Some Things to Write Home About

Veggie Burrito Bowl Recipe (kinda)

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 19:38:00 +0000

Yay! Recipe time! But not. I pretty much used one measuring cup the whole time. I was inspired by this post by The Pioneer Woman, and by inspired I mean that I made a half of her rice recipe then used whatever veggies I had in the fridge/pantry and ended up with this. I'm not the biggest recipe person... so here's my sorta kinda recipe/instructions for making an oh-so-yummy burrito bowl full of veggie goodness and flavor!

Rice: click on the recipe above. I didn't have any cilantro... so basically I cooked rice in chicken stock and lime juice + zest and it was delicious... and it's under all the other stuff, by the way.

Zucchini: I cut this in strips, brushed it with olive oil, salt, and pepper and sauteed it. If you have pro knife skills, stick with strips and cut it up later. If not, cut off the ends of those babies then cube 'em up before cooking.

Peppers + Onions: no rocket science here, these were frozen red and green peppers with onions already cut in strips. I sauteed them.

Corn: sauteed with garlic, olive oil, s+p. I used canned but fresh would have been so much better.

Black beans: from a can, to the microwave, to the bowl.

Toppings: plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream, trust me it's wonderful), guacamole, extra lime juice, and salsa.

Variations-- you could put some avocadoes in there instead of guac, or add cheese. You could add meat, or turn this into a proper burrito, mix the bowl and eat with chips, or top some nachos with the veggies and have the rice on the side instead. Again, it's not rocket science. Just easy, delicious food.

YUM.

a post about everything

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 01:49:00 +0000

*insert apology because I haven't blogged since February*

If we were out on a catch up date right now, I would order an iced dirty chai with soy milk and tell you that life is wicked busy, but there are lots of wonderful things happening!

new things:

I'm going to be an RA (Resident Assistant) next year! I am doing lots of training and just met with my most wonderful new small group. I am excited to grow and learn while serving through the ministry and work ResLife does for this campus. Also, my new floor's mascot is the gnome, so that's a plus.
Chicago is still wonderful as ever, but the weather lately has been... confused. 80 degree days and snow in the same week? We're getting there.
This semester's classes are wonderful and the good kind of challenge, but I will definitely be ready to say goodbye to them at the end of this semester!
Speaking of, I have registered for my classes for the fall including my first two official counseling classes!! I know this sounds weird, since I will be a junior, but that's just the way my schedule works out. It's all integrated, but the first two years are lots of Bible and some gen. eds, the second two are even more Bible plus jumping head first into counseling! Yay.
A month from yesterday, I will be getting on a plane back to NH! Just in time for miss Kylie's graduation! Woah. I can't believe how fast this semester has flown by. It has been such a blessing but also a weird in-between season. I rest in the fact that God guides me in my steps.
Summer is coming! In case you were wondering, I will be in NH from May 16 to the second week of August. I'll be working at the Children's Place as much as possible and hanging out! I'm also going camping and one of my dearest friends from school Ellen is coming to visit. There will be time to read for fun, lay around for hours in my hammock, and enjoy my favorite state and favorite people.

things I'm thankful for:

my roommate. Bekah. I will make her read this so she can see me brag about her. She is the most encouraging, and I love talking to her and getting her perspective on life, watching wholesome movies with her, and just being able to tell her all the ridiculous thoughts that I come up with. She knows my weirdness and loves me all the more for it. Whaaaat a blessing.
my friends. I can't list them all by name or I'd forget someone, there's just so many people to thank God for! I'm a sap.
sunshine
open windows
flannel sheets even in April because that's all I have here
new music. see below.
technology so I can text my parents complaining about a class, deposit checks when I don't have a bank, snapchat ridiculous faces to K and K, and talk to Zach whenever I want! I'm also thankful for all of those wonderful gems of people.
donuts. and doughnuts.
the fact that God speaks to us. that is ACTUALLY so unthinkable awesome.
professors letting you out early because it's so beautiful out.
my hammock
the roof
putting my hammock up on the roof
the first shorts day of the year
my little sib
the way God has absolutely captured her heart
opportunities
hard classes
easy classes
gospel choir
new friends
old friends
my u-pass
my job. it is seriously the best.
sweet parents of kids I nanny for who pay me way more than they're required to because they know I'm a poor college student
my spring playlist:

thanks for sticking around! no promises to blog more, but I'll see what I can do.

love and sunshine, have the happiest Easter! HE IS RISEN.
Emily

Friday Favorites!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 20:41:00 +0000

Hello friends! Greetings from freezing and beautiful Chicago, and happy Friday to you! Long time, no see... again. More about my semester is coming soon, but for now here are some of my favorites for the week!

1. Founders Week! This week was the Founder's Week Conference here at Moody. Four and a half days of no classes, worship, speakers, and a bit of a break from everything. The speakers have been very challenging and encouraging, I am scribbling down pages of notes in every session, learning what it means to be holy as God is holy and commands us to be.

2. This video about marriage, relationships, and the gospel shown through Christ's love for the church.

3. This list of "21 Times Kelly Kapowski Taught Us How to Live" from Buzzfeed. My friend Ellen posted this on my Facebook and I was laughing so hard. Saved By the Bell is one of my favorite old shows to watch, and I'm just a tad obsessed with Kelly K... hence my halloween costume last year.

4. Gospel Choir. Two weeks ago I got to go to my first rehearsal since May! I was so blessed just by the practice, and yesterday afternoon we sang at a Founder's Week session. Lots of my friends came and my parents got to watch online, which was such a bonus to get to share it with them!

5. Kiddos God has put in my life. I went to my first night of my new PCM (Practical Christian Ministries, essentially our field study) on Monday, which is working with kids, and have gotten to hang out with my little sib (through Moody's Big Bro Big Sis) twice since being back on campus, and I am SO blessed by them. God is teaching me so much. I may even write a whole post on this soon.

Thanks for reading!

-Em

update!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 13:36:00 +0000

Surprise! I haven't in fact abandoned this blog as you may think. I guess I just took an accidental break, since I've only posted maybe 3 times since returning from Greece. Here is what you need to know:

I have been home in NH November, December, and this beginning of January. Tomorrow I fly back to Chicago and move back in to Moody with my lovely roommate Bekah and get to see all of my friends again!! Classes start on Monday and while I will miss everyone in NH, I am beyond excited to be back. Both of these places are home to me.

I have been working anywhere between 40-60 hours every week at two jobs. One as a receptionist and the other at The Children's Place outlet (kid's clothing store). I also had 2 papers to write from classes I took in Greece and took a 3 credit online Research Writing class. So I have been wicked busy. Going back to school will be a break.

I am off of Facebook for at least a month, but I will probably pop in and post the link to this update on my blog page, but not on my personal one. Make sure to subscribe via email if you want to get the posts there instead!

I have lots of posts I want to catch up on before moving into the type of posts I am planning for 2014. Here is what will be coming soon:

2013 in review (better late than never!)
hello to 2014
what God has been teaching me (well, insert a more creative title here)
final pictures from Turkey and Northern Greece (any photos I have yet to share will come in this post)

For now, I will leave you with the typical silly selfie before I head out on this snowy morning for breakfast with my Grandma, next time I blog may very well be from the airport or airplane tomorrow!! Eep.

Thanks for not abandoning me! See ya soon!

Emily

Friday Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 01:43:00 +0000

this post from my friend Jenna, reflecting on how we have been home for a month now. she writes beautifully, head over and check out her blog!

speaking of blogs, on my blog...if you were reading my posts while I was in Greece, you heard me talk about my friend Ellen, or saw me link some of her and Emily's blog posts. I am so proud to link her very own blog as one of my favorites! So so proud. It's called "The Other Side of E"

Christine Caine on Twitter. She spoke at Moody's Missions Conference while I was in Greece, and while I haven't been able to watch the sessions yet, I came across her twitter and it's been killing me! So much truth in such a small amount of words.

this quote from my new devo book: "We thrive on creativity. Sameness bores us, but we still need the dependable security God offers" -Beth Moore

The Ultimate Guide to Saved by the Bell Fashion. Zach knows me too well and posted this on my facebook page.

and since all the posts I read about successful blogging say I need to entertain you with photos like kids and picture books... these three photos from Pinterest of some of my favorite classy movie couples.

And that's it!! Here's to the weekend, blog friends.

xoxo Em (&K. we're on a homework date.)

seven on saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 14:28:00 +0000

This was supposed to be a Friday Favorites post, but it's Saturday now so I present to you: Seven on Saturday. Here are seven things that have made me smile, laugh, or think this week- on the internet and in life. Hope you enjoy!

1. Miley Cyrus and Mumford and Sons- Little Wrecking Ball
Don'y be quick to judge! You'll be surprised, I promise! All the nudity is gone from the video, I promise that too... watch! listen!

2. Sexy Christianity
If you haven't clicked through to this article after seeing it on Facebook, do it! It is truly worth the hype, and a bit of a punch in the face. This article is convicting, challenging, and helps put to words a lot of what it going on in Christian culture right now. It really made me think about my motives and desires for my relationship with God and how others perceive it. Let me know what you think of the article in the comments!

3. Twitter
After a long time off it, I am back on Twitter! It is really fun so far, tweeting everything from awkward moments during my day to retweets of life-changing quotes by C.S. Lewis, David Platt, or Christine Caine. However, my very favorite Twitter account at the moment gets it's own moment in the spotlight..

4. The Evangelical Hipster
All in good fun, this is hilarious. When I found it, I went through months of tweets laughing hysterically. Many of us have been guilty of things that they poke fun at, and going to a Bible college... yeah let's just say I see the reality of those tweets a lot.

5. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
I pack a lunch about every weekday for church, and sometimes I have to pack a dinner some nights too if I work both of my jobs that day. Leftovers and PBB sammies have been my go-tos this week.

6. These Pro-tips About Napping

Not that I've had any time to nap lately... a girl can dream.

7. Last Minute Halloween Costumes
My church's fall fest was last weekend, and since Zach was home for the weekend, we had planned to coordinate our costumes. This past summer we saw Despicable Me 2 in theaters and decided that would definitely be our costume this year. Until we saw Facebook and Instagram, noting that everybody and their cousin was a minion for Halloween. DANG people! just kidding. So we were left on Saturday afternoon before the party to come up with a new idea. I tried to think of famous TV couples. It was Kylie who came up with the brilliant idea of my second favorite TV couple ever (probably. don't hold me to it. Cory and Topanga definitely win first place, but a close second and way more fun costume was...)-- Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski from Saved by the Bell.

The easiest part of this costume? I had every item for my outfit in my own wardrobe- high waisted shorts, keds, scrunchie and all. The hardest part? Zach/Zack's hair!!! How did they get it like that?

Brownie points if you made it to the end of this post.

Recipe: Apple Cheddar Butternut Squash Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 01:34:00 +0000

At the end of a long but great first day of work at The Children's Place, I was starving and couldn't wait to try out this recipe. After posting a picture of my delicious dinner tonight, I got a few demands (ahem, requests ;)) for the recipe... so here it is!! I got it from The Food Network website and adapted it a bit. I'll list the ingredients I used, but the directions are exactly the same.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter (the recipe lists 5 if you're using prosciutto instead of bacon)

1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 medium apples, thinly sliced (I used gala)
1 large white potato, diced
1 1/2 cups chopped peeled butternut squash, fresh or frozen (fresh is good, people.)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried sage (didn't have any of that, but rosemary works wonderfully)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup apple cider
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup milk (I put a couple spoonfuls of plain greek yogurt in a measuring cup, then filled it to the 1 cup measure with almond milk)
2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, torn into bite-size pieces (I used BACON)
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (go for the seriously sharp, you won't regret it! It uses almost the whole block)

Directions:

(these are directly quoted from the food network site)

"Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-low heat and add the onion, apples, potato and squash. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the onion is soft, about 8 minutes."

"Stir in the ~~sage~~ (rosemary) and flour. Add the cider and cook over high heat, stirring, until thickened. Add the broth and milk, cover and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the potato is soft, 8 to 10 minutes."

"Add the cheese to the soup and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Puree in a blender in batches until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the ~~prosciutto"~~ (BACON) and serve immediately! In a large mug, preferably.

There ya go! It was pretty simple. I'll be reheating it for dinner all week long, happily.

Let me know if you try the recipe out! How did I do for my first ever recipe post? Maybe there will be more in the future...

xoxo

Emily

throwback thursday: costume edition

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:54:00 +0000

Inspired by many Instagram and Facebook posts, today I'm throwing it back to Halloween costumes of the past few years. Every year my church holds a Fall Fest, and my friends and I have done several group costumes. oh, the things you find on facebook.

Fairy Princess. Osh Kosh B'Gosh pink overalls. Enough said.

2008: Tinkerbell!

2009: Kellyn makes an adorable superman, and then there's me with a very lame Zazu, the bird from the Lion King. We also had Scar and a hyena and maybe a few other characters this year. Nice try, but we could do better....

2010: This was my favorite group costume ever. Peter Pan year. Ever costume was homemade. Here you see Rufio, Tinkerbell (reduce, reuse, recycle), Tigerlily, Peter, a pirate, and Captain Hook. This year we had SO many characters. Not included in the photo? Wendy and the crocodile.

2011: This is my favorite photo from the Alice in Wonderland year. We went all out this year too, we had Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, a bunch of cards, the Mad Hatter, the Red Queen, and the White Queen.

I'll report back if my costume idea for Fall Fest this year works out like I'm hoping it will. Stay tuned! For now, whether you celebrate Halloween or go the Harvest Party route or celebrate Reformation Day, hope your day is full of apple cider and pumpkin everything, you know the drill.

xoxo

Emily

most productive day ever.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 01:50:00 +0000

it's my first full day back in NH. normally, I would've just chilled out, but this is what I ended up getting accomplished, bullet point list style:

filled out a job app
job interview
scheduled my first day at job #1
drank a really huge water bottle
peed in a cup in a slightly sketchy basement for a drug test
unpacked tons
job interview #2
got hired... AGAIN.
obligatory Target trip for a new toothbrush etc.
got groceries
more unpacking

So basically, God is awesome. I had both of these jobs sort of lined up, but was so happy that today not just one, but both of them are finally solidified! And it was so easy this time, such an extra blessing because I didn't work all summer. I start training for one job on Saturday, and the other on Monday! It will be hard work and lots of hours, but I am so thankful.

love from a receptionist, sales associate, and sometimes student,

Emily

xoxo thanks for reading!

'murica.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 23:42:00 +0000

I made it. Chicago, my very very favorite big wonderful city. at my favorite place in the city, MOODY. This is great. Couldn't ask for a better present for my birthday tomorrow!! Happy happy heart.

xoxo

Emily

the one where I try to explain this.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 20:24:00 +0000

bittersweet.
I'm so emotional.
but it's okay.
this is a big deal.
last sleep in Greece tonight.

that's the best way i can describe this trip in a quick post with minimal editing THE night before we leave.

i have LOVED my time in Greece, I think that's been evident in my blog posts/facebook posts/instagram, whatever you've been following me on. God has done so much, and I am leaving a changed person because of him. I love to watch his work in my life and in the lives of others this trip.

my friend Ellen, who I have mentioned before, reminded me of something the other day. I'm allowed to be sad to leave Greece. SO sad, because it is a country I lived in for three months and have grown to love. it is a country where I have grown so much. another friend said the other day that she will think about big life decisions she's made and say "I made that decision in Greece". It is a country that is now written on our hearts, as we've seen God's heart for the nation. the images we've seen are not only filling up our Facebook timelines, they are markers on our own lives, our own timelines, and will stay with us.

On the other hand, I'm allowed to be excited to go home. I'm allowed to be excited for a week in Chicago, celebrating my birthday, getting much needed time with some of my closest friends, and enjoying silly American things like Giordanos and Chipotle, flushing my toilet paper, and being able to fully communicate with the cashier when I buy something.

I have been so surprised at how much of a family we have become on this trip. today we took a group picture, without one of our friends because he left this morning. many of us agreed that it just didn't count because he wasn't there. tonight we watched videos of the trip, proving the fact that we're definitely close enough to laugh and make fun of each other. I will MISS all 31 of these wonderful people.

as a group, we have been through it all. seeing breathtaking sites, eating new foods, laughing together, sharing pieces of our hearts. some conquered a half marathon, others climbed Mt Olympus, one was baptized, others made life-changing decisions, and we're all leaving changed. we've been through hard things, like injuries, multiple hospital visits, sickness almost everyone shared with each other, sad stuff happening back home, and a lost passport... just to name a few.

yet, through this whole time, we have had a thread weaving through our conversations of God's goodness and faithfulness. none of us are leaving the same. there are things we cannot unsee, there are things that have moulded us and grown us, as we become more like Christ. there have been anthems ringing out throughout our whole experience, growing in meaning as the days passed. I will let a few lines of these anthems have the last word in Greece.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander so my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. [listen]

Great is thy faithfulness, great is the faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. [listen]

Glory over yonder, over yonder- when Jesus comes in glory we shall part no more. Glory over yonder, over yonder- when Jesus comes in glory we shall part no more.

Leptokarya

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 11:56:00 +0000

{written Monday, October 14, publishing now due to internet connection problems. bear with me!}

Location: Leptokarya, Greece. Across the street from the jellyfish-filled Aegean, in the shadow of Mount Olympus. We're staying at a camp. No, don't think cabins with bunk beds- much more like a dorm, three to a room with a bathroom and fridge and a huuuge balcony overlooking the beach. I'm sharing with two friends, Ellen and Emily. It's so pretty here! And the food is so yummy, as a bonus.

Currently: We're almost finished taking Christianity and Western Culture 2, our 5th and final class, which means at the end we will have taken 15 credits in less than 3 months! Adding it up, I'm pretty impressed with us. I'm also pretty ready for a tiny bit of a break... even though I've got two papers to write and another class to take online in before December. I'll take what I can get.

I'm not sick anymore! Yay.

I am currently in disbelief that I won't be in Greece this time next week. We will be on a plane, one week from this moment, from Amsterdam to Chicago. It feels like we just made the opposite journey... was it really almost three months ago? ah.

At the same time, I think I'll be ready to leave. Sad, but ready to go back to Chicago for a week, then a few months in New Hampshire, both places I love dearly. We shall see if I keep it together and don't get too sad about every "last" we experience this week.

Last night my friend and current roommate Ellen asked me what things I have to do before I leave. We are far from any city centers here, so here are the things I came up with to do in this small abandoned vacation town by the sea.

get my last Greek cheese pie (my favorite Greek food, to be honest! gyros are good too.) ...or maybe a few cheese pies once I run out of cereal to eat for dinner.
get my last slice of Baklava
do my devotionals on the beach early in the morning- no excuses when it's a two minute walk there!
go for a few more walks on the beach- it's not exactly going to be beach weather when I get back to the States
enjoy time with my friends here- all 31 of the people I have spent this experience with. whether it's playing cards or eating meals together or studying having deep conversations- I just want to soak in all my moments with them!
dress up and go out to dinner with all the girls

Photos lately:

(sorry is these aren't the best quality, I had to take them off of Facebook because of very slow internet)

we found a HUGE jellyfish on the beach where we're staying. this is the reason I have not gone swimming, and don't plan on doing so.

matching!

quiet time on the balcony with a sea view is the best

this is the view from our classroom

it's fall! see the leaf? see me sitting by the sea? it's great.

xoxo
Emily

Busses and ruins and tissues, oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 10:16:00 +0000

*note: this update is not in real time... I fell asleep before finishing it last week, whatever day it was... but I will post it anyway, more updates from Patmos, Turkey, and Northern Greece coming soon, I have enough pictures to blog for months!*

Current location: Kavala, Greece

Facebook: "we've ridden on 3 busses, 1 boat, crossed one border, all in 2 countries and 2 continents...in one day."

Recent locations:

European part of Turkey

Asian Part of Turkey

Pergamon

Ephesus

Miletus

Didyma

Kasadasi

Island of Patmos

...and more!

Currently: sick with a cold were all passing around to each other, but still jazzed to be here! Still loving the backpacking thing, it will be weird to go back to semi-normalcy on Monday, settling in to Leptokarya and starting our final class.

Instagram:

matching, backpacking, ready for adventure.

library in Ephesus

selfie with a turtle

on a bus, on a boat, going from Asian Turkey to European Turkey

the girl who makes me "the other Emily"

xoxo Emily

γεια σας from downtown Athens!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:58:00 +0000

γεια σας (ya sas)! We're in Athens! Okay, we've been here since Saturday, but this is the first time I've had a chance to update you. Here's what we've been up to.

SO much relaxation time. I don't think any of us realized how much we need it. While it is our ministry week, we had Saturday night through Monday to rest at our hotel, and have had most afternoons free as well to...

-tan by the pool

-swim

-read for fun

-eat cheese pies

-munch on white chocolate bars

-take naps

-watch whatever's on in English on MTV

We've also been doing ministry and focusing on The Lord this week by...

-praying together

-worshipping together a Capella

-prayer walking on streets full of brothels

-meeting three households of African refugees, praying for them, and being prayed for

-learning about different ministries and how they are working here in Athens

-prayer walking through the streets of a neighborhood to help prepare the way for a new ministry and church plant

-getting our hearts broken for the people of Athens

More updates to come soon, once more processing happens in my heart and mind. Just know that God is at work here in Athens, in me, and that I am still having the time of my life here in Greece.

The next few days will be more ministry, debrief and rest, and cramming in everything we haven't done yet in Athens! Keep us in your prayers, "if you're the type", my father would say. Hi Dad!

Insta-lately:

Toilet paper in our hotel room.

I don't think I can feel at home anymore without a rooftop.

Every night.

Bible lately:

"My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9

Brownie points if you made it to the end!

Writing from a rooftop,

Emily :)

update!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 06:18:00 +0000

note- my last post never made it to a Facebook post, so if you missed it...

click here

Lately we've all been a tiny bit sad, since it's our last week in Pikermi. At the same time, we're incredibly excited about what comes next- 10 days living in Athens, getting involved in what God is doing downtown during our ministry week, having 2+ weeks off of class, spending every night hanging out in the city, and the tiny chance that our hotel might have a pool.

After that, we take a ferry to Patmos island, where John wrote Revelation, and then we'll tour around Turkey. This is especially cool because this whole week we've been studying Daniel & Revelation for 5 hours a day every day this week! We learned about the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, and will actually get to visit many of those locations!

Once we're done touring Turkey, we'll do a tour of Northern Greece, then landing in our final home at a camp just outside of Thessaloniki. We're told it's right across the street from the Sea and at the base of Mt. Olympus. Yep. There we will take our final class, Christianity and Western Culture II.

From there, our group will drive to Athens, board a plane to Amsterdam, do the tiniest bit of exploring and stay there overnight, then get on a plane to Chicago. I will be with the large mass of MBI in Greece students descending upon Moody's campus to visit with friends for three days, then making a short trip to Indiana, then getting on my last flight for awhile and landing in NH, the place I call home.

whew.

So that's what I'll be doing in the next 5ish weeks. Here are some snapshots from my phone of what we've been up to lately...

sunrise on Rafina Beach

Frosties are more than good...

I didn't make every movie, but our group watched every single Harry Potter movie (there are 8 of them) over a week or two. It was great fun.

excited for dinner at an a house

Facetime and Skype with this guy is always the best, even with sketchy internet.

street in Athens- can you spy the Acropolis?

the day we did SO very much shopping

Greek breakfast- Greek yogurt, just called yogurt, with honey and fresh fruit!

a sweet family made us dinner... there were hamburgers, but I went for an array of wonderful side dishes- Greek salad, fresh veggies and tsaziki sauce, potatoes, Fritos, Cheetos, and a tall glass of cherry Kool-Aid

view from the family's house! sunsets never get old.

candid moment sitting on the balcony with some of my favorite people here.

THIS is the view (from the seventh floor ) where I've been attending church

Looking over Rafina port from this little Greek Orthodox church, enjoying the sunshine and happy glow that happens when you have no homework.

another sunset view on a walk near the college.

I hope you have enjoyed a little peek into my life here in Greece. I mean what I say when I tell people that I love it here and am having the time of my life. Also, I promise I actually am studying, that wasn't just a cover for a 3 month vacation in this beautiful country.

PSA: I may not much reliable internet in the coming weeks... but look out for updates here and on Instagram! (you can click that link to see it, even if you don't have an account)

Cheers if you made it to the end!

Emily

Friday's Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Dear blogger inside my head,
I think you're doing this wrong. Pretty please learn how to organize some thoughts and finish a post now and then. Also, you may want to clean out the snippets in your "drafts" folder... it's getting crowded in there. Too many things to say.

Dear Bekah,
it is so much fun being your roommate. From reading me Bible passages in the morning, to offering a massage for a massage, and making me laugh- you're a good one.

Dear Project Runway,
uh oh. you've got us all addicted. Also, thank you for being such a great distraction for our suite. We can only read about eschatology for so many hours without a break.

Dear Ellen,
you're sitting next to me blogging too, so don't look over here. I am just so glad we're buddies. I love how I could instantly be honest with you about what I'm feeling, and how much we agree on. Also, I love baking with you while listening to Michael Buble or the Cheetah Girls. You have great taste in sweets and tunes.

Dear Emily,
you offer so much wisdom, and hold others so highly. Thank you for pointing me to Jesus.

Dear Zach,
as much as we joke about hating the internet, and as tired as I am when I stay up late to Skype you, I am so thankful we're able to do it. Thanks for putting up with me when I am a crazy person, and reminding me that you expect it from time to time, because I'm a girl and all.

Dear friends back in the states,
I miss you!!!! quality time is needed when I'm back. for real.

Dear Jesus,
I am so thankful that you are constant. It becomes more evident in the moments when everything else is on the move, and I appreciate it more than I can express.

Dear Kylie,
I am so proud every time I talk to you and hear about what you're doing, especially when it's something like serving at Food for Children all morning then working 9 hours at the Gap! What a rockstar. I can't wait for all our adventures when I get home.

Dear Greece,
I really really like you.

Dear Pikermi,
I'll be so sad to leave you.

Dear backpack,
We're going on a really big adventure soon! Get ready.

Dear blog readers,
You're great. Thanks for following along with my life lately.

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 05:28:00 +0000

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. (link)

This is what we talked about at small group Wednesday night. It is part of a theme that is going around here as God weaves it into our thoughts through the things we're experiencing here in Greece, together with each other and in our own quiet moments. In the together moments when we come together and ask real, raw questions, the thread becomes obvious.

Things that are true all the time... really, all the time: God is good. He is faithful and trustworthy. He is working all things together for the good of those who love him, and has a plan as big as he is- an infinite plan full of finite beings who he loves with a love that can only come from love itself.

Things that are not always true: "I'm good" as an answer to the daily question, "how are you?", and our faith in God. Remember, we are the finite. We are the faithless. We are the vessels through which his glory shines.

Our mantra lately is something along the lines of "and God was faithful"

It is heard in testimonies on the roof or at chapel when the professors share their lives with us. It is heard at the lunch table as we get to know each other better. It is the basis of most of the stories I tell lately, and I find the theme constantly in my mind. I find it a comfort to recognize this attribute as one of many that holds me up and keeps me moving each and every day.

And we find, when we trust Him, that he is faithful. His promises will not fail, and his character will not change. He takes away the borders of our trust, sending us out on the water, farther than we could ever think to go ourselves, plunging us deeper into knowing him.

Mykonos {Video}

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:26:00 +0000

This last weekend, 12 of us took a ferry to the Greek island Mykonos! We rented ATVs (and one moped, for a couple brave ones) and jetted around the island all day Saturday and Sunday morning. I tried to do justice to how amazing this was with this video! Another post with pictures is coming soon. Hope you enjoy :)

PS: I hope this doesn't make anyone wicked dizzy... sorry for shaky filming while climbing a spiral staircase and riding on the back of an ATV.

Saturday thoughts.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:40:00 +0000

Some thoughts for the day, said the best I can through the blogger app on my phone, as my laptop is having trouble charging again. How charming. Thank goodness I have no homework this weekend, a Kindle to get ahead on reading, and a dose of God-given patience...

Today I'm loving:

Saturday mornings

Planning adventures

Greece

Jesus

Baking

Time with Ellen

Reading

Rest

We finished up our first class this week! Philosophy is accomplished and we move on to Christianity and Western Culture I. The two profs who have been with us from the beginning left yesterday, and the next two arrived this morning. I am really looking forward to getting to know them, and starting our class!

For CWC1 we got to pick a book from a list out prof gave us, and I have been reading it bit by bit since my plane ride to Chicago a few weeks ago. It's basically a bunch of quotes by a group of monks called the Desert Fathers on various subjects. Some are confusing, some cause laughter, and others rock your world a little bit.

"A brother asked him, 'How ought we to live?' Poemen replied, 'we have seen the example of Daniel. They accused him of nothing except that he served his God'"

"He who sits alone and is quiet has escaped from three wars: hearing, speaking, and seeing: but there is one thing against which he must continually fight: that is, his own heart"

"Do you not realize that you are a woman, and the enemy uses women to attack holy men?"

"You are freed by your own confession"

"If we always remember that God dwells in us, we shall never bring ourselves anything that is not his"

When I have a moment away from the busyness of our life here to stop and think, I'm in awe. I see more each day what God's plan was in bringing me here. Everything from the travel, to the classes, to the friends I'm making is a blessing, teaching me and encouraging me.

I just want to soak it all in. I follow after him and find myself buried in blessing, humbled, and more and more in love with my Savior every day.

I’m sailing on a ship that’s bound for life

I wrestle with the wind against the tide
I'd leave it all behind to reach for more
I’m sailing on to Your golden shore, to Your golden shore -Phil Wickham

Happy Saturday, all!

Xoxo,

Emily

Thursday randoms: Greece edition!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 13:47:00 +0000

hello and whatever greeting is appropriate for your current time zone (good morning/ good afternoon/ good evening/ why are you awake at such an hour/ etc.)!

Let the randoms commence.

I am obsessed with feta cheese. Ellen (she is one of my suitemates, they both blog here), go see more of beautiful Greece and beautiful words) and I have been making dinner together and sharing ingredients, and the other night we finally perfected our favorite dinner- fresh bread toasted in the oven with olive oil and baked feta with tomatoes. It's just darn delicious.

I have only seen a cloud on one short location. Other than that, it has been clear blue skies and high 80s/low 90s every single day. By the time the sun goes down, it's hard to stay indoors.

I've been keeping sticky notes visible on my computer's desktop so I see them throughout the day. Today, they go something like this...

"wherever you are, be all there"

-Jim Eliot

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ps. 16:11

from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Ps. 61:2

"for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:9

God is teaching me so much. There have been challenges and stresses already, but also SO much encouragement and joy. Last night we had a small group with every girl on the trip. Picture a "small" group of 22 girls hanging out on the roof at night with fresh fig scones and chocolate. It was so great to get on the same page spiritually, encourage each other about the good we've seen going on, and pray for each other.

God is good. He is my home and my constant.

Today is a national holiday in Greece called Assumption Day. From what I have gathered, it is a religious memorial holiday for Mary (just about everyone in Greece is Greek Orthodox), so there are services, and it's a day of rest for many people. Our local stores are closed and many people are taking a break. Luckily, the kiosk down the road was open so Bekah and I could each grab an ice cream bar on our walk. Yum.

Whelp, I have a Philosophy final to study for. Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or want to know more about my Greece trip, leave questions/comments below or on my Facebook page so I can answer them in a future post :)

Wishing you a much less sunburned nose and a much less ridiculous smile...

Emily

Delphi Day Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 06:03:00 +0000

This Thursday we spent the entire day in Delphi, as well as the nearby town of Arahova. Three hours of driving ended with windy mountain roads and a heck of a view. We went to the temple of Apollo, a museum, and "the other" Athenian temple.

temple of Apollo

ancient theater

Athenian Treasury

"other" Athenian temple

Next we wandered around Arahova, which is a nearby ski town that has tons of shops full of handmade goodies to look at, and beautiful roads to explore. The neighborhood we found ooked exactly how I imagined Greece... it was magical.

xoxo
Emily

update from Pikermi! [first week]

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 13:33:00 +0000

WELL HEY GUYS.

I'm in Greece. This is real.

I have an excuse for not updating until now! This hilarious thing happened where my laptop wouldn't charge... super convenient when we are currently cramming 1 week of Philosophy into every four hour class and I need to take notes. Also, the internet cuts out a lot. Also, Blogger is giving me lots and lots of trouble. So I'm really hoping that this post I started a week ago is actually going up today, since I have 2-3 more in the works as well.

I am so happy to be typing away about all the things I have to write home about. See what I did there?

Here's a peek into our first week here!

Ellen, Emily, and I at check-in

Airport selfies

this girl got a window seat... cheesin'

sittin' on the wing at sunrise

my feet and political statements on marble streets

taking pictures of the locals like a bunch of tourists.

standing on Mars Hill!

"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said:“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god. ’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for

“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“‘For we are indeed his offspring. ’

Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them" Acts 17:22-34

walking through downtown Athens, we use the Parthenon as a point of reference so we don't get lost.

love from Pikermi,

Emily

a rambly rambling moment on a rainy day.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 14:59:00 +0000

in 6 days, I will be on a plane to Chicago.

in 7 days and a few hours, I will be on a plane to Greece.

I may cry when we take off... and when we land. flying tends to make me emotional, what can I say? Bekah, if you're reading this, you have permission to laugh at me a little bit.

I haven't even officially started packing yet... I should get on that. though I did spend at least three hours in Target with my mom yesterday, so 95% percent of my shopping is doneso.

speaking of packing, I will be the first to admit that I am the worst procrastinator about it, but I make it happen because I'm actually super good at it.

this post is reminding me of my tumblr days, so I think a list is in order...

Things TUH DO before you leave to study abroad:

acquire travel essentials-- go to my Grandparents' house to see what travel goodies they are letting me borrow, and get some euros, and my other grandparents' house to get the backpack my aunt and uncle are letting me borrow
last minute Walmart trip
buy the perfect and quintessential travel journal and a glue stick
laundry
figure out when the last time I see everyone will be... try not to miss saying bye to anyone... don't worry about it if that happens? yes.
make travel playlist!
pack essentials for the plane (hello, 17+ hours on a plane over two days)
PACK all the things
last hurrah with family and best buds- for me this comes in the form of a Saturday spent exploring in Vermont and a potential nostalgic trip to Water Country, yayuh.
blog, Facebook, instagram, and tell everyone about how excited I am
order pictures to take and decorate my walls
finally finish last season of Amazing Race with dad and Ky? please.

this has been a rambling moment. cheers if you made it all the way through!

[summer-grams]

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:07:00 +0000

My view// Walmart trips// lunch date// Hipster Abi// almost matchers// pretty birthday girl//

#baldboyfriendprobs// giveaways// #wildernesswednesday part I// gluten free cooking magic// veggie taco lunch// birthday dinner for the Ky//

homemade GF pizza// dinner date with Daddy// Disney VHS nights// insta-advert for chicks only small group// toes in the pool for the first time// #wildernesswednesday part II//

veggie obsession// the girls// fave little bean of a cousin// VHS movie night the sequel// what...// little buddy's cute outfit choice//

[fourth of July weekend]---> bromance paparazzi// Zach being a weirdy// broken chair during the movie at the drive in// 5 minutes till show time// moosen in Maine on the fourth// Matt Nathanson at LL Bean//

good summer things + insta-lately

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 01:49:00 +0000

+ writing letters to missionary friends
+ swimming
+ ice cream and french fries under a colored umbrella
+ lazy mornings
+ a single marigold in a mug on my windowsill
+ seeing family
+ grilling
+ dinner date with my dad and lunch dates with Kylie
+ movie nights
+ fresh strawberries
+ walks
+ thunderstorms
+ picking out summer jams and playing them over and over again
+ flip flops
+ #wildernesswednesday