It's a God thing!

Holly: So we're pretty happy this evening.  

 And apparently I am part contortionist.  Anyway...yeah, it's been a good day today! :)

Last night I wrote a post on my VISTA blog about VISTA turning 50 and what, essentially, being a VISTA means to me.  I shared it on my Twitter page as part of a social media campaign raising awareness for this celebration.  This evening I got this:

Yes, that is the AmeriCorps VISTA twitter page linking up MY blog for all the world to see!  They mentioned my blog! Say freaking WHAT? :D

I don't mean to sound preachy, but I can't take any of the credit for this.  It's all God.  He knew EXACTLY what He was doing when He sent me here, and I am so thankful and beyond blessed (and undeserving!!).  I don't know who runs VISTA's social media platforms, but it's humbling to realize that out of all the thousand some-odd VISTAs out there, they chose to showcase what God is doing for me and through me in wee little Berea Kentucky.  It's humbling to realize that people in Washington DC could read this, my own personal blog I started just so I could remember this year.  Yep...chalking this up to yet another pinch-me moment!

Kelly:  For me, my "God thing" most of you already know about, as my Facebook continues to blow up with likes and comments from today's status. Ever since I did clinicals where I work (which was like almost 4 years ago) and ended up on the substance abuse unit, I was like yes. This is the kind of nursing I can do and want to do and would be very happy there. So I'm where I am now and am thoroughly enjoying it while winding through the occasional bumps and valleys and all of a sudden another opportunity for an opening on such unit comes up. Except it's during the day and not on my shift (3-11). On a whim, I apply internally for it, which I did on Tuesday. And this didn't just come out of nowhere; I've been ready for a change in job for a bit now; not leaving where I work, rather just doing something else. Anywho, I come into work yesterday and the scheduler tells me the job is mine once my current position gets filled. I was like....really? I honestly didn't think I'd even get the job. You see, there was an opening on my shift on the same unit back in the fall. I applied for it but didn't get it, which I was pretty bummed about. My state of mind on Tuesday after handing in my application was well if it's meant to be then it'll happen. And it did. And it IS!!! I was talking to a co worker last night (whom I have appointed as my "work mom") and we were like if you work hard and do well it'll pay off. I then said that never in my life did I have anything handed to me; I always had to work for it.

I was reminded of a song from mine and Holly's BME days and some of the simplest words were "with God I can." And for me it's been with God I can....and I just fill in the blank. At our house, we have a God is Good because...board. Last night when I got home from work I wrote because He knows our desires and provides. With God I, we, you, can do what you dream to do. And if you're reading this and are discouraged with whatever is going on in your life, I encourage you to please hang in there. Keep the faith; the darkness and shadows eventually have to go away. You can do it! As for me, I can't wait to see what God has in store for me and this new position.

Joy unspeakable. Faith unsinkable. Love unstoppable. Anything is possible

30 Days of Writing: Somewhere you'd like to move or visit

Holly: If I am 30 and still single I am moving to London/somewhere in England outside of London.  Nuff said.  I would go back there in a heartbeat.  Definitely want to visit Finland; our ancestors are from there and it look so beautiful there.  Ireland too.  New Zealand and take the LOTR tour.  Plus...it's New Zealand!! Hello! :D

Within the US I'd love to see the west coast: Seattle, Oregon (visit Brandi!!), some of California, maybe up into British Columbia.  I've been to more than half of the states, but the farthest west I've gone is New Mexico, and there ain't a whole lot out there.  I've also been to two nations capitals, none of which are my own, so D.C. is definitely a must as well.

Kelly: One place I would like to visit is Finland. My mom's been there and a few of my distant relatives have been there. It's where the majority of my mom's side of the family came from; my great-grandparents (my Grandpa's parents) were from there. My mom visited when she was in college but was only there for one day. There's so much about my heritage that I want to know about that's all over there. In my house at home my Grandpa's baptismal certificate...in Finnish. He did know a bit of Finnish, and maybe someday I would like to learn the language! I do have some extended family over there still, though I don't remember which part they live in.

2nd place I'd like to visit: IRELAND. Granted I always want to go back and visit Scotland, but Ireland is somewhere I'd like to venture. Sis and I are planning a 2015 return Europe trip and we're hoping to take a day or two to visit some of the bigger cities, such as Dublin and Belfast (we're open to other suggestions too). And Scotland. If I'm 30 and still single I swear to goodness I'm moving back there!

Be Happy. Be Healthy...er

Holly and Kelly: My hope for today's post is that it inspires someone who reads this. Almost a year ago (around last May) Holly and I were talking about goals we were trying to set so we could be healthier. We had tried a lot of different things; going to Seabury gym, cutting out sweets and pop and sugar (all of it), and a lot of other things. These things did work...temporarily. We weren't motivated to go to the gym and after a few days of cutting out all sugar and pop we ended up getting frustrated and falling back. Didn't work. So after Holly graduated and we moved where we are now, we were trying to think of what to do. I have food stamps, so we decided to buy healthier food and have switched to whole grains. We only eat enriched when we go out to eat. We don't drink pop as much (ironically I just finished one. Ohhhhhhhh  well). I usually only drink pop 2-3 days a week. At restaurants or when I'm eating fast food I only get a small and only fill it up halfway. Other than that I drink water, milk and coffee with the occasional tea. We also don't eat out as often anymore, probably only 2-3 times a month, sometimes more if we have friends visiting. Sometimes less. And lastly, we walk anywhere from 4-6 days a week, depending on the weather. We walk about a mile (usually to the Community school and back). Since we went shopping today we're not walking today.

L: 1 year ago. R: This afternoon. 

What really irritates me about seeing stuff on the TV and stuff I've seen people do is they do these weight loss pills or "crash" or "fad" diets. If you want to do that fine. I'm not going to judge. But what I will say is doing SIMPLE things WORK!!!

1 year ago. Had to get this dress in a 1X b/c I couldn't fit in any junior sizes. 

This afternoon. Back in juniors! Size 11. Haven't worn that since high school!!! 

Focus on being HEALTHY and not necessarily losing weight.  Do what you are able to do.  We picked walking because everyone knows how to do it, and we stuck with the food mentality of if we keep good food in the apartment, then we'll eat good food.  And moderation is ok.  It really is.  Don't punish yourself: a "treat" every now and then is perfectly fine.  Keep yourself accountable, but don't beat yourself up if you screw up.  Our culture is so unhealthy and it's hard to stay on track; we get it.  But that first compliment you receive, that first thing you try on that's a size smaller than what you would normally wear...it motivates you!  Like we said, do what you are able.  You can do it!  :)

"Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame." -2012 in review

Kelly: Great quote by a great individual. Starting tomorrow is 2013. WOW!!! It is amazing to me how fast this year has gone by! So many wonderful blessings have been achieved by this year that I can't even begin to comprehend. Moving into our own place, falling in love with 2 of the greatest kitty cats in the world (just a bit biased), getting introduced to Sherlock and LOTR, and for me, being one more semester closer to graduating with a BSN degree!!!!! May 5 is the day! Almost four months to go.

Now normally, next would follow a list of cookie-cutter resolutions, such as I want to lose weight, get closer to God, save my money, etc. I'm not doing that for 2013. I have resolved to not make any resolutions. Instead of resolving, I am going to ENJOY. Enjoy what God has given to me, how He has blessed me and I am going to enjoy growing in Him more as a follower instead of merely a fan. I'm going to enjoy being healthier, because I am healthier, but I'm going to enjoy a treat every now and then and not feel guilty about it. I'm going to enjoy my last semester as an undergraduate and not just seek the end result which is to walk across a stage for 10 seconds, shake Dr. Roelof's hand and have him give me my degree. No. I'm going to do my best to enjoy my last semester and take advantage of every opportunity to be joyful and to thank God for His joy that comes through knowing Him.

I'm ready. I'm ready for what 2013 has in store for me. Though I'm not entirely sure what it will bring, I am prepared for whatever may come my way, good or bad. If the good comes, I will do my best to give credit where it is due. If bad comes my way, I will do my best to not run from the situation but instead face it and rely on God and my own strength to get through it. I refuse to be stagnant, go through the motions and blame others for my own wrong doings. I will be responsible for my words and my actions. But most importantly I will continue to grow as the daughter in Christ I am destined to be. How will I do that? I don't know yet, but He knows. And I have resolved to give everything to Him. Ready or not 2013, here I come!

Holly: We have come to the end of another year.  I think this one has gone faster than any I can remember in a long time.  When I started out the year I was still in school.  Since then I've graduated, gotten my degree, bid "see you later" to some pretty amazing people, moved out on my own, had a couple "real" jobs.

I did note some resolutions at the beginning of the year.  I honestly don't remember them (all except 1...ask me about it, it will give you a good laugh! lol).  I could do that now, but like Kelly, I'm not going to.  Instead, like her, I'm going to enjoy LIFE!!!  I'm going to smile, laugh, cry, be enthralled, swept away, mesmerized, scared, worried.  I'm going to make time for my friends, both near and far.  Saying "please", "thank you", and "I love you" go SO far!  There are people in my life who have inspired me, challenged me, in numerous ways...I want to tell them!  I'm going to read an ACTUAL book!  Or several, Lord willing.  I'm going to thank God every day for what I have and ask for His mercy to shower those who are not as fortunate as I am.  I'm going to wait with bated breath for the return of Sherlock and our first glimpse at Smaug.  I have several potential job opportunities awaiting me even as I type this; I'm going to get my bearings, investigate, and move forward, always seeking God's will.  I don't know if that includes Old Navy.  We will just see.  Most importantly, I'm going to do my absolute best to live like Christ.

I honestly don't know what awaits me in 2013.  Maybe I'll get a job I could have never imagined...or there's one waiting for me right now and I just don't know it yet.  Maybe I'll meet my future husband.  Who knows? But I'm 22, I'm still young and eager for life!  2012 was such a great year for me; 2013 can only get better! :)

I hope that all of you who read this are able to look back at 2012 with smiles, laughter, and even perhaps a few tears.  In 2013 I hope that if you are weak, you will look to those you love for strength.  I hope that if you are weary, tired, that you will get rest.  I hope that if you have been in the despairing shadow of unemployment, opportunity will come.  I hope that if you have been faced with some difficult circumstances, that you will summon your inner strength to accept them with grace and move on.

Be safe, everyone.  Thank you for an amazing year.  See you all when the ball drops.  :)

Happy Birthday blog!

Kelly: So here we are! Today is the 1 year anniversary of The H and K Chronicles!!!!!! *insert cheesy applauses here* It's hard to believe that this tiny tiny idea has blown up into THIS! Doesn't already help that I am beyond excited and happy already today! I still remember the conversations Holly and I had before starting this blog. We jotted down some ideas, were thinking of titles and all sorts of things. Didn't really know what was going to happen once we started; sis and I were never the greatest at keeping diaries or anything like that. Too many things would happen and it'd be months and months before it would be picked up again. But hey...this blog hasn't done too bad.

Looking back now, I had no idea we would still have this. I was worried that we would run out of things to write about, but our ideas have increased ten fold. I enjoy the time that Holly and I devote to this blog; it gives us a chance to relay our thoughts to not only each other but to all of you who read this. Then I think about how much I have changed since a year has gone by. I know it's incredibly cliche and somewhat corny, but gosh. I have grown so much as a person, a Christian, and a fan. My interests have changed and the way I see life has changed. I've had so many struggles but way more joys and happy moments. I've made better life choices that have already started to reap positive results. I've grown to love things I never thought I would love (ahem Lord of the Rings and Sherlock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). But yeah. We've made it! This blog has made it to one year. It's just...really awesome for a lack of a better word. It's still kind of strange to me; the idea of this blog. When we first started it, I just gave it to God and it has blown up and grown up. Yeah it isn't splashed all over the internet. Yeah thousands of people don't read it every day. But it's ours. It's mine and Holly's piece of the internet world and I hope that those who have read this or just skimmed it find something they love. Something they can relate to. Something they can appreciate. Something that touches them or makes them laugh. So this is also not for us but for all of you. THANK YOU for sticking it out with us, because without all of you who read this we wouldn't have gotten anywhere with it. Cheers for one year of blogging and hopefully there will be many more years of blogging to follow!

Holly: It's kind of hard to believe that one year of this silly little thing has already passed! So much has happened in a year, now that I look back on it.  I mean, a year ago today, I was still in school, preparing to start my senior year, I lived in a shoebox with a crazy person (sorry Amanda, I still love you!!), I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, I had never seen/really heard of Lord of the Rings or Sherlock.  In between that time I did some more growing up, reeled from an AMAZING summer in England, met two of my comedic idols (ahem, hi Colin and Brad *waves*), roared through my last semester of college, said "see you later" to some pretty amazing Biology people, graduated, moved out of my folks' house, moved into my first apartment, got my Bachelor's degree, learned how the unemployed feel, got introduced to Lord of the Rings and Sherlock (though not at the same time) and was HOOKED,  got to know some really old and sweet Beagles, spent some more time with two pretty awesome friends who live nearby (now that we have a car!!!!!), learned a few lessons in customer service, and.....

Now I'm here.   And there were many others in between.

It's hard to say where I'll be in another year from now.  My life is not anything close to where I  imagined it would be, and yet I've never been happier.  I'm relishing in this time now, where I'm just working and putting myself out there, praying that something better (and maybe a little closer to home) will come along.  But in the meantime I will gladly continue to drive 90 mins each day and dance with the sweet old Beagles in the hallway.

Like Kelly, I also didn't know where this blog would end up, and to be honest, I'm amazed it's been a year.  This is the longest we've been able to keep up with.....well, anything, really.  We just get so busy sometimes. But we stuck it out and I'm glad we did.  I love looking back over what God's brought us through, where life has taken us, and I look forward to reading these entries again 20+ years down the road.  I wanted to close by thanking all of those who take the few minutes every time we update to read over these entries.  You are the reason we do what we do, and most of the time, you readers inspire us.  So thank you.  Here's to another year of chronicling! :)

One year ago: right after we published our first blog post! :)

One year later.  Taken about 10 minutes ago.  Cheers! :)

Gold Star!

Holly: Today I witnessed first-hand the sheer goodness of people; people who go above and beyond. 

First off, my sister went through "the IKEA experience", she bought me a sick puppy; basically, a cuddly stuffed puppy that is...well, kind of sick-looking, to help me feel better (I've been battling an icky cold for almost a week now and I can't seem to shake it).  Completely unexpected and it completely made my day! :)

Instant number 2: One of my professors opened the lab up for us biology students today so we could finish our slide projects.  As if that isn't splendid enough, he actually came in for a bit to help us out.  ON. A. SATURDAY.  Ladies and gentlemen, this is why I love Berea!  I mean, would you get that anywhere else? I think not! 


Now that I have a sick puppy sprouting out of my lap, I will turn things over to my lovely sister! I hope all of you take the time to thank the people who make your day.  If not, be that person to make someone's day! :)

Kelly: Ahh, I have officially gone through the IKEA experience!! If you have not been through the IKEA experience, do so. Anyway, speaking of my IKEA experience, I have a gold star to award for today. Today as we were about to leave, I wanted a bottle of water, but I was 2 quarters short (they were $1.25 for a bottle). I asked my group if anyone had 2 quarters. Out of nowhere, some random guy gave me 2 quarters! Dumfounded by his kindness, I smiled and said thank you, then proceeded to enjoy that bottle of water the whole 2-hour ride back to the Bereaness of it all.

Flash back to....last night. Me, along with several other BCASN folk (Berea College Association of Student Nurses) planned, organized, set up and tore down a haunted house for the campus community and the community at large! We started set up at 5:00, the show started at 7:00, and we stayed until 11:45...PM...to tear down. One of our instructors (who posed as a psychotic patient on the loose) even stayed for a while to help us out. Then today, we got an email from this same instructor as read..."Just wanted to tell you how proud and impressed I am of the efforts that were put forth last night to create a fantastic Haunted House." It really makes me feel good to know that our efforts were not in vain...even if it was just a haunted house.

Well, now that I have concluded this day in a fantastic mood, more homework calls me away unfortunately. I will post pics of the work we did later (when I remember...) and some of our IKEA experience! Have a great weekend and start to the week. Cheers!