Yes, 4 more days until Beffers gets married. It's finally hitting me I guess. I knew it was coming all along, but I got preoccupied with some things the past few months. It's all sinking in now, and I just can't describe how happy I am for her.
When we were in high school, we used to joke about us all being friends when we were grown up and married. We laughed about how our kids would grow up together. We talked about weddings and such and about how we would look at our 10 year reunion. The sad part is that I saw all of our jokes and talks about that stuff as daydreams. It was something I just couldn't fathom at the time. I was in high school and couldn't wrap my mind around what life would be like when I was older and married. My immature mind saw me having a family but then going to the beach with my friends on the weekends while we listened to NSYNC on the radio. I just couldn't grasp what we were talking about.
I went off to college and still couldn't see that in my near future. I had a glimpse of it, but a very immature one. Plus, at college I had distanced myself, both physically and emotionally, from those girls that knew me best. I couldn't fathom a friendship that could last through college, let alone last for the rest of my life. I thought I was losing my Gdale girls. I was never around, and, well, you all know how I hate to actually talk on the phone. I thought they would forget about me, but I was happily suprised when they wouldn't give up. I started getting calls about this guy named Jeremy. I started hearing from Beth and Caroline about how he was Caroline's perfect match. I was so thrilled for her when he proposed, but although it may sound so extremely selfish, I was more excited when she asked me to be a bridesmaid. That call and that card...they were the lasso that brought me back to my girls.
I know I wasn't the perfect bridesmaid or friend back then. I still kick myself in the butt for not being there for her more during that time. It was the start of our rekindled friendship. It led to me meeting Josh and to our marriage. It led to many more girls' nights, Christmas parties, beach trips, shopping extravaganzas, and matching PJ's. We have all grown up so much, and yet our friendship has adapted to it all and remained strong. Even though we aren't in high school anymore, even though we aren't all in the same town anymore, even though we have all changed at least a little bit...our friendship is stronger now that it ever was. And now I can see it...I can see us being friends when we are all married and have children (heck, we're almost there). The reason I couldn't see it back in high school is fairly simple. I was right that it was a daydream that our high school friendship would survive through our married lives. The reason I couldn't see us being friends as adults while we were in high school is because our friendship back then was nothing compared to what it is now. Our friendship now is so much stronger, I feel so much closer to these girls, and now I can't imagine being married and having children without having them as my friends. They mean the world to me.
So Caroline and Beth, here's to all of us being married friends...only 4 more days!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Beth's Bachelorette Bash
After a hard week of working my butt off at VBS, which resulted in me getting sick, I got to travel to the Bham for Beth's Bachelorette Bash! We had so much fun! We all met at Caroline's house where we all sat around and caught up like old times. Caroline was there, and Jasper is getting big! Beth and her sister Whitney were there of course! Another pair of sisters, Maggie and Elizabeth, were there, and Beth's friend Chancey also came. We went to P.F. Chang's for dinner, and that place always brings back the best memories: high school girls' nights, stealing chopsticks, ordering without ever looking at the menu, and going there for all of our bachelorette parties. It was heavenly, and I'm pretty sure the Mongolian beef cured my fever at least for a little while. After dinner, we went back to Caroline's house for dessert and pool time. Caroline had made mini cheesecakes and a trifle. Whitney made a fruit pizza. We stuffed ourselves and then squeezed into our swimsuits for a night swim. I don't think many of us actually "swam" though. We all circled around in the shallow end, sharing silly stories and memories from way back when. It was a wonderful celebration for Beth, and I think it was a much needed girls' night for all of us there.
Only 4 more days to go, Beffers! We love you!
Only 4 more days to go, Beffers! We love you!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
VBS Update
Well, it is Tuesday afternoon. I have survived 2 days of VBS, and well, that is a miracle.
Monday was insane (and that's the nicest word I can use to describe it at the moment). It had its great moments and really fun moments, but most of the day was filled with stressful situations, total chaos, and lazy or irresponsible people. I will save you all from the details, believe me I could go on and on about how chaotic Monday was and how badly I wanted a margarita by 11am, but I will spare you.
But as I mentioned before, there were some great, fun moments too. I lead all of the kids first in the morning and in the last station of the day. Instead of having only 1/4 of the kids at a time like all the other stations do, I have all the kids...all 75+ kids. I have them sit on the floor in the gym as I teach them our Bible verse, our Bible point, and our Bible story. Also, I introduce them to our Bible Memory Buddy for the day. (Note: Each day we get a Bible Memory Buddy, which helps us remember our daily Bible Point. Monday we had Flash the Firefly who reminded us that GOD IS WITH US!)
The coolest part of the whole morning, besides the silly skit I get to do with the new youth minister from the Methodist church, is the Bible Point of the day. For example, on Monday our Bible Point was GOD IS WITH US, so after I say that the kids are to punch their fist in the air and shout "Fear Not!" It is so cute! I love going back and forth with them each day, and I love that I am getting to know their names.
Besides the stress, the chaos, and the lack of sleep...VBS has definitely been a learning experience for me. I am the only one of the church leaders present at VBS that has never led or even helped plan a whole VBS before, and yet I am the one directing this whole thing. It's been crazy, and I'm loving that each day it calms down a bit more. So maybe by Friday, we might be fully organized...right? Well, here's to wishful thinking!
Monday was insane (and that's the nicest word I can use to describe it at the moment). It had its great moments and really fun moments, but most of the day was filled with stressful situations, total chaos, and lazy or irresponsible people. I will save you all from the details, believe me I could go on and on about how chaotic Monday was and how badly I wanted a margarita by 11am, but I will spare you.
But as I mentioned before, there were some great, fun moments too. I lead all of the kids first in the morning and in the last station of the day. Instead of having only 1/4 of the kids at a time like all the other stations do, I have all the kids...all 75+ kids. I have them sit on the floor in the gym as I teach them our Bible verse, our Bible point, and our Bible story. Also, I introduce them to our Bible Memory Buddy for the day. (Note: Each day we get a Bible Memory Buddy, which helps us remember our daily Bible Point. Monday we had Flash the Firefly who reminded us that GOD IS WITH US!)
The coolest part of the whole morning, besides the silly skit I get to do with the new youth minister from the Methodist church, is the Bible Point of the day. For example, on Monday our Bible Point was GOD IS WITH US, so after I say that the kids are to punch their fist in the air and shout "Fear Not!" It is so cute! I love going back and forth with them each day, and I love that I am getting to know their names.
Besides the stress, the chaos, and the lack of sleep...VBS has definitely been a learning experience for me. I am the only one of the church leaders present at VBS that has never led or even helped plan a whole VBS before, and yet I am the one directing this whole thing. It's been crazy, and I'm loving that each day it calms down a bit more. So maybe by Friday, we might be fully organized...right? Well, here's to wishful thinking!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Weekend and Writing
Well, I had a wonderful time in Birmingham this weekend. I got to spend some much needed time with Caroline and Beth. Beth's bridesmaids' luncheon was absolutely beautiful, and I haven't stopped carrying around the cute bag we got as our bridesmaids gift. My children's sermon this Sunday was about the three of us, and I got quite a few compliments on it. Maybe one day I will just start uploading my children's sermons on here...hmm, that's an idea. Anyway, the weekend was a great break from real life and all the work I am doing at the moment (well, not at this particular moment since I am writing this post, but I am at least in my office).
Today is my one year anniversary here at First-Trinity. It's hard to believe that a year ago today I was just putting books on my shelves and carrying in my boxes of pictures to put on the walls. It's hard to believe that a year ago today, I got lost down in the Sunday School hallway and had to ask the janitor to help me find my way back to my office. It's hard to believe that a year ago today, I was just beginning this journey. And it's hard to believe that a year ago today, I actually thought that I would be an old pro at this within the year.
During those first few months, I bought every book I could find that had something to do with being a better youth and children's ministry leader. I haven't finished reading a single one of them yet...I've started some of them, and then there are those that just sit there unopened and untouched. One of the books that I have actually opened, said that a successful ministry leader needs to take "daily stretches," breaks from doing your ministry, things that refresh you and take your mind away from all that needs to be done. Well, writing is one of my daily stretches...so I've decided to spend my "daily stretch" today writing about writing (go figure!).
I'm not someone who opens up very easily. I don't like to put my feelings out there. I tend to agree with others and not open my mouth with my own opinion. I have never been able to just tell someone when I am upset or what I am upset about. In college, I ran into lots of roommate troubles. My freshman roommate and I didn't see eye to eye on some things, but instead of confronting her about it and talking, I gave her the silent treatment until the end of fall semester when I wrote her a note. I don't remember what all I wrote in that letter, but I know I let my thoughts flow freely. It was probably really harsh, and definitely a cowardly act, but it was the only way I could freely communicate with her. Things were never the same after that. We continued to be roommates until the end of the school year, but there was always a gap. My roommate during the later 3 years of college was great, but I had the same problem with communicating. I felt justified in my actions by giving her the silent treatment, and I know quite a few letters were shared back and forth between us. We had a huge falling out our senior year, and it was horrible. As badly as I wanted to talk to her and tell her exactly why I was mad, I couldn't. I was too afraid to share my feelings. As mad as I was, I didn't want to anger her or anyone else, so I just kept silent. I've learned now that my silence was much more painful to her than any words I could have said. Recently, I have made amends with both of these wonderful people.
Writing has always been my fallback. During high school, it was a way for me to get out my feelings without having to share them with my parents. When I went off to college, it continued to be an outlet for my emotions, but it also became an "out" for me when faced with problems. When I'm writing, I feel so secure, so safe. That's why I love this blog. I write this as a journal, I fool myself into believing I am the only one who reads it, and then I post it half hoping that no one reads it and half hoping that someone will finally read what is so deep in my heart. When writing, I can be open because I know my pen and paper or my computer and keyboard won't harbor any ill will towards me for the words I write or type. I can watch the words appear on my computer screen or piece of paper and not be forced to stare into the eyes of a loved one as they hear my thoughts. It's the only way I truly know how to express myself, and I hate that. I just hope that maybe a year from now, I will be able to express my opinions to others without the need for a pen and a notepad. I just hope that maybe a year from now, I will be able to open up without the fear of repercussion. I just hope that maybe a year from now, my love for writing will be fruitful and no longer a way for me to avoid real life. I just hope.
Today is my one year anniversary here at First-Trinity. It's hard to believe that a year ago today I was just putting books on my shelves and carrying in my boxes of pictures to put on the walls. It's hard to believe that a year ago today, I got lost down in the Sunday School hallway and had to ask the janitor to help me find my way back to my office. It's hard to believe that a year ago today, I was just beginning this journey. And it's hard to believe that a year ago today, I actually thought that I would be an old pro at this within the year.
During those first few months, I bought every book I could find that had something to do with being a better youth and children's ministry leader. I haven't finished reading a single one of them yet...I've started some of them, and then there are those that just sit there unopened and untouched. One of the books that I have actually opened, said that a successful ministry leader needs to take "daily stretches," breaks from doing your ministry, things that refresh you and take your mind away from all that needs to be done. Well, writing is one of my daily stretches...so I've decided to spend my "daily stretch" today writing about writing (go figure!).
I'm not someone who opens up very easily. I don't like to put my feelings out there. I tend to agree with others and not open my mouth with my own opinion. I have never been able to just tell someone when I am upset or what I am upset about. In college, I ran into lots of roommate troubles. My freshman roommate and I didn't see eye to eye on some things, but instead of confronting her about it and talking, I gave her the silent treatment until the end of fall semester when I wrote her a note. I don't remember what all I wrote in that letter, but I know I let my thoughts flow freely. It was probably really harsh, and definitely a cowardly act, but it was the only way I could freely communicate with her. Things were never the same after that. We continued to be roommates until the end of the school year, but there was always a gap. My roommate during the later 3 years of college was great, but I had the same problem with communicating. I felt justified in my actions by giving her the silent treatment, and I know quite a few letters were shared back and forth between us. We had a huge falling out our senior year, and it was horrible. As badly as I wanted to talk to her and tell her exactly why I was mad, I couldn't. I was too afraid to share my feelings. As mad as I was, I didn't want to anger her or anyone else, so I just kept silent. I've learned now that my silence was much more painful to her than any words I could have said. Recently, I have made amends with both of these wonderful people.
Writing has always been my fallback. During high school, it was a way for me to get out my feelings without having to share them with my parents. When I went off to college, it continued to be an outlet for my emotions, but it also became an "out" for me when faced with problems. When I'm writing, I feel so secure, so safe. That's why I love this blog. I write this as a journal, I fool myself into believing I am the only one who reads it, and then I post it half hoping that no one reads it and half hoping that someone will finally read what is so deep in my heart. When writing, I can be open because I know my pen and paper or my computer and keyboard won't harbor any ill will towards me for the words I write or type. I can watch the words appear on my computer screen or piece of paper and not be forced to stare into the eyes of a loved one as they hear my thoughts. It's the only way I truly know how to express myself, and I hate that. I just hope that maybe a year from now, I will be able to express my opinions to others without the need for a pen and a notepad. I just hope that maybe a year from now, I will be able to open up without the fear of repercussion. I just hope that maybe a year from now, my love for writing will be fruitful and no longer a way for me to avoid real life. I just hope.
Monday, June 1, 2009
A Picture Person
On Sunday, during the beautiful wedding shower and our time with the family in Butler, I realized that I am a "picture person." I've always loved pictures, photographs, snap shots, candids...I just didn't realize how much they mean to me.
Growing up, as far back as I can remember, there was always this stack of photo albums. They were my mother's prized possessions, and they became mine as well. They documented our lives, our family. They contained our greatest moments...our first days of school, our infant and toddler years, our family vacations. Their worth was instilled in me at a very young age.
As I grew up and entered school, I dreaded having my picture taken for the annual. I knew the picture would be bad, but more importantly, I knew that, no matter what, that picture would be on the long wall across the back of our den. It was like our own Hall of Fame, but more like a Hall of Shame. It held our pitiful school year pictures: Vic with his buck teeth, me with my frizzed out bangs, and my sister with the unusual zoom to block her arm cast out of the picture. But these pictures were prized too. My mom still has them all packed away in boxes...the only reason they aren't on display is because we wouldn't let her put them back up.
My mom was always the one taking pictures of us at school events, sports, vacations, and play times. We still joke about how our trip to Disney World in 1994 is completely documented by pictures...and how we all came back with a "cheese" smile plastered on our faces from all the photos taken. So now that infamous stack of photo albums is joined by boxes and boxes of pictures...snapshots throughout our lives. It is a mess of past events on paper, completely unorganized, but treasured greatly.
Like the rest of the home I grew up in, my room was also filled with pictures. Not by demand, but by my own will. My walls were covered in collages and bulletin boards filled with pictures and momentos. My college dorm was very similar. I had bulletin boards filled with pictures of family and friends from home outlined by pictures of my new college buddies. It was a way for me to feel at home I guess...I had more pictures on the walls than any of my other college buddies, but having all those smiles and familiar faces on my walls just seemed to make me feel more comfortable in that new place.
Well, now I have a new home, and I have to admit that I unpacked the boxes of picture frames before I unpacked some of my clothes. I needed to have those pictures up, have those happy and familiar faces smiling at me from a shelf. I needed their comfort and the remembrance of all those happy times that are documented in each snap shot. We still don't have art and large things up on our walls, but by golly our bookshelves are covered in picture frames. None of the picture frames are really in a set spot or have any order to them yet, but at least they are out in the open where I can see the faces of all my family and friends. And I guess I am a little comforted by the fact that they aren't organized yet...it reminds me of that treasured, haphazard stack of photo albums that started all of this.
Growing up, as far back as I can remember, there was always this stack of photo albums. They were my mother's prized possessions, and they became mine as well. They documented our lives, our family. They contained our greatest moments...our first days of school, our infant and toddler years, our family vacations. Their worth was instilled in me at a very young age.
As I grew up and entered school, I dreaded having my picture taken for the annual. I knew the picture would be bad, but more importantly, I knew that, no matter what, that picture would be on the long wall across the back of our den. It was like our own Hall of Fame, but more like a Hall of Shame. It held our pitiful school year pictures: Vic with his buck teeth, me with my frizzed out bangs, and my sister with the unusual zoom to block her arm cast out of the picture. But these pictures were prized too. My mom still has them all packed away in boxes...the only reason they aren't on display is because we wouldn't let her put them back up.
My mom was always the one taking pictures of us at school events, sports, vacations, and play times. We still joke about how our trip to Disney World in 1994 is completely documented by pictures...and how we all came back with a "cheese" smile plastered on our faces from all the photos taken. So now that infamous stack of photo albums is joined by boxes and boxes of pictures...snapshots throughout our lives. It is a mess of past events on paper, completely unorganized, but treasured greatly.
Like the rest of the home I grew up in, my room was also filled with pictures. Not by demand, but by my own will. My walls were covered in collages and bulletin boards filled with pictures and momentos. My college dorm was very similar. I had bulletin boards filled with pictures of family and friends from home outlined by pictures of my new college buddies. It was a way for me to feel at home I guess...I had more pictures on the walls than any of my other college buddies, but having all those smiles and familiar faces on my walls just seemed to make me feel more comfortable in that new place.
Well, now I have a new home, and I have to admit that I unpacked the boxes of picture frames before I unpacked some of my clothes. I needed to have those pictures up, have those happy and familiar faces smiling at me from a shelf. I needed their comfort and the remembrance of all those happy times that are documented in each snap shot. We still don't have art and large things up on our walls, but by golly our bookshelves are covered in picture frames. None of the picture frames are really in a set spot or have any order to them yet, but at least they are out in the open where I can see the faces of all my family and friends. And I guess I am a little comforted by the fact that they aren't organized yet...it reminds me of that treasured, haphazard stack of photo albums that started all of this.
One of the many pictures from those albums:
What a Wonderful Weekend!
Boy, do I love alliterations...and "boy" is right! My marvelous weekend started out with some news from Caroline and Jeremy that they are having a boy! How exciting! You know, I could use this time to gloat about how I knew it was a boy all along and never doubted him for a second, but I'm too classy for that ;)
Caroline called me Friday afternoon after her doctor's appointment. Josh and I were at the gas station filling up and grabbing some ice for our camping trip. After talking with Caroline and relaying the news to our families, we headed to Clarkco State Park for a night of camping with our puppy Charlie. We arrived at the park to discover that we had reserved a campsite right in the middle of all the RVs and pop-up campers. We didn't want to put our tent on a paved driveway right beside 20 other campers. We decided to check out the "primitive" campsites, and we were gladly surprised to find absolutely no one using them. Josh informed the rangers that we would be camping in the primitive spots, and we had that whole section to ourselves. It was great! I know that camping without electricity, water, or a bathroom within 20 feet doesn't sound fun to most people, but we love it!
I grew up camping. I think my family was conditioning me for my Africa trip all along. We would take tents and go camping for a week long vacation with my mom's family. We grew up camping in tents and swimming in lakes and eating hot dogs cooked over a campfire. I will freely admit that I CAN and WILL pee outside in the woods. I know it isn't girly, but that's just me. Camping has always been a part of my life. From the vacations mentioned above, to my trip to Nashville with Beth, Caroline, and Lauren our senior year of high school (camping at Nana's and Papa's), to EXTREME camping with my college buddies, to my 3-week camping excursion in Africa, to my first camping trip with my husband. Camping is just part of who I am. I can build a camp fire, I can cook campfire potatoes, I can make a pretty awesome S'more, I can put up a tent, I can sleep in a sleeping bag, I can tell some campfire ghost stories, I can raccoon-proof a cooler, I can bear-proof a campsite, I can pack all I need into a backpack, and I can camp in the rain. This is me. I don't mind getting dirty or sweating, as long as we get that tent up. I don't mind getting bit by tons of bugs, as long as I get to sit and enjoy the campfire with Josh and Charlie. I don't mind the rain, as long as I get to laugh at it all later with friends. Some of my favorite memories involve a campsite, and this weekend's trip is sure to make the list.
We started a campfire, got the stove and lantern working and got the tent up, all of these involved some folly or series of comedic events. That's what made it so fun though. We laughed about it all the way home on Saturday. We froze Friday night, Charlie was scared of the lightning bugs, our air mattress lost some air, Josh broke his lighter, Charlie chewed her harness off, and we both got eaten alive by bugs. We ate hot dogs cooked over the fire and campfire potatoes for dinner, we made scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, we sat by the fire and laughed and talked, we watched the fireflies, we laughed at Charlie (who did not get the concept of sleeping in the tent), we went for a beautiful walk around the lake, and we worked together to set-up and take down camp. Man, it was a blast!
Sunday was yet another wonderful part of the weekend. We had church that morning, and then we headed to Butler for a miscellaneous wedding shower that Nena Beth was hosting for me. It was so much fun! The food was great, the punch was to-die-for, and the company couldn't have been better! It was so nice to meet everyone, and it was great to spend some time with the family! All in all it was a truly wonderful weekend filled with fun, family, and a campfire.
Caroline called me Friday afternoon after her doctor's appointment. Josh and I were at the gas station filling up and grabbing some ice for our camping trip. After talking with Caroline and relaying the news to our families, we headed to Clarkco State Park for a night of camping with our puppy Charlie. We arrived at the park to discover that we had reserved a campsite right in the middle of all the RVs and pop-up campers. We didn't want to put our tent on a paved driveway right beside 20 other campers. We decided to check out the "primitive" campsites, and we were gladly surprised to find absolutely no one using them. Josh informed the rangers that we would be camping in the primitive spots, and we had that whole section to ourselves. It was great! I know that camping without electricity, water, or a bathroom within 20 feet doesn't sound fun to most people, but we love it!
I grew up camping. I think my family was conditioning me for my Africa trip all along. We would take tents and go camping for a week long vacation with my mom's family. We grew up camping in tents and swimming in lakes and eating hot dogs cooked over a campfire. I will freely admit that I CAN and WILL pee outside in the woods. I know it isn't girly, but that's just me. Camping has always been a part of my life. From the vacations mentioned above, to my trip to Nashville with Beth, Caroline, and Lauren our senior year of high school (camping at Nana's and Papa's), to EXTREME camping with my college buddies, to my 3-week camping excursion in Africa, to my first camping trip with my husband. Camping is just part of who I am. I can build a camp fire, I can cook campfire potatoes, I can make a pretty awesome S'more, I can put up a tent, I can sleep in a sleeping bag, I can tell some campfire ghost stories, I can raccoon-proof a cooler, I can bear-proof a campsite, I can pack all I need into a backpack, and I can camp in the rain. This is me. I don't mind getting dirty or sweating, as long as we get that tent up. I don't mind getting bit by tons of bugs, as long as I get to sit and enjoy the campfire with Josh and Charlie. I don't mind the rain, as long as I get to laugh at it all later with friends. Some of my favorite memories involve a campsite, and this weekend's trip is sure to make the list.
We started a campfire, got the stove and lantern working and got the tent up, all of these involved some folly or series of comedic events. That's what made it so fun though. We laughed about it all the way home on Saturday. We froze Friday night, Charlie was scared of the lightning bugs, our air mattress lost some air, Josh broke his lighter, Charlie chewed her harness off, and we both got eaten alive by bugs. We ate hot dogs cooked over the fire and campfire potatoes for dinner, we made scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast, we sat by the fire and laughed and talked, we watched the fireflies, we laughed at Charlie (who did not get the concept of sleeping in the tent), we went for a beautiful walk around the lake, and we worked together to set-up and take down camp. Man, it was a blast!
Sunday was yet another wonderful part of the weekend. We had church that morning, and then we headed to Butler for a miscellaneous wedding shower that Nena Beth was hosting for me. It was so much fun! The food was great, the punch was to-die-for, and the company couldn't have been better! It was so nice to meet everyone, and it was great to spend some time with the family! All in all it was a truly wonderful weekend filled with fun, family, and a campfire.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)