Hello Chicago

Hello there everyone,
Greetings from Chicago! Its currently 12 degrees outside but feels like -3. I'm sitting in a coffee shop in Lincoln Park, which is about 20 minutes or so from my neighborhood, but I had my hair cut down here today and decided to explore a bit and settled in this coffee place called Lincoln Perk. It is small, and I'm the only one in here but there is a sweet Reggae song playing in the background. My belly is full after having a delicious Caprese sandwich (Pesto, tomato and mozerella) and a delicious soy chai tea latte. There is so much to talk about that I don't even know where to begin.

I guess I'll start with my living space.... as you seen I live in that cute building pictured on the left. We are on the first floor (not the basement). I love it. The space is great but even more I have really awesome roommates. It is really neat to see how God provides, even in the details. Having found them was even more of a confirmation to me that Chicago and specifically Little Village was where I was supposed to be for this season of my life. Amy and Emily are the names of my roommates. I met Amy very briefly when I interviewed back in November (actually met her on her birthday!) and emailed her later when I decided to move to Chicago to see if she knew of anyone looking for roommates and she was looking for one. Bingo.
Emily works at New Life Church (Little Village location), I met her when I moved in. She is super cool as well. Both of them are really friendly and I know I will learn a lot from each of them as we share life together in Little Village.

Next, a huge shout out to my parents. The journey to Chicago included my mom and aunt driving to Atlanta and helping me pack. I am organizationally challenged and they came in and really blessed me with their time and service. Amazing if you ask me. Then my dad came down and helped me move all my stuff and did an amazing job packing the Penske truck. He also did a rockstar job driving that thing from Atlanta to Chicago, including the last leg which included ice covered roads. We stopped in Evansville, Indiana to stay with the Keller family (they belong to my great friend Lauren Keller from college) They took us in and really blessed us with their time and food during our pit stop.

Then the big day, the drive into the city.... we unloaded the truck... then about 10 minutes later, the blizzard started. No joke, the timing was perfect!! My dad made it home (probably exhausted) and then my mom flew in and helped me organize. This included multiple target and home depot runs but we got the job done. It was so nice to have her here. i love that both of my parents got to see where I live and meet the people I will be living amongst. I think they are both have a peace about me being here which is great and yet another confirmation.

On Monday I start work. I don't know what to expect really but I'm expectant that God will enable me to serve His people in this community well. My prayer is that I have a good balance of servanthood without burnout. That I take care of myself well but also give of myself well. I know that I will learn how to do this and through grace and wisdom I will somehow learn and grow into this balance.

If you pray, please ask God for safety, growth, wisdom, and the ability to practice good medicine. Pray for Little Village.

Love each of you. Miss each of you..... Thank you for walking through this life with me.