Friday, February 29, 2008

Future Plans

I have been intending to write about this for sometime. In fact, I have started writing numerous posts over the last several months but seem to hit a wall a few sentences in and give up. But tomorrow I am taking a step toward my future plans and feel compelled to share.

I have been researching and toying with the idea of becoming a chef for quite sometime now. After spending the last 5 years of my life working in an office environment, shackled to a computer for 8 hours a day I have come to realize this is not they way I want to spend my days. I am a creative being and I need to be able to spend my days making something tangible, beautiful with my own two hands.

Cooking has always been something that I love and one of my favorite creative outlets. It combines my two passions really, creativity and community. While I am able to express myself in the mixing and presentation of flavors, I am also able to bring people together to slow down and enjoy the moment. Also food is what nourishes our bodies and fuels us to live our lives. And I even think good food can often nourish our souls. What a powerful blessing that food can be?

So tomorrow I will be going to an informational meeting at South Seattle Community College to learn more about their culinary arts program. From the research I have done so far SSCC is my top choice and seems to have some of the highest credentials among Seattle culinary institutes. I am excited to hear more and see what their facilities and faculty have to offer. The thought of setting foot inside a real professional kitchen for the first time is making me giddy with anticipation.

But I am anxious too. I feel in some ways that I am standing on a cliff. Behind me a familiar and safe life, before me a panorama of beautiful possibilities. So pray for me as I get ready for the biggest leap of my life thus far.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Hawaii or Bust

I am pleased to report that this morning I just purchased a ticket for my 1st trip to Hawaii! I am extremely excited, especially after just taking a little walk out in the fridgid Seattle cold. I will be meeting my parents there for a little family vacation. Something that we haven't done in a decade at least. At the end of March we will make our way to the Island of Oahu. We have a condo reserved on Waikiki and the thing I am most looking forward to (besides being warm) is swimming with the dolphins. So check back in early April to see how my trip to Paradise measures up.

Monday, February 04, 2008

As One Chapter Closes

Last night was the end of an era. At 6:45 a group of us gathered together for the last church service to be held to the little sanctuary that has been the home of Bethany Community Church for the last 50 years or so. It was a bittersweet time for me. Although it is just a building it has been an important building in my life and I have had many life shaping moments within those walls.

I remember the first moment that I entered that space nearly 8 years ago. I had just moved to Seattle and was looking for a place to belong and feel at home. I had gone to a few other churches before I discovered Bethany and left each visit feeling like I had just tried on some illfitting garment. I was skeptical as I approached Bethany for the first time. First off, the service I went to was at night. This felt strange to me having spend my previous years in the church attending only morning services. But this little building glowed with the warmth of soft candle light which felt like an invitation to let down my guard and rest here awhile. The building was full of new faces but all somehow felt familiar to me. Everyone seemed to have come just as they were, with little fuss or pretense. Before even a song was sung or a word preached I felt at home, more so than ever before in the walls of a church.

Since that first Sunday that church, both the place and the people, has been a huge part of my story. How different my life would look with out that little building at 80th and Stone near Greenlake? I am thankful as I look back and hopeful that God will continue to pour out His faithfulness on our community.