Can't wait

So, I know I say this a lot...but it's true.  I have to say it again. I cannot wait to leave my current job. 

Yes, I am going to miss my friends and co-workers terribly, but I will not wake up everyday dreading my life for 8 hours. I cannot take the lies, backstabbing, gossiping, selfishness, and BS any more. If I have to hear anymore of it I am going to rip my ears off and beat someone with them.

All I know is that I am praying for those particular people and that the Truth will somehow come out...afterall....the Truth will set you free.

Legit

So, I received an email from my new boss in January about the book discussion I will be leading. I completely forgot that I would be leading a book discussion, so I wasn't really prepared. After some discussion we settled on a book that I find interesting, but not necessarily exciting. Ok...I can handle that. I have until September to prepare. WRONG.

He emailed me yesterday and asked if I could have a syllabus prepared by Monday or Tuesday for it. What?! I've never had to write something like this nor have I prepared for the class outside of purchasing the book. I am in no way able to write a syllabus at this point in time. 

I looked over what he sent me and I have to admit that I am intimidated. I have to have a schedule of readings, quizzes, assignments, etc. I do not have any of that! I don't even know how to begin preparing that kind of stuff....I am over my head! 

Lord, help!

Just so you know....

Some friends came over tonight to celebrate one of our friend's birthday and as I looked around you know what I noticed? I have amazing friends. Each of them brings something different and I love them for that. They each challenge me in their own way and make me laugh in their own way. I am blessed. Just thought you should know....

Countdown. And so it begins.

So, my time in Phoenix is now no longer defined by months, but rather weeks. How did that happen? Where did those months go?

 It just doesn't seem possible that I will soon be saying goodbyes to people that I may or may not see ever again...people who have impacted my life, people I love. 

Of course it is my hope that many of those people will come to Rome to visit. How fun would that be?! So, if you're in the neighborhood....pop on in for a glass of wine, some pasta, and gelato. La dolce vita! 

Wishes and wands

My goddaughter, Madison, is probably the cutest kid I know. She's 5 and is a spit fire. She keeps me on my toes. I adore her and she adores me. So, I wasn't really surprised when I arrived in Wisconsin on Wednesday morning and my mom told me how excited Maddie was to see me. My heart was warmed and I couldn't wait to see her. That's when I found out what was waiting for me.

"She thinks you're her fairy godmother and she's been saving up her wishes," my mom told me. "She said you had to have a wand. So, grandma and I went to three stores looking for a wand. We couldn't find one, so we made one." That's when she handed me the homemade wand...a long wooden stick covered in iridescent ribbon with more ribbon tacked to the top. It would suffice.

I walked into my uncle and aunt's house and was immediately attacked. "Christopher! My fairy godmawter!" Maddie cried out in her own special language. Man! I love that kid. She asked me about my wand and I showed it to her.  I waved it around a couple of times with great flair. When I was done she asked me if she could see it. I told her that it only worked if you really, really believed. So, she solemnly took it from me and waved it around. She put it down to her side and looked to her left and right as her little face fell into the most pathetic and heart wrenching expression. "It dawsn't worrk," she said. "Sure it does," I told her. "No. If it does, where's my hawt tub? I believed wreally haard."

It took everything in me not to burst out laughing. She truly believed that the wand would bring her a hot tub. I later learned her other wishes were a gold limo and a mansion made of gold. Oh my....I love my little Maddie. She's magic.

Goodbye for now

My Aunt Barb fought cancer bravely and valiantly for 18 years. She lost her battle today. My mom called me this morning with the news and while it was to be expected, especially after the last several weeks, it is still somewhat shocking. It's hard for my feeble human mind to grasp death and to understand that she is no longer here. I can't really comprehend that.

I love my aunt. She was the "balls" of the family...sorry, I don't know how else to describe it. She called a spade a spade and wasn't afraid to tell you like it is. This is not how things are typically done on that side of the family...you keep your mouth shut, don't rock the boat. But, not Barb. You could always count on her to tell you when you were being a brat or that you should choose this and not that. And for that, I loved her. She was also fiercely loyal and supportive. She screamed out loud over the phone when I told her I got the job in Italy and was so excited for me. She called me Kris and was the only person that I really let call me that. She always encouraged me to write and would be my editor when I would send her stuff. She was a brave, powerful, devoted, and amazing woman. I am blessed for having had her in my life as long as I did. 

What was even more incredible was being given the extreme blessing of doing a Bible study with her this past summer over email. I learned so much more about her and God through our study together. It is because of this I know that I will see her again. She is with Jesus today. When she took her last breath here on earth and closed her eyes, she reopened them in Glory. She is with the Father and walking with Jesus. There is so much peace that comes with that. Yes, I miss her and wish I could see her again. Yes, her daughters are in pain because they've lost their mom and I am in pain for them, but I also know that our goodbye is only temporary and that I will see her again. She is no longer in pain...is no longer in a broken and beat up body. Rather, every tear has been wiped from her eyes and she has seen the glory of the One and Only. In all honesty, I am a bit jealous at that truth...to be with Jesus and not here sounds better every day. 

As I was praying in church this morning it kind of hit me that as I talked with Jesus, He was with my Auntie Barb. So I said "Jesus, give her a hug and kiss for me. Tell her I love her and I'll see her again." Thank you God for my aunt and for the life she led. Thank you that she is now home.

Pinch me

I am uploading photos to my new computer and images from my last trip to Rome flashed past me. And it hit me. I am moving. To Rome. Italy. Holy cow?! Seriously? That doesn't seem possible. 

I can't wait....