tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41450910323285135182024-03-04T22:30:04.745-07:00My Life (In Lists)Musings of a girl (in list form), trying to live life to the fullest.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-75065557426017954042015-03-16T09:34:00.000-06:002015-03-16T09:39:44.023-06:00A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Give Away Winner [2]<div>
Wow. Thank you to everyone who shared this project, filled out the
survey, emailed me, texted me, and commented on facebook. I'm really
excited about where this is going to go and how this is going to help
people. Together, I really think we're going to create something
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I'm going to keep
the survey open so that you all can continue to submit suggestions of
women to speak to and questions you want to ask them. </div>
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I'm excited to announce the winner of the giveaway: Erica! Erica won for tweeting about the project, but she also filled out the survey. Congratulations, friend. Thanks for sharing and reading!</div>
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Read about a project my friend is starting! Take the survey! Let's create & learn from a Great Cloud of Witnesses. <a href="http://t.co/Enrh7STPA5">http://t.co/Enrh7STPA5</a><br />
— Erica Wagner (@ericamaureen6) <a href="https://twitter.com/ericamaureen6/status/575514262904377344">March 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
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I'm going to spend this week reading through the survey results, talking to other friends with ideas and contacts on the phone, finalizing my interview questions, and reaching out to some of these women. I'll keep you all updated on the status of this project, but know that we're getting started!<br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-63341536034066909942015-03-13T09:24:00.000-06:002015-03-13T09:27:54.351-06:007QTs on Camp Reunions, Running into People on the El, and Cats on Ottomans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>--one--</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've lived in Chicago for 6 1/2 weeks now. Can you believe it!? I hardly can. This has been such a great move for me. It has been so great to be in the city for so many reasons. The weather is getting nice here (it's going to be 60 today!!) and in a very short amount of time it will be nice enough to play on the lake! </span></div>
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<b>--two--</b></div>
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Tuesday was an AWESOME day for mail. I finally gave in and ordered an Erin Condren Planner and it showed arrived in bright and shining colors along with Shauna Niequist's new devotional!! I am loving the blank spaces in the planner to organize what I need to get done each day and just how colorful and fun it is! I can hardly wait to crack open Shauna's book. I'm waiting to start until I turn 25 next week. </div>
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<b>--three--</b></div>
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When Maggie and I met up when I first moved to Chicago, she said "my favorite thing about camp is that you constantly have friends around no matter where life takes you." Adding truth to her comment, I ran into these two wonderful girls on my way to work on Wednesday. I was lucky enough to have Pria as a camper for three weeks in 2010. I got to know her sister Shreya those three weeks two. It was the perfect start to my Wednesday.</div>
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<b>--four--</b></div>
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Wednesday was a day full of CT love. Maggie and the Evoy's organized a CT Chicago alumni reunion. What's great about camp people is that even though I didn't know a lot of the girls that were at the reunion, by the end of the night we were all old friends. We played a game where you won fake points for each phrase from a camp cheer you could work in to normal conversation. Costigan won by a landslide - my favorite was when she exclaimed "Oh a day lay!!!!"</div>
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I'm so excited to stay close and connected with these friends I already knew, and even more excited to continue to get to know these new camp friends. We're going to make these reunions a monthly thing. It's going to be so great.</div>
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Pathfinders & Braves are best friends. </div>
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<b>--five--</b></div>
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My new boss, Danielle, had a birthday last week and mine is this coming Tuesday. We got out of a staff meeting yesterday, and I made a comment that I was hungry and wanted a snack. Lupe said she thought our Event Service Workers might have had a snack downstairs, so she was going to go check. She came up with a cake! Moral of the story: if you say you want a snack, someone just might show up with a cake. </div>
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<b>--six--</b></div>
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I have this little blue ottoman in my apartment that Kateri has claimed for herself. Doesn't it look like her Cat Throne?</div>
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I'm really excited about where <a href="http://mylife-inlists.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-great-cloud-of-witnesses-new-project.html">this project</a> is going and the enthusiasm I've received from readers. Thank you so much to everyone who has responded to the survey with suggestions and to everyone who has shared the initiative. The survey and raffle entry are open through the end of the weekend, so you still have time to make suggestions and share the launch of the project. <a href="http://mylife-inlists.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-great-cloud-of-witnesses-new-project.html">Check it out here</a>. </div>
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<i>For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/">This Ain't the Lyceum</a>.</i></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-8171106873213748682015-03-10T20:32:00.001-06:002015-03-10T20:32:55.911-06:00A Great Cloud of Witnesses: A New Project<div>
I truly believe one of the greatest gifts Christ gave us in the Church are the saints. I know I struggle when I try to run after Him alone, but when I have <a href="http://mylife-inlists.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-i-learned-about-community-while.html">someone cheering alongside me</a> I am encouraged, motivated, and propelled deeper into the Heart of Christ. </div>
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This is definitely one of the reasons why I'm so big on community. This is also one of the reasons why I love Hebrews 12:1 so much:</div>
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<i>Since then we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.</i></blockquote>
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Man, was I surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses in FOCUS. These incredible people gave up so much to pursue Jesus wholeheartedly. </div>
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FOCUS' mission is on the college campus, but it's real mission is to launch people into lifelong Catholic mission. But now that I'm working in the "real world" (as real as a college campus can be), I really have to ask - what does that even mean? </div>
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I know what it looks like in a Parish, and thanks to the many Catholic mom's <strike><span style="font-size: x-small;">that I stalk</span></strike> whose blogs I follow, I think I have an idea of how to do it once I start a family.</div>
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But what does life long Catholic mission mean for me as a single 20-something professional young adult? <b>Heck, what does being Catholic even look like as a single-20 something professional young adult?</b></div>
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Honestly, I don't know. I don't have much experience with it, and my cloud of witnesses is looking small.</div>
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I know you're out there. You are the warriors, the white martyrs, the saints of tomorrow. You love Jesus with your whole heart, and you inspire your co-workers and your friends to be better people. I want to talk to you, to learn from you, to add you to my cloud. </div>
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And so today, I am very excited to announce my new project: <b><i>A Great Cloud of Witnesses. </i></b></div>
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I will be talking to professional Catholic women that you and I know, and asking them about their faith. After we chat, I will be sharing what I learned here so that we can unite as the one body of Christ and be strengthened in our faith.</div>
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This project is meant for us to lift one another up, to inspire one another in our journey towards heaven. It is to remind us that we are not alone as we try to pray and figure out how to honor Jesus in our work. Most of all, it is meant for us to learn from our sisters who are running after Christ.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Before I start, I need your help! </span></b>What do you want to know from these women? If you could sit down with them for coffee, what would you ask them? What about being a professional Catholic is hard for you?</div>
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<b>Who do you know </b>that you admire as a professional, Catholic or Christian woman? I have a list started, but I want our cloud to grow. </div>
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Tell me what you know or who I should talk to by <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LKGX3B3">filling out this survey.</a> As a thank you for your assistance, you'll be entered into a raffle to win Shauna Niequist's new devotional, <i>Savor, </i>and a $25 Amazon Gift Card. You can enter the Raffle by tweeting this link to share this project with your friends, and by filling out the survey. </div>
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Please pray for me and for everyone that will be involved as I venture out on this journey. I'm so excited to begin and I pray that together, we will be inspired to run the race that is set out for us.</div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="e4d8871e1" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e4d8871e1/" id="rcwidget_ap5i0afa" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-54146379458767275532015-02-18T15:48:00.002-07:002015-02-18T15:48:45.966-07:00Hunger Pangs
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn’t prepare my kitchen for Ash Wednesday. The only things I
had in my possession this morning was bacon, chicken, a box of uncooked pasta, and an enormous box of chocolate covered almonds – things that don’t work
well for a day when I am abstaining from meat and a lent where I'm basically giving up all of that. Thankfully, living in the city
is awesome, so I popped into a grocery store on my way to the Red Line to pick
up two meals for the day. I grabbed a smoothie for breakfast and some soup for
lunch. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Four o’clock hit and I realized I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hungry</i>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Out of nowhere, the Holy Spirit reminded me that these
little hunger pangs are nothing compared to the hunger my soul feels for the
love of Christ. And that desire is so small compared to the hunger Christ feels for me to know and follow Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So throughout lent as you feel the pangs for the ice cream
you gave up, for the ability to Facebook stalk, or for a juicy steak on Friday,
I pray those little aches remind you of how deeply Christ wants you to know His love for you. </span></div>
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Happy Ash Wednesday. </div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-1794187657987203452015-01-26T06:30:00.000-07:002015-01-26T06:30:00.433-07:00Wait, It's 2015 Already?I rang in 2015 sitting in the fifth row of chairs in Ryman Hall C at the Gaylord Opryland with John Paul, Mike, & Chris Stefanik <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(cough name dropping cough cough)</span>. We were pouring over the SEEK programming timeline, making sure every detail for the opening of the conference would be just right, making sure it would set a tone of fun and openness so the Holy Spirit could begin to work in the hearts of the 9,500 college students that would be in attendance.<br />
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At 12:03 AM, Mike noticed the time. "Hey guys, it's 2015." Chris suggested we pray a Hail Mary. We did, and then got right back to work.<br />
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The next six days were a blur of conference production and coffee, followed by a blur of moving and adjusting. When I finally got a chance to process that it was already 2015, I was <i>tired. </i>I spent a lot of 2014 tired and lonely. It was kind of a crap year that I don't really want to repeat. I wasn't focused, and I wasn't purposeful.<br />
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I've never been any good at keeping resolutions. So instead, I'm going with two words to set the tone for 2015. I want them to be my mantra, my rally cry, and the motivating force behind all that I choose to do. <i>Be intentional.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZu6DsPTimIwHzzPXULFrNc2G5YuCBuqpgbMgmQdXAaiioD6Gsu_dfQyXIHwmEk1NOb6UlmC00zPahJRypDWRiChDnmhCbW0ta9ILbtBYrCZs8bnkJCkuZm5Z48ucDO27dLrYXyUSnGs/s1600/2015+mantra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZu6DsPTimIwHzzPXULFrNc2G5YuCBuqpgbMgmQdXAaiioD6Gsu_dfQyXIHwmEk1NOb6UlmC00zPahJRypDWRiChDnmhCbW0ta9ILbtBYrCZs8bnkJCkuZm5Z48ucDO27dLrYXyUSnGs/s1600/2015+mantra.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
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I turn 25 in March - quarter of a century old. For most of my life, I've lived in that relativistic, do-what-feels-good mindset. And even though I'm aware of it now, it can still creep into my habits and my daily choices. So this year, I'm going to combat that by being intentional.<br />
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I want to ask myself "how can I be intentional" about all the different priorities in my life: my faith, my relationships, my career, my time, my health, etc.<br />
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I think this 2015 mantra could mean big things for my year, especially as I focus on it day by day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.atypicaltypea.com/2011/08/22/happy-monday-41/">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<br />Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-54680075318139376452015-01-23T05:30:00.000-07:002015-01-23T09:59:04.702-07:007QTs on 38+ Goodbyes in 7 DaysWoof. It has been a whirlwind of a two weeks. I have packed up my entire life, driven it to Kansas, and found place to live in Illinois. More importantly, I have listened to Serial in it's entirety and am <i>obsessed</i>. I cannot wait for season two, or to start listening to <i>This American Life</i> on my new public transportation commute.<br />
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But I digress. Since I waited to tell anyone I was moving until I told the Events Team after SEEK, my last week in Colorado was packed back to back saying goodbye to my favorite people and my favorite places. So today I give you 7QTs on 38+ goodbyes in 7 days!<br />
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<b>--one--</b></div>
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The day after I got home from SEEK, my housemates and I had our last dinner. It was awesome to sit around the living room with Carolyn, Mary, Jenna, & Matika talking about life and eating Swing Thai - Colorado Bucket List Item!</div>
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<b>--two--</b></div>
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Last Thursday, I met up with my favorite Camp Tecumsehites who live in Denver. It has been a huge blessing to have Holly, Arielle, and Molly living in Denver while I was here. We ate at Trattoria Stella's and talked about our lives and our hopes for the futures while drinking delicious wine. Eating here was a Colorado Bucket List Item!</div>
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<b>--three--</b></div>
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On Friday, we had an Events Team Send Off. JP is getting married and moving to LA, and I'm moving to Chicago. I love these people fiercely and already miss them so much. When I joined the Events Team, I didn't realize how great of friends these people would become. As I continue to grow in my life, I hope to become more like them in their professionalism and their faith. </div>
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<b>--four--</b></div>
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Saturday was a road trip through Colorado. In the morning I met Shelby in Boulder for brunch. After some great catching up, I made a quick stop at Celestial Seasonings, then drove north to Fort Collins to meet baby Pierce and say goodbye to the Sebastian's. Miles and I are finally best friends, right in time for me to move. Dana was my missionary at Drake and it has been such a blessing having her and Derek so close. They are a beautiful example of a fun and holy family could look like!</div>
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<b>--five--</b></div>
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On Sunday I got to hit a few of my favorite Denver spots. It started with Mass at the Cathedral, followed by brunch at Fork and Spoon with Sophie and Lindsay.<br />
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Then I got to do some writing at The Book Bar. I ended the night at St. Jude's<br />
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The girls in my discipleship group are so sweet - I'm going to miss them so much! It's crazy to see how much they've grown and matured in the last 1.5 years. We read through Luke ch. 4 and Jesus talks about now it is time for him to go to a new place to preach. It was the perfect passage to end my time with these girls on.<br />
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After youth group, the leaders went and got a drink. I have a special bond with these people. It has been awesome to work for the same mission alongside them and have some good, old fashioned fun with them. Pray for Megan, Ramon, Alexei, Terri, & the Candler's as they continue to show the teens at St. Jude's Jesus' love.</div>
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<b>--six--</b></div>
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Bible Study is on Monday's, so we had a big party this week. These women have shaped my past semester in such a profound way. I seriously don't know how I would have survived without them. It is incredible what God does when a group of people get together with the intention of growing closer to Him. They are going to keep Bible Study going and that just makes my heart so happy!</div>
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<b>--seven--</b></div>
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On Tuesday, I got dinner with the newly married Stephens and got to catch up with them. It had been awhile since I'd seen them, so it was cool to see how married life was treating them!</div>
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Wednesday was my last day in the office. It was filled with Beau Thai and many bittersweet goodbyes. </div>
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Finally, Mom and Tommy arrived Wednesday night. We rounded out the goodbyes to my friends by grabbing dinner at Beau Jo's Pizza with Steph and Joanna.</div>
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The next day we crossed off "appreciate the mountains" and "pray at the Mother Cabrini Shrine" off my bucket list. </div>
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In the end, the <i>only</i> two things I didn't get to do on my Colorado Bucket List were skiing and visiting the 16th Street Mall. I'd say it was a pretty successful week of goodbye's!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>For more quick takes, check out <a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/">This Ain't The Lyceum</a>.</i></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-20296656810572043512015-01-19T11:04:00.001-07:002015-01-24T12:03:53.653-07:00New FOCUS Blog Post: The Conversation That Changed How I Evangelized<div>
Hey friends, Happy Monday!</div>
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I'm writing today over at FOCUS, so hop on over and <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/the-conversation-that-changed-how-i-evangelize.html">check it out</a>!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-73573155474770470792015-01-13T05:30:00.000-07:002015-01-13T13:45:38.231-07:00Moving On & Identity SEEK2015 is over. I'm sitting at my kitchen table, drinking coffee, with Penny & Sparrow playing in the background thinking about how strange that is. Every waking second for the past four months have been consumed by this conference. This past year has been spent pouring over preparations to make this conference for 10,000 a reality. And now it's all over.<br />
<br />
Sure, there are bills to pay, wrap up meetings to have, and summary reports to write. But for the the vast majority of the world, it's over. On to the next thing, right? Now it's time to pour into NST and into SLS and wrap my mind around the next big event FOCUS will be hosting.<br />
<br />
That's what I thought the plan was.<br />
<br />
Instead, I will be packing up all of my things and moving away from Denver and away from FOCUS to a fresh start in a few days. I'm terribly overwhelmed, excited, and sad. These people I've had the incredible honor of working with these past 1.5 years have shaped me so much. I look up to them in their faith and in their professionalism, and I hope to be like them one day.<br />
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Though it is hard and though I am sad, I am at peace. Jesus' hand is upon my shoulder, mourning FOCUS with me, but turning my head towards the Chicago skyline as we take this next step in the journey together.<br />
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What is scariest for me is what the answer to that daunting question of "who are you?" will be now that FOCUS Events is in my past. I remember a moment at the very beginning of the second semester of my senior year of college when I first confronted this question. I was stumped. For the past 3 years when someone asked me who I was, I was able to list a paragraph of positions and titles that made me important on campus: Panhellenic President, VP Greek Programming, Director of Special Events, etc. When I was a second semester senior, I no longer held those positions, and I didn't know how to define myself anymore. I was asked the question, "who are you," and I didn't know how to respond.<br />
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Now here I am, three years later, when my defining role is gone again and I am left with just me and Jesus. I don't know how I will respond when the question is asked. I thought it would terrify me. Instead, the future is exciting.<br />
<br />
On the plane to Nashville, Holly & I sat by Sr. Amata of the Servidora's. Out of no where she started talking about how when we work in the Church, we have a higher risk of attaching our consolation and identity to our work instead of simply attaching it to Jesus. She said that when people leave their work in the Church, they are uncomfortable for a bit as they stretch and learn how to just be with Jesus, but God usually calls them out so they can learn in a deeper way that their identity lies solely in Christ.<br />
<br />
That's what I want for myself. Identity has always been my core issue, as it is for so many. For years after my conversion, I pretended that I no longer struggled with attaching my identity to what I do and the titles I wore. But as I walk away from FOCUS, I know it is still my biggest struggle. So as Jesus and I drive the 1,111 miles to Chicago, I pray that He can begin to chip away at who I think I am and replace that idea with who He wants me to be.<br />
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So pray for me as I move to the city, and pray for me as I wrap up this chapter of life in Denver. Though I do not know what the future holds, I know it is bright, because I will face it with Jesus.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-38708756488034458012015-01-12T06:00:00.000-07:002015-01-12T06:00:01.025-07:00The Farewell Colorado Bucket List<b>The Task</b>: Visit all my favorite Denver/Colorado spots before I move.<br />
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<b>The Challenge</b>: I move on Friday and most of my time will be spent wrapping things up at the office and packing up.<br />
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Also, I care more about saying goodbye to people than I do saying goodbye to these places. So I'm sure most, if not all, of these places will not be visited. But I'm up for the challenge!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Farewell Colorado Bucket List</b></span></div>
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<b>Eat at Trattoria Stella</b>. Best. Restaurant. Ever. It's in an adorable old house and it has the best food ever. If you haven't been here, you need to go now!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0snV9J3CEVqjsfXeIwTXFX5OBW5IMGC5iAltQqeQ2i6al7wn8VT7pxhuI1KZDl89PQLzmpf3dlWUWFSqPX2u-zaJi8HzkV4NNOLhLwmpnMhsm2RyABQ-ginDQlXoKfLoU7ljBEeFeQxI/s1600/32nd+street+pasta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0snV9J3CEVqjsfXeIwTXFX5OBW5IMGC5iAltQqeQ2i6al7wn8VT7pxhuI1KZDl89PQLzmpf3dlWUWFSqPX2u-zaJi8HzkV4NNOLhLwmpnMhsm2RyABQ-ginDQlXoKfLoU7ljBEeFeQxI/s1600/32nd+street+pasta.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.thesherlockholmesreviews.com/2013/08/trattoria-stella.html">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Completed 1/8 with my Camp Tecumseh friends.</i><br />
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<b>Appreciate the Mountains</b>. I'd hypothetically like to do something in the mountains, but I don't really know what I want to do in the mountains...so, I just want to appreciate the mountains before I can no longer see them out my window and on my drive to work every day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfQvGPIE8Tld6asFm1c-SBV4WkS6WQoLp4TGC3LkrHsi9TsLTEYpz76Jj7LXzHd3yyDvUJk9R3niCowmrG1INhLzzGSFWa-5FcSz9I2C6FRGZ7np4Gs0rq35YMBWFDE6sq5ydCvUuujI/s1600/i70.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfQvGPIE8Tld6asFm1c-SBV4WkS6WQoLp4TGC3LkrHsi9TsLTEYpz76Jj7LXzHd3yyDvUJk9R3niCowmrG1INhLzzGSFWa-5FcSz9I2C6FRGZ7np4Gs0rq35YMBWFDE6sq5ydCvUuujI/s1600/i70.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As excited as I am for the the train, it won't look as good as this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Buy Colorado things on 16th Street Mall</b>. The cheesier, the better.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKxHazbuvIWmgZxw9XqGuW8h5PRXJ852YhXF_lbGZ6BAVylKR8TTHvCEExkxZGFIeJyZ4NFRepXz5oLo9gP5qR2AeMKK_0s8nU85KfWJK4XgLHQLpsKBkD9MZinXNgT4GygIjvwIT3k0/s1600/cheesy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKxHazbuvIWmgZxw9XqGuW8h5PRXJ852YhXF_lbGZ6BAVylKR8TTHvCEExkxZGFIeJyZ4NFRepXz5oLo9gP5qR2AeMKK_0s8nU85KfWJK4XgLHQLpsKBkD9MZinXNgT4GygIjvwIT3k0/s1600/cheesy.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What even is this thing?<br />
Image <a href="http://www.monterey-import.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/50180.75160530_large.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Go to Celestial Seasonings</b>. Definitely got to stock up on the tea's that they don't sell in stores: AKA the extra caffeinated black team. #caffinefordays<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD7IcPGRuVgWd_njJY4zgSZ9mOrvztkhNvxx0LRMOzqT3cUD3d-JRtRwL3Y0r3d43wMQKfg21_s8Crb-wIrUi2ae8PrF7NMiGBuoDnEBKp4TCU3m45O6mIsFecjTmFWjU3MWrUn-j2M4/s1600/fast+lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD7IcPGRuVgWd_njJY4zgSZ9mOrvztkhNvxx0LRMOzqT3cUD3d-JRtRwL3Y0r3d43wMQKfg21_s8Crb-wIrUi2ae8PrF7NMiGBuoDnEBKp4TCU3m45O6mIsFecjTmFWjU3MWrUn-j2M4/s1600/fast+lane.jpg" height="320" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.itsallabouttheleaf.com/wp-content/uploads/celestial-seasonings-fast-lane-black-tea.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Completed 1/10.</i><br />
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<b>Pray at the Mother Cabrini Shrine</b>. I've actually only been here once, right after I graduated college. But overlooking the mountains and the city with the Sacred Heart of Jesus seems like a good way to end my time here.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38T8HwN6ryUOlUDM_IQoHkVZ_mLrzGI8-nUYU3GP1nza8cPCGMbbpsIStfOgEsF23a9gAtEAOJAQPG-C0m1-Qcd2jvx47nsTmUC2uMQ6Rv8kbLB0S2qr1cYYiF37vjSJAbv9AEjH4s0g/s1600/jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38T8HwN6ryUOlUDM_IQoHkVZ_mLrzGI8-nUYU3GP1nza8cPCGMbbpsIStfOgEsF23a9gAtEAOJAQPG-C0m1-Qcd2jvx47nsTmUC2uMQ6Rv8kbLB0S2qr1cYYiF37vjSJAbv9AEjH4s0g/s1600/jesus.jpg" height="149" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.mothercabrinishrine.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/image4.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Drink Coffee, Buy a Book, and Write a little at The Book Bar</b>. I'm obsessed with this little place; it's a coffee shop, bar, restaurant, and bookstore all mixed into one.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMQQOv9czrVS2LvWlD8HK-vf0P_5pr4tDGKMQC6IkywQNYQ_6-XVN-qx8frmvclKVFi17BPtqgYwaI73LHy6HyUNUunNZDOJrQmS31rYisFvkXso9zpBULKCj08O_0luxaHdCeRBiN3E/s1600/BookBar+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMQQOv9czrVS2LvWlD8HK-vf0P_5pr4tDGKMQC6IkywQNYQ_6-XVN-qx8frmvclKVFi17BPtqgYwaI73LHy6HyUNUunNZDOJrQmS31rYisFvkXso9zpBULKCj08O_0luxaHdCeRBiN3E/s1600/BookBar+logo.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.bookweb.org/files/BookBar%20logo.png">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Completed 1/12.</i><br />
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<b>Eat with my team at Beau Thai</b>. Delicious Thai food, but more importantly, this place is filled with memories of my team bonding. I'm hoping we'll grab lunch here on Wednesday...actually I'm going to set us a meeting for this now.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBT3rg6Da0yiicNcaKUtbOLoaX3Myw3kzMNHKXRuSGU8AwWJaBqVWx111e9mijEIdG5cyApGXZlv3TSWSq7TZ239zRdX7NAeWQtnUhJiy7OwG74fpTKsgWwzSRq-ILh5UYe320zVRduss/s1600/beau+thai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBT3rg6Da0yiicNcaKUtbOLoaX3Myw3kzMNHKXRuSGU8AwWJaBqVWx111e9mijEIdG5cyApGXZlv3TSWSq7TZ239zRdX7NAeWQtnUhJiy7OwG74fpTKsgWwzSRq-ILh5UYe320zVRduss/s1600/beau+thai.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ItJu0_wLWg4/UgVFJ_QUNtI/AAAAAAAAADo/alCTC2ok__c/w1224-h1632/anitaphoto4.JPG">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Get take out from Swing Thai</b>. Mary & I recently discovered this thai place around the corner from us and it is so good!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdj34ewkbX0HehZpF34e0EOkOhYSfv-Ks_Dn1Et8w7iDLV4VZNWQ0XiBAuF6vye7fsusI5mYznUnNIWaIp33n7-wTpsHkV-LTuigY6lHCNt09WXPCaEu8qPbKlr8jwG95wWQMldWWxpA/s1600/swingdenver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdj34ewkbX0HehZpF34e0EOkOhYSfv-Ks_Dn1Et8w7iDLV4VZNWQ0XiBAuF6vye7fsusI5mYznUnNIWaIp33n7-wTpsHkV-LTuigY6lHCNt09WXPCaEu8qPbKlr8jwG95wWQMldWWxpA/s1600/swingdenver.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.jaunted.com/files/admin/swingdenver.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<i>Completed 1/7 with my roommates.</i><br />
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<b>Eat Beau Jo's Pizza</b>. I mean, just look at that pizza.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUD8fGROS4sUMmYNWOjcyvJrUeibTlaZW4UR60OJbFLpO2chwhNuG3LYBKcMtyBfxQNkP26EGeK1pHTYvw5DDW4T_XhuQEJxdPQOOFAWRjayBLRVLpQs_Wadp3NGhkZOI8MTbnK3jLenE/s1600/food-paradise_sp41-pizza-paradise_ss_001_596x334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUD8fGROS4sUMmYNWOjcyvJrUeibTlaZW4UR60OJbFLpO2chwhNuG3LYBKcMtyBfxQNkP26EGeK1pHTYvw5DDW4T_XhuQEJxdPQOOFAWRjayBLRVLpQs_Wadp3NGhkZOI8MTbnK3jLenE/s1600/food-paradise_sp41-pizza-paradise_ss_001_596x334.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://travel.sndimg.com/static_files/imagesource/imageoutput9/food-paradise_sp41-pizza-paradise_ss_001_596x334.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Go to Mass and pray at Basilica Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception</b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg0eii2mFt42siGTpe26gCa1JLr0xxCMWlgGjTaWjyxkNRvtnjPyYKNAal4VDobSCMyWyuYCQIy573gC0VjBMpM582kAwKiiCDKW_9_tEF2ofAu228Fn7qrRddAWYjE_0D0j5MMgKpaA/s1600/cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg0eii2mFt42siGTpe26gCa1JLr0xxCMWlgGjTaWjyxkNRvtnjPyYKNAal4VDobSCMyWyuYCQIy573gC0VjBMpM582kAwKiiCDKW_9_tEF2ofAu228Fn7qrRddAWYjE_0D0j5MMgKpaA/s1600/cathedral.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://juliefilby.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cathedral.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>Completed 1/12 with Lindsay and Sophia.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Bonus Item: Go Skiing</b>. This probably will not happen. But, I've never been, and I'd love to go before I move.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdsHkdHHz45ez5iaTeCf1kmOW3UEtQaC1lihvA-SnyUpPOMkEqcx0WjYiA0GSFBYno7RfEq9rfyxdedcsmjyAWo0ViyNamDVAgM-s9lurrhQaRRvKKPfG77n5FOBlinJxESQKlcdlOIA/s1600/SkiBearWipeOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdsHkdHHz45ez5iaTeCf1kmOW3UEtQaC1lihvA-SnyUpPOMkEqcx0WjYiA0GSFBYno7RfEq9rfyxdedcsmjyAWo0ViyNamDVAgM-s9lurrhQaRRvKKPfG77n5FOBlinJxESQKlcdlOIA/s1600/SkiBearWipeOut.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://bermanbears.com/fungallerypages/images/SkiBearWipeOut.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
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Well, there it is! What else would you visit before you moved away from Denver?Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-87817308277808856752015-01-09T05:30:00.000-07:002015-01-09T05:30:00.664-07:007QTs on Anything Other than SEEK2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs4BO9ZhTSGKPoqCwZ-qRwxWpbnnYYsIJAnsX-7qf8LdiPLxvpVkb4PJJN47QcfdbNzfBUxAIWr0shWrdfvFbFViNTuNZVQP2pf5qkiPmrkWyuotQRrCQou8db3jatpcY9Y-zjtOT1Fs/s1600/seven-quick-takes-friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs4BO9ZhTSGKPoqCwZ-qRwxWpbnnYYsIJAnsX-7qf8LdiPLxvpVkb4PJJN47QcfdbNzfBUxAIWr0shWrdfvFbFViNTuNZVQP2pf5qkiPmrkWyuotQRrCQou8db3jatpcY9Y-zjtOT1Fs/s1600/seven-quick-takes-friday.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>--one--</b></div>
I titled my first #7QTs post after SLS14 like this, and I like it, so I'm doing it again. Like last year, I get one quick take on SEEK. It's over and that's crazy. I don't know how to handle it. The team got back late Tuesday night, and I've taken the past two days off. It's actually be great relaxing and gearing back up to launch into real life. <br />
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<b>--two--</b></div>
JP is moving to LA to get married this weekend, so we're having a big team dinner and party tonight to say goodbye. I've had the privilege of working with JP very closely on AV, sponsorships, and production these past few months. He's a great guy and I'm going to miss staying at the office really late at night watching movies in the background with him.<br />
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<b>--three--</b></div>
So, I have some news. I have a new job and I'm moving to Chicago a week from today! I don't think I've had much time to process this information until yesterday. I do not have a place to live, but I'm headed there very soon!<br />
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<b>--four--</b></div>
Verily Magazine has a <a href="http://verilymag.com/moving-tips-2/">great article</a> about how to move to a new city, so I have officially made a "goodbye Colorado" bucket list. I've gotten calendar time with almost everyone I want to see, so now I just need to add calendar time to visit those few last place I want to say goodbye to. Also, I really, really want to go skiing before I move. I've lived here for a year and a half and I still haven't been skiing or snow boarding. I think I need to take care of that before going to the mountains become a long trip.<br />
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<b>--five--</b></div>
I arrived home on Tuesday night to many Christmas Cards, so that was pretty fun! Thanks to everyone who sent me a card.<br />
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<b>--six--</b></div>
Have you guys started playing Trivia Crack? My sister and brother got me hooked while I was home for Christmas. I can't stop playing.<br />
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<b>--seven--</b></div>
My teammate from Nebraska, Steph, is getting married in four months! I'm super pumped. However, I have to order my dress soon (like today), and I can't decide between these two...any thoughts on which one!? The left is the <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/Product/CL0032029/Illusion-floral-lace-poplin-dress">Poplin Dress</a> and the right is the <a href="http://www.eshakti.com/product/CL0031031">Marilyn Dress</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieJ8qVvDVrMhI5VeAzH-fjxMviF9IZy3D1WvR0hD7y7Y8pMl3xfEHOBPh5PgPchpp66KHOSBwclP97agNf8mofCjYAKC7f7nU-V1zvugJpB6HWWhSkU88RgePwzdz5UhwP_652ZEhyMI/s1600/Lace+Dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieJ8qVvDVrMhI5VeAzH-fjxMviF9IZy3D1WvR0hD7y7Y8pMl3xfEHOBPh5PgPchpp66KHOSBwclP97agNf8mofCjYAKC7f7nU-V1zvugJpB6HWWhSkU88RgePwzdz5UhwP_652ZEhyMI/s1600/Lace+Dress.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFky4JjBdXpaWUTWZ9fxp6Jk8bCYnBwWcRKFhtUiqOkU54L1MXw-wqhkCXZ1ONJBV09ugvInmDj9gaZPbp_hL0LPirVxd1o4r7xpi4NonRH05RRO6emWNdP0gCRjBElu7Hlkpnc520Vgo/s1600/Marilyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFky4JjBdXpaWUTWZ9fxp6Jk8bCYnBwWcRKFhtUiqOkU54L1MXw-wqhkCXZ1ONJBV09ugvInmDj9gaZPbp_hL0LPirVxd1o4r7xpi4NonRH05RRO6emWNdP0gCRjBElu7Hlkpnc520Vgo/s1600/Marilyn.jpg" height="200" width="110" /></a></div>
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<i>Head back over to <a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/">This Ain't The Lyceum</a> for more quick takes!</i></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-80990104879346851912014-12-23T06:00:00.000-07:002014-12-23T06:00:04.909-07:00four.ohmygoodness.<br />
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My Life (In Lists) turns four today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNdfJRJzgzzMajT199V5_mMMBgaGiYA0RxtXAvfeVN8scOXi2W0gcx7xlCZf6d2mZYapA8Wy0vDuNrqAT_ppX1WZIuc45Oi0BAgQmMOQx4F-I5RyjgNKjUCP8xaojPYp1PjY7oMjOuWw/s1600/four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNdfJRJzgzzMajT199V5_mMMBgaGiYA0RxtXAvfeVN8scOXi2W0gcx7xlCZf6d2mZYapA8Wy0vDuNrqAT_ppX1WZIuc45Oi0BAgQmMOQx4F-I5RyjgNKjUCP8xaojPYp1PjY7oMjOuWw/s1600/four.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What!?</span></b></div>
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I cannot believe it's been four years since I sat in my room at my parent's house and acted on my long-time desire of starting a blog. What a journey it has been.<br />
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I <i>so</i> appreciate all of you who've popped in along the way. For me, this has been a way to process, to learn, and to grow. I hope you've grown and learned along to way too.<br />
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I pray that as I continue to grow, this avenue can continue to be a way for me to connect myself and others to the Heart of Christ.<br />
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Thanks for coming along for the ride.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-7602994808414474232014-12-19T06:00:00.000-07:002014-12-19T06:00:05.052-07:007 Quick Whats!?1. Um, what? #7QTs moved!? Clearly I have been immersed in the SEEK planning world for way to long...but here I am! I'm popping in to say hi today because I've missed you guys, and I've missed writing.<br />
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2. I haven't written since October. Which is really weird. Life has been a whirlwind of sleep, work, sleep, work, repeat for the past two months. One of those reasons is because we exceeded our goal of 8,000 attendees...the last time I checked we had about 9,400 people coming to SEEK! <i>Can you believe it!? </i>I definitely cannot. God is so good - none of this happened because of us.<br />
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3. In TEN DAYS I will be in Nashville. I don't know how I feel about that! Excited, weird, nervous, hopeful, and like I'm going to throw up. Fun Fact: Jen is one of our main speakers! And I get to run production during her session! It is going to be awesome.<br />
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4. One of the strangest things about this job is the timing. I'm headed home for Christmas tomorrow, but I will pretty much be working straight through SEEK. Today I'm grateful that my family is understanding of the demands of this job and that my boss lets us work remotely.<br />
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5. My brother is coming to SEEK, so that's cool. It's strange to think how significant of a part of my life planning events is, but no one in my family has ever attended one I've planned. So I'm excited for him to see what I do, but I'm more excited for him and all other 9,399 people to experience the conference.<br />
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6. I would like to shoutout to Emily, Carley, Steph, & Carol for being really good friends this week. I love you guys. Additional shoutout to Murph who I get to see in the AM for brunch.<br />
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7. I picked up this book at the store on Sunday. Because I'm, well, <i>Crazy Busy, </i>I have only read the first chapter. And I already recommend it. I think it's going to be just what I need.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Busy-Mercifully-Really-Problem/dp/1433533383"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZIjLL20bJ-4_9KCjJwl7pFgLfsFAvBGWk6eqAonhOp6LJRv8HF_14fIeLipToCsx2m4RUBdNflnHjBMXedYMe9hddbWgD8IVaQZCD-rtmayBOQiko5Ywxorzq0soHBO7LtLgWUfV1po/s1600/crazy+busy.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a><span id="goog_257210627"></span><span id="goog_257210628"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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Hop on over to, um, <i><a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/">This Ain't The Lyceum</a>, </i>for more quick takes!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-41732100061961969842014-10-24T15:05:00.002-06:002014-10-24T15:05:51.497-06:00The Quickest #7QTs That You Ever Did See!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1387" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" height="195" title="7_quick_takes_sm" width="290" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt1"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt1" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 1 ---</a></strong></div>
I'm sick today. Like full out fever, cold when it's hot outside, and needing to stay in bed all day.<br />
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Expect, being sick when you're an extrovert is the actual worst. If you want to come play, I won't be opposed.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt2"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt2" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 2 ---</a></strong></div>
Since I'm sick, this will be the quickest quick takes...<i>that you ever did see!</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BnVq2YRpbQc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Yes, this is a child's song from camp. Yes, it is in my head. And, no, it is not fun while being sick.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt3"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt3" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 3 ---</a></strong></div>
Last week I got to run around NYC and pretend like I lived there. It was <i>awesome</i>. Shout out to team NYC & Columbia for generously letting me stay with them!<br />
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After REACH | nyc was over, I stayed a few days to play. The missionaries were very busy Friday, so I took the day to sleep in and explore. I'd never been to the NY Public Library, so I spent most of my day there wandering the halls and rooms and exhibits. It was great.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt4"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt4" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 4 ---</a></strong></div>
While I was in NY, I got asked for directions 5 different times. Apparently, I looked like a local. For the longest time I've wanted to move to NYC, but after being there for a week, I don't know anymore. I missed nature too much. I think Colorado has spoiled me.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt5"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt5" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 5 ---</a></strong></div>
My dream came true when I got to see Idina Menzel <i>and</i> Anthony Rapp in <i>If/Then</i>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmFrXC-uGsc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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This show was incredible: it follows Idina's character's life after she makes a decision and shows you the way her life would have been different based upon which simple decision she made. I loved every second of it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt6"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt6" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 6 ---</a></strong></div>
During my alone day, I went and saw <i>Matilda</i>. It was so. good. Think big production musical with amazing singing and dancing and technical work, then add <i>ridiculously</i> talented children.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/A06-8IWjFSE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I've been listening to the soundtrack on repeat for the past week.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt7"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt7" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 7 ---</a></strong></div>
Today is Carol's birthday. Happy birthday, Carol!!<br />
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For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary!</a></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-40586740217737533072014-10-20T11:36:00.002-06:002014-10-20T11:36:47.551-06:00Deeper Conversations: How to Connect with Others (New Post on the FOCUS Blog)Heyyo!<br />
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I've written another post up on the <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/deeper-conversations-how-to-connect-with-others.html">FOCUS Blog</a> today.<br />
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It's about how to <i>really </i>talk to others, and a little bit on why we want to be known and loved.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/deeper-conversations-how-to-connect-with-others.html">via</a>.</td></tr>
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I'd just love it if you went it <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/deeper-conversations-how-to-connect-with-others.html">checked it out</a>.<br />
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Peace!</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-21086371859497372812014-10-13T04:00:00.000-06:002014-10-13T04:00:00.209-06:00Just Say Hello<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few weeks ago, I was visiting Emily in Chicago, pretending to live the city life. I was so happy - we took the bus and the train and cabs all day. And yet, as we wandered through the forest made up of bricks and windows and street lights, I noticed that </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><i>we all seem to be scared of each other.</i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> No one made eye contact. No one said hello. No one acknowledged the homeless veteran asking for a </span>sandwich<span style="font-family: inherit;">, or even thought about acknowledging the man talking to himself on the train.</span><br />
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Flash forward to last weekend. My mom came to visit me, so we drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park to hike and just be in the wilderness. Every person we passed on the trails smiled, said hello, and asked how we were doing. It was really nice to be acknowledge, and we even ended up making a few friends. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDayN4EGXSDA-QRsAkBN_4qcYKYIFLB8L9CxCBJGar_QKCSvjwaE9NVUP5TVXIUQyYW_-XH7oP0RTQRLW2-dLAC_bnwNkoV0JQ44zB75LFwAmmvlxj32RXu3vN_ECCkxYpWWtqRQ3CPU/s640/blogger-image--1763395005.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDayN4EGXSDA-QRsAkBN_4qcYKYIFLB8L9CxCBJGar_QKCSvjwaE9NVUP5TVXIUQyYW_-XH7oP0RTQRLW2-dLAC_bnwNkoV0JQ44zB75LFwAmmvlxj32RXu3vN_ECCkxYpWWtqRQ3CPU/s640/blogger-image--1763395005.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was so struck by the stark contrast between the two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think there is a lesson to be learned from the friendly hikers on the trail. When we disconnect from the busy and from our technology, we can begin to see and acknowledge one another. We can begin to see that really, we're all just souls searching for happiness, and hoping we will find love and companions along the way. If we just say hello, we let people know that they are someone worth </span>acknowledging<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead of complaining about our disconnected, technological world, it's time we do something about it. I believe that small acts of kindness can change the world. So this week as I wander the halls of the office, and the streets of Denver, I will be putting down my phone and sharing the simple kindness of "hello," with a smile. Will you join me?</span>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-72206777709162734472014-09-23T00:24:00.000-06:002014-09-23T00:24:04.075-06:00[Currently]<b>Reading: </b><i>Paper Towns</i>, by John Green.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Towns-John-Green/dp/014241493X">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>Watching: </b>Lots of Jimmy Fallon clips on YouTube. This is one of my favorites:<br />
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<b>Wearing: </b>Boots, boots, and more boots. Especially dresses with my boots. I love fall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.greyetal.com/2013/09/04/wishing/">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>Drinking: </b>Loose leaf tea from Davids Tea. Specifically: cinnamon rooibos chai, pumpkin chai, and queen of tarts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://shopblackfriday.ca/canada/davids-tea/">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>Feeling: </b>Wanderlust. For big cities.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://sabrinasabbagh.com/article/PreparingForWanderlust.html">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>Writing: </b>About what moves me for the FOCUS Blog. The answer surprised me.<br />
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<b>Praying: </b>Morning Prayer. The praise of the psalms have been making my heart swell each morning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.catholicforum.com/forums/showthread.php?34228-Getting-started-with-the-Liturgy-of-the-Hours">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>Making: </b>The final play by play for my roommates wedding this weekend.<br />
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<b>Pondering: </b>How I can be kinder in my daily life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/819/20140228/random-acts-kindness-inspiring-unforgettable-photos.htm">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>Anticipating: </b>Site visit planning trip to Nashville and my mom's visit next week.<br />
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<b>Tell Me: </b><i>How are you, currently?</i>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-6822572921062906092014-09-17T06:00:00.000-06:002014-09-17T07:11:38.746-06:00Snake Bites and Suffering<div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i>A reflection from last Sunday's First Reading. <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/091414.cfm">Numbers 21:4B-9</a>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Ok, first things first. We have to set up this story by remembering that the Israelites were enslaved to the Egyptians for a really, really long time. God's heart hurts for his people, so he sends Moses to "let my people go, HUHHHHH, YEA YEA YEA YEA!!!!!!!!"</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moses gets them out of Egypt (AKA frees them from SLAVERY), but then they have to travel through the desert. The Israelites are pretty </span>whiny<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and seem to immediately forget that they have been FREED FROM SLAVERY BY GOD, so they start complaining against God. Which pretty is dumb. So God sends them some snakes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Israelites</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> are getting pretty upset because they keep getting bitten by snakes and dying. They repent, and ask Moses to talk to God, because dying from snake bites is not cool. Moses agrees, so he asks God to take away the snakes -<b> to take away their suffering</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;">God doesn't take away the snakes, but instead tells Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. If anyone gets bit by a snake, they just have to look at the bronze snake, and they'll live! Hooray! Everyone hugs each other and they walk off into the promised land, never to offend God again. (LAWLZ. I'm kidding. The Israelites were the worst.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What I <i>love</i> about this passage is it is proof that God hears our prayers, and he answers them!<b> But...he doesn't answer prayers how we expect him to.</b> I think what God does in this story is even more beautiful. Instead of taking their suffering away, he gives them a way to overcome it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, instead of God working the miracle of making snakes disappear, he works a greater one. <b>He transforms their suffering into a way for his people to grow closer to him.</b> Every time an Israelite gets bit by a live snake, they have to look at the bronze snake and they get to remember the miracle God has provided them. <b>Their suffering gives them an opportunity to fix their eyes back on God.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So today, as I suffer through my email (and probably other small things), I will choose to look up at the bronze serpent and remember the miracles God has preformed in my life.</span></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-32808446170061890522014-09-15T06:00:00.000-06:002014-09-15T06:00:07.871-06:00On Nuns in the Airport<div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last two times I've flown, I've left Denver on a Saturday morning. This Saturday was just as bad as the last. People walked slower than glacier, and took up the entire hall. They presented baggage claim tickets to the TSA instead of a boarding pass, and they had no idea why they had to take off their shoes and things out of their pockets. <i>Guys</i>, this has been the policy for the past 13 years. None of this is new. All of this, and more, happened at DIA this weekend. If I can help it, I'm never going to travel on a Saturday again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So there I am, riding up the escalator instead of walking because the guy in front of me is taking up the entire thing. I'm irritated, but I'm not going to be late for my flight so I'm trying, but miserably </span>failing<span style="font-family: inherit;">, to choose love and instead of harboring hate in my heart. I weave through more leisure travelers and sigh when I approach my gate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then I see her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A <i>beautiful </i>nun, in a full, navy habit. She has a white wimple, and a black veil.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=by66TiJ7FEPiWM&tbnid=NmUuS_nZrQxN-M:&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phatmass.com%2Fphorum%2Ftopic%2F113427-women-in-habits%2Fpage-42&ei=-2UWVODTFuXo8AH2j4HYAw&psig=AFQjCNESiJupuU9xRMfZKhO_GF40lpIFqw&ust=1410838131901302">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Without thinking, I walk up to her and call, "hello, Sister!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We talked for <i>maybe </i>two minutes. At the end of the conversation, she asked for my name and promised that she and all her sisters would offer their rosary for me that night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I walked away with a little skip in my step, and I completely forgot my airport woes.</span></div>
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All my airport woes were just fixed by chatting with a FULL (and I mean full) habited nun who said she'd pray her rosary for me today.<br />
— Michelle Lippoli (@MichelleLippoli) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichelleLippoli/status/510814512363339776">September 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I don't know her name, and I never will. But when I saw her across the airport, I sensed the peace, love, kindness, hope, and joy that radiated out of her. And in just under two minutes, she transferred all that and more to me.</div>
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That was a gift that Blessed Mother Teresa had. She a remarkable ability to make every. single. person. she encountered feel like they were the most important person on Earth in the moments she was with them. She was so filled with Jesus that just in being who she was, others felt the transforming power of his love.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.celebquote.com/11438">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I want to be like that.</span></b></div>
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Jesus, make me be so filled with your love that when others encounter me they no longer see me, but only you.</div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-25866672150480375202014-09-12T10:29:00.000-06:002014-09-12T10:29:08.758-06:00#7QTs on DG, Travel, & Cats with Instruments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1387" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" height="195" title="7_quick_takes_sm" width="290" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt1"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt1" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 1 ---</a></strong></div>
My first ever post went up on the <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/dont-just-go-to-coffee-25-ways-to-connect-with-new-friends.html">FOCUS Blog</a> today! If you haven't yet, <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/dont-just-go-to-coffee-25-ways-to-connect-with-new-friends.html">head on over there</a> and check it out! It promises a list of fun things to do, wit (according to my friend Joanna), an image of me pieing my friend Amy in the face, and a little kid in a big hat.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a quote from it for your previewing pleasure: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #231f20; line-height: 17.5px;">If you focus on making memories with your new friend, not just trying to awkwardly force conversation over a latte, trust and community will spring out of the fun. "</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt2"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt2" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 2 ---</a></strong></div>
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I think we've all discovered new blogs to read via the #7QTs link up, but have you ever discovered the blog of someone that you know!? That happened to me last Friday after I linked up with Jen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi52WnkYWv7HX1WQ_qnyuelr1dTutD9EiB8vY766ALlXHIwvaeMNtTPNTIOmKAWWhIMwBTwLjaa0Vo2EkizUKt-l4GiNVI7UMN_491hWN-A5lMRD_oAvcplUuhHaCC653XwkVCeMp7_U/s1600/marilyn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi52WnkYWv7HX1WQ_qnyuelr1dTutD9EiB8vY766ALlXHIwvaeMNtTPNTIOmKAWWhIMwBTwLjaa0Vo2EkizUKt-l4GiNVI7UMN_491hWN-A5lMRD_oAvcplUuhHaCC653XwkVCeMp7_U/s1600/marilyn.png" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt3"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt3" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 3 ---</a></strong></div>
Do you live in NYC?? Do you know someone who lives in NYC? Will you happen to be in NYC on October 16? Then you should probably come to <a href="http://www.focus.org/reach/ny.html">REACH | nyc</a>. Or invite your friends to come. Or both!<br />
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The Events Team has started helping with FOCUS' REACH prayer breakfasts, and I am <i>so</i> excited. Our first one is about one month away in, you guessed it, NYC! I'm freaking out a little bit because I love New York and not only do I get to go, I get to plan an event there. Dreams really do come true, people. Everyone should also be aware that I might never come back. You've been warned.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt4"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt4" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 4 ---</a></strong></div>
Last weekend, Saint Louis University held their formal recruitment. My sister is a senior in DG there, and 5 (five!!!) of my former campers went through recruitment at SLU. I've known some of these girls since they were 12 (wut). <br />
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It was fun to talk to Steph all weekend about recruitment, but the best news came on Monday...<b>four of the girls went DG!</b><br />
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Some had been in my cabin, others I taught in show choir, and one was a neighbor and camp friend. </div>
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Smoon had a lot of these girls in her cabin and as CILTs, so she was equally excited to add so many beautiful faces to the CT DG Family. We wanna make shirts. </div>
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ITB, ladies, and welcome aboard!</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt5"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt5" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 5 ---</a></strong></div>
Tomorrow starts my fall stint of travel. On the list is KC (x3), Chicago, Nashville, NYC, and Atlanta! The great news about that is I've never been to Georgia...taking me up to 23 states! We've got two more to go, people. DC <i>might</i> be added to the list, and if it is, I can probably make it up to 24 states. I'd also be traveling every other week for the next two months, which is crazy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt6"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt6" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 6 ---</a></strong></div>
My friends Cait, Becky, & Mallory are going to watch Kat while I'm gone this week. They're amazing. But what's even more amazing are these pictures of cats playing instruments that Cait put on the facebook.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt7"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt7" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 7 ---</a></strong></div>
Hey, if you haven't done this yet, I'd really love it if you hopped on over to the Facebook and liked <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mylifeinlistsblog">My Life (In Lists)'s page</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mylifeinlistsblog"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuidA2jF6L4H3vqtyWODd4btVrhyIm6Yz0nyilh9P-4imWXhu6MfurYGfgGHl8JbBPNFYiH14TSrbxfyiZVDMRrGU6Gx8wssee_KSR4rYyMaJ61HtqJqvfyPretwszUohYI4DlFRhXbY/s1600/FacebookHeader.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
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Happy Friday, friends!<br />
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For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary!</a></div>
Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-42159658498114696892014-09-05T00:42:00.002-06:002014-09-05T00:42:52.158-06:007QTs on #whatmovesyou<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">--one--</span></b></div>
Let's start with a question...<b><i>What Moves You?</i></b> What gets you up in the morning? Why do you do every little thing that you do? No, I don't want the answer that you know you're supposed to give, I want to know what <i>really</i> moves you?<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YqMS7ObKZsc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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It's time to engage that question, to go deeper than the simple, easy answers. Come explore with us; register at <a href="http://www.seek2015.com/">www.seek2015.com</a>. Join the conversation: #WhatMovesYou.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">--two--</span></b></div>
I've watched this video a lot of times in the past couple of days and I've really started to engage the question myself. Sure, I know the answer. Jesus. He's the answer to every question, right? But...is He really what moves me? Is He truly the guiding force of my every action at every day?<br />
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My friend Mary writes for Catholic News Agency, and she wrote an <a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/blog/on-socrates-and-beyonce/">awesome blog post</a> about SEEK, Socrates, & Beyonce. You should check it out, and start asking yourself that question. (And if you don't know #WhatMovesYou, join us for SEEK!)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">--three--</span></b></div>
I've been praying a lot about living simply and living in the moment. On the Feast of the Assumption, I went up into the mountains with (a different) Mary & Steph to go stand up paddle boarding. It was so much fun and so incredibly beautiful. As we were paddling, Mary said, "Isn't it awesome that God's will for us today is to stand up paddle board and soak up the beauty of nature?" <i>That</i> is living in the moment, my friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKYcnduHb0Sw_rGff2H7Hl8C4YrxLsFbMa6TvQ-5nBNH6AFdPsg7_GHFYNLwKwt08aBjN8xvlTUMzyJrmRCNx2uio9bC1-EHbsipxiJ_-y9G98fLKaOPjjuoZ2lNYisp2YU94WtVunaA/s640/blogger-image--544217810.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKYcnduHb0Sw_rGff2H7Hl8C4YrxLsFbMa6TvQ-5nBNH6AFdPsg7_GHFYNLwKwt08aBjN8xvlTUMzyJrmRCNx2uio9bC1-EHbsipxiJ_-y9G98fLKaOPjjuoZ2lNYisp2YU94WtVunaA/s640/blogger-image--544217810.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">--four--</span></b></div>
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Last week, FOCUS Events was so #blessed to be able to help out with the Amazing Parish Conference. It was an intensive two day workshop for parish leadership teams to help their parishes become truly, well, AMAZING! It was cool stepping into another event with the goal of making disciples, but for a different audience. I think this Amazing Parish movement is really important. I'm excited to see how they grow in the next few years, and how Amazing our Church can become.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://amazingparish.org/">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">--five--</span></b></div>
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Christine and John Paul asked me if I would be interested in helping with production (aka Audio Visual things) for the conference. While I basically had no idea what I was doing, I had <i>so much fun.</i> I got to run microphones to people asking questions in the audience, move chairs and podiums on stage and then off again, and help Matt Maher sound check. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHCPy2H75EYt__njFOzdc-OItgFjuuoaz_-SsW0GaCnAj4Hz284qV5NKJAGYN0ljRqDKtFMBswt1vsGUWbq6tu-4nYTLM1QfMUya8-nwFsWxPISYoKRNYx2h9FGWRQPy6T-S0qXYr_qI/s640/blogger-image-1247683447.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHCPy2H75EYt__njFOzdc-OItgFjuuoaz_-SsW0GaCnAj4Hz284qV5NKJAGYN0ljRqDKtFMBswt1vsGUWbq6tu-4nYTLM1QfMUya8-nwFsWxPISYoKRNYx2h9FGWRQPy6T-S0qXYr_qI/s400/blogger-image-1247683447.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But the BEST part was getting to call camera's for the Thursday morning Mass. I was terrified that I would mess up, but I think it went pretty well. It was cool knowing that what everyone was seeing up on the big IMEG screens was there because I put it there! Our AV team (JP, me, 2 PSAV guys, & 3 video guys) was the reason every went so smoothly. Everyone was so much fun, especially when we told lame jokes over our headsets. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">--six--</span></b></div>
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Recently, we've been talking a lot about how important it is to spend time with the people we work with and invest in our teams so that we have trust and a good working environment. I am so #blessed that the Events Team gets along so well and we make loving one another a priority. </div>
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On Wednesday, we had a team half day offsite with our #SuperTeam (read: all the departments that my boss' boss oversees) at the Colorado Rockies game. It was <i>crazy hot </i>(read: 91 degrees on the roof of a baseball stadium), but it was crazy fun. It was really fun getting to know everyone a little better and learning about their team dynamics. Take some time to intentionally invest in your team this week - you won't regret it.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">--seven--</span></b></div>
I have <i>very</i> exciting news, my friends. On Monday, the FOCUS Blog is publishing one of my posts! I'm pretty stinkin' excited.<br />
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And let's be honest...it's the main reason I posted some quick takes today. If you're stopping by because you found me via the FOCUS Blog...HI!!! IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU! Leave a comment and introduce yourself! I hope you like cat pictures and FOCUS Conferences, because that's pretty much all I write about.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWbnaUnq6fZyKysjrSZK_dDlfz208rU6koSFd0htwwGqfZpmJJmENCciuB932zGRMTDQTCLOzAJT5CA9WY56zIDEDbOBAj2s5NU8bWDbkZd7GVrZET1PI6nJp4DyJNOCvPcKWVVmiyLI/s1600/blogger-image-537729045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWbnaUnq6fZyKysjrSZK_dDlfz208rU6koSFd0htwwGqfZpmJJmENCciuB932zGRMTDQTCLOzAJT5CA9WY56zIDEDbOBAj2s5NU8bWDbkZd7GVrZET1PI6nJp4DyJNOCvPcKWVVmiyLI/s1600/blogger-image-537729045.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a cat pic, incase that's your thing.</td></tr>
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Everyone else: be sure to check out <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog">www.focus.org/blog</a> on Monday to see me in all up on the fancy FOCUS Blog!!<br />
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Linking up with Jen. Check out more quick takes at <a href="http://conversiondiary.com/">conversiondiary.com</a>.</div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-24392052785487866182014-08-20T05:00:00.000-06:002014-08-20T05:00:01.625-06:00What I Learned About Community While Biking 28.2 Miles Down a VolcanoAt 10,023 ft above sea level, you can't see all the way down to the bottom. You can only see clouds. And, well, the crater.<br />
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The view as the sun rises is breathtaking, but I think my family has just as much fun huddling around each other like penguins trying to stay warm.<br />
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Once we see the blazing sun, the six of us pile back into the van with three other couples to drive out of the national park.<br />
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Owen, our guide, lectures us about the rules for the ride and how many different ways there are to die. I'm extremely nervous - I'm not very athletic and I'm suddenly not very confident about my ability to balance on a bike. Owen lines us up by height (shortest in the front, tallest in the back), and we're off.<br />
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We <i><b>fly</b> </i>down the side of the volcano, reaching speeds up to 30 miles per hour. It is exhilarating. It is cold. It is beautiful - I can see all the way down to the Pacific.<br />
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The rider in front of me, Daisy, is terrified. She is riding her breaks, causing me and all nine riders behind me to do the same. Owen coaches her, trying to coax her to let go, but it doesn't seem to do much.<br />
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At first, I am frustrated. The breaks hurt my hands and I want to go faster. But then I realize that Daisy is doing the very best she can. Owen is setting the pace, and I am staying close behind her, my very presence pushes her along, encouraging her forward.<br />
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Later, when Owen rearranges us and I am in front, I am the pace setter. Every little move I make affects the rest of the group. When I break, they break. When I speed up, they speed up.<br />
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As we flew down the volcano it struck me that this is not unlike community. I am going to reach the beach no matter how fast we go and whether or not Daisy herself does. But her progress affects me. If she slows down or falls away from the faith, I must slow too. I miss out on the beauty of the full family of God.<br />
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But when she flies, oh, but when she flies, she paves the way for me to fly too. Her holiness and closeness to God show me an example that allows me to flourish.<br />
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And when one of us messes up, or struggles, like when my mom couldn't get her bike to stop on a giant hill, one of us can reach out to assist, helping each other reach the finish line.<br />
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So while I could have biked down the volcano on my own, the experience was so much better in communion with others. Thank you Jesus, for giving us community to help us fly towards you.</div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-13405076693871823422014-08-19T06:00:00.000-06:002014-08-19T06:00:00.142-06:00Best Moments from our trip to MauiAloha, friends! I am back from Maui quite a few shades darker (seriously, I am so tan). Hawaii was <b><i>incredible</i></b>. The weather was perfect (minus a minor hurricane glitch), the landscape was so beautiful that it looked fake, and the people were incredibly laid back. I don't think I've ever felt quite so disconnected from the world while on a trip before. It was a perfect nine days of just relaxing, being with family, and trying not to get too sunburnt.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a quick recap of our trip, in the format of a list of bests!</span></div>
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<b>Best Adventure</b>: Biking down the side of a volcano! More details to come on this tomorrow.<br />
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<b>Best Meal</b>: Crab Mac & Cheese at Honu on our very last night. Oh my goshhhh. I would go back to Maui just to eat this again.<br />
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<b>Best View</b>:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking: Iced White Mocha<br />Reading: The Paper Magician</td></tr>
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Just kidding. Here's Ka'anapali Beach without anything blocking your view! That island in the distance is Molokai.</div>
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<b>Best Sunset</b>:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunset in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii</td></tr>
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<b>Best Loss of "What are the Odds"</b>: <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"What are the Odds" is a game where you challenge someone to do something. You ask them, "what are the odds you'll eat an entire pizza?" and they answer saying something like, "1 in 10." After counting to three, the challenger and the challengee say a number in that range. If they say the same number, they have to do it. If they say a different number, they do not have to complete the challenge. </span></i>At the end of the beach, there's a giant black rock that juts out into the ocean. If you swim out far enough, you can climb up 20ft and jump in. Tommy is not a fan of doing things like this. Steph, Joey, & I all jumped, and we wanted Tommy to join in the fun. After making all sorts of offers (like endless baked goods, Joey being nice to him forever), Tommy lost What are the Odds and had to jump. It ended up being a great experience, and we were all glad he did it!<br />
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<b>Best Ocean Experience</b>: Snorkling <i>right</i> next to a sea turtle off the coast of Maui! Amazing.<br />
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<b>Best Hawaiian Moment</b>: Either surfing, or attending the Luau! Surfing is <i>hard</i>, but super fun! And the Luau was a sweet way to try traditional Hawaiian foods while watching hula!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#nailedit</td></tr>
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<b>Best Book Read</b>: <i>The Night Circus</i> by Erin Morgenstern. This book was so enchanting, I could hardly put it down. It's the story of two opponents, competing to show who is better skilled at magic. The two main characters have been bound together their whole lives, and the story is about how they overlap and how the magic that they create is a gift to others. I highly recommend it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Circus#mediaviewer/File:TheNightCircus.jpg">via</a>.</td></tr>
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<b>Best Parents in the World</b>: MINE. <i>Huge</i> shoutout to my generous parents for taking us on this trip!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they so cute!?</td></tr>
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But the <b>best part of the whole trip</b> was being able to spend 9 days of carefree timelessness with my family.<br />
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Aloha, Hawaii! Can't wait to see you again.<br />
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-50810464225953078562014-08-01T09:39:00.000-06:002014-08-01T09:41:34.145-06:007QTs on 22 States, Moving Day at the Office, and Weird Trollies that I Found on My Desk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1387" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" height="195" title="7_quick_takes_sm" width="290" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt1"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt1" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 1 ---</a></strong></div>
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It has been pretty crazy in the office this week. Lots of new people are starting, and today is moving day! Many departments are moving around and getting new desks. Luckily, Events is staying in our little back corner. I'm looking forward to being neighbors with Formation, staring at Allison, Theresa, & Katie through the far window in our office, and continuing to have yelling conversations with Christine through both our open doors.</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt2"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt2" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 2 ---</a></strong></div>
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We are having our very first whole events team lunch today! Well, minus Carol. Our three new teammates are all in Colorado now, so they're coming up for lunch! We're all excited to introduce them to our very favorite mountain Thai food place. Can you say pineapple fried rice?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It'll be just like this, except more Thai & less wings</td></tr>
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<strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt3" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 3 ---</a></strong></div>
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Welp, it has been one week since Jess & Seth's wedding & I'm pretty convinced it's time to have another reunion. Who will volunteer to get married next, just so we can all see each other??</div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt4"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt4" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 4 ---</a></strong></div>
This was on my desk today when I got into the office...<br />
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What is this mystery trolley!? Where did it come from?? What does it mean!? We may never know. A few months ago I discovered a random green army man on my desk and I still have it. He, the rock, and Mary are happy to welcome the San Francisco trolley to my desk trinkets.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm aware that is very sad that my picture frame <br />
(which has been there since March), does not have a picture in it.</td></tr>
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<strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt5" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 5 ---</a></strong></div>
<span style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Remember the </span><a href="http://mylife-inlists.blogspot.com/2014/06/25-in-25.html" style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;">state thing</a><span style="orphans: 2; widows: 2;"> I'm trying to do? Great news: as of last Thursday, I had never been to Michigan. And, I guess I went to Alabama a few times as a child, so that brings me to a total of 21 states visited!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt6"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt6" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 6 ---</a></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">AND, the goal is even closer than that... tomorrow morning I will be flying to HAWAII for our first whole family vacation in four years. Ten whole days of relaxing and adventuring and being with family and <i>not working</i>. It's going to be so great. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Also, that's 22 states, meaning I only need to visit 3 more before March. </span><a href="http://mylife-inlists.blogspot.com/2014/06/25-in-25.html" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;">25-in-25</a><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> is going to happen, people.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="qt7"></a><strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4145091032328513518#qt7" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">--- 7 ---</a></strong></div>
Speaking of vacation, I'm going to take a quick hiatus while I'm with my family next week. I'm looking forward to sleeping in, reading on the beach, biking down a volcano, & just being with my family. I'll be back in Colorado in about a week, so I'll talk to ya'll then.<br />
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For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary!</a></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-60273628781212375472014-07-29T06:00:00.000-06:002014-07-29T06:00:01.581-06:00Top 4 Moments From the Boerger/Barry Wedding<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alternate Post Title:</b> In Which I Post All of My Pictures, and Pictures that I Stole From Kraft.</span><br />
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1. JESS AND SETH ARE MARRIED.<br />
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Obviously, this was the best part. Jess was probably the most beautiful bride that has ever existed (seriously, is she a model?) and they were just so happy! </div>
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There was so much joy and love radiating throughout the weekend, and I was so honored to be a part of it.<br />
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2. Murph was the Matron of Honor, and she gave a great speech at the rehearsal dinner Friday night. </div>
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She talked about how at Camp, we get to be the best version of ourselves, and since Jess & Seth met there, their relationship is rooted in helping each other continue to be the best version of themselves. <br />
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3. I knew some great camp people were coming, but the moment when we all first see each other is always <i>so</i> great. </div>
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This weekend was full of those first sight moments - getting picked up from the airport by Murph, then picking up Holly, Jess at the nail salon, Seth, Josh, & Kraft at the rehearsal, and then Paige, the Lang's, and Seegar's at the wedding.</div>
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I think I almost cried when we were finally all together (#sorrynotsorry). I loved getting to spend time with all of these wonderful (and slightly crazy) people.</div>
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<a href="http://mkraft19.blogspot.com/2014/07/lets-just-order-jimmy-johns-again.html">Kraft wrote about </a>how he just falls right back into his role with these friends and that is just so true. I needed some carefree time with these people. </div>
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I cannot describe to you how much I love these people and how much joy there was once we were all together. I am so grateful for the roles they've played in my life, and I'm so glad we have many seasons of friendship to come.</div>
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4. I love scheming with other camp friends at camp weddings about when we're going to put flies on the bride & groom. <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(For you non-Tecumseh-er's, putting flies on someone is when you stand up on your chair and yell a lot. It's weird, but it's fine.)</span></i> We never actually end up doing it (because it would be highly inappropriate), but the idea always has me laughing uncontrollably about what would actually happen if we put flies on people at their wedding. </div>
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During the rehearsal, I told Murph she was in charge of putting flies on me at my wedding...but now I think I regret that decision. We'll have to see what happens when that day comes.</div>
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I could go on and on, but I think the overall theme of the weekend was joy, love, and friendship. I left the weekend <i>exhausted,</i> but so incredibly grateful for these people, the way they love me and each other, and the fact that airplanes exist. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Because seriously, how great is it that I can travel 2,600 miles round trip for a quick 3-day weekend while reading <u>Something Other Than God</u> on my Kindle?</i></span><br />
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Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Barry!</div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4145091032328513518.post-44306039954263631782014-07-24T06:00:00.000-06:002014-07-24T06:00:00.671-06:003 Places to Get Cute & Modest Swimwear <div style="orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now that I'm no longer a camp counselor and it isn't as widely accepted to throw on an unflattering speedo to wear under overalls or norts to wear around all day, I've had to enter the world of finding cute and flattering and modest swim suits.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7umPTThlydOuJgG8Mwl28xbixbCFo1ba8BbwnNvLsWhkWYeHCYsRec-JdLoHTnVCC6uYM2S87mcqDt1bf6wm9UFaoD364RuEfGtTX3fj7OP9pfJHxBEgJJNzT_exgeBJOrKNOLpKxdgY/s1600/Speedo+and+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7umPTThlydOuJgG8Mwl28xbixbCFo1ba8BbwnNvLsWhkWYeHCYsRec-JdLoHTnVCC6uYM2S87mcqDt1bf6wm9UFaoD364RuEfGtTX3fj7OP9pfJHxBEgJJNzT_exgeBJOrKNOLpKxdgY/s1600/Speedo+and+Chicken.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speedo + Chicken + Norts = BEST EVER.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm pretty sure one of the levels of Hell will be nonstop swim suit shopping. It is my least favorite thing in the world. And for awhile, it was hard to find something flattering and modest that was <i>actually</i> cute. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, can we talk about the word modest? It's the worst. At camp we had to wear modest swimsuits, but in reality I'm glad I had that crazy Speedo because lake swimming, canoeing, blobbing, & mud hiking in a bikini that I would have to constantly adjust would be so uncomfortable on so many levels. Especially the mud hiking situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now I'm all kinds of sold out on "modest" swimwear, but mainly because it's what I feel comfortable in. I don't really want to dive into <i>why</i> modesty is a thing today, I just want to share some legit resources I've found with you all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">With that in mind, here are my three favorite places to show for swimwear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.limericki.com/">1. Lime Ricki</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I bought my first Lime Ricki in 2013 and came back this year for more! My family is headed to Hawaii in 8 days, so I just bought a new top from there (on sale, 40% off! holla) for the trip. I'm looking forward to getting swim wear from here for the next few years.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't love chevron?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why I Love Them:</b> They're bright, they're fun, one suit has pineapples all over it, but most of all they're well made and flattering. Check out their style guide to get ideas on which suit should should buy. AND they are <i>very </i>affordable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.shabbyapple.com/">2. Shabby Apple</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why I Love Them:</b> Vintage inspired clothing from a company with a mission to support women? Um, yes please. I love everything about that. They also support charities that support women in underdeveloped countries. I love that their suits have a 1940/1950's feel to them. BONUS: They have dresses and other clothes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.reyswimwear.com/">3. Rey Swimwear</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been drooling over this bad boy for a few years, now:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Why I Love Them:</b> Inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Rey Swimwear strives to bring grace and class to a world of tiny swim suits. Their motto, "who says it has to be itsy bitsy" challenges the culture, and brings beauty to swimwear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out this awesome video the designer sharing the history of women's bathing suits, and her philosophy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope this post has helped you on your quest to find fun swimwear!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Happy Shopping!</i></b></span></div>
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Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545482877768153341noreply@blogger.com2