home.

 "Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to" -John Ed Pearce

flying over the clouds magically links my heart & my head and I find as I'm suspended above earth my deepest longings emerge from my heart to the forefront of my mind.

 ___________________________________________________

I hated home for the longest time. I found it dreadfully boring and mediocre on every level imaginable.

I wanted as far from it as possible. I had been hurt, left, and suffered there. In attempts to fill my heart and idea of home I ran. I ran to Africa, college, friends homes, now in a marriage in Chicago. 

After running, I've found. Home is where you make it. And now, I miss it. I miss home since it is such an integral part of who I am and what I will accomplish and become. This year, with my best friend by my side I went back home to find it truly wasn't as bad as I had expected and maybe, just maybe I missed it and longed to go back once on the plane for my new city, chicago.

At the airport leaving home for home.

may this new year bring home to your heart- tm.

Buy Art Not People

On Saturday, December 4th we attended an event called Buy Art Not People. The event hosted many local Chicago artists (many which we know personally) and included live music, drinks, and a screening of the film Kavi. We had vowed not to purchase art, but upon seeing the wonderful assortment of talent and passionate outputs of the artists, we bid on a piece. Visiting with friends, listening to good music, and enjoying good art is my kind of fundraiser.

Dustin and I ready for the event.

So many people came out to combat human trafficking.

Dustin & our good friend Adam.

The piece we purchased. I didn't realize it until we purchased it: the photograph was taken by the artist after seeing a women get mugged. It is of her blood on a sidewalk.

 

 

Learn more about Human Trafficking & Watch a video of the Event 


grace & peace,
tm

picking for apples

 This past weekend we jumped in a car, (yes a car-we don't have one here in chicago)and went to Jonamac Orchard  with a group of friends from our new church. It was a blast picking a peck of apples and feeling the crunch of the leaves under my boots. We grabbed apple doughnuts as well as some apple butter. Delish!

harvest pumpkins

dustin.apple.

us running through the orchard (see the apples!)

corn design

beautiful sunshine morning and fresh apples

 Now the question remains: what to do with all of those apples? Stay tuned for the answer. wink.

 -tm-

you took me out for a night on the town-but forgot your shoes.

navy pier-ferris wheel

glad we walked! entrance on a Friday evening (note the cool trolley)

best view of the city on a warm summer night.

 romance

dreamland views.

ending the night right-fireworks.

dustin took me out for a night on the pier.
italian dinner. a free ride on the ferris wheel & great views

If Not Now, Never.

beyond barbed wire

 Here are works from my Photography Study at Indiana Wesleyan University. I minored in Studio Art and still enjoy taking photographs with my Nikon. 

Works from 

September 2008-December 2008

jumping trucks

bash in the boys bathroom

highway home

Aleyda

an entrance

Reflection of a Depressed Economy.

through anothers eye

one painting a thousand pains

collecting pieces

I Was Once Engaged. Now Wed.

thank you LinneaLiz Photography

LinneaLiz Photography, good friends, amazing Photographers

Opportunity Knocks a Melody

I have been (sigh*) unemployed since moving here to the big city.

Upon meeting new people I found myself pridefully labeling myself a "homemaker" or would suggest I was "taking time to find myself." Whatever that meant.

I am a twenty one year old college graduate with many credentials, a good employment history, and well, a great smile. After applying to countless non-profits, internship opportunities and coffee shops I found myself frustrated and confused. Then I heard of Public Allies, a leadership development program led by Michelle Obama, the first lady. I applied and after a very difficult recruitment process I am hired. God is so good. Even when we are confused and don't know where to turn or what to do.

-tm-

Public Allies member as of September

Urban Health Initiative of the University of Chicago Medical Center my position: Community Relations Specialist