be ware, i'm a little sappy tonight

i'm late at the office- a new office, actually, not Towers. September was one crazy month, let me tell you. Here are some highlights for you:

Sept 2- labor day weekend- drove home (15 hour drive) with Blair to surprise the pants (literally, ha ha dad. :) ) off my parents. it was a great trip, super fast, very busy, so much fun. I love my family, i love surprises, i love roadtrips. I love the trifecta, i love that Danielle and David are dating, I love my nieces. I love homecooked meals and sleeping later than 6am, i love sitting on the swing with dad. i love laying in bed with mom, recounting our days and telling her my heart. i love the comfort of my family.

Sept 7- was supposed to start the 'new job' that turned not not to be a job at all but more like a nightmare. was once again unemployed for the 3rd time in 12 months. Thankfully God filled in the holes relatively quickly and i'm now working a 55-60 hour week, opening at starbucks and working at the church office in the afternoons as a temp. receptionist.

sept 8- Jackie and Steve got married. I am still so amazed at how God worked this all out together, how our friendship developed, how God has pursued her and she is answering. Please pray for her as she begins to understand how great our Savior's love toward us.

Sept 19- This time we flew down to dallas to go to two more weddings. Best day with melodie and bill- i love my friendship with her, enjoying a day-double-date together. its what both of us always thought our lives would be like- living nearby, married with (six or a half dozen) kids, living life together and challenging eachother. it was sweet for my soul to be with her that day. Before that though, a very important life altering question was asked (no not to me, but to my dad) and my dad said yes. :) I cried, of course. mostly for happiness, but also for change. i dread change, and this is so big- the shifting of my dad as my sole provider, encourager, and covering. it made me cherish our Chicago time all the more, daddy. I love you and i'm always yours. Mamma P got married, I rode in a 72 Caddillac ElDorado Convertible, I met Autumn's new beau, i played with Ashton for a day. I miss her so terribly. I love watching her grow, love her hugs, love her shyness. I love seeing bits of my favorite people reflected in her as well. I was asked for a ring size, i was told that i am loved, i had my first rum and coke. i danced with my sister and merit, we "journeyed" to africa, england, and austin. we discovered african catipillars, we fought off lobster monsters. merit serenaded me with Beauty and the Beast. I left knowing that my life is still in chicago, and my heart is still divided. I left missing people and wishing for more time, time with Katie and Debi and Faith and Penny, women who challenge me yet our schedules and distance keep us from frequent contact. i miss the accountability, i miss our church, i miss our raw and unpolished authenticity, i miss that kind of sunday morning.

sept 29- I came home to these precious women who ask me hard questions, things that i still wrestle with. i went paintballing (15 welts), laughed with my brother and good friend, lunched with mandi as levi went around hugging and delighting perfect strangers.

September is over. i am not settled quite yet in the new apartment, i'm not sure if i'll move yet next month or not. i am tired today. but i am thankful, thankful for His provision and comfort, his faithfulness to meet needs, his covering. I am thankful for friends and hugs, fun colors like mango and pomegranate to balance out life decisions, and thankful even for something as dumb as a blog to let others know a bit of my mind as i haphazardly unload my thoughts onto a page.