a tribute to coffee and the phils

Have you ever thought about how certain aspects of your life can become a bit more obvious when other people are experiencing them with you?  It can be a really funny (and enlightening!) experience.

A dear friend came to visit me a couple of weeks ago from England.  She told me from the beginning that one of the things she wanted to do while here was just to "live my life with me."  While we did some great sight-seeing and went to some special events, much of her time here was just spent with me, joining me in my "normal" life.  We had a great time, and I learned some valuable things about myself through her visit...

1. I am much more of a Phillies fan than I ever knew.  Debbie visited me for 4 whole days, and in that span, I realized that I wore 3 different Phillies shirts.  We listened to portions of games on the radio in the car... we watched innings on tv before we watched the movies that we meant to be watching.  In my excitement, I told her all about my favorite players and explained more about the rules of the game than I think she ever asked to know!  Also, every day I couldn't really begin my day until I visited "phillies.com" and caught myself up on all of the latest Phillies news.  I never knew that I could be such a fan.  But I am... I love those Phillies... and I secretly hoped that Debbie would come out of the experience a Phillies fan as well.  So I need to ask... did it work, Debbie? ;)

2. I also learned--and this was not such a huge surprise!--that I really, really love coffee.  Debbie and I gave up counting how many times we pulled my car into Dunkin Donuts during her short visit.  It became a well-accepted joke between us that Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks were becoming our homes away from home.  We went to Starbucks whenever we could... and we went to Dunkin Donuts whenever we couldn't find Starbucks.  We sort of structured our whole New York City trip around Starbucks.  We made sure that we went to Dunkin Donuts every day before work.  I so enjoyed having a friend who loved the coffee trips as much as I did (you did... right, Debbie? ;). 

And then... I discovered that my behaviors continued into last week when I flew up to Maine to visit my parents.

1. I walked out of the plane into the Bangor airport wearing my "my heart belongs to the Phillies" shirt and was met by cheers of "go Phillies"!  I smiled and cheered right along with them.  I paid money to be able to watch the games on my parents' computer in Maine, and I stayed up late to watch those games since the Phils were playing in Los Angeles.  I continued my practice of reading the Phillies news every morning, and I would then give my dad a full report on the best pitchers and hitters, who was playing well and who wasn't, etc.  I'm not sure if he enjoyed my daily reports as much as I did... but for me, it was fun!

2. On Sunday afternoon after church, I had such a craving for an iced coffee that I willingly (and happily!) drove one hour each way to the nearest Dunkin Donuts to my parents' house in Maine.  Only the dog would join me in the car... I think my parents thought I was crazy.  But nevertheless, I returned quite satisfied.

So... I'm learning about myself that I enjoy coffee and the Phillies much more than I ever knew.  I remember the words of James, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights." It is good for life to be filled with good things, and I gobble up these gifts with gratitude. =)

And I think that when I get to heaven, Jesus will be waiting for me with a big cup of coffee, a Phils cap, and a smile.

maybe someday...

...i will become a monk.  i know it is impossible, but please go with me for a moment here.  i'm finding myself drawn to monasteries lately.  monasteries!  who knew?  i've written about my recent adventures of searching for Henri Nouwen and his temporary monastery-home in Freiburg, Germany.  i met friars, visited chapels and confession booths, and wandered through gardens.

and today, i'm thinking about Mafra, the palace/monastery (Franciscan, i might add!) right outside of Lisbon in Portugal.  my dear friend Deb and i got to visit it last summer.  it's beautiful, breathtaking.  one of my favorite cousins is going to Mafra this fall with her new husband... it's been on my mind after talking about it with her.  i just read that Mafra, in the 18th century, was vying for the title "largest building in Europe."  it's a really, really cool place.

so today, in my heart, i am a monk and i live in Freiburg... or Mafra.  for just a few moments, i can put on my (imaginary) ceremonial robes and solemnly walk around my (imaginary) monastery and focus, center my soul.  this is why a part of my heart is drawn to the whole mystic/living in a cave thing.  i'm too much of a people-person to consider living in a monastery or cave for very long, but i do love the idea of being in a place where it's easy to be still and hear the voice of Jesus.  i know He speaks, and i long to hear Him.

tomorrow, i'm headed to Maine for a week.  not Freiburg... not Mafra.  i don't think i'll see any monks there, and i'm quite sure i won't come back one!  but it's beautiful... it's quiet... my mom and dad are there... and Jesus speaks.  i'm looking forward to spending some time with Him.