Schtuff twin girls say, volume 4 (Brittany makes return appearances)

And we're at it again...

Kelly: I would love to be a Hobbit. Just for a day or two or ten.
Brittany: You could house sit while Bilbo goes on his adventure.
Holly: He WAS gone for 13 months.
Kelly: I could!!!! Oh my gosh I would totally do that.
Brittany: I would love to have tea with them.
Holly: I would love to take them to Orange leaf. I could just see them standing over there like "aahhhhhhhhh" because they love food.
Kelly: Honey, I do that when we go there.

Kelly: Brittany, I keep telling Holly about all the stuff that's at Plato's Closet because she keeps asking me.
Brittany: They really do have everything.
Kelly: Except scrubs.
Holly: Or puppies. So they don't have everything!

Holly: Devin (other guy I work with) thinks Wiley's gay.
Brittany: Why?
Holly: Because he likes to lay on shoes, and my purse, and all that...'
Brittany: Nah, I'd say he's more like Smaug.  They're his treasures!
Dead.  Holly died.  XD

(A few minutes after the above conversation)
Holly: (notices Wiley laying on her shoes) Wiley, are you Smaug? Are you guarding your treasure?
(Wiley purrs)

Kelly: (while watching America's Funniest Home Videos) Ok, that HAD to have been photo shopped. Or video shopped. Or whatever the video equivalent of photo shop is.

Kelly: (watching an Arby's commercial). Au jus. Au jus. Au jus sauce. Au jus. Bless you. (Holly proceeded to laugh so hard she snorted).

Holly: I'm officially in cell-phone limbo. I'm in cell phone purgatory. I'm scared.

Holly: (in reference to Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, who are often photographed together) I don't see how the world just hasn't blown up because of their awesome.

Brittany: Come on Wiles, let's get crunk.

Kelly: German just sounds like a very angry language.

(while out with friends, one of whom is a photographer.  She asked if we felt pretty)
Holly: (taking a large spoonful of ice cream) No, I feel fat.

Holly: I feel bad for Gollum because he doesn't eat.
Brittany: No wonder he's losing his hair.

Holly: Well there's Aragog, then Aragorn and Christopher Paolini wrote Eragon.
Kelly: It's like different tenses.

Brittany: Oh Wiles, why are you so cute? You have such a handsome face, like Liam Neeson.

Holly: (after watching the DoS TV spots) Smaug kind of sounds like Darth Vader.

Kelly: I'm already ready for bed tomorrow.

Brittany: Oh look, boyfriend is calling. (picks up phone). Hello, boyfriend. (short pause). Yes, this is girlfriend, how may I help you?

Kelly: Peter Jackson! (while watching Jeopardy)
Holly: Um, Kelly, the category is Female New Zealand Directors.

Relentless love

Holly: The following is my Facebook status from this morning: 

Thought of a couple things on this rainy Wednesday morning:

1. Last night at choir, there was mention of a young man in Rockcastle County who attempted suicide.  Praise God he is still with us, but he is 15, and while he is physically healing, the spiritual and emotional damage is probably so much more extensive than we can even begin to imagine.  Granted, my life was not perfect at 15 (although better than most, I must admit), but I can not imagine wanting to take my life at that age.  At 15, you're still a kid; there's still so much more out there.  As I was praying in the car this morning, I prayed that we would be aware, that we would reach out, that we would show love, RELENTLESSLY, to others, because we never know what we are going through.  Sometimes it's one encouraging word, a smile, a silent prayer, that keeps someone from going over the edge.

2. I love the concept of a subtle witness: There is a shuttle driver that drives UK employees from the stadium to campus, and right as he pulls up and opens the doors, he ALWAYS says "Have a good day, and may the Lord bless you."  EVERY time.  It never fails to bring a smile to my face.  

Doing my best to think of others and to be that subtle witness, today, and every day.  :)

The first part, the young man, has been heavily on my heart since yesterday.  The word that kept running in my mind was "relentless".  We ought to NEVER stop showing love and compassion for one another.  Guys, it's still hard for me.  I know the words above probably disagree with that, but it's true.  The more I think of this, the more I realize that life isn't about me.  I was not put here on this earth for me.  I was put on this earth to love God and to love people.  I have hope, and every day I do my best to live out that hope.  I fail, I know I do, and I accept that, and I accept God's amazing grace and I try again tomorrow.  But I've said this before and I'll say it again- I sincerely desire to impact someone's life just by me being in it.   

For the life of me I simply cannot imagine getting to a point in life where you think the only way out is taking your own life.  I just can't imagine the pain, the loneliness, the fear, the despair that one must feel.  Especially with these young people; it just destroys me.  Feeling like there's absolutely no one and nothing...you're so, so alone.  I think at some point, we hit the lowest of valleys, but I have been blessed with an amazing support system, and I know that there are those who love me and support me and pray for me (And God knows I need it!).  But some people do not have that.  That destroys me too.  We weren't meant to do this life thing alone.  We're stronger together than we are apart.  I think it's high time we show people the human side of humanity, instead of all this nastiness and bitterness everyone is so hell-bent on broadcasting.  

Even darkness must pass.

Kelly: Where I work, I would say the most common report I get from patients is "I feel hopeless", "I've hit rock bottom" or "If (insert situation) doesn't get better, it will kill me." They feel like there's no hope. Some of these patients I've encountered don't have any family, or even a place to call home and no one to call friend. Some have all of the above and still feel hopeless, and that's when they come to us. Sadness, hopelessness, loneliness and fear, it doesn't discriminate. I've dealt with 18-year-old suicidal people and older suicidal people. My reaction is always the same; I hurt. I told a co worker on Monday that at one point or another I'm sure everyone has gone through some sort of depression in their life. I have. I KNOW I have. But never, not even for half a second did I ever even consider taking my own life. 

But some people have. Some people succeed and some don't. I remember this song from high school and some of the words are "how do you get that lonely? How do you hurt that bad?" That's why I do what I do; just try to love especially when someone doesn't feel loved. And the love that I share comes from Christ alone. That hope, joy and peace I have comes from Him too. I often wonder if my words of encouragement to others falls on deaf ears, but I'd like to think that what I say is what someone needed to hear at just the right time. I left early for work yesterday and a patient asked me to unlock his door. I jokingly said "you just want me to stay don't you?" He didn't say anything for a while, but he said "yeah, I do." It's the little things. 

Friends, I don't know what you all are going through. I'm sure some of you are going through the most unimaginable circumstances. I sincerely hope and pray that your situations, whatever they may be, will resolve soon. But when someone tells you they are thinking/praying for you, I hope it encourages you and lifts you up, even if it's for just a little bit. A sliver of hope goes a long way. 

Packages from Mom

Kelly: It's no secret of mine that I have a close relationship with my mom. With both of my parents actually. But in the past few years, I feel that I have grown especially closer to my mom. Don't know if that's because I've been out of their house since I was 18; officially since last year. We talk at least once a week, sometimes more. I am not ashamed to say that at my age I still need my mommy and daddy! Like a child getting lost in the mall....like that. It's the same way that I need (and we all need) Christ! To those who out there who are not as close to their parents, I hurt, because I do not know what I would do without my parents. I sincerely hope you can work out your differences, whatever they may be. To those of you who lost your parents due to death, again, I hurt. I know you miss them deeply and would love to see them again; I'll say a prayer for you tonight.

But one of the things that my mom did while we were in college was send us random holiday packages...for each holiday. This tradition of holiday packages started around our sophomore year of college. Valentine's Day, Easter, our birthday, Halloween, but not Christmas since we were usually home then. In these packages there's usually candy, candles, a sock monkey or two (for me!), coupons, and other assorted things. Sometimes there have been socks for that holiday, toys for our kitties, or other assorted Dollar store goodies (the very place we introduced our mom to in the first place), but in each one there was always a card or a note that usually says "yay! Good for you" or "you can do it" or "we're so proud of you!" I'm not a mom yet nor I don't know if I will ever be, but I think those are some of the greatest things a parent can, and should say, to their child or children. And they should say it often. And our parents did and still do.

Holly: When Kelly texted me earlier today with the words "MOMMY PACKAGE!!!!" my day instantly got better.  When I got home and perused through this particular package's contents, I said "If I ever have kids, I am going to send them packages too."  I know my parents love me and are proud of me, but sometimes it's the unexpected surprises that remind you just how much you are loved.  And missed.  I miss my mom and dad.  Yes, at 23, I still miss my mommy and daddy, and I don't see that changing any time soon.  I figured that when I moved out and was on my own, I would miss them less.  Nope.  Don't get me wrong, I love being on my own and being independent, but if my parents showed up at my door tomorrow and said I could move back home, I wouldn't spare a second thought.

I know my parents aren't going to be on this earth forever, and it breaks my heart to imagine my life without them.  So for now, I try to cherish the time I do get to spend with them.  Usually it's just for a few days at a time, several months apart.  I appreciate the time I spend with them now, possibly more than I did before I started college, moved out, etc.  I regret that.  I really do.  My parents have been there for me so many times, have believed in my craziest dreams, and have never been shy of voicing how proud they are of me and Kelly and how much they love us.  It kills me when I hear my friends say that they don't get along with their parents, or they never hear their parents tell them that they are proud of them.  Or my friends who still live with their parents but they just don't talk.  When my parents come to visit, that's basically all we do.  I feel like I could talk to my parents all day!

If any of you are reading this and you don't have a good relationship with your parents, maybe it's time to bridge the gap.  If any of you are reading this and your parents aren't with you anymore, I hope you think of them with a smile on your face, tears (of whatever magnitude, if necessary), and love and warmth in your heart.  If any of you are reading this and you still live with your parents, please hug them a little more.  Tell them you love them.  Tell them you're proud to be their son or daughter.  This world is so ugly, as our roommate Brittany said, and it needs beautiful things.  One of our candles from today's mommy package is burning, and now I'm thinking of home-cooked meals, the smell of the house, laughing together.  That's a beautiful thing.

Get up all "in your face" or just live like Jesus.

Kelly: A few weeks ago, Holly and I touched on the subject on the two greatest commandments that we are to obey as Christians (Here is the post we are referring to). Today's is not necessarily a follow up of that post, but it is something similar, or at least I think it is. xtyz (oops, Yoda got a hold of the keyboard again). I feel though that in light of some recent conversation, comments, the sermon today and whatnot, I am going to throw out a disclaimer right now: the topic at hand we are discussing today has multiple sides, and we acknowledge and are aware of them. However, today, we are choosing to focus on just a few of the sides on this multi-faceted topic of discussion. This morning in Sunday School our discussion was about being more intentional about who we come in contact with. The Scripture we referenced was when Jesus met with the Samaritan Woman. The consensus we reached was that He didn't bump into her on purpose; He knew her story and He knew she'd be there at the time that He was there too. One of the questions that was asked was what are some of the most ineffective ways to tell others about Jesus. I gave the example of someone knocking on your door and getting all in your face, seemingly shouting "excuse me, do you have a moment to talk about Jesus?" or "Hey, I'm here right now to tell you about Jesus!" Now PLEASE do not misunderstand me; I am not against those means of evangelizing. I'm just saying, they have not worked for me. It made me uncomfortable, a bit uneasy, and obliged to initiate a response. Once they left, that was it. There was no room to get to know the actual person. I felt like just another check mark on their list of people to reach. We were then asked what were some of the most effective ways of telling others about Jesus. Holly said just being real with people. I followed up and said that Jesus got into the heart and soul of everyone He met, like Zaccheaus, the Pharisee and the Samaritan Woman. He knew their stories, and if He didn't, He learned them. He didn't intimidate them or scare them. No. He was real with them.

This leads into the next part of my portion. Today's sermon was about respecting humanity. The main point that was driven home was simple: it DOES NOT MATTER where any person, ANY PERSON, has come from, what they look like, who they love, where they're from, we as Christ's body are to give them, ALL of them the love and respect that they not only need but deserve. Did I stutter?

Holly: There was a story about Union Church (a non-denominational church in town) on the news a couple of nights ago.  If there are any of you non-Bereans who are reading this, one of the things that stands out about this church is that right out front there's a very large banner with a rainbow flag that says something to the degree of "ALL are welcome! No kidding! No exceptions!"  We posted the video below- please take the time to watch it if you feel led to do so.

What really gets me (and this was said this morning in the sermon) is that so many of us, including Christians, totally forget or disregard the second part of the greatest commandment, which is "love your neighbor as yourself."  It's simple concepts, really: Show compassion to others.  Treat others the way you want to be treated.  Freaking BE NICE to people.  And yet somewhere along the way the lines get blurred.  I've stated my views on love and acceptance and respect many times before, so I won't share them again.  But one of the ways we do that is by relating to people.  Just sharing life with others!  Being the hands and feet of Jesus by reaching out to those who are already on the outside looking in.  Heck, even those that aren't.  I feel that regular, every day conversations can turn into the spiritual, meaningful ones over time if we relate to people on all areas of their lives.  For me, like Kelly said, that doesn't involve loudly proclaiming "HEY YOU NEED JESUS RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW NO IFS ANDS OR BUTS!"  The truth is, we ALL need Jesus.  There's a quote that says "You may be the only Bible that someone ever reads."  We ought to be sharing messages of love, acceptance, and hope; something this society so desperately needs.  I posted on my Twitter today that the message at Berea Baptist is one that needs to be preached but probably isn't.  Let's live like Jesus with our lives and words.  Let's reach out to ALL people.  No exceptions.  

Union Church story

A brief, one-sided reflection of Hobbit Day

Holly: In the spirit of Hobbit Day (September 22nd, Bilbo and Frodo's birthday), with the seasons turning, cooler weather approaching, The Return of the King complete recordings playing, me halfway through Fellowship of the Ring, I feel compelled to write.

I wrote in my journal not too long ago about Lord of the Rings, Tolkien himself, and what this world, this Middle Earth, has done for me and my life.  I won't divulge entirely in the details, although I may post the entire entry at some future date, but I noted that I think, through my journey to Middle Earth, through both film and book, that I feel I have drawn closer to God as a result.  I feel at peace when I think of the hobbits I so relate to, of the wondrous descriptions of all the splendors Middle Earth has to offer.  They taught me to trust, to love, to feel unabashedly.  I draw strength from the music and from the books, and I thank God for this.  He has put people in my life who love Tolkien and his world, and who introduced myself to it.  I thank God because He knows how to speak to His children.  I thank God for Tolkien, who was inspired to bring Middle Earth to life, a world that gives so many people hope, even so many years after his passing.  I hope to someday pay my respects to Tolkien.

I think of the chaotic week that lies before me, and I have prayed fervently, and I know others have done the same for me.  But as Sam so eloquently says "Even darkness must pass."  And as I continue on my reading, my complete recordings listening, the open windows of my apartment letting in the cool of the day, the birds all about, the sun shining in and providing warmth to my cats, I think of what Frodo went through, what Bilbo went through, what I've gone through and what God has brought me through.  I'm not where I want to be, but I'm not where I used to be.  For today, I choose to just be.  To just be absorbed in my own little piece of Middle Earth, to celebrate 2 hobbits I dearly cherish.  "Even darkness must pass.  A new day will come.  And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer."

"We may stand, if only on one leg, or at least be left still upon our knees." 

Family Matters

Holly: I fail to be clever on demand.  Sorry.  This week has taken forever and it STILL isn't Friday.  haha.

Our parents came to visit us this past weekend.  We only get to see them a few times out of the year now, and they usually have to come to us.  They're both retired, so they have the flexibility that they so need after both working 30+ years in their respective fields.  After they leave I always miss them.  But this time was different.  I was left thinking about the relationship between kids and parents nowadays.  I have a great relationship with my parents and my family in general.  Yet I know so many of my friends who don't.  Some of my friends haven't spoken to their parents in years.  Some of my friends don't know their mom or dad.  Some of my friends don't even know how to fit in with their own family.  That makes me really sad.

The friends I do have who are still in contact with their folks don't have many good things to say about them.  Most of the time they say they're not supportive, or they shoot down their dreams.  Which makes me even MORE sad.  This is a glimpse of what we had growing up:  We were never given everything we wanted, we always had to work for it (I'll let Kelly share a story about that).  There was always a home cooked meal, and if Mom or Dad made something and we weren't sure about it, we had to try one bite.  If we didn't like it we didn't have to eat it.  Mom and Dad weren't afraid to show their affection in front of us kids (although it grossed us out at times! haha).  They told us they loved us and they told us often.  They've ALWAYS supported Kelly and I, and tell us they're proud of us, and tell us often.  My mom has bailed me out (mostly financially) more times than I care to admit.  If something awesome happens in my life, Mom is the first person I tell!  My Dad is so goofy; I get my silliness from him, for sure.  In my 23 years of life, I have never felt not loved, not supported by my parents.  In fact, I think I've grown closer to my folks since being on my own.  Yeah, they're not perfect, and in their almost 32 years of marriage and 3 grown kids later, there's been issues, of course.  But I love them so much and I'm proud of where I come from.  I hope that if I ever have kids I can be half the parents mine are.

Kelly: I always remember when I was growing up that we weren't "spoiled" by any means. We didn't have everything we wanted, but we weren't skimped out and we got by. We weren't filthy rich but we weren't dirt poor either. My parents valued working hard for what you had, and they definitely passed that onto us. As kids, Mom would get us something (usually a season of Smallville) and instead of giving it to us we had to work for it. This usually meant cleaning our room (and not just throwing everything in the closet...I mean HOURS of cleaning) or practicing our instruments when were were in our band years. And I'll admit; we were good kids because we had good parents. Sure us 3 kids fought, but to my knowledge it was never anything physical. We never laid our hands on ANYONE because Mom and Dad never laid their hands on each other or on us as punishment. Yes, you heard me; none of us were ever spanked. Now I'm not against spanking, but I do think that people can take it too far. We were never grounded, snuck out of the house, ran away from home or endured any of the classic "teenage rebellion." Why? Well A, we had nowhere to go and B, we learned very early in life that it's just not ok to run away from your problems or blame someone else for something you did. When the time came for us to go to college, mom and dad always said that we had the choice to go wherever we wanted and that they would help us provide the financial means as best as they could. Again, we weren't skimped out. And we were honest and real with one another; we could all talk to each other about EVERYTHING. We didn't get our driver's licenses until we were 19 years old, because Holly and I told our parents at 16 that we did not feel comfortable or mature enough to operate a car. At Christmas time, we were always at our house together; now if family or friends wanted to join us they were always welcome to do so.

How I've been raised has allowed me to reflect on how I want to raise my own children, should I ever get to that point. My future children, like I was, will learn to respect authority, all authority. I want them to be responsible, accountable for their own actions and want them to do not only what is right within them but what is right in God's eyes as well. I want my children to march to the beat of their own drums and to not necessarily do what is "normal" or "easy" or "in." I want to be a parent, but I also want to be a friend. I'm just thankful for the family I had, and still do have, because I know that one day we will all depart this Earth. Be thankful for your family; whatever your definition of family is.

Little twins.  We're 7 in this picture :)

Holly, our brother Kip and me. Family friend did a photo shoot of us kids. 

Holly's graduation, May 2012

Our wonderful parents! :) 

Unplugged

Kelly: A few nights ago, Holly and I were once again talking about the fact that technology seems to be taking over the world. The view were tackling with this post is technology and face-time with friends. I'll share a story. Over Christmas break, a friend of ours invited us to have lunch. We shared some brief conversations and catch-ups since it had been about 7 months since we had last seen each other. After about 10 minutes of conversing, she got her phone out as she had received a text from someone. Meanwhile, mine and Holly's phones were on silent and in our purses. This texting conversation with...whoever (she didn't tell us who it was) continued for the majority of the meal. Now let's bring this back; how would you feel? The impression I was getting from her was that she didn't want to be there, and I really didn't want to be there. It just felt awkward. I remembered the times we would just laugh and be stupid and stay up till 1 in the morning talking about stupid stuff without cell phones getting in the way.

Now please don't misunderstand me. I am NOT against cell phones! I sometimes feel very out of place when I don't have mine, especially when I make my 40 minute commute to work. Yet sometimes I feel really happy and relieved when I forget to leave mine off for most of the day. I think they're great; they're the only way I can get in touch with my parents back in Ohio. It's just a major pet peeve of mine that some people I know seems they can't even function if they're phone isn't right there. It's another pet peeve of mine when I'm with a group of friends and everyone but me is on their phone talking/texting researching God knows what or God knows who. What ever happened to unattached and unchained actual face to face time with people? Seems like it's a lost art these days.

Holly: It really baffles me just how wrapped up our society has become on viewing the world through a small screen.  Earlier in the week I was grumbling about how I had to charge my cell phone again (I turn mine off at night), and I mentioned to a co-worker that I usually have to charge my phone 1-2 times a week.  He was shocked; he said "That's not a lot."  No, it's not.  With the exception of texts to Kelly, random texts here and there and random phone calls to home, my cell phone does not get much use.  It drove me crazy in college when my friends would moan and groan about how little sleep they got because people were texting them all night.  Um...how about you turn your phone off?  "Oh gosh no, I could never do that!" was usually the reply.  Well then....kwitchawhining.  I know it's blunt and I know it's rude, but you CAN turn your phone off every now and then.

Something else that baffles me is Face Time.  Ok, really? You are not having a conversation with someone's face...you are having a conversation with someone's face ON A SMALL SCREEN.  Face time, to me, is actually sitting across the way at someone's FACE.  I'm all about keeping in touch...but really?  I ride a shuttle from UK stadium to campus, and every morning and afternoon, about 90% of the passengers are just attached and totally absorbed in their phones.  Most days I crave face-to-face conversation. although, sadly, I now prefer to text rather than call (I'm working on that...).  Seriously, though.  Put the phone down, look out the window, put some music on, or God forbid actually have a conversation with the person sitting next to you (This has happened to me on numerous occasions and it always brings a smile to my face).

In about a week or so Kelly and I are going to be getting smartphones.  I really hope we don't become one of "those" people.  But here's my guarantee: whenever I meet with you, for whatever reason, my phone will be away and on silent, unless it's an emergency.  I believe one of the most important things we can give someone is our time; let's shoot for 100%.  We owe it to those we care about.

Let's try to unplug ourselves a little more each day...