Banana Walnut Cookies
Ingredients
Method
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Friday, September 14, 2007
Banana Walnut Cookies
Thursday, September 13, 2007
one more thing
I have a job now also. I work as a deck hand on a tour boat. wendellaboats.com
for pictures of my boats click here.
for pictures of my boats click here.
God is Good
I haven't yet posted here about my housing story since I've been back to Chicago. When I would talk to people about where I was staying during the first few days of getting here I would describe my situation this way: "I'm in the middle of a great story of the Lord's work, I'm not sure how it's gonna end, but the suspense is killing me." In other words, I was getting anxious every day and I was beginning to have a hard time trusting in the Lord for His provision. It's different to read that God feeds the birds of the air and clothes the grass and lilies of the field than to actually trust that I am of more value than they, and that God will provide for me as well (Mat. 6:25). So here is the story of God's provision in finding me an apartment. The abridged version at least.
It basically started on July 31, at about 8:00 PM. I called up my old roommate, Hector to see if he had found a place to move into yet (read my previous post about that). He said he was still looking, after all, he still had a few "minutes." "Minutes" is often a slang term meaning a period of time to a lot of people here in Chicago, so naturally I thought he had a few days, or weeks before he needed to move out of our old apartment. So I asked if he had any ideas about where I could stay when I came back. He seemed a bit agitated with me, I didn't understand why, as I was trying to be polite. Then it dawned on me that July was almost over. Hector could not stay at our old apartment past the end of July and it was quickly approaching, with nowhere for him yet to stay. I felt like a bonehead, and told him to stick with our old agreement, not to worry about where I would stay. so he didn't.
Jump to: the day before I was scheduled to fly out of Maine. I was preaching during the Wednesday night service about the perfect rest we have in Christ. One example of resting in God I used was resting in His sovereignty as far as where I would stay the very next night, which I still didn't know, I was actually excited to see what the Lord would do. I expected that after Nancy and Hector got married that Saturday, I would move into Hector's step-mom's apartment where Nancy was staying at the time. That was still a few days off, and I needed a place to stay until then. The next day I was in Portland about to fly back. Then I got the news that the new apartment that Hector got had burned down. (Last post) That meant that after they got married, I could not live with his mom, since there was no more room. Well, I still had to worry about that night, where would I rest my head? My flight was due to depart about 8 and arrive in Chicago after midnight. The Bridges drove me to the airport where I learned my flight was delayed, so much so that I would miss my connecting flight. I had two options: rebook for the next day, or stay the night in Philadelphia. I opted to stay in Maine for an extra day, so I rebooked. The Bridges came to pick me up and take me home til the next day. The question of where God would put me for that night was answered, I stayed home. That was a huge blessing for me.
The next day I did take the flight out of Portland and, even though the plane was delayed, I made it to Chicago without a problem, and without my bags... in that case I guess I did have a problem. hmm, puns. It was not until about two in the morning did I find out my bags weren't coming. I grabbed a shuttle bus and went to a hotel, I got there around 2:45 AM and checked my email. There in my email box was the time and address of Hector's wedding, which I didn't have before. I was amazed at God's timing, I would have slept in right past the wedding had I not known I needed to be there at 9:30 AM, and It took about 2 hour to get there from where I was, so needless to say I didn't get much sleep. I made it to the wedding, I was even able to borrow a nice suit to wear despite not having any of my clothes since they were lost by the airline (Mat 6:30). I stayed again that night in the Hotel.
The next morning I checked out of the hotel and took a my bags to Church. There, a young couple heard my story and invited me to stay with them for the next couple of days. While at their condo I was able to make a reservation in a Hostel, which is like a cheap dorm hotel used mainly by traveling students. I figured I could use a few days to not worry about where I would stay the night so that I could search for an apartment, especially since school started that week also.
I compared about ten apartments I saw advertised in just about seven days. That's quite the search I suppose, I looked in newspapers, apartment websites, and "for rent" signs outside buildings. I called people left and right trying to find a decently priced one bedroom or studio apartment. I saw some nice small ones that I could just barely afford, a long way away from everything useful, I also saw Spiderman's apartment from Spiderman 2, it was only $500 per month. Most places required a year long lease, which was unreasonable for me. So I decided to switch up my search a bit and start looking for a people looking for a roommate. I went on the internet to find some more fone numbers to call. I thought my idealistic expectations were unrealistic so they gradually got lower and lower. At first I had in mind only to move in with a Christian, then maybe just a person who doesn't drink, smoke, party or listen to loud music. Then I figured "as long as they smoke outside its OK." then "occasional drinking is tolerable I guess." I got to the point where as long as the roommate doesn't do drugs, or have a whole lot of parties in the apartment, I could live there.
By Saturday I needed to be out of the Hostel, which meant I was again forced to trust in God's provision and not rely on myself, which was nice. I decided to put the apartment situation in His hands. I looked at the latest ad on the website I had looked at before and decided to reply to it even though there was hardly any description. The guy called me back and asked when I would like to see the apartment "would tonight after 7 or Sunday after 2 work for you?" he asked. I said, "Sunday at 2 works, since I'll be in Church till about 1." It turns out this guy (James) goes to Moody Church, which is a pretty good one, and not too far from where I go to church. We met up Sunday afternoon, and I was amazed at the apartment. It is gorgeous, and the price was well within what I can afford. It turns out that he and I had both prayed for a Christian roommate right before he posted the ad, and I replied to it about 6 minutes after he posted it. I moved in two days later on my birthday, which is August 28.
Hostel dorm I was in
My living room
my apt is the upstairs
It basically started on July 31, at about 8:00 PM. I called up my old roommate, Hector to see if he had found a place to move into yet (read my previous post about that). He said he was still looking, after all, he still had a few "minutes." "Minutes" is often a slang term meaning a period of time to a lot of people here in Chicago, so naturally I thought he had a few days, or weeks before he needed to move out of our old apartment. So I asked if he had any ideas about where I could stay when I came back. He seemed a bit agitated with me, I didn't understand why, as I was trying to be polite. Then it dawned on me that July was almost over. Hector could not stay at our old apartment past the end of July and it was quickly approaching, with nowhere for him yet to stay. I felt like a bonehead, and told him to stick with our old agreement, not to worry about where I would stay. so he didn't.
Jump to: the day before I was scheduled to fly out of Maine. I was preaching during the Wednesday night service about the perfect rest we have in Christ. One example of resting in God I used was resting in His sovereignty as far as where I would stay the very next night, which I still didn't know, I was actually excited to see what the Lord would do. I expected that after Nancy and Hector got married that Saturday, I would move into Hector's step-mom's apartment where Nancy was staying at the time. That was still a few days off, and I needed a place to stay until then. The next day I was in Portland about to fly back. Then I got the news that the new apartment that Hector got had burned down. (Last post) That meant that after they got married, I could not live with his mom, since there was no more room. Well, I still had to worry about that night, where would I rest my head? My flight was due to depart about 8 and arrive in Chicago after midnight. The Bridges drove me to the airport where I learned my flight was delayed, so much so that I would miss my connecting flight. I had two options: rebook for the next day, or stay the night in Philadelphia. I opted to stay in Maine for an extra day, so I rebooked. The Bridges came to pick me up and take me home til the next day. The question of where God would put me for that night was answered, I stayed home. That was a huge blessing for me.
The next day I did take the flight out of Portland and, even though the plane was delayed, I made it to Chicago without a problem, and without my bags... in that case I guess I did have a problem. hmm, puns. It was not until about two in the morning did I find out my bags weren't coming. I grabbed a shuttle bus and went to a hotel, I got there around 2:45 AM and checked my email. There in my email box was the time and address of Hector's wedding, which I didn't have before. I was amazed at God's timing, I would have slept in right past the wedding had I not known I needed to be there at 9:30 AM, and It took about 2 hour to get there from where I was, so needless to say I didn't get much sleep. I made it to the wedding, I was even able to borrow a nice suit to wear despite not having any of my clothes since they were lost by the airline (Mat 6:30). I stayed again that night in the Hotel.
The next morning I checked out of the hotel and took a my bags to Church. There, a young couple heard my story and invited me to stay with them for the next couple of days. While at their condo I was able to make a reservation in a Hostel, which is like a cheap dorm hotel used mainly by traveling students. I figured I could use a few days to not worry about where I would stay the night so that I could search for an apartment, especially since school started that week also.
I compared about ten apartments I saw advertised in just about seven days. That's quite the search I suppose, I looked in newspapers, apartment websites, and "for rent" signs outside buildings. I called people left and right trying to find a decently priced one bedroom or studio apartment. I saw some nice small ones that I could just barely afford, a long way away from everything useful, I also saw Spiderman's apartment from Spiderman 2, it was only $500 per month. Most places required a year long lease, which was unreasonable for me. So I decided to switch up my search a bit and start looking for a people looking for a roommate. I went on the internet to find some more fone numbers to call. I thought my idealistic expectations were unrealistic so they gradually got lower and lower. At first I had in mind only to move in with a Christian, then maybe just a person who doesn't drink, smoke, party or listen to loud music. Then I figured "as long as they smoke outside its OK." then "occasional drinking is tolerable I guess." I got to the point where as long as the roommate doesn't do drugs, or have a whole lot of parties in the apartment, I could live there.
By Saturday I needed to be out of the Hostel, which meant I was again forced to trust in God's provision and not rely on myself, which was nice. I decided to put the apartment situation in His hands. I looked at the latest ad on the website I had looked at before and decided to reply to it even though there was hardly any description. The guy called me back and asked when I would like to see the apartment "would tonight after 7 or Sunday after 2 work for you?" he asked. I said, "Sunday at 2 works, since I'll be in Church till about 1." It turns out this guy (James) goes to Moody Church, which is a pretty good one, and not too far from where I go to church. We met up Sunday afternoon, and I was amazed at the apartment. It is gorgeous, and the price was well within what I can afford. It turns out that he and I had both prayed for a Christian roommate right before he posted the ad, and I replied to it about 6 minutes after he posted it. I moved in two days later on my birthday, which is August 28.
Hostel dorm I was in
My living room
my apt is the upstairsSunday, September 02, 2007
Bliss and trials
I should have updated this thing a long time ago. I have been in Maine for the summer, now i am back in Chicago. The time I spent back home was amazing, I lived and worked with a guy from New Hope Baptist Church whom we all lovingly call Gump. I learned a lot working for him and grew a lot spiritually living with him.
During the weekends (most of them anyway) I stayed with my surrogate family, the Bridges, at Rome Farms. That was a blast too. So much happened over there in what seems like so little time.
I was able to preach about God's rest for his people during the last Wednesday service I was at in Maine. I thought I was boring, others were polite about it and told me that I wasn't boring, just the preaching was boring. (thats a joke for those not saavy to my lame sense of humor). Really though, I think it went well.
So here is a story of why we can rest in God's sovereignty:
Late in July, the last day of the month in fact, I received a call from my old roommate Hector. Hector was engaged to be married on the 18th of August and was looking for an apartment for him and his Bride-to-be to move into once they were married. He informed me that he had moved all of his and my belongings into storage and was looking for an apartment for them. Eventually he found one and started moving their things in the new place. skip to August 16, the Day I was to fly from Maine to Chicago. Hector calls me again, "Whats going on with you man?" he asks, to which I proudly state, "Oh, same ol' same ol', picnicking on the coast, overlooking a beautiful lighthouse and watching the wave crash against the cliffs," because I was. So Hector says, "Wow, that sound wonderful." "Oh it is, so what up with you," I reply. "My new apartment and everything in it burned down this morning."
If you weren't following the story, I had just described my bliss to a guy who lost all he had two days before he was to be married. I felt sick, I wanted to say,"Oh well, actually I have my head deep in a pile of fresh cow manure while being shot at by an old man in a rocking chair."
Nothing seemed to go the way it was supposed to go for the wedding, I showed up with no clothes to wear because the airline lost my bags (I was a Groomsman) and another Groomsman didn't even show up. Most of the family on both sides couldn't make it to the wedding, and only a couple dozen people showed up. The Church van which was supposed to pick up a group of people for the wedding got a flat tire and ended up being late. Through the whole ordeal Hector and Nancy hardly noticed anything wrong, God provided a suit for me to wear, alternate transportation for the group coming in the van, the lost groomsman show up at the reception, and everything seemed to go well. Hector and Nancy certainly rested in the fact that they knew that getting married was God's will, and they knew he would provide what they needed. I have my own story about coming back to Chicago, which has a little to do with the burned apartment, but I would like that to be the next post.
Pray for Hector and Nancy as they are still looking for a good apartment, I'm sure that they would love to move out of Hector's step mom's House.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Laundry list
Wow, It has been some time since I last posted. Here is my laundry list of new things. Why do they call it a laundry list anyway? Shouldn't it be a grocery list or something?
- I have a new laptop that my auntie bought me (a nice one too, thanks Aunt Yvonne!)
- My Financial Situation is no longer catastrophic
- I got a new job with a Children's charity helping sponsor kids in poverty.
- I have been visited by Liz Rebert twice, Becca Peak and Becka Rebert here in Chicago
- I am leading the Homeless ministry at my Church, we go out every Tuesday underneath lower wacker drive to minister. I know a few guys down there by name now.
- I took out a large group of Northlanders that came thru Chicago to help out my Church for a night on the town, we had a lot of fun
- I went up to Menomonee Falls, WI, to meet up with my home church group on their college trip, it was a real blessing.
- I got a cat, then we gave it away cuz we couldn't have one in the apartment.
- I am engaged to be married
- Shaved my head again, but it has grown out a little
- I am now a proud subscriber to Answers magazine.
- I saw Spiderman 3, it was good in my opinion
- I'm not really engaged to be married, I was just trying to soften the blow for the shaved head thing for those who hate it when I do that.
- There is a dude from Maranatha Baptist Bible College living with my roommate and me for the summer. his name is Robert. (hes the teacher guy in the link)
- My roommate Hector IS engaged to be married.
- My next door neighbor, Nancy, is also engaged
- They are getting married to eachother! in August
- milk
- eggs
- bread
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Subterranean Evangelism + Chicago Deepdish + Chuck Norris
This is a slice of famous Giordano's Chicago style deep dish pizza. It is delicious. Last week, (February 13) my pastor and I met at Giordano's for about quite a while regarding street-level evangelism, and for fellowship. First a little background - A few weeks ago, the Sunday after some members from my church went into the catacombs of the city to hand out bags of hats, gloves, etc, Pastor Bill asked me to lead the Street-level evangelism ministry for our church.
I said that I would pray about it, as during the week God showed me through his word that it was his will. I actually felt kind of dumb for actually praying so much about it, when I knew the answer all along. I always tell people who say they are not sure what God's will is for them that He has already revealed it - it is to preach the Gospel to every creature, help the helpless, and sin not.
So during the meeting My pastor and I had, we talked about a lot of things. Basically the idea for the street level evangelism is for those homeless people who won't, or can't come to church for any given reason, we will bring the church to them. I've had my jumble of ideas for what this meant, as did Pastor Bill. As we talked, things became clearer and clearer. The vision is to eventually get to know some group of Homeless people very well, to sit with them, sup with them, play chess (because I stink at Checkers), all the while talking about the things of God. The broad ultimate goal, depending on your central interpretive motif, is God's Glory. I think that lends itself to a variety of smaller goals, like self sacrifice, love for others, preaching the Gospel, and the salvation of souls. So pray for this ministry if you will.
After our meeting I was headed home and at the subway station, I looked at the signs for which train to get on, I looked at the northbound train sign (the one I needed to get on) and I thought to myself, "nope, I need to get on the other one." As I was walking down the stairs to the train Mark Pospisil (a friend from church who leads an evangelism ministry, see my first Subterranean Evangelism post) called out to me. "Daniel!" he was right behind me, with a group of around 20 Moody grad students. He told me that they were going in the subway for some witnessing/preaching. I said I would stick around with them for a few minutes (which turned out to be about an hour). I talked with a few homeless people about the things of God, and gave them each a slice of pizza left over from Giordano's. I talked with around 8 people, including a Jehovah's witness (whom I actually convinced to take a tract as he boarded his train), two atheists, an agnostic, a blind girl, and a polish guy. I gave out about 50 tracts, and everyone who I came in contact with was smiling as we parted. Please also pray for that ministry.
I don't have any special profound closing lines but... I have a quote from Chuck Norris:
"On a more serious side, however, we, like our Founding Fathers, should commit ourselves to the wisdom of Jesus, ''You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.'' He was right, 100 percent." - Chuck Norris (http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54322)
Monday, January 29, 2007
Crickets, Baptism, and a Heart Attack
Since I've been back to Chicago, a few things have happened, and I haven't shared anything on here, so here's a few snippets:
I came back to Chicago with $13 in my bank account while owing the school $2300 from last semester in order to register for classes $1300 needed to be paid in less than 4 days. God provided the means yet again to register for classes.
My classes are: Concrete/foundation design II, Repair/renovation/conversion of existing buildings, Construction plan scheduling, Project: renovation of Alumni Hall (the Civil engineering college building here at IIT), and Policy:Science & Technology.
I think I will thoroughly enjoy at least 3 of my 5 classes, and maybe even the Political Science class, the professor of which is a left wing democrat.
I am breeding Crickets (eggs start hatching today!!!) to feed the 10 frogs, 2 turtles, and 2 anoles we have in the apartment (and a bearded dragon next door) After the first batch of eggs hatch, I will officially have more animals in my possession than the Bridges!
Noah (my roommate's son) is staying at our apartment more frequently.
My close friend Robin got Baptized (in an inflatable kiddy pool no less).
My apartment is nice and tidy now.
Last Saturday night some folks from my Church put together a slew of bags with gloves, hats, hand warmers, etc, in order to minister to Chicago's Homeless. I have been looking forward to it all month, but the time on the bulletin was wrong and so I missed it by an hour, but I was able to fellowship with my pastors family afterward for dinner.
Tamra Branks, my pastor's wife, had a Heart Attack last night. Please pray for her and Pastor Bill.
I may have a small window of opportunity to personally witness to Barack Obama at a small gathering in two weeks. Pray for that as well.
Tamra and Pastor Bill
Robin's Baptismal pool at his Church
Cricket's nest with an egg highlighted (click to see)
Cricket drinking from a sponge
one of ten Green Tree Frogs
I came back to Chicago with $13 in my bank account while owing the school $2300 from last semester in order to register for classes $1300 needed to be paid in less than 4 days. God provided the means yet again to register for classes.
My classes are: Concrete/foundation design II, Repair/renovation/conversion of existing buildings, Construction plan scheduling, Project: renovation of Alumni Hall (the Civil engineering college building here at IIT), and Policy:Science & Technology.
I think I will thoroughly enjoy at least 3 of my 5 classes, and maybe even the Political Science class, the professor of which is a left wing democrat.
I am breeding Crickets (eggs start hatching today!!!) to feed the 10 frogs, 2 turtles, and 2 anoles we have in the apartment (and a bearded dragon next door) After the first batch of eggs hatch, I will officially have more animals in my possession than the Bridges!
Noah (my roommate's son) is staying at our apartment more frequently.
My close friend Robin got Baptized (in an inflatable kiddy pool no less).
My apartment is nice and tidy now.
Last Saturday night some folks from my Church put together a slew of bags with gloves, hats, hand warmers, etc, in order to minister to Chicago's Homeless. I have been looking forward to it all month, but the time on the bulletin was wrong and so I missed it by an hour, but I was able to fellowship with my pastors family afterward for dinner.
Tamra Branks, my pastor's wife, had a Heart Attack last night. Please pray for her and Pastor Bill.
I may have a small window of opportunity to personally witness to Barack Obama at a small gathering in two weeks. Pray for that as well.
Tamra and Pastor Bill
Robin's Baptismal pool at his Church
Cricket's nest with an egg highlighted (click to see)
Cricket drinking from a sponge
one of ten Green Tree Frogs
one of the turtles
Noah trying to take my camera
More Pictures later
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