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