Goodbye 2005...

It started with 3 months in a new job and three months in New Jersey...and it ends with a new condo and a some guy hanging around quite a lot...

Another year of firsts...
First time Home Owner
First time at a boyfriends ex-girlfriends wedding
First Bulls Game
First Big 10 football game
First time leading a small group
First major job change
First attorney
First missions trip
First flea bites
First time eating Grass Hoppers
First boyfriend SVT approved of
First time in Chicago for the 4th
First Red Eye Flight
First supervisor position
Furthest away from home - Oaxaca, Mexico
First time to Texas
First time to Iowa
First time to Maryland
First time to New Jersey
First time drinking Oaxacan Coffee (best coffee ever)

Best Trip of 2005 - Missions trip to Oaxaca, Mexico

Best Purchase of 2005 - My Condo

Best Concert of 2005 - Brooks and Dunn/Big and Rich

Best Movie of 2005 - Harry Potter

Favorite TV Show of 2005 - Amazing Race

Christmas Tour 2005 - Greetings from Ludington

John and I have left the comfort of Chicago and our crazy jobs to spend a week trampsing around the midwest visiting friends and family. It started out Saturday morning heading to Toledo...(yes 'Holy Toledo, go ahead and say it everyone else does) to meet all of 'the fellas' for the annual Christmas party. It was great to finally meet these guys that John talks so much about...after being drilled by one of them in a most interesting fashion, winning a Napoleon Dynamite pen, and very little sleep, we headed north to Ludington, MI where John's parents live (stopping on the way to meet TJ, John's brother for linner). In Hallmark commercial fashion, we showed up at the Church where John's mom was performing with her bell choir on Sunday night around 7:45 just to see the last 2 numbers. And it is here, where we have been hiding out for the past 2 days. It has been most relaxing and enjoyable. I joined in for the bell choir practice tonight (bit rusty after almost 8 years), met the 15 year old gold fish, saw for the first time black squirrels, and have received doggy eye daggers from Bud the dog...he's jealous what can I say. So that's where I have been and where I will remain until Thursday when we head back to the city to pick up some Christmas gifts before heading back to Dad and Momrich's.

Clean Freak

I went to my first Bulls game last week...and although it was a ton of fun...I found that one of my favorite parts was when the guy came out with the Swiffer and cleaned the floors during the game...how cool is that?? How do you get that job?? Swiffing the Bulls floor. Sweat! Then I started to think that I may have an obsession....not just with the Swiffer, as most of you know I do but...it hit me that one of my highlights of Baseball games is when the ump steps up and sweeps off the plate with his little pocket broom....it was that point that I realized I may have an illness.

2 Masters At Work...

That a way to use your heads boys...

Well...maybe it's time...

To share a decent picture...since for those of you who haven't met him have been wondering what he really looks like after the last picture I posted...here you go...don''t make me regret it...

I'm Home!

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement, prayers, as well as welcome backs as I have returned to the States. It made me feel very loved and protected while I was gone! My time in Oaxaca was unforgettable. Partially because of the amazing experience I had when I was there and the things that the Lord taught me and partially because my legs are still itching because of the bug bites (well at least I think they are bug bites...the jury is still out). It has been interesting adjusting to being back. I went from sleeping on a concrete floor in a poor village to an extravagant wedding all with in the same week. That really makes you think. I also wish I would have learned a little spanish before going there. Even though it's amazing how much you can communicate without words, it was frustrating not being able to speak, that and I also said "Hey look at Scott's Bathroom" when I meant his baby...luckily that was with in our group. I will try to post more details later but I know some of you have been waiting for some pics and to know that I was alive so there you go. Here are a few of my favorite pics along with the link to the yahoo album.

This is just a picture on the way up the mountain, it came out pretty good considering we were in the van and the windows were tinted.



This one is one of my favorites, it's of some of the kids in the village we spent 2 days in. It was the first time they had seen their picture on a digital camera. They were all very excited and probably one of my favorite moments of the trip.



Ahh, Mexico, the gift that keeps on giving...a portion of my slight infestation...



More pictures can be found here...

Oaxaca Pictures

While I'm gone...

Make yourself useful when you check in and forget that I'm not going to have a new post up b/c I'm not in the country, and pray...

Oaxaca Prayer Calender.


10.27 - For any last minute “bumps” that may be coming our way—especially those from the Enemy
10.28 - For spiritual and physical protection as we finalize our preparations
10.29 - For final preparations and packing
10.30 - For safe travels to Mexico…and perhaps a good night’s sleep on the plane (I can't sleep on planes and the flight is at 2 am)
10.31 - This day marks the beginning of the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead. Please Pray for our spiritual protection over the next two days
11.01 - Please pray for all the people who are participating in the rituals of Day of the Dead—that they would see the One True God and turn away from the darkness that is surrounding them
11.02 - For the Children at the Orphanage, that they would know the Lord and believe Him for His promises
11.03 - For the staff at FFHM (Foundation for His Ministry), that they would feel rejuvenated and prepared for the upcoming conference they are going to host
11.04 - For Safe travels back to the States
11.05 - For rest and “re-entry” into our lives state-side

If you could keep each of the members of the team in your prayers each day, I know that we would all be so appreciative…
Joe Brandon Scott Rob Scott Larry Audra Amy Laura Sarah Kate Natalie

In the event...

that I do get married and have a bachelorette party...I beg those of you who may participate in the festivities, as my final wish as a single person...please please please...do not include 'the list' as part of the evenings activities. I hate 'the list'...i hate 'the list' when i'm at other people's parties...i hate 'the list' when i'm out and see bachelorette parties performing tasks on 'the list'...if i ever bump into the person who started the whole concept of 'the list' the will get an ear full.. Why must, on the last night to go out and just enjoy a final night of fun and freedom with one's girlfriends, do girls resort so low to have them perform such ridiculous tasks? Why can't we all just go out and sing to 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' without having to get our picture taken with someone with the same name as our fiance? Or collect business cards from random guys? I would much rather just spend quality time with the girls that mean the most, realizing that although we don't want things to change with them, we all know that they will. It may mean catching up to some girls that have been in the next chapter for a while, and leaving behind some girls that have been such a support in that chapter we call singleness...Do we really need to use a 'list'??? Am I alone in this thought?

Here he is boys and girls...

The man behind the curtain...the one that has been keeping me pre-occupied and away from blogger.com...it's all his fault...with a face like that, how can you blame me?

Well...it's mine....and I like it...

Today the Bose sound dock taunted me for the last time...