one thousand gifts

A few months ago, my friend Katie and her husband David invited me over to their house. When I arrived, we chatted for a bit, and then they started talking about how they appreciated that I hadn't charged Katie for rehearsals with me (I played for her voice lessons this semester). They appreciated that I was a good friend to them. And then they told me they were giving me a free plane ticket! David works for Southwest, and he gets 4 buddy passes a quarter. They had decided to give the first one to me - so I had a round-trip ticket to anywhere that Southwest flies!

I decided to keep the ticket a surprise, and worked over the next few weeks to coordinate dates, work schedules, etc. My plans changed pretty much daily - so, many thanks to the folks in Washington and Oregon who were flexible as I tried to figure things out. 

On June 25, I headed to the Baltimore airport early in the morning, ready to get on the stand-by list. Again, I had to be flexible with my plans. But, by God's grace, I finally got on a flight to Chicago, and then to Seattle! Thanks to my friend Courtney who picked me up at the airport at a moment's notice!

My mother, having no idea what I was up to, had scheduled a Skype date for 7PM (her time) that evening. So I was praying I would be home in time. And indeed I was!!

Check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBYY3aceK1g

I got to spend a few days with my parents, and do some hiking with my dad. It was great to go for a REAL hike...not a "nature walk" (I haven't found any steep trails in Maryland). It was wonderful to be in the mountains on a glorious day.  We even saw a bald eagle fly right over us, riding the wind. 

It was great to spend wonderful time with my grandma and brother and sister. I got to spend time with wonderful friends in Portland and Spokane. I got to spend some hours in the car, drink wonderful coffee, enjoy the rain, as well as some wonderful Northwest summer weather.  I got to wear a SWEATSHIRT (a luxury I don't get to experience much in this Baltimore humidity). I got to hike in the mountains, breathe fresh air, celebrate my birthday with friends and family, enjoy being home in the wonderful Northwest. 

I am still overwhelmed by all the many gifts that were lavished on me in those few days.  A plane ticket. Friends with flexible schedules and open homes and hearts.  Office managers that are willing to secretly rearrange my dad's schedule so that I can spend time with him.  Mothers that schedule Skype dates at the perfect time.  Sharing wine, meals, coffee, beer, chocolate.   Trees.   Mountains.  Fresh air. Sweatshirts.   Plans that change every other day, and yet still seem to fall into place better than I could have even imagined.   Home. 

It was so good for my soul to get a break. But every time I go west, it gets harder and harder to come back to Baltimore. It's good to know that I only have a few more months to go....less than a year now!

But there are many gifts here, as well.   People to enjoy spending time with.  Sunday morning trips to the farmers' market. Extra shifts at work. Evenings spent reading in the park. Time to practice and study. Game nights with friends.

So I continue to give thanks for the way God orchestrated so many things to enable me to be home for a bit, and I am counting down the days until I can return again. But I also recognize that if I will choose to be present in the next 10 months in Baltimore, there will be many more gifts to give thanks for.   He is a great God, and He is present here, now, to those who will be awake enough, aware enough, humble enough to receive the gifts He so graciously offers.

Heat Wave

In case you haven't heard, we've been in the middle of a heat wave. My first experience with days and days of temperatures in the 100's and humidity not ever dropping below 50%. You know it's a hot day when the LOW is 92!!   So how do we survive without melting?  I'm not really sure.  And being a pretty frugal grad student, I'm not too keen on turning on my A/C very often.  So here are a few things I've learned:

When it's hot and humid outside:

1. Your most important accessory is a waterbottle. I keep 4 in the frig. The first thing I do in the morning is get up, grab a waterbottle and start drinking.  Who knows how many gallons I've sweat during the night...so it's important to start replenishing as soon as possible.

2. All food must be kept in the frig. Even food that you would never think would have to be refrigerated...well, it does. Chocolate chips.  Peanut butter.  Even crackers, sometimes.  

3. No need to invest in a towel warmer for your bathroom.  When you get out of your (intentionally) cold shower, you'll be enveloped by a nice warm fuzzy towel....whether you like it or not.

4. If you're stupid enough to be walking down the street at 1 PM, you'll wonder where all the people are, as it will look like a ghost town.  Sooner or later, you'll realize why: they're all inside in the A/C.

5. Don't expect to get anything done.  You will feel like you weigh 500 pounds more than normal and it will take 500 times the effort just to motivate yourself to get up.

6. Never go anywhere without a sweat rag.

7. It's probably not a bad idea to bring a change of clothes...at least a shirt...when you have to walk a ways....like, say, 2 blocks.

8. No need to invest in a gym membership.  Just make sure to opt for the stairs (to the 8th floor) every time you get home. You'll get a great sweat-filled work-out, and as an added bonus, if you're craving some sauna time, you need only walk outside. 

9. Never cross your legs while sitting. You'll soon have a collection of drips on both legs.

10. Early mornings are your friend. Well, they always were mine...but now even more so, as it's the coolest time of day. Furthermore, grocery stores that open at 6 AM are also your friend.  That way, you don't have to carry a gallon of milk home in the middle of the day, or even at 10 AM.   It's the simple things....

Needless to say, we're looking forward to Christmas in July here...and hoping that means there will be snow. Or cooler weather.  at least a day below 80.   or 90.     even 95.   Pretty much anything less than 109 would be awesome right now.