New Years in Chi-Town...

For the eighth year in a row... my Taylor crew has gathered for a New Years hurrah.

What's intriguing about an annual New Years party with a core group of friends is that it's really more than a party... it's the one time of year where we're all together with our oldest, dearest friends... it's a time of centering and remembering who we are because of the comfortability to be ourselves... and while there's the expected new years fun of manic living room dance parties, there is also usually tears and reflection that bring closure to a tough year.

So, the Photojournalistic highlights....

Millennium Park and The Art Institute...

While we were staying with dear friend Allison in her urban home in Lawndale, on Saturday morning, we took the El down to Millennium Park... BekahD, Janelle, Suzanne, BeccaM, Mike, and Chris said hello to the bean, while I trekked over to the Art Institute to say hello to my favorite piece by Marc Chagall, White Crucifixion.

I really love the Art Institute more than most places in the world...and it was fantastic to have an afternoon to myself in the city. I love strolling through the halls and discovering new art to love...this time I really connected with the Greek iconography...and the part of me that used to be enamored with dollhouses loved the miniatures...

Cafe Iberico...

Later that evening, our group of fourteen enjoyed very fine cuisine at a Spanish restaurant, Cafe Iberico...and as far as the food there (amazing Tapas and Paella), we escaped the evening at $11 a plate for dinner! Amazing! So...if you're headed to Chi-town anytime soon and looking for fabulous food downtown, do not miss it.

Not only did I get fabulous food, I was introduced to the glamorous world of Spanish music videos, which are essentially, what would happen if Christina Aguilera's less attractive cousin had a music video produced by the Teletubbies.












New Years Eve in Lawndale...

Seriously...what New Years celebration is complete without taking fifteen small town and suburban white kids into an urban African-American church for morning worship? Allison took us to her home church, Lawndale Community Church, where we sang and swayed to the tunes of a sweet gospel choir. And--I learned a lot about the ministry of this amazing church from Allison, who works with HIV patients at Lawndale Christian Health Center. Hence--why we were staying with her in such an interesting Chicago neighborhood, where she lives out Jesus to her neighbors and coworkers everyday.

And then--the New Years extravaganza itself, which typically includes some SDP's (Spontaneous Dance Parties) and a lot of laughter...this year it also included some choreographed dancing from High School Musical. Woo!

Heartbreaking, though, was the moment when Suzanne and Barrett called in from Zambia to say hello. It had been over three months since I've heard the voices of these friends of mine (which prior to their move to Zambia...we talked several times per week...) It's very odd to have friends on the other side of the world and only have time to say, "Hello! I love you! I miss you! Happy new year! Here's Renee!" So--to Drew, Lisa, Nate, Jessica, Suzanne, Barrett and other friends around the world who were not with us, we missed you immensely! (Mike and Chris especially missed you...because, well, they were surrounded by ten women all weekend.)

And onto 2007...

On New Year's morning, we took some time to pray and thank God for a new year...to thank God for the blessing of amazing friendships...and to take the time to bless each other for the coming year. It's truly incredible to have Christian friends doing amazing ministry all over the world and to gather together once a year to enjoy them and be encouraged by them. We work to not take this privilege for granted...

Over the last eight years, we've gathered in Indiana, Ohio, Chicago, and Colorado...and next year we're headed to Arizona...so next year around this time, expect exciting tales of the desert sun and the Grand Canyon...because it's highly probable that when TU folks are around, a goofy and ridiculous time will be had by all.

And lest ye forget, Charlie, Janelle, me, Pam, Renee, and Suz are here to remind you that brown is the new black...