Ever feel like this?

I do.

These Hard Times, Needtobreathe

I just read my friend Angie's blog about her 5-year-old son Noah's participation in her cousin Christina's wedding recently.

I couldn't resist sharing:

Funny story: I let out a sigh of relief as Noah’s part in the wedding was over and we could just sit back and enjoy. . . . ten more minutes into the ceremony, Noah burts out in tears, not quietly, mind you.  So I quickly grab him and we head back out to the reception hall.  The wedding planner and I are like, oh no, he’s going to pass out, lets get him some food and water.  So after fussing over him and giving him a plate of goodies  and telling him what a great job he did, he finally said, “I think I know what’s wrong now.”  “What sweetheart?”  “I don’t want Christina to get married – I love her!” and he burst into tears again.  Another minute went by. I empathized with him, how great she is and asked him, “Do you want to marry someone like Christina when you get older?”  “Uhhuh” still with tears. “I love her, Mom.”  ”Yeah, bud, she is really great.  I’m so glad that you could be here with her for this special day.”  sniffle, snifle.  We were all good after that

Currently In Christ Alone By Keith & Kristyn Getty Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer see related

On My Heart Today...

Currently The Brady Bunch - The Complete First Season By Robert Reed see related

Sometimes it's the randomosity (like my new word?) that keeps me going at my job.  So often it seems like the same thing over and over, nothing changes.... the alarm goes off at the same way-too-early time, I drag myself there and arrive 2-3 minutes late.  Every.  Day.  Then I go through routine after routine, and see the same impatient driver tactics, over, and over, and over... Same route, same kids, same schools, same radio DJ's...

But it's the moments of the unexpected, and the moments slight ridiculosity (I'm on a roll...), or the moments of cute kid phrases that help to keep me going.... I actually get excited when there is an accident on my path, just because it's an adventure in the midst of the norm.

One day, recently, I was the third vehicle in line at a traffic light.  It's a T-intersection, and I was on the side road, waiting to enter the larger highway.  It's a very long red light to wait at.  On this particular morning, the first car was appropriately stopped, just shy of the white line.  We waited a moment.  And then all of the sudden, I watched the gentleman in front of me exit his pick-up truck.  I thought for just a second and then said, "noooo way!"  As I anticipated, the grey-haired man in the second vehicle approached the driver's window of the front vehicle, and got his attention.  Surely enough, he then pointed toward "the sensor" on the side of the road, indicating that he wanted this driver to move forward, therefore setting off the sensor to give us the green light.  The gentleman then returned to his pick-up, and the front driver crept forward.  In time, the light turned green, and I laughed hysterically.  But really, I am positive that the light turned *in time*, not actually according to the sensor... ah.... some people...

On Thursday, driving over the noon hour, I passed an Old Dutch delivery truck.  The driver was thoroughly enjoying a bag of potato chips:  one of the best advertisements I have ever seen!

Yesterday, I drove parallel to an older man on a Harley for a couple of miles.  In and out of ear shot, I heard Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' blasting from his stereo!  Made me smile. 

Just a few of my recent moments. 

More Bethel Memories?

I used to be so good at blogging!  I miss it, actually!  And find it amusing that now that I'm finally posting again, I can't even vary my topic!  It's just what's on my mind!

I went to Bethel (University!) last night to have a catch up dinner with my friend Britta, check out the newly opened student center, and enjoy some live music.  The new building is phenomenal and I am completely amazed!  I had to keep reminding myself that I was on the campus of my alma mater!  The Dining Center was very expansive, had at least 10 times the options of entrees that I was used to... and I walked up stairs to my seat!  I was so afraid I would drop my tray!

These days when I walk on Bethel's campus, every doorway I walk through, stair I climb and classroom or hall I enter cause a barage of memories to flood my mind.  I remember the day to day things like the salads or plates full of carrots and hard-boiled eggs I ate nearly every day in the DC, or the anticipation of walking to my PO box.  I also remember specific events, whether it was an important day in my education, or a moment that solidified a friendship carrying countless memories.  SO many memories!

I've realized that it's been long enough now that my photos of these years almost seem vintage!  In some of them I actually look very different and very young!  So they are fun to pull out.  And I tried to find several that have been lesser seen... and give you a taste of my college life...

I was a loyal Royal football fan.  Even on road games!  Here Marc, Bretta and I are leading a cheer at St. Thomas.... with broomball sticks!

Freshman floors held an event called Roommate Roulette where your roommates would invite a surprise date for you and the entire floor would go on an outing.  This particular one was a photo scavenger hunt and here we are dressing as Abercrombie models.  The rest of us preferred to be fully clothed versions, but I guess my date Ben wanted to get the real feel for it!

Also on a Roommate Roulette, me with my freshman roommates and two of our neighbors.

Homecoming!!!

I'm not gonna lie... we were lip syncing to the Backstreet Boys.  With darts. 

Same Roommate Roulette.  Same mall.  Unfortunate cheeseheads.  Why am I smiling?

At one of the bonfires on Sem Hill.

There has always been a large populus of Mounds View High School grads at Bethel.  Here are a couple of my Mustang boys (we are tough!) at the Christmas banquet during my junior year.

A Como Zoo outing with the girls.

Eric and Jason were members of my Sr. year chapel worship team.  Good times.

Haha.  Homecoming tug-of-war night.  I lived off campus my junior year and our color was green!

My amazing friend Heather... all spiffed up for the spring banquet.  (I think it was an Hawaiian theme.)

My dear sweet roommate for two years, Julie.

Taking a break from studying for a music history test to hug Katherine Carey.  This is a sweatshirt I would borrow from Jared Carlson on occasion because I thought it was an absolute beautiful color.

Another spring banquet.  Steve and his buddies wore hockey jerseys!  His was my favorite. 

I wonder what time of day this photo was taken.... we slept on the sidewalk to be in line for the 5am opening of the first Krispy Kreme in Minnesota!

I took my chapel team out to Old Chicago for my 22nd birthday-- and none of them would to karaoke!!!

Robb and I visited Duluth on the same weekend...

One of my sophomore year roommates was an M.K.  She brought this snake skin and I was so excited to hang it on our wall.  Unfortunately our other roommate Alicia was completely grossed out by it and it barely lasted a matter of days.

Fabulous girls on a worship team retreat.