The Game of Life

I obviously have many fond memories of my time at Trinity. One of those memories is Midnight Melton. This was when the dining hall was open until the early morning during finals week. The draws of Midnight Melton? Food, games, and friends.

Sure, I tried to study at Midnight Melton. I even succeeded in reading The Tempest in one sitting on one such late night. However, one of my favorite Midnight Melton nights was the night that several friends, Jered, and I played The Game of Life.

Flash forward two years.

I'm working at Sam Leman's Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Peoria. (I never saw this as a possibility when I was playing the game of course. I was thinking something more along the lines of... I don't know... rockstar? Yes, that's much more "me.")

A couple months ago, my friend and co-worker, Traci, thought it would be a great idea to make a game of Sam Leman's. (Co-worker is too cold for Traci's personality... stick with "friend.") Fortunately, business has been booming. Unfortunately, our dreams of creating a Sam Leman's board game were put on hold.

This changed a couple weeks ago. For some reason, we had an absurdly slow day and decided to do some spring cleaning around the office. We even fixed a hole in the wall after stashing a note from the two of us, inside. Very time capsule-esque.

And, wonder of wonders! Our board game took its first step into fruition. Now, it's only on a dry erase board, so it's nothing permanent, but it's on its way. You simply draw a card that tells you a Sam Leman's-related situation and move accordingly. A group favorite is, "You get Greg to answer a phone call. Move forward three spaces." You may need to know that Greg is very difficult to reach on the phone to appreciate this card.


Two weeks ago, my game piece on the Game of Life at Sam Leman's received a surprising card. "You have an interview on Monday for a job three blocks away from home. Remove from game board."

Tomorrow, I begin the three days of training my replacement at Sam Leman's of Peoria. God has opened up a wonderful door for me; I have no doubt about that. However, I am sad to leave the people I've come to know. I have met so many people- co-workers and customers, and it has been quite the experience.

For a place at which I never intended to work for very long, it is a place I'm finding very difficult to leave. As frustrating as my job could be, I've really enjoyed it and the people working alongside me. I will miss all the laughs and stories from Sharon, Traci's "nuh-uh's" when she drops her ice-cream on the floor and her wonderful personality, Rick's early-morning singing, and many other things.

Before I make you think I'm unhappy about this move, let me reassure you: I'm incredibly excited to start working for Dr. Bobell. I will be working with Aunt Diane in a beautiful new office. I will be able to walk to and from work instead of driving almost two hours a day. I will also be able to sleep-in two more hours each day if I want.

This is a good change for me, and God provided it at just the right time. I suppose He always does, doesn't He?

Well faithful followers, next week I may be able to sleep-in two extra hours, but tomorrow I still have to get up at 5... so this is the end for us tonight. Pleasant dreams!

It's all right

Well, it's time for the month and a half of silence to end. Today, I'm revelling in the last few weeks and the blessings God has given me. Let's rewind.

A few weeks ago, I was able to see Jered and many of our friends during a visit to TIU. Genius that I am... I forgot to bring my camera... the one thing Jered told me to bring. As a result there is no documentation of the fun we had bowling, dancing and singing to a fantastic playlist courtesy of Jeremy, playing UNO, our shopping adventure, or Jered's hair-related transformation.

Unfortunately, this sketch of our night of bowling will have to suffice. The next week, I received two messages from two dear friends telling me they had been thinking of me- and they had perfect timing.

I spent over an hour talking with someone who completely gets me and encourages me. As per usual, I am terrible at staying in touch with people, and haven't yet called the other! Molly- we still need to have a phone date!

We have had some absolutely GORGEOUS days in the last few weeks... although we are heading into a chilly and wet week. I still have faith that spring will at last return!

Winter isn't the only season I am ready to be rid of however. While I'm thankful for the time I am experiencing at home with the ability to work away on those loan payments without some of the other expenses of life, I am excited to get started on the next season of life... but apparently patience is a virtue.

Oh my- I nearly forgot- my parents also surprised us by planning a vacation to Florida this summer. We will be right on the beach: the kind of vacation for which I have been begging for years! As if the family vacation wasn't perfect enough, our parents even made it possible for Jered and Jesse to join us again!

This brings me to my final blessing. Jered came to visit this weekend and made my family complete.

We spent time with the whole family at my cousin's wedding reception, we relaxed while watching or sleeping through movies, Jered came to support me while I had to sing a solo with only half of my voice, I played with Jered's luscious locks while listening to Crystal Ship over and over, and we enjoyed a couple dates just for talking over some delicious food.

It was a lovely weekend. Even though our original plans were thwarted by chilly weather, I so thoroughly enjoyed the company of my best friend.

Maybe now is a time when George, Paul, John, and Ringo can express it best:

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter

Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right
Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right

The proverbial cherry on top of this banana split of a blog post, is that I will be visiting TIU again in just two weeks to see and enjoy some good friends once again. Next time the camera will not be MIA!

I am so thankful that God keeps blessing me with these rays of sunshine here at the end of a chilly winter. I can't wait to see what kind of sunshine He has planned for this summer.

*Sigh of contentment*