The reason I do it....

"If we don't stand up for children, then we don't stand for much."

Marian Wright Edleman

"Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven

that one of these little ones should perish."

Matthew 18:14

Deer, Driveways and Regret

So this last weekend Rebecca and I took a little road trip. Bek came down Friday evening and stayed with me in NY (as Alicia commented last post- yes I live in a huge, grand house here in NY. If you want to see a picture- just ask!). We left Saturday morning and drove down to Scranton. Along the way we enjoyed our Road Trip CD, a little taste of everything! We were reminded how Route 81 has an over abundance of dead deer along the way. So, on our return trip we counted the roadkill (sick I know....)- there were 8.

The mission of this trip: to visit Hoban's in Dunmore. We have found no teaching store remotely like it- so we return to our college haunting grounds. Since they were closing early- we rushed through choosing our items (I felt like the contestants on that old show where they had just a few minutes to find items in the grocery store...).

After, we drove over to BBC. Oh my goodness! How beautiful! The new entranceway (which I know isn't that new, but I haven't been back since 2003) is gorgeous. So grand! And all the extra parking! The dorms look great now with the same brick design. The landscaping was beautiful too- we used to always say that flowers only came out for homecoming and graduation. I was truly impressed!

We visited for a bit with our Fletcher Dorm Parents. That was a blessing. It was nice to catch up on their lives and the goings on of the school and other dormmates. Some days, it doesn't feel like I graduated 5 years ago...but then I see their kids who were just toddlers when we lived in the dorm and I realize that it has been 5 years. We finished by exploring Jackson Hall and seeing the changes there. We stopped off in the evening in Goshen, NY to visit a friend who I met while student teaching. She is incredible- and I always get a good chuckle in during our visits.

Throughout the whole trip we reminisced about our time at BBC. I remember arriving that first semester (after 2 years at an even more conservative school) and really not liking BBC. I was pretty judgmental and expected that Christian spirituality had to look the same in everyone. Thankfully, the Lord worked in my heart and I came to understand that we are all unique and God's working in us is specific. In the end, I loved BBC. The professors, the spirit, the classes, the friends I made.

That's the best part of it all. The friends. I had the most amazing girls in my suite and we made so many memories together. We were able to be completely real and honest with each other. And were able to laugh at ourselves- like tripping over flowerpots in front of half the student body and accidentally sticking pens up one's nose at crucial moments. I have never laughed so hard as I did in B-suite. And when I get in touch with those friends, it all comes flooding back.
Returning to BBC also brings back unfortunate memories. During that time I was so chained to other's opinions of me. So much so, that outside my circle of friends, I never felt like I was truly myself. I allowed what I assumed other people thought of me to control my actions and responses. And there is nothing that I regret more. I missed amazing opportunities because of this fear- and those opportunities will never come again.

So-visiting BBC is full of mixed emotions. I am so glad the majority of them are positive, wonderful memories . But there is always that small pang of regret that creeps in. I am thankful for that pang- because it reminds me that I don't want to live a regretful life anymore. Instead, I'm choosing to live an adventurous one where I can say at the end of the day "no regrets"!

HOME

I'm missing home- not in a homesick kind of way- but in a "I like this place, these people, my routine" kind of way. I guess it's comfortable. Not that it's not so comfortable that I won't leave (I mean, I only quit my job and moved to NY 2 years ago....and have been traveling regularly to Haiti). But, it is nice to know that there is a place to call HOME- a place where you are accepted and loved "just as you are". And, people who know so much about you and can recount so many "I can't believe I did that!" moments, and yet still love you. So...here are some pics of what HOME means to me...

The Family- one Sunday after church when my dad was the interim pastor at a little church near our home. We just happened to all be there that day. I still go to church in Canterbury and my parents go to the Baptist church in Eastford. Bill hops around between the two. It was nice to be together as a family for church that day.

"Our house" in Canterbury- we don't live here anymore...but we all slip up every now and then and call it just that. Twenty-seven years of family memories are written on the walls.

Calvary Chapel- my home church... in every sense of the word. It has changed a lot over the years- the building has changed, the faces have changed- but it is still HOME.

Our new house in Eastford- very cozy and we love our woodstove. Dad worked hand in hand with our contractor to finish it.

I always said I wouldn't be one of those ladies who had pictures of her cat everywhere- but I do love my Furrball. She looks quite dazed here- I think this was taken back when we were moving from Canterbury. She was probably overwhelmed by the chaos. Sad to say... I miss my cat the most when I'm in NY.

When I think of HOME- I think of my friends. Here are my best girl friends from HOME- Alissa, Meredith, Alicia and Rebecca. We don't see each other too often- but my heart is always soothed and my soul rejuvenated when I do.

Roma

My first trip oversees was to Rome over Thanksgiving, 2003. Alicia and I went on a pre-wedding best friend holiday. Our trip was full of adventures- new sights and experiences. Most importantly, Alicia and I created some very special memories! Here are some of my favorite reminisces...

Alicia getting ready to throw her 3 coins in the Trevi Fountain

This unashamed women immediately stole our coins with her magnetic pole.

One of our highlights was a day trip to Pompeii. We took a train down through Naples and were able to enjoy the beautiful coastal countryside. When we arrived, we got caught in a downpour so we took refuge in a cafe across from the Pompeii ruins. After the rain stopped, we ventured into the ruins and had the town basically to ourselves. As we journeyed up and down the streets of Pompeii, Alicia and I tried to figure out what each building had been used for. We happened upon on building that was open to the street and had a long counter along the street. In the counter were carved out basins. Alicia thought that these were stores and the basins were used to serve food. I thought to myself, "How silly! That can't be what they were used for!" Come to find out- she was right! The marble counters were brilliant and this picture reminds me to trust Alicia- she knows what she's talking about!

I love this picture. In the midst of a rainy day, full of old gray, broken down ruins- there was this brilliant patch of green grass growing!

Alicia and I re-enacted the Gladiators marching into the Pompeii Colosseum for battle!

Our first evening in Rome, we enjoyed dinner across the street from the Colosseum. It is beautiful at night! We returned during the day for a tour! It was a dream come true to explore this treasure.

Palatine Hill and The Roman Forum were incredible. Walking among and touching the ruins of the heart of Ancient Rome was exhilarating. This is the home of the Vestal Virgins- their job was to keep the eternal flame of Vesta lighted and were kept under the "watchful" eye of the priests!

Can't wait to travel again with Alicia- ask her about the waiter at the pizzeria along the Appian Way. And ask her about the Oriental restaurant and ordering a little vino!