Spirit Animal

I learn something new everyday.

Today I was put behind the bar at Starbucks, making all sorts of Americanos, carmel macchiatos, and of course, lattes.

I was most intrigued, however, when a fellow partner (I have to finish my training in order to call myself a "barista"...) made a soy banana-strawberry blended creme. Well, she was peeling the banana from the top, so I simply said, "You know, you should open the banana from the bottom like monkeys do."

Her response: "The monkey is my spirit animal."

After that, I found myself with nothing to say.

Wide Awake

Okay, it's 11:15 p.m. I know that's not late. Not at all. The only thing is that I have to be at Starbucks at 5, which means the alarm clock is going off at 4 in the morning. I'm not too happy about that.

This weekend I had the grand opportunity to help out with Royal Servants as the students flew into Chicago for a week of training before heading overseas. I absolutely loved it. Joy and I made a couple of trips to Midway, found sleeping bags for some guys whose luggage didn't make it when they did, did a really early airport run, and just helped out around the church wherever we could.

Joy had to leave yesterday morning earlier than I did, so when the six buses all pulled out of the parking lot, I was the only one left. I stood there cheering everyone on as they began their journey towards training camp on a hayfield in the middle of nowhere.

As I walked back to my car, I'll be honest, I started to cry. Just a little bit, nothing too dramatic. You see, I've come to believe quite strongly that youth ministry is what I'm called to be a part of and is something in which I find tremendous joy and reward.

As the students left with feelings of anxiousness, excitement, and fear for what will be coming their way this summer, I couldn't help but imagine what they will feel in six or so weeks. Sure, not to every single student, but to a great majority, their lives will be changed in some way because of this summer. That's something I want to be a part of. I want to be there when they ask that one really great question or for really the first time decide they want God and accept that He wants them. I want to be there when their heart breaks for people around the world. I want to be there when they come to see America in a new light because of the country overseas they are experiencing. I want to be a part of the relationships that are going to be built, the tears and laughter that will doubtlessly occur. I want to be there when at the end of the summer the team has become a family and they wash each other's feet and partake in communion together.

So I'm wide awake. I see so many faces of students I met this weekend. Some I talked with and some I didn't. I find myself praying for each one, asking God to become real to each of them in amazingly new ways, for them to learn what it means to live a life of faith based on grace, to learn what it means to love well.

Those are my thoughts this evening. Four o'clock comes early, so I'm gonna try again to fall asleep. I just find myself wanting to go. Desperately wanting to go. Hopefully next year at this time I'll be getting up early again. Not for Starbucks, though. I'll wander out of my tent, walk under the big top, get some coffee from the make-shift office, and head out to the field to wake up the students. Goodnight.

Where is DeMario?

Two days ago, on Monday afternoon, Joy and I were just leaving the Wightman house when we saw someone approaching the front door. It was DeMario. He was probably around 17 or 18 years old and was from downtown Chicago. He spoke about how he desired to work towards an education and a betterment of himself. He was wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a tie. He had his speach down, but you could tell he was nervous, and when he messed up once he told us it was his first day on the job. Basically, he was selling magazines door-to-door, and with each subscription sold, he got so many points. I really was somewhat confused with how the whole system worked and all and Joy and I aren't really in the need of any new subscriptions. He would then say something like, "But a simple subscription can help a young man like myself better himself and not return to being a nuisance to society in the city."

Honestly, I loved him. Right from the start. Sure, I don't really know his story, but I still think it would take tremendous courage to leave the inner-city and come out to the suburbs, where people are rich and rude and white, and try to sell magazines door-to-door.

Anyway, we told him we didn't want a subscription and got into the car and drove around the block. Then Joy and I did some talking and I realized that I wanted to do something. I had just read the night before about how faith without works is dead and all of that. So Joy and I went around the block again and found DeMario. I went out to talk to him and told him that although we didn't want any magazies, we'd love to get to know him better and maybe could take him out for dinner or ice cream or something. He seemed eager about it and took my phone number. He said he'd call that night. He still hasn't called. I think Joy and I were both a little disappointed when we didn't hear from DeMario. I am still hoping he calls.

DeMario asked one really amazing question, something I'm not sure I'd thought about before. At one point, he said, "What is it that you have done that have made you two the successful people that you are?" He was asking for pointers from us that might help him as he strives for "success" in a very mid-upper-class-American-way. I kept thinking about that all day. Because really, what had Joy done? What had I done? I was born into a good family who valued education and family and values and all of that. I was read to and played with. I attended schools and found school actually fun. I had family dinners every single night. I was supported as I pursued sports and theatre and music and travel. I was pushed towards academic excellence that helped me get college scholarships and all of that. Basically, I don't feel that I've done very much at all. I do not know much about life in the inner-cities of America. I wish I knew more. Perhaps DeMario will call me and I can learn from him. I realize I have lots of questions.

Coffee by Day, Wine by Night

Indeed, jobs are all up and running, and today is the highlight. Why you ask? Because after four interviews with principals, teachers, and the superintendent, Joy has a teaching job for next year. Believe me, the excitement is high. She's actually going to be teaching fourth grade at Anne Sullivan Elementary School, which is where Joy actually went to school when she was a child. I'm sure they're glad to have hired an alum.

This isn't the only job news, however. Joy is working this summer at Pottery Barn, possibly my favourite home-interiors store, even if it is a little pricey. As you all know, I was hired as a server at Regina's, which is a small family-owned Italian restaurant in down-town Arlington Heights. And yes, there is more. Yesterday I had a second interview and was hired as a barista at Starbucks. Oh yes, the excitement continues to build. Everyone knows that Starbucks is a great company to work for, it's all over the place (in case I ever need a job transfer), and I do love coffee shops (even if Starbucks is a little too corporate for me) and all that they mean (friendships, relaxation, rest, a good book or journal). Plus, every week I get a free pound of coffee. That's pretty dang sweet.

So my new motto is "Coffee by day, wine by night." I'm working on the Italian menu and wine-list and soon will be tasting all the coffees Starbucks has to offer. I couldn't be more delighted with these two jobs and can't wait for the stories I believe they will hold. Here we go Chicago!

Blom and Kelmo

It's weird. On Saturday, Blom and Kelly got married. I know people get married all the time and I've been to enough weddings over the last few years. Siblings, acquaitances, and good friends. But nothing like this wedding. Blom has been one of my best guy friends since freshman year at Taylor when we were on the same floor together. It's because of him that I ever heard of Royal Servants (and therefore, Nepal) and it's largely because of him that I decided I actually did want to be a Christian. Basically, he did his job in making Christ appealing. So over the years we've gone with Drew to New York City and Colorado, have been accountability partners, have talked over engagement stories and wedding plans, have played countless tennis games (I usually kick his butt), and have really just had a pretty fantastic friendship.

The thing that was unique about this wedding, however, was that I'm close to both Blom and Kelly. Ever since their relationship started, I would talk to Kelly on the phone, we'd e-mail or chat online, and she and I have a really great friendship by itself. We've laughed and cried together and the four of us have been on some great double-dates (get ready for the hookah bar this summer baby!).

So they got married. I think it's easier since Joy and I are getting married in six months. We'll still have stuff in common and can still have some great double-dates. But it's still kinda weird, and after the wedding and during the drive home yesterday, I was pretty gloomy. I know it's a celebration and all that, and it really is something I think is pretty dang wonderful, especially for them, but there's still a sense of sadness. I guess I kinda feel like I'm losing two really great friends. On one sense, I know that's not true, but in another sense, maybe it is. The friendships as they were have ceased to exist. Everything will be different when I see them again. Like I said, it makes it easier that I'll be married in six months along with them, but still, for now, I'm both happy and melancholy.

Now they're off on their honeymoon, doing what honeymooners do. I am sure they're laughing and talking and having a grand ole time. Maybe they're talking about their big day, or their home when they get back, or their dreams that they share for their lives together. I hope they do all of those things. I also hope they take a moment and think about all those people who still want to be a part of their lives. I know I'm one of them.

Oregon and Minnesota

This past week has been a busy one. Last Thursday I flew out to Oregon to visit my buddy, Taylor, whom I've mentored since going to Nepal two summers ago. It was a wonderful time together. He's one of the most intelligent high schoolers I've ever met and always had question after question ready. Unfortunately (maybe fortunately), I never had any real conclusive answers.

Today Joy and I are driving to Minneapolis for Blom and Kelly's wedding. I can't believe it. I've pretty much been able to watch their relationship from its beginning. It's not like those weddings when you know one but not the other--I consider them both dear friends. Needless to say, it's going to be another emotional weekend.

In lighter news, I officially have a job at a nice Italian restaurant in the area called Regina's. Come visit.

Buca's Boobs

I spent most of my time today running around filling out various applications and such. Well, we stopped by Buca di Beppo's, and here is a story that is like nothing I've ever seen. Here we go...

Joy and I were just leaving the restaurant, where we were told the manager was unavailable. So we went back to the car and started to leave the parking lot by a side entrance. Now, I should say that Buca's is on a pretty main street in the area. As we were driving out of the parking lot, we looked to our left, and there, a few feet away on a grassy section between two lines of bushes, we saw something we almost didn't believe. Completely visible to us, and also to any cars driving by that might happen to look in that direction, was a middle-aged and somewhat large man and a woman wearing some athletic outfit.

**This is where the story turns PG-13 rated, virging on R, so if you want to stop now, this is your warning.**

You see, this man was kneeling on his knees, had the woman's shirt lifted up to her neck, and he was, believe it or not, sucking on her breasts. Passionately. I couldn't believe it and thankfully Joy confirmed what I had just seen. Well, by the time I realized what was going on, I had entered into another parking lot partially hidden by bushes from these two voyeaurs. So of course Joy and I turned around to drive by again. Well, apparently they noticed the car and also noticed us turning around, so when we drove by staring at them the heat was no longer in action and they were just staring right back.

Nonetheless, this is a story to remember. I love the city. I never saw any of this in Shelby. We laughed and laughed. I have a feeling that when I return to Buca's with my application the manager that comes out is going to be that man I saw on that grassy knoll. I can't wait.