Twelve Months : Zwölf Monate

Everything is changing. In the span of twelve months we have stepped into a divide, into a season of prolonged transition from Chicago to Berlin. I didn't update my blog regularly in 2014, so I thought you might like to see a month-by-month snapshot of our year!

January : Januar  Ice, snow, and record temperatures in Chicago. Josh and I decided to pursue the opportunity which had been presented to us in November—to serve as communications coordinators in Berlin, Germany! After a blur of personality tests, theological questionnaires, doctor visits, and reference forms, we submitted our application materials to ReachGlobal.

We both ache to explore a new environment together, to tell the stories well, to finally have the luxury of devoting our waking, working hours to creative endeavors. Is this what you have for us, God? Are we ready to leave our friends and church to immerse ourselves in German culture? 
– 29 January 2014

February : Februar  Josh and I packed our suitcases and drove to icy Minneapolis for three days of interviews. The ReachGlobal staff made us feel affirmed and deeply cared for, and we left with a sense of peace.

March : März  We were accepted as long-term staff members with ReachGlobal!

April : April  I spent weeks rehearsing a cantata to be performed at a Maundy Thursday service, and Holy Week stirred my soul for the first time in years. I turned twenty-four. Josh surprised me with a gorgeous hotel room in downtown Chicago and a brewery tour in Wisconsin. (Yes, I'm a good German.)

May : Mai  Josh and I took another trip to Minneapolis for an intense week of training. Later in the month, my dad came to visit us in Chicago!

We have truly turned a corner in this journey. From today onward, nothing will be the same. 
– 10 May 2014

June : Juni  We celebrated three years of marriage! Josh transitioned to a part-time job, and we began to ease into the fundraising process.

I kind of resent that You're asking us to do this—approach family and friends and coworkers and churches for money. It is strange and uncomfortable and almost... impetuous. I keep finding myself glaring at You with a knot in my stomach, hating every minute of this. 
– 02 June 2014 

July : Juli  Josh and his dad took a trip to the West Coast and I continued working full-time at Moody. It was a relatively quiet month, complete with plenty of grilling, porch-sittin', and late nights with friends. Josh and I booked our flights to meet the Berlin team!

August : August  Josh's sister got married in Maryland! One week later, we were off to Berlin to meet the team and explore the city. It was our first time visiting Europe (let alone Germany), and we absolutely loved it. You can view some of my photos from the trip here.

September : September  Josh and I came home from an incredible week in Berlin. A few days later, ReachGlobal officially finalized our placement with the Berlin team! I began to wrestle with the idea of being a missionary.

I want to run away from You and Your call and Your care but you have gripped me. The liturgy, the melodies, the warmth in the eyes of a friend, the stories handed down. Despite my doubts and fears and guilt and anger, I think my heart still beats for You.
– 09 September 2014

October : Oktober  Josh and I worked through a six-week, online class for ReachGlobal. As the days grew darker, time spent within my close community seemed all the more life-giving. I began to realize just how deeply I am rooted in Chicago.

These days seem tender. Tonight I flipped through my ever-growing binder of sheet music from our church to read the words and liturgy, and I paused occasionally to sing some of the songs. Then, I started. Pangs of grief shot between my lungs, and I glanced at the map on our wall. I measured with my eyes the inches between push pins, the miles between Chicago and Berlin. The romance of the adventure has cooled in my heart, at least for tonight. I don't know if everything is going to be okay. I pray for courage, for peace of mind, resilience and renewed love for You.
– 06 October 2014

November : November  We traveled to North Carolina for Thanksgiving! It was great to be reunited with our families, and Josh and I had the opportunity to give a presentation to the church we attended as kids. After the church service, we hopped in the car and knocked out the 16-hour stretch to Chicago. We collapsed into bed at 5:00 a.m. to sleep for a few hours, then I returned to work and Josh hopped in a different car for a road trip to the West Coast.

December : Dezember  While Josh was away, I took time to reflect on our trip to the South, on the past few years, on the diverse experiences which have beautifully layered under my feet to hoist me to this new ledge. Josh returned safely home to me, and we settled in for a quiet Christmas in Chicago.

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A little update

Hey, friends! I hope your summer is going well. Can you believe that it's August already? We are enjoying this warm weather in our new corner of Chicago. Did you know that we have a back deck and even a grill now? Heck yes. I spend a lot of Saturdays out there, nestled in a Papasan chair to catch some rays. We try to eat dinner on the deck as much as possible, too.  It does the heart good.  :)

What have I been up to? In June, Josh and I took a road trip to North Carolina to watch two of our younger brothers graduate from high school. What?! We did a little sightseeing along the way, stopping in downtown Pittsburgh, Annapolis, Baltimore, and even D.C. I had never visited these East Coast cities before, and Josh had fun showing me around!

The Fourth of July was another highlight for me. We hosted a big, outdoor meal for our friends, and two adorable kittens even tagged along for the party! After the sun went down, we leaned against the railings and cuddled with our significant others and watched at least ten different firework shows scattered within our view. Bursts of color popping back and forth... we saw everything from cherry bombs across the street to expensive displays glittering above the Loop. Our favorite show? The random guys launching Roman candles straight out the window of a high-rise apartment building. Haha!

With summer coming to a close, we have some changes on the horizon. Josh is wrapping up his internship and will soon be happily unemployed. My current job pays the bills, but I'd like to try something new before transitioning to motherhood someday. We're both applying for jobs, discussing all sorts of possibilities, wondering with nervousness and excitement, "Where will we be this time next year?" We don't know. As we look ahead, we're praying for jobs that both challenge and enthuse us, grateful that, no matter what happens, we're in this together.

It's hard to be patient for "the next thing," isn't it? Anything new headed your way?

Starved Rock

We love our city, but it starts to feel a little crowded and cold after awhile. A day trip out here was the perfect remedy, especially on the first warm Saturday of the season!

A taste of Ireland

We hosted a little St. Patrick's Day celebration on Saturday. Well, the party was held at our home, but our dear friends did all the work. Hehe. They brought over corned beef and bacon-kissed cabbage, Kerrygold for the fresh soda bread (which turned out just fine!), marbled cheese, a salad bearing the Irish tricolour, and even a mind-blowing chocolate cake with ganache. Food coma, anyone?! We ate and ate, and we decided that this is definitely happening again next year.

How did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Do you like quiche? What about cheese? Bacon? We do, too. You have to try this recipe. I made it for Christmas morning, and it was definitely holiday-worthy.

7 slices white bread (crusts removed and cubed)

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
6 eggs
3 cups whole milk, no substitutes
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1-2 green onions, diced

In greased 11-inch by 7-inch by 2-inch baking dish, combine the bread cubes and cheese. In large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and pepper; pour over bread and cheese. Top with bacon. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Enjoy!

You can read the original recipe here!

Christmas Morning, v.2

Unwrapped presents, a cozy apartment, a glittering surprise from Josh, and a snowy street. Christmas was very merry, indeed.

Christmas Morning, v.1

We stayed in Chicago for the holidays this year. Although I missed spending time with family, I must say... Christmas at home with "just the two of us" was pretty wonderful.

I went a little overboard with Josh's stocking stuffers. The handle on the stocking even broke under the weight!

Midway through the morning, we noticed that it was snowing outside! Chicago's first real snowfall of the season came on Christmas Day. It made our morning together all the more cozy. 

Would you believe me if I told you that "White Christmas" by Andrea Bocelli was playing the moment we looked out the window?

Happiness and cheer

Five more days 'til Christmas!

Sugar cookie bakin'

Since we are not traveling home for the holidays this year, it is crucial that we have a stockpile of homemade Christmas cookies in our apartment! On Sunday afternoon, Josh and I embarked on our first-ever sugar cookie adventure.

It was my first time rolling out this dough (this trick worked beautifully), and we had fun cutting out the shapes!  

We used the recipe that my mom makes every year, the one that always turns out buttery-soft with a hint of almond. Even though I forgot to buy cream of tartar (whoops!), they still look and taste like the Christmas cookies I remember.

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

Black Friday

When we visited NYC last year, we never made it to Central Park... or Shake Shack. On this trip, we took care of both. (Do you spy the camera strap? I was pretty impatient to take a bite of that amazing burger!) Fellow Chicagoans, rumor has it that we are getting a Shake Shack, too! Wouldn't that be nice?

Arielle Elise Photography: Christmas Giveaway!

This giveaway is too amazing to pass up!  Visit Arielle Elise Photography for more information!

Thanksgiving in Manhattan

This year, my family celebrated Thanksgiving differently than ever before. We had the opportunity to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from my sister's balcony, far above the crowded Manhattan streets.

It was magical.

Goodbye, Pikachu!

Morning, v.2

Saturday mornings are my favorite because I don't have to be anywhere. I can simply sit and sip my cup of coffee, enjoying for the first time in six days just being in my home. Today, this sipping and sitting involved listening to Christmas music! I would normally be appalled at myself, but somehow, it just seems right. Especially since the weather outside my window is cold and gray.

When do you usually break out the Christmas music?

Sixth

As most of you know, Josh and I started dating during our sophomore year of high school.  We have been together for over five years, and today marks our sixth Valentine's Day together.

Today is also our first Valentine's Day as husband and wife.

:)

Lately

After a road trip to coastal NC for the holidays, a middle school winter retreat (complete with warm weather and controlled chaos), and a chilly, downtown New Year's Eve outing, we are transitioning into a new semester.  Josh is a college student again!  I am in the process of landing a full-time job or an additional part-time job.  Waiting is not easy, and I have been strangely restless.  Since I am only working 15 hours per week right now, I have plenty of free time on my hands.  For my latest project, I decided to sell things through Amazon!  I have fulfilled over 60 orders in the last two weeks, most of them being unwanted textbooks, DVDs, or X Box games.  It has been fun to learn something new, and our apartment is definitely looking less cluttered!  It's amazing how much stuff Josh and I have accumulated together, stuff we don't even need.

In addition to selling things, I read Bossy Pants by Tina Fey.  It was hilarious!  It was also pretty trashy, so to ease my guilty conscience, I'm now reading This Momentary Marriage by John Piper.  Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy the book much, but I am.  His thoughts are very insightful, and he speaks of marriage in an entirely Christ-centered manner, emphasizing the importance of grace and covenant-keeping.  It's really reshaping my thoughts on what my marriage should look like!  I will definitely be writing more posts about what I'm learning.

Have you read any good books lately?

Geja's in December

A week ago, on December 12, I finished my last semester of college.  (Yeaaaaaah!!!!)  Yesterday, December 18, my husband and I celebrated our six-month wedding anniversary.  On Sunday, December 25, we will celebrate Christmas with our friends and family.

I like December.

After I finished my final exam on Monday, I changed into my little black dress for a romantic dinner with my husband.  Walking out of the classroom center after turning my last college assignment felt good.  And, since I was wearing heels, it felt even better.

Geja's is a fondue restaurant in downtown Chicago, and it was founded in 1965!  It was recommended to us by dear friends, and we finally had a wonderful opportunity to get out and celebrate.

(During dessert, Josh handed me this sweet note from his pocket.)

It has been a wonderful month, and I am looking forward to another wonderful year... with no papers to write!

Green (and I'm back!)

Blogger still refuses to upload my photos, but I eventually had success with Photobucket.  Here is the post which is long overdue!

As you may remember, I went home to North Carolina for eight days.  In the midst of the doctor's appointments, wedding planning, and church events, my family celebrated a birthday!  My sister, Grace, was born on St. Patrick's Day, and this year, she turned nineteen.

 Ain't she purdy?  Grace has always enjoyed wearing green accessories on her birthday, and each year, she never fails to request a mocha chocolate chip cheesecake.  Some things are too perfect to change.

Though my sister and I fought during the growing-up years, we have now become close friends.  We enjoy shopping, giggling, eating cookies, being silly, and watching nerdy TV shows.  And here's a fun fact: her bestest, best friend is the younger sister of Josh, my fiance!

I miss you, Grace!

A [Late] Valentine's Post

This is a homemade cupcake procured by my roommate!  Doesn't it look delicious?  (It was.)

 
Below is the rose which my roommate received from her fiance.  I rented a Nikon D70 again this weekend, and I could not resist capturing the beauty of this flower before returning the camera to the school!

My Valentine's Day was spent in class.  Literally.  The first began at 7:30 in the morning, and the final class concluded at 8:30 in the evening.  Despite this routine busyness, Josh managed to surprise me by visiting campus!  He met me with a beautiful bouquet, Green & Black's chocolate bars, loose leaf chai tea, and Peet's coffee!  What a sweet gesture it was!

   

The holiday has come and gone, but I am left with a deeper appreciation for the man whom God has given to me.  Monday marked the fifth Valentine's Day which Josh and I have spent as a couple.  Odd.  Amazing.  I look forward to becoming his wife!