My Favorite thing at Work

News is Good News

Well, I'm on my second day at my new job. It feels sortof like the first week of classes, when one always gets overwhelmed because they've just been told that they will do the impossible by the end of the semester. But every student survives the semester...and I will survive the new job. Actually, it feels much more secure knowing that they recruited me (I didn't pursue this job at all)...and they wanted me bad enough to offer me great pay and immediate paid time off. And, of course, I am again working with Linda...who has been a kind Christian friend since I moved to Iowa.

The office is in many ways superior to my previous one...windows all across the front where my desks sit, nice decorating, nice background music, comfortable temperature, etc. My new boss brought me a gorgeous bouquet on my first day to welcome me. (Instant way to build morale in new employees!)

On another note: 32 more days until my wedding (including today). I am not nervous. I am excited and very at peace. I've never been so sure of anything in my whole life as I am that God made Luke for me and that we will honor God greatly by marrying each other. Bring it on!

I will admit, though, I am feeling the pressure of only a month left to have everything ready-and a new job to learn at the same time. I've been somewhat exhausted, emotionally and physically, from the ordeal. A relaxing honeymoon never looked better! Luke is wonderful, though. He stands by me through it all, and I know that isn't always easy.

My friends: I apoligize that you haven't recieved wedding invitations yet...I promise you will soon! (This working with Mom long-distance has been a little tricky).

Savoring the Details

Only 36 more days! I can hardly believe it. And, yes, I'm very excited. I never was much of a wedding dreamer or planner before...so it really is surprising how much I love planning this wedding. I guess I just needed the right man to inspire me.

I love my wedding dress...can't wait to wear it! The bridesmaid dresses are sweet, and the flower girl dresses are darling. I wanted to go with a somewhat old-fashioned feel to this wedding, sortof shabby chic and shortof country garden. I am wearing an antique necklace that was my great-grandma's and my favorite wedding present will be a handmade quilt from my mom. I would love to use old-English roses and freshly scented lavender (I don't actually know if I can). My dream is that this wedding will represent something wholesome, pure, and lasting. I want everyone to feel God's presence there.

I've always loved old-fashioned things (as you would know if you saw the old hat boxes, books, lamps, jars, dishes, and pictures that adorn my apartment), and I just feel that to continue that on into my wedding is such a perfect way to express my taste. Don't get any ideas, though. If you know me well, you know that I am simple...and believe in applying simplicity to all parts of life. This may, perhaps, be one of the most simple weddings and receptions you have ever attended.

Stiffle Piffles

They sleep outside and go inside to play. They only wear life colors-so lifelike that they blend in with life and you'll never see them (you might see their shadows, though). They walk with their hands and if you meet one...he'll give you a sturdy foot-shake. Don't bother them when they're laughing; they take laughing quite seriously. Their stories begin with the end and end with the beginning. They enjoy watching moonrises and moonsets. The quieter the music, the better they can hear it.


More on Stiffle Piffles later!

Marriage Count Down

(According to Luke...)

Approximate time of marriage: July 29th at 2:30 p.m.

Estimated Time Until Marriage (at 12:00 p.m. Today)

3,475,800 Seconds

57,180 Minutes

962.5 Hours

40.0625 Days

5.7232 Weeks

1.3171 Months*

0.1098 Years*

Time with Respect to:

Luke's Life- 4.94/1,000 of life

Elizabeth's Life- 4.92/1000 of life

* Only accurate to a tenth in leap years

What I think You would say:

Valarie: Choose to be happy
JoyAnna: Don't be afraid to wear bright colors
Vanessa: Make that piece of junk beautiful
Angie: Never say a mean word
Katie: Be tough...work those muscles
Jessie: Think random thoughts
Dani: Be a kid sometimes
Sara: Take a twenty minute adventure
Donna: Just say it
Josh: If you can't punch like Bruce Lee...you're a wimp
Mom: I get to sit on the pretty porch swing and drink coffee and you don't!!!
Luke: Elope

If I'm wrong, you can leave a frown in the comments box.

Tea for Three (plus two dolls)

I have decided that I am going to be the best Aunt in the world. (Luke has three little nieces...yipee!). Right now, tea parties are all the rage!

What I've Learned about Pessimism and Optimism

I always believed that I was a victim of “genetically passed down” pessimism. I was convinced that one is either born a pessimist or an optimist…with no chance of change. What has been thrilling to discover, is that although an optimist may have a natural tendency to be happier…it is a habit of optimism that pulls them along. It was a habit of pessimism that hung over me like a rain cloud. And only in the last few months—due to friends who have made a habit of thinking “happy thoughts”, I have learned that I can choose which way I will allow my mind to wander. I can see each negative thing and feed my Eor (I lost my tail again) tendencies or I can rise above the circumstances and look at my life as a whole…look at the miniscule time of struggle on this earth compared to the unending freedom and joy with God—which, I must add, begins now, not when I die! And believe it or not, my tendency to be pessimistic is disappearing, slowly but surely! I think much less often on the dark side of my life than I used to. What a freeing way to live!

The Impact of "Intellectual Theology"

I like the way Josh put this. It's fairly true. I had to do a lot of reevaluating after I graduated...in fact, God had to painfully "re-open" my mind for Him to reveal Himself and His Truth to me. Due to the intellectualism of my education, there will always be a battle in my mind between the simple and the analytical-between faith and cynicism.

I am out of the BBC environment, and suddenly a lot of things are becoming clear. The unique circumstances surrounding this particular college's environment tend to have a crucible effect on students. On graduation day, there are three types of seniors.

First, the sort who have been faithfully eating whatever was spoon-fed into their vacuous minds their whole lives. These will be both the faithful followers and many of the spiritually significant leaders on the campus. They aren't all bad (some of them are but let's not stereotype too much), but they are characterized by blind acceptance of status quo. Some of them are honest people who just never had to struggle with hard questions. And they scare me just a little.

The other two types of seniors come out of the same background. They are probably from fundamental churches, but they've seen enough crap in church, enough insincerity, manipulation, politics, bigotry, and unkindness that they're asking some serious questions at different points in their college years. And trust me, if there are buttons to be pushed, BBC will push them. And come graduation day, a few students will be pushed right over the edge. I don't mean, "Let's not be fundamentalists" so much as "let's not have anything to do with Christianity, it's a hoax." (This usually isn't the result of great thinking as much as personal reaction to someone else's poor thinking. Ie, "I'm right because all of you are wrong.")

Fortunately, this isn't always the case. Just as often, students experience just enough love from faculty to overlook the mild insanity inherent in such an institution. Nothing muddies clear thinking so much as a grudge. If you want to think clear and face the real issues, you have to forgive the shortcomings of the institutions. (And I've had a lot of fuzzy thinking because of anger.) In my time here, I've had to do some personal crash courses on the canon, the trinity, epistemology, worldviews, and a good deal of soul-searching just to make it through. And I'm not going to lie, it's been tough. But I got through and what do you know, like some others, I'm still a Christian. And while I probably don't see myself as a strict fundamentalist, I'm not scared away from conservatives - they need forgiveness and grace as much as anybody. And they have their strengths.

I will say, letting go of some of BBC's hard-core ideas was the best thing I ever did. It isn't that I have in any way compromised doctrine and Truth, but I've realized that some of the things they push as important are not. And understanding that has allowed me to make choices in my life that have been greater than I could have imagined.

Transitions

I've now experienced another phase of the whole career world. Over the last couple weeks I've been considering another job possibility which I have now accepted. It's been somewhat encouraging to see (since I graduated from college) the impression I have made as an employee. My boss in Grand Rapids did not want to see me go...actually offered me a great package to stay. My current employer is very upset that I am leaving. And, my near-future employer pulled a lot of strings to get me. The longer I'm in this business world...the more I'm finding that people do want what I have to offer.

So...now for the transition. I will be working for a competing realty agency in the same town beginning in two weeks. It is upscale and has different procedures which I will have to learn. The greatest benefits: I have friends there, and the company has offered to give me two weeks paid vacation for my wedding.

This summer is so full of change for me. I will be newly married with a new job. I'm very excited and a little scared. I'm seeing how many ways I have developed the habits of an independent career woman...and now I must put those habits aside for the sake of being one with my future husband. In some small ways it has been harder than I thought it would be-but still totally worth it.

The wedding planning itself has been a stretching experience for me. Several times now I've had to stop and reevaluate what is truly important-what I truly want to experience. Things are coming together so quickly and smoothly, that I wonder if I'll have anything left to do when July hits. I'm engaged to a man who understands my need for simplicity, and it's very freeing!

I have a feeling I will be spending my entire day before the wedding at the airport! I already have at least 4 people flying in from 4 different states!

Only 49 Days!!!

Apartment Makover!

I didn't actually have time to clean before taking these pictures...so they'll just have to do!