Politics

Well-I wanted to avoid commenting on politics, because people have very strong opinions regarding their parties, candidates, and views of the world. However, it's forefront on my mind. For me, it seems like a dark time is coming up for America, and I think it will be painful for those of my ilk. Mr. Obama seems to have won over the masses, though I can't think of anything besides rhetoric which points to the fact that he will be able to make good changes for our country. Along with a democratic congress, we are in for things heading pretty left. Cut and paste the address below into your browser for a sense of what it might be like...

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122420205889842989-lMyQjAxMDI4M
jE0NzIxMDcyWj.html

The hope we have to have, regardless of party in charge is in the Lord. Our government or a man will never have all the answers. The Truth will be more important than ever as our society becomes more tolerant of everything but Absolute Truth. I'm thankful for friends and family who share in this knowledge... keep the faith!!

CALL + RESPONSE

HI everyone- I want to let you know about an amazing new documentary coming out this week that exposes human slave trafficking. There will be showings in both Denver and Chicago, (where most of our readers are)... so I thought I'd put the link up for you to check out. We are going to go this Friday night with a group from my church. I am setting it up and an outreach ministry of the Injustice Team I am on, and am really excited to see it. After a very moving sermon series a few months ago, I have wanted to help fight injustices. It seems like an uphill battle at times, but a lot of what we can do on a daily basis is promote awareness of what's going on in the world. Injustice refers to an abuse of power by one group over another. It can result in human slavery, sex trafficking, illegal seizure of land or property and a host of other really disturbing things. As a Christian, I think I am called to take a stand against injustice, as Jesus did. To see where this movie is playing near you, see http://callandresponse.com/tickets.html At least read up on the documentary if you get a chance, at callandresponse.com Heidi

Nothing New

Just wanted to say hi to everyone and let you all know that we're just trucking along. Josh is busy with recruiting season (again). He's looking for jobs in one of the slimmest economies in a long time. However, we both trust that God knows His plan for us and we will be taken care of by Him. Josh also is busy with the Christian Business Student Association (CBSA), of which he is a co-chair at school. I am proud that he is willing to take a stand for Christ in an environment where that isn't always popular.
I have just been hanging out with friends, going to knitting and guitar classes, and generally keeping myself busy. I love that it's football season (my favorite sport), and I am following both the Broncos and Bears. We decided to go to North Dakota for Thanksgiving to see my grandparents. My family is going to meet us up there too. It should be fun... That's about it for now. Hope everyone is doing well.

Italy

How do I sum up two weeks of glorious Italy in a few words for our avid readers? We only expect that you be as avid of readers and we are posters, which isn't very...
Well the highlights of Italy were: 1) Gelato (we were pretty much eating it twice a day 2) All the other food- it's truly amazing 3) Spending time with Italian friends of Micheal and Amanda's we met once when they came to the States (Lucia and Alfonso) 4) Relaxing 5) Seeing beautiful old historical sites and towns 6) Sleeping in a lot 7) Watching Josh drive our manual shift rental (A Fiat Punto) through narrow, winding Italian roads 8) Five course meals 9) Staying at Agroturismos 10) Time together after so much time apart
Italy is fanatastic- Our route was Rome-Tuscany-Cinque Terre-Florence-Venice-Bolzano (Dolomites) Anyone who ever wants to plan a trip there, get the Rick Steves travel guide. I spent tons of time planning the trip, but it was all worth it... Now we're back in the groove. Josh starts school this week, and I have been back to work for a week.
Remember my beloved bike I got this summer? Well, someone stole it from outside my work yesterday. I was so sad.... Oh well, I guess I can always get another, but thought I'd let you know. It was fun while it lasted. Hope everyone is doing well!

IPOD Inspired Musings

So I was running last night- listening to some good tunes on my IPOD (Rodrigo y Gabriela) and then was stopped in my tracks by the cutest little puppy (Shih Tzu of course). I bent over, took out my earphones and started petting the puppy and talking to it's owner. As I took off again, the thought occurred to me- What does it take to get me to take my earphones out? Or, in other words, what does it take to get me to interact with my neighbor or community member instead of just doing my own thing? Turns out, a puppy... but not much else. It is so much easier to go through the day without so much as looking at anyone else on the train, smiling at anyone on the bus, or saying hi in the hall at work. I wonder how I am coming off sometimes? Definately in a hurry, independent perhaps, irritated? How can I spread the Gospel if I essentially tune out the rest of the world, except my chosen few? I have to be intentional sometimes, because I truly can value efficiency over people, and would rather be listening to my own created soundtrack for life on my IPOD than letting conversations with others interrupt my thoughts. Going forward, I still want to use my IPOD on my runs, but I got the point of this self-inflicted existentialist metaphor... I wonder, does anyone else?
Anyways, on a lighter note, we're off to Italy on Sunday, but I promise pictures when we get back, and maybe a guest appearance on this blog by Mr. Josh Wheeler himself. (Who passed the CFA by the way!) I welcome him home on Saturday, a long summer without him, almost to an end....

Why Women Should Vote

This came from an email from my aunt, and is worth the read for any woman. Make sure you vote!

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers, as
they lived only 90 years ago. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women
were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed
nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the
vote. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison
guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against
the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

They beat Lucy Burn, chained her hands to the cell bars above her
head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air. They
hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed
and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead
and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards
grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and
kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the
warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a
lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket
Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their
food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. When one of the
leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair,
forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited.
She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the
press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because--why,
exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't
matter? It's raining?

HBO released a movie on video and DVD about this Night of Terror. It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy. The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken
for insanity.'

Exercise your right to be heard this November!!!

The Maine Event

I returned to Boston to visit Josh again this weekend and we had a blast! We rented a car and headed up to Maine for the first time and loved it! Of note, we got to coordinate seeing Josh's brother Joe and our sister-in-law Beth for a couple of hours after they flew into Portland, ME to start their vacation. Josh didn't know that they were going to be there, so I coordinated the surprise with Joe and Beth and it turned out perfectly! We met at the lighthouse at Ft. Williams and then had lunch at a near by Lobster Shack on the ocean. Here's a summary of what Josh and I did this weekend...

Ten Fun Things We Did This Weekend

1. Made fun of the Boston/Maine accent and tried to mimic it
2. Went to the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport, ME (but didn't buy anything!)
3. Played Frisbee on the beach (I am terrible, but Josh has taken on my lack of skill and is trying to teach me)
4. Act huffy about the huge number of kids at our hotel's free buffet breakfast (Do people who are parents mind OPK's (other people's kids)? Come on, the line at the waffle maker was outrageous! We'll be there soon enough with our own annoying little kids...
5. Went to the Coldplay concert Monday night (awesome)
6. Had the BEST chicken sandwhich ever and Harvard Gardens (a little bar by Josh on Beacon Hill)
7. Met Barclay (Josh's college friend in town doing a concert at Cape Cod) for dinner and subsequently walked around Beacon Hill that night with gelato from Belle Vita, a cute Italian gelato place
8. Saw Maine lighthouses
9. Tried fresh seafood at the Maine lobster shacks (no full lobsters though, sorry Micheal, it looked like too much ability was involved in getting those suckers open)
10. Just got to be together and laugh alot

Sisters

This weekend, I traveled yet again up to MI to visit with my family. Enticed by lazy days by the lake, kayaking, etc. I took my newly married friend Keyla with me to enjoy the fun--- With our husbands in other cities (hers is in New York starting a new job), we had a great weekend exploring antique shops, making jewelry, playing bean bags in the yard at sunset with everyone, and enjoying the deep and honest conversations that come from being sisters in the Lord. The title of this post is what it is, because I was impressed this weekend with much gratititude for the amazing sisterhood God has given me in my life, though I didn't have any sisters growing up.... I now have two wonderful sisters-in-law (Jordan is Josh's sister) and (Beth is Josh's brother Joe's wife), and a few close Christian friends who are spiritual sisters (you know who you are) with whom to share life with....

Boston Pics

Ok- I pretty much love it here. It's such a great city. Here are some pics from yesterday. They are: Acorn Street (the most photographed street in the US), me in my rented rowboat (Back Bay is in the background) and Trinity Church, of which I took a tour (very old and important in American architecture). It was a lovely day.... Josh and I had dinner at Cheers. I'll get some pics of us this weekend (to prove he is alive!)

Boston

So- I came to Boston this morning and have spent the day taking in the town. I love it here already. It is quaint, outdoorsy (in a New England sort of way) and surrounded by water. The weater is perfect so I went on an exploratory run by the waterfront. Gorgeous. Then I wandered over to the farmer's market to pick up some fresh ingredients for dinner. I got my eye on a little nail place for a mani/pedi later and will probably hang out in Boston Commons for a bit. Josh and I only got to kiss and have me get the keys from him, but I feel better already just being in his space. Tonight will finally get to spend some time together for the first time in a month (the longest time apart in 5 years!) Hope you are all well! I'll take some pics this week and post, I promise!

My New Bike

I feel like a 5th grader, but I just got a new bike, and I am really proud of it. For some reason, even though I have wanted a set of wheels for about 4 years, I never got one... I think I thought I had to get something really expensive, but then realized really I didn't. So yesterday I picked up the Target special, and this morning enjoyed my enhanced form of transporation. Taking a ride before chuch left me feeling like a little kid again, the joy of covering so much ground in so little time, the wind in your face, and the ability to explore with ease. I ate my breakfast beside Buckingham Fountain (it's beautiful), which I had never even taken the time to see since I've been in Chicago. Who knew what I had been missing all along?

4th of July

It was a great fourth of July, other than the fact that Josh is too far away. On the 3rd, my roommate, Linda, and I went and watched the city of Chicago fireworks. They were great. Then I headed up to Watervliet, Michigan to visit the in-laws and had a blast. I got to spend a lot of time on the lake, kayaking... which is my new favorite thing to do. I also did a 5k over the weekend in Watevliet and placed 2nd in my age group and got my best 5K time yet (23:31). I LOVE spending most of the day outdoors and enjoyed the laughs with the family...

Heidi

Reflections

I think I know why Chicago leaves me unsettled. It’s because it isn’t a natural fit for my passions in life, especially my passion for nature… I often feel trapped here. Trapped by the noise, by the buildings, by the number of people. I need to be free. I need trees. I need a challenging mountain to climb. I need an animal to watch. To be in a field of wildflowers with a cool mountain stream is inhabiting the most beautiful of cathedrals…

However,it is here, in this city, that I can truly assess my impact on the world. It would have been hard to divert my attention from the mountains to assess how my consumerism or my sometimes cool indifference to racial issues that contribute to the problems and disparities in the world... In my comfortable, white, economically privileged life in Colorado, I wasn't questioning my impact on the natural earth or the poor or victims of injustice nearly as much as I am now…

So, I resign myself to the lessons this city is teaching me. It doesn't mean I miss the beauty and peace the Rocky Mountains afford any less, but I can see God's handprint in a different way.

He is constantly asking me to consider, "How can you live out your faith living on a daily basis?" I believe it should be in my food choices, my purchases, the way I spend my time. If I truly believe what I say I believe, I can not live without considering my actions on the world.

It is a good summer so far. I know where I have come from and where I want to go. (The joy of being 30!) I want to teach, to advocate, to learn. I would love to combine my passions for the wilderness and medicine at some point.

Contentment is truly a choice on most levels, it's not circumstancial, like what state you live in. When you are a believer, you can trust that God has you where He wants you, when He wants you there. And maybe, when you're ready, he'll take you back to the mountains.

Heidi

The Waiting Game

Have you ever noticed in life that most of the time you are waiting for something? To finish something, to obtain something, to endure something. I think in the waiting, we can either accept it for it's lesson or fight it and be miserable. Right now, I am waiting for Josh's internship to be over, to get pregnant, to move back to Colorado, and to go to Italy. But, each day is a part of our lives, and when we are constantly looking forward (or backward) we are not really living because we are hoping that thing or circumstance we are waiting for will hurry up and come... Most of you know that we want kids and that we lost a preganancy last fall, and boy, has the wait to get pregant again tough. I am learning not to fight it, and try to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of not being a mother (per my mother friends' urging!). What are you waiting for? What do you think will happen when "it" comes? Remember, that daily our hope should be in Christ, and that as our circumstances ebb and flow, our Lord is ever constant. Peace, Heidi

We Live

So- I was thinking about giving up the blog, but maybe I do want to keep it for awhile. In order to get you all up to speed, I will try to summarize the months since our last post. Josh spent most of the spring studying for the CFA Level III (if you don't know what it is, it's basically a hateful test that takes 6 months to study for). He also finalized which internship he would take for the summer. He took one at Bank of New York, Mellon, The Boston Group. He is in Boston, MA all summer and is liking his work, though it is challenging. He lives by himself right in the heart of Beacon Hill, and raves about the beautiful brownstones and historical sights.

I have been working hard at work, and spending a lot of time with church and the friends I have made there. One aspect I really enjoy is working to advocate against social injustice. Our church is awesome in that it is truly committed to work with the poor, homeless, and those afflicted by social injustices. Check out Love 146 and International Justice Mission's websites to get started learning about some of the issues.

I also have a new roommate, Linda, who is in undergrad at Notre Dame and doing an internship at Goldman Sachs for the summer in Chicago. We actually get a long great, so that is a relief for both of us. (Thanks, Craig's list) It would probably be lonely without her here.

This fall we are headed to Italy for two weeks because Josh has some time off and we want to do something fun together. That's everything in a nutshell. Chicago is beautiful this time of year. Lots of fun and festivals.

Once again, sorry for the (huge) delay. Amy, you got me to want to do this again... so I will try to be better about it!

Heidi

San Diego

What a great weekend we had with great friends... We went to Cali for some sunshine and to see the Donegans. There was a lot of food, great weather, the beach, and a look at life with two kids 3 and under. We had a blast! One highlight was Josh singing Que Paso with the mariachi band in Old Town--- You had to be there.

Friends Old and New

We've had some good times with friends lately. Roger and Keyla have become a pretty key couple with whom to hang out, laugh, and fellowship. Roger is a 2nd year student at the GSB, and he, his fiancee Keyla, and Josh and I all go to the same church/small group. We had dinner together last week for restaurant week at Devon, a seafood place, and this weekend had game night. We're sad because they are moving to New York for Roger's job this summer!

I have had the opportunity to hang out with two "old friends" lately. Kim was a good friend in the nursing program with me at Hope. She came to Chicago for the weekend and it was a good time of renewal. We enjoyed reconnecting after a couple years of not seeing each other. Then, in the bottom picture, are Rachel and I. She is my oldest friend because we met when I was in first grade. We met at her parent's house in a suburb of Chicago and enjoyed the weekend together.

I love friendship and feel that it is one of life's greatest gifts. It is always interesting to think about who fills what role in your life, and how you reciprocate in theirs. Friendships change over time, they grow or fade, and some ebb and flow. You have to decide who is a priority and commit to making things work with those people because so many things are pulling for our time. Sometimes other priorities become more important for awhile than certain friendships, but the true friendships always come around. Have a great day, friends!

Heidi

A Little Winter Solace

There's not much good to speak of in terms of winter weather in Chicago. But as I sit studying at my desk tonight, about 11pm, all is quiet out on State Street outside our apartment as the first flakes of a coming winter deluge begin to fall. And it's quite peaceful and pretty.

What Chicago Is.. and Isn't

Chicago is:
1. Ridiculously cold and snowy.
2. Grey for too many days in a row to count.
3. Obsessed with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and it's problems, there's even a newspaper that has a daily CTA
column. Hmm.
4. Full of good restaurants.
5. Racially diverse and yet quite segregated.
6. Fun to walk around.
7. Really puddle-y after a snow because obsessive amounts of salt are used to melt snow really fast.
8. Always full of traffic.
9. Really into sports, food, and beer.
10. My current home!

Chicago is not:
1. That bad of a place to live.
2. My favorite place I have ever lived.
2. As cold as I thought it would be, really!
4. That hard to get around.
5. Denver.
6. Sunny.
7. Very fit.
8. A boring place to be.
9. Culturally lacking.
10. Without a large body of water.

That's how I amuse myself on a cold, snowy night. The winter is kind of dragging here, but it isn't as bad as it could be. I love to compare Denver and here, because they are so different in so many ways. I think it is kind of cool how you could move to any region of the country and get a totally different vibe and culture. Josh is doing well on his interviewing/recruiting process and I am sure we will know in the next 2-3 weeks where he will be spending his summer. And probably where we will move/go after school is done, because the business school internships usually turn into a full-time job opportunity. Hope you are all well! Heidi

Random Updates

I realized that because I am not very good at keeping a diary, that that lack of a desire to put daily life on paper oten transfers to a lack of wanting to/ taking the time to blog. But, seriously, we have been busy, and that is a lot of it! For me, alot of time has gone into five solid months of studying for my Nurse Practitioner boards that I just passed on Friday 2/1! Here are the other updates...

-My brother Matt's cancer diagnosis is Hodgkin's lymphoma. We are relieved to know what it is finally and to have treatment underway. He will get 6 months of chemo and then 2 months of radiation. The prognosis is very good, and thanks for keeping him in your prayers.
-I got to visit him and my family in Denver two weeks ago. It was good to be able to see them all as well as support Matt. I was able to go to Pinecrest for a Sunday which was great, especially when Ray bowed in front of me in the foyer when I walked in and said, "I am not worthy." That story made Josh laugh a lot when I told him.
- Josh is doing well on his internship interviewing. He already has a full time paid summer internship offer in NYC, with some other offers likely coming.
-I turned 30 on January 27. I have decided not to be a woman who hides her age. I am proud of it actually...
Josh surprised me with a brunch with a bunch of Chicago friends and family at Cafe Lux downtown. (That's what the picture of all the people is...)
-My youngest brother Mark surprised me, by flying in from Denver for my birthday. That was fun and we all took in a great Italian dinner together. (There's a pic of me and him, as well as a picture of me with the Tiramisu at the Italian restaurant).

That's about it for now! Hope you are all doing well. It was good to see many of you when I was Denver, even if it was brief!

Heidi

Live Strong

So, we got the news this week that my brother Matt has cancer. He's the last person you'd think of that would have it. He won first place in the state wrestling competition at 189 pounds his senior year of high school. He went to a big 10 school, wrestled there and did well academically. He's an investment banker, a skiier, has about 2% body fat, and eats well. The past few months he lost his appetite, had excessive itching, and "knew" something was wrong. They finally figured it out when they saw his chest x-ray... It's probably lymphoma, but we won't know until his biopsy next Monday.

So, "why?" is the question that comes to mind. Really, no one knows. Life isn't promised to be easy or without struggle, we are just promised to have the grace and strength to deal whatever happens through dependence on the Lord. My prayer for Matt is of course, full recovery ...and additionally, that he has a new and clear perspective about life that guides him with clarity that none of us who don't go through what he does will have. Join us in prayer for Matt. Josh and I sent the above picture to him last night with our "Live Strong" bracelets that we bought to wear in honor of him. Why are we smiling? Because If anyone can fight this, it's Matt, and we'll be behind him 100%.

I don't know if blogs are supposed to be this "heavy," but really, life isn't always perfect. This is what is important in our lives right now, so please keep him in your prayers. I will be joining my family in Denver next weekend to show support and see what's going on from a medical perspective. We'll keep you updated.

Heidi

We spent the five days around Christmas with our family in Michigan-- We had a great time together. Lots of games, extended family moments, walks, and snow. Then the family came to Chicago for a couple of days the weekend after Christmas-- We went to the Museum of Science and Industry, which was fun and crowded. Our favorite parts of the musueum were the giant model train display... and I liked the baby chick hatchery! The down side of the weekend was when the City of Chicago towed Joe and Beth's car due to a sign they didn't see and in the process damaged the car. Moral of the story: don't park your car overnight in Chicago. Happy New Year everybody!