Almost Christmas Break...

Although I haven't had any work since ... last Friday really, I'm still looking forward to leaving Richardson tomorrow and heading home. Usually I don't look forward to breaks as much as some (they can get boring), I feel like this one will be the best ever. I'm really excited to spend some time with Dave's family this weekend, and then some downtime at home. In the middle of next week, Jill and Rachel and I are going to New York to go skiing. It's a great deal and I am thrilled.

For the first time ever, Dave and I will get to spend Christmas together. His family is celebrating Christmas on Sunday, and my family is celebrating on Tuesday. So I'm heading out east for the weekend, and he'll come back with me and then we'll head out with my mom for Washington D.C. We'll spend some time in D.C. after Christmas with my cousin and his friend before coming back to Pittsburgh.

So yeah, the break is going to be great. Also, in extreme anticipation of things to come, I have become addicted to the apartment listings on Craigslist. I love Geneva, I love Richadson, but I am ready to go. It's time. Too bad I can't move into an apartment until May. Oh well. I know that I really need to appreciate this last semester and not get too anxious about moving on.

Alright, time to go work out.

Good things...

1) Baby Sarah is fine and beautiful. We went to see her and she slept on me the whole time. She's so tiny and perfect. *sigh* Much many praises to God for her safety.

2) Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and here comes the family. :-D

3) I have a ton of work coming up, but I just got an entire 5 page paper out of the way.

4) Jesus is so good to me. In general and specific ways. And the specific will just have to wait to be publicized.

5) I have good friends. Really good friends.

Be grateful!

Pray

Pray for baby Sarah, who is having a complicated birth. And for Christy, her mom, that everything goes smoothly from here on out and they are both perfectly fine.

I have an incredible boyfriend. Today I worked in the office, and I expected Dave to show up around 4:15 (I was to be done at 5:00) and then he'd grab dinner in the brig, we'd eat together there, and then get about our individual business. Instead, he shows up at 4:55, with flowers and a pomegranate. How sweet, right??? And then he asks if I'm in the mood for Chinese. Buffet. What!? What!? Of course! So I was grinning ear to ear. Dave is such an incredible man. I'm really blessed. P.S. He even had brought the Jeep down to the Student Center.

So...I am getting organized. I have really begun to use my planner. Surprisingly, it is working. I write down when I need to do things, I scratch them off once they are done. It's a fabulous process. I don't forget things!

Speaking of things I'm writing down and not forgetting, I am going to visit a super maximum security prison next week. I am writing a paper of prisons and prison ministry, and there is a federal supermax facility about 40 minutes away from Geneva. I expect to interview guards, and hopefully, an inmate or two. It should be interesting and helpful for my paper.

Lame

Me. I'm lame. Because I just read an article about employers Googling job candidates and I figured, if I've got a blog, and an employer may one day Google it, it may as well have an entry. So, because of my strange sleep pattern, I am up. And because of my lame-ness, I am posting.

So, Pedro/Rover is the cat that has been sleeping on our front porch for probably 2-3 weeks now. At first he slept on the wicker loveseat, but when it started to get cold, we bought him a little home in a cardboard box that protects him from the wind. We've been really diligent about feeding him, giving him milk and water. He's the cutest little guy - just still terrified of us. Yesterday I got him to eat out of my hand, but today when I tried to pet him, he hissed. Slow progress, but progress none the less. Hopefully, in about a week, my aunt can take him in for good. He's a good cat, and I wish he could be mine, but alas, I have another year of pet-free life to endure.

In not-so-interesting news, I am a procrastinator. Well, sort of. I have a paper due on Friday, but I may be out of town until Friday night, in which case I need to turn it in Thursday morning. So, I tried to get it done tonight, but I couldn't. People were around and talking and blah,blah, it's no new story. Tomorrow, I have a good 6 hours I can dedicate to it, and it's only 3-4 pages. I also need to revise another paper.

The week before and after Fall Break is always crazy, and this is the beginning of it. From here on out, I have 2 midterms, another paper, a quiz or two, and other normal everyday work. Fall Break will be a sweet release. Quality time with Dave, his family, my car...

It's starting to hit me that I am graduating. Today, while working in the office, I was labeling envelopes that went out to all the seniors. I went through my whole class, and it was just so strange to think about these people and these four years and my life and my future. It's still so unsure - even though I'm making progress in firming it up. Ironically, I have the part of my future secure that most people are still up in the air about. I do not have a clue as to the parts that everyone else is so certain about. Patience...

Also, I've been humming Christmas songs lately. I'm a sucker for some of those songs. Truly it's about Jesus, but there is something really romantic about the secular celebration, too. All that "I wish you were here" and "home for the holidays" and "family" stuff makes me happy. My family is ridiculous, but I love them.

Ok, I can probably sleep now.

P.S. Internet games are addicting.

It's funny the things you don't think will happen.
I was discussing this with Sam, a friend and housemate last night, and it's incredible the situations that you don't plan on. I'm sure that this is just hitting me now because I lead and have lead my life by myself for so long. I'm sure that when one has children, everything that they do not think of happens. But for me, it's really a change.
When I asked to live in a house this year, I had a fairly clear vision of what that would look like. Me, some freaking awesome girls, a nice house. I expected drama (hey, we're all girls!) and I expected little things to come up here and there.
But then our 10th housemate never showed, and Colleen left, and Sarah came, and it pretty much happened all at once. Everything shifted and the house dynamic is different, and I don't know how to address it.
More later.

So...it's been over a month. I move into my house at school in 4 days. So much for a summer blog. It's been at times really busy, and also at times really boring. During busy times, I obviously lack the time to update this, and during the boring times, I don't have much to say.
Things that have happened:
I am not living in Patterson next year. I'm living in Richardson. (+)
I did not read very much this summer. (-)
I have seen Jill a lot. (+)
I haven't talked to Kelly as much as I would like. (-)
I hung out with Brittany a lot. (+)

I don't know how I feel about the end of all of this. I really liked the experience that I had. I learned a lot, especially about myself. But I guess I expected more. I don't know.

I do know that I am ready to go back. More than ever. So, see you soon.

New Post

Ok, I know I keep writing little entries...that have no real content...so here's another one.

I just requested information from law schools and grad schools. Holy crap.

Quick thoughts...

Some things I'm pondering lately; I'll expand soon enough:

- justice
- attitude
- tattoos (getting one, not it's moral implications or lack thereof)
- missing Dave but really not minding it as much as last summer
- God's awesome awesome provision


More to come, I'm sure!

Umm...how long has it been? Really?

So, I last wrote here like, a week and a half ago. Last week was the rest of training, warehouse orientation, worksite staff bonding, etc, etc, etc. I got to hang out with Sarah Fuller and Maria Barron, which were both exciting and fun evenings.
This past weekend I spent at Dave's house. I left around 4 on Friday, with Karli, a girl from my room who lives out there. We drove for about 100 miles in the worst rain storm I have ever been in in my life. I thought the Jeep got struck by lightening twice. We had to pull over twice because the rain was literally coming down in sheets. Friday night we just hung out, watched a movie, blah de blah. It was really good to see him - I miss him!
Saturday we did a ton of random stuff, just hung out. This morning, Dave spoke to the junior high kids at church about Nehemiah, and I went to hear him. He did so well. Then we went out for Chinese, and then I left.
I got back to the Project just in time to tell my worksite groups about their homeowners and the jobs they'll be doing. Then Trevor and I taught them about Set-up and Clean-up tasks.

So...tomorrow is the big day. It's time to really get working on the houses. I'm excited and I'm nervous, but I'm confident that it will be very rewarding. I should definitely write (but not right now) about something we did last week called a 'poverty simulator'. I'll leave you in suspense.

Many thoughts...

Wow. Today has been really different from the other two. This morning, we ran around the neighborhood, inviting people to a huge block party that we're throwing tomorrow. We got to talk to the people of the city and it was great. I felt uncomfortable once or twice, when the house looked super shady and when a lady came out of the house screaming, but it was a really great opportunity.
Then the Service Camp Staff met to talk about some stuff, and then we had a great conversation about race and poverty and attitudes and assumptions. We talked about being real, and seeing the plank in your eye before scraping and digging the speck out of your brother's eye. It was so refreshing. Here's why.
The past two days have been really hard for me, and I really need prayer. I'm really struggling with how I've felt. I've been really very sad, and I don't know why. I know that the people are Christians and really committed to serving people, but I really feel very alone. I've been relying a lot on my good friends, and that's been good, but I'm still struggling. But today's conversation really relaxed me and encouraged me and I can't wait for more of that so that I start to feel better.

In the mean time, prayer and encouragement are super-appreciated. And a random surprise call/visit/letter/text/IM/e-mail.

412-973-7324

Lauren Shaw
2801 N. Charles St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15214

oldieschick51

2 Days Down...

So, I'm here! Not much to say yet, I'll have internet on my computer tomorrow. But in the mean time:
-Pray for John Minarik who is in Africa and sick.
-Give thanks to God that Dave's sister is going to have a little baby girl in October!

God is so good and so faithful, and it's so important to remember that. :-D

So, the list from the last post has dwindled...
>decide whether or not to take a summer class [decision: no]
>unpack school stuff [done]
>repack school stuff [pretty much done]
>go to the greenhouse [done, and i already have spinach sprouting!]
>pack for the summer [we shouldn't go there yet]
>relax a little [not yet]
>find out if I can volunteer with hospice again [it's true, i can]
>read some stuff for class/other things [oh baby, i am back in my reading groove]

I really, unbelievably miss everyone. This has come out in my uber-organizational/think ahead personality. I have finished my door decs, and send out stuff to all the girls from the house. I'm ridiculous.

Also - Pastor Selvaggio is good for more than excellent preaching. His book? Awesome!

*Anxiously tapping fingers...*

Well, I am home. And by home, I mean my location for the next week and a half. Then my home becomes the North Side of Pittsburgh. But for now, I'll be enjoying White Oak and getting stuff together for the summer and the fall. Before May 29th, I need to:
>decide whether or not to take a summer class
>unpack school stuff
>repack school stuff
>go to the greenhouse
>pack for the summer
>relax a little
>find out if I can volunteer with hospice again
>read some stuff for class/other things
>probably a good many other things that I can't think of.

Let me just say again how excited I am about this summer. I am excited to a) be living in the city b) be doing city ministry c) work with youth! d) hang with Brittany! e) be out of my comfort zone sometimes and therefore f) grow a lot and g) prepare myself for my last year of college with a house full of girls that I absolutely love.

So, maybe I will chronicle my pre-Pittsburgh Project adventures, as listed above. But really, I just can't wait to get started doing what God is calling me to this summer!

A job! A summer job!

I just got an e-mail from the Pittsburgh Project that said I can expect to get a real letter soon enough that says I will be working there as a worksite liaison! I am so excited! That is the job that I was hoping for, and now I am definitely going to be doing it. This summer is going to be so fabulous!

A job! (Still not a summer one...)

I just found out that I have a(nother) part time job for next year. This one's quite small, only 5 hours a week or so. But, if you come to the Residence Life office next year, at least on Tuesdays from 3-5, you may see my shining face. What I'll be doing, that's another question.

Something exciting...

Good news! (Not about my job)
My cousin and her husband, who have been living in Louisville since Christmas time 2004, are possibly relocating soon. Eric is finished with his doctorate classes, so he is applying for jobs. He applied at East Stroudsburg, which is out in eastern PA, and he had applied at a school in Ohio (Lake Erie College). BUT I just found out that he is applying for a job at Duquesne University (Pittsburgh!) and that would mean that they would at least live near Pittsburgh, but I heard a rumor that it could be as close to me as Cranberry. It would be incredible to be so close to Jenn! I've really missed her being anywhere near me! Prayer is welcome that Eric would get that job, and that Jenn would find one as well then, and that they would live in Cranberry!!!

The Pizza Guy and related musings...

So, I had a nice long car ride to myself today. And I started thinking of The Pizza Guy.

Last week sometime, the last time I had cash and a growling stomach at the same time, I ordered some pizza. It showed up (and earlier than predicted, might I add), and I went down to pay The Pizza Guy. Oh my goodness. He looked so incredibly sad. I tipped him $5 just because I felt like he was probably at the end of the kind of day that makes you want to just sleep and not wake up.
I mean, come on. He's a Pizza Guy. Not only is he a Pizza Guy, but he's Pizza Guy in a college town where the college specifically endorses his Pizza Place. And college kids are probably always stiffing him, he's probably always waiting around in the rain.
I just wanted to hug the guy. He just looked so sad.

Today, I was thinking more about The Pizza Guy than I had that night, and I realized that everyone is so sad. It comes out so differently for different people. I just couldn't help realize today how badly the world needs Jesus.

No more interviews!

Well, I had my Gretna Glen interview on Thursday. I was pretty late. They knew I would, because I didn't know how long our new experimental route would take. The interview went well and I feel pretty confident about that job, too. What a blessing! Last summer, I applied and interviewed at least at 10 places, only to get hired at one, and only at the last minute. It's really comforting to know that I have two fairly secure options.

I think that Gretna Glen would be a really different experience for me. To only have 24 hours off a week? That's hard. I don't know.

One down, one to go...

Today, I had my Pittsburgh Project interview. I got all dressed up (skirt, blouse, heels), only to talk to some people in work boots and flip flops. But it was on trusted advice that I dressed up, and so I guess it's ok. Anyway...

The interview went really well. Funny fact: a man named Dave and a woman named Lauren interviewed me. (Dave= name of my boyfriend, Lauren= my name.) I really enjoyed the whole process. We laughed a lot and I felt like I connected with the people. I took a tour of the facilities and came to know more about the positions. They are:

Position #1 - Guesthouse Staff - opening and closing a dormitory style building for the youth groups, and the recreation room in that building. A fair amount of administrative duties, too.

Position #2 - Work Site Liaison - traveling all over Pittsburgh between groups of workers, getting them supplies they need, giving them tips on their jobs, helping them, mediating between homeowners and workers.

Then I got a tour of the facilities. There is a huge old school which houses a lot of tutoring programs and offices and stuff. There is the dorm building, and an old church that they have turned into coffeehouse, cafeteria, and large meeting area/sanctuary.

I feel really good. I am really pulling for this job now, because I feel like it fits really well into the direction of my life. I think it would be amazing to build relationships with the staff, and I don't think that I'll feel trapped and need as much time away from people as I would at a camp.

Well, my camp interview is tomorrow. FYI - the Pittsburgh Project website is www.pittsburghproject.org and the Gretna Glen website is www.gretnaglen.org

Also, check out my friend and future housemate's blog, www.braelyn.blogspot.com This summer, she's traveling to Kenya to work with rescued girls from the sex traffic in Nairobi. It should prove to a be a good, eye-opening read.

Pre-Summer Decisions

Well, here it is, the end of March, and my summer plans are completely up in the air. Let's run through 'em.

Option #1 - Camp Gretna Glen, eastern Pennsylvania. Lifeguarding and counseling and doing some adventure-type stuff.

Option #2 - Pittsburgh Project. Working with youth groups on short term work trips and facilitating the trips with the elderly North Side residents.

Option #3 - Lawndale Community Church in Chicago. Volunteering at the church, and getting a job somewhere in the city.

I have interviews at Gretna Glen and the Pittsburgh Project next week, and Lawndale is pretty flexible, since it's just interning. So, we'll see!