The Compassion Experience

Happy Friday, blogland.  What a week!  I hope that everyone has had a fairly good week.  Y'all already know what I'm on - packing and unpacking (though today should be it- yay!  This is what happens when you don't have movers... I honestly don't remember it being like this last time).  And tomorrow is the Teen's birthday- 17, yikes! 

Anyway, today we're going to chat about the Compassion Experience.  I had been meaning to write about it before now, but you know how that goes.  My church, Victory Apostolic Church, hosted the Compassion Experience at the end of August and it was truly an experience.  I only had time to see one of the exhibits, but it was very moving and made one very thankful for even the basic conveniences here in America. 

Basically, it an immersion exhibit that allows you to experience other cultures, global poverty and how you can make a difference.  It was something to see.  You can learn more about it here.  It is sponsored by Compassion International, and you have the opportunity to sponsor a child. 

The one at my church featured two stories, and it took about 20 minutes to go through the whole exhibit.  While you go through, you are listening to the children tell their stories through headphones, as they guide you through the different settings that framed their lives.  The story I listed to was Julian's and she grew up in Africa.  Each photo depicts a scene from her home or school.  The audio was her narrating her story and how Compassion International changed her story.

As you can see, she grew up in serious poverty, the likes of which most of America doesn't know, even our poor (of course there are always exceptions).  I encourage you to take a visit to their site and if the exhibit is coming to your area, take your children so that they can see how other children live in other parts of the world.  And if you are able, consider sponsoring a child.

That's it, that's all for today - have a great weekend.  Be blessed.

xoxoxo ~ Darvi

Reset, anyone?

Happy Wednesday, and all that jazz!  I still feel like "bah humbug."  Well actually, I feel worse than that.  But those are the words I have at this moment to verbalize what I'm feeling.  I'm sure that's not what you were expecting to read, but some days it is what it is.

Like today.  I'm a wee bit tired of keeping a stiff upper lip and just smiling when I really want to cry.  There are a lot of things I wish and hope for and big fat reset button is at the top of that list.  Kinda like this one:

I know I'm not the only one...  Who wouldn't want the chance to start over?  Or, like you do with your computer, reset to an earlier time/event?  There are so many things I would do over if I had the opportunity, so many decisions I wouldn't make... Because the truth is, when you're going through tough times and you feel like life is crapping all over your head, you spend a great deal of time reviewing each and every decision you have ever made, and how they may have contributed to the state you find yourself in at that moment.  Well, maybe those folks who have had themselves together their entire lives have never done it, but I certainly DON'T have it all together, so I do rethink those decisions.  Big and small.

Most of the ones that come to your mind are the big decisions, life decisions that have a ripple effect throughout your life and you feel the repercussions of them for many years after you've made the decision.  Ouch.  Relationships:  friendships, dating, marriage, divorce.  Family:  kids or no kids, stay at home mom or career woman, parental caretaker or facility placement. Career:  stay put, change jobs, change fields, entrepreneurship.  Education:  college, graduate school, trade school.  Financial:  investing (too little or too much), saving too little, spending too much.  Goals:  becoming complacent and not striving, not dreaming large enough, to follow or not follow your dreams.  Each and every one of those decisions are major life-changing ones that will impact you for many years to come.  And sometimes we get it right.  A lot of the times, we don't.

So what happens when we don't make the right decisions and you are almost crippled under the weight of those bad decisions?  Of course we know that there is no magic reset button in life, it just doesn't work that way (as much as I wish there was one, I know that there would be danger in undoing things - Back to the Future, anyone????).  So what happens?

Sadly, I don't have an answer today, I'm currently suffering under the weight of some possibly bad decisions.  The thing is, you usually don't know at the time that it's a bad decision.  The decision was polished and looked great at the time.  But now, on the other side?  Not so much. 

It's kinda like being in the supermarket in the produce section and seeing the apples all shiny and polished.  They are literally begging you to buy them!  So you do.  And you get them home, wash one off, take a bite and ewww!  It's not sweet.  Not even a little tiny bit.  Disgusted you throw it away, and grab another one.  But it tastes just as bad as the first one.  You keep going until you have gone through most of the apples.  Then you have a decision to make - do you keep the remaining ones or throw them away?  Decision-time.  You've already wasted money on the apples and bitten into quite a few to find out that they weren't all that the packaging/advertising suggested.  So do you cut your losses and toss what's left or do you keep them and hope for the best?  Let's break it down.  You feel bad because you've already made the investment and what if the last few are actually good but you jumped the gun and threw them away based on what happened with the prior ones?  On the other hand, you've already wasted your money in buying the deceptively bad apples, you've already wasted your time in trying them out, only to be disappointed, so why on earth would you keep the last few and hope for the best???  Not so easy when you look at it, is it?

You might be saying, but it's just apples, just a couple of dollars of investment.  True.  But what about for the person who didn't have a lot of expendable money for grocery shopping and made the purchase based on the display?  Then it becomes a very important decision for them, and they, very quickly, reap the repercussions of a bad decision. 

On the last season of Justified (a great show that came on FX), one of the characters talked about the "unknown, unknown - you don't even know what you don't know."  That's how these types of decisions are at times - you make what you think is the right decision and you hope for the best.  But sometimes the unknown unknowns crop up and let you know that you may have made a bad decision.  You will usually find yourself at a crossroad at these times and you pause before making the next decision, because you can feel it in your gut that the decision you make might become a very important one to your life down the line and you want to be careful with it.  

That's where I am right now - dealing with the unknown unknowns and facing a crossroad (several, actually, in different areas of my life, but all that will require me to make a decision).  So what am I doing?  Well, truthfully, right now I feel as if I am almost level to the ground under the weight of the decisions and there have been lots of tears. So I guess that's first - I cried.  Have to let it out, ya know?  Next, I've given myself permission to feel what I actually feel about the situations, which is hurt and anger.  I realize that I am more angry at the moment than I even knew I was capable of.  Anger is an emotion that we are taught to repress, mostly because it makes people uncomfortable.  But I've given myself permission to be angry.  And hurt.  Most people don't like to admit that things hurt them, but I gave up that pretense many moons ago.  So what comes next?

Well, for me, I will logically and methodically focus on each decision, one at a time, and weigh the pros and cons of each road, and then make a decision.  The best decision for me at this time.  I won't put anyone else before me during this critical decision-making process, for once I will be selfish.  I will also take my time in making these decisions.  And I will continue to pray for guidance during this process.  That's about all I can do at the moment. Time to go back and recite that serenity prayer that I posted a few weeks ago, eh?  I swear a reset button would be so on time right now!

So what say ye - what do you do when you have decisions you wish you could go back and push the reset button on???  Or am I the only one who needs a reset button every now and then?  Holla @ Darvi!  Have a great rest of the week and be blessed!      

When things go wrong...

Happy Monday, Blogland!  Hope everyone had a great weekend.  Here in the South Suburbs of Chicago, a tornado actually came through and touched down.  No one I know was injured or had any major property damage, but it was still pretty scary stuff!

The tornado brought with it heavy rains, flash flooding and yep, you guessed it, some leaking at the new cozy house.  Le sigh.  When things go wrong... What's a girl to do?  Welp, this girl just put some towels down and kept it moving.

So I'm still elbow deep in packing, moving and unpacking.  Made a lot of progress over the weekend (got my clothes packed, yay!).  I was trying to make sure and get the electronics over to the cozy house so I could be ready for my cable/internet/phone installation this morning.  Um, yeah.  About that.  So said telecommunications company called Saturday afternoon to say that they won't be coming today and they don't know when. Say what???? When I NEED my internet to be up and running today?  When this IS premiere week on TV?  When things go wrong... Welp, guess I'll just finish working on getting the craft room/office packed and moved instead and keep it moving.

So I keep saying "when things go wrong..." and you're probably wondering why.  And I'm not gonna keep you in suspense!  So back in the day, when I was pledging, we learned a poem that has always stuck with me over the years and my mind always goes back to it when difficulties arise.  It's called "Don't Quit."  Wanna hear it?  Here it go:

Don't Quit

by Anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and its turns, As everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about When they might have won, had they stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow, You may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than, It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up When he might have captured the victor's cup; And he learned too late when the night came down, How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out The silver tint of the clouds of doubt And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, It's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

Isn't that great motivation? That's been one of the ways I've keep myself sane during this lengthy season I am living in now.  It sometimes seems like morning is never gonna come!  And I'm not saying that sometimes I feel so overwhelmed that I can't breathe; yeah, those days happen too.  But, I allow myself a little bit of whine time (no joke, sometimes it comes with tears), then I focus myself on the day's tasks. Nothing more, nothing less.  I'd hate to give up now when I have no idea how close I am... so I keep it moving.

It's also a faith journey.  A few months ago, Pastor Singleton preached on God's faithfulness and illustrated with the story of Job.  Things that stuck with me from the message that I want to share with you:

1) God knows exactly how much you can take and there is no way to grow in faith or get to the next level without getting through your tests;

2) Sometimes God's permissive will allows the gate to be opened for tests and trials in your life;

3) We have to get to the point that regardless of what we see with our eyes or feel, we don't lose our faith because we know who God is for ourselves; and

4) In the midst of trials, you must feed your faith and then your doubts will starve.

So when things go wrong?  Remember that God is faithful.  Don't stop moving.  As my grandma used to always say, "we can only see to the corner, but God sees around the corner." 

So what do you lean on when things go wrong in your world?  Holla @ Darvi!  Have a great week and be blessed!

Mission Organization on a Budget

Happy Friday, everyone!  I don't know about you, but after my whirlwind week, I am ready for the weekend (not that it will be any slower, it's just good to get to the weekend).  

So what are we dishing about today? Prolly this whole moving thing as I'm elbow deep in packing, purging, lifting, unpacking, shopping (each place is different so you invariably have to buy something different to accommodate the new space, no matter what great system you had in place at the old one) and organizing.  That has been the bulk of the week - making the best use of space.  That being said, I'll share some of my organization finds of the week and a few pics (don't want to show too many before I'm finished though, then we'll go room by room). 

Let me start by saying that if I never, EVER step foot in another Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, Dollar General or Menards for the next six months, I'll be alright!  Those places have been my home this week - blinds, ready shades, baskets, bins, cabinet organizers, candles, lamps (why did they ever make rooms without overhead lights anyway????), food, forgotten school uniforms (the Tween of course), shower rods, towels (what do kids do to towels anyway????), spider spray, wasp spray - the list goes on and on!  Everyday this week has found me in one of these places getting SOMETHING!  And that has zapped the actual packing and moving process (still haven't touched the craft room/office - y'all know that's going to be an interesting process) and just started moving my clothes yesterday.  So think about me as you go about your weekend- I'll still be elbow deep in this moving process.

About the new place - it's coming along.  I haven't taken a picture of the outside yet (I will).  The Tween called it "cozy."  I agree; especially after we get fully unpacked and settled in, and something on the walls- the blank walls are driving me crazy!  I remember back in college, the first thing I would do is get my posters and photos up on the walls, then do everything else; it makes your space feel more like home quickly.  That's my first tip of the day - get something up on the walls!

Moving on, my favorite and best organization finds of the week.  So everyone who knows me knows that Dollar Tree is my favorite cheapy store on the entire earth!  Everything is a dollar... Now, of course you can't buy everything for a dollar, but some things I just don't believe should cost more than a dollar.  Like storage bins/baskets.  Over the years, I have gotten a plethora of storage items from Dollar Tree.  Here's the cutesy baskets that I bought a few years ago for the top shelf of the tall bookcase in the craft room/office (my color scheme is teal-turquoise and lime green):

Cute, right?  Three of them are long and then there are four small baskets (two behind the smaller ones).  I used my tag maker to make tags and added tiny clothespins to label the contents.  They hold office supplies, by the way (envelopes, tape, post-its, staples, etc.).  Effective, efficient and just a dollar each.  You can take $20 to the dollar store and lose your mind!!!  

Fast forward to the new space.  There isn't a lot of cabinet space in the kitchen (and I just found out yesterday that the bottom cabinets only have half shelves.  Half shelves?  Where do they do THAT at????), so I am turning the hall closet into a pantry (adding shelves).  After packing up the pantry at the old house the other day I knew that my system needed a revamp (plus reading all of the inspiration blogs from Pinterest), so I decided to use baskets and bins to organize.  From where?  You guessed it, Dollar Tree.  They always have a regular stock of bins/baskets in their basic colors:  green, blue, red, white and sometimes you can find pink or purple.  For the fall though, they have special colors:  orange and harvest red.  I fell in love with the harvest red, so that's my go to color for the pantry and inside the kitchen cabinets.  The shelves haven't been added yet, but I'm getting prepared for it.  Second tip of the day - moving or remodeling is a good time to take stock of your storage needs and make any changes that you are thinking about.

So here is a sampling of the different types of containers I purchased.  Now, let me tell you, that it was trial and error because I didn't know what would work for which food items.  So I bought 2 of everything and then I've just returned things or bought new ones as I figured it out (good thing they're only a dollar...). 

Again - cute, right???  I think I may have forgotten one, but you get the idea.  So here are three sample photos of how I used some of the containers (the big reveal later) just so you can get a visual:

This small basket is the perfect size to hold coffee pods.
Bonus - it fits into the cabinet perfectly, so I'll make it a coffee center!

This bin was the perfect solution for light bulbs!

This large basket is perfect for my tea (well, some of it anyway).
We drink a lot of tea in our house.

So hopefully you can get a idea of where I'm going with this whole thing, and perhaps it will inspire you to think about some new organization strategies in your own home.  Don't have a Dollar Tree nearby?  You can order online (I've done that before also for bulk items).  You can do that here.

One more thing, this was an impulse purchase (sort of).  As a mom, I am always purchasing things for the kids (when I'm able) but rarely myself. That being said, I was due up for some new bedding and I fell in love with this comforter set at Wal-Mart this week.  It's a Better Homes and Gardens set, which is normally out of my price range, but it was on clearance for $35 (y'all know I love me some clearance!).  And bonus?  You get a free year subscription to BHG with purchase (that was a surprise, but it's worth $20, so I technically only paid $15- WINNING!!!).  Take a look:

Third tip of the day:  don't be afraid to be an aisle walker - find those clearance items and misplaced items (I found this set in the wrong spot two days after I originally saw the king set on clearance)!

That's it, that's all.  The Teen is giving me the side eye because I'm typing and not packing...

What are your favorite budget organization tips to share?  Holla @ Darvi!  Be blessed and have a great weekend everyone!!!

My OCD is showing...

Happy Hump Day!  Yeah, bah humbug!  I know that this is the incorrect season for that sentiment, but that's where I'm at with this whole moving stuff. 

A little about me; I'm a perfectionist.  Diagnosed in elementary school.  I also have some OCD tendencies.  Diagnosed my whole life.  Those things being said, any disruption to the order that I set forth in my notebook and in my head just throws me for a loop and sometimes cripples me.  It is also headache inducing...

That's what yesterday was like.  I had a plan, a very good one, I might add, to get the packing done and be on top of this moving thing.  Excepting that other folks (who shall remain nameless) didn't adhere to the plan.  So only about a quarter of the packing was done by yesterday.  A quarter!  And then someone changed the truck from Thursday to yesterday (again, a nameless person).  So it left me discombobulated.  And with a headache.  So I didn't get everything moved in the first round that I planned on.  Which puts the unpacking schedule and plan out of whack, and the cleaning, and the organizing, so on and so forth.  See where I'm going with this????  Grrrrr!

I'm making light of it, but I am seriously discombobulated.  This is something I've struggled with all of my life; it is both a blessing and a curse.  It makes me a very organized, detail-oriented, systematic, and logical person.  Which is great when you need something planned and organized; no detail is left out!  However, it also makes me obsessed with details and if something doesn't go according to plan, it takes me a minute to regroup. It makes me slow to accept change.  It sometimes takes me longer to get things done because everything has to be "perfect."  Um, yeah.  See the problem here?

per·fec·tion·ist

[pərˈfekSHəˌnist]

NOUN

a person who refuses to accept any standard short of perfection:

"he was a perfectionist who worked slowly"

synonyms: purist · stickler for perfection · idealist · pedant

ADJECTIVE

refusing to accept any standard short of perfection.

 

Compulsion symptoms

OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety related to your obsessions or prevent something bad from happening. However, engaging in the compulsions brings no pleasure and may offer only a temporary relief from anxiety.

You may also make up rules or rituals to follow that help control your anxiety when you're having obsessive thoughts. These compulsions are often not rationally connected to preventing the feared event.

As with obsessions, compulsions typically have themes, such as:

• Washing and cleaning
• Counting
• Checking
• Demanding reassurances
• Following a strict routine
• Orderliness

Examples of compulsion signs and symptoms include:

• Hand-washing until your skin becomes raw
• Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they're locked
• Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off
• Counting in certain patterns
• Silently repeating a prayer, word or phrase
• Arranging your canned goods to face the same way

Symptoms usually begin gradually and tend to vary in severity throughout your life. Symptoms generally worsen when you're experiencing more stress. OCD, considered a lifelong disorder, can be so severe and time-consuming that it becomes disabling.

Most adults recognize that their obsessions and compulsions don't make sense, but that's not always the case.

So, yeah, this is me.  I have OCD compulsions.  Now y'all know my dirty little secret!  While the logical part of me knows that I'm not perfect therefore anything I do/touch/think/feel will never be perfect, I try anyway.  You'll see, as you witness the move and final product in pictures and prose; I like things a certain way.  Period.

So what's a girl to do when the rest of the world doesn't adhere to her perfectionist standards (besides go behind them and do it right - which I have done on many occasions)?  She breathes - gets out her notebook, and makes a new plan.  

 Philippians 4:6-7New King James Version (NKJV)
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So am I the only with OCD compulsions and perfectionist issues???? Holla @ Darvi!  And as always, be blessed!  

Randomness...

Happy Monday!  I hope that everyone is well.  Things are topsy-turvy in my corner of the world. 

Packing is in full swing; the first wave of moving begins tomorrow.  There was a major, major setback last week, but hopefully it's been handled (not resolved, just handled) for the time being.  The kids are handling it like troopers, even though their little worlds are about to be turned upside down, and yet I know we'll manage in the end.  I think I'm going to do a room-by-room organization post for the new place; I've been researching some new storage and organization stuff because some methods I currently use won't work (did I mention that EVERY room is smaller and I'll have three less spaces in the new place?), so it has been a bit challenging to figure out - had to research room sizes and all that good stuff- stay tuned.
I am looking forward to being creative in that area; it is one of my favorite things to do.

The weekend was mellow (it was so cold here!); ran errands Saturday morning in the 50 degree freezing rain; including making my first drop at Goodwill.  That felt great, donating things that I know others can use.  Did some packing when I returned, then attended a charity event at Balmoral Park (south suburbs horse racetrack); it was fun as always.  Sunday morning I went to church and I was unaware that it was a special membership Sunday for all "new" members; we took a group photo and got an "answered prayer" rock.  It was awesome!  Breakfast after with Urban Dude and Pam (who I hope won't be relocating after all...) and then a bit more packing.  Dug out my one Bears t-shirt and made my way to one of my high school friend's house for an opening day gathering (Bears lost...).  It was good to spend some downtime during this crazy time, ya know?

And so now it's today - been up since 6:45 doing what?  You guessed it; packing.  I am further behind than I planned to be, but it's ok I suppose.  We will get it done.  I'm getting to the point that I'm getting antsy and just want it all to be finished.  So I am hoping to be able to work late into the night (have two meetings at church though, so there will be a break). 

So onto the "inspiring" part of today's post:  yesterday's sermon was about grace.  God's grace, to be more exact.  The part that resonated with me though was the reinforcement of the messages I received last week, which is trusting and depending on Him.  Specifically, Pastor Singleton noted 2nd Corinthians 1:8-9 that Paul spoke to the ability of the vessel to withstand great pressure so that we learn not to depend on self.  Additionally, in 2nd Corinthians 4:8-9, it says:

8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;

we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

All of which at the end of the day means that we are stepped on but not crushed by the devil and his trials and tribulations.  I don't know about you, but for me and where I am today, that's good news, because I sometimes feel as if I'm at the breaking point.  Yet, I continue to press through to another day.  When I look back on where I've come from in the past 2 years or so, I can truly and honestly tell you I didn't think I was going to make it on many days.  There but for the grace of God go I...

Hopefully that snippet from yesterday's sermon will inspire someone who might also be going through some tough times. 

As always, thank you for reading my random musings!  Something you wanna share?  You know the drill - Holla @ Darvi!  Be Blessed and see ya Wednesday!!!

Can you recognize the voice of God?

Happy Friday, blogland!  I hope everyone has had a great week. 

We will pause for a moment to remember 9-11... We should never forget.  I will never forget.  I'll always remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the realization came that this was no ordinary plane crash into a building, but a series of planned attacks.  At the time, I was working in downtown Chicago in a government building, so we were on high alert and dismissed very soon after arrival (and left scrambling to find a way out of downtown and back to the safety of our own neighborhoods).  Even all these years later, it still seems surreal that something like THAT could happen HERE.  I know that sounded a bit like American Elitism, but that was the reaction that day.  It also happens every time a school is attacked by a gunman (although unfortunately, that is becoming more and more the norm) and the horrific shooting a few weeks ago on live television of the news anchor, cameraman and interviewee.  I pray daily that there will be a quick end to the violence and senseless killings in the world.  It zaps one's humanity just a little bit more each time it happens...

As for me and my world:  Packing is no joke (although I have been simultaneously purging things that are in good working order and can be donated to charity, so I'm happy about that part and plan on making my first drop today).  I really feel like I've gotten nothing done although there has been visible progress.   

You know what also isn't a joke?  Trying to realistically move from a 3000 square foot house into one that is approximately 1040 square feet - that is a herculean task!  Not impossible, but you do have to have an open mind and be creative.  I'm sure that will be a future post once I get moved and situated.

I didn't make it to church last Sunday and I've been feeling the effects all week (although I did finish my class on Tuesday night, it's just not the same as being there on Sunday); so I will make sure to be in the place on Sunday morning.  I don't plan on moving churches after the move; it will be a longer than 5 minute drive now, but still close enough for me to attend and be an active member.  That is what I'm looking forward to- becoming active in church again and being close enough for my kids to be active members too.  Our church has over 70 ministries, so there's plenty to do.  I'm hoping to find something that will be a good fit for me.

I'm still kinda in blah mode, trying to snap out of it.  I do appreciate the calls, texts and emails, I do.  I'm just going to need a little time to get myself together with this move and getting the kids situated and transferred, getting unpacked and in some semblance of order all while simultaneously looking for a job - that is quite a lot on my plate - ya know?  So as I ask continually, keep us in your prayers. 

I did look cute one day (even though I look tired):

Anyway, moving on to the subject of this post.  There were two things that have happened in the past week or so that really touched me and I know they were both truly messages from God. 

First, a friend of mine from college, who is also a member of my sorority, sent me an email earlier in the week.  What made it remarkable is that she isn't someone I talk to often (we live in different cities) and we generally chat via Facebook.  The message was very uplifting and encouraging, but the things that stood out for me were these:  1) sometimes as single mothers, we are so used to depending on ourselves  and being independent that it's hard to submit and give things to God to handle; 2) "that to our naked eye, a giant tidal wave is cresting and about to crash down on us like Hurricane Sandy, but when we submit ourselves to God we begin to feel the presence of the Giant invisible hand that is holding back the wave;" and 3) "there is someone watching you and waiting for you to slip up so they can say I told you so - there is someone else who is waiting for you to praise God in the middle of your circumstances so that they can be reassured that they can praise their way out of theirs!"  This may not seem remarkable to you, but it is to me because there is no way that she could/would know anything that is going on in my world at this moment (besides reading here) so I know that this was a message.  And she took the time to send that to me in the midst of making homegoing services for her dad (which I didn't know until this morning).  So to her I say, thank you, friend.  Scratch that.  Thank you to MY friend, Angela Clark-Terrall and I am praying for your family as you deal with your loss.  We will connect soon; you have been great to me over the years and I have never forgotten your kindness.  I love you dearly.

Secondly, a friend from high school who I am connected with these days via Facebook (she lives in another city and state) sent a group of people a message, saying that she was listing all of the people that God told her to pray for and my name was on her list.  Specifically, she stated "Over the next 7 days I will list people that God has asked me to pray for that He deems worth fighting for... What am I fighting for?  Your patience, courage, obedience, strength and so much more."  When I finally made it onto Facebook to read that, it brought tears to my eyes.  Again, this isn't a person I talk to regularly, so only God could have told her to do it.  To her also I say, thank you friend to MY friend, Evelyn Henderson-Barker.  I have always loved and respected your spirit, even back at Morgan Park.  I so appreciate you and I hope that we will see each other again one day so I can properly thank you for thinking of me. 

Now, those may seem to be two random occurrences to you, but for believers, we recognize them as the voice of God.  And all I can say is "I hear You."  Even though I don't understand everything that is happening right now and I feel like I'm drowning, I hear You and I trust You.  The Word says, in Proverbs 3:5-6: 

5Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths

 

What do I always say?  I am a Work in Progress, so I struggle sometimes with getting this thing right and I miss the mark.  Often.  But each day, I get a new opportunity to aim for it again.  No, things are not perfect.  They are the furthest from perfect that I have ever experienced in my whole life and I've experienced a lot more than most people, unfortunately.  But, still I press on and I'm gonna be in church this week and every week going forward, thanking Him in advance for my breakthrough when it happens. 

 

So my question for you is can YOU recognize the voice of God and how has HE spoken to you?  Holla @ Darvi!  Be blessed and have a great weekend!

 

Chicago, my kind of town!

Welp, it's Wednesday again.  I finished my one-on-one discipleship class at church last night; 10 weeks actually went very fast.  I truly enjoyed the class - it was exactly what I hoped it would be- a renewing of my spirit (wo)man.  I feel different (in a good way) even though so much is still in disarray around these parts and I have so much yet to do.  I have a move coming up next week and it's shaping up quite differently than it was initially supposed to.  Not sure how I feel about that.  All that change I talked about?  Coming at me fast...

 

Anyhoo, today I figured I would write the post I was supposed to do on Friday.  About Chicago, my hometown.  I love Chicago (even though technically I've been a suburbanite for more than a decade now).  I first fell in love with Chicago and its rich history back in the 6th grade in my Options for Knowledge class at Kellogg Elementary School.  Each quarter our teacher, Mrs. Scannell, would pick a new topic for us to research and study and then we'd pick our individual topics from there, put on a teach-in for the whole school (in costume) and go around to the different classrooms to "teach" our subject.  It was the best experience of my life and I'm so glad I got the chance to experience it.  Anyway, our last topic that year was Chicago.  I studied George Pullman and the Pullman Porters, go figure.  Sidenote, in college I did a research paper on the history of blacks in Morgan Park/Beverly, so my love of Chicago lived on... Anyway, our teach-ins for the school took the form of a play with teaching built in.  It was actually ingenious, I must say, in looking back.  For the Chicago teach-in, we learned a number of songs that I still remember to this day. 

 

"If someone ever asked me what Chicago is, it might take me an hour, two or three.  'Cuz I'd take time to tell them what Chicago is, and all the things Chicago means to me.  My kind of town, Chicago is, my kind of town, Chicago is, One town that won't let you down, it's my kind of town... Each time I roam, Chicago is, calling me home, Chicago is, One town that won't let you down, it's my kind of town... Each time I leave, Chicago is, tugging my sleeve, Chicago is... the Wrigley Building, Chicago is, the Union Stockyards, Chicago is, Comiskey Ballpark (at least it was in 1982), Chicago is, one town that won't let you down, it's My Kind of Town!!!!"  (Ad libbed from what I remember of one of our teach-in songs)

 

Then there's Chicago that toddlin' town and just plain Chicago.  There's also the group Chicago (who I LOVE, by the way)... But I digress so very much...

 

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to check out the "Open Air" exhibit at the Field Museum (the last day was Monday).  I loved it!  It was a great day, although it was very hot out.  The exhibit was a free, outdoor exhibit featuring the photography of Walter Iooss, Jr., the "poet laureate of sports," and his subject?  His Airness, himself - Michael Jordan!  What a great, great collection and it was so peaceful to explore!  It made me smile all day.  I thank the Field Museum, Mr. Ioos and the Jordan Brand for bringing it to Chicago!  Did I take pictures?  But of course... Without further ado, Open Air!!! *Be forewarned, there are 31 photos...*

 

Ok, for real, wasn't that something to see????  I truly loved this exhibit (I'm an exhibit-kinda girl, but I really did love this one).  The last photo features a life size photo of his hand - I put my hand in it and it was just swallowed up!  I hope you enjoyed this slice of Chicago; there's more, I took more photos that day that I love, but for today, sharing "Open Air" with you is enough to make my day brighter.  I forgot to tie it all back to the post- this is just one reason that Chicago is my kind of town - free exhibits for the public to enjoy!

So what's special about your hometown (or your current town if you have relocated)?  Share it with me, would love to know!  Holla @ Darvi.  Have a wonderful Wednesday and Be Blessed!