Up North

I can now say that I've been to northern Wisconsin. I can also say that I really REALLY want to go camping. I've been invited to go up north to Eagle River Wisconsin now for about three years and this past weekend I finally made it. It was a relaxing weekend full of rest and good food. And bald eagle sightings. And a lone wolf making it's way across our path. And good use of pie irons. And starry nights. And campfires. And relaxing boat rides. And photography. And good company. Though the distance was far (about seven hours in the car each way) the trip was totally worth it! And I hope to make it back up to Eagle River sometime soon!

3 AM

It's three am on a Friday morning and I have found myself sitting here at the computer in my apartment which is a bit more empty in some ways and busier in others. My dad has been out here with me for a few days visiting here in Chicago as well as taking a mini road trip out to the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

And he just started making his drive back home to Virginia. At three in the morning! So things are a bit quite around these here parts now.

But somewhere there is a cat prowling around. Or maybe he's sleeping. But he's keeping his eye out! As of yesterday I became a foster mom to Festy, a two year old cat that belongs to a good friend of mine. And though he's not entirely sure what's going on (and neither am I for that matter), hopefully soon he'll settle into the new place.

Well, hopefully we both will!

It's Official...

It's official...as of today I'm no longer a volunteer. Three years ago I moved to Elgin from Bridgewater. And about three weeks ago I started moving from Elgin into my new apartment in Chicago. So now I find myself in uncharted territory. No clear path laid out for me. No one to say 'hey Sharon, you should do this!'

The only thing that I know is that I'll be living (well, am living in Chicago since I moved all my stuff out here a week ago) in Chicago on the north side with a good friend of mine. Beyond that, I'm not entirely sure. I'm looking for work. I hope to get involved with some of the Ultimate Frisbee that Chicago has to offer, whether it's through more pick up or league play. Experiencing city life through biking along the lake front, attending a Broadway musical or two (once I have a steady income of course). And simply experiencing city life.

Today was a bitter sweet day to say the least. Saying goodbye to a great community of colleagues and friends at the Church of the Brethren offices. Starting a new part of my adventure, my journey. Wondering how I will be able to continue connecting with a denomination that I love and continue to find my voice and figure out who I am and who I want to be.

And so a new chapter begins on this journey of mine. And here we go

Engaged in Conversation

Today I was able to spend a little bit of time connecting with a gentlemen at work. What started out as an intentional 'work' related meeting turned into a great conversation. After we got through the so called business, our conversation moved from personal experiences and what's coming up in the future to what we intentionally chose to have surrounding us in our own spaces to community life and relationships we have with one another. It was a really positive experience and an hour well spent I would say. There is so much to be gained by taking the time to connect with one another face to face whenever we possibly can.

I find that with my work so much of it revolves around conversation. And getting to know one another and what we like and don't like, and who we are as individuals and in relationship with one another. It's so important to take that time and to not be in a hurry to rush off to get something else done. But to really engage with one another.

I feel like I am constantly coming back to this idea. And it's interesting because I have discovered that while I am a very relational person I don't particular care to be around a lot of people at once. I prefer to talk with folks one on one and I can be fully engaged and responsive. When I am in a group of people I find that I typically sit back and let the conversation happen around me. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not paying attention, it's just what I've learned to do. I enjoy listening to other people's thoughts and ideas and if I have something to add then I will, but typically I'm simply a presence without a lot to say.

My somewhat limited international travel has taught me some of this. To not focus on the work at hand, but to take the time to sit down and talk and discuss and learn and grow. You don't simply approach someone and ask them for a cup of sugar or an egg or for the latest report. But you take the time to ask how they are. How their family is. And their work. And then, maybe, you ask for that thing you initially came searching for.

In many ways this is our work, or at least maybe it should be. To show interest through, and to be engaged in conversation, is a way that we all have something in common with one another. The ability to show compassion and caring and love, and that ultimately we are all the same. To find common ground and then build on it. To be able to talk with one another and be open is the beginnings to...well, to almost everything.

Being Intentional

So my writing this year hasn't been the great. In fact, it has been almost non-existent! I don't know if it will change, but I'm going to try a bit harder to be more intentional about writing.

I find myself referring to many things that I hope to do as 'intentional.' I don't know why or when this shift has changed. But I find myself saying things like "when I live in the city I hope to be more intentional about..." this or the other thing. You know, like not eating out as much, buying my groceries more locally, being more aware of how to live a green lifestyle, walking or taking public transportation as much as possible and finding work so that is possible. The list could go on and on.

I think this is one thing being in BVS has showed/taught me. By being introduced to people who care about being intentional with one another, with the world, with life, with creation. All those individuals played a part in shaping the person I am now, and the person I want to be when I'm not longer officially a volunteer. So I am hoping to take this with me and introduce others to this way of living as well. Including my future roommate! It will be an adventure to see how our lives connect and how we are able to push and encourage one another in the different lives we've been leading. But I'm looking forward to living intentionally with one other person, who happens to be a good friend of mine. And to set up shop in the city of Chicago. It's gonna be a good time. :)

Story

The story of our lives, particularly my own, has been on my mind as of late. The other week we were at a BVS retreat and spent a day talking about call and vocation and where we see ourselves down the road. For the first time we looked at this idea in terms of our lives as a story.

Who is the main character of the story of your life? Is it you? Is is someone else? Are you in a supportive role in this story? Is there a plot to your story? And what is the main conflict in your life?

So what do you think? I know that my story is still being developed. The plots written and maybe written again. But what about your story? If someone would make a movie out of your life right now, what would it be about? What is the conflict? The climax? The outcome? What does your life say about you?

Chicago on the Horizon

I flew back to Chicago bright and early this morning, leaving the safety of the valley behind on a small regional airplane. My time at home was chaotic and short. There's just not enough time to do everything and see everyone when you visit the place where you grew up, and went to college, and your entire family lives. And on top of that trying to get some work done! But this is exactly what happens every time I go home and it always seems to work out!

This morning as I was flying back I saw the two gentlemen who were sitting in front of me on my flight into Chicago turn and glance out of the window looking behind us. And so of course me being the curious person that I am I turned myself to look. And there it was: the Chicago skyline that I have come to love so much.

Chicago is on the horizon in more than one way. This summer my plan is to move into the city, specifically the north side, and live with a close friend of mine and find work and continue to explore this great world that we live in. Very little is certain but I feel as though this is the right place for me to be. I've been having lots of great conversations with folks that revolve around this time of exploring that I'm in, and while they haven't always been easy, they've been helpful in one way or another. Conversations to help guide me on my journey.

So yes, Chicago is on the horizon and I'm looking forward to what it brings.

The Open Road

So I'm on this trip. And it's a driving trip. One where I get to listen to all sorts of fun music and sing at the top of my lungs as I drive from place to place. Visiting with all sorts of amazing folks and promoting an organization that I think is one of the best things out there.

But while I'm in the car singing along to all these fabulous songs I am constantly thinking of other people. This is because much of the music that I listen to has been recommended to me, or given to me, or I first heard it at a specific time in my life. So on the first leg of my trip I listened to music and I thought about friends from college and from living at the BVS house. I thought about when my grandfather passed away, to the girls who lived on the same hall as I did my freshman year. I thought about several of the most amazing women that I know, who also happen to be some of my very closest friends. I was reminded of my travels through Europe and Nigeria and throughout the states.

I could go on and on. But the point is that to me, each of these songs that I listen to...it means something. These songs are connections to various aspects of my life. Of the journey I'm on. Where I've been and where I am presently. I am so thankful for these songs as reminders of the events of my life. And whenever I hear a song that reminds me of a certain person or place or time, I find myself thinking about that person or place and by being in thought of them, it is as though I'm lifting up a prayer for them.

Music has a way of connecting all of us all the time. And for that I am incredibly thankful.

On Holiday

Sometime or another last fall I told myself that I should go on a vacation. And for one of the first times in my life that I can think of, I was finding myself drawn to the coast for a time of rest and relaxation. I called up my dear friends Jim and Alice, whom I had met a year ago this time on my trip to Nigeria, and asked them if I could come and visit. And well, long story short here I am. In Sarasota, Florida.

Now while it might be a tad bit cold down here, mid 50's, it definitely beats the snowy weather and negative wind chill that is in Illinois this time of year!

And so far, my time away is going well!

Being Inspired

This past week it was my turn to lead chapel at the office. It's kind of neat because each week, on Wednesday, chapel is led by a different staff person at the office and there are no guidelines. At least none that I know of! And everyone takes a different approach and can use their own gifts and talents.

So Monday night came and I found myself completely uninspired. Oddly enough, while I might not have been inspired, I was motivated. I wondered to myself, how is it that I am supposed to get put together a 15 minute time of devotion and prayer when there is very little to inspire me at this moment. At least nothing that I was coming up with. I tossed around ideas of focusing on the contrast of light and dark and showing some of my photos that portray this contrast, or playing the song "True Colors" and diving a little bit deeper than that. But nothing was really pulling me strongly in one direction. And, as I think happens to the best of us, I was coming up with ideas and then needing to go in search of scripture, rather than having a text to form the rest of the idea around.

Then after looking up the text of the day on textweek.com I found a scripture that spoke to me. One that resonated with me. One where I could use photos to back up the idea I was hoping to get across. Using excerpts from Isaiah 60:1-5, and photos and music, I created a meditative slide show to create a space where my colleagues could come and rest and relax and listen to the spirit moving in their own lives.It was a place where I could use my gift of photography to inspire others in a time where I was struggling with finding my own inspiration.

Photography is something that I greatly enjoy. I was one asked by a close friend if there was anything that I do that I can get lost in. I think about this question often and I always come back to photography. To seeing things in a different light. From a different angle. And then capturing that moment. And then being inspired by it. As it turns out, though it took me awhile to get there, I was able to inspire others using what inspires me.