Catching Up

It's before midnight and I'm already in bed AND it's raining.  I am in a place of euphoria right now.

This last weekend I went back out to the city.  Friday night Blythe and Eric had a house warming party at their apartment and it was so much fun.  It was a very small group or intelligent and interesting people.  We discussed music and television and movies and comic books and pathetic Jews and over-cautious mothers and music mixing programs and parenting and kittens.  Score.  On Saturday I had an interview and after missing my stop, (which was never announced) getting off the southbound bus, getting on the northbound bus and walking, I finally made it there.  It was a good interview, but I wasn't too excited about the potential of this particular job.  Finding a nanny job is very different from other jobs; there needs to be a certain amount of compatibility between the nanny and the family or it simply will not work.  Anyway, I was grateful for the interview.  The rest of Saturday was spent shopping for plants with Eric, Blythe and her brother Alec, and then later Blythe and I went downtown to shop for our elaborate day-before-Halloween plans next weekend; stay tuned for that story/those pictures.

Saturday evening I got a call from another family I had applied with and we set up an interview for Sunday afternoon.  After attending a different church, Good News Bible Church (which was really lovely- I intend to go back there again), I headed north for this interview. It was immediately different from the previous interview.  I loved the family, the area, the kids and all those things seemed to like me too.  I'm headed back to see them and do a "trial run" of sorts on Thursday.  If you would, be in prayer for this opportunity.  If this is where God wants me it'd be so great; and if not, well I'll get right back to looking. :)

My lovely Uncle Rob and Aunt Nancy have arrived back here in Downer's Grove and will be around for a couple of days.  It's so lovely having more family around...

...and now all I need is my friends!

I love you guys.  My friends far away- you are all on my heart every day.

Sore feet, cold hands... children's books!

I'm writing this tonight while the memory of the last couple hours is fresh.  I want to make sure you get the most dramatic adjectives.

I went back to the city this weekend.  After a week out here in Downers Grove, it was hard to leave my beautiful bed and the spacious house-- but it is always a joy to spend any time with Blythe.  I arrived on the train Friday evening to find no Blythe, however.  She told me that she would meet me at the Western stop.  However, we were unaware that there were two Westerns.  I was dropped off significantly further south than we had anticipated and also significantly further south than I (or anyone) should be alone after daylight.  So, that started things out interestingly to say the least.  Luckily I was able to find a street marker and Blythe tapped into her inner Wonder Woman and biked an extensive distance to find me.  We then got on the bus, forfeited our plans to go out with some friends and went back to her apartment where we made pizza and chocolate mug cakes; using a recipe that needs severe alterations.  Overall, we salvaged the evening.

Saturday was a beautiful day but we spent most of it in doors.  Blythe worked on a paper, I read, and then we walked down to the grocery store to get supplies for the most delicious chip dip ever.  That night we searched Netflix for a movie we hadn't seen and both landed on Memento.  I'd wanted to see it for so long; and wow.  It was trippy.  So, so good; really bizarre.  Also, part of me just wants to have an affair with Christopher Nolan; the really, really, really smart part of me; it's in there.

This morning I went to a church I had read about just to see how it was.  Afterwards Blythe, Eric and I went down to the farmers market, window shopped, drank coffee... had an overall lovely city day.  We went to a children's toy and book store.  I could have been happy there for days.  It made me dangerously desirous for a child.  Please pray that I get a nanny position soon. :)

It was the kind of day that couldn't be spoiled by anything.......

I missed my train due to a stupid mistake (that is blamed on the part of my brain that couldn't even speak to Christopher Nolan) and as it is the weekend the trains going out to Downers Grove only run every two hours.  Thanks to Blythe I coordinated getting on the northbound train to Union Station so I wasn't stuck waiting at Western, and was able to sit indoors for the duration of the two hour wait.  I know that this was an easy mistake to make and as I am incredibly new at all of this it shouldn't make me feel that bad; so I'm instead trying to just be grateful that I am now back at my current temporary residence, showered and going to bed.

As I was waiting for the train I couldn't help but think how great it would be to have a friend with me. Like Janey. Or Kate. Or Ben, Miranda, Julian, Meghann, Ariana, Lauren, Harrison, Becca, Jen or Andrew. Or my mom or dad. Or any of my siblings. Or Georgy Porgy!

Thinking about this made me feel really blessed though.  I know what gifts you all are.  I can't wait to see you again.  Truly.

We were unsure, but then, Liza Minnelli!

The last few days have not really been conducive to settling into my new home; but they’ve certainly been enjoyable.  And busy.

I arrived in Chicago on Friday night.  The flight here was completely bizarre.  I’ve never been on a plane with such a talkative group of people.  I had my headphones on and was attempting to read and could still here some of the conversations around me; in particular two girls behind me disclosing quite personal information to each other (as well as anyone in ear shot).  The guy next to me was trying to sleep, and succeeded for a little while, until he bolted up, looked at me exasperated and said, “My God, I could write a book about the girls behind us. They won’t shut up!”  He seemed pretty hostile for a minute but then he started talking to the girls and the conversation then moved up to our row.  A man behind me started buying drinks for everyone with some points he had and that made things even more interesting.  Across the aisle a lady got pleasantly tipsy and started asking everyone how old she looked.  When the man she was sitting next to and flirting with stupidly guessed 57 (which honestly, could have been exactly right) I thought she was going to murder him.  The man next to me was smarter and said 21.  After things calmed down me and my row discussed different places we’ve been, airports we hated and the ways that we organize our email inboxes.  We were a really neat bunch. J

Blythe met me at baggage claim and there were immediate tears.  You guys know me; this isn’t unexpected.  Blythe however is less inclined to express herself through tears.  It was good to have someone to cry with though.  And it wouldn’t be the last time.

After a train ride we had a bit of a walk that, were it just us, would have been fine.  However my luggage made the journey more interesting and more painful.  After dropping, dragging, flipping, falling and a plethora of other alliterations, we were about at the end of our rope and hadn’t quite made it to Blythe and Eric’s apartment.  Right at that moment though, Eric came walking towards us.  Our hero!  He went down the street to the store before we went home so Blythe and I had a few minutes to breath.  Enter Bekah breakdown number one.  It was actually not really a breakdown, but as it was literally the first time I had stopped since San Antonio and could think about what I had just done, I had a quick freak out moment.  It passed. We went home. I slept.

Saturday and Sunday I stayed with Blythe and Eric.  Blythe and I were able to spend time shopping and walking and cooking and basically getting used to hearing each other’s voices and not being on the phone.  We wandered into a vintage store on Saturday and walked around pulling out some gorgeous, and some not-so-gorgeous garments, making comments as we went.  I pulled out a particularly gaudy gown and without missing a beat Blythe and I looked at each other and said, “Liza Minnelli.”  It was perfect and pretty much a clear sign that we are meant t live in the same place; even for just a year.  It’s really lovely being with someone who knows you and you them, so completely.

Yesterday My Aunt Marianne and Uncle Aaron fetched me and I am now at my new, temporary, short-term/long-term residence in Downers Grove.  They have a beautiful and HUGE house, and a big white van—I feel pretty at home here already.  It is definitely not going to be easy to leave here and move into a tiny apartment, but it’s lovely to know I’ll be able to come here and see family with little trouble.  I am truly, truly blessed.

Thank you if you read this far; I won’t normally go this long.  To my Texas friends, I miss you all so much already.  In about a week I’ll start posting temperatures so you can all make fun of me.  Winter is just around the corner!

Here I go again....

Hey guys!
Well, it started with "Bekah in the Philippines", then "Bekah in Australia", then "Bekah on the Road"...

I now give you: Bekah in Chicago!

That's right- I did it! I moved to Chicago. Now to figure out what I'm going to do next. 0_0

It's quite late so this entry is brief, but I wanted to just get this started.  For those of you who have followed all of my adventures, welcome back (and thank you!); to the new comers, welcome.  I promise I don't ramble much.  This blog is really only still going because a few people (whom I love) asked me to keep up with it.  So stay tuned for occasional stories, pithy remarks and some pictures of my next chapter in Chicago.

Love you all. Really, I do!

Catching you up

Sorry for the absense, all.  Our campground was internet free and service free so I was pretty much out of communication last week.  I don't have pictures ready to add just yet, but I'll post them soon; for now, here is a brief update:

The reunion was fantastic! I know that I come from the greatest family in the world.  My grandparents started a legacy that I am so proud to be a part of.  We had a wonderful time of fellowsip, worship and faily trivia everyday that turned out to be a favorite time for everyone.  Our camp was right off of Rockaway Beach nearTwin Rocks.  The beach was beautiful during the day and at night.  Joshua and I walked there everyday and tried to play near, yet stay out of the FREEZING water.  The weather all week was very cool (at least compared to Texas), rarely getting above 60.  It was really wonderful having nearly our entire family (11 aunts, 12 uncles, 59 grandkids (plus several spouses) and 14 great-grandkids) together and being able to just pick up where we left off. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. A favorite moment for me was an epic volleyball game on the last day. Ben and I joined several of our cousins (who just happened to be the ones we know the most and spent much of our childhood with) and it played hard until we couldn't see anymore.  It was just great.

We had to leave super early on Thursday on account of Sarah and Jono needing to catch a morning flight home and Joseph needing to catch a noon flight to Florida.  Once the rest of us finally got on the road we made it to and stayed in Ontario, OR.  The next day we drove through Idaho and saw Shoeshone Falls which were really spectacular. That night we stayed in Ogden, UT.  Yesterday we drove the rest of the way through Utah and stopped in Salt Lake to tour the Morman Tabernacle.  Dozens of weddings taking place and more white shirts and ties than you've ever seen.  It was beautiful, but so twisted.  Anyway, we made it, I believe, near Denver, CO where we stayed last night.  I am ready to be home.

God is incredible. Good night.

Color my world.

Another day, another hike!

Sarah, Jono, Ben and I left the house around 8:30am and headed for Saddle Mountain; a 2 hour drive and then a rather steep 2.5 mile hike to the top.  This trek was longer and much more difficult than yesterday's.  Many times the path would become very narrow and was also quite overgrown so it was hard to see were your next step would take you.  Much of the path was also very steep; the first 2.25 miles was ok, but that last quarter mile was killer at around a 60 degree incline.  What we saw on the way and at the destination made the pain, the blisters, the sweat very worth it.  From the top we had a pretty clear view of Mt. Ranier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Hood.  We ventured out to some more dangerous spots at the top and then headed back for the almost more difficult journey back.  Keeping yourself steady while going down the rock, gravel and dirt we had just gone up was much harder than I'd anticipated.  We all got separated returning to base as Ben shot on ahead and Sarah and Jono lolly-gagged behind, so I had a good half an hour of time to (while keeping myself alive) enjoy the nature around me and talk to the creator of it all.  It's so easy to be in awe of our Father when you are on a mountain and you come to a clearing where you can see miles in every direction and beauty is spilling over the hills.  It seems simple to trust Him with your life, you problems, your fears when you see how small you really are compared to his masterful creation; why can't it be so easy now that I'm sitting on the couch? This trip has felt like God's plan to unfold everything He is capable of and put it right at my feet.  It's like He's saying, "Look, Bekah! Look at this! I made this, I control this; why won't you let go of your fears and desires and give them to me?" I wish I had an answer.  All I know is that I am trying.

Today ended with one of my favorite joys of the Congdon family: music.  My dad and his siblings were all raised musicians.  From piano to violin to cello to oboe to clarinet to flute, most of the siblings play at least one instrument.  When they get together we get to hear a piece of heaven.  We are staying at my uncle John's house and he is a master cellist.  My dad was on the piano and John was on the cello and we spent the better part of an hour playing hymn karaoke; shouting out hymns and praise songs, singing and basking in the beauty of the music.  I sometimes forget that not everyone grows up with music.  My brother-in-law had never heard a cello before; he was very impressed.

Pictures. AND a video (don't hold your breath).

Photo op.

 Our reward at the top :)

Look at all the danger!



Ben Congdon photo credits:

At the bottom.

 Treeeeeees.

 At the top!

Music. I apologize deeply for the vocals at the end of this video.  An alto shouldn't sing in this key-- but I wanted you to hear the beautiful music.

The family (well, some of them)

Today we finally got a taste of what we are looking forward to next week.  After a busy day of climbing Multnomah Falls here in Oregon, we went over to one of my very favorite places; my grandma's house; and were soon joined by several aunts, uncles and cousins for a little pre-reunion reunion.  9 of the original siblings came along with most of their spouses and somewhere around 30 (so about half!) of the cousins also came by.  The majority of them were in the younger age group, so there are still several that I am dying to see, but it was lovely to become reacquainted and for some of us to meet certain cousins for the first time.  Jono (my brother-in-law) got a crash course in Congdon tonight.  He was quite overwhelmed (who wouldn't be?) but survived and did very well.

The best and also saddest part of the night for me was going off by myself to wander around the house and grounds.  It was very emotional to walk around this tiny house that holds so many memories from so long ago.  There is such a richness and heritage in these walls.  Although I wasn't there, it is so amazing to me that 12 children were raised in this little 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home.  As I walked around I remembered sweet times of lying with a blanket on my grandma's floor waiting for Adventures in Odyssey to come on the radio.  Seeing pictures of my grandpa who passed away two years ago struck memories of his piano and violin playing that was done with such dedication you knew that he was playing for the Lord only; and I just wished I were able to see him again. I remembered sliding down the narrow stairway on pillows and cardboard and climbing into the "secret attic" which then seemed so vast and now would barely fit me.  A certain Christmas I spent in this house came back to me; Sarah and I found our Christmas presents early and went to peek at them every night for a week.  By the time Christmas came I wasn't very excited about my present anymore.  That was also the year that Joseph got a talking Barney toy and we went on to regret that purchase for several years.  Everyone of these snapshots brings a smile and tear.  I know this house will not always be here and thinking about that really breaks my heart; but I couldn't be more grateful for the time I've spent there, and I know that these memories and stories will live on even longer than the house that seemed so magical to me as a child; truthfully, I still feel the magic even now.

Tomorrow may involve more hiking or a trip to a science museum depending on what car I get in.  I don't know yet which it will be, but I do know that morning is coming quickly and I'll need plenty of sleep for either journey.

I am so thankful that God gave me this unbelievable family. I am truly blessed.

PICTURES!

Sarah and Jono

 Dorks.

 A successful family picture!

 We had a picnic. :)

 Multnomah Falls

 Gorgeous!

 Another one!

 My dad's younger brother, Brad. A little resemblance, perhaps?

 A mesh of cousins... 4 families represented here.

 People everywhere!