Food for Thought

Rachel’s Randomness
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“Always resignation and acceptance. Always prudence and honour and duty. Elinor, where is your heart?” - Marianne Dashwood

Food. Isn’t that a beautiful word when you’re starving, as I was? For indeed that one simple word was in the forefront of my mind. I had had no food since this morning. My stomach growled hungrily as I stepped through the loud, pushy bevy of elderly French people, into the wonderful mixture of Italian aromas that greeted me in the Olive Garden. What annoyed me the most is when one of the French ladies loudly insist that she walk through the door first and looked at me as if I had intentionally cut her off. Good riddance – and they call Americans loud?! My despair grew as I heard that there would be a 40 minute wait. Forty minutes?! On a Sunday night?! Seriously people?! What foreign planet have I dropped onto? I think Dallas can spare some of their restaurants and send them this way because they seem short of them in Virginia. That is all.

Michal and I got the delicious soup and salad. I ordered minestrone soup. Their breadsticks at the “OG” as we now call it, are addicting – so I limited myself to two. After she and I had three small bowls of salad and two bowls of soup – which we scarfed down – we groaned at how full we were. We didn’t know how we were going to get up, so Michal said, “Maybe we should just roll out in these chairs.” It struck us both so funny and it just kept getting funnier. Between fits of giggles I said, “Yeah, can you just see us rolling in these Olive Garden chairs across the parking lot – race you to the car!” More peals of laughter and finally tears were pouring down both our cheeks, as Jeff’s group of puzzled and somewhat concerned friends looked on. Every time we tried to explain, it just wouldn’t come out and we’d laugh all the harder. Brian finally said jokingly, “What’s going on here? Did you all just start cutting onions on the table?” That didn’t help and I was gasping for relief and air. Again, Brian said, “Oh, do you need my asthma inhaler? Oh wait I didn’t bring it. I’m going to die but I hope you all don’t.” I was at the point where I wanted relief from my laughter so much that I was yelling my laughs to get more air. Good times.

Today we went back to The Washington Times. I did research on women and their struggle with pornography and called to schedule an in-person interview with Joshua Harris, writer of “I Kissed Dating Goodbye,” and “Sex Isn’t the Problem, Lust Is.” He also is the pastor of Covenant Life Church in Maryland. I’m hoping and praying it works out. I’m excited.

Although today was a good day in so many ways and got texts and IMs that made my heart smile and made my day, I was very keenly homesick at the same time and was tempted to hop on the next plane. On the Metro ride home, when I was alone with my thoughts tonight, I asked myself in doubt, “Why am I really here? What’s the point?” But then I had to remind myself of how God has guided my footsteps to this place, time, and moment and that He has a purpose for all this, which I cannot see. God has always been and always will be faithful. As my dad is fond of saying to me, “God has a good plan for your life because He is a good God.”

Michal and I worked out hard again today. Wow, I feel more in shape than I have in months. I’ll come home a thinner and more toned woman I’m thinking. Tonight was the series’ finale of 24 – can you say, emotionally raw and INTENSE?!!! It was a great ending and even I teared up at the end. I’m going to miss Jack Bauer – he is my hero – and it is one of the best TV shows ever.

Goodnight my friends and family!!! Continue to lift me up in prayer and let me know how I can do so for each of you.

Peace out,
Rachel Duke