The Best Dad a Girl Could Ask For

Ok, so I've had a lot of time to write today... Three posts is probably a little crazy, but I don't always have time or energy to do it during the week. So, allow me to celebrate Father's Day by telling you about my dad.

My dad, Eric Lane Rude, is a die hard Cardinals fan, a ruthless card player, a vacation enthusiast, a bug-squasher, a hunter, and above all, a godly man. My earliest memories of my dad include him reading bedtime stories, wrestling on the living room floor, and riding on his shoulders.

He took us on annual vacations. We went skiing, hiking in the mountains, museum and sight-seeing, and show-watching. We experienced the Statue of Liberty, the coast of Maine, Disney World, Hanging Lake in Colorado, and this summer he's taking us to Florida, where we will stay right on the beach.

Dad wants to go to every state. When we vacationed in Vermont, we drove to Rhode Island for lunch. He pulled to the side of the road, so that we could get out and touch the ground in Connecticut. He also pulls over to allow us time to play in mountain creeks.

My dad has the best laugh. We call it the hoarse laugh. He shares it with Grandma Cris, Aunt Sember, and Uncle Colby. It always makes us laugh even more. It's wheezy, and although their mouths are open, just a squeaking wheeze escapes.

Dad has a big heart. He struggled with deciding to get us a dog because of how he felt after his childhood pet died. He caved though... twice. I think that seeing us upset when they died was really hard for him, so no more pets for us.

When I was going into the 8th grade, we found out that Dad had cancer. It was alarming that something like that could happen within our home. We were blessed with God's protection, and he has been cancer free since the end of that year.

I am so grateful for the way our dad raised us. I wouldn't say he spoiled us, but he sure did work hard to give us almost whatever our hearts desired. It was never expected though; it was always a special treat. Dad helped keep us grounded and appreciative.

While Dad is very slow to anger, he is also a no nonsense kind of guy. Growing up, if Katie and I got out of line, it was dealt with quickly. As a result... we didn't get out of line very often. (At least, that's what I'd like to think.)

My dad has taught us what it means to put God first. We never opened presents on Christmas morning without first reading about the birth of Jesus. Missing church was never an option, and we were always encouraged to be more involved. He has always showed us what it means to give thanks for every blessing, and how to give back to God, both through serving and tithing.

He is sacrificial. A wonderful portrait of what our heavenly Father is like. I suppose that's the best thing about my dad. He's a great demonstration of God's love for us.

This post is hard to write. Not because I'm getting emotional, but because I have so much I want to tell you about my dad, so that you can know what I know. However, that would be a whole book. Hey! - there's an idea... Well, I think I'll end it here for now, and hope that if you don't know him yet, you have the opportunity to meet him.

Rule #1

Yesterday was another wonderful day. A day that no amount of rain could dampen and no number of clouds could darken.

My long-time childhood friend, Mary Beth Mansker, walked down the aisle.

She looked elegant, which is very fitting, because elegance is in her nature. She could have stepped right out of a Jane Austen novel. Elegance is only one of the facts you need to know about Mary Beth though. Other necessary knowledge of Mary Beth includes:

*She is probably the most patient person I've ever met. I can't tell you how many stressful situations she has brought me through by allowing me to lean on her calm, cool, and collected shoulders.

*She is creative and imaginative. Katie and I used to go to the Mansker house every day after school. We played Barbies, house, detectives, and we even made pills out of flour and soap when we played pharmacy. Once we were playing that Katie and Lori Anne were our servants, and we took playing seriously. Therefore we had rules they had to follow, and as serious players, they followed them. A phrase they came to hate at the time was "Rule #1: Obey your master." We still laugh about Rule #1 to this day.

*She is a teacher from her hair to her toes. She always has been this way, and she is meticulous. All you have to do is watch her explain ANYTHING to ANYBODY, and you will know.

*She is obedient and loves God. For as long as I can remember, Mary Beth has been a steady, maturing follower of Christ. She has always set a good example for those who are younger, and those who are older than she is.

I know this is a very brief list, but it is comprised of the essentials. The final part being that she and Drew were perfectly brought together and united yesterday before God and their family and friends.

Mary Beth will make a marvelous wife. And this is why: She will be obedient to Rule #1. She will obey her true master. She will obey God, and will be that Proverbs 31 woman. She will be an honorable, faithful, and respectful wife to Drew, and I am completely confident that he will be a faithful and loving husband for my Mary Beth.

The Darndest Things

Instead of my usual walk tonight, I walked to church because Mom and Katie were there for VBS. Also, that was the opposite direction of the rain... which I did not completely avoid.

I arrived, clothes a little damp, hair rain-straightened, and feeling energized. And then I went to visit Katie and Reba.

Katie and Reba were with the 3 and 4 year olds.

Oh my gracious.

While I could tell Katie's patience was wearing thin, I found myself staring, jaw dropped, at some of these children. The whining, the bursts of crying from out of no where, the blaming, the random tangents. Not to mention the little girl who picked her nose and ate what she found.

Wow. I am soooo far from mom material right now.

But they are sweet sometimes, aren't they? Remember Laynah? Our miracle baby? When she walked in the room, she made sure to wave and say hello to me over all the madness going on in around her.

One little girl asked if her finger was still bleeding. (Undoubtedly she had been in a near-death experience... probably a hang nail.) It was closely examined by another little boy who was very concerned about her cuticle. Never mind the fact that they were supposed to be listening to a Bible story at the time.

The said Bible story was about Jesus floating up, up, up, up, up, up into Heaven on a cloud. During this time, we heard some very interesting thoughts on Jesus from these kids.

Here are some of my favorites from the night:

"He's in Heaven, but when Jesus wants to play with His friends He has to float down on a cloud to get to their house."

Teacher: "If you could tell anyone that about Jesus, who would you tell?"
Little girl: "Brayden."
Brayden: "Wowsers!"

Teacher: "Does Jesus love you, Brayden?"
Brayden: "Yes. He even loves my shoes!"

Teacher: "Ava, who would you tell about Jesus?"
Ava: "No one. I don't know anyone." (Starts to cry... for the 15th time.)
Teacher: "What about your parents?"
Ava: "They already know all that stuff."

"How does He FLY?!"

Teacher: "If we don't listen, we won't be able to go back to the bouncy house."
Every little kid in the room: "Am I listening?"

Me: "Ok, we need to put your shoes back on before we can leave."
Little boy: "But I'm so tired of taking my shoes on and off."


I'm sure there were more that I can't remember. And these might not be as funny in writing because you can't hear the conviction behind each thought, but let me assure you: they were hilarious.

When Our Heads Get Heavy...

I've developed a new habit. I've started singing out loud when I go on my walks.

I try to only do it when there's no one within earshot. The past couple days have been Meredith Andrews days. Have you listened to her albums? I only have one: The Invitation. I would highly recommend it.

I don't really listen to very much "Christian" music anymore. This is one album that I love. Times ten. I don't really know anything about Meredith, although she did lead worship at Harvest while I attended there, but I think maybe we're similar in some ways. Her songs have touched my heart and resonate with my thoughts and feelings.

So here it is. Where my heart is at these days.

Many of my family and friends are hurting right now. Directly and indirectly. They are ill, or going through hard times, or they love someone who is ill or going through hard times.

This weekend Meredith reminded me of a simple truth. One I've known for a long time, but seem to forget too often.

I'll let her words do the talking this time:

Let us all as one draw near
To the One who meets us here
Let us all fall down
Before the God who welcomes us in

Lift up your head
And throw off every chain
Lift up your eyes
To the One who doesn't change
Lift up your hands
The broken He will mend
So lift up your head

Let us all fix our gaze
On the Author of our faith
From all else we turn away
For the joy that conquers shame

Lift up your head
And throw off every chain
Lift up your eyes
To the One who doesn't change
Lift up your hands
The broken He will mend
So lift up your head

He is Lover
He is Redeemer
He is Father
He is Friend
He is our shelter
He is our healer
He is the lifter of our head

Lift up your head
And throw off every chain
Lift up your eyes
To the One who doesn't change
Lift up your hands
The broken He will mend
So lift up your head

I need to remember that God is in control. That He knows best. That He will not give us more than we can handle. That if He does not mend us on Earth, He will perfect us in Heaven.

So I will lift up my head and keep my eyes on the One who has the power to heal. Whether He is healing bodies or broken hearts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ett2IF-4k

The Cissna Park Journey

Summer didn't really start for me until today. But now, it's official.

It's different when you don't have school to mark your summer vacation for you. When work keeps going right on through June and July.

So how did I know today was my first day of summer?

Because I went on my first long, outdoor jog of the year. I pulled out those fabulous running shoes for something other than looking awesome. I worked up a healthy sweat from actual work and not simply sunbathing. I listened to a lively running music mix.

For the record, my guilty pleasures: Ke$ha's Cannibal and Lady Gaga's The Fame are absolutely perfect for the quick paced, warm up walk...

Don't judge before you walk to the beats. You'll see.

I was pestered by flies even though I covered my legs and arms in bug spray, which I loathe. So either the bugs were extremely bad today, or that spray just doesn't work... Fantastic.

So now that I've told you about my first solo, summer outing, let me tell you about the experience I shared with the Flinkmans this weekend:

We went tubing down a flooded creek near Cissna Park. The kind you see when you are driving out in the fields and in the middle of no where. It was much higher from all the rain, so it was plenty big, and looked like it would provide a nice "lazy river" experience.

So, Kelly and Jessica picked up some inner tubes, and seven of us made our way to "the river."

We filed in, one by one, down a bank on the side of a field, through what looked like waist-high prairie grass. Except for Jeremy. He dropped into the water from the bridge.

First observation: Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

After several exclamations at the temperature of the water, we started making our way down the creek and into a more wooded area. Although it was cold, it was plenty pleasant. We laughed and tried to warn each other before we ran into low branches or logs we couldn't see under the water. Unfortunately, sometimes the warning were late, and rear ends thudded into logs.

"Um guys... we have a bit of a predicament."

Jake's words unknowingly foreshadowed the rest of the adventure.

Up ahead there was a dam. The creek was completely blocked by logs and branches and other debris from the storms and the flood.

With Jake and Jered's help, we maneuvered our ways up and over the logs and onto the extremely muddy bank to make our way around the blockage.

This happened about three more times, and it seemed progressively worse each time as the mosquitoes began to swarm and then we were unsure about what all the green stuff on the banks was. The ivy-covered Flinkman boys were a little leery about renewing their rashes, and the rest of us didn't want to join the club.

I'm fairly certain I ruined Jered's Toms. We were all getting colder from being in the shade. We were also getting frustrated at the obstacles. And poor Justin had quarter-sized welts all over his back from where the mosquitoes got him.

The last straw came when we looked ahead and saw that the water reached the bottom of a bridge up ahead and that the bridge, itself was covered in more branches and debris. We all scrambled up the tall bank.

At the top of the bank we crawled under an electric fence and back into another field of knee to waist high prairie grass. Everyone broke into a bare-footed sprint through the field. I don't know about the others, but I was fearing snakes and feeling the grass cut at my ankles and in between my toes.

Finally we made it to a flat, bare field. And we slowly trooped back to the car. Exhausted. Frustrated. Tired. And sometimes laughing.

Kelly told us that at one point during a dam evasion, Jessica had looked at her in complete sincerity and said, "This is the worst journey of our lives."

We had a good laugh.

At times, I won't lie, I felt pretty miserable. But it didn't help that my allergies were hitting me full force.

Looking back, I'm so glad that we went. It was a good experience to share with the others. And I find it kind of hilarious to look back at it. I wish I had a video of the last few minutes of the float, followed by the scramble and the sprint.

Maybe this is one of those times where the people make the extraordinary moments. I know I would not look back and be glad I went with many other people. And maybe that's what this story is really about. It's not just a story about a hilariously problematic journey, but a story about a time with friends and family.

I felt so blessed this weekend to be surrounded by the people with whom God surprised me. I didn't see them coming, but I'm glad they did. They are honest and ornery and loving and fiercely loyal, and I love them.

Reality TV Love

Almost two weeks ago, my wonderful friend, Alaina Burd, decided to change her name.

She was a stunning bride. Postively glowing. Especially when she looked at Nathan.

I felt so blessed that Alaina would include me in the most exciting day of her life thus far. It was such a treat to see and feel her excitement along with all those closest to her, and to be completely caught up in emotion as I watched her walk down the aisle to the beaming groom.

Their committment to each other and the Lord is so encouraging in today's world of short romances. It's refreshing to see one that will last.

***

I didn't want to do it. But I did.

I got sucked into The Bachelorette last night. And furthermore, I have three top picks for the love-starved girl. William, PJ, and Ryan. How pathetic.

I got to thinking during the show, as I built up an annoyance at the professions of love in the previews of what was to come, about what the real problem with this show is.

For a reality tv show, it is surprisingly short on realistic circumstances. Ok, that doesn't narrow it down enough- it's not realistic for someone to fall in love with 20 guys at the same time. So forget that part and look at just one couple out of the 20.

This particular show is jam-packed full of highly romantic, once in a lifetime kind of dates. The couple is always doing something exciting, or in a magical atmosphere, or simply just away from all other influences in their lives.

I don't believe that you find... I hate to say "the one," but it will do I guess.... You don't find "the one" through a series of extraordinary moments. "The one" makes ordinary moments extraordinary.

***

Jered and I spent the first two weeks of knowing each other, not on outlandish dates, but doing homework in Johnson Hall Lounge. Do you know JHL? It's a dingy, out-dated lounge in the Johnson Hall dorms. It is NOT a candlelit picnic under the stars with flowers and wine and whatever else makes up a romantic date.

But it was real.

It was real life, with a real person, who wasn't trying to impress me AND the rest of America's ABC viewers with his great accomplishments and sensitivity.

But it turned doing homework into a memorable and magical experience.

I know, I know. Jered tells me all the time: I'm such a sap.

Well... here's another confession: I will most likely continue watching this season of The Bachelorette. Stupid and infuriating as it may be, it's a little addictive.

And besides that... I want to see if the masked man ever takes off his mask.

The Good Times Rolled

Heads up: I'm feeling a bit unconventional tonight. We'll see where this leads us.

I raced up to Trinity again last Friday after I got off from work. (Mom paid me eight dollars to get out the door because I may have been singing along to Moulin Rouge and driving my family crazy.)


How many times have I driven to TIU? Well, I could probably figure it out if I wanted to, but I'm not that diligent. Let's just say, "enough." Enough to not get lost. Well, I missed my exit and ended up driving right through Chicago. Fun start.


No worries- I made it. First thing on the agenda: sushi.

I know, not what I would have chosen either, but it actually turned out to be a great choice. It was pretty good, and there were lots of friendly faces that I had missed dearly.

I accidentally came up with a fantastic nickname. (If I may say so myself!) Pallory.


That's Patrick and Mallory together, in case you didn't know.


This obviously led us to label Jered and me as Jaimee/Ared and Jeremy and Kelly as Jelly. I know... You're probably jealous and wish you had such a nickname. We can work on it if you like.

Well, the eating did not stop there. Nooo sir. In fact, that seemed to go on all weekend. In abundance. Jered and I had a lovely Denny's breakfast, complete with a peach smoothie for me.

Ignas suggested shrimp for our evening with friends, which turned out to be a hit.

Ignas is our friend from Lithuania. After graduation, he's going home, and I will surely miss him. He always makes me laugh. He asked us to go shopping and help him find gifts for some of his friends back home.


While Iggy shopped for gifts, Jered bought a wonderful Christmas sweater that he wore for the rest of the weekend.

I bought some fabulous new running shoes. Motivation? We'll see.


I wish I had been able to wear these while I was at the mall because I did not have suitable walking shoes. While walking, Jered and I purposefully stayed a few feet behind Iggy to watch the reactions to him. He is extremely tall, and people have no shame when it comes to staring. Hahaha.

Well, shopping makes everyone hungry, so of course there is more food to this story. Jered suggested Rainforest Cafe. Brilliant. I felt like I was on vacation. The atmosphere is amazing, as was the food. We didn't try anything crazy, but it was lovely anyway.
















Notice the sunburns? Those are from the baseball game.


We watched most of the game, ate gummy worms, Jered shared his thoughts on dandelions, he saw his first live homerun, and we went back and forth from being cold and hot the whole time. At least we got some sun to show for it.

We met up with Bam and Myriam later that night. I was glad Bam and Iggy were still friends. Curious? Alas, that story is not mine to tell. You'll have to ask one of them...

Myriam and I had a good laugh when Iggy tried to explain the longest Lithuanian word to us. Ahem, let me see if I can remember... "It's like when you're walking home and you see a rabbit cabbage..." I don't know if that's all of it, but it had something to do with that. Like I said... he keeps us laughing.

For example: Once, Jered and I were watching someone try to parallel park this really tiny car. They took forever. We were both laughing and laughed even harder when Iggy was the one that stepped out of the car.

That was last year, but this weekend also brought driving-related laughs. Jered taught me how to drive stick shift. They were probably more nervous laughs than anything. I was terrified, and he was patient. He's a good teacher, but I don't think I'll be driving us around in the Honda anytime soon.



















This may have led to our mutual daydreaming that teleporting, or apparating, was possible.

While that dream will probably never happen, another dream was remembered when Jered saw a German Shepherd puppy at the mall. He was in love- I am positive that someday we will have one.

Well my friends, I think it's quite an accomplishment if you've made it this far. I was a little sans focus this time. (Molly, I meant to accept your challenge to use that word a looong time ago, but I just now got to it!) Maybe next time, my thoughts will be a little more organized.

I suppose, if nothing else stands out in this hodge podge of notes, let this: this weekend I was one happy camper. Laughter, love, and contentment were abounding, and I'm already anxiously awaiting the next occasion.