew or both) and proceed to dump over my bucket of water all over myself. They were doubled over with laughter, and Killer soon shares the story with Nate and Naomi. News always travels fast on the crew, and soon everyone was looking at me knowingly, assured of the fact that I am a clutz who manages to dump water all over herself, even when I didn't even get hit by the sponge. I just enjoy those little D.C moments, and these are some times I will treasure and never forget.

Then there's those times I miss my boyfriend like CRAZY, like right now for instance. I have learned that when those times come, instead of being melancholy and feeling sorry for myself, I need to put every single one of those desires and feelings before the Lord, focusing back on who is my True Rock. Even though it's ok to miss my Aulo, it's important that he not become what I trust for support and the strength I can run to at the end of the day. God's really been convicting me of that lately.

So, anyways, Mel and Angelica are here studying, and I should probably take the hint and go do a bit of reading for Apologetics. or maybe just get to sleep soon, since I'm babysitting in the morning. That's another things I'll miss, watching little Liem and Raine every Friday. it's been fun...

The main thing for today is to be reminded that the people around me have always been important to me. They are some of God's instruments in shaping me into who He wants me to become. and i'll definitely miss them.