Georgia on my mind.

Busy, busy, busy.

What a good week.

One of the things that I have found most difficult about the RUF internship is that I have little to zero consistency on a day to day basis. You really have to make yourself have a schedule. Once you get it figured out, no problem, but getting to that point is tough. I've learned that I really have to push myself to be a self starter, which is unfortunate, I wish I could change that about myself. God is good, God is good.

(sidenote: Cat Stevens is playing in the coffee shop right now. LOVE IT!!)

So, back to the point. This week was good for multiple reasons:

I got to be a part of CASA training, more on that later.
I had a set schedule that made me feel like I had really accomplished something!!
I watched an entertaining documentary called "Who the #*%$ is Jackson Polluck?".
I cooked some pretty excellent food for Leonard and myself.
I had the privilege of counseling a young pregnant couple, who had just recently wed.
I relished in giddy-ness with another one of my young married friends.
I got my hair done (or did, if you are a Missy Elliot fan). SMOKING HOT!!!
I worked diligently on next fall's small group material.
I enjoyed a wonderfully, fantastically convicting Sunday school discussion on Evangelism and fell more deeply in love with the Church.

Overall, this week I was only bored a couple of times, which were all ended promptly by the most enjoyable phone calls.

Good times.


Yeah, what a good week. Only one more week in Lubbock for the summer and then it's off for some exciting adventures. Summer of Della. It's the best.

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Stuff to check out:

CASA

Heartline

Who the #$&% is Jackson Polluck?

Happy Birthday Tolu.

Yesterday was my Nigerian friend Tolu's 17th birthday. I was lucky enough to spend most of it with her, doing whatever she thought would be special for her first American birthday. I had been looking around recently and found someone who could braid her hair the way she liked it. (I tried once, but I'm white, so what do I know.) So my present to her was treating her to a head full of braids, done by someone with experience.

Next, it was off to Lin's Asian Buffet. Where, she treated me!!! Fan-damn-tastic! We agreed going in, that we were going to eat our money's worth. Glorious.



Check out the smile!



SUSHI!! I freaking love sushi, and was more than happy to share my love and knowledge with Tolu, who was a sushi virgin.



Still smiling!!!!




At this point we are nearing the end and I am completely stuffed, but what "Chinese fast food" experience would be complete without the "free" ice cream. Still smiling. Bring it!



Oh yeah.



I think it was the fortune cookie that really pushed my over the edge. I was defeated. "I give up!" And that's where it ended. Beautiful sweet gluttony.


What a good day.

Leonard

As I said before, one of the things I'm looking forward to during the "Summer of Della" is cooking out with Leonard. These are a few pics from out first grilling experience.



I put this grill together all by myself. The festivities began around 6:00pm and we ate promptly at 9:00pm. There is nothing better than slow cooked chicken, that's what I always say.



Over all it was an enjoyable evening full of jazz, laughter, Leonard insisting he has all white women figured out, and topped off with him selling me out to the cute boy in our building.



He made it up to me with flowers and probably the nicest compliment I have ever received. "Della, you know you look better than that meat you're cooking." Oh, Leonard.

Graduation Congratulation(s).

Yesterday, my little sister graduated from high school. Strange. Strange because a year ago I didn't know I had a little sister, and strange because my job at this point in my life is focused specifically on girls her age. This makes things wonderfully more personal. So here is some advice.


Kaleigh,

We've grown up very different, so I'm not sure how much of my experiences will apply. You also have Bo and Raven to look out for you while you are venturing out on your own, this alone will make a world of difference. (Bo, you have some serious responsibility here. Even if it's just food, a place to crash or a listening ear, you better represent big brother style.) That being said, here is a handful of things to be aware of your freshman year.

1. You are not alone. Peru State is a small school in a small town, that means every other freshman is in the exact same boat as you. Trapped. You will make friends, a LOT of friends, very quickly. So don't be nervous. (call me)

2. Roommates are temporary. You can take this several ways. One, if you have a bad one, you can switch at semester. Two, if you have a bad one, you can live with it for a time, it makes for good stories later. Three, if you have a good one, take advantage of it, talk all night long, you won't get to do that too often post graduation.

3. Food is good, but so is exercise. This is more for me, you ran track.

4. Hormones and dorm rooms are dangerous. Be wise. Watching a movie alone, could be just that, but it could be more. You're smart, bring a friend.

5. Alcohol. Plenty of time for cocktails when you're "of age". To avoid the awkward, "no thanks", bring a Sonic cup, no one has to know it's diet Coke with lime.

6. ROAD TRIPS. Take them often. Lubbock sounds fun.

7. You don't know it all. As you start to figure this one out, which you will soon, it's okay to admit it. Don't be scared to think you have to have it all figured out. You can be "undeclared" for as long as possible. And in that first philosophy class, take it slow. It has potential to be really good or really bad. (call me)

8. Parents. Call them often. (call me)

9. Money. If you have it, you don't have to spend it. If you don't have it, count yourself lucky. "More money, more problems." Beware of credit cards. They are from the devil. If you need money, (call me).

10. Keep the Sabbath holy. Go to church, get plugged in. You might get some free home cooking out of the deal, and access to coin-less laundry. REST. Schedule a nap every Sunday afternoon. You will thank me.


Well, that's enough for now. I'm sure I will have plenty to add when you actually get there. You have the summer now to spend time with friends and with mom and dad. Soak it up. I hope that you will call me. I'm not just saying that.


Thinking of you,

Della

Summer of Della

Much like George when he found out that being fired from the Yankees came with a severance that could stretch his laziness 3 months, I feel like I have an extraordinary opportunity to live my summer up, my way.

















What exactly does "my way" look like? I'm not really sure. I've already spent two and a half weeks at RUF summer conference "de-compressing" on "the dock". A much needed retreat with friends after a year of change. I have a couple of exciting weddings to go to later on, which are always fun reunions. I trip to Michigan with the fam. A short visit to ATL for staff training and an excursion to Colorado with my brother and my oldest nephew, Dunning. Pretty packed little summer.

However, now that I'm back in Lubbock, I'm going to have to find some creative ways to keep busy, so that the loneliness birds don't fly into my heart and lay large stone eggs. (Power of One, anybody?) Here is a short list of things I would like to do with my three weeks:

1. Successfully start training for that half marathon in December.
2. Read consistently everyday.
3. Try at least 5 new locally owned restaurants.
4. Get caught up on all the correspondence that I've neglected.
5. Finish Band of Brothers.
6. Cook out with Leonard once a week.
7. Do a solo camping trip in one of the Canyons.
8. Go through my closet.
9. Finish CASA training.
10. Call my Mom more.

These are just a few that come to mind. Any suggestions?

Hopefully, this summer will not be a waste, that I will have plenty to reflect on, and many interesting things to write about. Looking forward to sharing it with you. After all, you are mostly at work, wishing you could say "this is the Summer of ________".



George: Hey, 'The White Shadow' is on...

Jerry: Boy, your really packing it all in.

George: Jerry, my vacation just started. I need a day or two to de-compress. Besides, I did plenty today.

Jerry: Like what?

George: I bought a new recliner with a fridge build right in to it.