Chicago Favorite: Skydeck at the Willis (Sears) Tower

Up 103 floors and 1,353 feet stands the Willis Tower Skydeck. After visiting both the Hancock Building and the Willis Tower, the Skydeck experience definitely wins out.  It was very informational, had lots of interesting facts, and offered the skyledge experience which is a great photo op, especially for this guy:

The only draw back was being stuffed into the elevator like a can of sardines and the thought of the elevator breaking down made you want to kill yourself:

I would definitely recommend this to visitors!

Chicago Favorites: Architectural Boat Cruise

For our annual Birthday Week, my two best friends came to visit Chicago for the first time! We had a blast! (We can have a blast anywhere) It was fun to get to explore more of Chicago with them. We bought a Chicago Go Card which allows you access to 28 different attractions for one price. Being the cheapos we are, we packed our day from morning to night with as many activities as we could get in. By far my very favorite tourist attraction was the architectural boat cruise at sunset. It was absolutely beautiful cruising down the Chicago River seeing the beautiful buildings as the sunset and then seeing the buildings light up at night. It was also very interesting to hear the inspiration and vision behind many of the designs of the buildings and even get to see where Al Capone once lived. I highly recommend it to visitors though it is pretty steep in price if you do not get the go-card. Also, definitely go at sunset!

Friday's Favorite

A Slice of Home

Scott surprised me last week and took me on a date to a restaurant in the suburbs. Driving up, I knew that this wasn't just any restaurant as I saw the beautiful, glorious Texas flag hanging in the window. The owner of Austin BBQ lived in Austin to learn how to make Texas style BBQ and then brought it back to the Chicagoland area. BBQ is cool and all, but the best part of this place lays in two words: Blue Bell. Yes, they serve authentic Blue Bell ice cream. As some of you know, Blue Bell is sold in only 20 states and Illinois is not one of them. And as anyone knows who has tasted delicious Blue Bell ice cream all other brands pales in comparison- it is in a league of its own. So, obviously Blue Bell has been greatly missed in the life of the Venables, but at least we found a little slice of home semi-close by to us. 

Have yourself a Blue Bell Country Day.

Did I mention they also serve Dublin Dr.Pepper?

You are to be Praised

One thing that I love about Christ is that He is so constant and faithful when everything/everyone in this world is constantly changing. He is a constant presence and source of strength. He has promised to be my guide and provide for all of my needs as He tells me to depend solely on Him. He is so trustworthy, so mighty & powerful, and so loving. I am thankful for an almighty Father.

I have been grateful for God's provision in our lives again lately:

This past semester has been a very busy and stretching one. I felt like my time was devoted to many things and I was stretched as I tried to listen daily to the Lord's voice, asking him to guide me on how to use my time. (many times I failed) Scott and I began praying this summer about me working part-time so I could devote more energy to the needs of our community in Wicker Park. We felt that the Lord was leading me to cut back on some of my hours which  left our budget extremely tight. (about a dollar off every month) Yet, we both felt that it needed to be done.

So today, I was called into my manager's office and told that I would be getting a raise. After doing the math, I figured out that I will be getting paid the exact same amount that I was while working full time. The Lord provided right down to the very last penny. He is so good and so personal. It is definitely not coincidence that it ended up being the very same amount and He wanted Scott and I to know that.

Another special blessing this week is that we have two new co-laborers for Mosaic Church. Aaron & Ashley Cauble have stepped out in faith moving from Texas to Chicago to follow Christ as He is moving in Wicker Park. Tonight, after our crazy youth/kids night, Scott and I were talking and I realized that they could not have come at more perfect timing. The Lord provided for our need of help engage the community, reminding me that He does not only provide financial but in ALL things. There is such a comfort and peace in following Christ, knowing that there will be difficult times but that He will never stray from us and holds us in the palm of His hand.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.