Half a year in review

2012 is almost half over.  It has been a wild, bumpy, and fun ride.  Just thinking about the last six months just makes me step back in amazement at the person I have developed into. Since January 2012, I have: - broken off a relationship that wasn't working and had my character tested over and over again. -lost my dog of almost 16 years. -taken a weeklong vacation to Florida with my family and all three of my grandparents. -passed my license  for my job (it still makes me want to squeal). -moved out of my parents' house with a super awesome roommate in probably one of the sweetest deals I could ever have finagled. -did a long distance triathlon fairly well without much training. -overcome the most intense heartache of my life to see the beauty and brokenness of this world and to develop a deep empathy and understanding of others. -started attending a church really close to my new house where I can serve in the community where I Iive, forcing me to put my money where my mouth is. -overcome allegations of my character and developed deep relationships with people who have encouraged me and loved me through some very difficult times. -tried a gluten free diet (which I stopped after almost passing out on a run). -wrestled with Christ and learned the amazingness of constant prayer and fasting to come to a place where I am at peace living in the one city I swore never wanted to live again. -registered for the Chicago marathon with a rockin' charity (I already have half my money raised!) -signed up to do therapy with women in Haiti for a week, straddling staying in my current job and serving internationally (which is where my heart is). On Sunday, we will be boarding my first cruise ever to the Bahamas with a sequential trip to The Happiest Place on Earth.  Pretty much, it is going to be fantastically awesome. I am constantly amazed at how much has changed and happened in the lot few months.  However, I know more changes are coming.  Good things are coming peeps, good things I tell you. L

Flashback Friday

In honor of our upcoming trip to Disney, I thought I would post a pic of our trip from 1995.  Admire the fanny pack, windbreaker, and choir shirt.  During this trip, Kristen decided to look for a new family.  When the bus arrived, she decided no one else was going to pay her college bills.

The $0 week

This week, God called me to spend money.  Zero.  Zip.

Initially, I waivered between being excited about this and thinking "what am I going to eat"?  I have a little food in the fridge, but I really like produce.  And I have exactly one-quarter of a tank of gas in my Grand Prix (the Vue is sitting on E).  So, I biked.  My friends were downtown hanging out, so I biked down there to see them.  Twice.  I donated plasma.  I did not buy groceries, but used whatever we had in our cabinets, in my stockpile, and our fridge/freezer.  I even made money selling treats for my marathon.  It was actually kind of nice to clean out the fridge before vacation.


Gas went down, but I did not waiver.  I owe an extra $50 for my flight for Haiti and found travel insurance.  Not a dime was spent.  I sat, and waited on God to meet my needs.  It was hard, difficult, and very eye opening.

Ok, so I ended up spending $15 last night.  I was hosting a few friends and we ran to my parents' house to get an inflatable bed we didn't use.  I didn't want to leave them stranded on the south side with no gas.

This exercise showed me that I spent too much money on things I didn't need and don't trust God enough to meet my needs.  And here is the amazing part:  I did not starve.  I didn't even feel deprived.  I felt as if my life was simplified a little.  I feel confident going into this vacation that I can spend money without guilt and know that God will provide for my every need, even my very basic, primitive needs.  I stand amazed and excited to be overwhelmed by His provisions in the days and weeks to come, because, to be honest, there are so many things coming down the pipeline.

It's a work in progress

Sometimes, it is worth stopping and smelling the roses (or taking pictures of the flowers)....

Admiring the beauty in difference...

The hard work of other's hands...

New life in unexpected places...

Sometimes, skies are beautiful...

Sometimes, they are stormy...all in the same day.

Sometimes, there is unbridled beauty...

Sometimes, there are many chains and gates that block the view of the amazing.

Sometimes beauty can be deceiving...

Sometimes, life has roadblocks...

Sometimes it is downright weird...

Sometimes, you can see the end of the road...with a cat...

Sometimes, it just seems far off...

Sometimes, there is no cat and just a doorway...

Sometimes, there is beauty in unseen places.

Notes from sixth grade

From my journal:

9.11.95

Sorry I haven't filled you in on the latest news.  School is pretty good.  My locker comb is 98-28-38.  My locker comb. in Phis (Phys.) Ed. is 47-27.  I'm pretty good at them.  I think summer was short, but I kinda enjoy school.  Now for some big news.  J. is really ugly!   He's really shy around me and gave M. a weird look when she asked him if he liked a girl at church.  Despite his ugliness, he's nice.  I kinda like him.

Oh middle school...the weirdness, drama, and pettiness.

Summer Solstice

We played a little basketball...

Dad had his first gyro...

I messed around with the camera...

And we went on about a 70 mile bike ride...AFTER work.  It was fantastic to still have daylight at 10pm.

Flashback Friday

Jewell/Dole wedding--Modesto, CA, Dec. 2004

Quite possibly the most fun wedding I had been in. 

California, Greek Orthodox...this was an experience all its own!

I have to post this picture of Richard and Harmony.  Eight years later and they are still going strong.

Father's Day

Dressin' up for Pops

A trip to the G-rents complete with planted fake flowers.

It was very patriot.

All the Phillips' kids with their 'rents.

And several lessons in depth of field, ISO, and other photography tidbits from my Aunt Beth, which will lead to amazing pictures by the end of the summer. 

And what would be a Father's Day picture without a cat?

Hypocritical bathroom stalls.  They didn't have a problem when Dad walked into the convenience store without his shoes.

Mother's Day

Ok, I know that this is super late, but I realized that I had never posted pics of Mother's Day.  So,  I guess the theme today is Parents' Day.

We had a great Mother's Day.  We had a great breakfast, complete with strawberry pancakes and blueberry syrup.

We then gave our mom the best Mother's Day card of all time (I dare you to argue)

Then we had a picnic...complete with steaks (the fire in the oven was quickly put out and they turned out great), potatoes, steamed broccoli, and strawberry salad.  Mmm!