7QTs on Anything Other than SEEK2015

--one--

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.

--two--

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.

--three--

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!

--four--

Verily Magazine has a great article 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.

--five--

I arrived home on Tuesday night to many Christmas Cards, so that was pretty fun! Thanks to everyone who sent me a card.

--six--

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.

--seven--

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 Poplin Dress and the right is the Marilyn Dress!

Head back over to This Ain't The Lyceum for more quick takes!

four.

ohmygoodness.

My Life (In Lists) turns four today.

What!?

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.

I so 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.

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.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

7 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.


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! Can you believe it!? I definitely cannot. God is so good - none of this happened because of us.


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.


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.


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.


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.


7. I picked up this book at the store on Sunday. Because I'm, well, Crazy Busy, I have only read the first chapter. And I already recommend it. I think it's going to be just what I need.

Hop on over to, um, This Ain't The Lyceum, for more quick takes!

The Quickest #7QTs That You Ever Did See!

--- 1 ---

I'm sick today. Like full out fever, cold when it's hot outside, and needing to stay in bed all day.

Expect, being sick when you're an extrovert is the actual worst. If you want to come play, I won't be opposed.

--- 2 ---

Since I'm sick, this will be the quickest quick takes...that you ever did see!

Yes, this is a child's song from camp. Yes, it is in my head. And, no, it is not fun while being sick.

--- 3 ---

Last week I got to run around NYC and pretend like I lived there. It was awesome. Shout out to team NYC & Columbia for generously letting me stay with them!

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.

--- 4 ---

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.

--- 5 ---

My dream came true when I got to see Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp in If/Then.

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.

--- 6 ---

During my alone day, I went and saw Matilda. It was so. good. Think big production musical with amazing singing and dancing and technical work, then add ridiculously talented children.

I've been listening to the soundtrack on repeat for the past week.

--- 7 ---

Today is Carol's birthday. Happy birthday, Carol!!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Deeper Conversations: How to Connect with Others (New Post on the FOCUS Blog)

Heyyo!

I've written another post up on the FOCUS Blog today.

It's about how to really talk to others, and a little bit on why we want to be known and loved.

image via.

I'd just love it if you went it checked it out.

Peace!

Just Say Hello

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 we all seem to be scared of each other. No one made eye contact. No one said hello. No one acknowledged the homeless veteran asking for a sandwich, or even thought about acknowledging the man talking to himself on the train.

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. 

I was so struck by the stark contrast between the two.

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 acknowledging. 

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?

[Currently]

Reading: Paper Towns, by John Green.

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Watching: Lots of Jimmy Fallon clips on YouTube. This is one of my favorites:

Wearing: Boots, boots, and more boots. Especially dresses with my boots. I love fall.

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Drinking: Loose leaf tea from Davids Tea. Specifically: cinnamon rooibos chai, pumpkin chai, and queen of tarts.

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Feeling: Wanderlust. For big cities.

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Writing: About what moves me for the FOCUS Blog. The answer surprised me.

Praying: Morning Prayer. The praise of the psalms have been making my heart swell each morning.

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Making: The final play by play for my roommates wedding this weekend.

Pondering: How I can be kinder in my daily life.

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Anticipating: Site visit planning trip to Nashville and my mom's visit next week.

Tell Me: How are you, currently?