the sea.

Revelation 21:1

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

I have heard this verse countless times.

It's a verse of jubilation, spoken often at worship services.

Reminding us to look forward to heaven and realize that this earth can never compare.

But, I never noticed the "no longer any sea" part. I love the sea! Why won't it be part of this "NEW heaven and NEW earth!?" Thankfully I have a trusted Life Application Bible and they chose to write a bit about this exact verse. Apparently the sea in John's time was viewed as dangerous and changeable. It was also the source of the beast. So, they wouldn't want it to be part of their "perfection". And even though it may be part of our current view of what heaven will be ... heaven is about so much more than physical terms.

Just like I'm realizing how life is so much more than physical things (I'm not talking about Chanel handbags and Iphones). It's more than the physical thing of serving. It's more than natural beauty. It's about people and relationships and God's infinite involvement. Love that.

Photo Credit: Steve Perry (Morocco, Africa)

contentment.

what is contentment?

seriously.

it's one of the hardest things in life for me to understand.

the dictionary says it's a sense of happiness and satisfaction.

then, i'm not content.

but, does that relate to spiritual contentment?

too much to ponder tonight.

Christmas. . .

It was wonderful.

And now it's done.

I'm giving up facebook until February.

To focus.

To focus on reading, learning, growing, and praying.

2010 is going to have many many surprises.

I hope I can handle it all.

Thankfully, I won't be alone.

cozy christmas.

It seems that most Christmas movies are about a cozy little town coming together to overcome some obstacle. 

But, there must be a reason for this.  Having spent this past Saturday in NYC I can see the charms of city life.  The ever changing culture.  The unpredictability and excitement.  The world at your fingertips.  But, it makes sense for Christmas to be a time away from the world's distractions to go "back home".  And what if your home isn't a little town?  What if your home is NYC? Maybe that saying cross stitched on your grandma's pillow is true.  Home may very well be where the heart is.  

And with that said. . . I will soon be headed home.

freezing.

sometimes, it's impossible to get warm.

wool army blankets are essential to life.

not sure how people live without them.

coming home in 9 days.

in the meantime i shall keep busy.

brrrrrrr.................

but a sojourn.

Today I sat in a coffee shop on the island.

The same coffee shop I sat in about two months ago.

The same seat I had been sitting in after my interview.

The seat where I had sat across from my mother discussing the decision.

The decision to move to Long Beach Island and start a new life.

At the time I was torn.

I was excited about the location and the opportunity to serve.

But, I was scared and blinded by the comforts of home. 

Attempting to project my potential life.  Here or There?

And as I sat in the same seat this morning.

Having spent two months in my new life.

I was okay. 

And surprisingly at peace.

Thank you God.

Psalm 143. 

art of blog.

This is the old title picture.Well, I hated it.

I couldn't make it work.

So, new blog picture.

New look.

Still LBI at Christmastime.

I think I'll make a new one each month.

Today I stopped by the island consignment shop and strolled.

Documented in 4.0 mega pixels.

bored?

Donald Miller

Cyber Monday. . .nah.

Instead of spending Monday cyber shopping.

I decided to do some thrifting at my new favorite shop. . . 

where I found quite a few treasures. . . 

Which all added to my minimalist Christmas decorating.

Now why would I spend the day on the internet when I can save money and buy used items? Plus, if you smile at the old man ringing up your purchases, he'll give you a discount.  laugh. 

Thankful Thanksgiving.

Shore to Pgh. & Pgh. to Shore

All I have to say is. . . 

Thank goodness for those huge yellow arrow signs. 

crazy. dark. foggy. up. down. sharp turns.

My first snow.  Thankfully not in Jersey, but on my drive back.

Thankful for safety.

-in the over 10,700 miles i've driven in 2009-

power out.

Today is Tuesday.

I attended a staff meeting this AM.

Then, the power went out.

A goose ran into the power line.

Sadly the goose didn't make it. . . 

So, I'm working from home.

Working as in:

-creating and typing up new rules for the winter staff

-creating a spreadsheet to keep track of canteen finances

-texting servers to create a schedule for post christmas 

-creating spreadsheets for vending machine profits

what a weird job I have.

Thankfully The View is on tv and it's entertaining.

But, after that, there will be NOTHING on tv.

And I can't be on my computer and watch a movie at the same time. . . dilemma.

I think I need to buy a DVD player or subscribe to more than "basic cable". 

death by candle.

don't forget.

your candles may be killing you.

my new topic of research...

http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/mcs/candles.html

isn't he a hoot?

guess how much this lovely cost?

$0.70

I'm glad I held out for a hero.

heart Pgh.

Wednesday.

Pittsburgh.

Places I miss and want to visit:

Start off the morning at Pamela's.  Superb.

Then, of course, since we're already in Shadyside, must hit up the famous Ellsworth vintage store, Eons. . . 

. . . and hop on over to Squirrel Hill for more steals at Avalon Exchange.

Oh the many joys of Pittsburgh.

And city life.

Miss it. 

good morning sunrise.

When I see this outside.  I know I should be up already.  It's amazing how being a few minutes late to work seem to throw off the entire day. . . always a few minutes behind.   Never able to catch up.  Sounds like a bad dream.

But, alas.

For the past few days I've been busy serving a group of Baptist women.  About 40 lovely women.  They called me by name and I got them whatever they asked for. . . within reason.  They loved me and this morning when they left they kept slipping me $10 and $20.  In total they gave me (and another server was helping for a few of the meals) over $200.  

too bad full time staff doesn't get any portion of the tips. . . 

. . . and apparently I am capable and successful with mass quantity baking.  Yesterday I made 7 huge banana cakes, enough for 360 people, from scratch.  And it was good.

P.S. although lovely at Christmas. . . I am perpetually glad I'm not still working here. 

exhausted.

thinking about college.

was it easier than this?

i believe so.

it wasn't so serious.

and yet, my job.

doesn't even require my

time spent in college.

makes ya think.

about going back to school

to get a degree

that may matter.

to some future.

but will it?

and is it a vain ambition?

still a dream. . .

the compelling relator.

Mosaic Podcast.

Listen to it.

The Compelling Relator.

http://mosaic.org/podcast/

tres bien.

And thankfully the bay doesn't look like this anymore: (can you find the dock?)

and this was a week ago.

oh the winds and the rains.

lull me to sleep

Lull means to give someone a false sense of comfort. 

Thus.  The current winds and rain are lulling me to sleep.

Although, actually feeling my house shake is not comforting.

Tomorrow starts the weekend.

Although today I worked 13 hours.

That's weekend quality!

I went to a Bible Study with a coworker on Monday.

It was very interesting and not my style at all.

But, she came up to me the next day and said:

Hannah, my pastor has been telling everyone for awhile to bring one friend to church.  I didn't have any friends and one day I saw a giant stuffed monkey on the side of the road for the trash, so I picked it up and I took him as my friend to church.  But, besides the monkey, you were my first friend to bring to church! I'm glad you came. 

You never know when you could be replacing a stuffed monkey is someone's life.  

heavy head.

i slept until noon.

my laundry pile grows.

my beverage is hot.

and the agenda consists

of laundry and sleep.

laundry and sleep.

writing and reading

and laundry and sleep.

food. a hot topic. .

breakfast: slept.

lunch: cheerios with a banana. 

dinner: half a chicken caesar wrap left over from a guest's dinner.

post dinner: strawberry smoothie. 

I don't think that's well balanced.

next thought.

This past summer I worked at a camp.  And what did I dread the most each week at this aforementioned camp?  Girls nite.  And why?  Because of the chocolate fondue fountains.

What did they decide to incorporate into snack tonight for "couples weekend"?  A chocolate fondue fountain.  Ohh the dreaded memories are once again a reality.   The intense heartburn from eating too many tiny squares of pound cake.  The smell of chocolate that has permeated my clothing and skin.  And the dry, aching, cracked fingers from the intense scrubbing and washing of chocolate off of every surface, every pot, and every piece of the fondue fountain.

yep.  takes me back.  g'nite.

i gave in.

unlimited subscription to netflix.

charles in charge.

online. 

new favorite show.

and great fashion ideas...

and special guest appearances. 

it's never quite dark

by the bay

by the moon

by the lights

by the mood

it's never quite dark 

by the bay

focus

I wouldn't want this job in Pittsburgh.

Thus, another reason to appreciate this timely adventure.

In Pittsburgh I'd want to spend my weekends with friends.

Here, I have no weekends.

work work work.

hmm....

Yesterday, a 19 year old I work with asked me if I like my job.  He wanted the truth.  I told him I did.  He wanted to know more.  He asked if I got tired of working every weekend. Waking up day after day to a hectic life.  I told him I just try to be thankful that I have a job and a place where I can truly serve God.  He said that was legit.

I think it's pretty legitimate too.  I just need to keep my focus on the truth.  

cooking

cooking is a joy. when shared with others.

life brings different joys. at different times.

right now is not a time of cooking joys.

sharing is limited.  stealing food from a walk-in.

often accomplished.  eating lunch with co-workers.

hilarious and fun.  expired food is given to all.

no cost.  coffee always available.  made in mass amounts.

adds energy and boldness.  be yourself.  they like you.

cooking in a different way. 

swings anyone?

missing a moment. . . almost.

Tonight I almost missed a phenomenal sunset. 

How?

I was too busy watching television and using my computer. 

Luckily, I glanced outside and noticed pink in the sky.

And pink means its got to be gorgeous darling.

So I grabbed shoes and ran out the back door.

Ran right into this. . . 

After sneaking into backyards to find views, I ended up at the dock on the bay behind HCBC. 

 I believe that sunsets alone are reason to purchase a quality camera. 

 Although, no camera can capture a moment. 

 They can't capture the smell of the salty fishy air. 

 The humid yet cold breeze.  

The sparkling water reflecting the endless colors of the sun. 

The fearlessness of the dark deep waters below.

The empty sand engulfing the space between water and man.

Wonder what other moments I miss in a day filled with life distractions?

from my resting place

This is how I know.

I know when there are guests.

And everyone is getting rest.

The light on the prayer tower shines.

I see it from my bed.

And this is how I know.

Tomorrow will be a long day.

joys of early mornings.

sunrise in the east. 

cart quarter.

I've been to countless grocery stores in at least 10 different states.  Never have I had to purchase a cart.  Although I've heard of this system and know that many grocery stores have this system. . . this was my first hands on experience. 

Of course I didn't have a quarter handy so I grabbed a basket (they're free) and proceeded to walk down every aisle, acquire a ShopRite rewards card, and knock about 10 DVD's off of a shelf. Ha.  I also forgot I needed to purchase flour, sugar, olive oil, pasta, tomatoes and more. . . ya, rather heavy.

Thank goodness I have huge muscles.

And before I go to ShopRite again I might need to purchase a  CartQuarter.  They come in a variety of designs and easily attach to your keychain!  How convenient.  I bet they make great Christmas gifts!  And a two pack is only $3.  

OR 

I could just have a quarter handy. : )

Yum.

I believe I am currently being trained to become a chef.  Today I learned what to do with left-over baked potatoes (make seasoned wedges) and how to make some amazing spinach mozzarella chicken.  Did I mention we also had cheesecake?  UH. how to say no.  

what to write.

Maybe I have no inspiration.  But mostly, I'm still trying to figure out what this blog should look like.  So, I'll just make it a little bit of everything. 

 Funny story: This past weekend we had about 4 different groups of all ages.  One group was just there to volunteer doing some maintenance around the camp for the day.  This was a group of about 8 10th graders and their youth paster from the church I used to attend during college.  Instant bonding.  Also, since they were sitting at a "staff" table (separate from the other groups because they were staff for the day) I personally checked on their table and refilled their platters of food and cookies countless times. Later that evening, many hours post dinner, as we were cleaning the dining hall, their youth pastor came in,  found me,  and asked if I would mind if the boys came into the hall and read me a poem.  Of course I didn't mind.  I love poetry.  So, 3 of the boys came in, gave me a poem telling me to read it tomorrow after they were gone, told me to never forget them and proceeded to have pictures taken with me on their cell phones.  HAHA.  It was a lovely love poem about how they were moths attracted to my beauty and featured a big picture of a heart surrounded by flowers with my name written inside.

Just a perk of serving boys extra cookies.  laughs. 

orthopedic shoes.

One week done.

My body aches.

But my heart is happy.

Tomorrow I need to get some quality shoes.

But I would rather suffer than wear these.

welcome.

living on an island has its perks. . .