Oh hello there summer...nice to see you...

Holly: *dies*

Kelly: On a side note, I'm not really surprised to see this. We didn't even have a winter. :/

Holly: Update as of June 27, 2012: 102 tomorrow, 103 Friday, 104 Saturday, 102 Sunday.
Igloo anybody???

Potpurri post #4

Kelly: For starters I have posted a picture of Yoda. She is smiling at you. Say hello back. Actually in all honesty the cat is probably plotting my demise. Today I'm going to talk about a lot of things, mostly about church. This morning when I woke up I really did not feel like going. If you know me this is a rarity because I  love going to church. But I was hurting and I knew I'd have to wear my new brace I got. I knew I'd get 600000 people coming up to me saying "what's wrong what's wrong" and to be honest I really didn't feel like dealing with that. Again. Just what I need is more attention on myself. But of course, I bit the bullet and just decided to go. I was always told if you don't feel like it, then just fake it. And of course, after only about  2.5 seconds of faking it I was into it.

The message at church today was titled "Remember the Light." This one today was probably one of my favorite sermons. I need to start keeping a list; I've got about 3-5 just blown out of the park sermons that I need to remember. This one was another one. I have had a pretty crappy end of the week. Long story short, I'm seeing an orthopedic surgeon sometime this upcoming week, probably Wednesday or Thursday. All weekend I have been thinking about what I need to do since this is now becoming a very real option. Finding another job, taking time off, and being prepared to be dependent on others. Which...is really hard for me to do because I'm the complete opposite. Ok, enough commercial break but anyway my pastor was telling a story about "being in the dark." And after the story was told, I suddenly remembered how I got to Berea. My dad didn't have a job, so naturally my sister and I made the financial cut. A year later he did get a job. Needless to say if we were to apply this year or any other year we probably would not get in anymore. And we would have missed this. ALL of this. All the blessings and people that I have grown to love and care for. And those who have had to put up with me. Once I started thinking about that I thought of those who have carried Holly and I through everything. It's a long list. But wow. Sometimes I really forget how blessed I am. Sometimes I really forget how awesome God is. I'll close with this: When you are in the dark, remember what you learned in the light. 


Holly: So...I really don't have much to say.  Which is a rarity for me too.  I have to agree with my sis on the church thing.  Normally I enjoy all the sermons, but these past few have just been over the top...wow!

During church today, in the back row I saw a familiar face.  It was one of my best friends from Berea, Tim.  He came through Berea during the week and met up with Kelly; apparently she knew he was coming to church and they didn't tell me about it! Losers.  Naah, just messing.  Anyway, it was a very nice surprise.  We had lunch and he filled us in about Ichthus (which, if you don't know what it is, I highly suggest you read up...an AMAZING God-filled weekend of rock out loud music, people loving on each other, and thought-provoking and challenging speakers!).  Very sad that we missed out, but we will be making it up there next year!  fo sho!

Something that I'm hopefully going to be starting soon in this blog is little posts called "Jesus and ER".  It's when I take an episode of ER and apply scripture and Christian themes to it, sort of to bring me closer to my faith.  I did it a couple times while in college and it really blew me away at how God can take something that I enjoy so much and have me thinking about how it ties in with things that are taught in scripture.  So be keeping an eye out for that, pretty excited!

Anyway, Wiley is lying on top of "The Hobbit"...which I need to keep reading.  Still on chapter 6.  Also, enjoy this video of Smokey, a kitty that purrs really loud.  :)


Be blessed! :)

Smokey the loud purring kitty

I'm Blank Because...

Holly: Found this on a blog of a friend (karenrenia.blogspot.com....check it out!).


I'm weird because:
~I like peanut butter cookies, Reese's cups, and buckeyes, but I don't like peanut butter
~I don't have any full albums on my iPod, only songs
~I swore up and down in college I would never drink coffee, and now I'm borderline addicted
~I can be ready for work in 45 minutes (showered, dressed, breakfast, etc.)...aren't women supposed to be SLOW at that type of stuff? lol
~I prefer to stay in rather than go out

I'm a bad friend because:
~Well...quite frankly, I don't think I'm a bad friend.  But sometimes I would rather text than call.
~I don't know if this makes me a bad friend, but while we're on full disclosure: sometimes if I see someone out in public and I don't feel like striking up a conversation, I avoid said person.

I'm a good friend because:
~I will listen to you
~99% of the time I answer my phone
~I care about you so freaking much that it hurts sometimes
~I am usually the first person to say "I'm sorry"
~I will support you in WHATEVER is going on in your life, even if I don't agree with it.  And I will not judge.  Ever.

I'm sad because:
~distance sucks sometimes.  I miss my mom and dad, and my best friend.  And A LOT of my Berea friends!
~being a college grad means that you don't get to return to a place that changed your life.  Or see said people that changed your life on a daily basis.

I'm happy because:
~I have a GOD who loves me MORE THAN ANYTHING!
~My parents are da bestest.
~I have an amazing job in my field after graduating from college! Not many recent college grads can boast about that.
~I have a JOB!
~My church family has been nothing but a blessing!
~I have a Bachelor's degree from an institution that became a saving grace for me, gave me some of the greatest and closest friends I could have ever asked for, taught me so much, and helped me to become a better person, sister, student, friend, Christian, etc.
~After almost 9 years of insanity, I am still friends with my bff.  We met when she was in 8th grade and I was in 9th.  Distance doesn't always defeat friendships!  It hasn't been easy, but I think we're better friends because of it.
~I live comfortably in a small but quaint apartment.  Yeah, money is tight, but we're surviving.  :)
~My kitties keep me entertained 24/7...and drive me crazy too!
~Um...how much more time do we have? :) lol

I'm excited because:
~Two amazingly awesome people in my life are going to be parents in October!
~New Berea students are arriving in August! As an alum from the outside looking in, I hope that I can provide some mentoring.
~My mommy recently retired, which means I can talk to her more often!
~Tomorrow is Friday! w00000t

Kelly: All right everybody, buckle up!

I'm weird because: 
*I do this thing with my mouth and it freaks Holly out
* I don't like okra, but I like pickles

I'm a bad friend because: 
* Sometimes, when I see a missed call or text, I just...don't answer. This usually happens when I've had a crappy day and I don't feel like talking to anybody.

I'm a good friend because: 
*Well, all my friends say I am. :]
* Due to my future nursing career, I have become an excellent listener. Anytime you need to talk I will provide you with no words and a non-judgmental heart. If that is what you would prefer
* I realize my friends have flaws but that's ok. I have them too. It makes us human.
* I have good friends too.

I'm happy because: 
* My day is done. YAY!!
* God is God and I am not. NUFF SAID
* I have a car that runs and gets me from point A to point B.
* I have a roof over my head and functioning AC. Thank you Jesus because it is HOT today!
* I am alive, living and breathing.
* Most of my family is still around. My grandpa will be 91 in August. :D
* I still talk to my parents on a regular basis. Most of my friends parents are not together anymore. 30 years and counting...
* I am almost done with my summer class and I could NOT be happier!!!!
* My kitties. It is proven having pets makes you a happier person
* I wake up in the morning and know that I have a wonderful Creator who loves me for me even though I screw up 100000% of the time.

I'm sad because: 
* My ankle still hurts after 2+ years. Back to the foot doc tomorrow :/
* Bills are coming up. ALL the bills are due in July. Waaah!!!
* My family and best friend are still in Ohio and I'm here. And I miss them!!!
* Churches turn away people because they don't understand how other churches work.
* People like Westboro Baptist church exist.

I'm excited because: 
* I'm almost DONE WITH SCHOOL!
* Awesome things are happening to so many people in my life. Yay!
* Life is good. Nothing much to it than that.

Keeping my end short. Got to shower and make dinner. :]

Quote this!

Kelly: So instead of a potpurri post when we have nothing in particular to talk about, but this time is different. Holly got this idea of sharing some of our favorite quotations. They're funny, inspiring, whatever. We hope you enjoy! (funny ones first)


"I believe sucking smoke into your lungs will kill you.

My physicians say it relaxes the throat. 
They're idiots.
 They've all been knighted. 
Makes it official then." -from The King's Speech

"POCKET SAND!" -inside joke.

"Jungle chicken?" -if you have to ask...

"Sometimes...your laundry has to smell like pickles." -my friend Ashley

"Models always look really mad." -my friend Sean

"Yeah probably because they're hungry." -Holly.

(Now for the inspiring ones...)

"Be generous. With your time, with your love. With your life." -Dr. Mark Greene from ER (episode On The Beach)

"Remember that you have time to figure out what you want to do. Who you need to be. Where you want to go. You have time to fail. You have time to mess up. You have time to try again. And when you mess that up, you still have time. Just so long as you're willing to work hard." -Adam Savage from the Sarah Lawerence commencement address to the class of 2012

"I can't carry it for you. But I can carry you." -Sam to Frodo from Lord of the Rings; The Return of the King.

Holly:

“Do it again, I don’t believe you.” –our BME director Dr. Bullock after the choir does something awesome

“This is why we can’t have nice things.” –everyone

“Trees have SEX?!” –me (not as bad as it sounds…feel free to ask me about it)

“Well, of course you’re alone!  You’re alone because you killed your boyfriend!” –Niles Crane, “Frasier”

“Don’t drink and drive.” –me, to Kelly, while enjoying milkshakes

(Be inspired...)

"All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage.  Just 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you, something great will come of it." -I have no idea where this is from, but I read it recently...awesome!

“I’ve got my heart set on what happens next.  I got my eyes, it’s not over yet.  We are miracles, and we’re not alone.” –Switchfoot, “This is Home”

"I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze, but I think maybe it's both.  Maybe both is happening at the same time." -Forrest Gump

Last one...yes, another Lord of the Rings (we just got hooked...what can we say?)

"Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.

Sam: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for."

In ________ we trust?

Holly: Trust is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot.  What does it mean to "completely" trust someone?  Are we too trusting, and what does that make of us?

To say that I had trust issues as a teen is a pretty fair statement.  I mean, they weren't to the point that I couldn't even function in society, but more often than not I found myself wondering to myself about the hidden agendas of other people.  I suppose that being bullied was a contribution to that.  There were also some family issues going on that I'd rather not disclose.  Even as a kid though, I was very shy (believe it or not).  At times I was even called "too trusting" of other people, which, back then, was frowned upon.  Insert the terms "naive" or "gullible" here...

So where do I stand today?  I have to admit that I'm a little too cautious for my own good.  I always lock my car at work (and I work in the middle of nowhere) and we always make sure the apartment doors are locked (even when we're all home).  As Kevin said this morning in his sermon, we have become a society of suspicion...we are ALWAYS suspicious of what's going on around us.  I have warmed up around people now, much more so than when I was younger, but I am always exercising caution in unfamiliar places.

To play the faith and follower in Christ card, lately I've been struggling with trusting God too.  I suppose that being on your own and losing any and all forms of security (i.e. a regular, stable income, convenient food, and a place to live that you don't have to pay for) post-graduation from college will do that to you.  Just the other day I made another phone call to home asking for money.  I HATE worrying about money.  I really do.  That night I went to bed and wondered in my mind to God how we were going to make it through to our next pay day.  Yesterday I received the card from home and inside it was WAY more $$ than what I had asked for!  I asked God for a handful and He gave me an armful!

When will I learn to trust?  I'm still learning.  But today's sermon was a great reminder of such: I must trust God.  I have been praised in the past for always being strong in my faith and I intend to continue down that path.  It hasn't been easy.  But God is still proving faithful.  TRUST.

Kelly: Again I walked away deeply challenged. Like I posted on my facebook, I don't know what it has been about these past few weeks. Not that I'm saying the sermons in the past have been bad by any means...but these past few have been ESPECIALLY good!! Like Holly said, I used to have trust issues with people. Especially people who hurt me. Every now and then something strikes in me where I am caught thinking about "what if I did this/say that?" I never held grudges, but secretly distrusting others was in a way doing just that.

As it was said in church, you can't trust everybody. It's a sad truth. I remember growing up not even locking our house or the cars; we lived out in the middle of nowhere. It was something we never had to worry about. Then our house got broken into. Ever since then all the doors and windows locked, all the cars locked. And we live out in the middle of nowhere. I would be lying if I didn't say that when we were at home alone, I would watch an on-going car to make sure it didn't stop in the road. Much truth was said at church; our society trains us to be suspicious. Can't trust anybody.

Having said that, there are those I can always trust, no matter what. I will now use an example from Lord of the Rings. Yes, we recently became fans; I don't want to hear it!!!! We lived in the middle of nowhere! There was a scene in which Sam and Frodo were on their way to Mordor to destroy the ring, and they were led by Gullum...a hobbit-like creature. The ring, which he referred to as "The Precious," caused him to have a split personality and caused him to become a very disturbed individual. Smeagol, his friendlier personality, would often fight with Gullum. Anyway, because of a minor twisting of the truth, Frodo eventually left Sam and continued on with Gullum/Smeagol. However, Frodo eventually discovered Sam was right; Gullum wanted the ring for himself. It just amazed me how much the truth can be twisted by only a few words. And people believe it...ALL THE TIME. So it leaves with the question; who can we trust? I know my answer. Sometimes I don't always behave in a way that is pleasing to God, but I do my best. It's not easy. Just worth it.

In the meantime, what shall we do? What can we do about overcoming a distrusting world? The answer is simple; know yourself. Other than God, you know yourself better than anybody. Ask yourself; is this REALLY true? If you don't know, ask the source. It's better to put out the flames than continue to fuel them. Holly and I were talking about this last night. Second, find someone you can trust. If it isn't God, then I pray you will/do have someone you can trust. I will leave with this. Also, LOVE. In a song I know, one of the lines is "You can never love too strong." I find this to be very much true. If you can love others, then they will love you in return. If they love you, they can trust you. But you have to love and trust yourself too.


"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  1 Corinthians 13:7

Need: observations from a SNAP office

Kelly: There's a lot of it. I was an observer of this very sad but true fact. Today Holly and I ventured to Richmond to ask for help. Government help. In one week we will be the owners of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. AKA Food stamps. This was a decision we did not make lightly that took months of planning and careful deciding. I am not ashamed of it though...asking for help.

Holly made a comment on her facebook earlier this morning about waiting at the food stamps office. I'll go into that later. Anyway, we walked into the office and the waiting area was full. It was 8:20 in the morning and the office opened at 8:00. And the waiting area was already full. Was I surprised? No, not really. The Berea/Richmond area is notoriously low-income in some areas. What I was surprised about was that the waiting area was full after the office had been open for 20 minutes. Anyway, the process itself was rather painless, but this brings me to another point. I mentioned that Holly made a comment on her facebook. There were some comments on there that really upset me to be quite honest. The comments were attacking the church I had been attending for almost four years while as a student. Holly deleted the comment and the post, but I was just upset by this. How could a former member put blame on my church family that these needs of ours were not taken care of? First off, the blame should go to us; Holly nor myself never mentioned any of our needs. And even if we did, I would not have a doubt in my mind that they would be taken care of and then some.

I guess I was just a bit shocked at this person's opinion of my church's lack of support. For me, my church has never been anything BUT supportive. Enough about that...my point is simple; there are needs. The people in the waiting area, as my roommate said, did not look like they were cheating the system. They looked desperate. A family was willing to wait for an hour and a half. Hard times, my friends. Extend a helping hand; don't slap it away.

Holly: My interview with the case worker took a total of 10 minutes and she got a phone call from the front desk saying that her 10:30 appointment had showed up.  It was 9 o clock.  She had nowhere else to go, so she said she was going to wait.  Tomorrow I have to take a paper from the office to work; essentially it's proof that I'm employed.  Which led me to wonder, out of how many people I saw in the PACKED office this morning, how many were employed?  I'm willing to bet not a lot.  Because of my job I'm not even sure if I'll receive benefits (which is totally fine, by the way).  Isn't that messed up?   No.  No...I guess it isn't.

As I just mentioned I won't be disappointed if I discover I'm ineligible, because, to me, it means that someone else needed the benefits more than me.  Contrary to what I can imagine to be an overwhelming majority of the people in the PACKED office, I know where my next meal is coming from.  I don't have to worry about supporting children.  I have a reliable source of transportation, a comfortable living situation, and a job that fits me to a T.  My roommate told me earlier this morning as we were leaving that she was a little wary about asking for government assistance, because there's always those out there that try to "cheat" the system.  Which is awful, by the way.  But as we left the office she said the people in there didn't look like they were trying to cheat anything: they looked desperate, like they didn't want to be there either, but they had no other choice.

It's just SAD!!!  Really, really, really sad.  It breaks my heart to see so much need in our community, but I'm grateful for the organizations and churches that do their best to try and minister to those needs.  I'm grateful that the process was painless, because it needs to be.  Yes, the comment about my church did upset me, but I'm not going to get into that because what I wanted to say was already said.  I'm definitely going to bed counting my blessings tonight, and I hope all of you do the same.

Just be aware and be a good steward.  Be grateful and thankful for what you have, even if it's "not a lot".  There's always someone out there who has it worse off than you do.