I'm A School Girl

Today was my first day as a Seminary student. For some reason I thought I would feel smarter. Mmm...naaa, not yet. Maybe because I only had one class. Or maybe because that class was Audiovisual and we learned about powerpoint. Not sure. But I'm thinking tomorrow will be the day. Maybe after a full day of class and attending chapel is when I start feeling theological.

What I do know is that I feel like a massive dork when on campus because the dress code isn't exactly what I like to rock on a daily basis. I can't wear jeans which causes me great pain. I can't wear flip flops, and considering my feet are claustrophobic, that causes them great pain...seriously, they hate being confined. I would personally love to walk barefoot everywhere if I could. And because the code is 'business-casual' I feel more business than casual so...me-no-likey. But here's where the growing starts people. I'm submitting and respecting the rules. Wahoo.

I'll post more soon, but I have to go to bed...I have a class at 7:45 am tomorrow. What in the world, does it make you more holy to be attending class before most people wake up?? I don't know but I guess I'll find out!!

Church Shoppin'

So one might think that as soon as a nice, sweet, Christian girl gets to a new town, she'll start looking for a new church, right? Mmmm, nah. I like to break the mold. When I got to town I found a Buckle, a MAC (makeup) store and a mall. Within days of being here. Once that was taken care of, that's when the church hoppin' started, or uhh, church shoppin', whichever way you want to look at it. Considering I've been at Harvest Bible Chapel pretty much the entire time I've been a Christian, I didn't know what this would be like, trying to find a new church and all. At first I thought it would be fun. Now I know I must have been smokin something when I had that thought. It's not fun. At all.

In the Dallas area there's a mass amount of churches, it seems there is one every few blocks you drive. And I know you know I exaggerate, but really, this time its true. In one town I went to, every block there was a huge church on the corner. I mean huge! Its almost like everyone that lives in this area must go to church, otherwise why would they need such big buildings?!? So without naming names, I'll give a brief summary of what I experienced the last few weeks checking out up to 3 churches in a given weekend.

First, people here don't really rock it out in worship. After being in the gospel choir at Harvest, and seeing such a change in the dynamic of worship at HBC, I expected it to be like that down here. Mmmm, not so much. The first church I went to I felt awkward because I was the only one clapping to the song. Whoops, guess thats a no-no there. I also raised my hand at one part in the song. What was I thinking? At another I felt like I was at a fashion show. Everyone was skinny and pretty and trendy. And the girls were attractive too. It was crazy. I thought the center aisle might double as a runway halfway through the service. At another church for communion we walked up front to a table and dunked the communion into a bowl of grape juice and popped it in your mouth right there. Like chips and dip. And at yet another I went into an aisle to sit down at an open seat only to be met with a glare by a woman I sat next to, but in worship she was belting it out and during the greeting time, she shook my hand and smiled. My deduction was that she had a split personality.

All in all, I am trying so hard not to criticize any of these churches, so the comments made above are more in jest than anything, because I know that every church has strengths and weaknesses, including Harvest...*gasp*...I know, I said it, and its true! I mean, "Flocks?? What the crap is that?", a newbie might wonder. Or, "Why does Pastor James always say, Hey-hey, look up here...??" or "Turn to your neighbor and say...". People might think Harvest is wacky. Who knows. But what I've realized is that I should be thankful for the many years I have had at Harvest, and that I have had a church home. A place where I can walk in and see people I know, and a place where I am known...and not just as the girl with the big hair who stands in the middle of the boys in the choir. But as a godly woman, who is dedicated to serving her Savior, being real with people, and making every attempt to include everyone she meets in community, fellowship and belonging.

So pray for me people. There is one church that I do want to go back to, that I could see being my church home. But its hard. To walk into a big place and not know a single person. To want so badly to have conversation after a service instead of just walking back to your car. And to have a place where you can get your hands dirty for the sake of His glory. As well as a place to block people from seeing the words on the screen because of your big hair.

I'm sure its bound to happen...in His time.

I miss them already

It kinda stinks being away from my family. In particular my incredibly cute niece and nephew. I can somewhat handle being away from my mom, sister, brothers, because we can talk and email, etc. But its different with Macy and Trace. I'm afraid they're gonna forget who I am while I'm away! So I've now dedicated myself to making videos of me talking to them with my webcam in the hopes that my face will jog their memory from time to time. Here they are below. Ugh. I love them.

Being Lost

It ain't fun. But unfortunately its happened a lot since I've been here. And it all began the second night I was here. I was heading back to Flower Mound from dinner with Brad's family. He had given me directions and I am almost always completely good with finding my way home. Usually. But part of the problem was that this state had been my 'home' for 2 days. So I didn't have a stinkin' clue where I was.

I was driving along on some highway with a triple digit number like 360 or 366 or something. All of a sudden it had 2 signs pointing, one saying go this way for Ft. Worth, the other said this way for Dallas. But I didn't want to go to either of those towns. I just wanted to stay on my 347 street or whatever. I pulled a move a' la Cameron Diaz in My Best Friends Wedding, said aloud to no one in particular, "Oh my exit" and cut across 3 lanes to pull over on the side of the road. I had no clue what to do. I tried to pull out a map from my glove compartment as cars were flying by me, looked on whatever page I found first and thought... "crap". Yeeah, I didn't know where I was. I couldn't stay on the side of the road so when all seemed clear I pulled back on the highway and went to the left. All of a sudden I was being lifted into the air, the road I was on going stories high. Now, if I wasn't completely lost and freaked out about that, it would have been fun. It was like a roller coaster. And it was pretty. All of these highways and roads were below me, criss crossing and going in all different directions. But I was just holding onto the wheel for dear life, not knowing where it was taking me. I found out later I was on a section of highway called the 'Mixmaster'. Huh. Well, I'd like to have a few choice words with whoever came up with that madness because it was traumatizing to a newbie like me.

So I'm on a highway, who knows which one, and I see a sign telling me I'm going to Ft. Worth. The only thought in my head was, "But I don't want to go to Ft. Worth!!". There were no ramps to get off, nowhere to turn around so I waited and kept driving, further and further from Flower Mound, the whole time panic creeping in. As soon as I could pull over on a road, I did, and called Suzi, the woman I live with. At first I tried to appear all casual, "Heeey Suzi, its Ellen. Listen, I uhh, got a bit lost I think on my way home and I'm uh, not-quite-sure I know where I am." But the moment she replied, "Well, where do you think you are?", I lost it. The panic overcame me. Tears started streaming and I started babbling incoherently as my voice got squeakier and squeakier and it didn't sound like English anymore..."I-I-I don't knowwheriam ann the signsays ftworrrrth andidontwannabeinfordword a-a-and idunnodirectionsbradgaveanditmaadmegetofftheroad an ijustwanntgohoomebuidunohowtogehome...". Poor Suzi. She calmly got on the Internet and told me to give her landmarks or signs and she step-by-step got my pathetic butt back on the right road. Thankfully I had some time in the car to compose myself, stop cursing (christian curses of course...?) and blow my nose. I walked into the Henry house and Suzi and Paul exclaimed, "Well, look who's back home!". I sheepishly grinned and said, "Oh...yeah, that was an adventure! Well, goodnight!". While really inside I was still cursing the roads, the signs, moving here at all, and the fact that I didnt get a GPS system for my car yet. I crawled into bed thankful to make it home alive. And not quite sure what the next day would bring.

Taking a Drive

My friend Brad from home offered to drive with me down to TX so that I didn't do it alone. So nice of him. However, little did Brad know what it would be like to spend 16 hours in a car with me. Now, Iknow, I know, most of you are thinking, "I would give anything to spend that amount of quality time with Ellen!!". You're so sweet. But considering that on road trips I talk profusely, sing loudly, and dance to music in my seat as if I was actually on a dance floor, you might just change that thought. Brad did not know these things about me, nor did he realize my bladder is apparently the size of a quarter. It was purely by the grace of God that these things were not revealed to him before the trip happened. Otherwise I would have been haulin' it to Flower Mound alone.

But we made it here. Yay God. I now live in the home of the Henrys, the sweetest and most hospitable people ever, in Flower Mound Texas. Yep, thats where I live. The mail that comes to their house says so. Weird.

Before Brad left to go back to Chicago, he stayed with some of his family. I drove down and met them and had dinner at their home in Red Oak the 2nd night I was here. And that was the first night I got lost driving. The traumatic story to come.

Beginnings

Welcome! I've been in Texas now for almost 3 weeks and have just decided to start writing down what's taken place so far. I figured instead of making a bunch of facebook notes (which I loooove doing) I would just create a blog to record all of my experiences here in TX. I've never lived anywhere but Illinois (who would want to leave a city that is home to the Cubs, colors the river green for St. Patricks Day, and is really windy?!? c'mon...), but alas the big guy who rules my life/heart called me down to a state that is far from anything I've ever experienced. So here I am. And I want to go back home. Kidding.

Some posts might be about what He's teaching me, some might be about weird things I've encountered here, some/most might be totally pointless. But it gives me something to do besides stalking the horses down the street. They fascinate me.