without borders: April 2014

Good Eats and the best of ABQ

ABQ was quite an adventure. So very different from the southeast in good and not so good ways. It is definitely the most diverse place I ever lived, and the culture reflects that.

Going out to eat was one of my favorite ways to explore the city (duh). We often ate out under the guise of 'exploring the city'. Okay, okay I won't cook dinner.

I have been thinking about this post since we got here and I have made my choices.

Here are some of my favorites:

B2B Bistronomy

Best burger in Albuquerque, hands down

This place located in the heart of Nob Hill is oh so delicious. We didn't learn about it until the beginning of April from some friends in our small group and we have been twice since then. They have yummy local beers, fun sauces to try with your fries, and all local ingredients for the burgers. Geez it's good.

Satellite Coffee

This coffee joint local to ABQ has several locations around the city and was a great place to sit and hang out. They made my coffee perfect every time. Ask Austin how many times I asked him to stop there on the way home.

Standard Diner

You have your fair share of diners to choose from as you drive down Route 66, but after trying this one we didn't see the need to try any others. They make terrific breakfast and Sunday brunch, have an awesome beer selection, and have yummy apps and zerts. LOVE

Golden Crown Panaderia

After eating at a not so good pizza place, some of our friends introduced us to this bakery close to our house. The owner treats everyone who visits the counter to order with a free biscochito, a cinnamon sugar Mexican cookie. Other baked goods include empanadas, fresh loaves of bread, and different pizza crusts (blue corn and green chile). Their pizza has my heart.

Golden Pride and Frontier

These are two restaurants with the same(ish) menu located at opposite ends of UNM's campus. Golden Pride can boast THE BEST BREAKFAST BURRITO YOU WILL EAT EVER. I will seriously miss NM breakfast. Huevos Rancheros for life. Why would anyone want to eat anything other than breakfast food?

Frontier is like a New Mexican Varsity, serving up just about everything for dirt cheap. Located right across the street from campus, it is open almost 24 hours. This is the first place we stopped to eat in Albuquerque! Don't miss the sweet roll!

Vinaigrette

For a healthier option, this is a fun and unique spot that serves a variety of salads. While the original is located in Sante Fe, this one was right around the corner from our house. Just because you like salads doesn't mean you hate yourself, and this place is always packed to prove that : ) You could always get the mac and cheese appetizer too.

Marble Brewery

We visited this downtown brewery while our friends Jon and Natalie were in town and it was so fun! They have lots of beers, live music most nights, and food trucks parked outside. If you don't want food from the food truck you can bring anything you want! They have a special Breaking Bad beer that they make. And Tucker got to go!

If you are every in Albuquerque give one of these places a try! The one thing we were disappointed by was the Mexican food, ironically. There is no white queso cheese dip to be found anywhere. Also most plates are smothered with green or red chile (spicy!) unless you ask for it on the side. It is an acquired taste, much like New Mexico itself.

Fun game: see if you can find 3 Parks and Rec references in this post : )

Faith through the Funk part 2

It's been about 3 weeks since I wrote the post below. I did not publish it because I honestly did not like the ending. And I knew God would not leave me there with that ending. He is constantly sanctifying me and transforming my heart.

This is not to say that I trust in Him more just because I now have a job after this assignment. I trust Him and love Him more because in these three weeks of uncertainty He has held my heart, led me to worship Him, and shown me His goodness even when things are bad. He has brought me to my knees so I remember how much I need Him.

He is worth praising, even when we don't have a happy ending.

So many times, we base our beliefs about God's goodness on our personal circumstances. This is narrow-minded and selfish, but it is also human nature. The simple truth is that God is good because of what He has already done for us on the cross. God will provide for our needs because he already has.

He can work for the good through any situation. He has and He continues to do so.

Albuquerque has been so good to us. We have loved our church, our new friends, my job, and our adventures across the state.

So yes, me and Austin will be on the road this time next week traveling to a new destination. These past few weeks of no control and uncertainty has taught us to cling to Him, and to each other. Austin has provided much needed laughs and perspective. God has given me such a blessing in my husband.

Gainesville, FL here we come! I will keep y'all updated:)

"I need you, oh I need you; every hour I need you; my one defense, my righteousness; oh God how I need you."

Faith through the Funk

I don't know.

That's right, people. I have no idea where we will be 3 weeks from now. No interviews or job offers yet for our next assignment and it's getting to me.

We can't make any plans, and I am all about the plans. We had over 3 months to prepare for our time in ABQ and now I'll be lucky if we have 2 weeks. And it's starting to get to me.

I have a confession to make. I have not been trusting in The Lord. And I have not been joyful in our circumstances. I am in a funk.

I have been relying on all kinds of little gods to make me happy. Coffee, day trips, Austin, movies, phone calls from friends. Anything to occupy my time and my thoughts from not having control over what's going to happen.

FRANDS (and fun) in ABQ

We were super excited to have our friends Jon and Natalie come visit from GA last week! They were our first (and only) guests here at the cottage so we were sure to show them a good time.

First we hit up the Sandia Tramway that goes to the top of the Sandia Mountains and overlooks Albuquerque. It was cold and windy but had quite the view!

That night we visited Marble Brewery for some tasty beers and live music! It was a good time

The next day we went on a bike ride on the Bosque Trail alongside the Rio Grande. The wind helped us one way and made us much slower on the way back. Tucker enjoyed the ride too!