Bloody Knees but Happy Ears

I woke up yesterday morning to magic! Snowflakes were softly falling around me as I began my walk to the lovely L train. Like a little kid, I could barely contain my giddiness. I mean, I had my ipod playing Christmas music, and I was definitely walking with a pep in my step. This is what I’ve been waiting for…….snow! I wanted to proclaim this joy from the rooftops, so naturally I turned to Facebook to quickly update my status. I believe my direct quote was “Can life get any better? Pure contentment here.”

Then one minute later, I face-planted into the concrete. Oh yeah, it was a superman dive, where I skidded across the intersection. My stockings ripped gigantic holes where my pale freckled knees used to be. They quickly were transformed into bloody battle wounds from the streets of New York. Like a deer caught in headlights, I just sat there, “did this really just happen?” Oh and then as I’m trying to pull myself up, my puffy coat hindered my progress. Awesome. I felt like Randy in "A Christmas Story." Thankfully this woman behind me, scooped me up and held my shoulders as we walked at breakneck speed across the already green and cab-antsy intersection. She told me, “don’t worry, it happens to everyone.” Holding the tears back, I told her “but I tried to be a real New Yorker. I have my heels in my bag and wore my flats to the office today.” So I sincerely thanked her as I laughed to myself about my long-lasting “pure contentment” and I continued the trek to the L train walking with a limp, bloody knees and all. But I kept my Christmas music playing and the pep in my step slowly returned. Thank you kind stranger and Louis Armstrong…… you helped me more than you’ll ever know. (I also realize perhaps the perfect accessory to my puffy coat is the ever stylish snow boots…….goodbye ballet flats…..)

I kinda wanna grow up

Tonight I found myself conversing with an elderly lady who was sporting a leopard print top, and I started to wonder, what am I going to be wearing by the time I'm her age? I like to think I'll still be perusing the Anthropologie aisles, but something deep within makes me wonder if perhaps I should enter the old lady outfits rite of passage. I mean gold lame' anyone? My Nana rocked it along with sequins and heavy eye makeup almost daily. I think every woman over the age of 65 should embrace tacky holiday sweaters along with the homemade jingle bell earrings. There's just really no one to impress anymore who still has 20/20 vision and you are actually comfortable in your own skin. Sounds kind of nice. Yet isn't it strange that every commercial tends to be about anti-age cream and how to reverse time to look younger, thinner, firmer...etc. Call me crazy but I actually find myself looking forward to getting old. I'm kind of already halfway there with my love for Murder She Wrote, poor driving record, love for vaseline as lip-gloss, crossword puzzles, hot tea............ must I go on? I may not ever get a Mensa invitation, but I think a red hat society request could be just around the corner.


Old people truly are amazing. They have lived so much life and have so many stories to tell, and wisdom to impart. Sure some of them may say the pledge of allegiance during grace instead of the blessing, but don't we all have a little Aunt Bethany in us? There was this poll taken of a group of 90 year olds asking them "what would you tell your younger self?" Three main things stood out- 1- they would risk more and take more chances 2- they would reflect more and 3- they would do something with their life that would live long after they were gone. 2 Timothy 2:2 comes to life, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." Don't we all want to live for something that counts and make a difference in other people's lives? I think it will be amazing to reflect back and see what the Lord has done. This woman I spoke with tonight has lived such an incredible life of pouring into others, opening her home to countless people, traveling to numerous countries, and sharing her faith with so many women around the world. She may not be a woman with a huge bank account, but she knows the Lord like a dear old friend from years upon years of spending time with Him. I yearn for that to be true of me as well.

Anyways, just some thoughts from a leopard print top. I'm now contemplating if redheads turn gray or white....... I guess either way, I'll be sporting the cottonball hairstyle......perhaps in a little red convertible on sunny days.

Rodent 101: How to Entice, Ensnare, and Exterminate

When the seasons change, you get new pets. We are not talking about a cute little chef with a French accent, any great detectives, or the heartwarming tale of Feivel. They are not sweet, do not break out into song, or help sew any of my dresses for the big ball. They are creepy and gross andwill be evicted one way or another. Since we havehadfive Mickeys in the past few weeks, we have developed a little bit of a system that would be downright cruel to keep to ourselves and not share with the general public.

Step 1: Decide what type of trap to use. Poison is effective, but then you do run the risks of mickey dying and decaying in your walls and you will need a gasmask to breathe, let alone no one will come visit you for weeks. Sticky traps initially seem great, but many a mickey has been known to chew his legs off in a failed escape attempt and left a bloody trail with its nubs. No thanks. What I recommend is the good ole-fashioned snap trap. I think it's a little morehumane.
Step 2: Decide what Mickey's last meal will be. I have tried quite the spread : cheddar cheese, peanut butter, chocolate cake, etc. What I have found most effective is mixing a little ham with some cream cheese. This tasty little hors d'oeuvre is unexpected and hard for Mickey to resist.

Step 3: Find the money spot where Mickey will most likely tread, set the trap, and wait......

Step 4: Try not to be the first one up-- thereby making your roommate see how successful your hunting endeavors were.

Step 5: Disposal. This actually is multiple steps rolled into one. I like to start off wearing the proper equipment: rain boots and rubber gloves. Then you toss a paper towel over the multilated corpse so you don't have to see it. Grab the nearby swiffer and nudge it close to you. Gain any composure you may have lost and pray for courage as you pick it up and drop it in the target bag. Now run downstairs and bury him in the dumpster.

As simple as that. Five steps that will change your life :)

Running Club.....Why did I quit you?

Lonestar's lyrics have been swimming around my mind lately as people from all over the world flooded the big apple to participate in a little thing called.......the NYC Marathon. It all sounds amazing- the route- you run through all five burroughs- the crazy energy- literally thousands of people cheering you on- the accomplishment- I mean 26 miles! It plays with my emotions and makes me say, "Can I go ahead and sign up for next year?!!" And that's where I remember, 26 miles. Reality sinks in as I tell myself, "Michelle, you can only run between 2 and 3." Then I reminisce about the 9 year old version of myself and a little thing called.........running club.

Running Club was invented at Jackson Academy in the early 90s to create an easy before and after school program for kids to get more exercise and moms to have more time in their day. I saw it as this amazing opportunity for another hobby besides my stellar rock collection. Day one....the adrenaline kicked in and I was hooked. I wanted to get dropped off every morning before school and stay after to run my little heart out. And that is exactly what I did. Oh, I ran 181 miles that year, set a school record, and had a plaque with my name on it. And yes, I was 9 years old. This victory inspired me to enter into the Mississippi Track Club and compete in quite a few fun runs around the Metro-Jackson area, collecting various trophies, ribbons, and t-shirts (naturally, the real prize and proof that you're an all-star). "Impressive, you must have been so fast," you may be thinking to yourself. No, not really. Shockingly, there wasn't a lot of competition among the 9 year old crowd. Unless you count my arch nemesis (later turned best friend) Sandra- she started gaining on me towards the end of my career. But I was in love. I even remember thinking as I watched a Miss America Pageant that year that- not if- but when I entered (when I was old enough) - what would my talent be? The lightbulb went off as I realized- "I know! I will ask them to install a track around the audience while I run a mile. Brilliant! I bet no one has even thought to do that before!"

So what happened next? For reasons unknown I said goodbye to the track. I toyed around with Cross Country in junior high and high school, but I never quite attained the same glory as I did back in 3rd grade. If only I had stayed with it, I would be a freckled 5'3" girl running with the Kenyans now. If only! For now, I think I'll stick with my two-mile loop by the Hudson and keep saying hi to Lady Liberty. Alas, "I try not to think about what might have been, cause that was then and I have taken a different road, can't go back again, there's no use giving in, and there's no way to know......what might have been."

"If I can make it there, I'll make it any where"

Can't help but wonder if ole Frank had the New York winter in mind when he composed this catchy lyric. It began with the soft "tink tink" on my window unit, which became slightly more prominent with the howling wind outside. Oh yes, this noise was the byproduct of sleet- which this Mississippi girl has had her fair share of. Even though the temperature said it was around 40, I adamantly disagree and think it was much cooler. It's not so bad when your distance is from the front door to the car, but when you walk a mile to your destination, well, it changes things. I take back everything I ignorantly said in thinking it wouldn't be that bad or that much different that Georgia. The wind adds a lot- I halfway expected to see potential nannies fly by on their umbrellas. Even though it is around day one for winter here, I've discovered some valuable takeaways, if you will.

1. I'm coming to terms with the fact that I need to purchase a puffy coat and thereby adding around 50 pounds to my frame and looking like a giant marshmallow. Warmth is victorious over fashion. I even find myself pondering if I could somehow make a ski mask cute.
2. There is an art form to holding the umbrella the right way in the wind and horizontal rain. You may forgo your vision to feet only, but hey, if it keeps it from popping inside out, another victory.
3. My dog fever is subsiding. Sure everyone here seems to have this adorable "best friend" but the notion of waking up at 6 to walk it outside in this weather is well, confirming I'm not responsible enough yet. (Still hadn't worked through the idea of carrying the plastic baggies yet either).
4. I'm hopeful that my ears will continue to adjust to the interesting noises that the radiator supplies. It starts off with a lovely hissing noise from the top which resembles a steam engine. Then it moves on to the sound of someone throwing gold chains down a lead pipe. It does this whenever someone in my building turns on their heat. Awesome.

Despite a few setbacks, the idea of ice skating and snow are magical enough to make me not complain too much :)

Even if you don't like the pie.......I'm 97% sure you will like these

So with fall still in the air, you are basically seasonally obligated to create delicious food made with pumpkin. I know I missed the mark in posting this back in October, but hey, it's still pre-Thanksgiving, so if any of you would like to make this stuff, there is still ample time. I usually make this for mulitiple events and people always love it (thanks to Aunt Leigh Ann sharing her recipe).

Pumpkin Sheet Cake

1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin
2 cups sugar
1 cup veg oil
4 eggs
2 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinammon
1/2 tsp salt
(**I sometimes put in 12 oz of semi-sweet chocolate chips)

In mixing bowl, beat pumpkin, sugar and oil. Add eggs, mix well. Combine four, baking soda, cin. and salt- add to pumpkin mix and beat well until well blended. Pour into greased 9 by 13" pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 min.
** you can make cupcakes instead- should make between 24 and 36 cupcakes
**also can make pumpkin bread instead and forgo the icing

Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
4 TBSP butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups conf sugar
3-4 tsp milk (see how you like the consistency- can add more if wish)


*For frosting- i only use this recipe if I'm making the sheet cake- I will use a more solid cream cheese frosting if I'm doing cupcakes.

Pumpkin Pancakes


2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree (i just substitue a cup of canned pumpkin)
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar

Mix pumpkin, milk, egg, veg oil, and vinegar. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add together, mix well and scoop around 1/4 cup onto a medium hot griddle. You know the rest.

Hope you enjoy!

Lady on a Train

Today I was on the subway and since it wasn't a long ride, thought it would be nice to stand; so I didn't take the open seat on the crowded train. As I approached the seat and just grabbed the handrail, I quickly learned why the spot was vacant. There was an elderly woman sitting on the end who was homeless and she smelled awful, as if it'd been weeks since her last shower. The train approached the next stop rather quickly and another woman eagerly gets on, eyes the empty seat and asks me if I was going to take it. I tell her no, go ahead. Almost immediately she, not so discreetly, began to make a disgusted face and started to inch away from the woman. After a few more moments pass by, she can't take it anymore and gets up and walks to the other side of the train. I couldn't help but feel horrible for this woman, just imagining how many times this has probably happened to her. Probably every day of her life she faces people who avoid her at all costs, and look at her with physical disgust. I wish I would have thought quicker on my feet to at least say hi and ask her how she was doing. Unfortunately all I did was smile at her and not move away, as I kept wondering how many people actually acknowledge her existence. While next time I hope I act instead of just think, it has been really good thoughts. I have been reflecting all day how if what was inside of me was reflected on the outside, people would want to move away from me too. If what was on our hearts was truly seen to everyone around us, we would be making faces and avoiding each other constantly. Then I just kept thinking how incredibly blessed we are to have a God who not only doesn't avoid us when we are at our most repulsive, but how He actually embraces us. Romans 5:8 came alive: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." So while I could write a lot more, I guess my two big takeaways from today were 1- how amazing God's love is for us and undeserving we all are and 2- a prayer for God to open my eyes- open all of our eyes to those around us who are hurting and who are the forgotten ones. How can God use us to love them? I really hope this doesn't sound too sermon-y but it has been on my mind all day and I'm trying to be better about blogging :)

Not so much planes, but plenty of trains and automobiles

City transportation? Is there anything quite like it? You can spend your whole life behind the wheel and yet nothing will quite prepare you for driving through the madness and neon majesty of Times' Square. Let's revisit last Friday. We had our annual fall retreat and I was somehow selected to drive a car. (Brilliant because I had been in the city how many days?) Walking a mile to pick up my little chevy malibu, no big deal, but driving it through Manhattan to the office, not so much fun. There is a need to keep the hands on the wheel at ten and two at all times, due to the fact that the psycho taxi cab drivers don't like to pick a lane and you need to help them resist colliding with you. It's like a real life version of Mario Cart. Tires squealing, horns blaring, pedestrians walking when the light is clearly red- it's entertaining and yet terrifying. On top of that add Obama visiting the city along with every diplomat and person of significance from Washington and you have about every street you want to turn down blockaded. I cried like a baby to a police officer to help me when the gps miserably failed me and I eventually made it. It has satisfied the urge to drive for at least 3 months.

Then let's move on to another form of transport: the SUBWAY. Grand Central Station is not just an expression you use when your phone rings off the hook. At 5 pm it turns into a place where people resemble cattle being herded into a pen. Personal space is a forgotten phrase and many a time your face is shoved into someone else's face in order to accommodate more riders. While it has it's downsides and I still sometimes can confuse the local and express and end up in Queens, I actually love the subway. It's so efficient and practical on one side and on another, it is a real opportunity to meet a wide range of people and be a small light of Christ- whether it's giving your apple to the homeless man or offering a tissue to the woman crying. I like being around such a variety of people and it reminds me of my insignificance and significance at the same time.

Lastly there is my favorite mode of transport: walking. My heels may disagree with me on this point, because they've been covered in bandaids for the last two weeks, but walking is so nice (minus the time I went to get groceries a mile away and it rained, my feet were bleeding and I basically looked like a wet dog by the time I was home- oh and my cardboard boxes were soggy). You've heard of road rage, well I've discovered here that there is a thing here called pedestrian rage. Every day men and women become frustrated with the people in front of them who aren't "walking with a purpose" and make lots of exasperated noises so everyone around them knows just how slow the person really is before they find a way to bypass them. It's kind of humorous. At the same time it's so weird how already I can find myself passing people who aren't fast enough for me. I have to remind myself to stroll sometimes and to listen and soak up my surroundings- what others are saying, the street noise- to really listen to the city in order to know the city.

Paint Cans and Roaches on Stilts

Things continue to get interesting. For example, Saturday night. I get a knock on the door. Who is it? Oh, it's the police. They ask for some identification and start to write a report. When I ask what is going on, they proceed to tell me that a "witness" on the street claims that someone from this apartment had thrown paint out the window and vandalized cars below. Seriously? I then tell them, "I don't mean to sound like an idiot, but I just moved in two days ago and I don't even know how to open the window. Do you want to come in and inspect?" They say yes and then leave but on their way out, see out of the corner of their eye a huge bag of.....you guessed it, paint cans. So then they knock again, convinced they found the culprit. They proceed to open every single can to make sure it wasn't recently used. I think I was vindicated, but not entirely sure.
Then we have Sunday. Sunday was actually wonderful. I was invited to church by Clay and Lyn Cook. Really enjoyed hearing Tim Keller and then we had a picnic in Central Park. That really was so fun and it was a beautiful day. I stayed there most of the afternoon.

Then this week couldn't begin without some drama. I see the largest cockroach known to man run through our apartment. My roommates said they had never had one in their entire 4 years of living here. Awesome. Somehow I summon the insects. Of course it made it's new home in my room and I literally walked around in high heels every time I was in my room. (Somehow mentally it felt better being higher off the ground than the roach just in case I had to smoosh him.) It also had high heels or stilts or something. It was the tallest roach I've ever seen. But enough of that gross subject. Let's move on to more trouble with the law.
We have our fall retreat this weekend and I was asked to rent a car to drive people. No problem. I can drive a Uhaul through the city, so sure a small car, let's do this. Well, I apply for ZipCar, the one that everyone uses. Yeah......I am denied membership because of my "poor driving record." I don't know anyone who has been denied before. The only ticket I ever got was almost two years ago in a speed trap and I guess the cop gave me reckless driving on top of the ticket. ZipCar encouraged me to try again next year. Sure.....Enterprise, however, was more forgiving.

I don't even have enough time or space to write you all the other things that have happened. Every day I feel so lost and incompetent. I'm reminded so much of how God describes us as sheep and that is exactly how I feel. I'm this bouncy little sheep who's left the normal pasture and is so completely lost. It really is such a comforting fact reading Psalm 23 and John 10 to fully see in a new perspective how Christ is my Good Shepherd. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."

New Home, New Life

A lot of people have been asking about how it has been the first few days. Thank you so much for caring. To be honest, I haven't really wanted to post anything since I guess I sort of had this expectation along with everyone else that it was going to be so exciting and amazing and I didn't want to disappoint anyone to tell the truth that it has been quite the opposite. Stressful and lonely are the two words that I would use to describe my time so far. From driving in the city, attempting several times to parallel park my u-haul, moving it multiple times to avoid a $250 ticket, waiting in the car alone for a few hours for the movers to come, movers trying and failing multiple times to fit the sofa in the apt, major miscommunication with people already, I could go on. I guess my expectations were it would be really exciting at first, then get hard, then get better. I'm just having to adjust and realize it has been really crappy at first and it has no where to go but up. There have definitely been some silver linings for sure. Brenda, the policewoman. She held up traffic for me for over half and hour to help me parallel park. I don't really know why I tried so hard since I can't even parallel my Jeep, but she eventually got in the U-haul herself and paralleled it for me. Incredibly kind woman. Then the sofa, while it was a huge headache and very stressful trying to figure out what to do with it, eventually I called the sofa doctor. Oh yes, that is his name. These 4 guys came over and literally took the back off the couch and put it back together again. Pretty amazing.

I think the thing that is the hardest is realizing I don't have friends yet. The best I can say to describe it is living in NYC is like everyone is running a marathon- no one is really going to slow down to teach you how to run and ask you to run with them- you just kind of have to start and I guess along the way, you do make friends and realize you are somewhat athletic. I know the Lord has me here for a reason and I do feel His presence in my life right now, it's just been a rocky beginning to my new life here.

These vagabond shoes.......

So, I've been a little reprimanded by Jamie for not updating my blog, since I have been to New York in the past month. One word to really sum up the week.....surreal. I can't believe I'm actually moving there in a few short months. There's so much I could say, but how about we settle for 5 things I learned in spending 7 days there.....

5. Everyone should embrace a little inner cheeseball.......

In the words of a dear friend, " Here it is, heart of New York City, Time Square. Named for the good times you have when you are....in it. Most people, when they come to New York, they go straight to the Empire State Building. That's pretty touristy. I come here." (michael scott)

Going to a show, ice skating in the park, following a chinese man down a basement into an alleyway into a room within a hidden door panel beneath the stairs, where you could never be found again, all for the sake of a knock-off Marc Jacobs bag is all a part of the NYC experience.

4. I could pack a sleeping bag, a few poptarts, and move into the Met......

if only they'd let me. How could one building hold so much talent? Being allowed to see a person's life work, his or her masterpiece, it's so incredibly personal and breathtaking. While I think I could spend everyday in the later European paintings gallery, I have a feeling this might be one of my getaway places and endless opportunities to explore.

3. My creeper alert must increase exponentially.....

Enter into a tiny tucked away restaurant with 5 other girls. We took up half the restaurant and perhaps didn't how should I say it......blend in. We meet "Jerry", a local who is about mid-60s, incredibly friendly and helpful. We makes small talk, he suggests the cafe's best food on the menu and tells us of the nearby celebrities that frequent the joint. I eagerly tell him how I am moving here this summer and how excited I am. He kindly offers me his business card and asks for my email so he can forward me a website about fun things to do in the city. He is so incredibly nice and very grandfather-ish. He follows through on his comment to email me. However it did not include a helpful website, but rather an invitation to be his escort to a week-long stay in Las Vegas. Everything would be paid for and in his words "although I am a gentleman I need to make my intentions clear...." To up the ick-factor even more, I'm pretty sure he thought I was still in college. I'm thinking our definitions of The Girl(s) Next Door are drastically different.

2. Don't get lost in translation......

Certain familiarities are going to evolve. Shoes are tires. Parks are concrete (with the exception of central of course). Rooms are actually closets. Cheap rent is above average mortgage. I'm confident more will be added to the list in the weeks to come.

1. There is blanket of darkness.....

Not to be overly dramatic, because if you open your eyes it is everywhere. But I couldn't help but be aware of the lifestyles of independence which are marked by such loneliness in people's eyes. I had a conversation with a couple of junior high school girls in Washington Square Park where I asked them what pictures would represent their lives right now, and then what pictures would represent the life they wish they had. One girl picked a picture of a girl walking. She said she chose that one because she said she wished she could walk to school without worrying about getting shot because where she lived that was her reality. You hear them go off every day. It broke my heart. I had other conversations with girls at Columbia where I heard about who they believed God was-" that He wasn't real. There was karma and energy and that's about it." I felt more than ever an urgency for me to go....to live there.....to be a light in the darkness. "It's truth is seen in him and you because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining." (in 1 john 2) kept coming to mind. I know there is a light and that light is Christ. Please join with me in continuing to pray for the darkness to be lifted from the eyes of the many living in NYC.

Those flashing baby blues......

So my experience with the law began early at the ripe age of sixteen. It was the summer after tenth grade, an innocent Wednesday evening around 10:30pm. Sandra, Katie, Marie, and I were headed to Wendy's to grab a late night snack, when we passed by the "there is no need for cops in this area" precinct. As we passed by, a cop pulls out, follows behind, and turns on the lights-- "but it can't be me, I'm going the speed limit," I think in my naive little brain. So, I keep going for a bit, until we realize he is indeed after me. So I pull the slightly beaten, gold-circa 1986- Chevrolet Corsica I proudly drove back in the day, into the Kroger parking lot only to find out that "we looked suspicious" and we were out past curfew. Didn't even know there was a curfew but that didn't stop this rent a cop from terrifying us and hauling us into the precinct to do paperwork and calling our parents. We were the first of many young teens harassed by cops for this. I remember thinking I wouldn't be able to hold a job because of my record....

Then enter into college where I had a few minor run-ins with the fire department at Rice Hall, leading toward an exciting afternoon spent in fire safety school. But for the sake of time, let's keep fast forwarding to last year when I rented a car to drive to Statesboro, Georgia. In my defense the pedals were really different, but I did go close to 75 in a 55, which my little dressed in navy friend pointed out to me, when he pulled me over. That is still the largest ticket I have heard of- totaling $400. Just in time for the holidays, thanks.

Then last week, on the road to Tennessee, I see a school zone, with lights flashing, and a cop behind me. What do I do when memories of this $400 ticket come flooding back? Oh, I slow down and actually go the speed limit, maybe a little under 35. I am looking but I don't see indication that the zone has ended, so I continue going around 30 until others behind me start to pass me. I then cautiously speed up to 55mph. I think things are going well until I see the flashing blue lights. I pull over utterly confused and frustrated. The mustached angry man in blue approaches and asks me if everything is okay. I ramble about being out of town and the school zone, and wanting to be a good speed-abiding citizen, all while I'm breaking out in red hives. He then proceeds to belittle me by making fun of me for going so slow. "Mam, when people go as slow as YOU ARE, I get concerned." Then he takes my license and registration to try to find a way to give me a ticket. Defeated, he returns to my car with a warning that only people over the age of 8o receive. Yes, I'm officially a grandma.

Now I just received a notice about unpaid parking tickets. I really cannot win. Big brother is everywhere.......

Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of.........

So in case some of you haven't heard, I am moving to New York City, New York. It's kind of crazy how this has all happened. I have been working for Campus Crusade for Christ for 5 years now at the University of Georgia. I have absolutely loved my time and the girls there I have had the privilege to work with. However, this summer I attended our national conference out in Ft. Collins, Colorado where I heard leaders within our ministry speak about the needs in ten major cities of the world. I went to the seminar to support my friend Hannah talk about Miami, not at all thinking about how it would impact me. When I heard how many students were in New York, (over 1 million!) and thought about how influential this city was to our country, I knew I needed to begin praying for it. Over the next couple of months as I prayed for this city, I really felt the Lord leading to not only pray for it, but to go.

So here I am a few months later, preparing to move across the country to a city I've only visited once, selling my house in exchange for living in a tiny apartment, selling my beloved Snowball (jeep cherokee) and embracing public transportation, and becoming a freshmen again in a way since I will have no friends. In some ways it sounds completely crazy and painful, but I know it is what I am supposed to do, and therefore I know the Lord will give me the strength to do it. And, come on, it is New York, it's going to be a blast! Currently I am in the preparation stage, where I have taken time off at UGA to travel and meet with people who are interested in hearing more about my ministry and how they could be a part of it. So..........lots of driving. I hope this blog will be a great way to share stories of girls in the ministry in NYC and life upstate, but until then, this will probably contain random travel stories.